Daily Office Readings for Friday of Week 8: Year 1
Morning, Psalms 140 and 142; Evening, Psalms 141, 143:1-12)
1st Samuel 13:19 to14:15; Acts 9:1 to 9; Luke 23:26 to 31
“Set a watch before my mouth, O Lord, and guard the door of my lips; let not my heart incline to any evil thing.” (Psalm 141:3)
If only I could think before I hit the “send” button on my mouth. My blogs are like this also. I really ponder over my words and even have them read aloud by a computer voice before I hit the “publish” button. And even then occasionally the wrong meaning is floated.
As we interact with people, both, the people we like, and the people we don’t particularly like, we should be very careful about our choice of words. While it is sometimes difficult when done face to face, during our Covid lock-downs, and the more widespread use of text messaging and emails, and without the use of facial expression and body language, the wrong message is sometimes sent.
In setting a watch before our mouths and a guard on the door of our lips we must go deeper inside our selves, and into our hearts. It is in our hearts that our attitudes and feelings are first developed before they make their way to our mouths and lips. Words and hands can help or hurt depending on the heart source from which they originate. And how do we adjust the thoughts of our hearts? We don’t, without God’s help.
God did not give us the ability to fix our selves or heal ourselves. God intends for us to first believe in God, and as a result of our belief, to ask God for the assistance needed. Therefore, we pray for God to be with us and help us. I have heard it said that the squeaky wheel gets the grease. Therefore, before we speak, perhaps in prayer we should squeak. We need our words to be true to what we feel. But what we feel needs to be something we are proud of before God and our neighbors. It is only with God’s help that I; “Set a watch before my mouth, O Lord, and guard the door of my lips; let not my heart incline to any evil thing.”
Today is Independence Day, July 4. And information about this day may be found at: Independence Day (U. S.). You will find written words we should all take to heart.
“Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all their multitude. And on the seventh day God finished the work that he had done, and he rested on the seventh day from all the work that he had done” (Genesis 2:1 and 2). So, for this evening and tomorrow day my friends, Shabbat Shalom.
What is Shabbat? Intro to the Jewish Sabbath – YouTube
As we listen to what the Spirit of God is saying to us, let us live to love and to serve, and to teach others to love and to serve, while pondering anew what the Almighty can do. John
Let us pray: (BCP p. 355)
“Almighty God, to you all hearts are open, all desires known, and from you no secrets are hid: Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you, and worthily magnify your holy Name; through Christ our Lord. Amen.”
And let us pray again: Independence Day July 4 (BCP p. 242)
Lord God Almighty, in whose Name the founders of this country won liberty for themselves and for us, and lit the torch of freedom for nations then unborn: Grant that we and all the people of this land may have grace to maintain our liberties in righteousness and peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
onewhoponders 