After Pentecost | Tuesday 20 Aug 2024: Psalm 101; 1 Kings 7:1-12; Acts 7:9-16 ~ God rescued Joseph from all his suffering.

After Pentecost | Tuesday 20 Aug 2024

+ 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.

“God was with Joseph and
rescued him from all his suffering.”
(Acts 7:9b-10)

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From Psalms: Psalm 101 – “I’ll Be Standing” | by Psalm 101

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OT Reading: 1 Kings 7:1-12  (GW)

The Palace Built in 13 Years

7:1 Solomon took 13 years to finish building his palace. He built a hall ⌞named⌟ the Forest of Lebanon. It was 150 feet long, 75 feet wide, and 45 feet high. It had four rows of cedar pillars supporting cedar beams. The hall was covered with cedar above the side rooms, which were supported by 45 pillars (15 per row). The windows were in three rows facing each other on opposite sides ⌞of the palace⌟. All the doors and doorframes were square. There were three doors facing each other on opposite sides ⌞of the palace⌟.

Solomon made the Hall of Pillars 75 feet long and 45 feet wide. In front of the hall was an entrance hall with pillars.

He made the Hall of Justice, where he sat on his throne and served as judge. The hall was covered with cedar from floor to ceiling.

His own private quarters were in a different location than the Hall of Justice, but they were similar in design. Solomon also built private quarters like this for his wife, Pharaoh’s daughter.

From the foundation to the roof, all these buildings, including the large courtyard, were built with high-grade stone blocks. The stone blocks were cut to size and trimmed with saws on their inner and outer faces. The foundation was made with large, high-grade stones (some 12 feet long, others 15 feet long). Above ⌞the foundation⌟ were cedar beams and high-grade stone blocks, which had been cut to size. The large courtyard had three layers of cut stone blocks and a layer of cedar beams, like the inner courtyard of the Lord’s temple and the entrance hall.

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You Are My All In All | Hebrew – Arabic – English | Worship from Jerusalem

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NT Reading: Acts 7:9-16 (GW)

7:9 “Jacob’s sons were jealous of their brother Joseph. They sold him into slavery, and he was taken to Egypt. But God was with Joseph and rescued him from all his suffering. When Joseph stood in the presence of Pharaoh (the king of Egypt), God gave Joseph divine favor  and wisdom so that he became ruler of Egypt and of Pharaoh’s whole palace. Then a famine throughout Egypt and Canaan brought a lot of suffering. Our ancestors couldn’t find any food. When Jacob heard that Egypt had food, he sent our ancestors there. That was their first trip. On the second trip, Joseph told his brothers who he was, and Pharaoh learned about Joseph’s family. Joseph sent for his father Jacob and his relatives, 75 people in all. So Jacob went to Egypt, and he and our ancestors died there. They were taken to Shechem for burial in the tomb that Abraham purchased in Shechem from Hamor’s sons.

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Rescue (Lauren Daigle)A Prayer for Israel 🇮🇱  Richelle Heacock

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Prayer: ACNA | BCP2019

+ Dear Lord and Savior Jesus Christ: We hold up all our weaknesses to your strength, our failures to your faithfulness, our sinfulness to your perfection, our loneliness to your compassion, our pains to your great agony on the Cross. We pray that you will cleanse us, strengthen us, guide us, so  that in all ways our lives may be lived as you would have them lived, without cowardice and for you alone. Show us how to live in true humility, true contrition, and true love. Amen.

