ADORATION – Reflect on God’s Greatness
God is IMMUTABLE
God does not change. All that God is, He has always been. All that He has been and is, He will ever be. He is ever perfect and unchanging.
Psalm 102:25-28
In the beginning you laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands. 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.
But you remain the same, and your years will never end.
The children of your servants will live in your presence; their descendants will be established before you.”
Praise God because He is Immutable.
Think about the earth changing and seasons coming and going. God will never change. He will never cease to exist. Praise Him because He endures and does not change.
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 student leaders. Ask God to bless their effort this semester as they serve and lead at challenge.
SCRIPTURE READING:
James 3:13-18 – English Standard Version
Wisdom from Above
13 Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. 14 But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. 15 This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. 16 For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. 17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. 18 And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.
SCRIPTURE REFLECTION:
Let’s do a mental/spiritual exercise today. Think of people in the past who had exceptional physical qualities. People who have won races and beauty contests. Think of the people who were renowned for their beauty or athletic talents. Where are they now? If you thought back far enough (not that far really), they are in the grave. Their physical bodies no longer function; they are dust. What about people with unusual brilliance? Einstein for instance. What is the current condition of his brain? It is dust. Who was the most famous person in the world in 1879? What about 1938? Where are they now? They are in the ground. Who cares about their world-wide fame now? The things we take pride in and are impressed with can be quite stupid. Who are we apart from God? Temporary. Weak. Unimpressive. Who are we in Christ? We are sons and daughters of the true King. We have one reason to boast: it is that we know God. We should respect all people because they bear the image of God. It’s okay to be impressed with the creative talents that God has blessed some people with. It is not okay to live with jealousy, or envy, or pride. These things are foolish. God alone is great. Every gift comes from him. Take a deep breath. Feel that air coming in then going out of your lungs. One day you will take one last breath. Then your physical body will be still. Your spirit will flee from your body until God resurrects your body in the final judgment. One day you will take one last breath. Today, every breath you take, remember your creator. Seek to bless, not to impress, as you live and breathe today.