Keep Watch: Day 2

Cheesy Christian art? Sure! Why not? 

Psalm of Response: Psalm 122 

1 I rejoiced with those who said to me,
“Let us go to the house of the LORD.”
2 Our feet are standing
in your gates, Jerusalem.
3 Jerusalem is built like a city
that is closely compacted together.
4 That is where the tribes go up—
the tribes of the LORD—
to praise the name of the LORD
according to the statute given to Israel.
5 There stand the thrones for judgment,
the thrones of the house of David.
6 Pray for the peace of Jerusalem:
“May those who love you be secure.
7 May there be peace within your walls
and security within your citadels.”
8 For the sake of my family and friends,
I will say, “Peace be within you.”
9 For the sake of the house of the LORD our God,
I will seek your prosperity.

NT Reading: Romans 13:11-14

"11 And do this, understanding the present time: The hour has already come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. 12 The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. 13 Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. 14 Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh." 

Reflections from the Church Fathers: Chrysostom

"Paul is not trying to frighten his hearers but to encourage them, so as to detach them from their love of things of this world. It was not unlikely that at the beginning of their endeavors they would be more dedicated and slacken off as time went on. But Paul wants them to do the opposite- not to slacken as time goes on but to become even more dedicated. For the nearer the King is, the more they ought to be ready to receive him." Homilies on Romans 23.  

For Further Thought and Reflection:

1. In what way do you love the things of this world, or the deeds of darkness, more than you love Christ, our light? 

2. Finding peace with God, peace with others and peace with yourself involves putting on the armor of light. How might you do that?  

3. If you do not have peace with God, others or yourself this day, confess, apologize, make amends.  Ask the Holy Spirit for grace to follow Him.  

Keep Watch: Day 1

Theme: Scripture tells us that we are forgiven! It calls us to walk in the light of the Lord, to pray for peace and to keep watch for Christ's return, putting aside our deeds of darkness and living in the light. In this season of Advent, we celebrate the Child who is the Light. We thank God for forgiveness of sins and reaffirm our desire to walk with the Lord.



Opening Prayer
"God is peace, the principle of all kinds of communion. Let us extol peace with songs of peaceful praise. It is God-who-is-Peace who brings all things into unity, who is the cause of every agreement, who is the author of all harmony. Amen." Pseudo-Dionysius the Areopagite

OT Reading: Isaiah 2:1-5
1 This is what Isaiah son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem:
2 In the last days
the mountain of the LORD’s temple will be established
as the highest of the mountains;
it will be exalted above the hills,
and all nations will stream to it.
3 Many peoples will come and say,
“Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD,
to the temple of the God of Jacob.
He will teach us his ways,
so that we may walk in his paths.”
The law will go out from Zion,
the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.
4 He will judge between the nations
and will settle disputes for many peoples.
They will beat their swords into plowshares
and their spears into pruning hooks.
Nation will not take up sword against nation,
nor will they train for war anymore.
5 Come, descendants of Jacob,
let us walk in the light of the LORD." 

Reflections from the Church Fathers: Augustine

"The central place they are all coming to is Christ; he is at the center, because he is equally related to all; anything placed in the center is common to all...Approach the mountain, climb the mountain, and you that climb it, do not go down it. There you will be safe, and there you will be protected; Christ is your mountain of refuge. And where is Christ? At the right hand of the Father since he ascended into heaven." Sermon 62A.3. 

For Further Though and Reflection

1. In what way have you experienced Christ as your mountain of refuge?

2. Have you "gone down from the mountain"? If so, why? You are always welcome back up. 

3. How do you know when you are walking in the light of the Lord? 

4. Thank God for his refuge, for his light. Ask him for the grace to stay on the mountain, to stay in the light.  

5. Who is God leading up the mountain and into the light? How can you partner with him?  

Praising the Good Shepherd: Day 2

Psalm of Response: Psalm 95:1-7a

1 Come, let us sing for joy to the LORD;
let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation.
2 Let us come before him with thanksgiving
and extol him with music and song.
3 For the LORD is the great God,
the great King above all gods.
4 In his hand are the depths of the earth,
and the mountain peaks belong to him.
5 The sea is his, for he made it,
and his hands formed the dry land.
6 Come, let us bow down in worship,
let us kneel before the LORD our Maker;
7 for he is our God
and we are the people of his pasture,
the flock under his care.

