+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Opening:
“Our holy God lives forever in the highest heavens, and this is what he says:
Though I live high above in the holy place,
I am here to help those who are humble and depend only on me.
Isaiah 57:15 (CEV)
Preparation:
Blessed Lord, who caused all Holy Scriptures to be written for our learning: Grant us so to hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them, that by patience and the comfort of your Holy Word we may embrace and ever hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life, which you have given us in our Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
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The New Cloverdale Psalter (2019 Update of 1535 Original)
Psalm 1
1 Blessed is the man who has not walked in the counsel of the ungodly, *
nor stood in the way of sinners, and has not sat in the seat of the scornful;
2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD, *
and on his law will he meditate day and night.
3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the waterside, *
that will bring forth his fruit in due season.
4 His leaf also shall not wither; *
and look, whatever he does, it shall prosper.
5 As for the ungodly, it is not so with them; *
but they are like the chaff, which the wind scatters away from the face of the earth.
6 Therefore the ungodly shall not be able to stand in the judgment, *
neither the sinners in the congregation of the righteous.
7 For the LORD knows the way of the righteous, *
but the way of the ungodly shall perish.
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God I Look To You – Bethel Music
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Contemporary English Version (CEV)
Proverbs 1:2-7
Proverbs will teach you wisdom and self-control…. You will learn what is right and honest and fair.
From these, an ordinary person can learn to be smart, and young people can gain knowledge and good sense.
If you are already wise, you will become even wiser. And if you are smart, you will learn to understand…
Respect and obey the Lord! This is the beginning of knowledge. Only a fool rejects wisdom and good advice.
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Consider:
Q: Do you enjoy reading and thinking about God’s Word?
Q: How has God’s Word changed your life for the good?
Q: Where do you need wisdom and self-control in your life?
Q: Where do you need to grow in obedience to God?
Heavenly Father, I come to You today to ask for wisdom and guidance in all that I do. I can only focus on the present and the past, but You know the future. So plan my path for me and help me make the best decisions I can – not only for myself but for my family and everyone around me. I thank You for listening to my prayer. In Jesus Name, Amen.
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“We Choose The Fear Of The Lord” – Maranatha! Music
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Blessing:
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.
+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Opening:
All-powerful God, your incarnate Word commands our obedience and offers us true life. Make our ears attentive to the voice of your Son and our hearts generous in answering his call,that we may take up the cross with trust in his promises. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever.Amen.
Follow the example of good men and women of old,
and God will comfort you and help you.
[ St Columba ]
Prepare to Pray:
Holy Spirit, breath of God and fire of love, I cannot pray without your aid: Kindle in me the fire of your love, and illumine me with your light; that with a steadfast will and holy thoughts I may approach the Father in spirit and in truth; through Jesus Christ my Lord, who reigns with you and the Father in eternal union. Amen.
Scripture Reading (CEV)
Psalm 120:1
When I am in trouble, I pray
Micah 4:1-2
In the future, the mountain with the Lord’s temple will be the highest of all. It will reach above the hills, and every nation will rush to it.
People of many nations will come and say, “Let’s go up to the mountain of the Lord God of Jacob and worship in his temple.”
The Lord will teach us his Law from Jerusalem, and we will obey him.
Luke 2:40-47
The child Jesus grew. He became strong and wise, and God blessed him.
. Every year Jesus’ parents went to Jerusalem for Passover. And when Jesus was twelve years old, they all went there as usual for the celebration. After Passover his parents left, but they did not know that Jesus had stayed on in the city. They thought he was traveling with some other people, and they went a whole day before they started looking for him. When they could not find him with their relatives and friends, they went back to Jerusalem and started looking for him there.
Three days later they found Jesus sitting in the temple, listening to the teachers and asking them questions. Everyone who heard him was surprised at how much he knew and at the answers he gave.
An Example*:
(The psalms we are using this month are the Psalms of Ascent used by pilgrims on their way to Jerusalem.)
All kinds of people go on pilgrimage of one sort or another, not all of them believers; it is a chance for things to move, to change, perhaps even for God to break into their lives.
Canterbury
…and they were pilgrims all that towards Canterbury meant to ride…
I soon was one of them in fellowship and promised to rise early and take the way to Canterbury. (Geoffrey Chaucer)
Prayer for Christ’s Presence with Us
Christ, as a light illumine and guide me. Christ, as a shield overshadow me. Christ under me; Christ over me; Christ beside me on my left and my right. This day be within and without me, lowly and meek, yet all-powerful. Be in the heart of each to whom I speak; in the mouth of each who speaks unto me. This day be within and without me, lowly and meek, yet all-powerful.
Good Morning Jerusalem – Joshua Aaron
A walk down Jaffa Street to the Old City of Jerusalem!
Take an early morning 30 min walk through Jerusalem – the City of God – the pilgrimage destination of the nations.
