Month: February 2016

Morning Prayer: 04 February – Mark 6:7-13 ~ repent and believe

Thursday of the Fourth Week in Ordinary Time

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

Opening Sentence

The Kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the Gospel. (Mark 1:15)

Morning Reading: Mark 6:7-13 (NLT)

sent

And he called his twelve disciples together and began sending them out two by two, giving them authority to cast out evil spirits. He told them to take nothing for their journey except a walking stick—no food, no traveler’s bag, no money. He allowed them to wear sandals but not to take a change of clothes.

“Wherever you go,” he said, “stay in the same house until you leave town. But if any place refuses to welcome you or listen to you, shake its dust from your feet as you leave to show that you have abandoned those people to their fate.”

So the disciples went out, telling everyone they met to repent of their sins and turn to God. And they cast out many demons and healed many sick people, anointing them with olive oil.

Morning Prayer

It is the Father’s will that mankind should see him in the face of his beloved Son. Let us honor him as we say: Holy is your name.

+ Christ greeted us with good news: may the world hear it through me, and find hope.
+ I praise and thank you, Lord of heaven and earth; you are the hope and joy of mankind in every age.
+ I pray that your coming may transform your people; and renew our youth and vigor in the service of mankind.
+ I pray for Christians who suffer for their belief: sustain them in their hope.

Holy is your name, Father God: grant me a true understanding of your saving mercy and grace, so that, freed from fear and from the power of my foes, I may serve you faithfully all the days of my life. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

“Holy Are You God” – Terry Macalmon

Blessing

Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God forever and ever! Amen. (Revelation 7:12)

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

Morning Prayer: 03 February – Mark 6:1-6 ~ dishonored at home

Wednesday of Fourth Week in Ordinary Time

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

Opening Sentence

The sheep that belong to me listen to my voice, says the Lord, I know them and they follow me. (John 10:27)

Morning Reading: Mark 6:1-6 (NLT)

Jesus left that part of the country and returned with his disciples to Nazareth, his hometown. The next Sabbath he began teaching in the synagogue, and many who heard him were amazed. They asked, “Where did he get all this wisdom and the power to perform such miracles?” Then they scoffed, “He’s just a carpenter, the son of Mary and the brother of James, Joseph, Judas, and Simon. And his sisters live right here among us.” They were deeply offended and refused to believe in him.

unbelief

Then Jesus told them, “A prophet is honored everywhere except in his own hometown and among his relatives and his own family.” And because of their unbelief, he couldn’t do any miracles among them except to place his hands on a few sick people and heal them. And he was amazed at their unbelief.

Then Jesus went from village to village, teaching the people.

Morning Prayer

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. In his great mercy, he gave us new birth into a living hope by his Son’s resurrection from the dead. Father, give us your strength.

+ Turn our eyes to Jesus Christ your Son. May he lead us in our faith and bring it to perfection.
+ We pray for cheerfulness and a generous heart; may we bring joy to our homes, to our work, and to all whom we meet.
+ We pray for all who are working today; be with us at home and in the city, in the factory and in the fields.
+ We pray for those who have no work; we pray for the disabled and the sick, for those who cannot find work, and for those who are retired.

Remember, Lord, your solemn covenant, renewed and consecrated by the blood of the Lamb, so that we, your people, may obtain forgiveness for our sins and a continued growth in grace. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

“All I Have Is Christ” – Sovereign Grace

Hallelujah! All I have is Christ | Hallelujah! Jesus is my life

I once was lost in darkest night | Yet thought I knew the way | The sin that promised joy and life | Had led me to the grave | I had no hope that You would own | A rebel to Your will | And if You had not loved me first | I would refuse You still

But as I ran my hell-bound race | Indifferent to the cost | You looked upon my helpless state | And led me to the cross | And I beheld God’s love displayed | You suffered in my place | You bore the wrath reserved for me | Now all I know is grace

Now, Lord, I would be Yours alone | And live so all might see | The strength to follow Your commands | Could never come from me | Oh Father, use my ransomed life | In any way You choose | And let my song forever be | My only boast is You

Blessing

(May you) grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen. (2 Peter 3:18)

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

Morning Prayer: 02 February – Luke 2:22-32 ~ now I can die in peace

The Presentation of the Lord

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

Opening Sentence

Bring comfort to your people, Lord, and bless those who are your inheritance.

Morning Reading: Luke 2:22-32 (NLT)

Then it was time for their purification offering, as required by the law of Moses after the birth of a child; so his parents took him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord. The law of the Lord says, “If a woman’s first child is a boy, he must be dedicated to the Lord.” So they offered the sacrifice required in the law of the Lord—“either a pair of turtledoves or two young pigeons.”

