Focus 4 | I Can Depend
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Consider this ice breaker as you gather for the Spotlight.
What is your go-to lunch at work?
What is your go-to lunch at work?
See what this Spotlight—and series—is focused on.
Tap on the words "Focus 4" in the image below to read this Spotlight's summary.
Tap on the words "Focus 4" in the image below to read this Spotlight's summary.
Listen to this audio clip when you’re ready to begin today’s Spotlight.
(And welcome, by the way! It’s great that you’re here!)
(And welcome, by the way! It’s great that you’re here!)
Why is it so hard to trust?
(Spoiler: Humans are awful at being trustworthy.)
As you watch this Trust Fall Fails video, notice the variety of ways it goes wrong. Sometimes, it’s the one falling. Sometimes, it’s the ones catching. Sometimes, it’s a wild combination of the two. This is true in all trust! For one reason or another, attempts to trust go wrong—and if it happens enough, you don’t just stop trusting people. You stop trusting trust.
(Spoiler: Humans are awful at being trustworthy.)
As you watch this Trust Fall Fails video, notice the variety of ways it goes wrong. Sometimes, it’s the one falling. Sometimes, it’s the ones catching. Sometimes, it’s a wild combination of the two. This is true in all trust! For one reason or another, attempts to trust go wrong—and if it happens enough, you don’t just stop trusting people. You stop trusting trust.
Today, think about the goodness of trusting something worth trusting.
“Happy are those who trust in the Lord, who rely on the Lord.”
Jeremiah 17:7
“Happy are those who trust in the Lord, who rely on the Lord.”
Jeremiah 17:7
Welcome Perspective
Listen to this song about trust.
Lyrics for Psalm 86 by Jenny & Tyler
O Lord my God, incline your ear
and answer me for I am poor.
Preserve my life, rescue this slave
who trusts in you, O Lord my God.
O Lord my God, show me your grace.
To you I cry all the day.
Make glad this soul; your servant save.
My soul I lift, to you my God.
Teach me your way and I
will walk in your truth—in your truth.
Unite my heart that I
may fear only you—only you.
O Lord my God, you are so good,
quick to forgive, and bountiful
in lovingkindness to everyone
who calls on you, O Lord my God.
Teach me your way and I
will walk in your truth—in your truth.
Unite my heart that I
may fear only you—only you. Only you.
O Lord my God, I will give thanks
with my whole heart and glorify
your name forever, for you have saved
my soul from hell, O Lord my God.
Teach me your way and I
will walk in your truth—in your truth.
Unite my heart that I
may fear only you—only you.
Teach me your way and I
will walk in your truth—in your truth.
Unite my heart that I
may fear only you—only you.
Only you. Only you.
O Lord my God, incline your ear
and answer me for I am poor.
Preserve my life, rescue this slave
who trusts in you, O Lord my God.
O Lord my God, show me your grace.
To you I cry all the day.
Make glad this soul; your servant save.
My soul I lift, to you my God.
Teach me your way and I
will walk in your truth—in your truth.
Unite my heart that I
may fear only you—only you.
O Lord my God, you are so good,
quick to forgive, and bountiful
in lovingkindness to everyone
who calls on you, O Lord my God.
Teach me your way and I
will walk in your truth—in your truth.
Unite my heart that I
may fear only you—only you. Only you.
O Lord my God, I will give thanks
with my whole heart and glorify
your name forever, for you have saved
my soul from hell, O Lord my God.
Teach me your way and I
will walk in your truth—in your truth.
Unite my heart that I
may fear only you—only you.
Teach me your way and I
will walk in your truth—in your truth.
Unite my heart that I
may fear only you—only you.
Only you. Only you.
How do you know God is trustworthy?
Read along with this audio clip.
(The words included here are compiled from throughout the Old Testament of the Bible—dozens of statements from people who had personally experienced the trustworthiness of God. Speak with them. The text can be found below the audio player.)
(The words included here are compiled from throughout the Old Testament of the Bible—dozens of statements from people who had personally experienced the trustworthiness of God. Speak with them. The text can be found below the audio player.)
