Christ Fulfills the Law.

A Reading from the Book of Matthew, Chapter 5, Verse 17 - 20

17. "Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill.
18. "For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled.
19. "Whoever therefore breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches men so,
shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
20. "For I say to you, that unless your righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.

Believers are Salt and Light

A Reading from the Book of Matthew, Chapter 5, Verse 13 - 16

13. "You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men.

14. "You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.

15. "Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house.

16. "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.

The Beatitudes

A Reading from the Book of Matthew, Chapter 5, Verse 1-12

1. And seeing the multitudes, He went up on a mountain, and when He was seated His disciples came to Him.

2. Then He opened His mouth and taught them, saying:
3. "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
4. "Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
5. "Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
6. "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled.
7. "Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.
8. "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
9. "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.
10."Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
11."Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake.
12. "Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets
      who were before you.

Proverbs - Chapter 9

The Way of Wisdom

1. Wisdom has built her house,

She has hewn out her seven pillars;

2. She has slaughtered her meat,
She has mixed her wine,
She has also furnished her table.
3. She has sent out her maidens,
She cries out from the highest places of the city,
4. “Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!
As for him who lacks understanding, she says to him,
5. “Come, eat of my bread
And drink of the wine which I have mixed.
6. Forsake foolishness and live,
And go in the way of understanding.
7. “He who reproves a scoffer gets shame for himself,
And he who rebukes a wicked man gets himself a blemish.
8. Do not reprove a scoffer, lest he hate you;
Rebuke a wise man, and he will love you.
9. Give instruction to a wise man, and he will still be wiser;
Teach a just man, and he will increase in learning.
10. “ The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom,
And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
11. For by me your days will be multiplied,
And years of life will be added to you.
12. If you are wise, you are wise for yourself,
And if you scoff, you alone will bear it.”

The Way of Folly

13. A foolish woman is clamorous;

She is simple, and knows nothing.

14. For she sits at the door of her house,

On a seat by the highest places of the city,
15. To call to those who passes by,
Who go straight on their way;
16. “ Whoever is simple, let him turn in here”;
And as for him who lacks understanding, she says to him,
17. “Stolen water is sweet,
And bread eaten in secret is pleasant,”
18. But he doesnot know that the dead are there,
That her guests are in depths of hell.

A Prayer for Divine Scrutiny and Redemption

Psalms 26
A Prayer for Divine Scrutiny and Redemption


1. Vindicate me, O Lord,
For I have walked in my integrity.
I have also trusted in the Lord;
I shall not slip.
2. Examine me, O Lord, and prove me;
Try my mind and my heart.
3. For Your lovingkindness is before my eyes.
And I have walked in Your truth.
4. I have not sat with idolatrous mortals,
Nor will I go in with hypocrites.
5. I have hated the congregation of evildoers,
And will not sit with the wicked.
6. I will wash my hands in innocence;
So I will go about Your altar, O Lord,
7. That I may proclaim with the voice of thanksgiving,
And tell of all Your wondrous works.
8. Lord, I have loved the habitation of Your house,
And the place where Your glory dwells.
9. Do not gather my soul together with sinners,
Nor my life with bloodthirsty men,
10. In whose hands is a sinister scheme,
And whose right hand is full of bribes.
11.But as for me, I will walk in my integrity;
Redeem me and be merciful to me.
12.My foot stands in an even place;
In the congregations I will bless the Lord.

The Lord the shepherd of His People

The Lord the shepherd of His People

A Psalm of David.

1.The Lord is my shepherd;
I shall not want.
2. He makes me to lie down in green pastures;
He leads me beside the still waters.
3.He restores my soul;
He leads me in the paths of righteousness
For his name’s sake.
4. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil;
For You are with me
Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
5.You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
You anoint my head with oil;
My cups runs over.
6.Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
All the days of my life;
And I will dwell in the house of the Lord
Forever.

Plea for Relief from Bitter Foes

Plea for Relief from Bitter Foes

A song of Ascents.

1.In my distress I cried unto the Lord,
And he heard me.
2.Deliver my soul, O Lord, from lying lips
And from deceitful tongue.
3. What shall be given to you,
Or what shall be done to you,
You false tongue?
4.Sharp arrows of the warrior,
With coals of the broom tree!
5.Woe is me, that I sojourn in Meshech,
That I dwell among the tents of Kedar!
6.My soul has dwelt too long
With one who hates peace.
7. I am for peace;
But when I speak, they are for war.

