Reading, Reflection & Prayer: Mon, 21 Aug – Numbers 5-8 ~ May the Lord bless you and protect you….

Reading, Reflection & Prayer

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

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: Numbers 5-8 (NLT) – click here

Reflection & Prayer

Nazirite Laws

Numbers 6 :2-3 (NLT) – “If any of the people, either men or women, take the special vow of a Nazirite, setting themselves apart to the Lord in a special way, they must give up wine and other alcoholic drinks….”

Numbers 6:5-8 (NLT) – “They must never cut their hair throughout the time of their vow, for they are holy and set apart to the Lord. Until the time of their vow has been fulfilled, they must let their hair grow long. And they must not go near a dead body during the entire period of their vow to the Lord. Even if the dead person is their own father, mother, brother, or sister, they must not defile themselves, for the hair on their head is the symbol of their separation to God. This requirement applies as long as they are set apart to the Lord….”

The Priestly Blessing

Numbers 6:23-27 (NLT) – “Tell Aaron and his sons to bless the people of Israel with this special blessing:

‘May the Lord bless you and protect you. May the Lord smile on you and be gracious to you. May the Lord show you his favor and give you his peace.’

Whenever Aaron and his sons bless the people of Israel in my name, I myself will bless them.”

Offerings of Dedication

Numbers 7:1-2 (NLT) – On the day Moses set up the Tabernacle, he anointed it and set it apart as holy. He also anointed and set apart all its furnishings and the altar with its utensils. Then the leaders of Israel—the tribal leaders who had registered the troops—came and brought their offerings….”

Numbers 7:89 (NLT) – Whenever Moses went into the Tabernacle to speak with the Lord, he heard the voice speaking to him from between the two cherubim above the Ark’s cover—the place of atonement—that rests on the Ark of the Covenant. The Lord spoke to him from there.

The Levites Dedicated

Numbers 8:6, 9-11 (NLT) – “Now set the Levites apart from the rest of the people of Israel and make them ceremonially clean….. Then assemble the whole community of Israel, and present the Levites at the entrance of the Tabernacle. When you present the Levites before the Lord, the people of Israel must lay their hands on them. Raising his hands, Aaron must then present the Levites to the Lord as a special offering from the people of Israel, thus dedicating them to the Lord’s service….”

Numbers 8:24-26 (NLT) – “This is the rule the Levites must follow: They must begin serving in the Tabernacle at the age of twenty-five, and they must retire at the age of fifty. After retirement they may assist their fellow Levites by serving as guards at the Tabernacle, but they may not officiate in the service. This is how you must assign duties to the Levites.”

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Lord God: You alone are the source of all goodness in our lives; our peace, our prosperity, our children, our security, our property, our happiness, our health – all good things come from You.

+ It’s by Your grace that we receive Your good gifts – thank You Lord.

+ And, it’s by Your grace that we long for that day when we shall see You face-to-face smiling upon us.

Set us apart as a holy people, a people who belong to You, that we might love and serve you, and show others Your goodness to us through Jesus Christ our Savior, who has called us out of darkness into His wonderful light. In His name, we pray. Amen.
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“Aaronic Benediction” – Joshua Aaron & Misha Goetz

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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!

11th Sunday after Pentecost: 20 Aug – Matthew 15:21-28 ~ healing faith

11th Sunday after Pentecost

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

Opening Prayer

God of the nations, to your table all are invited and in your family no one is a stranger. Satisfy the hunger of those gathered in this house of prayer, and mercifully extend to all the peoples on earth the joy of salvation and faith. Grant 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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“Behold Our God “ – Sovereign Grace Music

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Reading: Matthew 15:21-28 (NLT)

Then Jesus left Galilee and went north to the region of Tyre and Sidon. A Gentile woman who lived there came to him, pleading, “Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David! For my daughter is possessed by a demon that torments her severely.”

But Jesus gave her no reply, not even a word. Then his disciples urged him to send her away. “Tell her to go away,” they said. “She is bothering us with all her begging.”

