Friday, 10 Sep 2021: Psalm 19; Proverbs 19:24-29; James 2:17-26 ~ By faith: work it out.

Friday, 10 Sep 2021:

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

Opening:

O Lord God, grant your people grace to withstand the
temptations of the world, the flesh, and the devil, and with pure
hearts and minds to follow you, the only God; through Jesus
Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy
Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

“Faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead….
For as the body apart from the spirit is dead,
so also faith apart from works is dead.”
(James:17,26)

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Psalms: Psalm 19

The Law of the Lord Is Perfect
To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David.

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OT Reading: Proverbs 19:24-29 (ESV)

19:24 The sluggard buries his hand in the dish
and will not even bring it back to his mouth.

25 Strike a scoffer, and the simple will learn prudence;
reprove a man of understanding, and he will gain knowledge.

26 He who does violence to his father and chases away his mother
is a son who brings shame and reproach.

27 Cease to hear instruction, my son,
and you will stray from the words of knowledge.

28 A worthless witness mocks at justice,
and the mouth of the wicked devours iniquity.

29 Condemnation is ready for scoffers,
and beating for the backs of fools.

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If We’re Honest by Francesca Battistelli – Proverbs 19:1-5

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NT Reading: James 2:17-26 (ESV)

2:17 So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.

But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder! Do you want to be shown, you foolish person, that faith apart from works is useless? Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up his son Isaac on the altar? You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by his works; and the Scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness”—and he was called a friend of God. You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone. And in the same way was not also Rahab the prostitute justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out by another way? For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead.

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André Rieu – I Will Follow Him [ live in Maastricht]

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Prayer:

+ O God, you have made of one blood all the peoples of the earth, and sent your blessed Son to preach peace to those who are far off and to those who are near: Grant that people everywhere may seek after you and find you; bring the nations into your fold; pour out your Spirit upon all flesh; and hasten the coming of your kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

+ Almighty God our Savior, you desire that none should perish, and you have taught us through your Son that there is great joy in heaven over every sinner who repents: Grant that our hearts may ache for a lost and broken world. May your Holy Spirit work through our words, deeds, and prayers, that the lost may be found and the dead made alive, and that all your redeemed may rejoice around your throne; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

+ Christ as a light, illumine and guide us. Christ as a shield, overshadow us. Christ under us; Christ over us; Christ beside us on our left and our right. This day be within and without us, lowly and meek, yet all-powerful. Be in the heart of each to whom we speak; in the mouth of each who speaks to us. This day be within and without us, lowly and meek, yet all-powerful. Christ as a light; Christ as a shield; Christ beside us on our left and our right.

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Blessing

May the peace of the Lord Christ go with us, wherever He may send us.
May He guide us through the wilderness, protect us through the storm.
May He bring us home rejoicing at the wonders He has shown us.
May He bring us 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.

Thursday, 09 Sep 2021: Psalm 19; Proverbs 15:1-17; Hebrews 11:17-22 ~ By faith: believe God’s promises.

Thursday, 09 Sep 2021:

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

Opening:

“By faith Abraham, when he was tested,
offered up Isaac,
and he who had received the promises
was in the act of offering up his only son,
of whom it was said,
“Through Isaac shall your offspring be named.”
He considered that God was able even to raise him from the dead,
from which, figuratively speaking, he did receive him back.”
(Hebrews 11:17-19)

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Psalms: Psalm 19 (ESV)

The Law of the Lord Is Perfect
To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David.

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OT Reading: Proverbs 15:1-17 (ESV)

15:1 A soft answer turns away wrath,
but a harsh word stirs up anger.

