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Mini-Worship
Nov 19-24, 2024
Take a few deep breaths and center yourself and quiet down
Entering the presence of God
(M) Come, let us sing for joy to the LORD; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation.
Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song.”
(W) The Lord is good and his love endures forever;
his faithfulness continues through all generations.
(All) The Lord is God. It is he that made us, and we are his;
we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
Confession :
Gracious God, I come to you to tell you that you are the Lord. I am not. I have been often self-centered and self- righteous. Sorry. Please help me to get closer to you, sensing your big heart, to love you and to care for others more. Amen.
Assurance of Pardon
My grace is sufficient for you. Your sins are forgiven.
Scripture Reading
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18; Philippians 4:8-13
Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.”
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. 9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. 10 I rejoiced greatly in the Lord that at last you renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you were concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. 11 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13 I can do all this through him who gives me strength.
Thoughts to share and to ponder
In the Epistle to Philippians, Paul looked back at his life during his difficult days. He made a statement: “I have learned to be content with whatever circumstances I am. I know both how to have a little, and I know how to have a lot. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret [of being content] — whether well-fed or hungry, whether in abundance or in need. I am able to do all things through Christ who strengthens me. "
As I survey Paul’s life, I see that he experienced a great deal of personal adversity. He worked hard to support himself and the ministry of Christ. He traveled a lot around the land of the Mediterranean sharing the richness of the Gospel to young believers. He suffered various forms of persecution, opposition and hardship from various sources.
King David reflected on his life and boldly declared” The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want.” And when I review the life of King David, I see that he had been hounded and attacked many times, especially by the forces of his best friend’s father Saul and his own son Absalom. He experienced deep personal poverty, acute hardship, and intense anguish of spirit.
I find it encouraging that David and Paul found ways of “being content” even when they were fully aware of harsh realities and the paradoxes in life. I find good news here for modern people who live in an affluent age but often experience intense discontentment.
What made both Paul and David so content with their lives? They told us: to be content is a learned task. It is a learning experience. Everyone can learn. The secret of being content is in one’s relationship with God.
The opposite of being content is being discontent. The expression of discontentment takes the form of complaining. Complaining leads one to blame himself/herself, others and God. As a result, one can become irritated, anxious, bitter, self-pitiful, depressed, narrow-minded, arrogant, and even idolatrous. All these emotions can further result in fatigue and frustration, physically and emotionally. And finally they can turn one’s entire life into a mess. Eventually discontentment blinds one from being able to see any goodness in surrounding people and things.
Paul and David pointed out the secret of being content. Paul said “I can do all things through Christ who strengthened me” David said, “The Lord is my shepherd.” They learned to be content through their relationship with God. What Paul said is that Christ gave him the victory over every circumstance. God enabled him to live through every situation. What David said is that Yahweh was the diligent manager of his welfare and the ruler of his circumstances. Both understood that their relationships with God were rested on God’s covenant with them. The covenant promises a faithful love to all who come under it. In Psalm 23, Yahweh is an initiator. His active role is captured in all active verbs: he makes me; he leads me; he restores; he prepares; he comforts; and he anoints. David understood that his God was an active God. God had his best interests in mind. Jesus Christ came to further express the Great Shepherd. He said” I am a good shepherd.” He came to give Himself to us as the living water, the bread of life, the light of the world, the cup of salvation, the way, the truth, the life, and the resurrection etc. He wanted us to have abundant life and a better existence in this world. David and Paul testified that the grace of God is sufficient for us in all circumstances.
One way of becoming content is by practicing thanksgiving. Thanksgiving can bring one’s heart to the state of gentleness, meekness, joy, peace, tranquility, forgiving and trusting. It can bring one into harmonious relations with self, others, God, and the creation. As a result, one's interpersonal relationship can be much improved; the pace of life can be more stable; the person can become energized and can handle daily life challenges better.
How to develop a thankful heart? Over the years, I have learned to remove the plank in my own eyes and to take a humble and honest heart to discover the bright side, clean side, lovely side, just side, and commendable side of the things. Have you taken inventory in your own life lately? I’ll suggest that you take time and sit down, then write down at least 10 things you would like to give thanks from everyday ordinary events, especially from those things and persons you have complained about most. If you feel someone deserves to hear your thankfulness, it is time to say thanks to that person. Do not delay.
May you have a thanks-giving holiday season.
Prayer Suggestion
Take a few minutes to reflect on the year so far and name something you can give thanks- fresh air, clean water, uninterrupted power, stable seasons, opportunities of learning, opportunities of serving people, normalcy, ...
O God of my life, when I look back this year, I see your goodness and mercy with me. You comforted me when I was wounded. You calmed me when my heart was troubled. You invited me into rest when I was weary. You healed me when I was sick. You provided for me when I was lacking. You gave me peace when I worried and feared. You answered me when I prayed. You lifted me up when I was brought down. You granted wisdom to me when I was confused. You directed me when I lost the way. You rescued me when I was tempted. You strengthened me when I was tested. You delivered me when I was in danger. You forgave me when I deserved wrath. You brought me friends, families, timely helpers and kind strangers when I need care most. Your name is so sweet to me. Your presence is so dear to me. Your covenant is so sure with me. I bring praises and thanks to you, my shepherd, my friend, my King, my forever God. In the name of Jesus Christ.
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.
Prayer Request
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