Read Colossians 1:22, Romans 3:21-26. Revelation 21
A friend of mine told me about a near drowning experience he had as a teenager. He was a well trained swimmer but was caught in a rip and was in desperate trouble in the ocean. He probably thought he was going to die. As the life saver came up to him, this drowning fellow tried to help and assist the life saver. To his amazement the life saver said, ‘Don’t help me’.
These are the words we need to remember about our salvation. We cannot help Jesus save us. We cannot do anything to merit salvation. We cannot do anything to make God love us. We cannot make ourselves better candidates for salvation. Like the man being rescued from the surf, we need to let our heavenly life saver do it all.
The good news is that He has done it all. He has paid the price in full and has purchased salvation for us. Through His physical body Christ has reconciled us to God. God presented Jesus as a sacrifice of atonement for our sins and we are saved freely by His grace.
This is very humbling stuff. When we come before the Lord in our quiet times it’s good to remember that God has saved us by grace. It’s good to recall that we contribute nothing to our own salvation.
As we stand humbly before God, whether corporately or privately, remembering that we are saved by faith and faith alone, we are led to praise God, to adore Him and to thank Him for all that He’s done on our behalf.
Prayer:-
ü Pray for the two weeks of mission in September. Pray that we will have many labourers willing to go out into the mission field to declare that faith in Christ is the only way to be saved. Pray that God would prepare the hearts of the community to hear the message and to place their faith/trust in Jesus.
ü Pray for the two colleges in Myanmar that we support as they train up people to preach the Word and reach the unbelievers. Pray that this message of faith will be heard by many and that more and more people would come to faith and repentance. Pray that the colleges have all they need to continue this great work of reaching people for Christ.
Tuesday 31 August 2010
Monday 30 August 2010
Monday August 30, 2010
Read Colossians 1:21. Romans 3:9-20. 1 John 5:19
It’s a hard pill to swallow when we talk about the whole world being under the power of sin and born into sin. It’s hard to accept that people, even people we call ‘good people,’ are under the condemnation of sin if they have not repented and called on Jesus for salvation. Our Lord Himself tells us that those who do not believe stand under condemnation right now (John 3:18) because of their unbelief.
Our God has sent His son on a rescue mission to save all people’s in the world. Indeed, He longs for all men to be saved. He wants and yearns for the unbelievers you know to come into a faith-relationship with Christ Jesus. God loves these people and shows His love for them. This is where many a false teaching comes out. God loves them and calls them to repent and believe. Far too many authors and theologians have concluded that because of this there is no need to repent and call on Jesus for salvation. If God is love then all will be saved. Rest assured that biblically this is heretical. It is a false teaching and needs to be repented of. God’s wrath and judgment are real. He will call all people’s to account, and He will condemn those who refuse to come to Jesus in repentance and faith.
Rather than entertain heretical thoughts and delude ourselves with unbiblical notions, this truth of God’s judgement should motivate us and spur us on to share the good news of Jesus’ life, death and resurrection with others. It should drive us to make the most of every opportunity to share the love of Jesus with anyone who will listen. This truth should fill us with enthusiasm because we know the other side of the coin - “anyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
Prayer:-
ü Pray that you will have opportunity to share the gospel, the good news, with someone today. Pray that you might have the joy, the exceeding joy, of leading someone to Christ this week.
ü Pray that our missions in September will bring many people into our Lord’s kingdom, pulling them out of darkness into his wonderful light.
ü Pray that we will see a revival towards Jesus in Pakistan where there is much persecution against Jesus and hatred of his name. Uphold our brothers and sisters in that land in prayerfulness.
MEAT 4 THE MATURE
List 3 people you know personally who are still under the Lord’s condemnation.
1/.
2/.
3/.
Pray for their salvation and pray for an opportunity to share the good news with them this week. Try to create opportunities to share with them this week.
It’s a hard pill to swallow when we talk about the whole world being under the power of sin and born into sin. It’s hard to accept that people, even people we call ‘good people,’ are under the condemnation of sin if they have not repented and called on Jesus for salvation. Our Lord Himself tells us that those who do not believe stand under condemnation right now (John 3:18) because of their unbelief.
Our God has sent His son on a rescue mission to save all people’s in the world. Indeed, He longs for all men to be saved. He wants and yearns for the unbelievers you know to come into a faith-relationship with Christ Jesus. God loves these people and shows His love for them. This is where many a false teaching comes out. God loves them and calls them to repent and believe. Far too many authors and theologians have concluded that because of this there is no need to repent and call on Jesus for salvation. If God is love then all will be saved. Rest assured that biblically this is heretical. It is a false teaching and needs to be repented of. God’s wrath and judgment are real. He will call all people’s to account, and He will condemn those who refuse to come to Jesus in repentance and faith.
Rather than entertain heretical thoughts and delude ourselves with unbiblical notions, this truth of God’s judgement should motivate us and spur us on to share the good news of Jesus’ life, death and resurrection with others. It should drive us to make the most of every opportunity to share the love of Jesus with anyone who will listen. This truth should fill us with enthusiasm because we know the other side of the coin - “anyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
Prayer:-
ü Pray that you will have opportunity to share the gospel, the good news, with someone today. Pray that you might have the joy, the exceeding joy, of leading someone to Christ this week.
ü Pray that our missions in September will bring many people into our Lord’s kingdom, pulling them out of darkness into his wonderful light.
ü Pray that we will see a revival towards Jesus in Pakistan where there is much persecution against Jesus and hatred of his name. Uphold our brothers and sisters in that land in prayerfulness.
MEAT 4 THE MATURE
List 3 people you know personally who are still under the Lord’s condemnation.
1/.
2/.
3/.
Pray for their salvation and pray for an opportunity to share the good news with them this week. Try to create opportunities to share with them this week.
Saturday 28 August 2010
Saturday August 28, 2010
Read Acts 2:29-36. Revelation 20:7-15
If someone were to ask you, “What’s wrong with the world?”, how would you answer? Take time to answer that question before you read on.
In this broken world we do not see Christ as Lord of all things and all people because there are still enemies of our Lord. There are people and beings who still choose to rebel against the authority and Lordship of Jesus. God is not blind or stupid. He knows this very well.
But God has set a day on which He will judge the world and all peoples and beings for their rebellion against God. They will be thrown to the lake of burning sulphur and fire. They will be dealt with once for all time.
After that time God will establish a new heaven and earth in which those who love Jesus will dwell for all eternity. This brave new world will be the world that we long for and hope for. It will be a place where there are no tears (except perhaps tears of extreme joy). There will be no sickness, injury or defilement. There will be no sinners, no evil people and no one who wants to pervert God’s perfect ways. It will be a place where the funeral bells no longer toll, for death has been swallowed up in victory. Death and Hades will have been thrown into the lake of fire.
Tomorrow as you gather for church you are gathering before the Lord to whom every knee shall bow. You will be standing before the one who shall victoriously place His feet on the necks of all His enemies. How shall you come before such a great and fearful God? Shall your heart be prepared? Shall your mind be ready? Will you come cleansed by His forgiveness? Will you come ready to rededicate your life to Him, to serve Him and to love Him with your heart, soul, mind and strength?
Prayer:-
ü Pray that everyone in your congregation will come ready to meet with the living Lord tomorrow. Pray that our hearts, minds and lives will be ready to stand in God’s presence tomorrow.
ü Pray that as the nation’s churches gather tomorrow that the gospel will be clearly and faithfully explained from the pulpit. Ask God to bring non believers into the church to hear the gospel and that faith and repentance will be granted to thousands upon thousands across the land.
MEAT 4 THE MATURE
Prepare yourself for worship tomorrow by reading the passage and praying through it.
Seek forgiveness where necessary and if you are involved in any broken or fractured relationships, seek to restore them before tomorrow.
If someone were to ask you, “What’s wrong with the world?”, how would you answer? Take time to answer that question before you read on.
In this broken world we do not see Christ as Lord of all things and all people because there are still enemies of our Lord. There are people and beings who still choose to rebel against the authority and Lordship of Jesus. God is not blind or stupid. He knows this very well.
But God has set a day on which He will judge the world and all peoples and beings for their rebellion against God. They will be thrown to the lake of burning sulphur and fire. They will be dealt with once for all time.
After that time God will establish a new heaven and earth in which those who love Jesus will dwell for all eternity. This brave new world will be the world that we long for and hope for. It will be a place where there are no tears (except perhaps tears of extreme joy). There will be no sickness, injury or defilement. There will be no sinners, no evil people and no one who wants to pervert God’s perfect ways. It will be a place where the funeral bells no longer toll, for death has been swallowed up in victory. Death and Hades will have been thrown into the lake of fire.
Tomorrow as you gather for church you are gathering before the Lord to whom every knee shall bow. You will be standing before the one who shall victoriously place His feet on the necks of all His enemies. How shall you come before such a great and fearful God? Shall your heart be prepared? Shall your mind be ready? Will you come cleansed by His forgiveness? Will you come ready to rededicate your life to Him, to serve Him and to love Him with your heart, soul, mind and strength?
Prayer:-
ü Pray that everyone in your congregation will come ready to meet with the living Lord tomorrow. Pray that our hearts, minds and lives will be ready to stand in God’s presence tomorrow.
ü Pray that as the nation’s churches gather tomorrow that the gospel will be clearly and faithfully explained from the pulpit. Ask God to bring non believers into the church to hear the gospel and that faith and repentance will be granted to thousands upon thousands across the land.
MEAT 4 THE MATURE
Prepare yourself for worship tomorrow by reading the passage and praying through it.
Seek forgiveness where necessary and if you are involved in any broken or fractured relationships, seek to restore them before tomorrow.
Friday 27 August 2010
Friday August 27, 2010
Read Hebrews 1
Jesus is Lord! “Amen”, you say. Jesus is Lord! “Hallelujah”, you cry. Jesus is Lord! “Maranatha”, your heart sings.
What seems obvious to you and I as believers is far from obvious to a non believers in a broken world. A mother watches helplessly as her baby dies from surgery complications. A young man is mugged and beaten senseless down town while picking up milk from the local corner shop. A struggling family has their life savings stolen one night as they are out visiting friends. A young teenager watches a video of strange lights in the sky, allegedly from extra terrestrial beings. An older gentleman watches the nightly news lamenting the worsening status of the world since his youth. Where is God? Is Jesus really Lord? Why is there so much evil and suffering?
As believers who know the truth of Jesus’ lordship we cannot afford to dismiss these difficult issues and questions. We need to have answers for the world. We need to be able to engage the world and to loving show them the Lordship of Christ even in a broken world. But be warned! This is not just a verbal exercise. We may need to weep with those who weep, mourn with those who mourn. We may need to get deep into the pit with the lost and helpless. We may need to give until it hurts. We may need to make huge sacrifices so that the world
sees the Lordship of Christ through us.
