ADORATION – Reflect on God’s Greatness
GOD IS UNCHANGEABLE Scripture shows us that God is unchanging in his being, perfections, purposes, and promises. God’s unchangeableness is also referred to as his immutability.
Psalm 102:25-27 In the beginning you laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands. 26 They will perish, but you remain; they will all wear out like a garment. Like clothing you will change them and they will be discarded. 27 But you remain the same, and your years will never end.
Praise God that He is Unchanging.
Praise God that he has always been perfect. Praise God that His purpose never changes. Praise God that His promises never change. Take comfort from the reality that God never changes.
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.
- Ask God to convict your lost friends of their sin.
- Pray for our local, state, and national leaders.
- Pray for opportunities to share the gospel.
SCRIPTURE READING:
2 Corinthians 2 New Living Translation
So I decided that I would not bring you grief with another painful visit. 2 For if I cause you grief, who will make me glad? Certainly not someone I have grieved. 3 That is why I wrote to you as I did, so that when I do come, I won’t be grieved by the very ones who ought to give me the greatest joy. Surely you all know that my joy comes from your being joyful. 4 I wrote that letter in great anguish, with a troubled heart and many tears. I didn’t want to grieve you, but I wanted to let you know how much love I have for you.
Forgiveness for the Sinner
5 I am not overstating it when I say that the man who caused all the trouble hurt all of you more than he hurt me. 6 Most of you opposed him, and that was punishment enough. 7 Now, however, it is time to forgive and comfort him. Otherwise he may be overcome by discouragement. 8 So I urge you now to reaffirm your love for him.
9 I wrote to you as I did to test you and see if you would fully comply with my instructions. 10 When you forgive this man, I forgive him, too. And when I forgive whatever needs to be forgiven, I do so with Christ’s authority for your benefit, 11 so that Satan will not outsmart us. For we are familiar with his evil schemes.
12 When I came to the city of Troas to preach the Good News of Christ, the Lord opened a door of opportunity for me. 13 But I had no peace of mind because my dear brother Titus hadn’t yet arrived with a report from you. So I said good-bye and went on to Macedonia to find him.
Ministers of the New Covenant
14 But thank God! He has made us his captives and continues to lead us along in Christ’s triumphal procession. Now he uses us to spread the knowledge of Christ everywhere, like a sweet perfume. 15 Our lives are a Christ-like fragrance rising up to God. But this fragrance is perceived differently by those who are being saved and by those who are perishing. 16 To those who are perishing, we are a dreadful smell of death and doom. But to those who are being saved, we are a life-giving perfume. And who is adequate for such a task as this?
17 You see, we are not like the many hucksters who preach for personal profit. We preach the word of God with sincerity and with Christ’s authority, knowing that God is watching us.
SCRIPTURE REFLECTION:
Satan had a good year last year. He loves division. He loves to see relationships destroyed. I can imagine that it may be even more satisfying to see this happen because of small and petty things. God had a better year last year. He always does. He loves when people love each other. He enjoys watching opportunity for division turned on its head as people find ways to forgive and embrace one another. There is plenty of evidence of division and relational destruction, the news has been filled with it. There is emerging evidence of even more personal growth and relational strengthening but this, will rarely make the news. There is a saying regarding the news “If it bleeds it leads.” This is sadly true and speaks to the brokenness of human nature that we are drawn to bad news more than good. The gospel is the good news that reshapes our hearts and our appetites. Look for the good news of what God is doing. Don’t wallow in the mud of bad news. Don’t delight in news of the destruction of lives and relationships. Don’t believe that only what you read or hear is the full story of what is happening in the world. Don’t you know, haven’t you heard…God is having a great year! He always does.