ADORATION – Reflect on God’s Greatness
GOD IS TRUTH
Absolute truth has its foundation in God Himself, because God is truth.
Jesus speaking of the Holy Spirit says in John 16:13
But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.
Praise the God of Truth
Praise God because truth does not change. Praise God the Holy Spirit as the one who reveals truth. Praise God because he has preserved the scriptures, and His word is true.
CONFESSION: Confess your sins to God and receive his continued mercy.
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9
THANKSGIVING: Giving thanks to God for his specific blessings in our lives.
“Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth. Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs. Know that the Lord is God. It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.” Psalm 100
SUPPLICATION: Bringing our requests to God.
- Bring your personal prayer requests to God.
- Pray for Austin and Jenni and their family as they serve overseas.
- Ask God to speak to you as you read the scriptures.
SCRIPTURE READING:
1 Corinthians 16 New International Version
The Collection for the Lord’s People
16 Now about the collection for the Lord’s people: Do what I told the Galatian churches to do. 2 On the first day of every week, each one of you should set aside a sum of money in keeping with your income, saving it up, so that when I come no collections will have to be made. 3 Then, when I arrive, I will give letters of introduction to the men you approve and send them with your gift to Jerusalem. 4 If it seems advisable for me to go also, they will accompany me.
Personal Requests
5 After I go through Macedonia, I will come to you—for I will be going through Macedonia. 6 Perhaps I will stay with you for a while, or even spend the winter, so that you can help me on my journey, wherever I go. 7 For I do not want to see you now and make only a passing visit; I hope to spend some time with you, if the Lord permits. 8 But I will stay on at Ephesus until Pentecost, 9 because a great door for effective work has opened to me, and there are many who oppose me.
10 When Timothy comes, see to it that he has nothing to fear while he is with you, for he is carrying on the work of the Lord, just as I am. 11 No one, then, should treat him with contempt. Send him on his way in peace so that he may return to me. I am expecting him along with the brothers.
12 Now about our brother Apollos: I strongly urged him to go to you with the brothers. He was quite unwilling to go now, but he will go when he has the opportunity.
13 Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. 14 Do everything in love.
15 You know that the household of Stephanas were the first converts in Achaia, and they have devoted themselves to the service of the Lord’s people. I urge you, brothers and sisters, 16 to submit to such people and to everyone who joins in the work and labors at it. 17 I was glad when Stephanas, Fortunatus and Achaicus arrived, because they have supplied what was lacking from you. 18 For they refreshed my spirit and yours also. Such men deserve recognition.
Final Greetings
19 The churches in the province of Asia send you greetings. Aquila and Priscilla greet you warmly in the Lord, and so does the church that meets at their house. 20 All the brothers and sisters here send you greetings. Greet one another with a holy kiss.
21 I, Paul, write this greeting in my own hand.
22 If anyone does not love the Lord, let that person be cursed! Come, Lord!
23 The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you.
24 My love to all of you in Christ Jesus. Amen.
SCRIPTURE REFLECTION:
What most impresses you best describes you. Are you impressed with power? Beauty? Money? Intelligence? Quick wit? Quick tongue? Renown? What our hearts are most impressed with is a very good indicator of the condition of our hearts. How do you know what most impresses you? It could be revealed in who you envy? It could be a component of what you think about the most. It could be what you work for, long for, or are drawn to in your thoughts and feelings. Maybe you know what ought to impress you but if you are honest that is not what actually does. The question now is, how do you change? Do you have a choice as to what is impressive to you? Think about when you were a child. What was most impressive to you then? What happened to get you to where you are now versus then? You grew up. But now you must grow up even more. To grow up is to become more like Jesus. You must look to the Lord Jesus and saturate your mind in what he said, valued and did. You must resolutely and consistently tell yourself that what Jesus thought was impressive is exactly what we want to be impressed with ourselves. What kinds of things would that include? Service. Sacrifice. Obedience. Faithfulness. Gentleness. Kindness. Love, especially love.