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.

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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.

Morning Prayer: Friday 20 Nov 2020 – Psalms (128) and Proverbs (20) ~ Fear God and prosper!

Morning Prayer: Friday, 20 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.

“Blessed are all those who fear the LORD *
and walk in his ways.”
(Psalm 128:1)

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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(Ps 128) – Sons of Korah

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The New Cloverdale Psalter (2019 Update of 1535 Original

“Psalm 128”

1 Blessed are all those who fear the LORD *
and walk in his ways.
2 For you shall eat of the labors of your hands; *
it shall be well with you, and happy you shall be.
3 Your wife shall be as a fruitful vine *
upon the walls of your house,
4 Your children like the olive branches *
round about your table.
5 Indeed, thus shall the man be blessed *
who fears the LORD.

6 May the LORD bless you out of Zion; *
may you see Jerusalem in prosperity all your life long.
7 May you see your children’s children, *
and may there be peace upon Israel.

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Proverbs 20

7 The godly walk with integrity;
blessed are their children who follow them.

24 The Lord directs our steps,
so why try to understand everything along the way?

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Consider:

“Blessed are all those who fear the LORD *
and walk in his ways.”
(Psalm 128:1)

Fear God and prosper!

  • The fear of God is the corner stone of all blessedness. We must reverence the ever blessed God before we can be blessed ourselves. Some think that this life is an evil, an infliction, a thing upon which rests a curse; but it is not so; the God fearing man has a present blessing resting upon him.
  • This is true of every one of the God fearing, of all conditions, in all ages: each one and every one is blessed. Their blessedness may not always be; seen by carnal reason, but it is always a fact, for God himself declares that it is so; and we know that those whom he blesses are blessed indeed.
  • God’s ways will be our ways if we have a sincere reverence for him: if the heart is joined unto God, the feet will follow hard after him. A man’s heart will be seen in his walk, and the blessing will come where heart and walk are both with God.

__ Spurgeon
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  • Lord, let thy blessing so accompany my endeavors in their offspring, that all my sons may be Benaiahs, the Lord’s building, and then they will all be Abners, their father’s light; and that all my daughters may be Bethins, the Lord’s daughters, and then they will all be Abigails, their father’s joy.

—George Swinnock.

Q: Do you consider yourself to be a God-fearing person? What does that mean?

Q: Are you walking in God’s ways? How does that work out from day to day?

Q: Have you experienced God’s blessing over your life? In what way?

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Prayer:

+ For our 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.

+ For our Children

Almighty God, heavenly Father, you have blessed us with the joy and care of children: Watch over and protect them, and strengthen them in Christ Jesus so that they will never know a day apart from you. Give us calm strength and patient wisdom so to train them, that they may love all that is true, and pure, and lovely, and of good report, following the example of their Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.

+ For our Marriages

O God, you have so consecrated the covenant of marriage that in it is represented the spiritual unity between Christ and his Church: Bless our marriages, so that we may so love, honor, and cherish each other in faithfulness and patience, in wisdom and true godliness, that our homes may be a haven of blessing and peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

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The Blessing – Passion City Church

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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.

Morning Prayer: Thursday,19 Nov 2020 – Psalms (126) and Proverbs (19) ~ Restore us, O LORD!

Morning Prayer: Thursday, 19 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.

“Overturn our captivity, O LORD, 
as when streams refresh the deserts of the south.
Those who sow in tears shall reap with songs of joy.”

(Psalm 126:5-6)

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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Song of Ascents (Ps 126) – KSM Israel

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The New Cloverdale Psalter (2019 Update of 1535 Original

“Psalm 126”

1 When the LORD overturned the captivity of Zion, *
then were we like those who dream.
2 Then was our mouth filled with laughter *
and our tongue with shouts of joy.
3 Then they said among the nations, *
“The LORD has done great things for them.”
4 Indeed, the LORD has done great things for us already, *
whereof we rejoice.

5 Overturn our captivity, O LORD, *
as when streams refresh the deserts of the south.
6 Those who sow in tears *
shall reap with songs of joy.
7 He who goes on his way weeping and bears good seed *
shall doubtless come again with joy, and bring his sheaves with him.

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Proverbs 19

21 You can make many plans,
but the Lord’s purpose will prevail.

23 Fear of the Lord leads to life,
bringing security and protection from harm.

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Consider:

“Overturn our captivity, O LORD, 
as when streams refresh the deserts of the south.
Those who sow in tears shall reap with songs of joy.”

(Psalm 126:5-6)

Restore us, O LORD!

As Israel of old prayed that he would bring all their brethren scattered abroad in captivity back to their own land in one full stream, multitudinous, joyous, mighty, like the waters of Nile or Euphrates pouring over the parching fields of the south in the hot, dry summertime; so now should the members of Christ’s church ever pray “that all that profess and call themselves Christians may be led into the way of truth, and hold the faith in unity of spirit, in the bond of peace, and in righteousness of life.”

—J. W. Burgon, in “A Plain Commentary,” 1859.

