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"My soul's anchor"  by Judi. Used with permission.

 

Our World Belongs to God 26

We journey on in "Our World Belongs to God: A Contemporary Testimony" with Paragraph 26, continuing our look this week at what Jesus has done, and is doing, for us.

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)
Paragraphs 23-27: Jesus Christ (May 25-29) 

Paragraph 26 (Today)
Being both divine and human,
Jesus is the only mediator.
He alone paid the debt of our sin;
there is no other Savior.
We are chosen in Christ
to become like him in every way.
God’s electing love sustains our hope:
God’s grace is free
to save sinners who offer nothing
but their need for mercy.

[Christ is shown to be our mediator in 1 Timothy 2:5 and Hebrews 9:11-15, and our only Savior in John 14:6 and Acts 4:12. For our election in Christ to be like Christ, see Romans 8:29, 2 Corinthians 3:18, and Ephesians 1:3-4.]

 

There are a year's worth of sermons in this paragraphs, so what to say?  Only that in such a time as this, we need grace and mercy, we need a sustained hope, we need a mediator, we need a Savior.  In which of these areas do you most need Jesus' help  today?  Spend some time meditating on those Scriptures, and worship with today's song, the beautiful old hymn "Jesus Paid It All" as sung by Fernando Ortega. Who do you know who really needs to hear about all that Jesus wants to be in their life? Spend some time praying for those people right now.

A new book of pandemic-specific devotionals entitled, "Calling Out: Prayers for those in Isolation" came across my desk today; allow me to pray this one with you:

Jehovah Jirah – my provider,
I repent of misplaced feelings of security,
of reliance on people and things unable to sustain me,
of a false belief
that money can save me from the things I fear
when, in fact,
You are the source of my Hope.

You laid the foundations of the earth;
You hold security in Your hand.

Teach me what is good for me;
let me long for righteousness.
Make me a light to those around me and
help me to be creative
as I reach out to others in isolation.
In the moments when I feel forgotten
by my family, my friends and my work,
remind me that You are a God
who does not forget His children;
I can put my trust in You
and You will not disappoint me.

Today I pray for all extroverts,
for those who struggle with loneliness and boredom;
I especially think of ____ and ____.
Allow them to be energized
as they connect with others in new ways;
help them to take pleasure in tasks done well
in the secret and quiet of their homes;
use this unusual time to speak into their lives
in a unique way.

Allow all of us, extroverts and introverts alike,
to stay near to our Shepherd;
Keep us on Your path. Amen.
(Holly Dickson-Ramos. With permission.)

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.

Pastor Mark

PS - My online office hours Friday will be from 1-2pm. Online prayer will be 11am-noon. 

 

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