Dusk Till Dawn

What Can I Do?

This week, we’re focusing on prayer as we reflect on Jesus’ example and commandments, praying through selected verses from John and Exodus. For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you. — John 13:15 Praying Through Scripture Lord Jesus, Help us today to follow your example:To love one another, as you have loved us.To feed the hungry, and welcome the stranger,as though we were feeding and welcoming you.To humble ourselves like servants to one another,Washing one another’s feet, serving on bended knee.Forgiving others, as you have forgiven us,Taking up our cross daily, as you did on the road to Golgotha,Denying ourselves, and following you. You have made us holy, as you are holy,With that in mind, let us also be obedient,As you were obedient to your father. Coming down from heaven, not to execute your own willBut in service of the will that send you to us.Let us give up our lives for you,Teach us to give up our lives for our friends.This is love. As you spent time with the father,Withdrawing to wildernesses and quiet places,Let us pray. As you spoke with the nations,and sent others to do so after you,Guide us in how to makes disciples near and far,Baptising them in the name of the Father,and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. As you came to establish the kingdom of God and His righteousnessShow us how to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness For the hour comes, and now is, when your true worshippers shall worship.We will worship the Father in spirit and in truth.Make us into vessels of worship for the Father. Amen Today’s Readings [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%2013%2C%20Psalm%2032%2C%20Exodus%2030-32%2C%201%20Chronicles%204%3A16-20&version=ESVUK] John 13, Psalm 32, Exodus 30-32, 1 Chronicles 4:16-20 Recommended Media https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ajNqR0e65U [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ajNqR0e65U] This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit dusktilldawn.substack.com [https://dusktilldawn.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Eternal Flame

This week, we’re focusing on prayer as we reflect on Jesus’ example and commandments, praying through selected verses from John and Exodus. As I mentioned in Monday morning’s podcast/newsletter keep in mind as you read that all Scripture, though not always binding, is inspired by God and vital for teaching and spiritual growth. You shall command the people of Israel that they bring to you pure beaten olive oil for the light, that a lamp may regularly be set up to burn. — Exodus 27:20 Praying Through the Bible Lord, Here is my oil, take it.Burn it upon this lampstand.This oil is sin and shame,The most common of all commodities,Let it burn away. Here is my oil, take it.Burn it upon this lampstand.This oil is my worship to you,May my heart ever produce it,and may it rise as a pleasing fragrance before you,Let that passion burn forever, Here is my oil, take it.Burn it upon this lampstand.These are my earthly desires,I have no need of them, for they have been replaced,As they burn, let others cast theirs to join them.Let it burn away. Here is our oil, take it.Burn it upon this lampstand.This is the eternal faith,Which belonged to our fathers,Which at times has lessened,But has never run dry.Let it catch alight in the hearts of men. Here is my oil, take it.Burn it upon this lampstand.This is the last of it,I have nothing else to offer.This oil is my life,Take it, and burn away all of its impurities,Take it, and transform its ugliness,Take it, and give me yours in its place,Take it, and take my new life with it, it is yours,Let my life burn bright, as an example of your goodness. Amen Today’s Readings [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%2012%2C%20Psalm%2031%2C%20Exodus%2027-29%2C%201%20Chronicles%204%3A11-15&version=ESVUK] John 12, Psalm 31, Exodus 27-29, 1 Chronicles 4:11-15 Recommended Media Last year, I sat down to write an article I’d been planning for behind the scenes for at least a year [https://www.ravenswritingdesk.co.uk/p/no-one-wants-to-preach-this-book]. It didn’t take that long because of the research, but because of my preconception that it wouldn’t change much. I felt convicted after a few conversations with other writers, and a few days later, I hit send. That article has gone on to become my sixth most popular article of all time, and I have received more feedback than I could possibly have hoped for. What was the article on? The book of Leviticus. In the months since, I’ve seen this book rise to the forefront of conversation and attention for many pastors and lay-persons alike. This article from Cut for Time [https://open.substack.com/pub/cnye] by Chris Nye is just the latest example of that. I highly recommend you read the article below. We will be in the book of Leviticus later this year, so use this as an opportunity to get excited ahead of time! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit dusktilldawn.substack.com [https://dusktilldawn.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

