Tag: jesus

Monday of the 10th Week in Ordinary Time, 08 Jun 2020 – Titus 1:1-16, Psalm 108 ~ managers of God’s household must live blameless lives

Monday of the 10th Week in Ordinary Time, 08 Jun 2020

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

Opening:

Merciful and gracious Father, you showed the fullness of your love when you gave your only Son for our salvation and sent down upon us the power of your Spirit. Complete within us the work of your love, that we who have communion in Christ may come to share fully the undying life he lives with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever. Amen.

…Teach them to know the truth that shows them how to live godly lives.
This truth gives them confidence that they have eternal life….”

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A Reading from the Pastoral Epistles: Titus 1:1-16 (NLT)

Greetings from Paul

This letter is from Paul, a slave of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ. I have been sent to proclaim faith to those God has chosen and to teach them to know the truth that shows them how to live godly lives. This truth gives them confidence that they have eternal life, which God—who does not lie—promised them before the world began. And now at just the right time he has revealed this message, which we announce to everyone. It is by the command of God our Savior that I have been entrusted with this work for him.

I am writing to Titus, my true son in the faith that we share.

May God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior give you grace and peace.

Titus’s Work in Crete

I left you on the island of Crete so you could complete our work there and appoint elders in each town as I instructed you. An elder must live a blameless life. He must be faithful to his wife, and his children must be believers who don’t have a reputation for being wild or rebellious. A church leader is a manager of God’s household, so he must live a blameless life. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered; he must not be a heavy drinker, violent, or dishonest with money.

Rather, he must enjoy having guests in his home, and he must love what is good. He must live wisely and be just. He must live a devout and disciplined life. He must have a strong belief in the trustworthy message he was taught; then he will be able to encourage others with wholesome teaching and show those who oppose it where they are wrong.

For there are many rebellious people who engage in useless talk and deceive others. This is especially true of those who insist on circumcision for salvation. They must be silenced, because they are turning whole families away from the truth by their false teaching. And they do it only for money. Even one of their own men, a prophet from Crete, has said about them, “The people of Crete are all liars, cruel animals, and lazy gluttons.” This is true. So reprimand them sternly to make them strong in the faith. They must stop listening to Jewish myths and the commands of people who have turned away from the truth.

Everything is pure to those whose hearts are pure. But nothing is pure to those who are corrupt and unbelieving, because their minds and consciences are corrupted. Such people claim they know God, but they deny him by the way they live. They are detestable and disobedient, worthless for doing anything good.
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Morning Prayer:

Jesus Christ has given us all a share in his priesthood.
We offer our prayers and ourselves in union with him.
– Lord, accept our love and service.

Jesus Christ, you are the eternal priest:
make this morning’s offering acceptable to the Father.
– Lord, accept our love and service.

Lord, you are love itself:
grant that we may love you.
– Lord, accept our love and service.

Give us today the fruits of the Holy Spirit:
make us patient, kind and gentle.
– Lord, accept our love and service.

Give us the discernment to know the needs of our neighbors,
and give us the courage to love them as brothers.
– Lord, accept our love and service.

Almighty Lord and God, protect us by your power throughout the course of this day, even as you have enabled us to begin it. Do not let us turn aside to any sin, but let our every thought, word and deed aim at doing what is pleasing in your sight. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
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108 (Bless the Lord) – New Wine “Hunger for the Living God”

Omnipotent Father we have seen Your power through all the ages You stay the same

And those who know Your name know You never forsake

They put trust and put their faith in you I will trust and put my faith in You

Great is Your love Oh God and Your faithfulness reaches to the sky

Be exalted God over all the heavens let Your glory be over all the earth
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Closing:Titus 1:4

May God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior give you grace and peace.

