Tuesday, 14 Sep 2021: Psalm 73:21-28; Proverbs 25:1-28; Colossians 3:1-11 ~ Christ reveals our new selves.

Tuesday, 14 Sep 2021:

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

Opening:

O God, because without you we are not able to please you,
mercifully grant that your Holy Spirit may in all things direct
and rule our hearts; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives
and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for
ever. Amen.

“Set your minds on things that are above,
not on things that are on earth.
For you have died,
and your life is hidden with Christ in God.”
(Colossians 3:2-3)

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Psalms: Psalm 73 – ForeverBeSure

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OT Reading: Proverbs 25:1-28 (ESV)

More Proverbs of Solomon

25:1 These also are proverbs of Solomon which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied.

2 It is the glory of God to conceal things,
but the glory of kings is to search things out.
3 As the heavens for height, and the earth for depth,
so the heart of kings is unsearchable.
4 Take away the dross from the silver,
and the smith has material for a vessel;
5 take away the wicked from the presence of the king,
and his throne will be established in righteousness.
6 Do not put yourself forward in the king’s presence
or stand in the place of the great,
7 for it is better to be told, “Come up here,”
than to be put lower in the presence of a noble.

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What your eyes have seen
8 do not hastily bring into court,
for what will you do in the end,
when your neighbor puts you to shame?
9 Argue your case with your neighbor himself,
and do not reveal another’s secret,
10 lest he who hears you bring shame upon you,
and your ill repute have no end.

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11 A word fitly spoken
is like apples of gold in a setting of silver.
12 Like a gold ring or an ornament of gold
is a wise reprover to a listening ear.
13 Like the cold of snow in the time of harvest
is a faithful messenger to those who send him;
he refreshes the soul of his masters.
14 Like clouds and wind without rain
is a man who boasts of a gift he does not give.

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15 With patience a ruler may be persuaded,
and a soft tongue will break a bone.

16 If you have found honey, eat only enough for you,
lest you have your fill of it and vomit it.

17 Let your foot be seldom in your neighbor’s house,
lest he have his fill of you and hate you.

18 A man who bears false witness against his neighbor
is like a war club, or a sword, or a sharp arrow.

19 Trusting in a treacherous man in time of trouble
is like a bad tooth or a foot that slips.

20 Whoever sings songs to a heavy heart
is like one who takes off a garment on a cold day,
and like vinegar on soda.

21 If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat,
and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink,

22 for you will heap burning coals on his head,
and the Lord will reward you.

23 The north wind brings forth rain,
and a backbiting tongue, angry looks.

24 It is better to live in a corner of the housetop
than in a house shared with a quarrelsome wife.

25 Like cold water to a thirsty soul,
so is good news from a far country.

26 Like a muddied spring or a polluted fountain
is a righteous man who gives way before the wicked.

27 It is not good to eat much honey,
nor is it glorious to seek one’s own glory.

28 A man without self-control
is like a city broken into and left without walls.

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Call of Wisdom by Will Todd –
Nigel Short, Tenebrae & English Chamber Orchestra

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NT Reading: Colossians 3:1-11 (ESV)

Put On the New Self

3:1 If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. On account of these the wrath of God is coming. In these you too once walked, when you were living in them. But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth. Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator. Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; but Christ is all, and in all.

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Yet Not I But Through Christ In Me ~ CityAlight

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Prayer:

Anima Christi

Soul of Christ, sanctify me. Body of Christ, save me. Blood
of Christ, inebriate me. Water from the side of Christ, wash
me. Passion of Christ, strengthen me. O good Jesus, hear me.
Within thy wounds hide me. Permit me not to be separated
from thee. From the wicked foe defend me. In the hour of my
death call me, and bid me come to thee, that with thy saints I
may praise thee for ever and ever. Amen.

+ Christ as a light, illumine and guide us. Christ as a shield, overshadow us. Christ under us; Christ over us; Christ beside us on our left and our right. This day be within and without us, lowly and meek, yet all-powerful. Be in the heart of each to whom we speak; in the mouth of each who speaks to us. This day be within and without us, lowly and meek, yet all-powerful. Christ as a light; Christ as a shield; Christ beside us on our left and our right.

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Blessing

May the peace of the Lord Christ go with us, wherever He may send us.
May He guide us through the wilderness, protect us through the storm.
May He bring us home rejoicing at the wonders He has shown us.
May He bring us 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.

Monday, 13 Sep 2021: Psalm 73:21-28; Proverbs 22:1-21; Romans 3:9-20 ~ The Law reveals our sin.

Monday, 13 Sep 2021:

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

Opening:

“By works of the law
no human being will be justified in [God’s] sight,
since through the law comes knowledge of sin.”
(Romans 3:20)

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Psalms: Psalm 73 – Hangad

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OT Reading: Proverbs 22:1-21 (ESV)

22:1 A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches,
and favor is better than silver or gold.

2 The rich and the poor meet together;
the Lord is the Maker of them all.

3 The prudent sees danger and hides himself,
but the simple go on and suffer for it.

4 The reward for humility and fear of the Lord
is riches and honor and life.

5 Thorns and snares are in the way of the crooked;
whoever guards his soul will keep far from them.

6 Train up a child in the way he should go;
even when he is old he will not depart from it.

7 The rich rules over the poor,
and the borrower is the slave of the lender.

8 Whoever sows injustice will reap calamity,
and the rod of his fury will fail.

9 Whoever has a bountiful eye will be blessed,
for he shares his bread with the poor.

10 Drive out a scoffer, and strife will go out,
and quarreling and abuse will cease.

11 He who loves purity of heart,
and whose speech is gracious, will have the king as his friend.

12 The eyes of the Lord keep watch over knowledge,
but he overthrows the words of the traitor.

13 The sluggard says, “There is a lion outside!
I shall be killed in the streets!”

14 The mouth of forbidden women is a deep pit;
he with whom the Lord is angry will fall into it.

15 Folly is bound up in the heart of a child,
but the rod of discipline drives it far from him.

16 Whoever oppresses the poor to increase his own wealth,
or gives to the rich, will only come to poverty.

Words of the Wise

17 Incline your ear, and hear the words of the wise,
and apply your heart to my knowledge,

18 for it will be pleasant if you keep them within you,
if all of them are ready on your lips.

19 That your trust may be in the Lord,
I have made them known to you today, even to you.

20 Have I not written for you thirty sayings
of counsel and knowledge,

21 to make you know what is right and true,
that you may give a true answer to those who sent you?

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The Perfect Wisdom of Our God – Stuart Townend

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NT Reading: Romans 3:9-20 (ESV)

No One Is Righteous

3:9 What then? Are we Jews any better off? No, not at all. For we have already charged that all, both Jews and Greeks, are under sin,
10 as it is written:

“None is righteous, no, not one;
11 no one understands;
no one seeks for God.
12 All have turned aside; together they have become worthless;
no one does good,
not even one.”
13 “Their throat is an open grave;
they use their tongues to deceive.”
“The venom of asps is under their lips.”
14 “Their mouth is full of curses and bitterness.”
15 “Their feet are swift to shed blood;
16 in their paths are ruin and misery,
17 and the way of peace they have not known.”
18 “There is no fear of God before their eyes.”

19 Now we know that whatever the law says it speaks to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be stopped, and the whole world may be held accountable to God. 20 For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin.

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Confession Song – Crossroads Community Church

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Prayer:

+ Heavenly Father, in your great mercy, you have promised forgiveness of sins to all those who sincerely repent and with true faith turn to you, have mercy upon us, pardon and deliver us from all our sins, confirm and strengthen us in all goodness, and bring us to everlasting life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

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Blessing

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

Saturday, 11 Sep 2021: Psalm 19; Proverbs 21:1-17; Matthew 21:23-32 ~ By faith: believe in Jesus Christ.

Saturday, 11 Sep 2021:

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

Opening:

O Lord God, grant your people grace to withstand the
temptations of the world, the flesh, and the devil, and with pure
hearts and minds to follow you, the only God; through Jesus
Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy
Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

“Jesus said to them, “Truly, I say to you,
the tax collectors and the prostitutes
go into the kingdom of God before you.
For John came to you in the way of righteousness,
and you did not believe him,
but the tax collectors and the prostitutes believed him.
And even when you saw it,
you did not afterward change your minds and believe him.”
(Matthew 21:31-32)

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Psalms: Psalm 19 – Sons of Korah

The Law of the Lord Is Perfect
To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David.

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OT Reading: Proverbs 21:1-17 (ESV)

21:1 The king’s heart is a stream of water in the hand of the Lord;
he turns it wherever he will.

2 Every way of a man is right in his own eyes,
but the Lord weighs the heart.

3 To do righteousness and justice
is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.

4 Haughty eyes and a proud heart,
the lamp of the wicked, are sin.

5 The plans of the diligent lead surely to abundance,
but everyone who is hasty comes only to poverty.

6 The getting of treasures by a lying tongue
is a fleeting vapor and a snare of death.

7 The violence of the wicked will sweep them away,
because they refuse to do what is just.

8 The way of the guilty is crooked,
but the conduct of the pure is upright.

9 It is better to live in a corner of the housetop
than in a house shared with a quarrelsome wife.

10 The soul of the wicked desires evil;
his neighbor finds no mercy in his eyes.

11 When a scoffer is punished, the simple becomes wise;
when a wise man is instructed, he gains knowledge.

12 The Righteous One observes the house of the wicked;
he throws the wicked down to ruin.

13 Whoever closes his ear to the cry of the poor
will himself call out and not be answered.

14 A gift in secret averts anger,
and a concealed bribe, strong wrath.

15 When justice is done, it is a joy to the righteous
but terror to evildoers.

16 One who wanders from the way of good sense
will rest in the assembly of the dead.

17 Whoever loves pleasure will be a poor man;
he who loves wine and oil will not be rich.

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Rejoice // Brad & Rebekah

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NT Reading: Matthew 21:23-32 (ESV)

The Authority of Jesus Challenged

21:23 And when he entered the temple, the chief priests and the elders of the people came up to him as he was teaching, and said, “By what authority are you doing these things, and who gave you this authority?” Jesus answered them, “I also will ask you one question, and if you tell me the answer, then I also will tell you by what authority I do these things. The baptism of John, from where did it come? From heaven or from man?” And they discussed it among themselves, saying, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will say to us, ‘Why then did you not believe him?’ But if we say, ‘From man,’ we are afraid of the crowd, for they all hold that John was a prophet.” So they answered Jesus, “We do not know.” And he said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.

The Parable of the Two Sons

21:28 “What do you think? A man had two sons. And he went to the first and said, ‘Son, go and work in the vineyard today.’ And he answered, ‘I will not,’ but afterward he changed his mind and went. And he went to the other son and said the same. And he answered, ‘I go, sir,’ but did not go. Which of the two did the will of his father?” They said, “The first.” Jesus said to them, “Truly, I say to you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes go into the kingdom of God before you. For John came to you in the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes believed him. And even when you saw it, you did not afterward change your minds and believe him.

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Big Daddy Weave – Jesus I Believe

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Prayer:

Profession of Faith – The Nicene Creed
[On Jesus Christ]

We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ,
the only-begotten Son of God,
eternally begotten of the Father,
God from God, Light from Light,
true God from true God,
begotten, not made,
of one Being with the Father;
through him all things were made.
For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven,
was incarnate from the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary,
and was made man.
For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate;
he suffered death and was buried.
On the third day he rose again in accordance with the Scriptures;
he ascended into heaven
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead,
and his kingdom will have no end.

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Blessing

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

Friday, 10 Sep 2021: Psalm 19; Proverbs 19:24-29; James 2:17-26 ~ By faith: work it out.

Friday, 10 Sep 2021:

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

Opening:

“Faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead….
For as the body apart from the spirit is dead,
so also faith apart from works is dead.”
(James:17,26)

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Psalms: Psalm 19

The Law of the Lord Is Perfect
To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David.

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OT Reading: Proverbs 19:24-29 (ESV)

19:24 The sluggard buries his hand in the dish
and will not even bring it back to his mouth.

25 Strike a scoffer, and the simple will learn prudence;
reprove a man of understanding, and he will gain knowledge.

26 He who does violence to his father and chases away his mother
is a son who brings shame and reproach.

27 Cease to hear instruction, my son,
and you will stray from the words of knowledge.

28 A worthless witness mocks at justice,
and the mouth of the wicked devours iniquity.

29 Condemnation is ready for scoffers,
and beating for the backs of fools.

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If We’re Honest by Francesca Battistelli – Proverbs 19:1-5

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NT Reading: James 2:17-26 (ESV)

2:17 So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.

But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder! Do you want to be shown, you foolish person, that faith apart from works is useless? Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up his son Isaac on the altar? You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by his works; and the Scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness”—and he was called a friend of God. You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone. And in the same way was not also Rahab the prostitute justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out by another way? For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead.

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André Rieu – I Will Follow Him [ live in Maastricht]

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Prayer:

+ O God, you have made of one blood all the peoples of the earth, and sent your blessed Son to preach peace to those who are far off and to those who are near: Grant that people everywhere may seek after you and find you; bring the nations into your fold; pour out your Spirit upon all flesh; and hasten the coming of your kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

+ Almighty God our Savior, you desire that none should perish, and you have taught us through your Son that there is great joy in heaven over every sinner who repents: Grant that our hearts may ache for a lost and broken world. May your Holy Spirit work through our words, deeds, and prayers, that the lost may be found and the dead made alive, and that all your redeemed may rejoice around your throne; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

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Blessing

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

Thursday, 09 Sep 2021: Psalm 19; Proverbs 15:1-17; Hebrews 11:17-22 ~ By faith: believe God’s promises.

Thursday, 09 Sep 2021:

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

Opening:

“By faith Abraham, when he was tested,
offered up Isaac,
and he who had received the promises
was in the act of offering up his only son,
of whom it was said,
“Through Isaac shall your offspring be named.”
He considered that God was able even to raise him from the dead,
from which, figuratively speaking, he did receive him back.”
(Hebrews 11:17-19)

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Psalms: Psalm 19 (ESV)

The Law of the Lord Is Perfect
To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David.

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OT Reading: Proverbs 15:1-17 (ESV)

15:1 A soft answer turns away wrath,
but a harsh word stirs up anger.

2 The tongue of the wise commends knowledge,
but the mouths of fools pour out folly.

3 The eyes of the Lord are in every place,
keeping watch on the evil and the good.

4 A gentle tongue is a tree of life,
but perverseness in it breaks the spirit.

5 A fool despises his father’s instruction,
but whoever heeds reproof is prudent.

6 In the house of the righteous there is much treasure,
but trouble befalls the income of the wicked.

7 The lips of the wise spread knowledge;
not so the hearts of fools.

8 The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord,
but the prayer of the upright is acceptable to him.

9 The way of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord,
but he loves him who pursues righteousness.

10 There is severe discipline for him who forsakes the way;
whoever hates reproof will die.

11 Sheol and Abaddon lie open before the Lord;
how much more the hearts of the children of man!

12 A scoffer does not like to be reproved;
he will not go to the wise.

13 A glad heart makes a cheerful face,
but by sorrow of heart the spirit is crushed.

14 The heart of him who has understanding seeks knowledge,
but the mouths of fools feed on folly.

15 All the days of the afflicted are evil,
but the cheerful of heart has a continual feast.

16 Better is a little with the fear of the Lord
than great treasure and trouble with it.

17 Better is a dinner of herbs where love is
than a fattened ox and hatred with it.

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More Voices 10 – Come and Seek the Ways of Wisdom

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NT Reading: Hebrews 11:17-22 (ESV)

11:17 By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises was in the act of offering up his only son, of whom it was said, “Through Isaac shall your offspring be named.” He considered that God was able even to raise him from the dead, from which, figuratively speaking, he did receive him back. By faith Isaac invoked future blessings on Jacob and Esau. By faith Jacob, when dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, bowing in worship over the head of his staff. By faith Joseph, at the end of his life, made mention of the exodus of the Israelites and gave directions concerning his bones.

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By Faith – Praise and Harmony

1. By faith we see the hand of God
In the light of creation’s grand design
In the lives of those who prove His faithfulness
Who walk by faith and not by sight

2. By faith our fathers roamed the earth
With the power of His promise in their hearts
Of a holy city built by God’s own hand
A place where peace and justice reign

We will stand as children of the promise
We will fix our eyes on Him, our soul’s reward
Till the race is finished and the work is done
We’ll Walk by faith and not by sight

3. By faith the prophets saw a day
When the longed for Messiah would appear
With the power to break the chains of sin and death
And rise triumphant form the grave

4. By faith the church was called to go
In the power of the Spirit to the lost
To deliver captives and to preach good news
In every corner of the earth

We will stand as children of the promise
We will fix our eyes on Him, our soul’s reward
Till the race is finished and the work is done
We’ll Walk by faith and not by sight

5. By faith this mountain shall be moved
And the power of the gospel shall prevail
For we know in Christ all things are possible
For all who call upon His name

We will stand as children of the promise
We will fix our eyes on Him, our soul’s reward
Till the race is finished and the work is done
We’ll Walk by faith and not by sight

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Prayer:

+ O God, of your goodness, give us yourself, for you are enough for us. We can ask for nothing less that is completely to your honor, and if we do ask anything less, we shall always be in want. Only in you we have all. Amen.

+ O Holy Spirit, beloved of our souls, we adore you. Enlighten us, guide us, strengthen us, console us. Tell us what we should do; give us your orders. We promise to submit ourselves to all that you desire of us and to accept all that you permit to happen to us. Only let us only know your will. Amen.

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Blessing

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

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