After Pentecost | Saturday 28 Sep 2024: Psalm 124; Esther 3:1-15; Matthew 5:13-20 ~ God has positioned you to shine.

After Pentecost | Saturday 28 Sep 2024

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

Opening:

O God,
because without you we are not able to please you,
mercifully grant that your Holy Spirit
may in all things direct and rule our hearts;
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever. Amen.

“Let your light shine in front of people.
Then they will see the good that you do
and praise your Father in heaven.”
(Matthew 5:16)

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From Psalms: Psalm 124 // Poor Bishop Hooper

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OT Reading: Esther 3:1-15 (GW)

Haman’s Plot

3:1 Later, King Xerxes promoted Haman. (Haman was the son of Hammedatha and was from Agag.) He gave Haman a position higher in authority than all the other officials who were with him. All the king’s advisers were at the king’s gate, kneeling and bowing to Haman with their faces touching the ground, because the king had commanded it. But Mordecai would not kneel and bow to him.

Then the king’s advisers at the king’s gate asked Mordecai, “Why do you ignore the king’s command?” Although they asked him day after day, he paid no attention to them. So they informed Haman to see if Mordecai’s actions would be tolerated, since Mordecai had told them that he was a Jew.

When Haman saw that Mordecai did not kneel and bow to him, Haman was infuriated. Because the king’s advisers had informed him about Mordecai’s nationality, he thought it beneath himself to kill only Mordecai. So Haman planned to wipe out Mordecai’s people—all the Jews in the entire kingdom of Xerxes.

In Xerxes’ twelfth year as king, Pur (which means the lot) was thrown in front of Haman for every day of every month, from Nisan, the first month, until Adar, the twelfth month.

Now, Haman told King Xerxes, “Your Majesty, there is a certain nationality scattered among—but separate from—the nationalities in all the provinces of your kingdom. Their laws differ from those of all other nationalities. They do not obey your decrees. So it is not in your interest to tolerate them, Your Majesty. If you approve, have the orders for their destruction be written. For this I will pay 750,000 pounds of silver to your treasurers to be put in your treasury.”

At that, the king removed his signet ring and gave it to Haman, the enemy of the Jews. (Haman was the son of Hammedatha and was from Agag.) The king told Haman, “You can keep your silver and do with the people whatever you like.”

Haman Prepares to Kill the Jews

3:12 On the thirteenth day of the first month the king’s scribes were summoned. All Haman’s orders were written to the king’s satraps, the governors of every province, and the officials of every people. They wrote to each province in its own script and to the people in each province in their own language. The orders were signed in the name of King Xerxes and sealed with the king’s ring. Messengers were sent with official documents to all the king’s provinces. ⌞The people were ordered⌟ to wipe out, kill, and destroy all the Jews—young and old, women and children—on a single day, the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, the month of Adar. Their possessions were also to be seized. A copy of the document was made public in a decree to every province. All the people were to be ready for this day.

The messengers hurried out as the king told them. The decree was also issued at the fortress of Susa. So the king and Haman sat down to drink a toast, but the city of Susa was in turmoil.

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Rescue by Jordan St. Cyr (Official Music Video)

Oh I’ve been desperate
Cried those loud prayers
Like Job on his knees
Sayin’ Lord I need more than a little help

I’ve been surrounded
Felt fear on all sides
Like Daniel and the lions
I know when I fight I don’t fight by myself

When I needed rescue
Jesus, You came through
Oh, in my hardest season
Your promise held true
Every time I’ve given in Lord, you’ve proven again
That You’re still my savior now
Jesus, You came through
When I needed rescue

It’s just in your nature
To step in and save
Because of you Jesus
When I’ve been defeated
I know you’ll pull me outta my grave

You are peace within disaster
You are calm inside the storm
I have seen you move and I believe
You will do what you did before

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NT Reading: Matthew 5:13-20 (GW)

God’s People Make a Difference in the World

5:13 “You are salt for the earth. But if salt loses its taste, how will it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled on by people.

