Tag: Daily Reading

8th Sunday after Pentecost, 04 Aug 2019 – Luke 12:13-21 ~ Live with eternity in mind.

Eighth Sunday after Pentecost

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

Opening Prayer: (Psalm 90 adaptation)

Lord, through all the generations you have been our home! Before the mountains were born, before you gave birth to the earth and the world, from beginning to end, you are God…. Teach us to realize the brevity of life, so that we may grow in wisdom…. Satisfy us each morning with your unfailing love, so we may sing for joy to the end of our lives.
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“Be Thou My Vision” – Robin Mark

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A Reading from the Gospels: Luke 12:13-21 (NLT)

Parable of the Rich Fool

Then someone called from the crowd, “Teacher, please tell my brother to divide our father’s estate with me.”

Jesus replied, “Friend, who made me a judge over you to decide such things as that?” Then he said, “Beware! Guard against every kind of greed. Life is not measured by how much you own.”

Then he told them a story: “A rich man had a fertile farm that produced fine crops. He said to himself, ‘What should I do? I don’t have room for all my crops.’ Then he said, ‘I know! I’ll tear down my barns and build bigger ones. Then I’ll have room enough to store all my wheat and other goods. And I’ll sit back and say to myself, “My friend, you have enough stored away for years to come. Now take it easy! Eat, drink, and be merry!”’

“But God said to him, ‘You fool! You will die this very night. Then who will get everything you worked for?’

“Yes, a person is a fool to store up earthly wealth but not have a rich relationship with God.”
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“Psalm 90” – James Block

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Intercession:

Gracious God, you hold our lives in your hands: hear our prayers and help us we ask in Jesus’ name. We pray especially –

+ That wrongs may be made right, and what’s lost may be found
+ That the foolishness of pleasures may be replaced with the wisdom of godliness
+ That the foolishness of loving money may be replaced with the wisdom of loving Jesus
+ That our sinful desires (sexual immorality, impurity, lust, greed, anger, rage, malicious behavior, slander, and dirty language), may be replaced with godly desires (tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience and forgiveness)
+ That we may be clothed with the love of Christ, and ruled by the peace of Christ in our hearts

Gracious God, you hold our lives in your hands: hear our prayers and help us we ask in Jesus’ name, who lives and reigns with you in unity with the Holy Spirit, one God now and forever. Amen.
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“When its all been said and done” – Robin Mark

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Closing: Colossians 3:16-17

Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts. And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.
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+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen

Saturday Morning, 03 Aug 2019 – Ephesians 3:1-21 ~ You belong to Christ Jesus.

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: Ephesians 3:1-21 (NLT)

God’s Mysterious Plan Revealed

When I think of all this, I, Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus for the benefit of you Gentiles assuming, by the way, that you know God gave me the special responsibility of extending his grace to you Gentiles. As I briefly wrote earlier, God himself revealed his mysterious plan to me. As you read what I have written, you will understand my insight into this plan regarding Christ. God did not reveal it to previous generations, but now by his Spirit he has revealed it to his holy apostles and prophets.

And this is God’s plan: Both Gentiles and Jews who believe the Good News share equally in the riches inherited by God’s children. Both are part of the same body, and both enjoy the promise of blessings because they belong to Christ Jesus. By God’s grace and mighty power, I have been given the privilege of serving him by spreading this Good News.

Though I am the least deserving of all God’s people, he graciously gave me the privilege of telling the Gentiles about the endless treasures available to them in Christ. I was chosen to explain to everyone this mysterious plan that God, the Creator of all things, had kept secret from the beginning.

God’s purpose in all this was to use the church to display his wisdom in its rich variety to all the unseen rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. This was his eternal plan, which he carried out through Christ Jesus our Lord.

Because of Christ and our faith in him, we can now come boldly and confidently into God’s presence. So please don’t lose heart because of my trials here. I am suffering for you, so you should feel honored.

Paul’s Prayer for Spiritual Growth

When I think of all this, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father, the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth. I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.

Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. Glory to him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever! Amen.
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Morning Reflection:

You belong to Christ Jesus.

And this is God’s plan: Both Gentiles and Jews who believe the Good News
share equally in the riches inherited by God’s children. Both are part of the same body,
and both enjoy the promise of blessings because they belong to Christ Jesus.
– Ephesians 3:6 –

God’s mystery is revealed:

  1. Both Jewish and Gentile believers are equal heirs of God’s riches that He presently bestows in Christ Jesus.
  2. Both Jewish and Gentile believers are equal members of the body of Christ, the church universal.
  3. Both Jewish and Gentile believers are equal partakers of the promise of eternal life through faith in Christ Jesus.
  4. Both Jewish and Gentile believers belong to Christ Jesus.

God’s purpose in this was “to use the church to display his wisdom in its rich variety to all the unseen rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. This was his eternal plan, which he carried out through Christ Jesus our Lord.”

And now, God’s door is open to us – “Because of Christ and our faith in him, we can now come boldly and confidently into God’s presence.”

Questions for consideration:

  • Paul views the church universal as a multi-ethnic, multi-cultural community – like a beautiful tapestry – and yet we all belong to Jesus. Can you think of times when you have experienced different cultural expressions in worship? Please explain.
  • To what extent is your faith community a multi-ethnic, multi-cultural community? Please explain.
  • Differences inevitably produce disagreements, which is why we need God’s grace and wisdom to maintain harmony. How are differences reconciled in your faith community? Please explain.
  • What does belonging to Jesus Christ mean to you? Please explain.

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Morning Prayer: – Ephesians 3:14-21

Heavenly Father, Creator of everything in heaven and on earth:

+ Empower us with inner strength through your Spirit.
+ Make our hearts Christ’s home as we trust in him.
+ Root us in the strong foundation of your love.
+ Empower us to understand your love – its width, its length, its height, its depth.
+ Grant us fullness of life and power as we experience the love of Christ.

Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. Glory to him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever! Amen.
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“I Belong to Jesus” – The Acappella Company

Satan goes around like a roaring Lion | Seeking whom he may devour
But he has been defeated so I’m testifying | By the blood of Jesus he lost his power…

I belong to Jesus, I belong to Him
Christ was lifted up with my sin upon Him | His life and blood came flowing down
So hear me I’m declaring Jesus Christ is Lord! | I’m taking back His holy ground

I belong to Jesus, I belong to Him | I belong to Jesus, free from sin
I belong to Jesus, I belong to Him | I belong to Jesus, free from sin…

I belong to Jesus, I belong to Him
All sin nailed to the cross and the Lamb’s blood flowing
Meant victory was sealed that day
When Satan saw the blood he knew that Christ had won it
And he knew that Sunday was on its way…

I belong to Jesus, I belong to Him
The ground began to quake and all of Heaven’s power
Came bursting from the tomb within
The stone was rolled away and hell was overpowered
By the King Who rose again

I belong to Jesus, I belong to Him
He was lifted up (He was lifted up)
He paid a costly price (He paid a costly price)
He bought me with the blood (He bought me with the blood)
Of His own life (of His Own life)

Christ the King now reigning (Christ the King now reigning)
He wears the Victor’s crown (He wears the Victor’s crown)
Satan was defeated (Satan was defeated)
When the blood flowed down (the blood flowed down)
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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

7th Sunday after Pentecost, 28 Jul 2019 – Luke 11:1-13 ~ Persist in Prayer.

Seventh Sunday after Pentecost

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

Opening Prayer:

Father God, with the prayer your Son taught us always on our lips, we ask, we seek, we knock at your door. In our every need, grant us the first and best of all your gifts, the Spirit who makes us your children. 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
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“Lead On O King Eternal”

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A Reading from the Gospels: Luke 11:1-13 (NLT)

Teaching about Prayer

Once Jesus was in a certain place praying. As he finished, one of his disciples came to him and said, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.”

