Tag: God’s Discipline Proves His Love

Holy Week | Wednesday 05 Apr 2023: Isaiah 50:4-9a; Psalm 70; Hebrews 12:1-3; John 13:21-32 ~ Jesus predicts his betrayal

Holy Week | Wednesday 05 Apr 2023

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

Opening:

Assist us mercifully with your grace,
Lord God of our salvation,
that we may enter with joy
upon the meditation of those mighty acts
by which you have promised us life and immortality;
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Now Jesus was deeply troubled,
and he exclaimed, “I tell you the truth,
one of you will betray me!”
(John 13:21)

__________

OT Reading: Isaiah 50:4-9 (NLT)

The Lord’s Obedient Servant

50:4 The Sovereign Lord has given me his words of wisdom,
so that I know how to comfort the weary.
Morning by morning he wakens me
and opens my understanding to his will.
The Sovereign Lord has spoken to me,
and I have listened.
I have not rebelled or turned away.
I offered my back to those who beat me
and my cheeks to those who pulled out my beard.
I did not hide my face
from mockery and spitting.

Because the Sovereign Lord helps me,
I will not be disgraced.
Therefore, I have set my face like a stone,
determined to do his will.
And I know that I will not be put to shame.
He who gives me justice is near.
Who will dare to bring charges against me now?
Where are my accusers?
Let them appear!
See, the Sovereign Lord is on my side!
Who will declare me guilty?
All my enemies will be destroyed
like old clothes that have been eaten by moths!

From Psalms: Psalm 70 – Poor Bishop Hooper

come lord quickly come and deliver me
come lord quickly i need your help

there is one who finds all his delight
in my pain
let the one who seeks to ruin my life
be put to shame

let all who seek you stand and say
forevermore god is great

come lord quickly come and deliver me
come lord quickly i need your help

__________

NT Reading: Hebrews 12:1-3 (NLT)

God’s Discipline Proves His Love

12:1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne. Think of all the hostility he endured from sinful people; then you won’t become weary and give up.

__________

For The Joy Set Before Him – Latifah Makuyi  (Feat. Pete YB)
Amen Worldwide

__________

Gospel Reading: John 13:21-32 (NLT)

Jesus Predicts His Betrayal

13:21 Now Jesus was deeply troubled, and he exclaimed, “I tell you the truth, one of you will betray me!”

The disciples looked at each other, wondering whom he could mean. The disciple Jesus loved was sitting next to Jesus at the table. Simon Peter motioned to him to ask, “Who’s he talking about?” So that disciple leaned over to Jesus and asked, “Lord, who is it?”

Jesus responded, “It is the one to whom I give the bread I dip in the bowl.” And when he had dipped it, he gave it to Judas, son of Simon Iscariot. When Judas had eaten the bread, Satan entered into him. Then Jesus told him, “Hurry and do what you’re going to do.” None of the others at the table knew what Jesus meant. Since Judas was their treasurer, some thought Jesus was telling him to go and pay for the food or to give some money to the poor. So Judas left at once, going out into the night.

As soon as Judas left the room, Jesus said, “The time has come for the Son of Man to enter into his glory, and God will be glorified because of him. And since God receives glory because of the Son, he will give his own glory to the Son, and he will do so at once.

__________

How Deep – Eliza King

I was dead in my sin and on my knees
Who but Jesus would die to ransom me?
This friend of the harlot and the thief
This lover of the lowly and the weak

How deep and how wide
Is Christ’s love for us
My ev’ry crime borne as His own
His wounds to heal and blood atone

The King, He was mocked and He was scorned
As they set into His head a crown of thorns
Betrayed by the ones who did not know
That every stripe upon His skin would make them whole

How deep and how wide
Is Christ’s love for us
The lamb was slain, but stronger than death
His crimson flow, our righteousness

Love has a name, love has a face
His wild eyes like fire blaze
Love hung for me torn on a tree
Holes in his hands, heart on his sleeve

Love has a name, love has a face
His wild eyes like fire blaze
Love hung for me torn on a tree
By this love I am redeemed

Oh, oh
By this love I am redeemed
Oh, oh

If my faith should take me far from my home
I know Jesus first paved the narrow road
And if I’m lonely in pursuit of higher things
Far more precious is the harvest it may bring
For I want a crown that I may lay before my King

How deep and how wide
Is Christ’s love for us
My joy in life, my treasure in death
That Christ is mine, and I am His

__________

Prayer: ACNA | BCP2019

+ Almighty God, you have not dealt with us according to our sins, nor rewarded us according to our iniquities; grant that we, who for our evil deeds deserve to be punished, by the might of your grace may mercifully be relieved; through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Francis Xavier

+ O God, grant that we may desire you, and desiring you seek you, and seeking you find you, and finding you be satisfied in you for ever. Amen.

