Month: July 2019

6th Sunday after Pentecost, 21 Jul 2019 – Luke 10:38-42 ~ The better choice: worship over worry.

Sixth Sunday after Pentecost

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

Opening Prayer:

Eternal God, you draw near to us in Christ and make yourself our guest. Amid the cares of our daily lives, make us attentive to your voice and alert to your presence, that we may treasure your word above all else. 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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“Is He Worthy?” – Chris Tomlin

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A Reading from the Gospels: Luke 10:38-42 (NLT)

As Jesus and the disciples continued on their way to Jerusalem, they came to a certain village where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. Her sister, Mary, sat at the Lord’s feet, listening to what he taught. But Martha was distracted by the big dinner she was preparing. She came to Jesus and said, “Lord, doesn’t it seem unfair to you that my sister just sits here while I do all the work? Tell her to come and help me.”

But the Lord said to her, “My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details! There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her.”
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Intercession:

God of grace and glory: we come before you today in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. In your mercy, hear our prayers and help us. We pray especially –

+ That believers may choose worship over worry….
+ That hospitality and mercy may be a mark of believers….
+ That believers may welcome the weary and care for the needy….
+ That believers may be strengthened through the power of your Spirit….
+ That those on vacation may return home refreshed and renewed….
+ That troubled people may have believing friends to calm their fears….
+ That the sick may be healed and the demonized set free by the power of your Spirit….

God of grace and glory: you have shown us your mercy through faith in your Son, Jesus Christ. Make us a gracious and merciful people that we might freely give to others what we have received from you, through Christ our Lord. Amen.
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“How Can I Keep From Singing” – Audrey Assad

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Closing: Colossians 1:11-14 (adapted) –

May God strengthen you with all his glorious power so you will have all the endurance and patience you need. And may you be filled with joy,  always thanking the Father. For he has enabled you to share in the inheritance that belongs to his people, who live in the light. And he has rescued you from the kingdom of darkness and transferred you into the Kingdom of his dear Son, who purchased your freedom and forgave your sins.
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+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen

Saturday Morning, 20 Jul 2019 – 1 John 2:18-29 ~ Remain faithful to the truth.

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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Morning Reading: 1 John 2:18-29 (NLT)

Warning about Antichrists

Dear children, the last hour is here. You have heard that the Antichrist is coming, and already many such antichrists have appeared. From this we know that the last hour has come. These people left our churches, but they never really belonged with us; otherwise they would have stayed with us. When they left, it proved that they did not belong with us.

But you are not like that, for the Holy One has given you his Spirit, and all of you know the truth. So I am writing to you not because you don’t know the truth but because you know the difference between truth and lies. And who is a liar? Anyone who says that Jesus is not the Christ. Anyone who denies the Father and the Son is an antichrist. Anyone who denies the Son doesn’t have the Father, either. But anyone who acknowledges the Son has the Father also.

So you must remain faithful to what you have been taught from the beginning. If you do, you will remain in fellowship with the Son and with the Father. And in this fellowship we enjoy the eternal life he promised us.

I am writing these things to warn you about those who want to lead you astray. But you have received the Holy Spirit, and he lives within you, so you don’t need anyone to teach you what is true. For the Spirit teaches you everything you need to know, and what he teaches is true—it is not a lie. So just as he has taught you, remain in fellowship with Christ.

Living as Children of God

And now, dear children, remain in fellowship with Christ so that when he returns, you will be full of courage and not shrink back from him in shame.

Since we know that Christ is righteous, we also know that all who do what is right are God’s children.
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Morning Reflection:

Remain faithful to the truth.

“The Holy One has given you his Spirit, and all of you know the truth.”
– 1 John 2:20 –

We are currently living between ages – on the one hand, the Kingdom of God is already present among us; on the other hand, the Kingdom of God is not yet present in all its fullness and glory. Jesus ushered in the Kingdom with his incarnation; when he returns, the Kingdom of God will be revealed in all its glory.

John’s concern for us is that we remain faithful to the truth while we wait for the imminent return of Christ. No matter how long we wait, Christ’s return is always at hand… close… fast approaching… coming. So how do we distinguish between truth and falsehood, without being led astray by false prophets and antichrists?