2 The tongue of the wise commends knowledge,
but the mouths of fools pour out folly.

3 The eyes of the Lord are in every place,
keeping watch on the evil and the good.

4 A gentle tongue is a tree of life,
but perverseness in it breaks the spirit.

5 A fool despises his father’s instruction,
but whoever heeds reproof is prudent.

6 In the house of the righteous there is much treasure,
but trouble befalls the income of the wicked.

7 The lips of the wise spread knowledge;
not so the hearts of fools.

8 The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord,
but the prayer of the upright is acceptable to him.

9 The way of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord,
but he loves him who pursues righteousness.

10 There is severe discipline for him who forsakes the way;
whoever hates reproof will die.

11 Sheol and Abaddon lie open before the Lord;
how much more the hearts of the children of man!

12 A scoffer does not like to be reproved;
he will not go to the wise.

13 A glad heart makes a cheerful face,
but by sorrow of heart the spirit is crushed.

14 The heart of him who has understanding seeks knowledge,
but the mouths of fools feed on folly.

15 All the days of the afflicted are evil,
but the cheerful of heart has a continual feast.

16 Better is a little with the fear of the Lord
than great treasure and trouble with it.

17 Better is a dinner of herbs where love is
than a fattened ox and hatred with it.

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More Voices 10 – Come and Seek the Ways of Wisdom

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NT Reading: Hebrews 11:17-22 (ESV)

11:17 By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises was in the act of offering up his only son, of whom it was said, “Through Isaac shall your offspring be named.” He considered that God was able even to raise him from the dead, from which, figuratively speaking, he did receive him back. By faith Isaac invoked future blessings on Jacob and Esau. By faith Jacob, when dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, bowing in worship over the head of his staff. By faith Joseph, at the end of his life, made mention of the exodus of the Israelites and gave directions concerning his bones.

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By Faith – Praise and Harmony

1. By faith we see the hand of God
In the light of creation’s grand design
In the lives of those who prove His faithfulness
Who walk by faith and not by sight

2. By faith our fathers roamed the earth
With the power of His promise in their hearts
Of a holy city built by God’s own hand
A place where peace and justice reign

We will stand as children of the promise
We will fix our eyes on Him, our soul’s reward
Till the race is finished and the work is done
We’ll Walk by faith and not by sight

3. By faith the prophets saw a day
When the longed for Messiah would appear
With the power to break the chains of sin and death
And rise triumphant form the grave

4. By faith the church was called to go
In the power of the Spirit to the lost
To deliver captives and to preach good news
In every corner of the earth

We will stand as children of the promise
We will fix our eyes on Him, our soul’s reward
Till the race is finished and the work is done
We’ll Walk by faith and not by sight

5. By faith this mountain shall be moved
And the power of the gospel shall prevail
For we know in Christ all things are possible
For all who call upon His name

We will stand as children of the promise
We will fix our eyes on Him, our soul’s reward
Till the race is finished and the work is done
We’ll Walk by faith and not by sight

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Prayer:

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

+ O Holy Spirit, beloved of our souls, we adore you. Enlighten us, guide us, strengthen us, console us. Tell us what we should do; give us your orders. We promise to submit ourselves to all that you desire of us and to accept all that you permit to happen to us. Only let us only know your will. Amen.

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Blessing

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

Wednesday, 08 Sep 2021: Psalm 73:1-20; Proverbs 14:1-9; Matthew 17:14-20 ~ By faith: nothing is impossible.

Wednesday, 08 Sep 2021:

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

Opening:

“Truly, I say to you,
if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed,
you will say to this mountain,
‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move,
and nothing will be impossible for you.””
(Matthew 17:20)

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Psalms: Psalm 73

God Is My Strength and Portion Forever
A Psalm of Asaph.

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OT Reading: Proverbs 14:1-9 (ESV)

14:1 The wisest of women builds her house,
but folly with her own hands tears it down.

2 Whoever walks in uprightness fears the Lord,
but he who is devious in his ways despises him.

3 By the mouth of a fool comes a rod for his back,
but the lips of the wise will preserve them.

4 Where there are no oxen, the manger is clean,
but abundant crops come by the strength of the ox.

5 A faithful witness does not lie,
but a false witness breathes out lies.

6 A scoffer seeks wisdom in vain,
but knowledge is easy for a man of understanding.

7 Leave the presence of a fool,
for there you do not meet words of knowledge.

8 The wisdom of the prudent is to discern his way,
but the folly of fools is deceiving.

9 Fools mock at the guilt offering,
but the upright enjoy acceptance.

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If I speak words of wisdom – Resound Worship

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NT Reading: Matthew 17:14-20 (ESV)

Jesus Heals a Boy with a Demon

17:14 And when they came to the crowd, a man came up to him and, kneeling before him, said, “Lord, have mercy on my son, for he has seizures and he suffers terribly. For often he falls into the fire, and often into the water. And I brought him to your disciples, and they could not heal him.” And Jesus answered, “O faithless and twisted generation, how long am I to be with you? How long am I to bear with you? Bring him here to me.” And Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of him, and the boy was healed instantly. Then the disciples came to Jesus privately and said, “Why could we not cast it out?” He said to them, “Because of your little faith. For truly, I say to you, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you.”

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God Of The Impossible – Lincoln Brewster

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Prayer:

+ O Almighty God, you pour out on all who desire it the spirit of grace and of supplication: Deliver us, when we draw near to you, from coldness of heart and wanderings of mind, that with steadfast thoughts and kindled affections we may worship you in spirit and in truth; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

+ Almighty God, from whom all thoughts of truth and peace proceed: Kindle, we pray, in the hearts of all people the true love of peace, and guide with your pure and peaceable wisdom those who take counsel for the nations of the earth; that in tranquility your kingdom may go forward, till the earth is filled with the knowledge of your love; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

+ O God, the Creator of all, whose Son commanded us to love our enemies: Lead them and us from prejudice to truth; deliver them and us from hatred, cruelty, and revenge; and in your good time enable us all to stand reconciled before you in Jesus Christ; in whose Name we pray. Amen.

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Blessing

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

Tuesday, 07 Sep 2021: Psalm 73:1-20; Proverbs 11:1-31; Hebrews 12:3-13 ~ By faith: accept God’s discipline.

Tuesday, 07 Sep 2021:

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

Opening:

“My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord,
nor be weary when reproved by him.
For the Lord disciplines the one he loves,
and chastises every son whom he receives.”
(Hebrews 12:5)

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Psalms: Psalm 73

God Is My Strength and Portion Forever
A Psalm of Asaph.

“Psalm 73” – ForeverBeSure

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OT Reading: Proverbs 11:1-31 (ESV)

11:1 A false balance is an abomination to the Lord,
but a just weight is his delight.

2 When pride comes, then comes disgrace,
but with the humble is wisdom.

3 The integrity of the upright guides them,
but the crookedness of the treacherous destroys them.

4 Riches do not profit in the day of wrath,
but righteousness delivers from death.

5 The righteousness of the blameless keeps his way straight,
but the wicked falls by his own wickedness.

6 The righteousness of the upright delivers them,
but the treacherous are taken captive by their lust.

7 When the wicked dies, his hope will perish,
and the expectation of wealth perishes too.

8 The righteous is delivered from trouble,
and the wicked walks into it instead.

9 With his mouth the godless man would destroy his neighbor,
but by knowledge the righteous are delivered.

10 When it goes well with the righteous, the city rejoices,
and when the wicked perish there are shouts of gladness.

11 By the blessing of the upright a city is exalted,
but by the mouth of the wicked it is overthrown.

12 Whoever belittles his neighbor lacks sense,
but a man of understanding remains silent.

13 Whoever goes about slandering reveals secrets,
but he who is trustworthy in spirit keeps a thing covered.

14 Where there is no guidance, a people falls,
but in an abundance of counselors there is safety.

15 Whoever puts up security for a stranger will surely suffer harm,
but he who hates striking hands in pledge is secure.

16 A gracious woman gets honor,
and violent men get riches.

17 A man who is kind benefits himself,
but a cruel man hurts himself.

18 The wicked earns deceptive wages,
but one who sows righteousness gets a sure reward.

19 Whoever is steadfast in righteousness will live,
but he who pursues evil will die.

20 Those of crooked heart are an abomination to the Lord,
but those of blameless ways are his delight.

21 Be assured, an evil person will not go unpunished,
but the offspring of the righteous will be delivered.

22 Like a gold ring in a pig’s snout
is a beautiful woman without discretion.

23 The desire of the righteous ends only in good,
the expectation of the wicked in wrath.

24 One gives freely, yet grows all the richer;
another withholds what he should give, and only suffers want.

25 Whoever brings blessing will be enriched,
and one who waters will himself be watered.

26 The people curse him who holds back grain,
but a blessing is on the head of him who sells it.

27 Whoever diligently seeks good seeks favor,
but evil comes to him who searches for it.

28 Whoever trusts in his riches will fall,
but the righteous will flourish like a green leaf.

29 Whoever troubles his own household will inherit the wind,
and the fool will be servant to the wise of heart.

30 The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life,
and whoever captures souls is wise.

31 If the righteous is repaid on earth,
how much more the wicked and the sinner!

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Call of Wisdom: Will Todd / Nigel Short, Tenebrae & English Chamber Orchestra

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NT Reading: Hebrews 12:3-13 (ESV)

Do Not Grow Weary

12:3 Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted. In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons?

“My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord,
nor be weary when reproved by him.
For the Lord disciplines the one he loves,
and chastises every son whom he receives.”

It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. Or what son is there whom his father does not discipline? If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons. Besides this, we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us and we respected them. Shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits and live? For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness. For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.

Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees, and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint but rather be healed.

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I Lift my Hands – Chris Tomlin

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Prayer:

+ 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. Remember us, O Lord, in mercy; nourish our souls with patience; comfort us with a sense of your goodness; lift up your countenance upon us; and give us peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

O God, without whose beauty and goodness our souls are unfed, without whose truth our reason withers: Consecrate our lives to your will, giving us such purity of heart, such depth of faith, and such steadfastness of purpose, that in time we may come to think your own thoughts after you; through Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.

+ Go before us, O Lord, in all our doings with your most gracious favor, and further us with your continual help; that in all our works begun, continued, and ended in you, we may glorify your holy Name, and finally, through your mercy, obtain everlasting life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

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Blessing

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

Monday, 06 Sep 2021: Psalm 73:1-20; Proverbs 8:32-9:6; Hebrews 11:29-12:2 ~ By faith: run with endurance.

Monday, 06 Sep 2021:

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

Opening:

“Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,
looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith….”
(Hebrews 12:1-2)

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Psalms: Psalm 73:1-20

God Is My Strength and Portion Forever
A Psalm of Asaph.

You [Psalm 73] – Taking Ground Music | Elyse Horner

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OT Reading: Proverbs 8:32-9:6 (ESV)

8:32 “And now, O sons, listen to me:
blessed are those who keep my ways.
33 Hear instruction and be wise,
and do not neglect it.
34 Blessed is the one who listens to me,
watching daily at my gates,
waiting beside my doors.
35 For whoever finds me finds life
and obtains favor from the Lord,
36 but he who fails to find me injures himself;
all who hate me love death.”

The Way of Wisdom

9:1 Wisdom has built her house;
she has hewn her seven pillars.
2 She has slaughtered her beasts; she has mixed her wine;
she has also set her table.
3 She has sent out her young women to call
from the highest places in the town,
4 “Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!”
To him who lacks sense she says,
5 “Come, eat of my bread
and drink of the wine I have mixed.
6 Leave your simple ways, and live,
and walk in the way of insight.”

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I’m Listening – Chris McClarney ~ Ft. Hollyn

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NT Reading: Hebrews 11:29-12:2 (ESV)

11:29 By faith the people crossed the Red Sea as on dry land, but the Egyptians, when they attempted to do the same, were drowned. By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they had been encircled for seven days. By faith Rahab the prostitute did not perish with those who were disobedient, because she had given a friendly welcome to the spies.

And what more shall I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets— who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, were made strong out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight. Women received back their dead by resurrection. Some were tortured, refusing to accept release, so that they might rise again to a better life. Others suffered mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were killed with the sword. They went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, afflicted, mistreated— of whom the world was not worthy—wandering about in deserts and mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.

And all these, though commended through their faith, did not receive what was promised, since God had provided something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect.

Jesus, Founder and Perfecter of Our Faith

12:1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

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PRESS ON – Selah

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Prayer:

+ Almighty and eternal God, so draw our hearts to you, so guide our minds, so fill our imaginations, so control our wills, that we may be wholly yours, utterly dedicated to you; and then use us, we pray, as you will, and always to your glory and the welfare of your people; through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.

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Blessing

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

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