For those of you who have been joining us in prayer using the dailyLECTIO app you will know that there are two offering of readings at this time [the semicontinuous and the complementary]. From this Sunday we will be returning to the Lectionary texts for our scripture readings, and so the complementary readings are best suited for this time.
The way that the commentary readings work is that Monday-Wednesday they look back to the previous Sunday, helping us to continue to reflect on that which was read and taught. Then Thursday-Saturday the readings switch to looking ahead and preparing us for that which will be heard and taught in the Sunday coming.
This Sunday (September 20th) we will be looking at Philippians 1:21-30, as well as introducing to our Virtual Church gathering the reading of the Psalm for the day (which this week will be Psalm 145:1-6).
“I lift you high in praise, my God, O my King! And I’ll bless your name into eternity. I’ll bless you every day, and keep it up from now to eternity. God is magnificent; he can never be praised enough. There are no boundaries to his greatness. Generation after generation stands in awe of your work; each one tells stories of you mighty acts. Your beauty and splendor have everyone talking; I compose songs of your wonders.” (Psalm 145:1-6, the Message version)
As I reflect on this Psalm, I am drawn to last Sunday and our Songs of Praise service. Sharing of story through testimony, lifting praise to God through those words and the words of song, as different people shared what God has been doing in their lives and how lyrics and music helps them on their journey.
But as with all things, God connects the dots in our lives, and this speaks hugely into the reading from Philippians that we will be studying this week, and Paul’s instruction to, “Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ.”
So be encouraged. The testimonies and songs that were shown last week have been posted to Facebook throughout this week and will continue through to Saturday. They have also all been added to the St. John Youtube channel – so if you missed it, or want to re-watch them, you can do so in either of those places. God is good – All the Time! So let’s lift our voices and praise him and commit to continuing to praise him to the end of our days. But more than that, let’s be telling the stories of his mighty acts.