By allowing the Holy Spirit who dwells within every believer to guide us into all truth:

+ The Holy Spirit reveals to us everything the Son has heard from the Father.
+ The Holy Spirit enables us to distinguish between truth and lies.
+ The Holy Spirit confirms that Jesus is the Christ, the beloved Son of the Father.
+ The Holy Spirit teaches us everything we need to know to remain in fellowship with Christ.
+ The Holy Spirit empowers us to live as children of God.

Questions for consideration:

  • Can you think of a time when the Holy Spirit gave you new insight into Jesus’ teachings? Or applied Jesus’ teachings to your personal circumstances? Please explain.
  • Can you think of a time when the Holy Spirit helped you distinguish truth from lies? On TV? In the News? From neighbors or friends? In church? Please explain.
  • Do you believe that Jesus is the long-awaited Christ (Messiah), the Son of the Living God? How did you come to your decision? Please explain.
  • Where do you need the Power of the Holy Spirit to live right now as a child of God? Please explain.

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Morning Prayer:

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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“Come Holy Spirit” –

https://youtu.be/b9JP68dl5U0?rel=0
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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: 19 Jul 2019 – 1 John 2:7-17 ~ Jesus: Love one another.

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 – 1 John 2:7-17 (NLT)

Jesus: Love One Another

Dear friends, I am not writing a new commandment for you; rather it is an old one you have had from the very beginning. This old commandment—to love one another—is the same message you heard before. Yet it is also new. Jesus lived the truth of this commandment, and you also are living it. For the darkness is disappearing, and the true light is already shining.

If anyone claims, “I am living in the light,” but hates a fellow believer, that person is still living in darkness. Anyone who loves a fellow believer is living in the light and does not cause others to stumble. But anyone who hates a fellow believer is still living and walking in darkness. Such a person does not know the way to go, having been blinded by the darkness.

+ I am writing to you who are God’s children because your sins have been forgiven through Jesus.
+ I am writing to you who are mature in the faith because you know Christ, who existed from the beginning.
+ I am writing to you who are young in the faith because you have won your battle with the evil one.
+ I have written to you who are God’s children because you know the Father.
+ I have written to you who are mature in the faith because you know Christ, who existed from the beginning.
+ I have written to you who are young in the faith because you are strong. God’s word lives in your hearts, and you have won your battle with the evil one.

Do Not Love This World

Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you. For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world. And this world is fading away, along with everything that people crave. But anyone who does what pleases God will live forever.
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Morning Reflection:

Love One Another.

Jesus lived the truth of this commandment, and you also are living it.
For the darkness is disappearing, and the true light is already shining.
– 1 John 2:8 –

In today’s reading, John speaks to believers – those who have become “children of God” through faith in God’s Son, Jesus Christ. Who does John consider a believer, a child of God?

+ Those whose sins have been forgiven through Jesus Christ.
+ Those who are mature in the faith because they know Jesus Christ.
+ Those who are young in the faith because they have won their battle with the evil one.
+ Those who are God’s children because they know the Father.
+ Those who are young in the faith because they are strong.
+ Those who have won the battle with the evil one because God’s word lives in their hearts

Questions for consideration:

  • Do you consider yourself a child of God whose sins have been forgiven through faith in Jesus Christ? When did you first come to that realization? Please explain.
  • Where would you place yourself on a scale – young in faith (1), mature in faith (10), somewhere in between? Please explain?
  • As you look back over your life, can you see growth in your relationship with Christ? Please explain.
  • How has craving the things of this world – pleasure, pride, achievements, and more stuff – affected your spiritual life? Please explain.
  • Considering your present circumstances, what could you do today that would please God? Please explain.

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Morning Prayer: For Families

Almighty God, our heavenly Father, you set the solitary in families: We commend to your continual care the homes in which your people dwell. Put far from them every root of bitterness, the desire of vainglory, and the pride of life. Fill them with faith, virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, and true godliness. Knit together in constant affection those who, in holy matrimony, have been made one flesh; turn the hearts of parents to their children, and the hearts of children to their parents; and so enkindle fervent charity among us all, that we may evermore be joined to one another with bonds of loving-kindness; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
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“Love One Another” – Newsboys

https://youtu.be/7l0NUE-C5VU?rel=0
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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: 18 Jul 2019 – 1 John 1:1-2:6 ~ Jesus: the Word of life.

