Grace Church
Thursday, August 17, 2023
Thursday, August 17, 2023

God's Promises

Wednesday, December 2

Read

Psalm 19 (NLT)

For the choir director: A psalm of David.

The heavens proclaim the glory of God.
    The skies display his craftsmanship.
Day after day they continue to speak;
    night after night they make him known.
They speak without a sound or word;
    their voice is never heard.
Yet their message has gone throughout the earth,
    and their words to all the world.

God has made a home in the heavens for the sun.
It bursts forth like a radiant bridegroom after his wedding.
    It rejoices like a great athlete eager to run the race.
The sun rises at one end of the heavens
    and follows its course to the other end.
    Nothing can hide from its heat.

The instructions of the Lord are perfect,
    reviving the soul.
The decrees of the Lord are trustworthy,
    making wise the simple.
The commandments of the Lord are right,
    bringing joy to the heart.
The commands of the Lord are clear,
    giving insight for living.
Reverence for the Lord is pure,
    lasting forever.
The laws of the Lord are true;
    each one is fair.
They are more desirable than gold,
    even the finest gold.
They are sweeter than honey,
    even honey dripping from the comb.
They are a warning to your servant,
    a great reward for those who obey them.

How can I know all the sins lurking in my heart?
    Cleanse me from these hidden faults.
Keep your servant from deliberate sins!
    Don’t let them control me.
Then I will be free of guilt
    and innocent of great sin.

May the words of my mouth
    and the meditation of my heart
be pleasing to you,
    O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.

Jesus Storybook Bible: 
The Story and the Song (p.12)

Meditate

Long ago God spoke many times and in many ways to our ancestors through the prophets. And now in these final days, he has spoken to us through his Son. (Hebrews 1:1)

Pray

O Lord, You are our Rock and our Redeemer. You have laid the foundations of the world and all creation points to You. We thank you for revealing Yourself to us in Your Word. Every page points to Your Son, our Savior and King. Forgive us for ignoring and rejecting such a vast and glorious testimony. Enable us by Your Spirit this Advent season to celebrate your grace and to glorify our King. Come Lord Jesus, we pray. Amen.

Sing

O Come O Come Emmanuel

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Tuesday, December 1

Read

Luke 1:26-38 (NLT)

In the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a village in Galilee, to a virgin named Mary. She was engaged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of King David. Gabriel appeared to her and said, “Greetings, favored woman! The Lord is with you!”

Confused and disturbed, Mary tried to think what the angel could mean. “Don’t be afraid, Mary,” the angel told her, “for you have found favor with God! You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be very great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David. And he will reign over Israel forever; his Kingdom will never end!”

Mary asked the angel, “But how can this happen? I am a virgin.”

The angel replied, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the baby to be born will be holy, and he will be called the Son of God. What’s more, your relative Elizabeth has become pregnant in her old age! People used to say she was barren, but she has conceived a son and is now in her sixth month. For the word of God will never fail.”

Mary responded, “I am the Lord’s servant. May everything you have said about me come true.” And then the angel left her.

Prepare Him Room:
The Angel’s Announcement: A Visit to Mary (p.10)

Meditate

Mary responded, “I am the Lord’s servant. May everything you have said about me come true.” (Luke 1:38)

Pray

Almighty God, my Lord and Savior, I praise Your holy name. You have remembered Your people and been faithful to Your promises. Thank you for looking on me with Your favor and grace. Though I am not worthy of Your kindness, You have done great things for me in Your Son. Thank you for humbling my proud heart and filling my humble hands with blessings. Deepen my gratitude this Advent Season, that by the power of Your Spirit everything You have said about me in Your Word might come true. Come Lord Jesus, I pray. Amen.

Sing

He Who Is Mighty

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He Who Is Mighty Words and Music by Rebecca Elliott and Kate DeGraide Performed by Kate DeGraide, Rebecca Elliott On "Prepare Him Room: Celebrating the Birth...

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Sunday, November 29

Read

Isaiah 9:6-7 (NLT)

For a child is born to us,
a son is given to us.
The government will rest on his shoulders.
And he will be called:
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
His government and its peace
will never end.
He will rule with fairness and justice from the throne of his ancestor David
for all eternity.
The passionate commitment of the Lord of Heaven’s Armies
will make this happen!

Prepare Him Room:
God’s Promise: The Hope of a Child (p.6)

Meditate

He will be called: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. (Isaiah 9:6)

Pray

O God, You have faithfully and passionately fulfilled all of Your promises to us! You have sent Your Son into our world as a light shining into darkness. Lord Jesus, you alone are called the Prince of Peace. Thank you for delivering us from our sin, breaking the rod of our Enemy, and making us citizens of Your eternal Kingdom. As we beginning this Advent Season, enable us by Your Spirit to deepen our sense of who You in our lives. Come Lord Jesus, we pray. Amen.

