Tag: 08 July

Seventh Sunday after Pentecost – 08 July – Mark 6:1-6 ~ amazing unbelief

Seventh Sunday after Pentecost

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

Opening Prayer

God of the prophets, in every age you send the word of truth, familiar yet new, a sign of contradiction. Let us not be counted among those who lack faith, but give us the vision to see Christ in our midst and to welcome your saving word. 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.
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“How Great is our God // Gadol Elohai “ – Joshua Aaron in Jerusalem

Gospel Reading: Mark 6:1-6 (NLT)

Jesus left that part of the country and returned with his disciples to Nazareth, his hometown. The next Sabbath he began teaching in the synagogue, and many who heard him were amazed. They asked, “Where did he get all this wisdom and the power to perform such miracles?” Then they scoffed, “He’s just a carpenter, the son of Mary and the brother of James, Joseph, Judas, and Simon. And his sisters live right here among us.” They were deeply offended and refused to believe in him.

Then Jesus told them, “A prophet is honored everywhere except in his own hometown and among his relatives and his own family.” And because of their unbelief, he couldn’t do any miracles among them except to place his hands on a few sick people and heal them. And he was amazed at their unbelief.

Then Jesus went from village to village, teaching the people.
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Prayers of Intercession:

Lord our God, thank you for welcoming us into your presence. Have mercy on us, and help your people in our time of need –

+ For today’s prophets – that may have the courage to speak the Truth, welcomed or not…. Lord, hear us.
+ For all believers – that they may have the courage to speak out against evil…. Lord, hear us.
+ For church leaders – that they may work to rid the world of hatred and injustice…. Lord, hear us.
+ For all who feel weak – that your grace may lift them up and strengthen them…. Lord, hear us.
+ For the gift of perseverance – that we may be true to what we believe, popular or not…. Lord, hear us.
+ For all on vacation – that they may find rest and be renewed in you…. Lord, hear us.
+ For all who have died in Christ – that they may rest in the eternal peace of your presence…. Lord, hear us.

Lord our God, we await your mercy – hear our prayers and graciously extend to us your hand of help, through Christ our Lord. Amen.
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“New Covenant (Yeshua)” – Joshua Aaron


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Blessing – Romans 15:13

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.

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

Reading, Reflection & Prayer: Sat, 08 July – Philippians 3-4 ~ priceless

Reading, Reflection & Prayer

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

Opening – (Northumbria Community)

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.

Praise to You, Lord Jesus Christ, King of endless glory.

Reading: Philippians 3-4 (NLT) – click here

Reflection & Prayer

Heavenly Father: I declare that all the human recognition and accomplishments of my life are worthless in comparison to the priceless value of knowing your Son, Jesus Christ my Lord, and the everlasting life he has given me through faith. I believe this to be true, and have staked my life on it; but I confess that I do not always live out its truth. Forgive me, Father, for I have sinned  – by devaluing this gracious gift of your love.

Priceless

Phi 3:8-11 (NLT)  – Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ and become one with him. I no longer count on my own righteousness through obeying the law; rather, I become righteous through faith in Christ. For God’s way of making us right with himself depends on faith. I want to know Christ and experience the mighty power that raised him from the dead. I want to suffer with him, sharing in death, so that one way or another I will experience the resurrection from the dead!

+ Lord Jesus: make me one with you through faith; in your righteousness, in your suffering, and in your resurrection to eternal life.  And fill me with the power of your Spirit to live it out today.

Pressing on

Phi 3:12-14 (NLT) – I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me. No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.

+ Holy Spirit: empower me to press on, keeping faith with what I believe, regardless of my past failures to live it out. I offer myself to you today; help me to live as the new creation you have made me – with eternity always in mind.

Citizen of heaven

Phi 3:20-21 (NLT) – But we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for him to return as our Savior. He will take our weak mortal bodies and change them into glorious bodies like his own, using the same power with which he will bring everything under his control.

+ Heavenly Father: I confess that I too easily get caught up in the affairs of my life in this world, but the older I get, the more I realize its fragility and transiency. Show me today how I can live as a citizen of heaven; what must I say and do differently to honor you?

Rejoicing and praying

Phi 4:4-7 (NLT) – Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice! Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon.

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.

Lord Jesus: walk and talk with me throughout the day that I may live as a faithful witness to your mercy and grace. Make my life a running conversation with you as my closest companion, and grant me your peace.

Fixing my thinking

Phi 4:8-9 (NLT) – 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.

Holy Spirit: focus my thinking on all that is good, and right, and true that I might live out my faith and bring honor to your name – through Jesus Christ, my Lord. Amen.

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“Press On” – Selah


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Blessing – (Northumbrian Community)

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!