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: Guide and govern us by your Holy Spirit, that in all the cares and occupations of our lives 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 – 1 John 1:1-2:6 (NLT)

Introduction

We proclaim to you the one who existed from the beginning, whom we have heard and seen. We saw him with our own eyes and touched him with our own hands. He is the Word of life. This one who is life itself was revealed to us, and we have seen him. And now we testify and proclaim to you that he is the one who is eternal life. He was with the Father, and then he was revealed to us. We proclaim to you what we ourselves have actually seen and heard so that you may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. We are writing these things so that you may fully share our joy.

Living in the Light

This is the message we heard from Jesus and now declare to you: God is light, and there is no darkness in him at all. So we are lying if we say we have fellowship with God but go on living in spiritual darkness; we are not practicing the truth. But if we are living in the light, as God is in the light, then we have fellowship with each other, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, cleanses us from all sin.

If we claim we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and not living in the truth. But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness. If we claim we have not sinned, we are calling God a liar and showing that his word has no place in our hearts.
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My dear children, I am writing this to you so that you will not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate who pleads our case before the Father. He is Jesus Christ, the one who is truly righteous. He himself is the sacrifice that atones for our sins—and not only our sins but the sins of all the world.

And we can be sure that we know him if we obey his commandments. If someone claims, “I know God,” but doesn’t obey God’s commandments, that person is a liar and is not living in the truth. But those who obey God’s word truly show how completely they love him. That is how we know we are living in him. Those who say they live in God should live their lives as Jesus did.
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Morning Reflection:

Jesus, the Word of life.

We proclaim to you the one who existed from the beginning, whom we have heard and seen.
We saw him with our own eyes and touched him with our own hands.
He is the Word of life.
– 1 John 1:1 –

John begins this epistle by explaining his purpose: that we would enjoy the same fellowship with God as those who actually saw God – a fellowship that rests on the reality of Jesus Christ’s incarnation, and results in full joy for those who experience it. In today’s reading, John describes Jesus as the Word of life and outlines how to live in Him and for Him, now and forever.

+ Jesus: The Word of life. He existed in the beginning of all things, and was revealed to us – the Word became flesh and lived among us – so that through him we can have fellowship with God and one another.

+ His Message: God is light. John emphasizes the light of God’s holiness – God exposes darkness and reveals and condemns sin. Those who live in sin and darkness are excluded from fellowship with God,

+ His Followers: Live in the light. Fellowship with God requires more than agreement with certain “essentials” of faith, it requires living by faith and obedience to the truth that has been revealed in Jesus Christ, i.e. living as Jesus lived, and loving as Jesus loved.

+ His Blood: Cleanses us from sin. But living as Jesus lived ,and loving as Jesus loved, is a tall order. And the more we know, the more we realize how far short we fall. The good news is God has provided a remedy for our sin – the blood of Christ.

+ His Advocacy: Restores our righteousness. Jesus Christ is our defense attorney before God the Father. Since He is righteous, He is our perfect Advocate before God. Further, not only does Jesus plead our case, He also pays the debt – Jesus Himself is the satisfaction for our sin.

+ His Mercy, Grace and Love: Motivates us to live as Jesus did. Obedience to the commandments and teaching of Jesus demonstrate that we are living in Him and have fellowship with God – Father, Son, and Spirit.

Questions for consideration:now

  • Do you see yourself as a person who is living in the light as God is in the light?” What does that mean for you? Please explain.
  • What does confession mean to you? How is confession worked out in your tradition? How often do you confess your sins before God? What would it take to repent of your sins – to leave the darkness and walk in God’s light? Please explain.
  • Where in your life do you need to make an adjustment to live as Jesus lived and love as Jesus loved? What would it cost you to make this adjustment. Please explain.

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Morning Prayer:

Prayer of Confession –

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.

Declaration of Pardon:

If we confess our sins, God is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. Believe the good news of the Gospel, in Jesus Christ we are forgiven.
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“Doxology//Amen “ – Phil Wickham

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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: 17 Jul 2019 – 2 Peter 3:1-18 ~ Look forward to the Day of the Lord.

Wednesday Morning

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

Opening (A Collect for Grace – Wednesday)

O Lord, our heavenly Father, almighty and everlasting God, you have brought us safely to the beginning of this day: Defend us by your mighty power, that we may not fall into sin nor run into any danger; and that guided by your Spirit, we may do what is righteous in your sight; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
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Morning Reading – 2 Peter 3:1-18 (NLT)

The Day of the Lord Is Coming

This is my second letter to you, dear friends, and in both of them I have tried to stimulate your wholesome thinking and refresh your memory. I want you to remember what the holy prophets said long ago and what our Lord and Savior commanded through your apostles.

