The Call to Prayer: Come let us sing to the Lord, let us shout for joy to the rock of our salvation.
The Greeting: Glory be to the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever will be--a world without end. Amen.
Morning Gospel lesson: "When Jesus saw Nathanael approaching, he said of him, “Here truly is an Israelite in whom there is no deceit.” “How do you know me?” Nathanael asked. Jesus answered, “I saw you while you were still under the fig tree before Philip called you.” Then Nathanael declared, “Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the king of Israel.” Jesus said, “You believe[ because I told you I saw you under the fig tree. You will see greater things than that.” He then added, “Very truly I tell you, you will see ‘heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending on’ the Son of Man.” -John 1: 47-51
Application: Jesus' encounters with men were transformational. Once you meet Jesus, everything changes.
Morning Proverb: "Do not envy a violent man or choose any of his ways, for the Lord detests a perverse man but takes the upright into his confidence." -Proverbs 3:31-32
Application: Real men break the cycle of violence by keeping the peace in manner that pleases the Lord.
The Lord's Prayer:
Our Father in Heaven,
Let your holiness be revealed.
Let your kingdom come, let your will be done
On earth as in heaven.
Give us today, our daily bread.
Erase our debts, as we erase the debts of others.
Keep us from temptation and rescue us from evil
For Kingdom, power, and glory
belong to you forever and ever,
AMEN!
Manhood moment:
What does the future hold for Jesus-followers? Great things are coming our way according to Jesus. For the true believer, angels are going to fly, the heavens are going to open up, and spiritual things are going to happen. Jesus’ disciples weren’t able to fully grasp the magnitude of it at the time, but they would later experience it at Jesus' resurrection and ascension. Bottom line: God has good things in store for us. God is not going to let us down. With Jesus Christ we have a bright future despite today’s present darkness. If you have the eyes of faith, you will experience things beyond your wildest dreams.