Sing

What Child Is This

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What Child Is This Words by William C. Dix Music: Greensleeves, 16th Century English melody Performed by Sovereign Grace Vocalist McKenzie Kauflin On "Prepar...

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Friday, November 27

Read

Psalm 74 (NLT)

A psalm of Asaph.

O God, why have you rejected us so long?
    Why is your anger so intense against the sheep of your own pasture?
Remember that we are the people you chose long ago,
    the tribe you redeemed as your own special possession!
    And remember Jerusalem, your home here on earth.
Walk through the awful ruins of the city;
    see how the enemy has destroyed your sanctuary.

There your enemies shouted their victorious battle cries;
    there they set up their battle standards.
They swung their axes
    like woodcutters in a forest.
With axes and picks,
    they smashed the carved paneling.
They burned your sanctuary to the ground.
    They defiled the place that bears your name.
Then they thought, “Let’s destroy everything!”
    So they burned down all the places where God was worshiped.

We no longer see your miraculous signs.
    All the prophets are gone,
    and no one can tell us when it will end.
How long, O God, will you allow our enemies to insult you?
    Will you let them dishonor your name forever?
Why do you hold back your strong right hand?
    Unleash your powerful fist and destroy them.

You, O God, are my king from ages past,
    bringing salvation to the earth.
You split the sea by your strength
    and smashed the heads of the sea monsters.
You crushed the heads of Leviathan
    and let the desert animals eat him.
You caused the springs and streams to gush forth,
    and you dried up rivers that never run dry.
Both day and night belong to you;
    you made the starlight and the sun.
You set the boundaries of the earth,
    and you made both summer and winter.

See how these enemies insult you, Lord.
    A foolish nation has dishonored your name.
Don’t let these wild beasts destroy your turtledoves.
    Don’t forget your suffering people forever.

Remember your covenant promises,
    for the land is full of darkness and violence!
Don’t let the downtrodden be humiliated again.
    Instead, let the poor and needy praise your name.

Arise, O God, and defend your cause.
    Remember how these fools insult you all day long.
Don’t overlook what your enemies have said
    or their growing uproar.

Jesus Storybook Bible: 
The Good Shepherd (p.130)

Meditate

We are the people you chose long ago, the tribe you redeemed as your own special possession! (Psalm 74:2)

Pray

God of all grace, You are our good Shepherd. Though the world is filled with injustice and uncertainty, we know that Your love is sure. When we are tempted to fear and forget remind us that we are completely safe and secure in Christ. Enable us by Your Spirit to hope in Your promises and rest in Your unfailing love. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.

Sing

Jesus, Lead Me (Psalm 23)

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Jesus, Lead Me (Psalm 23) Jesus, lead me - dearest Shepherd How I need Thee to guide my way And I know you'll never leave me, Or let me wander far astray You...

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Tuesday, November 3

Read

Matthew 17:14-27 (NLT)

At the foot of the mountain, a large crowd was waiting for them. A man came and knelt before Jesus and said, “Lord, have mercy on my son. He has seizures and suffers terribly. He often falls into the fire or into the water. So I brought him to your disciples, but they couldn’t heal him.”

Jesus said, “You faithless and corrupt people! How long must I be with you? How long must I put up with you? Bring the boy here to me.” Then Jesus rebuked the demon in the boy, and it left him. From that moment the boy was well.

Afterward the disciples asked Jesus privately, “Why couldn’t we cast out that demon?”

“You don’t have enough faith,” Jesus told them. “I tell you the truth, if you had faith even as small as a mustard seed, you could say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it would move. Nothing would be impossible.”

After they gathered again in Galilee, Jesus told them, “The Son of Man is going to be betrayed into the hands of his enemies. He will be killed, but on the third day he will be raised from the dead.” And the disciples were filled with grief.

On their arrival in Capernaum, the collectors of the Temple tax came to Peter and asked him, “Doesn’t your teacher pay the Temple tax?”

“Yes, he does,” Peter replied. Then he went into the house.

But before he had a chance to speak, Jesus asked him, “What do you think, Peter? Do kings tax their own people or the people they have conquered?”

“They tax the people they have conquered,” Peter replied.

“Well, then,” Jesus said, “the citizens are free!However, we don’t want to offend them, so go down to the lake and throw in a line. Open the mouth of the first fish you catch, and you will find a large silver coin. Take it and pay the tax for both of us.”

Jesus Storybook Bible: 
The Captain of the Storm (p.236)
Don't have the Jesus Storybook Bible at home? Check it out on Hoopla here!

Meditate

Jesus told them. “I tell you the truth, if you had faith even as small as a mustard seed, you could say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it would move. Nothing would be impossible. (Matthew 17:20)

Pray

Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptations, but deliver us from evil. For Your’s is the Kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.

