Fellowship "Elbow Bump" for May 21
Dr. David Jeremiah from today's featured video.
Our World Belongs to God 21
Some of you may be participating in Ascension Day worship today; God's blessings as you do so. As a church, we will mark Jesus' ascension this coming Sunday. We will also be sharing the Lord's Supper, so please have bread and juice/wine available and note carefully the instructions in this weekend's bulletin.
We continue today with Paragraph 21 of "Our World Belongs to God: A Contemporary Testimony."
Paragraphs 1-6: Preamble (April 11-29)
Paragraphs 7-12: Creation (April 30-May 8)
Paragraphs 13-17: Fall (May 11-15)
Paragraphs 18-22: Redemption (May 18-22)
Paragraph 21 (Today)
The Lord promised to be God
to Abraham, Sarah, and their children,
calling them to walk faithfully before him
and blessing the nations through them.
God chose Israel to show the glory of his name,
the power of his love,
and the wisdom of his ways.
The Lord gave them the law
through Moses
and led them
by rulers and teachers,
shaping a people
in whom God is revealed—
a light to the nations.
[For God’s promise to Abraham and to his people Israel, see Genesis 12:1-3, Deuteronomy 7-8, and Romans 9; for Abraham’s children as the light to the nations, see Micah 6:8 and Isaiah 60.]
Paragraph 21 covers the bulk of the Old Testament history, from Abraham to the exile. As I was pondering what I could say about such a library of material, Sandy sent me this brief message from David Jeremiah entitled, "Remain in Place." It has such a wonderful application for today, better than I could ever say it, so let me just refer you to it. Be encouraged!
Our song for today is a stirring rendition of "O For A Thousand Tongues To Speak." Many years ago I sang this song as a visitor at at large church in Seoul. I was seated in the international section with people from various parts of the world, each listening in simultaneous translation and singing in our own language. I could barely contain my tears as I experienced this tangible expression of God's church universal, each of us a part of God's redemptive story, together declaring His praise.
We pray together: "Lord, thank you for your plan and desire to bless the nations through your people. Help us to follow you faithfully, even in this time of shelter, and shape us to be a people who reveal your light, in increasing brightness, to the nations. Help, comfort and save those who suffer during this time of global pandemic."
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be Your name.
Your kingdom come,
Your will be done
On earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
Forgive us our debts,
As we also have forgiven our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from the evil one.
For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.
Go with this blessing: May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
Pastor Mark
PS - All of your tests with Zoom this week have been successful, so I have confidence that last Sunday's Zoom issues will not be repeated this coming Sunday.
PSS - Remember that we gather for online prayer at 11am Friday morning, followed by my online office hours from 1-2pm; click here to join either one.
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