ADORATION – Reflect on God’s Greatness
GOD IS MERCY, GRACE, AND PATIENCE
God’s mercy, patience, and grace may be seen as three separate attributes, or as specific aspects of God’s goodness. These three characteristics of God’s nature are often mentioned together, especially in the Old Testament. When God declared his name to Moses, he proclaimed, “The Lord, the Lord, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness” (Exodus 34:6). David says in Psalm 103:8, “The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.”
Praise the God who is Merciful, Gracious and Patient
Think for just a moment about mercy. God has not given you what you deserve. Consider saving grace for a moment. God has given you what you could never earn; salvation and freedom from sin. Think now about God’s patience. He waited for you to repent. He is patient now in leading you to become like His Son. Praise Him and thank Him for His mercy, grace, and patience towards you.
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. Ask God to encourage them and strengthen them for the task that he has called them to do.
SCRIPTURE READING:
James 1:9-12 – New International Version
9 Believers in humble circumstances ought to take pride in their high position. 10 But the rich should take pride in their humiliation—since they will pass away like a wild flower. 11 For the sun rises with scorching heat and withers the plant; its blossom falls and its beauty is destroyed. In the same way, the rich will fade away even while they go about their business.
12 Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.
SCRIPTURE REFLECTION:
When you “fail” a test do you tend to see it as a growing experience, or a sign of mere failure? Most of us are wired to see life as “pass/fail” rather than “grow.” When James talks about trials testing our faith with the goal of growth, he is reframing our minds towards a growth perspective. If we move through life thinking “pass/fail” we will tend to either have a wrong sense of pride when we “pass” or wallow for too long in guilt when we “fail.” If you are in a time of testing, don’t add to the pressure you feel by making it into a pass/fail scenario. Ask God for wisdom as to how to grow and remain faithful during this time. Look for the opportunities in your current life situation to endure and stay faithful. Don’t try to “win” or avoid “failure”…look to be faithful. Have a “growth” perspective.