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Mini-Worship
Oct. 1-6, 2024
1. Center yourself (take a few deep breaths and quiet down)
2. Enter the Presence of God
( M) Steadfast love surrounds those who trust in the LORD.
Gracious is the LORD, and righteous.
(W) our God is merciful.
The LORD protects the simple.
(All) Be glad in the LORD and rejoice, O righteous,
and shout for joy, all you upright in heart.
3. Confession:
Lord of forgiving, your word says that happy are those whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. It is such good news. I come to you and confess my transgressions, sins, guilts known and unknown to me (name your own…) I ask your forgiveness. You will be my hiding place, preserving me from trouble. You will surround me with glad cries of deliverance. You will instruct me and teach me the way I should go. You will counsel me with your eye upon me. Give me understanding and gentle heart to receive your words. In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
4. Scripture Reading:
Genesis 2:15-17, 3:1-7
2:15The LORD God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to till it and keep it.16And the LORD God commanded the man, “You may freely eat of every tree of the garden;17but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall die.” 3:1Now the serpent was more crafty than any other wild animal that the LORD God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God say, ‘You shall not eat from any tree in the garden’?” 2The woman said to the serpent, “We may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden; 3but God said, ‘You shall not eat of the fruit of the tree that is in the middle of the garden, nor shall you touch it, or you shall die.’” 4But the serpent said to the woman, “You will not die; 5for God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” 6So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate; and she also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate. 7Then the eyes of both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made loincloths for themselves.
Thoughts to share and to ponder
First of all, this passage is not saying that women are more sinful than men. It is not talking about how sin happened long time ago. The passage is talking about the difficulties and puzzles of human existence throughout the ages. It is also talking about the fundamental principle of good existence for all human beings in all ages. Secondly, notice that Eve and Adam’s experience happened in their workplace. It was the real center of their lives before they had children.
What are the difficulties and puzzles of human existence? Eve showed us what they are: craving for more physical needs, more pleasures, and pride out of the necessity and boundary. How much is enough? And what is really good for our lives? We oftentimes lack this kind of knowledge. Jesus encountered such kind of difficulties before his public ministry.
What is the only “fundamental” principle? It is carefully listening to the word of God. It also means believing and listening to Jesus, who is God’s very Word in flesh. In Him, God ordains the best needs, pleasures, and pride that we will feel really really good- good for our soul, body, and spirit as well as good for our past, present, future and eternal.
We live in an age of confusion. We are surrounded by information. We are surrounded by all kinds of traditions, liberal or conservative as well as all those in between. Have you wondered how to sort through them? By the word of God. Whenever you feel a lack of wisdom, turn to the word of God, prayer, and seek understanding through the word of God.
Prayer suggestions:
Think about your life. Is anytime or anything confusing you? Tell God and ask Him to direct your mind, heart, and action.
Dear God, thank you that you are the God who knows the challenges of our existence. They are quite complicated sometimes. Sometimes I do not have clues to sort out of them. Please make my existence simple enough for me to handle. Help me to know more of you and your word. Help me to be walking like your children, not like the descendents of Eve and Adam. Be my redeemer and my God of everything. Thank you for my safety. In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
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.
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