Month: November 2020

Morning Prayer: Wednesday 25 Nov 2020 – Psalms (136: 1, 10-22) and Proverbs (25) ~ Give thanks: the LORD is merciful!

Morning Prayer: Wednesday, 25 Nov 2020

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

Opening:

Stir up, O Lord, the wills of your faithful people, that bringing forth in abundance the fruit of good works, they may be abundantly rewarded when our Savior Jesus Christ comes to restore all things; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

“O give thanks unto the LORD, for he is (good) gracious,
for his mercy endures for ever.

” The LORD brought out Israel from among the Egyptians;
“With a mighty hand and an outstretched arm,
for his mercy endures for ever.
(Psalm 136:1, 11-12)

Preparation:

 Holy Spirit, breath of God and fire of love, I cannot pray without your aid: Kindle in me the fire of your love, and illumine me with your light; that with a steadfast will and holy thoughts I may approach the Father in spirit and in truth; through Jesus Christ my Lord, who reigns with you and the Father in eternal union. Amen.

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“Psalm 136” – Mercy and Loving Kindness – Jessi Colter

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The New Cloverdale Psalter (2019 Update of 1535 Original) 

“Psalm 136:1, 10-22”

1 O give thanks unto the LORD, for he is gracious, *
for his mercy endures for ever.

10 Who struck down the firstborn of Egypt, *
for his mercy endures for ever;
11 And brought out Israel from among them, *
for his mercy endures for ever;
12 With a mighty hand and an outstretched arm, *
for his mercy endures for ever.
13 Who divided the Red Sea in two parts, *
for his mercy endures for ever;
14 And made Israel to pass through the midst of it, *
for his mercy endures for ever;
15 But as for Pharaoh and his host, he overthrew them in the Red Sea, *
for his mercy endures for ever.
16 Who led his people through the wilderness, *
for his mercy endures for ever.

17 Who smote great kings, *
for his mercy endures for ever;
18 And slew mighty kings, *
for his mercy endures for ever;
19 Sihon king of the Amorites, *
for his mercy endures for ever;
20 And Og the king of Bashan, *
for his mercy endures for ever;
21 And gave away their land for an inheritance, *
for his mercy endures for ever;
22 Even for an inheritance for Israel his servant, *
for his mercy endures for ever

Proverbs 25 (NLT) – more proverbs of Solomon

21 If your enemies are hungry, give them food to eat.
If they are thirsty, give them water to drink.
22 You will heap burning coals of shame on their heads,
and the Lord will reward you.

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Consider:

“O give thanks unto the LORD, for he is (good) gracious,
for his mercy endures for ever.

” The LORD brought out Israel from among the Egyptians;
“With a mighty hand and an outstretched arm,
for his mercy endures for ever.
(Psalm 136:1, 11-12)

The LORD brought Israel out of Egypt

  • The Lord brought them out; brought them all out; brought them out at the very hour when his promise was due; brought them out despite their being mingled among the Egyptians; brought them out never to return… further proof of his favor to the chosen ones.
  • He turned the land of plenty into a house of bondage, and the persecuted nation was glad to escape from slavery. The unfailing mercy of the Lord is gloriously seen in his separating his elect from the world. He brings out his redeemed and they are henceforth a people who show forth his praise.

With a strong hand and outstretched arm

  • In the Exodus the great power and glory of Jehovah were seen…. God worked with great display of force, and with extraordinary majesty.
  • Even thus was it in the deliverance of each one of us from the enslavement of sin; “according to the working of his mighty power which he wrought in Christ when he raised him from the dead and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places.”

“For his mercy endures for ever”

__ Spurgeon

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Prayer:

+ Gracious God and most merciful Father, you have granted us the rich and precious jewel of your holy Word: Assist us with your Spirit, that the same Word may be written in our hearts to our everlasting comfort, to reform us, to renew us according to your own image, to build us up and edify us into the perfect dwelling place of your Christ, sanctifying and increasing in us all heavenly virtues; grant this, O heavenly Father, for Jesus Christ’s sake. Amen.

