Opening Prayer: Almighty God, shape me by the power of Your Holy Spirit that I may love and serve you more perfectly today. Amen.

Read: James 3:1-12
Reflect: Do you think James gives too much power to the tongue? How have you seen the tongue do more damage than such a small part of the body should be able to do? What can you do to protect yourself from causing damage with your words?

Prayer: for the church, for others, and for myself

Hymn: “In Heavenly Love Abiding”
In heavenly love abiding,
No change y heart shall fear;
And safe is such confiding,
For nothing changes here.
The storm may roar without me,
My heart may low be laid,
But God is round about me,
And can I be dismayed?

Wherever he may guide me,
No want shall turn me back;
My Shepherd is beside me,
And nothing can I lack.
His wisdom ever waketh;
His sight is never dim.
He knows the way He taketh,
And I will walk with Him.

Green pastures are before me
Which yet I have not seen.
Bright skies will soon be o’er me,
Where darkest clouds have been.
My hope I cannot measure;
My path to life is free.
My Savior has my treasure,
And He will walk with me.

Closing Prayer: “Praise be to the Lord forever! Amen and Amen” Ps. 89:52

Opening Prayer: Almighty God, shape me by the power of Your Holy Spirit that I may love and serve you more perfectly today. Amen.

Read: Jeremiah 20:7-18
Reflect: Jeremiah is expressing his emotions as he goes though an experience that might be called a “dark night of the soul.” What strikes you most about Jeremiah’s outcry? Have you ever been so disappointed with the outcome of doing God’s will?

Prayer: for the church, for others, and for myself

Hymn: “In Heavenly Love Abiding”
In heavenly love abiding,
No change y heart shall fear;
And safe is such confiding,
For nothing changes here.
The storm may roar without me,
My heart may low be laid,
But God is round about me,
And can I be dismayed?

Wherever he may guide me,
No want shall turn me back;
My Shepherd is beside me,
And nothing can I lack.
His wisdom ever waketh;
His sight is never dim.
He knows the way He taketh,
And I will walk with Him.

Green pastures are before me
Which yet I have not seen.
Bright skies will soon be o’er me,
Where darkest clouds have been.
My hope I cannot measure;
My path to life is free.
My Savior has my treasure,
And He will walk with me.

Closing Prayer: “Praise be to the Lord forever! Amen and Amen” Ps. 89:52

Opening Prayer: Almighty God, shape me by the power of Your Holy Spirit that I may love and serve you more perfectly today. Amen.

Read: Psalm 8
Reflect: What does the Psalmist say he has gained from observing God’s handiwork? How do you allow God’s creation to speak to you of the Creator?

Prayer: for the church, for others, and for myself

Hymn: “In Heavenly Love Abiding”
In heavenly love abiding,
No change y heart shall fear;
And safe is such confiding,
For nothing changes here.
The storm may roar without me,
My heart may low be laid,
But God is round about me,
And can I be dismayed?

Wherever he may guide me,
No want shall turn me back;
My Shepherd is beside me,
And nothing can I lack.
His wisdom ever waketh;
His sight is never dim.
He knows the way He taketh,
And I will walk with Him.

Green pastures are before me
Which yet I have not seen.
Bright skies will soon be o’er me,
Where darkest clouds have been.
My hope I cannot measure;
My path to life is free.
My Savior has my treasure,
And He will walk with me.

Closing Prayer: “Praise be to the Lord forever! Amen and Amen” Ps. 89:52

Opening Prayer: Almighty God, shape me by the power of Your Holy Spirit that I may love and serve you more perfectly today. Amen.

Read: Genesis 15
Reflect: What is God’s reason for blessing Abram with many descendants? How does Abram exhibit the value of simplicity? What does this interaction tell us about relating to God?

Prayer: for the church, for others, and for myself

Hymn: “In Heavenly Love Abiding”
In heavenly love abiding,
No change y heart shall fear;
And safe is such confiding,
For nothing changes here.
The storm may roar without me,
My heart may low be laid,
But God is round about me,
And can I be dismayed?

Wherever he may guide me,
No want shall turn me back;
My Shepherd is beside me,
And nothing can I lack.
His wisdom ever waketh;
His sight is never dim.
He knows the way He taketh,
And I will walk with Him.

Green pastures are before me
Which yet I have not seen.
Bright skies will soon be o’er me,
Where darkest clouds have been.
My hope I cannot measure;
My path to life is free.
My Savior has my treasure,
And He will walk with me.

Closing Prayer: “Praise be to the Lord forever! Amen and Amen” Ps. 89:52

Opening Prayer: Almighty God, shape me by the power of Your Holy Spirit that I may love and serve you more perfectly today. Amen.

Read: Matthew 6:19-34
Reflect: How do Jesus’ words in this passage in Matthew in form your understanding of the practice of simplicity? What do you find most challenging about these words of Jesus? What is the one thing you must do in order to ensure that you are seeking first His Kingdom?

Prayer: for the church, for others, and for myself

Hymn: “In Heavenly Love Abiding”
In heavenly love abiding,
No change y heart shall fear;
And safe is such confiding,
For nothing changes here.
The storm may roar without me,
My heart may low be laid,
But God is round about me,
And can I be dismayed?

Wherever he may guide me,
No want shall turn me back;
My Shepherd is beside me,
And nothing can I lack.
His wisdom ever waketh;
His sight is never dim.
He knows the way He taketh,
And I will walk with Him.

Green pastures are before me
Which yet I have not seen.
Bright skies will soon be o’er me,
Where darkest clouds have been.
My hope I cannot measure;
My path to life is free.
My Savior has my treasure,
And He will walk with me.

Closing Prayer: “Praise be to the Lord forever! Amen and Amen” Ps. 89:52