Tag: Worship

8th Sunday after Pentecost, 04 Aug 2019 – Luke 12:13-21 ~ Live with eternity in mind.

Eighth Sunday after Pentecost

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

Opening Prayer: (Psalm 90 adaptation)

Lord, through all the generations you have been our home! Before the mountains were born, before you gave birth to the earth and the world, from beginning to end, you are God…. Teach us to realize the brevity of life, so that we may grow in wisdom…. Satisfy us each morning with your unfailing love, so we may sing for joy to the end of our lives.
__________

“Be Thou My Vision” – Robin Mark

__________

A Reading from the Gospels: Luke 12:13-21 (NLT)

Parable of the Rich Fool

Then someone called from the crowd, “Teacher, please tell my brother to divide our father’s estate with me.”

Jesus replied, “Friend, who made me a judge over you to decide such things as that?” Then he said, “Beware! Guard against every kind of greed. Life is not measured by how much you own.”

Then he told them a story: “A rich man had a fertile farm that produced fine crops. He said to himself, ‘What should I do? I don’t have room for all my crops.’ Then he said, ‘I know! I’ll tear down my barns and build bigger ones. Then I’ll have room enough to store all my wheat and other goods. And I’ll sit back and say to myself, “My friend, you have enough stored away for years to come. Now take it easy! Eat, drink, and be merry!”’

“But God said to him, ‘You fool! You will die this very night. Then who will get everything you worked for?’

“Yes, a person is a fool to store up earthly wealth but not have a rich relationship with God.”
__________

“Psalm 90” – James Block

__________

Intercession:

Gracious God, you hold our lives in your hands: hear our prayers and help us we ask in Jesus’ name. We pray especially –

+ That wrongs may be made right, and what’s lost may be found
+ That the foolishness of pleasures may be replaced with the wisdom of godliness
+ That the foolishness of loving money may be replaced with the wisdom of loving Jesus
+ That our sinful desires (sexual immorality, impurity, lust, greed, anger, rage, malicious behavior, slander, and dirty language), may be replaced with godly desires (tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience and forgiveness)
+ That we may be clothed with the love of Christ, and ruled by the peace of Christ in our hearts

Gracious God, you hold our lives in your hands: hear our prayers and help us we ask in Jesus’ name, who lives and reigns with you in unity with the Holy Spirit, one God now and forever. Amen.
__________

“When its all been said and done” – Robin Mark

__________

Closing: Colossians 3:16-17

Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts. And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.
__________

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

Saturday Morning, 03 Aug 2019 – Ephesians 3:1-21 ~ You belong to Christ Jesus.

Saturday Morning

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

Opening:  (A Collect for Sabbath Rest – Saturday)

Almighty God, who after the creation of the world rested from all your works and set aside a day of rest for all your creatures: Grant that we, putting away all earthly anxieties, may be duly prepared to meet you in worship, and that our rest here upon earth may be a preparation for the eternal rest promised to your people in heaven; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
__________

Morning Reading: Ephesians 3:1-21 (NLT)

God’s Mysterious Plan Revealed

When I think of all this, I, Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus for the benefit of you Gentiles assuming, by the way, that you know God gave me the special responsibility of extending his grace to you Gentiles. As I briefly wrote earlier, God himself revealed his mysterious plan to me. As you read what I have written, you will understand my insight into this plan regarding Christ. God did not reveal it to previous generations, but now by his Spirit he has revealed it to his holy apostles and prophets.

And this is God’s plan: Both Gentiles and Jews who believe the Good News share equally in the riches inherited by God’s children. Both are part of the same body, and both enjoy the promise of blessings because they belong to Christ Jesus. By God’s grace and mighty power, I have been given the privilege of serving him by spreading this Good News.

Though I am the least deserving of all God’s people, he graciously gave me the privilege of telling the Gentiles about the endless treasures available to them in Christ. I was chosen to explain to everyone this mysterious plan that God, the Creator of all things, had kept secret from the beginning.

God’s purpose in all this was to use the church to display his wisdom in its rich variety to all the unseen rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. This was his eternal plan, which he carried out through Christ Jesus our Lord.

Because of Christ and our faith in him, we can now come boldly and confidently into God’s presence. So please don’t lose heart because of my trials here. I am suffering for you, so you should feel honored.

Paul’s Prayer for Spiritual Growth

When I think of all this, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father, the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth. I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.

Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. Glory to him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever! Amen.
__________

Morning Reflection:

You belong to Christ Jesus.

And this is God’s plan: Both Gentiles and Jews who believe the Good News
share equally in the riches inherited by God’s children. Both are part of the same body,
and both enjoy the promise of blessings because they belong to Christ Jesus.
– Ephesians 3:6 –

God’s mystery is revealed:

  1. Both Jewish and Gentile believers are equal heirs of God’s riches that He presently bestows in Christ Jesus.
  2. Both Jewish and Gentile believers are equal members of the body of Christ, the church universal.
  3. Both Jewish and Gentile believers are equal partakers of the promise of eternal life through faith in Christ Jesus.
  4. Both Jewish and Gentile believers belong to Christ Jesus.

God’s purpose in this was “to use the church to display his wisdom in its rich variety to all the unseen rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. This was his eternal plan, which he carried out through Christ Jesus our Lord.”

And now, God’s door is open to us – “Because of Christ and our faith in him, we can now come boldly and confidently into God’s presence.”

Questions for consideration:

  • Paul views the church universal as a multi-ethnic, multi-cultural community – like a beautiful tapestry – and yet we all belong to Jesus. Can you think of times when you have experienced different cultural expressions in worship? Please explain.
  • To what extent is your faith community a multi-ethnic, multi-cultural community? Please explain.
  • Differences inevitably produce disagreements, which is why we need God’s grace and wisdom to maintain harmony. How are differences reconciled in your faith community? Please explain.
  • What does belonging to Jesus Christ mean to you? Please explain.

__________

Morning Prayer: – Ephesians 3:14-21

Heavenly Father, Creator of everything in heaven and on earth:

+ Empower us with inner strength through your Spirit.
+ Make our hearts Christ’s home as we trust in him.
+ Root us in the strong foundation of your love.
+ Empower us to understand your love – its width, its length, its height, its depth.
+ Grant us fullness of life and power as we experience the love of Christ.

Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. Glory to him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever! Amen.
__________

“I Belong to Jesus” – The Acappella Company

Satan goes around like a roaring Lion | Seeking whom he may devour
But he has been defeated so I’m testifying | By the blood of Jesus he lost his power…

I belong to Jesus, I belong to Him
Christ was lifted up with my sin upon Him | His life and blood came flowing down
So hear me I’m declaring Jesus Christ is Lord! | I’m taking back His holy ground

I belong to Jesus, I belong to Him | I belong to Jesus, free from sin
I belong to Jesus, I belong to Him | I belong to Jesus, free from sin…

I belong to Jesus, I belong to Him
All sin nailed to the cross and the Lamb’s blood flowing
Meant victory was sealed that day
When Satan saw the blood he knew that Christ had won it
And he knew that Sunday was on its way…

I belong to Jesus, I belong to Him
The ground began to quake and all of Heaven’s power
Came bursting from the tomb within
The stone was rolled away and hell was overpowered
By the King Who rose again

I belong to Jesus, I belong to Him
He was lifted up (He was lifted up)
He paid a costly price (He paid a costly price)
He bought me with the blood (He bought me with the blood)
Of His own life (of His Own life)

Christ the King now reigning (Christ the King now reigning)
He wears the Victor’s crown (He wears the Victor’s crown)
Satan was defeated (Satan was defeated)
When the blood flowed down (the blood flowed down)
__________

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

Friday Morning: 02 Aug 2019 – Ephesians 2:11-22 ~ You are a member of God’s family.

Friday Morning

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

Opening (A Collect for Endurance – Friday)

Almighty God, whose beloved Son first suffered pain and crucifixion before entering into glory: Mercifully grant that we, walking in his footsteps, may find it none other than the way of life and peace; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord. Amen.
__________

Morning Reading – Ephesians 2:11-22 (NLT)

Oneness and Peace in Christ

Don’t forget that you Gentiles used to be outsiders. You were called “uncircumcised heathens” by the Jews, who were proud of their circumcision, even though it affected only their bodies and not their hearts. In those days you were living apart from Christ. You were excluded from citizenship among the people of Israel, and you did not know the covenant promises God had made to them. You lived in this world without God and without hope. But now you have been united with Christ Jesus. Once you were far away from God, but now you have been brought near to him through the blood of Christ.

For Christ himself has brought peace to us. He united Jews and Gentiles into one people when, in his own body on the cross, he broke down the wall of hostility that separated us. He did this by ending the system of law with its commandments and regulations. He made peace between Jews and Gentiles by creating in himself one new people from the two groups. Together as one body, Christ reconciled both groups to God by means of his death on the cross, and our hostility toward each other was put to death.

He brought this Good News of peace to you Gentiles who were far away from him, and peace to the Jews who were near. Now all of us can come to the Father through the same Holy Spirit because of what Christ has done for us.

A Temple for the Lord

So now you Gentiles are no longer strangers and foreigners. You are citizens along with all of God’s holy people. You are members of God’s family. Together, we are his house, built on the foundation of the apostles and the prophets. And the cornerstone is Christ Jesus himself. We are carefully joined together in him, becoming a holy temple for the Lord. Through him you Gentiles are also being made part of this dwelling where God lives by his Spirit.
__________

Morning Reflection:

You are a member of God’s family.

You are citizens along with all of God’s holy people. You are members of God’s family.
Together, we are his house, built on the foundation of the apostles and the prophets.
And the cornerstone is Christ Jesus himself.
– Ephesians 2:19-20 –

Jesus Christ broke down the wall that separated Jew and Gentile. In Christ, Jew and Gentile are reconciled – we are joined together into God’s family with all believers throughout the ages. And together, we are being built into God’s holy dwelling place – a spiritual dwelling place – the church.

+ Christ the Cornerstone: Christ reconciled Jew and Gentile to God by means of his death on the cross, and our hostility toward each other was put to death.

+ Apostle and Prophets the Foundation: God revealed himself to them, and they faithfully preserved this revelation in the Bible – the sole authority of faith and practice, and the foundation on which the church s built.

God’s plan for believers included the uniting of both Jewish and Gentile believers into one family, one body – the church universal. In it Jewish and Gentile believers stand with equal rights and privileges before God. Membership in this new body is one of the great blessings of believers in this present age.

Questions for consideration:

  • Do you know any Jewish believers in Jesus, the Messiah? Please explain.
  • Do you pray for the peace of Jerusalem? Is peace possible apart from Jesus Christ? Please explain.
  • God has united all believers into one family – the church universal. Nevertheless, we have many different cultural expressions of faith in Jesus Christ? Do you know any believers who are culturally different from you? Do you consider them part of your spiritual family? Please explain.
  • God has made us very different from one another, and yet – we are one in Christ Jesus. What can you learn from believers from a different culture? Please explain.

_________

Morning Prayer: For the Unity of all Believers –

O God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, our only Savior, the Prince of Peace: Give us grace to take to heart the grave dangers we are in through our many divisions. Deliver your Church from all enmity and prejudice, and everything that hinders us from godly union. As there is one Body and one Spirit, one hope of our calling, one Lord, one Faith, one Baptism, one God and Father of us all, so make us all to be of one heart and of one mind, united in one holy bond of truth and peace, of faith and love, that with one voice we may give you praise; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God in everlasting glory. Amen.

__________

“Holy Name of Yeshua…” – Birgitta Veksler

Singer : Birgitta Veksler…Testimony

As part of the compulsory army service in Israel, Birgitta served in the IDF for two years as a lead singer in the army band. By the end of her service, she was bitten by a poisonous snake, in an accident that almost cost Birgitta her life and put her in a coma for two days. Birgitta’s brush with death brought her into a more intimate relationship with God, finding a deeper meaning to her life and her singing. She became a Messianic Jewish believer. Today Birgitta lives in Jerusalem with her husband , son and sings for Jesus the Lord & Savior.

__________

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

Thursday Morning: 01 Aug 2019 – Ephesians 2:1-10 ~ You are God’s masterpiece.

Thursday Morning

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

Opening (A Collect for Guidance – Thursday)

Heavenly Father, in you we live and move and have our being: Guide and govern us by your Holy Spirit, that in all the cares and occupations of our lives we may not forget you, but may remember that we are ever walking in your sight; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
__________

Morning Reading – Ephesians 2:1-10 (NLT)

Made Alive with Christ

Once you were dead because of your disobedience and your many sins. You used to live in sin, just like the rest of the world, obeying the devil—the commander of the powers in the unseen world. He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God. All of us used to live that way, following the passionate desires and inclinations of our sinful nature. By our very nature we were subject to God’s anger, just like everyone else.

But God is so rich in mercy, and he loved us so much, that even though we were dead because of our sins, he gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead. (It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved!) For he raised us from the dead along with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ Jesus. So God can point to us in all future ages as examples of the incredible wealth of his grace and kindness toward us, as shown in all he has done for us who are united with Christ Jesus.

God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.
__________

Morning Reflection:

We are God’s masterpiece.

For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus,
so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.
– Ephesians 2:10 –

Have you ever thought of yourself as God’s masterpiece – not as you were before you received God’s grace, but now as a new creation in Jesus Christ? Perhaps you think of yourself as a work in in progress. But Paul says – God has made believers alive, raised us up, and seated us with Christ. It’s a done deal – you are God’s masterpiece. And God wants to display you as an example of the incredible wealth of his grace and kindness to those who are united with Jesus Christ.

What are the characteristics of God’s handiwork?

+ You are saved by God’s grace through faith in Jesus Christ.
+ You have received God’s unmerited favor; it’s a free gift.
+ You have done nothing to earn, or deserve, God’s mercy.

And what is God’s purpose for you in all of this?

He has created us anew in Christ Jesus,
so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.
– Ephesians 2:10 –

Questions for consideration:

If you look at today’s illustration, you will note the messiness of it all – the paint, the brushes, and the palette. But these are only the tools, or means, by which the artist creates a masterpiece, not the masterpiece itself. You are God’s masterpiece – stay focused on who God says you are, and what God has planned for you to do.

  • Why do you think it’s easier to see what’s wrong in our lives, instead of what’s right? Please explain.
  • You are God’s masterpiece; your identity is rooted in what he says about you? Do you believe that? Please explain.
  • How can you continually remind yourself of who God says you are? What role can daily Bible reading, prayer, worship, and sharing your life with other believers play in this? Please explain.
  • Can you think of a “good thing” that God wants you to do? Please explain.

_________

Morning Prayer – For Holy Thought

O God, without whose beauty and goodness our souls are unfed, without whose truth our reason withers: Consecrate our lives to your will, giving us such purity of heart, such depth of faith, and such steadfastness of purpose, that in time we may come to think your own thoughts after you; through Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.

__________

“You Say” – Lauren Daigle

__________

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

Wednesday Morning: 31 Jul 2019 – Ephesians 1:15-23 ~ The church is the body of Christ.

Wednesday Morning

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

Opening (A Collect for Grace – Wednesday)

O Lord, our heavenly Father, almighty and everlasting God, you have brought us safely to the beginning of this day: Defend us by your mighty power, that we may not fall into sin nor run into any danger; and that guided by your Spirit, we may do what is righteous in your sight; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
__________

Morning Reading – Ephesians 1:15-23 (NLT)

Paul’s Prayer for Spiritual Wisdom

Ever since I first heard of your strong faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for God’s people everywhere, I have not stopped thanking God for you. I pray for you constantly, asking God, the glorious Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, to give you spiritual wisdom and insight so that you might grow in your knowledge of God. I pray that your hearts will be flooded with light so that you can understand the confident hope he has given to those he called—his holy people who are his rich and glorious inheritance.

I also pray that you will understand the incredible greatness of God’s power for us who believe him. This is the same mighty power that raised Christ from the dead and seated him in the place of honor at God’s right hand in the heavenly realms. Now he is far above any ruler or authority or power or leader or anything else—not only in this world but also in the world to come. God has put all things under the authority of Christ and has made him head over all things for the benefit of the church. And the church is his body; it is made full and complete by Christ, who fills all things everywhere with himself.
__________

Morning Reflection:

The church is his body;
it is made full and complete by Christ, who fills all things everywhere with himself.
– Ephesians 1:23 –

In today’s reading, Paul has moved from praising who has already blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ” (vs 1:3), to praying that the church might grow in wisdom and understanding of the “incredible greatness” of God’s power given to us in Jesus Christ, the head of all things, for the benefit of the church which is his body.

I recently read of a several high-profile pastors/teachers who have fallen away from the faith and denied Christ. The author posed the question: “If this is happening in public, how many low-profile pastors have fallen away privately but labor on in unbelief because they need a job?” It’s a sad state of affairs for them, but worse for the people in their churches; they don’t know who they are in Christ, or the power God has given to all who believe in Christ.

This is why Paul’s prayer speaks to us today, as the devil prowls this world seeking those whom he can deceive and destroy. Consider again Paul’s praise and prayer –

+ Praise: God has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms – not simply the temporal blessings of this earth and this life, but the eternal blessings of heaven. We are God’s holy people – his rich and glorious inheritance.

+ Prayer: That God’s holy people would appreciate the spiritual blessings they already have and grow in intimacy with God through faith and trust his Son, our Lord Jesus Christ.

Morning Prayer Pray for Your Church

  • That your pastors/teachers may be protected from the wiles and deceit of the evil one.
  • That together you may grow in wisdom and understanding of the spiritual blessings you have received in Christ.
  • That together your relationship with God may grow deeper and fuller through faith in Jesus Christ.
  • That together your hearts would be flooded with the light of God’s Word and the insight of God’s Spirit.
  • That together you would live confidently in the hope God has given you in Christ.
  • That together you would understand the greatness of the power God has given you – resurrection power, enthronement power.
  • That together you would gladly yield to the authority of Christ who is head over all things for the benefit of the church.

________

“Build my life” – Housefires

__________

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