Monday Morning: 12 Aug 2019 – Matthew 1:1-25 ~ The Gospel of Matthew: The ancestry and birth of Jesus the Messiah.

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.
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Morning Reading – Matthew 1:1-25 (NLT)

The Ancestors of Jesus the Messiah

This is a record of the ancestors of Jesus the Messiah, a descendant of David and of Abraham:

Abraham was the father of Isaac. Isaac was the father of Jacob. Jacob was the father of Judah and his brothers.

Judah was the father of Perez and Zerah (whose mother was Tamar). Perez was the father of Hezron. Hezron was the father of Ram. Ram was the father of Amminadab. Amminadab was the father of Nahshon. Nahshon was the father of Salmon. Salmon was the father of Boaz (whose mother was Rahab). Boaz was the father of Obed (whose mother was Ruth). Obed was the father of Jesse. Jesse was the father of King David.

David was the father of Solomon (whose mother was Bathsheba, the widow of Uriah). Solomon was the father of Rehoboam. Rehoboam was the father of Abijah. Abijah was the father of Asa. Asa was the father of Jehoshaphat. Jehoshaphat was the father of Jehoram. Jehoram was the father of Uzziah.

Uzziah was the father of Jotham. Jotham was the father of Ahaz. Ahaz was the father of Hezekiah. Hezekiah was the father of Manasseh. Manasseh was the father of Amon. Amon was the father of Josiah. Josiah was the father of Jehoiachin and his brothers (born at the time of the exile to Babylon).

After the Babylonian exile: Jehoiachin was the father of Shealtiel. Shealtiel was the father of Zerubbabel. Zerubbabel was the father of Abiud. Abiud was the father of Eliakim. Eliakim was the father of Azor. Azor was the father of Zadok. Zadok was the father of Akim. Akim was the father of Eliud. Eliud was the father of Eleazar. Eleazar was the father of Matthan. Matthan was the father of Jacob.

Jacob was the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary. Mary gave birth to Jesus, who is called the Messiah.

All those listed above include fourteen generations from Abraham to David, fourteen from David to the Babylonian exile, and fourteen from the Babylonian exile to the Messiah.

The Birth of Jesus the Messiah

This is how Jesus the Messiah was born. His mother, Mary, was engaged to be married to Joseph. But before the marriage took place, while she was still a virgin, she became pregnant through the power of the Holy Spirit. Joseph, to whom she was engaged, was a righteous man and did not want to disgrace her publicly, so he decided to break the engagement quietly.

As he considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream. “Joseph, son of David,” the angel said, “do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife. For the child within her was conceived by the Holy Spirit. And she will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”

All of this occurred to fulfill the Lord’s message through his prophet:

“Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel, which means ‘God is with us.’”

When Joseph woke up, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded and took Mary as his wife. But he did not have sexual relations with her until her son was born. And Joseph named him Jesus.
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Morning Reflection:

Today we begin reading through the Gospel of Matthew – written by the Apostle who left his profession as a tax collector to follow Jesus. This is the same disciple (Levi) who invited Jesus and his disciples to a banquet of sinners – shunned by the religious leaders, but the very people whom Jesus came to seek and save.

According to tradition, Matthew ministered in Palestine for several years after Jesus’ ascension to heaven. He also made missionary journeys to the Jews who lived among the Gentiles outside Palestine, Diaspora Jews. There is evidence that he visited Persia, Ethiopia, Syria, and Greece. The Gospel was probably written around A.D. 70.

Matthew’s Gospel is distinctly Jewish in vocabulary and O.T. references. His purpose is to demonstrate that Jesus Christ is the promised Messiah, and that he fulfilled the requirements of being the promised King who would be a descendant of David. In this regard, the Gospel emphasizes Jesus’ teaching on the nature and requirements of the Kingdom of God.

In today’s reading, Matthew establishes Jesus’ bona fides by tracing Jesus’ ancestry through King David back to Father Abraham –

“This is a record of the ancestors of Jesus the Messiah,
a descendant of David and of Abraham….”
– Matthew 1:1 –

Matthew also cites the fulfillment of O.T. prophecy to underscore the miraculous, messianic nature of Jesus’ birth as Immanuel (God with us) –

All of this occurred to fulfill the Lord’s message through his prophet:
“Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel, which means ‘God is with us.’”
– Matthew 1:22-23 –

Questions for consideration:

Have you ever traced your family ancestry? What did you discover? What difference did it make? Please explain.
Why do you think it was important for Matthew to trace Jesus’ ancestry through David all the way back to Abraham? What difference does it make for you? Please explain.
Matthew makes a connection between Jesus’ virgin birth (conceived by the Holy Spirit) and his prophetic name – “Immanuel” (God is with us). Why do think he did that? Please explain.
The angel assigned the name Jesus to the child that Mary carried. Jesus in Hebrew (Yeshua) means savior. Have you been saved by Jesus? From what? For what? Please explain.