“You are light for the world. A city cannot be hidden when it is located on a hill. No one lights a lamp and puts it under a basket. Instead, everyone who lights a lamp puts it on a lamp stand. Then its light shines on everyone in the house. In the same way let your light shine in front of people. Then they will see the good that you do and praise your Father in heaven.

Jesus Fulfills the Old Testament Scriptures

5:17 “Don’t ever think that I came to set aside Moses’ Teachings or the Prophets. I didn’t come to set them aside but to make them come true. I can guarantee this truth: Until the earth and the heavens disappear, neither a period nor a comma will disappear from the Scriptures before everything has come true. So whoever sets aside any command that seems unimportant and teaches others to do the same will be unimportant in the kingdom of heaven. But whoever does and teaches what the commands say will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. I can guarantee that unless you live a life that has God’s approval and do it more faithfully than the experts in Moses’ Teachings and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.

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Shine Jesus Shine (from the Indian released album Shine) Lyric Video – Graham Kendrick

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Prayer: ACNA | BCP2019

+ O God, our heavenly Father, you manifested your love by sending your only-begotten Son into the world, that all might live through him: Pour out your Spirit on your Church, that we may fulfill his command to preach the Gospel to all people. Send forth laborers into your harvest; defend them in all dangers and temptations; and hasten the time when the fullness of the Gentiles shall be gathered in, and faithful Israel shall be saved; through your Son 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.

Thomas à Kempis
+ Our God, in whom we trust: Strengthen us not to regard overmuch who is for us or who is against us, but to see to it that we be with you in everything we do. 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 27 Sep 2024: Psalm 124; Esther 2:1-23; Acts 12:20-25 ~ God has positioned you on purpose.

After Pentecost | Friday 27 Sep 2024

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

Opening:

Mordecai had raised Hadassah,
also known as Esther, his uncle’s daughter,
because she was an orphan.
(Esther 2:7)

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From Psalms: Psalm 124 // He’s On Our Side (Psalm 124) | Wendell Kimbrough (feat. Jason Pears)

Our help has come in the Name of the Lord
The One who formed all the earth and the sky
Behold, He comes to destroy the chains of death
And raise us up to life.

O bless his name for he has given us
Everything we need to fly
Our broken wings, they have not hindered us.
We have the Lord; He’s on our side!

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OT Reading: Esther 2:1-23 (GW)

Esther Becomes Queen

2:1 Later, when King Xerxes got over his raging anger, he remembered Vashti, what she had done, and what had been decided against her.

So the king’s personal staff said to him, “Search for attractive young virgins for the king. And appoint scouts in all the provinces of your kingdom to gather all the attractive young virgins and bring them to the fortress of Susa, to the women’s quarters. There, in the care of the king’s eunuch Hegai, the guardian of the women, they will have their beauty treatment. Then the young woman who pleases you, Your Majesty, will become queen instead of Vashti.”

The king liked the suggestion, and so he did just that.

In the fortress of Susa there was a Jew from the tribe of Benjamin named Mordecai. He was the son of Jair, the grandson of Shimei, and the great-grandson of Kish. (Kish had been taken captive from Jerusalem together with the others who had gone into exile along with Judah’s King Jehoiakin, whom King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon had carried away.) Mordecai had raised Hadassah, also known as Esther, his uncle’s daughter, because she was an orphan. The young woman had a beautiful figure and was very attractive. When her father and mother died, Mordecai adopted her as his own daughter.

When the king’s announcement and decree were heard, many young women were gathered together and brought to the fortress of Susa. They were placed in the care of Hegai. Esther also was taken to the king’s palace and placed in the care of Hegai, the guardian of the women. The young woman pleased him and won his affection. So he immediately provided her with the beauty treatment, a daily supply of food, and seven suitable female servants from the king’s palace. Then he moved her and her servants to the best place in the women’s quarters.