NT Reading: Ephesians 1:15-23

15 For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all God’s people, 16 I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. 17 I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit[a] of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better.18 I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, 19 and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength 20 he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, 21 far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. 22 And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, 23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way."

Reflections from the Church Fathers: Marius Victorinus

"Every prayer that we offer up to God is made either in thanks for what we have received or in petition to receive something else. We are encouraged to pray both for ourselves and for those we love. So Paul says, 'I make mention of you in my prayer.' 'Therefore my chief prayer is first on my account, then on yours.'" Epistle to the Ephesians 1.1.16 

For Further Reflection and Prayer:

1. "Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the LORD our Maker; for he is our God and we are the people of his pasture, he flock under his care." Kneel- yes, kneel- before God. Bow down in worship. Thank Him that He cares for you and shepherds you.  

2.  "I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people." While you are praying on your knees, ask God to enlighten the eyes of your heart so that you may know the hope to which He has called you. Pray that He would also reveal Himself to your friends. 

Praising the Good Shepherd: Day 1

Gregory the Great

Theme
God is the good shepherd who made the wonders of creation; we praise him, who made all things. We pray that our hearts may be opened and that we may be confident that we have done our best to serve others for his sake on the day of Christ's return.

Prayer
"Stir up, O Lord, your power, and come; mercifully fulfill that which you have promised to your church unto the end of the world! Amen." {The Gelsatian Sacramentary}



OT Reading: Ezekiel 34:11-16, 20-24 
11 “‘For this is what the Sovereign LORD says: I myself will search for my sheep and look after them. 12 As a shepherd looks after his scattered flock when he is with them, so will I look after my sheep. I will rescue them from all the places where they were scattered on a day of clouds and darkness. 13 I will bring them out from the nations and gather them from the countries, and I will bring them into their own land. I will pasture them on the mountains of Israel, in the ravines and in all the settlements in the land. 14 I will tend them in a good pasture, and the mountain heights of Israel will be their grazing land. There they will lie down in good grazing land, and there they will feed in a rich pasture on the mountains of Israel. 15 I myself will tend my sheep and have them lie down, declares the Sovereign LORD. 16 I will search for the lost and bring back the strays. I will bind up the injured and strengthen the weak, but the sleek and the strong I will destroy. I will shepherd the flock with justice...20 “‘Therefore this is what the Sovereign LORD says to them: See, I myself will judge between the fat sheep and the lean sheep. 21 Because you shove with flank and shoulder, butting all the weak sheep with your horns until you have driven them away, 22 I will save my flock, and they will no longer be plundered. I will judge between one sheep and another. 23 I will place over them one shepherd, my servant David, and he will tend them; he will tend them and be their shepherd. 24 I the LORD will be their God, and my servant David will be prince among them. I the LORD have spoken."