So where do I start finding answers? Start reading the Bible systematically, seeking to find the origin of sin and how the Bible deals with sin and corruption, even in the face of the Lordship of Christ. Read what others have said about the problem of evil and suffering. Practice answering such questions with a trusted friend so that when crunch time comes, you are not caught short.
Prayer:-
ü Ask God to equip every person in your congregation with the ability to engage the world and to deal with the road blocks to the faith. Pray that God’s Word would be the source of authority and foundation of all that we believe and teach the world.
ü Pray for the missions coming up in September (College Mission and Kids Games Week). Pray that we would have adequate labourers for the harvest field. Pray for adequate finances. Pray for the people who’ll be speaking and giving talks. Pray that every member of the congregation would be involved and able to lead someone to Christ.
MEAT 4 THE MATURE
How would you answer someone who says, ‘Why is there so much suffering and evil in the world?’
Jesus is Lord! “Amen”, you say. Jesus is Lord! “Hallelujah”, you cry. Jesus is Lord! “Maranatha”, your heart sings.
What seems obvious to you and I as believers is far from obvious to a non believers in a broken world. A mother watches helplessly as her baby dies from surgery complications. A young man is mugged and beaten senseless down town while picking up milk from the local corner shop. A struggling family has their life savings stolen one night as they are out visiting friends. A young teenager watches a video of strange lights in the sky, allegedly from extra terrestrial beings. An older gentleman watches the nightly news lamenting the worsening status of the world since his youth. Where is God? Is Jesus really Lord? Why is there so much evil and suffering?
As believers who know the truth of Jesus’ lordship we cannot afford to dismiss these difficult issues and questions. We need to have answers for the world. We need to be able to engage the world and to loving show them the Lordship of Christ even in a broken world. But be warned! This is not just a verbal exercise. We may need to weep with those who weep, mourn with those who mourn. We may need to get deep into the pit with the lost and helpless. We may need to give until it hurts. We may need to make huge sacrifices so that the world
sees the Lordship of Christ through us.
So where do I start finding answers? Start reading the Bible systematically, seeking to find the origin of sin and how the Bible deals with sin and corruption, even in the face of the Lordship of Christ. Read what others have said about the problem of evil and suffering. Practice answering such questions with a trusted friend so that when crunch time comes, you are not caught short.
Prayer:-
ü Ask God to equip every person in your congregation with the ability to engage the world and to deal with the road blocks to the faith. Pray that God’s Word would be the source of authority and foundation of all that we believe and teach the world.
ü Pray for the missions coming up in September (College Mission and Kids Games Week). Pray that we would have adequate labourers for the harvest field. Pray for adequate finances. Pray for the people who’ll be speaking and giving talks. Pray that every member of the congregation would be involved and able to lead someone to Christ.
MEAT 4 THE MATURE
How would you answer someone who says, ‘Why is there so much suffering and evil in the world?’
Thursday 26 August 2010
Thursday August 26, 2010
Read Colossians 1:19-20
When Jesus died on the cross for the sins of the world we often think of the human world as the realm for which He died - and rightly so. But there is a realm that we rarely think about - the heavenly realm.
Hebrews 9:23 says:-
It was necessary, then, for the copies of the heavenly things to be purified with these sacrifices, but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these.
Jesus’ blood brought reconciliation and cleansing to the earthly realm and also to the heavenly realm. All things in creation, on earth and in the heavens, have been affected by the blood of Christ Jesus.
When we talk about the Lordship of Jesus and His exaltation, we need to remember that He has been exalted far above all humans, all angels, all powers and dominions, all authorities and principalities in the heavenly realms. Jesus is Lord of everything. Hallelujah.
Prayer:-
ü Spend time praising God for the Lordship of Christ Jesus.
ü Pray that many people in Iraq would see the Lordship of Christ and come to worship Him through the proclamation of our brothers and sisters in that war torn land.
ü Pray that many non believers in Toowoomba would see the Lordship of Christ through our 2 weeks of mission and that they would repent and believe in Him for eternal life. Pray that we would have great reason to celebrate as many people turn to Christ in repentance and faith.
When Jesus died on the cross for the sins of the world we often think of the human world as the realm for which He died - and rightly so. But there is a realm that we rarely think about - the heavenly realm.
Hebrews 9:23 says:-
It was necessary, then, for the copies of the heavenly things to be purified with these sacrifices, but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these.
Jesus’ blood brought reconciliation and cleansing to the earthly realm and also to the heavenly realm. All things in creation, on earth and in the heavens, have been affected by the blood of Christ Jesus.
When we talk about the Lordship of Jesus and His exaltation, we need to remember that He has been exalted far above all humans, all angels, all powers and dominions, all authorities and principalities in the heavenly realms. Jesus is Lord of everything. Hallelujah.
Prayer:-
ü Spend time praising God for the Lordship of Christ Jesus.
ü Pray that many people in Iraq would see the Lordship of Christ and come to worship Him through the proclamation of our brothers and sisters in that war torn land.
ü Pray that many non believers in Toowoomba would see the Lordship of Christ through our 2 weeks of mission and that they would repent and believe in Him for eternal life. Pray that we would have great reason to celebrate as many people turn to Christ in repentance and faith.
Wednesday 25 August 2010
Wednesday August 25, 2010
Read Colossians 1:18, Ephesians 4:7-16
Jesus is the head of the church. Surely no believer would doubt that! Jesus purchased us for Himself, and hence for the church, with His own blood. He was raised to life as both Lord and Judge, being given headship and lordship over the church. Jesus, by His exalted position has supremacy in all things.
This relatively simple teaching has immense implications for each and every believer. Let me spell out a few-
If Jesus is the head of the church, then the church when gathered needs to be communing with its head through
Prayer:-
ü Pray for our September missions. From Sep 12 we have the college team coming up for an intense week of mission. Pray for the Kingdom of God to grow through this week of mission. Pray that we would see many non Christians come along to our events. Pray that we would see people come along that God has prepared to hear and respond to the gospel. Pray that all preparations would go well. From Sep 20-24 we have a Kids Games week. Pray that we’d have enough helpers to run the program well. Pray that many non church families would come along and ask God to allow us to minister to whole families during the week. Pray for conversions during this week as well.
ü Pray that each person in the congregation would be communing with Christ through prayer during the week. Pray that as a congregation we would be prayerful and in deep communion with our heavenly Lord.
Jesus is the head of the church. Surely no believer would doubt that! Jesus purchased us for Himself, and hence for the church, with His own blood. He was raised to life as both Lord and Judge, being given headship and lordship over the church. Jesus, by His exalted position has supremacy in all things.
This relatively simple teaching has immense implications for each and every believer. Let me spell out a few-
- If Jesus is the head and the church is His body then the church must be doing what Jesus did during His life on earth. Our mission as a church is Jesus’ mission. As a church we must be diligent to be doing Jesus’ work and not our own work. If we are busy doing things unrelated or unneeded in Jesus’ work then we need to repent and turn around.
- Every believer needs to belong to a church and needs to be actively involved. 1 Cor 12, Eph 4 and other passages make this exceedingly clear. There are no lone ranger Christians in the NT. Some statisticians have estimated that 30-50% of the body of Christ are absent any given Sonday. Since we are all vital members of the body of Christ, this is clearly a transgression of what God would have for His body. Indeed, we are told not to give up meeting together as some are in the habit of doing.
- With Jesus as our head we need to know the will and command of our commander. We need to be immersed in the Word and learning from the entire counsel of the Word.
If Jesus is the head of the church, then the church when gathered needs to be communing with its head through
- prayer. Someone rightly commented once, that a service without prayerfulness is nothing more than vain religion. Individuals should commune regularly through prayer as well.
Prayer:-
ü Pray for our September missions. From Sep 12 we have the college team coming up for an intense week of mission. Pray for the Kingdom of God to grow through this week of mission. Pray that we would see many non Christians come along to our events. Pray that we would see people come along that God has prepared to hear and respond to the gospel. Pray that all preparations would go well. From Sep 20-24 we have a Kids Games week. Pray that we’d have enough helpers to run the program well. Pray that many non church families would come along and ask God to allow us to minister to whole families during the week. Pray for conversions during this week as well.
ü Pray that each person in the congregation would be communing with Christ through prayer during the week. Pray that as a congregation we would be prayerful and in deep communion with our heavenly Lord.
Tuesday 24 August 2010
Tuesday August 24, 2010
Read Colossians 1:15-17
It’s quite possible that a member of a heretical religious group claiming to be Christian will one day knock on your door and tell you that Jesus is not God but rather is the first created being. They will probably also quote today’s verse, arguing that if Jesus were the first born of God, then He must have been created just like your firstborn son.
How would you refute them? How would you prove to them that Jesus is indeed God and was co-eternal with the Father? Could you show them the fallacy of their argument?
To begin, we need to understand that first born does not refer to time but to status and position. David was by no means the first born son of Jesse. He was in fact, the last born. He was by no means the first King God appointed in Israel. And yet in Psalm 89:27 we see that God will appoint him the first born son. David is given a position and dignity above all others! When Jesus is called ‘the first born’ it refers to His dignity and position. He is the one who created all things. He is the one who has rule over all creatures, both visible (earthly) and invisible (spiritual) and also over all authorities and rulers and powers.
Added to this, we need to realise that many passages talk of Jesus being God. Here’s a few passages for you to peruse and pray about. Cultic groups will twist these verses to prove their own point but persevere and always read verses in their context.
Romans 9:5, Hebrews 1:3, Hebrews 1:8, John 1:18, John 10:30-33, Revelation 1:8 cf 1:18. John 20:26-29. (be careful not to fall into the trap of believing that Thomas was simply speaking in bewilderment or any similar arguments).
The simple reality is that you and I need to know our Bibles well. We need to be able to prove our case beyond reasonable doubt whenever the need arises. And don’t be fooled. It’s not just cultic groups that have false beliefs. Non believers hold false beliefs in their head and heart and they often militantly seek to prove their point to anyone who would listen. You and I must be able to refute them and uphold the biblical truth.
Prayer:-
ü Pray for the mission week and kids game week coming up in September. Ask God to bring along many many people to hear the gospel. Pray that everyone in your congregation would be willing and ready to make the most of every opportunity.
ü Pray for David Jerald in India Bible Mission as he brings many Tamils to the Lord. Pray that these new converts will be grounded in the faith and will grow and mature quickly so that they too can go out making converts for the Lord.
MEAT 4 THE MATURE
Prepare a written answer, incorporating bible verses, to refute the idea that Jesus is the first created being and is not God.
Show your answer to another believer and pray for opportunities to share your answer with a non believer.