__________

Closing: FaithandWorship.com | John Birch

Be the Life I live
Be the Love I give

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

After Pentecost – 10th Sunday: 14 Aug 2022 – Jer 23:23-29; Ps 82; Heb 12:1-14; Luke 12:49-56 ~ Jesus causes division!

After Pentecost – 10th Sunday: 14 Aug 2022

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

Opening:

Keep your Church, O Lord,
by your perpetual mercy; and because without you
the frailty of our nature causes us to fall,
keep us from all things hurtful, and lead us
to all things profitable for our salvation;
through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns
with you and the Holy Spirit, one God,
for ever and ever. Amen.

“Do you think I have come to bring peace to the earth?
No, I have come to divide people against each other!”
(Luke 12: 51)

__________

He Is Exalted // I Exalt Thee (Medley) – Sounds Like Reign
Light of the World

https://youtu.be/e3j6v1JITyo?rel=0
__________

OT Reading: Jer 23:23-29 (NLT)

23:23 “Am I a God who is only close at hand?” says the Lord.
“No, I am far away at the same time.
Can anyone hide from me in a secret place?
Am I not everywhere in all the heavens and earth?”
says the Lord.

“I have heard these prophets say, ‘Listen to the dream I had from God last night.’ And then they proceed to tell lies in my name. How long will this go on? If they are prophets, they are prophets of deceit, inventing everything they say. By telling these false dreams, they are trying to get my people to forget me, just as their ancestors did by worshiping the idols of Baal.

“Let these false prophets tell their dreams,
but let my true messengers faithfully proclaim my every word.
There is a difference between straw and grain!
Does not my word burn like fire?”
says the Lord.
“Is it not like a mighty hammer
that smashes a rock to pieces?”

__________

Psalms Reading: Psalm 82 – Alive Worship (Official Music Video)

__________

NT Reading: Heb 12:1-14 (NLT)

God’s Discipline Proves His Love

12:1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne. Think of all the hostility he endured from sinful people; then you won’t become weary and give up. After all, you have not yet given your lives in your struggle against sin.

And have you forgotten the encouraging words God spoke to you as his children? He said,

“My child, don’t make light of the Lord’s discipline,
and don’t give up when he corrects you.
For the Lord disciplines those he loves,
and he punishes each one he accepts as his child.”

As you endure this divine discipline, remember that God is treating you as his own children. Who ever heard of a child who is never disciplined by its father? If God doesn’t discipline you as he does all of his children, it means that you are illegitimate and are not really his children at all. Since we respected our earthly fathers who disciplined us, shouldn’t we submit even more to the discipline of the Father of our spirits, and live forever?

For our earthly fathers disciplined us for a few years, doing the best they knew how. But God’s discipline is always good for us, so that we might share in his holiness. No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening—it’s painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way.

So take a new grip with your tired hands and strengthen your weak knees. Mark out a straight path for your feet so that those who are weak and lame will not fall but become strong.

Work at living in peace with everyone, and work at living a holy life, for those who are not holy will not see the Lord.

__________

Fight the Good Fight With All Thy Might – Chet Valley Churches

__________

Gospel Reading: Luke 12:49-56 (NLT)

Jesus Causes Division

12:49 “I have come to set the world on fire, and I wish it were already burning! I have a terrible baptism of suffering ahead of me, and I am under a heavy burden until it is accomplished. Do you think I have come to bring peace to the earth? No, I have come to divide people against each other! From now on families will be split apart, three in favor of me, and two against—or two in favor and three against.

‘Father will be divided against son
and son against father;
mother against daughter
and daughter against mother;
and mother-in-law against daughter-in-law
and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law.’”

