Online Ministry for the Week 01/16 - 01/22 2017

PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION

Almighty God, in you are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. Open our eyes that we may see the wonders of your Word; and give us grace that we may clearly understand and freely choose the way of your wisdom; through Christ our Lord. Amen.

DAILY READING

• Monday (January 16, 2017): Psalm 40:6-17; Exodus 12:1-13, 21-28; Acts 8:26-40
• Tuesday (January 17, 2017): Psalm 40:6-17; Isaiah 53:1-12; Hebrews 10:1-4
• Wednesday (January 18, 2017): Psalm 40:6-17; Isaiah 48:12-21; Matthew 9:14-17
• Thursday (January 19, 2017): Psalm 27:1-6; 1 Samuel 1:1-20; Galatians 1:11-24
• Friday (January 20, 2017): Psalm 27:1-6; 1 Samuel 9:27-10:8; Galatians 2:1-10
• Saturday (January 21, 2017): Psalm 27:1-6; 1 Samuel 15:34-16:13; Luke 5:27-32

• Third Sunday after the Epiphany, January 22, 2017

ABUNDANT HEALTH

Food Is Medicine

Dear friends, let's make a clean break with everything that defiles or distracts us, both within and without. Let's make our entire lives fit and holy temples for the worship of God. 2 Corinthians 7:1 (The Message)

Food has the power to heal us. It is the most potent tool we have to help prevent and treat many of our chronic diseases. All calories are not created equally. There are healing calories and disease-causing calories. Which ones are you feeding your body?

—Dr. Mark Hyman

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

NIV DAILY

Slow It Down (Psalm 91:1)

Everyone knows morning comes first, and then evening. Right? So I was surprised to read in Genesis 1:5 that the order was, in fact, reversed: “And there was evening, and there was morning.” God started with evening, a time of rest, and a day followed, in which he continued to create.

We live in a culture where we work all day, and then eventually we might take time to rest. To order our days the way God does—with rest as a priority—is a challenge.

I learned to prioritize God’s way when, at age 32, I was diagnosed with cancer. I told the doctor I didn’t have time for cancer, but cancer didn’t consult my schedule.

My life changed while going through treatment as I put aside activities that previously had seemed vital. Out of that difficult time came a new list of priorities. At the top of the list: to balance my life.

I learned to climb between the sheets and put aside my worries—to rest my body and mind. To slow down when life became crazy and assess what is important. I began to see evening as the first part of my day.

This concept changed my life, physically and spiritually. Recently I had two speaking events sandwiched together. As the dates approached, time with my heavenly Father became “evening.” In preparation for my events, I listened to the heart of my Father instead of going over my notes. Out of that rest sprang fruitful ministry during the day.

Learning to live with evening, or rest, as a top priority is an ongoing process. Many times I ask God to help me reprioritize, make time for physical rest and put “evening” back where it belongs.


By T. Suzanne Elle

Taken from NIV Real-Life Devotional Bible for Women©2017 HarperCollins Christian Publishing

PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING

God of salvation, it is a privilege to worship you! You are the fount of goodness, truth, and beauty. You love all you have made. In this Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, we ask you to empower our brothers and sisters in Christ to share your good news in meaningful ways. Give all people of faith the joy of the psalmist, that we may bring our offerings to you with hearty songs of praise. We pray through Jesus Christ, our risen Lord. Amen. (Psalm 27)