It’s quite possible that a member of a heretical religious group claiming to be Christian will one day knock on your door and tell you that Jesus is not God but rather is the first created being. They will probably also quote today’s verse, arguing that if Jesus were the first born of God, then He must have been created just like your firstborn son.
How would you refute them? How would you prove to them that Jesus is indeed God and was co-eternal with the Father? Could you show them the fallacy of their argument?
To begin, we need to understand that first born does not refer to time but to status and position. David was by no means the first born son of Jesse. He was in fact, the last born. He was by no means the first King God appointed in Israel. And yet in Psalm 89:27 we see that God will appoint him the first born son. David is given a position and dignity above all others! When Jesus is called ‘the first born’ it refers to His dignity and position. He is the one who created all things. He is the one who has rule over all creatures, both visible (earthly) and invisible (spiritual) and also over all authorities and rulers and powers.
Added to this, we need to realise that many passages talk of Jesus being God. Here’s a few passages for you to peruse and pray about. Cultic groups will twist these verses to prove their own point but persevere and always read verses in their context.
Romans 9:5, Hebrews 1:3, Hebrews 1:8, John 1:18, John 10:30-33, Revelation 1:8 cf 1:18. John 20:26-29. (be careful not to fall into the trap of believing that Thomas was simply speaking in bewilderment or any similar arguments).
The simple reality is that you and I need to know our Bibles well. We need to be able to prove our case beyond reasonable doubt whenever the need arises. And don’t be fooled. It’s not just cultic groups that have false beliefs. Non believers hold false beliefs in their head and heart and they often militantly seek to prove their point to anyone who would listen. You and I must be able to refute them and uphold the biblical truth.
Prayer:-
ü Pray for the mission week and kids game week coming up in September. Ask God to bring along many many people to hear the gospel. Pray that everyone in your congregation would be willing and ready to make the most of every opportunity.
ü Pray for David Jerald in India Bible Mission as he brings many Tamils to the Lord. Pray that these new converts will be grounded in the faith and will grow and mature quickly so that they too can go out making converts for the Lord.
MEAT 4 THE MATURE
Prepare a written answer, incorporating bible verses, to refute the idea that Jesus is the first created being and is not God.
Show your answer to another believer and pray for opportunities to share your answer with a non believer.
Monday 23 August 2010
Monday August 23, 2010
Read Colossians 1:15. John 14:9. Hebrews 1:3
If I had a dollar for the number of times I’ve heard people say, ‘I’d believe in God if I saw Him’, I’d be a very wealthy man. Even though most people have never seen their brain, they believe they have one. They’ve never seen wind, but they believe it’s there. They’ve never seen their emotions but again, no one denies it. Why does God get such “preferential” and special treatment. Of course, for many people it’s simply a smoke screen to allow them to continue living life the way they want to without having to submit to God. The logic may go something like this: If I see God, I’ll have to believe in Him and if I believe in Him I’ll have to submit to Him. Therefore, I’ll stay in my unbelief.
Colossians 1:15 describes Jesus in very stark terms. He is the image (the visible representation) of the invisible God. If you want to see God, look at Jesus. If you want to know the character of God, the essence of God, look at Jesus. There are four historically reliable and accurate accounts of the life, death and resurrection of Jesus. Feel free to check it out. If you don’t have a bible ring the office and we’ll get one for you.
Most non Christian historians have no problem with admitting that the Jesus of the Bible was a real historical character - as real as you and I. What they have trouble admitting is that this real historical character claimed to be the exact representation of God. He claimed to be one with God. He, in effect, claimed to be God. The crowd heard him clearly and picked up stones to stone him for what they thought was blasphemy because he was claiming to be God. Read it for yourself in John 10:31-33.
The truth is clear. Jesus is God. If you have seen Jesus then you have seen God. One day all creation, all people (past, present and future) will bow the knee and confess Jesus as Lord. Some will do it willingly and it will be a joyous day. Others will do it unwillingly and it will be the worst day of their eternity. Which will it be for you?
Prayer:-
ü Spend time pleading with God that during our mission week (September 12-19 and September 20-24) we will see many people come to confess Jesus as Lord. Pray that we will be able to share the good news with hundreds of people. Ask God to grant each of them repentance and faith in Christ Jesus so that his name will be lifted up.
ü Pray for the India Bible Mission as they continue to see many Tamil’s come to the Lord. Pray that we will see God provide Tamil Bibles in the mass numbers needed. Pray for more labourers in this vast harvest field.
MEAT 4 THE MATURE
Prepare a written answer for the statement ‘I’d believe in God if I saw him’.
Ask God for an opportunity to share your answer with a non believer.
If I had a dollar for the number of times I’ve heard people say, ‘I’d believe in God if I saw Him’, I’d be a very wealthy man. Even though most people have never seen their brain, they believe they have one. They’ve never seen wind, but they believe it’s there. They’ve never seen their emotions but again, no one denies it. Why does God get such “preferential” and special treatment. Of course, for many people it’s simply a smoke screen to allow them to continue living life the way they want to without having to submit to God. The logic may go something like this: If I see God, I’ll have to believe in Him and if I believe in Him I’ll have to submit to Him. Therefore, I’ll stay in my unbelief.
Colossians 1:15 describes Jesus in very stark terms. He is the image (the visible representation) of the invisible God. If you want to see God, look at Jesus. If you want to know the character of God, the essence of God, look at Jesus. There are four historically reliable and accurate accounts of the life, death and resurrection of Jesus. Feel free to check it out. If you don’t have a bible ring the office and we’ll get one for you.
Most non Christian historians have no problem with admitting that the Jesus of the Bible was a real historical character - as real as you and I. What they have trouble admitting is that this real historical character claimed to be the exact representation of God. He claimed to be one with God. He, in effect, claimed to be God. The crowd heard him clearly and picked up stones to stone him for what they thought was blasphemy because he was claiming to be God. Read it for yourself in John 10:31-33.
The truth is clear. Jesus is God. If you have seen Jesus then you have seen God. One day all creation, all people (past, present and future) will bow the knee and confess Jesus as Lord. Some will do it willingly and it will be a joyous day. Others will do it unwillingly and it will be the worst day of their eternity. Which will it be for you?
Prayer:-
ü Spend time pleading with God that during our mission week (September 12-19 and September 20-24) we will see many people come to confess Jesus as Lord. Pray that we will be able to share the good news with hundreds of people. Ask God to grant each of them repentance and faith in Christ Jesus so that his name will be lifted up.
ü Pray for the India Bible Mission as they continue to see many Tamil’s come to the Lord. Pray that we will see God provide Tamil Bibles in the mass numbers needed. Pray for more labourers in this vast harvest field.
MEAT 4 THE MATURE
Prepare a written answer for the statement ‘I’d believe in God if I saw him’.
Ask God for an opportunity to share your answer with a non believer.
Saturday 21 August 2010
Saturday August 21, 2010
Read Psalm 51
Imagine a bride on her wedding day. She’s beautiful and ornate and perfect in her silk dress, with roses in hand, baby breath in her hair. Everything’s perfect. But as she’s about to walk down the isle picture the bride noticing a stain on her dress. Doh! It’s there for all to see!
Sin is like that stain on a wedding dress. It’s a blemish on the beautiful relationship we have with the Lord through Christ Jesus. Sin stains, defiles and destroys the relationship we have with God through Christ Jesus. We should no more walk with sin in our lives as a bride should not walk down the isle with a stain on her dress. We need to deal with sin in our lives immediately.
King David in this Psalm teaches us how to deal with sin. We need to go first and foremost to the Lord to seek His forgiveness. When we sin, even against others, we have sinned primarily against the Lord. We need to seek His forgiveness first and foremost. Then we can seek restoration and reconciliation with others. As we come to the Lord we need to tell Him (or confess) our sins. We need to seek His forgiveness and cleansing. There are no excuses, no justifications, for our sins.
We should ask God to purify our heart, to create a new heart within us. 1 John 1:9 promises this for New Testament believers. And finally, we need to receive the forgiveness of the Lord, being filled with joy that He has washed us clean, that He has forgiven us. We need to forgive ourselves at this point, knowing that if God has forgiven us, we have no right to withhold forgiveness from ourselves. We need to bask in the joy of God’s forgiveness.
But notice vs 13? As we enjoy the forgiveness of God we need to make opportunities to share with others who need that forgiveness. If we have tasted that the Lord is good, let us share that sweet goodness with others.
Before church starts tomorrow take some time to seek the Lord’s forgiveness. Spend time confessing your sins and asking God to purify your heart. Come to God tomorrow with a clean slate.
Prayer:-
ü Pray that more and more people would understand the joy of the Lord’s forgiveness. Pray that you and your brothers and sisters would have chances to share the forgiveness of God with those who desperately need it.
MEAT 4 THE MATURE
Spend time confessing your sins to the Lord.
If you struggle with sin or addictions or bad habits, ring a mature Christian and make a time to sit together and to pray about this and to seek the Lord’s power and enabling to end the dominion in your life.
Imagine a bride on her wedding day. She’s beautiful and ornate and perfect in her silk dress, with roses in hand, baby breath in her hair. Everything’s perfect. But as she’s about to walk down the isle picture the bride noticing a stain on her dress. Doh! It’s there for all to see!
Sin is like that stain on a wedding dress. It’s a blemish on the beautiful relationship we have with the Lord through Christ Jesus. Sin stains, defiles and destroys the relationship we have with God through Christ Jesus. We should no more walk with sin in our lives as a bride should not walk down the isle with a stain on her dress. We need to deal with sin in our lives immediately.
King David in this Psalm teaches us how to deal with sin. We need to go first and foremost to the Lord to seek His forgiveness. When we sin, even against others, we have sinned primarily against the Lord. We need to seek His forgiveness first and foremost. Then we can seek restoration and reconciliation with others. As we come to the Lord we need to tell Him (or confess) our sins. We need to seek His forgiveness and cleansing. There are no excuses, no justifications, for our sins.
We should ask God to purify our heart, to create a new heart within us. 1 John 1:9 promises this for New Testament believers. And finally, we need to receive the forgiveness of the Lord, being filled with joy that He has washed us clean, that He has forgiven us. We need to forgive ourselves at this point, knowing that if God has forgiven us, we have no right to withhold forgiveness from ourselves. We need to bask in the joy of God’s forgiveness.
But notice vs 13? As we enjoy the forgiveness of God we need to make opportunities to share with others who need that forgiveness. If we have tasted that the Lord is good, let us share that sweet goodness with others.
Before church starts tomorrow take some time to seek the Lord’s forgiveness. Spend time confessing your sins and asking God to purify your heart. Come to God tomorrow with a clean slate.
Prayer:-
ü Pray that more and more people would understand the joy of the Lord’s forgiveness. Pray that you and your brothers and sisters would have chances to share the forgiveness of God with those who desperately need it.