Esther did not reveal her nationality or her family background, because Mordecai had ordered her not to. Every day Mordecai would walk back and forth in front of the courtyard of the women’s quarters to find out how Esther was and what was happening to her.

Each young woman had her turn to go to King Xerxes after she had completed the required 12-month treatment for women. The time of beauty treatment was spent as follows: six months using oil of myrrh and six months using perfumes and other treatments for women.

After that, the young woman would go to the king. Anything she wanted to take with her from the women’s quarters to the king’s palace was given to her. She would go in the evening and come back in the morning to the other quarters for women. There she would be in the care of the king’s eunuch Shaashgaz, the guardian of the concubines. She never went to the king again unless the king desired her and requested her by name.

(Esther was the daughter of Abihail, Mordecai’s uncle. Mordecai had adopted her as his own daughter.)

When Esther’s turn came to go to the king, she asked only for what the king’s eunuch Hegai, the guardian of the women, advised. Everyone who saw Esther liked her. So Esther was taken to King Xerxes in his royal palace in the month of Tebeth, the tenth month, in the seventh year of his reign.

Now, the king loved Esther more than all the other women and favored her over all the other virgins. So he put the royal crown on her head and made her queen instead of Vashti. Then the king held a great banquet for Esther. He invited all his officials and his advisers. He also declared that day a holiday in the provinces, and he handed out gifts from his royal generosity.

Mordecai Saves the King’s Life

12:19 When the virgins were gathered a second time, Mordecai was sitting at the king’s gate. Esther still had not revealed her family background or nationality, as Mordecai had ordered her. Esther always did whatever Mordecai told her, as she did when she was a child.

In those days, while Mordecai was sitting at the king’s gate, Bigthan and Teresh, two of the king’s eunuchs who guarded the entrance, became angry and planned to kill King Xerxes. But Mordecai found out about it and informed Queen Esther. Then Esther told the king, on behalf of Mordecai. When the report was investigated and found to be true, the dead bodies of Bigthan and Teresh were hung on a pole. The matter was written up in the king’s presence in his official record of daily events.

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While I Wait | Lincoln Brewster // Integrity Music

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NT Reading: Acts 12:20-25 (GW)

12:20 Herod was very angry with the people of Tyre and Sidon. They were going to meet with Herod. They had agreed on what they wanted to do: They enlisted the help of Blastus to ask Herod for terms of peace. This was because their cities depended on Herod for their food supply. (Blastus was in charge of the king’s living quarters.)

The appointed day came. Herod, wearing his royal clothes, sat on his throne and began making a speech to them. The people started shouting, “The voice of a god and not of a man!”

Immediately, an angel from the Lord killed Herod for not giving glory to God. Herod was eaten by maggots, and he died.

But God’s word continued to spread and win many followers.

Barnabas and Saul Travel to Cyprus

12:25 After Barnabas and Saul delivered the contribution ⌞to the leaders in Jerusalem⌟, they returned ⌞to Antioch⌟ from Jerusalem. They brought John Mark with them.

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I Am With You Always | Judy Reidinger Music

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Prayer: ACNA | BCP2019

+ O God, almighty and merciful, you heal the broken-hearted, and turn the sadness of the sorrowful to joy, Let your fatherly goodness be upon all whom you have made. Remember in pity all those who are this day destitute, homeless, elderly, infirm, or forgotten. Bless the multitude of your poor. Lift up those who are cast down. Mightily befriend innocent sufferers, and sanctify to them the endurance of their wrongs. Cheer with hope all who are discouraged and downcast, and by your heavenly grace preserve from falling those whose poverty tempts them to sin. Though they be troubled on every side, suffer them not to be distressed; though they are perplexed, save them from despair. Grant this, O Lord, for the love of him who for our sakes became poor, your Son our Savior Jesus Christ. 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.

