Invitation — Psalm 119:103-104
"How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth! I gain understanding from your precepts; therefore I hate every wrong path."
Quiet
Bible Song — Psalm 35:1-3, 17-18
Contend, Lord, with those who contend with me;
fight against those who fight against me.
Take up shield and armor;
arise and come to my aid.
Brandish spear and javelin
against those who pursue me.
Say to me,
"I am your salvation."...
How long, Lord, will you look on?
Rescue me from their ravages,
my precious life from these lions.
I will give you thanks in the great assembly;
among the throngs I will praise you.
Bible Reading — Matthew 7:1-6
"Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.
"Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye.
"Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces."
Quiet
Dwelling
Read again slowly ... find a word or phrase that catches your eye or moves your heart ... slowly repeat it ... pray your thoughts, desires, needs, and feelings from your meditation ... enjoy the presence of your Lord and Savior.
Free Prayer
- for a yearning to know God and the diligence to seek him
- for the joy of salvation to be experienced
- for family members and friends who do not yet have faith
Prayer — CD 1.12
God, I confess I get judgmental when I forget your saving grace. Replace my fault-finding eyes with a clear-eyed vision of the judgment I deserved and yet the grace I've received. May genuine faith in Jesus, childlike awe and worship of you, godly sorrow for my sin, and a hunger and thirst for righteousness be the natural fruit of your undeserved choice of me for salvation. Amen.
Blessing — Psalm 25:4-5
"Show me your ways, Lord, teach me your paths. Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long."