+ Sovereign Lord: We pray for the peace of Jerusalem:

    • Protect Israel from the fiery darts of the evil one coming from every direction, both within and without.
    • Grant your heavenly wisdom to those guiding Israel militarily, politically, and diplomatically;
    • Give them hearts to receive, and the courage to do, what’s right in your sight.
    • Comfort those who grieve and mourn the loss of loved ones;
    • Rebuke those who would use grief for evil purposes.
    • Bring swift and certain justice to all those complicit in the October 7th atrocities;
    • Deliver the hostages from captivity, and restore their souls.
    • Destroy every stronghold of the evil death cult terrorizing the Middle East.
    • Strengthen the Messianic communities – Jew and Arab alike – bind them together in love, that they may be a source of help, and healing, and hope;
    • Use them in the restoration of your people to their proper place in your Kingdom.
    • We pray in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

+ O Lord our God, accept the fervent prayers of your people; in the multitude of your mercies, look with compassion upon us and all who turn to you for help; for you are gracious, O lover of souls, and to you we give glory, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, now and for ever. Amen.

Closing: FaithandWorship.com | John Birch

The Lord bless us, and preserve us from all evil,
and keep us in eternal life.

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

After Pentecost | Monday 19 Aug 2024: Psalm 101; 1 Kings 3:16-28; Acts 6:1-7 ~ Choose spiritually wise associates.

After Pentecost | Monday 19 Aug 2024

+ 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.

“So, brothers and sisters,
choose seven men whom the people know
are spiritually wise.”
(John 4:14b)

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From Psalms: Psalm 101 – Poor Bishop Hooper

i will sing of your love and justice
i will sing to you and you alone
i will be careful to lead a blameless life
i will be careful when will you come for me

i will walk in my house with a blameless heart
i will set before my eyes no vile thing
the deeds of the faithless man i despise
they will not have a part of me

i will sing of your love and justice
i will sing to you and you alone
i will be careful to lead a blameless life
i will be careful when will you come for me

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OT Reading: 1 Kings 3:16-28  (GW)

Solomon’s Wisdom in Action

3:16 A short time later two prostitutes came to the king and stood in front of him. One woman said to him, “Sir, this woman and I live in the same house. I gave birth ⌞to a son⌟ while she was with me in the house. Two days later this woman also gave birth ⌞to a son⌟. We were alone. No one else was with us. Just the two of us were in the house. That night this woman’s son died because she rolled over on top of him. So she got up during the night and took my son, who was beside me, while I was asleep. She held him in her arms. Then she laid her dead son in my arms. When I got up in the morning to nurse my son, he was dead! I took a good look at him and realized that he wasn’t my son at all!”

The other woman said, “No! My son is alive—your son is dead.”

The first woman kept on saying, “No! Your son is dead—my son is alive.” So they argued in front of the king.

The king said, “This one keeps saying, ‘My son is alive—your son is dead,’ and that one keeps saying, ‘No! Your son is dead—my son is alive.’ ”

So the king told his servants to bring him a sword. When they brought it, he said, “Cut the living child in two. Give half to the one and half to the other.”

Then the woman whose son was still alive was deeply moved by her love for the child. She said to the king, “Please, sir, give her the living child. Please don’t kill him!”

But the other woman said, “He won’t be mine or yours. Cut him ⌞in two⌟.”

The king replied, “Give the living child to the first woman. Don’t kill him. She is his mother.”

All Israel heard about the decision the king made. They respected the king very highly, because they saw he possessed wisdom from God to do what was right.

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Wisdom Song | Laura Woodley Osman

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NT Reading: Acts 6:1-7 (GW)

The Disciples Choose Seven Men to Help the Apostles

6:1 At that time, as the number of disciples grew, Greek-speaking Jews complained about the Hebrew-speaking Jews. The Greek-speaking Jews claimed that the widows among them were neglected every day when food and other assistance was distributed.

The twelve apostles called all the disciples together and told them, “It’s not right for us to give up God’s word in order to distribute food. So, brothers and sisters, choose seven men whom the people know are spiritually wise. We will put them in charge of this problem. However, we will devote ourselves to praying and to serving in ways that are related to the word.”

The suggestion pleased the whole group. So they chose Stephen, who was a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit, and they chose Philip, Prochorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolaus, who had converted to Judaism in the city of Antioch. The disciples had these men stand in front of the apostles, who prayed and placed their hands on these seven men.

