3rd Tuesday of Easter: 20 Apr 2021 – Psalm 150; Hosea 5:15-6:6; 2 John 1 ~ Love one another!

3rd Tuesday of Easter: 20 Apr 2021

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

Opening:

Almighty God, you gave your only Son to be for us both a
sacrifice for sin and an example of godly living: Give us grace
thankfully to receive his inestimable benefits, and daily to follow
the blessed steps of his most holy life; through Jesus Christ our
Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one
God, for ever and ever. Amen.

” And this is love,
that we walk according to his commandments”
(2 John 6)

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Psalms: Psalm 150 (ESV)

Let Everything Praise the Lord

Psalm 150 in HEBREW! – MIQEDEM

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OT Reading: Hosea 5:15-6:6 (ESV)

5:15 I will return again to my place,
until they acknowledge their guilt and seek my face,
and in their distress earnestly seek me.

Israel and Judah Are Unrepentant

“Come, let us return to the Lord;
for he has torn us, that he may heal us;
he has struck us down, and he will bind us up.
After two days he will revive us;
on the third day he will raise us up,
that we may live before him.
Let us know; let us press on to know the Lord;
his going out is sure as the dawn;
he will come to us as the showers,
as the spring rains that water the earth.”

What shall I do with you, O Ephraim?
What shall I do with you, O Judah?
Your love is like a morning cloud,
like the dew that goes early away.
Therefore I have hewn them by the prophets;
I have slain them by the words of my mouth,
and my judgment goes forth as the light.
For I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice,
the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.

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“Let Us Return” – Liberated Wailing Wall.

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NT Reading: 2 John 1-6 (ESV)

The elder to the elect lady and her children, whom I love in truth, and not only I, but also all who know the truth, because of the truth that abides in us and will be with us forever:

Grace, mercy, and peace will be with us, from God the Father and from Jesus Christ the Father’s Son, in truth and love.

Walking in Truth and Love

I rejoiced greatly to find some of your children walking in the truth, just as we were commanded by the Father. And now I ask you, dear lady—not as though I were writing you a new commandment, but the one we have had from the beginning—that we love one another. And this is love, that we walk according to his commandments; this is the commandment, just as you have heard from the beginning, so that you should walk in it.

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Love Each Other – Graham Kendrick

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Prayer

+ O God, you made us in your own image, and you have redeemed us through your Son Jesus Christ: Look with compassion on the whole human family; take away the arrogance and hatred which infect our hearts; break down the walls that separate us; unite us in bonds of love; and work through our struggle and confusion to accomplish your purposes on earth; that, in your good time, all nations and races may serve you in harmony around your heavenly throne; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

+ Increase, O God, the spirit of neighborliness among us, that in peril we may uphold one another, in suffering tend to one another, and in homelessness, loneliness, or exile befriend one another. Grant us brave and enduring hearts that we may strengthen one another, until the disciplines and testing of these days are ended, and you again give peace in our time; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

+ Christ as a light, illumine and guide us. Christ as a shield, overshadow us. Christ under us; Christ over us; Christ beside us on our left and our right. This day be within and without us, lowly and meek, yet all-powerful. Be in the heart of each to whom we speak; in the mouth of each who speaks to us. This day be within and without us, lowly and meek, yet all-powerful. Christ as a light; Christ as a shield; Christ beside us on our left and our right.

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Blessing

May the peace of the Lord Christ go with us, wherever He may send us.
May He guide us through the wilderness, protect us through the storm.
May He bring us home rejoicing at the wonders He has shown us.
May He bring us home rejoicing once again into our doors.

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

3rd Monday of Easter: 19 Apr 2021 – Psalm 150; Jeremiah 30:1-11; 1 John 3:10-16 ~ Practice righteousness!

3rd Monday of Easter: 19 Apr 2021

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

Opening:

“By this we know love,
that he laid down his life for us,
and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers.”
(1 John 3:16)

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Psalms: Psalm 150 (ESV)
“Let Everything Praise the Lord”
The Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir – Psalm 150

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OT Reading: Jeremiah 30:1-11 (ESV)

Restoration for Israel and Judah

30:1 The word that came to Jeremiah from the Lord: “Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel: Write in a book all the words that I have spoken to you. For behold, days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will restore the fortunes of my people, Israel and Judah, says the Lord, and I will bring them back to the land that I gave to their fathers, and they shall take possession of it.”

These are the words that the Lord spoke concerning Israel and Judah:

“Thus says the Lord:
We have heard a cry of panic,
of terror, and no peace.
Ask now, and see,
can a man bear a child?
Why then do I see every man
with his hands on his stomach like a woman in labor?
Why has every face turned pale?
Alas! That day is so great
there is none like it;
it is a time of distress for Jacob;
yet he shall be saved out of it.

