Tag: christianity

Morning Reading: Luke 9:18-22 ESV – The Christ of God

Reading: Luke 9:18-22 ESV

Now it happened that as he was praying alone, the disciples were with him. And he asked them, “Who do the crowds say that I am?”

Passion_of_the_Christ_by_SaviourMachineAnd they answered, “John the Baptist. But others say, Elijah, and others, that one of the prophets of old has risen.”

Then he said to them, “But who do you say that I am?”  And Peter answered, “The Christ of God.”

And he strictly charged and commanded them to tell this to no one, saying, “The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised.”

Confession of Faith: Lord Jesus – I confess… “You are the Christ the Son of the Living God.”

Heidelberg Catechism (1563):  

1. Q. What is your only comfort in life and death?
A. That I, with body and soul, both in life and death, am not my own, but belong unto my faithful Savior Jesus Christ; who with his precious blood has fully satisfied for all my sins, and delivered me from all the power of the devil; and so preserves me that without the will of my heavenly Father not a hair can fall from my head; yea, that all things must be subservient to my salvation, wherefore by his Holy Spirit he also assures me of eternal life, and makes me heartily willing and ready, henceforth, to live unto him

2. Q. How many things are necessary for you to know, that you in this comfort may live and die happily?
A. Three; the first, how great my sins and misery are; the second, how I am delivered from all my sins and misery; the third, how I am to be thankful to God for such deliverance.

Spiritual Song: “In Christ Alone” – Stuart Townend (YouTube)

Morning Reading: Luke 9.10-17 NLT – you feed them

Reading: Luke 9.10-17 NLT

When the apostles returned, they told Jesus everything they had done. Then he slipped quietly away with them toward the town of Bethsaida. But the crowds found out where he was going, and they followed him. He welcomed them and taught them about the Kingdom of God, and he healed those who were sick.

Late in the afternoon the twelve disciples came to him and said, “Send the crowds away to the nearby villages and farms, so they can find food and lodging for the night. There is nothing to eat here in this remote place.”

Old blessingBut Jesus said, “You feed them.”

“But we have only five loaves of bread and two fish,” they answered. “Or are you expecting us to go and buy enough food for this whole crowd?” For there were about 5,000 men there.

Jesus replied, “Tell them to sit down in groups of about fifty each.” So the people all sat down. Jesus took the five loaves and two fish, looked up toward heaven, and blessed them. Then, breaking the loaves into pieces, he kept giving the bread and fish to the disciples so they could distribute it to the people. They all ate as much as they wanted, and afterward, the disciples picked up twelve baskets of leftovers!

Prayer: Lord Jesus – you are attentive to all our needs… you teach us about your Kingdom… you heal our sicknesses… and you give us our daily bread. Give us the same balance in our life and work… teaching, healing and feeding people who are drawn to you. Forgive us our small minds and limited vision. Open our eyes to the unlimited possibilities of your Kingdom and your power to provide all we need to accomplish your Kingdom purposes through us. May all we say or do honor you. Amen.

Spiritual Song: “Five Loaves and Two Fishes” – Corrinne May (YouTube)

Morning Reading: Luke 9.7-9 NLT – who is he?

Reading: Luke 9.7-9 NLT

When Herod Antipas, the ruler of Galilee, heard about everything Jesus was doing, he was puzzled. Some were saying that John the Baptist had been raised from the dead. Others thought Jesus was Elijah or one of the other prophets risen from the dead.

“I beheaded John,” Herod said, “so who is this man about whom I hear such stories?” And he kept trying to see him.

