Tag: Morning Reading

12th Day of Christmas: Sat, 05 Jan – Luke 2:36-40 ~ she talked about the child to everyone

12th Day of Christmas

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

Opening – Psalm 62:5-8 (NLT)

Let all that I am wait quietly before God, for my hope is in him. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress where I will not be shaken. My victory and honor come from God alone. He is my refuge, a rock where no enemy can reach me.

O my people, trust in him at all times. Pour out your heart to him, for God is our refuge.
__________

Morning Reading: Luke 2:36-40 (NLT) –

The Prophecy of Anna

Anna, a prophet, was also there in the Temple. She was the daughter of Phanuel from the tribe of Asher, and she was very old. Her husband died when they had been married only seven years. Then she lived as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the Temple but stayed there day and night, worshiping God with fasting and prayer. She came along just as Simeon was talking with Mary and Joseph, and she began praising God. She talked about the child to everyone who had been waiting expectantly for God to rescue Jerusalem.

When Jesus’ parents had fulfilled all the requirements of the law of the Lord, they returned home to Nazareth in Galilee. There the child grew up healthy and strong. He was filled with wisdom, and God’s favor was on him.
__________

Morning Prayer

Almighty God: Give us the discernment to apprehend the wonder of Christmas – the miracle of “God with us” embodied in the child, Jesus of Nazareth. Like Anna, we too wait expectantly for our rescue from the forces of darkness and evil. And like Anna, give us the boldness to tell everyone of his immanent return – “God with us” embodied in the King of glory, Jesus the Messiah. Then others will realize that they, too, can believe in him and receive eternal life. All honor and glory to God forever and ever! Amen.
__________

“Mary Did You Know” – Kathy Mattea

__________

Blessing – Titus 2:11-13 (NLT)

For the grace of God has been revealed, bringing salvation to all people. And we are instructed to turn from godless living and sinful pleasures. We should live in this evil world with wisdom, righteousness, and devotion to God, while we look forward with hope to that wonderful day when the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, will be revealed.
__________

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

2019 New Testament Reading Plan: Begins in 3 days!

2019 New Testament Reading Plan

On January 7th, we will begin reading through the New Testament – slowly – reading short sections each day for the entire year.

Our purpose is to allow time for us to “ponder” (Luke 2:19) what we are reading, and to consider what God may be saying to each one of us personally.

Definition of ponder

transitive verb

1 : to weigh in the mind : appraise pondered their chances of success
2 : to think about : reflect on pondered the events of the day

intransitive verb

: to think or consider especially quietly, soberly, and deeply

Our reading will begin with the Gospel of John and continue with the Book of Romans. Not to worry – we will read every book in the New Testament, although not necessarily in the order they appear in the Bible. Hopefully our reading order will help us better understand how God’s plan of salvation through Jesus Christ all fits together and applies to us today.

As you read along with us, may this prayer hold true –

Philippians 1:9-11 New Living Translation (NLT)

I pray that your love will overflow more and more, and that you will keep on growing in knowledge and understanding. For I want you to understand what really matters, so that you may live pure and blameless lives until the day of Christ’s return. May you always be filled with the fruit of your salvation—the righteous character produced in your life by Jesus Christ—for this will bring much glory and praise to God.

The Peanut Gallery

11th Day of Christmas: Fri, 04 Jan – Luke 2:21, 25-35 ~ a light to the nations

11th Day of Christmas

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

Opening – Psalm 62:5-8 (NLT)

Let all that I am wait quietly before God, for my hope is in him. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress where I will not be shaken. My victory and honor come from God alone. He is my refuge, a rock where no enemy can reach me.

O my people, trust in him at all times. Pour out your heart to him, for God is our refuge.
__________

Morning Reading: Luke 2:21, 25-35 (NLT) –

Jesus Is Presented in the Temple

Eight days later, when the baby was circumcised, he was named Jesus, the name given him by the angel even before he was conceived.

The Prophecy of Simeon

At that time there was a man in Jerusalem named Simeon. He was righteous and devout and was eagerly waiting for the Messiah to come and rescue Israel. The Holy Spirit was upon him and had revealed to him that he would not die until he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. That day the Spirit led him to the Temple. So when Mary and Joseph came to present the baby Jesus to the Lord as the law required, Simeon was there. He took the child in his arms and praised God, saying,

“Sovereign Lord, now let your servant die in peace, as you have promised. I have seen your salvation, which you have prepared for all people. He is a light to reveal God to the nations, and he is the glory of your people Israel!”

