One thing I have asked of the Lord, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life; to behold the beauty of the Lord and to seek Him in His temple.
Praise to You, Lord Jesus Christ, King of endless glory.
“For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. In those days when you pray, I will listen. If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me.” – Jeremiah 29:11-13 (NLT)
Proverbs 16:3 (NLT) – “Commit your actions to the Lord, and your plans will succeed.”
Sovereign Lord: You rule over heaven and earth; you see everything, and know everything. Even before I was born, you knew me and laid out a good plan for my life – a plan with a hope-filled future. You made me in your likeness for your own good purpose.
Lord, as the remainder of my life unfolds, guide me along your path for my success –
+ Examine my motives and grant me purity of heart
+ Rid me of my pride that I may have a humble, contrite heart
+ Cover my sin with your unfailing love and faithfulness
+ Fill me with proper respect that I may honor you in all I do
+ Keep me close to you that I may not run ahead, or lag behind
+ Provide me with wise counselors to help me avoid pitfalls along the way
Lord, my life is in your hands. Thank you for your loving-kindness to me over the years. Fill me with the joy of your Spirit, and continue to train me in godliness through Jesus Christ my Lord, who lives in unity with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
__________
May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you, wherever He may send you. May He guide you through the wilderness, 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 the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!
One thing I have asked of the Lord, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life; to behold the beauty of the Lord and to seek Him in His temple.
Praise to You, Lord Jesus Christ, King of endless glory.
Sovereign Lord: Today’s reading reminds us that you rule over all the nations of the earth; you tolerate allegiance to no other gods. You reward faithfulness and you punish apostasy; even your covenant people Israel could not escape your wrath.
Give us wisdom and understanding for our day as we read through these events of long ago. Our circumstances may be different, but you are the same – you never change. Lead us on the path of repentance and reform, that we may experience reprieve from the impending disaster unfolding in the world around us.
Apostasy leads to disaster
2 Kings 21:10-12 (NLT) – Then the Lord said through his servants the prophets: “King Manasseh of Judah has done many detestable things. He is even more wicked than the Amorites, who lived in this land before Israel. He has caused the people of Judah to sin with his idols. So this is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: I will bring such disaster on Jerusalem and Judah that the ears of those who hear about it will tingle with horror.
Repentance, Reprieve, and Reform
2 Kings 22:11, 18-20 (NLT) – When [King Josiah] heard what was written in the Book of the Law, he tore his clothes in despair.
_____
“But go to the king of Judah who sent you to seek the Lord and tell him: ‘This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says concerning the message you have just heard: You were sorry and humbled yourself before the Lord when you heard what I said against this city and its people—that this land would be cursed and become desolate. You tore your clothing in despair and wept before me in repentance. And I have indeed heard you, says the Lord. So I will not send the promised disaster until after you have died and been buried in peace. You will not see the disaster I am going to bring on this city.’”
2 Kings 23:1-3, 25 (NLT) – Then the king summoned all the elders of Judah and Jerusalem. And the king went up to the Temple of the Lord with all the people of Judah and Jerusalem, along with the priests and the prophets—all the people from the least to the greatest. There the king read to them the entire Book of the Covenant that had been found in the Lord’s Temple. The king took his place of authority beside the pillar and renewed the covenant in the Lord’s presence. He pledged to obey the Lord by keeping all his commands, laws, and decrees with all his heart and soul. In this way, he confirmed all the terms of the covenant that were written in the scroll, and all the people pledged themselves to the covenant.
_____
Never before had there been a king like Josiah, who turned to the Lord with all his heart and soul and strength, obeying all the laws of Moses. And there has never been a king like him since.
Relapse and the Fall of Jerusalem
2 Kings 24:19-20 (NLT) – Zedekiah did what was evil in the Lord’s sight, just as Jehoiakim had done. These things happened because of the Lord’s anger against the people of Jerusalem and Judah, until he finally banished them from his presence and sent them into exile.
_____
2 Kings 25:8-12 (NLT) – On August 14 of that year, which was the nineteenth year of King Nebuchadnezzar’s reign, Nebuzaradan, the captain of the guard and an official of the Babylonian king, arrived in Jerusalem. He burned down the Temple of the Lord, the royal palace, and all the houses of Jerusalem. He destroyed all the important buildings in the city. Then he supervised the entire Babylonian army as they tore down the walls of Jerusalem on every side. Then Nebuzaradan, the captain of the guard, took as exiles the rest of the people who remained in the city, the defectors who had declared their allegiance to the king of Babylon, and the rest of the population. But the captain of the guard allowed some of the poorest people to stay behind to care for the vineyards and fields.
Sovereign Lord: Your Kingdom is an everlasting kingdom – a kingdom of love and light – ushered into our world by your Son, Jesus Christ. Pour out your Spirit upon us; drive us to our knees in sorrow, humility and repentance for our apostasy in this our time. Turn the hearts of your people back to you, that we may seek you and your Kingdom first, above all else. And stay your hand of judgement, that we may tell your story to the nations, and that many may come to know your Son Jesus as their Savior and Lord. It’s in his name that I ask it. Amen.
__________
“We’ve A Story To Tell To The Nations” – Larry Lawson
May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you, wherever He may send you. May He guide you through the wilderness, 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 the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!
One thing I have asked of the Lord, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life; to behold the beauty of the Lord and to seek Him in His temple.
Praise to You, Lord Jesus Christ, King of endless glory.
