First Cup
Dear Family in Christ,
First Cup is designed to assist you in the habit of daily Bible reading and prayer. The name is to remind you that as you reach for your first cup of morning coffee or tea, reach also for your Bible and prayer list. The prayers at the beginning of each week are taken from hymns, sometimes found in obscure hymnals in my library. They are intended to be read as your beginning prayer, to focus your mind on the daily readings that follow. May this spiritual discipline strengthen you as you face each day.
Blessings and love in Christ,
Sandy Sturch
December
24 Luke 2:1-20; Colossians 1:15-23
25 Psalm 47; Colossians 1:24-2:5
26 Isaiah 55
27 Isaiah 9:2, 6-7; Luke 2:21-40
28 Luke 2:41-52; Proverbs 3:1-6
Come, we that love the Lord, and let our joys be known; join in a song with sweet accord, join in a song with sweet accord and thus surround the throne, and thus surround the throne. The hill of Zion yields a thousand sacred sweets before we reach the heavenly fields, before we reach the heavenly fields, or walk the golden streets, or walk the golden streets. We’re marching to Zion, beautiful, beautiful Zion. We’re marching upward to Zion, the beautiful city of God. (Worship in Song, #75)
29 John 1:1-34; Ephesians 1:1-14
30 John 3; 5:24; 1 John 3
31 Psalm 90; 2 Corinthians 5:1-10
January
1 Ecclesiastes 1; Psalm 49
2 Ecclesiastes 2; Matthew 6:19-34
3 Ecclesiastes 3; Matthew 16:24-28; 25:31-46; 1 Peter 4:1-11
4 Ecclesiastes 4; Proverbs 15:16; 27:10
When I survey the wondrous cross, on which the Prince of glory died, my riches gain I count but loss, and pour contempt on all my pride. Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast, save in the death of Christ my God; All the vain things that charm me most, I sacrifice them to His blood. Were the whole realm of nature mine, that were a present far too small; Love so amazing, so divine, demands my soul, my life, my all. (The Baptist Hymnal, #99)
5 Ecclesiastes 5; Psalm 66:13-14; Proverbs 20:25; 1 Timothy 6:6-10; James 1:9-11
6 Ecclesiastes 6; Philippians 1:3-30
7 Ecclesiastes 7; Proverbs 7:6-27; Romans 3:10-20; Psalm 119:9-11
8 Ecclesiastes 8; Psalm 92; Romans 11:33-36
9 Ecclesiastes 9; Psalm 34; Philippians 1:21
10 Ecclesiastes 10; Proverbs 15; James 3
11 Ecclesiastes 11; Proverbs 11:24; 1 Timothy 4:6-16
Give of your best to the Master; Give him first place in your heart; Give him first place in your service; consecrate every part. Give, and to you shall be given. God His beloved Son gave. Gratefully seeking to serve Him, give Him the best that you have. Give of your best to the Master; naught else is worthy His love. He gave Himself for your ransom, gave up His glory above; laid down His life without murmur, you from sin’s ruin to save. Give Him your heart’s adoration; Give Him the best that you have. (Worship in Song, #340)
12 Ecclesiastes 12; Psalm 146
13 Psalm 1; 2 Timothy 3
14 Psalm 2; Proverbs 1:20-33
15 Psalm 3; Proverbs 3
16 Psalm 4; Ephesians 4:26-27; James 1:19-27
17 Psalm 5; 107
18 Psalm 6; Hebrews 12:1-13
Soldiers of Christ, arise, And put your armor on, strong in strength which God supplies through His eternal Son. Strong in the Lord of Hosts and in His mighty power, Who in the strength of Jesus trusts is more than conqueror. Leave no unguarded place, No weakness of the soul; Take every virtue, every grace, and fortify the whole. From strength to strength go on; wrestle, and fight, and pray; Tread all the powers of darkness down, and win the well-fought day. (The Hymnbook, # 362)
19 Psalm 7; Jeremiah 12
20 Psalm 8; Genesis 1-2:3; Hebrews 2; Philippians 2:1-11
21 Psalm 9; Proverbs 23:17-18; Revelation 6:9-11
22 Psalm 10; Romans 3:9-20
23 Psalm 11; Jeremiah 17:5-18 James 1:12
24 Psalm 12; James 3
25 Psalm 13; Habakkuk 3
I love the Lord, His strength is mine; He is my God, I trust His grace; My fortress high, my shield divine, My Saviour and my hiding place. From God the victory I receive; Most perfect is His holy way; His word is tried, they who believe Will find the Lord their shield and stay. For who is God, and strong to save, Beside the Lord, our God of might? ‘Tis He that makes me strong and brave, The Lord who guides my steps aright. (The Hymnbook, #370)
26 Psalm 14; Romans 3:9-4:8
27 Psalm 15; Ephesians 4:17-5:21
28 Psalm 16; 73
29 Psalm 17; Job 23:10-12
30 Psalm 18
31 Psalm 19; Psalm 119:97-112