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

Saturday of the 9th Week in Ordinary Time – 06 Jun 2020 – 1 Timothy 6:3-21, Psalm 104 ~ true wealth = godliness with contentment

Saturday of the 9th Week in Ordinary Time, 06 Jun 2020

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

Opening:

Lord God, let the grace of the Holy Spirit come upon us, so that we may hold fast to your will with fidelity and show it forth in a holy life. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

True godliness with contentment is itself great wealth.
After all, we brought nothing with us when we came into the world, and we can’t take anything with us when we leave it.
So if we have enough food and clothing, let us be content.

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A Reading from the Pastoral Epistles: 1 Timothy 6:3-21 (NLT)

False Teaching and True Riches

Teach these things, Timothy, and encourage everyone to obey them. Some people may contradict our teaching, but these are the wholesome teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ. These teachings promote a godly life. Anyone who teaches something different is arrogant and lacks understanding. Such a person has an unhealthy desire to quibble over the meaning of words. This stirs up arguments ending in jealousy, division, slander, and evil suspicions. These people always cause trouble. Their minds are corrupt, and they have turned their backs on the truth. To them, a show of godliness is just a way to become wealthy.

Yet true godliness with contentment is itself great wealth. After all, we brought nothing with us when we came into the world, and we can’t take anything with us when we leave it. 8 So if we have enough food and clothing, let us be content.

But people who long to be rich fall into temptation and are trapped by many foolish and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. And some people, craving money, have wandered from the true faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows.

Paul’s Final Instructions

But you, Timothy, are a man of God; so run from all these evil things. Pursue righteousness and a godly life, along with faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness. Fight the good fight for the true faith. Hold tightly to the eternal life to which God has called you, which you have declared so well before many witnesses. And I charge you before God, who gives life to all, and before Christ Jesus, who gave a good testimony before Pontius Pilate, that you obey this command without wavering. Then no one can find fault with you from now until our Lord Jesus Christ comes again. For,

At just the right time Christ will be revealed from heaven by the blessed and only almighty God, the King of all kings and Lord of all lords. He alone can never die, and he lives in light so brilliant that no human can approach him. No human eye has ever seen him, nor ever will. All honor and power to him forever! Amen.

Teach those who are rich in this world not to be proud and not to trust in their money, which is so unreliable. Their trust should be in God, who richly gives us all we need for our enjoyment. Tell them to use their money to do good. They should be rich in good works and generous to those in need, always being ready to share with others. By doing this they will be storing up their treasure as a good foundation for the future so that they may experience true life.

Timothy, guard what God has entrusted to you. Avoid godless, foolish discussions with those who oppose you with their so-called knowledge. Some people have wandered from the faith by following such foolishness.

May God’s grace be with you all.
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Morning Prayer:

O Lord our God: You made us and we depend on you for the necessities of life.
Send forth your life-giving Spirit and make us like new again!

+ that we may accept the true teaching of our Lord Jesus Christ that produces godly lives….

+ that we may reject arguments that lead to jealousy, quarrels, insults, and evil mistrust….

+ that we may reject the love of money and be satisfied with basic food, clothing and shelter….

+ that we may be rich in good works – ready to share what we have with others in need….

+ that we may always try to do what’s right – showing faith, love, patience, and gentleness….

+ that we may fight to keep our faith in Jesus Christ who gives true life and purpose to everything….

O Lord our God: You made us and we depend on you for the necessities of life.
Send forth your life-giving Spirit and make us like new again!
__________

“Psalm 104:31-34″(I Will Be Glad in the LORD) – Esther Mui

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Closing: 1 Timothy 6:17-19 (NLT)

“Teach those who are rich in this world not to be proud and not to trust in their money, which is so unreliable. Their trust should be in God, who richly gives us all we need for our enjoyment. Tell them to use their money to do good. They should be rich in good works and generous to those in need, always being ready to share with others. By doing this they will be storing up their treasure as a good foundation for the future so that they may experience true life.”