Reflection from the Church Fathers: We Can All Shepherd Each Other

"We must all of us strive zealously to make known to the church both the dreadfulness of the coming judgment and the kingdom of heaven's delight. Those who are not in a position to address a large assembly should instruct individuals, offering instruction in personal talks; they should try to serve those around them through simple encouragement. You who are pastors, consider that you are pasturing God's flock. We often see a block of salt put out for animals to lick for their well-being. Priests among their people should be like blocks of salt. They should counsel everyone in their flocks in such a way that all those with whom they come in contact may be seasoned with eternal life as if they had been sprinkled with salt. We who preach are not the salt of the earth unless we season the hearts of those who listen to us. We are really preaching to others if we ourselves do what we say, if we are pierced with God's love, if, since we cannot avoid sin, our tears wash away the stains on our life that come with each new day. We truly feel remorse when we take to heart the lives of our forebears in the faith so that we are diminished in our own eyes. Then do we truly feel remorse, when we attentively examine God's teachings, and adopt for our won use what those who revere themselves used for theirs. And while we are moved to remorse on our own account, let us also take responsibility for the lives entrusted to our care. Our own bitter compunction should not divert us from concern for our neighbor. What good to love and strive to do good for our neighbor and abandon ourselves? We must realize that our passion for justice in the face of another's evil must never cause us to lose the virtue of gentleness. Priests must not be quick-tempered or rash; they must instead be temperate and thoughtful. We must support those we challenge and challenge those we support. If we neglect this, our work will lack either courage or gentleness. What shall we call the human soul but the food of the Lord? It is created to become nothing less than Christ's body, and to bring about growth in the eternal church. We priests are to season this food. Cease to pray, cease to teach, and the salt loses its taste. Gregory the Great. Be Friends of God 35. 

For Further Thought and Prayer:

1. You are God's sheep. Are you aware of a time when he has searched you out?

2. Do you allow God to shepherd you, or do you run from him? If you run, why? 

3. "...all those with whom they come in contact may be seasoned with eternal life as if they had been sprinkled with salt." This is like when Mindy says that we should leave fingerprints of blessing on the lives of all those with whom we have relationships.  Have you had a relationship like this? What was it like?  

4. "We must support those we challenge and challenge those we support. If we neglect this, our work will lack either courage or gentleness." Do you lack courage or gentleness?  Both? Why? 

After you've reflected on these questions, share your thoughts with the Father. Ask Him, through the power of the Holy Spirit, to mold you more into the likeness of Christ, our Saviour.  

Using Our Talents: Day 3

Gospel Reading: Matthew 25:14-30

"14 “Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his wealth to them. 15 To one he gave five bags of gold, to another two bags, and to another one bag,[a] each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey. 16 The man who had received five bags of gold went at once and put his money to work and gained five bags more. 17 So also, the one with two bags of gold gained two more. 18 But the man who had received one bag went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money. 19 “After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them. 20 The man who had received five bags of gold brought the other five. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with five bags of gold. See, I have gained five more.’  21 “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’ 22 “The man with two bags of gold also came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘you entrusted me with two bags of gold; see, I have gained two more.’ 23 “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’
24 “Then the man who had received one bag of gold came. ‘Master,’ he said, ‘I knew that you are a hard man, harvesting where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed. 25 So I was afraid and went out and hid your gold in the ground. See, here is what belongs to you.’ 26 “His master replied, ‘You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed? 27 Well then, you should have put my money on deposit with the bankers, so that when I returned I would have received it back with interest. 28 “‘So take the bag of gold from him and give it to the one who has ten bags. 29 For whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them. 30 And throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’"

Reflections from the Church Fathers: The Worthless Servant Cast into Darkness, Chrysostom

"'The unprofitable servant is to be cast into outer darkness, where there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.' Do you see how sins of omission are also met with extreme rejection? It is not only the covetous, the active doer of evil things and the adulterer, but also the one who fails to do good. Let us listen carefully then to these words. As we have opportunity, let us work to cooperate with our salvation. Let us get oil for our lamps. Let us labor to add to our talent. For if we are backward and spend our time in sloth here, no one will pity us any more hereafter, though we should wait ten thousand times...Remember the virgins who again entreated and came to him and knocked, all in vain and without effect." The Gospel of Matthew, Homily 78.3

Closing Prayer

"Forgive our transgressions, our errors, our lapses and our weaknesses. Do not keep count of the sins of your servants but purify us through the gift of your truth and direct our steps. Help us to walk in holiness of heart and to do what is good and pleasing to your eyes. Amen." Clement of Rome  

Using Our Talents: Day 2

Psalm of Response: Psalm 123

1 I lift up my eyes to you,
to you who sit enthroned in heaven.
2 As the eyes of slaves look to the hand of their master,
as the eyes of a female slave look to the hand of her mistress,
so our eyes look to the LORD our God,
till he shows us his mercy.
3 Have mercy on us, LORD, have mercy on us,
for we have endured no end of contempt.
4 We have endured no end
of ridicule from the arrogant,
of contempt from the proud.