Then Jesus turned to the crowd and said, “When you see clouds beginning to form in the west, you say, ‘Here comes a shower.’ And you are right. When the south wind blows, you say, ‘Today will be a scorcher.’ And it is. You fools! You know how to interpret the weather signs of the earth and sky, but you don’t know how to interpret the present times.

__________

Stand up Stand up For Jesus – Stuart Townend
Grace Bible Church – Adell

_________

Prayer: ACNA | BCP2019

+ Almighty God, to you all hearts are open, all desires known, and from you no secrets are hid: Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you, and worthily magnify your holy Name; through Christ our Lord. Amen.

William Laud
+ Gracious Father, we pray for your holy catholic Church. Fill it with all truth, in all truth with all peace. Where it is corrupt, purify it; where it is in error, direct it; where in anything it is amiss, reform it. Where it is right, strengthen it; where it is in want, provide for it; where it is divided, reunite it; for the sake of Jesus Christ your Son our Savior. Amen.

+ O God, you have made of one blood all the peoples of the earth, and sent your blessed Son to preach peace to those who are far off and to those who are near: Grant that people everywhere may seek after you and find you; bring the nations into your fold; pour out your Spirit upon all flesh; and hasten the coming of your kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Closing: FaithandWorship.com | John Birch

Most High, Glorious God,
enlighten the darkness of our minds.
Give us a right faith, a firm hope and a perfect charity,
so that we may always and in all things
Act according to Your Holy Will. Amen.

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

Holy Week | Wednesday 13 April 2022: Isaiah 50:4-9a; Psalm 70; Hebrews 12:1-3; John 13:21-32 ~ Jesus predicts His betrayal.

Holy Week | Wednesday 13 April 2022

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

Opening:

Assist us mercifully with your grace, Lord God of our salvation,
that we may enter with joy upon the meditation of those mighty
acts by which you have promised us life and immortality;
through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you
and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Now Jesus was deeply troubled,
and he exclaimed, “I tell you the truth,
one of you will betray me!”
(John 13:21)

__________

Faith of Our Fathers (St. Catherine) by Henri F. Hemy with descant by David McK. Williams
schmitzd04

__________

O.T. Reading: Isaiah 50:4-9 (NLT)

The Lord’s Obedient Servant

50:4 The Sovereign Lord has given me his words of wisdom,
so that I know how to comfort the weary.
Morning by morning he wakens me
and opens my understanding to his will.
The Sovereign Lord has spoken to me,
and I have listened.
I have not rebelled or turned away.
I offered my back to those who beat me
and my cheeks to those who pulled out my beard.
I did not hide my face
from mockery and spitting.

Because the Sovereign Lord helps me,
I will not be disgraced.
Therefore, I have set my face like a stone,
determined to do his will.
And I know that I will not be put to shame.
He who gives me justice is near.
Who will dare to bring charges against me now?
Where are my accusers?
Let them appear!
See, the Sovereign Lord is on my side!
Who will declare me guilty?
All my enemies will be destroyed
like old clothes that have been eaten by moths!

__________

Psalms: Psalm 70 – ‘Come Lord quickly, come and deliver me!’
Psalm Musicals – Christian Music Channel

__________

N.T. Reading: Hebrews 12:1-3 (NLT)

God’s Discipline Proves His Love

12:1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne. Think of all the hostility he endured from sinful people; then you won’t become weary and give up.

__________

My Faith Looks Up to Thee – Micah S-J

__________

Gospel Reading: John 13:21-32 (NLT)

13:21 Now Jesus was deeply troubled, and he exclaimed, “I tell you the truth, one of you will betray me!”

The disciples looked at each other, wondering whom he could mean. The disciple Jesus loved was sitting next to Jesus at the table. Simon Peter motioned to him to ask, “Who’s he talking about?” So that disciple leaned over to Jesus and asked, “Lord, who is it?”

Jesus responded, “It is the one to whom I give the bread I dip in the bowl.” And when he had dipped it, he gave it to Judas, son of Simon Iscariot. When Judas had eaten the bread, Satan entered into him. Then Jesus told him, “Hurry and do what you’re going to do.” None of the others at the table knew what Jesus meant. Since Judas was their treasurer, some thought Jesus was telling him to go and pay for the food or to give some money to the poor. So Judas left at once, going out into the night.

Jesus Predicts Peter’s Denial

As soon as Judas left the room, Jesus said, “The time has come for the Son of Man to enter into his glory, and God will be glorified because of him. And since God receives glory because of the Son, he will give his own glory to the Son, and he will do so at once.