Jesus said, “This is how you should pray:

“Father, may your name be kept holy.
May your Kingdom come soon.
Give us each day the food we need,
and forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us.
And don’t let us yield to temptation.”

Then, teaching them more about prayer, he used this story: “Suppose you went to a friend’s house at midnight, wanting to borrow three loaves of bread. You say to him, ‘A friend of mine has just arrived for a visit, and I have nothing for him to eat.’ And suppose he calls out from his bedroom, ‘Don’t bother me. The door is locked for the night, and my family and I are all in bed. I can’t help you.’ But I tell you this—though he won’t do it for friendship’s sake, if you keep knocking long enough, he will get up and give you whatever you need because of your shameless persistence.

“And so I tell you, keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.

“You fathers—if your children ask for a fish, do you give them a snake instead? Or if they ask for an egg, do you give them a scorpion? Of course not! So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him.”
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“Lord, Listen to Your Children Praying” – Larnelle Harris

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Intercession:

God of glory and majesty, thank you for hearing and responding graciously to our prayers. Good Father, hear us now as we pray –

+ That all of your people may learn to rely on your mercy and help in their time of need….
+ That your people may share what you have provided with those who are needy….
+ That your people may show respect and kindness to all indigenous peoples….
+ That those who are sick or infirmed may receive your healing and comfort….
+ That all the members of our families may receive your protection and blessing….
+ That all who are travelling may return home declaring the wonders you have shown them….

God of glory and majesty, you answer the prayers of those who call out to you: than you, in advance, for giving us just what we need at just the right time, through Christ our Lord. Amen.
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“The Lord’s Prayer” – Hillsong Worship

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Closing: Colossians 2:6-7

And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow him. Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.
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+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen

Saturday Morning, 27 Jul 2019 – 3 John ~ Practice hospitality.

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: 3 John (NLT)

Greetings

This letter is from John, the elder.

I am writing to Gaius, my dear friend, whom I love in the truth.

Dear friend, I hope all is well with you and that you are as healthy in body as you are strong in spirit. Some of the traveling teachers recently returned and made me very happy by telling me about your faithfulness and that you are living according to the truth. I could have no greater joy than to hear that my children are following the truth.

Caring for the Lord’s Workers

Dear friend, you are being faithful to God when you care for the traveling teachers who pass through, even though they are strangers to you. They have told the church here of your loving friendship. Please continue providing for such teachers in a manner that pleases God. For they are traveling for the Lord, and they accept nothing from people who are not believers. So we ourselves should support them so that we can be their partners as they teach the truth.

I wrote to the church about this, but Diotrephes, who loves to be the leader, refuses to have anything to do with us. When I come, I will report some of the things he is doing and the evil accusations he is making against us. Not only does he refuse to welcome the traveling teachers, he also tells others not to help them. And when they do help, he puts them out of the church.

Dear friend, don’t let this bad example influence you. Follow only what is good. Remember that those who do good prove that they are God’s children, and those who do evil prove that they do not know God.

Everyone speaks highly of Demetrius, as does the truth itself. We ourselves can say the same for him, and you know we speak the truth.

Conclusion

I have much more to say to you, but I don’t want to write it with pen and ink. For I hope to see you soon, and then we will talk face to face.

Peace be with you.

Your friends here send you their greetings. Please give my personal greetings to each of our friends there.
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Morning Reflection:

Practice hospitality.

Dear friend, you are being faithful to God
when you care for the traveling teachers who pass through,
even though they are strangers to you. – 3 John 1:5 –

hospitality – the friendly and generous reception and entertainment of guests, visitors, or strangers.

Early Christian preachers normally received material support from other believers, or they supported themselves. They did not solicit or accept funds from unbelievers. Giving financial and hospitable aid made the believing giver a partner with the receiver in his work.

And so it is today – Christian ministers and missionaries live in the faith that God will encourage his people to provide for their needs. Sometimes that provision is monetary, and sometimes it’s more personal – by extending hospitality (opening your home and heart) to those who are passing through.

