Series: Called
Message: Essential Gospel
Preacher: Jessyka Albert
Reflection: Jessyka Albert
Live Wonder: Zan Long
Live Adventure: Zan Long
Live Purpose: Jason Calvert
Editor: Becky De Oliveira

Refresh: Begin with prayer. Ask for the Holy Spirit to open your heart to new understanding and for God’s character to be revealed.

Read: Romans 1:8-17 in the New Living Translation (NLT). Note 1–3 insights or questions.

Reflect: A few years ago, some friends and I made plans to spend New Year's Eve in New York City! We had heard stories of the diehards who would arrive at Times Square at five in the morning and wait in line to be right where the action was. We were a little more low key in our approach and got into the city by early afternoon and spent some time walking around, eating, shopping, and seeing the sights. Finally, at around eight o'clock in the evening, we decided to get somewhat close to Times Square so we could have a chance to see the famous ball drop at the stroke of midnight. 

As we were herded through different gates, we were also walked through various “security checkpoints.” Security was at an all-time high, the reason for this being that ISIS had made a pointed threat against New York City and various other areas for this particular New Year's Eve. No bags were allowed in any of the fenced-off areas near the production. People were either throwing fits about their bags or throwing them in the trash so they could get in. 

All of our families were slightly worried about our choice of location for New Year's Eve, but one family member surpassed them all in a display of hand-wringing worry. My friend Maile’s grandpa, or Paw Paw as we call him, told us the next morning that he “spent the entire night on his knees praying for us!” Knowing Paw Paw, I absolutely believe this to be true. 

Paul mentions in his letter to Rome that “without ceasing I mention you always in my prayers.” It’s an incredible thing to know you’ve been prayed for, that someone is talking to God about your well being, your growth, your life. 

Just recently, my friend Alexis who is at Loma Linda in her first year of medical school, called me about her upcoming tests. She said she needed “so much prayer” for them. I told her I’d be praying and I would text my mom and grandma to get in on this action as well. Immediately, I could hear the relief in her voice. 

Prayer is powerful. Just like my mom and grandma, and my friend Paw Paw, and the apostle Paul, praying about, over, or for someone is something we should be doing without ceasing. 

Recalibrate: How would you define your prayer life? 

Respond: Choose someone for whom you can pray without ceasing today. 

Research: Look into the health benefits of prayer.

Remember:  I am not ashamed of the Good News. It is the power God uses to save everyone who believes—to save the Jews first, and then to save the non-Jews.  (Romans 1:16, ICB).

Jessyka Albert is associate pastor at Boulder Adventist Church with a special responsibility for children's ministry. She is a native of Washington State and a graduate of Union College. Jessyka is known for her passion, energy, and fun-loving approach to sharing the gospel in creative ways.

Play a game of “What would you like to do today?" with your child. Play with all your heart because that is what love does. Do the things your child wants to do as if you were doing them with (and for) Jesus. That’s what love is.

Do as many good and kind things for the people around you as you can. See if you can dogood things without using words and saykind things using words. You might like to get together with a friend and adventure together.

David and Goliath. I assuming you’ve heard this story—spoiler alert, David kills Goliath. When you think about this story, what comes to mind? (I encourage you to go back and read I Samuel 16,17.) The story begins with Samuel being told by God to go to Jesse’s house to anoint the next king of Israel. Samuel doesn’t yet know who will be anointed, but God points him in the right direction. That’s how God works sometimes. God wants to know and be known by you. God leads us to trust Him. God gets Samuel close. Then, in order to land on the answer, Samuel is in constant conversation with God. Samuel needs God. Is there something specific you have been asking God for? What if He is getting you close so that you will recognize your need to partner with Him for the specifics?