Tag: Collect for Purity

Thursday Morning: 11 Apr 2019 – Romans 16:17-27 ~ be wise and stay innocent

Thursday Morning

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

Opening (Collect for Purity)

Almighty God: to you all hearts are open, all desires known, and from you no secrets are hid; cleanse the thoughts of my heart through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, that I may perfectly love you, and worthily magnify your holy name, through Christ my Lord. Amen.
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Morning Reading – Romans 16:17-27 (NLT)

Paul’s Final Instructions

And now I make one more appeal, my dear brothers and sisters. Watch out for people who cause divisions and upset people’s faith by teaching things contrary to what you have been taught. Stay away from them. Such people are not serving Christ our Lord; they are serving their own personal interests. By smooth talk and glowing words they deceive innocent people. But everyone knows that you are obedient to the Lord. This makes me very happy. I want you to be wise in doing right and to stay innocent of any wrong. The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. May the grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.

Timothy, my fellow worker, sends you his greetings, as do Lucius, Jason, and Sosipater, my fellow Jews.

I, Tertius, the one writing this letter for Paul, send my greetings, too, as one of the Lord’s followers.

Gaius says hello to you. He is my host and also serves as host to the whole church. Erastus, the city treasurer, sends you his greetings, and so does our brother Quartus.

Now all glory to God, who is able to make you strong, just as my Good News says. This message about Jesus Christ has revealed his plan for you Gentiles, a plan kept secret from the beginning of time. But now as the prophets foretold and as the eternal God has commanded, this message is made known to all Gentiles everywhere, so that they too might believe and obey him. All glory to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ, forever. Amen.
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Morning Reflection:

The Apostle Paul ends his letter to the Romans with a warning –

“Watch out for people who cause divisions and upset people’s faith
by teaching things contrary to what you have been taught.
Stay away from them.” – Romans 16:17

How can we identify false teaching, or teachers? By their fruits –

+ False teaching causes conflict within the church.
+ False teaching causes confusion, believers lose their balance, or bearings.
+ False teaching is contrary to the clear teaching of Scripture, it either adds or subtracts from Biblical truth.

We can also identify false teaching, or teachers by their methods –

+ False teachers prey on those who are vulnerable and unsuspecting, e.g new Christians.
+ False teachers are deceptive, disguising themselves as “angels of light.”
+ False teachers are seductive in their speech, appealing to our base human nature.

What’s the GOOD NEWS?

Be wise in doing right and to stay innocent of any wrong.
The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet.
May the grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.
– Romans 16:20

+ God has given us his Word and Spirit so that we can discern between true and false teachers/teaching.
+ God has given us the power of his Spirit so that we can walk away from false teachers/teaching.
+ The defeat of Satan is certain – Jesus wins!
+ The God of grace and peace is with us.

Questions for your consideration:

  • Can you think of false teachers/teaching that you have encountered? What gave them away? Please explain.
  • How did you respond when you became aware of false teachers/teaching? Please explain.
  • How can you live wisely and innocently? Do you have a plan to immerse yourself in God’s Word and be continually filled with God’s Spirit? Please explain.
  • Does knowing “The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet.” help you to live more confidently? Please explain.

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Morning Prayer:

Loving Father: We are living in days filled with deception – not only in the world, but in the Church; often it’s difficult to know the truth – yet you have told us that if we know the truth, the truth will set us free.

Thank you for freeing me form the bondage of sin and death and planting my feet firmly on the Lord Jesus Christ. And now, Lord, grant me discernment and an understanding heart to know what is good and true, and the ability to identify and reject what is false and deceptive.

Help me to test every spirit to distinguish between truth or the deception that’s being peddled. Give me wisdom and understanding to discern the difference, and to act accordingly. Thank you, Father – you are not a God of confusion, but the God of peace. Give me an understanding heart – in Jesus name I pray. Amen.
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“A Mighty Fortress Is Our God” – The Master’s Seminary Chorus

 

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Closing:

May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you, wherever He may send you. May He guide you through the wilderness, and 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 of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen

Wednesday Morning: 10 Apr 2019 – Romans 15:22-16:16 ~ pray and remember

Wednesday Morning

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

Opening (Collect for Purity)

Almighty God: to you all hearts are open, all desires known, and from you no secrets are hid; cleanse the thoughts of my heart through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, that I may perfectly love you, and worthily magnify your holy name, through Christ my Lord. Amen.
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Morning Reading – Romans 15:22-16:16 (NLT)

In fact, my visit to you has been delayed so long because I have been preaching in these places.

