Hearing God’s Voice from His Word
James 4:8 says, “Come near to God and he will come near to you.”
Take a moment and turn your attention to God. Tell God that you desire to trust and obey Him. Ask God to speak to you from His word.
Psalm of the Day
Psalm 43:3-5 Send your light and your truth; let them lead me. Let them bring me to your holy mountain, to your dwelling place.
4 Then I will come to the altar of God, to God, my greatest joy.
I will praise you with the lyre, God, my God.
5 Why, my soul, are you so dejected? Why are you in such turmoil?
Put your hope in God, for I will still praise him, my Savior and my God.
Read the entire Psalm
Asking and Responding: Look at what the author of this Psalm is asking God to do. He is asking God to send light and truth so that he will be led. Ask God to do the same for you as you prepare to read. How does the author plan to respond to God? He responds in worship and praise. He responds by telling himself to put his hope in God. Be reminded that God is your hope and that He will lead you.
SCRIPTURE READING:
Psalm 67:1-2 – New Living Translation
1 May God be merciful and bless us.
May his face smile with favor on us. Interlude
2 May your ways be known throughout the earth,
your saving power among people everywhere.
Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 – New Living Translation
9 Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. 10 If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble. 11 Likewise, two people lying close together can keep each other warm. But how can one be warm alone? 12 A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.
Matthew 28:16-20 – New Living Translation
16 Then the eleven disciples left for Galilee, going to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17 When they saw him, they worshiped him—but some of them doubted!
18 Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. 19 Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. 20 Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
Having God’s Ear through Prayer
- Express thanksgiving to God.
- Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal sin to you.
- Confess your sin to Him and receive forgiveness.
(1 John 1:9 “If we confess our sin He is faithful and just and will forgive our sins.”) - Bring your personal requests to God.
(Psalm 62:8 “Pour out your heart before God”) - Pray for someone in your small group.
- Join with others from River and pray for those who do not know God. Ask God to help you see the lost people around you and have compassion for them. Ask God for opportunities to build trust. Ask God to give you opportunity to have gospel conversations.
Living as God’s People by applying the Bible
Scripture Reflection from the Sermon
Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor. We are privileged to have so many great ministry partners at River. Each partner has their own unique calling but we are laboring together towards the same goal. Terry has said many times, if you want to go fast, go alone, but if you want to go far, go together. Our reach to the fatherless in Wichita has lasted for over 30 years as we have labored alongside Youth Horizons. Our reach to women considering abortion has extended for many years through Embrace and Embrace is now planning to open a center in Derby. We are a part of their expansion. FCA has had a gospel influence on 10,000 college students over the last 20 years. We are part of FCA’s past and future impact. We are able to reach around the world through our many international partnerships and the friends that we have sent overseas. Partnership is modeled throughout the Old and New Testament. It is a privilege that God has given us these partners. Our work and giving is multiplied by partnering with them. Marvel at God’s sovereign hand. He is using a church in Wichita to mobilize college students across the country to go overseas, to start mentoring programs around the world, to reach into homes of discouraged moms and moms to be and he’s doing it all so that he might be worshiped throughout all the earth. God, thank you and let us be found faithful.