Preparation for Worship on Saturday, September 26

COMMUNION

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Friday, September 25

Devotional: Do This in Remembrance of Me

 

Colossians 3:11

In this new life, it doesn’t matter if you are a Jew or a Gentile, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbaric, uncivilized, slave, or free. Christ is all that matters, and he lives in all of us.

 

God of All, you extend an invitation for relationship to all created beings. Your love has no limits, and your mercy is unending. There is no one out of your reach or too broken for your healing touch. You have told me to love others, but my humanity causes me to judge instead. Please give me a clean heart, purify my spirit, and help me to love like you do. Amen.

 

Music: As I Am

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Thursday, September 24

Devotional: Celebrating Every Day

 

Lamentations 3:19-24

The thought of my suffering and homelessness is bitter beyond words. I will never forget this awful time, as I grieve over my loss. Yet I still dare to hope when I remember this: The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning. I say to myself, “The Lord is my inheritance; therefore, I will hope in him!”

 

Giver of Live, you certainly know how to throw a party! From the shooting stars at creation to the festivities that caused you to be labeled a drunkard and a glutton—you have given the gift that demands living life in celebration. I am a witness to the reality of what sin has caused in my world. However, I will choose to accept your gift of joy. Amen.

 

Music: Defiant

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Wednesday, September 23

Devotional: Meditations on a Coke Machine

 

Psalm 107:8-9

Let them praise the Lord for his great love and for the wonderful things he has done for them. For he satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things.

 

Jehovah-Jireh, Lord my Provider, you furnish every good thing. The bounty of your love and mercy is enough to fulfill every desire. Your understanding of humanity is such that you create sustenance to satisfy needs before they are realized. Remind me that my desires, my necessities, my hopes and my dreams are all found in you. Amen.

 

Music: You Find Me (Siempre Mi Encuentras)

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Tuesday, September 22

Devotional: Bread on the Table

 

Philemon 1:6

And I am praying that you will put into action the generosity that comes from your faith as you understand and experience all the good things we have in Christ.

 

Bread of Life, you allowed your body to be broken as a display of your great love, offering the free gift of salvation to all. You speak through the language of compassion and mercy, and your Spirit moves throughout the world. Help me to speak your words, serve my neighbor, and trust your grace. Amen.

 

Music: Hosanna

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Monday, September 21

Devotional:  This Do In Remembrance of Me

 

Mark 2:17

When Jesus heard this, he told them, “Healthy people don’t need a doctor—sick people do. I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners.”

 

Friend of Sinners, you never conformed to the expectations of legalized religion. You broke barriers, crossed lines, and loved without condition. You ate with those who had been marginalized, dehumanized, and rejected. I am the greatest of sinners, and yet you love me beyond measure. Thank you for your grace and forgiveness. Amen.

 

Music: Come to Jesus

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Sunday, September 20

Devotional: Take This Bread

 

Ephesians 2:8-10

God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.

 

Welcoming Savior, you have set a table of grace, and your invitation is for all. The meal provided was purchased at a cost only you could pay. I am hungry and broken, but you offer me nourishment and healing. Thank you for preparing my place. Amen.

 

Music: Come to the Table

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Preparation for Worship on Saturday, September 19

SIMPLY GOSPEL: It's Simply the Only Way

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Friday, September 18

Devotional: The Counter-Gospel

 

Psalm 139:16-18

You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed. How precious are your thoughts about me, O God.  They cannot be numbered! I can’t even count them; they outnumber the grains of sand! And when I wake up, you are still with me!

 

Sovereign Creator, your breath brings life. There is no limit to your creative genius, and you will continue to design wonders in holiness throughout eternity. You began my life with purpose and intention, and you have authored a better story for me than I deserve. I will live today with intention, strengthened by the embrace of your love. Amen.

 

Music: All Praise

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Thursday, September 17

Devotional: What Is the Gospel?

 

2 Corinthians 5:18-19

And all of this is a gift from God, who brought us back to himself through Christ. And God has given us this task of reconciling people to him. For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people’s sins against them. And he gave us this wonderful message of reconciliation.