__________

Are ye able, said the Master, – Han sol｜HC Korea Praise

__________

Prayer: ACNA | BCP2019

+ Almighty God, you have not dealt with us according to our sins, nor rewarded us according to our iniquities; grant that we, who for our evil deeds deserve to be punished, by the might of your grace may mercifully be relieved; through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

+ O God, of your goodness, give me yourself, for you are enough for me. I can ask for nothing less that is completely to your honor, and if I do ask anything less, I shall always be in want. Only in you I have all. Amen.

__________

Closing: faith and worship | John Birch

May Christ, who bore our sins on the cross,
set us free to serve him with joy.

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

Monday Morning: 24 Jun 2019 – Hebrews 12:1-13 ~ Faith runs with endurance

Monday Morning

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

Opening (A Collect for the Renewal of Life – Monday)

O God, the King eternal, whose light divides the day from the night and turns the shadow of death into the morning: Drive far from us all wrong desires, incline our hearts to keep your law, and guide our feet into the way of peace; that, having done your will with cheerfulness during the day, we may, when night comes, rejoice to give you thanks; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
__________

Morning Reading – Hebrews 12:1-13 (NLT)

God’s Discipline Proves His Love

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne. Think of all the hostility he endured from sinful people; then you won’t become weary and give up. After all, you have not yet given your lives in your struggle against sin.

And have you forgotten the encouraging words God spoke to you as his children? He said,

“My child, don’t make light of the Lord’s discipline, and don’t give up when he corrects you. For the Lord disciplines those he loves,
and he punishes each one he accepts as his child.”

As you endure this divine discipline, remember that God is treating you as his own children. Who ever heard of a child who is never disciplined by its father? If God doesn’t discipline you as he does all of his children, it means that you are illegitimate and are not really his children at all. Since we respected our earthly fathers who disciplined us, shouldn’t we submit even more to the discipline of the Father of our spirits, and live forever?

For our earthly fathers disciplined us for a few years, doing the best they knew how. But God’s discipline is always good for us, so that we might share in his holiness. No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening—it’s painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way.

So take a new grip with your tired hands and strengthen your weak knees. Mark out a straight path for your feet so that those who are weak and lame will not fall but become strong.
__________

Morning Reflection:

Faith Runs with Endurance

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith,
let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up.
And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.
We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith.
Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame.
Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne.
– Hebrews 12:1-2 –

God has given each one of us our own long-distance race to run – no two of us are alike in our abilities, and no two courses are alike in their challenges – and yet we all will meet at the same finish line – the throne of God.

To this end, we are coached and encouraged on how to finish well in today’s reading:

+ Remember the examples of others who trusted God and finished well
+ Remove anything that slows you down, or trips you up, i.e prevents you from trusting God
+ Prepare to endure pain and hardship over the course of the race that God has given you
+ Pace yourself by keeping your eyes on Jesus who ran the race before you, and is with you now
+ Expect a reward for finishing well – victory over death, endless joy, and your inheritance in full as a child of God

Questions for consideration:

  • As you consider the race that God has given you, how long have you been running with Jesus? Please explain?
  • What are some of the obstacles that you have overcome? Please explain.
  • What are some of the hardships that you have endured? Please explain.
  • How has keeping your eyes on Jesus helped you to persevere? Please explain.
  • On reflection, what have you learned in your run with Jesus? Please explain.
  • Looking  ahead, what are some of the obstacles and challenges you face? Please explain.
  • Where do you need God’s help in order to finish well? Please explain.

__________

Morning Prayer:

Life Support Prayer:

 Heavenly Father: Send help to those for whom life seems overwhelming. Send them godly people to walk with them through their darkness into your glorious light. Pour out your Spirit on them and guide them into your Truth, that they may walk in your Way, and enter into your Life – through Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, who lives and reigns with you in unity with the Holy Spirit, now and forever. Amen.

Prayer for Endurance:

Almighty God, you have knit together your elect in one communion and fellowship in the mystical Body of your Son: Give us grace so to follow your blessed saints in all virtuous and godly living, that we may come to those ineffable joys that you have prepared for those who truly love you; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen.

__________

“For All the Saints” – BBC Big Sing


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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