PSALMS
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Psalms 52; 53 and 54
Psalms 53
The Corruption of man by nature.
This psalm is almost the same as the 14th. The scope of it is to convince us of our sins. GOD, by the psalmist, here shows us how bad we are, and proves this by his own certain knowledge. He speaks terror to persecutors, the worst of sinners. He speaks encouragement to GOD’s persecuted people. How come that men are so bad? Because there is no fear of GOD before their eyes. Men’s bad practices flow from their bad principles; if they profess to know GOD, yet in works, because in thoughts, they deny HIM. See the folly of sin; he is a fool, in the account of GOD, whose judgment we are sure is right, that harbours such corrupt thoughts. And see the fruit of sin; to what it brings men when their hearts are hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. See also the faith of the saints, and their hope and power as to the cure of this great evil. There will come a Saviour, a great salvation, a salvation from sin. GOD will save HIS church from its enemies. HE will save all believers from their own sins, that they may not be led captive by them, which will be an everlasting joy to them. From this work, the Redeemer had HIS name JESUS, for HE shall save His
people from their sins.​

OLD TESTAMENT
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Deuteronomy 12: 13 – 32
The command to bring all the sacrifices to the door of the Tabernacle was now explained concerning the Promised Land.

As to moral service, then, as now, men might pray and worship everywhere, as they did in their synagogues. The place which GOD would choose is said to be the place where HE would put HIS name. It was to be HIS habitation, where, as King of Israel, HE would be found by all who reverently sought HIM. Now, under the gospel, we have no temple or altar that sanctifies the gift but CHRIST only: and as to the places of worship, the prophets foretold that in every place the spiritual incense should be offered, John 4:21. And a devout Israelite might honour GOD, keep up communion with HIM, and obtain mercy from HIM, though he had no opportunity of bringing a sacrifice to his altar. Work for GOD should be done with holy joy and cheerfulness.
Even children and servants must rejoice before GOD; the services of religion are to be a pleasure, and not a task or drudgery. It is the duty of people to be kind to their ministers, who teach them well and set them good examples. As long as we live, we need their assistance, till we come to that world where ordinances will not be needed. Whether we eat or drink, or whatever we do, we are commanded to do all to the glory of GOD. And we must do all in the name of the LORD JESUS CHRIST, giving thanks to the FATHER through HIM. They must not even inquire into the modes and forms of idolatrous worship. What good would it do them to know those depths of Satan? And our inward satisfaction will be more and more, as we abound in love and good works, which spring from faith.

NEW TESTAMENT
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Romans 8: 12 – 21
Romans 8: 18
The sufferings of the present time.
All the sufferings of this present age- sickness, pain, misery, disappointment, poverty, mistreatment, sorrow, persecution and trouble of any kind must be ​considered insignificant when compared with the blessing, privileges and glory that will be given to the faithful believer in the age to come.
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The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity:
Jan 18th to Jan 25th – Prepared by the World Council of Churches for Christian Unity.

The theme of the year 2024:
You shall love the LORD your GOD….. And your neighbour as yourself (Luke 10: 27)

January 19: Day 2
The lawyer answered, “You shall love the LORD YOUR GOD with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbour as yourself” (Luke 10: 27)

Scripture Reading:
Help me LORD to love YOU, my neighbour and myself with all that I am.

Scripture Portion:
Deuteronomy 10: 12 & 13
Psalm 133

Prayer
LORD, give us the grace to know you more deeply, in order to love you with all of our being. Grant us a pure heart, to love our neighbour as ourselves. May the gift of YOUR HOLY SPIRIT enable us to see YOUR presence in our sisters and brothers, so that we may love each other with the same unconditional love with which You love us. Through CHRIST our LORD.
Amen.