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Mini-Worship
October 15-20, 2024
Take a few deep breaths and center yourself and quiet down
Entering the presence of God
(from Psalm 145: 13b-14; 17-18)
(M)The Lord is faithful is all his words
and gracious in all his deeds
The Lord upholds all who are falling
and raise up all who are bowed down.
(W) The Lord is just in all his ways
and kind in all his doings
The Lord is near to all who call on him
to all who call on him in truth
(All) He fulfills the desire of all who call on him
He also hears their cry and save them.
Scripture Reading
Luke 3:21-22
When all the people were being baptized, Jesus was baptized too. And as he was praying, heaven was opened 22 and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.”
Thoughts to share and to ponder
God was affirming Jesus through the Holy Spirit with full appreciation. What a beautiful picture it was! I often think how this moment meant to Jesus in all his ministry years later. What I want to share is the power of affirmation. It is the point of the Bible verses we just read. It is a life tool we can use.
During my school years, I was taught affirmation as "an honest appreciation for who we are, what we do, and what we mean to others.” I recall that after my baptism, I experienced an incredible love from God. In that love, I received a new eyesight to see myself. I found that I was loveable and valuable, even though indeed I was with sin and imperfectness. He did not push me down. Rather, He gave grace to lift me up and to transform me. He generated a desire in me to love Him. He strengthened my identity and a sense of mission. I was motivated to benefit others. As a result, I found wholeness in myself. I found strength overcoming many difficulties and challenges throughout all these years.
Besides experiencing the affirmation from God, I also experienced the power of affirmation from several persons in my life paths. They are gracious persons to me. I admired them and respected them a lot. What I experienced from them include a few things. First, I believe in you. Secondly, I see your strengths. Thirdly, I empower you. Fourthly, I bless you. I believe that these are some elements of affirmation.
Our natural world is often run by manipulations and competitions. People in the world are often motivated by fear and anxiety. Thus, we all experienced certain types of distortions of who I am, what we do, and what we mean to others in our life journeys. These experiences left wounds and scars in us. Affirmation has a healing effect. When we go out to meet our friends and coworkers, let us be sensitive to their longing for affirmation. Our God is a God who gives affirmation. We are His ambassadors. We have received the grace of affirmation from Him. Let us reflect His image. Let us flow out that grace to benefit others. A word of affirmation helps to liberate one from abusive wounds and brings emotional healings in.
Prayer
Suggestions: Do a self-exam to check if I am a critical person or a gracious person to the people around me. Have I ever given affirmation to some people who are deserved lately? Pick one person and one moment. Go up to that person and give a word of affirmation.
God of our affirmation, your love gave me a new vision of I and a new way of relating to others. Thank you. May your Spirit remind me of being a person who can honestly appreciate who others are and freely give affirmation to others. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.
Benediction
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.
Prayer Request
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