Blessed Assurance, To God be the Glory, Praise Him, Praise Him the list extends into thousands, songs from the heart of the blind poetess Fanny Crosby.In this Feature length motion picture the life and testimony of Fanny Crosby unfold from her days as a teacher at the New York Institute for the Blind until she becomes the most influential woman in evangelical history. You may have sung her songs a thousand times. Running Time 87 minutes. A Ken Anderson Films Presentation. Copyright Approved.
Old
(Hebrew) Testament Deuteronomy 8:11-18 A Warning Not to Forget God in
Prosperity (*p. 227)
Israel
faced severe hardship in the desert during the forty years they wandered. They
had to depend daily on God for food, for water, for shelter, for life itself.
Now
they have crossed over into the land of milk and honey. The fertility of the
land is in marked contrast to the barrenness of the wilderness. “The plenty of
the land poses the threat that Israel will forget the Lord and exalt itself. “
(*p. 227)
“We
live as a blessed people, created in the image of a gracious and merciful God.
God calls us to a life of blessing, through love and obedience.
“For
Wesleyan Christians this is the call to a life of sanctification and holiness;
as we walk in the ways of the Lord, we are on the path that leads to life.
“Along
the way the roads will diverge and important decisions will loom before us. In
these moments, we pray for wisdom and courage to choose life, holding fast to
the disciplines that will keep us close to God’s purposes for us.” (*p.254)
Epistle
Hebrews 2:11-18 “Exaltation through Abasement”
“Christ’s
entrance into the heavenly realm announces the glorious destiny of all
disciples. But Christ is also the bridge, as it were, by which we cross over to
that goal.
“His
own experiences of pain and shame assure us that our path of discipleship,
though filled with experiences of loss and suffering, will also lead to
‘glory,’ and that our high priest knows from personal experience what we need
to arrive there securely….
“God
led Jesus through a path of hardest testing and deepest loss so that Christian
disciples would be confident of Jesus’ sympathy and help in their own trials.
“Wesley
observed that suffering incurred for the sake of obeying Christ helps ‘[to
wean] us from sin causing our affections to be set on things above.’
“When
people think that death is the final word, fear of death will keep them from
fully obeying God and seeking God’s justice. Fear of death diverts their
energies [from being obedient to God’s will] toward worldly achievement,
amassing wealth, and seeking pleasurable distractions to ‘make the most out of
life’ while they can.
“Because
Jesus faced death and emerged victorious from the grave, we can be freed from
this fear for joyful, unrestrained, undistracted obedience.” (*pp. 1485, 1486)
Gospel
John 2:1-12 The Wedding at Cana (*p. 1288)
“Jesus
is the bringer of God’s overflowing grace and end-time salvation, which the
prophets depicted as a wedding feast and a time of abundant wine. In Jesus,
God’s future salvation and abundant life are present now.” (*p.1288)
Abba,
Father
Keep
me humble. Let me feel my pain as a reminder of the barrenness of the
wilderness, as a reminder of the “path of hardest testing and deepest loss”
walked by your only begotten son. May my energy be freed from the distractions created by pain, and
turn to “joyful, unrestrained, undistracted obedience.” Amen.
