Return to Bible Devotional > Scripture Prayer > Mini-Worship
Mini-Worship
April 2-7, 2024
1. Center yourself (take a few deep breaths and quiet down)
2. Enter the Presence of God
(M)This is the day that the LORD has made;
let us rejoice and be glad in it.
(W)O give thanks to the LORD, for he is good;
his steadfast love endures forever!
(All)Jesus is risen!
I shall not die, but I shall live.
(M)The LORD is my strength and my might;
(W) he has become my salvation.
3. Confession:
Dear God, thank you that you live forever. You have openly resolved the knots of sin and death in human lives. You have shown your mercy of forgiveness and everlasting life to us. Praise you, O Lord. Thank you, for purchasing my soul with your son’s blood and hiding me in your life. O, my Savior and Lord. Renew me day by day. Cleanse away the things that pollute my life (exam own life and confess). Build me as you intend me to be. I desire to know you more and deeper. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
4. Scripture Reading:
Matthew 28:1-10 (NIV)
1After the sabbath, as the first day of the week was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. 2And suddenly there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord, descending from heaven, came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. 3His appearance was like lightning, and his clothing white as snow. 4For fear of him the guards shook and became like dead men. 5But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid; I know that you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. 6He is not here; for he has been raised, as he said. Come, see the place where he lay.7Then go quickly and tell his disciples, ‘He has been raised from the dead, and indeed he is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see him.’ This is my message for you.” 8So they left the tomb quickly with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples. 9Suddenly Jesus met them and said, “Greetings!” And they came to him, took hold of his feet, and worshiped him. 10Then Jesus said to them, “Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.”
Thoughts to share and to ponder
The scripture tells us that this is a day of peace and a day of joy simply because Jesus was raised from the death. This is the day that the Lord has made for all people throughout all ages. The reason for us to be glad in it is this: Jesus is risen! He lives forever more.
Have you ever had the experience of “lost and found?” What was that? Do you remember how did you feel in the process?
These two Marys just experienced a loss of their dear friend Jesus two days ago. Their hearts were broken and painful. They were sad. They grieved. But they accepted the fact as it was. They couldn't change what had already happened. They decided to have a perfect closure for Jesus and for themselves. Then they could nicely burry this memory or put it in the box of “lost.”
However, when they came two days later, they felt a quake. They saw a bright talking angel. First, the angle said, “do not be afraid!” For sure, they needed to hear this. Second, the angel said, “I know you come to find crucified Jesus.” They found understanding of the thoughts in their mind. Third, the angel said, “He is not here. He has been raised. ...Come and see where he lay.” They were led to a surprise that they probably wished but they did not think it to be possible. Fourth, the angel said, “go and tell other disciples… go to Galilee to meet him.” They were given a mission being messengers of Jesus. Furthermore, to their surprise, Jesus appeared to them and reaffirmed what angel just told them. They could not believe at first. They could not tell if it was a true or not. Finally, they overjoyed! It was true. They found the Jesus they had lost!
Later, Jesus clearly opened up the mystery of this day to his disciples. First, this event related to an incident of “lost” of the human beings. It happened in Eden garden long ago. First human couple forgot the instructions of God about what to eat and what not to eat. They forgot how serious it could lead them to: death. So, they lost the right to live in the garden. They lost the fellowship with God. They lost the reward of eternal life. They lost the access of life and peace. They lost the knowledge of who they were. They lost the wisdom of way of living in the world. They became miserable in their “loss.” And they became lost in the mess. Isaiah described their condition: Like the sheep, they went astray! They wandered, wandered, and wandered.
Second, this event related to an assurance of “found” of the human beings. In God’s loving plan, he put his only son Jesus on the cross to bear the sin and penalty of human beings. When the price was paid, God no longer held his wrath to the human beings. Jesus redeemed all human beings once for all. The resurrection completely removed the cruel curse and wish of sin as well as its destructive power. So we are welcome to back to God Himself. We found righteousness, holiness, fellowship, peace, protection, eternal life and hope. We found our self-knowledge. We found wisdom for life. We found our true home and our heavenly father. We are called the children of the most high.
Have you ever questioned: what is this life? Why am I here? Where will I go? How can I be better and be happier? What is my meaning and purpose of my everyday life? What will my tomorrow be like? Who is going to satisfy my innermost being? …Where do you find the answers? Or, you have such questions: It is not an easy road to live in this world. It is oftentimes not that clear –cut to know which way is God’s way. How am I going to do everything just right?
The joy of the Easter is the deepest joy of our lives. It tells us that even we fatally fell, we still could have hope. God’s love is steadfast. And His mercy is ever new every morning. His power is beyond understanding. He is a living awesome God. There was a Friday. But Sunday is surely here! Come to surrender our “self” to Jesus: body, mind, heart, soul, will… Come to tell our every issue, puzzle, difficulty, problem, and confusion to him. Let us receive the freshly and actively renewing power to our lives daily. Because Jesus has been raised! He lives forever more! We have a living hope in our every tomorrow.
Prayer suggestions:
What have you lost and what do you wish to find it in your being and life now? Can Easter inspire you some hope?
Dear God, thank you that you paid a great price for us in order to find what we have lost. We praise your love of forgiveness and for your power of recreating life. Thank you that you are a living God. You are a present God. I invite you into my life to nurture me, mold me, and transform me. Let me fellowship with you more and deeper. Amen. In the name of Jesus Christ.
5. Benedictions
May the living Lord bless you and keep you; the loving Lord make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace. The LORD will keep your going out and your coming in from this time on and forevermore.
Prayer Request
Devotional
News
2024-01-3
Free Training Mental Health Initiative for church by Light University
2024-01-3
-info on 2024 Christian Ministry Learning and special grant Opportunities
2024-01-3
-EFC educational workshop
2024-01-3
-Rev.Dr. Samuel Tang Bookroom
2024-01-3
-Church Leadership Podcast
2024-01-3
-free courses at Our Daily Bread Christian University for edifying and serving