“And they sang in a mighty chorus: “Worthy is the Lamb who was slaughtered — to receive power and riches and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and blessing.” – Revelation 5:12 (NLT)
Leviticus 22:31-33 (NLT) – “You must faithfully keep all my commands by putting them into practice, for I am the Lord.Do not bring shame on my holy name, for I will display my holiness among the people of Israel. I am the Lord who makes you holy. It was I who rescued you from the land of Egypt, that I might be your God. I am the Lord.”
A Worthy Offering
Leviticus 22:21 (NLT) – “If you present a peace offering to the Lord from the herd or the flock, whether it is to fulfill a vow or is a voluntary offering, you must offer a perfect animal. It may have no defect of any kind.
Lord Jesus Christ: You are the Lamb of God who has taken away the sins of the world. Your blood has ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation. Your death purchased my life; have mercy on me, and grant me your peace.
The Appointed Festivals
Leviticus 23:1-4 (NLT) – The Lord said to Moses, “Give the following instructions to the people of Israel. These are the Lord’s appointed festivals, which you are to proclaim as official days for holy assembly.
“You have six days each week for your ordinary work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath day of complete rest, an official day for holy assembly. It is the Lord’s Sabbath day, and it must be observed wherever you live.
“In addition to the Sabbath, these are the Lord’s appointed festivals, the official days for holy assembly that are to be celebrated at their proper times each year.
Passover and the Festival of Unleavened Bread
Celebration of First Harvest
The Festival of Harvest
The Festival of Trumpets
The Day of Atonement
The Festival of Shelters
Heavenly Father: You made the Sabbath a day for rest, reflection and worship. And, you established for us a weekly rhythm for work and rest. Forgive us for turning your Sabbath into a day for sports, hobbies, catching up on chores and shopping. Forgive us for ignoring your holy assemblies and neglecting the care of our own souls. Forgive us for running on empty, only to search frantically to satisfy our emptiness. Teach us that you alone can fill the emptiness within us; and restore among us a weekly rhythm of work and rest, with your holy assembly as the highlight of our week.
Just Punishment
Leviticus 24:15-16 (NLT) – Say to the people of Israel: Those who curse their God will be punished for their sin. Anyone who blasphemes the Name of the Lord must be stoned to death by the whole community of Israel. Any native-born Israelite or foreigner among you who blasphemes the Name of the Lord must be put to death.
Mighty God – Father, Son, and Spirit: You are exalted above all the nations, and your name is holy.
You love justice and have established fairness; you reign with righteousness and your kingdom has no end. Let all the nations praise your great and awesome name. Forgive our pervasive irreverence and ignorance in the use of your name. Restore us as “one nation under God” that we may honor and glorify your name – through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives with you in unity with the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
__________
May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you, wherever He may send you. May He guide you through the wilderness, 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 the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!
One thing I have asked of the Lord, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life; to behold the beauty of the Lord and to seek Him in His temple.
Praise to You, Lord Jesus Christ, King of endless glory.
Lord Jesus – I pray for your church around the world today, especially for those suffering oppression and great persecution. Protect your people, Lord; be their shield and defender against the anger and violence of hate-driven people. Provide for your people, Lord; supply their need for food, clothing and shelter, and give them safe havens for rest.
1 Thessalonians 1.2-3 (NLT) – We give thanks to God always for all of you, constantly mentioning you in our prayers, remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.
+ Thank you, Lord, for their faithfulness and steadfastness in the face of great opposition. I ask, Lord, that they might continue to labor in love, strengthened and empowered by your Spirit.
1 Thessalonians 2.7-8 (NLT) – But we were gentle among you, like a nursing mother taking care of her own children. So, being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you had become very dear to us.
+ Lord, I pray that the plight of our persecuted brothers and sisters might be taken to heart by your people around the world. Fill us with a passion to relieve their suffering by whatever means available to us.
1 Thessalonians 2.13 (NLT) – And we also thank God constantly for this, that when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men but as what it really is, the word of God, which is at work in you believers.
+ Lord, Pour out your Spirit that your written Word in Scripture might come alive in new, fresh ways. Accomplish your good works of grace, love, and peace in the hearts of all believers.
1 Thessalonians 3.11-13 (NLT) – Now may our God and Father himself, and our Lord Jesus, direct our way to you, and may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, as we do for you, so that he may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints.
Lord Jesus – Hold your people close to your heart – that we might increase in love for one another and persevere in godliness as we await your return with all the saints who have gone before us. Amen.
__________
“All the Poor and Powerless” – All Sons & Daughters
May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you, wherever He may send you. May He guide you through the wilderness, 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 the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!
One thing I have asked of the Lord, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life; to behold the beauty of the Lord and to seek Him in His temple.
Praise to You, Lord Jesus Christ, King of endless glory.
In today’s reading, we walk along with Jesus from his Trial and Crucifixion on Good Friday, through Easter and his Resurrection Appearances, to his Ascension into heaven. It speaks for itself.
Please read through it slowly.
Lord Jesus, send your Spirit to help us read the Scriptures with the same mind that you read them to the disciples on the way to Emmaus. In the light of the Word, written in the Bible, you helped them to discover the presence of God in the disturbing events of your sentence and death. Thus, the cross that seemed to be the end of all hope became for them the source of life and of resurrection.
Create in us silence so that we may listen to your voice in Creation and in the Scriptures, in events and in people, above all in the poor and suffering. May your word guide us so that we too, like the two disciples from Emmaus, may experience the force of your resurrection and witness to others that you are alive in our midst as source of fraternity, justice and peace. We ask this of you, Lord Jesus, who revealed to us the Father and sent us your Spirit. Amen.
May the peace of the Lord Christ go with you, wherever He may send you. May He guide you through the wilderness, 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 the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!
The Peanut Gallery 