Return to Bible Devotional -> Scripture Prayer ->Mid-week Mini-Worship -> Weekly Bible Books
Devotional
Weekly Bible Devotion By Books
Jan. 2 - 7, 2023
Enter the presence of the Lord-
(All)The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.
Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge.
(Women) The law of the Lord is perfect, refreshing the soul. The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple.
(Men) The precepts of the Lord are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the Lord are radiant,
giving light to the eyes.
(W)In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning.
(M) Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.
(All) The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
(Psalm 19: 1-2, 7-8, John 1:1, 14 NIV)
Confession:
Lord of all beginnings, thank you that you remind us that you care about our beginnings. We confess that the holiday season’s busyness, worldliness, and materials exhausted and distracted us. In fact, all we need is you and your word. It is in you and your word that we find out center and rest. We find the deep joy, peace, and wisdom that our inner lives long for and thirsty for. Lord, come to give us a beginning. Let your word bring us the renewal, life, order, purpose, beauty in this year. Thank you, Lord, we need you. We pray in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
Adoration
Great Triune God, when we see your creation, read your word, and experience your son Jesus, we praise your creating power and wisdom, your good will, and all your provisions for life. We find hope and assurance that you intend to lead us to a good new year. Thank you. Amen.
Scripture Reading Genesis: 1-4a
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 2 Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. 3 And God said,“Let there be light,” and there was light 4 God saw that the light was good....
Thoughts to Share: In the beginning
Genesis is a story about the beginning of everything in our universe. It declares God’s existence prior to our universe. It tells the beginning of our time, space, seasons. It describes the beginning of all living animals, plants, and humans. It talks the beginning of ones and multiples. It mentions the beginning of genders. It includes the beginning of the work and rest cycle. It pronounces the beginning of marriages and families. It shows the beginning of good, evil, and the divine. It teaches the beginning of freedom, boundaries, and the way of life. It states the beginning of blessings and curses. It notes the beginning of sin and temptation and human fallenness. It prophesizes the beginning of salvation. And, it records the beginning of a people choosing, trusting, and following God.
In all beginnings, we see a working God. He sees, thinks, feels. And he speaks. He acts. Then, there is the word of God there. And the Word of God has an unusual working power. When he speaks, things come into being. See-
God said, “let there be light.” So, there was light.
God said,” Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. Let them have dominion over the fishes of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” So, we got the part of God himself in us. And we got works to do in creation.
God said,” it is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him. “So, Eve came.
God said, “but the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die. “So, when Adam and Eve chose to challenge the word of God, they were driven out from the Eden garden.
God said,” behold I will bring a flood of waters upon the earth to destroy all flesh in which is the breath of life under heaven. Everything on the earth shall die. But I will establish my convent with you (Noah). You shall come into the ark. You, your sons, your wife, and your sons’ wives with you.” So, the flood came. Noah and his family chose to obey the word of God, and they were saved.
God said, (to Abram), “Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you. I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.” So, Abram chose to obey and went. His descendants Isaac, Jacob were affirmed by the Lord again and again.
It is truly stunning that the word of God has such commanding power. God himself faithfully stands behind his word with his unmatchable authority and sovereignty.
At the beginning of the year, we need to let the first thing be the first thing. Let us turn to God. Let us read his word. Let his word speak to us. Let us listen to his word attentively. Let us hide it in our hearts and minds. Let us respond it in our acts with faith and obedience. In the world filled with confusions and chaos, we are desperately seeking for peace, direction, way, and wisdom. We will turn to the word of God. It gives us delight. It gives us discernment. It informs us to make a wise decision. It opens the way to go. It gives us faith and hope. It sustains us. It leads us to peace and life. O, let God speak to us. Let his word create a new you and I, a new and righteous path, a new and good year to us! Let us choose his word. Let us choose to obey and walk it with faith. Let us expect that our God will say, “That is good!” at the end of our year!
Prayer Suggestions
O, Lord, speak! Speak to us at the beginning of the year. Let your word guide us and bless us. Let your word be the light and lamp on our path. Yes, we will be still in the world full of paradoxes. But we pray that by your word, you will point us to the right way to go. Help us dwell in your word this new year so that we may know you more and follow you more faithfully. May we have a year full of peace and life. Thank you. We pray, in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
Benedictions
May the sweet, perfect, radiant, righteous word of God refresh your soul, make you simple, give joy to your heart. give light to your eyes. May the words of your mouth and the meditation of your heart be pleasing in his sight. May the Lord be your forever Rock and Redeemer.
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