Subject: Devotional | November 8 | morning (full)
Remind yourself that this morning marks another day to enjoy and glorify God. Use this email as you are able, in whole or in part. Call to PrayerSatisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days. (Psalm 90:14) Opening PrayerAlmighty and most merciful God, we remember before you all poor and neglected persons whom it would be easy for us to forget: the homeless and the destitute, the old and the sick, and all who have none to care for them. Help us to heal those who are broken in body or spirit, and to turn their sorrow into joy. Grant this, Father, for the love of your Son, who for our sake became poor, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. (BCP 826) Confession of SinAlmighty God, to know you is the fulfillment of our deepest longings and the satisfaction of our most ardent desires. Yet foolishly we have sought our pleasures elsewhere. We have put the seeking of idols, which are bound to leave us feeling empty, above seeking you. We have failed to love you with our whole heart, soul, and mind. We have failed to love our neighbors as ourselves. Forgive us our sins for the sake of your Son, our Savior Jesus Christ. And grant that from now on we might serve you in newness of life. Amen. Take a moment to confess your sins, knowing that he hears you. Praying the PsalmsPsalm 139For the director of music. Of David. A psalm. 1 You have searched me, Lord, 7 Where can I go from your Spirit? 13 For you created my inmost being; 19 If only you, God, would slay the wicked! New Testament ReadingWith its challenging prophetic voice, Revelation has often been sensationalized. Yet Revelation gives us deep insight into the outcomes of many of the first Christian churches. The imagery of battles, dragons, angels and demons only accentuate a creation that groans for a new heaven and earth. As you read the passage, meditate on what it tells you about your own sin and need for God's grace. Revelation 12The Woman and the Dragon 1 A great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet and a crown of twelve stars on her head. 2 She was pregnant and cried out in pain as she was about to give birth. 3 Then another sign appeared in heaven: an enormous red dragon with seven heads and ten horns and seven crowns on its heads. 4 Its tail swept a third of the stars out of the sky and flung them to the earth. The dragon stood in front of the woman who was about to give birth, so that it might devour her child the moment he was born. 5 She gave birth to a son, a male child, who “will rule all the nations with an iron scepter.” And her child was snatched up to God and to his throne. 6 The woman fled into the wilderness to a place prepared for her by God, where she might be taken care of for 1,260 days. 7 Then war broke out in heaven. Michael and his angels fought against the dragon, and the dragon and his angels fought back. 8 But he was not strong enough, and they lost their place in heaven. 9 The great dragon was hurled down—that ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world astray. He was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him. 10 Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say: “Now have come the salvation and the power 13 When the dragon saw that he had been hurled to the earth, he pursued the woman who had given birth to the male child. 14 The woman was given the two wings of a great eagle, so that she might fly to the place prepared for her in the wilderness, where she would be taken care of for a time, times and half a time, out of the serpent’s reach. 15 Then from his mouth the serpent spewed water like a river, to overtake the woman and sweep her away with the torrent. 16 But the earth helped the woman by opening its mouth and swallowing the river that the dragon had spewed out of his mouth. 17 Then the dragon was enraged at the woman and went off to wage war against the rest of her offspring—those who keep God’s commands and hold fast their testimony about Jesus. Prayers of IntercessionNeighborhood
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name. Thy Kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen. BenedictionMay the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all. (2 Corinthians 13:14) Wonder what your next step in spiritual formation is? Consider getting involved in a community group. For a handy guide to the devotional elements and an archive of past issues, visit redeemer.com/daily. |
Biblical summaries by David Whitehead, author of Making Sense of the Bible.
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