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Mini-Worship
Jan. 23-28, 2024
Take a few deep breaths and center yourself and quiet down
Entering the presence of God
(M)Why, my soul, are you downcast?
Why so disturbed within me?
Put your hope in God.
(W)Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. 18 He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created.
(All) I will yet praise him,
my Savior and my God.
Confession :
God of wisdom, we see that you designed your salvation plan with manifold wisdom. Surely it is beyond our thoughts and ways but it is really the best plan. We confess that in our busy daily living, we often lack wisdom and struggle with our own difficult situations. We also often just tend to seek for a quick fix. Help us be still before you until that we know that you are God and your name will be glorified. We put trust that you will be generous to give wisdom to us and the people around us to work out the best plan for us. Thank you. We pray in the name of Jesus Christ.
Scripture Reading
Mark1:35-39 (NIV)
Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed. 36 Simon and his companions went to look for him, 37 and when they found him, they exclaimed: “Everyone is looking for you!”38 Jesus replied, “Let us go somewhere else—to the nearby villages—so I can preach there also. That is why I have come.” 39 So he traveled throughout Galilee, preaching in their synagogues and driving out demons.
Thoughts to share and to ponder
Jesus had been very busy since he started his ministry. Crowds sought after him with different motives and expectations. He encountered their numerous pains and sufferings. He saw their struggles in daily living. He saw their panics in their inability to help themselves. He saw their hopelessness in not knowing where they would be tomorrow. He saw their longing to change their living conditions. Could Jesus bear their sorrows and burdens? Could he satisfy their requests? Whom did he really battle with? Was he just a miracle worker? Could he be content with just being a miracle worker?
In the early morning of a day, Jesus went to a solitary place to pray. It was there that He fellowshipped with Father God. He was nurtured in Father's love and affection. He received the wisdom and empowerment. He discerned the will of God and the heart of God. He won over the battles of many temptations and testing. He was well prepared for the day. He trusted that God was with him as the day enfolded. He did what he needed to do with his best knowledge. On that day, Jesus declined the expectations of the crowds and took another direction -- preaching in the synagogues in Galilee and driving out demons.
At the beginning of the day, who can know what a day will be like and what will happen in that day? It is too easy for us to fall into stress and anxiety. Here we learn to go to meet God and bring concerns to him and receive help from him. Jesus who goes before us and knows our day. He has already overcome all temptations and battles. He surely will guide us and help us in what we are to do in our day.
Prayer Suggestions:
Dear Father God, every day when I move into an unknown and complicated world, I pray that your loving care and wisdom will be with me, leading me to move forward. 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.
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