Sow in tears but Reap in joy

  • They sow in faith: “He that believeth on God,” this is the seeding; “shall have everlasting life” (John 5:24); this is the harvest.
  • They sow in obedience: “If you keep my commandments,” this is the seeding; “you shall abide in my love” (John 15:10); this is the harvest.
  • They sow in repentance; “Blessed are they that mourn,” this is the seeding: “for they shall be comforted” (Mat 5:4); this is the harvest.
  • They sow in renouncing the world; “We’ve given up everything,” this is the seeding; “they will receive a hundred times as much in return and will inherit eternal life.” (Mat 19:27-28); this is the harvest.
  • They sow in charity; “Blessed is he that cares for the poor;” this is the seeding: “the Lord shall deliver him in the time of trouble” (Psalm 41:1); this is the harvest.

—Thomas Adams.

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Prayer:

+ For the Church

Gracious Father, we pray for your holy Church. Fill it with all truth, in all truth with all peace. Where it is corrupt, purify it; where it is in error, direct it; where in anything it is amiss, reform it. Where it is right, strengthen it; where it is in want, provide for it; where it is divided, reunite it; for the sake of Jesus Christ your Son our Savior. Amen.

+ For all People 

O God, you made us in your own image, and you have redeemed us through your Son Jesus Christ: Look with compassion on the whole human family; take away the arrogance and hatred which infect our hearts; break down the walls that separate us; unite us in bonds of love; and work through our struggle and confusion to accomplish your purposes on earth; that, in your good time, all nations and races may serve you in harmony around your heavenly throne; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

+ For God’s Will

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.

+ For Satisfaction

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 God’s Kingdom

Hasten, O Father, the coming of your kingdom; and grant that we your servants, who now live by faith, may with joy behold your Son at his coming in glorious majesty; even Jesus Christ, our only Mediator and Advocate. Amen.

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Psalm 126 – Sojourn Music

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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.

Morning Prayer: Wednesday,18 Nov 2020 – Psalms (125) and Proverbs (18) ~ Trust in the LORD & stand fast!

Morning Prayer: Wednesday, 18 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.

“Those who put their trust in the LORD shall be like Mount Zion,
which cannot be moved, but stands fast for ever.”

(Psalm 125:1)

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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Those Who Trust (Psalm 125) – Don Chaffer · Lori Chaffer

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The New Cloverdale Psalter (2019 Update of 1535 Original

“Psalm 125”

1 Those who put their trust in the LORD shall be like Mount Zion, *
which cannot be moved, but stands fast for ever.
2 The hills stand about Jerusalem *
even as the LORD stands round about his people, from this time forth for evermore.
3 For the scepter of the ungodly shall not rest upon the land allotted to the righteous, *
lest the righteous put forth their hand to do wickedness.
4 Do good, O LORD, unto those who are good, *
unto those who are good and true of heart.
5 As for those who turn aside to their own wicked ways, the LORD shall lead them away with the evildoers; *
but peace shall be upon Israel.

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Proverbs 18

10 The name of the Lord is a strong fortress;
the godly run to him and are safe.

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Consider:

“Those who put their trust in the LORD shall be like Mount Zion,
which cannot be moved, but stands fast for ever.”

(Psalm 125:1)

Trust in the LORD & stand fast!

Those who trust in the LORD shall be as fixed, firm, and stable as the mount where David dwelt, and where the ark abode. To move mount Zion was impossible…. Zion was the image of eternal steadfastness….

  • Those who trust in the LORD enjoy peacefulness and quietude – for their hope is sure.
  • Those who trust in the LORD enjoy a confidence they can never be ashamed.

This is, and is to be our portion; we are, we have been, we shall be as steadfast as the hill of God. Zion cannot be removed, and does not remove; so the people of God can neither be moved passively nor actively, by force from without or fickleness from within.

Faith in God is a settling and establishing virtue; he who by his strength sets fast the mountains, by that same power stays the hearts of them that trust in him. This steadfastness will endure “for ever,” and we may be assured therefore that no believer shall perish either in life or in death, in time or in eternity.

We trust in an eternal God, and our safety shall be eternal.

__ Spurgeon

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Prayer:

+ For Trust in the LORD

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 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 thy 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.

+ For Jerusalem

    • Hope— for God’s Holy Spirit to remove bitterness and complacency from the hearts of Jerusalem’s people; for them to believe that peace is actually possible in their city.
    • Security— for Christ to spread his powerful protection around this place, preventing even the empty threat of attack from outside enemies.
    • Harmony— for God to turn the hearts of people toward compassion and kindness; for children to lead the way in the rising up of a generation that longs to treat all in Jerusalem as brother and sister.
    • Family— for Jesus to knit families together in wholeness and health, in ways that repulse fear and hate in exchange for love and joy.
    • Economy— for the people of Jerusalem to have ample opportunity and ability to provide for themselves and their families, to give generously to others, and to no longer be divided over who “has” and who “has not.”
    • Worship— for Christ’s Holy Spirit to be not simply present, but undeniably known in obvious ways within the hearts and expressions of His truly beloved people—Jew and Arab alike.

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Peace Upon Israel (Psalm 125) – Timeless: Ancient Psalms for the Church Today

Click here for YouTube link – You’ll be glad you did.

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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.