God’s word continued to spread, and the number of disciples in Jerusalem grew very large. A large number of priests accepted the faith.

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Christ Our Wisdom | Sovereign Grace Music

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Prayer: ACNA | BCP2019

+ Lord Jesus, you are the Good Shepherd who cares for his flock: We ask you to bestow upon your people the gifts of the Holy Spirit in abundance, and to raise up from among us faithful and able persons called to ordained ministries. Inspire them to spend and be spent for the sake of the Gospel, and make them holy and loving servants and shepherds of the flock for whom you shed your most precious blood. Grant this for the sake of your unfailing  love for your people.  Amen.

Benedict of Nursia
+ Gracious and holy Father, please give us intellect to understand you, reason to discern you, diligence to seek you, wisdom to find you, a spirit to know you, hearts to meditate upon you, ears to hear you, eyes to see you, tongues to proclaim you, ways of life pleasing to you, patience to wait for you, and perseverance to look for you. Grant us a perfect end, your holy presence, a blessed resurrection, and life everlasting. Amen.

+ Sovereign Lord: We pray for the peace of Jerusalem:

    • Protect Israel from the fiery darts of the evil one coming from every direction, both within and without.
    • Grant your heavenly wisdom to those guiding Israel militarily, politically, and diplomatically;
    • Give them hearts to receive, and the courage to do, what’s right in your sight.
    • Comfort those who grieve and mourn the loss of loved ones;
    • Rebuke those who would use grief for evil purposes.
    • Bring swift and certain justice to all those complicit in the October 7th atrocities;
    • Deliver the hostages from captivity, and restore their souls.
    • Destroy every stronghold of the evil death cult terrorizing the Middle East.
    • Strengthen the Messianic communities – Jew and Arab alike – bind them together in love, that they may be a source of help, and healing, and hope;
    • Use them in the restoration of your people to their proper place in your Kingdom.
    • We pray in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

+ Heavenly Father, you have promised to hear what we ask in the Name of your Son: Accept and fulfill our petitions, we pray, not as we ask in our ignorance, nor as we deserve in our sinfulness, but as you know and love us in your Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Closing: FaithandWorship.com | John Birch

The Lord bless us, and preserve us from all evil,
and keep us in eternal life.

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

After Pentecost | Saturday 17 Aug 2024: Psalm 34:9-14; Job 13:1-19; John 4:7-26 ~ Jesus offers everyone a wellspring to eternal life.

After Pentecost | Saturday 17 Aug 2024

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

Opening:

Almighty God, give us the increase
of faith, hope, and love; and,
that we may obtain what you have promised,
make us love what you command;
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Jesus: “In fact, the water I will give them
will become in them a spring
that gushes up to eternal life.”
(John 4:14b)

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From Psalms: Psalm 34 – Poor Bishop Hooper

no shadow of shame will darken our faces
we will be radiant radiant with joy
in desperation i prayed and the lord he listened
would you see could you taste taste and see that the lord is good
taste and see that the lord is good

come my children and listen
listen to me
for i will teach you
the fear of the lord is a perfectly good thing

the eyes of the lord watch over the righteous
and his ears are turned to your very lips
the lord he is close so very close to the broken hearted
and he rescues those who are crushed in their spirits

come my children and listen
listen to me
for i will teach you
the fear of the lord is a perfectly good thing

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OT Reading: Job 13:1-19  (GW)

Job Continues: You Are Not Listening to Me

13:1 “My eye has certainly seen all of this!
My ear has heard and understood it.
After all, I know it as well as you do.
I am not inferior to you.
However, I want to speak to the Almighty,
and I wish to argue my case in front of God.
But you are smearing me with lies.
All of you are worthless physicians.
I wish you would keep silent.
For you, that would be wisdom.
Please listen to my argument,
and pay attention to my plea.