+ Almighty God, you have not dealt with us according to our sins, nor rewarded us according to our iniquities; grant that we, who for our evil deeds deserve to be punished, by the might of your grace may mercifully be relieved; through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

+ 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, to your presence, where we may be still and know that you are God; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

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Egypt – Bethel Music, Cory Asbury

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Blessing

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.

Morning Prayer: Tuesday 24 Nov 2020 – Psalms (136: 1-9) and Proverbs (24) ~ Give thanks: the LORD is good!

Morning Prayer: Tuesday, 24 Nov 2020

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

Opening:

Stir up, O Lord, the wills of your faithful people, that bringing forth in abundance the fruit of good works, they may be abundantly rewarded when our Savior Jesus Christ comes to restore all things; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

“O give thanks unto the LORD, for he is (good) gracious,
for his mercy endures for ever.”
(Psalm 136:1)

Preparation:

 Holy Spirit, breath of God and fire of love, I cannot pray without your aid: Kindle in me the fire of your love, and illumine me with your light; that with a steadfast will and holy thoughts I may approach the Father in spirit and in truth; through Jesus Christ my Lord, who reigns with you and the Father in eternal union. Amen.

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The Lord Is Good (Hillsong)

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The New Cloverdale Psalter (2019 Update of 1535 Original) 

“Psalm 136:1-9”

1 O give thanks unto the LORD, for he is gracious, *
for his mercy endures for ever.
2 O give thanks unto the God of all gods, *
for his mercy endures for ever.
3 O give thanks unto the Lord of all lords, *
for his mercy endures for ever.

4 Who alone does great wonders, *
for his mercy endures for ever.
5 Who by his excellent wisdom made the heavens, *
for his mercy endures for ever.
6 Who laid out the earth above the waters, *
for his mercy endures for ever.
7 Who made the great lights, *
for his mercy endures for ever;
8 The sun to rule the day, *
for his mercy endures for ever;
9 The moon and the stars to govern the night, *
for his mercy endures for ever.

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Proverbs 24 (NLT)

3 A house is built by wisdom
and becomes strong through good sense.

10 If you fail under pressure,
your strength is too small.

__________

Consider:

“O give thanks unto the LORD, for he is (good) gracious,
for his mercy endures for ever.”
(Psalm 136:1)

Preparation:

the LORD is good (gracious)

The LORD is good beyond all others: indeed, he alone is good in the highest sense; he is the source of good, the good of all good, the sustainer of good, the perfecter of good, and the rewarder of good.

The LORD is goodness itself

  • practically all that he does is good….
  • relatively the LORD is good to his creatures….

the LORD is merciful

When all else is changing within and around,
In God and his mercy no change can be found.

__ Spurgeon

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Prayer:

+ Gracious God and most merciful Father, you have granted us the rich and precious jewel of your holy Word: Assist us with your Spirit, that the same Word may be written in our hearts to our everlasting comfort, to reform us, to renew us according to your own image, to build us up and edify us into the perfect dwelling place of your Christ, sanctifying and increasing in us all heavenly virtues; grant this, O heavenly Father, for Jesus Christ’s sake. Amen.

+ Almighty God, you have not dealt with us according to our sins, nor rewarded us according to our iniquities; grant that we, who for our evil deeds deserve to be punished, by the might of your grace may mercifully be relieved; through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

+ 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, to your presence, where we may be still and know that you are God; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

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Psalm 136 (Your Mercy Endures) ~ Greg LaFollette ft. Leslie Jordan

https://youtu.be/KvNzt9jOMzE?rel=0
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Blessing

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.

Morning Prayer: Monday 23 Nov 2020 – Psalms (135) and Proverbs (23) ~ Your name, O LORD, endures forever!

