ADORATION – Reflect on God’s Greatness
FREEDOM God does whatever he pleases. Nothing in creation can hinder him from carrying out his will.
The Psalmist contrasts God’s power and freedom with the weakness of idols: “Our God is in the heavens; he does whatever he pleases” (Psalm 115:3). Human rulers can’t oppose God’s will, for “the king’s heart is a stream of water in the hand of the Lord; he turns it wherever he will” (Proverbs 21:1). Similarly, Nebuchadnezzar learns that God, “does according to his will in the host of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth; and none can stay his hand or say to him, ‘What are you doing?’” (Daniel 4:35).
Praise God Because He is Free
Praise God that the only boundaries on His actions are His perfect, just, and loving character. Praise Him that nothing can stop Him. Praise Him that His actions and withholding His hand are always the best.
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 Christian Challenge as they meet tonight at River. Ask God to grow the student’s faith and grow their community. Pray for students far from God. Pray that they would turn to Him.
SCRIPTURE READING:
James 1:9-12 – The Message
9-11 When down-and-outers get a break, cheer! And when the arrogant rich are brought down to size, cheer! Prosperity is as short-lived as a wildflower, so don’t ever count on it. You know that as soon as the sun rises, pouring down its scorching heat, the flower withers. Its petals wilt and, before you know it, that beautiful face is a barren stem. Well, that’s a picture of the “prosperous life.” At the very moment everyone is looking on in admiration, it fades away to nothing.
12 Anyone who meets a testing challenge head-on and manages to stick it out is mighty fortunate. For such persons loyally in love with God, the reward is life and more life.
Copyright © 1993, 2002, 2018 by Eugene H. Peterson
SCRIPTURE REFLECTION:
There is nothing “spiritual” about being poor. There is nothing “spiritual” about being rich. There are godly and ungodly rich and poor people. Whether your bank account is full or empty, Christ must rule over your heart account. Of course, when Christ does rule in your heart, he also rules over your money and every other aspect of your life. Make contentment in Christ your great goal. Whether living in plenty or in want, you can, if you will, do all that God wants for you through the strength of Christ. Rein in your heart if it tries to run after things that God has not seen fit to give you. Rein in your heart if it tries to wrap around the things that God has given you rather than the God who has given them to you. The heart can, if we let it, run wild. If we let it run wild then we will suffer. The heart can be trained to follow Christ. It can be trained for contentment. Rein in your heart, and exercise your God-empowered dominion over it. Train it, by the strength and grace of Christ, to become content in all things.