Invitation — 2 Samuel 22:29-30
"You, Lord, are my lamp; the Lord turns my darkness into light. With your help I can advance against a troop; with my God I can scale a wall."
Quiet
Bible Song — Psalm 145:1-7
I will exalt you, my God the King;
I will praise your name for ever and ever.
Every day I will praise you
and extol your name for ever and ever.
Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise;
his greatness no one can fathom.
One generation commends your works to another;
they tell of your mighty acts.
They speak of the glorious splendor of your majesty —
and I will meditate on your wonderful works.
They tell of the power of your awesome works —
and I will proclaim your great deeds.
They celebrate your abundant goodness
and joyfully sing of your righteousness.
Bible Reading — Ephesians 4:17, 25-5:2
So I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking...
Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body. "In your anger do not sin": Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold. Anyone who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something useful with their own hands, that they may have something to share with those in need.
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
Follow God's example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
Quiet
Dwelling
Leisurely read again ... is there a word or idea that stirred within you? Linger over it and give it your attention ... is there something about the reading you'd like to ask God about? Pray your life to God ... take a moment to rest in God's presence.
Free Prayer
- for spiritual renewal
- for deep repentance
- for racial reconciliation
Prayer — HC 112
Word of Life, I love the everydayness of this gospel life, that honest speech is included in holy living. How necessary it is in this age of spin and hype, where falsehood spreads with viral intensity. Teach me to speak as Jesus lived, full of grace and truth. Guide all my words — spoken or written — by your love and the needs of others. In Christ's name, amen.
Blessing — see 2 Thessalonians 1:11
May God make you worthy of his calling, and by his power may he bring to fruition your every desire for goodness and your every deed prompted by faith.