Presentation in stained glass

At that time there was a man in Jerusalem named Simeon. He was righteous and devout and was eagerly waiting for the Messiah to come and rescue Israel. The Holy Spirit was upon him and had revealed to him that he would not die until he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. That day the Spirit led him to the Temple. So when Mary and Joseph came to present the baby Jesus to the Lord as the law required, Simeon was there. He took the child in his arms and praised God, saying,

“Sovereign Lord, now let your servant die in peace, as you have promised. I have seen your salvation, which you have prepared for all people. He is a light to reveal God to the nations, and he is the glory of your people Israel!”

Morning Prayer

Lord Jesus, you are the light of the world. We worship and honor you, our Lord and Savior, who was presented to his Father in the temple, and who came to bring comfort to us all.

+ On the cross you consummated your sacrifice to the Father: unite us in your death that we might rise with you in glory.
+ You brought consolation to Israel: bring us now your wisdom, fresh understanding and new vision.
+ Your people continue to proclaim your coming: bring light to all who search for truth.
+ You are the sign of contradiction, the corner-stone rejected by the builders:
build us as living stones into a temple where you will dwell.

Almighty, ever-living God, on this day your Only-Begotten Son was presented in the Temple, in flesh and blood like ours. Purify us in mind and heart that we may meet you in your glory. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

“Hope of the Nations” – Brian Doerksen

Blessing

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. (Romans 15:13)

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

Morning Prayer: 01 February – Mark 5:1-20 ~ power evangelism

Monday of Fourth Week in Ordinary Time

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

Opening Sentence

Take courage, my children, call on God: he will deliver you from tyranny, from the hands of your enemies. Rejoice, for mercy will soon reach you from your Savior.

Morning Reading: Mark 5:1-20 (NLT)

So they arrived at the other side of the lake, in the region of the Gerasenes. When Jesus climbed out of the boat, a man possessed by an evil spirit came out from a cemetery to meet him. This man lived among the burial caves and could no longer be restrained, even with a chain. Whenever he was put into chains and shackles—as he often was—he snapped the chains from his wrists and smashed the shackles. No one was strong enough to subdue him. Day and night he wandered among the burial caves and in the hills, howling and cutting himself with sharp stones.

When Jesus was still some distance away, the man saw him, ran to meet him, and bowed low before him. With a shriek, he screamed, “Why are you interfering with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? In the name of God, I beg you, don’t torture me!” For Jesus had already said to the spirit, “Come out of the man, you evil spirit.”

break every chain

Then Jesus demanded, “What is your name?”

And he replied, “My name is Legion, because there are many of us inside this man.” Then the evil spirits begged him again and again not to send them to some distant place.

There happened to be a large herd of pigs feeding on the hillside nearby. “Send us into those pigs,” the spirits begged. “Let us enter them.”

So Jesus gave them permission. The evil spirits came out of the man and entered the pigs, and the entire herd of about 2,000 pigs plunged down the steep hillside into the lake and drowned in the water.

The herdsmen fled to the nearby town and the surrounding countryside, spreading the news as they ran. People rushed out to see what had happened. A crowd soon gathered around Jesus, and they saw the man who had been possessed by the legion of demons. He was sitting there fully clothed and perfectly sane, and they were all afraid. Then those who had seen what happened told the others about the demon-possessed man and the pigs. And the crowd began pleading with Jesus to go away and leave them alone.

As Jesus was getting into the boat, the man who had been demon possessed begged to go with him. But Jesus said, “No, go home to your family, and tell them everything the Lord has done for you and how merciful he has been.” So the man started off to visit the Ten Towns of that region and began to proclaim the great things Jesus had done for him; and everyone was amazed at what he told them.

Morning Prayer

Almighty Father, the heavens cannot hold your greatness: yet through your Son we have learned to say: Father, may your Kingdom come!

+ We praise you as your children; may your name be kept holy in the hearts of all mankind.
+ Help us to live in the hope of heaven today: make us ready to do your will on earth.
+ Give us this day the courage to forgive others: as you forgive us our trespasses.
+ Father, be with us in all our trials: do not allow us to fall away from you.

Lord God, who entrusted the earth to mankind to till it and care for it, and made the sun to serve their needs: give us grace this day to work faithfully for your glory and for our neighbors’ good. May your kingdom come, through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

“Break Every Chain” – Jesus Culture

Blessing

“To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood and made us a kingdom, priests to his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.” (Revelation 1:5b-6)

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