Reading, Reflection & Prayer: Wed, 12 July – Proverbs 11-12 ~ godly citizens

Reading, Reflection & Prayer

+ 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.

Reading: Proverbs 11-12 (NLT) – click here

Reflection & Prayer

1 Timothy 2:1-2 (NLT) – I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity.

Almighty God: you promise to give wisdom to those who ask for it. Today I ask for the wisdom to live as a godly citizen of my country – that all might live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity.

Proverbs 11:11 (NLT) – Upright citizens are good for a city and make it prosper, but the talk of the wicked tears it apart.

+ Sovereign God, I pray for the prosperity of our country. I pray that your people might live rightly, honestly, and humbly before you. I ask that we might speak words of encouragement, that we might kindly speak the truth, and that we may be trustworthy, keeping the confidences of others. Make us people who live with integrity, people who choose life. Keep us focused on the good around us, and deepen our roots in the love you have shown us through Christ Jesus our Lord.

Proverbs 11:14 (NLT) – Without wise leadership, a nation falls; there is safety in having many advisers.

Sovereign God: your hand has guided the history of our nation; you have chastened and corrected us when we veered off your path, and you have prospered and protected us when we have humbled ourselves before you. I pray for our President, our Vice-President, and all people of goodwill in our government. Give them the wisdom they need to restore us as “One Nation Under God.” Humble them before you at the enormity and complexity of the task – you alone have the wisdom, understanding and power to bring it about. Protect them from the lies and schemes of evil, wicked people. And in every word or action that pleases you, I ask that you multiply the good fruit of their efforts beyond all expectations.

Proverbs 12:13 (NLT) – The wicked are trapped by their own words, but the godly escape such trouble.

Sovereign God: you rule the world with truth and grace; expose the lies and schemes of evil, wicked people – who serve only themselves, and worse – the evil one. Expose and put to shame all those who are dishonest, treacherous, destructive, foolish, back-biting, ruthless, cruel, crooked, short-sighted, unstable, warped, murderous, untrustworthy, ambitious and prideful. May they reap what they sow, and may their treachery undo them in the end.

Proverbs 12:28 (NLT) – The way of the godly leads to life; that path does not lead to death.

Sovereign God: lead your people on the path of life – abundant and eternal. Humble us that we may receive your gift of wisdom. Rescue all those who trust in you. Make us a kind, generous, gracious people. Help us to stand firm in you, and speak life-giving words of faith into our families, our neighborhoods, our work-places, our communities, and our nation – through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
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“God of Our Fathers”

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Blessing – (Northumbrian Community)

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

Reading, Reflection & Prayer: Tue, 11 July – 2 Kings 6-10 ~ prophets and kings

Reading, Reflection & Prayer

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

Opening – (Northumbria Community)

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.

Reading: 2 Kings 6-10 (NLT) – click here

Reflection & Prayer

Lord God: you are the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow; kings and kingdoms come and go, but you remain the same – and through it all, your prophets speak your unchanging word to our ever-changing world.

Today’s reading walks me through dark days in the history of your people. And I am reminded again how much I need your mercy and grace living in today’s world:

“Most merciful God, I confess that I have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by what I have done, and by what I have left undone. I have not loved you with my whole heart; I have not loved my neighbors as myself. I am truly sorry and I humbly repent, for the sake of your Son Jesus Christ, have mercy on me and forgive me; that I may delight in your will, and walk in your ways, to the glory of your Name. Amen.”
[Episcopal Book of Common Prayer – adapted]

“Teacher, which is the most important commandment in the law of Moses?”

Jesus replied, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.” – Matthew 22:36-40 (NLT)

+ Lord God, you are jealous about your relationship with me. Your love knows no bounds, but you expect reciprocity in our relationship. Rekindle in me the desires of “first love” to love you with all my heart, soul and mind and to acknowledge your presence with me throughout the day.

