June 30, 2018 – The Peanut Gallery

“Be filled with the Holy Spirit, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, and making music to the Lord in your hearts. And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” – Ephesians 5:18b-20 (NLT)

Dear Readers –

On Friday, 29 June, we completed our one year Bible Reading Plan, with the exception of the Book of Psalms. Psalms was omitted because we substituted the Gospel Reading from the Lectionary on Sundays. We began reading through the Bible on 01 July 2017, so, today – Saturday, 30 June – we begin reading through the Psalms to complete our one year Bible Reading Plan.

The Reading Plan we have been following was designed to read through Psalms in 52 days. However, I would like to go more slowly so that we can enter into a spirit of worship and prayer which was the Psalmists’ intended purpose. So, we will be praying through the Psalms daily through the end of the year, approximately 150 days, with Sundays devoted to the Gospel Reading from the Lectionary as before.

Walter Brueggemann (Praying the Psalms) says that the Psalms are not the voice of God addressing us, but rather contain the voice of a common humanity addressing God. When you pray the Psalms, you are praying together with believers throughout the world and throughout time.

But we are also praying with Jesus, as Dietrich Bonhoeffer (Psalms, The Prayer Book of the Bible) notes –

“All prayers of the Bible are such prayers which we pray together with Jesus Christ, in which he accompanies us, and through which he brings us into the presence of God. Otherwise there are no true prayers, for only in and with Jesus Christ can we truly pray.”

So let us join with Jesus and “make music to the Lord in our hearts” as the Spirit allows us to enter into God’s presence each day by faith through the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. Thank you for following along with me and for liking and re-blogging various posts.

+ May God bless and protect you,
+ May God show you mercy and loving-kindness.
+ May God be good to you and give you peace,
+ Through His Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.

Art Chartier
The Peanut Gallery
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Please refer to the charts below to see where we have been, and where we are going. We have been following a Year Through The Bible Plan adapted from Samaritan’s Purse.

Praying the Psalms

+ 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.

Morning Reading: Psalm 1 (NLT)

Oh, the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand around with sinners, or join in with mockers. But they delight in the law of the Lord, meditating on it day and night. They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season. Their leaves never wither, and they prosper in all they do.

But not the wicked! They are like worthless chaff, scattered by the wind. They will be condemned at the time of judgment. Sinners will have no place among the godly. For the Lord watches over the path of the godly, but the path of the wicked leads to destruction.
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Morning Prayer

Heavenly Father: Show me how to enter into the heart of Jesus as I begin this journey through the Psalms. Deliver me from my own poverty of heart, that I may delight in your Word and allow its richness to shape my life.

Guide me along the path of godliness:

that my mind may be enriched…. Lord, hear me.
that my heart may be joyful…. Lord, hear me.
that my life may be consecrated…. Lord, hear me.

Deliver me from sin and wickedness:

that my attitude may be genuine…. Lord, hear me.
that my effort may produce good fruit…. Lord, hear me.
that my future may be secure…. Lord, hear me.

I ask this in the name of Jesus, who intercedes on my behalf before your throne of grace. Amen.
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“Psalm 1” – Sons of Korah

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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!