Embracing Prayer and Gratitude for God's Goodness

Devotional

Day 1: Mobilizing Faith Amidst Fear

In times of crisis, we are called to serve God fearlessly, stepping into dangerous places to preach the gospel with boldness. This requires a deep trust in God's protection and provision, and a willingness to be used as His instruments of peace and love. [11:40 ]

Psalm 56:3 - "When I am afraid, I put my trust in you."

Reflection: Reflect on a situation where fear held you back from serving God. How can you trust in His protection and provision to overcome this fear?

Day 2: Gratitude for Redemption

Our redemption through Christ should fill our hearts with gratitude, prompting us to recognize God's goodness, mercy, and grace in our lives. This gratitude should overflow into our daily interactions, as we share the story of God's goodness with others. [12:58 ]

Psalm 107:2 - "Let the redeemed of the Lord tell their story—those he redeemed from the hand of the foe."

Reflection: How has God's redemption impacted your life? How can you share this story of redemption with others?

Day 3: Prioritizing God's Presence

As believers, we should prioritize God's presence, setting aside our own agendas to seek His will. This requires a willingness to listen, to be guided, and to surrender our plans to His divine purpose. [08:19 ]

Jeremiah 29:13 - "You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart."

Reflection: How can you make more space for God's presence in your daily life? What might you need to set aside to do so?

Day 4: Praying for Peace

In the face of conflict and suffering, we are called to pray for peace, asking God to intervene and bring resolution. This prayer should extend beyond our immediate circles, encompassing the global community and those suffering far from us. [09:01 ]

Psalm 34:14 - "Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it."

Reflection: How can you incorporate prayers for global peace into your daily prayer routine?

Day 5: Embracing God's Transformation

God's transformative power can lift us from despair, setting our feet on solid ground. This transformation is a testament to His love and mercy, a reason to give thanks and praise. [14:30 ]

2 Corinthians 5:17 - "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!"

Reflection: How has God's transformative power impacted your life? How can you share this transformation with others?

Sermon Summary

In this sermon, I focused on the power of prayer and the importance of recognizing God's goodness in our lives. I began by leading the congregation in prayer for the Middle East, specifically for Israel, urging everyone to pray for the people there as if they were close to them and suffering. I emphasized the need for God's presence in the region, for resolution, peace, and wisdom for those in authority. I acknowledged the suffering on both sides and the long-standing animosity, praying for unity through the recognition of Jesus as Lord and Savior.

In the second part of the sermon, I read from Psalm 107:1-2, encouraging the congregation to thank God for His goodness and redemption. I urged everyone to speak out about God's goodness and mercy in their lives, to fill their hearts with gratitude and not overlook what God has done for them. I ended the sermon with a song of worship, expressing gratitude to God for His healing, changing our names, setting us free, and thanking Him for being our Savior.

Key Takeaways

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Sermon Clips

1. "Lord, we ask that you will give them the resources that they need so that they could Keep On Blessing the people that have been refugees for so long. We thank you Lord for the care that these people are going to need, that it will be something that they will not be able to forget for the rest of their lives." - 11:03

2. "Has the Lord redeemed you? Then the word says speak out. We're going to sing and we're going to worship and I want us to do it from a place of gratitude, from a place that says God we recognize that you have been good to us." - 12:58

3. "We are a church that values the presence of God and we want to make sure that we make space for him to speak, for him to move, for him to show us what he wants to show us and take us where he wants to take us." - 07:46

4. "We ask Lord that you will give wisdom to the people that are in authority over these places. We acknowledge that there are people suffering in both sides of the aisle, innocent people just suffering that have been displaced, that have lost loved ones." - 09:01

5. "We ask Lord that they will be able to find common ground in you. That the Palestinians and the Jews will be able to recognize Jesus as the Lord and Savior, the one who came to die for them, the one who came to restore their relationship with the father." - 10:21

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