 

Gracious Reconciler, your forgiveness is relentless, and your mercy is abundant. You are not turned away by brokenness, and you do not speak the language of shame. You have commissioned your people to bring your kingdom to this world, to invite others into your family of grace. Speak this message through me today. Amen.

 

Music: Even the Impossible

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Wednesday, September 16

Devotional: Biblical Justice is the Gospel Manifested

 

Hosea 12:6

So now, come back to your God. Act with love and justice, and always depend on him.

 

God of Justice, you did not come to condemn, but to redeem. Your purpose is to seek and save the lost, and the heart of your kingdom is to redeem the broken. One day the world will be made right, and you will reign in mercy and grace. I will live your kingdom promise in my world today. Amen.

 

Music: New Thing

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Tuesday, September 15

Devotional: The Crucifixion of Jesus

 

Hebrews 12:1-3

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne. Think of all the hostility he endured from sinful people; then you won’t become weary and give up.

 

Loving Savior, your sacrifice is impossible to comprehend. The extent of your mercy cannot be limited. You love with a greater love than is understood by the human mind. I am a sinner in desperate need of you, my Savior. Thank you for your forgiveness and grace. Amen.

 

Music: Sing His Praise Again (Oh My Soul)

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Monday, September 14

Devotional: Joy in Christ Alone

 

John 17:13

Now I am coming to you. I told them many things while I was with them in this world so they would be filled with my joy.

 

Savior of Joy, you walked a life of pain and rejection, and you brought healing and acceptance to the world. You took on the sin of all humanity, and you defeated the grave. I will choose to live a life of joy, seeking your presence and sharing your grace. Amen.

 

Music: Speak a Better Word

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Sunday, September 13

Devotional: Living in the Now and Not Yet

 

Matthew 4:17

From then on Jesus began to preach, “Repent of your sins and turn to God, for the Kingdom of Heaven is near.”

 

Kingdom Builder, your work began before creation. You are a builder of all things perfect, honest, and holy. What your hands create offers justice and grace. I want to be an apprentice of your Kingdom building. I ask for insight and wisdom to do your will. Amen.

 

Music: Build Your Kingdom Here

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Preparation for Worship on Saturday, September 12

SIMPLY GOSPEL: Simply Profound

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Friday, September 11

Devotional: Warranty of Grace

 

Titus 3:4-5

When God our Savior revealed his kindness and love, he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit.

 

Savior and Redeemer, your love flows with abundance, and the salvation you offer cannot be earned. There is nothing you have left undone in your merciful act of redemption. I am the undeserving recipient of your saving grace. I simply say thank you. Amen.

 

Music: Rise and Shine

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Thursday, September 10

Devotional: Love What is Near

 

1 John 2:6-7

Those who say they live in God should live their lives as Jesus did. Dear friends, I am not writing a new commandment for you; rather it is an old one you have had from the very beginning. This old commandment—to love one another—is the same message you heard before.

 

El Racham, Compassionate God, you are faithful and true. You chose to enter humanity so that your touch could be felt, your arms could comfort, and your words could bring hope. I want to make a difference in the lives around me. Help me to reach others with your grace. Amen.

 

Music: Revolutionary

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Wednesday, September 9

Devotional: Is the Gospel Relative?

 

Titus 2:11

 For the grace of God has been revealed, bringing salvation to all people.

 

Awesome Creator, you know the intricacies of each created being. You were intentional, yet imaginative, in their design. You are intimately sensitive to each breath and each movement while discerning the emotion and the awareness that will reveal your love in the most comprehensive way. That you for speaking to me through the language of my heart. Amen.

 

Music: Never Stop

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Tuesday, September 8

Devotional: Recovering a Good Father

 

Psalm 103:13

The Lord is like a father to his children, tender and compassionate to those who fear him.

 

Father God, you are sovereign and holy, and the fullness of you cannot be comprehended. Sin has diminished what you created as wholeness in relationship. I live in a broken world that has distorted your goodness. Help me to trust while I only see in shadows what you will illuminate in your grace. Amen.

