Month: June 2019

Monday Morning: 10 Jun 2019 – Hebrews 5:1-14 ~ Jesus is the source of eternal salvation

Monday Morning

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

Opening (A Collect for the Renewal of Life – Monday)

O God, the King eternal, whose light divides the day from the night and turns the shadow of death into the morning: Drive far from us all wrong desires, incline our hearts to keep your law, and guide our feet into the way of peace; that, having done your will with cheerfulness during the day, we may, when night comes, rejoice to give you thanks; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
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Morning Reading – Hebrews 5:1-14 (NLT)

Every high priest is a man chosen to represent other people in their dealings with God. He presents their gifts to God and offers sacrifices for their sins. And he is able to deal gently with ignorant and wayward people because he himself is subject to the same weaknesses. That is why he must offer sacrifices for his own sins as well as theirs.

And no one can become a high priest simply because he wants such an honor. He must be called by God for this work, just as Aaron was. That is why Christ did not honor himself by assuming he could become High Priest. No, he was chosen by God, who said to him,

“You are my Son. Today I have become your Father.”

And in another passage God said to him,

“You are a priest forever in the order of Melchizedek.”

While Jesus was here on earth, he offered prayers and pleadings, with a loud cry and tears, to the one who could rescue him from death. And God heard his prayers because of his deep reverence for God. Even though Jesus was God’s Son, he learned obedience from the things he suffered. In this way, God qualified him as a perfect High Priest, and he became the source of eternal salvation for all those who obey him. And God designated him to be a High Priest in the order of Melchizedek.

A Call to Spiritual Growth

There is much more we would like to say about this, but it is difficult to explain, especially since you are spiritually dull and don’t seem to listen. You have been believers so long now that you ought to be teaching others. Instead, you need someone to teach you again the basic things about God’s word. You are like babies who need milk and cannot eat solid food. For someone who lives on milk is still an infant and doesn’t know how to do what is right. Solid food is for those who are mature, who through training have the skill to recognize the difference between right and wrong.
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Morning Reflection:

Jesus who learned to obey brought salvation to those who obey.

Even though Jesus was God’s Son, he learned obedience from the things he suffered.
In this way, God qualified him as a perfect High Priest,
and he became the source of eternal salvation for all those who obey him.
– Hebrews 5:8-9

It’s easy to do things God’s way when things are going our way. But when things are not going our way, it’s a lot tougher – and that’s when we learn obedience, or not.

Our reading today addresses Jesus’ obedience in the face of his unimaginable suffering as both the perfect High Priest and the perfect Sacrifice for the sins of the world – our sins past, present and future. Even though Jesus was God’s Son, he gained experiential knowledge of what being a human involves. He learned obedience in the sense that He learned to obey His Father’s will as a human.

+ As God’s Perfect Sacrifice: Jesus leads the way through our human suffering.
+ As God’s Perfect High Priest: Jesus provides what we need to live in obedience to him.

Questions for consideration:

  • Pause for a moment to reflect on where you believe God is calling you to become more obedient? Please explain.
  • Since Jesus continually intercedes for you before the throne of grace, where do you need mercy and help to follow through on God’s call to greater obedience?
  • How can you build a rhythm of prayer and obedience into your life? How can you become more mature in Christ – be strengthened in faith and trust? Please explain.

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Morning Prayer:

Life Support Prayer:

Praise to you, Lord God, for the power you have demonstrated in raising your Son, Jesus Christ, from death; we bow before him in submission to his Lordship over the Church. We pray especially for pro-life leaders who will be speaking to their respective church assemblies around the world. Fill them with your Spirit and give them the words to speak – kindly and powerfully – that church assemblies all around the world might choose life and receive your blessing, all to the glory of your Name. Amen.

Prayer for Submission to God’s Will – Joseph Mercier

O Holy Spirit, beloved of my soul, I adore you. Enlighten me, guide me, strengthen me, console me. Tell me what I should do; give me your orders. I promise to submit myself to all that you desire of me and to accept all that you permit to happen to me. Let me only know your will. Amen.

