Tag: Morning Prayer

Saturday Morning, 13 Jul 2019 – 2 Peter 1:1-11 ~ Make every effort to respond to God’s promises.

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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Reading from the Book of 2 Peter 1:1-11 (NLT)

Greetings from Peter

This letter is from Simon Peter, a slave and apostle of Jesus Christ.

I am writing to you who share the same precious faith we have. This faith was given to you because of the justice and fairness of Jesus Christ, our God and Savior.

May God give you more and more grace and peace as you grow in your knowledge of God and Jesus our Lord.

Growing in Faith

By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence. And because of his glory and excellence, he has given us great and precious promises. These are the promises that enable you to share his divine nature and escape the world’s corruption caused by human desires.

In view of all this, make every effort to respond to God’s promises. Supplement your faith with a generous provision of moral excellence, and moral excellence with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with patient endurance, and patient endurance with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love for everyone.

The more you grow like this, the more productive and useful you will be in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But those who fail to develop in this way are shortsighted or blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their old sins.

So, dear brothers and sisters, work hard to prove that you really are among those God has called and chosen. Do these things, and you will never fall away. Then God will give you a grand entrance into the eternal Kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
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Morning Reflection:

Make every effort to respond to God’s promises.

By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life.
– 2 Peter 1:3 –

Peter’s Second Letter has the marks of a “spiritual” last will and testament. His purpose was to encourage believers to grow in faith, even as the world around them became more unbelieving (apostate). His counsel speaks to our need today – to grow in godliness as strangers and aliens living in an unbelieving world.

Peter reminds us that God has given us all we need to live godly lives, specifically his Word and his Spirit. God’s Word is filled with God’s promises and God’s Spirit reminds us of these promises and applies them to our lives when we need them most. There is power in the promises of God because they are backed by the power of God himself.

+ God’s promises are mediated through God’s Son, Jesus Christ – the more we know of him and grow in him, the more these promises are realized in our lives.

+ God’s nature becomes infused in our lives the more we know of Christ and the more we become united with him through faith.

Peter views “godliness” as a choice – actually, a series of choices – to love what God loves, or to love what the world loves. Here are the godly choices Peter sets before us –

“Supplement your faith with a generous provision of moral excellence,
and moral excellence with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control,
and self-control with patient endurance, and patient endurance with godliness,
and godliness with brotherly affection,
and brotherly affection with love for everyone.”
– 2 Peter 1:5-7 –

Christlikeness is the goal of growing in godliness. Peter says we have everything we need to do just that.

Questions for consideration:

  • Do you think of yourself as a godly person? Please explain.
  • God’s Word and Spirit are the powerful means given us to grow in godliness. What role do they play in shaping your life?
  • When you review the choices Peter sets before us, where do you need to grow? What would have to change to make that possible? Please explain.
  • As a Christian, what do you want your children to know about your faith? What have you learned about living a godly life? What example have you set for them? Please explain.

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Morning Prayer:

Prayer for Grace to Seek God in Every Way: (Benedict of Nursia)

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

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“Standing on the Promises” – Christian Gospel Choir

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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

4th Sunday after Pentecost, 07 Jul 2019: Luke 10:1-20 ~ “Heal the sick, and tell them, ‘The Kingdom of God is near you now.’”

Fourth Sunday after Pentecost

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

Opening Prayer:

Boundless, O God, is your saving power; your harvest reaches to the ends of the earth.

Fill our hearts with zeal for your kingdom and place on our lips the tidings of peace. Grant us perseverance as heralds of the gospel and joy as disciples of your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God for ever and ever. Amen.
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“In the Cross of Christ I Glory” – Grace Community Church – Sun Valley, California

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A Reading from the Gospels: Luke 10:1-20 (NLT)

Jesus Sends Out His Disciples

The Lord now chose seventy-two other disciples and sent them ahead in pairs to all the towns and places he planned to visit. These were his instructions to them: “The harvest is great, but the workers are few. So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into his fields. Now go, and remember that I am sending you out as lambs among wolves. Don’t take any money with you, nor a traveler’s bag, nor an extra pair of sandals. And don’t stop to greet anyone on the road.