+ Lord God, you are alive; your very presence permeates all things in heaven and earth, and you live in me through the power of your Spirit. Reveal to me the knock-off imitations in my life – that draw me away from worshiping you alone – the One True God.

+ Lord God, you are just; you reign over all the earth with Truth and Righteousness. Your commandments codify life under your rule; your Son personifies Truth and Righteousness; and your Spirit enables me to live as a citizen of heaven. Show me where I am out of step with you, that my children and grandchildren might not bear the consequences of my disobedience.

+ Lord God, you are holy; you are an all-consuming fire – you pour out your fury to purge your people of their wickedness. You heap on the heads of the wicked the full penalty for all their sins. No one can stand before you, or come into your presence, apart from your mercy and grace.

Lord God: your prophets continually proclaimed the truth, exposed sin, and warned of coming judgement – and they were ignored. Even your Son was ignored, and then killed, because your people couldn’t handle Truth.

But you had the last word – you raised him from the dead and placed him at your right hand to judge the living and the dead. Lord, have mercy. Christ, have mercy. Lord, have mercy – on me. Apart from you, I am lost. Save me. Lord, from myself – through Jesus Christ your Son, who lives with you in unity with the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever. Amen.
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“Kyrie (Lord Have Mercy)” – Dan Arndt

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Blessing – (Northumbrian Community)

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

Reading, Reflection & Prayer: Mon, 10 July – Leviticus 13-15 ~ certified healing

Reading, Reflection & Prayer

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

Opening – (Northumbria Community)

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.

Reading: Leviticus 13-15 (NLT) – click here

Reflection & Prayer

Large crowds followed Jesus as he came down the mountainside. Suddenly, a man with leprosy approached him and knelt before him. “Lord,” the man said, “if you are willing, you can heal me and make me clean.”

Jesus reached out and touched him. “I am willing,” he said. “Be healed!” And instantly the leprosy disappeared. Then Jesus said to him, “Don’t tell anyone about this. Instead, go to the priest and let him examine you. Take along the offering required in the law of Moses for those who have been healed of leprosy. This will be a public testimony that you have been cleansed.” – Matthew 8:1-4 (NLT)

Leviticus 14:1-4 (NLT) –

And the Lord said to Moses, “The following instructions are for those seeking ceremonial purification from a skin disease. Those who have been healed must be brought to the priest, who will examine them at a place outside the camp. If the priest finds that someone has been healed of a serious skin disease, he will perform a purification ceremony….”

A Prayer for Healing: Catholic Online

Lord, You invite all who are burdened to come to you. Allow Your healing Hand to heal me.

Touch my soul with Your compassion for others; touch my heart with Your courage and infinite Love for all; touch my mind with Your Wisdom, and may my mouth always proclaim Your praise. Teach me to reach out to You in all my needs, and help me to lead others to You by my example.

Most loving Heart of Jesus, bring me health in body and spirit that I may serve You with all my strength. Touch gently this life which you have created, now and forever. Amen.
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“Heal Me, O Lord” – Don Moen

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Blessing – (Northumbrian Community)

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

Reading, Reflection & Prayer: Sat, 08 July – Philippians 3-4 ~ priceless

Reading, Reflection & Prayer

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

Opening – (Northumbria Community)

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.

Reading: Philippians 3-4 (NLT) – click here

Reflection & Prayer

Heavenly Father: I declare that all the human recognition and accomplishments of my life are worthless in comparison to the priceless value of knowing your Son, Jesus Christ my Lord, and the everlasting life he has given me through faith. I believe this to be true, and have staked my life on it; but I confess that I do not always live out its truth. Forgive me, Father, for I have sinned – by devaluing this gracious gift of your love.

Priceless

Phi 3:8-11 (NLT) – 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 death, so that one way or another I will experience the resurrection from the dead!

+ Lord Jesus: make me one with you through faith; in your righteousness, in your suffering, and in your resurrection to eternal life. And fill me with the power of your Spirit to live it out today.