“And it shall come to pass in that day, declares the Lord of hosts, that I will break his yoke from off your neck, and I will burst your bonds, and foreigners shall no more make a servant of him. But they shall serve the Lord their God and David their king, whom I will raise up for them.

“Then fear not, O Jacob my servant, declares the Lord,
nor be dismayed, O Israel;
for behold, I will save you from far away,
and your offspring from the land of their captivity.
Jacob shall return and have quiet and ease,
and none shall make him afraid.
For I am with you to save you,
declares the Lord;
I will make a full end of all the nations
among whom I scattered you,
but of you I will not make a full end.
I will discipline you in just measure,
and I will by no means leave you unpunished.

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“Fear not” – Michael Fogarty | Per Bjerregaard

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NT Reading: 1 John 3:10-16 (ESV)

3:10 By this it is evident who are the children of God, and who are the children of the devil: whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is the one who does not love his brother.

Love One Another

For this is the message that you have heard from the beginning, that we should love one another. We should not be like Cain, who was of the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his own deeds were evil and his brother’s righteous. Do not be surprised, brothers, that the world hates you. We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brothers. Whoever does not love abides in death. Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him.

By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers.

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No Greater Love – 4EverLoved

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Prayer

+ Almighty and eternal God, so draw our hearts to you, so guide our minds, so fill our imaginations, so control our wills, that we may be wholly yours, utterly dedicated to you; and then use us, we pray, as you will, and always to your glory and the welfare of your people; through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.

+ Almighty God, you alone gave us the breath of life, and you alone can keep alive in us the holy desires you impart. We pray, for your compassion’s sake, to sanctify all our thoughts and endeavors, that we may neither begin an action without a pure intention nor continue it without your blessing. And grant that, having the eyes of our mind enlightened to behold things invisible and unseen, we may in heart be inspired by your wisdom, in work be upheld by your strength, and in the end be accepted as your faithful servants; through Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.

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Blessing

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

Monday Morning: 22 Jul 2019 – 1 John 3:1-12 ~ God’s children: will be like Christ.

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 – 1 John 3:1-12 (NLT)

See how very much our Father loves us, for he calls us his children, and that is what we are! But the people who belong to this world don’t recognize that we are God’s children because they don’t know him. Dear friends, we are already God’s children, but he has not yet shown us what we will be like when Christ appears. But we do know that we will be like him, for we will see him as he really is. And all who have this eager expectation will keep themselves pure, just as he is pure.

Everyone who sins is breaking God’s law, for all sin is contrary to the law of God. And you know that Jesus came to take away our sins, and there is no sin in him. Anyone who continues to live in him will not sin. But anyone who keeps on sinning does not know him or understand who he is.

Dear children, don’t let anyone deceive you about this: When people do what is right, it shows that they are righteous, even as Christ is righteous. But when people keep on sinning, it shows that they belong to the devil, who has been sinning since the beginning. But the Son of God came to destroy the works of the devil. Those who have been born into God’s family do not make a practice of sinning, because God’s life is in them. So they can’t keep on sinning, because they are children of God. So now we can tell who are children of God and who are children of the devil. Anyone who does not live righteously and does not love other believers does not belong to God.

Love One Another

This is the message you have heard from the beginning: We should love one another. We must not be like Cain, who belonged to the evil one and killed his brother. And why did he kill him? Because Cain had been doing what was evil, and his brother had been doing what was righteous.
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Morning Reflection:

God’s children: will be like Christ.

Dear friends, we are already God’s children,
but he has not yet shown us what we will be like when Christ appears.
But we do know that we will be like him, for we will see him as he really is.
And all who have this eager expectation will keep themselves pure, just as he is pure.
– 1 John 3:2-3 –

Once again, John addresses the life of believers between the ages – “we are already God’s children, but he has not yet shown us what we will be when Christ appears.” But one thing we do know – God’s children will be like Christ – we will fully reflect his image.

It’s because of this eager expectation of Christ’s imminent return – and our transformation into the Christ-like people we were created to be – that we are motivated to not make a practice of sinning, to do what is right, and to love other believers. In fact, John says, these are the proof that we truly are children of God – saved by grace, through faith, to become like Christ.

Questions for consideration:

All of us sin and fall short of the glory of God. But God’s children receive forgiveness through confession and true repentance, and do not make a practice of sinning. So how are you doing? Is there something you need to stop thinking, feeling, or doing? Please explain.
We belong to God, not this world – we are the children of God – and that inevitably brings us into conflict with the values and practices of worldly people, people who belong to the devil. As a child of God, where have you run into conflict with the world’s values and practices when you tried to do what’s right in God’s sight? How have you responded? Has the Holy Spirit helped you? Please explain.
God’s people are made up of a wide variety of people with different personalities, lifestyles, and traditions. When you think of believers in your circle of influence, who are the easiest to love? And who are the most difficult to love? Where do you need God’s help in loving difficult believers? Please explain.
What would it take for you to become more Christ-like now? Please explain.

