Week: How To Be Unsuccessful
As usual, we start by pausing and taking a deep breath:
In and out.
In and out.
We remember that God is here, and so together we prepare ourselves to be with God.
Pause
Let’s listen for a word or a phrase that the Holy Spirit might want to say to us from today’s Bible verses, which are from one of David’s Psalms.
Read by Hubo
Psalm 143:5-8
I remember what happened long ago;
I consider everything you have done.
I think about all you have made.
I lift my hands to you in prayer.
As a dry land needs rain, I thirst for you.
Lord, answer me quickly,
because I am getting weak.
Don’t turn away from me,
or I will be like those who are dead.
Tell me in the morning about your love,
because I trust you.
Show me what I should do,
because my prayers go up to you.
Psalm 143:5-8 (NCV)
What word or phrase stood out from today’s verses?
Psalm 143 was written by King David. What a beautiful picture he paints for us with his words… ‘as a dry land needs rain, I thirst for you’.
Sabbath is like a good watering for our souls after a long and maybe dry week. It’s a day to stop and remember everything God has done, to reflect on what we have learned and to give thanks for God’s love and guidance.
Pause
Thank You, Father God, for loving us with all Your heart, all Your soul and all Your mind. Help us to love You in prayer – with our time and attention. And help us to love You creatively as well – with our gifts and abilities.
Thank You, Lord Jesus, for loving us so much that You gave Your life for us, to make everything right again. Help us to love others with hospitality – by opening our hearts and welcoming others. And help us to love others with justice and mercy too – by being courageous and by showing compassion and kindness.
Thank You, Holy Spirit, for loving us, for filling us with Your power, for leading and guiding us. Help us to love the world through learning – with curiosity and wonder. And help us to love the world through mission too – by sharing the good news of Jesus wherever we are, and wherever we go.
Let’s press pause and talk about our Sabbath question which is: As our week comes to an end, what was good about it – what are we thankful for? It could be something big or small.
After enjoying this time with God and each other, let’s say our memory verse together:
Read by Hubo
Jeremiah 29:11
‘I know what I am planning for you,’ says the Lord. ‘I have good plans for you, not plans to hurt you. I will give you hope and a good future.’
Jeremiah 29:11 (NCV)
May this Sabbath bring rest and joy to our hearts and our homes.
May today be a little less go, go, go, and a little more slow… slow… slow…
May we care less about things, and care more for people.
As we relax in God’s love, may we take time to listen and remember that we are all God’s children.
Pete and his wife Sarah live in Manenburg, South Africa, where they help to lead a church called Tree of Life. Together, they spend a lot of their time sharing Jesus’ love with people and especially helping young men who want to get out of violent gangs and stop using drugs. Pete enjoys carpentry, he plays football for FC Manenburg and he recently wrote a book called, ‘How To Be (un)Successful’.
Hubolodumo (Hubo) lives In Johannesburg, South Africa with his parents and 4 siblings.
When he’s not busy trying out ninja moves, he’s practicing the latest dance moves, playing soccer, drawing or playing games with his friends.