As It Is Written

This week, we’re focusing on prayer as we reflect on Jesus’ example and commandments, praying through selected verses from John and Exodus. His disciples did not understand these things at first, but when Jesus was glorified, then they remembered that these things had been written about him and had been done to him. — John 12:16 Prayer Lord, How many times, and in how many ways did you make yourself known to your people, casting our doubts and fears before you, but they did not hear it. Disciples, Kings, Judges, Prophets, Priests, and all peoples, they heard but did not understand. Now in these days, you have made yourself known through your son. And yet they still do not hear. You have been glorified, and our hearts are now mesmerised by that glory,As we gaze upon you again this morningbring to mind those evidences of your splendour.Those things that were written,All those things which you have done. Give us faith for those miracles you have yet to do,Tales of which are known only to you,but have yet to be written in the annals of earth. Amen Today’s Readings [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%2012%2C%20Psalm%2031%2C%20Exodus%2027-29%2C%201%20Chronicles%204%3A11-15&version=ESVUK] John 12, Psalm 31, Exodus 27-29, 1 Chronicles 4:11-15 Recommended Media I have three journals in my eye line right now, along with another dozen or so scripture journals, most of which are largely empty. That isn’t to say that journalling is boring, or unhelpful, just that it can be daunting at times—…and buying journals is a hobby all of its own. This video talks about benefits and uses of journals, through stories of journalling throughout history, as well as his personal journey. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2HCmv6aDYbQ&list=WL&index=10 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2HCmv6aDYbQ&list=WL&index=10] This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit dusktilldawn.substack.com [https://dusktilldawn.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Glorious One

This week, we’re focusing on prayer as we reflect on Jesus’ example and commandments, praying through selected verses from John and Exodus. As I mentioned in this morning’s podcast/newsletter keep in mind as you read that all Scripture is inspired by God and vital for continual spiritual sustenance. “The glory of the Lord dwelt on Mount Sinai, and the cloud covered it six days. And on the seventh day he called to Moses out of the midst of the cloud.” — Exodus 24:16 Praying Through the Word Yahweh, The whole universe speaks of your glory, The Sun and Moon obey youas they rule the sky by night and day,The waters and the storms follow your commands,And yet you have deemed it right, at times,to fall upon particular places, to make yourself known to us. Now, your glory dwells in us.Like a devouring fire, which consumes our sin,and like a thick cloud full of your power. Lead us to follow your commands, as does the earth,As do the sun, and moon, and stars,as the storm did before the disciples’ eyes. Move our hearts to contribute our small gifts to your great kingdom.Not seeking to build our own fragile kingdoms on earth,But your great kingdom on earth as it is in heaven. Amen Today’s Readings [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%2011%2C%20Psalm%2030%2C%20Exodus%2024-26%2C%201%20Chronicles%204%3A6-10&version=ESVUK] John 11, Psalm 30, Exodus 24-26, 1 Chronicles 4:6-10 Recommended Media https://www.ravenswritingdesk.co.uk/p/dont-finish-that-book [https://www.ravenswritingdesk.co.uk/p/dont-finish-that-book] This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit dusktilldawn.substack.com [https://dusktilldawn.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Wept

This week, we’re focussing on prayer. Many of this week’s readings touch upon Jesus’ example, his commandments to us, and the way he calls us to follow him. This is something we need help with every day, and so rather than spend time expounding on these passages, we’ll pray through a verse or a portion of them, and then I encourage you to go and read them yourself. This week’s readings are primarily from the book of John, or the book of Exodus, but keep in mind while you read that these are both from God. The commandments in the Old Testament may not be binding on us, but they are informative and important. As Paul once wrote to his disciple Timothy: “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.” — 2 Timothy 3:16–17 “Jesus wept.” — John 11:35 Let’s Pray Praying Through Scripture Lord Jesus, I have wept,How many times have I wept,For my sin, and for those committed against me,In grief and in anguish, and for lessons learned too late. Your tears inspire joy in the midst of my sorrows, That you have cried, pouring out the most pure form of raw emotion,Is yet another example of the image to which we are being conformed. Help us today, help me today, to weep more readily,To rejoice more readily, to give both to you, your providence, your timings,and trust the saviour who wept for a lost friend, whom he would shortly see again. Amen Today’s Readings [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%2011%2C%20Psalm%2030%2C%20Exodus%2024-26%2C%201%20Chronicles%204%3A6-10&version=ESVUK] John 11, Psalm 30, Exodus 24-26, 1 Chronicles 4:6-10 Recommended Media https://www.ravenswritingdesk.co.uk/p/seconds [https://www.ravenswritingdesk.co.uk/p/seconds] This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit dusktilldawn.substack.com [https://dusktilldawn.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]