Thomas à Kempis
+ Our God, in whom we trust: Strengthen us not to regard overmuch who is for us or who is against us, but to see to it that we be with you in everything we do. 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 26 Sep 2024: Psalm 124; Esther 1:1-21; Acts 4:13-31 ~ Pray for God’s power to speak boldly.

After Pentecost | Thursday 26 Sep 2024

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

Opening:

“All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit
and continued to speak God’s word boldly.”
(Acts 4:31)

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From Psalms: Psalm 124 // Had It Not Been The Lord // The ZOE Group

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OT Reading: Esther 1:1-21 (GW)

Queen Vashti Disobeys King Xerxes

1:1 In the days of Xerxes the following events took place. This was the same Xerxes who ruled over 127 provinces from India to Sudan. At the time when King Xerxes sat on the royal throne in the fortress of Susa, he held a banquet in the third year of his reign. The banquet was for all his officials and advisers, that is, the military officers of the Persians and Medes, the nobles and officials of the provinces who had access to him. He showed them the enormous wealth of his kingdom and the costly splendor of his greatness for many days, 180 to be exact. When those days were over, the king held a banquet lasting seven days. This banquet was held in the enclosed garden of the king’s palace for all people in the fortress of Susa, whatever their rank.

The garden had white and violet linen curtains. These curtains were attached to silver rods and marble pillars by cords made of white and purple fine linen. Gold and silver couches were on a mosaic pavement of purple rock, white marble, pearl-like stone, and black marble. People drank from golden cups. No two cups were alike. The king also provided plenty of royal wine out of his royal generosity. The drinking followed this rule: Drink as you please. (The king had ordered all the waiters in his palace to let everyone do as he pleased.)

Queen Vashti also held a banquet for the women at the royal palace of King Xerxes.

On the seventh day when the king was drunk on wine, he ordered Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, Abagtha, Zethar, and Carcas, the seven eunuchs who served under King Xerxes, to bring Queen Vashti in front of the king, wearing her royal crown. He wanted to show the people, especially the officials, her beauty, because she was very attractive. But Queen Vashti refused the king’s command that the eunuchs delivered to her. As a result, the king became very angry, and his rage burned inside him.

Now, the king usually asked for advice from all the experts in royal decrees and decisions, from those closest to him—Carshena, Shethar, Admatha, Tarshish, Meres, Marsena, and Memucan. These seven officials of the Persians and Medes had access to the king and held the highest rank in the kingdom. The king asked these wise men who knew the times, “According to the royal decrees, what must we do with Queen Vashti since she did not obey King Xerxes’ command, which the eunuchs delivered?”

Then Memucan spoke up in the presence of the king and the officials, “Queen Vashti has done wrong, not only against the king but also against all the officials and all the people in every province of King Xerxes. The news of what the queen has done will spread to all women, and they will despise their husbands. They will say, ‘King Xerxes ordered Queen Vashti to be brought to him, but she would not come.’ Today the wives of the officials in Persia and Media who have heard what the queen did will talk back to all the king’s officials. There will be contempt and short tempers. If it pleases you, Your Majesty, issue a royal decree. It should be recorded in the decrees of the Persians and Medes, never to be repealed, that Vashti may never again appear in front of King Xerxes. Furthermore, Your Majesty, you should give her royal position to another woman who is more worthy than she. When you issue your decree, your whole kingdom, great as it is, will hear it. Then all the wives will honor their husbands, regardless of their status.”

The king and his officials approved of this, and so the king did as Memucan suggested.

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Show your power (He is the Lord) – Catshill Baptist Church

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NT Reading: Acts 4:13-31 (GW)

4:13 After they found out that Peter and John had no education or special training, they were surprised to see how boldly they spoke. They realized that these men had been with Jesus. When they saw the man who was healed standing with Peter and John, they couldn’t say anything against the two apostles. So they ordered Peter and John to leave the council room and began to discuss the matter among themselves. They said, “What should we do to these men? Clearly, they’ve performed a miracle that everyone in Jerusalem knows about. We can’t deny that. So let’s threaten them. Let’s tell them that they must never speak to anyone about the one named Jesus. Then the news about the miracle that they have performed will not spread any further among the people.”

