Day 111 | Wednesday, 8 July 2020

Day 111  |  Wednesday, 8 July 2020

 I want to continue the theme of personal holiness.  I believe our personal journey is one that happens each and every day.  Once Jesus found us and made entrance into our lives, that is not the end, it is the beginning.  I know some folks who will tell you the date that Jesus found them, and they have not done any growing since then.  That date was the end for them, nothing further was needed.  How unfortunate for their faith journey.

Edwin Hatch, 1878 wrote a hymn based on John 20:22 titled Breathe on Me, Breath of God

John 20:22 22 Then he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.

1. “Breath on me, Breath of God, fill me with life anew, that I may love what thou dost love, and do what thou wouldst do.”
2. “Breathe on me, Breath of God, until my heart is pure, until with thee I will one will, to do and to endure.”
3. “Breathe on me, breath of God, till I am wholly thine, till all this earthly part of me glows with thy fire divine.”
4. “Breathe on me, breath of God, so shall I never die, but live with thee the perfect life of thine eternity.”

Howard Thurman, USA, 20th century wrote the prayer “For Holiness of Heart”

 “Lord, I want to be more holy in my heart.
  Here is the citadel of all my desiring,
  where my hopes are born
  and all the deep resolutions of my spirit take wings.
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In this center, my fears are nourished,
   and all my hates are nurtured.
   Here my loves are cherished,
   and all the deep hungers of my spirit are honored
   without quivering and without shock.

In my heart, above all else,
    let love and integrity envelop me
    until my love is perfected and the last vestige
    of my desiring is no longer in conflict with thy Spirit.
Lord, I want to be more holy in my heart.  Amen”

1. “Lord, I want to be a Christian in my heart, in my heart; Lord, I want to be a Christian in my heart,  In my heart, in my heart, Lord, I want to be a Christian in my heart.”
2. “Lord, I want to be more loving in my heart, in my heart; Lord, I want to be more loving in my heart.  In my heart, in my heart, Lord, I want to be more loving in my heart.”
3. “Lord, I want to be more holy in my heart, in my heart; Lord, I want to be more holy in my heart.  In my heart, in my heart, Lord, I want to be more holy in my heart.”
4. “Lord, I want to be like Jesus in my heart, in my heart; Lord, I want to be like Jesus in my heart.  In my heart, in my heart, Lord, I want to be like Jesus in my heart.”

(Afro-American spiritual, music arranged by William Farley Smith, 1986)

 Lord, let these songs and prayer by our prayer today.  Hear us.
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 Today: for the breath of God to fill those who are becoming physically tired of treating COVID.
 
SEE YOU AT NOON