Week: How To Be Unsuccessful
As usual, each day we will simply pray (P.R.A.Y.) together.
P: PAUSING to be still.
R: REJOICING with a Memory Verse and REFLECTING on some verses from the Bible.
A: ASKING God to help us and others.
Y: saying YES to God’s ways.
So, let’s 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
Lord Jesus, we sometimes get a bit confused about what things are really important and what things aren’t important at all. Help us to see our lives, our friends, and even ourselves the way that You do. We open our hearts and minds to You now – we’re ready for You to teach us and change us and make us a bit more like You.
We REJOICE and celebrate God’s goodness with this week’s memory verse:
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)
God, help us to remember Your Word.
This week’s memory verse reminds us that God has good plans for our lives, and it comes from the book of Jeremiah. Today, we’re REFLECTING on God’s plans for Jeremiah’s life.
Read by Hubo
Jeremiah 1:4-8
The Lord spoke his word to me, saying:
‘Before I made you in your mother’s womb, I chose you. Before you were born, I set you apart for a special work. I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.’
Then I said, ‘But Lord God, I don’t know how to speak. I am only a boy.’
But the Lord said to me, ‘Don’t say, “I am only a boy.” You must go everywhere I send you, and you must say everything I tell you to say. Don’t be afraid of anyone, because I am with you to protect you,’ says the Lord.
Jeremiah 1:4-8 (NCV)
God told Jeremiah that he had been chosen for an incredible task, to be God’s prophet – which means to speak God’s words – to the nations of the world! Wow!
However, instead of feeling excited that God had chosen him, Jeremiah felt scared. ‘I’m not good at talking to other people,’ he said. ‘I’m too young!’ Jeremiah didn’t feel like he could do what God was telling him to do, and he was worried about what other people might think.
Let’s press pause and talk about today’s question, which is: When have we been asked to do something, or when have we tried to do something, but it felt too difficult?
God wasn’t actually asking Jeremiah to be a great public speaker. All God wanted was for Jeremiah to trust Him and say ‘yes, I’ll do it’. And that’s where success begins – not by being the best at anything, but by trusting God and saying yes to God.
Lord God, we start this week by saying a big ‘YES!’ to whatever You’re asking us to do this week. Yes, Lord, we’ll do it.
Who do we know who seems to lack confidence in themselves? Maybe they feel a bit like Jeremiah – that they’re not good at talking to other people, or they worry what other people think about them.
Loving God, we ASK You to speak to the person we’re thinking of right now. May they know that You are with them, just like You were with Jeremiah, and that You’ve got good plans for them. And please show us if there’s something we can do to encourage them this week.
As we read the Bible again, let’s listen for a word or a phrase that the Holy Spirit might want to say to us from today’s verses.
Jeremiah 1:4-8
The Lord spoke his word to me, saying:
‘Before I made you in your mother’s womb, I chose you. Before you were born, I set you apart for a special work. I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.’
Then I said, ‘But Lord God, I don’t know how to speak. I am only a boy.’
But the Lord said to me, ‘Don’t say, “I am only a boy.” You must go everywhere I send you, and you must say everything I tell you to say. Don’t be afraid of anyone, because I am with you to protect you,’ says the Lord.
Jeremiah 1:4-8 (NCV)
What word or phrase stood out from today’s Bible verses?
And now, let’s say YES to God together.
Lord Jesus, thank You for reminding us that You don’t expect us to be great at doing things – all You want is for us to trust You. And so, once again, we say YES to You, trusting You have good plans for our lives.
After enjoying this time with God and each other, let’s say our memory verse together:
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)
Let’s put a hand on our heart.
Father God, fill us with Your love. Help us to love You, and everything that You’ve made.
Let’s point to our eyes.
Lord Jesus, help us to see You, and to see others the way that You see them too.
Let’s point to our ears.
Holy Spirit, help us to hear You, and give us courage to do what You say.
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.
