Month: July 2017

Reading, Reflection & Prayer: Mon, 31 July – Leviticus 22-24 ~ on worthiness, festivals, and justice

Reading, Reflection & Prayer

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

Opening – (Northumbria Community)

One thing I have asked of the Lord, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life; to behold the beauty of the Lord and to seek Him in His temple.

Praise to You, Lord Jesus Christ, King of endless glory.

Please Read: Leviticus 22-24 (NLT) – click here

Reflection & Prayer

“And they sang in a mighty chorus: “Worthy is the Lamb who was slaughtered — to receive power and riches and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and blessing.” – Revelation 5:12 (NLT)

Leviticus 22:31-33 (NLT) – “You must faithfully keep all my commands by putting them into practice, for I am the Lord. Do not bring shame on my holy name, for I will display my holiness among the people of Israel. I am the Lord who makes you holy. It was I who rescued you from the land of Egypt, that I might be your God. I am the Lord.”

A Worthy Offering

Leviticus 22:21 (NLT) – “If you present a peace offering to the Lord from the herd or the flock, whether it is to fulfill a vow or is a voluntary offering, you must offer a perfect animal. It may have no defect of any kind.

Lord Jesus Christ: You are the Lamb of God who has taken away the sins of the world. Your blood has ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation. Your death purchased my life; have mercy on me, and grant me your peace.

The Appointed Festivals

Leviticus 23:1-4 (NLT) – The Lord said to Moses, “Give the following instructions to the people of Israel. These are the Lord’s appointed festivals, which you are to proclaim as official days for holy assembly.

“You have six days each week for your ordinary work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath day of complete rest, an official day for holy assembly. It is the Lord’s Sabbath day, and it must be observed wherever you live.

“In addition to the Sabbath, these are the Lord’s appointed festivals, the official days for holy assembly that are to be celebrated at their proper times each year.

  • Passover and the Festival of Unleavened Bread
  • Celebration of First Harvest
  • The Festival of Harvest
  • The Festival of Trumpets
  • The Day of Atonement
  • The Festival of Shelters

Heavenly Father: You made the Sabbath a day for rest, reflection and worship. And, you established for us a weekly rhythm for work and rest. Forgive us for turning your Sabbath into a day for sports, hobbies, catching up on chores and shopping. Forgive us for ignoring your holy assemblies and neglecting the care of our own souls. Forgive us for running on empty, only to search frantically to satisfy our emptiness. Teach us that you alone can fill the emptiness within us; and restore among us a weekly rhythm of work and rest, with your holy assembly as the highlight of our week.

Just Punishment

Leviticus 24:15-16 (NLT) – Say to the people of Israel: Those who curse their God will be punished for their sin. Anyone who blasphemes the Name of the Lord must be stoned to death by the whole community of Israel. Any native-born Israelite or foreigner among you who blasphemes the Name of the Lord must be put to death.

Mighty God – Father, Son, and Spirit: You are exalted above all the nations, and your name is holy.

You love justice and have established fairness; you reign with righteousness and your kingdom has no end. Let all the nations praise your great and awesome name. Forgive our pervasive irreverence and ignorance in the use of your name. Restore us as “one nation under God” that we may honor and glorify your name – through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives with you in unity with the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
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“Worthy is the Lamb” – Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir


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Blessing – (Northumbrian Community)

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

8th Sunday after Pentecost: 30 July – Matthew 13:44-52 ~ the treasure hunt

8th Sunday after Pentecost

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

Opening Prayer

God of eternal wisdom, you alone impart the gift of right judgement. Grant us an understanding heart, that we may value wisely the treasure of your kingdom and gladly forgo all lesser gifts to possess that kingdom’s incomparable joy. 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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“Be Unto Your Name” – Robin Mark


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Reading: Matthew 13:44-52 (NLT)

The Parable of the Hidden Treasure

“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.

The Parable of the Pearl of Great Value

“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls, who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it.

The Parable of the Net

“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was thrown into the sea and gathered fish of every kind. When it was full, men drew it ashore and sat down and sorted the good into containers but threw away the bad. So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come out and separate the evil from the righteous and throw them into the fiery furnace. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

New and Old Treasures

“Have you understood all these things?” They said to him, “Yes.” And he said to them, “Therefore every scribe who has been trained for the kingdom of heaven is like a master of a house, who brings out of his treasure what is new and what is old.”
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Intercessory Prayer

God of wisdom and love: hear us as we pray.

+ That all believers may be inspired to keep going by the treasure that awaits them….
+ That those who have strayed away may re-discover the mercy of God….
+ That young people may answer the call to serve you in ministry and missions….
+ That those who govern nations may be as wise as the great leader Solomon….
+ That all who search for answers to their questions may receive the gift of true wisdom….
+ That those whose life on earth is over may enjoy the unparalleled treasure of their eternal home in heaven….

God of wisdom and love, your will is wonderful indeed: hear our prayers and help us live by your precepts, through Christ our Lord. Amen.
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“King Of My Heart” – Kutless


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Concluding Prayer – Romans 11:33, 36 (NLT)

Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways! For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.
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+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!

Reading, Reflection & Prayer: Sat, 29 July – 1 Thessalonians 1-3 ~ thank God for you

Reading, Reflection & Prayer

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

Opening – (Northumbria Community)

One thing I have asked of the Lord, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life; to behold the beauty of the Lord and to seek Him in His temple.

Praise to You, Lord Jesus Christ, King of endless glory.

Please Read: 1 Thessalonians 1-3 (NLT) – click here

Reflection & Prayer

Lord Jesus – I pray for your church around the world today, especially for those suffering oppression and great persecution. Protect your people, Lord; be their shield and defender against the anger and violence of hate-driven people. Provide for your people, Lord; supply their need for food, clothing and shelter, and give them safe havens for rest.

1 Thessalonians 1.2-3 (NLT) – We give thanks to God always for all of you, constantly mentioning you in our prayers, remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.

+ Thank you, Lord, for their faithfulness and steadfastness in the face of great opposition. I ask, Lord, that they might continue to labor in love, strengthened and empowered by your Spirit.

1 Thessalonians 2.7-8 (NLT) – But we were gentle among you, like a nursing mother taking care of her own children. So, being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you had become very dear to us.

+ Lord, I pray that the plight of our persecuted brothers and sisters might be taken to heart by your people around the world. Fill us with a passion to relieve their suffering by whatever means available to us.

1 Thessalonians 2.13 (NLT) – And we also thank God constantly for this, that when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men but as what it really is, the word of God, which is at work in you believers.

+ Lord, Pour out your Spirit that your written Word in Scripture might come alive in new, fresh ways. Accomplish your good works of grace, love, and peace in the hearts of all believers.

1 Thessalonians 3.11-13 (NLT) – Now may our God and Father himself, and our Lord Jesus, direct our way to you, and may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, as we do for you, so that he may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints.

Lord Jesus – Hold your people close to your heart – that we might increase in love for one another and persevere in godliness as we await your return with all the saints who have gone before us. Amen.
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“All the Poor and Powerless” – All Sons & Daughters


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Blessing – (Northumbrian Community)

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

Reading, Reflection & Prayer: Fri, 28 July – Luke 23-24 ~ the torturous road to Emmaus

Reading, Reflection & Prayer

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

Opening – (Northumbria Community)

One thing I have asked of the Lord, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life; to behold the beauty of the Lord and to seek Him in His temple.

Praise to You, Lord Jesus Christ, King of endless glory.

Please Read: Luke 23-24 (NLT) – click here

Reflection & Prayer

In today’s reading, we walk along with Jesus from his Trial and Crucifixion on Good Friday, through Easter and his Resurrection Appearances, to his Ascension into heaven. It speaks for itself.

Please read through it slowly.

Lord Jesus, send your Spirit to help us read the Scriptures with the same mind that you read them to the disciples on the way to Emmaus. In the light of the Word, written in the Bible, you helped them to discover the presence of God in the disturbing events of your sentence and death. Thus, the cross that seemed to be the end of all hope became for them the source of life and of resurrection.

Create in us silence so that we may listen to your voice in Creation and in the Scriptures, in events and in people, above all in the poor and suffering. May your word guide us so that we too, like the two disciples from Emmaus, may experience the force of your resurrection and witness to others that you are alive in our midst as source of fraternity, justice and peace. We ask this of you, Lord Jesus, who revealed to us the Father and sent us your Spirit. Amen.

Lectio Divina (Order of Carmelites)

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“How deep the Father’s love” – Selah


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Blessing – (Northumbrian Community)

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

Reading, Reflection & Prayer: Thu, 27 July – Ezekiel 43-48 ~ absolute holiness

Reading, Reflection & Prayer

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

Opening – (Northumbria Community)

One thing I have asked of the Lord, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life; to behold the beauty of the Lord and to seek Him in His temple.

Praise to You, Lord Jesus Christ, King of endless glory.

Please Read: Ezekiel 43-48 (NLT) – click here

Reflection & Prayer

You are living stones that God is building into his spiritual temple. What’s more, you are his holy priests. Through the mediation of Jesus Christ, you offer spiritual sacrifices that please God. – 1 Peter 2:5 (NLT)

Absolute holiness

Ezekiel 43:5-7, 10, 12 (NLT) – Then the Spirit took me up and brought me into the inner courtyard, and the glory of the Lord filled the Temple. And I heard someone speaking to me from within the Temple, while the man who had been measuring stood beside me. The Lord said to me, “Son of man, this is the place of my throne and the place where I will rest my feet. I will live here forever among the people of Israel.
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“Son of man, describe to the people of Israel the Temple I have shown you, so they will be ashamed of all their sins.
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And this is the basic law of the Temple: absolute holiness! The entire top of the mountain where the Temple is built is holy. Yes, this is the basic law of the Temple.

Lord God: You are transforming me into a living stone to be used in the building your spiritual temple here on earth through faith in your Son, Jesus Christ. As I consider the standard of absolute holiness for your Temple, I am ashamed of my sins and ask that you forgive me, cleanse me, and shape me into something you can use for your good purpose.

Holy priesthood

Ezekiel 44:4, 9, 15-16, 24 (NLT) – Then the man brought me through the north gateway to the front of the Temple. I looked and saw that the glory of the Lord filled the Temple of the Lord, and I fell face down on the ground.
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“So this is what the Sovereign Lord says: No foreigners, including those who live among the people of Israel, will enter my sanctuary if they have not been circumcised and have not surrendered themselves to the Lord.
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“However, the Levitical priests of the family of Zadok continued to minister faithfully in the Temple when Israel abandoned me for idols. These men will serve as my ministers. They will stand in my presence and offer the fat and blood of the sacrifices, says the Sovereign Lord. They alone will enter my sanctuary and approach my table to serve me. They will fulfill all my requirements.
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“They will serve as judges to resolve any disagreements among my people. Their decisions must be based on my regulations.

Lord God: Show me your glory, that I may be awestruck by the wonder and beauty of your presence. Help me to persevere in faithfulness and obedience, that I may offer myself as a living sacrifice that pleases you, through faith in Jesus Christ my Lord. And allow me, according to your good purpose, to bring others into your presence as well.

Holy ground

Ezekiel 45:1, 3-4 (NLT) – “When you divide the land among the tribes of Israel, you must set aside a section for the Lord as his holy portion.
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“Within it the sanctuary of the Most Holy Place will be located. This area will be holy, set aside for the priests who minister to the Lord in the sanctuary. They will use it for their homes, and my Temple will be located within it.

Lord God: You set apart a specific portion of land in Jerusalem for the building of your physical temple, and claimed it as your holy ground. And, you have watched over the physical construction, destruction and desecration of your Temple on this land even to this day. Reclaim this land as your holy ground, as a place of prayer. Cleanse it and drive out all elements that would use it for any other purpose.

River of healing

Ezekiel 47:1-2, 12 (NLT) – In my vision, the man brought me back to the entrance of the Temple. There I saw a stream flowing east from beneath the door of the Temple and passing to the right of the altar on its south side. The man brought me outside the wall through the north gateway and led me around to the eastern entrance. There I could see the water flowing out through the south side of the east gateway.
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Fruit trees of all kinds will grow along both sides of the river. The leaves of these trees will never turn brown and fall, and there will always be fruit on their branches. There will be a new crop every month, for they are watered by the river flowing from the Temple. The fruit will be for food and the leaves for healing.”

Lord God: Pour out your Spirit on us and through us, that we may taste and see that you are good. Heal the sick, open the eyes of the blind, and set free the captives now, in our day – even as we await the full revelation of your river of life, flowing out of the new Jerusalem, at the end of time.

Presence of God

Ezekiel 48:35 (NLT) – “The distance around the entire city will be 6 miles. And from that day the name of the city will be ‘The Lord Is There.’”

Lord God: Without your presence I am a homeless, defenseless wanderer. It’s your presence within me, through faith in your Son Jesus Christ, that sets me apart as a person belonging to you. Empower me by your Spirit to be a light in the darkness for all who seek the Lord.
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“Let Us Know Jehovah” – Sumphonia

Let us know Jehovah; Come, let us press on,
For His Day is certain, Certain as the dawn.
He will come to bless us, Like the fall of rain,
Like the rain of spring-time, Watering the plain.

Tho’ the Lord has torn us, He will heal again;
Tho’ the Lord has struck us, He will bind our pain.
After days of mourning, We will be restored,
Thus to live before Him, Let us seek the Lord.
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Blessing – (Northumbrian Community)

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