The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble.
He cares for those who trust in him.
Happy are those who trust in the Lord, who rely on the Lord.
The Lord is close to everyone who calls out to him,
to all who call out to him sincerely.
Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
I will say of the Lord,
“He is my refuge and my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust.”
The Lord is my strength and my shield;
my heart trusts in him, and he helps me.
My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him.
O Lord, you are my God; I will exalt you,
I will give thanks to your name;
For you have worked wonders—plans formed long ago—with perfect faithfulness.
In you our fathers trusted;
they trusted and you delivered them.
To you they cried out and were delivered;
in you they trusted and were not disappointed.
Those who know your name trust in you,
for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you.
They won’t be frightened at bad news.
Their hearts are steady, trusting in the Lord.
Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love,
for I have put my trust in you.
Show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust my life.
Know therefore that the Lord your God,
he is God, the faithful God,
who keeps his covenant and his lovingkindness to a thousandth generation
with those who love him and keep his commandments.
In God, whose word I praise—in God I trust and am not afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?
The Lord is my strength and my shield.
My heart trusts him.
I was helped, my heart rejoiced, and I thank him with my song.
He cares for those who trust in him.
Happy are those who trust in the Lord, who rely on the Lord.
The Lord is close to everyone who calls out to him,
to all who call out to him sincerely.
Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
I will say of the Lord,
“He is my refuge and my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust.”
The Lord is my strength and my shield;
my heart trusts in him, and he helps me.
My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him.
O Lord, you are my God; I will exalt you,
I will give thanks to your name;
For you have worked wonders—plans formed long ago—with perfect faithfulness.
In you our fathers trusted;
they trusted and you delivered them.
To you they cried out and were delivered;
in you they trusted and were not disappointed.
Those who know your name trust in you,
for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you.
They won’t be frightened at bad news.
Their hearts are steady, trusting in the Lord.
Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love,
for I have put my trust in you.
Show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust my life.
Know therefore that the Lord your God,
he is God, the faithful God,
who keeps his covenant and his lovingkindness to a thousandth generation
with those who love him and keep his commandments.
In God, whose word I praise—in God I trust and am not afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?
The Lord is my strength and my shield.
My heart trusts him.
I was helped, my heart rejoiced, and I thank him with my song.
Listen to this song and let it be the song with which you thank God for his trustworthiness.
Lyrics for His Wings by Josh Garrels
Oh my soul, sing my soul,
you’ve been rescued by the King.
Oh my soul, sing my soul,
he scattered your enemies.
Like wind to leaves—
like wind to leaves—
scattered like the wind to leaves.
Oh my soul, be not afraid
of the terror by night
or of those who wish you harm;
his right hand will hold you tight.
His eye is upon you
and he has the strongest arms—
the very strongest arms.
Oh my soul, hope in peace.
Fear the Lord, you saints and children.
The Lord is near, our Lord is near,
and his justice is with him
and healing’s in his wings,
and healing’s in his wings,
healing is in his wings—
yeah, healing is in his wings.
We praise your name, Lord.
We praise your name ‘till the day we die.
We praise your name, Lord.
We praise your name when we’re lifted up—up on high.
We praise your name, Lord.
We praise your name ‘till the day we die.
We praise your name, Lord.
We praise your name when we’re lifted up—up on high.
Oh my soul, sing my soul,
you’ve been rescued by the King.
Oh my soul, sing my soul,
he scattered your enemies.
Like wind to leaves—
like wind to leaves—
scattered like the wind to leaves.
Oh my soul, be not afraid
of the terror by night
or of those who wish you harm;
his right hand will hold you tight.
His eye is upon you
and he has the strongest arms—
the very strongest arms.
Oh my soul, hope in peace.
Fear the Lord, you saints and children.
The Lord is near, our Lord is near,
and his justice is with him
and healing’s in his wings,
and healing’s in his wings,
healing is in his wings—
yeah, healing is in his wings.
We praise your name, Lord.
We praise your name ‘till the day we die.
We praise your name, Lord.
We praise your name when we’re lifted up—up on high.
We praise your name, Lord.