They called Peter and John and ordered them never to teach about Jesus or even mention his name.

Peter and John answered them, “Decide for yourselves whether God wants people to listen to you rather than to him. We cannot stop talking about what we’ve seen and heard.”

The authorities threatened them even more and then let them go. Since all the people were praising God for what had happened, the authorities couldn’t find any way to punish Peter and John. (The man who was healed by this miracle was over 40 years old.)

The Apostles and Other Believers Pray for God’s Help

4:23 When Peter and John were released, they went to their own people and told them everything the chief priests and leaders had said. When they heard this, they were united and loudly prayed to God, “Master, you made the sky, the land, the sea, and everything in them. You said through the Holy Spirit, who spoke through your servant David (our ancestor),

‘Why do the nations act arrogantly?
Why do their people devise useless plots?
Kings take their stand.
Rulers make plans together
against the Lord and against his Messiah.’

“In this city Herod and Pontius Pilate made plans together with non-Jewish people and the people of Israel. They made their plans against your holy servant Jesus, whom you anointed. Through your will and power, they did everything that you had already decided should be done.

“Lord, pay attention to their threats now, and allow us to speak your word boldly. Show your power by healing, performing miracles, and doing amazing things through the power and the name of your holy servant Jesus.”

When they had finished praying, their meeting place shook. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak God’s word boldly.

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In Jesus’ Name | Darlene Zschech

+God is fighting for us
God is on our side
He has overcome
Yes, He has overcome
We will not be shaken
We will not be moved
Jesus, You are here

+Carrying our burdens
Covering our shame
He has overcome
Yes, He has overcome
We will not be shaken
We will not be moved
Jesus, You are here

+I will live, I will not die
The resurrection power of Christ
Alive in me and I am free
In Jesus’ name

+I will live, I will not die
I will declare and lift You high
Christ revealed and I am healed
In Jesus’ name

+In the name of Jesus
In the name of Jesus, ooh
Oooh
Everything’s changing

God is fighting for us
Pushing back the darkness
Lighting up the Kingdom
That cannot be shaken
In the name of Jesus
Enemy’s defeated
And we will shout it out
Shout it out

+God is fighting for us
Pushing back the darkness
Lighting up the Kingdom
That cannot be shaken
In the name of Jesus
Enemy’s defeated
And we will shout it out
Shout it out

+And we will shout it out
Shout it out

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Prayer: ACNA | BCP2019

+ O God, you desire that all people be saved and come to knowledge of the truth: Prosper all those who live, preach, and teach the Gospel at home and in distant lands [especially in The Holy Land]; protect them in all perils, support them in their loneliness, sustain them in the hour of trial; give them your abundant grace to bear faithful witness; and endue them with burning zeal and love, that they may turn many to righteousness; 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.

+ Almighty God our Savior: 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.

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 | Wednesday 25 Sep 2024: Psalm 128; Ecclesiastes 5:1-20; John 8:21-38 ~ Live by what Jesus says.

After Pentecost | Wednesday 25 Sep 2024

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

Opening:

“You will know the truth,
and the truth will set you free.”
(John 8:32)

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From Psalms: Psalm 128 // “Psalm of Ascent” | An original song based on Psalm 128 // First Christian Church – Decatur, IL

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OT Reading: Ecclesiastes 5:1-20 (GW)

Don’t Daydream or Speak Carelessly When You Worship
5:1 Watch your step when you go to the house of God. It is better to go there and listen than to bring the sacrifices fools bring. Fools are unaware that they are doing ⌞something⌟ evil.

Don’t be in a hurry to talk. Don’t be eager to speak in the presence of God. Since God is in heaven and you are on earth, limit the number of your words.

Daydreaming comes when there are too many worries.

Careless speaking comes when there are too many words.