When You Want Courage for a Task.

God the Help of Those Who Seek Him --- Psalms 121


1.I WILL lift up my eyes to the hills
From whence comes my help?
2.My help comes from the Lord,
Who made heaven and earth.
3.He will not allow your foot to be moved;
He who keeps you will not slumber.
4.Behold, He who keeps Israel,
Shall neither slumber nor sleep.
5.The Lord is your keeper;
The Lord is your shade at your right hand.
6.The sun shall not strike you by day,
Nor the moon by night.
7.The Lord shall preserve you from all evil;
He shall preserve your soul.
8.The Lord shall preserve your going out and your coming in
From this time forth, and even forevermore.

When You Leave Home For Labor or Travel.

God the Help of Those Who Seek Him --- Psalms 121

1.I WILL lift up my eyes to the hills
From whence comes my help?
2.My help comes from the Lord,
Who made heaven and earth.
3.He will not allow your foot to be moved;
He who keeps you will not slumber.
4.Behold, He who keeps Israel,
Shall neither slumber nor sleep.
5.The Lord is your keeper;
The Lord is your shade at your right hand.
6.The sun shall not strike you by day,
Nor the moon by night.
7.The Lord shall preserve you from all evil;
He shall preserve your soul.
8.The Lord shall preserve your going out and your coming in
From this time forth, and even forevermore.

When You Have Sinned - A Prayer for Repentance

1.Have mercy upon me, O God,
According to your lovingkindness;
According to the multitude of your tender mercies,
Blot out my transgressions.
2.Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity,
And cleanse me from my sin.
3. For I acknowledge my transgressions,
And my sin is ever before me.
4.Against You, You only, have I sinned,
And done this evil in your sight -----
That You may be found just when You speak.
And blameless when You judge.
5. Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity,
And in sin my mother conceived me.
6.Behold,y ou desire truth in the inward parts.
And in the hidden part You will make me to know wisdom.
7.Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean;
Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
8.Make me to hear joy and gladness,
That the bones which You have broken may rejoice.
9. Hide Your face from my sins,
And blot out all my inquities.
10. Create in me a clean heart, O God,
And renew a steadfast spirit within me.
11. Do not cast me away from Your presence,
And do not take your Holy Spirit from me.
12. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation,
And uphold me with Your generous Spirit.
13.Then I will teach transgressors Your ways,
And sinners shall be converted to You.
14. Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God,
The God of my salvation.
And my tongue shall sing aloud of Your righteousness.
15. O Lord, open my lips,
And my mouth shall show forth Your praise.
16.For You do not desire sacrifice, or else I would give it;
You do not delight in burnt offering.
17. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit,
A broken and a contrite heart ----
These, O God, You will not despise.
18. Do good in Your good pleasure to Zion;
Build the walls of Jerusalem.
19. Then You shall be pleased with the sacrifices of righteousness,
With burnt offering and whole burnt offering;
Then they shall offer bulls on Your altar.

When men fail you

A Reading for the book of Psalms, Chapter 27, Verse 1-14

An Exuberant Declaration of Faith
A Psalm of David.

1.The Lord is my light and my salvation;
   Whom shall I fear?
   The Lord is the strength of my life;
   Of whom shall I be afraid of?
2.When the wicked came against me
   To eat up my flesh,
   My enemies and foes,
   They stumbled and fell.
3.Though an army should encamp against me,
   My heart shall not fear;
   Though war should rise against me,
   In this I will be confident.
4.One thing I have desired of the Lord,
   That will I seek:
   That I may dwell in the house of the Lord
   All the days of my life,
   To behold the beauy of the Lord,
   And to inquire in His temple.
5.For in the time of trouble
   He shall hide me in his pavillion;
   In the secret place of His tabernacle
   He shall hide me;
   He shall set me upon a high rock.
6.And now my head shall be lifted up above
   my enemies all around me;
   Therefore I will offer sacrifices of Joy in His tabernacle;
   I will sing, yes I will sing praises to the Lord.
7.Hear, O Lord, when I cry with my voice!
   Have mercy also upon me, and answer me,
8.When you said, "Seek My face,"
   My heart said to You, "Your face, Lord, I will seek."
9.Do not hide Your face from me;
   Do not turn Your servant away in anger;
   You have been my help;
   Do not leave me nor forsake me,
   O God of my salvation.
10.When my father and my mother forsake me,
     Then the Lord will take care of me.
11.Teach me Your way, O Lord,
     And lead me in a smooth path, because of my enemies.
12.Do not deliver me to the will of my adversaries;
     For false witnesses have risen against me,
     And such as breathe out violence.
13.I would have lost heart, unless I had believed
     That I would see the goodness of the Lord
     In the land of the living.
14.Wait on the Lord;
    Be of good courage,
    And He shall strengthen your heart;
    Wait, I say, on the Lord!