Your Wisdom Misrepresents God

13:7 “Will you talk wickedly for God
and talk deceitfully on his behalf?
Will you favor him
⌞as⌟ if you were arguing in court on God’s behalf?
Will it go well when he cross-examines you?
Will you try to trick him as one mortal tricks another?
Will he really defend you
if you secretly favor ⌞him⌟?
Doesn’t his majesty terrify you?
Doesn’t the fear of him fall upon you?
“Your recollections are worthless proverbs.
Your answers are absolutely useless.
Be quiet, because I want to speak.
Let whatever may happen to me ⌞happen⌟!
I am biting off more than I can chew
and taking my life in my own hands.
If God would kill me, I would have no hope ⌞left⌟.
Nevertheless, I will defend my behavior to his face.
This also will be my salvation
because no godless person could face him.

Job Speaks to God
13:17 “Listen carefully to my words.
Hear my declaration.
I have prepared my case.
I know that I will be declared righteous.
Who can make a case against me?
If someone could, I’d be silent and die.

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We choose the fear of the lord 얘노을남성합창단 | Yaenoeul Men’s Choir / Daegu

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NT Reading: John 4:7-26 (GW)

4:7 A Samaritan woman went to get some water. Jesus said to her, “Give me a drink of water.” (His disciples had gone into the city to buy some food.)

The Samaritan woman asked him, “How can a Jewish man like you ask a Samaritan woman like me for a drink of water?” (Jews, of course, don’t associate with Samaritans.)

Jesus replied to her, “If you only knew what God’s gift is and who is asking you for a drink, you would have asked him for a drink. He would have given you living water.”

The woman said to him, “Sir, you don’t have anything to use to get water, and the well is deep. So where are you going to get this living water? You’re not more important than our ancestor Jacob, are you? He gave us this well. He and his sons and his animals drank water from it.”

Jesus answered her, “Everyone who drinks this water will become thirsty again. But those who drink the water that I will give them will never become thirsty again. In fact, the water I will give them will become in them a spring that gushes up to eternal life.”

The woman told Jesus, “Sir, give me this water! Then I won’t get thirsty or have to come here to get water.”

Jesus told her, “Go to your husband, and bring him here.”

The woman replied, “I don’t have a husband.”

Jesus told her, “You’re right when you say that you don’t have a husband. You’ve had five husbands, and the man you have now isn’t your husband. You’ve told the truth.”

The woman said to Jesus, “I see that you’re a prophet! Our ancestors worshiped on this mountain. But you Jews say that people must worship in Jerusalem.”

Jesus told her, “Believe me. A time is coming when you Samaritans won’t be worshiping the Father on this mountain or in Jerusalem. You don’t know what you’re worshiping. We ⌞Jews⌟ know what we’re worshiping, because salvation comes from the Jews. Indeed, the time is coming, and it is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth. The Father is looking for people like that to worship him. God is a spirit. Those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.”

The woman said to him, “I know that the Messiah is coming. When he comes, he will tell us everything.” (Messiah is the one called Christ.)

Jesus told her, “I am he, and I am speaking to you now.”

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All Who Are Thirsty [Official Lyric Video] | Vineyard Worship

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Prayer: ACNA | BCP2019

+ O God, the light of the minds that know you, the life of the souls that love you, and the strength of the wills that serve you: Help us so to know you that we may truly love you, and so to love you that we may fully serve you, whom to serve is perfect freedom; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

+ Almighty God our Savior, you desire that none should perish, and you have taught us through your Son that there is great joy in heaven over every sinner who repents: Grant that our hearts may ache for a lost and broken world. May your Holy Spirit work through our words, deeds, and prayers, that the lost may be found and the dead made alive, and that all your redeemed may rejoice around your throne; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

+ Sovereign Lord: We pray for the peace of Jerusalem:

