March 29, 2020
God is the Only Authority
PRAYER: Gracious Lord, You are the Giver of every good gift, but today, we need You to take. Take away the fear that shuts out Your glory. Take away the worries that steal Your joy. Take away the doubt that clouds our judgment. Take away our sin, and take us to another level of faith, so we may trust You for who You are, and not just for what You can do for us. Amen.
SCRIPTURES: Matthew 4:1-11 & Jude 3-11
BENEDICTION: And now, may you completely rest in the authority of God’s Word, finding peace through the One who said, “Do not be afraid. I have called you by name; you are Mine.” Amen.
March 22, 2020
God has His Own Time Zone
PRAYER: God, You know us through and through. You know how to meet us where we are, and You are not limited by our limitations. In humility, You chase after us when we have run away. You will go to any lengths to win us back. You are patient and gracious, not wanting any of us to be lost, but for all of us to know You and love You. Help us respond to Your invitation today. Amen.
SCRIPTURES: Exodus 34:4-10 & 2 Peter 3:3-4, 8-15
BENEDICTION: And now, may you embrace the Spirit in your heart so you may dwell with God all the days of your life until He comes again to take us home to be with Him. Amen.
March 15, 2020
God Hardens Hearts
PRAYER: God of Truth, we have come today, knowing that we are bound by our weaknesses, our prejudices, and our wrong ideas. You long to set us free by the truth only You can bring to our hearts. Help us to trust You as You gently expose the areas where we have believed a lie, so we may embrace the light of Your truth in our lives. Thank You for always being honest with us. Amen.
SCRIPTURES: Psalm 62:1-8 & 2 Peter 2:1-2, 17-22
BENEDICTION: And now, may you so embrace the love of the Father, the grace of the Son, and the truth of the Spirit that every hard place in your heart will become like clay in the hands of the potter. Amen.
March 8, 2020
God Wants Nothing Between
PRAYER: Awesome God, You invite us into Your presence with the promise of extravagant love and bountiful gifts. Yet we have often turned away from You to seek comfort and fulfillment in other things. You offer us the gift of Your friendship, even dying to show us how much You love us. Yet we have allowed ourselves to become distracted and overwhelmed with the cares of this life, often to the neglect of our relationship. Forgive us for taking these paths, which leave You heartbroken and us unsatisfied. Today, may we be inspired to respond to Your invitation of friendship and truly put You first-place in our lives. Amen.
SCRIPTURES: Exodus 19-20 & 1 Peter 2:1-5, 9-10
BENEDICTION: And now, let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and grace and friendship to help us in every time of need. Amen.
March 1, 2020
God Brings the Future to the Present
PRAYER: Gracious God, it is so easy for us to forget what’s really important. We get caught up in the disappointments of our lives, the cares of this world, and our own faults and failures, and we forget to keep our eyes on You. Today, we acknowledge the truth: No matter what we are facing in life, You are sovereign, You are faithful, and You are good. You are the Friend who sticks closer than a brother, so we never need to be discouraged or afraid. Bless us in this time of worship. Amen.
SCRIPTURES: Revelation 21:1-7 & 1 Peter 1:1-5
BENEDICTION: And now, as you leave this place, remember that you carry heaven in your hearts, because the very presence of Almighty God is with you wherever you go. Amen.
February 23, 2020
God is a Master Teacher
PRAYER: Eternal God, Your ways our higher than our ways, and Your thoughts are higher than our thoughts. The more we come to know You, the Truth, the more we see how ignorant we have been. Thank You for being persistent and innovative in Your quest to enlighten our hearts and minds. May we be willing to listen and learn whatever it is You want us to know. Amen.
SCRIPTURES: Daniel 3:1-8, 12-27 & Philemon 4-19
BENEDICTION: And now, may you fully open your heart and mind to the Master Teacher who knows you, loves you, and will never run out of things to teach you—now and forever. Amen.
February 16, 2020
God Wants It All
PRAYER: Lord God, Maker of Heaven and Earth, You have called us here to gather as living sacrifices in Your name. You have invited us to give You everything we have—our worship and thanksgiving, our praise and our prayers. Transform our hearts and minds through the power of Your Holy Spirit, that we may recognize Your presence, hear Your voice, know Your will, and walk in Your ways, now and forever. Amen.
