Devotions For Wednesday

Opening
To whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, and we have believed and have come to know that You are the Holy One of God. Praise to You, Lord Jesus Christ, King of endless glory.
Proclaim praises to who he is, not just His benefit. That knowing Jesus is to have Him change me is true. But to dwell in His presence for which I am unfit, oh may that always be fresh and anew.

Observe a period of silence

Scripture
Psalm 118:1-4 O Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his steadfast love endures forever! Let Israel say, “His steadfast love endures forever.” Let the house of Arron say, “His steadfast love endures forever.” Let those who fear the Lord say, “His steadfast love endures forever.” (NRSV)

John 10:14,15 I am the good shepherd; I know my sheep and my sheep know me—just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep. (NIV)

1 John 3:16 This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down His life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. (NIV)

Meditation
My God, shall sin its power maintain and in my soul defiant live! ‘Tis not enough that Thou forgive, the cross must rise and self be slain. O God of love, Thy power disclose: ‘Tis not enough that Christ should rise, I, too, must seek the brightening skies, and rise from death, as Christ arose.
Greek Hymn quoted in AW Tozer’s The Knowledge of the Holy

Offer Prayer’s For Others

The Collect
Eternal Father, you gave to your incarnate Son the holy name of Jesus to be the sign of our salvation: plant in every heart. We pray, the love of Him who is the Savior of the world, our Lord Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen.

Devotions For Tuesday

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

Observe a period of silence

Scripture
Psalm 27:1 The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the defense of my life; whom shall I dread? (NAS)

John 1:4,5 In Him was life, and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it. (NIV)

1 Thessalonians 5:23,24 May God Himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The One who calls you is faithful and He will do it. (NIV)

Meditation

We believe and trust in God the Father Almighty. We believe and trust in Jesus Christ His Son. We believe and trust in the Holy Spirit. We believe and trust in the Three in One.

Offer Prayer’s For Others

The Collect
Eternal Father, you gave to your incarnate Son the holy name of Jesus to be the sign of our salvation: plant in every heart. We pray, the love of Him who is the Savior of the world, our Lord Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen.

Devotions For Monday

Opening
My soul waits for the Lord more than those who watch for the morning, more than those who watch for the morning.
Out of the depths I have cried to You. O Lord, hear my voice. With my whole heart I want to praise You. O Lord, hear my voice. If You, Lord, should mark iniquities: Who could stand? Who could stand?
I will wait for the Lord. My soul waits, and in Him do I hope.

Call: Who is it that you seek?

Response: I seek the Lord our God.

Call: Do you seek Him with all your heart?

Response: Amen. Lord, have mercy.

Call: Do you seek Him with all your soul?

Response: Amen. Lord, have mercy.

Call: Do you seek Him with all your mind?

Response: Amen. Lord, have mercy.

Call: Do you seek Him with all your strength?

Response: Amen. Christ, have mercy.

Observe a period of silence

Scripture
Psalm 23:1-3 The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside still waters; He restores me soul. He leads me in right paths for His name’s sake. (NRSV)

Luke 2:19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. (NIV)

Hebrews 12:14,15 Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one misses the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many. (NIV)

Meditation
As it was, as it is, and as it shall be evermore, God of grace, God in Trinity! With the ebb, with the flow, ever it is so, God of grace, O Trinity, with the ebb and flow.

Traditional Gaelic prayer

Offer Prayer’s For Others

The Collect
Eternal Father, you gave to your incarnate Son the holy name of Jesus to be our salvation. Plant in every heart, we pray, the love of Him who is the Savior of the world, our Lord Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen.

Love And Prophecy Applied To Pastoral Ministry

All right friends, as I said Sunday, GREAT THOUGHTS!

I love the context that 1 Corinthians 1:30,31 and 2:2 sets for pastoral ministry. My paraphrase…Jesus is everything; therefore, I tremble at the opportunity to be a pastor.

That base coupled with your thoughts on prophecy and love provides for the pastoral manifesto that I alluded to on Sunday. Now this thought process is a work in progress for me and accordingly I would love your input. Not just on pastoral ministry but the impact of these principles have in your lives.

Teach away, class is in session.

Baptist Prophecy?

It’s been far too long since the last post and for that I apologize. So here’s a thought that will require some unpacking…

In 1 Corinthians 13 we know that love is patient and kind (13:4), does not seek it’s own advancement (vs. 4,5), is not irritable or resentful (vs. 5) and rejoices in truth (vs. 6) among other things. However, what I’ve been pondering in the last few days is the first verse of chapter 14. “Pursue love and strive for the spiritual gifts, and especially that you prophesy.” Because Prophesy builds up the body (14:3), encourages (vs. 3), provides consolation (vs. 3) and builds up the church (vs. 4).

What does this mean, “pursue…prophecy”? Isn’t this an odd pair? What is the significance of the pairing? How would this effect life and ministry?

I have my thought but for now have at it my friends…