Most importantly, I want to remind you that in the last days scoffers will come, mocking the truth and following their own desires. They will say, “What happened to the promise that Jesus is coming again? From before the times of our ancestors, everything has remained the same since the world was first created.”

They deliberately forget that God made the heavens long ago by the word of his command, and he brought the earth out from the water and surrounded it with water. Then he used the water to destroy the ancient world with a mighty flood. And by the same word, the present heavens and earth have been stored up for fire. They are being kept for the day of judgment, when ungodly people will be destroyed.

But you must not forget this one thing, dear friends: A day is like a thousand years to the Lord, and a thousand years is like a day. The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent. But the day of the Lord will come as unexpectedly as a thief. Then the heavens will pass away with a terrible noise, and the very elements themselves will disappear in fire, and the earth and everything on it will be found to deserve judgment.

Since everything around us is going to be destroyed like this, what holy and godly lives you should live, looking forward to the day of God and hurrying it along. On that day, he will set the heavens on fire, and the elements will melt away in the flames. But we are looking forward to the new heavens and new earth he has promised, a world filled with God’s righteousness.

And so, dear friends, while you are waiting for these things to happen, make every effort to be found living peaceful lives that are pure and blameless in his sight. And remember, our Lord’s patience gives people time to be saved. This is what our beloved brother Paul also wrote to you with the wisdom God gave him — speaking of these things in all of his letters. Some of his comments are hard to understand, and those who are ignorant and unstable have twisted his letters to mean something quite different, just as they do with other parts of Scripture. And this will result in their destruction.

Peter’s Final Words

You already know these things, dear friends. So be on guard; then you will not be carried away by the errors of these wicked people and lose your own secure footing. Rather, you must grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

All glory to him, both now and forever! Amen.
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Morning Reflection:

Look forward to the Day of the Lord.

On that day, he will set the heavens on fire,
and the elements will melt away in the flames.
But we are looking forward to the new heavens and new earth he has promised,
a world filled with God’s righteousness.
– 2 Peter 3:12-13 –

Peter concludes his second letter by responding to the question: “What happened to the promise that Jesus is coming again?” Peter then warns believers to live with the Day of the Lord (Jesus’ return) in mind – and with it the promise of a new heavens and earth.

“A scoffer is someone who treats lightly that which ought to be taken seriously.”
(Warren Wiersbe)

+ God is patient – The delay in Christ’s return is to allow unbelievers to be saved and believers to grow in faith. Further, God is Lord over all of creation – by his Word he created the heavens and the earth, and by his Word he sustains all things. Time itself is in God’s hands; God will do what  he will do in his own time – at just the right time.

+ Judgement is certain – The Day of the Lord will usher in a time of judgement of unbelievers and destruction of the heavens and earth as we know it. But just as certain is the creation of new heavens and a new earth, a world filled with God’s righteousness.

+ Live with the end in mind – Live looking forward to the promise of the new heavens and earth where righteousness dwells. In the meantime, we are to be at peace with God, and work out our salvation by living godly lives (spotless and blameless).

While you are waiting for these things to happen, make every effort
to be found living peaceful lives that are pure and blameless in his sight.
-2 Peter 3:14 –

Questions for consideration:

  • If you knew that the “Day of the Lord” were to come tomorrow, would you do anything differently? How would it affect your relationship with God and others? What would you do to get ready? Please explain.
  • As we wait patiently for Christ’s return, do you know an unbeliever who needs to repent and turn to Christ to be saved from destruction? What part can you play in their reconciliation with God? Please explain.
  • What would it mean for you to “make every effort to live a peaceful life? Who comes to mind when you think of being a peacemaker? Please explain.
  • When you think of living a “pure and blameless life,” where does your life need work? Please explain.

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Morning Prayer: For the Unrepentant –

Merciful God, you desire not the death of sinners, but rather that they should turn to you and live; and through your only Son you have revealed yourself as the God who pardons iniquity. Have mercy on the unrepentant and those who do not believe. Awaken in them, by your Word and Holy Spirit, a deep sense of their sinfulness and peril. Take from them all ignorance, hardness of heart, and contempt of your Word. Grant them to know and feel that there is no other Name under heaven given among men by which they must be saved, but only the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ. And so bring them home and number them among your children, that they may be yours for ever; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, world without end. Amen.

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“O Zion haste” – Prince George Winyah Episcopal Church

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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