“The Lord God Jesus Christ reigns, whose kingdom shall be for ages of ages.” - True Christian Religion §791
Kempton New Church

December
20

“She Gave Thanks to the Lord”

And there was Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher; she was advanced in many days, having lived with a husband seven years from her virginity; and she was a widow of about eighty‐four years, who stood not back from the temple, serving God with fastings and prayers night and day. And she, at that very hour, standing by, confessed the Lord, and spoke of Him to all those who waited for redemption in Jerusalem. (Luke 2:36‒38)

Real confession of the heart, being from celestial love, is in the genuine sense confession. The man who is in this confession acknowledges that all good is from the Lord, and that all evil is from himself; and when he is in this acknowledgment, he is in a state of humiliation, for he then acknowledges that the Lord is everything in him, and that he himself is relatively nothing; and when confession is made from this state, it is made from celestial love. (Arcana Coelestia 3880.7)

Confessions, adorations, and prayers which are heard and received by the Lord; must be from the Lord Himself with man. That this is so is known to the church, for it teaches that nothing that is good proceeds from man, but that all good is from heaven, that is, from the Divine there. From this also is all the good in worship; consequently in holy worship the church prays that God may be present and lead the thoughts of the discourse. … When a man is in genuine worship, then the Lord flows into the goods and truths which are with him, and raises them to Himself, and with them the man. This elevation does not appear to the man unless he is in the genuine affection of truth and good, and in the knowledge, acknowledgment, and faith that everything good comes from above, from the Lord. (Arcana Coelestia 10299.2)

But I will hope continually, And I will add to all Thy praise. My mouth shall recount Thy justice, Thy salvation all the day; For I know not the numbers thereof. I will come in the might of the Lord Jehovih; I will make mention of Thy justice, Thine alone. (Psalm 71:14‒16)

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