Jesus Names Word CloudPrayer: Jesus – Name above all names – you are: Advocate (1 John 2:1)… Almighty (Rev. 1:8; Mt. 28:18)… Alpha and Omega (Rev. 1:8; 22:13)… Amen (Rev. 3:14)… Apostle of our Profession (Heb. 3:1)… Atoning Sacrifice for our Sins (1 John 2:2)… Author of Life (Acts 3:15)… Author and Perfecter of our Faith (Heb. 12:2)… Author of Salvation (Heb. 2:10)… Beginning and End (Rev. 22:13)… Blessed and only Ruler (1 Tim. 6:15)… Bread of God (John 6:33)… Bread of Life (John 6:35; 6:48)… Capstone (Acts 4:11; 1 Pet. 2:7)… Chief Cornerstone (Eph. 2:20)… Chief Shepherd (1 Pet. 5:4)… Christ (1 John 2:22)… Creator (John 1:3)… Deliverer (Rom. 11:26)… Eternal Life (1 John 1:2; 5:20)… Everlasting Father (Isa. 9:6)… Gate (John 10:9)… Faithful and True (Rev. 19:11)… Faithful Witness (Rev. 1:5)… Faith and True Witness (Rev. 3:14)… First and Last (Rev. 1:17; 2:8; 22:13)… Firstborn From the Dead (Rev. 1:5)… God (John 1:1; 20:28; Heb. 1:8; Rom. 9:5; 2 Pet. 1:1;1 John 5:20; etc.)… Good Shepherd (John 10:11,14)… Great Shepherd (Heb. 13:20)… Great High Priest (Heb. 4:14)… Head of the Church (Eph. 1:22; 4:15; 5:23)… Heir of all things (Heb. 1:2)… High Priest (Heb. 2:17)… Holy and True (Rev. 3:7)… Holy One (Acts 3:14)… Hope (1 Tim. 1:1)… Hope of Glory (Col. 1:27)… Horn of Salvation (Luke 1:69)… I Am (John 8:58)… Image of God (2 Cor. 4:4)… King Eternal (1 Tim. 1:17)… King of Israel (John 1:49)… King of the Jews (Mt. 27:11)… King of kings (1 Tim 6:15; Rev. 19:16)… King of the Ages (Rev. 15:3)… Lamb (Rev. 13:8)… Lamb of God (John 1:29)… Lamb Without Blemish (1 Pet. 1:19)… Last Adam (1 Cor. 15:45)… Life (John 14:6; Col. 3:4)… Light of the World (John 8:12)… Lion of the Tribe of Judah (Rev. 5:5)… Living One (Rev. 1:18)… Living Stone (1 Pet. 2:4)… Lord (2 Pet. 2:20)… Lord of All (Acts 10:36)… Lord of Glory (1 Cor. 2:8)… Lord of lords (Rev. 19:16)… LORD [YHWH] our Righteousness (Jer. 23:6)… Man from Heaven (1 Cor. 15:48)… Mediator of the New Covenant (Heb. 9:15)… Mighty God (Isa. 9:6)… Morning Star (Rev. 22:16)… Offspring of David (Rev. 22:16)… Only Begotten Son of God (John 1:18; 1 John 4:9)… Our Great God and Savior (Titus 2:13)… Our Holiness (1 Cor. 1:30)… Our Husband (2 Cor. 11:2)… Our Protection (2 Thess. 3:3)… Our Redemption (1 Cor. 1:30)… Our Righteousness (1 Cor. 1:30)… Our Sacrificed Passover Lamb (1 Cor. 5:7)… Power of God (1 Cor. 1:24)… Precious Cornerstone (1 Pet. 2:6)… Prince of Peace (Isa. 9:6)… Prophet (Acts 3:22)… Resurrection and Life (John 11:25)… Righteous Branch (Jer. 23:5)… Righteous One (Acts 7:52; 1 John 2:1)… Rock (1 Cor. 10:4)… Root of David (Rev. 5:5; 22:16)… Ruler of God’s Creation (Rev. 3:14)… Ruler of the Kings of the Earth (Rev. 1:5)… Savior (Eph. 5:23; Titus 1:4; 3:6; 2 Pet. 2:20)… Son of David (Lk. 18:39)… Son of God (John 1:49; Heb. 4:14)… Son of Man (Mt. 8:20)… Son of the Most High God (Lk. 1:32)… Source of Eternal Salvation for all who obey him (Heb. 5:9)… The One Mediator (1 Tim. 2:5)… The Stone the builders rejected (Acts 4:11)… True Bread (John 6:32)… True Light (John 1:9)… True Vine (John 15:1)… Truth (John 1:14; 14:6)… Way (John 14:6)… Wisdom of God (1 Cor. 1:24)… Wonderful Counselor (Isa. 9:6)… Word (John 1:1)… Word of God (Rev. 19:13). Amen.

Spiritual Song: “All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name” – Edward Perronet (1780)

Ash Wednesday Reading: Joel 2.12-13 ESV – “return to me”

Reading: Joel 2.12-13 ESV

Ash Wednsday Cross“Yet even now,” declares the Lord, “return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning; and rend your hearts and not your garments.”

Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love; and he relents over disaster.

Prayer: Heavenly Father – I come to You, during this Lenten season, seeking Your grace… Your mercy… and Your love. Hear my prayer. Lord Jesus – You who was tempted in all things… yet without sin. Have compassion and mercy on me. Holy Spirit – Discern the thoughts and intents of my heart. Humble me before You… that I might serve You with all my heart. I ask it in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Scripture Song: “What If His People Prayed” – Casting Crowns (YouTube)

What if the armies of the Lord / Picked up and dusted off their swords / Vowed to set the captives free / And not let Satan have one more

What if the church for heaven’s sake / Finally stepped up to the plate / Took a stand upon God’s promise / And stormed hell’s rusty gates

What if His people prayed / And those who bear His name / Would humbly seek His face / And turn from their own way

And what would happen if we prayed / For those raised up to lead the way / Then maybe kids in school could pray / And unborn children see light of day

What if the life that we pursue / Came from a hunger for the truth / What if the family turned to Jesus / Stopped asking Oprah what to do

What if His people prayed / And those who bear His name / Would humbly seek His face / And turn from their own way

He said that they would hear / His promise has been made / He’s answered loud and clear, Yeah / If only we would pray

If My people called by My name / If they’ll humble themselves and pray / If My people called by My name / If they’ll humble themselves and pray

What if His people prayed / And those who bear His name / Would humbly seek His face, Yeah / And turn from their own way

He said that they would hear / His promise has been made / He’s answered loud and clear, Yeah / If only we would pray

What if His people prayed

Morning Reading: Luke 9.1-6 NLT – your turn

Reading: Luke 9.1-6 NLT

Healing Prayer
Healing Prayer

One day Jesus called together his twelve disciples and gave them power and authority to cast out all demons and to heal all diseases. Then he sent them out to tell everyone about the Kingdom of God and to heal the sick. “Take nothing for your journey,” he instructed them. “Don’t take a walking stick, a traveler’s bag, food, money, or even a change of clothes. Wherever you go, stay in the same house until you leave town. And if a town refuses to welcome you, shake its dust from your feet as you leave to show that you have abandoned those people to their fate.”

So they began their circuit of the villages, preaching the Good News and healing the sick.

Prayer: Lord Jesus – We would follow the disciples’ example… to tell everyone the Good News of the Kingdom of God… and to heal the sick. Grant us your Kingdom power and authority to accomplish your Kingdom purposes in our time. We ask it for your Name’s sake. Amen.

Spiritual Song: “This Kingdom” (YouTube)