Friday August 24, 2012

Prayerfully consider all the areas of your life and ask God which ones need to come under His rule.

 

Read Psalm 114. Col 1:13-14

 

The Kingdom of God is more apt to be understood as the rule of God, rather than a physical realm. The Old Testament again forms the back drop for this image of the Church. In the Old Testament the rule of God was rejected and ignored in the world. Even among God’s own people, the nation of Israel,  His will was resisted. His law was breached. His rule was pushed aside. Out of the ashes arose  a hope that one day the Lord would affirm His royal authority and establish His rule or kingdom among human beings. Jesus proclaimed the arrival of that era.  Through His ministry and its Easter climax God’s rule was firmly established, even though its fulfilment awaits His glorious return. Those who have been rescued from the dominion of darkness and have been brought into His wonderful light have entered into the rule or Kingdom of God.

 

But we cannot simply equate the Kingdom of God with the church. But when the Church truly submits to her head and obeys His Word the church is the instrument of the Lord’s rule. The Church is able to experience, through the Spirit, a genuine measure of the coming Kingdom through her mutual love and service.

 

As we speak of the Kingdom of God or the rule of God we realise that the church and all its members must bring their entire lives under the rule of God in anticipation of that glorious kingdom where Christ will reign in eternal paradise.

 

Prayer:

 

¨ Pray for a spirit of obedience to be upon everyone in your church. Pray that each and every single person would willingly and joyously submit to God’s rule and God’s Word. Pray that God’s love and grace would overwhelm those who willingly continue to sin so that they come to Him in repentance and faith.

¨ Pray for the leaders of your church. Pray by name for the session members, the Committee of Management, cell leaders and ministry leaders. Pray that each person would be obedient to the Word and willing to submit every area of their life to God’s Word.