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Mini-Worship
Feb. 20-25, 2024
1.Center yourself
2. Entering the Presence of God
O LORD, I love the house in which you dwell,
and the place where your glory abides.
I wait for the LORD, my soul waits,
and in his word I hope.
For your steadfast love is before my eyes,
and I walk in faithfulness to you.
3. Confession
Gracious, righteous, and merciful God, another week is passing by. It is a hectic week. Now I want to calm down before you and just enter your lovely presence and feeling the rest you promised us. Take away my tiredness, refill me with your power of life. I need you. Take away anything preventing me from your holy love- sin, fault consciously or unconsciously, pollutions from everyday world, temptations…. (anything else you want to say…). Please forgive me where I did wrong, cleanse me and liberate me. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
4. Scripture reading:
Gospel Matthew 17:1-9
1Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James and his brother John and led them up a high mountain, by themselves. 2And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became dazzling white. 3Suddenly there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him. 4Then Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here; if you wish, I will make three dwellings here, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” 5While he was still speaking, suddenly a bright cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud a voice said, “This is my Son, the Beloved; with him I am well pleased; listen to him!” 6When the disciples heard this, they fell to the ground and were overcome by fear. 7But Jesus came and touched them, saying, “Get up and do not be afraid.” 8And when they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus himself alone. 9As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus ordered them, “Tell no one about the vision until after the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.
5. Thoughts to share and to ponder-
In the Old Testament, Moses was called out by God to meet God on the mountain. He received the Ten Commandments there. In the New Testament, Jesus with his three disciples went up to another mountain where He talked to Moses, Elijah and He heard God’s affirmation on Him: This is my beloved son. The disciples also heard, "listen to Him.”
In the first mountain experience, God revealed some important teachings for a better way of living in the land where the Israelites were to go in. In the second experience, God revealed that He would accomplish what humans could not do. Jesus came to continue and accomplish what Moses was given. It is not words, rules, but a person that God can restore His original life plan for mankind in Eden Garden. Jesus came to bring us back to God so that we can resume the relationship with God and access the life in God. Jesus kept saying: I am the water of life, I am the bread of life, I am the light of the world, I am the truth, I am the way, I am the peace, I am reconciliation…….
God simplified all ways into one only way: Jesus who came to the world, bore our sins, died on the cross, and was resurrected in overcoming the sins and death. By faith, we receive Jesus for free, then we are brought back to God again.
Have you understood your faith? It is not about religion. It is not about many sets of “dos” and “don’ts”. It is about Jesus for the sake for your very life, your daily living, and your basic existence.
6. Prayer suggestion
Evaluate your faith, rethink your relationship of your faith and your existence, recommit yourself to Jesus Christ, resubmit yourself to his ways and his teachings.
Dear God, where am I in my faith journey? You know it. Thank you for giving us your Son Jesus Christ. Draw me close to you and to know you more and deeper. Please walk close me in my daily life walking and let me feel your presence and understand your mind. I am still searching. I may be slow. Do not give me up. Guide me. Love me. (own words) Amen, in the name of Jesus Christ.
7. Benedictions
May the Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace.
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