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

Friday of the 9th Week in Ordinary Time – 05 Jun 2020 – 1 Timothy 5:1- 6:2, Psalm 104 ~ respect others as if they were family

Friday of the 9th Week in Ordinary Time, 05 Jun 2020

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

Opening:

Lord God, let the grace of the Holy Spirit come upon us, so that we may hold fast to your will with fidelity and show it forth in a holy life. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Believers’ first responsibility is to show godliness at home and repay their parents with kindness and respect. This is something that pleases God.

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A Reading from the Pastoral Epistles: 1 Timothy 1 Timothy 5:1- 6:2 (NLT)

Advice about Widows, Elders, and Slaves

Never speak harshly to an older man, but appeal to him respectfully as you would to your own father. Talk to younger men as you would to your own brothers. Treat older women as you would your mother, and treat younger women with all purity as you would your own sisters.

Take care of any widow who has no one else to care for her. But if she has children or grandchildren, their first responsibility is to show godliness at home and repay their parents by taking care of them. This is something that pleases God.

Now a true widow, a woman who is truly alone in this world, has placed her hope in God. She prays night and day, asking God for his help. But the widow who lives only for pleasure is spiritually dead even while she lives. Give these instructions to the church so that no one will be open to criticism.

But those who won’t care for their relatives, especially those in their own household, have denied the true faith. Such people are worse than unbelievers.

A widow who is put on the list for support must be a woman who is at least sixty years old and was faithful to her husband. She must be well respected by everyone because of the good she has done. Has she brought up her children well? Has she been kind to strangers and served other believers humbly? Has she helped those who are in trouble? Has she always been ready to do good?

The younger widows should not be on the list, because their physical desires will overpower their devotion to Christ and they will want to remarry. Then they would be guilty of breaking their previous pledge. And if they are on the list, they will learn to be lazy and will spend their time gossiping from house to house, meddling in other people’s business and talking about things they shouldn’t. So I advise these younger widows to marry again, have children, and take care of their own homes. Then the enemy will not be able to say anything against them. For I am afraid that some of them have already gone astray and now follow Satan.

If a woman who is a believer has relatives who are widows, she must take care of them and not put the responsibility on the church. Then the church can care for the widows who are truly alone.

Elders who do their work well should be respected and paid well, especially those who work hard at both preaching and teaching. For the Scripture says, “You must not muzzle an ox to keep it from eating as it treads out the grain.” And in another place, “Those who work deserve their pay!”

Do not listen to an accusation against an elder unless it is confirmed by two or three witnesses. Those who sin should be reprimanded in front of the whole church; this will serve as a strong warning to others.

I solemnly command you in the presence of God and Christ Jesus and the highest angels to obey these instructions without taking sides or showing favoritism to anyone.

Never be in a hurry about appointing a church leader. Do not share in the sins of others. Keep yourself pure.

Don’t drink only water. You ought to drink a little wine for the sake of your stomach because you are sick so often.

Remember, the sins of some people are obvious, leading them to certain judgment. But there are others whose sins will not be revealed until later. In the same way, the good deeds of some people are obvious. And the good deeds done in secret will someday come to light.
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All slaves should show full respect for their masters so they will not bring shame on the name of God and his teaching. If the masters are believers, that is no excuse for being disrespectful. Those slaves should work all the harder because their efforts are helping other believers who are well loved.
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Morning Prayer:

Heavenly Father: Teach us to honor you by respecting and caring for others like our own family members. We pray –

+ that we would speak respectfully to older men and women even when we disagree…

+ that we would relate to younger men and women as beloved brothers and sisters….

+ that we would take responsibility and care for our own elderly relatives….

+ that we would care for the elderly workers who have shown kindness to the sick and hurt….

+ that we would care for the elderly poor are all alone and have nowhere else to turn…..

+ that we would support pastors and church leaders who work hard preaching and teaching….