If you have questions about Ash Wednesday or Lent from a Protestant perspective, check the links below. Ash Wednesday,February 13, 2013 Year 1, First Day of Lent
First part from Orlando di Lasso Psalm 143, Vocalia Consort
Uploaded on Nov 3, 2007
First part from Orlando di Lasso Psalm 143, Vocalia Consort, Conductor Maestro Francesco Corrias. Basilica San Giovanni in Porta Latina, Rome www.vocaliaconsort.it
Jonah 3:1 - 4:11 The central focus of the book of Jonah is not so much one of prophecy, but a narrative that reveals God's sovereign power and "remarkable" mercy through his interactions with a reluctant prophet. Jonah's chapter-by-chapter progression through flight, prayer, obedience and anger, exemplify John Wesley's description of a person who, in futility tries to serve both God and the world. "How uncomfortable a condition must he be in, who, having fear but not the love of God, who, serving him, but not with all his heart, has only the toils and not the joys of religion!" (Sermon 29 Paragraph 120) Responding to the unbelief of his opponents, Jesus declares that they will indeed be given a sign: the "sign" of Jonah (Matthew 12:38-42; Luke 11:29-32). Judgement is coming, but so is salvation, Jesus implies, referring to the significance of his upcoming death and resurrection. The book of Jonah, then summons us as believers to examine our own hearts. Are we celebrating (and modeling) the generosity of love for all of creation? (John Wesley Study Bible, 2009. Abingdon Press. Introduction to the Book of Jonah, page 1107.) Hebrews 12:1-14 Jesus is the capstone example of faith. The Greek reads "Jesus is the pioneer and perfecter of faith," not "of our faith." Jesus' endurance on behalf of the disciples should fuel their endurance as well. The author encourages the followers of the Messiah embrace any hardships they endure on account of their obedience as exercises by which God shapes them to their advantage. "Therefore lift your drooping hands and strengthen your weak knees, and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be put out of joint, but rather healed." (Ibid, page1495) Here we see our lives through the lens of the Passion of Jesus, that comes in Passion Week beginning with the Hosanna's of Palm Sunday, the Last Supper on Maundy Thursday, the betrayal, the trial, the cross. All those things that must be born until the "sign of Jonah" is fulfilled, until through obedience Jesus is healed. Luke 18:9-14 Jesus tells the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector who went up to the temple to pray. Good works are good, but the heart of the true servant recognizes that even in our best deeds "we have done only that we ought to have done! "(17:10 True humility keeps no track of good works and focuses on confession and repentance. It is traditional in the Church to humble oneself throughout the season of Lent by intensifying the disciplines of faith: prayer, fasting, Bible study, repentance, confession, simplicity, solitude, journaling... anything that brings one closer to God. The most common discipline practiced during Lent is fasting. Eating fish instead of meat on Friday. Giving up chocolate. Things that should remind you to spend time with God. More recently people have sought ways of "adding to" rather than "taking away." There is good habit-building that can happen in forty days (not counting Sundays) since psychologists tell us it only takes three weeks to break or establish a habit. A typical Ash Wednesday service will contain something similar to the following:
Minister: Almighty God, you have created us out of the dust of the earth: Grant that these ashes may be to us a sign of our mortality and penitence, that we may remember that it is only by your gracious gift that we are given everlasting life, through Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.
Minister: People of God, come now in the spirit of penitence, and receive on your head in ashes the sign of the cross, the symbol of our mortality, a symbol of the cost of sin, and yet the sign of our salvation and promise of eternal life.
Action: The minister places ashes on the forehead of worshippers in the shape of a cross; this can be done in silence or with the following words. If two ministers are imposing ashes, they can alternate the following phrases, without speaking at the same time.
Minister: Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return. Turn away from sin and be faithful to Christ.
In the moments following penitents are asked to meditate. It is during this time that one shares only with God what one will do or not do during Lent to bring oneself closer to God so that through obedience we might follow Christ through His teaching, passion, and resurrection in communion with him. No one is asked to sign up on a white-board, share with their neighbor, instead maintaining the humility of the taxpayer - seeking the healing of the cross.
These
DailyScripture Readings, Epiphany
(January 6) and Ordinary Time until Lent, (March 8, 2013), are adapted
from The Book of Common Prayer,
Daily Readings for Year One. http://www.crivoice.org/epiphany1.html
My personal study
bible for this Liturgical Year is The Wesley Study Bible, New Revised Standard
Version, Abingdon Press, 2009
Psalm 61
Uploaded on Jan 2, 2012
Psalm 61 -- Desert Moon music and lyrics by Chad Woodburn November 19, 2011
O hear my cry, O God;
give heed unto my prayer.
Far from my land I call
here at the earth's far end.
O let me worship You
ever in Your tent.
Let me find shelter 'neath
the shadow of Your loving wings of grace.
You have heard all my vows
that I made for Your fame.
So, You'll make my whole life most blest.
You will add days unto
all my days without end.
I will sit ruling at Your side.
Give me Your love and truth.
Let them preserve my soul.
So I will praise Your name
forever as I've vowed.
Thus I will sing Your praise
every day of my life,
and I will pay my vows
day by day in Your temple gates for ever.
_____________
Psalm 61 (ESV)
[1] Hear my cry, O God, listen to my prayer;
[2] from the end of the earth I call to you when my heart is faint. Lead me to the rock that is higher than I,
[3] for you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the enemy.
[4] Let me dwell in your tent forever! Let me take refuge under the shelter of your wings! Selah
[5] For you, O God, have heard my vows; you have given me the heritage of those who fear your name.