When you make a promise to God, don’t be slow to keep it because God doesn’t like fools. Keep your promise. It is better not to make a promise than to make one and not keep it. Don’t let your mouth talk you into committing a sin. Don’t say in the presence of a ⌞temple⌟ messenger, “My promise was a mistake!” Why should God become angry at your excuse and destroy what you’ve accomplished?

In spite of many daydreams, pointless actions, and empty words, you should still fear God.

Corrupt Officials Have Corrupt Officials over Them
5:8 Don’t be surprised if you see poor people being oppressed, denied justice, or denied their rights in any district. One authority is watching over another, and they both have authorities watching over them. Yet, a king is an advantage for a country with cultivated fields.

The Value of Money
5:10 Whoever loves money will never be satisfied with money. Whoever loves wealth will never be satisfied with more income. Even this is pointless. As the number of goods increase, so do the number of people who consume them. What do owners gain ⌞from all their goods⌟ except ⌞the opportunity⌟ to look at them?

The sleep of working people is sweet, whether they eat a little or a lot. But the full stomachs that rich people have will not allow them to sleep.

Economic Ruin
5:13 There is a painful tragedy that I have seen under the sun: Riches lead to the downfall of those who hoard them. These hoarded riches were then lost in bad business deals. The owners had children, but now they have nothing to give them. They came from their mother’s womb naked. They will leave as naked as they came. They won’t even be able to take a handful of their earnings with them from all their hard work.

This also is a painful tragedy: They leave exactly as they came. What advantage do they gain from working so hard for the wind? They spend their entire lives in darkness, in constant frustration, sickness, and resentment.

Conclusion: God Alone Gives Contentment
5:18 At last I have seen what is good and beautiful: It is to eat and drink and to enjoy the good in all our hard work under the sun during the brief lives God gives us. That is our lot ⌞in life⌟. It is a gift from God when God gives some people wealth and possessions, the power to enjoy them, ⌞the ability⌟ to accept their lot in life, and ⌞the ability⌟ to rejoice in their own hard work. These people won’t give much thought to their brief lives because God keeps them occupied with the joy in their hearts.

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Goodness Of God ~ Bethel Music // Music Meets Heaven

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NT Reading: John 8:21-38 (GW)

8:21 Jesus spoke to the Pharisees again. He said, “I’m going away, and you’ll look for me. But you will die because of your sin. You can’t go where I’m going.”

Then the Jews asked, “Is he going to kill himself? Is that what he means when he says, ‘You can’t go where I’m going’?”

Jesus said to them, “You’re from below. I’m from above. You’re from this world. I’m not from this world. For this reason I told you that you’ll die because of your sins. If you don’t believe that I am the one, you’ll die because of your sins.”

The Jews asked him, “Who did you say you are?”

Jesus told them, “I am who I said I was from the beginning. I have a lot I could say about you and a lot I could condemn you for. But the one who sent me is true. So I tell the world exactly what he has told me.” (The Jews didn’t know that he was talking to them about the Father.)

So Jesus told them, “When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you’ll know that I am the one and that I can’t do anything on my own. Instead, I speak as the Father taught me. Besides, the one who sent me is with me. He hasn’t left me by myself. I always do what pleases him.”

As Jesus was saying this, many people believed in him. So Jesus said to those Jews who believed in him, “If you live by what I say, you are truly my disciples. You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

They replied to Jesus, “We are Abraham’s descendants, and we’ve never been anyone’s slaves. So how can you say that we will be set free?”

Jesus answered them, “I can guarantee this truth: Whoever lives a sinful life is a slave to sin. A slave doesn’t live in the home forever, but a son does. So if the Son sets you free, you will be absolutely free. I know that you’re Abraham’s descendants. However, you want to kill me because you don’t like what I’m saying. What I’m saying is what I have seen in my Father’s presence. But you do what you’ve heard from your father.”