When you want Peace and Rest

A Reading from the book of Matthew, Chapter 11, Verse 25-30

      Jesus Gives True Rest

25. At that time Jesus answered and said, " I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, beacause You have hidden these things from the wise and the prudent and have revealed them to the babes.
26.Even so, Father, for so it seemed good in Your sight.
27. "All things have been delivered to Me by My Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father. Nor does anyone know the Father except the Son, and he to whom the Son wills to reveal Him.
28."Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
29."Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
30."For My yoke is easy and My burden is light."

The Unpardonable Sin

A Reading from the Book of Matthew, Chapter 12 Verse 31-32.


31. "Therefore I say to you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven men.

32. "Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him; but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven him, either in this age or in the age to come.

Proverbs - Chapter 12 - Verse 1 - 28

1.Whoever loves instruction loves knowledge,
    But he who hates reproof is stupid.
2.A good man obtains favor from the Lord,
    But a man of wicked devices He will condemn.
3.A man is not established by wickedness,
    But the root of the righteous cannot be moved.
4.An excellent wife is crown of her husband,
    But she who causes shame is like rottenness in his bones.
5.The thoughts of the righteous are right,
   But the counsels of the wicked are deceitful.
6.The words of the wicked are, "Lie in wait for blood,"
    But the mouth of the upright will deliver them.
7.The wicked are overthrown and are no more,
    But the house of the righteous will stand.
8.A man will be commend according to his wisdom,
    But he who is of a perverse heart will be despised.
9.Better is one who is slighted but has a servant,
   Than he who honours himself but lacks bread.
10.A righteous man regards the life of his animal,
   But the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel.
11.He who tills his land will be satisfied with bread,
    But he who follows frivolity is devoid of understanding.
12.The wicked covet the catch of evil men,
     But the root of the righteous yields fruit.
13.The wicked is ensnared by the trangression of his lips,
     But the righteous will come through trouble.
14.A man will be satisfied with good by the fruit of his mouth,
    And the recompense of a man's hands will be rendered to him.
15.The way of a fool is right in his own eyes,
    But he who heeds counsel is wise.
16.A fool's wrath is known at once,
    But a prudent man covers shame.
17.He who speaks truth declares righteousness,
     But a false witness deceit.
18. There is one who speaks like the piercings of a sword,
      But the tongue of the wise promotes health.
19. The truthful lip shall be established forever,
      But a lying tongue is but for a moment.
20. Deceit is in the heart of those who who devise evil,
     But counselors of peace have joy.
21. No grave trouble will overtake the righteous,
      But the wicked shall be filled with evil.
22.Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord,
      But those who deal truthfully are his delight.
23.A prudent man conceals knowledge,
      But the heart of fools proclaims foolishness.
24.The hand of the diligent will rule,
      But the slothful will be put to forced labor.
25. Anxiety in the heart of man causes depression,
      But a good word makes it glad.
26. The righteous should choose his friends carefully,
       For the way of the wicked leads them astray .
27. The slothful man does not roast what he took in hunting,
      But diligence is man's precious possession.
28. In the way of righteousness is life,
      And in its pathway there is no death.

The Ten Commandments (Exodus Chapter 20 Verse 1-17)

Galatians - Chapter 5

Christian Liberty

1.Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage.
2.Indeed I, Paul say to you that if you become circumised, Christ will profit you nothing.
3.And I testify again to every man who becomes circumcised that he is a debtor to keep the whole law.
4.You have become enstranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace.
5.For we through the Spirit eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness by faith.
6.For in Christ Jesus neither circumsion nor uncircumsion avails anything, but faith working through love.

Love Fulfills the Law

7. You ran well. Who hindered you from obeying the truth?
8.This persuasion does not come from Him who calls you.
9.A little leaven leavens the whole lump.
10. I have confidence in you, in the Lord; that you will have no other mind; but he who troubles you shall bear his judgement, whoever he is.
11.And I, brethen, if I still preach circumsion, why do I still suffer persecution? Then the offense of the cross has ceased.
12. I could wish that those who trouble you would even cut themselves off!
13. For you, brethen, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.
14. For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: "You shall love your neighbour as yourself."
15. But if you bite and devour one another, beware lest you be consumed by one another!

