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Mini-Worship
July 30 -August 4, 2024
1. Center yourself
2. Enter the presence of God
M: God is our refuge and strength,
A very present help in trouble
W: Praise the Lord!
M: The earth has yielded its increase
God, our God, has blessed us.
W: Praise the Lord!
M: you judge the people with equity and guide the nations upon earth.
W. Praise the Lord!
M&W: Praise Him according to his surpassing greatness!
3. Adoration Prayer
Eternal Great God, we come to you and want to stay under your wing to behold your gracious face and to experience your stability. Praise you for your mighty deeds to this family and each one of us. You are our Savior. May you continue to bless us and make your face shine upon us. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
4. Confession
God of Life, we meditate on your loving kindness. Yet, we are so selfish and forget about your grace. The world is busy. Our lives are hectic. Works, studies, worries compete with your place in us. O, God, so sorry. Our most inner person really desires you and want to worship you and to hear your loving voices to us. God, come, come, to calm us, to assure us: You are with us. Give us light, give us love for life. Amen.
5. Scripture reading
Genesis 13:2-18 (NIV)
2 Abram had become very wealthy in livestock and in silver and gold. 3 From the Negev he went from place to place until he came to Bethel, to the place between Bethel and Ai where his tent had been earlier 4 and where he had first built an altar. There Abram called on the name of the LORD. 5 Now Lot, who was moving about with Abram, also had flocks and herds and tents. 6 But the land could not support them while they stayed together, for their possessions were so great that they were not able to stay together. 7 And quarreling arose between Abram’s herders and Lot’s. The Canaanites and Perizzites were also living in the land at that time. 8 So Abram said to Lot, “Let’s not have any quarreling between you and me, or between your herders and mine, for we are close relatives. 9 Is not the whole land before you? Let’s part company. If you go to the left, I’ll go to the right; if you go to the right, I’ll go to the left.” 10 Lot looked around and saw that the whole plain of the Jordan toward Zoar was well watered, like the garden of the LORD, like the land of Egypt. (This was before the LORD destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah.) 11 So Lot chose for himself the whole plain of the Jordan and set out toward the east. The two men parted company: 12 Abram lived in the land of Canaan, while Lot lived among the cities of the plain and pitched his tents near Sodom. 13 Now the people of Sodom were wicked and were sinning greatly against the LORD. 14 The LORD said to Abram after Lot had parted from him, “Look around from where you are, to the north and south, to the east and west. 15 All the land that you see I will give to you and your offspring[a] forever. 16 I will make your offspring like the dust of the earth, so that if anyone could count the dust, then your offspring could be counted. 17 Go, walk through the length and breadth of the land, for I am giving it to you.” 18 So Abram went to live near the great trees of Mamre at Hebron, where he pitched his tents. There he built an altar to the LORD
6. Thoughts to share and to ponder
At first sight, we may feel distant from the time and culture of this Scripture passage. The passage sounds just like a historic record. We may want to fall to sleep. But hang in there. It is okay to struggle for a little while. Let the light come out slowly and allow the discoveries awaken us and encourage us.
What facts can we observe from this passage? First, Abram and Lot were so rich that they needed larger grassland and more water for their flocks. Their herdsmen were already in quarrels for the resources. Secondly, they did have enemies: the Canaanites and Perizzites around them. Thirdly, Abram had a desire for a peaceful resolution. After all, they were brothers. They were in a close relationship. Fourthly, Abram initiated a peaceful proposal. Being an uncle, he decided to give up his right of choosing where to go first. Instead, he let his nephew Lot choose where to go first. He intentionally put Lot’s interest first.
Let us put ourselves in Abram’s place and asked ourselves: If we were in that situation, what kind of decision would we do? What would be the basis of our decisions? Was Abram’s decision wise? Did he worry? Where did he find his strength and hope in facing the unknown future? Would God’s promise to him long ago be hindered by his humble decision? How much could we trust what we saw with our physical eyes? What the passage reveals to us is this: God is the only true and ultimate blesser. Visible and instant glories can be attractive. But when we pursue only such kinds of blessings, those blessings may blind our true vision, alter our directions, and lead us to a wrong turn. Abram was a person who kept fellowshipping with God and worshipping God. He knew God. He put trust in God. He made that decision which brought him peace and won God’s favor and approval.
Friends, how many unfair things do you experience in this world? In a world of pushing, shuffling, manipulating, controlling and boasting “ego” authority, were you disappointed at what you have? Did this make you feel anxious, doubtful, and disturbed? Did you lose peace inside you? Here God’s word invites us to come, to return, return to our Almighty and eternal loving, merciful and faithful God. He surely has a wonderful plan for you. May He restore perfect peace to you. May He continue to bless you wherever you are. May you put total trust in him.
Prayer suggestion
Is there any happening in your life that causes you to feel smaller than others? Are you in the midst of abundant blessings that almost blurs your true vision and values for life? Ask God to help you bloom wherever you are by His grace.
Lord of blessings and Lord of peace, help us fix our eyes on you. I am facing many choices and decisions in my daily life contexts. May your wisdom say in my hearts and guide my steps. Sustain me in where I am. And give me the courage to move into new territory when it is necessary. I know that you are that true blesser. You are able to bless me in wherever you place me. Thank you. Amen, in Jesus' name.
7. Benedictions
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. The LORD will keep your going out and your coming in from this time on and forevermore.
Prayer Request
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