Paul’s Travel Plans

But now I have finished my work in these regions, and after all these long years of waiting, I am eager to visit you. I am planning to go to Spain, and when I do, I will stop off in Rome. And after I have enjoyed your fellowship for a little while, you can provide for my journey.

But before I come, I must go to Jerusalem to take a gift to the believers there. For you see, the believers in Macedonia and Achaia have eagerly taken up an offering for the poor among the believers in Jerusalem. They were glad to do this because they feel they owe a real debt to them. Since the Gentiles received the spiritual blessings of the Good News from the believers in Jerusalem, they feel the least they can do in return is to help them financially. As soon as I have delivered this money and completed this good deed of theirs, I will come to see you on my way to Spain. And I am sure that when I come, Christ will richly bless our time together.

Dear brothers and sisters, I urge you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to join in my struggle by praying to God for me. Do this because of your love for me, given to you by the Holy Spirit. Pray that I will be rescued from those in Judea who refuse to obey God. Pray also that the believers there will be willing to accept the donation I am taking to Jerusalem. Then, by the will of God, I will be able to come to you with a joyful heart, and we will be an encouragement to each other.

And now may God, who gives us his peace, be with you all. Amen.

Paul Greets His Friends

I commend to you our sister Phoebe, who is a deacon in the church in Cenchrea. Welcome her in the Lord as one who is worthy of honor among God’s people. Help her in whatever she needs, for she has been helpful to many, and especially to me.

Give my greetings to Priscilla and Aquila, my co-workers in the ministry of Christ Jesus. In fact, they once risked their lives for me. I am thankful to them, and so are all the Gentile churches. Also give my greetings to the church that meets in their home.

Greet my dear friend Epenetus. He was the first person from the province of Asia to become a follower of Christ. Give my greetings to Mary, who has worked so hard for your benefit. Greet Andronicus and Junia, my fellow Jews, who were in prison with me. They are highly respected among the apostles and became followers of Christ before I did. Greet Ampliatus, my dear friend in the Lord. Greet Urbanus, our co-worker in Christ, and my dear friend Stachys.

Greet Apelles, a good man whom Christ approves. And give my greetings to the believers from the household of Aristobulus. Greet Herodion, my fellow Jew. Greet the Lord’s people from the household of Narcissus. Give my greetings to Tryphena and Tryphosa, the Lord’s workers, and to dear Persis, who has worked so hard for the Lord. Greet Rufus, whom the Lord picked out to be his very own; and also his dear mother, who has been a mother to me.

Give my greetings to Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas, and the brothers and sisters who meet with them. Give my greetings to Philologus, Julia, Nereus and his sister, and to Olympas and all the believers who meet with them. Greet each other with a sacred kiss. All the churches of Christ send you their greetings.
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Morning Reflection & Prayer:

“Dear brothers and sisters, I urge you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to join in my struggle by praying to God for me. Do this because of your love for me, given to you by the Holy Spirit.” – Romans 15:30

Two themes stand out for me in today’s reading: 1. Paul’s personal prayer requests for his ministry, and 2. Paul’s personal remembrance of many of the believers he has met.

And so, I invite you to reflect and pray along these same lines –

Questions for consideration and prayer:

+ Are you involved in a particular ministry in your church, or community, or somewhere else? Please explain.

  • Pray for its leadership…
  • Pray for clarity of vision…
  • Pray for God to supply its needs…
  • Pray for those it serves…
  • Pray for guidance as to how you can help…

+ Who are the people who have most influenced your life as a believer? Please explain.

  • Give thanks for them…
  • Pray blessing on them in life and death…
  • Pray for provision for their needs…
  • Pray for blessing on all the people they influenced…

+ When you think of believers that you have met over the years, who comes to mind? Please explain.

