Unity Baptist Church

Worship has to come from the right place otherwise is just a bunch of things we do. Done correctly, worship pleases God; he desires it. But you be better off to not worship at all than to fake it.

It would be more accurate to call it the Model Prayer or the Disciples’ Prayer but you are probably familiar with the Lord’s Prayer. Jesus was teaching his followers how to pray so let’s examine what he said and what it means to us.

There is a misconcept that work is a result of the curse. Before sin and the curse, Adam was given a task. He had a vocation. After the curse his job became work.

God’s provision is sufficient. Here are a couple of examples from the Old Testament that offer lessons New Testament believers can certainly benefit from learning.

Promise made, promise kept, with only a few thousand years in between. God plays the long game. This will wrap up or series on God is Near. If you know that to be true in your own life, then let’s worship together. If you are discouraged, keep the faith just a little bit longer. There is always hope. And if you are looking for God, seek him while he may be found. He is probably closer than you think.

We have spent six months or so in our series “God is Near” and now it’s time to ask: How will you respond? What do we do with this information? God is near but where are we?

Last week we learn a few lessons from Jonah but we left him in the belly of the great fish. What do you think happens when, after three days, Jonah finally decides to pray?

Daniel, along with Shadrach, Meshech and Abindago, were faithful to God and found themselves in perilous situations. Jonah shows us what happens when the prophet does not want to deliver God’s message and tries to get away from him.

You may never be thrown into a furnace or a den of lions for remaining true to your faith. You might get made fun of. You could lose something real like a job promotion or face legal action if you refuse to play the game according to the rules of our culture. God is near. He hears, he sees, and he remembers his promises. He will never leave nor forsake. When you face trials of life, keep in mind that neither your friends, the company you work for nor our government will be the ultimate judge on the final day. Jesus said “If you deny me, I will deny you before me Father.” Look at the Hebrew children and those that accused them. Look at Daniel, and those that had him thrown into the den of lions. Only God can save.

We all go through things – often unplanned, sometimes unfair – but we do not have to go through them alone. God is near.