Closing
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.
+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Opening:
All-powerful God, your incarnate Word commands our obedience and offers us true life. Make our ears attentive to the voice of your Son and our hearts generous in answering his call,that we may take up the cross with trust in his promises. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever.Amen.
Follow the example of good men and women of old,
and God will comfort you and help you.
[ St Columba ]
Prepare to Pray:
Holy Spirit, breath of God and fire of love, I cannot pray without your aid: Kindle in me the fire of your love, and illumine me with your light; that with a steadfast will and holy thoughts I may approach the Father in spirit and in truth; through Jesus Christ my Lord, who reigns with you and the Father in eternal union. Amen.
Scripture Reading (CEV)
Psalm 150 – The Lord Is Good to His People
Shout praises to the Lord! Praise God in his temple.
Praise him in heaven, his mighty fortress.
Praise our God! His deeds are wonderful, too marvelous to describe.
Praise God with trumpets and all kinds of harps.
Praise him with tambourines and dancing, with stringed instruments and woodwinds.
Praise God with cymbals, with clashing cymbals.
Let every living creature praise the Lord.
Shout praises to the Lord!
Jeremiah 15:15-21
Jeremiah Complains Again
You can see how I suffer insult after insult, all because of you, Lord. Don’t be so patient with my enemies; take revenge on them before they kill me.
When you spoke to me, I was glad to obey, because I belong to you, the Lord All-Powerful. I don’t go to parties and have a good time. Instead, I keep to myself, because you have filled me with your anger.
I am badly injured and in constant pain. Are you going to disappoint me, like a stream that goes dry in the heat of summer?
The Lord Replies
Then the Lord told me: Stop talking like a fool! If you turn back to me and speak my message, I will let you be my prophet once again.
I hope the people of Judah will accept what you say. But you can ignore their threats, because I am making you strong, like a bronze wall. They are evil and violent, but when they attack, I will be there to rescue you. I, the Lord, have spoken.
Matthew 24:4-14
Jesus answered:
Don’t let anyone fool you. Many will come and claim to be me. They will say that they are the Messiah, and they will fool many people.
You will soon hear about wars and threats of wars, but don’t be afraid. These things will have to happen first, but that isn’t the end. Nations and kingdoms will go to war against each other. People will starve to death, and in some places there will be earthquakes. But this is just the beginning of troubles.
You will be arrested, punished, and even killed. Because of me, you will be hated by people of all nations. Many will give up and will betray and hate each other. Many false prophets will come and fool a lot of people. Evil will spread and cause many people to stop loving others. But if you keep on being faithful right to the end, you will be saved. When the good news about the kingdom has been preached all over the world and told to all nations, the end will come.
An Example*:
The Holy Fathers came together and spoke of what would happen in the last generation. One of them called Squirion said: ‘We now desire to fulfill the commandments of God.’
Then the Fathers asked him: ‘What about those who will come after us?’
He replied: ‘Perhaps half will desire to keep God’s commandments, and will seek the Eternal God.’
And the Fathers asked: ‘Those who come after these, what shall they do?’
He replied and said: ‘The men of that generation will not have the desire of God’s commandments. At that time wickedness will overflow and the charity of many will grow cold. And there shall come upon them a terrible testing. Those who shall be found worthy in this testing will be better than we are and better than our fathers.’
Lord God: Refine us in the fire of trouble and persecution. Fill us with the Spirit of Christ Jesus, that we may have the courage and strength to face our present circumstances, and look to the future with eager expectation and hope. Deliver us from discouragement or failure that would dishonor God. Protect us from the enemy’s temptations, and from every evil feeling and thought. And enable us to speak boldly the Good News of Christ’s love, mercy and grace. It’s in his name and for your glory that we pray. Amen.
You Make Me Brave – Bethel Music
Closing
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.
+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Opening:
All-powerful God, your incarnate Word commands our obedience and offers us true life. Make our ears attentive to the voice of your Son and our hearts generous in answering his call,that we may take up the cross with trust in his promises. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever.Amen.
God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise;
God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong.
1 Co 1:27 (ESV)
Preparation:
Holy Spirit, breath of God and fire of love, I cannot pray without your aid: Kindle in me the fire of your love, and illumine me with your light; that with a steadfast will and holy thoughts I may approach the Father in spirit and in truth; through Jesus Christ my Lord, who reigns with you and the Father in eternal union. Amen.
Scripture:
Psalm 46:6-11 (ESV)
The nations rage, the kingdoms totter;
he utters his voice, the earth melts.
The Lord of hosts is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress.
Come, behold the works of the Lord,
how he has brought desolations on the earth.
He makes wars cease to the end of the earth;
he breaks the bow and shatters the spear;
he burns the chariots with fire.
“Be still, and know that I am God.
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth!”