Walking in the Spirit

16. I say then: Walk in the spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.

17. For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish.

18. But if you are led by the spirit, you are not under the law.
19. Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication,uncleanness, licentiousness,
20. idoltary,sorcery,hatred,contentions,jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies,
21. envy, murderss,drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I told you beforehand, just as I also told you in the time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
22. But the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering,kindness,goodness, faithfulness,
23.gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.
24.And those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
25.If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
26. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.

-----------------------------------------

King James Version.

When in Sorrow - A Reading from the book of John Chapter 14

- When in Sorrow - John Chapter 14 (Verse 1-6)

A Reading from the New Testament -

The Way, the Truth, and the Life

1."Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me.

2."In My father's house are many mansions;
    If it were not so' I would have told you.

    I go to prepare a place for you.

3."And if I go and prepare a place for you,

    I will come again and receive you to Myself;

    that where I am, there you may be also.

4."And where I go you know, and the way you know."

5. Thomas said to him,"Lord, we do not know where You are going,

     and how can we know the way?"

6.Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life.

   No one comes to the Father except through Me.

Proverbs - Chapter 11 - Verse 1 - 31

1. A false balance is an abomination to the Lord,
    But a just weight is his delight.
2.When pride comes, then comes shame;
    But with the humble is wisdom.
3. The integrity of the upright will guide them,
    But the perversity of the unfaithfl will destroy them.
4.Riches do not profit in the day of wrath,
    But the righteousness delivers from death.
5. The righteouness of the blameless will diect his way aright;
     But the wicked will fall by his own wickedness.
6.The righteousness of the upright will deliver them,
     But the unfaithful will be taken by their own lust.
7.When a wicked man dies,his expectation will perish,
     And the hope of the unjust perishes.
8.The righteous is delivered from trouble,
     And it comes to the wicked instead.
9.The hypocrite with his mouth destroys his neighbour,
     But through knowledge the righteous will be delivered.
10.When it goes well with the righteous, the city rejoices;
      And when the wicked perish there is shouting.
11.By the blessing of the upright, the city is exhalted;
      But it is overthrown by the mouth of the wicked.
12.He who is devoid of wisdom despises his neighbour;
      But a man of understanding holds his peace.
13.A talebearer reveals secrets;
      But he who is of a faithful spirit conceals a matter
14.Where there is no counsel, the people fall;
      But in the multitude of counselors there is safety.
15. He who is surety for a stranger will suffer for it;
      But one who hates being surety is secure.
16.A gracious woman retains honor;
      But ruthless men retain riches.
17.The merciful man does good for his own soul;
      But he who is cruel troubles his own flesh.
18.The wicked man does deceptive work;
      But to him who sows righteousness will be a sure reward.
19.As righteousness leads to life,
      So he who pursues evil pursues it to his own death.
20.Those who are of a peverse heart are an abomination to the Lord,
      But such as are blameless in their ways are His delight.
21.Though they join forces,the wicked will not go unpunished;
      But the posterity of the righteous will be delivered.
22.As a ring of gold in a swine's snout,
     So is a lovely woman who lacks discretion.
23.The desire of the righteous is only good,
     But the expectation of the wicked is wrath.
24.There is one who scatters,yet increases more;
      And there is one who with-holds more than is right,
      But it leads to poverty.
25.The generous soul will be made rich,
      And he who waters will also be watered himself.
26.The people will curse him who with-holds grain,
      But blessing will be on the head of him who sells it.
27.He who diligently seeks good finds favor,
      But trouble will come to him who seeks evil.
28.He who trusts in his riches will fall,
      But the righteous will flourish like foliage.
29.He who troubles his own house will inherit the wind,
      And the fool will be servant to the wise of heart.
30.The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life,
      And he who wins soul is wise.
31.If the righteous will be recompensed on earth,
     How much more the wicked and the sinner.

------- THE NEW KING JAMES VERSION -------

A Verse from the book of Isaiah

A reading from the book of Isaiah, Chapter 58 Verse 11

"The Lord will guide you continually, and satisfy your soul in drought, and strengthen your bones;you shall be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water whose waters do not fail."