    • Protect Israel from the fiery darts of the evil one coming from every direction, both within and without.
    • Grant your heavenly wisdom to those guiding Israel militarily, politically, and diplomatically;
    • Give them hearts to receive, and the courage to do, what’s right in your sight.
    • Comfort those who grieve and mourn the loss of loved ones;
    • Rebuke those who would use grief for evil purposes.
    • Bring swift and certain justice to all those complicit in the October 7th atrocities;
    • Deliver the hostages from captivity, and restore their souls.
    • Destroy every stronghold of the evil death cult terrorizing the Middle East.
    • Strengthen the Messianic communities – Jew and Arab alike – bind them together in love, that they may be a source of help, and healing, and hope;
    • Use them in the restoration of your people to their proper place in your Kingdom.
    • We pray in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

+ Heavenly Father, you have promised to hear what we ask in the Name of your Son: Accept and fulfill our petitions, we pray, not as we ask in our ignorance, nor as we deserve in our sinfulness, but as you know and love us in your Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Closing: FaithandWorship.com | John Birch

The Lord bless us, and preserve us from all evil,
and keep us in eternal life.

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

After Pentecost | Friday 16 Aug 2024: Psalm 34:9-14; Job 12:1-25; Romans 16:17-20 ~ Watch out for smooth-talking deceivers.

After Pentecost | Friday 16 Aug 2024

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

Opening:

Almighty God, give us the increase
of faith, hope, and love; and,
that we may obtain what you have promised,
make us love what you command;
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Paul: “I want you to do what is good
and to avoid what is evil.”
(Romans 16:19b)

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From Psalms: Psalm 34The Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir (Live)

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OT Reading: Job 12:1-25  (GW)

Job Speaks: My Friends Have No Wisdom

12:1 Then Job replied ⌞to his friends⌟,

“You certainly are ⌞wise⌟ people,
and when you die, wisdom will die.
Like you, I have a mind.
I am not inferior to you.
But who doesn’t know these things?
I am a laughingstock to my neighbors.
I am one who calls on God and expects an answer.
A man of integrity, a man who is righteous, has become a laughingstock.

“A person who has an easy life has no appreciation for misfortune.
He thinks it is the fate of those who slip up.
⌞But⌟ robbers’ tents are prosperous,
and there is security for those who provoke God,
for those whose god is their power.

“Instead, ask the animals, and they will teach you.
Ask the birds, and they will tell you.
Or speak with the earth, and it will teach you.
Even the fish will relate ⌞the story⌟ to you.
What creature doesn’t know that the Lord’s hands made it?
The life of every living creature
and the spirit in every human body are in his hands.
Doesn’t the ear distinguish sounds
and the tongue taste food?

Wisdom Comes from God

12:12 “Wisdom is with the ancient one.
The one who has had many days has insight.
God has wisdom and strength.
Advice and insight are his.
When he tears ⌞something⌟ down, it cannot be rebuilt.
When he puts someone in prison, that person cannot be freed.
When he holds back the waters, there is a drought.
When he releases them, they flood the earth.

“God has power and priceless wisdom.
He owns ⌞both⌟ the deceiver and the person who is deceived.
He leads counselors away barefoot
and makes fools out of judges.
He loosens kings’ belts
and strips them of their pants.
He leads priests away barefoot
and misleads those who serve in a temple.
He makes trusted advisers unable to speak
and takes away the good judgment of respected leaders.
He pours contempt on influential people
and unbuckles the belt of the mighty.
He uncovers mysteries ⌞hidden⌟ in the darkness
and brings gloom into the light.
He makes nations important and then destroys them.
He makes nations large and leads them away.
He takes away the common sense of a country’s leaders
and makes them stumble about in a pathless wilderness.
They grope in the dark with no light,
and he makes them stumble like drunks.

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The Fear of the LordFirst Baptist Dallas

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NT Reading: Romans 16:17-20 (GW)

16:17 Brothers and sisters, I urge you to watch out for those people who create divisions and who make others fall away ⌞from the Christian faith⌟ by teaching doctrine that is not the same as you have learned. Stay away from them. People like these are not serving Christ our Lord. They are serving their own desires. By their smooth talk and flattering words they deceive unsuspecting people.