NT Reading: 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11
1 Now, brothers and sisters, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, 2for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. 3While people are saying, “Peace and safety,” destruction will come on them suddenly, as labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. 4But you, brothers and sisters, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief. 5 You are all children of the light and children of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness. 6 So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be awake and sober. 7 For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night. 8 But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet. 9 For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. 10 He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him. 11 Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.

Reflections from Church Fathers: Seeing the Church Grow, Chrysostom

"God, you know, does not wish Christians to be concerned only for themselves but also to edify others, not simply through their teaching but also through their behavior and the way they live. After all, nothing is such an attraction to the way of truth as an upright life- in other words, people pay less attention to what we say than to what we do." Homilies on Genesis 8.4-5

For Prayer and Reflection

Thank God for His mercy, for the salvation given through Jesus Christ, for the opportunity to live with Him. 

Confess that we often appear to "belong to the night or to the darkness" when, in reality, we are "children of the light and children of the day."

Ask God for the mercy and grace to help us to put on faith, hope and love. 

Do encourage one of your brothers or sisters in Christ today. Build each other up.

Ancient Christian Devotional: Using Our Talents

We will now begin sampling excerpts from the book Ancient Christian Devotional: A Year of Weekly Readings. If you find that you like the readings and want to purchase the book, you can click on the link and order from IVPress.

Week 51: Using Our Talents

Theme: We plead with God for mercy on our situations, submitting to Him and looking to Him for help (Psalm 123). We use our gifts and talents wisely (Matt 25:14-30) until his anticipated return (1 Thess 5:1-11) and judgment (Zeph 1:7, 12-18).

Opening Prayer: Proper 28

"Oh Christ, who knows our sorrows: comfort our brethren who are lonely and heavy with griefs. Give courage to those who are assailed by vehement temptations; give strength to them who have no might, and when they are tried, grant them victory. Remember the sick and afflicted, especially such as are dear to us whom we name in our hearts...and if so it seems good to you, give health again, in body and soul, for your tender mercies' sake. Amen." Augustine.

OT Reading: Zephaniah 1:7, 12-18

"7Be silent before the Sovereign LORD,
for the day of the LORD is near.
The LORD has prepared a sacrifice;
he has consecrated those he has invited.

12 At that time I will search Jerusalem with lamps
and punish those who are complacent,
who are like wine left on its dregs,
who think, ‘The LORD will do nothing,
either good or bad.’
13 Their wealth will be plundered,
their houses demolished.
Though they build houses,
they will not live in them;
though they plant vineyards,
they will not drink the wine.”

14 The great day of the LORD is near—
near and coming quickly.
The cry on the day of the LORD is bitter;
the Mighty Warrior shouts his battle cry.
15 That day will be a day of wrath—
a day of distress and anguish,
a day of trouble and ruin,
a day of darkness and gloom,
a day of clouds and blackness—
16 a day of trumpet and battle cry
against the fortified cities
and against the corner towers.

17 “I will bring such distress on all people
that they will grope about like those who are blind,
because they have sinned against the LORD.
Their blood will be poured out like dust
and their entrails like dung.
18 Neither their silver nor their gold
will be able to save them
on the day of the LORD’s wrath.”

In the fire of his jealousy
the whole earth will be consumed,
for he will make a sudden end
of all who live on the earth."

