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Mini-Worship
May 14-19, 2024
Take a few deep breaths and center yourself and quiet down.
Entering the presence of God
(All) Give the thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
his steadfast love endures forever!
(M)He is good;
his steadfast love endures forever!
(W) He is good;
his steadfast love endures forever!
(All) Give the thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
his steadfast love endures forever!
Adoration :
Eternal and mighty God, thank you that you remind us of your goodness, your faithfulness, and most importantly your steadfast love. All things around us are changing and changing. Many tragedies happened here and there in our world. We need such an assurance that you are with us all the time and in all circumstances. We praise you for who you are always. Amen.
Scripture Reading
1 Corinthians 13:4-8a (NIV)
4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.8 Love never fails.
Thoughts to share and to ponder
Love is such a lovely and confusing subject. It has been talked, debated, celebrated, and hated throughout centuries. No wonder ancient Greek wise men pointed out that there were at least three types of what so called "love" and warned people take attention to them. These three types of love were: physical satisfaction, friendly affection, and self-sacrifice for the benefit of the one who is loved.
As I recall when and how I understood love, I find that it is a discovery journey to me. When I was a little baby, I felt loved when I was fed and rested in my mom's arms. When I was a kid, I felt loved when little friends liked each other, freely played and had fun. When I was a teen, I felt loved when I was esteemed in what I expressed. When I was a young adult, I felt loved when friends could freely communicate and understood. When I entered my marriage, I felt loved when my lover made commitment to love me for a lifetime. After I became a parent, I learned another level of love.
In parenting, love becomes expressed in numerous small acts day after day and year after year. Oftentimes those acts simply go unnoticed, rather ordinary, and very routine. This type of love demands physical labor, hard work, intelligent wrestle, well- rounded skills, solid character, generous heart, humorous sense and plenty emotional energy. It drives “I,” "me" and “mine” out. It includes many difficulties, disappointments, frustrations, long suffering, exhaustion, and sorrows. Such a love is certainly not glamorous, not attractive, and not easy-going with. It humbles me to the point that I even would not think that I was doing as acts of love. I thought that I was bounded and carried by endless demands of life.
It is easy to lose a vision of love in our busy and demanding life. Then we lose the joy and strength in our doing. Paul in this Scripture restores a new vision of love to us. It doesn’t matter how we feel. Love is more than good feelings only. All we went through is love- the highest form of love. We can find joy and pride in the truth of love
Being the children of God, we have special resources on this road of parenting. Firstly, God has showed us how he loved us. He gave his only son Jesus to us. Secondly, Jesus came to us in order to serve us. He served us even to the point of death on the cross. He served us in order that we would have the best life. Thirdly, God knows that we cannot love one another unless our hearts are reconditioned. Jesus does that for us. His blood cleans our hearts and the Holy Spirit pours the love of God in our hearts. We can love because we are in Love.
"Dad" and "mom" are noble titles that God has given us for a lifetime. With these noble titles, God has charged a noble ministry to us. When we feel tired and discouraged, come to Him. Let us learn to walk in love on the path of parenting with His provision, His example, and His vision. God is love. Let His love re-energize us and transform us. He knows very well of difficult tasks in parenting. He will sustain us and help us to accomplish what we cannot accomplish.
Prayer Suggestions:Dear God, we thank you for the new vision of love. Thank you that you count our small, ordinary, unnoticed, un-rewarded acts as a type of precious love. Thank you for the children whom you have given us. It is true that parenting in our times and cultures is a tough task. May you be with us through this journey. May you restore the joy and strength to us when we feel discouraged and tired. We ask you to accomplish what we as human parents cannot do for our children. We desire to hear that word "Well Done" one day from you. We thank you for the love example of our parents in their best capacity in our lives. We ask you bless them. We pray in the name of Jesus Christ, 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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