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“I Surrender” – Hillsong

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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

Pentecost Sunday, 09 Jun 2019: Acts 1:1-5; Acts 2:1-11 ~ Filled with the Holy Spirit!

Pentecost Sunday

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

Opening Prayer:

Send down, O God, upon your people the flame of your Holy Spirit: Bestow on us his gifts, and fill us over and over again with his power – that your life-giving Spirit may lend fire to our words and strength to our witness. Send us forth to the nations of the world to proclaim with boldness “Christ has died! Christ is risen! Christ will come again!” 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. Amen.
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“O for a Thousand Tongues” – St Michael’s Singers

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A Reading from the Acts of the Apostles: Acts 1:1-5 (NLT)

The Promise of the Holy Spirit

In my first book I told you, Theophilus, about everything Jesus began to do and teach until the day he was taken up to heaven after giving his chosen apostles further instructions through the Holy Spirit. During the forty days after he suffered and died, he appeared to the apostles from time to time, and he proved to them in many ways that he was actually alive. And he talked to them about the Kingdom of God.

Once when he was eating with them, he commanded them, “Do not leave Jerusalem until the Father sends you the gift he promised, as I told you before. John baptized with water, but in just a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”

A Reading from the Acts of the Apostles: Acts 2:1-11 (NLT)

The Holy Spirit Comes

On the day of Pentecost all the believers were meeting together in one place. Suddenly, there was a sound from heaven like the roaring of a mighty windstorm, and it filled the house where they were sitting. Then, what looked like flames or tongues of fire appeared and settled on each of them. And everyone present was filled with the Holy Spirit and began speaking in other languages, as the Holy Spirit gave them this ability.

At that time there were devout Jews from every nation living in Jerusalem. When they heard the loud noise, everyone came running, and they were bewildered to hear their own languages being spoken by the believers.

They were completely amazed. “How can this be?” they exclaimed. “These people are all from Galilee, and yet we hear them speaking in our own native languages! Here we are—Parthians, Medes, Elamites, people from Mesopotamia, Judea, Cappadocia, Pontus, the province of Asia, Phrygia, Pamphylia, Egypt, and the areas of Libya around Cyrene, visitors from Rome (both Jews and converts to Judaism), Cretans, and Arabs. And we all hear these people speaking in our own languages about the wonderful things God has done!”
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Intercession:

Gracious God: Pour out your Spirit on us, that we might approach your throne of grace with confidence through your Son, Jesus Christ. We pray especially –

+ that your Spirit will breathe new life into every church leader around the world…..
+ that your Spirit will enable every believer to grow in grace, peace, and love….
+ that your Spirit will fill and strengthen believers who are persecuted for their faith….
+ that your Spirit will bring healing to all who suffer spiritually, physically, and mentally….
+ that your Spirit will guide and inspire young believers in planning for their future….
+ that your Spirit will refresh and renew all who labor in the name of Jesus….

Gracious God: Send forth your Spirit and renew the earth, and give us the words and boldness to proclaim your mighty works to the whole world, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
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“Come Holy Spirit” – Annabel Soh, City Harvest Church, Singapore

https://youtu.be/uLAt_7p3KJ8?rel=0
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Closing: – Romans 8:15-16

You received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, “Abba, Father.” For his Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God’s children. And since we are his children, we are his heirs.
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+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen

Saturday Morning, 08 Jun 2019 – Hebrews 4:1-18 ~ Jesus is our High Priest.

Saturday Morning

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

Opening:  (A Collect for Sabbath Rest – Saturday)

Almighty God, who after the creation of the world rested from all your works and set aside a day of rest for all your creatures: Grant that we, putting away all earthly anxieties, may be duly prepared to meet you in worship, and that our rest here upon earth may be a preparation for the eternal rest promised to your people in heaven; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
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Reading from the Book of Hebrews: Hebrews 4:10-18 (NLT)

Promised Rest for God’s People

God’s promise of entering his rest still stands, so we ought to tremble with fear that some of you might fail to experience it. For this good news—that God has prepared this rest—has been announced to us just as it was to them. But it did them no good because they didn’t share the faith of those who listened to God. For only we who believe can enter his rest. As for the others, God said,

“In my anger I took an oath: ‘They will never enter my place of rest,’”

even though this rest has been ready since he made the world. We know it is ready because of the place in the Scriptures where it mentions the seventh day: “On the seventh day God rested from all his work.” But in the other passage God said, “They will never enter my place of rest.”

