Focus

Stop and thank God for being present with you today. Ask for God’s guidance as you hear God’s voice through scripture and the writer.

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Read

Psalm 122 New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

A Song of Ascents. Of David.

I was glad when they said to me,
“Let us go to the house of the Lord!”

Our feet are standing
within your gates, O Jerusalem.

Jerusalem—built as a city
that is bound firmly together.

To it the tribes go up,
the tribes of the Lord,
as was decreed for Israel,
to give thanks to the name of the Lord.

For there the thrones for judgment were set up,
the thrones of the house of David.

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem:
“May they prosper who love you.

Peace be within your walls,
and security within your towers.”

For the sake of my relatives and friends
I will say, “Peace be within you.”

For the sake of the house of the Lord our God,
I will seek your good.

 

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Reflect

In today’s world, brick and mortar stores are struggling because of on-line stores. According to an article I read recently, brick and mortar churches are also struggling. It said that people don’t want to be tied down to going to a location. They want to watch videos and blogs without the requirement of committing one set hour each week to the church of their choosing.

Church attendance is not required, but it does have benefits. If you have a fire and take a red hot coal off and set it to the side, the coal will soon cool down and go out. If you put it back on the fire, it will reignite and turn back to red. Church services also help us to develop relationships with each other. We are able to minister to the needs of others, and we are able to be ministered to by others when we are in need.

Our scripture starts by being glad about going to the house of the Lord, and then proceeds to discuss how Jerusalem was built with a bond to the temple. Then the city is lifted in a prayer of blessings because of that connection.
We are busier today than ever. Let us not forget our need for the church and for each other.

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Pray

Dear Lord,

We thank you for today, and for the opportunity to gather in Your house. Lord, help us to remember that when we gather, we are gathering in Your name, and that You are there in our midst. Help us to boldly go into Your house, and to not be scared of who might see us. Help us to stay on fire, and to reflect You to others. Help us to remember that our walk with You should also be a ministry to others.
We ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen

Go with God!