Morning Prayer: Monday, 23 Nov 2020

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

Opening:

Stir up, O Lord, the wills of your faithful people, that bringing forth in abundance the fruit of good works, they may be abundantly rewarded when our Savior Jesus Christ comes to restore all things; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

“Your Name, O LORD, endures for ever;
so does your renown, O LORD, from one generation to another.
For the LORD will avenge his people *
and have compassion upon his servants.”
(Psalm 135:13-14)

Preparation:

 Holy Spirit, breath of God and fire of love, I cannot pray without your aid: Kindle in me the fire of your love, and illumine me with your light; that with a steadfast will and holy thoughts I may approach the Father in spirit and in truth; through Jesus Christ my Lord, who reigns with you and the Father in eternal union. Amen.

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Polyeleos Psalm 135: O Give Thanks Unto the Lord
(Triple Meter Byzantine Tone 1) – Antiochian Youth Music Ministry

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The New Cloverdale Psalter (2019 Update of 1535 Original) 

“Psalm 135”

1 O praise the LORD.

Praise the Name of the LORD; *
offer praise, you servants of the LORD,
2 You who stand in the house of the LORD, *
in the courts of the house of our God.

3 O praise the LORD, for the LORD is good; *
sing praises unto his Name, for it is lovely.
4 For the LORD has chosen Jacob for himself *
and Israel for his own possession.

5 For I know that the LORD is great, *
and that our LORD is above all gods.
6 Whatsoever the LORD pleases he does, in heaven and on earth, *
in the seas and in all the deep places.
7 He brings forth clouds from the ends of the earth *
and sends forth lightning with the rain, bringing the wind out of his treasuries.

8 It was he who struck down the firstborn of Egypt, *
both of man and beast.
9 He sent signs and wonders into the midst of you, O land of Egypt, *
against Pharaoh and all his servants.
10 He smote many nations, *
and slew mighty kings:
11 Sihon king of the Amorites, and Og the king of Bashan, *
and all the kingdoms of Canaan.
12 And he gave their land to be an inheritance, *
an inheritance for Israel his people.

13 Your Name, O LORD, endures for ever; *
so does your renown, O LORD, from one generation to another.
14 For the LORD will avenge his people *
and have compassion upon his servants.

15 As for the idols of the nations, they are but silver and gold, *
the work of human hands.
16 They have mouths, but they speak not; *
eyes have they, but they see not;
17 They have ears, and yet they hear not, *
neither is there any breath in their mouths.
18 Those who make them are like them, *
and so are all who put their trust in them.

19 Praise the LORD, O house of Israel; *
praise the LORD, O house of Aaron.
20 Praise the LORD, O house of Levi; *
you who fear the LORD, praise the LORD.
21 Praised be the LORD from Zion, *
who dwells in Jerusalem.

Praise the LORD.

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Proverbs 23

22 Listen to your father, who gave you life,
and don’t despise your mother when she is old.
23 Get the truth and never sell it;
also get wisdom, discipline, and good judgment.
24 The father of godly children has cause for joy.
What a pleasure to have children who are wise.
25 So give your father and mother joy!
May she who gave you birth be happy.

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Consider:

“Your Name, O LORD, endures for ever; 
so does your renown, O LORD, from one generation to another.
For the LORD will avenge his people 
and have compassion upon his servants.”
(Psalm 135:13-14)

God’s name is eternal, and will never be changed.

  • His character is immutable; his fame and honor also shall remain to all eternity.
  • There shall always be life in the name of Jesus, and sweetness and consolation.
  • Those upon whom the Lord’s name is named in integrity and truth shall be preserved by it, and kept from all evil, world without end.

JEHOVAH is a name which shall outlive the ages, and retain the fulness of its glory and might for ever.

For the LORD will avenge his people

  • He will exercise personal discipline over them, and not leave it to their foes to maltreat them at pleasure.
  • When the correction is ended he will arise and avenge them of their oppressors, who for a while were used by him as his rod.
  • He may seem to forget his people, but it is not so; he will undertake their cause and deliver them.

It is remarkable that the nations by which God has afflicted Israel have all been destroyed as if the tender Father hated the instruments of his children’s correction. The chosen nation is here called, first, “his people,” and then “his servants:” as his people he judges them, as his servants he finds comfort in them, for so the word may be read.

__ Spurgeon

Q: How would you assess your current circumstances? Under discipline or deliverance?