SCRIPTURES: Matthew 13:44-46 & Titus 2:1-8
BENEDICTION: And now, may all your expectations be frustrated; may all your plans be thwarted; may all your desires be withered into nothingness, that you may experience the powerlessness and poverty of a child, and sing, dance, and trust in the love of God who is Father, Son, and Spirit. Amen. (Quote: Brennan Manning)
February 9, 2020
God is In Today
PRAYER: Everlasting Father, You are eternal, and we are mortal. Our lives are fleeting, but You reign forever. You exist outside of time, yet You have come to meet us in the time and space of this day. Help us to take hold of Your promises. Help us to find peace in the assurance that You are blessing us today, no matter what happened yesterday, and no matter what will happen tomorrow. May we know You and honor You and love You in this day. Amen.
SCRIPTURES: Matthew 6:28-34 & James 4:13-16
BENEDICTION: The past is history; the future’s a mystery. But today is a gift—full of all the presence of God. Don’t miss out on Him!
February 2, 2020
God Cares About You
PRAYER: Dear Lord, You know and understand everything. You care about everything that concerns us. You know our every heartache. Yet, we have looked elsewhere for comfort and healing. You hear us when we call. Yet, we have often neglected to speak to You about our hurts. You keep our secrets. Yet, we are often afraid of having our deepest, darkest places exposed. Help us to trust You whenever we are afraid. Thank You for reminding us of Your love. Amen.
SCRIPTURES: Romans 14:7-9 & Luke 12:6-7, 22-31
BENEDICTION: And now, may you remember to cast all your cares upon God, for He cares for you! Amen.
January 26, 2020
God is Looking for Soldiers
PRAYER: Our Commander in Chief, You have invited us to become soldiers in Your army, but we have often preferred our life of comfort instead. You have offered us the full armor of God for protection, but we have often preferred to gird ourselves with lies instead of the truth. And then we blame You when we don’t feel protected from the enemy. Forgive us for our lack of commitment to You, the One who sacrificed everything for us. Today, we ask for a new vision of who You are and of who we can be as Your people. Amen.
SCRIPTURES: Ephesians 6:10-18 & 2 Timothy 2:1-13
BENEDICTION: And now, the Lord will go forth like a warrior; He will arouse His zeal like a man of war; He will shout a battle cry and prevail against His enemies. And may we all be found in the ranks of His army. Amen.
January 19, 2020
God Brings Life from Death
PRAYER: Great and Gracious God, You are mighty and mighty to save. Sin and death have no power over You, the Source of all Life. As surely as You are alive today, live in us. Burn within our hearts and awaken us to Your free, abundant life. As we spend time in Your presence today, surprise us with joy and delight us with peace. Amen.
SCRIPTURES: John 10:1-10 & 2 Timothy 1:8-12
BENEDICTION: And now, may Jesus Himself walk with you as you carry your cross and awaken your heart to His abundant and everlasting life, to the glory of God the Father. Amen.
January 12, 2020
God Reveals Himself
PRAYER: Holy God, we are hungry for more of You. We are eager for You to reveal more of Yourself to us, to take us beyond the confines of our familiar habits and comfortable thoughts. Free us from the limitations and distortions of our language and expand our understanding of You so that we may love You wholeheartedly and faithfully reflect Your image to a world that needs You. Amen.
SCRIPTURES: John 1:1-14 & 1 Timothy 1:12-17
BENEDICTION: And now, may the One who knows you fully have ever more opportunities to reveal Himself to you as you seek Him day by day. Amen.
January 5, 2020
God Changes Us
PRAYER: God of the ages, You tower above the events of history. You are so great, but sometimes we have made You so small. God of love, You long to live within us each day. You are so near, but sometimes we have questioned why You are so distant. Open our minds to know who You are. Open our hearts to receive You. And open our eyes to see as You do. Amen.
SCRIPTURES: Psalm 139:1-16, 23-24 & 1 Timothy 6:1-7
BENEDICTION: And now, may the One who knows you fully have ever more opportunities to reveal Himself to you as you seek Him day by day. Amen.