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Renewal Through Routine
The Upper Room Disciplines has been a source of strength and comfort to readers for decades. Read More
Kate King | Read 1 Samuel 16:4-13
Most mornings, I wake up to see my dog completely relaxed on his back, paws up, head tilted to the side, basically leaving me no choice but to offer him a loving snuggle. Then later, when I go to pick him up out of bed to start the day, he...
May your ever-hovering presence, Lord, find us in a position of surrender and expectancy as we move about our purpose in the world. Amen.
The readings for this week look at the interaction between our humanity and divine kingdom power and the everyday anointing that can take place when we overlap with God’s presence. The scripture passage from First Samuel tells the story of Samuel following the guidance of the Lord to anoint David as king. Then we have Psalm 20, a psalm of David, that was originally written as a prayer sung by ancient Israelites for their king. Our passage from the Gospel of Mark compares the kingdom of God to the sprouting and growth of seeds in order to expound on the beauty of small acts of faith. In Second Corinthians, Paul explores what it means to glorify God. Paul also encourages the reader that when we are in Jesus Christ, we are made new.
Read 1 Samuel 15:34–16:13. How do you feel God’s presence and anointing in your life?
Read Psalm 20. What are the desires of your heart? Where do the desires of your heart overlap with God’s desires for you? When do you feel as though you embody God’s desires?
Read 2 Corinthians 5:6-17. How can we make space for God in our physical body? Do you feel at home in your body while glorifying the Lord? When do you feel made new in Christ?
Read Mark 4:26-34. In what small action is God beckoning you to have big faith? How is God inviting you into kingdom work through small steps of faith?
Respond by posting a prayer.