Sing

Help My Unbelief

*Copyright laws prohibit us from posting the lyrics here.

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Gadsby's Hymns was compiled by William Gadsby in the mid 1800s. Although William Gadsby contributed quite a few of his own hymns, the bulk of the collection ...

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Thursday, October 29

Read

John 16:16-33 (NLT)

Paste Text“In a little while you won’t see me anymore. But a little while after that, you will see me again.”

Some of the disciples asked each other, “What does he mean when he says, ‘In a little while you won’t see me, but then you will see me,’ and ‘I am going to the Father’? And what does he mean by ‘a little while’? We don’t understand.”

Jesus realized they wanted to ask him about it, so he said, “Are you asking yourselves what I meant? I said in a little while you won’t see me, but a little while after that you will see me again. I tell you the truth, you will weep and mourn over what is going to happen to me, but the world will rejoice. You will grieve, but your grief will suddenly turn to wonderful joy. It will be like a woman suffering the pains of labor. When her child is born, her anguish gives way to joy because she has brought a new baby into the world. So you have sorrow now, but I will see you again; then you will rejoice, and no one can rob you of that joy. At that time you won’t need to ask me for anything. I tell you the truth, you will ask the Father directly, and he will grant your request because you use my name. You haven’t done this before. Ask, using my name, and you will receive, and you will have abundant joy.

“I have spoken of these matters in figures of speech, but soon I will stop speaking figuratively and will tell you plainly all about the Father. Then you will ask in my name. I’m not saying I will ask the Father on your behalf, for the Father himself loves you dearly because you love me and believe that I came from God. Yes, I came from the Father into the world, and now I will leave the world and return to the Father.”

Then his disciples said, “At last you are speaking plainly and not figuratively. Now we understand that you know everything, and there’s no need to question you. From this we believe that you came from God.”

Jesus asked, “Do you finally believe? But the time is coming—indeed it’s here now—when you will be scattered, each one going his own way, leaving me alone. Yet I am not alone because the Father is with me. I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”

Jesus Storybook Bible: 
A Dark Night in the Garden (p.294)
Don't have the Jesus Storybook Bible at home? Check it out on Hoopla here!

Meditate

“Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

Pray

Heavenly Father, I will not trust in my own strength but put my confidence in You. I know that You will not abandon me because You gave up Your only Son for my sake. In the midst of my distress remind me that nothing can separate me from Your love in Christ. Strengthen me with the hope that through Christ I will overcome. In light of Your love, enable me by Your Spirit to love sacrificially. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.

Sing

It Is Well With My Soul 

*Copyright laws prohibit us from posting the lyrics here, so please click on the title above!

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Words by Horatio G. Spafford (1873). Music by Philip P. Bliss (1876). Public Domain (adm worldwide at www.CapitolCMGPublishing.com, excluding the UK & Europe...

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Thursday, October 1

Read

John 14 (NLT)

“Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me. There is more than enough room in my Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am. And you know the way to where I am going.”

“No, we don’t know, Lord,” Thomas said. “We have no idea where you are going, so how can we know the way?”

Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me. If you had really known me, you would know who my Father is. From now on, you do know him and have seen him!”

Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father, and we will be satisfied.”

Jesus replied, “Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and yet you still don’t know who I am? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father! So why are you asking me to show him to you? Don’t you believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words I speak are not my own, but my Father who lives in me does his work through me. Just believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me. Or at least believe because of the work you have seen me do.

“I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father. You can ask for anything in my name, and I will do it, so that the Son can bring glory to the Father. Yes, ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it!

“If you love me, obey my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, who will never leave you. He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth. The world cannot receive him, because it isn’t looking for him and doesn’t recognize him. But you know him, because he lives with you now and later will be in you. No, I will not abandon you as orphans—I will come to you. Soon the world will no longer see me, but you will see me. Since I live, you also will live. When I am raised to life again, you will know that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you. Those who accept my commandments and obey them are the ones who love me. And because they love me, my Father will love them. And I will love them and reveal myself to each of them.”

Judas (not Judas Iscariot, but the other disciple with that name) said to him, “Lord, why are you going to reveal yourself only to us and not to the world at large?”

Jesus replied, “All who love me will do what I say. My Father will love them, and we will come and make our home with each of them. Anyone who doesn’t love me will not obey me. And remember, my words are not my own. What I am telling you is from the Father who sent me. I am telling you these things now while I am still with you. But when the Father sends the Advocate as my representative—that is, the Holy Spirit—he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you.

“I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid. Remember what I told you: I am going away, but I will come back to you again. If you really loved me, you would be happy that I am going to the Father, who is greater than I am. I have told you these things before they happen so that when they do happen, you will believe.

