Category: Life in Christ

Morning Prayer: Wednesday 02 Sep 2020 – Psalms (2) and Proverbs (1:20-33) ~ “Why do the nations rage?”

Morning Prayer, Wednesday, 02 Sep 2020

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

Opening:

“Our holy God lives forever in the highest heavens, and this is what he says:
Though I live high above in the holy place,
I am here to help those who are humble and depend only on me.
Isaiah 57:15 (CEV)

Preparation:

Blessed Lord, who caused all Holy Scriptures to be written for our learning: Grant us so to hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them, that by patience and the comfort of your Holy Word we may embrace and ever hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life, which you have given us in our Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

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The New Cloverdale Psalter (2019 Update of 1535 Original) 

Psalm 2

1 Why do the nations so furiously rage together? *
And why do the peoples devise a vain thing?

2 The kings of the earth stand up, and the rulers
take counsel together, *
against the Lord and against his Anointed:

3 “Let us break their bonds asunder *
and cast away their cords from us.”

4 He who dwells in heaven shall laugh them to scorn; *
the Lord shall hold them in derision.

5 Then shall he speak to them in his wrath *
and terrify them in his great anger:

6 “I myself have set my King *
upon my holy hill of Zion.”

7 I will proclaim the decree of the Lord; *
he said to me, “You are my Son; this day have I
begotten you.

8 Ask of me, and I shall give you the nations
for your inheritance *
and the ends of the earth for your possession.

9 You shall bruise them with a rod of iron *
and break them in pieces like a potter’s vessel.”

10 Be wise now, O you kings; *
be warned, you judges of the earth.

11 Serve the Lord in fear, *
and rejoice with trembling.

12 Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and you perish in the way;
for his wrath is quickly kindled. *
Blessed are all those who put their trust in him.
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Kiss The Son – Rick Pino

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Contemporary English Version (CEV)

Proverbs 1:20-33

Wisdom Speaks

Wisdom shouts in the streets wherever crowds gather. She shouts in the marketplaces and near the city gates as she says to the people, “How much longer
will you enjoy being stupid fools? Won’t you ever stop sneering and laughing at knowledge? Listen as I correct you and tell you what I think. You completely ignored me and refused to listen; you rejected my advice and paid no attention when I warned you.

“So when you are struck by some terrible disaster, or when trouble and distress surround you like a whirlwind, I will laugh and make fun. You will ask for my help, but I won’t listen; you will search, but you won’t find me. No, you would not learn, and you refused to respect the Lord. You rejected my advice and paid no attention when I warned you.

“Now you will eat the fruit of what you have done, until you are stuffed full with your own schemes. Sin and self-satisfaction bring destruction and death to stupid fools. But if you listen to me, you will be safe and secure without fear of disaster.”

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Consider:

Q: How do you view the current civil unrest across America? Protests/riots – what’s the difference?
Q: Do you believe that God is still in control, in spite of the current chaos?
Q: What do you think is God’s purpose in allowing all this to happen?
Q: Could God be warning America to listen and learn from him?
Q: What do you believe God is saying to America? To you?
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Prayer:

+ For the Human Family

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.

+ In Times of Social Conflict

Increase, O God, the spirit of neighborliness among us, that in peril we may uphold one another, in suffering tend to one another, and in homelessness, loneliness, or exile befriend one another. Grant us brave and enduring hearts that we may strengthen one another, until the disciplines and testing of these days are ended, and you again give peace in our time; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

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” Rescue” – Lauren Daigle

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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: Tuesday 01 Sep 2020 – Psalms (1) and Proverbs (1:2-7) ~ blessed are the godly

Morning Prayer, Tuesday, 01 Sep 2020

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

Opening:

“Our holy God lives forever in the highest heavens, and this is what he says:
Though I live high above in the holy place,
I am here to help those who are humble and depend only on me.
Isaiah 57:15 (CEV)

Preparation:

Blessed Lord, who caused all Holy Scriptures to be written for our learning: Grant us so to hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them, that by patience and the comfort of your Holy Word we may embrace and ever hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life, which you have given us in our Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

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The New Cloverdale Psalter (2019 Update of 1535 Original) 

Psalm 1

1 Blessed is the man who has not walked in the counsel of the ungodly, *
nor stood in the way of sinners, and has not sat in the seat of the scornful;

2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD, *
and on his law will he meditate day and night.

3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the waterside, *
that will bring forth his fruit in due season.

4 His leaf also shall not wither; *
and look, whatever he does, it shall prosper.

5 As for the ungodly, it is not so with them; *
but they are like the chaff, which the wind scatters away from the face of the earth.

6 Therefore the ungodly shall not be able to stand in the judgment, *
neither the sinners in the congregation of the righteous.

7 For the LORD knows the way of the righteous, *
but the way of the ungodly shall perish.

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God I Look To You – Bethel Music

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Contemporary English Version (CEV)

Proverbs 1:2-7

Proverbs will teach you wisdom and self-control….
You will learn what is right and honest and fair.

