Online Ministry 0827 - 0902 2018

PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION

May God’s word of truth, implanted within us at birth, bloom in acts of loving faithfulness. May that word shape our lives so that we become doers of the word, using God’s gifts for all. AMEN.
 

Psalm 15

15:1 O LORD, who may abide in your tent? Who may dwell on your holy hill?
15:2 Those who walk blamelessly, and do what is right, and speak the truth from their heart;
15:3 who do not slander with their tongue, and do no evil to their friends, nor take up a reproach against their neighbors;
15:4 in whose eyes the wicked are despised, but who honor those who fear the LORD; who stand by their oath even to their hurt;
15:5 who do not lend money at interest, and do not take a bribe against the innocent. Those who do these things shall never be moved.
 

DAILY READINGS

• Monday, August 27, 2018: Psalm 11; 1 Kings 5:13-18; Ephesians 5:21-6:9
• OR Psalm 119:97-104; Nehemiah 9:1-15; Ephesians 5:21-6:9
• Tuesday, August 28, 2018: Psalm 11; 1 Kings 6:1-14; Ephesians 6:21-24
• OR Psalm 119:97-104; Nehemiah 9:16-31; Ephesians 6:21-24
• Wednesday, August 29, 2018: Psalm 11; 1 Kings 6:15-38; John 15:16-25
• OR Psalm 119:97-104; Isaiah 33:10-16; John 15:16-25
• Thursday, August 30, 2018: Psalm 45:1-2, 6-9; Song of Solomon 1:1-17; James 1:1-8
• OR Psalm 15; Exodus 32:1-14; James 1:1-8
• Friday, August 31, 2018: Psalm 45:1-2, 6-9; Song of Solomon 2:1-7; James 1:9-16
• OR Psalm 15; Exodus 32:15-35; James 1:9-16
• Saturday, September 1, 2018: Psalm 45:1-2, 6-9; Hosea 3:1-5; John 18:28-32
• OR Psalm 15; Exodus 34:8-28; John 18:28-32
• Sunday, September 2, 2018: Proper 17 (22)

 

ABUNDANT HEALTH

Pain Gets Our Attention
For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 2 Corinthians 4:17 (NIV)
 
It’s no surprise that many of us can be stubborn. We don’t change that easily or quickly. Bad habits get ingrained. But God brings in a key tool to work on us: circumstances! The problems and pressures, heartaches and hard times, difficulties and stress that we all experience.
Problems always get our attention, and the more painful they are, the more we pay attention. C. S. Lewis noted that God whispers to us in our pleasure but shouts to us in our pain. It often takes a painful situation to get our attention. Yet God will use it for your good and your growth if you cooperate with him.
—Pastor Rick Warren
 

PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING

God of light and beauty, every gift is from you. Even our ability to give is a blessing of your love. We offer you what we have and what we are. Use our gifts to give birth to a world of righteousness where none are in need and where all draw close to your grace. Amen.