  • Give thanks for them…
  • Pray for God to meet their needs…
  • Pray for strengthening in faith…
  • Pray for peace and joy in the Holy Spirit…
  • Pray as the Spirit enables you…

All of this we ask in Jesus’ name. Amen.
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“Great is Thy Faithfulness”

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Closing:

May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you, wherever He may send you. May He guide you through the wilderness, and 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 of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen

Tuesday Morning: 09 Apr 2019 – Romans 15:1-21 ~ live in harmony

Tuesday Morning

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

Opening (Collect for Purity)

Almighty God: to you all hearts are open, all desires known, and from you no secrets are hid; cleanse the thoughts of my heart through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, that I may perfectly love you, and worthily magnify your holy name, through Christ my Lord. Amen.
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Morning Reading – Romans 15:1-21 (NLT)

Living to Please Others

We who are strong must be considerate of those who are sensitive about things like this. We must not just please ourselves. We should help others do what is right and build them up in the Lord. For even Christ didn’t live to please himself. As the Scriptures say, “The insults of those who insult you, O God, have fallen on me.” Such things were written in the Scriptures long ago to teach us. And the Scriptures give us hope and encouragement as we wait patiently for God’s promises to be fulfilled.

May God, who gives this patience and encouragement, help you live in complete harmony with each other, as is fitting for followers of Christ Jesus. Then all of you can join together with one voice, giving praise and glory to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Therefore, accept each other just as Christ has accepted you so that God will be given glory. Remember that Christ came as a servant to the Jews to show that God is true to the promises he made to their ancestors. He also came so that the Gentiles might give glory to God for his mercies to them. That is what the psalmist meant when he wrote:

“For this, I will praise you among the Gentiles; I will sing praises to your name.”

And in another place it is written,

“Rejoice with his people, you Gentiles.”

And yet again,

“Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles. Praise him, all you people of the earth.”

And in another place Isaiah said,

“The heir to David’s throne will come, and he will rule over the Gentiles. They will place their hope on him.”

I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Paul’s Reason for Writing

I am fully convinced, my dear brothers and sisters, that you are full of goodness. You know these things so well you can teach each other all about them. Even so, I have been bold enough to write about some of these points, knowing that all you need is this reminder. For by God’s grace, I am a special messenger from Christ Jesus to you Gentiles. I bring you the Good News so that I might present you as an acceptable offering to God, made holy by the Holy Spirit. So I have reason to be enthusiastic about all Christ Jesus has done through me in my service to God. Yet I dare not boast about anything except what Christ has done through me, bringing the Gentiles to God by my message and by the way I worked among them. They were convinced by the power of miraculous signs and wonders and by the power of God’s Spirit. In this way, I have fully presented the Good News of Christ from Jerusalem all the way to Illyricum.

My ambition has always been to preach the Good News where the name of Christ has never been heard, rather than where a church has already been started by someone else. I have been following the plan spoken of in the Scriptures, where it says,

“Those who have never been told about him will see, and those who have never heard of him will understand.”

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Morning Reflection:

“We should help others do what is right and build them up in the Lord.”
– Romans 15:2

How can you build up other believers in the Lord? Think about the people on the fringe of your faith community. What can you do to strengthen them in faith?

Our reading offers some basic principles –

+ Seek their good before your own, as Christs’ sufferings were for your good.
+ Set aside your own preferences, so they can feel welcome in the body of Christ.
+ Sacrifice your own comfort, in service to their weaknesses and needs.
+ Serve the poor, the dependent, and the sorrowful, as Christ served you.
+ Show the peace and joy of the Holy Spirit, that all may live in confident hope.

Questions for consideration: Next Sunday is Palm Sunday, and then Easter. Typically churches are filled with people and visitors who live on the fringes of their faith communities.

  • What practical ways can you help these people feel welcome? Please explain.
  • What personal preferences can you set aside to make them feel welcome? Please explain.
  • How can you prepare yourself to show peace and joy in the Holy Spirit in the midst of the rush of these holy days? Please explain.
  • How can you contribute to the harmony of your faith communities’ celebration of these holy days? What can you do to help? Please explain.

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Morning Prayer:

May God, our source of hope, fill us completely with joy and peace because we trust in him. And may we overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.

