+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!
Opening Sentence
One thing I have asked of the Lord, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life; to behold the beauty of the Lord and to seek Him in His temple.
Reading: Psalm 119:57-64 (NLT)
Lord, you are mine! I promise to obey your words! With all my heart I want your blessings. Be merciful as you promised.
I pondered the direction of my life, and I turned to follow your laws. I will hurry, without delay, to obey your commands. Evil people try to drag me into sin, but I am firmly anchored to your instructions. I rise at midnight to thank you for your just regulations. I am a friend to anyone who fears you—anyone who obeys your commandments.
O Lord, your unfailing love fills the earth; teach me your decrees.
Reading: Ezekiel 37:2-4 (NLT)
by Gustave Doré, 1886
He led me all around among the bones that covered the valley floor. They were scattered everywhere across the ground and were completely dried out. Then he asked me, “Son of man, can these bones become living people again?”
“O Sovereign Lord,” I replied, “you alone know the answer to that.”
Then he said to me, “Speak a prophetic message to these bones and say, ‘Dry bones, listen to the word of the Lord!
Reading: Romans 8:19-23 (NLT)
For all creation is waiting eagerly for that future day when God will reveal who his children really are. Against its will, all creation was subjected to God’s curse. But with eager hope, the creation looks forward to the day when it will join God’s children in glorious freedom from death and decay. For we know that all creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. And we believers also groan, even though we have the Holy Spirit within us as a foretaste of future glory, for we long for our bodies to be released from sin and suffering. We, too, wait with eager hope for the day when God will give us our full rights as his adopted children, including the new bodies he has promised us.
Prayer
The earth is full of Your steadfast love, but now teach me Your commands. It is me that is out of step, out of tune, discordant and jarring.
+ Help me to find my place in Your purpose, O God, may I be receptive and open to Your direction and inspiration.
+ All creation waits in excited expectation for me to assume my destiny, for which I was created, and stand as a “son of God.”
May I hold Him high that all may see the light of Jesus in a son of man.
“Come Alive (Dry Bones)” – Lauren Daigle – Live from the CentricWorship Retreat
Through the eyes of men it seems | There’s so much we have lost | As we look down the road | Where all the prodigals have walked | One by one | The enemy has whispered lies | And led them off as slaves
But we know that you are God | Yours is the victory | We know there is more to come | That we may not yet see | So with the faith you’ve given us | We’ll step into the valley unafraid, yeah
As we call out to dry bones | Come alive, come alive | We call out to dead hearts | Come alive, come alive | Up out of the ashes | Let us see an army rise | We call out to dry bones, come alive
God of endless mercy | God of unrelenting love | Rescue every daughter | Bring us back the wayward son | And By your spirit breathe upon them | Show the world that you alone can save | You alone can save
So breathe, oh breath of God | Now breathe, oh breath of God | Breathe, oh breath of God | Now breathe | Breathe, oh breath of God | Now breathe, oh breath of God | Breathe, oh breath of God, now breathe
Blessing
May the peace of the Lord Jesus Christ go with you, wherever He may send you. May He guide you through the wilderness, protect you through the storm. May He bring you home rejoicing at the wonders He has shown you. May He bring you home rejoicing once again into our doors.
+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!
The Peanut Gallery 