“I don’t have much more time to talk to you, because the ruler of this world approaches. He has no power over me, but I will do what the Father requires of me, so that the world will know that I love the Father. Come, let’s be going.

Jesus Storybook Bible: 
A Dark Night In The Garden (p.294)
Don't have the Jesus Storybook Bible at home? Check it out on Hoopla here!

Meditate

No, I will not abandon you as orphans—I will come to you. (John 14:18) 

Pray

Holy Trinity, You are our Creator and our Redeemer. Heavenly Father, thank You for giving Your Son for our salvation. Lord Jesus, thank you for bearing the weight of our sin. Holy Spirit, thank you for applying the work of Christ to our lives. You have made us alive in Christ and sealed to us our salvation. Comfort us by Your presence and strengthen us to make Christ’s invisible Kingdom visible. In Jesus name we pray. Amen. 

Sing

Holy Spirit 

*Copyright laws prohibit us from posting the lyrics here, so please click on the title above!

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VISIT WWW.GETTYMUSIC.COM FOR INFO ABOUT THE NEWEST PROJECTS FROM KEITH AND KRISTYN GETTY AND JOIN THEM, AND 30+ SPEAKERS, ARTISTS AND THEOLOGIANS IN NASHVILL...

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Wednesday, September 2

Read

Romans 3:21-31 (NLT)

But now God has shown us a way to be made right with him without keeping the requirements of the law, as was promised in the writings of Moses and the prophets long ago. We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. And this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are.

For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. Yet God, in his grace, freely makes us right in his sight. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins. For God presented Jesus as the sacrifice for sin. People are made right with God when they believe that Jesus sacrificed his life, shedding his blood. This sacrifice shows that God was being fair when he held back and did not punish those who sinned in times past, for he was looking ahead and including them in what he would do in this present time. God did this to demonstrate his righteousness, for he himself is fair and just, and he makes sinners right in his sight when they believe in Jesus.

Can we boast, then, that we have done anything to be accepted by God? No, because our acquittal is not based on obeying the law. It is based on faith.So we are made right with God through faith and not by obeying the law.

After all, is God the God of the Jews only? Isn’t he also the God of the Gentiles? Of course he is. There is only one God, and he makes people right with himself only by faith, whether they are Jews or Gentiles. Well then, if we emphasize faith, does this mean that we can forget about the law? Of course not! In fact, only when we have faith do we truly fulfill the law.

Jesus Storybook Bible: 
A New Way To See (p.334)
Don't have the Jesus Storybook Bible at home? Check it out on Hoopla here!

Meditate

God has shown us a way to be made right with him without keeping the requirements of the law, as was promised in the writings of Moses and the prophets long ago. (Romans 3:21)

Pray

O God of Heaven, we praise You for your mercy and grace. Though we are unworthy sinners, You have drawn us back through the work of Your Son. Lord Jesus, it only by your perfect sacrifice that we are holy and blameless in the eyes of the Father. Forgive us for ignoring or rejecting Your Law. Thank you for reconciling us to Yourself. Enable us by Your Spirit to uphold Your Law by faith and walk in the way of Your Kingdom. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.  

Sing

Show Us Christ

*Copyright laws prohibit us from posting the lyrics here, so please click on the title above!

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Friday, August 28

Read

Psalm 61 (NLT)

O God, listen to my cry!
    Hear my prayer!
From the ends of the earth,
    I cry to you for help
    when my heart is overwhelmed.
Lead me to the towering rock of safety,
    for you are my safe refuge,
    a fortress where my enemies cannot reach me.
Let me live forever in your sanctuary,
    safe beneath the shelter of your wings! Interlude

For you have heard my vows, O God.
    You have given me an inheritance reserved for those who fear your name.
Add many years to the life of the king!
    May his years span the generations!
May he reign under God’s protection forever.
    May your unfailing love and faithfulness watch over him.
Then I will sing praises to your name forever
    as I fulfill my vows each day.

Jesus Storybook Bible: 
The Singer(p.228)
Don't have the Jesus Storybook Bible at home? Check it out on Hoopla here!

Meditate

Let me live forever in your sanctuary, safe beneath the shelter of your wings! (Psalm 61:4)

Pray

Heavenly Father, hear my prayer. Life is incredibly difficult and I come to you worn out and weary. Lead me to the Rock that is higher than I. Hide me in Christ and protect me from the accusations of the Enemy. Lord Jesus, you have been enthroned forever by the Father. Shelter me under your wings and strengthen me by your love and faithfulness. Enable me by Your Spirit to sing your praises through these trials. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.

Sing

He Will Hold Me Fast

*Copyright laws prohibit us from posting the lyrics here, so please click on the title above!

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Music video by Keith & Kristyn Getty performing He Will Hold Me Fast. (C) 2016 Getty Music Label, LLC http://vevo.ly/Qkai6A

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