Sunday Morning Devotional: Week 19

Your Weekly Rest and Reset

If man is man and God is God, to live without prayer is not merely an awful thing; it is an infinitely foolish thing. (Phillips Brooks)

This Week’s Scripture

·         Isaiah 9:1-4
·         Psalm 27
·         1 Corinthians 1:10-18
·         Matthew 4:12-23

Adoration

Psalm 27:1
The Lord is my light and my salvation;
    whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life;
    of whom shall I be afraid?

O God, Our Help in Ages Past (verses 1-2)

O God, our help in ages past, our hope for years to come,
our shelter from the stormy blast, and our eternal home!
Under the shadow of thy throne, still may we dwell secure;
sufficient is thine arm alone, and our defense is sure.
(Isaac Watts)

Take time now to offer God your praise and worship.
 
Confession

For Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the gospel, and not with words of eloquent wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power. 18 For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. (1 Corinthians 1:17-19)

Merciful Redeemer, let your Holy Spirit guide and help me this day to worship you as you deserve. Let your Spirit keep my thoughts from wandering from you, fan the flames of my love for you, and arouse my desire to worship and obey you. I am drawn to love you even more by the kindness you have shown me: giving me life, ransoming my soul, and leading me to the eternal joys you have prepared for those who serve you. Loving you is the goal for which I was created; therefore, I can have no happiness apart from loving you. In Christ’s name I pray. Amen. (John Wesley)

As David did in Psalm 139, ask the Lord to search you and know you through and through. Confess the sins God brings to mind, knowing you are forgiven and that He will cleanse you from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9).

Thanksgiving

All praise goes to you my God, for you are my light and my salvation. I thank you that I, therefore, should fear no one, for you alone are the stronghold of my life. When all the world seems to be against me, when evil times appear to be prevailing, my heart will not fear, for you will hide me in your shelter on such days of trouble. I will cast all my cares and anxieties upon you for you will lift me high upon a rock. My thanks to you will turn into joyful songs because you are my God. I praise you my loving Father for your goodness to me and the courage you provide me each and every day. In your name I pray, Amen. (from Psalm 27)

Spend some time reflecting on the prayer of thanksgiving above and then thank God for who he is and the many ways he has poured out his goodness and grace in your life.
 
Supplication (Petitions – prayers for yourself)

·         Lord, help me to faithfully participate in the life of my congregation and for the sake of my community…
Ø  By my prayers
Ø  By my presence
Ø  By my gifts
Ø  By my service
Ø  By my witness
·         Today’s events and interactions with others, planned and unplanned
·         Other needs
 
Supplication (Intercession – prayers for others)

·         My family
·         For those who serve in government, at the national, state, and local levels
·         For those who serve in law-enforcement
·         For those who serve in fire and rescue
·         For those who serve in our nation’s military
·         Other needs
 
Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love, for his wonderful works to the sons of men! (Psalm 107:8)

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What We Believe

(from the Catechism of the Global Methodist Church)
Week 19

Question 30: Why does the church exist? 

Answer: Under the discipline of the Holy Spirit the church exists for the maintenance of worship, the edification of believers, and the redemption of the world. (1 Cor. 12:27-28; 14:12; Gal. 6:1-2, 6-10; Eph. 4:11-16; Heb. 3:12-14; 10:23-25; CoF V.)  

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