Opening Prayer: Almighty God, may I fall more in love with You as I study Your Word in this time. Amen.

Read: 1 Kings 3:3-14
Reflect: What did the Lord seem to expect Solomon to ask for? Why do you think the Lord was pleased that Solomon asked for discernment rather than those other things? What are you asking the Lord for?

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

Hymn: “O For a Faith That Will Not Shrink”
O for a faith that will not shrink,
Though pressed by every foe,
That will not tremble on the brink
Of any earthly woe!

That will not murmur nor complain
Beneath the chastening rod
But, in the hour of grief or pain,
Will lean upon its God.

A faith that shines more bright and clear
When tempests rage without;
That when in danger knows no fear,
In darkness feels no doubt.

Lord, give us such a faith as this;
And then, whatever may come,
We’ll taste, even here, the hallowed bliss
Of an eternal home.

Closing Prayer: Almighty God, while my time of quiet in your presence is over, let me not leave Your presence. Continue to speak to me as I go through this day, that I may honor you through my day. Amen.

Opening Prayer: Almighty God, may I fall more in love with You as I study Your Word in this time. Amen.

Read: Proverbs 9:1-6
Reflect: Why does wisdom call to those who are not wise? What do you think it means to walk in the way of understanding? Who would benefit taking wisdom up on her offer?

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

Hymn: “O For a Faith That Will Not Shrink”
O for a faith that will not shrink,
Though pressed by every foe,
That will not tremble on the brink
Of any earthly woe!

That will not murmur nor complain
Beneath the chastening rod
But, in the hour of grief or pain,
Will lean upon its God.

A faith that shines more bright and clear
When tempests rage without;
That when in danger knows no fear,
In darkness feels no doubt.

Lord, give us such a faith as this;
And then, whatever may come,
We’ll taste, even here, the hallowed bliss
Of an eternal home.

Closing Prayer: Almighty God, while my time of quiet in your presence is over, let me not leave Your presence. Continue to speak to me as I go through this day, that I may honor you through my day. Amen.

Opening Prayer: Almighty God, make me a good imitator or you. I know that I need the deliberate working of Your Holy Spirit in order for that to happen, so I welcome you into my life to shape me as You must. Am

Read: Ephesians 6:10-20
Reflect: I will be preaching from this passage on Sunday. Please read it prayerfully and ask the Lord what he would teach you through it this week.

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

Hymn: “Nearer, Still Nearer”
Nearer, still nearer, close to Thy heart,
Draw me, my Savior-so precious Thou art!
Fold me, O fold me close to Thy breast.
Shelter me safe in that haven of rest;
Shelter me safe in that haven of rest.

Nearer, still nearer, nothing I bring,
Naught as an offering to Jesus, my King-
Only my sinful, now contrite heart.
Grant me the cleansing Thy blood doth impart;
Grant me the cleansing Thy blood doth impart;

Nearer, still nearer, Lord to be Thine!
Win, with its follies, I gladly resign,
All of its pleasures, pomp and pride.
Give me but Jesus, my Lord crucified;
Give me but Jesus, my Lord, crucified.

Nearer, still nearer, while life shall last,
Till safe in glory my anchor is cast;
Through endless ages ever to be
Nearer, my savior, still nearer to Thee;
Nearer, my savior, still nearer to Thee.

Closing Prayer: Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Spirit…Now the God of peace be with you all. Amen. (Romans 15:13)

Opening Prayer: Almighty God, make me a good imitator or you. I know that I need the deliberate working of Your Holy Spirit in order for that to happen, so I welcome you into my life to shape me as You must. Amen.

Read: Ephesians 5:15-20
Reflect: What does Paul believe wise living looks like? Why are songs a part of wise behavior? How can you remember to give thanks to God more regularly in your day to day life?

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

Hymn: “Nearer, Still Nearer”
Nearer, still nearer, close to Thy heart,
Draw me, my Savior-so precious Thou art!
Fold me, O fold me close to Thy breast.
Shelter me safe in that haven of rest;
Shelter me safe in that haven of rest.

Nearer, still nearer, nothing I bring,
Naught as an offering to Jesus, my King-
Only my sinful, now contrite heart.
Grant me the cleansing Thy blood doth impart;
Grant me the cleansing Thy blood doth impart;

Nearer, still nearer, Lord to be Thine!
Win, with its follies, I gladly resign,
All of its pleasures, pomp and pride.
Give me but Jesus, my Lord crucified;
Give me but Jesus, my Lord, crucified.

Nearer, still nearer, while life shall last,
Till safe in glory my anchor is cast;
Through endless ages ever to be
Nearer, my savior, still nearer to Thee;
Nearer, my savior, still nearer to Thee.

Closing Prayer: Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Spirit…Now the God of peace be with you all. Amen. (Romans 15:13)

Opening Prayer: Almighty God, make me a good imitator or you. I know that I need the deliberate working of Your Holy Spirit in order for that to happen, so I welcome you into my life to shape me as You must. Amen.

Read: John 8:31-41
Reflect: Why are the Jews so offended that Jesus tells them they need to be set free? From this conversation, can you tell what truth the Jews were lacking? What does Jesus mean when he says “you are doing the things your own father does”?

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

Hymn: “Nearer, Still Nearer”
Nearer, still nearer, close to Thy heart,
Draw me, my Savior-so precious Thou art!
Fold me, O fold me close to Thy breast.
Shelter me safe in that haven of rest;
Shelter me safe in that haven of rest.

Nearer, still nearer, nothing I bring,
Naught as an offering to Jesus, my King-
Only my sinful, now contrite heart.
Grant me the cleansing Thy blood doth impart;
Grant me the cleansing Thy blood doth impart;

Nearer, still nearer, Lord to be Thine!
Win, with its follies, I gladly resign,
All of its pleasures, pomp and pride.
Give me but Jesus, my Lord crucified;
Give me but Jesus, my Lord, crucified.

Nearer, still nearer, while life shall last,
Till safe in glory my anchor is cast;
Through endless ages ever to be
Nearer, my savior, still nearer to Thee;
Nearer, my savior, still nearer to Thee.

Closing Prayer: Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Spirit…Now the God of peace be with you all. Amen. (Romans 15:13)