[6] Prolong the life of the king; may his years endure to all generations!
[7] May he be enthroned forever before God; appoint steadfast love and faithfulness to watch over him!
[8] So will I ever sing praises to your name, as I perform my vows day after day.
Psalm 62 Song Performed by Aaron Keyes, with Lyrics and slideshow. Praise music with lyrics.
Lyrics Below:
My soul finds rest in God alone, My Rock and my salvation,
A fortress strong against my foes, And I will not be shaken.
Though lips may bless and hearts may curse, And lies like arrows pierce me,
I'll fix my heart on righteousness, I'll look to Him who hears me.
O praise Him, hallelujah, My Delight and my Reward;
Everlasting, never failing, My Redeemer, my God.
Find rest, my soul, in God alone
Amid the world's temptations;
When evil seeks to take a hold
I'll cling to my salvation.
Though riches come and riches go,
Don't set your heart upon them;
The fields of hope in which I sow
Are harvested in heaven.
O praise Him, hallelujah, My Delight and my Reward;
Everlasting, never failing, My Redeemer, my God.
I'll set my gaze on God alone,
And trust in Him completely;
With every day pour out my soul,
And He will prove His mercy.
Though life is but a fleeting breath,
A sigh too brief to measure,
My King has crushed the curse of death
And I am His forever.
O praise Him, hallelujah, My Delight and my Reward;
Everlasting, never failing, My Redeemer, my God.
O praise Him, hallelujah, My Delight and my Reward;
Everlasting, never failing, My Redeemer, my God.
O praise Him, O praise Him, hallelujah, hallelujah,
O praise Him, O praise Him, hallelujah, hallelujah,
O praise Him, O praise Him, hallelujah! hallelujah!
O praise Him, hallelujah, My Delight and my Reward;
Everlasting, never failing, My Redeemer, my God.
Performance by the Psalm Choir of Psalm 68, Psalter 179 titled "Invocation and Praise" from their CD "Fitting Praises Volume 5"
The tune is named "Alstone" and was composed Christopher E. Willing, 1868, from The Parish School Hymnal.
Christopher was the son of Christopher Willing, al¬to and as¬sist¬ant gen¬tle¬man at the Chapel Royal. At age eight, he entered the Westminster Abbey choir under Turle. Even at this age he could play the organ and once, when Turle became ill, he walked down the nave past the congregation, climbed onto the organ stool and finished the service. He became deputy organist at age 14, and was often left in sole charge by Turle. In 1848, he was elected organist of the Foundling Hospital, staying there 31 years, though part of the time he held other offices as well, driving at full speed from one to another. One of his last appointments was organist at Hugh Haweis' church in Westminster Place, Marylebone, not far from Charles Wesley's London home. He compiled a collection of tunes, many of his own composition, and was involved with opera, as well.
Most of the members of the choir are from the Protestant Reformed Churches in America. For more info about this denomination check out http://www.prca.org
The Psalter was first published in 1912 by the United Presbyterian Church.
Lyrics:
1. Let God arise, and by His might
Let all His foes be put to flight;
But, O ye righteous, gladly sing,
Exult before your God and King.
2. Jehovah's praises sound abroad,
Rejoice before the living God;
Prepare the way that He may come
And make the desert places bloom.
3. A father of the fatherless,
A judge of widows in distress,
Is God, the God of boundless grace,
Who dwells within His holy place.
4. God frees the captive and He sends
The blessedness of home and friends,
And only those in darkness stay
Who will not trust Him and obey.
O God, my God, your heart is filled with steadfast love and faithfulness. I know that I know that when life seems unjust, you are not yet through with me or with the world. I praise you and thank you for adopting me as your child.
I thank you and praise you for redeeming me from slavery under the Law.Help me to always be turning. turning, turning back to the gospel of grace. For you alone are my source of strength.
Help me to see your compassion and willingness to provide for those who follow you. You would think, after we witnessed your grace and mercy, it would be easy for us to see it again. However, we appear to be unable to understand, or respond to you in faith.
Remind us. Reform us. Redirect us. Reconfigure our hearts that we might rejoice, for there is the locus of sin, faith and grace. Let us even learn to leave our hearts behind that we might instead bear your heart. A heart filled with steadfast love and faithfulness. Oh God, my God! Amen
