Return to Bible Devotional > Scripture Prayer > Mini-Worship
Mini-Worship
June 25-30, 2024
Center yourself (take a few deep breaths and quiet down)
Enter the Presence of God
For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life. 17“Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.”
Confession:
God of Light and salvation, you are gracious. I seek for your face. Thanks for the rest, family, friends, sunshine, breeze, and flourish greens. A new week is coming. Again, I entrust myself in your care. Sometimes, work load is so heavy. I do not feel that I have enough time and energy to handle all things on my way. Empower me. Enable me. Guide me. Bless me in every way so that I’ll bring glory to you at the end of each day. I am learning how to integrate you in my daily life, study, and work. I may be slow to comprehend. But please never give up me. Come near to me. So I'll know your presence. In your presence, I find strength, joy, and hope. I’ll hear your sweet words to me. Thanks. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
Scripture Reading:
Hebrews 4:1-10
1Therefore, while the promise of entering his rest is still open, let us take care that none of you should seem to have failed to reach it. 2For indeed the good news came to us just as to them; but the message they heard did not benefit them, because they were not united by faith with those who listened. 3For we who have believed enter that rest, just as God has said, “As in my anger I swore, ‘They shall not enter my rest,’”
though his works were finished at the foundation of the world. 4For in one place it speaks about the seventh day as follows: “And God rested on the seventh day from all his works.” 5And again in this place it says, “They shall not enter my rest.” 6Since therefore it remains open for some to enter it, and those who formerly received the good news failed to enter because of disobedience, 7again he sets a certain day — “today” — saying through David much later, in the words already quoted, “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts."
8For if Joshua had given them rest, God would not speak later about another day. 9So then, a sabbath rest still remains for the people of God; 10for those who enter God’s rest also cease from their labors as God did from his.
Thoughts to share and to ponder
Life is hectic. Life is hard. We must be busy in order to survive and to thrive. But good run for life needs proper rest. God knows that. He designed the night. He designed us to sleep at night. But here the author of the book to the Hebrews is talking another kind of rest. It is God’s rest.
What is God’s rest? Some had thought it meant we stopped work –not walking, not doing good... It meant the instituted Sabbath day. But the scripture tells us that God’s rest is what God promised us. First, He is the giver of rest. We just enter in. Secondly, the promise of God’s rest resides in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Thirdly, the rest comes through our believing in Jesus Christ, the center of the Gospel.
Believe in Jesus Christ gives us true rest. First, Sins’ burden, chains, and pollution are broken away. We are free. Secondly, worries about tomorrow is lessened. Because we are assured that He faithfully cares for us and our needs. He guards us from evil. We just need to do whatever we are responsible to do. Thirdly, worries about our final fate is gone, because God said that those who believe in Jesus Christ will not perish, but rather have eternal life and will go to heaven. Fourthly, he promised that whenever we feel weak and tired, we can come to Jesus Christ to receive strength of life and the rest for life, because he is the source of real Life. We will not be able to buy it on the market.
I am sure you are busy. But try to take a few minutes- just tell God: I come to you, I want to just see your face and rest in you. Or read a few verses of God’s words to get mind refreshed, to get perspective sound, to be reminded who God is and what He has done. After this, move on your regular activities. Trust that God walks along with you.
Prayer suggestions:
Check your schedules and see if a “God’s rest” is in your schedules. Think how you fit it into your daily life.
God of my life, I come to enter your rest now. I need it. Cleanse me. Refresh me. Awaken me. Recharge me. Reset my life center and order. Make me whole again. Remind me to enter your rest in my busy daily life. Come near to me and bring your rest to encourage me when I need it. I believe in Jesus Christ as my Savior and Lord. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
Closing song
O Lord, Speak
Benedictions
May the Lord bless you and keep you. May the Lord make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace. May 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