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Morning Prayer: For Union with Christ (Anima Christi) –

Soul of Christ, sanctify me. Body of Christ, save me. Blood of Christ, inebriate me. Water from the side of Christ, wash me. Passion of Christ, strengthen me. O good Jesus, hear me. Within thy wounds hide me. Permit me not to be separated from thee. From the wicked foe defend me. In the hour of my death call me, and bid me come to thee, that with thy saints I may praise thee for ever and ever. Amen.

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“Christ Be All Around Me” – Gabriel Hughes.

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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

Friday Morning: 19 Jul 2019 – 1 John 2:7-17 ~ Jesus: Love one another.

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 – 1 John 2:7-17 (NLT)

Jesus: Love One Another

Dear friends, I am not writing a new commandment for you; rather it is an old one you have had from the very beginning. This old commandment—to love one another—is the same message you heard before. Yet it is also new. Jesus lived the truth of this commandment, and you also are living it. For the darkness is disappearing, and the true light is already shining.

If anyone claims, “I am living in the light,” but hates a fellow believer, that person is still living in darkness. Anyone who loves a fellow believer is living in the light and does not cause others to stumble. But anyone who hates a fellow believer is still living and walking in darkness. Such a person does not know the way to go, having been blinded by the darkness.

+ I am writing to you who are God’s children because your sins have been forgiven through Jesus.
+ I am writing to you who are mature in the faith because you know Christ, who existed from the beginning.
+ I am writing to you who are young in the faith because you have won your battle with the evil one.
+ I have written to you who are God’s children because you know the Father.
+ I have written to you who are mature in the faith because you know Christ, who existed from the beginning.
+ I have written to you who are young in the faith because you are strong. God’s word lives in your hearts, and you have won your battle with the evil one.

Do Not Love This World

Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you. For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world. And this world is fading away, along with everything that people crave. But anyone who does what pleases God will live forever.
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Morning Reflection:

Love One Another.

Jesus lived the truth of this commandment, and you also are living it.
For the darkness is disappearing, and the true light is already shining.
– 1 John 2:8 –

In today’s reading, John speaks to believers – those who have become “children of God” through faith in God’s Son, Jesus Christ. Who does John consider a believer, a child of God?

+ Those whose sins have been forgiven through Jesus Christ.
+ Those who are mature in the faith because they know Jesus Christ.
+ Those who are young in the faith because they have won their battle with the evil one.
+ Those who are God’s children because they know the Father.
+ Those who are young in the faith because they are strong.
+ Those who have won the battle with the evil one because God’s word lives in their hearts

Questions for consideration:

Do you consider yourself a child of God whose sins have been forgiven through faith in Jesus Christ? When did you first come to that realization? Please explain.
Where would you place yourself on a scale – young in faith (1), mature in faith (10), somewhere in between? Please explain?
As you look back over your life, can you see growth in your relationship with Christ? Please explain.
How has craving the things of this world – pleasure, pride, achievements, and more stuff – affected your spiritual life? Please explain.
Considering your present circumstances, what could you do today that would please God? 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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“Love One Another” – Newsboys

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Closing:

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

6th Sunday of Easter – 06 May – John 15:9-17 ~ love one another as I have loved you

The Sixth Sunday of Easter

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

Opening Prayer

God of all nations, in the gift of your Son you have embraced the world with a love that takes away our sin and bestows perfect joy. Grant to all who have life in Christ fidelity in serving you and generosity in loving one another. We ask this through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you now and always in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever. Amen.
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“The Love of God” – Abigail Miller

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Gospel Reading: John 15:9-17 (NLT)

“I have loved you even as the Father has loved me. Remain in my love. When you obey my commandments, you remain in my love, just as I obey my Father’s commandments and remain in his love. I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow! This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you. There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you slaves, because a master doesn’t confide in his slaves. Now you are my friends, since I have told you everything the Father told me. You didn’t choose me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce lasting fruit, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask for, using my name. This is my command: Love each other.
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Prayers of Intercession:

Ever-Loving God, listen to the prayers of your children –

+ For all believers, that we may be known by our love for one another….
+ For all believers, that we may care for our neighbors, especially those who are sick and needy….
+ For all people of good will, that we may look after those who are destitute and dislocated….
+ For all who seek the truth, that the Spirit may help them find it in Jesus – the Way, the Truth, and the Life….
+ For all young believers, that the Spirit may empower them to make good decisions and live out their faith….
+ For all who suffer in mind, body, or spirit that believing friends may demonstrate your love for them….
+ For all believers whose sufferings are over, that they may experience eternal life and love in your presence….

Ever-loving God, we sing a song of praise to your name, for you have worked wonders: continue to guide your people, and hear our prayers, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
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“Reckless Love” – Cory Asbury

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Blessing – Romans 8:38-39 (NLT)

I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
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+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!

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