Everyone has heard about your obedience and this makes me happy for you. I want you to do what is good and to avoid what is evil. The God of peace will quickly crush Satan under your feet. May the good will  of our Lord Jesus be with you!

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Lead Me, LordJohn Becker [OCPmusic]

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Prayer: ACNA | BCP2019

+ Heavenly Father, you have promised to hear what we ask in the Name of your Son: Accept and fulfill our petitions, we pray, not as we ask in our  ignorance, nor as we deserve in our sinfulness, but as you know and love us in your Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

+ O God, by whom the meek are guided in judgment, and light rises up in darkness for the godly: Grant us, in all our doubts and uncertainties, the grace to ask what you would have us do, that the Spirit of wisdom may save us from all false choices; that in your light we may see light, and in your straight path we may not stumble; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

+ Sovereign Lord: We pray for the peace of Jerusalem:

    • Protect Israel from the fiery darts of the evil one coming from every direction, both within and without.
    • Grant your heavenly wisdom to those guiding Israel militarily, politically, and diplomatically;
    • Give them hearts to receive, and the courage to do, what’s right in your sight.
    • Comfort those who grieve and mourn the loss of loved ones;
    • Rebuke those who would use grief for evil purposes.
    • Bring swift and certain justice to all those complicit in the October 7th atrocities;
    • Deliver the hostages from captivity, and restore their souls.
    • Destroy every stronghold of the evil death cult terrorizing the Middle East.
    • Strengthen the Messianic communities – Jew and Arab alike – bind them together in love, that they may be a source of help, and healing, and hope;
    • Use them in the restoration of your people to their proper place in your Kingdom.
    • We pray in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Benedict of Nursia

+ Gracious and holy Father, please give us intellect to understand you, reason to discern you, diligence to seek you, wisdom to find you, a spirit to know you, hearts to meditate upon you, ears to hear you, eyes to see you, tongues to proclaim you, ways of life pleasing to you, patience to wait for you, and  perseverance to look for you. Grant us a perfect end, your holy presence, a blessed resurrection, and life everlasting. Amen.

Closing: FaithandWorship.com | John Birch

The Lord bless us, and preserve us from all evil,
and keep us in eternal life.

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

After Pentecost | Thursday 15 Aug 2024: Psalm 34:9-14; Job 11:1-20; Acts 6:8-15 ~ Rely on the Spirit’s wisdom.

After Pentecost | Thursday 15 Aug 2024

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

Opening:

Almighty God, give us the increase
of faith, hope, and love; and,
that we may obtain what you have promised,
make us love what you command;
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

“Stephen spoke with the wisdom
that the Spirit had given him.”
(Acts 6:10b)

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From Psalms: Psalm 34(Taste and See That He Is Good) by The Psalms Project

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OT Reading: Job 11:1-20  (GW)

Zophar Speaks: Your Words Call for an Answer, Job

11:1 Then Zophar from Naama replied ⌞to Job⌟,

“Shouldn’t someone answer this flood of words?
Should a good public speaker be acquitted?
Should your empty talk silence others
so that you can make fun of us without any shame?
You say, ‘My teaching is morally correct,’
and, ‘As you can see, I’m innocent.’
I only wish God would speak
and open his mouth ⌞to talk⌟ to you.
He would tell you the secrets of wisdom,
because ⌞true⌟ wisdom is twice ⌞as great as your wisdom⌟,
and you would know that God forgets your sin.

God Can Do as He Pleases

11:7 “Can you discover God’s hidden secrets,
or are you able to find the Almighty’s limits?
⌞God’s wisdom is⌟ higher than heaven.
What can you do?
It is deeper than ⌞the depths⌟ of hell.
What can you know?
It is longer than the earth
and wider than the sea.
If God comes along and imprisons ⌞someone⌟
and then calls a court into session, who can stop him?
He knows who the scoundrels are.
And when he sees sin, doesn’t he pay attention to it?
But an empty-headed person will gain understanding
when a wild donkey is born tame.

