Month: January 2019

Thursday Morning: 31 Jan 2019 – John 8:12-30 ~ the light that leads to life

Thursday Morning

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

Opening (Collect for Purity)

Almighty God: to you all hearts are open, all desires known, and from you no secrets are hid; cleanse the thoughts of my heart through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, that I may perfectly love you, and worthily magnify your holy name, through Christ my Lord. Amen.
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Morning Reading – John 8:12-30 (NLT)

Jesus, the Light of the World

Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, “I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life.”

The Pharisees replied, “You are making those claims about yourself! Such testimony is not valid.”

Jesus told them, “These claims are valid even though I make them about myself. For I know where I came from and where I am going, but you don’t know this about me. You judge me by human standards, but I do not judge anyone. And if I did, my judgment would be correct in every respect because I am not alone. The Father who sent me is with me. Your own law says that if two people agree about something, their witness is accepted as fact. I am one witness, and my Father who sent me is the other.”

“Where is your father?” they asked.

Jesus answered, “Since you don’t know who I am, you don’t know who my Father is. If you knew me, you would also know my Father.” Jesus made these statements while he was teaching in the section of the Temple known as the Treasury. But he was not arrested, because his time had not yet come.

The Unbelieving People Warned

Later Jesus said to them again, “I am going away. You will search for me but will die in your sin. You cannot come where I am going.”

The people asked, “Is he planning to commit suicide? What does he mean, ‘You cannot come where I am going’?”

Jesus continued, “You are from below; I am from above. You belong to this world; I do not. That is why I said that you will die in your sins; for unless you believe that I am who I claim to be, you will die in your sins.”

“Who are you?” they demanded.

Jesus replied, “The one I have always claimed to be. I have much to say about you and much to condemn, but I won’t. For I say only what I have heard from the one who sent me, and he is completely truthful.” But they still didn’t understand that he was talking about his Father.

So Jesus said, “When you have lifted up the Son of Man on the cross, then you will understand that I am he. I do nothing on my own but say only what the Father taught me. And the one who sent me is with me—he has not deserted me. For I always do what pleases him.” Then many who heard him say these things believed in him.
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Morning Reflection:

Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, “I am the light of the world.
If you follow me, you won’t have to walk in darkness,
because you will have the light that leads to life.”
– John 8:12
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Jesus continued, “You are from below; I am from above.
You belong to this world; I do not.
That is why I said that you will die in your sins; for unless you believe
that I am who I claim to be, you will die in your sins.”
– John 8:23-24

Jesus’ claim to be “the light of the world” demands a response – follow him, and live forever in his light; or reject him, and die forever in sin’s darkness. Jesus leaves us no middle ground. How we respond is a matter of life and death – ours!

What can we learn from this reading about following Jesus? To follow Jesus means –

+ We believe Jesus comes from God and is God.

+ We believe he reveals the truth about God and the truth about us.

+ We believe that, apart from Jesus, the world remains in spiritual darkness.

+ We believe that Jesus will lead us out of spiritual darkness into his marvelous light – now and forever.

To follow Jesus – the light of the world – means to trust Him as Savior and obey Him as Lord.

Questions for consideration:

  • What do you think Jesus means – belong to this world? Please explain.
  • What do you think Jesus means – those who belong to this world are walking in darkness? How does this relate to your life experience? Please explain.
  • Have you decided to follow Jesus? Do you belong to Jesus? Please explain what that means for you and how that has worked out in your life.

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Morning Prayer:

Creator God: You spoke light into a world of darkness through your Son, Jesus Christ, the Word of God. Speak that same light of life into all who follow him, that we may walk with him through this world of spiritual darkness to the world above and into the glorious light of your presence. We ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen.
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“Light Of The World” – Lauren Daigle

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Closing:

May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you, wherever He may send you. May He guide you through the wilderness, and 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 of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen

Wednesday Morning: 30 Jan 2019 – John 7:53-8:11 ~ caught in the act

Wednesday Morning

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

Opening (Collect for Purity)

Almighty God: to you all hearts are open, all desires known, and from you no secrets are hid; cleanse the thoughts of my heart through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, that I may perfectly love you, and worthily magnify your holy name, through Christ my Lord. Amen.
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Morning Reading – John 7:53-8:11 (NLT)

Then the meeting broke up, and everybody went home.

