Morning Prayer: 21 October – John 4:11 ~ deep cries out

30 Days with Oswald Chambers: “My Utmost for His Highest”

+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Opening sentence

Praise to You, Lord Jesus Christ, King of endless glory. You have the words of eternal life, and we have believed and have come to know that You are the Holy One of God.

Listen for the voice of the Lord and enter into His peace.
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Morning Reading: John 4:11 NLT

Pozzo di San Patrizio Orvieto, Italy | very deep well with a double spiral staircase designed by Antonio da Sangallo

“But sir, you don’t have a rope or a bucket,” she said, “and this well is very deep. Where would you get this living water?”
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“My Utmost for His Highest” – 30 Day Reading Plan

Day 16: The Impoverished Ministry Of Jesus

“The well is deep” — and even a great deal deeper than the Samaritan woman knew (4:11)! Think of the depths of human nature and human life; think of the depth of the “wells” in you. Have you been limiting, or impoverishing, the ministry of Jesus to the point that He is unable to work in your life?

Suppose that you have a deep “well” of hurt and trouble inside your heart, and Jesus comes and says to you, “Let not your heart be troubled . . .” (John 14:1). Would your response be to shrug your shoulders and say, “But, Lord, the well is too deep, and even You can’t draw up quietness and comfort out of it.”

Actually, that is correct. Jesus doesn’t bring anything up from the wells of human nature — He brings them down from above. We limit the Holy One of Israel by remembering only what we have allowed Him to do for us in the past, and also by saying, “Of course, I cannot expect God to do this particular thing.” The thing that approaches the very limits of His power is the very thing we as disciples of Jesus ought to believe He will do.

We impoverish and weaken His ministry in us the moment we forget He is almighty. The impoverishment is in us, not in Him…. We struggle to reach the bottom of our own well, trying to get water for ourselves. Beware of sitting back, and saying, “It can’t be done.” You will know it can be done if you will look to Jesus. The well of your incompleteness runs deep, but make the effort to look away from yourself and to look toward Him.
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Prayer: O Lord, what a wonder of perfect confidence it would create could I but hear some clear disposing word of Yours! From the depth of my soul, I cry out to You. Lord, speak to me today.
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“Deep cries out” – Bethel Church (Feat. William Mathews)

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Canticle

Christ, as a light illumine and guide me. Christ, as a shield overshadow me. Christ under me; Christ over me; Christ beside me on my left and my right. This day be within and without me, lowly and meek, yet all-powerful. Be in the heart of each to whom I speak; in the mouth of each who speaks unto me. This day be within and without me, lowly and meek, yet all-powerful. Christ as a light; Christ as a shield; Christ beside me on my left and my right.

Blessing

May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you, wherever He may send you. May He guide you through the wilderness, protect you through the storm. May He bring you home rejoicing at the wonders He has shown you. May He bring you home rejoicing once again into our doors.

+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen

Morning Prayer: 20 October – John 4:11 ~ reality check

30 Days with Oswald Chambers: “My Utmost for His Highest”

+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Opening sentence

Praise to You, Lord Jesus Christ, King of endless glory. You have the words of eternal life, and we have believed and have come to know that You are the Holy One of God.

Listen for the voice of the Lord and enter into His peace.
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Morning Reading: John 4:11 NLT

Woman at the Well Wayne Forte (2004) — Woman at the Well
Wayne Forte (2004)

“But sir, you don’t have a rope or a bucket,” she said, “and this well is very deep. Where would you get this living water?”
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“My Utmost for His Highest” – 30 Day Reading Plan

Day 15: Our Misgivings About Jesus

Have you ever said to yourself, “I am impressed with the wonderful truths of God’s Word, but He can’t really expect me to live up to that and work all those details into my life!” When it comes to confronting Jesus Christ on the basis of His qualities and abilities, our attitudes reflect religious superiority. We think His ideals are lofty and they impress us, but we believe He is not in touch with reality — that what He says cannot actually be done.

Each of us thinks this about Jesus in one area of our life or another. These doubts or misgivings about Jesus begin as we consider questions that divert our focus away from God. While we talk of our dealings with Him, others ask us, “Where are you going to get enough money to live? How will you live and who will take care of you?” Or our misgivings begin within ourselves when we tell Jesus that our circumstances are just a little too difficult for Him. We say, “It’s easy to say, ‘Trust in the Lord,’ but a person has to live; and besides, Jesus has nothing with which to draw water — no means to be able to give us these things.” And beware of exhibiting religious deceit by saying, “Oh, I have no misgivings about Jesus, only misgivings about myself.” If we are honest, we will admit that we never have misgivings or doubts about ourselves, because we know exactly what we are capable or incapable of doing. But we do have misgivings about Jesus.

