Easter Week | Monday 10 Apr 2023: Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24; Exodus 14:10-31; 15:20-21; Colossians 3:5-11 ~ put on your new nature

Easter Week | Monday 10 Apr 2023

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

Opening:

Grant, we pray, Almighty God,
that we who celebrate with reverence the Paschal feast
may be made worthy to attain to everlasting joys;
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever. Amen.

 Put on your new nature,
and be renewed
as you learn to know your Creator
and become like him.
(Colossians 3:10)

__________

From the Psalm 118 Written by Noah Fields / Performed by Boyce Worship Collective

Verse 1
Christ, my only trust and refuge
True and sure as day and night
Other helpers will betray me,
But the Lord is on my side
Kings enchant and princes promise
These will charm and still are weak
But the Lord of Jacob’s children
Will fulfill His word indeed.

Verse 2
Christ, my only trust and refuge
Mighty Sovereign of the spheres
He who holds the starry masses
Holds my life and stills my fears
Should the terrors of the darkness
Overwhelm my anxious soul
Christ will keep me by His power
He will never let me go

Verse 3
Christ, my only trust and refuge
At the gates of righteousness
On what grounds shall I, a sinner
Enter doors of holiness
Swing them wide, yes, I shall enter
By the blood of Christ I come
He the Spotless, He the Righteous
Has become my Cornerstone

Tag
Swing them wide, yes, I shall enter
By the blood of Christ I come
He the Spotless, He the Righteous
Has become my Cornerstone

Ending
He the Spotless, He the Righteous
Has become my Cornerstone

__________

OT Reading: Exodus 14:10-31; 15:20-21 (NLT)

14:10 As Pharaoh approached, the people of Israel looked up and panicked when they saw the Egyptians overtaking them. They cried out to the Lord, and they said to Moses, “Why did you bring us out here to die in the wilderness? Weren’t there enough graves for us in Egypt? What have you done to us? Why did you make us leave Egypt? Didn’t we tell you this would happen while we were still in Egypt? We said, ‘Leave us alone! Let us be slaves to the Egyptians. It’s better to be a slave in Egypt than a corpse in the wilderness!’”

But Moses told the people, “Don’t be afraid. Just stand still and watch the Lord rescue you today. The Egyptians you see today will never be seen again. The Lord himself will fight for you. Just stay calm.”

Escape through the Red Sea

14:15 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Why are you crying out to me? Tell the people to get moving! Pick up your staff and raise your hand over the sea. Divide the water so the Israelites can walk through the middle of the sea on dry ground. And I will harden the hearts of the Egyptians, and they will charge in after the Israelites. My great glory will be displayed through Pharaoh and his troops, his chariots, and his charioteers. When my glory is displayed through them, all Egypt will see my glory and know that I am the Lord!”

Then the angel of God, who had been leading the people of Israel, moved to the rear of the camp. The pillar of cloud also moved from the front and stood behind them. The cloud settled between the Egyptian and Israelite camps. As darkness fell, the cloud turned to fire, lighting up the night. But the Egyptians and Israelites did not approach each other all night.

Then Moses raised his hand over the sea, and the Lord opened up a path through the water with a strong east wind. The wind blew all that night, turning the seabed into dry land. So the people of Israel walked through the middle of the sea on dry ground, with walls of water on each side!

Then the Egyptians—all of Pharaoh’s horses, chariots, and charioteers—chased them into the middle of the sea. But just before dawn the Lord looked down on the Egyptian army from the pillar of fire and cloud, and he threw their forces into total confusion. He twisted their chariot wheels, making their chariots difficult to drive. “Let’s get out of here—away from these Israelites!” the Egyptians shouted. “The Lord is fighting for them against Egypt!”

When all the Israelites had reached the other side, the Lord said to Moses, “Raise your hand over the sea again. Then the waters will rush back and cover the Egyptians and their chariots and charioteers.” So as the sun began to rise, Moses raised his hand over the sea, and the water rushed back into its usual place. The Egyptians tried to escape, but the Lord swept them into the sea. Then the waters returned and covered all the chariots and charioteers—the entire army of Pharaoh. Of all the Egyptians who had chased the Israelites into the sea, not a single one survived.

But the people of Israel had walked through the middle of the sea on dry ground, as the water stood up like a wall on both sides. That is how the Lord rescued Israel from the hand of the Egyptians that day. And the Israelites saw the bodies of the Egyptians washed up on the seashore. When the people of Israel saw the mighty power that the Lord had unleashed against the Egyptians, they were filled with awe before him. They put their faith in the Lord and in his servant Moses.

15:20 Then Miriam the prophet, Aaron’s sister, took a tambourine and led all the women as they played their tambourines and danced. And Miriam sang this song:

“Sing to the Lord,
for he has triumphed gloriously;
he has hurled both horse and rider
into the sea.”

__________

Elihana “SONG OF THE SEA” Exodus 15 w/ translation

__________

NT Reading: Colossians 3:5-11 (NLT)

3:5 So put to death the sinful, earthly things lurking within you. Have nothing to do with sexual immorality, impurity, lust, and evil desires. Don’t be greedy, for a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world. Because of these sins, the anger of God is coming. You used to do these things when your life was still part of this world. But now is the time to get rid of anger, rage, malicious behavior, slander, and dirty language. Don’t lie to each other, for you have stripped off your old sinful nature and all its wicked deeds. Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him. In this new life, it doesn’t matter if you are a Jew or a Gentile, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbaric, uncivilized, slave, or free. Christ is all that matters, and he lives in all of us.