“Whenever you enter someone’s home, first say, ‘May God’s peace be on this house.’ If those who live there are peaceful, the blessing will stand; if they are not, the blessing will return to you. Don’t move around from home to home. Stay in one place, eating and drinking what they provide. Don’t hesitate to accept hospitality, because those who work deserve their pay.

“If you enter a town and it welcomes you, eat whatever is set before you. Heal the sick, and tell them, ‘The Kingdom of God is near you now.’ But if a town refuses to welcome you, go out into its streets and say, ‘We wipe even the dust of your town from our feet to show that we have abandoned you to your fate. And know this—the Kingdom of God is near!’ I assure you, even wicked Sodom will be better off than such a town on judgment day.

“What sorrow awaits you, Korazin and Bethsaida! For if the miracles I did in you had been done in wicked Tyre and Sidon, their people would have repented of their sins long ago, clothing themselves in burlap and throwing ashes on their heads to show their remorse. Yes, Tyre and Sidon will be better off on judgment day than you. And you people of Capernaum, will you be honored in heaven? No, you will go down to the place of the dead.”

Then he said to the disciples, “Anyone who accepts your message is also accepting me. And anyone who rejects you is rejecting me. And anyone who rejects me is rejecting God, who sent me.”

When the seventy-two disciples returned, they joyfully reported to him, “Lord, even the demons obey us when we use your name!”

“Yes,” he told them, “I saw Satan fall from heaven like lightning! Look, I have given you authority over all the power of the enemy, and you can walk among snakes and scorpions and crush them. Nothing will injure you. But don’t rejoice because evil spirits obey you; rejoice because your names are registered in heaven.”
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Intercession:

Gracious God: We come before you in Jesus’ name, that we might receive mercy and help in this our time of need. We pray especially:

+ That missionaries everywhere may courageously spread the good news of your Kingdom….
+ That listeners everywhere may welcome the good news of your Kingdom with great joy….
+ That violence and hatred may be defeated by love exhibited by believers everywhere….
+ That people at war with each other may make peace, with believers leading the way….
+ That visitors to our communities may receive hospitality from believers….
+ That the downhearted may find peace in your love and encouragement from believers….
+ That the sick may experience your healing, giving you all the glory….

Glorious and mighty God, you are ever willing to come to our help, hear our prayers and respond according to your loving-kindness and perfect will, through Christ our Lord. Amen.
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“Send the Light” – Altar of Praise Men’s Chorale

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Closing: – Psalm 66 (excerpts)

Let all the earth cry out to God with joy.

+ Shout joyfully to God, all the earth, sing praise to the glory of his name; proclaim his glorious praise. Say to God, “How tremendous are your deeds!”
+ Let all on earth worship and sing praise to you, sing praise to your name!” Come and see the works of God, He rules by his might forever.
+ Hear now, all you who fear God, while I declare what he has done for me. Blessed be God who refused me not my prayer or his loving-kindness!

Let all the earth cry out to God with joy.
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+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen

Saturday Morning, 06 Jul 2019 – 1 Peter 1:13-25 ~ Be holy in all you do.

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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Reading from the Book of 1 Peter 1:13-25 (NLT)

A Call to Holy Living

Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming. As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written:

“Be holy, because I am holy.”

Since you call on a Father who judges each person’s work impartially, live out your time as foreigners here in reverent fear. For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake. Through him you believe in God, who raised him from the dead and glorified him, and so your faith and hope are in God.

Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for each other, love one another deeply, from the heart. For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God. For,

“All people are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of the Lord endures forever.”

And this is the word that was preached to you.
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Morning Reflection:

Be holy in all you do.

“So prepare your minds for action and exercise self-control. Put all your hope in the gracious salvation that will come to you when Jesus Christ is revealed to the world.
So you must live as God’s obedient children.
Don’t slip back into your old ways of living to satisfy your own desires.
You didn’t know any better then. But now you must be holy in everything you do, just as God who chose you is holy. For the Scriptures say, “You must be holy because I am holy.”
– 1 Peter 1:13-16 –

In the first half of this chapter, Peter reminded us of who we are as believers: we have been chosen by God, cleansed by the blood of Jesus Christ, and made holy by the Spirit at work within us. In the second half of this chapter, Peter instructs us on holy living as God’s obedient children.

In essence, Peter is saying:

Pull yourself together and follow God’s Word and Spirit
in how you think, what you say, and what you do – after the example of Jesus.

