Tag: Daily Reading

19th Sunday after Pentecost, 20 Oct 2019, Luke 18:1-8 ~ always pray and never give up

Nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost

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

Opening Prayer:

Faithful God, tireless guardian of your people, always ready to hear the cries of your chosen ones, teach us to rely, day and night, on your gracious care. Support our prayer lest we grow weary. Impel us to seek your enduring justice and your ever-present help. Grant 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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“Here I Bow” – Brian & Jenn Johnson

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Gospel Reading: Luke 18:1-8 (NLT)

Parable of the Persistent Widow

One day Jesus told his disciples a story to show that they should always pray and never give up. “There was a judge in a certain city,” he said, “who neither feared God nor cared about people.

A widow of that city came to him repeatedly, saying, ‘Give me justice in this dispute with my enemy.’ The judge ignored her for a while, but finally he said to himself, ‘I don’t fear God or care about people, but this woman is driving me crazy. I’m going to see that she gets justice, because she is wearing me out with her constant requests!’”

Then the Lord said, “Learn a lesson from this unjust judge. Even he rendered a just decision in the end. So don’t you think God will surely give justice to his chosen people who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? I tell you, he will grant justice to them quickly! But when the Son of Man returns, how many will he find on the earth who have faith?”

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“Before the Throne of God Above” – Selah

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Intercession:

Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth: watch over us, and hear our prayers –

+ For church leaders around the world, that they may remain faithful to the Scriptures….
+ For believers around the world, that we may grow in wisdom and trust of Christ Jesus….
+ For missionaries around the world, that they may graciously endure the hardships of their work…
+ For believers in Syria and the Middle East, that they may never give up praying for your protection and peace….
+ For all who are troubled and hard pressed, that we might never give up praying for your help and deliverance….

Our help is in your name, O Lord, watch over us in our coming and going, and respond with mercy and loving-kindness to your people in need. We ask through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

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All the Poor and Powerless – Shane & Shane

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Closing: Ephesians 3:20-21 ((NLT)

Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us,
to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
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+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen

Saturday Morning, 19 Oct 2019 – Matthew 24:1-28 ~ signs of the end

Saturday Morning

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

Opening:  (A Collect for Sabbath Rest – Saturday)

Almighty God, who after the creation of the world rested from all your works and set aside a day of rest for all your creatures: Grant that we, putting away all earthly anxieties, may be duly prepared to meet you in worship, and that our rest here upon earth may be a preparation for the eternal rest promised to your people in heaven; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
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Morning Reading: Matthew 24:1-28 (NLT)

Jesus Speaks about the Future

As Jesus was leaving the Temple grounds, his disciples pointed out to him the various Temple buildings. But he responded, “Do you see all these buildings? I tell you the truth, they will be completely demolished. Not one stone will be left on top of another!”

Later, Jesus sat on the Mount of Olives. His disciples came to him privately and said, “Tell us, when will all this happen? What sign will signal your return and the end of the world?”

Jesus told them, “Don’t let anyone mislead you, for many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah.’ They will deceive many. And you will hear of wars and threats of wars, but don’t panic. Yes, these things must take place, but the end won’t follow immediately. Nation will go to war against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in many parts of the world. But all this is only the first of the birth pains, with more to come.

“Then you will be arrested, persecuted, and killed. You will be hated all over the world because you are my followers. And many will turn away from me and betray and hate each other. And many false prophets will appear and will deceive many people. Sin will be rampant everywhere, and the love of many will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. And the Good News about the Kingdom will be preached throughout the whole world, so that all nations will hear it; and then the end will come.

“The day is coming when you will see what Daniel the prophet spoke about—the sacrilegious object that causes desecration standing in the Holy Place.” (Reader, pay attention!) “Then those in Judea must flee to the hills. A person out on the deck of a roof must not go down into the house to pack. A person out in the field must not return even to get a coat. How terrible it will be for pregnant women and for nursing mothers in those days. And pray that your flight will not be in winter or on the Sabbath. For there will be greater anguish than at any time since the world began. And it will never be so great again. In fact, unless that time of calamity is shortened, not a single person will survive. But it will be shortened for the sake of God’s chosen ones.

