15 Aug – The Peanut Gallery

Praying the Psalms

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

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.
__________

Morning Reading: Psalm 40 (NLT)

I waited patiently for the Lord to help me, and he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the pit of despair, out of the mud and the mire. He set my feet on solid ground and steadied me as I walked along. He has given me a new song to sing, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see what he has done and be amazed. They will put their trust in the Lord.

Oh, the joys of those who trust the Lord, who have no confidence in the proud or in those who worship idols. O Lord my God, you have performed many wonders for us. Your plans for us are too numerous to list. You have no equal. If I tried to recite all your wonderful deeds, I would never come to the end of them.

You take no delight in sacrifices or offerings. Now that you have made me listen, I finally understand—you don’t require burnt offerings or sin offerings. Then I said, “Look, I have come. As is written about me in the Scriptures: I take joy in doing your will, my God, for your instructions are written on my heart.”

I have told all your people about your justice. I have not been afraid to speak out, as you, O Lord, well know. I have not kept the good news of your justice hidden in my heart; I have talked about your faithfulness and saving power. I have told everyone in the great assembly of your unfailing love and faithfulness.

Lord, don’t hold back your tender mercies from me. Let your unfailing love and faithfulness always protect me. For troubles surround me—too many to count! My sins pile up so high I can’t see my way out. They outnumber the hairs on my head. I have lost all courage.

Please, Lord, rescue me! Come quickly, Lord, and help me. May those who try to destroy me be humiliated and put to shame. May those who take delight in my trouble be turned back in disgrace. Let them be horrified by their shame, for they said, “Aha! We’ve got him now!”

But may all who search for you be filled with joy and gladness in you. May those who love your salvation repeatedly shout, “The Lord is great!” As for me, since I am poor and needy, let the Lord keep me in his thoughts. You are my helper and my savior. O my God, do not delay.
__________

Morning Prayer

O Lord our God: we praise your holy name –

+ For you rescued us when we faced destruction
+ For you delivered us when we faced bondage
+ For you saved us when we faced condemnation

O Lord our God: shape us in the image of your Son, Jesus Christ –

+ That we might submit our wills to your will
+ That we might live as your faithful servants
+ That we might be thankful in every circumstance

O Lord our God: place a song in our hearts and fill us with joy that the whole world may know that your Son, Jesus Christ, is Lord to the glory and honor of your name. Amen.
__________

“A Song of Thanksgiving” (Psalm 40) – U2’s “40”

__________

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.
__________

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

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.

Please Read: 1 Chronicles 5-9 (NLT) – click here

Reflection & Prayer

The First-born’s Birthright

1 Chronicles 5:1-2 (NLT) – The oldest son of Israel was Reuben. But since he dishonored his father by sleeping with one of his father’s concubines, his birthright was given to the sons of his brother Joseph. For this reason, Reuben is not listed in the genealogical records as the firstborn son. The descendants of Judah became the most powerful tribe and provided a ruler for the nation, but the birthright belonged to Joseph.

The Musicians

1 Chronicles 6:31-32 (NLT) – David assigned the following men to lead the music at the house of the Lord after the Ark was placed there. They ministered with music at the Tabernacle[m] until Solomon built the Temple of the Lord in Jerusalem. They carried out their work, following all the regulations handed down to them.

The Priests

1 Chronicles 6:49 (NLT) – Only Aaron and his descendants served as priests. They presented the offerings on the altar of burnt offering and the altar of incense, and they performed all the other duties related to the Most Holy Place. They made atonement for Israel by doing everything that Moses, the servant of God, had commanded them.

The Returning Exiles

1 Chronicles 9:1-3 (NLT) – The people of Judah were exiled to Babylon because they were unfaithful to the Lord. The first of the exiles to return to their property in their former towns were priests, Levites, Temple servants, and other Israelites. Some of the people from the tribes of Judah, Benjamin, Ephraim, and Manasseh came and settled in Jerusalem.

The Gatekeepers

1 Chronicles 9:22-23 (NLT) – In all, there were 212 gatekeepers in those days, and they were listed according to the genealogies in their villages. David and Samuel the seer had appointed their ancestors because they were reliable men. These gatekeepers and their descendants, by their divisions, were responsible for guarding the entrance to the house of the Lord when that house was a tent.
_____________

Matthew 17:4-6 (NLT)

Peter exclaimed, “Lord, it’s wonderful for us to be here! If you want, I’ll make three shelters as memorials—one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.”

But even as he spoke, a bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is my dearly loved Son, who brings me great joy. Listen to him.” The disciples were terrified and fell face down on the ground.

Romans 8:29 (NLT)

For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son, so that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.

Heavenly Father: Your blessing to Israel was conditional based on obedience; and they paid dearly for their disobedience. Thank you for bestowing on us your unconditional blessing through faith and trust in your Son, our Lord, Jesus Christ.

+ Thank you for the inheritance of new life we have received through Jesus, the first-born of your new creation.

+ Thank you for judging us both guilty and forgiven through Jesus, our appointed Judge and our Savior.

+ Thank you for offering us your mercy and help when we need it most through Jesus, our great High Priest.

Heavenly Father: Receive our worship and praise in spirit and in truth through Jesus Christ our Lord.

+ Give us new songs to sing of your loving-kindness that many will see what you have done for us and put their trust in you.

+ Fill us with your Spirit that we may sing and continually make music to you in our hearts.

+ Fix our minds on what is true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, and admirable that we may continually give thanks for your goodness to us.

Heavenly Father: Thank you for making us full participants in the inheritance of the saints in your Kingdom of light, with all the blessings and benefits reserved for your children.

+ Guard the hearts of your children in Christ Jesus, and credit to us his perfect obedience.

+ We are your children; teach us how to live in a way that brings honor to your name.

+ Thank you for writing your Word of truth on our hearts; fill us with your life-giving Spirit that your truth may be applied and lived out in our lives.

Heavenly Father: You alone are worthy of our worship and praise; you have given us a priceless inheritance with the immeasurable blessings of your Kingdom through Jesus Christ, your Son and our Savior – who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
__________

“Good, Good Father” – Jenn & Brian Johnson(Bethel Church)