+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!

Opening Sentence

One thing I have asked of the Lord, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life; to behold the beauty of the Lord and to seek Him in His temple.

Reading: Psalm 119:73 (NLT)

You made me; you created me. Now give me the sense to follow your commands.

Reading: 1 Samuel 17:33-37 (NLT)

“Don’t be ridiculous!” Saul replied. “There’s no way you can fight this Philistine and possibly win! You’re only a boy, and he’s been a man of war since his youth.”

But David persisted. “I have been taking care of my father’s sheep and goats,” he said. “When a lion or a bear comes to steal a lamb from the flock, I go after it with a club and rescue the lamb from its mouth. If the animal turns on me, I catch it by the jaw and club it to death. I have done this to both lions and bears, and I’ll do it to this pagan Philistine, too, for he has defied the armies of the living God! The Lord who rescued me from the claws of the lion and the bear will rescue me from this Philistine!”

Saul finally consented. “All right, go ahead,” he said. “And may the Lord be with you!”

Reading: Ephesians 4:10-13 (NLT)

And the same one who descended is the one who ascended higher than all the heavens, so that he might fill the entire universe with himself.

Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ. This will continue until we all come to that unity in our faith and knowledge of God’s Son, measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ.

Prayer

Lord Jesus: You pour life into me, giving me speech, sense, desire, giving me thought and action. You mark the way before me and give me all I need to love and serve You.

O King and Savior of all, what are Your gifts to me? and do I use them to Your pleasing?

+ Have You given me gifts to build up Your Church? Do I cross cultural barriers, or proclaim Your word with power, or bring others into Your family, or care for and teach Your people?

+ Have You given me gifts to build up Your people? Do I offer wise advice or add special knowledge to those seeking counsel? Do I believe Your promises in the face of seemingly insurmountable obstacles? Do I pray consistently for others?

+ Have You given me gifts to serve others? Do I cheerfully help out where needed, or encourage people in distress? Do I take responsibility seriously, or give generously in support of others, and am I kind in the process?

+ Have You given me gifts that draw others to You? Do I pray for healing, and do I expect miracles? Do You give me messages to encourage Your people, and am I able to distinguish between truth and falsehood? Do I pray in unknown languages during worship, or while praying for others?

+ Have You given me gifts of artisanship? Do I sing or make music for You? Do I dance, or lead others into Your presence? Do I shape and form beautiful crafts of gold, silver, wood, glass or stone? Do I work with my hands to construct buildings and monuments that glorify You?

Gracious God: You distribute Your special gifts to us as You see fit. Open avenues of opportunity for me to use the gifts and abilities that You have given me – to build up Your Church, to serve Your people, and to glorify Your name. And, in the process, may Your Kingdom come – in me. Amen.

“Flawless (Official Music Video)” – MercyMe

Blessing

May the peace of the Lord Jesus Christ go with you, wherever He may send you. May He guide you through the wilderness, protect you through the storm. May He bring you home rejoicing at the wonders He has shown you. May He bring you home rejoicing once again into our doors.

+ In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen!