Monday, May 28, 2018

  • 1 This Week's Theme
  • 2 Preparing Our Hearts
  • 3 Praising Our God
  • 4 Listening to His Voice
  • 5 Responding in Faith
  • 6 Departing to Serve
  • 7 For Your Weekly Journey
  • Heirs of God

    Romans 8.12-17

    After detailing how believers are now indwelt with God’s Holy Spirit, and therefore able to please and follow God, Paul tells the Romans that we are no longer obligated to follow the whims of our fleshly nature, to live according to the flesh. He suggests that if we determine to live according to our own fleshly desires, we will of that surely die. However, if we determine by the Spirit to mortify the deeds of the body, then we will live. All who are led by the Spirit of God are in truth the children of God.

    Additionally, Paul asserts that we did not receive the spirit of slavery (in bondage to legalistic rules) to fall back into fear; rather, we who believe have received the Spirit of adoption as God’s very own children, by whom we cry as little ones, “Abba! Father!” The Spirit himself who indwells us bears witness with our own spirit that we are God’s children, and because we are children, then we are also heirs – heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ. This is our inheritance, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.

  • Invocation: Our Prayer of Acclamation

    Almighty and everlasting God, You have given us grace to acknowledge the glory of the eternal Trinity by the confession of a true faith and to worship the Unity in the power of the Divine Majesty. Keep us steadfast in this faith and defend us from all adversities; for You, 0 Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, live and reign, one God, now and forever. Amen.

    ~ L52 (Murray, 171)

    Call to Worship  

    Blessed are you, O God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. And blessed is your Kingdom, both now and forever, Amen.

  • Te Deum Laudamus

    You are God: we praise you; you are the Lord; we acclaim you; you are the eternal Father: All creation worships you. To you all angels, all the powers of heaven, Cherubim and Seraphim, sing in endless praise: Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might, heaven and earth are full of your glory.

    The glorious company of apostles praise you. The noble fellowship of prophets praise you. The white-robed army of martyrs praise you. Throughout the world the holy Church acclaims you; Father, of majesty unbounded, your true and only Son, worthy of all worship, and the Holy Spirit, advocate and guide.

    You, Christ, are the king of glory, the eternal Son of the Father. When you became man to set us free you did not shun the Virgin’s womb. You overcame the sting of death and opened the kingdom of heaven to all believers. You are seated at God’s right hand in glory. We believe that you will come and be our judge. Come then, Lord, and help your people, bought with the price of your own blood, and bring us with your saints to glory everlasting.

    Praise and Thanksgiving (songs and prayers)

    Gloria Patri

    Glory be to the Father, And to the Son and to the Holy Spirit: As it was in the beginning, Is now, and ever shall be, World without end. Amen, amen. 

  • Chronological Reading for the Day

    Monday: Hos. 1-7



    Lectionary Readings for the Day

    Psalm: Ps. 29

    OT: Isa. 6.1-8

    Gospel: John 3.1-17

    NT: Rom. 8.12-17

    (Click here for all readings)

    Reflection: Silence and/or Journaling

  • The Apostles' Creed

    I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth; and in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; he descended into hell; the third day he arose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven and sits on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.

    I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic* church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

    *In the Apostles’ and Nicene Creeds, the term catholic refers to the Church’s universality, through all ages and times, of all languages and peoples. It refers to no particular tradition or denominational expression (e.g., as in Roman Catholic).

    Prayers of Confession
    Let us now confess our sins to God and receive mercy and grace to help in our time of need.

    Assurance of Pardon
    Having faithfully confessed and renounced your sin, Christ also has been faithful to forgive your sins and to purify you from all unrighteousness. It is certain, that there is One who has spoken to the Father in your defense, Jesus Christ, the Righteous One who is the atoning sacrifice for our sins and for the sins of the whole world. His grace and peace are with you now. Amen.

    Petitions and Supplications, Ending with The Lord's Prayer
    Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

    --Matthew 6.9-13 (KJV)

    Doxology (and/or closing song)
    Praise God from whom all blessings flow;
    Praise Him all creatures here below;
    Praise Him above ye heavenly host;
    Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Amen.

  • Benediction  
    May the infinite and glorious Trinity, the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost, direct our life in good works, and after our passage through this world, grant to us eternal rest with the righteous. Grant this, O Eternal and Almighty God. Amen.

    ~ Mozarabic Liturgy, before A.D. 700 (Fox, p. 233)

    Affirmation from the Psalms
    The LORD is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. [9] The LORD is good to all, and his mercy is over all that he has made. [10] All your works shall give thanks to you, O LORD, and all your saints shall bless you! [11] They shall speak of the glory of your kingdom and tell of your power, [12] to make known to the children of man your mighty deeds, and the glorious splendor of your kingdom. [13] Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and your dominion endures throughout all generations. [The LORD is faithful in all his words and kind in all his works.] [14] The LORD upholds all who are falling and raises up all who are bowed down.

    ~ Psalm 145.8-14

    Pray without Ceasing - Flash Prayer for the Day
    O triune God, Most High God of all the earth, praise be to you alone – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

  • Let God Arise! Seasonal Focus

    The Second Coming of Christ

    1 Thessalonians 4.13-18



    Book Reading

    Sproul, The Last Days According to Jesus