Confess Your Sin and Be Forgiven

11:13 “If you want to set your heart right,
then pray to him.
If you’re holding on to sin, put it far away,
and don’t let injustice live in your tent.
Then you will be able to show your face without being ashamed,
and you will be secure and unafraid.
⌞Then⌟ you will forget your misery
and remember it like water that has flowed downstream.
Then your life will be brighter than the noonday sun.
The darkness in your life will become like morning.
You will feel confident because there’s hope,
and you will look around and rest in safety.
You will lie down with no one to frighten you,
and many people will try to gain your favor.
But the wicked will lose their eyesight.
Their escape route will be closed.
Their only hope is to take their last breath.”

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Immortal, Invisible, God Only WiseSE Samonte

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NT Reading: Acts 6:8-15 (GW)

Stephen Is Arrested

6:8 Stephen was a man filled with God’s favor  and power. He did amazing things and performed miracles. ⌞One day⌟ some men from the cities of Cyrene and Alexandria and the provinces of Cilicia and Asia started an argument with Stephen. They belonged to a synagogue called Freedmen’s Synagogue. They couldn’t argue with Stephen because he spoke with the wisdom that the Spirit had given him. Then they bribed some men to lie.

These men said, “We heard him slander Moses and God.” The liars stirred up trouble among the people, the leaders, and the experts in Moses’ Teachings. So they went to Stephen, took him by force, and brought him in front of the Jewish council. Some witnesses stood up and lied about Stephen. They said, “This man never stops saying bad things about the holy place and Moses’ Teachings. We heard him say that Jesus from Nazareth will destroy the temple and change the customs that Moses gave us.”

Everyone who sat in the council stared at him and saw that his face looked like an angel’s face.

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Spirit Lead MeInfluence Music & Michael Ketterer

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Prayer: ACNA | BCP2019

+ O God, by whom the meek are guided in judgment, and light rises up in darkness for the godly: Grant us, in all our doubts and uncertainties, the grace to ask what you would have us do, that the Spirit of wisdom may save us from all false choices; that in your light we may see light, and in your straight path we may not stumble; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

+ Merciful God, you desire not the death of sinners, but rather that they should turn to you and live; and through your only Son you have revealed yourself as the God who pardons iniquity. Have mercy on the unrepentant and those who do not believe. Awaken in them, by your Word and Holy  Spirit, a deep sense of their sinfulness and peril. Take from them all ignorance, hardness of heart, and contempt of your Word. Grant them to know and   believe that there is no other Name under heaven given among men by which they must be saved, but only the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ. And so  bring them home and number them among your children, that they may be yours for ever; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you  and  the Holy Spirit, one God, world without end. Amen.

+ Sovereign Lord: We pray for the peace of Jerusalem:

    • Protect Israel from the fiery darts of the evil one coming from every direction, both within and without.
    • Grant your heavenly wisdom to those guiding Israel militarily, politically, and diplomatically;
    • Give them hearts to receive, and the courage to do, what’s right in your sight.
    • Comfort those who grieve and mourn the loss of loved ones;
    • Rebuke those who would use grief for evil purposes.
    • Bring swift and certain justice to all those complicit in the October 7th atrocities;
    • Deliver the hostages from captivity, and restore their souls.
    • Destroy every stronghold of the evil death cult terrorizing the Middle East.
    • Strengthen the Messianic communities – Jew and Arab alike – bind them together in love, that they may be a source of help, and healing, and hope;
    • Use them in the restoration of your people to their proper place in your Kingdom.
    • We pray in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

+ Heavenly Father, you have promised to hear what we ask in the Name of your Son: Accept and fulfill our petitions, we pray, not as we ask in our  ignorance, nor as we deserve in our sinfulness, but as you know and love us in your Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Closing: FaithandWorship.com | John Birch

The Lord bless us, and preserve us from all evil,
and keep us in eternal life.

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