A Woman Caught in Adultery

Jesus returned to the Mount of Olives, but early the next morning he was back again at the Temple. A crowd soon gathered, and he sat down and taught them. As he was speaking, the teachers of religious law and the Pharisees brought a woman who had been caught in the act of adultery. They put her in front of the crowd.

“Teacher,” they said to Jesus, “this woman was caught in the act of adultery. The law of Moses says to stone her. What do you say?”

They were trying to trap him into saying something they could use against him, but Jesus stooped down and wrote in the dust with his finger. They kept demanding an answer, so he stood up again and said, “All right, but let the one who has never sinned throw the first stone!” Then he stooped down again and wrote in the dust.

When the accusers heard this, they slipped away one by one, beginning with the oldest, until only Jesus was left in the middle of the crowd with the woman. Then Jesus stood up again and said to the woman, “Where are your accusers? Didn’t even one of them condemn you?”

“No, Lord,” she said.

And Jesus said, “Neither do I. Go and sin no more.”
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Morning Reflection:

Truth and Grace

“Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.”
– Jesus Prayer–

Whether publicly or privately, we’ve all been caught in the act of sin – be it hardness of heart, base desires, or shameful secrets. The humiliation that this woman faced is our humiliation before a righteous God. So what can we learn from this story?

+ Truth: There is no difference between the irreligious (the woman) and the religious (the Pharisees), we are all condemned sinners – under the judgement of God.

+ Truth: Jesus does not condone or excuse our sin – we are without excuse, solely at the mercy of God.

+ Grace: Jesus offers forgiveness to guilty sinners through faith and repentance.

+ Grace through Faith: Made available only through Jesus’ death on the Cross – (1 Corinthians 5:21) – but we’re jumping ahead in the story.

+ Grace and Repentance: The appropriate response to God’s grace and mercy is a changed life – “Go and sin no more.“

+ Truth and Grace: Jesus offers sinners a fresh start.

Questions for consideration:

  • How do you view yourself – as an irreligious sinner, or as a religious sinner? What’s the difference? Please explain.
  • How do you understand God’s grace? What role does grace play in your life?
  • How do you understand God’s forgiveness? What role does faith in Christ play in forgiveness?
  • How do you understand confession and repentance? What role do they play in your life?
  • What is your one takeaway after reflecting on this story?

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Morning Prayer:

Most merciful God, we confess that we have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done, and by what we have left undone. We have not loved you with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. We are truly sorry and we humbly repent. For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ, have mercy on us and forgive us; that we may delight in your will, and walk in your ways, to the glory of your Name. Amen.
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“No Condemnation” – Anthony Evans

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Closing:

May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you, wherever He may send you. May He guide you through the wilderness, and 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 of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen

Tuesday Morning: 29 Jan 2019 – John 7:37-52 ~ The promise of living water.

Tuesday Morning

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

Opening (Collect for Purity)

Almighty God: to you all hearts are open, all desires known, and from you no secrets are hid; cleanse the thoughts of my heart through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, that I may perfectly love you, and worthily magnify your holy name, through Christ my Lord. Amen.
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Morning Reading – John 7:37-52 (NLT)

Jesus Promises Living Water

On the last day, the climax of the festival, Jesus stood and shouted to the crowds, “Anyone who is thirsty may come to me! Anyone who believes in me may come and drink! For the Scriptures declare, ‘Rivers of living water will flow from his heart.’” (When he said “living water,” he was speaking of the Spirit, who would be given to everyone believing in him. But the Spirit had not yet been given, because Jesus had not yet entered into his glory.)