Reflections from Church Fathers: Money and Things to be Shunned, Cyprian

"The lust of possessions and money are not to be sought for. In Solomon, in Ecclesiastes, 'He that loves silver shall not be satisfied with silver.' Also in Proverbs: 'He who holds back the corn is cursed among people, but blessing on the head of him that communicates it.' Also in Isaiah: 'Woe to them who join house to house, and lay field to field, that they may take away something from their neighbor. Will you dwell alone upon the earth?' Also, in Zephaniah: 'They shall build houses, and shall not dwell in them; and they shall appoint vineyards, and shall not drink the wine of them, because the Day of the Lord is near.' Also in the Gospel according to Luke: 'For what does it profit a man to make a gain of the whole world, but that he should lose himself?'" To Quirinius, Testimonies Against the Jews 12.3.61

For Reflection and Prayer: 

What stood out to you from the bible passage or the reflection? Did you feel convicted about anything? If so, confess that to our Father, receive His forgiveness through Christ, and pray for the grace and power from the Holy Spirit to live as God desires.

Greetings from the Sunshine State!

Greetings from Florida, the land of sunshine, citrus fruit and grandparents.  That's right, Liam and I are visiting Wanner and J-Pop, otherwise known as Liam's maternal grandparents.

I simply love coming to my parents' house, even though it wasn't the house I grew up in.  It is my home away from home. As soon as I walk in these doors, the cares of the world melt away. I am cared for and can rest easy.  I am also very much able to connect with God, to lose myself in a good book, to see Scripture in a new light. I always walk away invigorated.

Do you have a place like this? A place where you can rest easy and rest in God?  Do you have a place or a time where you are able to make extra space to commune with God?  What about on campus? Do you have a place or time on campus where you are able to make extra space for God?  Your challenge is this: Before Saturday, find a place or a time on campus where you are able to be alone, truly alone, with God.  And then do just that. Be alone with God. Try 30 minutes. Bring a book, your Bible, a journal- whatever you use to connect with God and quiet your soul.  


You won't regret it.

Some resources to guide you in an Extended Time of Prayer:
http://www.navigators.org/us/articles/items/extendedprayer
http://www.thechristianmeditator.com/christianprayerretreat.html
http://www.spirithome.com/spirquie.html

The True Centurion

Are you familiar with the teaching that Jesus is the true elder brother (from the prodigal son)? My Community Bible Study on Luke just gave me new revelation that Jesus is also the true centurion. Are you familiar with the faith of the centurion in Luke 7:1-10?

"When Jesus had finished saying all this to the people who were listening, he entered Capernaum. 2 There a centurion’s servant, whom his master valued highly, was sick and about to die. 3 The centurion heard of Jesus and sent some elders of the Jews to him, asking him to come and heal his servant. 4 When they came to Jesus, they pleaded earnestly with him, “This man deserves to have you do this, 5 because he loves our nation and has built our synagogue.” 6 So Jesus went with them. He was not far from the house when the centurion sent friends to say to him: “Lord, don’t trouble yourself, for I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. 7 That is why I did not even consider myself worthy to come to you. But say the word, and my servant will be healed. 8 For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and that one, ‘Come,’ and he comes. I say to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” 9 When Jesus heard this, he was amazed at him, and turning to the crowd following him, he said, “I tell you, I have not found such great faith even in Israel.” 10 Then the men who had been sent returned to the house and found the servant well."

1. What is a centurion? The commander of a century in the Roman army.

2. What were the qualities of a centurion? "Centurions often suffered heavy casualties in battle, generally fighting alongside the legionaries they commanded. They usually led from the front, occupying a position at the front right of the century formation. They led and inspired their men by example. They also sought to display the skill and courage that may have gotten them to their rank in the first place. It is for these reasons that they often suffered a disproportionate number of casualties.Centurions had to be literate, have connections (letters of recommendation), be at least 30 years of age, and had already served a few years in the military."

The centurion in the infantry is chosen for his size, strength and dexterity in throwing his missile weapons and for his skill in the use of his sword and shield; in short for his expertness in all the exercises. He is to be vigilant, temperate, active and readier to execute the orders he receives than to talk; Strict in exercising and keeping up proper discipline among his soldiers, in obliging them to appear clean and well-dressed and to have their arms constantly rubbed and bright. \

(Vegetius.De Re Militari,[7] II, 14 ) 

(Thank you, Wikipedia.) 