From these, an ordinary person can learn to be smart,
and young people can gain knowledge and good sense.

If you are already wise, you will become even wiser.
And if you are smart, you will learn to understand…

Respect and obey the Lord! This is the beginning of knowledge.
Only a fool rejects wisdom and good advice.

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Consider:

Q: Do you enjoy reading and thinking about God’s Word?
Q: How has God’s Word changed your life for the good?

Q: Where do you need wisdom and self-control in your life?
Q: Where do you need to grow in obedience to God?

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Prayer for Wisdom and Guidance:

Heavenly Father, I come to You today to ask for wisdom and guidance in all that I do. I can only focus on the present and the past, but You know the future. So plan my path for me and help me make the best decisions I can – not only for myself but for my family and everyone around me. I thank You for listening to my prayer. In Jesus Name, Amen.

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“We Choose The Fear Of The Lord” – Maranatha! 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.

Monday Morning Prayer: 31 Aug 2020 -Psalm 140:6, Colossians 3:1-4, 16-17 ~ Look up!

Monday Morning Prayer, 31 Aug 2020

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

Opening:

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

“set your sights on the realities of heaven”
Colossians 3:16 (NLT)

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Scripture: Psalm 140:6 (NLT)

I said to the Lord, “You are my God!”
Listen, O Lord, to my cries for mercy!

Psalm 140 – B Ari Lesser

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Scripture Reading

Colossians 3:1-4, 16-17 (NLT)

Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand. Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth. For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God. And when Christ, who is your life, is revealed to the whole world, you will share in all his glory.
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Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts. And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.

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Prayer:

Heavenly Father: I have died with Christ to sin, and have been raised to life with him. Keep my heart focused on eternity – on Christ who gives my life meaning, who will welcome me, one day, in glory. While I await that day, in faith –

+ I renounce the devil and all the spiritual forces of wickedness that rebel against God…
+ I renounce the empty promises and deadly deceits of this world that corrupt and destroy the creatures of God…
+ I renounce the sinful desires of the flesh that draw me from the love of God…

Heavenly Father: Deliver me from the powers of darkness and evil, and lead me into the light and obedience of your kingdom. That I may –

+ Live as a new person whose life is hidden in Christ…
+ Live as one who is loved and forgiven in Christ…
+ Live as one who is at peace with you and my neighbors…

Heavenly Father: Fill me with your Spirit, that I may joyfully and obediently follow where Christ leads me, that one day I may share in his glory, when I meet him face-to-face. It’s in his name I pray. Amen.

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“Grave Clothes” – Stephen McWhirter

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Closing: Colossians 3:16-17

“Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts. And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.”

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

The 22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time, 30 Aug 2020: Jeremiah 15:19-21, Psalm 26, Matthew 16:21-27 ~ “What is your soul worth?

The 22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time, 30 Aug 2020

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

Opening:

O Lord, we pray that your grace may always precede and follow after us, that we may continually be given to good works; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

“If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way,
take up your cross, and follow me.” (Matthew 16:16-24)

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A Mighty Fortress Is Our God – (Virtual Choir #4)

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A Reading from the Old Testament: Jeremiah 15:19-21 (NLT)

The Lord responds:

“If you return to me, I will restore you
so you can continue to serve me.
If you speak good words rather than worthless ones,
you will be my spokesman.
You must influence them;
do not let them influence you!
They will fight against you like an attacking army,
but I will make you as secure as a fortified wall of bronze.
They will not conquer you,
for I am with you to protect and rescue you.
I, the Lord, have spoken!
Yes, I will certainly keep you safe from these wicked men.
I will rescue you from their cruel hands.”

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Psalm 26 – Caryn Borland

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A Reading from the Gospels: Matthew 16:21-27 (NLT)

Take Up Your Cross

From then on Jesus began to tell his disciples plainly that it was necessary for him to go to Jerusalem, and that he would suffer many terrible things at the hands of the elders, the leading priests, and the teachers of religious law. He would be killed, but on the third day he would be raised from the dead.

But Peter took him aside and began to reprimand him for saying such things. “Heaven forbid, Lord,” he said. “This will never happen to you!”

Jesus turned to Peter and said, “Get away from me, Satan! You are a dangerous trap to me. You are seeing things merely from a human point of view, not from God’s.”

Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me. If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it. And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul? For the Son of Man will come with his angels in the glory of his Father and will judge all people according to their deeds.

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Prayer –

Almighty God: Our help in ages past, our hope in years to come. You are our shield and defender against wicked people, and the schemes of Satan. Protect us and rescue us. We pray especially –

+ For Christians who suffer — that they may not give up….
Lord, hear us.
_ For all who are criticized for doing the right thing — that they may hold firm….
Lord, hear us.
+ For the grace to support each other in the hardships of life – that our burdens may be shared….
Lord, hear us.
+ For all who are suffering because of the pandemic – that they may be comforted….
Lord, hear us.
+ For all who struggle with illness, of mind or body – that they may be healed….
Lord, hear us.
+ For all who are suffering the effects of civil unrest – that their families and communities may be restored….
Lord, hear us.