Division and Unbelief

When the crowds heard him say this, some of them declared, “Surely this man is the Prophet we’ve been expecting.” Others said, “He is the Messiah.” Still others said, “But he can’t be! Will the Messiah come from Galilee? For the Scriptures clearly state that the Messiah will be born of the royal line of David, in Bethlehem, the village where King David was born.” So the crowd was divided about him. Some even wanted him arrested, but no one laid a hand on him.

When the Temple guards returned without having arrested Jesus, the leading priests and Pharisees demanded, “Why didn’t you bring him in?”

“We have never heard anyone speak like this!” the guards responded.

“Have you been led astray, too?” the Pharisees mocked. “Is there a single one of us rulers or Pharisees who believes in him? This foolish crowd follows him, but they are ignorant of the law. God’s curse is on them!”

Then Nicodemus, the leader who had met with Jesus earlier, spoke up. “Is it legal to convict a man before he is given a hearing?” he asked.

They replied, “Are you from Galilee, too? Search the Scriptures and see for yourself—no prophet ever comes from Galilee!”
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Morning Reflection:

“The crowd was divided about him. Some even wanted him arrested,
but no one laid a hand on him.” – John 7:43-44

Once again, the crowd is divided on Jesus’ identity and consequently his authority and power to deliver on his promises. And at this point, John explains why – as yet, they have not received the promised “rivers of living water.”

(When he said “living water,” he was speaking of the Spirit,
who would be given to everyone believing in him.
But the Spirit had not yet been given,
because Jesus had not yet entered into his glory.) – John 7:39

Later on, Jesus will explain more about the gift of the Holy Spirit, but in this reading a few things stand out –

+ The Holy Spirit satisfies the deep longing (thirst) of human hearts to know God.

+ The blessing of the Holy Spirit was apportioned to those chosen by the Father at this point in the story.

+ The blessing of the Holy Spirit was given as a wellspring (river) to every believer in Jesus after his death, resurrection and ascension (entered into his glory).

Questions for consideration:

  • Do you consider yourself a believer in Jesus Christ? Please explain.
  • Does “Rivers of living water will flow from his heart” describe you?
  • How have you experienced the blessing of the Holy Spirit in your life?
  • How has the blessing of the Holy Spirit you received been a blessing to others?

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Morning Prayer:

Sovereign God: Send your Spirit into our unbelieving world to call people in every tribe and nation to faith in Jesus Christ, that all may confess him as Lord. And pour out your Spirit on your Church in all its shapes and forms, that we may be one in him – an ever-flowing source of healing, and a certain hope of eternal life. We ask this in Jesus’ name.
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“Living Water” – Gateway ft Lauren Dunn

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Closing:

May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you, wherever He may send you. May He guide you through the wilderness, and 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 of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen

Monday Morning: 28 Jan 2019 – John 7:25-36 ~ sent by God

Monday Morning

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

Opening (Collect for Purity)

Almighty God: to you all hearts are open, all desires known, and from you no secrets are hid; cleanse the thoughts of my heart through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, that I may perfectly love you, and worthily magnify your holy name, through Christ my Lord. Amen.
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Morning Reading – John 7:25-36 (NLT)

Some of the people who lived in Jerusalem started to ask each other, “Isn’t this the man they are trying to kill? But here he is, speaking in public, and they say nothing to him. Could our leaders possibly believe that he is the Messiah? But how could he be? For we know where this man comes from. When the Messiah comes, he will simply appear; no one will know where he comes from.”

While Jesus was teaching in the Temple, he called out, “Yes, you know me, and you know where I come from. But I’m not here on my own. The one who sent me is true, and you don’t know him. But I know him because I come from him, and he sent me to you.” Then the leaders tried to arrest him; but no one laid a hand on him, because his time had not yet come.

Many among the crowds at the Temple believed in him. “After all,” they said, “would you expect the Messiah to do more miraculous signs than this man has done?”

When the Pharisees heard that the crowds were whispering such things, they and the leading priests sent Temple guards to arrest Jesus. But Jesus told them, “I will be with you only a little longer. Then I will return to the one who sent me. You will search for me but not find me. And you cannot go where I am going.”

