Online Ministry for the Week 08/28 - 09/03 2017

PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION

God, you are the power of liberation, calling your servant Moses to lead your people into freedom, and giving him the wisdom to proclaim your holy law.Be the light that leads us to the perfect rule of love. Amen
 

DAILY READING

• Monday, August 28, 2017: Psalm 8; Exodus 1:1-7; Romans 2:1-11
• OR Psalm 18:1-3, 20-32; 1 Samuel 7:3-13; Romans 2:1-11
• Tuesday, August 29, 2017: Psalm 8; Exodus 2:11-15a; Romans 11:33-36
• OR Psalm 18:1-3, 20-32; Deuteronomy 32:18-20, 28-39; Romans 11:33-36
• Wednesday, August 30, 2017: Psalm 8; Exodus 2:15b-22; Matthew 26:6-13
• OR Psalm 18:1-3, 20-32; Isaiah 28:14-22; Matthew 26:6-13
• Thursday, August 31, 2017: Psalm 105:1-6, 23-26, 45b; Exodus 2:23-24; Ephesians 5:1-6
• OR Psalm 26:1-8; Jeremiah 14:13-18; Ephesians 5:1-6
• Friday, September 1, 2017: Psalm 105:1-6, 23-26, 45b; Exodus 3:16-25; 2 Thessalonians 2:7-12
• OR Psalm 26:1-8; Jeremiah 15:1-9; 2 Thessalonians 2:7-12
• Saturday, September 2, 2017: Psalm 105:1-6, 23-26, 45b; Exodus 4:1-9; Matthew 8:14-17
• OR Psalm 26:1-8; Jeremiah 15:10-14; Matthew 8:14-17
• Sunday, September 3, 2017: Proper 17 (22)

PSALM 26:1-8

26:1 Vindicate me, O LORD, for I have walked in my integrity, and I have trusted in the LORD without wavering.
26:2 Prove me, O LORD, and try me; test my heart and mind.
26:3 For your steadfast love is before my eyes, and I walk in faithfulness to you.
26:4 I do not sit with the worthless, nor do I consort with hypocrites;
26:5 I hate the company of evildoers, and will not sit with the wicked.
26:6 I wash my hands in innocence, and go around your altar, O LORD,
26:7 singing aloud a song of thanksgiving, and telling all your wondrous deeds.
26:8 O LORD, I love the house in which you dwell, and the place where your glory abides.

ABUNDANT HEALTH

Pain Gets Our Attention
For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 2 Corinthians 4:17 (NIV)

It’s no surprise that many of us can be stubborn. We don’t change that easily or quickly. Bad habits get ingrained. But God brings in a key tool to work on us: circumstances! The problems and pressures, heartaches and hard times, difficulties and stress that we all experience.

Problems always get our attention, and the more painful they are, the more we pay attention. C. S. Lewis noted that God whispers to us in our pleasure but shouts to us in our pain. It often takes a painful situation to get our attention. Yet God will use it for your good and your growth if you cooperate with him.

—Pastor Rick Warren
—The Daniel Plan brief excerpt from The Daniel Plan: 40 Days to a HealthierLife by Rick Warren, DMin; Daniel Amen, MD; & Mark Hyman, MD (Zondervan). © 2013 by The Daniel Plan. Used with permission. All rights reserved.

PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING

Living God, you miraculously used the burning bush to attract the attention of Moses. Just as the bush was on fire but not destroyed, so you sustain those you call to fulfill your purposes. By your Holy Spirit, help us to trust you completely as we seek to spend our lives following Jesus, your Son. Let us be bold witnesses of your amazing power and love. Amen