Month: July 2018

Praying the Psalms: Mon, 16 Jul – Psalm 14 ~ Only fools say: “There is no God.”

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 14 (NLT)

Only fools say in their hearts, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, and their actions are evil; not one of them does good!

The Lord looks down from heaven on the entire human race; he looks to see if anyone is truly wise, if anyone seeks God. But no, all have turned away; all have become corrupt. No one does good, not a single one!

Will those who do evil never learn? They eat up my people like bread and wouldn’t think of praying to the Lord. Terror will grip them, for God is with those who obey him. The wicked frustrate the plans of the oppressed, but the Lord will protect his people.

Who will come from Mount Zion to rescue Israel? When the Lord restores his people, Jacob will shout with joy, and Israel will rejoice.
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Morning Prayer

Lord our God: Save us from this godless, corrupt generation; give us wisdom –

+ That our motives might be pure in all we do
+ That we might love you with all our heart, mind, soul, and strength
+ That we might seek your face in the morning when we arise, throughout the day, and in the evening when we go to bed

Lord our God: Save us from this godless, corrupt generation; give us wisdom –

+ That we might be set free from the bondage of foolishness
+ That we might do what’s right and walk in your ways
+ That we might live under your protection

Lord our God: We await your coming with joyful expectation. Come quickly, deliver your people and restore us. Amen.
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“The Fool (Psalm 14)” – The Shiyr Poets

The fool says in his heart
‘There is no God’
Corrupt and vile their deeds
There is no one; there is no one who does good

The Lord looks down from the heavens
On all the children of men
He’s looking for someone
Looking for someone; looking for someone
Looking for someone who seeks God

All turn astray, turn away altogether corrupted
No one does good; there is none; there is not a single one

Do they not know?
Those who do wrong
Will they never learn
Evil goes on

As if they were bread, they consume
They devour my people
They never call on the Lord
Too busy doing wrong

But there they are shackled with dread
For God is here with the righteous band

In your plot against the poor
You will be shamed
For the Lord is their safe place
God their shelter God their refuge in their need

Oh may salvation come from Zion
For all of Israel
Oh may salvation come from Zion
He’s coming from Zion
When the Lord restores his own
He’s coming from Zion
When the Lord restores his own
He’s coming from Zion
Let Jacob praise and Israel be glad
Let Jacob praise and Israel be glad
He’s coming from Zion
He’s coming from Zion
He’s coming from Zion
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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.
__________

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

Eighth Sunday after Pentecost – 15 July – Mark 6:7-13 ~ sent to save

Eighth Sunday after Pentecost

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

Opening Prayer

God of justice, God of salvation, from every land you call a people to yourself. Yours is the work we do, yours the message we carry.

Keep your people single-minded and faithful to you. Let failure not discourage us nor success beguile our hearts, as you send us to proclaim the gospel.

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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“We’ve a Story to Tell to the Nations” – Church of God (Philippines)

1. We’ve a story to tell to the nations, that shall turn their hearts to the right, a story of truth and mercy, a story of peace and light, a story of peace and light.

Refrain:
For the darkness shall turn to dawning, and the dawning to noonday bright, and Christ’s great kingdom shall come on earth, the kingdom of love and light.

2. We’ve a song to be sung to the nations, that shall lift their hearts to the Lord, a song that shall conquer evil and shatter the spear and sword, and shatter the spear and sword.

3. We’ve a message to give to the nations, that the Lord who reigneth above has sent us His Son to save us, and show us that God is love, and show us that God is love.

4. We’ve a Savior to show to the nations, who the path of sorrow has trod, that all of the world’s great peoples may come to the truth of God, may come to the truth of God.
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Gospel Reading: Mark 6:7-13 (NLT)

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.
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Prayers of Intercession:

God our Helper: We turn to you with confidence and faith. Hear these prayers and those that are on our hearts –

+ For believers everywhere – that we may experience your mercy and grace in our lives….
+ For all who proclaim the message of repentance and restoration - that we may persevere….
+ For all who have turned away from you – that they may come to their senses and come home….
+ For all who hunger and thirst for justice – that we may be satisfied….
+ For all who are sick and suffering – that we may receive healing, according to your will….
+ For all who are dying and those whose death is immanent – that they may be welcomed into your Kingdom….
+ For our loved ones who have already died in Christ – that they may rest eternally in your peace….