And, may God, who gives us patience and encouragement, help us live in complete harmony with each other, as is fitting for followers of Christ Jesus. Then all of us can join together with one voice, giving praise and glory to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
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“My Only Hope is You” – Keith Lancaster (The Acappella Company)

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Closing:

May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you, wherever He may send you. May He guide you through the wilderness, and 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 of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen

Monday Morning: 08 Apr 2019 – Romans 14 ~ aim for harmony

Monday Morning

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

Opening (Collect for Purity)

Almighty God: to you all hearts are open, all desires known, and from you no secrets are hid; cleanse the thoughts of my heart through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, that I may perfectly love you, and worthily magnify your holy name, through Christ my Lord. Amen.
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Morning Reading – Romans 14 (NLT)

The Danger of Criticism

Accept other believers who are weak in faith, and don’t argue with them about what they think is right or wrong. For instance, one person believes it’s all right to eat anything. But another believer with a sensitive conscience will eat only vegetables. Those who feel free to eat anything must not look down on those who don’t. And those who don’t eat certain foods must not condemn those who do, for God has accepted them. Who are you to condemn someone else’s servants? Their own master will judge whether they stand or fall. And with the Lord’s help, they will stand and receive his approval.

In the same way, some think one day is more holy than another day, while others think every day is alike. You should each be fully convinced that whichever day you choose is acceptable. Those who worship the Lord on a special day do it to honor him. Those who eat any kind of food do so to honor the Lord, since they give thanks to God before eating. And those who refuse to eat certain foods also want to please the Lord and give thanks to God. For we don’t live for ourselves or die for ourselves. If we live, it’s to honor the Lord. And if we die, it’s to honor the Lord. So whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord. Christ died and rose again for this very purpose—to be Lord both of the living and of the dead.

So why do you condemn another believer? Why do you look down on another believer? Remember, we will all stand before the judgment seat of God. For the Scriptures say,

“‘As surely as I live,’ says the Lord, ‘every knee will bend to me, and every tongue will declare allegiance to God.’”

Yes, each of us will give a personal account to God. So let’s stop condemning each other. Decide instead to live in such a way that you will not cause another believer to stumble and fall.

I know and am convinced on the authority of the Lord Jesus that no food, in and of itself, is wrong to eat. But if someone believes it is wrong, then for that person it is wrong. And if another believer is distressed by what you eat, you are not acting in love if you eat it. Don’t let your eating ruin someone for whom Christ died. Then you will not be criticized for doing something you believe is good. For the Kingdom of God is not a matter of what we eat or drink, but of living a life of goodness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. If you serve Christ with this attitude, you will please God, and others will approve of you, too. So then, let us aim for harmony in the church and try to build each other up.

Don’t tear apart the work of God over what you eat. Remember, all foods are acceptable, but it is wrong to eat something if it makes another person stumble. It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or do anything else if it might cause another believer to stumble. You may believe there’s nothing wrong with what you are doing, but keep it between yourself and God. Blessed are those who don’t feel guilty for doing something they have decided is right. But if you have doubts about whether or not you should eat something, you are sinning if you go ahead and do it. For you are not following your convictions. If you do anything you believe is not right, you are sinning.
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Morning Reflection:

“The Kingdom of God is not a matter of what we eat or drink,
but of living a life of goodness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.
If you serve Christ with this attitude, you will please God,
and others will approve of you, too.
So then, let us aim for harmony in the church and try to build each other up.”
– Romans 14:17-19

Today’s reading warns believers to be forbearing and accepting of the inconsequential differences we will inevitably have with other believers. We are reminded that –

+ Believers are all seeking to please the Lord, to practice their faith
+ Believers will inevitably have preferential differences on practical matters
+ Believers will inevitably have differences of opinion on unclear biblical matters
+ Believers must learn to accept these differences and get along with one another
+ Believers must remember that God will sort it out; He is the Lord and judge of all

Questions for consideration:

Here are some inconsequential differences between believers that has nevertheless caused conflict in the church:

  • The King James Bible is the only acceptable translation.
  • You should dress up for church as you would if you were going to meet the President.
  • Contemporary music accompanied by guitars and drums has no place in the church.
  • We should only sing hymns accompanied on the piano and organ.
  • It is sin for Christians to drink any alcoholic beverages or use tobacco.
  • Christians should have nothing to do with Christmas and Easter, which are pagan holidays.

Q: Have you experienced any of these differences in your faith community? How were they handled? Was unity within the church preserved? Please explain.

Q: How can you determine the difference between what is non-essential and what requires correction? Please explain.

