SeedOffering

Where can I go from your Spirit?
    Where can I flee from your presence?
⁸ If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
    if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
⁹ If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
    if I settle on the far side of the sea,
¹⁰ even there your hand will guide me,
    your right hand will hold me fast.
¹¹ If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me
    and the light become night around me,”
¹² even the darkness will not be dark to you;
    the night will shine like the day,
    for darkness is as light to you. (Psalm 139:7–12)

This psalm of David recognizes God’s omnipresence. He knows the depths of our hearts and yet loves us the same. As the psalm states, there is nowhere we can go to escape the presence of our God.

Do you live in recognition of God’s presence in your everyday life? Today, seek to stay alert to the light in your day, giving praise to God for His constant presence. Ask God to make you aware of His presence as you go throughout the different aspects of your day: work, routine, carpool, laundry, meetings, travels, meals. Whatever composes your day, be assured that He ordered this day and is with you in it.

Prayer Focus: Women at Sanctuary

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Arise, cry out in the night,
    as the watches of the night begin;
pour out your heart like water
    in the presence of the Lord.
Lift up your hands to him
    for the lives of your children,
who faint from hunger
    at every street corner. (Lamentations 2:19)

Deep grief is expressed in Lamentations, grief at the destruction of Jerusalem and the devastation of its nation. In the midst of tragedy and desolation, there is still space for hope and to realize the mercy of God as He turns all sin, damage, and loss to be used for His good.

We are called to confession and a posture of repentance as we become aware of sin in our lives. Take some time today to ask God to expose and reveal to you the sins lurking in your depths, those lying in dark, hidden spaces. Ask Him to bring them into the light for repentance and for healing.

As we repent, we can praise God for the price that has been paid for our sins by the power of the cross. Ask God for a greater understanding of His grace, grace that covers our multitude of sins.

“Sin is the second most powerful force in the universe, for it sent Jesus to the cross. Only one force is greater—the love of God.” —Billy Graham

Prayer Focus: Men at Sanctuary

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Your beginnings will seem humble,
    so prosperous will your future be. (Job 8:7)

Job’s friends each gave him advice. Eliphaz was gentle and indirect; Bildad, the speaker here, was impatient and insensitive. While Bildad’s words are true, it appears that Bildad’s theology was far more important to him than Job himself.

God’s invitation to transformation is at the heart of all that we desire to do and be as a Faith Family. The ministry expansion at Sanctuary allows us each the opportunity to be reminded that hearts and souls and lives are at the heart of the Great Commission—not our comfort or preferences.

We have been given the high honor of being entrusted with being stewards and sowers of The Great Story of God. In that posture, what small, humble step can you take toward one of His children today?

Prayer Focus: Children’s Ministry Sowers

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Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God!
    How unsearchable his judgments,
    and his paths beyond tracing out!
³⁴ “Who has known the mind of the Lord?
    Or who has been his counselor?”
³⁵ “Who has ever given to God,
    that God should repay them?”
³⁶ For from him and through him and for him are all things.
    To him be the glory forever! Amen. (Romans 11:33–36)

In this chapter, Paul expresses the sovereignty of God, arguing that the Lord did not reject His people, Israel. The close of the chapter is an expression of adoration to God for His mercies, which are far beyond our understanding.

Our God has no counselor. He is the one above all things. He knows our every thought. We often try to give back to God what cost us nothing. We can be free from our self-sufficiency and self-idolization and live freely, trusting in the Creator of and over all.

Praise God today for already knowing the path ahead of you. Praise God for His wisdom and knowledge and for His sovereignty, which is beyond our comprehension. Ask God to give you a greater understanding of His character. Ask God to give you an understanding of the things He wants you to know and a peace to surrender the things that are not for you to know today.

Prayer Focus: Global Team

Let us know how can we be praying for you here!