God our Helper: You are our refuge and strength; you are our hope and salvation. Accept our prayers and help us, according to your perfect purpose for our lives. We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
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“Jesus Saves” – Buddy Greene, featuring Russ Taff

1. We have heard the joyful sound: Jesus saves! Jesus saves!
Spread the tidings all around: Jesus saves! Jesus saves!
Bear the news to every land, Climb the steeps and cross the waves;
Onward!—’tis our Lord’s command; Jesus saves! Jesus saves!

2. Waft it on the rolling tide, Jesus saves, Jesus saves;
Tell to sinners far and wide, Jesus saves, Jesus saves;
Sing, ye islands of the sea, Echo back, ye ocean caves;
Earth shall keep her jubilee, Jesus saves, Jesus saves.

3. Sing above the battle’s strife, Jesus saves, Jesus saves;
By His death and endless life, Jesus saves, Jesus saves;
Sing it softly thru the gloom, When the heart for mercy craves,
Sing in triumph o’er the tomb, Jesus saves, Jesus saves.

4. Give the winds a mighty voice, Jesus saves, Jesus saves;
Let the nations now rejoice. Jesus saves, Jesus saves;
Shout salvation full and free, Highest hills and deepest caves,
This our song of victory, Jesus saves, Jesus saves.
__________

Blessing – 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17

Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father, who loved us and gave us eternal comfort and good hope through grace, comfort your hearts and establish them in every good work and word.

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

Praying the Psalms: Sat, 14 Jul – Psalm 13 ~ How long, Lord?

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 13 (NLT)

O Lord, how long will you forget me? Forever?

How long will you look the other way? How long must I struggle with anguish in my soul, with sorrow in my heart every day? How long will my enemy have the upper hand?

Turn and answer me, O Lord my God!

Restore the sparkle to my eyes, or I will die. Don’t let my enemies gloat, saying, “We have defeated him! Don’t let them rejoice at my downfall.

But I trust in your unfailing love.
I will rejoice because you have rescued me.
I will sing to the Lord because he is good to me.
__________

Morning Prayer

Lord our God: We wait for you to answer us –

+ Don’t forget us in our times sorrow and despair
+ Don’t forget us in our times of affliction and misery
+ Don’t forget us in our times of fear and terror
+ Don’t forget us in our times of confusion and bewilderment
+ Don’t forget us in our dark times

Lord our God: In your loving-kindness, renew us –

+ That we might trust you without reservation
+ That we might approach you with confidence
+ That we might freely pour out our hearts to you
+ That we might live securely in your friendship
+ That we might stand strong and live courageously

Lord our God: Our lives are in your hands; replace our despair with hope in your unfailing love – a hope that will never disappoint us. Amen.
__________

“How Long (Psalm 13)” – The Shiyr Poets

How long O Lord, will You forget me
How long O Lord, will You look the other way
How long O Lord

How long O Lord, must I wrestle with my thoughts
And everyday, Have such sorrow in my heart

Look on me and answer, O God my Father
Bring light to my darkness, before they see me fall

But I trust, in Your unfailing love
Yes my heart will rejoice
Still I sing of Your unfailing love
You have been good, You will be good to me
__________

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.
__________

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

Praying the Psalms: Fri, 13 Jul – Psalm 12 ~ protect us from this lying generation

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 12 (NLT)

Help, O Lord, for the godly are fast disappearing! The faithful have vanished from the earth!

Neighbors lie to each other, speaking with flattering lips and deceitful hearts. May the Lord cut off their flattering lips and silence their boastful tongues. They say, “We will lie to our hearts’ content. Our lips are our own—who can stop us?”

The Lord replies, “I have seen violence done to the helpless, and I have heard the groans of the poor. Now I will rise up to rescue them, as they have longed for me to do.”

The Lord’s promises are pure, like silver refined in a furnace, purified seven times over. Therefore, Lord, we know you will protect the oppressed, preserving them forever from this lying generation, even though the wicked strut about, and evil is praised throughout the land.
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Morning Prayer

Lord our God: Protect us from this lying generation, the god of lies is enthroned on our national heart. Raise up people of the Book who will declare your Word of promise and uphold the cause of the godly.

