ASLC Devotions - Monday

Nehemiah 9:6  And Ezra said: ‘You are the Lord, you alone; you have made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their host, the earth and all that is on it, the seas and all that is in them. To all of them you give life, and the host of heaven worships you.'

You can't do better than Ezra. Ezra was leading the entire nation of Israel in a group confession. Picture what we do at the beginning of most Sunday morning services, but the entire nation doing it together. They were returning from exile, from generations living away from "home." And it was time to re-assess, to re-establish, and to re-build. Yes, they were going to rebuild the temple, rebuild the walls around Jerusalem, and rebuild their homes. But most important, they wanted to rebuild their relationship with God.

So Ezra began their confession by praying to God on their behalf, calling to mind all the great things God has done. "To all of them you give life." That about sums it up, doesn't it? God gives life to everything on earth. God is the source of life, the source of gift. Now that's a good foundation for a relationship with God - remembering that God is the source of it all. 

So when we begin worship with confession, think about this: you are rebuilding your relationship with God. And when the words of forgiveness are spoken, know that God says "yes - I want a relationship with you."

In Christ,
Pastor Seth

Next weekend is the final weekend of our summer worship schedule: 5 pm Saturday and 9 am Sunday. For the newsletter and calendar, visit http://www.allsaintspalatine.org