Tag: Finian Readings

Morning Prayer: Tue, 27 Sep – Psalm 37:8-9, 11; Ecclesiastes 7:8; Luke 17:7-10 ~ duty calls

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

Opening Sentence

One thing I have asked of the Lord, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life; to behold the beauty of the Lord and to seek Him in His temple.

Reading: Psalm 37:8-9, 11 (NLT)

Stop being angry! Turn from your rage! Do not lose your temper—it only leads to harm. For the wicked will be destroyed, but those who trust in the Lord will possess the land.
_____

The lowly will possess the land and will live in peace and prosperity.

Reading: Ecclesiastes 7:8 (NLT)

Finishing is better than starting. Patience is better than pride.

Reading: Luke 17:7-10 (NLT)

Only Doing Our Duty: Lessons for the Christian Life from the Falklands War Commander Admiral Sir John Woodward
Only Doing Our Duty: Lessons for the Christian Life from the Falklands War Commander
Admiral Sir John Woodward

“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.’”

Prayer

Commit your way to the Lord. Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for Him. Do not fret – it only leads to evil.

+ Lord, what is Your gift to me? And do I use it to Your pleasing?
+ Lord, You alone know what my soul truly desires, and You alone can satisfy those desires.

Lord, show me the right seat, find me the fitting task, give me the willing heart… when duty calls.

“Finish Well” – Berean Bible Baptist Church Choir, Paranaque, Philippines

There will come a day | I know without a doubt | Around the throne the saints will bow | And lay down every crown | How glorious that moment | To see Him face to face | To hear Him say “well done my child” | You’ve finished your race | But for now the sun’s still rising | There’s work to still be done | While we’re waiting for the promise | Of what is yet to come.

Finish well | Every day that we are given | Finish well | For the glory of His name | Finish strong | Until the Savior finally calls us home | Give it everything we have | Finish well.

There’s no truth in saying | We’ve seen our better days | These are the days to be courageous | Bold and full of faith | So wherever He may lead us | Whatever it may cost | Let the Church arise and lift | The banner of the cross.

Blessing

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

Morning Prayer: Mon, 26 Sep – Psalm 143:8; I Kings 18:43; Luke 14:10-11 ~ a place for you

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

Opening Sentence

One thing I have asked of the Lord, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life; to behold the beauty of the Lord and to seek Him in His temple.

Reading: Psalm 143:8 (NLT)

Let me hear of your unfailing love each morning, for I am trusting you. Show me where to walk, for I give myself to you.

Reading: I Kings 18:43 (NLT)

Then he said to his servant, “Go and look out toward the sea.”

The servant went and looked, then returned to Elijah and said, “I didn’t see anything.”

Seven times Elijah told him to go and look.

Reading: Luke 14:10-11 (NLT)

When we are open in humility and generosity, we learn truths that cannot be found anywhere else. We become more fully human.
Jean Vanier: When we are open in humility and generosity, we learn truths that cannot be found anywhere else. We become more fully human.

“Instead, take the lowest place at the foot of the table. Then when your host sees you, he will come and say, ‘Friend, we have a better place for you!’ Then you will be honored in front of all the other guests. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”

Prayer

O King and Savior, what is Your gift to me? And do I use it to Your pleasing?

‘I have prepared a place for you.’ says the Lord, ‘that is for you, and only you, to fill. First of all, come to My table, and ask that you might serve, looking even for the lowest tasks. When the work is done, then you may look for your own place at table. But do not seek the most important place in case it is reserved for someone else. The place I have appointed is where you will be happiest.

Lord, show me the right seat; find me the fitting task; give me the willing heart.

“1 Chronicles 29:11” – Hillsong

Blessing

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

Morning Prayer: Sat, 24 Sep – Psalm 8:9; Ecclesiastes 3:11-13; Matthew 20:25-28 ~ beautiful servants

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

Opening Sentence

One thing I have asked of the Lord, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life; to behold the beauty of the Lord and to seek Him in His temple.

Reading: Psalm 8:9 (NLT)

O Lord, our Lord, your majestic name fills the earth!

Reading: Ecclesiastes 3:11-13 (NLT)

eccl-3-11

Yet God has made everything beautiful for its own time. He has planted eternity in the human heart, but even so, people cannot see the whole scope of God’s work from beginning to end. So I concluded there is nothing better than to be happy and enjoy ourselves as long as we can. And people should eat and drink and enjoy the fruits of their labor, for these are gifts from God.

Reading: Matthew 20:25-28 (NLT)

But Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers in this world lord it over their people, and officials flaunt their authority over those under them. But among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first among you must become your slave. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Prayer

You pour life into me, giving me speech, sense, desire, giving me thought and action. You mark the way before me. On Your path, O my God, and not my own, be all my journeying. Rule this heart of mine that it be only Yours.

God, our God, Your design for us is perfect in its friendliness. There is a purpose in all things; and whoso finds it wins strength to bear. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life for many.

