Spend time today praying regularly for your church, its outreach, its ministry and its reputation in society.
Read Acts 20:28-30. Matthew 13
The church, like Israel, will consist of those who are genuine and those that are not. Until Jesus returns to take the church home, the church will always consist of both believers and unbelievers. It will also consist, from time to time of ‘wolves’, those who seek to destroy the church from the inside.
The church “visible” consists of all those throughout the world that profess the true religion, together with their children. It is called “visible” because its members are known and its assemblies are public. Here there is a mixture of wheat and chaff, of saints and sinners. God has commanded His people to organize themselves into distinct visible ecclesiastical communities, with constitutions, laws, and officers, badges, ordinances, and discipline, for the great purpose of giving visibility to His kingdom, of making known the Gospel of that Kingdom, and of gathering in all its elect subjects. Each one of these distinct organized communities which is faithful to the great King is an integral part of the visible church, and all together makes the catholic or universal visible church. A credible profession of the true religion constitutes a person, a member of this church. This is “the Kingdom of Heaven,” whose character and progress are set forth in the parables recorded in Matt. 13.
Thus children of all who profess the true religion are members of the visible church along with their parents. Children are included in every covenant God ever made with man. They go along with their parents (Gen. 9:9–17; 12:1–3; 17:7; Ex. 20:5; Deut. 29:10–13). Peter, on the day of Pentecost declared the same great principle: “The promise [just as to Abraham and his seed the promises were made] is made to you, and to your children” (Acts 2:38, 39). The children of believing parents are “holy”, (i.e. “saints”) (1 Cor. 7:14) and are thus members of the church visible.
But even though God had planned for the church to have organisational structure, it was, at its very heart, to be more like a living organism rather than like a dead organisation. Far too many churches or congregations are run according to worldly organisational principles rather than by biblical guidelines.
Prayer:
¨ Ask God to revive your church so that each member, each believer knows God more intimately, more deeply and is heightened in his/her love and commitment to Christ and to each other.
¨ Pray that God would convict the non Christians in your church and the nominal believers of sin, of righteousness and of judgement. Pray that God would grant them repentance unto eternal life. If you know who these unbelievers are, pray for them by name.
Tuesday, 31 July 2012
Monday, 30 July 2012
Monday July 30, 2012
Conduct a small experiment. Ask your non believing friends what they think of “church” and record the answers for your church’s leadership.
Read Ephesians 5:23-29. Rom 16:5, Acts 8:1. 1 Cor 15:9
For many people in our own world the ‘church’ has become symbolic of a religious dinosaur that once held sway over people’s lives. Gratefully, they argue, most people have been freed from the grip of this monster that once controlled their lives, society and the entire world. At no point would they consider “Church” to be a house of hope, which it really is.
The word ‘church’ is derived probably from the Greek kuriakon (i.e., “the Lord’s house”), which was used by ancient authors for the place of worship. In the New Testament it is the translation of the Greek word ecclesia, which is synonymous with the Hebrew kahal of the Old Testament. Both words mean an assembly, the character of which can only be known from the connection in which the word is found. There is no clear instance of its being used for a place of meeting or of worship, although in post-apostolic times it received this meaning. Nor is this word ever used to denote the inhabitants of a country united in the same profession, as when we say the “Church of England,” the “Church of Scotland”.
The word ecclesia used in the following senses in the New Testament: (1.) It is translated “assembly” in the ordinary classical sense (Acts 19:32, 39, 41).
(2.) It denotes the whole body of the redeemed, all those whom the Father has given to Christ, the invisible catholic church (Eph. 5:23, 25, 27, 29; Heb. 12:23).
(3.) A few Christians associated together in observing the ordinances of the gospel are an ecclesia (Rom. 16:5; Col. 4:15).
(4.) All the Christians in a particular city, whether they assembled together in one place or in several places for religious worship, were an ecclesia. Thus all the disciples in Antioch, forming several congregations, were one church (Acts 13:1); so also we read of the “church of God at Corinth” (1 Cor. 1:2), “the church at Jerusalem” (Acts 8:1), “the church of Ephesus” (Rev. 2:1), etc.
(5.) The whole body of professing Christians throughout the world (1 Cor. 15:9; Gal. 1:13; Matt. 16:18) are the Church of Christ.
If the “church” is to make an impression on society and if it is to transform society, impression and change must begin internally with its own members. If a church is not transforming and changing its members, it will always remain a religious dinosaur.
Prayer:
¨ Pray for each and every single person in your church. Pray that God would be changing them, transforming them and renewing their minds in Christ Jesus. If you can, pray for each person or each family by name.
¨ Ask God to allow your church to make an impact in your society. Pray that your church would be allowed to change lives, to heal and make broken lives whole. Pray that the love of Jesus flows out of your church.
