ADORATION – Reflect on God’s Greatness
GOD IS OMNIPRESENT
God is everywhere, in and around everything, close to everyone. “‘Do not I fill heaven and earth?’ declares the Lord.”
Psalm 139:7-12
Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence?
8 If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
9 If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea,
10 even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast.
11 If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me,”
12 even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you.
PRAISE THE OMNIPRESENT GOD
He is always everywhere fully present. Think of the most distant and remote place that you have traveled. God was there before you arrived. He is still there. He will always be there. He is also fully present with you now and will be fully present everywhere you go today. Acknowledge His presence right now.
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 your friends who do not know Jesus. Ask God to strengthen your friendships and to give you opportunities for gospel conversations.
SCRIPTURE READING:
James 1:18-26 – New Living Translation
18 He chose to give birth to us by giving us his true word. And we, out of all creation, became his prized possession.
Listening and Doing
19 Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. 20 Human anger does not produce the righteousness God desires. 21 So get rid of all the filth and evil in your lives, and humbly accept the word God has planted in your hearts, for it has the power to save your souls.
22 But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves. 23 For if you listen to the word and don’t obey, it is like glancing at your face in a mirror. 24 You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like. 25 But if you look carefully into the perfect law that sets you free, and if you do what it says and don’t forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it.
26 If you claim to be religious but don’t control your tongue, you are fooling yourself, and your religion is worthless.
SCRIPTURE REFLECTION:
What is the difference between a “20-year-old Christian” and a “1-year old Christian, 20 times?” The first person is continually growing in maturity, changing over time more and more into the image of Christ. The second person is simply stuck in a cycle of doing the same things over and over. This person is not progressing in faith. He walks forward, then he slides backwards, and then he repeats this pattern over and over. Sometimes Christians will grow to a point. They will change just enough to make their lives “manageable,” but then God says “Okay, now give me that!” He has been patient, but now it’s time: they will go no farther unless they let go of a specific area of their lives. Then they are faced with a dilemma. Stay there or go farther on with God. We cannot stay where we are and go on with God. Many decide they have just enough of Christ to feel somewhat safe and comfortable. They are “good enough.” Now, when God asks them to truly die to self, well, this is a bit much. What do you want? Do you want to become the person God desires you become? Do you want to be this “quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger” person? This is but one part of your birthright as a Christian; there is much more. But you must keep saying “yes” to God as he puts his finger on areas of your life that are not yet fully under his loving control. Where is he wanting to rule in your heart that you have been keeping back from him?