Peace between me and my God. May I tread the path to the gates of glory. Rule this heart of mine that it be only Yours. God’s path would I travel, my own path refuse. May I tread the path to the gates of glory.

“Ye Servants of God” – Washington Choral Arts Society

Ye 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 ruleth on high, almighty to save, and still he is nigh, 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 and infinite love.

Blessing

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

Morning Prayer: Fri, 23 Sep – Psalm 139:13-18; Jeremiah 29:11; 1 John 4:18-19 ~ made by God

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

Opening Sentence

One thing I have asked of the Lord, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life; to behold the beauty of the Lord and to seek Him in His temple.

Reading: Psalm 139:13-18 (NLT)

Psalm 139:13-14
Psalm 139:13-14

You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother’s womb. Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous—how well I know it.

You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion, as I was woven together in the dark of the womb. You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed.

How precious are your thoughts about me, O God. They cannot be numbered! I can’t even count them; they outnumber the grains of sand! And when I wake up, you are still with me!

Reading: Jeremiah 29:11 (NLT)

For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.

Reading: 1 John 4:18-19 (NLT)

Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced his perfect love. We love each other because he loved us first.

Prayer

God of all creation: You pour life into me, giving me speech, sense, desire, giving me thought and action. My fame or repute will be just as You allow: You mark the way before me.

+ Thank You for making me so wonderfully complex – all the delicate, inner parts of my body.
+ Thank You for making me one of a kind – knitting my parts together in my mother’s womb.
+ Thank You for watching over me – laying out a plan for my life even before I was born.
+ Thank You for guiding me throughout my life – using life’s circumstances for my good.
+ Thank You for staying with me – always promising me a future and a hope.
+ Thank You for loving me perfectly – from my beginning to my end – so that I can live fearlessly.

On Your path, O my God, and not my own, be all my journeying. Rule this heart of mine that it be only Yours.

“Psalm 139 reflectors reading”

Blessing

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

Morning Prayer: Thu, 22 Sep – Psalm 119:73; 1 Samuel 17:33-37; Ephesians 4:10-13 ~ measure up

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

Opening Sentence

One thing I have asked of the Lord, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life; to behold the beauty of the Lord and to seek Him in His temple.

Reading: Psalm 119:73 (NLT)

You made me; you created me. Now give me the sense to follow your commands.

Reading: 1 Samuel 17:33-37 (NLT)

“Don’t be ridiculous!” Saul replied. “There’s no way you can fight this Philistine and possibly win! You’re only a boy, and he’s been a man of war since his youth.”

But David persisted. “I have been taking care of my father’s sheep and goats,” he said. “When a lion or a bear comes to steal a lamb from the flock, I go after it with a club and rescue the lamb from its mouth. If the animal turns on me, I catch it by the jaw and club it to death. I have done this to both lions and bears, and I’ll do it to this pagan Philistine, too, for he has defied the armies of the living God! The Lord who rescued me from the claws of the lion and the bear will rescue me from this Philistine!”

Saul finally consented. “All right, go ahead,” he said. “And may the Lord be with you!”

Reading: Ephesians 4:10-13 (NLT)

full-stature-of-christ

And the same one who descended is the one who ascended higher than all the heavens, so that he might fill the entire universe with himself.

Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ. This will continue until we all come to that unity in our faith and knowledge of God’s Son, measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ.

Prayer

Lord Jesus: You pour life into me, giving me speech, sense, desire, giving me thought and action. You mark the way before me and give me all I need to love and serve You.

O King and Savior of all, what are Your gifts to me? and do I use them to Your pleasing?

+ Have You given me gifts to build up Your Church? Do I cross cultural barriers, or proclaim Your word with power, or bring others into Your family, or care for and teach Your people?

+ Have You given me gifts to build up Your people? Do I offer wise advice or add special knowledge to those seeking counsel? Do I believe Your promises in the face of seemingly insurmountable obstacles? Do I pray consistently for others?

+ Have You given me gifts to serve others? Do I cheerfully help out where needed, or encourage people in distress? Do I take responsibility seriously, or give generously in support of others, and am I kind in the process?

+ Have You given me gifts that draw others to You? Do I pray for healing, and do I expect miracles? Do You give me messages to encourage Your people, and am I able to distinguish between truth and falsehood? Do I pray in unknown languages during worship, or while praying for others?

+ Have You given me gifts of artisanship? Do I sing or make music for You? Do I dance, or lead others into Your presence? Do I shape and form beautiful crafts of gold, silver, wood, glass or stone? Do I work with my hands to construct buildings and monuments that glorify You?

Gracious God: You distribute Your special gifts to us as You see fit. Open avenues of opportunity for me to use the gifts and abilities that You have given me – to build up Your Church, to serve Your people, and to glorify Your name. And, in the process, may Your Kingdom come – in me. Amen.

“Flawless (Official Music Video)” – MercyMe

Blessing

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