Read Ephesians 5:23-29. Rom 16:5, Acts 8:1. 1 Cor 15:9
For many people in our own world the ‘church’ has become symbolic of a religious dinosaur that once held sway over people’s lives. Gratefully, they argue, most people have been freed from the grip of this monster that once controlled their lives, society and the entire world. At no point would they consider “Church” to be a house of hope, which it really is.
The word ‘church’ is derived probably from the Greek kuriakon (i.e., “the Lord’s house”), which was used by ancient authors for the place of worship. In the New Testament it is the translation of the Greek word ecclesia, which is synonymous with the Hebrew kahal of the Old Testament. Both words mean an assembly, the character of which can only be known from the connection in which the word is found. There is no clear instance of its being used for a place of meeting or of worship, although in post-apostolic times it received this meaning. Nor is this word ever used to denote the inhabitants of a country united in the same profession, as when we say the “Church of England,” the “Church of Scotland”.
The word ecclesia used in the following senses in the New Testament: (1.) It is translated “assembly” in the ordinary classical sense (Acts 19:32, 39, 41).
(2.) It denotes the whole body of the redeemed, all those whom the Father has given to Christ, the invisible catholic church (Eph. 5:23, 25, 27, 29; Heb. 12:23).
(3.) A few Christians associated together in observing the ordinances of the gospel are an ecclesia (Rom. 16:5; Col. 4:15).
(4.) All the Christians in a particular city, whether they assembled together in one place or in several places for religious worship, were an ecclesia. Thus all the disciples in Antioch, forming several congregations, were one church (Acts 13:1); so also we read of the “church of God at Corinth” (1 Cor. 1:2), “the church at Jerusalem” (Acts 8:1), “the church of Ephesus” (Rev. 2:1), etc.
(5.) The whole body of professing Christians throughout the world (1 Cor. 15:9; Gal. 1:13; Matt. 16:18) are the Church of Christ.
If the “church” is to make an impression on society and if it is to transform society, impression and change must begin internally with its own members. If a church is not transforming and changing its members, it will always remain a religious dinosaur.
Prayer:
¨ Pray for each and every single person in your church. Pray that God would be changing them, transforming them and renewing their minds in Christ Jesus. If you can, pray for each person or each family by name.
¨ Ask God to allow your church to make an impact in your society. Pray that your church would be allowed to change lives, to heal and make broken lives whole. Pray that the love of Jesus flows out of your church.
Saturday, 28 July 2012
Saturday July 28, 2012
Read Mark 1:35-45
“My next record should be 45 minutes of silence,” said singer Meg Hutchinson, “because that’s what we’re missing most in society.”
Silence is indeed hard to find. Cities are notoriously noisy due to the high concentration of traffic and people. There seems to be no escape from loud music, loud machines and loud voices. But the kind of noise that endangers our spiritual well-being is not the noise we can’t escape but the noise we invite into our lives. Some of us use noise as a way of shutting out loneliness: voices of TV and radio personalities give us the illusion of companionship. Some of us use it as a way of shutting out our own thoughts: other voices and opinions keep us from having to think for ourselves. Some of us use noise as a way of shutting out the voice of God: constant chatter, even when we’re talking to God, keeps us from hearing what God has to say.
But Jesus, even during His busiest times, made a point of seeking out places of solitude where He could carry on a conversation with God (vs 35). Even if we can’t find a place that is perfectly quiet, we need to find a place to quiet our souls (Psalm 131:2), a place where God has our full attention.
Prayer:
¥ Here’s a challenging prayer. Pray for each and every person in your church directory. Ask God to give each one a deep and intimate connection with Himself, a deeper knowledge of Himself and the steadfastness to connect deeply with God at least once a day.
“My next record should be 45 minutes of silence,” said singer Meg Hutchinson, “because that’s what we’re missing most in society.”
Silence is indeed hard to find. Cities are notoriously noisy due to the high concentration of traffic and people. There seems to be no escape from loud music, loud machines and loud voices. But the kind of noise that endangers our spiritual well-being is not the noise we can’t escape but the noise we invite into our lives. Some of us use noise as a way of shutting out loneliness: voices of TV and radio personalities give us the illusion of companionship. Some of us use it as a way of shutting out our own thoughts: other voices and opinions keep us from having to think for ourselves. Some of us use noise as a way of shutting out the voice of God: constant chatter, even when we’re talking to God, keeps us from hearing what God has to say.
But Jesus, even during His busiest times, made a point of seeking out places of solitude where He could carry on a conversation with God (vs 35). Even if we can’t find a place that is perfectly quiet, we need to find a place to quiet our souls (Psalm 131:2), a place where God has our full attention.
