Morning Prayer: Thursday 08 Oct 2020 – Psalms (61) and Proverbs (08) ~ lead me to the rock

Morning Prayer, Thursday, 08 Oct 2020

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

Opening:

Keep, O Lord, your household the Church in continual godliness,
that through your protection it may be free from all adversities,
and devoutly serve you in good works, to the glory of your Name;
through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever. Amen.

“O set me upon the rock that is higher than I,
for you have been my refuge and a strong tower for me against the enemy.
Let me dwell in your tabernacle for ever,
and my refuge shall be under the covering of your wings.”
(Psalm 61:3-4)

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 New Cloverdale Psalter (2019 Update of 1535 Original)

Psalm 61

1 Hear my cry, O God; *
give ear unto my prayer.

2 From the ends of the earth I will call upon you *
when my heart is in heaviness.

3 O set me upon the rock that is higher than I, *
for you have been my refuge and a strong tower for me against the enemy.

4 Let me dwell in your tabernacle for ever, *
and my refuge shall be under the covering of your wings.

5 For you, O God, have heard my vows, *
and have given a heritage to those who fear your Name.

6 You shall grant the king a long life, *
that his years may endure throughout all generations.

7 His throne shall abide before God for ever; *
O prepare your loving mercy and faithfulness, that they may preserve him.

8 So will I always sing praise unto your Name, *
that I may daily perform my vows.

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“Psalm 61” (Lead Me To The Rock) – David Baloche

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New Living Translation (NLT)

Proverbs 08 (The proverbs of Solomon)

6 Listen to me! For I have important things to tell you.
Everything I say is right,
7 for I speak the truth
and detest every kind of deception.

8 My advice is wholesome.
There is nothing devious or crooked in it.

12 “I, Wisdom, live together with good judgment.
I know where to discover knowledge and discernment.

13 All who fear the Lord will hate evil.
Therefore, I hate pride and arrogance,
corruption and perverse speech.

14 Common sense and success belong to me.
Insight and strength are mine.

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Consider:

“O set me upon the rock that is higher than I”

If we would find ourselves upon the rock, and enjoy the realization of being so, we must be dependent upon another’s hand. And that hand can do everything for us, even in our worst of times. When we are so blinded by the salt waves that dash in our eyes, so reeling in brain that we perhaps cannot think, much less make continuous efforts, there is a hand which can lead us, which can draw us out of the waters, which can set our feet upon the rock.

—Philip Bennett Power.

“The Rock” is Christ: He is “higher than we.”
And except as he is higher – as he is God – he could not be our Savior.

“Let me dwell in your tabernacle for ever”

The best of all is that our residence with God is not for a limited period of time, but for ages; yes, for ages of ages, for time and for eternity: this is our highest and most heavenly privilege, “I will abide in your tabernacle for ever.”

There would I find a settled rest,
While others go and come;
No more a stranger or a guest,
But like a child at home.

—Spurgeon

Prayer:

+ Holy Spirit, lead me to Jesus; bring me a friend who can help place my hand in His.

+ Holy Spirit, lead me to believers who can help me live securely in His presence.

+ Lord Jesus, hold me close to your heart and grant me your peace and rest.

+ O God of peace, who has taught me that in returning and rest I shall be saved, in quietness and in confidence shall be my strength: By the might of your Spirit lift me, I pray, to your presence, where I may be still and know that you are God; through Jesus Christ my Lord. Amen.

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“A Mighty Fortress is our God” – T4G Live

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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 07 Oct 2020 – Psalms (59) and Proverbs (07) ~ merciful God, you are my refuge

Morning Prayer, Wednesday, 07 Oct 2020

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

Opening:

“Deliver me from my enemies, O God.”
“For you, O God, are my refuge, and my merciful God.”
(Psalm 59:1, 17)

Preparation:

__________

The New Cloverdale Psalter (2019 Update of 1535 Original)

Psalm 59

1 Deliver me from my enemies, O God; *
defend me from those who rise up against me.
2 O deliver me from the evildoers, *
and save me from the bloodthirsty.
3 For behold, they lie in wait for my soul; *
the mighty are gathered against me, without any offense or fault of mine, O LORD.
4 They run and prepare themselves without cause. *
Arise therefore to help me, and behold.
5 Rise up, O LORD God of hosts, O God of Israel, to visit all the nations, *
and be not merciful to those who offend with malicious wickedness.

6 They go to and fro in the evening; *
they howl like dogs, and run about through the city.
7 Behold, they boast with their mouths, and taunts are on their lips, *
for they say, “Who will hear us?”
8 But you, O LORD, shall hold them in derision, *
and you shall laugh all the nations to scorn.
9 My strength I will ascribe unto you, *
for you are the God of my refuge.
10 God shows me his plenteous goodness, *
and God shall let me look in triumph upon my enemies.

11 Slay them not, lest my people forget it, *
but scatter them abroad by your might, and put them down, O Lord our shield.
12 For the sin of their mouth, and for the words of their lips, they shall be taken in their pride, *
because their talk is cursing and lies.
13 Consume them in your wrath; consume them, that they may perish, *
and know that it is God who rules in Jacob, and unto the ends of the world.

14 In the evening they will return, *
howl like dogs, and run about through the city.
15 They will run here and there for meat *
and growl if they are not satisfied.

16 As for me, I will sing of your power, and will praise your mercy early in the morning, *
for you have been my defense and refuge in the day of my trouble.
17 Unto you, O my strength, will I sing, *
for you, O God, are my refuge, and my merciful God.

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“Psalm 59” (Deliver Me) – David- Ordinary Man…Extraordinary God

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New Living Translation (NLT)

Proverbs 07 (The proverbs of Solomon)

2 Guard my instructions as you guard your own eyes.
3 Tie them on your fingers as a reminder.
Write them deep within your heart.

4 Love wisdom like a sister;
make insight a beloved member of your family.
5 Let them protect you from an affair with an immoral woman,
from listening to the flattery of a promiscuous woman.

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Consider:

“Deliver me from my enemies, O God.”
“For you, O God, are my refuge, and my merciful God.”
(Psalm 59:1, 17)

“Deliver me from my enemies, O God.”

+ What sort of people were these enemies?

people with authority and the means to destroy him
people who delighted in designing ways to entrap him
people who relentlessly pursued his destruction
people who were violent, cruel and malicious
people who persisted, despite his innocence

+ Only God can deliver a believer from such people

When a habitation is beset by thieves, the good man of the house rings the alarm bell; and in these verses we may hear it ring out loudly, “deliver me,” “defend me,” “deliver me,” “save me.” — Spurgeon

“For you, O God, are my refuge, and my merciful God.”

The wicked howl, but I sing and will sing…. Strength has been overcome by strength; not by the hero’s own prowess, but by the might of God alone. See how the singer girds himself with the almightiness of God, and calls it all his own by faith….

With full assurance he claims possession of God as his protection and security…. Mercy rises before him, undisturbed and impregnable, for he knows that he is safe in divine keeping… Away, away, ye adversaries of my soul, the God of my mercy will keep ye all at bay. — Spurgeon

+ Pause for a moment to consider what is happening around you.

Q: Are there enemies in your household?
Q: Are there enemies in your church?
Q: Are there enemies in your community?
Q: Are there enemies in your country?
Q: Are there enemies around the world?

+ Who will sound the alarm, if not you?
+ Who will sing their defeat, if not you?
+ Who will pray for them. if not you?

Prayer:

+ For our enemies

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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“Raise A Hallelujah” – Bethel Music

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Blessing:

__________

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

Morning Prayer: Tuesday 06 Oct 2020 – Psalms (57) and Proverbs (06) ~ my heart is firmly fixed, O God

Morning Prayer, Tuesday, 06 Oct 2020

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

Opening:

“My heart is firmly fixed, O God, my heart is fixed;
I will sing and give praise.
(Psalm 56:7)

Preparation:

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The New Cloverdale Psalter (2019 Update of 1535 Original)

Psalm 57

1 Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me, for my soul trusts in you, *
and under the shadow of your wings shall be my refuge, until this tribulation has passed.
2 I will call unto the Most High God, *
even unto the God who shall fulfill his purpose for me.
3 He shall send from heaven and save me; he shall confound those who trample on me. *
God shall send forth his mercy and truth.