Did you catch that? The centurion led and inspired his men by example, suffered casualties, and had to be 30 years of age to start his service. Hmm...

3. The centurion was a man under authority, but also had authority over other men. (Luke 7:8) If you are familiar with Luke 5:24 and John 8:28-29, you will note that Jesus, too, is a man under authority who has authority over other men.

Why is this important? The modern church has feminized Christianity and Christ. While it is right and good to love Jesus and to sing to Him, our lover, this often makes men feel uncomfortable. How about worshiping and serving Jesus, a warrior who leads and inspires by example, who was willing to die while fighting alongside His men, who has authority. Sounds like a Jesus I want my son and the guys in Greek IV to worship, serve and emulate.

Take My Life and Let It Be

**This song has special meaning for me as this was the song sung at our wedding when Daniel and I received communion together for the first time as husband and wife. Bowing our heads in prayer and singing this song to the Lord, dedicating our life to Him, was very powerful and beautiful.  I honestly wish that for each of you.**

"So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God."

1 Corinthians 10:31

In this day of self-centered living and pleasure-oriented lifestyle, the total commitment to God of body, mind, and possessions portrayed in this text is difficult for many Christians to achieve. Even though we realize that we have nothing we have not received and that we are only stewards of the good gifts God has entrusted to us, we often fail to apply this basic truth to our daily lives:

The gold that came from Thee, Lord,
To Thee belongeth still;
Oh, may I always faithfully
My stewardship fulfill.
~Author Unknown~

It was said of Frances Ridley Havergal, author of this text, that the beauty of a consecrated life was never more perfectly revealed than in her daily living. She has rightfully been called "The Consecration Poet", her entire life characterized by simple faith and spiritual saintliness. In spite of frail health, she lived an active life until her death at the age of 43. On her tombstone was the Scripture verse she claimed as her own: The blood of Jesus Christ cleanseth us from all sin. I John 1:7. She wrote many beautifully phrased hymn texts, including I Gave My Life for Thee", "Who is on the LORD's Side?", and "Like a River Glorious".

"These little couplets that chimed in my heart one after another" were for Frances Havergal the result of an evening in 1874 passed in pursuing a deeper consecration of herself to God. "Take my voice and let me sing always, only for my King" was personally significant for Frances. She was naturally very musical and had been trained as a concert soloist with an unusually pleasant voice. Her musical talents could have brought her much worldly fame. However, she determined that her life's mission was to sing and work only for Jesus. The line "Take my silver and my gold" was also sincerely phrased. At one time Frances gathered together her many fine pieces of jewelry and other family heirlooms and shipped them to the church missionary house to be used for evangelizing the lost. Nearly fifty articles were sent with "extreme delight".


TAKE MY LIFE AND LET IT BE Frances R. Havergal, 1836-1879

Take my life, and let it be
Consecrated, Lord, to Thee.
Take my moments and my days;
Let them flow in ceaseless praise,
Let them flow in ceaseless praise.

Take my hands, and let them move
At the impulse of Thy love.
Take my feet, and let them be
Swift and beautiful for Thee,
Swift and beautiful for Thee.

Take my voice, and let me sing
Always, only, for my King.
Take my lips, and let them be
Filled with messages from Thee
Filled with messages from Thee.

Take my silver and my gold;
Not a mite would I withhold.
Take my intellect, and use
Ev'ry pow'r as Thou shalt choose,
Ev'ry pow'r as Thou shalt choose.

Take my will, and make it Thine;
It shall be no longer mine.
Take my heart, it is Thine own;
It shall be Thy royal throne,
It shall be Thy royal throne.

Take my love, my Lord, I pour
At Thy feet its treasure store.
Take myself, and I will be
Ever, only, all for Thee,
Ever, only, all for Thee.