 

Music: Fighting for My Heart

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Monday, September 7

Devotional: So, You Want to Change the World?

 

Galatians 6:9-10

So let’s not allow ourselves to get fatigued doing good. At the right time we will harvest a good crop if we don’t give up, or quit. Right now, therefore, every time we get the chance, let us work for the benefit of all, starting with the people closest to us in the community of faith.

 

Melekh Hagoyim, King of Nations, all people are under your care. Each individual was created in your image and through your grace. Your desire is for the redemption of those closest to you and furthest away. Help me to live in the present, aware of those around me, and engaged in sharing your love and care. Amen.

 

Music: Sing

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Sunday, September 6

Devotional: Is the Sinner’s Prayer Even Biblical?

 

Ephesians 1:10

And this is the plan: At the right time he will bring everything together under the authority of Christ—everything in heaven and on earth.

 

Reconciler of All Things, your work will be complete. You will restore all things and redeem your creation to perfection. You will finish the work you began, and the worlds will rejoice. Open my eyes to understand the breadth of your majesty and grace, and fill me with humility and gratitude. Amen.

 

Music: So Will I

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Preparation for Worship on Saturday, September 5

SIMPLY GOSPEL: Nothing Added

 

Friday, September 4

Devotional: What Is the Gospel?

 

Matthew 20:26-28

But among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first among you must become your slave. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.

 

Kingdom Maker, you are the Creator of beauty. You left the perfection of heaven to offer your creation a fresh start. Your plan is a design of peace and holiness built on a foundation of justice and mercy. You have called me to be a Kingdom builder. Equip me for this call today. Amen.

 

Music: Ceasefire

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Thursday, September 3

Devotional: The Gospel is a “Because” Proposition

 

Galatians 2:20-21

My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. I do not treat the grace of God as meaningless. For if keeping the law could make us right with God, then there was no need for Christ to die.

 

Holy Judge, your law is perfect and reveals sin. Your grace is complete and covers all iniquity. Your love is abundant and restores all brokenness. Your forgiveness is undeserved and a free gift to the unworthy. Thank you. Amen.

 

Music: Uncomplicated

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Wednesday, September 2

Devotional: Is a Simple Gospel Realistic

 

Romans 6:14

Sin is no longer your master, for you no longer live under the requirements of the law. Instead, you live under the freedom of God’s grace.

 

Giver of Life, you speak clearly. Your message of love, generosity, and hope is offered to all. You are God, and you are good. You are Savior, and your grace is enough. I am covered by your mercy and will rest in the truth of new life found simply and fully in you. Amen.

 

Music: Simple Truth

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Tuesday, September 1

Devotional: All You Need is Love

 

Romans 13:8

Owe nothing to anyone—except for your obligation to love one another. If you love your neighbor, you will fulfill the requirements of God’s law.

 

God of Love, you display your joy in the refreshment of each sunrise and promise your compassion in the splendor of each sunset. You offered the greatest gift in personal sacrifice to restore treasured relationships broken by sin. I am your cherished child. May I overflow with your love to bless others today. Amen.

 

Music: Overflow

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Monday, August 31

Devotional: Jesus is the Gate

 

Acts 4:12

There is salvation in no one else! God has given no other name under heaven by which we must be saved.”

 

Jehovah-Ra̛ah, the Lord is my Shepherd, in you is all hope of salvation. You are the one who gently guides your sheep to safe pastures and open streams. Sometimes I wander blindly toward things that distract and trap me. Help me to focus on your voice today, to know you more and trust your will for my life. Amen.

 

Music: Need to Know You

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Sunday, August 30

Devotional: When Faith Feels Like a Circus Act

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Romans 5:8

God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

 

Jesus, Savior, your sacrifice liberated a broken world. The perfection of your creation, once lost to sin, has been redeemed through your matchless act of grace. I will rest in your favor, savor your love, and embrace the free gift of salvation. Amen.

 

Music: Indescribable

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