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Mini-Worship
Jan. 2-7, 2024
Take a few deep breaths and center yourself and quiet down
Entering the presence of God
(From Genesis 1:1-5, NIV)
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 2 Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.3 And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. 4 God saw that the light was good, and he separated the light from the darkness. 5 God called the light “day,” and the darkness he called “night.” And there was evening, and there was morning—the first day.
Confession :
God of creation and order, when I meditate on your creation, I am amazed at your power and wisdom that brings out all wonderful things out of darkness, chaos and nothingness. At this moment, I confess that I can only see very few things in the new year. Much is unknown to me. I come to you and trust that you do have a plan for me. You do have a sequence for me. You do have a purpose for me. You do have wisdom to plan all. Please unfold it and guide me in it. Thanks. I pray in the name of Jesus Christ.
Scripture Reading
Matthew 2:1-12
After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem 2 and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”3 When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. 4 When he had called together all the people’s chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Messiah was to be born. 5 “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written: 6 “‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.’7 Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. 8 He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him.” 9 After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. 10 When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. 11 On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. 12 And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.
Thoughts to share and to ponder
Based on their professional knowledge and skills, a few wise men in East received the message that an unusual king was born. So, they traveled a long way and arrived in Jerusalem. They sought the new born baby Jesus, the king of the Jews. They would worship him. Their inquiry about this baby king alarmed both the political and religious leaders there. Why? A sense of insecurity was stirred up in their consciousness. They felt that this new baby might threaten the core of their person. This core included their dignity, interests, status, self-understanding and psychological comfort. They felt restless, suspicious and angry. So they started a search and destroy plan. Fortunately, all-seeing God guided these wise men to a safe route and allowed them to escape a plot.
As we enter a new year, we are making many new plans. We are setting many new goals. But there is an important question for us to think about before all our new plans and goals. The question is, "What will we worship?" or "Who will be the king in our hearts?" Our answer will determine where our talents and gifts go and whom our year will glorify. Our answer will also determine if we will have peace and life, or not.
We probably know through our experiences, that there will be many competing forces around us as usual. We will be constantly challenged as usual. How can we afford to live out a life centered in Jesus Christ?
These wise men remind us of two important truths: First, God honors those who put Him in the first place in their plans. He leads and guides them. He protects and sustains them. He fulfills their desires and accomplishes their goals. Secondly, God blesses those who put faith in Him and take actions to match with their faith. The text reveals to us that initially the wise men had only a partial understanding about this new born king. They also did not have complete knowledge as to exactly where he was. They only knew two things. One was that they had a goal: to see, to worship this king and to give their gifts to him. The other was that they had to go and move. Wasn't it very risky? Did they know they would really get to see the baby king? Did they know if the journey would be easy or difficult? Did they know if there would be other forces distracting them and competing with their goal on the way? We do not know much. But we know that they acted out their faith. They prepared the best gifts. They assumed and determined that they would succeed. They let that highest goal direct their way. They reached the goal. They were overjoyed.
The new year is here. May we have this very first goal: We confess that Jesus Christ is our King. We will use our talents and gifts for the service of God in wherever we are placed. We will trust that our all-wise and all-seeing God will be for us in our new year's life journey.
Prayer Suggestions:
Our maker and redeemer, the Lord of our newness, come to renew us as you renew the year. May you renew our minds, hearts, wills and strength according to your Spirit and your word. Holy Spirit, come to refresh us, to pour out Father's love in our hearts, to energize us with the power of life overcoming death, and to guide us into the truth of life. We desire to see the light and to walk in it. Jesus Christ, be our Lord and King of this year. We pray. Amen.
Benediction
May the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you. May the Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace. May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Prayer Request
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