The Lord of hosts is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress.
Matthew 5:9 (ESV)
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.”
Example:
Saint Telemachus (?–391)* – was an ascetic monk deeply rooted in prayer who followed God’s leading to travel to Rome. Following the crowds to an amphitheater he was horrified to see the spectacle of violence before him. Responding the only way he could, he rushed into the arena in an effort to stop the gladiators from fighting. This response cost him his life (killed by a gladiator, or stoned by the angry mob – stories differ). But it is known that Telemachus’s martyrdom spurred Emperor Honorius to issue an historic ban on gladiator fights. The last known gladiator fight in Rome was on 1 January AD 404.
On 1 January (Telemachus’ feast day) peacemakers are honored – those who are actively engaged, and those whose lives are so shaped by the Prince of Peace that they provoke change and promote peace, simply by being themselves and following God’s leading.
Father, You have given Jesus as our teacher and guide and the Holy Spirit as our helper. I ask that you would fill me with the Holy Spirit every day so that His fruit would manifest in my life, in my relationships, and in every context in which I find myself. I especially ask that I would become a person on whom you can rely to extend, promote, and encourage peace in every encounter I have today and every day. I take the seeds of peace You have given me through your Holy Spirit, and I will with great intention sow them everywhere I go. Amen
“Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me.”
Still-Be Still and Know – Don Moen
Closing
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.
+ In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Opening:Prayer of St. Ephraim the Syrian (AD 305-373)
O Lord and Master of my life, give me not the spirit of laziness, despair, lust of power, and idle talk. But give rather the spirit of sobriety, humility, patience and love to Thy servant. Yea, O Lord and King, grant me to see my own transgressions and not to judge my brother, for blessed art Thou unto ages of ages. Amen.
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Philippians 2-4 (NLT)
Have the Attitude of Christ
2 Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ? Any comfort from his love? Any fellowship together in the Spirit? Are your hearts tender and compassionate? Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose.
Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.
You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.
+ Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to.
+ Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being.
+ When he appeared in human form, he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross.
Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor and gave him the name above all other names, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
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Prayer:Heavenly Father, give me the tender, compassionate, humble heart of Jesus –
that I may consider the interests of others before my own
that I may relinquish my position of privilege to serve others
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Shine Brightly for Christ
Dear friends, you always followed my instructions when I was with you. And now that I am away, it is even more important. Work hard to show the results of your salvation, obeying God with deep reverence and fear. For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.
Do everything without complaining and arguing, so that no one can criticize you. Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people. Hold firmly to the word of life; then, on the day of Christ’s return, I will be proud that I did not run the race in vain and that my work was not useless. But I will rejoice even if I lose my life, pouring it out like a liquid offering to God, just like your faithful service is an offering to God. And I want all of you to share that joy. Yes, you should rejoice, and I will share your joy.
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Prayer:Heavenly Father, give me the tender, compassionate, humble heart of Jesus –
that I may allow his power to enable me to show my faith and please God
that I may hold firmly to the word of life and rejoice in serving God
that I may become a bright light in a world of crooked and perverse people
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Paul Commends Timothy
If the Lord Jesus is willing, I hope to send Timothy to you soon for a visit. Then he can cheer me up by telling me how you are getting along. I have no one else like Timothy, who genuinely cares about your welfare. All the others care only for themselves and not for what matters to Jesus Christ. But you know how Timothy has proved himself. Like a son with his father, he has served with me in preaching the Good News. I hope to send him to you just as soon as I find out what is going to happen to me here. And I have confidence from the Lord that I myself will come to see you soon.
Paul Commends Epaphroditus
Meanwhile, I thought I should send Epaphroditus back to you. He is a true brother, co-worker, and fellow soldier. And he was your messenger to help me in my need. I am sending him because he has been longing to see you, and he was very distressed that you heard he was ill. And he certainly was ill; in fact, he almost died. But God had mercy on him—and also on me, so that I would not have one sorrow after another.
So I am all the more anxious to send him back to you, for I know you will be glad to see him, and then I will not be so worried about you. Welcome him in the Lord’s love and with great joy, and give him the honor that people like him deserve. For he risked his life for the work of Christ, and he was at the point of death while doing for me what you couldn’t do from far away.
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Prayer:Heavenly Father, give me the tender, compassionate, humble heart of Jesus –
that I may genuinely care for the welfare of others before my own
that I may care for what matters to Jesus and take joy in working for him
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The Priceless Value of Knowing Christ
3 Whatever happens, my dear brothers and sisters, rejoice in the Lord. I never get tired of telling you these things, and I do it to safeguard your faith.
Watch out for those dogs, those people who do evil, those mutilators who say you must be circumcised to be saved. For we who worship by the Spirit of God are the ones who are truly circumcised. We rely on what Christ Jesus has done for us. We put no confidence in human effort, though I could have confidence in my own effort if anyone could. Indeed, if others have reason for confidence in their own efforts, I have even more!
