Your gifts in relation to God's grace - a morning devotion

We are currently training a new group of Superintendent Ministers for the Methodist Church of Southern Africa (for those who are not familiar with Methodist structures, a Superintendent Minister has a ministry of oversight that is placed between the local Church and the office of the Bishop. Usually the Superintendent will have responsibility for a number of Churches and ministers in a geographical area called a Circuit. A Bishop has responsibility for managing Superintendents etc.)

Since this is a position that comes with some prominence and power one constantly needs to guard against pride and the abuse of that power. This morning I lead the opening devotions from Ephesians 2:8-10 and the following quote from John Calvin:

Nearly all wisdom we possess, that is to say, true and sound wisdom, consists of two parts: the knowledge of God and of ourselves. But, while joined by many bonds, which one precedes and brings forth the other is not easy to discern. In the first place, no one can look upon oneself without immediately turning [one's] thoughts to the contemplation of God, in whom one "lives and moves" (Acts 17:28). For, quite clearly, the mighty gifts with which we are endowed are hardly from ourselves; indeed, our very being is nothing but subsistence in the one God.

Here's an excerpt from the little liturgy:

THE PREPARATION
This is the day that the Lord has made.
We will rejoice and be glad in it!


PRAYER OF APPROACH
Lord our God,
eternal and wonderful,
wholly to be trusted:
you give life to all;
you help those who come to you
and give hope to those who call on you.
Set our hearts and minds at peace,
that we may bring our prayers to you
with confidence and joy;

Lord our God,
In this moment of prayer let me hear again, that it was not I who first chose you, but you who chose me. Save me from all false pride which might dare lead me to believe that you chose me because of merit, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

HYMN:
Ha ke le tje, ke le mobe,
Ke le ea khesehang,
Na har?a baetsalibe
?Na ke bonoe joang?

Jo! Ke mohlolo-hlolo
Ha ke ratoa le ?na
Ka rato le lekalo,
Le ke Morena.

[Oh, what a surprise when I've been loved by my Lord, being such a sinner myself]

If you're interested you can download the complete liturgy with hymns and prayers here.

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