Almighty God: Our help in ages past, our hope for years to come; you have disarmed every “power and principality” through Jesus’ death on the cross. Help us to take up our own crosses every day, and follow him, who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. It’s in his name we pray. Amen.

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Defend Us – Jessica Di Giovanni

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Closing – Romans 12:1-2 (NLT)

And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.
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+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen

Saturday Morning Prayer: 29 Aug 2020 – Psalm 136, Colossians 2:8-15 ~ God made you alive with Christ

Saturday Morning Prayer, 29 Aug 2020

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

Opening:

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.

“God made you alive with Christ, for he forgave all our sins.“
(Colossians 2:13)

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Scripture: 

Psalm 136 

Who has laid the waters and spread out the land?
Give Him thanks, give Him thanks.
By His understanding, by His mighty hand.
Give Him thanks, give Him thanks.

Who has made the sun to rule and reign the day?
Give Him thanks, give Him thanks.
Who the moon and stars and skies above obey?
Give Him thanks, give Him thanks.

His love endures forever, His love endures forever.
His love endures forever, give Him thanks!

Who has done great wonders, and the heavens raised?
Give Him thanks, give Him thanks.
Yet, will not forget us in our low estate?
Give Him thanks, give Him thanks.

His love endures forever, His love endures forever.
His love endures forever, give Him thanks!

Who has conquered kingdoms, crushed the enemy?
Give Him thanks! Give Him thanks!
Who will fight our battles, give us victory?
Give Him thanks! Give Him thanks!

His love endures forever, His love endures forever.
His love endures forever, give Him thanks!

Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good!
Give thanks to the God of all gods!
Give thanks to the One whose mercy endures,
Give thanks to the King of heaven!
Give thanks!
Give Him thanks!

Psalm 136 (Give Him Thanks): – Slavic Chorale (in Russian)

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Scripture Reading

Colossians 2:8-15 (NLT)

Don’t let anyone capture you with empty philosophies and high-sounding nonsense that come from human thinking and from the spiritual powers of this world, rather than from Christ. For in Christ lives all the fullness of God in a human body. So you also are complete through your union with Christ, who is the head over every ruler and authority.

When you came to Christ, you were “circumcised,” but not by a physical procedure. Christ performed a spiritual circumcision—the cutting away of your sinful nature. For you were buried with Christ when you were baptized. And with him you were raised to new life because you trusted the mighty power of God, who raised Christ from the dead.

You were dead because of your sins and because your sinful nature was not yet cut away. Then God made you alive with Christ, for he forgave all our sins. He canceled the record of the charges against us and took it away by nailing it to the cross. In this way, he disarmed the spiritual rulers and authorities. He shamed them publicly by his victory over them on the cross.

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Reflection:

alive with Christ

“God made you alive with Christ, for he forgave all our sins.”
(Colossians 1:27)

“It is true that He gave us life from the dead? He gave us pardon of sin; He gave us imputed righteousness. These are all precious things, but you see we are not content with them; we have received Christ himself. The Son of God has been poured out into us, and we have received him, and appropriated him.” (Spurgeon)

We can’t make ourselves alive, but God can make us alive together with Jesus.
We can never be made alive apart from Jesus.

sins forgiven

We are forgiven by grace.
The handwriting of requirements has in mind a list of our crimes or moral debt before God, a debt that no imperfect person can completely pay. But it can be taken out of the way, by payment from a perfect man, Jesus Christ.

“It might even be said that he took the document, ordinances and all, and nailed it to his cross as an act of triumphant defiance in the face of those blackmailing powers that were holding it over men and women in order to command their allegiance.” (Bruce)

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Prayer:

Lord Jesus: I’m in that place again On my knees Laying my life out before You
Thank you that on the cross you cried “It is finished”
You have done it Forgiveness is complete
I can live forever in Your grace Forever in Your love

  • So I ask now for Your forgiveness For the wrongs that I have done
  • And the things that I have neglected
  • I ask for Your forgiveness For the people I have hurt along the way
  • And those who I have failed to love as You love
  • I ask for Your forgiveness I receive Your forgiveness
  • And resolve in my heart That with Your strength I determine not to make these errors again

I receive Your forgiveness And by the power of Your Holy Spirit
I walk away from everything I know to be wrong
And embrace everything I know about You
For the kingdom, the power and the glory
Are always and forever Yours Amen
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“Up & Alive” – Luke & Anna Hellebronth

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Closing: 

“Don’t let anyone capture you with empty philosophies and high-sounding nonsense that come from human thinking and from the spiritual powers of this world, rather than from Christ. For in Christ lives all the fullness of God in a human body. So you also are complete through your union with Christ, who is the head over every ruler and authority.”  (Colossians 2:8-10)

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