The kingdom of God… is a matter of living a life of goodness
and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. – Romans 14:17

Q: Can you think of an example where a personal preference or opinion that you hold is detrimental to building up and strengthening the Kingdom of God? Please explain.
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Morning Prayer:

Heavenly Father: Make us one in you through faith in your Son, Jesus Christ. Fill us with his peace and joy so that whether we live or die we honor you. And above all, infuse us with his love that we may strengthen and build up other believers, and agree to disagree where we have differences. We ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen.
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“Romans 8” – ReGen Harmony

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Closing:

May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you, wherever He may send you. May He guide you through the wilderness, and 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 of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen

Saturday Morning: 06 Apr 2019 – Romans 13 ~ The Lord of Politics

Saturday Morning

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

Opening (Collect for Purity)

Almighty God: to you all hearts are open, all desires known, and from you no secrets are hid; cleanse the thoughts of my heart through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, that I may perfectly love you, and worthily magnify your holy name, through Christ my Lord. Amen.
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Morning Reading – Romans 13 (NLT)

Respect for Authority

Everyone must submit to governing authorities. For all authority comes from God, and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God. So anyone who rebels against authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and they will be punished. For the authorities do not strike fear in people who are doing right, but in those who are doing wrong. Would you like to live without fear of the authorities? Do what is right, and they will honor you. The authorities are God’s servants, sent for your good. But if you are doing wrong, of course you should be afraid, for they have the power to punish you. They are God’s servants, sent for the very purpose of punishing those who do what is wrong. So you must submit to them, not only to avoid punishment, but also to keep a clear conscience.

Pay your taxes, too, for these same reasons. For government workers need to be paid. They are serving God in what they do. Give to everyone what you owe them: Pay your taxes and government fees to those who collect them, and give respect and honor to those who are in authority.

Love Fulfills God’s Requirements

Owe nothing to anyone—except for your obligation to love one another. If you love your neighbor, you will fulfill the requirements of God’s law. For the commandments say, “You must not commit adultery. You must not murder. You must not steal. You must not covet.” These—and other such commandments—are summed up in this one commandment: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Love does no wrong to others, so love fulfills the requirements of God’s law.

This is all the more urgent, for you know how late it is; time is running out. Wake up, for our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. The night is almost gone; the day of salvation will soon be here. So remove your dark deeds like dirty clothes, and put on the shining armor of right living. Because we belong to the day, we must live decent lives for all to see. Don’t participate in the darkness of wild parties and drunkenness, or in sexual promiscuity and immoral living, or in quarreling and jealousy. Instead, clothe yourself with the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ. And don’t let yourself think about ways to indulge your evil desires.
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Morning Reflection:

“For all authority comes from God,
and those in positions of authority have been placed there by God.”
– Romans 13:1

This is a tough one for believers in light of today’s bitter and contentious political climate. It’s true not only here in America, but also around the world. To the question: “Can’t we all just get along?” The answer from all sides is a resounding: “No!”

So what’s a believer to do? Our starting point is:

Jesus Christ must be Lord of our politics.

Paul offers us some guidelines.

+ Civil governments are ordained of God –

  • to promote justice for all
  • to promote peace and order in society

+ Civil governments are accountable to God –

  • God’s people have a responsibility to participate in the political process
  • God’s people must be known for promoting justice and peace

+ What then is required of believers?

  • to be subject to the government, unless asked to disobey God
  • to be respectful to those in governing authority
  • to do right and cooperate with governing authorities
  • to pay taxes
  • to pray for governing authorities
  • to be informed citizens who vote for candidates and issues which will, to the best degree possible, uphold God’s purposes for government

Evangelism, not political power, is God’s primary means
of dealing with the world’s problems.

Questions for consideration:

  • How do you view the governing authorities in your part of the world? Please explain.
  • Do you believe that they are fulfilling God’s role for governing authorities? Please explain.
  • Do you show respect to governing authorities who are opposed to your political views? Please explain.
  • Do you believe that all governing authorities have been placed there by God? What about those who are doing evil in your sight? Please explain.
  • What do you need to do in order to respectfully advance God’s purposes in the world? Does it involve politics, evangelism, or both? Please explain.

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Morning Prayer:

Lord Jesus Christ: You are Lord of all – including all our governing authorities. Fill me with your Spirit – a willingness to submit to those in authority as unto the Father. Show me how to live as a decent, honest, child of the light – in a world filled with animus, disrespect and political power plays. Clothe me with your presence, and may love override all my rebellious, disrespectful impulses. I ask this for your name’s sake and the Father’s glory. Amen.
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“If My People” – Promise Keepers

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Closing:

May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you, wherever He may send you. May He guide you through the wilderness, and 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 of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen