ADORATION – Reflect on God’s Greatness
GOD IS GOOD – There is such an absolute perfection in God’s nature and being that nothing is wanting to it or defective in it, and nothing can be added to it to make it better.
Exodus 33:19 And the Lord said, “I will cause all my goodness to pass in front of you, and I will proclaim my name, the Lord, in your presence. I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.
Psalm 106:1 Praise the Lord. Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;his love endures forever.
Praise God for His Goodness
Praise God that he is completely good. There is no room for improvement in his nature. Praise God that he always acts according to his Goodness. Praise God for the specific ways he has demonstrated his goodness.
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 opportunities to share the Gospel.
- Pray for those in our church who are sick.
- Pray for yourself as you read the scriptures.
SCRIPTURE READING:
1 Corinthians 16 Christian Standard Bible
Collection for the Jerusalem Church
Now about the collection for the saints: Do the same as I instructed the Galatian churches. 2 On the first day of the week, each of you is to set something aside and save in keeping with how he is prospering, so that no collections will need to be made when I come. 3 When I arrive, I will send with letters those you recommend to carry your gift to Jerusalem. 4 If it is suitable for me to go as well, they will travel with me.
Paul’s Travel Plans
5 I will come to you after I pass through Macedonia—for I will be traveling through Macedonia— 6 and perhaps I will remain with you or even spend the winter, so that you may send me on my way wherever I go. 7 I don’t want to see you now just in passing, since I hope to spend some time with you, if the Lord allows. 8 But I will stay in Ephesus until Pentecost, 9 because a wide door for effective ministry has opened for me—yet many oppose me. 10 If Timothy comes, see that he has nothing to fear while with you, because he is doing the Lord’s work, just as I am. 11 So let no one look down on him. Send him on his way in peace so that he can come to me, because I am expecting him with the brothers.
12 Now about our brother Apollos: I strongly urged him to come to you with the brothers, but he was not at all willing to come now. However, he will come when he has an opportunity.
Final Exhortation
13 Be alert, stand firm in the faith, be courageous, be strong. 14 Do everything in love.
15 Brothers and sisters, you know the household of Stephanas: They are the firstfruits of Achaia and have devoted themselves to serving the saints. I urge you 16 also to submit to such people, and to everyone who works and labors with them. 17 I am delighted to have Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus present, because these men have made up for your absence. 18 For they have refreshed my spirit and yours. Therefore recognize such people.
Conclusion
19 The churches of Asia send you greetings. Aquila and Priscilla send you greetings warmly in the Lord, along with the church that meets in their home. 20 All the brothers and sisters send you greetings. Greet one another with a holy kiss.
21 This greeting is in my own hand—Paul. 22 If anyone does not love the Lord, a curse be on him. Our Lord, come! 23 The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you. 24 My love be with all of you in Christ Jesus.
SCRIPTURE REFLECTION:
“Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong. Do everything in love.”
To be on your guard means to stay watchful. Specifically watchful for the Lord’s return, the end of all things. To stand firm in the faith means to let the facts of the gospel be the foundation for your life. Not the trends of culture or the winds of emotions but simply the facts of your faith. To be men of courage means to be an adult. Men and women are to act with the courage of adults. They must not run and hide under the covers when things become hard. They must not cower from the darkness like a child. To be strong means to live fully in God’s grace. Not strong in our own strength but strong in his power and love. To do everything in love means that love is the atmosphere of the Christian life. We are physically built to live in earth’s atmosphere. A certain amount of gasses and gravity are required for us to live and thrive. We are built physically to live in God’s atmosphere. With whatever time you have left, reflect on one or more of these five ongoing actions items. What does it look like practically for you to integrate these attitudes and actions in your life?