Then Jesus said to the woman, “I was sent only to help God’s lost sheep—the people of Israel.”

But she came and worshiped him, pleading again, “Lord, help me!”

Jesus responded, “It isn’t right to take food from the children and throw it to the dogs.”

She replied, “That’s true, Lord, but even dogs are allowed to eat the scraps that fall beneath their masters’ table.”

“Dear woman,” Jesus said to her, “your faith is great. Your request is granted.” And her daughter was instantly healed.

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Intercessory Prayer

God of grace and glory: you made us and understand us, and you welcome us into your presence through your Son, Jesus Christ. Show us your mercy and help us in this our time of need. We pray –

+ That your Church may be a joyful house of prayer for all nations…. Lord, hear us.
+ That your Church may welcome people of all nations who worship, love and serve you…. Lord, hear us.
+ That we may show kindness to people from other countries who live in our midst…. Lord, hear us.
+ That we may work to defeat discrimination and prejudice by treating others as we would like to be treated…. Lord, hear us.
+ That people of every nation, race, color and religion may be united in doing what is right and good in your sight…. Lord, hear us.
+ That all who are returning to school, both students and teachers, may find joy in learning and faith to guide them…. Lord, hear us.
+ That all who suffer, in mind, body or spirit, may experience Christ’s healing power…. Lord, hear us.
+ That all who have died in Christ may come to God’s holy mountain, along with those whose faith is known to God alone…. Lord, hear us.

Gracious God, all the nations find their help in you: teach us to trust in your love as you grant our prayers, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
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“With All I Am” – Hillsong

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Concluding Prayer – Ephesians 3:20-21 (NLT)

Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

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

Reading, Reflection & Prayer: Sat, 19 Aug – 1 Timothy 4-5 ~ practical pastoral advice

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 Timothy 4-5 (NLT) – click here

Reflection & Prayer

Lord Jesus Christ: we pray for your Church, that she might be presented to you as your bride – pure and spotless – when you return.

Train for godliness

1 Timothy 4:7-8 (NLT) – Do not waste time arguing over godless ideas and old wives’ tales. Instead, train yourself to be godly. “Physical training is good, but training for godliness is much better, promising benefits in this life and in the life to come.”

1 Timothy 4:12-13 (NLT) – Don’t let anyone think less of you because you are young. Be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity. Until I get there, focus on reading the Scriptures to the church, encouraging the believers, and teaching them.

+ Thank you, Lord, for pastors and priests – may they be shepherds after your own heart, who will feed your people with knowledge and understanding.

Treat others respectfully

1 Timothy 5:1-2 (NLT) – Never speak harshly to an older man, but appeal to him respectfully as you would to your own father. Talk to younger men as you would to your own brothers. Treat older women as you would your mother, and treat younger women with all purity as you would your own sisters.

+ Thank you, Lord, for every person you have adopted into our church families – men and women, young and old – may we show one another the same consideration, courtesy, and deference as we would to those in our natural families.

consideration, thoughtfulness, attentiveness, politeness, courtesy, civility, deference

Take care of families

1 Timothy 5:3-4 (NLT) – Take care of any widow who has no one else to care for her. But if she has children or grandchildren, their first responsibility is to show godliness at home and repay their parents by taking care of them. This is something that pleases God.

+ Thank you, Lord, for families – may we support and care for one another, especially our parents and grandparents when they are in need; and may we do so cheerfully and generously.

Support for older widows

1 Timothy 5:9-10 (NLT) – A widow who is put on the list for support must be a woman who is at least sixty years old and was faithful to her husband. She must be well respected by everyone because of the good she has done. Has she brought up her children well? Has she been kind to strangers and served other believers humbly? Has she helped those who are in trouble? Has she always been ready to do good?

+ Thank you, Lord, for the elderly among us, especially those who have lived faithful, godly, lives – may your people provide the comfort and support they require, especially when there is no family available to care for them.

+ Thank you, Lord, for your selfless servants around the world who are caring for the elderly, the sick, and the dying in Jesus’ name.

