ADORATION – Reflect on God’s Greatness
GOD IS OUR COMFORTER
Jesus called the Holy Spirit the “Comforter,” and the apostle Paul writes that the Lord is “the God of all comfort.”
2 Corinthians 1:3-4
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.
Praise God the Comforter
Praise God because He sees and understands our sorrows. Praise God because He comforts those in trouble. Praise Him because He is present and He cares. Praise Him because He brings comfort through His people.
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 Isaac and Suzanne. Ask God to encourage them and to use them as they serve at Black Forest Academy.
SCRIPTURE READING:
Hebrews 13:15-25 – New International Version
15 Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that openly profess his name. 16 And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.
17 Have confidence in your leaders and submit to their authority, because they keep watch over you as those who must give an account. Do this so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no benefit to you.
18 Pray for us. We are sure that we have a clear conscience and desire to live honorably in every way. 19 I particularly urge you to pray so that I may be restored to you soon.
Benediction and Final Greetings
20 Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, 21 equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
22 Brothers and sisters, I urge you to bear with my word of exhortation, for in fact I have written to you quite briefly.
23 I want you to know that our brother Timothy has been released. If he arrives soon, I will come with him to see you.
24 Greet all your leaders and all the Lord’s people. Those from Italy send you their greetings.
25 Grace be with you all.
SCRIPTURE REFLECTION:
Everyone lives by faith. Very often smart people who are really good at science and industry make bold declarations that amount to statements of faith. Because these people are good at some things, it is assumed that these statements of faith are actually statements of fact. The smartest, richest, most talented human on the planet…is still very small and limited. Throughout history humans have made bold declarations and arrogant assumptions, then they disappear into the dust of human history. In their place a new “important” human rises up who will soon follow them into the dust. The smartest person in the world, who may be able to design rockets or computers but does not know God, knows less about the “real world” than the child who has confident faith in Christ. By all means work hard to become good at the realm of knowledge that is important to your work. Be the best you can at math, or construction, or cyber security. This knowledge is important to help others and to thrive in your calling. But be sure to work hard at knowing God. Work hard at understanding and applying Scripture to your life. You cannot work hard enough to be saved, but growing in the knowledge of God, who is your Savior, takes effort. This effort pays temporal and eternal benefits. Work hard even now, to reflect deeply on the truth and reality of God. Reflect deeply on what God might be up to in the circumstances of your life today.