It’s interesting to note that Peter wrote this letter in the mid 60s AD while imprisoned in Rome prior to his martyrdom. I mention this because the sober tone of this letter is quite different from the impulsive tone of Peter as depicted in the Gospels. Peter has changed – he has been transformed by the renewal of his mind. The Holy Spirit has brought to his memory all that Jesus taught him, and his life experiences of preaching, teaching, healing, and leading have proven the truth and power of God’s Word.

Questions for consideration:

  • How has your understanding of what it means to follow Jesus changed over the years? Do you feel closer to God, or more distant? Please explain.
  • Holiness has to do with being set apart to be used by God (consecrated). Do you view yourself a being set apart (a stranger) within the prevailing culture to be used by God? Please explain.
  • As a believer living a holy life in your culture, to what thoughts, words, or behavior do say, “No?” To what thoughts, words, or behavior do you say, “Yes?” Please explain.
  • The purpose of Bible study is to get to know God, and in the process to become more like him – to become more like Jesus, to grow in holiness. How is that working out for you? Are you involved in a Bible study? Are you becoming more Christ-like? Please explain.

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Morning Prayer:

Prayer for Holiness:

Holy God: By your grace you have chosen us and adopted us into your family through faith in your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. Transform us by the power of your Word and Spirit to become more like him – to become holy as you are holy.

  • Breathe in me Holy Spirit, that my thoughts may all be holy.
  • Act in me Holy Spirit, that my work, too, may be holy.
  • Draw my heart Holy Spirit, that I may love only what is holy.
  • Strengthen me Holy Spirit, that I may defend all that is holy.
  • Guard me so Holy Spirit, that I may always be holy.

I ask this in Jesus’ name, that I might draw closer to you. Amen.
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“Be Holy, For I Am Holy” – A Cappella

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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

3rd Sunday after Pentecost, 30 Jun 2019: Gal 5:1,13-25; Luke 9:51-62 ~ Free to put Jesus first!

Third Sunday after Pentecost

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

Opening Prayer:

Sovereign God, ruler of our hearts, you call us to obedience and sustain us in freedom. Keep us true to the way of your Son, that we may leave behind all that hinders us and, with eyes fixed on him, walk surely in the path of the kingdom, where he lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever. Amen.
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“I am Free” – Newsboys

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A Reading from the New Testament: Gal 5:1,13-25 (NLT)

Freedom in Christ

So Christ has truly set us free. Now make sure that you stay free, and don’t get tied up again in slavery to the law.
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For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love. For the whole law can be summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” But if you are always biting and devouring one another, watch out! Beware of destroying one another.

Living by the Spirit’s Power

So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves. The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions. But when you are directed by the Spirit, you are not under obligation to the law of Moses.

When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God.

But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!

Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there. Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives.
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A Reading from the Gospels: Luke 9:51-62 (NLT)

Opposition from Samaritans

As the time drew near for him to ascend to heaven, Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem. He sent messengers ahead to a Samaritan village to prepare for his arrival. But the people of the village did not welcome Jesus because he was on his way to Jerusalem. When James and John saw this, they said to Jesus, “Lord, should we call down fire from heaven to burn them up?” But Jesus turned and rebuked them. So they went on to another village.

The Cost of Following Jesus

As they were walking along, someone said to Jesus, “I will follow you wherever you go.”

But Jesus replied, “Foxes have dens to live in, and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place even to lay his head.”

He said to another person, “Come, follow me.”

The man agreed, but he said, “Lord, first let me return home and bury my father.”

But Jesus told him, “Let the spiritually dead bury their own dead! Your duty is to go and preach about the Kingdom of God.”

Another said, “Yes, Lord, I will follow you, but first let me say good-bye to my family.”

