Sing to the Lord, and praise him! Proclaim every day the good news that he has saved us (Psalm 96.2, GNB).
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Opening
Speak these words out loud:
Blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord,
whose confidence is in him.
Jeremiah 17.7 (NIV)
Today’s Proverb
Read the proverb through three or four times, slowly. Pause in-between, maybe write it out by hand – savour the words, let them speak deeply to you.
To do what is right and just is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice. (NIV)
Do what is right and fair; that pleases the Lord more than bringing him sacrifices. (GNB)
Proverbs 21.3
The Old Testament Law famously contains a detailed sacrificial system. The point of the system was (to over-simplify greatly):
- to teach the people that their God is holy,
- to demonstrate how serious sin is,
- to provide a way for them to deal with sin in a way that shows God is merciful.
The sacrifices – many of which were costly, involving the first and the best of produce, animals, etc. – were supposed to be an outward sign of a heart focused on God and repentant of sin, and therefore of God’s forgiveness.
The problem was that the outward show of religion became a show. People would parade and give the appearance of a heart focused on God, while in secret doing whatever they wanted.
That’s not a problem we have today. (That’s a joke, by the way.)
God doesn’t want the show of religion, without the heart focused on him, a heart that wants to do what is right all the time (not only when others are watching), a heart that wants justice for all (not only for itself), and so on.
Over the past 10 months or so the pandemic has stripped away most of the outward show of religion (going to church, etc), leaving us with – well, with what? How’s your heart doing?
Prayers
Pray for Five – pray for your five friends / family from Thy Kingdom Come.
Our daily prayer sheet includes the names of everyone for whom we have a signed church family directory form – and local parishes and senior church leaders. Today we are praying for:
Mary Wilson, Cynthia Taylor, Doug & Irene Dean
Father, please bless them with your peace, and a deep awareness of your presence with them, every day and in every way.
We also pray for: Pre-Schools in Amington
Please pray for our leaders and healthcare workers, and all those working to keep us safe, well, and fed. Please pray that people would unselfishly put others before themselves.
Church Family Prayer
Come Holy Spirit,
and make us one in heart and action,
so that we can serve God faithfully:
abounding in love,
maturing in holiness,
and seeking out the lost.
Help us grow as disciples of Jesus –
in commitment, in depth, and in number –
that we may be a blessing to Amington;
to the glory and praise of God the Father.
Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Lead us not into temptation
but deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power,
and the glory are yours
now and for ever.
Amen.
Closing Prayer
Unless the Lord builds the house,
the builders labour in vain.
Let us fix our eyes on Jesus
the only way to the Father.
Psalm 127.1, Hebrews 12.2 & John 14.6
May Christ our Saviour give us peace.
Amen.