Glimpses of God: Part 3 - 'The Litter Picker'

This Sunday, Rob Lea brings us the talk in the latest of our EBC services. We encourage you to reflect on the bible text and join us in the prayer that follows below.
 
Here are some questions to consider:

Readings:

Exodus chapter 25 verse 22

‘There, above the cover between the two cherubim that are over the ark of the covenant law, I will meet with you and give you all my commands for the Israelites.’

Joshua chapter 3 verse 14

‘When the people broke camp to cross the Jordan, the priests carrying the ark of the covenant went ahead of them.’

1 Samuel chapter 4 verse 22

‘The Glory has departed from Israel, for the ark of God has been captured.’

1 Chronicles chapter 13 verse 15

[David speaking to the priests and Levites] “It was because you, the Levites, did not bring it up the first time that the Lord our God broke out in anger against us. We did not inquire of him about how to do it in the prescribed way.” So the priests and Levites consecrated themselves in order to bring up the ark of the Lord, the God of Israel. And the Levites carried the ark of God with the poles on their shoulders, as Moses had commanded in accordance with the word of the Lord.

2 Chronicles chapter 5 verse 7

‘The priests then brought the ark of the Lord’s covenant to its place in the inner sanctuary of the temple, the Most Holy Place, and put it beneath the wings of the cherubim.’

2 Chronicles chapter 5 verse 14

‘Then the temple of the Lord was filled with the cloud, and the priests could not perform their service because of the cloud, for the glory of the Lord filled the temple of God.’

Acts chapter 2 verses 38-39

Peter replied, “Repent and be baptised, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. [The presence of God] The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.”

1 Peter chapter 2 verse 9

‘But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.’

1 Corinthians chapter 3 verse 15

‘Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s spirit dwells in you?’

Galatians chapter 5 verses 22 - 23

‘But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.’



Prayer and Reflection:

Father God, fill us with your love and let us feel your presence in every moment. Help us to seek your love above all else, knowing that it is the greatest gift we could ever receive. Grant us the grace to share your love with others and reflect your love in all that we do, living each day in such a way that others get glimpses of you.
 
Lord Jesus, words cannot express what we owe you; help us to make public this debt in how we live our daily lives. Let those who are far away know that we love and care for them. Let those who are close see our love in our words and actions. Let our love be but a tiny reflection, a glimpse of your love.
 
Holy Spirit, no one has ever seen God, but if we love each other, we know that God will live in us, and his love will be brought to full expression in us. Please give us the strength and power to do this in our everyday life.
 
We ask this in Jesus’ name and for his glory
 
Amen.



Questions to Consider

1. Read 1 Corinthians 3:15. If you are a committed follower of Jesus, do you believe that you carry the presence of God?
2. What evidence can you provide that demonstrates that you are carrying the presence of God such that people get glimpses of God in your everyday life?
3. Can you think of examples of glimpses of God that you have seen in other people in the past week?
4. The apostle Paul lists 9 fruits of the spirit (glimpses of God) in Galatians 5:22-23). Think back over the past week….. How many of these do you think your friends and family have glimpsed in you?
5. Which ones and what were the circumstances?
6. When did you last positively encourage someone and what were the circumstances?
7. Do you regularly smile at strangers? If not, will you start doing it?