Week Forty-three of Cultivate Delight, where we are actively planning our spiritual endeavors this coming week with the goal of a consistent time spent engaging our hearts with Christ in his word, in prayer, in reflection, and in music. Below are some starting points for reflection, and I hope you find them helpful. The goal is to not just rush through these and then get on with your day. Take your time and reflect throughout the week on these items.
“Men are elated when they speak with an earthly king, and are bid to his table to eat. Are we elated, when we go before the King of heaven and earth to speak to him by prayer and to hear him by preaching and by the sacraments to feast and feed with him?”
– Stephen Egerton (1555-1621)
Bible Reading
2 Chronicles 12-20
Old Testament
(Two-year plan)
Hebrews 7-11
New Testament
(One-year plan)
Liturgy – New City Catechism
Question 43: What are the sacraments or ordinances?
The sacraments or ordinances given by God and instituted by Christ, namely baptism and the Lord’s Supper, are visible signs and seals that we are bound together as a community of faith by his death and resurrection. By our use of them the Holy Spirit more fully declares and seals the promises of the gospel to us.
Romans 6:4
We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.
Luke 22:19–20
And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, “This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood.”
Worship
Grace Like Rain
Amazing grace, how sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me
And I once was lost but now I’m found
Was blind but now I see so clearly
And Hallelujah, grace like rain
Falls down on me
And Hallelujah and all my stains
Are washed away, they’re washed away
‘Twas grace that taught my heart to fear
And grace my fears relieved
How precious did that grace appear
The hour I first believed
And Hallelujah, grace like rain
Falls down on me
And Hallelujah and all my stains
Are washed away, they’re washed away
When we’ve been there, ten thousand years
Bright shining as the sun
We’ve no less days to sing Your praise
Than when we first begun
And Hallelujah, grace like rain
Falls down on me
And Hallelujah and all my stains
Are washed away
And Hallelujah, grace like rain
Falls down on me
And Hallelujah and all my stains
Are washed away, they’re washed away
And Hallelujah
And Hallelujah
And Hallelujah
And Hallelujah all my stains
Are washed away, they’re washed away