Category: God Alone Emboldens Us

As God’s Church, let’s read this aloud together:

Isaiah 44:1-5 NIV
“But now listen, Jacob, my servant,
Israel, whom I have chosen.
This is what the LORD says—
he who made you, who formed you in the womb,
and who will help you:
Do not be afraid, Jacob, my servant,
Jeshurun, whom I have chosen.
For I will pour water on the thirsty land,
and streams on the dry ground;
I will pour out my Spirit on your offspring,
and my blessing on your descendants.
They will spring up like grass in a meadow,
like poplar trees by flowing streams.
Some will say, ‘I belong to the LORD’;
others will call themselves by the name of Jacob;
still others will write on their hand, ‘The LORD’s,’
and will take the name Israel.” 

We are reminded anew today that we belong to the Lord, and more than a label on our hands, we have been marked by the blood of Christ. We belong to God as his dearly beloved children and servants of the Lord, who listen as he says, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world.” Let’s proclaim a resounding “Yes!” today, for God has emboldened us by his Spirit to live in the reality of his heavenly kingdom. We are emboldened to see the beauty of the Lord take hold in the lives of others as we pray, and let’s pray for God’s salvation, healing and power to be poured out on all for our upcoming Sunday worship celebrations.

Prayer: Lord our God, we belong to you! We have been formed in your love, given life through your Holy Spirit and set apart to be your holy servants in this world. We pray for many others from our families, our campuses and our cities to step into your kingdom, testifying that they belong to the Lord. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Let’s worship the Lord and pray as we sing “Never Stop Singing (Psalm 95)” from The Worship Initiative (click here).

– JLiu

2 Corinthians 4:7-9 NIV
But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair;  persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.

“Have you ever heard people say, in the midst of their hardships, that they can tell people are praying for them? What they are saying is, ‘When I imagined something like this, I always thought it would be impossible. I could never bear it. But now that I am in it, God is faithful. I can’t explain it, but somehow he is carrying me along.’” (Ed Welch, When I Am Afraid)

In his great love for us, God upholds us in every impossible situation, and as Christians, this is our reality. The things in life that are able to break a human being cannot destroy us, because our God is faithful and we belong to him. What an incredible thing this is, that in the midst of hardships, we get to live in the awe, wonder, joy and confidence that comes from being in our Father’s care. So we do not fear the storms, the impossible situations, because when they come we find more of the supernatural depths of God’s love and power for us, and he emboldens us to pray for and love others who are going through the same things.

Prayer: Father, thank you for loving us, strengthening us and protecting us through every hardship and impossible situation. May our lives proclaim your faithfulness and love for all our days! Fill us with your Spirit today to pray for those who are currently going through impossible situations, and may they undeniably experience your love and power during this time. In Jesus’ name, amen.

In worship and thanksgiving, let’s sing “Peace Be Still” from The Belonging Co & Lauren Daigle (click here).

– JLiu

 

 

Isaiah 41:13, 15-16 NLT
For I hold you by your right hand—
I, the LORD your God.
And I say to you,
‘Don’t be afraid. I am here to help you.
You will be a new threshing instrument
with many sharp teeth.
You will tear your enemies apart,
making chaff of mountains.
You will toss them into the air,
and the wind will blow them all away;
a whirlwind will scatter them.
Then you will rejoice in the LORD.
You will glory in the Holy One of Israel.

“Take notice God does not say “He will,” but rather says, “You will….” He will do by making us able to do. God will equip and empower us to exercise his will and purposes. And along with that, to rejoice in the Lord as we do it. That is usually the last thing we think of doing when we’re caught up in our fears, but we can now come anew and differently to these moments. God gives us opportunities to grow in our trust for his deliverance. [excerpt from Anne Kim]

There is no better place to be than to be close to God, hearing him say, “Don’t be afraid. I am here to help you.” Let’s trust in God, not ourselves, for the help that we need, for every fear and impossible situation, and find that he gives us all we need to do everything that is set before us.

Prayer: O God, we rejoice in you! Thank you for saving us from a lifetime of trusting ourselves and trying to figure out every problem on our own. We trust in you to receive the strength and resources to exercise your will and purposes in our lives and in the lives of others. In Jesus’ name, amen.

In worship and thanksgiving, let’s sing “Unto Him (Jude 24-25)” from Shane & Shane (click here).

– JLiu

Acts 4:13, 23-24, 29-31 NIV
When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.
On their release, Peter and John went back to their own people and reported all that the chief priests and the elders had said to them. When they heard this, they raised their voices together in prayer to God. “Sovereign Lord,” they said, “you made the heavens and the earth and the sea, and everything in them.
Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness. Stretch out your hand to heal and perform signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus.”
After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.
 
Psalm 118:5-6 NIV
When hard pressed, I cried to the LORD;
he brought me into a spacious place.
The LORD is with me; I will not be afraid.
What can mere mortals do to me?

Though we are far removed from the exilic circumstances of God’s people in Isaiah’s time, God’s words in Isaiah still pertain to us today. Like Peter and John and other servants of the Lord who came before us, we are also to place all of our confidence in God, asking in prayer for Spirit empowered boldness to share Jesus Christ with others, even if it means we will face opposition at times. Let’s pray that the words above in Psalm 118 will be our testimony and lived experience as God’s servants more and more.

Prayer: O Lord, you are with us; we will not be afraid. We praise you for wonderfully rescuing us and making us your faithful servants in Christ. Enable us even more to speak your Word boldly and share Christ with others today. In Jesus’ name, amen.

In worship and prayer, let’s sing “Always” from Kristian Stanfill (click here).

– JLiu

Let’s proclaim these verses aloud over our hearts today:

Isaiah 41:9-10 NIV
I took you from the ends of the earth,
from its farthest corners I called you.
I said, ‘You are my servant’;
I have chosen you and have not rejected you.
So do not fear, for I am with you;
do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

“So do not fear, for I am with you.” Let us listen as our God speaks this again into our minds and hearts today. He has chosen us to be his people and servants who walk through this life in his love and freedom instead of fear. He has not rejected us. If we have even the smallest thoughts or personal feelings that say otherwise, throw them out, as many times as you need to! God says, “I have chosen you and have not rejected you. So do not fear, for I am with you. I will strengthen you and help you.” For all our circumstances today and things yet to come, God reminds us that we are not alone, for he is with us, and he will help us. God loves us and helps us by his Spirit to live our lives each day in confidence, joy and freedom.

Prayer: How great is your love, O Lord! We are amazed by your love, and that you would love to help us, holding us in your hands. Father God, thank you for loving us and making us your servants in Christ. Your love and presence set us free from fear to live each day in joy and peace. Fill us again with your Spirit today as we consider our circumstances, our tasks, and even our “sufferings” for carrying your name. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Let’s worship and pray to our God with “Resurrection Power” from Chris Tomlin (click here).

– JLiu