The Jewish leaders were puzzled by this statement. “Where is he planning to go?” they asked. “Is he thinking of leaving the country and going to the Jews in other lands? Maybe he will even teach the Greeks! What does he mean when he says, ‘You will search for me but not find me,’ and ‘You cannot go where I am going’?”
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Morning Reflection:

The controversy surrounding Jesus continues – is he, or isn’t he, the Messiah? Many who hear him believe, while the Jewish leaders continue to plot his demise.

In the middle of it all, Jesus shouts out:

“I’m not here on my own.
The one who sent me is true, and you don’t know him.
But I know him because I come from him,
and he sent me to you.” – John 7:28-29

In essence Jesus is telling the Jewish leaders and people, “I know God and you don’t, but God has sent me here to straighten you out.” Can you imagine how that would play out today at the Western Wall in Jerusalem? Jesus would be mobbed and arrested immediately, unless God intervened.

“Sent from God” revealed Jesus’ origins, authority, and destiny –

+ Jesus is the eternal Word of God made human being.

+ Jesus’ preaches, teaches, and heals under the full authority of God.

+ Jesus’ physical safety is determined by the purpose of God.

Questions for consideration –

Some churches have a purpose statement that can be applied to all believers –

“To know Christ, and to make him known.”

  • Is that true of you? How does that work out in your life?
  • What helps you know Christ better? What hinders you?
  • What helps you to make Christ known? What hinders you?
  • With God’s help, what next step can you take?

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Morning Prayer:

Heavenly Father: You have revealed yourself to us through your Son, Jesus Christ. Show us how we can know him more; and transform our lives, through the power of your Word and Spirit – that we might love you with our all, and love those around us as he has loved us. All to the glory of your name. Amen.
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“All I once held dear” – Robin Mark

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Closing:

May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you, wherever He may send you. May He guide you through the wilderness, and 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 of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen

The 3rd Sunday of Epiphany – 27 Jan 2019 – Luke 4:14-21 ~ “The time of the Lord’s favor has come.”

Third Sunday of Epiphany

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

Opening Prayer

Lord God, whose compassion embraces all peoples, whose law is wisdom, freedom, and joy, fulfill in our midst your promise of favor, that we may receive the gospel of salvation with faith and, anointed by the Spirit, freely proclaim it. 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. Amen.
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“O for a Thousand Tongues” – St Michael’s Singers

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Gospel Reading: Luke 4:14-21 (NLT)

Then Jesus returned to Galilee, filled with the Holy Spirit’s power. Reports about him spread quickly through the whole region. He taught regularly in their synagogues and was praised by everyone.

When he came to the village of Nazareth, his boyhood home, he went as usual to the synagogue on the Sabbath and stood up to read the Scriptures. The scroll of Isaiah the prophet was handed to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where this was written:

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, for he has anointed me to bring Good News to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim that captives will be released, that the blind will see, that the oppressed will be set free, and that the time of the Lord’s favor has come.”

He rolled up the scroll, handed it back to the attendant, and sat down. All eyes in the synagogue looked at him intently. Then he began to speak to them. “The Scripture you’ve just heard has been fulfilled this very day!”
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Prayers of Intercession:

Heavenly Father: Pour out your Spirit on us that we may demonstrate the Good News of great joy given to us through your Son, Jesus Christ. We pray especially for –

+ Church leaders around the world – that they may faithfully preach and teach your Word….
+ All believers – that we may listen to your Word and faithfully put it into practice….
+ Persecuted believers – that they be delivered from evil and refreshed in faith and hope….
+ The poor, the captive, the blind, and oppressed – that they might experience your favor….
+ The sick in body, mind, and spirit – that they may experience healing in this life, and perfect wholeness in the life to come….
+ Those who have died in Christ – that all your promises to them may be fulfilled as they enter into the glory of your presence….

Heavenly Father: Your words are spirit and life. Soften our hearts, change our minds, and bend our wills, that we may become joy-filled bearers of your Good News through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
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“Joy of the Lord” – Rend Collective Experiment

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Blessing – Ephesians 3:20-21

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

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