MEAT 4 THE MATURE
Spend time confessing your sins to the Lord.
If you struggle with sin or addictions or bad habits, ring a mature Christian and make a time to sit together and to pray about this and to seek the Lord’s power and enabling to end the dominion in your life.
Friday 20 August 2010
Friday August 20, 2010
Read Colossians 1:13-14
Do you know what God has done for you in Christ Jesus? Can you verbalise it? Take the challenge now. Verbally describe or explain what Jesus has done for you.
Paul sums it up for us in vs 13-14. God has rescued us. We were drowning in the sea of sin and God sent His son to save us from certain death. But notice what Paul tells us in vs 13? We were rescued from the dominion of darkness. Darkness is a metaphor for sin and wickedness. We were rescued from its authority or dominion. We were, like all unbelievers, under the power of sinfulness. 1 John 5:19 says that the whole world is under the control of the evil one. By His death and resurrection Jesus has freed us from the authority of the devil. We are no longer under his power. We are free to serve God. We are free to live for Him rather than for our own selfish desires, or for the devil. This freedom came at a great cost. Jesus, the Lord of all, had to leave His heavenly throne. He had to give up His grandeur and greatness, His majesty to become a man like us. (see Philippians 2:5-11). He had to live a perfect life suffering immense temptation. He had to endure a wrongful trial by His own subjects. He had to bear the nails, the crown of thorns and the spear for my sins and for your sins. He had to die because we sinned. He had to be forsaken by His heavenly Father with whom He’d always been in perfect communion. And Jesus did all this because He loves you and wants to set you free.
Jesus has set you free. He has redeemed you. He has paid the cost to set you completely free. Sin is no longer your master. Addictions, bad habits, sinfulness are no longer your master or your controller. Jesus is your Lord because He has purchased you with His own blood. You are free. You are forgiven. You are in the light. You are not in darkness.
Prayer:-
ü Pray that you will have opportunity to help others come out of the dominion of darkness into the light of Christ by sharing the good news with them. Pray that every believer in your congregation will have similar opportunities to share the work of Jesus with non believers.
ü Pray that your church will have a powerful impact in your local community.
MEAT 4 THE MATURE
Make a decision to share your faith with someone today. Prayerfully ask God who that somebody might be.
Do you know what God has done for you in Christ Jesus? Can you verbalise it? Take the challenge now. Verbally describe or explain what Jesus has done for you.
Paul sums it up for us in vs 13-14. God has rescued us. We were drowning in the sea of sin and God sent His son to save us from certain death. But notice what Paul tells us in vs 13? We were rescued from the dominion of darkness. Darkness is a metaphor for sin and wickedness. We were rescued from its authority or dominion. We were, like all unbelievers, under the power of sinfulness. 1 John 5:19 says that the whole world is under the control of the evil one. By His death and resurrection Jesus has freed us from the authority of the devil. We are no longer under his power. We are free to serve God. We are free to live for Him rather than for our own selfish desires, or for the devil. This freedom came at a great cost. Jesus, the Lord of all, had to leave His heavenly throne. He had to give up His grandeur and greatness, His majesty to become a man like us. (see Philippians 2:5-11). He had to live a perfect life suffering immense temptation. He had to endure a wrongful trial by His own subjects. He had to bear the nails, the crown of thorns and the spear for my sins and for your sins. He had to die because we sinned. He had to be forsaken by His heavenly Father with whom He’d always been in perfect communion. And Jesus did all this because He loves you and wants to set you free.
Jesus has set you free. He has redeemed you. He has paid the cost to set you completely free. Sin is no longer your master. Addictions, bad habits, sinfulness are no longer your master or your controller. Jesus is your Lord because He has purchased you with His own blood. You are free. You are forgiven. You are in the light. You are not in darkness.
Prayer:-
ü Pray that you will have opportunity to help others come out of the dominion of darkness into the light of Christ by sharing the good news with them. Pray that every believer in your congregation will have similar opportunities to share the work of Jesus with non believers.
ü Pray that your church will have a powerful impact in your local community.
MEAT 4 THE MATURE
Make a decision to share your faith with someone today. Prayerfully ask God who that somebody might be.
Thursday 19 August 2010
Thursday August 19, 2010
One of the joys of being a Christian for over 2 decades is the ability to look back and see the great things God has done in my life and through my life. We started yesterday by describing the Christian faith as life changing. We saw four dramatic changes that the gospel produces. There’s more in vs 11-12:-
Just to round up, read vs 10-12 again and think about the magnitude of what Paul prays for the Colossians. This is a life changing prayer you can pray for others. This is the kind of prayer others need you to be praying for them.
Prayer:-
Choose 5 believers you know and love and pray vs 10-12 for them by name.
ü Pray that our brothers and sisters in Mexico (where drug lords rule and where Christians are persecuted and killed for their faith) will have great joy, patience and perseverance in their trials. Pray that these men, women and children will be able to love their enemies, bless them and bring many of them into the kingdom.
MEAT 4 THE MATURE
Take some time to reflect. What were you like as a new Christian? What did you struggle with? What challenges were in front of you?
Compare that with your present state?
Think about how God has worked in you and throughout you.
Spend time praising God for all he’s done.
- Paul prays that we are strengthened with all power so that we can have patience and endurance in our trials. What an awesome joy to know that we have the power of God with us in our trials and that His power graciously allows us to persevere and to be patient. You’ll never approach trials the same way knowing that God’s power is with you.
- We also have deep, immovable joy as we give thanks to God the Father. Even in our trials we know and are confident that God has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints. Our inheritance is sure. Our hope in heaven will never perish, spoil or fade. We can praise the Lord. We can sing His hallelujahs no matter what circumstance comes our way because the Lord is with us and His love can never be taken away from us.
Just to round up, read vs 10-12 again and think about the magnitude of what Paul prays for the Colossians. This is a life changing prayer you can pray for others. This is the kind of prayer others need you to be praying for them.
Prayer:-
Choose 5 believers you know and love and pray vs 10-12 for them by name.
ü Pray that our brothers and sisters in Mexico (where drug lords rule and where Christians are persecuted and killed for their faith) will have great joy, patience and perseverance in their trials. Pray that these men, women and children will be able to love their enemies, bless them and bring many of them into the kingdom.
MEAT 4 THE MATURE
Take some time to reflect. What were you like as a new Christian? What did you struggle with? What challenges were in front of you?
Compare that with your present state?
Think about how God has worked in you and throughout you.
Spend time praising God for all he’s done.
Wednesday 18 August 2010
Wednesday August 18, 2010
Read Colossians 1:9-10
Life changing! That’s probably a good way to describe the Christian faith. If it’s not life changing (see James 2) it’s not genuine Christian faith. What Paul prays for the Colossians is a life changing faith. This is powerful stuff.
Paul’s prayer is spelt out for us in vs 9. In vs 10 he shows us why he prays it. He gives us the outcome or the desired effect of praying. There are four outcomes in vs 10 alone:-
Prayer:-
ü Praying vs 9-10 for those in your congregation is a powerful thing to be doing. Spend time now praying this for as many people as you can.
ü Pray that our brothers and sisters in Vietnam would be strengthened and given perseverance as they live for Christ. Pray that they would endure the persecution and rejoice in God’s love even as they suffer. Pray that we would be able to physically and practically help them in their sufferings.
Life changing! That’s probably a good way to describe the Christian faith. If it’s not life changing (see James 2) it’s not genuine Christian faith. What Paul prays for the Colossians is a life changing faith. This is powerful stuff.
Paul’s prayer is spelt out for us in vs 9. In vs 10 he shows us why he prays it. He gives us the outcome or the desired effect of praying. There are four outcomes in vs 10 alone:-
- that you may live a life worthy of the Lord - Paul is praying that the Colossians live out their faith day by day in a way worthy of the name of Jesus. As a believer, God wants you to live, to act, to think in ways that are befitting a Christian. Words like holy, righteous, sinless, loving, generous come to mind.
- that you may please Him in every way. To please God we must have faith (Heb 11:6) and we need to walk in obedience. We know what God is pleased with as we read the Scriptures and grow in knowledge of His will.
- that you may bear fruit in every good work. A fruitless Christian really is a contradiction. God wants you and has equipped you to bear much fruit, fruit that will last. God has prepared good works in advance for you to get involved in. God wants you to shine for him each and every day, in every situation.
- that you may grow in the knowledge of God. As you live out the will of God for your life, you approve of His good and perfect will. The cycle grows and you are more determined, more eager to live out His will. You grow in holiness and Christ-likeness as you grow in the knowledge of God. Knowledge of God was never meant to be head knowledge that is merely stored as information. It was always meant to be lovingly applied to and in our lives.
Prayer:-
ü Praying vs 9-10 for those in your congregation is a powerful thing to be doing. Spend time now praying this for as many people as you can.
ü Pray that our brothers and sisters in Vietnam would be strengthened and given perseverance as they live for Christ. Pray that they would endure the persecution and rejoice in God’s love even as they suffer. Pray that we would be able to physically and practically help them in their sufferings.
Tuesday 17 August 2010
Tuesday August 17, 2010
Read Colossians 1:9
I know it’s aggravating when you have to read a small verse over and over again but this one verse has so much in it that it’s worth reading again. Yesterday we looked at what God’s will is. Today we look at what God wants us to do with that will - how to turn that will into a life changing reality for day to day victorious living. Rather than burden you with 3 –4 pages of reading notes for one day I’ve broken it down. Forgive me please, if this is still a burden to you.
But let’s look closely at vs 9. Paul prays that God will fill the believers with a knowledge of His will. How is that to happen? It’s “… through all spiritual wisdom and understanding.” What on earth does all that mean? I suspect that like me, you’ve probably glanced over this many a time and filed it in the too hard or super spiritual basket. Maybe like me you’ve summarised it as ‘God show you and give you spiritual understanding when He’s good and ready’ and then moved on.
To help us understand this more, think of what the key words mean. Spiritual wisdom is basically understanding the absolute standard that God has set in a particular area. Spiritual wisdom about answering someone who has caught us out, is knowing that all lies come from the father of lies, namely the devil. Spiritual wisdom is knowing the will of God in certain areas. It is knowing God’s principles about a certain area or subject. Understanding is comprehending and having insight into that principle or absolute that God has set, so that we can see how to apply it to our daily lives. So in a generic sense we have:-
Knowledge of
The word of God —> a principle—> an application for my daily life
What Paul is praying is that the Colossians know the will of God, that they are filled with a knowledge of God and that this knowledge be turned into daily application through spiritual wisdom and understanding.
What a powerful prayer to pray for each other each and every single day. What a powerful way to read the Bible. As you have time to read later today, think about the passage or verse you are reading. What principle is being put forward? What truth or absolute is God telling you? As you put that into practice, ask yourself the next question: What do I do with this principle in my daily life? How does this principle effect me today? As you do this, the knowledge of God will be powerfully translated into life changing reality that affects you and everyone around you.
Prayer:-
ü Pray vs 9 for specific people in your congregation. Use your church phone directory to pray for as many people as you can.
ü As you seek to know the will of God for your own life, pray that God would show you His will in the Word and how and where it needs to be applied to your life.
ü Pray that more and more Christians would be willing to listen to God, submit to His word and to live lives that are in accord with the Word. Pray that a Spirit of holiness would sweep over the church in our land.
MEAT 4 THE MATURE
Start a prayer journal this week.
A prayer journal is a written copy of your prayers and bible reading.
This will allow you to keep track of your prayers and God’s answers and will also help you remember what God has been teaching you through His Word.
I know it’s aggravating when you have to read a small verse over and over again but this one verse has so much in it that it’s worth reading again. Yesterday we looked at what God’s will is. Today we look at what God wants us to do with that will - how to turn that will into a life changing reality for day to day victorious living. Rather than burden you with 3 –4 pages of reading notes for one day I’ve broken it down. Forgive me please, if this is still a burden to you.
But let’s look closely at vs 9. Paul prays that God will fill the believers with a knowledge of His will. How is that to happen? It’s “… through all spiritual wisdom and understanding.” What on earth does all that mean? I suspect that like me, you’ve probably glanced over this many a time and filed it in the too hard or super spiritual basket. Maybe like me you’ve summarised it as ‘God show you and give you spiritual understanding when He’s good and ready’ and then moved on.
To help us understand this more, think of what the key words mean. Spiritual wisdom is basically understanding the absolute standard that God has set in a particular area. Spiritual wisdom about answering someone who has caught us out, is knowing that all lies come from the father of lies, namely the devil. Spiritual wisdom is knowing the will of God in certain areas. It is knowing God’s principles about a certain area or subject. Understanding is comprehending and having insight into that principle or absolute that God has set, so that we can see how to apply it to our daily lives. So in a generic sense we have:-
Knowledge of
The word of God —> a principle—> an application for my daily life
What Paul is praying is that the Colossians know the will of God, that they are filled with a knowledge of God and that this knowledge be turned into daily application through spiritual wisdom and understanding.
What a powerful prayer to pray for each other each and every single day. What a powerful way to read the Bible. As you have time to read later today, think about the passage or verse you are reading. What principle is being put forward? What truth or absolute is God telling you? As you put that into practice, ask yourself the next question: What do I do with this principle in my daily life? How does this principle effect me today? As you do this, the knowledge of God will be powerfully translated into life changing reality that affects you and everyone around you.
Prayer:-
ü Pray vs 9 for specific people in your congregation. Use your church phone directory to pray for as many people as you can.
ü As you seek to know the will of God for your own life, pray that God would show you His will in the Word and how and where it needs to be applied to your life.
ü Pray that more and more Christians would be willing to listen to God, submit to His word and to live lives that are in accord with the Word. Pray that a Spirit of holiness would sweep over the church in our land.
MEAT 4 THE MATURE
Start a prayer journal this week.
A prayer journal is a written copy of your prayers and bible reading.
This will allow you to keep track of your prayers and God’s answers and will also help you remember what God has been teaching you through His Word.
Monday 16 August 2010
Monday August 16, 2010
Read Colossians 1:9
Wouldn’t you love to know the will of God for your own life? I’ve had many Christians tell me that this is their deepest desire. In vs 9 Paul tells the Colossians that he prays for God to fill them with a knowledge of His will. Now of course, many Christians want to know whether God wants them to take job x or y or to marry person A or B and so on.
But before we get to this point in our lives, we need to understand very clearly the will of God and what that means. The will of God is the standard that God accepts. It’s His absolute standard that He has specified. How do I know that will of God? It’s written in His Word. To know the will of God, I must know my Bible. I must know the Word. I must be immersed in the Word. (Remember John 15:7-8???).
When Paul prays that the Colossians know the will of God, he’s praying that they know what God has revealed (or in their case, will reveal) in His Word. Think about that in every day terms. How do I know God’s will for me as a husband? It has been revealed to me in God’s word. How do I know God’s will in how to treat my enemies? It’s revealed to me in God’s Word. How do I know God’s will about some action or thought being right or wrong? It’s revealed to me in the Word of God. If I am going to find out the will of God for my life I have to understand the will of God that has been revealed to me in His Word.
Here’s a thought for you to wrestle with: If I am unwilling to apply the will of God to my life as revealed in the Bible, God will not reveal the specifics of His will for my life. Reading Psalm 25:12 is very challenging.
Who, then, is the man that fears the LORD? He will instruct him in the way chosen for him.
God will instruct the man/woman who fears Him in the way chosen for him or her. What’s the opposite truth revealed here? If I don’t fear God and don’t care about applying God’s word to my life in general terms, the specifics won’t be revealed to me.
One of the best things that you and I can be doing is to keep growing in the knowledge of God.
Prayer:-
Pray for your brothers and sisters in your congregation asking God to fill them with a knowledge of His will. Pray that all the believers in your congregation would be growing and maturing. Pray that those who are unbelievers or unsure of where they stand with the Lord would be convinced of the atoning work of Jesus and His love for them personally. Pray that we’d see these people come to the Lord in repentance and faith.
ü Pray that God would be working powerfully in India as many continue to come to faith in Christ. Pray for those who preach and teach and evangelise that God would lead them and use them powerfully.
MEAT 4 THE MATURE
Spend time in prayer with God asking him if there are any specific areas where you do not submit to God’s will.
Wouldn’t you love to know the will of God for your own life? I’ve had many Christians tell me that this is their deepest desire. In vs 9 Paul tells the Colossians that he prays for God to fill them with a knowledge of His will. Now of course, many Christians want to know whether God wants them to take job x or y or to marry person A or B and so on.
But before we get to this point in our lives, we need to understand very clearly the will of God and what that means. The will of God is the standard that God accepts. It’s His absolute standard that He has specified. How do I know that will of God? It’s written in His Word. To know the will of God, I must know my Bible. I must know the Word. I must be immersed in the Word. (Remember John 15:7-8???).
When Paul prays that the Colossians know the will of God, he’s praying that they know what God has revealed (or in their case, will reveal) in His Word. Think about that in every day terms. How do I know God’s will for me as a husband? It has been revealed to me in God’s word. How do I know God’s will in how to treat my enemies? It’s revealed to me in God’s Word. How do I know God’s will about some action or thought being right or wrong? It’s revealed to me in the Word of God. If I am going to find out the will of God for my life I have to understand the will of God that has been revealed to me in His Word.
Here’s a thought for you to wrestle with: If I am unwilling to apply the will of God to my life as revealed in the Bible, God will not reveal the specifics of His will for my life. Reading Psalm 25:12 is very challenging.
Who, then, is the man that fears the LORD? He will instruct him in the way chosen for him.
God will instruct the man/woman who fears Him in the way chosen for him or her. What’s the opposite truth revealed here? If I don’t fear God and don’t care about applying God’s word to my life in general terms, the specifics won’t be revealed to me.
One of the best things that you and I can be doing is to keep growing in the knowledge of God.
Prayer:-
Pray for your brothers and sisters in your congregation asking God to fill them with a knowledge of His will. Pray that all the believers in your congregation would be growing and maturing. Pray that those who are unbelievers or unsure of where they stand with the Lord would be convinced of the atoning work of Jesus and His love for them personally. Pray that we’d see these people come to the Lord in repentance and faith.
ü Pray that God would be working powerfully in India as many continue to come to faith in Christ. Pray for those who preach and teach and evangelise that God would lead them and use them powerfully.
MEAT 4 THE MATURE
Spend time in prayer with God asking him if there are any specific areas where you do not submit to God’s will.
Saturday 14 August 2010
Saturday August 14, 2010
Read Isaiah 42:1-7
God had always planned that the message of Jesus’ death and resurrection would be taken out to the world. God’s mega agenda has always been the filling of His creation with people that love and serve Him. In a dark world, the light of Jesus is shining brightly as God calls people to Himself through faith in Jesus Christ.
The wonderful news is that you and I are included in God’s mega –agenda. We are a part of God’s grand plan to bring salvation to the ends of the earth. For some, that may mean jetting off to the far reaches of the globe but for most of us it means being Christ’s witness here in our own world among the family and friends that God has given us. We are called to be doing the work of Christ - “...to open eyes that are blind, to free captives from prison and to release from the dungeon those who sit in darkness...”. It is by preaching the gospel and calling people to Christ that we achieve this work. Let us be faithful witnesses to the love of Christ Jesus and let us make the most of every opportunity that comes before us.
Our ‘worship services’ are meant to motivate us and prepare us for outreach into the world. As we gather before our Lord and Saviour, as we sing His praises, as we seek His intervention in our lives and our world, His grace, His compassion, His love for the lost is to motivate us to reach them for Jesus. What God has done for us compels us to be in the world (not of the world) making disciples for Jesus.
Prayer:-
ü Pray that you and every member of your congregation would have a mindset that seeks to take the gospel into all the world. Pray you and all the members of your congregation would make the most of every opportunity seeking to bring the message of hope and salvation to as many people as possible.
ü Pray for David and Kirsty Richards as they plan to move to New Zealand to work on campus there. Ask the Lord to open doors, to move mountains so that they can bear much fruit for the gospel. Pray too that support for David and Kirsty would continue on this venture for Christ.
MEAT 4 THE MATURE
Prayerfully think of 3 ways you can encourage others to be mission minded tomorrow. Put these 3 things into practice tomorrow at your gathered service.
God had always planned that the message of Jesus’ death and resurrection would be taken out to the world. God’s mega agenda has always been the filling of His creation with people that love and serve Him. In a dark world, the light of Jesus is shining brightly as God calls people to Himself through faith in Jesus Christ.
The wonderful news is that you and I are included in God’s mega –agenda. We are a part of God’s grand plan to bring salvation to the ends of the earth. For some, that may mean jetting off to the far reaches of the globe but for most of us it means being Christ’s witness here in our own world among the family and friends that God has given us. We are called to be doing the work of Christ - “...to open eyes that are blind, to free captives from prison and to release from the dungeon those who sit in darkness...”. It is by preaching the gospel and calling people to Christ that we achieve this work. Let us be faithful witnesses to the love of Christ Jesus and let us make the most of every opportunity that comes before us.
Our ‘worship services’ are meant to motivate us and prepare us for outreach into the world. As we gather before our Lord and Saviour, as we sing His praises, as we seek His intervention in our lives and our world, His grace, His compassion, His love for the lost is to motivate us to reach them for Jesus. What God has done for us compels us to be in the world (not of the world) making disciples for Jesus.