So God’s rest is there for people to enter, but those who first heard this good news failed to enter because they disobeyed God. So God set another time for entering his rest, and that time is today. God announced this through David much later in the words already quoted:

“Today when you hear his voice, don’t harden your hearts.”

Now if Joshua had succeeded in giving them this rest, God would not have spoken about another day of rest still to come. So there is a special rest still waiting for the people of God. For all who have entered into God’s rest have rested from their labors, just as God did after creating the world. So let us do our best to enter that rest. But if we disobey God, as the people of Israel did, we will fall.

For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God. Everything is naked and exposed before his eyes, and he is the one to whom we are accountable.

Christ Is Our High Priest

So then, since we have a great High Priest who has entered heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to what we believe. This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin. So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.
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Morning Reflection:

Come to Jesus and Enter God’s Rest

God’s promise of entering his rest still stands,
so we ought to tremble with fear that some of you might fail to experience it.
– Hebrews 4:1

What is the “rest” promised in today’s reading? Here are five different ways of looking at it –

  1. Heaven – by God’s grace, through faith in Jesus Christ; and with faith comes faithfulness and obedience.
  2. Present rest in the enjoyment of our riches in Christ – by surrendering our lives to Him and enjoying peace with God now.
  3. Future enjoyment of our full inheritance in Christ – everything that God desires to bestow on us when we see Him face to face.
  4. Some particular blessing in the end times – rewards, or crowns, associated with Jesus’ return and the final judgement.
  5. A peaceful life now as Christians – through faith in Jesus Christ and obedience to his word, even in the face of persecution.

So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God.
– Hebrews 4:16

In one way or another, God’s promised rest is predicated on the grace of his covenantal faithfulness, and our faith in his Son, Jesus Christ – who is our Great High Priest. It’s through Jesus Christ that we can receive God’s mercy and help when we need it most. And it’s through Jesus Christ that we can enter into God’s rest, however we may view it.

Questions for consideration:

  • As you review the ways of viewing God’s promised rest, which of these are most appealing to you, given your present circumstances? Please explain.
  • How then should you pray, given your understanding of God’s rest? Please explain.
  • Have you entered into a saving relationship with Jesus Christ? Yes/No/Don’t Know? Click here for more information.
  • Faith in Jesus Christ involves trusting and obeying him. How is God applying this to your life today? Please explain.

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Morning Prayer:

Life Support Prayer:

Heavenly Father: I pray for advocates for life in every congregation to trust in Jesus, and to pour out unreserved love to followers of Jesus at every stage of life. And, I pray for Pro-Life leaders around the world to lead with intelligence, to know Jesus personally, to have clear focus, to follow Christ closely, to trust him fully, and to serve Christ and his church with “endless energy and boundless strength.” In Jesus’ name and for your glory, I pray. Amen.

My Prayer: For Quiet Confidence

O God of peace, who has taught us that in returning and rest we shall be saved, in quietness and in confidence shall be our strength: By the might of your Spirit lift us, we pray, into your presence, where we may be still and know that you are God; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

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Before the Throne of God Above – Selah

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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

Friday Morning: 07 Jun 2019 – Hebrews 3:1-19 ~ Jesus is greater than Moses.

Friday Morning

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

Opening (A Collect for Endurance – Friday)

Almighty God, whose beloved Son first suffered pain and crucifixion before entering into glory: Mercifully grant that we, walking in his footsteps, may find it none other than the way of life and peace; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord. Amen.
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Morning Reading – Hebrews 3:1-19 (NLT)

Jesus Is Greater Than Moses

And so, dear brothers and sisters who belong to God and are partners with those called to heaven, think carefully about this Jesus whom we declare to be God’s messenger and High Priest. For he was faithful to God, who appointed him, just as Moses served faithfully when he was entrusted with God’s entire house.