Q: In either circumstance, are you able to “Praise the Name of the LORD?”

Q: Over what, or whom, do you need to speak the life-giving Name of Jesus?

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Prayer:

I speak the powerful, life-giving Name of Jesus:

+ over the Church and all professing Christians, especially….

+ over mine, and every, tribe and nation of the earth, especially….

+ over all who are troubled, afflicted, and distressed, especially….

+ over those who are sick in body, mind, or spirit, especially….

+ over those who are arrogant and godless among us, especially….

+ over those who work evil and sow division among us, especially…

+ over my family, and all parents, children and marriages, especially….

+ over my thoughts, my feelings, and all that I do, especially….

+ over my faithless fears and worldly anxieties, especially….

Your name, O Lord, endures forever; your fame, O Lord, is known to every generation. For the Lord will give justice to his people and have compassion on his servants.

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I Speak Jesus – Here Be Lions

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Blessing

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.

Christ the King Sunday – 22 Nov 2020: Ezekiel 34:11-20, Matthew25:31-46 ~ “as you did to the least among you”

Christ the King Sunday, 22 Nov 2020

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

Opening:

Almighty and everlasting God, whose will it is to restore all things in your well-beloved Son, the King of kings and Lord of lords: Mercifully grant that the peoples of the earth, divided and enslaved by sin, may be freed and brought together under his most gracious rule; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

“And the King will say, ‘I tell you the truth,
when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters,
you were doing it to me!’”
(Matthew 25:40)

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Jesus Shall Reign – Congregational singing
Grace Community Church – Sun Valley, California

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Prayer for Purity

Almighty God, to you all hearts are open, all desires known, and from you no secrets are hid: Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you, and worthily magnify your holy Name; through Christ our Lord. Amen.

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A Reading from the Prophets: Ezekiel 34:11-20 (NLT)

The Good Shepherd

“For this is what the Sovereign Lord says: I myself will search and find my sheep. I will be like a shepherd looking for his scattered flock. I will find my sheep and rescue them from all the places where they were scattered on that dark and cloudy day. I will bring them back home to their own land of Israel from among the peoples and nations. I will feed them on the mountains of Israel and by the rivers and in all the places where people live. Yes, I will give them good pastureland on the high hills of Israel. There they will lie down in pleasant places and feed in the lush pastures of the hills. I myself will tend my sheep and give them a place to lie down in peace, says the Sovereign Lord. I will search for my lost ones who strayed away, and I will bring them safely home again. I will bandage the injured and strengthen the weak. But I will destroy those who are fat and powerful. I will feed them, yes—feed them justice!

“And as for you, my flock, this is what the Sovereign Lord says to his people: I will judge between one animal of the flock and another, separating the sheep from the goats. Isn’t it enough for you to keep the best of the pastures for yourselves? Must you also trample down the rest? Isn’t it enough for you to drink clear water for yourselves? Must you also muddy the rest with your feet? Why must my flock eat what you have trampled down and drink water you have fouled?

“Therefore, this is what the Sovereign Lord says: I will surely judge between the fat sheep and the scrawny sheep.

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Psalm 23 – Eden’s Bridge

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A Reading from the Gospels: Matthew25:14-30 (NLT)

The Final Judgment

“But when the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit upon his glorious throne. All the nations will be gathered in his presence, and he will separate the people as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will place the sheep at his right hand and the goats at his left.

“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the creation of the world. For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me.’

“Then these righteous ones will reply, ‘Lord, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you? Or thirsty and give you something to drink? Or a stranger and show you hospitality? Or naked and give you clothing? When did we ever see you sick or in prison and visit you?’

“And the King will say, ‘I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!’

“Then the King will turn to those on the left and say, ‘Away with you, you cursed ones, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his demons. For I was hungry, and you didn’t feed me. I was thirsty, and you didn’t give me a drink. I was a stranger, and you didn’t invite me into your home. I was naked, and you didn’t give me clothing. I was sick and in prison, and you didn’t visit me.’

“Then they will reply, ‘Lord, when did we ever see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and not help you?’