Jesus’ parents were amazed at what was being said about him. Then Simeon blessed them, and he said to Mary, the baby’s mother,

“This child is destined to cause many in Israel to fall, and many others to rise. He has been sent as a sign from God, but many will oppose him. As a result, the deepest thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your very soul.”

__________

Morning Prayer

Almighty God: To you all hearts are open, all desires known, and from you no secrets are hid. Shine the light of your salvation into our lives and reveal any darkness within us. Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you, and worthily magnify your holy Name, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
__________

“Nunc Dimittis” (Song of Simeon) – Helligaandskirken.

__________

Blessing – Titus 2:11-13 (NLT)

For the grace of God has been revealed, bringing salvation to all people. And we are instructed to turn from godless living and sinful pleasures. We should live in this evil world with wisdom, righteousness, and devotion to God, while we look forward with hope to that wonderful day when the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, will be revealed.
__________

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

2019 New Testament Reading Plan: Begins in 4 days!

2019 New Testament Reading Plan

On January 7th, we will begin reading through the New Testament – slowly – reading short sections each day for the entire year.

Our purpose is to allow time for us to “ponder” (Luke 2:19) what we are reading, and to consider what God may be saying to each one of us personally.

Definition of ponder

transitive verb

1 : to weigh in the mind : appraise pondered their chances of success
2 : to think about : reflect on pondered the events of the day

intransitive verb

: to think or consider especially quietly, soberly, and deeply

Our reading will begin with the Gospel of John and continue with the Book of Romans. Not to worry – we will read every book in the New Testament, although not necessarily in the order they appear in the Bible. Hopefully our reading order will help us better understand how God’s plan of salvation through Jesus Christ all fits together and applies to us today.

As you read along with us, may this prayer hold true –

Philippians 1:9-11 New Living Translation (NLT)

I pray that your love will overflow more and more, and that you will keep on growing in knowledge and understanding. For I want you to understand what really matters, so that you may live pure and blameless lives until the day of Christ’s return. May you always be filled with the fruit of your salvation—the righteous character produced in your life by Jesus Christ—for this will bring much glory and praise to God.

The Peanut Gallery

10th Day of Christmas: Thu, 03 Jan – Luke 2:8-20 ~ Good News and Great Joy for All

10th Day of Christmas

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

Opening – Psalm 62:5-8 (NLT)

Let all that I am wait quietly before God, for my hope is in him. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress where I will not be shaken. My victory and honor come from God alone. He is my refuge, a rock where no enemy can reach me.

O my people, trust in him at all times. Pour out your heart to him, for God is our refuge.
__________

Morning Reading: Luke 2:8-20 (NLT) –

The Shepherds and Angels

That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep. Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord’s glory surrounded them. They were terrified, but the angel reassured them. “Don’t be afraid!” he said. “I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger.”

Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others—the armies of heaven—praising God and saying,

“Glory to God in highest heaven,
and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased.”

When the angels had returned to heaven, the shepherds said to each other, “Let’s go to Bethlehem! Let’s see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”

They hurried to the village and found Mary and Joseph. And there was the baby, lying in the manger. After seeing him, the shepherds told everyone what had happened and what the angel had said to them about this child. All who heard the shepherds’ story were astonished, but Mary kept all these things in her heart and thought about them often. The shepherds went back to their flocks, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen. It was just as the angel had told them.
__________

Morning Prayer

Amazing God: Fill our lives with the Good News of great joy as we welcome the Savior of all into our lives. Astonish us with the wonder of his love, and quiet our hearts that we might ponder his glory, and live according to his Word. We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ, your Son and our Savior. Amen.
__________

“Angels We Have Heard On High” – Page CXVI

__________

Blessing – Titus 2:11-13 (NLT)

For the grace of God has been revealed, bringing salvation to all people. And we are instructed to turn from godless living and sinful pleasures. We should live in this evil world with wisdom, righteousness, and devotion to God, while we look forward with hope to that wonderful day when the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, will be revealed.
__________

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