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Morning Prayer:

Lord Jesus, you called Matthew from collecting taxes to become your apostle and evangelist: Grant us the grace to forsake all covetous desires and inordinate love of riches, that we may follow you as he did and proclaim to the world around us the good news of your salvation.

Open our hearts and minds to the revelations of the Holy Spirit given to him, that we may receive you as our long-promised Messiah and Savior, and welcome you as our King – for with the Father and the Holy Spirit you live and reign, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
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“Emmanuel” – Hillsong

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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

Saturday Morning, 10 Aug 2019 – Ephesians 6:10-24 ~ Be strong and prepared.

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 6:10-24 (NLT)

The Whole Armor of God

A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.

Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.

And pray for me, too. Ask God to give me the right words so I can boldly explain God’s mysterious plan that the Good News is for Jews and Gentiles alike. I am in chains now, still preaching this message as God’s ambassador. So pray that I will keep on speaking boldly for him, as I should.

Final Greetings

To bring you up to date, Tychicus will give you a full report about what I am doing and how I am getting along. He is a beloved brother and faithful helper in the Lord’s work. I have sent him to you for this very purpose—to let you know how we are doing and to encourage you.

Peace be with you, dear brothers and sisters, and may God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you love with faithfulness. May God’s grace be eternally upon all who love our Lord Jesus Christ.
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Morning Reflection:

Be strong and prepared.

Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on all of God’s armor
so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil.
– Ephesians 6:10-11 –

Sooner or later every believer discovers that the Christian life is a battleground. The enemy we face is not only within (the flesh) and without (the world), but the enemy also resides in the heavenlies (the devil) – we are engaged in a cosmic struggle, or confrontation, with evil. Truth be told, we are no match for the devil whose seeks to deceive and destroy us. The Good News is – God IS more powerful, and greater is He that is in us than he that is in the world.

The purpose of accepting the equipment that God provides for waging spiritual warfare is to be strong and prepared for the devil’s attacks. How has God armed us?

with Truth – against lies and deceit
with Righteousness – against disrespect and abuse
with Peace – against hatred and division
with Faith – against fear and doubt
with Salvation – against condemnation and death
with God’s Word – against temptation, to resist the devil
with Prayer in the Spirit – against isolation from God and other believers

Questions for consideration:

All believers face spiritual warfare at one time or another. What has been your personal experience? Please explain.
What equipment has been most helpful to you against spiritual warfare in the past? Please explain.
What equipment do you need now for God’s protection against spiritual warfare? Please explain.
How can you prepare yourself today against the strategies and schemes of the devil? Please explain.

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Morning Prayer: – Prayer for Protection

Father, I come to You today, bowing in my heart, asking for protection from the evil one. Lord, I am assailed moment by moment with images on television, the internet, books and newspapers that leave me vulnerable to sin of every kind. Surround me with Your divine hedge of protection. Encompass me round about with Your strength and Your might.

Let all who take refuge in You be glad, let them ever sing for joy. And may You shelter us – that those who love Your name may exult in You. For it is You who blesses the righteous man, O LORD, You surround him with favor as with a shield.

Thank you, in advance, in Jesus’ name. Amen.

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“Hymn Of St Patrick” – Dwight Beal

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Closing:

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

Friday Morning: 09 Aug 2019 – Ephesians 6:1-9 ~ Be filled with the Holy Spirit… at home and at work.

Friday Morning

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

Opening (A Collect for Endurance – Friday)

Almighty God, whose beloved Son first suffered pain and crucifixion before entering into glory: Mercifully grant that we, walking in his footsteps, may find it none other than the way of life and peace; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord. Amen.
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Morning Reading – Ephesians 6:1-9 (NLT)

Children and Parents

Children, obey your parents because you belong to the Lord, for this is the right thing to do. “Honor your father and mother.” This is the first commandment with a promise: If you honor your father and mother, “things will go well for you, and you will have a long life on the earth.”

Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger by the way you treat them. Rather, bring them up with the discipline and instruction that comes from the Lord.

