Online Ministry 0826 - 0901 2019

PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION
Through the ages, O God, you have called to us to follow. You led us to freedom, to hope and peace. Enter our hearts again today and lead us to your healing love that we might serve you joyfully in this world that you have loaned to us. AMEN.
 
PSALM 81:1, 10-16
81:1 Sing aloud to God our strength; shout for joy to the God of Jacob.
81:10 I am the LORD your God, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt. Open your mouth wide and I will fill it.
81:11 "But my people did not listen to my voice; Israel would not submit to me.
81:12 So I gave them over to their stubborn hearts, to follow their own counsels.
81:13 O that my people would listen to me, that Israel would walk in my ways!
81:14 Then I would quickly subdue their enemies, and turn my hand against their foes.
81:15 Those who hate the LORD would cringe before him, and their doom would last forever.
81:16 I would feed you with the finest of the wheat, and with honey from the rock I would satisfy you."
 
DAILY READINGS

• Monday, August 26, 2019: Psalm 10; Jeremiah 7:1-15; Hebrews 3:7-4:11
• OR Psalm 109:21-31; Ezekiel 20:1-17; Hebrews 3:7-4:11
• Tuesday, August 27, 2019: Psalm 10; Jeremiah 7:16-26; Revelation 3:7-13
• OR Psalm 109:21-31; Ezekiel 20:18-32; Revelation 3:7-13
• Wednesday, August 28, 2019: Psalm 10; Jeremiah 7:27-34; Luke 6:6-11
• OR Psalm 109:21-31; Ezekiel 20:33-44; Luke 6:6-11
• Thursday, August 29, 2019: Psalm 81:1, 10-16; Jeremiah 11:1-17; 1 Peter 3:8-12
• OR Psalm 112; Proverbs 15:13-17; 1 Peter 3:8-12
• Friday, August 30, 2019: Psalm 81:1, 10-16; Jeremiah 12:1-13; 1 Peter 4:7-11
• OR Psalm 112; Proverbs 18:6-12; 1 Peter 4:7-11
• Saturday, August 31, 2019: Psalm 81:1, 10-16; Jeremiah 2:1-3, 14-22; Matthew 20:20-28
• OR Psalm 112; Proverbs 21:1-4, 24-26; Matthew 20:20-28
• Sunday, September 1, 2019: 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
Holy One, we recognize your presence in our lives and use the gifts that you have given to us in service with others. Let these gifts enable us to be strong in our commitment to you by serving others in need. Keep us open always to your abiding love. For we ask this in Jesus’ Name. Amen.