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Who You Say I Am | Hillsong Worship

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Prayer: ACNA | BCP2019

Thomas Aquinas
+ Give us, O Lord, steadfast hearts, which no unworthy thought can drag down; unconquered hearts, which no tribulation can wear out; upright hearts, which no unworthy purpose can tempt aside. Bestow upon us understanding to know you, diligence to seek you, wisdom to find you, and faithfulness that finally may embrace you. 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.

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 | Tuesday 24 Sep 2024: Psalm 128; Ecclesiastes 4:9-16; James 5:1-6 ~ Live with God’s judgement in mind.

After Pentecost | Tuesday 24 Sep 2024

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

Opening:

“Pay attention to this if you’re rich.
Cry and moan about the misery
that is coming to you.”
(James 5:1)

__________

From Psalms: Psalm 128 // Poor Bishop Hooper

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OT Reading: Ecclesiastes 4:9-16 (GW)

Two Are Better Than One
4:9 Two people are better than one because ⌞together⌟ they have a good reward for their hard work. If one falls, the other can help his friend get up. But how tragic it is for the one who is ⌞all⌟ alone when he falls. There is no one to help him get up. Again, if two people lie down together, they can keep warm, but how can one person keep warm? Though one person may be overpowered by another, two people can resist one opponent. A triple-braided rope is not easily broken.

Rulers and Fickle Citizens
4:13 A young man who is poor and wise is better than an old, foolish king who won’t take advice any longer.

A young man came out of prison to rule as king, even though he had been born in poverty in that same kingdom. I saw all living people moving about under the sun. They sided with the second young man, the king’s successor. There was no end to all those people, everyone whom he led. But those who will come later will not be happy with the successor. Even this is pointless. ⌞It’s like⌟ trying to catch the wind.

__________

His Name Is Jesus – Phil Wickham // Holy Spirit Music

__________

NT Reading: James 5:1-6 (GW)

Advice to Rich People
5:1 Pay attention to this if you’re rich. Cry and moan about the misery that is coming to you. Your riches have decayed, and your clothes have been eaten by moths. Your gold and silver are corroded, and their corrosion will be used as evidence against you. Like fire, it will destroy your body.

You have stored up riches in these last days. The wages you refused to pay the people who harvested your fields shout ⌞to God⌟ against you. The Lord of Armies has heard the cries of those who gather the crops. You have lived in luxury and pleasure here on earth. You have fattened yourselves for the day of slaughter. You have condemned and murdered people who have God’s approval, even though they didn’t resist you.

__________

Fear Of God // Brooke Ligertwood

Satan roams like a roaring lion, seeking to devour us but
The fear of God will keep us
Let him keep scheming, let him keep trying
He knows the hour is near but
The fear of God will keep us, the fear of God will keep us

In the blink of an eye and a trumpet sound
We will be changed by a supernatural power
So lift up your voice if God’s called you too
While we’re still here we’ve got work to do

Satan roams like a roaring lion, seeking to devour us but
The fear of god will keep us
Hold to what lasts and keep your lamp lit
Stand in the knowledge of this
The fear of God will keep us, the fear of God will keep us

In the blink of an eye and a flash of light
The trumpet sounds and the dead will rise
The mortal clothed immortal in his name
Lift up your voice if you’ve been saved
By the blood of the lamb who forever will reign

1 2 3 4
We may not win every battle but He wins the war
5 6 7 8
Christ is coming and there’s only so long He’ll wait

In the blink of an eye and a trumpet sound
We will be changed
The mortal clothed immortal in His name
So lift up your voice if He’s called you too
While we’re still here we’ve got work to do

He’s coming with a trumpet sound
He’s coming with a flash of light
He’s coming for a pure and spotless blood-washed bride

Satan roams like a roaring lion, seeking to devour us but
The fear of god will keep us

__________

Prayer: ACNA | BCP2019

+ 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.

Thomas à Kempis
+ Our God, in whom we trust: Strengthen us not to regard overmuch who is for us or who is against us, but to see to it that we be with you in everything we do. 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.

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