Pressing on

Phi 3:12-14 (NLT) – 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.

+ Holy Spirit: empower me to press on, keeping faith with what I believe, regardless of my past failures to live it out. I offer myself to you today; help me to live as the new creation you have made me – with eternity always in mind.

Citizen of heaven

Phi 3:20-21 (NLT) – 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.

+ Heavenly Father: I confess that I too easily get caught up in the affairs of my life in this world, but the older I get, the more I realize its fragility and transiency. Show me today how I can live as a citizen of heaven; what must I say and do differently to honor you?

Rejoicing and praying

Phi 4:4-7 (NLT) – 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.

Lord Jesus: walk and talk with me throughout the day that I may live as a faithful witness to your mercy and grace. Make my life a running conversation with you as my closest companion, and grant me your peace.

Fixing my thinking

Phi 4:8-9 (NLT) – 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.

Holy Spirit: focus my thinking on all that is good, and right, and true that I might live out my faith and bring honor to your name – through Jesus Christ, my Lord. Amen.

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“Press On” – Selah

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Blessing – (Northumbrian Community)

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

Reading, Reflection & Prayer: Fri, 07 July – Luke 17-18 ~ walking with Jesus

Reading, Reflection & Prayer

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

Opening – (Northumbria Community)

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.

Reading: Luke 17-18 (NLT) – click here

Reflection & Prayer

Lord Jesus: you taught your disciples eternal truths in real-life settings as you traveled from place to place. Apply these ancient truths to my contemporary real-life circumstances that I may love and serve you as a citizen of the kingdom of heaven. All to the glory of your name.

On Forgiveness

Luke 17:3-4 – “If another believer sins, rebuke that person; then if there is repentance, forgive. Even if that person wrongs you seven times a day and each time turns again and asks forgiveness, you must forgive.”

+ Lord Jesus: give me the courage to confront wrongdoers, the mercy to accept their repentance, and the grace to forgive them – even repeat offenders.

On Thankfulness

Luke 17:15-16 – One of them, when he saw that he was healed, came back to Jesus, shouting, “Praise God!”He fell to the ground at Jesus’ feet, thanking him for what he had done. This man was a Samaritan.

+ Lord Jesus: you have forgiven my sins, you have healed my diseases, you have established me on the path to eternal life. Forgive me for taking these wonderful gifts of grace for granted; fill me with a spirit of wonder and thanksgiving for all you have done for me – that I may continually give you my worship and praise.

On Persistence

Luke 18:7-8 – So don’t you think God will surely give justice to his chosen people who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? I tell you, he will grant justice to them quickly!

+ Lord Jesus: you teach me to never give up on prayer, especially when justice for your people is involved. And so I pray again for protection and provision for persecuted Christians and Jews around the world; and I pray for America that we may be restored as one nation under God.

On Humility

Luke 18:13 – “But the tax collector stood at a distance and dared not even lift his eyes to heaven as he prayed. Instead, he beat his chest in sorrow, saying, ‘O God, be merciful to me, for I am a sinner.’”

+ Lord Jesus; give me your attitude of humility that I may see myself as you see me – a sinner desperately in need of your forgiveness; and never take for granted your mercy and grace.

On the Kingdom of God

Luke 17:26-27 – “When the Son of Man returns, it will be like it was in Noah’s day. In those days, the people enjoyed banquets and parties and weddings right up to the time Noah entered his boat and the flood came and destroyed them all.

Luke 18:17 – “I tell you the truth, anyone who doesn’t receive the Kingdom of God like a child will never enter it.”

Luke 18:24 – When Jesus saw this, he said, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the Kingdom of God!

Lord Jesus: your kingdom come, your will be done; keep me alert and prepared, innocent and open to all you have for me, and free from the bondage of things that are here today and gone tomorrow.
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“Walk With Me” – Jesus Culture