Heavenly Father: Send forth your Spirit and renew the face of the earth, that –
we may hold fast to our faith and profess it courageously in our lives through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
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“How Great Thou Art” (Psalm 104) – Sandi Patty

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Closing: 1 Timothy 5:24-25 (NLT)

Remember, the sins of some people are obvious, leading them to certain judgment. But there are others whose sins will not be revealed until later.
In the same way, the good deeds of some people are obvious. And the good deeds done in secret will someday come to light.

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

Thursday of the 9th Week in Ordinary Time, 04 Jun 2020 – 1 Timothy 4:1-16, Psalm 104 ~ “Our hope is in the living God.”

Thursday of the 9th Week in Ordinary Time, 04 Jun 2020

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

Opening:

Lord God, let the grace of the Holy Spirit come upon us, so that we may hold fast to your will with fidelity and show it forth in a holy life. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

“Our hope is in the living God, who is the Savior of all people and particularly of all believers.”

__________

A Reading from the Pastoral Epistles: 1 Timothy 4:1-16 (NLT)

Warnings against False Teachers

Now the Holy Spirit tells us clearly that in the last times some will turn away from the true faith; they will follow deceptive spirits and teachings that come from demons. These people are hypocrites and liars, and their consciences are dead.

They will say it is wrong to be married and wrong to eat certain foods. But God created those foods to be eaten with thanks by faithful people who know the truth. Since everything God created is good, we should not reject any of it but receive it with thanks. For we know it is made acceptable by the word of God and prayer.

A Good Servant of Christ Jesus

If you explain these things to the brothers and sisters, Timothy, you will be a worthy servant of Christ Jesus, one who is nourished by the message of faith and the good teaching you have followed. Do not waste time arguing over godless ideas and old wives’ tales. Instead, train yourself to be godly. “Physical training is good, but training for godliness is much better, promising benefits in this life and in the life to come.” This is a trustworthy saying, and everyone should accept it. This is why we work hard and continue to struggle, for our hope is in the living God, who is the Savior of all people and particularly of all believers.

Teach these things and insist that everyone learn them. Don’t let anyone think less of you because you are young. Be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity. Until I get there, focus on reading the Scriptures to the church, encouraging the believers, and teaching them.

Do not neglect the spiritual gift you received through the prophecy spoken over you when the elders of the church laid their hands on you. Give your complete attention to these matters. Throw yourself into your tasks so that everyone will see your progress. Keep a close watch on how you live and on your teaching. Stay true to what is right for the sake of your own salvation and the salvation of those who hear you.
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Morning Prayer: (excerpts Psalm 104)

O Lord my God: You are the Creator and Sustainer of all thing in heaven and on earth.

+ I will sing to the Lord as long as I live. I will praise God to my last breath!

You are robed with honor and with majesty and light! You bound the world together so that it would never fall apart.

You spoke, and at the sound of your shout the water collected into its vast ocean beds, and mountains rose and valleys sank to the levels you decreed. And then you set a boundary for the seas so that they would never again cover the earth. You send rain upon the mountains and fill the earth with fruit. The tender grass grows up at your command to feed the cattle, and there are fruit trees, vegetables, and grain for man to cultivate… and bread to give him strength.

+ I will sing to the Lord as long as I live. I will praise God to my last breath!

You assigned the moon to mark the months and the sun to mark the days. You send the night and darkness, when all the forest folk come out. Then the young lions roar for their food, but they are dependent on the Lord. At dawn they slink back into their dens to rest, and men go off to work until the evening shadows fall again. O Lord, what a variety you have made! And in wisdom you have made them all! The earth is full of your riches.

+ I will sing to the Lord as long as I live. I will praise God to my last breath!

May you be pleased by all my thoughts about you, for you are the source of all my joy -I ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen.
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Creator, Sustainer (Psalm 104) – Yvonne Lyon] | Matt Searles

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Closing: 1 Timothy 4:7-8 (NLT)

Train yourself to be godly. Physical training is good, but training for godliness is much better, promising benefits in this life and in the life to come.

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