WEEK 1 REFLECTIONS

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Day 1 - Trusting God as Worthy

“Our Father”

“Yet you, Lord, are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand.” Isaiah 64:8

“For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.” Psalm 139:13

“‘Honor your father and mother’—which is the first commandment with a promise—'so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.’” Ephesians 6:2-3

“Keep on loving one another as brothers and sisters.” Hebrews 13:1

“As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him.” Psalms 103:13

Heavenly Father, there is nothing you don’t know about me. You created me and know every gift and talent, strength and weakness. You know my every thought, word, and deed, as well as the motivation behind it. Teach me what it means to know you and trust you as Father.

• Today, what do you want me to know about you as a good Father?
• What does it look like for me to live as your child?
• How does this affect the way I view, respond to, and interact with my church family, as well as my own family?

Thank you for loving and caring for me as your child. May I honor and trust you as Father in all I do.

Ideas for additional study/activity: (Optional)

• Read and reflect on Psalm 139.
• Write a letter of thanksgiving to your father, mother, sibling, or to someone from your church.

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Day 2 -Trusting God as Worthy

“In Heaven”

“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” Genesis 1:1

“The Lord is in his holy temple; the Lord is on his heavenly throne.

He observes everyone on earth; his eyes examine them.” Psalm 11:4

“The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.” Psalm 145:18

 “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:13 

“For Christ did not enter a sanctuary made with human hands that was only a copy of the true one; he entered heaven itself, now to appear for us in God’s presence.” Hebrews 9:24

Heavenly Father, you are on your throne in heaven. Heaven can feel far away and yet you, Father, are close to your people. You know the truth of each person’s heart and each person’s deep need. Today, I want to seek you with my whole heart.

• Reveal anything that keeps me from wanting to call out to you and hear from you.
• In this season of my life, what need do you see and want me to talk about with you?
• As I seek you with my whole heart, show me how my home on earth can be a reflection of your home in heaven.

Jesus himself stands in heaven before you, Father, on my behalf. May I never take his sacrifice for granted.

Ideas for additional study/activity:

• Read Revelation 21:1-22:5. What stands out to you most about the new dwelling place God is creating?
• Spend some time alone outside observing nature. As God is the Creator of both heaven and earth, consider how our dwelling place may reflect the glory of God’s dwelling place.

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Day 3 - Trusting God as Worthy

“Hallowed”

“Praise the Lord, my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name.” Psalm 103:1

“This is what the Lord says—Israel’s King and Redeemer, the Lord Almighty: ‘I am the first and I am the last; apart from me there is no God.’” Isaiah 44:6

“It is the Lord your God you must follow, and him you must revere. Keep his commands and obey him; serve him and hold fast to him.” Deuteronomy 13:4

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.” Mark 12:30

“Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord.” Psalm 150:6 

Heavenly Father, you are the first and the last. There is no god besides you. Your name is above every name. Today, I set you apart as sacred and holy, as worthy of my devotion and affection. Show me what it means to honor you in all I do.

• 
  How is reverence for you, Father, displayed through obedience?
• What area of my life am I holding back from loving you completely?
• Today, I praise you for…

Everything exists because of your say so. May I always set you - Father, Son, and Spirit - apart as Lord of my life.

Ideas for additional study/activity:

• Read Colossians 1:1-23. Spend some time praising God for all he has done.
• What has God called you to do but you have been putting off? Today, out of reverence for him, do it.

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Day 4 - Trusting God as Worthy

“Your Name”

“Lord, I have heard of your fame; I stand in awe of your deeds, Lord.” Habakkuk 3:2a

“He upholds the cause of the oppressed and gives food to the hungry. The Lord sets prisoners free, the Lord gives sight to the blind, the Lord lifts up those who are bowed down,

the Lord loves the righteous.” Psalm 146:7-8

“The name of the Lord is a fortified tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.” Proverbs 18:10

“We will not hide them from their descendants; we will tell the next generation

the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord, his power, and the wonders he has done.” Psalm 78:4

“Your name, Lord, endures forever, your renown, Lord, through all generations.” Psalm 135:13

Heavenly Father, you have done amazing things. You continue to do more than all we can think or imagine. You are trustworthy in all you say and do, and your cause is worthy of our attention and intention. Today, may I see what you show me and respond in your name.

• I am thankful for the remarkable things you, Father, have done in my life. The one that stands out to me today is…
• What keeps me from sharing you and your great deeds with others?
• How would trusting your name and cause as worthy change what I pursue in my life?

Thank you, Jesus, for rescuing me; for being everything I need. May you and your cause be my greatest desire.

Ideas for additional study/activity:

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  Read Isaiah 58. Spend some time talking with God about what it means to truly honor Him as Lord.
• Time is our most valuable resource. Give some of yours today to someone who needs to know the love of God and that his great and wonderful deeds are for them as well.

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Day 5 - Trusting God as Worthy

“Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name,”

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“In love he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ,

in accordance with his pleasure and will — to the praise of his glorious grace,

which he has freely given us in the One he loves.” Ephesians 1:5-6

 “And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the

heavenly realms in Christ Jesus,” Ephesians 2:6

“Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe.” Hebrews 12:28

And they sang a new song, saying: ‘You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals,

because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased for God persons

from every tribe and language and people and nation.’” Revelation 5:9

“Therefore, God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name,   that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”

Philippians 2:9-11

Read through these verses a few times slowly.

• What words or phrases do you notice? What catches your attention?
• How is God speaking to you through what you notice? What comes to mind?
• As you pray through what God is saying to you and showing you, how will you respond?

Heavenly Father, you have done great and mighty deeds. You came to us in our great need and saved us through the sacrifice of your Son, Jesus. You, Father, Son and Spirit, are worthy of my trust. You are worthy of all praise and honor. All glory belongs to you. I thank you for your presence and…