Read I Chronicles 29:1-13; Matthew 22:37; I Corinthians 6:19 & 20
Sing this song again and again. Ask God to make it your true prayer.
Express once more your gratitude for all of God's gifts. Dedicate yourself more completely to His glory and service.

Blessed Assurance

"Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful."

Hebrews 10:22-23

Some people claim to have accepted Christ as Saviour, yet they live in the tragic uncertainty of doubting their salvation! The Holy Bible teaches, however, that we can know with absolute confidence that we have eternal life through Jesus Christ (I John 5:13). This confidence is not based on inner feelings or outer signs. Rather, this assurance is founded upon the promises of a faithful God and His inspired Word. It depends not on the amount of our faith, but on the object of that faith--Jesus Christ Himself.

Though blinded at six weeks of age through improper medical treatment, Fanny Crosby wrote more than 8,000 gospel song texts in her lifetime of 95 years. Her many favorites such as "Blessed Assurance" have been an important part of Christian worship for over a century. Only eternity will disclose the host of individuals whose lives have been spiritually enriched through the texts of Fanny Crosby's many hymns. Engraved on Fanny J. Crosby's tombstone at Bridgeport, Connecticut are these significant words taken from our Lord's remarks to Mary, the sister of Lazarus, after she had annointed Him with costly perfume--"She hath done what she could." (Mark 14:8).

BLESSED ASSURANCE

Fanny J. Crosby, 1820-1915

Blessèd assurance, Jesus is mine!
O what a foretaste of Glory divine!
Heir of salvation, purchase of God,
Born of His Spirit, washed in His blood.

Perfect submission, perfect delight,
Visions of rapture now burst on my sight;
Angels descending bring from above
Echoes of mercy, whispers of love.

Perfect submission, all is at rest
I in my Savior am happy and blest,
Watching and waiting, looking above,
Filled with His goodness, lost in His love.

CHORUS:
This is my story, this is my song,
Praising my Savior, all the day long;
This is my story, this is my song,
Praising my Savior, all the day long!

Read Isaiah 12:2; Romans 8:16 & 17, 15:13; Titus 2:13 & 14; I John 5:13

Pray that in Him you'd be happy and blessed, lost in His love.

Ponder, f you are happy and blessed, if your soul is at rest, if you're filled with His goodness, why do you keep it to yourself?

If you have accepted Christ as your personal Saviour, live with the absolute conviction and triumphant faith that the apostle Paul had when he exclaimed, "...I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him until that day." (2 Timothy 1:12). Carry Fanny Crosby's musical praise with you as you go through your day.

O Love That Will Not Let Me Go

The Art of Hymns

"The LORD appeared to us in the past, saying:

“I have loved you with an everlasting love; 

I have drawn you with unfailing kindness."

Jeremiah 31:3

The writing of this thoughtful and artistically constructed text is most remarkable! It was authored by an esteemed Scottish minister who was totally blind and who described the writing as the "fruit of much mental suffering". Many conjectures have been made regarding the cause of the "mental suffering". Thankfully, Dr. George Matheson did leave this account:

"My hymn was composed in Innelan on the evening of the 6th of June, 1882, when I was 40 years of age. I was alone at that time. It was the night of my sister's marriage, and the rest of the family were staying overnight in Glasgow. Something happened to me, which was known only to myself, and which caused me the most severe mental suffering. The hymn was the fruit of that suffering. It was the quickest bit of work I ever did in my life. I had the impression of having it dictated to me by some inward voice rather than of working it out myself. I am quite sure that the whole work was completed in five minutes, and equally sure that it never received at my hands any retouching or correction. I have no natural gift of rhythm. All the other verses I have ever written are manufactured articles; this came like a dayspring from on high."

A very popular account for the writing of this hymn, though never fully substantiated, claims that it was the result of the reminder at his sister's wedding of the great disappointment that Matheson had experienced just before he was to have been married to his college fiancee. When told of his impending total blindness, she is said to have informed him, "I do not wish to be the wife of a blind preacher."

