Wednesday, September 19, 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
  • Preparation for the Bowls

    Revelation 15

    The Song of Moses and of the Lamb sung by the victorious saints in John’s heavenly vision underscores one of the most significant principles in Scripture. The heavenly scenes of glory are virtually packed with sessions of song, praise, and worship. Our God inhabits the praises of his people, and worship and the presence of God are intimately connected in Scripture. The scenes of God’s working in the Apocalypse are filled with worship of our triune, infinitely beautiful and all-wise God, who seeks those who will worship him in spirit and truth. The anointed songs of the redeemed ring through heaven’s halls, and such exuberance is commanded from the saints on earth. We should offer the Lord anointed songs through his Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs which affirm the beauty, holiness, and might of our Lord.

    Let us join the praise and worship of the spheres, of heaven itself, and declare with excellence and verse our songs and praise to the glory of the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Let us praise God for what he has done, and what he will soon do at the coming of Christ to consummate his kingdom salvation.

    And they sing the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, “Great and amazing are your deeds, O Lord God the Almighty! Just and true are your ways, O King of the nations! [4] Who will not fear, O Lord, and glorify your name? For you alone are holy. All nations will come and worship you, for your righteous acts have been revealed.”

    ~ Revelation 15.3-4

  • Invocation: Our Prayer of Acclamation

    Eternal God our Father, grant us creativity, energy, and heart to sing new songs of praise to you, the kind of spiritual songs which declare your glory and might. We confess today that you are glorious, worthy of our highest praise. Let your words and songs of blessing ever be in our mouths as we walk with you today. Through Jesus Christ our Lord, amen.

    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

    Wednesday: John 10; Luke 13.22-14.24



    Lectionary Readings for the Day

    Psalm: Ps. 19

    OT: Prov. 1.20-33

    Gospel: Mark 8.27-38

    NT: James 3.1-12

    (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  
    Lord Jesus, giver of the victory which inspires our worship and our songs, be glorified this night as we meditate on the glorious victory you have won for us, and anticipate your final work at your Second Coming. Let every waking moment be filled with praise and adoration of your great name. For your sake we ask this, amen.

    Affirmation from the Psalms
    Make a joyful noise to the LORD, all the earth! [2] Serve the LORD with gladness! Come into his presence with singing! [3] Know that the LORD, he is God! It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. [4] Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name! [5] For the LORD is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations.

    ~ Psalm 100.1-5

    Pray without Ceasing - Flash Prayer for the Day
    I will bless the Lord at all times, his praise shall continuously be in my mouth (Ps. 34.1).

  • Let God Arise! Seasonal Focus

    The Coming of Christ

    Revelation 19



    Book Reading

    Lutzer, One Minute after You Die