Tag: 2nd Week of Advent

Advent Daily Prayer: 12 December – 1 Samuel 3:19-20; 1 Samuel 7:5-17 ~ up to this point the Lord has helped me

The Season of Advent

Advent Daily Readings and Prayer

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

Opening sentence

“Look, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, and he will prepare your way. He is a voice shouting in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord’s coming! Clear the road for him!’” (Mark 1:2-3 NLT)
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Morning Reading: 1 Samuel 3:19-20 NLT

Samuel Icon
The icon of the prophet Samuel from the collection of the Donetsk regional art museum, Ukraine

As Samuel grew up, the Lord was with him, and everything Samuel said proved to be reliable. And all Israel, from Dan in the north to Beersheba in the south, knew that Samuel was confirmed as a prophet of the Lord.

Morning Reading: 1 Samuel 7:5-17 NLT

Then Samuel told them, “Gather all of Israel to Mizpah, and I will pray to the Lord for you.” So they gathered at Mizpah and, in a great ceremony, drew water from a well and poured it out before the Lord. They also went without food all day and confessed that they had sinned against the Lord. (It was at Mizpah that Samuel became Israel’s judge.)

When the Philistine rulers heard that Israel had gathered at Mizpah, they mobilized their army and advanced. The Israelites were badly frightened when they learned that the Philistines were approaching. “Don’t stop pleading with the Lord our God to save us from the Philistines!” they begged Samuel. So Samuel took a young lamb and offered it to the Lord as a whole burnt offering. He pleaded with the Lord to help Israel, and the Lord answered him.

Just as Samuel was sacrificing the burnt offering, the Philistines arrived to attack Israel. But the Lord spoke with a mighty voice of thunder from heaven that day, and the Philistines were thrown into such confusion that the Israelites defeated them. The men of Israel chased them from Mizpah to a place below Beth-car, slaughtering them all along the way.

Ebenezer stone

Samuel then took a large stone and placed it between the towns of Mizpah and Jeshanah. He named it Ebenezer (which means “the stone of help”), for he said, “Up to this point the Lord has helped us!”

So the Philistines were subdued and didn’t invade Israel again for some time. And throughout Samuel’s lifetime, the Lord’s powerful hand was raised against the Philistines. The Israelite villages near Ekron and Gath that the Philistines had captured were restored to Israel, along with the rest of the territory that the Philistines had taken. And there was peace between Israel and the Amorites in those days.

Samuel continued as Israel’s judge for the rest of his life. Each year he traveled around, setting up his court first at Bethel, then at Gilgal, and then at Mizpah. He judged the people of Israel at each of these places. Then he would return to his home at Ramah, and he would hear cases there, too. And Samuel built an altar to the Lord at Ramah.
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Prayer:

Promise-Keeping God: Remind me today of the help You have given me up to this point in my life –

+ You made me on purpose and gave me a future and a hope….
+ You placed me in a birth family and adopted me into Your forever family….
+ You forgave me when I disappointed You and wandered off Your narrow path….
+ You always welcomed me home with open arms and never stopped loving me….
+ You light my way through the darkness and lift me up when I fall down….
+ You guide me through the wilderness and protect me through the storms….
+ You give me Your Word to to teach me what’s true, show me what’s wrong, and enable me to do what’s right….
+ You give me Your Spirit so that I can live in Your presence and fulfill Your purpose for me….

Lord God Almighty: Thank You for the help You have given me up to this point… and Your promise to be with me forever. Thank You for Your Son, Jesus Christ, who secured Your promises with His life, death, and resurrection. And thank You for Your Spirit who lives in me and works through me. You, O Lord, have exceeded all my expectations – I look forward with joyful anticipation to the future You unfold for me. Amen.
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“My Help Comes From The Lord” – The Museum


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Canticle

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.

Blessing

He who is the faithful witness to all these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon!” Amen! Come, Lord Jesus! May the grace of the Lord Jesus be with God’s holy people. (Revelation 22:20-21 NLT)

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

Advent Daily Prayer: 10 December – Deuteronomy 9:9-11; Exodus 34:28-35; 2 Corinthians 3:16-18 ~ reflect His glory

The Season of Advent

Advent Daily Readings and Prayer

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

Opening sentence

“Look, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, and he will prepare your way. He is a voice shouting in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord’s coming! Clear the road for him!’” (Mark 1:2-3 NLT)
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Morning Reading: Deuteronomy 9:9-11 NLT

This happened when I was on the mountain receiving the tablets of stone inscribed with the words of the covenant that the Lord had made with you. I was there for forty days and forty nights, and all that time I ate no food and drank no water. The Lord gave me the two tablets on which God had written with his own finger all the words he had spoken to you from the heart of the fire when you were assembled at the mountain.