Questions for consideration:

  • Some cultures have a tradition of extending hospitality to strangers? Do you live in such a culture? Please explain.
  • While traveling, have you ever been a recipient of hospitality from people you didn’t know? Please explain.
  • Have you ever extended hospitality to believers who were traveling through your community? Please explain.
  • How would you assess the costs and benefits of extending hospitality to strangers? Please explain.
  • Is there anyone who needs your care now, someone who is visiting your church on the way to somewhere else? Look around you on Sunday? Please explain.

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Morning Prayer: A House Blessing (Brigid of Kildare, c. 450-523)

At the Doorway

+ May God give His blessing to the house that is here. God bless this house from roof to floor, from wall to wall, from end to end, from its foundation and its covering.
+ In the strong name of the Triune God all evil be banished, all disturbance cease, captive spirits freed, God’s Spirit alone dwell within these walls.
+ We call upon the Sacred Three to save, shield and surround this house, this home, this day, this night, and every night.

In the Living Room

+ There is a friend’s love in the gentle heart of the Savior. For love of Him we offer friendship and welcome every guest.
+ Lord, kindle in my heart a flame of love to my neighbor, to my enemies, my fiends, my kindred all, from the lowliest thing that lives to the name that is highest of all.
+ We call upon the Sacred Three to save, shield and surround this house, this home, this day, this night, and every night.

In the Kitchen

+ I would welcome the poor and honor them.
+ I would welcome the sick in the presence of angels and ask God to bless and embrace them.
+ Seeing a stranger approach, I would put food in the eating place, music in the listening place, and look for joy in the blessing of God, who often comes to my home in the blessing of a stranger.
+ We call upon the Sacred Three to save, shield and surround this house, this home, this day, this night, and every night.

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“Bless This House” – Tennessee Ernie Ford

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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

6th Sunday after Pentecost, 21 Jul 2019 – Luke 10:38-42 ~ The better choice: worship over worry.

Sixth Sunday after Pentecost

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

Opening Prayer:

Eternal God, you draw near to us in Christ and make yourself our guest. Amid the cares of our daily lives, make us attentive to your voice and alert to your presence, that we may treasure your word above all else. 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.
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“Is He Worthy?” – Chris Tomlin

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A Reading from the Gospels: Luke 10:38-42 (NLT)

As Jesus and the disciples continued on their way to Jerusalem, they came to a certain village where a woman named Martha welcomed him into her home. Her sister, Mary, sat at the Lord’s feet, listening to what he taught. But Martha was distracted by the big dinner she was preparing. She came to Jesus and said, “Lord, doesn’t it seem unfair to you that my sister just sits here while I do all the work? Tell her to come and help me.”

But the Lord said to her, “My dear Martha, you are worried and upset over all these details! There is only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it, and it will not be taken away from her.”
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Intercession:

God of grace and glory: we come before you today in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. In your mercy, hear our prayers and help us. We pray especially –

+ That believers may choose worship over worry….
+ That hospitality and mercy may be a mark of believers….
+ That believers may welcome the weary and care for the needy….
+ That believers may be strengthened through the power of your Spirit….
+ That those on vacation may return home refreshed and renewed….
+ That troubled people may have believing friends to calm their fears….
+ That the sick may be healed and the demonized set free by the power of your Spirit….

God of grace and glory: you have shown us your mercy through faith in your Son, Jesus Christ. Make us a gracious and merciful people that we might freely give to others what we have received from you, through Christ our Lord. Amen.
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“How Can I Keep From Singing” – Audrey Assad

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Closing: Colossians 1:11-14 (adapted) –

May God strengthen you with all his glorious power so you will have all the endurance and patience you need. And may you be filled with joy,  always thanking the Father. For he has enabled you to share in the inheritance that belongs to his people, who live in the light. And he has rescued you from the kingdom of darkness and transferred you into the Kingdom of his dear Son, who purchased your freedom and forgave your sins.
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+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen