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 Message (MSG). Note 1–3 insights or questions.

Reflect: As we read yesterday, Paul prayed without ceasing for the people in Rome. He also prayed fervently that he might get the chance to visit them. It’s as if Paul knew that letters just weren’t enough. There is something incredible and necessary about being in the same place as someone else. The much-overused cliché is that we are the "most connected and disconnected" people of all time. We have the opportunity to text, call, email, or FaceTime anyone in the world within seconds, yet we’re finding ourselves disconnected at the dinner table or in line at the supermarket. 

Recently, I visited my family in Switzerland. Because of distance, work, school, and money, we are only able to see each other about once every two years. I’ve watched my baby cousins grow by leaps and bounds in between our visits in the same way I know my aunts, uncles, and grandparents have had to watch me grow—from a distance. We have stayed in touch through phone calls and sharing photos, but it just isn’t quite the same. 

Paul’s earnestness to be with the people of Rome reminds us of the importance for us also to be together. He continues on to say, “For I long to see you that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to strengthen you—that is, that we may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith, both yours and mine.” 

Paul had sent this letter, but he still knew it wasn’t enough. He knew that by being with one another and encouraging one another, the people's faith would grow. That’s why it’s not enough to just listen to a sermon or even read the Daily Walk. We were created to be connected. Technology gives us the opportunity to be connected with people whom we may never have had the chance to connect with otherwise, but it is not enough. 

As followers of Jesus, we should be labeled as some of the most connected people in the world! 

Recalibrate: Whom has Jesus called you to connect with?

Respond: Pray for God to show you the ways you have disconnected from others and ask for guidance in finding a way forward.

Research: How has technology affected your relationships?

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.

Help your little one with something they are struggling with today. Watch them get stronger the more you work together. Know that God longs to work with you to make you stronger in Jesus' name.

Pick an exercise—perhaps jumping jacks or pushups or jumping rope. Set yourself a goal for how many repetitions you want to do or how many minutes you want to exercise. Before you start, think about what kind of trainer Jesus would be. Ask Him to help you do what you need to do today.

Before we continue, it’s worth realizing that this story almost didn’t happen. The only reason it did is that several small, seemingly insignificant choices were made. So God gets Samuel close—Jesse’s family which happens to have eight sons. After Jesse parades, by name, his first seven sons, Samuel says none of them are the next king. Then Jesse refers to the youngest son—he doesn’t even call him by name but by his current position, “the youngest who is tending sheep.” David was totally overlooked. He wasn’t even invited to be considered. Basically, no one saw potential in him. “David and Goliath” almost didn’t happen. But God noticed David. Have you ever not been picked? Have you ever felt like no one understood you or believed in your potential? Good news! God sees. God loves. God calls. God has plans for you.