Slaves and Masters

Slaves, obey your earthly masters with deep respect and fear. Serve them sincerely as you would serve Christ. Try to please them all the time, not just when they are watching you. As slaves of Christ, do the will of God with all your heart. Work with enthusiasm, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people.

Masters, treat your slaves in the same way. Don’t threaten them; remember, you both have the same Master in heaven, and he has no favorites.
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Morning Reflection:

Do what’s right and good.

“As slaves of Christ, do the will of God with all your heart.”
– Ephesians 6:6b –

What is the will of God for believers? As we have seen, it’s to imitate God as revealed to us in Jesus Christ. Filled with, and empowered by, the Holy Spirit we are called to live in the light of God’s truth and love sacrificially in submission to our Lord and Master, Jesus Christ. We are slaves of Christ Jesus.

That’s why Paul urges us to be filled with the Holy Spirit… at home, and at work. In whatever position we find ourselves – man or woman, parent or child, master or slave – we are to live and work as wholeheartedly for them as we would for Jesus. In today’s reading, Paul addresses the two-sided relationships of parenting and work.

+ Parenting:

On one side, believing children are commanded to honor and respectfully obey their parents. If they do so, God promises a good and long life.
On the other side: believing parents are warned not to abuse the authority that God has given them. Rather, they are to raise their children with discipline and instruction from God. In other words, to show their children the same loving-kindness they have received from God.

+ Work:

On one side, not many of us are actual slaves (although we may feel like it sometimes), but most of us work voluntarily for someone. Regardless, Paul urges believing employees to show their bosses (masters) due respect and to work diligently even when no one is watching. We are to work for their good, even as we would for God.
On the other side: believing employers (masters) are warned not to abuse the authority that God has given them by mistreating, or exploiting, those under them. Believing employers are ultimately under God’s authority and will be judged accordingly, without favoritism.

In summary: Whether at home or at work, in positions of authority or not, we are to be filled with the Holy Spirit and do what’s right and good.

Questions for consideration:

What role do you find yourself in at home at this time of your life – parent or child, or both? Please explain.
What challenges do you face in your family life? Where do you need God’s help? Please explain.
What are your responsibilities at work – employer or employee? Please explain.
How would your workplace change if you served God first in everything you did? Please explain.

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Morning Prayer:

For Parents and Children –

Heavenly Father: Watch over and protect our families – parents and children alike. Teach us that your ways lead to a full, satisfying life and strengthen us all in Christ Jesus so that we might never know a day apart from you. Help us to show each other the same loving-kindness that we have received from you. I ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen.

For Employers and Employees –

Lord God: We are all accountable to you and we will all be judged by your standard of what’s right and good. Teach us to seek you first in all that we do – to seek righteousness over riches, to manage justly and work diligently. Help us to lay up treasures in heaven as we live and work that we may receive or just reward in eternity. I ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen.

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“Living for Jesus” – Hymn sung by Cedar College of Education Choir at KwaSizabantu Mission in South Africa.

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Closing:

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

Thursday Morning: 08 Aug 2019 – Ephesians 5:18-33 ~ Be filled with the Holy Spirit… at home.

Thursday Morning

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

Opening (A Collect for Guidance – Thursday)

Heavenly Father, in you we live and move and have our being: Guide and govern us by your Holy Spirit, that in all the cares and occupations of our lives we may not forget you, but may remember that we are ever walking in your sight; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
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Morning Reading – Ephesians 5:18-33 (NLT)

Living by the Spirit’s Power

Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, and making music to the Lord in your hearts. And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Spirit-Guided Relationships: Wives and Husbands

And further, submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.

For wives, this means submit to your husbands as to the Lord. For a husband is the head of his wife as Christ is the head of the church. He is the Savior of his body, the church. As the church submits to Christ, so you wives should submit to your husbands in everything.

For husbands, this means love your wives, just as Christ loved the church. He gave up his life for her to make her holy and clean, washed by the cleansing of God’s word. He did this to present her to himself as a glorious church without a spot or wrinkle or any other blemish. Instead, she will be holy and without fault. In the same way, husbands ought to love their wives as they love their own bodies. For a man who loves his wife actually shows love for himself. No one hates his own body but feeds and cares for it, just as Christ cares for the church. And we are members of his body.

As the Scriptures say, “A man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one.” This is a great mystery, but it is an illustration of the way Christ and the church are one. So again I say, each man must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.
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Morning Reflection:

Be filled with the Holy Spirit… at home.

“Be filled with the Holy Spirit… and submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.”
– Ephesians 5:18, 21 –

In yesterday’s reading, Paul exhorted us to live as Jesus lived and to love as Jesus loved – both of these involve the sacrifice of self and the empowerment of the Holy Spirit. Which is where we pick up today’s reading – Be filled with the Holy Spirit. Being filled with the Holy Spirit empowers us to imitate Christ, and it also manifests itself in thanksgiving and “making music to the Lord in our hearts.”

Then Paul moves on to another subject – the relationship between husbands and wives – or is it? He prefaces his remarks with – ” submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.” If we follow his reasoning in Chapter 5, we can only live and love as Jesus lived if we are filled with the Holy Spirit, and loving like Jesus loved requires the sacrifice of self (submission to one another) for the good of those closest to us – our family – out of reverence for Christ.

Our families are the laboratories of our faith – our parents, spouses, and children are our nearest neighbors and they have been given to us by God. It’s easy to love everybody, but it’s tough to love those with whom we “rub elbows” every day. It requires the sacrifice of submission to one another out of reverence for Christ.

Questions for consideration:

What does your closest family look like? With whom do you “rub elbows” every day? Please explain.
Are all of your family believers? How does that affect your relationships with them? Please explain.
How does being a man or a woman affect your relationships within your family? Please explain.
What does the sacrifice of submission mean for you in practical terms? Please explain.
Where do you need the Holy Spirit’s help to live reverently for Christ in your family? Please explain.

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Morning Prayer – For Families

Almighty God, our heavenly Father, you set the solitary in families: We commend to your continual care the homes in which your people dwell. Put far from them every root of bitterness, the desire of vainglory, and the pride of life. Fill them with faith, virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, and true godliness. Knit together in constant affection those who, in holy matrimony, have been made one flesh; turn the hearts of parents to their children, and the hearts of children to their parents; and so enkindle fervent charity among us all, that we may evermore be joined to one another with bonds of loving-kindness; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

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“It Is Well” – Kristene DiMarco | You Make Me Brave

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Closing:

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

Wednesday Morning: 07 Aug 2019 – Ephesians 5:1-17 ~ Live and love like Jesus.

Wednesday Morning

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

Opening (A Collect for Grace – Wednesday)

O Lord, our heavenly Father, almighty and everlasting God, you have brought us safely to the beginning of this day: Defend us by your mighty power, that we may not fall into sin nor run into any danger; and that guided by your Spirit, we may do what is righteous in your sight; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
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Morning Reading – Ephesians 5:1-17 (NLT)

Living in the Light

Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God.

Let there be no sexual immorality, impurity, or greed among you. Such sins have no place among God’s people. Obscene stories, foolish talk, and coarse jokes—these are not for you. Instead, let there be thankfulness to God. You can be sure that no immoral, impure, or greedy person will inherit the Kingdom of Christ and of God. For a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world.

Don’t be fooled by those who try to excuse these sins, for the anger of God will fall on all who disobey him. Don’t participate in the things these people do. For once you were full of darkness, but now you have light from the Lord. So live as people of light! For this light within you produces only what is good and right and true.

Carefully determine what pleases the Lord. Take no part in the worthless deeds of evil and darkness; instead, expose them. It is shameful even to talk about the things that ungodly people do in secret. But their evil intentions will be exposed when the light shines on them, for the light makes everything visible. This is why it is said,

“Awake, O sleeper, rise up from the dead, and Christ will give you light.”

So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do.
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Morning Reflection:

Live and Love like Jesus.

Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children.
Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ.
He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God.
– Ephesians 5:1-2 –

Paul sets a high standard for us in today’s reading – Imitate God… following the example of Christ. What does that involve?

+ Living a life filled with Christ’s love – a life of sacrifice, characterized by purity, contentment, thoughtfulness, and thanksgiving

+ Living a life filled with Christ’s light – a life lived openly, characterized by goodness, righteousness, truth, and wisdom

As children of God, we are united with God in Christ. And it’s in that union, that abiding in Christ, that his Spirit enables us to love like Jesus loved, and to live like Jesus lived.

Questions for consideration:

When you consider ways in which Jesus has loved you, what comes to mind? Please explain.
How can you follow Jesus’ example? Who or what comes to mind? Please explain.
When you think of the ways that Jesus lived openly, even in the face of opposition, what comes to mind? Please explain.
Can you think of times when you have hidden your sin, or hidden your faith, for fear of exposure? Please explain.
When you think of how Jesus openly lived and loved, what is the Holy Spirit prompting you to say or do? Please explain.

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Morning Prayer

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.

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“Yet Not I But Through Christ In Me” – CityAlight

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Closing:

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

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