“And he will answer, ‘I tell you the truth, when you refused to help the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were refusing to help me.’

“And they will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous will go into eternal life.”

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The Least of These – Matt Maher

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Prayer:

+ For the elderly

Look with mercy, O God our Father, on all whose increasing years bring them weakness, distress, or isolation. Provide for them homes of dignity and peace; give them understanding helpers, and the willingness to accept help; and as their strength diminishes, increase their faith and their assurance of your love; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
_ Lord, show us how we can help.

+ For those with chronic disease

Heavenly Father, sustainer of our life and source of our hope: Comfort and relieve all who endure long-term illness or persistent handicap. Give your grace to all who minister to their needs, that they may be strengthened in their weakness and have confidence in your loving care; through him who knows our weakness and has shared our sorrows, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
_ Lord, show us how we can help.

+ For those in trouble

O merciful Father, you have taught us in your holy Word that you do not willingly afflict or grieve the children of men: Look with pity on the sorrows of your servants in trouble, remember them, O Lord, in mercy; nourish their souls with patience; comfort them with a sense of your goodness; lift up your countenance upon them; and give them peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
_ Lord, show us how we can help.

+  For the discouraged and downcast

O God, almighty and merciful, you heal the broken-hearted, and turn the sadness of the sorrowful to joy, Let your fatherly goodness be upon all whom you have made. Remember in pity all those who are this day destitute, homeless, elderly, infirm, or forgotten. Bless the multitude of your poor. Lift up those who are cast down. Mightily befriend innocent sufferers, and sanctify to them the endurance of their wrongs.

Cheer with hope all who are discouraged and downcast, and by your heavenly grace preserve from falling those whose poverty tempts them to sin. Though they be troubled on every side, suffer them not to be distressed; though they are perplexed, save them from despair. Grant this, O Lord, for the love of him who for our sakes became poor, your Son our Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.
_ Lord, show us how we can help.

+ For prisoners

O God, you forgive when we deserve punishment, and in your wrath you remember mercy: We humbly ask you, of your goodness, to comfort all prisoners. Give them a right understanding of themselves, and of your promises, that trusting wholly in your mercy, they may not place their confidence anywhere but in you.

Relieve the distressed; deliver the innocent; bring the guilty to repentance; and as you alone bring light out of darkness, and good out of evil, grant that by the power of your Holy Spirit they may be set free from the chains of sin, and brought to newness of life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
_ Lord, show us how we can help.

+ For the recovery of those who are sick

Almighty and immortal God, giver of life and health: We implore your mercy for your servants, especially on those suffering the effects of the pandemic, that by your blessing upon them and upon those who minister to them with your healing gifts, they may be restored to health of body and mind, according to your gracious will, and may give thanks to you before your people; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
_ Lord, show us how we can help.

+ 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.
_ Lord, show us how we can help.

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Praise My Soul, the King of Heaven – Festival of Worship 2013
Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels, Los Angeles
Fred Bock Institute of Music at Fuller Seminary

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Closing – 1 Corinthians 15:25-28 (NLT)

Christ must reign until he humbles all his enemies beneath his feet. And the last enemy to be destroyed is death. For the Scriptures say, “God has put all things under his authority.” (Of course, when it says “all things are under his authority,” that does not include God himself, who gave Christ his authority.) Then, when all things are under his authority, the Son will put himself under God’s authority, so that God, who gave his Son authority over all things, will be utterly supreme over everything everywhere.

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

Morning Prayer: Saturday 21 Nov 2020 – Psalms (130) and Proverbs (21) ~ My soul waits for the Lord!

Morning Prayer: Saturday, 21 Nov 2020

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

Opening:

Stir up, O Lord, the wills of your faithful people, that bringing forth in abundance the fruit of good works, they may be abundantly rewarded when our Savior Jesus Christ comes to restore all things; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

“My soul waits for the Lord, more than watchmen for the morning.
“O Israel, trust in the LORD, for with the LORD there is mercy,
and with him is plenteous redemption.”
(Psalm 130:6-7)

Preparation:

 Holy Spirit, breath of God and fire of love, I cannot pray without your aid: Kindle in me the fire of your love, and illumine me with your light; that with a steadfast will and holy thoughts I may approach the Father in spirit and in truth; through Jesus Christ my Lord, who reigns with you and the Father in eternal union. Amen.

