Saturday June 15, 2013

Read 2 Timothy 1:6-14. 1 Corinthians 12:7

 

There’s something serene and quite satisfying about sitting beside an open fire whether in one’s lounge room or under the stars by a lake or gently flowing river.  It’s peaceful. It’s relaxing. It’s heart warming.

 

But have you ever thought what it took to get that fire going? Many times I’ve tried hopelessly to start a fire with damp or wet wood, blowing and fanning a small flame into life, hoping and praying that it would ignite and take.  A small flame only becomes a fire through the provision of fuel and oxygen (the fanning).

 

God tells us that the Lord Himself has given us the fuel and the oxygen. It is up to us to fan into flame the gift that He has given us. That gift will become a roaring fire as we put it into practice and step out in faith to use that gift for the benefit and blessing of others.

 

Tomorrow at church you can fan into flame the gift of God by using it to bless others in your church. Are you gifted at talking to people? Welcome them and make them comfortable by greeting them at the door and by engaging them in conversation. Are you gifted at encouraging people? Seek out the lonely or the new and encourage them. Are you gifted at giving? Give generously and let God be glorified. The Lord makes it clear that each person has a gift, a manifestation of the Holy Spirit, given to them to use for the blessing and benefit of others. Tomorrow is the day to use your gift and as you do, it will grow and be fanned into flame.

 

Hiding a gift in the closet is contrary to the will of God. Even though we may be shy and timid in ourselves or even unwilling to get involved in the lives of others, God has remedied this by giving us a Spirit of power, of love and of self control/discipline. God has given us everything we need to bless and benefit others. God has done it all for us. Al we need to do is step out in faith, unashamed of the Lord and His gospel. We need not fear anything because of all that our God has done for us.

 

Tomorrow is the day that believers gather together around the throne of God Almighty. Tomorrow is the day that we stand corporately in the presence of the Holy One and worship in Spirit and truth. Tomorrow is the day that you can be an agent of benefit and blessing to those who stand beside you in the Lord’s throne room.

 

Prayer:

Write down your prayer points in the space provided. Use today’s reading to help you get ideas.

 

Adoration:

 

Confession:

 

Thanks:

 

Supplication:

V Pray that God would be powerfully present among your congregation tomorrow as you gather around the throne of the Almighty and worship Him in Spirit and Truth. Pray that God would be healing, convicting, challenging and drawing near to all the believers. Pray that many non believers would be brought to repentance and faith by the grace of God in Christ Jesus.

V Pray that God would cause the truth of His Word to be preached powerfully in all churches across the land. Pray that He would silence those who seek to preach lies, heresies or things of their own fancy. Pray that the Spirit of God would be powerfully moving and working in all churches across the land tomorrow.

 

Discussion Questions For Families and Groups

1. Why does God want everyone to be actively involved in the gathering of Believers on the Lord’s Day?

2. How can Christians be preparing themselves for the ‘worship’  service on the Lord’s Day?