Not for younger widows

1 Timothy 5:11-14 (NLT) – The younger widows should not be on the list, because their physical desires will overpower their devotion to Christ and they will want to remarry. Then they would be guilty of breaking their previous pledge. And if they are on the list, they will learn to be lazy and will spend their time gossiping from house to house, meddling in other people’s business and talking about things they shouldn’t. So I advise these younger widows to marry again, have children, and take care of their own homes. Then the enemy will not be able to say anything against them.

+ Thank you, Lord, for giving us the wisdom required to utilize the Church’s resources to build up your people and set them free, rather than creating dependency and encouraging laziness. We pray especially for those to whom you have called to serve as financial stewards – may they administer your resources with fairness and justice.

Treat elders respectfully

1 Timothy 5:17 19-20(NLT) – Elders who do their work well should be respected and paid well, especially those who work hard at both preaching and teaching.
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Do not listen to an accusation against an elder unless it is confirmed by two or three witnesses. Those who sin should be reprimanded in front of the whole church; this will serve as a strong warning to others.

+ Thank you, Lord, for those who serve as elders in the Church – may they receive the respect that is due their office, and may they be diligent, hard-working, servants of your people. Protect their families, that they may serve as positive models of Christian living.

All will be revealed

1 Timothy 5:24-25 (NLT) – Remember, the sins of some people are obvious, leading them to certain judgment. But there are others whose sins will not be revealed until later. In the same way, the good deeds of some people are obvious. And the good deeds done in secret will someday come to light.

Lord Jesus Christ: we await for your return in glory when all will be revealed. Help us to love one another, and encourage one another through all the ambiguities of life in your Church. May we always believe the best about one another and graciously administer your kindness and mercy; you alone knows what’s truly in our hearts.

To you be all honor and glory in the Church, throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
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“The Church’s One Foundation” – Egmore Wesley Church, Chennai, India

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Blessing – (Northumbrian Community)

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

Reading, Reflection & Prayer: Fri, 18 Aug – John 5-6 ~ I believe in Jesus

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: John 5-6 (NLT) – click here

Reflection & Prayer

Jesus Heals a Lame Man

John 5:1-9 (NLT) – Afterward Jesus returned to Jerusalem for one of the Jewish holy days. Inside the city, near the Sheep Gate, was the pool of Bethesda, with five covered porches. Crowds of sick people—blind, lame, or paralyzed—lay on the porches. One of the men lying there had been sick for thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him and knew he had been ill for a long time, he asked him, “Would you like to get well?”

“I can’t, sir,” the sick man said, “for I have no one to put me into the pool when the water bubbles up. Someone else always gets there ahead of me.”

Jesus told him, “Stand up, pick up your mat, and walk!”

Instantly, the man was healed! He rolled up his sleeping mat and began walking! But this miracle happened on the Sabbath….
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Lord Jesus: In some sense, we are all blind, lame, and paralyzed laying on our porches waiting for someone to come along to help us. And, truth be told, we’ve grown accustomed to our infirmities and have adjusted our life expectations to accommodate them. Open our hearts and minds to the wonderful possibilities of new life in you – as a healed and forgiven person with clear sight, whole bodies, and unchained hope. In short, Lord, give us a glimpse of eternal life.

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John 5:19-24 (NLT) – So Jesus explained, “I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself. He does only what he sees the Father doing. Whatever the Father does, the Son also does. For the Father loves the Son and shows him everything he is doing. In fact, the Father will show him how to do even greater works than healing this man. Then you will truly be astonished. For just as the Father gives life to those he raises from the dead, so the Son gives life to anyone he wants. In addition, the Father judges no one. Instead, he has given the Son absolute authority to judge, so that everyone will honor the Son, just as they honor the Father. Anyone who does not honor the Son is certainly not honoring the Father who sent him.