But Jesus deserves far more glory than Moses, just as a person who builds a house deserves more praise than the house itself. For every house has a builder, but the one who built everything is God.

Moses was certainly faithful in God’s house as a servant. His work was an illustration of the truths God would reveal later. But Christ, as the Son, is in charge of God’s entire house. And we are God’s house, if we keep our courage and remain confident in our hope in Christ.

That is why the Holy Spirit says,

“Today when you hear his voice, don’t harden your hearts as Israel did when they rebelled, when they tested me in the wilderness. There your ancestors tested and tried my patience, even though they saw my miracles for forty years. So I was angry with them, and I said, ‘Their hearts always turn away from me. They refuse to do what I tell them.’ So in my anger I took an oath: ‘They will never enter my place of rest.’”

Be careful then, dear brothers and sisters. Make sure that your own hearts are not evil and unbelieving, turning you away from the living God. You must warn each other every day, while it is still “today,” so that none of you will be deceived by sin and hardened against God. For if we are faithful to the end, trusting God just as firmly as when we first believed, we will share in all that belongs to Christ. Remember what it says:

“Today when you hear his voice, don’t harden your hearts as Israel did when they rebelled.”

And who was it who rebelled against God, even though they heard his voice? Wasn’t it the people Moses led out of Egypt? And who made God angry for forty years? Wasn’t it the people who sinned, whose corpses lay in the wilderness? And to whom was God speaking when he took an oath that they would never enter his rest? Wasn’t it the people who disobeyed him? So we see that because of their unbelief they were not able to enter his rest.
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Morning Reflection:

Jesus Is Greater Than Moses

Moses was certainly faithful in God’s house as a servant.
His work was an illustration of the truths God would reveal later.
But Christ, as the Son, is in charge of God’s entire house.
And we are God’s house, if we keep our courage and remain confident in our hope in Christ.
– Hebrews 3:5-6 (NLT)

Remember that the Book of Hebrews was written originally to Jewish believers outside of Israel, warning them against lapsing back into their former Jewish religious practices. That’s why the author makes a point of contrasting Jesus with Moses. God has placed Jesus in charge of what Moses originally built.

But at the core of today’s reading is a warning to us –

+ to keep our courage in Christ – following the example of Moses’ faithfulness as a God’s servant; but even better, following the example of Jesus’ faithfulness as God’s Son.

+ to remain confident in our hope in Christ – a living, dynamic person, not a set of rules, or some dead doctrine.

Questions for consideration:

  • Have you noticed that it’s often easier to make rules, than to maintain relationships? Yes/No? Please explain.
  • Where do you need courage to remain faithful to Christ Jesus today? Please explain.
  • Where do you need confident hope in Christ Jesus today? Please explain.
  • What can you do to deepen your relationship with Christ Jesus today? Please explain.

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Morning Prayer:

Life Support Prayer:

Heavenly Father: Send messengers with words of hope and help to women who are fearful and pregnant and to men who are overwhelmed by the responsibilities of fatherhood. And grant boldness and strength to all you call to protect life no matter how many are “arrayed against” us. I ask this in Jesus’ name and for your glory. Amen.

My Prayer: For Union with Christ – Anima Christi

Soul of Christ, sanctify me. Body of Christ, save me. Blood of Christ, inebriate me. Water from the side of Christ, wash me. Passion of Christ, strengthen me. O good Jesus, hear me. Within thy wounds hide me. Permit me not to be separated from thee. From the wicked foe defend me. In the hour of my death call me, and bid me come to thee, that with thy saints I may praise thee for ever and ever. Amen.

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“Closer” – Amanda Cook | Brave New World

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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

Thursday Morning: 06 Jun 2019 – Hebrews 2:1-18 ~ Jesus became like us

Thursday Morning

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

Opening (A Collect for Guidance – Thursday)

Heavenly Father, in you we live and move and have our being: We humbly pray you so to guide and govern us by your Holy Spirit, that in all the cares and occupations of our life we may not forget you, but may remember that we are ever walking in your sight; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
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Morning Reading – Hebrews 2:1-18 (NLT)

A Warning against Drifting Away

So we must listen very carefully to the truth we have heard, or we may drift away from it. For the message God delivered through angels has always stood firm, and every violation of the law and every act of disobedience was punished. So what makes us think we can escape if we ignore this great salvation that was first announced by the Lord Jesus himself and then delivered to us by those who heard him speak? And God confirmed the message by giving signs and wonders and various miracles and gifts of the Holy Spirit whenever he chose.