4 My soul is among lions that devour the people; *
their teeth are spears and arrows, and their tongue a sharp sword.

5 Exalt yourself, O God, above the heavens; *
let your glory be over all the earth.

6 They have laid a net for my feet, and brought down my soul; *
they dug a pit before me, but have fallen into the midst of it themselves.

7 My heart is firmly fixed, O God, my heart is fixed; *
I will sing and give praise.
8 Awake, my soul; awake, lute and harp; *
I myself will awaken the dawn.
9 I will give thanks unto you, O Lord, among the peoples, *
and I will sing praises unto you among the nations.
10 For the greatness of your mercy reaches unto the heavens, *
and your truth unto the clouds.

11 Exalt yourself, O God, above the heavens; *
let your glory be over all the earth.

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“Psalm 57” – Oakwood University Aeolians

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New Living Translation (NLT)

Proverbs 06 (The proverbs of Solomon)

12 What are worthless and wicked people like?
They are constant liars,
13 signaling their deceit with a wink of the eye,
a nudge of the foot, or the wiggle of fingers.
14 Their perverted hearts plot evil,
and they constantly stir up trouble.
15 But they will be destroyed suddenly,
broken in an instant beyond all hope of healing.

16 There are six things the Lord hates—
no, seven things he detests:
17 haughty eyes,
a lying tongue,
hands that kill the innocent,
18 a heart that plots evil,
feet that race to do wrong,
19 a false witness who pours out lies,
a person who sows discord in a family.

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Consider:

“My heart is firmly fixed, O God, my heart is fixed;
I will sing and give praise.”
(Psalm 56:7)

“My heart is firmly fixed, O God”

“O God, my heart is fixed.” I am resolved to trust thee, to serve thee, and to praise thee. Twice does he declare this to the glory of God who thus comforts the souls of his servants.

“I will sing and give praise”

Vocally and instrumentally will I celebrate thy worship. With lip and with heart will I ascribe honor to thee…. Believer, make a firm decree that your soul in all seasons shall magnify the Lord.

—Spurgeon

Trusting God is a choice, just as worshiping God is a choice.

But it is not simply an act of the will, as David notes.

Trust and Worship arise out of a heart fixed on God –

His mercy… His truth… His protection… His deliverance… His purpose… His Son!

Q: What is your heart fixed on?

Prayer:

+ For Holy Thought

O God, without whose beauty and goodness my soul is unfed, without whose truth my reason withers: Consecrate my life to your will, giving me such purity of heart, such depth of faith, and such steadfastness of purpose, that in time I may come to think your own thoughts after you; through Jesus Christ my Savior. Amen.

_____

+ Christ, as a light illumine and guide me.

+ Christ, as a shield overshadow me.

+ Christ under me; Christ over me;
Christ beside me on my left and my right.

+ This day be within and without me,
lowly and meek, yet all-powerful.

+ Be in the heart of each to whom I speak;
in the mouth of each who speaks unto me.

+ This day be within and without me,
lowly and meek, yet all-powerful.

+ Christ as a light; Christ as a shield;
Christ beside me on my left and my right.

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“Be Exalted Oh God” – Maranatha! Vocal Band

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Blessing:

__________

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

Morning Prayer: Monday 05 Oct 2020 – Psalms (56) and Proverbs (05) ~ now I can walk before God

Morning Prayer, Monday, 05 Oct 2020

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

Opening:

“For you have delivered my soul from death and my feet from stumbling,
that I may walk before God in the light of the living.”
(Psalm 56:13)

Preparation:

__________

The New Cloverdale Psalter (2019 Update of 1535 Original)

Psalm 56

1 Be merciful to me, O God, for my adversaries are treading me down; *
they are daily fighting and troubling me.
2 My enemies go about hounding me daily, *
for there are many who fight against me, O Most High.
3 Nevertheless, though I am sometimes afraid, *
yet I put my trust in you.
4 In God whose word I praise, in God I trust and fear not, *
for what can flesh do to me?