Prayer:-
ü Pray that you and every member of your congregation would have a mindset that seeks to take the gospel into all the world. Pray you and all the members of your congregation would make the most of every opportunity seeking to bring the message of hope and salvation to as many people as possible.
ü Pray for David and Kirsty Richards as they plan to move to New Zealand to work on campus there. Ask the Lord to open doors, to move mountains so that they can bear much fruit for the gospel. Pray too that support for David and Kirsty would continue on this venture for Christ.
MEAT 4 THE MATURE
Prayerfully think of 3 ways you can encourage others to be mission minded tomorrow. Put these 3 things into practice tomorrow at your gathered service.
Friday 13 August 2010
Friday August 13, 2010
Read Colossians 1:6-8, John 15:7-8
How useful is an ejector seat in a helicopter? or maybe an ash-tray on a motor bike? Or what about air brakes on an aeroplane? Hmm? Useless aren’t they? Unlike these weird and wonderful inventions that never really made it, the gospel is not some weird and wonderful philosophical ideology we tack into the back of our minds. The gospel bears fruit in our lives. All over the world, this gospel is bearing fruit as it is in you, my blessed brother and sister. The gospel is a life changing reality that works in us and through us.
There are two ways that the gospel grows and bears fruit. Firstly, it bears fruit in us as we mature and grow in holiness and Christ-likeness. The gospel changes us from the inside out as we line up our lives (thoughts, deeds, emotions etc) with the Word of God. Our lives grow in conformity to the blessed Word day by day. Secondly, the gospel grows as I take the good news and share it with more and more people. As more and more people turn to the Lord in repentance and faith, the gospel is growing.
As Jesus taught about the vine He made it clear that you and I are meant to be bearing fruit. Jesus tells us that there are two conditions to being a fruitful vine - we must remain in Him and His word must remain in us. As we do this, we will bear much fruit, fruit that will last, fruit that shows us to be Jesus’ disciples.
There is no greater joy than to know that the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ is growing in others and throughout the world. What a great reason to praise God! What a great reason to lift up adoration and blessing to our God. What a great reason to be filled with joy. You and I can rejoice because the gospel is growing.
Prayer:-
ü Spend time praising God for the growth you’ve seen in the believers around you.
ü Pray that you yourself would grow in your walk with the Lord.
ü Pray that the gospel will grow and bear fruit in your local community as you and other believers share the good news with non believers. Pray too for our brothers and sisters in the 2 Myanmar Bible Colleges as they seek to train up preachers for the task of taking out the good news. Pray for all the needs to be met, for adequate teachers and for the daily work of learning and growing as students.
MEAT 4 THE MATURE
Often our prayers are unanswered. Why is this so? Find biblical reasons why our prayers may be unanswered. When you have a list, seek God to show you why some of your prayers may have been unanswered.
How useful is an ejector seat in a helicopter? or maybe an ash-tray on a motor bike? Or what about air brakes on an aeroplane? Hmm? Useless aren’t they? Unlike these weird and wonderful inventions that never really made it, the gospel is not some weird and wonderful philosophical ideology we tack into the back of our minds. The gospel bears fruit in our lives. All over the world, this gospel is bearing fruit as it is in you, my blessed brother and sister. The gospel is a life changing reality that works in us and through us.
There are two ways that the gospel grows and bears fruit. Firstly, it bears fruit in us as we mature and grow in holiness and Christ-likeness. The gospel changes us from the inside out as we line up our lives (thoughts, deeds, emotions etc) with the Word of God. Our lives grow in conformity to the blessed Word day by day. Secondly, the gospel grows as I take the good news and share it with more and more people. As more and more people turn to the Lord in repentance and faith, the gospel is growing.
As Jesus taught about the vine He made it clear that you and I are meant to be bearing fruit. Jesus tells us that there are two conditions to being a fruitful vine - we must remain in Him and His word must remain in us. As we do this, we will bear much fruit, fruit that will last, fruit that shows us to be Jesus’ disciples.
There is no greater joy than to know that the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ is growing in others and throughout the world. What a great reason to praise God! What a great reason to lift up adoration and blessing to our God. What a great reason to be filled with joy. You and I can rejoice because the gospel is growing.
Prayer:-
ü Spend time praising God for the growth you’ve seen in the believers around you.
ü Pray that you yourself would grow in your walk with the Lord.
ü Pray that the gospel will grow and bear fruit in your local community as you and other believers share the good news with non believers. Pray too for our brothers and sisters in the 2 Myanmar Bible Colleges as they seek to train up preachers for the task of taking out the good news. Pray for all the needs to be met, for adequate teachers and for the daily work of learning and growing as students.
MEAT 4 THE MATURE
Often our prayers are unanswered. Why is this so? Find biblical reasons why our prayers may be unanswered. When you have a list, seek God to show you why some of your prayers may have been unanswered.
Thursday 12 August 2010
Thursday August 12, 2010
Read 1 Peter 1:3-9
Hard times, stressful situations, bad relationships, a decaying world, natural catastrophes... They all seem to rob our joy in the Lord don’t they? We have this great inheritance in the heavenlies and some days, it just seems so far away. Some days it seems that we have nothing, nothing to cling to, nothing to hope on, nothing to move forward for.
But as Peter writes about our inheritance that can never perish spoil or fade, he calls us to give praise to our God and Father of the Lord Jesus Christ. Through faith we are shielded until the salvation in its entirety comes to us. We are protected by God’s grace and heaven is protected for us. The two will come together in the near future.
And as for tough times, God puts them into perspective for us.
In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while
you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials.
These have come so that your faith--of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire--may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honour when Jesus Christ is revealed.
Even in our grief and trials we can praise and adore God because our trails are working for us. Our tough times are refining us and preparing us for our eternal inheritance. And even though we may not see our Lord and Saviour now, we love Him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy.
Prayer:-
ü Spend time praising God and praying for the elders and their families as they care for this church family.
ü Thank God for the Committee of Management and for their diligence in maintaining the administration side of Christlife.
ü Uphold Brad Dewson, our Youth Co-ordinator and for Jane Walker, our Children’s Co-ordinator as they minister to our Youth and Kids.
MEAT 4 THE MATURE
Do you know a believer going through a hard time? Prayerfully consider a way to help them and bless them. Do some thing tomorrow to bless them.
Hard times, stressful situations, bad relationships, a decaying world, natural catastrophes... They all seem to rob our joy in the Lord don’t they? We have this great inheritance in the heavenlies and some days, it just seems so far away. Some days it seems that we have nothing, nothing to cling to, nothing to hope on, nothing to move forward for.
But as Peter writes about our inheritance that can never perish spoil or fade, he calls us to give praise to our God and Father of the Lord Jesus Christ. Through faith we are shielded until the salvation in its entirety comes to us. We are protected by God’s grace and heaven is protected for us. The two will come together in the near future.
And as for tough times, God puts them into perspective for us.
In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while
you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials.
These have come so that your faith--of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire--may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honour when Jesus Christ is revealed.
Even in our grief and trials we can praise and adore God because our trails are working for us. Our tough times are refining us and preparing us for our eternal inheritance. And even though we may not see our Lord and Saviour now, we love Him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy.
Prayer:-
ü Spend time praising God and praying for the elders and their families as they care for this church family.
ü Thank God for the Committee of Management and for their diligence in maintaining the administration side of Christlife.
ü Uphold Brad Dewson, our Youth Co-ordinator and for Jane Walker, our Children’s Co-ordinator as they minister to our Youth and Kids.
MEAT 4 THE MATURE
Do you know a believer going through a hard time? Prayerfully consider a way to help them and bless them. Do some thing tomorrow to bless them.
Wednesday 11 August 2010
Wednesday August 11, 2010
Read Colossians 1:1-6a
Faith and love! That’s what Paul praises God for in the Colossians. That faith and love have a source or fount from which they flow. They come from the hope that is stored up in heaven and from the gospel, the good news. When a person believes in Christ (ie when they are granted faith in Christ Jesus) the treasures of heaven are opened to them. They understand through the power of the Holy Spirit that they are heirs of Christ Jesus and that all the riches of grace are waiting for them. While this understanding continues to grow throughout one’s Christian life, the understanding and growth begin at conversion.
The more we understand what Christ has given us and what we have in store for us, the more we will walk by faith and love others. The two go hand in hand.
One of the joys of being a believer is the truth that God uses us to help other believers to grow and mature. As we journey together we are to sharpen each other and to teach, rebuke, correct and guide each other. It’s a team effort and together as a team we grow, mature and realise more and more what we have in Christ.
Prayer:-
ü Pray for growth and maturity for the believers in your church. Pray that God would use you to help others grow and mature. Pray that God would be growing and maturing those who teach regularly and who have less input into their own lives, because of their teaching commitments. Pray that God would bless each person in your church with a rich closeness to Himself.
ü Pray for the work of Shiloh Church Ministries. Pray that God would provide all that this group needs to continue ministering to the displaced believers from Orissa state. Pray that we would continue to see conversions from this ministry base.
MEAT 4 THE MATURE
Are you in a mentor-disciple relationship? It’s a great way to grow and mature. Why not seek out a mature believer today and get into a relationship that will grow you and mature you!
Faith and love! That’s what Paul praises God for in the Colossians. That faith and love have a source or fount from which they flow. They come from the hope that is stored up in heaven and from the gospel, the good news. When a person believes in Christ (ie when they are granted faith in Christ Jesus) the treasures of heaven are opened to them. They understand through the power of the Holy Spirit that they are heirs of Christ Jesus and that all the riches of grace are waiting for them. While this understanding continues to grow throughout one’s Christian life, the understanding and growth begin at conversion.
The more we understand what Christ has given us and what we have in store for us, the more we will walk by faith and love others. The two go hand in hand.
One of the joys of being a believer is the truth that God uses us to help other believers to grow and mature. As we journey together we are to sharpen each other and to teach, rebuke, correct and guide each other. It’s a team effort and together as a team we grow, mature and realise more and more what we have in Christ.
Prayer:-
ü Pray for growth and maturity for the believers in your church. Pray that God would use you to help others grow and mature. Pray that God would be growing and maturing those who teach regularly and who have less input into their own lives, because of their teaching commitments. Pray that God would bless each person in your church with a rich closeness to Himself.
ü Pray for the work of Shiloh Church Ministries. Pray that God would provide all that this group needs to continue ministering to the displaced believers from Orissa state. Pray that we would continue to see conversions from this ministry base.
MEAT 4 THE MATURE
Are you in a mentor-disciple relationship? It’s a great way to grow and mature. Why not seek out a mature believer today and get into a relationship that will grow you and mature you!