“Then if anyone tells you, ‘Look, here is the Messiah,’ or ‘There he is,’ don’t believe it. For false messiahs and false prophets will rise up and perform great signs and wonders so as to deceive, if possible, even God’s chosen ones. See, I have warned you about this ahead of time.

“So if someone tells you, ‘Look, the Messiah is out in the desert,’ don’t bother to go and look. Or, ‘Look, he is hiding here,’ don’t believe it! For as the lightning flashes in the east and shines to the west, so it will be when the Son of Man comes. Just as the gathering of vultures shows there is a carcass nearby, so these signs indicate that the end is near.
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Morning Reflection:

Signs of the End
“Tell us what sign will signal your return and the end of the world?”
– Matthew 24:3 –

The disciples’ questions link the return of Christ with this present age and the establishment of his Kingdom, i.e. the end of this world as we know it. The same concerns occupy believers today. Nevertheless, Jesus was clear –

“However, no one knows the day or hour when these things will happen,
not even the angels in heaven or the Son himself.
Only the Father knows.“
– Matthew 24:36 –

Still, the signs will preface a cataclysmic event on the Day of Judgement –

  • False prophets and messiahs, liars, deceivers and rampant sin…
  • Counterfeit signs and wonders by these false messiahs
  • Desecration of the Temple in Jerusalem
  • Wars and threats of war between nations and kingdoms…
  • Natural disasters – famines, earthquakes, lightning flashes

But don’t panic –

“But the one who endures to the end will be saved.
And the Good News about the Kingdom will be preached throughout the whole world,
so that all nations will hear it; and then the end will come.”
– Matthew 24:14 –

Questions for consideration:

  • Consider current world events; do you see any signs that might point to the end? Please explain.
  • As you read through the signs of the end that Jesus described, are some more worrisome than others? Please explain.
  • What does your faith community teach about the end times? What do you expect? Please explain.
  • Since no one knows exactly when the end will come, what can you do to be prepared? Please explain.

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Morning Prayer:
for Trustfulness In Times Of Worry and Anxiety –

Most loving Father, you will us to give thanks for all things, to dread nothing but the loss of you, and to cast all our care on the One who cares for us. Preserve us from faithless fears and worldly anxieties, and grant that no clouds of this mortal life may hide from us the light of that love which is immortal, and which you have manifested unto us in your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

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“Days of Elijah” – Robin Mark

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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

18th Sunday after Pentecost, 13 Oct 2019, Luke 17:11-19 ~ give glory to God!

Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost

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

Opening Prayer:

O God, our life, our health, our salvation – look with mercy on your people. Stir up in us a saving faith, that believing, we may be healed, and being healed, we may worthily give you thanks. 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.

“Praise to the Lord, the Almighty” – Nathan and Christy Nockels

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Gospel Reading: Luke 17:11-19 (NLT)

Ten Healed of Leprosy

Jesus continued on toward Jerusalem, he reached the border between Galilee and Samaria. As he entered a village there, ten men with leprosy stood at a distance, crying out, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!”

He looked at them and said, “Go show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, they were cleansed of their leprosy.

One of them, when he saw that he was healed, came back to Jesus, shouting, “Praise God!” He fell to the ground at Jesus’ feet, thanking him for what he had done. This man was a Samaritan.

Jesus asked, “Didn’t I heal ten men? Where are the other nine? Has no one returned to give glory to God except this foreigner?” And Jesus said to the man, “Stand up and go. Your faith has healed you.”
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“Goodness Of God” – Bethel Music

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Intercession:

Faithful God: Your goodness exceeds all our expectations. Hear our prayers on behalf of those who need your mercy and help. We pray especially –

+ For an end to the war in Syria, that you would move hearts to bring an end to the bloodshed in the Middle East… Lord, hear us.