We praise your name ‘till the day we die.
We praise your name, Lord.
We praise your name when we’re lifted up—up on high.
Worship Perspective
Discover the reason for trust in these historical, Biblical accounts.
Click the arrow in the frame below to begin navigating through the experience.
Click the arrow in the frame below to begin navigating through the experience.
Discover the power you don’t have (and the power you do have.)
(This is why this Spotlight is called “I Can Depend.”)
You don’t have the power to overcome or accomplish all, but you do have the power to trust God no matter what.
Where does that power come from? It is given to you by the promises of God.
Look through this list of promises, asking yourself, “what power does each of these give me?” as you go.
You can scroll through the frame below—both up and down as well as side-to-side—to see everything. You can also add in your own examples by pressing the plus (+) icons.
(This is why this Spotlight is called “I Can Depend.”)
You don’t have the power to overcome or accomplish all, but you do have the power to trust God no matter what.
Where does that power come from? It is given to you by the promises of God.
Look through this list of promises, asking yourself, “what power does each of these give me?” as you go.
You can scroll through the frame below—both up and down as well as side-to-side—to see everything. You can also add in your own examples by pressing the plus (+) icons.
Continue your interactive experience about journeying into weakness.
The Apostle Peter had a unique perspective on weakness due to a series of significant events in his life. Let’s get into part four of his journey. (We went through parts one through three in the last few Spotlights.)
Click the arrow in the frame below to begin navigating through the experience.
The Apostle Peter had a unique perspective on weakness due to a series of significant events in his life. Let’s get into part four of his journey. (We went through parts one through three in the last few Spotlights.)
Click the arrow in the frame below to begin navigating through the experience.
Learn Perspective
Read this article to continue our Seattle Parents of Preemies partnership.
If you haven’t caught the beginning parts of this Spotlight series yet, Illume is partnering with “Seattle Parents of Preemies” throughout the month of January. As you consider “letting the weak say I am strong” this month, please add preemies and their parents to your prayers.
This week, consider how parents of preemies can feel the affects of PTSD. Read the article, and reflect: How can you take into consideration the traumatic stress parents have been through when you’re trying to serve them?
+ READ THE ARTICLE
If you haven’t caught the beginning parts of this Spotlight series yet, Illume is partnering with “Seattle Parents of Preemies” throughout the month of January. As you consider “letting the weak say I am strong” this month, please add preemies and their parents to your prayers.
This week, consider how parents of preemies can feel the affects of PTSD. Read the article, and reflect: How can you take into consideration the traumatic stress parents have been through when you’re trying to serve them?
+ READ THE ARTICLE
Pray along with this prayer written by a mother whose premature baby was in the NICU.
As you pray, listen also for insight into the experience of the parents of premature children.
As you pray, listen also for insight into the experience of the parents of premature children.
Feel free to submit a prayer request by filling out the below form.
(If you choose to make your request public, you'll see it display in the Current at the end of the Spotlight along with anyone else who did the same.)
(If you choose to make your request public, you'll see it display in the Current at the end of the Spotlight along with anyone else who did the same.)
Pray through your requests—together—as a group.
After submitting your requests in the above form, take some time to share with your group whatever requests the group might have for this week.
After submitting your requests in the above form, take some time to share with your group whatever requests the group might have for this week.
Serve Perspective
Listen and meditate to this song.
Sing along with (or listen to) this song to close out this Spotlight.
Feel free to sing along or simply listen. Do what makes you comfortable—but do whatever helps you focus on the song's meaning best.
Feel free to sing along or simply listen. Do what makes you comfortable—but do whatever helps you focus on the song's meaning best.
Farewell Perspective
Let's wrap things up by taking a look at what's Current at Illume.
Tap on the buttons in the frame below to see what’s currently happening at Illume—information on everything from current and upcoming online content to live events and opportunities to serve in the community can all be found here.
Tap on the buttons in the frame below to see what’s currently happening at Illume—information on everything from current and upcoming online content to live events and opportunities to serve in the community can all be found here.
Posted in On Letting the Weak Say I Am Strong
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