Jesus, the Man

And furthermore, it is not angels who will control the future world we are talking about. For in one place the Scriptures say,

“What are mere mortals that you should think about them, or a son of man that you should care for him? Yet for a little while you made them a little lower than the angels and crowned them with glory and honor. You gave them authority over all things.”

Now when it says “all things,” it means nothing is left out. But we have not yet seen all things put under their authority. What we do see is Jesus, who for a little while was given a position “a little lower than the angels”; and because he suffered death for us, he is now “crowned with glory and honor.” Yes, by God’s grace, Jesus tasted death for everyone. God, for whom and through whom everything was made, chose to bring many children into glory. And it was only right that he should make Jesus, through his suffering, a perfect leader, fit to bring them into their salvation.

So now Jesus and the ones he makes holy have the same Father. That is why Jesus is not ashamed to call them his brothers and sisters. For he said to God,

“I will proclaim your name to my brothers and sisters. I will praise you among your assembled people.”

He also said,

“I will put my trust in him,” that is, “I and the children God has given me.”

Because God’s children are human beings—made of flesh and blood—the Son also became flesh and blood. For only as a human being could he die, and only by dying could he break the power of the devil, who had the power of death. Only in this way could he set free all who have lived their lives as slaves to the fear of dying.

We also know that the Son did not come to help angels; he came to help the descendants of Abraham. Therefore, it was necessary for him to be made in every respect like us, his brothers and sisters, so that he could be our merciful and faithful High Priest before God. Then he could offer a sacrifice that would take away the sins of the people. Since he himself has gone through suffering and testing, he is able to help us when we are being tested.
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Morning Reflection:

For us and for our salvation.… (Nicene Creed)

Our reading begins with a warning for believers to remain in the truth that Jesus himself delivered and God confirmed by giving signs and wonders and various miracles and gifts of the Holy Spirit whenever he chose.

So what is the truth – why did Jesus become like us?

+ to fulfill God’s purpose for everyone
+ to suffer death for everyone
+ to bring many of us to glory
+ to destroy the devil and his power
+ to deliver us from the fear of death
+ to become a priest who intercedes for us
+ to become a sacrifice for everyone’s sins
+ to help us when we are tested

In essence, Jesus became like us, to make us like him.

Questions for consideration:

  • Do you know anyone who you thought was a believer, but has since fallen away from the truth they have heard? Please explain.
  • How can you prevent yourself from drifting away from the truth you have heard? Please explain.
  • Fear of dying is the litmus test for believers. What concerns you about your own death and dying? How does Jesus fit into your concerns? Please explain.
  • What sort of temptations affect your life? How can Jesus help you with them? Please explain.
  • Do you think you are becoming more like Jesus? Yes/No? Please explain.

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Morning Prayer:

Life Support Prayer:

Lord Jesus Christ, in you we have a living hope: Reveal yourself to those for whom life seems overwhelming and have become weary of waiting for an answer. Stir their hearts to a lively resurrection of hope that cannot be put down. Empower and equip believers to reflect your welcome, love, and care to all they meet who may tend toward despair. I ask this for your Name’s sake. Amen.

Prayer: For Grace to Seek God in Every Way – Benedict of Nursia

Gracious and holy Father, please give me intellect to understand you, reason to discern you, diligence to seek you, wisdom to find you, a spirit to know you, a heart to meditate upon you, ears to hear you, eyes to see you, a tongue to proclaim you, a way of life pleasing to you, patience to wait for you, and perseverance to look for you. Grant me a perfect end, your holy presence, a blessed resurrection, and life everlasting. Amen

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“How Deep The Father’s Love For Us” – Selah

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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