+ For Christians caught in the crossfire, that you would protect them and restore their families and communities… Lord, hear us.

+ For missionaries working in every country, that you would enable them to bear the hardships which come with that task… Lord, hear us.

+ For all those seeking the truth, that every believer would be able to give a reason for the hope that is in us… Lord, hear us.

+ For rich and poor alike who suffer sickness and disease around the world, that they would be able to receive appropriate medical help and healing… Lord, hear us.

+ For all those who suffer isolation, as the lepers once did, that nothing may deprive them of the support of Christians… Lord, hear us.

Faithful God: Your goodness exceeds all our expectations. Thank you for the assurance of eternal life that we have through faith in Jesus Christ; if we die with him, we will also live with him. Work your wonders and attend to the needs of your people; and bring your Salvation to the ends of the earth through Christ our Lord. Amen.

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Press On – Selah

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Closing: Ephesians 3:20-21 ((NLT)

Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us,
to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
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+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen

Saturday Morning, 12 Oct 2019 – Matthew 21:12-27 ~ Are you a House of Prayer?

Saturday Morning

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

Opening:  (A Collect for Sabbath Rest – Saturday)

Almighty God, who after the creation of the world rested from all your works and set aside a day of rest for all your creatures: Grant that we, putting away all earthly anxieties, may be duly prepared to meet you in worship, and that our rest here upon earth may be a preparation for the eternal rest promised to your people in heaven; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
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Morning Reading: Matthew 21:12-27 (NLT)

Jesus Clears the Temple

Jesus entered the Temple and began to drive out all the people buying and selling animals for sacrifice. He knocked over the tables of the money changers and the chairs of those selling doves. He said to them, “The Scriptures declare, ‘My Temple will be called a house of prayer,’ but you have turned it into a den of thieves!”

The blind and the lame came to him in the Temple, and he healed them. The leading priests and the teachers of religious law saw these wonderful miracles and heard even the children in the Temple shouting, “Praise God for the Son of David.”

But the leaders were indignant. They asked Jesus, “Do you hear what these children are saying?”

“Yes,” Jesus replied. “Haven’t you ever read the Scriptures? For they say, ‘You have taught children and infants to give you praise.’” Then he returned to Bethany, where he stayed overnight.

Jesus Curses the Fig Tree

In the morning, as Jesus was returning to Jerusalem, he was hungry, and he noticed a fig tree beside the road. He went over to see if there were any figs, but there were only leaves. Then he said to it, “May you never bear fruit again!” And immediately the fig tree withered up.

The disciples were amazed when they saw this and asked, “How did the fig tree wither so quickly?”

Then Jesus told them, “I tell you the truth, if you have faith and don’t doubt, you can do things like this and much more. You can even say to this mountain, ‘May you be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ and it will happen. You can pray for anything, and if you have faith, you will receive it.”

The Authority of Jesus Challenged

When Jesus returned to the Temple and began teaching, the leading priests and elders came up to him. They demanded, “By what authority are you doing all these things? Who gave you the right?”

“I’ll tell you by what authority I do these things if you answer one question,” Jesus replied. “Did John’s authority to baptize come from heaven, or was it merely human?”

They talked it over among themselves. “If we say it was from heaven, he will ask us why we didn’t believe John. But if we say it was merely human, we’ll be mobbed because the people believe John was a prophet.” they finally replied, “We don’t know.”

And Jesus responded, “Then I won’t tell you by what authority I do these things.
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Morning Reflection:

Are you a House of Prayer?

‘My Temple will be called a house of prayer,’ but you have turned it into a den of thieves!”
…The blind and the lame came to him in the Temple, and he healed them.
– Matthew 21:13-14 –

Jesus’ cleansing of the Temple in Jerusalem was specific to the circumstances that he found there at the time. The religious leaders had allowed the Temple of the Most High God to become a “den of thieves.” They had desecrated holy space that had been consecrated for worship and prayer, by turning it into a market place. But once cleansed, the Temple once again became a place of hope and healing under the authority of Jesus.

Sometimes believers forget who we are, or rather whose we are – we belong to God and our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit through which we must honor God. (1 Cor 6:18-20) And we too, cleansed and forgiven, can become instruments of God’s hope and healing under the authority of Jesus.

Questions for consideration:

  • Step back for a moment and try to view yourself as Jesus might view you – body, mind and spirit. Would you be considered a temple of the Holy Spirit? Why/why not? Please explain.
  • If there is some cleansing/forgiving to do in your life that would make you more serviceable to God? What would it be? Please explain.
  • What would it take for you to become an instrument of God’s hope and healing under the authority of Jesus? Please explain.

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Morning Prayer: For the Spirit of Prayer –

O Almighty God, you pour out on all who desire it the spirit of grace and of supplication: Deliver us, when we draw near to you, from coldness of heart and wanderings of mind, that with steadfast thoughts and kindled affections we may worship you in spirit and in truth; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

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“House of Prayer” – Eddie James

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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

17th Sunday after Pentecost, 06 Oct 2019, Luke 17:5-10 ~ on Faith and Duty

Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost

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

Opening Prayer:

God, the rock of our salvation, whose gifts can never fail, deepen the faith you have already bestowed and let its power be seen in your servants. We pray 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

” Ye servants of God! your master proclaim” – CSI Christ church Nagercoil – 37th Church Day

You servants of God, your Master proclaim, and publish abroad his wonderful name;
the name all-victorious of Jesus extol;his kingdom is glorious and rules over all.

God rules in the height, almighty to save; though hid from our sight, his presence we have;
the great congregation his triumph shall sing, ascribing salvation to Jesus our King.

“Salvation to God, who sits on the throne!” let all cry aloud, and honor the Son;
the praises of Jesus the angels proclaim, fall down on their faces and worship the Lamb.

Then let us adore and give him his right: all glory and power, all wisdom and might,
all honor and blessing with angels above and thanks never ceasing for infinite love.
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Gospel Reading: Luke 17:5-10 (NLT)

The apostles said to the Lord, “Show us how to increase our faith.”

The Lord answered, “If you had faith even as small as a mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, ‘May you be uprooted and be planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you!

“When a servant comes in from plowing or taking care of sheep, does his master say, ‘Come in and eat with me’? No, he says, ‘Prepare my meal, put on your apron, and serve me while I eat. Then you can eat later.’ And does the master thank the servant for doing what he was told to do? Of course not. In the same way, when you obey me you should say, ‘We are unworthy servants who have simply done our duty.’”
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(Isla Vista Worship – 814 with lyrics) –

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Intercession:

O God, our Maker and our Rock: Sustain us with Your loving-kindness and hear our prayers –

+ For believers around the world, that we might live by faith, using our gifts  to serve you alone….
+ For all who proclaim the Good News of the Gospel, that they may be welcomed at home and abroad….
+ For our families, that our relationships may be filled with tenderness, forgiveness, and mutual respect….
+ For women, men and children who live in fear of violence in their homes, that they may find a place of safety….
+ For families in our society without a home, that they may soon have a place where they can live without stress….
+ For our country, that we may rediscover the values that support and nourish family life….

O God, our Maker and our Rock: You know all our needs, show us your mercy and grace, and help all those in need, we pray through Christ our Lord. Amen.
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He Will Hold Me Fast) – Keith & Kristyn Getty

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Closing: – 2 Timothy 1:13-14

“Hold on to the pattern of wholesome teaching you learned from me—a pattern shaped by the faith and love that you have in Christ Jesus. Through the power of the Holy Spirit who lives within us, carefully guard the precious truth that has been entrusted to you.”
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+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen