Author: Art Chartier

Monday Morning: 22 Jul 2019 – 1 John 3:1-12 ~ God’s children: will be like Christ.

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.
__________

Morning Reading – 1 John 3:1-12 (NLT)

See how very much our Father loves us, for he calls us his children, and that is what we are! But the people who belong to this world don’t recognize that we are God’s children because they don’t know him. Dear friends, we are already God’s children, but he has not yet shown us what we will be like when Christ appears. But we do know that we will be like him, for we will see him as he really is. And all who have this eager expectation will keep themselves pure, just as he is pure.

Everyone who sins is breaking God’s law, for all sin is contrary to the law of God. And you know that Jesus came to take away our sins, and there is no sin in him. Anyone who continues to live in him will not sin. But anyone who keeps on sinning does not know him or understand who he is.

Dear children, don’t let anyone deceive you about this: When people do what is right, it shows that they are righteous, even as Christ is righteous. But when people keep on sinning, it shows that they belong to the devil, who has been sinning since the beginning. But the Son of God came to destroy the works of the devil. Those who have been born into God’s family do not make a practice of sinning, because God’s life is in them. So they can’t keep on sinning, because they are children of God. So now we can tell who are children of God and who are children of the devil. Anyone who does not live righteously and does not love other believers does not belong to God.

Love One Another

This is the message you have heard from the beginning: We should love one another. We must not be like Cain, who belonged to the evil one and killed his brother. And why did he kill him? Because Cain had been doing what was evil, and his brother had been doing what was righteous.
__________

Morning Reflection:

God’s children: will be like Christ.

Dear friends, we are already God’s children,
but he has not yet shown us what we will be like when Christ appears.
But we do know that we will be like him, for we will see him as he really is.
And all who have this eager expectation will keep themselves pure, just as he is pure.
– 1 John 3:2-3 –

Once again, John addresses the life of believers between the ages – “we are already God’s children, but he has not yet shown us what we will be when Christ appears.” But one thing we do know – God’s children will be like Christ – we will fully reflect his image.

It’s because of this eager expectation of Christ’s imminent return – and our transformation into the Christ-like people we were created to be – that we are motivated to not make a practice of sinning, to do what is right, and to love other believers. In fact, John says, these are the proof that we truly are children of God – saved by grace, through faith, to become like Christ.

Questions for consideration:

  • All of us sin and fall short of the glory of God. But God’s children receive forgiveness through confession and true repentance, and do not make a practice of sinning. So how are you doing? Is there something you need to stop thinking, feeling, or doing? Please explain.
  • We belong to God, not this world – we are the children of God – and that inevitably brings us into conflict with the values and practices of worldly people, people who belong to the devil. As a child of God, where have you run into conflict with the world’s values and practices when you tried to do what’s right in God’s sight? How have you responded? Has the Holy Spirit helped you? Please explain.
  • God’s people are made up of a wide variety of people with different personalities, lifestyles, and traditions. When you think of believers in your circle of influence, who are the easiest to love? And who are the most difficult to love? Where do you need God’s help in loving difficult believers? Please explain.
  • What would it take for you to become more Christ-like now? Please explain.

__________

Morning 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.

__________

“Christ Be All Around Me” – Gabriel Hughes.

__________

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

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.
__________

“Is He Worthy?” – Chris Tomlin

__________

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.”
__________

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.
__________

“How Can I Keep From Singing” – Audrey Assad

__________

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.
__________

+ 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.
__________

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.
__________

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.

__________

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.
__________

“Come Holy Spirit” –

__________

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.
__________

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.
__________

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.

_________

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.
__________

“Love One Another” – Newsboys

__________

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.
__________

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.
_____

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.
__________

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.

_________

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.
__________

“Doxology//Amen “ – Phil Wickham

__________

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