“At the end of the forty days and nights, the Lord handed me the two stone tablets inscribed with the words of the covenant.

Morning Reading: Exodus 34:28-35 NLT

Moses remained there on the mountain with the Lord forty days and forty nights. In all that time he ate no bread and drank no water. And the Lord wrote the terms of the covenant — the Ten Commandments — on the stone tablets.

When Moses came down Mount Sinai carrying the two stone tablets inscribed with the terms of the covenant, he wasn’t aware that his face had become radiant because he had spoken to the Lord. So when Aaron and the people of Israel saw the radiance of Moses’ face, they were afraid to come near him.

2 Cor 3.18

But Moses called out to them and asked Aaron and all the leaders of the community to come over, and he talked with them. Then all the people of Israel approached him, and Moses gave them all the instructions the Lord had given him on Mount Sinai. When Moses finished speaking with them, he covered his face with a veil. But whenever he went into the Tent of Meeting to speak with the Lord, he would remove the veil until he came out again. Then he would give the people whatever instructions the Lord had given him, and the people of Israel would see the radiant glow of his face. So he would put the veil over his face until he returned to speak with the Lord.

Morning Reading: 2 Corinthians 3:16-18 NLT

But whenever someone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. For the Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. So all of us who have had that veil removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord — who is the Spirit — makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image.
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Prayer:

Almighty God: As I turn away for the bondage of sin and death – may I turn to Your Son, Jesus Christ, and live in the glory of His presence. Holy Spirit: Make me more and more like Jesus – that I may be changed into His glorious image. Lord Jesus: Live in and through me today – that I may reflect Your glory throughout the day. Soli Deo Gloria! Amen.
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“Show Me Your Glory” – Kim Walker, Jesus Culture


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Canticle

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.

Blessing

He who is the faithful witness to all these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon!” Amen! Come, Lord Jesus! May the grace of the Lord Jesus be with God’s holy people. (Revelation 22:20-21 NLT)

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

Advent Daily Prayer: 09 December – Deuteronomy 4:1-13; Romans 3:20; Galatians 3:23-26 ~ released from protective custody

The Season of Advent

Advent Daily Readings and Prayer

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

Opening sentence

“Look, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, and he will prepare your way. He is a voice shouting in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord’s coming! Clear the road for him!’” (Mark 1:2-3 NLT)
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Morning Reading: Deuteronomy 4:1-13 NLT

“And now, Israel, listen carefully to these decrees and regulations that I am about to teach you. Obey them so that you may live, so you may enter and occupy the land that the Lord, the God of your ancestors, is giving you. Do not add to or subtract from these commands I am giving you. Just obey the commands of the Lord your God that I am giving you.

“You saw for yourself what the Lord did to you at Baal-peor. There the Lord your God destroyed everyone who had worshiped Baal, the god of Peor. But all of you who were faithful to the Lord your God are still alive today — every one of you.

Moses and the Ten Commandments Barbara Goshu Painting on Wood Ethiopia
Moses and the Ten Commandments
Barbara Goshu
Painting on Wood
Ethiopia

“Look, I now teach you these decrees and regulations just as the Lord my God commanded me, so that you may obey them in the land you are about to enter and occupy. Obey them completely, and you will display your wisdom and intelligence among the surrounding nations. When they hear all these decrees, they will exclaim, ‘How wise and prudent are the people of this great nation!’ For what great nation has a god as near to them as the Lord our God is near to us whenever we call on him? And what great nation has decrees and regulations as righteous and fair as this body of instructions that I am giving you today?

“But watch out! Be careful never to forget what you yourself have seen. Do not let these memories escape from your mind as long as you live! And be sure to pass them on to your children and grandchildren. Never forget the day when you stood before the Lord your God at Mount Sinai, where he told me, ‘Summon the people before me, and I will personally instruct them. Then they will learn to fear me as long as they live, and they will teach their children to fear me also.’