My misgivings arise from the fact that I search within to find how He will do what He says. My doubts spring from the depths of my own inferiority. If I detect these misgivings in myself, I should bring them into the light and confess them openly — “Lord, I have had misgivings about You. I have not believed in Your abilities, but only my own. And I have not believed in Your almighty power apart from my finite understanding of it.”
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Prayer: O Lord, with what abundant relief I turn to You! I need You in unfathomable ways, and with what amazed relief and joy I find all I need in You.
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“God I Look to You” – Jenn Johnson (Bethel Church)

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Canticle

Blessing

+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen

Morning Prayer: 19 October – 2 Corinthians 5:13-15 ~ compelled to surrender

30 Days with Oswald Chambers: “My Utmost for His Highest”

+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Opening sentence

Praise to You, Lord Jesus Christ, King of endless glory. You have the words of eternal life, and we have believed and have come to know that You are the Holy One of God.

Listen for the voice of the Lord and enter into His peace.
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Morning Reading: 2 Corinthians 5:13-15 NLT

Face of Christ Painting based on the Shroud of Turin — Face of Christ
Painting based on the Shroud of Turin

If it seems we are crazy, it is to bring glory to God. And if we are in our right minds, it is for your benefit. Either way, Christ’s love controls us. Since we believe that Christ died for all, we also believe that we have all died to our old life. He died for everyone so that those who receive his new life will no longer live for themselves. Instead, they will live for Christ, who died and was raised for them.
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“My Utmost for His Highest” – 30 Day Reading Plan

Day 14: The Compelling Majesty Of His Power

Paul said that he was overpowered, subdued, and held as in a vise by “the love of Christ.” Very few of us really know what it means to be held in the grip of the love of God. We tend so often to be controlled simply by our own experience. The one thing that gripped and held Paul, to the exclusion of everything else, was the love of God. “The love of Christ compels us . . . .” When you hear that coming from the life of a man or woman it is unmistakable. You will know that the Spirit of God is completely unhindered in that person’s life.

When we are born again by the Spirit of God, our testimony is based solely on what God has done for us, and rightly so. But that will change and be removed forever once you “receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you . . .” (Acts 1:8).

Only then will you begin to realize what Jesus meant when He went on to say, “. . . you shall be witnesses to Me . . . .” Not witnesses to what Jesus can do — that is basic and understood — but “witnesses to Me . . . .” We will accept everything that happens as if it were happening to Him, whether we receive praise or blame, persecution or reward.

No one is able to take this stand for Jesus Christ who is not totally compelled by the majesty of His power. It is the only thing that matters, and yet it is strange that it’s the last thing we as Christian workers realize. Paul said that he was gripped by the love of God and that is why he acted as he did. People could perceive him as mad or sane—he did not care. There was only one thing he lived for — to persuade people of the coming judgment of God and to tell them of “the love of Christ.”

This total surrender to “the love of Christ” is the only thing that will bear fruit in your life. And it will always leave the mark of God’s holiness and His power, never drawing attention to your personal holiness.
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Prayer:

Draw me, O Lord, into vital communion with Yourself. Press through till I am thrilled with Your presence. Cause me to be Yours in the expression of Your grace as well as in the experience of it. Fill me with Your Spirit – that I may live wholly for You today. Amen.
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“I Surrender” – Hillsong Live

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Canticle

Blessing

+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen

Sunday, 18 October: Isaiah 53:10-11; Psalm 33:4-5, 18-19, 20, 22; Hebrews 4:14-16; Mark 10:42-45 ~ a servant’s life

29th Sunday in Ordinary Time

+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen

Opening Sentence and Prayer:

The Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many. (Mark 10:45)
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O God, it is Your will that all should be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth. Look upon Your abundant harvest and send workers to preach the gospel to every creature, so that Your people, gathered by the Word of life and supported by the power of the Holy Spirit, may advance in the way of faithfulness and love. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever.
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Hymn: “Ye Servants of God” by Mount Ensemble Male Voice

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A Reading from the Old Testament: Isaiah 53:10-11 (NLT)
[The suffering of the Lord can be seen beforehand in the words written by Isaiah.]