It is very possible that the lingering memory of this rejection from an earthly love prompted George Matheson to write this beautiful expression of an eternal love that will never be broken:

 O LOVE THAT WILT NOT LET ME GO
George Matheson, 1842-1902

O Love that wilt not let me go,
I rest my weary soul in Thee;
I give Thee back the life I owe,
That in Thine ocean depths its flow
May richer, fuller be.

O Light that followest all my way,
I yield my flickering torch to Thee;
My heart restores its borrowed ray,
That in Thy sunshine’s blaze its day
May brighter, fairer be.

O Joy that seekest me through pain,
I cannot close my heart to thee;
I trace the rainbow through the rain,
And feel the promise is not vain,
That morn shall tearless be.

O Cross that liftest up my head,
I dare not ask to fly from thee;
I lay in dust life’s glory dead,
And from the ground there blossoms red
Life that shall endless be.

Read Romans 8:35-39; I John 3:1; Revelation 1:5 & 6

Confess that we too often close our heart to God.
Thank God that He seeks us through pain.
Rest securely in God's eternal love, regardless of the human difficulty or suffering you may be experiencing.

Share this song with someone you know who is going through a trial and needs encouragement. 

All Saints' Day

Last night was Halloween, or as it was originally called, All Hallows' Eve, which makes today All Saints' Day.  Whether or not your denomination commemorates this church holiday, it is interesting to learn about the history of it.  Different denominations celebrate this day in the following ways:

The festival was retained after the Reformation in the calendar of the Anglican Church and in many Lutheran churches. In the Lutheran churches, such as the Church of Sweden, it assumes a role of general commemoration of the dead. In the Swedish calendar, the observance takes place on the Saturday between October 31 and November 6. In many Lutheran Churches, it is moved to the first Sunday of November. It is also celebrated by other Protestants of the English tradition, such as the United Church of Canada, the Methodist churches, and the Wesleyan Church. ^[9]

In the United Methodist Church, All Saints' Day is on the first Sunday in November. It is held, not only to remember Saints, but also to remember all those that have died that were members of the local church congregation.^[10] In some congregations, a candle is lit by the Acolyte as each person's name is called out by the clergy. Prayers and responsive readings may accompany the event. Often, the names of those who have died in the past year are afixed to a memorial plaque.

In many Presbyterian churches, All Saints' Day and Reformation Day are observed concurrently on the Sunday before or of those dates, given Reformation Day is observed in Protestant Churches on October 31. Typically, Luther's Mighty Fortress is Our God is sung during the service. Besides discussing Luther's role in the Protestant Reformation, some recognition of the prominent early leaders of the Reformed tradition, such as John Calvin and John Knox, occurs. The observance of Reformation Day may be immediately followed by a reading of those members of the local congregation who have died in the past year in observance of All Saints' Day. Otherwise, the recognition of deceased church members occurs at another designated portion of the service.

In the Roman Catholic Church, All Saints' Day is a Holy Day of Obligation in many (but not all) countries, meaning going to Mass on the date is required (unless one is ill or elderly). However, in a number of countries that do list All Saints' Day as a Holy Day of Obligation, including England & Wales, the solemnity of All Saints' Day is transferred to the adjacent Sunday if 1 November falls on a Monday or a Saturday, while in the same circumstances in the United States the Solemnity is still celebrated on November 1 but the obligation to attend Mass is abrogated. 

[Wikipedia: All Saints' Day] 

Thus, we will follow suit by celebrating All Saints' Day in one of the following ways:

1. Remember those we know who have died in this past year. Thank God for that person and for the impact they had on your life. Remember their admirable traits and pray that you'd also be able to impact others as they impacted you.

2. Google a saint you've always heard about it, but know nothing about. How do you see Christ reflected in that person's life? Pray that God would also mold you into conformity with Christ.