+ For the godly are disappearing from our land…. Protect us Lord.
+ For the spirit of falsehood has infested our relationships…. Protect us Lord.
+ For lying and deceit are pervasive throughout our media…. Protect us Lord.

Lord our God: You are our hope and consolation; your faithfulness never ends, and your promises are true.

+ Hear our prayers and petitions, conform them to your will…. Hear us Lord.
+ Teach us to rely on your promises, without disclaimers…. Teach us Lord.
+ Defend us even when wickedness and evil seem to prevail…. Defend us Lord.

Lord our God: Protect us from this lying generation. Show us what we must say and do; show us how to live godly lives that honor you. Amen.
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“Out Of The Darkness (Psalm 12)” – The Shiyr Poets

Help Lord
No one is faithful anymore
Those who are faithful disappear from the earth

Smooth words
Everyone flatters with their lips
They harbor deception in their hearts
Neighbors lie

The tongue that speaks of boastful things
The Lord will end its flattering
I’m tired of what they always say
“With our tongues we rule the world
Who will be master over us?”

No one will master us (No one will master us)
No one will master us (No one will master us)
No one will master us

The Lord replies
I have seen violence done to the weak
The groans of the wretched too crushed to speak I have heard
The Lord replies
Out of the plunder of the poor
Out of the darkness where homeless sleep I will arise

I will rise and rescue them
A witness I’ll supply for them
The words of God are purified
Like silver is refined

I will rise and rescue them
A witness I’ll supply for them
The words of God are purified
Like silver is refined
Precious metals purified

Seven times refined (seven times refined)
Seven times refined (seven times refined)
Seven times refined (seven times refined)

You O Lord
Will keep and preserve the needy ones
You guard and protect us from this dark evil age

While all around
The wicked still circle on every side
Reserving their honour for those who lie
For all things vile . . . all things vile
__________

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.
__________

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

Praying the Psalms: Thu, 12 Jul – Psalm 11 ~ the Lord still rules

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 11 (NLT)

I trust in the Lord for protection.

So why do you say to me, “Fly like a bird to the mountains for safety! The wicked are stringing their bows and fitting their arrows on the bowstrings. They shoot from the shadows at those whose hearts are right. The foundations of law and order have collapsed. What can the righteous do?”

But the Lord is in his holy Temple; the Lord still rules from heaven. He watches everyone closely, examining every person on earth.

The Lord examines both the righteous and the wicked. He hates those who love violence. He will rain down blazing coals and burning sulfur on the wicked, punishing them with scorching winds.

For the righteous Lord loves justice. The virtuous will see his face.
__________

Morning Prayer

Lord our God: Give us the courage required to face the dangers and difficulties of our times with confident determination –

+ That we may ignore the advice of fearful people
+ That we may ignore the advice of depressed people
+ That we may stand firm in the face of imminent danger
+ That we may stand firm in the face of godless mockers

Lord our God: We place our trust in you, our all-sufficient Helper –

+ For you are the King of the universe, ruling over our times
+ For you see everything that’s going on, you examine every motive
+ For you love the godly and loathe the wicked
+ For you will exercise a righteous retribution on the wicked

Lord our God: Whom shall we fear, when you reign Supreme? We place our trust in you. Amen.
__________

God Hasn’t Moved (Psalm 11) – The Shiyr Poets

In the Lord is my protection | In the Lord I place my trust
So why do you say ‘Off to the hills’ | Like a bird flies for safety
Why do you say?

For look the wicked bend back their bow
They fix to the string their arrow
They shoot from the gloom at the upright

When the foundations are gone | What can the righteous do?
When law and order collapse | What can the righteous do?

God hasn’t moved | God hasn’t moved
God hasn’t moved to the mountains
God hasn’t moved

The Lord is in His holy temple | The Lord is in His holy temple
The Lord is in His holy temple | He still rules
He hasn’t moved | God hasn’t moved

The Lord will watch all who live on the earth
He sees everyone unblinking | He’s testing the righteous
But the one who loves violence he hates

Upon the wicked rains | Fiery coals; judgment’s pain
Emptiness their portion | A scorching wind is all that remains

For the Lord our God is righteous
And righteous acts are what He loves
We will see His face | We will see His face
We will see His face | We will see . . .
God hasn’t moved | He hasn’t moved
God hasn’t moved
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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.
__________

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