Crucifixion of Christ Paolo Veneziano (1340) National Museum in Krakow — Crucifixion of Christ
Paolo Veneziano (1340)
National Museum in Krakow

But it was the Lord’s good plan to crush him and cause him grief. Yet when his life is made an offering for sin, he will have many descendants. He will enjoy a long life, and the Lord’s good plan will prosper in his hands. When he sees all that is accomplished by his anguish, he will be satisfied. And because of his experience, my righteous servant will make it possible for many to be counted righteous, for he will bear all their sins.
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A Reading from the Psalms: Psalm 33:4-5, 18-19, 20, 22 (NLT)

For the word of the Lord holds true, and we can trust everything he does. He loves whatever is just and good; the unfailing love of the Lord fills the earth.
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But the Lord watches over those who fear him, those who rely on his unfailing love. He rescues them from death and keeps them alive in times of famine.
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We put our hope in the Lord. He is our help and our shield.
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Let your unfailing love surround us, Lord, for our hope is in you alone.
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“Psalm 33” – Sung By The Monks Of Putna (600 Years Old Orthodox Christian Monastery in Romania)

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A Reading from the Letters: Hebrews 4:14-16 (NLT)
[In Jesus we have a high priest who was tempted as we are. He will have mercy on us.]

A boy kneels to pray during the Christmas Eve mass at a Catholic church in Beijing on December 24, 2010.

So then, since we have a great High Priest who has entered heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to what we believe. This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin. So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.
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A Reading from the Gospels: Mark 10:42-45 (NLT)
[The true follower of Jesus is like the Master: a humble servant.]

So Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers in this world lord it over their people, and officials flaunt their authority over those under them. But among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first among you must be the slave of everyone else. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
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Hymn: “Heart of a servant” Hati Hamba-City Harvest Church

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Intercessions:

The Lord is our help and our shield: let us approach His throne of grace with confidence –

+ For Christian communities around the world who worship in Spirit and Truth today – that they may make Christ present to the world…. Lord, hear us.
+ For those who are suffering – that we may be sensitive to people struggling with heavy burdens…. Lord, hear us.
+ For the spirit of service among Christians — that we may support each other…. Lord, hear us.
+ For missionaries and the people among whom they work – that we may not forget to pray for them…. Lord, hear us.
+ For the sick, the lonely, the elderly and the bereaved — that they may be comforted…. Lord, hear us.
+ For blessing on our faith communities – that Your Spirit may help us fill the world with Your love…. Lord, hear us.
+ For those who have died, especially those martyred because of their Christian faith – that they may experience the fullness of life eternally with You…. Lord, hear us.

God, the creator of all, You fill the earth with Your love: we rejoice in Your faithfulness as we present these prayers to You, through Christ our Lord. Amen.
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Hymn: “Where You go I go” – Jesus Culture

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Benediction:

Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen. (Hebrews 13:20-21)

+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen

Morning Prayer: 17 October – Matthew 6:25 ~ the invasion of worry

30 Days with Oswald Chambers: “My Utmost for His Highest”

+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Opening sentence

Praise to You, Lord Jesus Christ, King of endless glory. You have the words of eternal life, and we have believed and have come to know that You are the Holy One of God.

Listen for the voice of the Lord and enter into His peace.
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Morning Reading: Matthew 6:25 NLT

“That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life — whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing?

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“My Utmost for His Highest” – 30 Day Reading Plan

Day 13: Look Again And Think

A warning which needs to be repeated is that “the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches,” and the lust for other things, will choke out the life of God in us (Matthew 13:22). We are never free from the recurring waves of this invasion. If the front line of attack is not about clothes and food, it may be about money or the lack of money; or friends or lack of friends; or the line may be drawn over difficult circumstances. It is one steady invasion, and these things will come in like a flood, unless we allow the Spirit of God to raise up the banner against it.

“I say to you, do not worry about your life . . . .” Our Lord says to be careful only about one thing — our relationship to Him. But our common sense shouts loudly and says, “That is absurd, I must consider how I am going to live, and I must consider what I am going to eat and drink.” Jesus says you must not. Beware of allowing yourself to think that He says this while not understanding your circumstances. Jesus Christ knows our circumstances better than we do, and He says we must not think about these things to the point where they become the primary concern of our life. Whenever there are competing concerns in your life, be sure you always put your relationship to God first.

“Sufficient for the day is its own trouble” (6:34). How much trouble has begun to threaten you today? What kind of mean little demons have been looking into your life and saying, “What are your plans for next month — or next summer?” Jesus tells us not to worry about any of these things. Look again and think. Keep your mind on the “much more” of your heavenly Father (6:30).
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Prayer:

Detach me, O Lord, from the things of sense and time, and usher me into the presence of the King. Keep the precincts of my mind and heart entirely Yours. Shield and protect me from the invasion of worry, and may I put You first in all things… today. Amen.
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“In Your Presence” – Elevation Worship