5 They daily distort my words; *
all that they imagine is to do me evil.
6 They all gather together and lie in wait, *
and mark my steps, while they seek after my life.
7 Shall they escape despite their wickedness? *
O God, in your displeasure cast them down.

8 You record my lamentation; put my tears into your bottle. *
Are not these things noted in your book?

9 Whenever I call upon you, then shall my enemies be put to flight; *
this I know, for God is on my side.
10 In God, whose word I praise, *
in the LORD, whose word I praise,
11 In God have I put my trust; *
I will not be afraid, for what can mortals do to me?

12 Unto you, O God, will I pay my vows; *
unto you will I give thanks.
13 For you have delivered my soul from death and my feet from stumbling, *
that I may walk before God in the light of the living.

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“Psalms 56” (So Gracious Oh God – Moving Mountain Worship

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New Living Translation (NLT)

Proverbs 05 (The proverbs of Solomon)

18 Let your wife be a fountain of blessing for you.
Rejoice in the wife of your youth.

21 For the Lord sees clearly what a man does,
examining every path he takes.
22 An evil man is held captive by his own sins;
they are ropes that catch and hold him.
23 He will die for lack of self-control;
he will be lost because of his great foolishness.

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Consider:

“For you have delivered my soul from death and my feet from stumbling,
that I may walk before God in the light of the living.”
(Psalm 56:13)

“that I may walk before God in the light of the living”

Q: What is the purpose of God’s deliverance?

from adversaries and enemies,
from liars and deceivers,
from our sins that hold us captive”

Q: Why did God send His one and only Son to save our souls?

In Psalm 56:13, David offers an answer –

To walk in the presence of God is partly under his eyes, his guidance and care… where God is present, where he is worshipped by his people and scatters his blessings…. In particular it signifies to live in a safe and prosperous state, whose well known emblem is light.
—Hermann Venema.

_____

We cannot restrict this phrase to the light of mortal life; David’s vows bound him to walk in the light of spiritual life, and also in the light of eternal life, of which by faith he was a partaker… and to the light of glory in the world to come, as the real and final object of the believer’s conversation here on earth.
—W. Wilson, D.D.

Q: Has God delivered your soul from death?
Q: Is your life a daily sacrifice to God?
Q: Does your life reflect the light of Christ?

Prayer:

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

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“In Your Presence” – Paul Wilbur

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Blessing:

__________

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

27th Sunday in Ordinary Time, 04 Oct 2020: Isa 5:1-7, Ps 80, Phil 4:6-9, Matt 21:33-44 ~ take care of God’s vineyard

The 27th Sunday in Ordinary Time, 04 Oct Sep 2020

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

Opening:

Yours, O God, is the vineyard and its harvest, yours the kingdom of justice and peace. You call your people to tend its growth. Bless the work entrusted to our hands, that we may offer you an abundance of just works, a rich harvest of peace. 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

‘The stone that the builders rejected has now become the cornerstone.
This is the Lord’s doing, and it is wonderful to see’
(Matthew 21:42)

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“Is He Worthy?” – St Albans Anglican Church Vincent

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A Reading from the Old Testament: Isaiah 5:1-7 (NLT)

1 Now I will sing for the one I love
a song about his vineyard:
My beloved had a vineyard
on a rich and fertile hill.
2 He plowed the land, cleared its stones,
and planted it with the best vines.
In the middle he built a watchtower
and carved a winepress in the nearby rocks.
Then he waited for a harvest of sweet grapes,
but the grapes that grew were bitter.

3 Now, you people of Jerusalem and Judah,
you judge between me and my vineyard.
4 What more could I have done for my vineyard
that I have not already done?
When I expected sweet grapes,
why did my vineyard give me bitter grapes?