But Jesus told him, “Anyone who puts a hand to the plow and then looks back is not fit for the Kingdom of God.”
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Intercession:

Almighty God: You have created a new people for Your very own possession through faith in Your Son, Jesus Christ. And, You have set us free from sin and shame to love and serve You and to live as citizens of Your coming Kingdom through the power of Your Spirit at work in us. Hear our prayer, gracious God, for all those who follow Jesus –

+ That all church leaders may faithfully and courageously proclaim the coming of Your Kingdom….
+ That all church leaders may receive the gifts they need for the ministries You have given them….
+ That all believers may follow Jesus wholeheartedly as guided and empowered by Your Spirit….
+ That all believers may grow in grace and visibly demonstrate the good fruit of Your Spirit in their lives….
+ That all who are fearful and anxious may receive Your support through the loving-kindness of believing friends….
+ That all believers suffering persecution may be delivered from evil and receive help, healing and hope….
+ That all believers on vacation may travel safely and be renewed by the wonders that You show them….
+ That all believers may receive Your mercy and help where we need it most….

Almighty God, our Refuge and our Strength: Hear our prayers and work Your perfect will in our lives, we ask through Christ our Lord. Amen.
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“No Longer Slaves” – Jonathan David & Melissa Helser

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Closing: – Psalm 16 (excerpts)

You are my inheritance, O Lord. Keep me, O God, for in you I take refuge…
You are my inheritance, O Lord. I bless the LORD who counsels me…
You are my inheritance, O Lord. Therefore my heart is glad and my soul rejoices…
You are my inheritance, O Lord. You will show me the path to life…

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

Saturday Morning, 29 Jun 2019 – James 2:1-13 ~ Faith and Favoritism

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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Reading from the Book of James 2:1-13 (NLT)

A Warning against Prejudice

My dear brothers and sisters, how can you claim to have faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ if you favor some people over others?

For example, suppose someone comes into your meeting dressed in fancy clothes and expensive jewelry, and another comes in who is poor and dressed in dirty clothes. If you give special attention and a good seat to the rich person, but you say to the poor one, “You can stand over there, or else sit on the floor”—well, doesn’t this discrimination show that your judgments are guided by evil motives?

Listen to me, dear brothers and sisters. Hasn’t God chosen the poor in this world to be rich in faith? Aren’t they the ones who will inherit the Kingdom he promised to those who love him? But you dishonor the poor! Isn’t it the rich who oppress you and drag you into court? Aren’t they the ones who slander Jesus Christ, whose noble name you bear?

Yes indeed, it is good when you obey the royal law as found in the Scriptures: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” But if you favor some people over others, you are committing a sin. You are guilty of breaking the law.

For the person who keeps all of the laws except one is as guilty as a person who has broken all of God’s laws. For the same God who said, “You must not commit adultery,” also said, “You must not murder.” So if you murder someone but do not commit adultery, you have still broken the law.

So whatever you say or whatever you do, remember that you will be judged by the law that sets you free. There will be no mercy for those who have not shown mercy to others. But if you have been merciful, God will be merciful when he judges you.
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Morning Reflection:

Faith and Favoritism

My dear brothers and sisters, how can you claim to have faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ
if you favor some people over others?
–  James 2:1 –

In today’s reading, James comes right to the point: Showing personal favoritism is inconsistent for Christians who worship the glorious Lord Jesus Christ. The example offered is preferential seating of the rich and powerful at Christian gatherings.

In regard to the poor:

+ God has chosen the believing poor to be rich in faith.
+ The believing poor will inherit the Kingdom of God.

In regard to the rich:

+ The unbelieving rich oppress the poor.
+ The unbelieving rich slander Jesus Christ.

The problem of showing favoritism in Christian assemblies is that it treats people exactly opposite to the way God treats them.

Questions for consideration:

  • Can you think of examples where the rich and powerful have been given preferential treatment at Christian gatherings? Please explain.
  • Can you think of examples of people who expect preferential treatment at Christian assemblies? Please explain.
  • Does focusing a church’s ministry on one segment of the population, e.g. youth, or community leaders, amount to showing them preferential treatment? Please explain.
  • Can you think of people in your Christian assembly who are marginalized, e.g. poor, sick, or elderly? How can you show them courtesy and compassion? Please explain.

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Morning Prayer:

Prayer for the Poor and Powerless:

Heavenly Father: We pray especially today for the poor and powerless whom you hold close to your heart. Open our hearts to receive them as you do – rich in faith, though poor in worldly status. Fill us with compassion for the very young, the old, the disabled, the stranger – that we might honor them with our friendship and express our concern for them with acts of kindness and love. I ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen.

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“All the Poor and Powerless” – All Sons & Daughters

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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