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Out of the depths – Psalm 130 –  Matt Searles and Miriam Jones.
words taken from ‘Sing Psalms’ © Free Church of Scotland.

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The New Cloverdale Psalter (2019 Update of 1535 Original) 

“Psalm 130”

1 Out of the deep have I called unto you, O LORD; *
Lord, hear my voice.
2 O let your ears consider well *
the voice of my supplications.

3 If you, LORD, were to mark what is done amiss, *
O Lord, who could abide it?
4 For there is mercy with you; *
therefore you shall be feared.

5 I wait for the LORD; my soul waits for him; *
in his word is my trust.
6 My soul waits for the Lord, *
more than watchmen for the morning, more than watchmen for the morning.

7 O Israel, trust in the LORD, for with the LORD there is mercy, *
and with him is plenteous redemption;
8 And he shall redeem Israel *
from all their sins.

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Proverbs 21

12 The Righteous One knows what is going on in the homes of the wicked;
he will bring disaster on them.

30 No human wisdom or understanding or plan
can stand against the Lord.

__________

Consider:

“My soul waits for the Lord, more than watchmen for the morning.
“O Israel, trust in the LORD, for with the LORD there is mercy,
and with him is plenteous redemption.”
(Psalm 130:6-7)

my soul waits for the ORD

  • Men who guard a city, and women who wait by the sick, long for daylight. Worshippers tarrying for the morning sacrifice, the kindling of the incense and the lighting of the lamps, mingle fervent prayers with their holy vigils, and pine for the hour when the lamb shall smoke upon the altar. David, however, waited more than these, waited longer, waited more longingly, waited more expectantly.
  • We long for the favor of the Lord more than weary sentinels long for the morning light which will release them from their tedious watch. Indeed this is true. He that has once rejoiced in communion with God is sore tried by the hidings of his face, and grows faint with strong desire for the Lord’s appearing,

with the LORD there is mercy

  • God has great things in store for his people, they ought to have large expectations…. With us there is sin; but hope is ours, because “with the Lord there is mercy.” Our comfort lies not in that which is with us, but in that which is with our God.
  • He can and will redeem all his people out of their many and great troubles; nay, their redemption is already worked out and laid up with him, so that he can at any time give his waiting ones the full benefit thereof. The attribute of mercy, and the fact of redemption, are two most sufficient reasons for hoping in Jehovah; and the fact that there is no mercy or deliverance elsewhere should effectually wean the soul from all idolatry.

__ Spurgeon

Q: What are you waiting for God to do in your life, or that of others?

Q: Are you waiting for God’s mercy, redemption, or something else?

Q: How are you feeling while you are waiting for God to act?

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Prayer:

+ For Trust

Most loving Father, you will us to give thanks for all things, to dread nothing but the loss of you, and to cast all our care on the One who cares for us. Preserve us from faithless fears and worldly anxieties, and grant that no clouds of this mortal life may hide from us the light of that love which is immortal, and which you have manifested unto us in your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

+ For Mercy

Almighty God, you have not dealt with us according to our sins, nor rewarded us according to our iniquities; grant that we, who for our evil deeds deserve to be punished, by the might of your grace may mercifully be relieved; through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

+ For Satisfaction in Christ

O God, of your goodness, give me yourself, for you are enough for me. I can ask for nothing less that is completely to your honor, and if I do ask anything less, I shall always be in want. Only in you I have all. Amen.

+ 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, to your presence, where we may be still and know that you are God; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

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I Will Wait For You (Psalm 130) – Shane & Shane

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Blessing

May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you, wherever He may send you.
May He guide you through the wilderness, protect you through the storm.
May He bring you home rejoicing at the wonders He has shown you.
May He bring you home rejoicing once again into our doors.

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