“I tell you the truth, those who listen to my message and believe in God who sent me have eternal life. They will never be condemned for their sins, but they have already passed from death into life.
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Lord Jesus: I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of the Living God. Thank you for giving me life, now and forever. Fill me with your Spirit and bind me to your Word, that I may listen, believe, and honor you in all things and give glory to God the Father.

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Jesus Feeds Five Thousand

John 6:1-2 (NLT) – After this, Jesus crossed over to the far side of the Sea of Galilee, also known as the Sea of Tiberias. A huge crowd kept following him wherever he went, because they saw his miraculous signs as he healed the sick.

John 6:10-15 (NLT) – “Tell everyone to sit down,” Jesus said. So they all sat down on the grassy slopes. (The men alone numbered about 5,000.) Then Jesus took the loaves, gave thanks to God, and distributed them to the people. Afterward he did the same with the fish. And they all ate as much as they wanted. After everyone was full, Jesus told his disciples, “Now gather the leftovers, so that nothing is wasted.” So they picked up the pieces and filled twelve baskets with scraps left by the people who had eaten from the five barley loaves.

When the people saw him do this miraculous sign, they exclaimed, “Surely, he is the Prophet we have been expecting!” When Jesus saw that they were ready to force him to be their king, he slipped away into the hills by himself.

Jesus Walks on Water

John 6:16-21 (NLT) – That evening Jesus’ disciples went down to the shore to wait for him. But as darkness fell and Jesus still hadn’t come back, they got into the boat and headed across the lake toward Capernaum. Soon a gale swept down upon them, and the sea grew very rough. They had rowed three or four miles when suddenly they saw Jesus walking on the water toward the boat. They were terrified, but he called out to them, “Don’t be afraid. I am here!” Then they were eager to let him in the boat, and immediately they arrived at their destination!
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Lord Jesus: You are the Son of God and Lord of all. You are not bound by the natural order of things; even the wind and waves obey you; in you, all things are possible. Take me beyond the human limitations of my thinking, that I may trust you even in the seemingly impossible circumstances of my life. Increase my faith and make me steadfast in prayer, that I may live without fear in your presence.

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Jesus, the Bread of Life

John 6:26-27 (NLT) – Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, you want to be with me because I fed you, not because you understood the miraculous signs. But don’t be so concerned about perishable things like food. Spend your energy seeking the eternal life that the Son of Man can give you. For God the Father has given me the seal of his approval.”

John 6:35-40 (NLT) – Jesus replied, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry again. Whoever believes in me will never be thirsty. But you haven’t believed in me even though you have seen me. However, those the Father has given me will come to me, and I will never reject them. For I have come down from heaven to do the will of God who sent me, not to do my own will. And this is the will of God, that I should not lose even one of all those he has given me, but that I should raise them up at the last day. For it is my Father’s will that all who see his Son and believe in him should have eternal life. I will raise them up at the last day.”

Jesus 6:53-59 (NLT) – So Jesus said again, “I tell you the truth, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you cannot have eternal life within you. But anyone who eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise that person at the last day. For my flesh is true food, and my blood is true drink. Anyone who eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in him. I live because of the living Father who sent me; in the same way, anyone who feeds on me will live because of me. I am the true bread that came down from heaven. Anyone who eats this bread will not die as your ancestors did (even though they ate the manna) but will live forever.”

He said these things while he was teaching in the synagogue in Capernaum.
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Lord Jesus: I am not worthy to receive you, but only say the word and my soul shall be healed. Thank for the union with the Father made possible through your sacrifice of body and blood. Fill me with a sense of wonder and awe at the mystery of your presence in our midst. And, thank you for your redemption and promised resurrection to eternal life.

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Many Disciples Desert Jesus

John 6:66-69 (NLT) – At this point many of his disciples turned away and deserted him. Then Jesus turned to the Twelve and asked, “Are you also going to leave?”

Simon Peter replied, “Lord, to whom would we go? You have the words that give eternal life. We believe, and we know you are the Holy One of God.”