Tuesday 10 August 2010
Tuesday August 10, 2010
Read Colossians 1:3-4
Our world has become so self obsessed and so self focussed that a movie in 1987 (Wall Street, Starring Michael Douglas) could declare ‘Greed is good!’ To counter this self absorption a ‘National Day of Thanks’ was instituted. Apparently many people in many vital organisations never get a ‘thank you’. We are so self-occupied that thanking others has all but become extinct.
Listen carefully to what Paul says. He thanks God for the Colossian believers. He praises God for them. He is genuinely grateful for them. And he doesn’t thank God in passing. Look carefully at vs 3. He always thanks God. It’s ongoing! And for what does Paul give thanks? Paul is grateful that the Colossians have been granted faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. He is thankful that they have a love for all the saints, all the believers.
We live in a thankless world that is ruled by a ‘look after number 1’ attitude. What a difference giving thanks makes. But before we run off to thank other believers we need to thank God for what He has done in and through our brothers and sisters. Why don’t you take time this morning to give thanks to God for what He’s done in and through other believers?
Prayer:-
ü Think of 3 Christians or Christian groups for which you are genuinely thankful. Spend time thanking God for His work in and through them. Make sure you tell God why you are thankful for them.
ü Pray that your church would be a grateful church filled with the love and grace of Christ Jesus. Pray that this thankfulness would be expressed visibly.
ü Pray that the world around us would see our thankfulness and be drawn to Christ through it. Pray for more conversions each day.
MEAT 4 THE MATURE
List 3 people that you can thank today. Spend time praising God for them and then plan to thank them in an appropriate way.
Our world has become so self obsessed and so self focussed that a movie in 1987 (Wall Street, Starring Michael Douglas) could declare ‘Greed is good!’ To counter this self absorption a ‘National Day of Thanks’ was instituted. Apparently many people in many vital organisations never get a ‘thank you’. We are so self-occupied that thanking others has all but become extinct.
Listen carefully to what Paul says. He thanks God for the Colossian believers. He praises God for them. He is genuinely grateful for them. And he doesn’t thank God in passing. Look carefully at vs 3. He always thanks God. It’s ongoing! And for what does Paul give thanks? Paul is grateful that the Colossians have been granted faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. He is thankful that they have a love for all the saints, all the believers.
We live in a thankless world that is ruled by a ‘look after number 1’ attitude. What a difference giving thanks makes. But before we run off to thank other believers we need to thank God for what He has done in and through our brothers and sisters. Why don’t you take time this morning to give thanks to God for what He’s done in and through other believers?
Prayer:-
ü Think of 3 Christians or Christian groups for which you are genuinely thankful. Spend time thanking God for His work in and through them. Make sure you tell God why you are thankful for them.
ü Pray that your church would be a grateful church filled with the love and grace of Christ Jesus. Pray that this thankfulness would be expressed visibly.
ü Pray that the world around us would see our thankfulness and be drawn to Christ through it. Pray for more conversions each day.
MEAT 4 THE MATURE
List 3 people that you can thank today. Spend time praising God for them and then plan to thank them in an appropriate way.
Monday 9 August 2010
Monday August 9, 2010
Read Colossians 1:1-2
By the time Paul wrote to the Christians at Colossae, the city had shrunk in importance from a great city to what has sometimes been called a ‘market city’. However, the “city” influences were still present. It appears that false teachings were affecting the church. Legalism (dietary laws and so on), ritual and observance of special days seem to be the issues attacking the Christian church. Combine that with a world that cares little for Christ and has a multitude of ‘gods’ to worship and you begin to see the daily struggles for Christians in Colossae. It’s not much different to our world is it?
Think about our world. The truth is clouded by the so called knowledge of the world. People in the world want nothing to do with the one true living God. They have a plethora of ‘gods’ to worship and many churches have latched onto ritual, legalism and observance of special days.
But in the midst of the darkness, the light of Christ shines supreme. Even in what seems to be the depth of the pit, Jesus is still supreme. And in this apparent darkness, look at how Paul describes the believers at Colossae (and us). Paul uses the words ‘holy’ and ‘faithful’. To understand what holy means think of the Old Testament use of the word. People were obviously called to be holy but things and places were said to be holy as well. Obviously, the word means ‘sinless’ but it also means ‘set apart’ or ‘dedicated’ to the Lord. You, as a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ, have been set apart for the Lord in a dark, depraved world to shine the light of Jesus. God has earmarked you for Himself. Indeed as Ephesians 2:10 tells us, He has prepared good works in advance for you to do. What a joy to know that you are separated, dedicated to the Lord in this world. What a blessing to know that you are called to shine the light of Jesus.
The other word ‘faithful’ means believing. You believe in Christ. But the word also nuances the meaning of ‘dedicated’. As a believer in Christ you are faithful or dedicated to Him. You serve the risen Lord not things, not other people, not money and not even your own desires. As you continue to serve and be dedicated to our Lord, your dedication will speak volumes to a dark world. People will see Christ in you. Praise the Lord, that through you the supremacy of Christ will reign.
What a wonderful way to start the week, knowing that you are holy and faithful to the Lord our God. What a joy to know that through you the supremacy of Christ will shine.
Prayer:-
1 Pray that every single believer in your church would be a shining the light of Christ in this world. Pray that you yourself (together with all the others) would be taking opportunities to talk of Jesus and to share His love. Pray that the community around us would see the supremacy of Christ in us.
2 Pray that our brothers and sisters in Christ in Myanmar would likewise shine the light of Christ. As the Bible College (FRCM) ministers, it has opportunity to set up 2 more churches across the city of Yangon. Please pray that God would provide all that is needed (money, preachers and teachers, workers etc) for this work to move forward.
MEAT 4 THE MATURE
Living intentionally is a great way to walk forward in Christ Jesus.
What does this mean? It means that you plan to make an impact for Christ in your world. It means you think about the day ahead and how you can bring Christ to bear in each situation.
Take the challenge. Think about the day ahead and how you can make an impact for Christ.
By the time Paul wrote to the Christians at Colossae, the city had shrunk in importance from a great city to what has sometimes been called a ‘market city’. However, the “city” influences were still present. It appears that false teachings were affecting the church. Legalism (dietary laws and so on), ritual and observance of special days seem to be the issues attacking the Christian church. Combine that with a world that cares little for Christ and has a multitude of ‘gods’ to worship and you begin to see the daily struggles for Christians in Colossae. It’s not much different to our world is it?
Think about our world. The truth is clouded by the so called knowledge of the world. People in the world want nothing to do with the one true living God. They have a plethora of ‘gods’ to worship and many churches have latched onto ritual, legalism and observance of special days.
But in the midst of the darkness, the light of Christ shines supreme. Even in what seems to be the depth of the pit, Jesus is still supreme. And in this apparent darkness, look at how Paul describes the believers at Colossae (and us). Paul uses the words ‘holy’ and ‘faithful’. To understand what holy means think of the Old Testament use of the word. People were obviously called to be holy but things and places were said to be holy as well. Obviously, the word means ‘sinless’ but it also means ‘set apart’ or ‘dedicated’ to the Lord. You, as a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ, have been set apart for the Lord in a dark, depraved world to shine the light of Jesus. God has earmarked you for Himself. Indeed as Ephesians 2:10 tells us, He has prepared good works in advance for you to do. What a joy to know that you are separated, dedicated to the Lord in this world. What a blessing to know that you are called to shine the light of Jesus.
The other word ‘faithful’ means believing. You believe in Christ. But the word also nuances the meaning of ‘dedicated’. As a believer in Christ you are faithful or dedicated to Him. You serve the risen Lord not things, not other people, not money and not even your own desires. As you continue to serve and be dedicated to our Lord, your dedication will speak volumes to a dark world. People will see Christ in you. Praise the Lord, that through you the supremacy of Christ will reign.
What a wonderful way to start the week, knowing that you are holy and faithful to the Lord our God. What a joy to know that through you the supremacy of Christ will shine.
Prayer:-
1 Pray that every single believer in your church would be a shining the light of Christ in this world. Pray that you yourself (together with all the others) would be taking opportunities to talk of Jesus and to share His love. Pray that the community around us would see the supremacy of Christ in us.
2 Pray that our brothers and sisters in Christ in Myanmar would likewise shine the light of Christ. As the Bible College (FRCM) ministers, it has opportunity to set up 2 more churches across the city of Yangon. Please pray that God would provide all that is needed (money, preachers and teachers, workers etc) for this work to move forward.
MEAT 4 THE MATURE
Living intentionally is a great way to walk forward in Christ Jesus.
What does this mean? It means that you plan to make an impact for Christ in your world. It means you think about the day ahead and how you can bring Christ to bear in each situation.
Take the challenge. Think about the day ahead and how you can make an impact for Christ.
Saturday 7 August 2010
Saturday August 7, 2010
Read Psalm 66: 1-20
As we read Psalm 66 think about being ready for worship tomorrow. Let me encourage you to sit quietly in the presence of the Lord and answer these questions:-
1. For what can you shout with joy to the Lord for?
2. What things can you sing God’s praises about?
3. What deeds of the Lord are awesome in your eyes?
As you answer these questions to God, you are adoring God. You are praising God.
Read the rest of the Psalm and spend time praising and adoring God at each line as appropriate.
Prayer:-
As we read Psalm 66 think about being ready for worship tomorrow. Let me encourage you to sit quietly in the presence of the Lord and answer these questions:-
1. For what can you shout with joy to the Lord for?
2. What things can you sing God’s praises about?
3. What deeds of the Lord are awesome in your eyes?
As you answer these questions to God, you are adoring God. You are praising God.
Read the rest of the Psalm and spend time praising and adoring God at each line as appropriate.
Prayer:-
- Pray that throughout Australia the Holy Spirit will be working powerfully to bring all believers into church. Pray that the Word will be faithfully preached throughout the land.
- Ask God to send non-believers to your church to hear the gospel. Pray that you’ll see people converted to the Lord tomorrow and that His kingdom would grow.
Friday 6 August 2010
Friday August 6, 2010
Read Acts 20:17-24
Yesterday we spoke about living intentionally and having a goal for our lives. Acts 20:24 is Paul’s goal for his own life. His whole existence was about finishing the race the Lord Jesus had given him. For Paul that task was preaching the gospel to Gentiles in areas where Christ had not been preached. Glance over 2 Corinthians 11:23ff and you’ll see what Paul suffered and endured as he sought to run the race marked out for him with perseverance.
For some, knowing the calling of God is easy. For others it takes time and effort to discover. Paul, for example, knew that he was called to be a preacher to the Gentiles very soon after his conversion and encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus. Others, though, are still foggy about their calling. But Ephesians 2:8-10 makes it exceedingly clear that God has work for you to do, work that He has prepared in advance for you to do.
So how can I find what God has called me to do? Start by praying. Having prayed, assess your passions and your giftings from the Lord. Seek to put these into practice in your congregation. Stick at it, filling needs as best you can. If you make a difference by filling a need and impact people’s lives, you have found your calling. If you make no discernable difference go back to the first step and start praying.