I was circumcised when I was eight days old. I am a pure-blooded citizen of Israel and a member of the tribe of Benjamin—a real Hebrew if there ever was one! I was a member of the Pharisees, who demand the strictest obedience to the Jewish law. I was so zealous that I harshly persecuted the church. And as for righteousness, I obeyed the law without fault.
I once thought these things were valuable, but now I consider them worthless because of what Christ has done. Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ and become one with him. I no longer count on my own righteousness through obeying the law; rather, I become righteous through faith in Christ. For God’s way of making us right with himself depends on faith. I want to know Christ and experience the mighty power that raised him from the dead. I want to suffer with him, sharing in his death, so that one way or another I will experience the resurrection from the dead!
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Prayer:Heavenly Father, give me the tender, compassionate, humble heart of Jesus –
that I may rely only in what Christ has done for me and safeguard my faith
that I may know Christ and experience the mighty power that raised him from the dead.
Pressing toward the Goal
I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me. No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.
Let all who are spiritually mature agree on these things. If you disagree on some point, I believe God will make it plain to you. But we must hold on to the progress we have already made.
Dear brothers and sisters, pattern your lives after mine, and learn from those who follow our example. For I have told you often before, and I say it again with tears in my eyes, that there are many whose conduct shows they are really enemies of the cross of Christ. They are headed for destruction. Their god is their appetite, they brag about shameful things, and they think only about this life here on earth. But we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for him to return as our Savior. He will take our weak mortal bodies and change them into glorious bodies like his own, using the same power with which he will bring everything under his control.
4 Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stay true to the Lord. I love you and long to see you, dear friends, for you are my joy and the crown I receive for my work.
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Prayer:Heavenly Father, give me the tender, compassionate, humble heart of Jesus –
that I may focus on forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead
that I may press on to receive the heavenly prize for which Christ Jesus is calling me
that I may live as a citizen of heaven and eagerly await the return of Christ my Savior
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Words of Encouragement
Now I appeal to Euodia and Syntyche. Please, because you belong to the Lord, settle your disagreement. And I ask you, my true partner, to help these two women, for they worked hard with me in telling others the Good News. They worked along with Clement and the rest of my co-workers, whose names are written in the Book of Life.
Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice! Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon.
Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.
And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you.
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Prayer:Heavenly Father, give me the tender, compassionate, humble heart of Jesus –
that the peace of God may guard my heart and mind as I live in Christ Jesus
that my thoughts may be fixed on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable.
that I may keep putting into practice all that I have received from God’s word and Spirit
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Paul’s Thanks for Their Gifts
How I praise the Lord that you are concerned about me again. I know you have always been concerned for me, but you didn’t have the chance to help me. Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength. Even so, you have done well to share with me in my present difficulty.
As you know, you Philippians were the only ones who gave me financial help when I first brought you the Good News and then traveled on from Macedonia. No other church did this. Even when I was in Thessalonica you sent help more than once. I don’t say this because I want a gift from you. Rather, I want you to receive a reward for your kindness.
At the moment I have all I need—and more! I am generously supplied with the gifts you sent me with Epaphroditus. They are a sweet-smelling sacrifice that is acceptable and pleasing to God. And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus.
Now all glory to God our Father forever and ever! Amen.
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Prayer:Heavenly Father, give me the tender, compassionate, humble heart of Jesus –
that I may be thankful for everything I have generously received from the hand of God
that I may be content with what I now have whether a lot or little
that I may trust in God to care for me and supply everything I need
that I may trust in God to strengthen me in every difficulty I face
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Paul’s Final Greetings
Give my greetings to each of God’s holy people—all who belong to Christ Jesus. The brothers who are with me send you their greetings. And all the rest of God’s people send you greetings, too, especially those in Caesar’s household.
May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.
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Reflection:
You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.
– Philippians 2.5 –
Questions for consideration:
What do you have to give up in order to serve others? Please explain.
How can you become a bright light in a dark world? Please explain.
Does what matters to Jesus differ from what matters to you? Please explain.
What in the past do you need to forget in order to look ahead to the future? Please explain.
Where do you need the peace of God to safeguard your heart? Please explain.
Where do you need God’s help to strengthen and care for you. Please explain.
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“Press On” – Selah
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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
The child Jesus grew. He became strong and wise, and God blessed him.
The Lord of hosts is with us;
You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.
I once thought these things were valuable, but now I consider them worthless because of what Christ has done. Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ and become one with him. I no longer count on my own righteousness through obeying the law; rather, I become righteous through faith in Christ. For God’s way of making us right with himself depends on faith. I want to know Christ and experience the mighty power that raised him from the dead. I want to suffer with him, sharing in his death, so that one way or another I will experience the resurrection from the dead!
The Peanut Gallery 