5 Now let me tell you
what I will do to my vineyard:
I will tear down its hedges
and let it be destroyed.
I will break down its walls
and let the animals trample it.
6 I will make it a wild place
where the vines are not pruned and the ground is not hoed,
a place overgrown with briers and thorns.
I will command the clouds
to drop no rain on it.

7 The nation of Israel is the vineyard of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.
The people of Judah are his pleasant garden.
He expected a crop of justice,
but instead he found oppression.
He expected to find righteousness,
but instead he heard cries of violence.

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Restore Us, O God Psalm 80] – Proskuneo Ministries

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A Reading from the Gospels: Matthew 21:33-44 (NLT)

“Now listen to another story. A certain landowner planted a vineyard, built a wall around it, dug a pit for pressing out the grape juice, and built a lookout tower. Then he leased the vineyard to tenant farmers and moved to another country. At the time of the grape harvest, he sent his servants to collect his share of the crop. But the farmers grabbed his servants, beat one, killed one, and stoned another. So the landowner sent a larger group of his servants to collect for him, but the results were the same.

“Finally, the owner sent his son, thinking, ‘Surely they will respect my son.’

“But when the tenant farmers saw his son coming, they said to one another, ‘Here comes the heir to this estate. Come on, let’s kill him and get the estate for ourselves!’ So they grabbed him, dragged him out of the vineyard, and murdered him.

“When the owner of the vineyard returns,” Jesus asked, “what do you think he will do to those farmers?

The religious leaders replied, “He will put the wicked men to a horrible death and lease the vineyard to others who will give him his share of the crop after each harvest.”

Then Jesus asked them, “Didn’t you ever read this in the Scriptures?

‘The stone that the builders rejected
has now become the cornerstone.
This is the Lord’s doing,
and it is wonderful to see.’

I tell you, the Kingdom of God will be taken away from you and given to a nation that will produce the proper fruit. Anyone who stumbles over that stone will be broken to pieces, and it will crush anyone it falls on.”

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“Cornerstone” – Hillsong Worship

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Prayer:

+ For your Church (William Laud)

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 our Nation

Almighty God, who has given us this good land for our heritage: We humbly pray that we may always remember your favor and be glad to do your will. Bless our land with honorable industry, sound learning, and pure conduct. Save us from violence, discord, and confusion; from pride and arrogance, and from every evil way. Defend our liberties, and fashion into one united people the multitudes brought here out of many kindreds and tongues.

Endue with the spirit of wisdom those to whom, in your Name, we entrust the authority of government, that there may be justice and peace at home, and that, through obedience to your law, we may show forth your praise among the nations of the earth. In the time of prosperity, fill our hearts with thankfulness, and in the day of trouble, suffer not our trust in you to fail; all of which we ask through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

+ For our President

O Lord our Governor, whose glory fills all the world: We commend our Nation to your merciful care, that we may be guided by your providence, and dwell secure in your peace. Grant to our President, Donald J. Trump, strength to know and to do your will. Fill him with the love of truth and righteousness, and make him continually mindful of his calling to serve our Nation in reverent obedience to you.

Almighty and immortal God, giver of life and health: We pray for your mercy for your servant Donald, that by your blessing upon him and upon those who minister to him with your healing gifts, he may be restored to health of body and mind, according to your gracious will, and may give thanks to you in your holy Church; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

+ For All Sorts of People and Conditions

O God, the creator and preserver of all mankind, we humbly pray for all sorts and conditions of men; that you would be pleased to make your ways known unto them, your saving health unto all nations. More especially we pray for your holy Church universal, that it may be so guided and governed by your good Spirit, that all who 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.

Finally, we commend to your fatherly goodness all those who are in any ways afflicted or distressed, in mind, body, or estate, that it may please you to comfort and relieve them according to their several necessities, giving them patience under their sufferings, and a happy issue out of all their afflictions. And this we beg for Jesus Christ’s sake. Amen.

+ For your Coming 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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The Battle Hymn of the Republic – The United States Army Field Band

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Closing – Philippians 4:6-9 (NLT)

Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you.

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

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