Invitation — Psalm 126:3
"The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy."
Quiet
Bible Song — Psalm 21:1-7, 13
The king rejoices in your strength, Lord.
How great is his joy in the victories you give!
You have granted him his heart's desire
and have not withheld the request of his lips.
You came to greet him with rich blessings
and placed a crown of pure gold on his head.
He asked you for life, and you gave it to him —
length of days, for ever and ever.
Through the victories you gave, his glory is great;
you have bestowed on him splendor and majesty.
Surely you have granted him unending blessings
and made him glad with the joy of your presence.
For the king trusts in the Lord;
through the unfailing love of the Most High
he will not be shaken...
Be exalted in your strength, Lord;
we will sing and praise your might.
Bible Reading — Luke 4:31-37
Then he went down to Capernaum, a town in Galilee, and on the Sabbath he taught the people. They were amazed at his teaching, because his words had authority.
In the synagogue there was a man possessed by a demon, an impure spirit. He cried out at the top of his voice, "Go away! What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are — the Holy One of God!"
"Be quiet!" Jesus said sternly. "Come out of him!" Then the demon threw the man down before them all and came out without injuring him.
All the people were amazed and said to each other, "What words these are! With authority and power he gives orders to impure spirits and they come out!" And the news about him spread throughout the surrounding area.
Quiet
Dwelling
Read again, perhaps out loud ... how has God's Word moved you? Ponder and meditate what has connected with your heart or mind ... pray to God what it is that has moved you today ... turn your thoughts to God and quietly enjoy being with him.
Free Prayer
- for spiritual renewal
- for deep repentance
- for new relationships with non-Christians
Prayer — BC 12
Most High God, help me to see beyond social factors, psychological forces, and bad choices to the reality of personal evil forces — devils and evil spirits. They are enemies of everything good, stealing life and vandalizing your world. Deliver me from evil, I pray. Amen.
Blessing — Ephesians 5:8
"For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light."