The prayer for today November 3: "Almighty God, renew my soul through Your grace. Let me begin this day in Your strength. Make me strong to do Your will. Let me with a conquering faith today achieve my task."
This was our prayer of confession during worship today which I appreciated and wanted to share with you:
"Gracious God, our sins are too heavy to carry, too real to hide, and too deep to undo.
Forgive what our lips tremble to name, what our hearts can no longer bear,
and what has become for us a consuming fire of judgment.
Set us free from a past that we cannot change; open to us a future in which we can be changed;
and grant us grace to grow more and more in Your likeness and image; through Jesus Christ, the light of the world. Amen.
I like that phrase "from a past that we cannot change" because there is much in my past that does haunt me and which I cannot undo or change. I readily know God forgives those sins and casts them far away from God's presence yet they are still ingrained in the cells of my brain and come to the surface of my consciousness more often than I would like. Lord, have mercy!
Here is a beautiful poem by a young girl from India recovering from the sex trafficking industry living now at a facility of refuge and holistic care operated by a Christian mission organization. I record it in longer sentences than what she penned it.
I am in awe When I see myself, A beautiful gift of God
How wonderful are His hands. So powerful they are that created me.
In His own image. It amazes me to see His wonderful work. I am His masterpiece. I am mysterious.
What the world says is a lie. It is all a lie. They say 'you are dirty'. 'You are garbage.' Is this true?
No, never! I am beyond the world can understand. I am valuable. A vessel so rare, so glorious.
I am His image. His treasure. I am in awe of God. In awe of His handiwork.
Here are a few more statements from "Heavy Thinking" for you to reflect on:
"Fine linen paper is made from dirty old rags!"
"Circumstances are God's sealed orders!"
"A mistake is absolute proof that someone tried to do something."
"I believe God has designed and handcrafted each of us for a unique and special purpose."
"If you don't know where you are going...any road will get you there."
"DO NOT BE AFRAID: the words of Jesus Christ reach across the centuries and are reinforced by the Holy Spirit's present word: DO NOT BE AFRAID!"
The sermon/message I heard this morning dealt with the topic of not being afraid. It was delivered by The Reverend Tim Blackmon, chaplain of Wheaton College who was a guest preacher in our church. His basic text was Luke 12:32, Jesus speaking, "Fear not little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom."
He declared he was bring good news for anxious people which includes he said all of us.
First, you don't have to worry about whether you're going to die...you will die.
Second, you do not have to worry about whether this world is a safe place...it is not.
Third, you do not have to worry because God knows about your worries and each of your troubles. To be human is to worry but God knows our fears. Still God's good pleasure is to give you the kingdom. The antidote to worry is to know that "in the kingdom there is always enough." (In my words it is what God told Paul, "my grace is sufficient for you!")
Blackmon defined the kingdom that God gives us as "everything the Triune God has been doing from before the time of creation, from all eternity. The kingdom is the cumulative work of the Trinity given to us by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. So there is no need to worry, you've got the kingdom. AMEN.
This week's daily lectionary word for your pondering:
Habakkuk 1:1-4; 2:1-4 watch
Psalm 119:137 - 144 understanding
Isaiah 1: 10-18 cease
2 Thessalonians 1:1-12 growing
Ephesians 1: 11-23 inheritance (this was All Saints Day)
Luke 19:1-10 Zacchaeus (you will all make your own connection to this much loved story)
Revelation 15 amazing
Your comments are always welcome.
God's joy and peace be in you!
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