__________

Hymn Of The Saviour (Live) // Emu Music

__________

Prayer: ACNA | BCP2019

+ Lord Jesus, Master Carpenter of Nazareth, on the Cross through wood and nails you wrought our full salvation: Wield well your tools in this, your workshop, that we who come to you rough-hewn may be fashioned into a truer beauty by your hand; who with the Father and the Holy Spirit live and reign, one God, world without end. Amen.

William Temple

+ Almighty and eternal God, so draw our hearts to you, so guide our minds, so fill our imaginations, so control our wills, that we may be wholly yours, utterly dedicated to you; and then use us, we pray, as you will, and always to your glory and the welfare of your people; through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.

__________

Closing: FaithandWorship.com | John Birch

May the risen Christ
grant us the joys of eternal life.

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

Tuesday Morning: 06 Aug 2019 – Ephesians 4:17-32 ~ Put on your new nature.

Tuesday Morning

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

Opening (A Collect for Peace – Tuesday)

O God, the author of peace and lover of concord, to know you is eternal life and to serve you is perfect freedom: Defend us, your humble servants, in all assaults of our enemies; that we, surely trusting in your defense, may not fear the power of any adversaries, through the might of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
__________

Morning Reading – Ephesians 4:17-32 (NLT)

Living as Children of Light

With the Lord’s authority I say this: Live no longer as the Gentiles do, for they are hopelessly confused. Their minds are full of darkness; they wander far from the life God gives because they have closed their minds and hardened their hearts against him. They have no sense of shame. They live for lustful pleasure and eagerly practice every kind of impurity.

But that isn’t what you learned about Christ. Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from him, throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy.

So stop telling lies. Let us tell our neighbors the truth, for we are all parts of the same body. And “don’t sin by letting anger control you.” Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry, for anger gives a foothold to the devil.

If you are a thief, quit stealing. Instead, use your hands for good hard work, and then give generously to others in need. Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.

And do not bring sorrow to God’s Holy Spirit by the way you live. Remember, he has identified you as his own, guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption.

Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.
__________

Morning Reflection:

Put on your new nature.

“Let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes.
Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy.”

– Ephesians 4:23-24 –

Yesterday Paul stressed the importance of living in unity in the church. Today Paul stresses the importance of living in holiness. Both require an extraordinary work of the Holy Spirit to achieve this transformation. We can resist the Holy Spirit and cause him grief, or we can cooperate with the Holy Spirit and bring him joy. The choice is ours – choose joy and be transformed into the righteous and holy likeness of Christ.

+ Throw off: confusion and darkness, closed minds and hardened hearts, lust and lies, anger and abusive language
+ Put on: truth and light, renewed minds and tender hearts, purity and honesty, kindness and forgiveness

Questions for consideration:

  • When you think of your old sinful nature, what comes to mind? Please explain.
  • When you think of your old sinful nature, what have you already thrown off? What remains? Please explain.
  • When you think of your new nature, what comes to mind? Please explain.
  • When you think of your new nature, what have you already put on? What needs renewal? Please explain.
  • What do you need the Holy Spirit to do in your life? What do you need to do in order to cooperate with him. Please explain.

_________

Morning Prayer: For a Virtuous Heart (Thomas Aquinas)

Give me, O Lord, a steadfast heart, which no unworthy thought can drag down; an unconquered heart, which no tribulation can wear out; an upright heart, which no unworthy purpose can tempt aside. Bestow upon me understanding to know you, diligence to seek you, wisdom to find you, and faithfulness that finally may embrace you. Amen.

__________

“Christ Be All Around Me” – All Sons & Daughters

__________

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

Reading, Reflection & Prayer: Sat, 22 July – Colossians 3-4 ~ set your sights on the realities of heaven

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: Colossians 3-4 (NLT) – click here

Reflection & Prayer

Think About The Things Of Heaven

Colossians 3:1-4 (NLT)Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand. Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth. For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God. And when Christ, who is your life, is revealed to the whole world, you will share in all his glory.

Lord God: You have claimed me as your own through faith and baptism, and made me a new creation in Christ Jesus. Continue the good work you have begun in me – that there might be less of me in me, and more of Christ in me – that my true life in Christ might be revealed.

Put to death your old nature

+ Have nothing to do with sexual immorality, impurity, lust, and evil desires.

+ Don’t be greedy, for a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world.

+ Get rid of anger, rage, malicious behavior, slander, and dirty language.

Put on your new nature

+ Clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.

+ Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you.

+ Clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony.

+ Let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts; and always be thankful.

Devote Yourselves To Prayer

Colossians 4:2 (NLT)Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart.

Lord God: Thank you for allowing to approach your throne of grace through faith in your Son, our Savior, Jesus Christ. We ask for your mercy and help in this our time of need.

+ That you might give us many opportunities to speak about your plan concerning Christ.

+ That we might proclaim this message as clearly as we should.

+ That we might live wisely among those who are not believers, and make the most of every opportunity.

+ That our conversations might be gracious and attractive – the right response for everyone.

Lord God: I ask that the message about Christ, in all its richness, might fill our lives. And that whatever we do or say, might be done and said as representatives of our Lord Jesus, always giving thanks through him to you, our heavenly Father.

__________

“Eternity” – John Alexander Wilson


__________

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.
__________

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