“You came near and stood at the foot of the mountain, while flames from the mountain shot into the sky. The mountain was shrouded in black clouds and deep darkness. And the Lord spoke to you from the heart of the fire. You heard the sound of his words but didn’t see his form; there was only a voice. He proclaimed his covenant — the Ten Commandments — which he commanded you to keep, and which he wrote on two stone tablets.

Morning Reading: Romans 3:20 NLT

For no one can ever be made right with God by doing what the law commands. The law simply shows us how sinful we are.

Morning Reading: Galatians 3:23-26 NLT

happykids

Before the way of faith in Christ was available to us, we were placed under guard by the law. We were kept in protective custody, so to speak, until the way of faith was revealed.

Let me put it another way. The law was our guardian until Christ came; it protected us until we could be made right with God through faith. And now that the way of faith has come, we no longer need the law as our guardian.

For you are all children of God through faith in Christ Jesus.
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Prayer:

Lord God: Your Law gave us rules, boundaries and limitations so that we could live wisely and intelligently with You as obedient children.

+ Thank You for the protection and guidance that they provided.
+ Thank You for the revelation of holiness that they provided.
+ Thank You for the respect and love for You that they engendered.

Lord God: Through Your Son, Jesus Christ, You have released us from custody under the Law into the freedom of Grace.

+ Thank You for Your loving-kindness revealed in the gift of Your Son, Jesus Christ.
+ Thank You for Your matchless gift of Life by grace, through faith in Christ Jesus.
+ Thank You for making us Your children, to live and reign with You forever.

Lord God: Your have given us Your Word and Spirit to live with us, to live in us, and to live through us.

+ Make us more like Jesus, who lives perfectly in tune with Your purpose and will.
+ Deliver us from any lingering bondage to sin and death so that we can live freely as Your children.
+ Set our hearts and minds on Christ’s return so that we may wait for Him with joyful expectation.

Lord God: You have adopted us into Your family through faith in Jesus Christ. Fill us with courage, strength and power to love and serve You today. Through Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You, one God forever. Amen.
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“No Longer Slaves “ – Jonathan David & Melissa Helser (Bethel Music)


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Canticle

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.

Blessing

He who is the faithful witness to all these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon!” Amen! Come, Lord Jesus! May the grace of the Lord Jesus be with God’s holy people. (Revelation 22:20-21 NLT)

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

Advent Daily Prayer: 08 December – Psalm 105:1; Exodus 19:1-6 ~ my own special treasure

The Season of Advent

Advent Daily Readings and Prayer

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

Opening sentence

“Look, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, and he will prepare your way. He is a voice shouting in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord’s coming! Clear the road for him!’” (Mark 1:2-3 NLT)
__________

Morning Reading: Psalm 105:1 NLT

Give thanks to the Lord and proclaim his greatness. Let the whole world know what he has done.

Morning Reading: Exodus 19:1-6 NLT

Exactly two months after the Israelites left Egypt, they arrived in the wilderness of Sinai. After breaking camp at Rephidim, they came to the wilderness of Sinai and set up camp there at the base of Mount Sinai.

Western Wall Jerusalem
Western Wall
Jerusalem

Then Moses climbed the mountain to appear before God. The Lord called to him from the mountain and said, “Give these instructions to the family of Jacob; announce it to the descendants of Israel: ‘You have seen what I did to the Egyptians. You know how I carried you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself. Now if you will obey me and keep my covenant, you will be my own special treasure from among all the peoples on earth; for all the earth belongs to me. And you will be my kingdom of priests, my holy nation.’ This is the message you must give to the people of Israel.”
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Prayer:

Lord God: when Your people were wandering in the wilderness You renewed Your covenant with them and gave them Your Law to guide them. And now You have extended that promise to me through faith in Your Son, Jesus Christ.

+ Thank You, Lord, for rescuing me from sin and death – restore my wandering heart and renew a right spirit within me, especially during this season of expectant waiting.
+ Thank You, Lord, for giving me Your Word and Spirit – guide, direct and empower me to love and serve You in all things throughout the day.
+ Thank You, Lord, for including me in Your special treasure – set me apart from the unbelieving world and number me among Your holy people.

Lord God: give me wisdom and sound judgement in my daily decision-making today and deliver me from evil. Through Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God forever. Amen.
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“Who Am I” – Casting Crowns


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Canticle

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.

Blessing

He who is the faithful witness to all these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon!” Amen! Come, Lord Jesus! May the grace of the Lord Jesus be with God’s holy people. (Revelation 22:20-21 NLT)

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