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“This I Believe” – Hillsong Worship

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Blessing – (Northumbrian Community)

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

Reading, Reflection & Prayer: Thu, 17 Aug – Hosea 1-7 ~ God is faithful even when we are not

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: Hosea 1-7 (NLT) – click here

Reflection & Prayer

Hosea’s Wife and Children

Hosea 1:2-3 (NLT) – When the Lord first began speaking to Israel through Hosea, he said to him, “Go and marry a prostitute, so that some of her children will be conceived in prostitution. This will illustrate how Israel has acted like a prostitute by turning against the Lord and worshiping other gods.”

So Hosea married Gomer, the daughter of Diblaim, and she became pregnant and gave Hosea a son.

Charges against an Unfaithful Wife

Hosea 2:2-4 (NLT) – “But now bring charges against Israel—your mother—for she is no longer my wife, and I am no longer her husband. Tell her to remove the prostitute’s makeup from her face and the clothing that exposes her breasts. Otherwise, I will strip her as naked
as she was on the day she was born. I will leave her to die of thirst, as in a dry and barren wilderness. And I will not love her children, for they were conceived in prostitution.

The Lord’s Love for Unfaithful Israel

Hosea 2:14-16 (NLT) – “But then I will win her back once again. I will lead her into the desert and speak tenderly to her there. I will return her vineyards to her and transform the Valley of Trouble into a gateway of hope. She will give herself to me there, as she did long ago when she was young, when I freed her from her captivity in Egypt. When that day comes,” says the Lord, “you will call me ‘my husband’ instead of ‘my master.’

Hosea 2:19-20 (NLT) – I will make you my wife forever, showing you righteousness and justice, unfailing love and compassion. I will be faithful to you and make you mine, and you will finally know me as the Lord.

Hosea’s Wife Is Redeemed

Hosea 3:1-3 (NLT) – Then the Lord said to me, “Go and love your wife again, even though she commits adultery with another lover. This will illustrate that the Lord still loves Israel, even though the people have turned to other gods and love to worship them.”

So I bought her back for fifteen pieces of silver and five bushels of barley and a measure of wine. Then I said to her, “You must live in my house for many days and stop your prostitution….”

The Lord’s Case against Israel

Hosea 4:1-4 (NLT) – Hear the word of the Lord, O people of Israel! The Lord has brought charges against you, saying: “There is no faithfulness, no kindness, no knowledge of God in your land. You make vows and break them; you kill and steal and commit adultery. There is violence everywhere—one murder after another. That is why your land is in mourning, and everyone is wasting away….”

“Don’t point your finger at someone else and try to pass the blame! My complaint, you priests, is with you.

A Call to Repentance

Hosea 6:1-6 (NLT) – “Come, let us return to the Lord. He has torn us to pieces; now he will heal us. He has injured us; now he will bandage our wounds. In just a short time he will restore us, so that we may live in his presence. Oh, that we might know the Lord! Let us press on to know him. He will respond to us as surely as the arrival of dawn or the coming of rains in early spring.”

“O Israel and Judah, what should I do with you?” asks the Lord. “For your love vanishes like the morning mist and disappears like dew in the sunlight. I sent my prophets to cut you to pieces—to slaughter you with my words, with judgments as inescapable as light. I want you to show love, not offer sacrifices. I want you to know me more than I want burnt offerings.

Israel’s Love for Wickedness

Hosea 7:1-2 (NLT) – “I want to heal Israel, but its sins are too great. Samaria is filled with liars. Thieves are on the inside and bandits on the outside! Its people don’t realize that I am watching them. Their sinful deeds are all around them, and I see them all.
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Merciful God: Thank you for your faithfulness to us, even when we are faithless. We confess, we are a faithless people, prone to wander.

Forgive us Lord. Teach us what it means to be faithful to You, to Your Word, and to Your church. Give us steadiness and steadfastness as we follow You.

Thank you for your loving-kindness that knows no bounds. Draw us deeper into your love that we may know you, love you, and serve you through our Lord Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
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“Great is Thy Faithfulness” – Songs of Praise