Prayer, Praise, & Promises Oct. 7, 2019

Psalms 26:2-3 (NIV)

Test me, LORD, and try me, examine my heart and my mind; for I have always been mindful of your unfailing love and have lived in reliance on your faithfulness.

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Reflections… a Scripture verse and inspiration for daily living [10/7/19]

Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves the father loves his child as well. This is how we know that we love the children of God: by loving God and carrying out his commands. In fact, this is love for God: to keep his commands. And his commands are not burdensome, for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world? Only the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.

1 John 5:1-5 (NIV)

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Prayer, Praise, & Promises Oct. 6, 2019

Before God fulfills His promises, He will test you. He will make sure that you believe in His faithfulness alone. – Alisa Hope Wagner

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Where is the Justice? – The Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost [10 6 19]

Today’s Passage: Book of Habakkuk [Habakkuk 1-3]

Opening Prayer: Father God, it is often hard to look at the injustices in this world, especially when we perceive ourselves to be one of the ones that have been treated unfairly.  We want to see justice done and the perpetrators punished.  Help us to understand that Your system of justice will not be found in this broken world.  May we continue to have faith in You and learn to patiently wait for the time when You will make all things right.  In Jesus’ name, I pray.  Amen.

Opening Song: Jeremy Camp – Walk By Faith
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BgWOcYpHm0o

Message [used with permission from A Sermon for Every Sunday]:  Habakkuk – The Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost [10 6 19] by Rolf Jacobson, Professor of Old Testament and the Alvin N. Rogness Chair of Scripture, Theology, and Ministry at Luther Seminary in St. Paul, Minnesota.
Can you find the book of Habakkuk in your Bible?  Can you use it as a Scrabble word? (those “K’s” are worth 5 points apiece!).  It is an often overlooked book, and yet the Word of God comes through loud and clear in the words of this ancient prophet. Rolf Jacobson, Professor of Old Testament at Luther Seminary in St. Paul, Minnesota, claims that the words of Habakkuk are not actually a prophetic message to God’s people, but a prayer to God .  “And this prayer,” he says, “is as explicitly political as any prayer that any preacher has ever prayed.”  Watch and learn as Jacobson makes sense of the message and meaning of Habakkuk.

Closing Song: Lincoln Brewster – While I Wait (Official Music Video)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uvSD57FJKLc

Closing Prayer: Father God, when we look at this world sometimes we forget You are a just God, You are faithful, and You are at work in this place.  When it is hard to see the positive things in our daily lives or in the world around us, remind us of Your faithfulness.  When we fail to see any fruit in our lives or we are feeling unproductive, help us to trust in You.  May we continue to praise You in those times of discouragement.  Help us to be patient.  May we rejoice and praise You while we wait.  In the name of Jesus, I pray.  Amen.

Epilogue: Unspoken – Human Condition (Official Music Video)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DTVXFh8TX68

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Reflections… a Scripture verse and inspiration for daily living [10/6/19]

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do.

James 1:2-8 (NIV)

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Prayer, Praise, & Promises Oct. 5, 2019

Father, your faithfulness is unwavering. Help us to show others the love you have for them through our actions and interactions with them.  Amen.

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Reflections… a Scripture verse and inspiration for daily living [10/5/19]

Something lukewarm provides neither refreshment nor comfort.  May we seek to be more than just lukewarm.

15 I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! 16 So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth.

Revelation 3:15-16 (NIV)

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Prayer, Praise, & Promises Oct. 4, 2019

Exodus 34:6-7 (NIV)

And he passed in front of Moses, proclaiming, “The LORD, the LORD, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished; he punishes the children and their children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation.”

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Reflections… a Scripture verse and inspiration for daily living [10/4/19]

Some mighty good advice.

Do not fret because of those who are evil
or be envious of those who do wrong;
for like the grass they will soon wither,
like green plants they will soon die away.

Trust in the Lord and do good;
dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.
Take delight in the Lord,
and he will give you the desires of your heart.

Commit your way to the Lord;
trust in him
and he will do this:
He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn,
your vindication like the noonday sun.

Be still before the Lord
and wait patiently for him
;
do not fret when people succeed in their ways,
when they carry out their wicked schemes.

Refrain from anger and turn from wrath;
do not fret—it leads only to evil.
For those who are evil will be destroyed,
but those who hope in the Lord will inherit the land.

Psalm 37:1-9 (NIV)

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Prayer, Praise, & Promises Oct. 3, 2019

Your faithfulness makes you trustworthy to God. – Edwin Louis Cole

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