What a joy! What a blessing! What a privilege to be able to serve the Lord and to do the things He’s called us to do. Don’t delay. Start today.
Prayer:-
Yesterday we spoke about living intentionally and having a goal for our lives. Acts 20:24 is Paul’s goal for his own life. His whole existence was about finishing the race the Lord Jesus had given him. For Paul that task was preaching the gospel to Gentiles in areas where Christ had not been preached. Glance over 2 Corinthians 11:23ff and you’ll see what Paul suffered and endured as he sought to run the race marked out for him with perseverance.
For some, knowing the calling of God is easy. For others it takes time and effort to discover. Paul, for example, knew that he was called to be a preacher to the Gentiles very soon after his conversion and encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus. Others, though, are still foggy about their calling. But Ephesians 2:8-10 makes it exceedingly clear that God has work for you to do, work that He has prepared in advance for you to do.
So how can I find what God has called me to do? Start by praying. Having prayed, assess your passions and your giftings from the Lord. Seek to put these into practice in your congregation. Stick at it, filling needs as best you can. If you make a difference by filling a need and impact people’s lives, you have found your calling. If you make no discernable difference go back to the first step and start praying.
What a joy! What a blessing! What a privilege to be able to serve the Lord and to do the things He’s called us to do. Don’t delay. Start today.
Prayer:-
- Pray that the pastors in India and the Christians would bravely and simply preach the gospel to non believers. Pray that we’ll see many come to the Lord in that country. Ask God to protect believers and to use them mightily for His kingdom.
- Ask God to show you what good works He has planned for you to do today.
Thursday 5 August 2010
Thursday August 5, 2010
Read 2 Corinthians 13:11-14
There’s an old saying: If you aim at nothing you’ll hit it every time. This tends to work for most things. Think of your life. What are you aiming for? What’s your purpose? What’s the goal of your life? What’s the point of it all?
As we ponder it, Paul gives the Corinthian church some parting words that could well make up the mission statement for a person’s life. Imagine what your life would look like if you aimed for perfection. Imagine the difference to your life if you made it your personal goal or mission to strive for perfection in everything, to be of one mind with the church and to live at peace with everybody. WOW! What a powerful life that would be.
What we have above is called living intentionally. It’s about setting a course for your life (in line with Scripture) and then striving to reach that goal. Think about your life and what God wants you to be doing. Will you be on board or will you aim at nothing?
Prayer:-
There’s an old saying: If you aim at nothing you’ll hit it every time. This tends to work for most things. Think of your life. What are you aiming for? What’s your purpose? What’s the goal of your life? What’s the point of it all?
As we ponder it, Paul gives the Corinthian church some parting words that could well make up the mission statement for a person’s life. Imagine what your life would look like if you aimed for perfection. Imagine the difference to your life if you made it your personal goal or mission to strive for perfection in everything, to be of one mind with the church and to live at peace with everybody. WOW! What a powerful life that would be.
What we have above is called living intentionally. It’s about setting a course for your life (in line with Scripture) and then striving to reach that goal. Think about your life and what God wants you to be doing. Will you be on board or will you aim at nothing?
Prayer:-
- Pray that our brothers and sisters in Burma would live intentionally as they seek to minister the gospel to others. Pray that they would see great church growth through conversions.
- Pray that we too would live intentional lives for the sake of the gospel. Pray that we would take and make opportunities to share the gospel of hope in our world and ask God to bring growth to your church through conversions.
Wednesday 4 August 2010
Wednesday August 4, 2010
Read 2 Corinthians 13:7-10
Have you children? If yes, let me ask you, Do you want your children to do things that are either wrong or sinful? Of course you don’t! If you don’t have kids, I suspect you would also answer that question in the negative. Paul loves the Corinthians like a father loves his son or daughter. He doesn’t want them to do anything wrong. Neither does he himself want to do anything wrong.
But what constitutes right and wrong? What is the benchmark? How do we know right from wrong? For Paul and for other believers, the standard is the Word of God. Paul wants the Corinthian believers, himself (and us too) to walk in line with the truth and to live by the truth. He goes so far as to say that he cannot do anything against the truth - the Word of God.
It’s my prayer that you and I will have this mindset. Let’s set our mind to do nothing against the truth. Let’s be determined to walk in line with the truth. Let’s make sure that everything we say, everything we do, everything we think and feel is in accord with the Word of Truth.
Prayer:-
Have you children? If yes, let me ask you, Do you want your children to do things that are either wrong or sinful? Of course you don’t! If you don’t have kids, I suspect you would also answer that question in the negative. Paul loves the Corinthians like a father loves his son or daughter. He doesn’t want them to do anything wrong. Neither does he himself want to do anything wrong.
But what constitutes right and wrong? What is the benchmark? How do we know right from wrong? For Paul and for other believers, the standard is the Word of God. Paul wants the Corinthian believers, himself (and us too) to walk in line with the truth and to live by the truth. He goes so far as to say that he cannot do anything against the truth - the Word of God.
It’s my prayer that you and I will have this mindset. Let’s set our mind to do nothing against the truth. Let’s be determined to walk in line with the truth. Let’s make sure that everything we say, everything we do, everything we think and feel is in accord with the Word of Truth.
Prayer:-
- Pray that our brothers in Bhutan would be able to live in the truth, walk in the truth and speak the truth of the gospel to the people around them. Pray that these men and women would be courageous for Jesus and be able to stand up to pressure to renounce the name of Jesus.
- Pray that the preachers across our land would fearlessly preach the truth. Pray that the Word of God would not be watered down for the sake of popularity, or because of a fear of mankind. Pray that preachers would fear God more than mankind.
Tuesday 3 August 2010
Tuesday August 3, 2010
Read 2 Corinthians 13:5-6
As Paul seeks to bring repentance to certain Corinthians he may ask them to do something that sounds weird and unprofitable in our eyes. He calls the Corinthians to test themselves to see if they are in the faith. As we think through what’s been said already (Read 2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1 again) the logic is clear.
If you are in Christ and as you realise that Christ is literally living within you (this is not feel good imagery but a literal truth to behold!!!) it becomes harder and harder to sin. Paul doesn’t want the Corinthians to fail the test. He wants them to realise that Christ is living in them. Is it fitting for a temple of the Lord to be walking in wilful sin? Of course not! Is it ok for a person filled with the Holy Spirit to be united to a prostitute in the pagan temple. Heaven forbid. Is it ok for a believer to have sexual union with his father’s wife. NO! As I grow in the realisation that Christ Himself is living in me, I grow in a desire not to sin. I grow in my desire to be holy, righteous and pleasing to God.
A young boyfriend and girlfriend asked their minister what they could do and what they couldn’t do as boyfriend and girlfriend. The minister wisely replied, ‘What would you do if Christ were sitting right beside you?’ Christ is not beside us but within us. Let us live appropriately.
Prayer:-
As Paul seeks to bring repentance to certain Corinthians he may ask them to do something that sounds weird and unprofitable in our eyes. He calls the Corinthians to test themselves to see if they are in the faith. As we think through what’s been said already (Read 2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1 again) the logic is clear.
If you are in Christ and as you realise that Christ is literally living within you (this is not feel good imagery but a literal truth to behold!!!) it becomes harder and harder to sin. Paul doesn’t want the Corinthians to fail the test. He wants them to realise that Christ is living in them. Is it fitting for a temple of the Lord to be walking in wilful sin? Of course not! Is it ok for a person filled with the Holy Spirit to be united to a prostitute in the pagan temple. Heaven forbid. Is it ok for a believer to have sexual union with his father’s wife. NO! As I grow in the realisation that Christ Himself is living in me, I grow in a desire not to sin. I grow in my desire to be holy, righteous and pleasing to God.
A young boyfriend and girlfriend asked their minister what they could do and what they couldn’t do as boyfriend and girlfriend. The minister wisely replied, ‘What would you do if Christ were sitting right beside you?’ Christ is not beside us but within us. Let us live appropriately.
Prayer:-
- Pray that non believers around us would see our holiness and be drawn to worship Christ Jesus as their Lord and Saviour.
- Pray that those believers who are addicted to sin would have the power of sin over their lives and hearts broken by the blood of Christ. Pray that God’s grace would overwhelm them and bring lasting repentance and change.
Monday 2 August 2010
Monday August 2, 2010
Read 2 Corinthians 12:21-13:4
It’s clear that a part of the Corinthian church was encased in unrepentant sexual sin. Were they engaging in temple prostitution with pagan cults? Where they committing incest in families? We cannot be certain. But 12:21 makes it clear that they were continuing in sexual sin. Even worse, they were rejecting Paul as a weak apostle who wrote strong letters. They were not worried about him to any great extent. They did not fear Paul returning to discipline them.
As Paul addresses this unfortunate situation he calls them to repent of their sinfulness before he comes and deals with them before the congregation. He will no longer be ‘weak’ with them. This discipline will, in turn, prove that Christ is speaking through him. But being a loving father to this congregation he would rather have them repent before he arrives so that discipline is not necessary. Every father or mother can probably identify with Paul here.
Paul turns to the death of Christ to urge them to repent. Christ was not weak in dealing with them. Even though He died in weakness He was raised in glory and lives powerfully among them. Those who live in Christ, should no longer live for themselves (and for their own lusts) but should live for Him who died for them. The death of Christ produces a repentant heart and godly sorrow within us, that leads us away from sin.
Prayer:-
It’s clear that a part of the Corinthian church was encased in unrepentant sexual sin. Were they engaging in temple prostitution with pagan cults? Where they committing incest in families? We cannot be certain. But 12:21 makes it clear that they were continuing in sexual sin. Even worse, they were rejecting Paul as a weak apostle who wrote strong letters. They were not worried about him to any great extent. They did not fear Paul returning to discipline them.
As Paul addresses this unfortunate situation he calls them to repent of their sinfulness before he comes and deals with them before the congregation. He will no longer be ‘weak’ with them. This discipline will, in turn, prove that Christ is speaking through him. But being a loving father to this congregation he would rather have them repent before he arrives so that discipline is not necessary. Every father or mother can probably identify with Paul here.
Paul turns to the death of Christ to urge them to repent. Christ was not weak in dealing with them. Even though He died in weakness He was raised in glory and lives powerfully among them. Those who live in Christ, should no longer live for themselves (and for their own lusts) but should live for Him who died for them. The death of Christ produces a repentant heart and godly sorrow within us, that leads us away from sin.
Prayer:-
- A survey in America reported that 80% of Christian men struggle with pornography. While we may not know the figures for Australian Christian men, we can still pray for them. Pray that God would make the men in your congregation men of integrity who love the Lord and are able to stand against the temptations of the world, especially the temptation of pornography.
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