Prayer:
¥ Here’s a challenging prayer. Pray for each and every person in your church directory. Ask God to give each one a deep and intimate connection with Himself, a deeper knowledge of Himself and the steadfastness to connect deeply with God at least once a day.
Friday, 27 July 2012
Friday July 27, 2012
Read Colossians 4:2-6
Driving home from work, I heard a radio advertisement that caught my attention. It was from a computer program that checks emails as they are written. I am familiar with “spell check” and “grammar check” programs, but this was different. This was a “tone check”. The software monitors the tone and wording of emails to make certain they are not overly aggressive, unkind or mean-spirited.
As I listened to the announcer describe the features of this software, I wondered what it would be like for my mouth. How many times have I reacted harshly instead of listening first—and later regretted the words I had spoken? Certainly a tone check would have protected me from responding so foolishly.
Paul saw the need for us as believers to check our speech—especially when talking to those who are not Christians. He said, “Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one” (vs 6). His concern was that our speech be graceful, reflecting the beauty of our Saviour.
And it must be inviting to others. Talking with the right tone to unbelievers is vital to our ability to witness to them. Colossians 4:6 can be our tone check.
Prayer:
¥ Pray that Grace would invade your church. Pray that people in your church would be gracious with each other, loving each other as Christ loved the church. Pray that they would speak graciously to each other and react graciously towards each other. Pray that this would lead many to come to Christ, seeking to find the love they see among the people in your church.
¥ Pray that you would have opportunity to share the love of Christ with the 5 people you prayed for yesterday. Pray again for each one by name.
Driving home from work, I heard a radio advertisement that caught my attention. It was from a computer program that checks emails as they are written. I am familiar with “spell check” and “grammar check” programs, but this was different. This was a “tone check”. The software monitors the tone and wording of emails to make certain they are not overly aggressive, unkind or mean-spirited.
As I listened to the announcer describe the features of this software, I wondered what it would be like for my mouth. How many times have I reacted harshly instead of listening first—and later regretted the words I had spoken? Certainly a tone check would have protected me from responding so foolishly.
Paul saw the need for us as believers to check our speech—especially when talking to those who are not Christians. He said, “Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one” (vs 6). His concern was that our speech be graceful, reflecting the beauty of our Saviour.
And it must be inviting to others. Talking with the right tone to unbelievers is vital to our ability to witness to them. Colossians 4:6 can be our tone check.
Prayer:
¥ Pray that Grace would invade your church. Pray that people in your church would be gracious with each other, loving each other as Christ loved the church. Pray that they would speak graciously to each other and react graciously towards each other. Pray that this would lead many to come to Christ, seeking to find the love they see among the people in your church.
¥ Pray that you would have opportunity to share the love of Christ with the 5 people you prayed for yesterday. Pray again for each one by name.
Thursday, 26 July 2012
Thursday July 26, 2012
Read Amos 4:7-13
In his book Long for this World, Jonathon Weiner writes about science’s promise to radically extend how long we live. At the centre of the book is English scientist Aubrey de Grey, who predicts that science will one day offer us 1 000-year life spans. Aubrey claims that molecular biology has finally placed a cure for ageing within our reach.
But what difference does it make if, after living 1 000 years, we will eventually die anyway. It does not answer it.
The Scriptures tell us that death is not the end of our existence. Instead, we are assured that everyone will stand before Christ—believers for their works and non-believers for their rejection of Him (John 5:25-29; Revelation 20:11-15). All of us are sinners and in need of forgiveness. And only Christ’s death on the cross has provided forgiveness for all who believe (Romans 3:23; 6:23). The Bible says, “It is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment” (Hebrews 9:27).
Our appointed face-to-face encounter with God puts everything in perspective. So whether we live 70 years or 1 0000, the issue of eternity is the same: “Prepare to meet your God!” (vs 12).
Prayer:
¥ Think of 5 people you know that are unsaved and that you want to come to Christ for salvation. Pray for each one by name. Ask God to give you the opportunity to speak to each one about Christ’s offer of salvation.
¥ Pray that your church would grow through conversions.
In his book Long for this World, Jonathon Weiner writes about science’s promise to radically extend how long we live. At the centre of the book is English scientist Aubrey de Grey, who predicts that science will one day offer us 1 000-year life spans. Aubrey claims that molecular biology has finally placed a cure for ageing within our reach.
But what difference does it make if, after living 1 000 years, we will eventually die anyway. It does not answer it.
The Scriptures tell us that death is not the end of our existence. Instead, we are assured that everyone will stand before Christ—believers for their works and non-believers for their rejection of Him (John 5:25-29; Revelation 20:11-15). All of us are sinners and in need of forgiveness. And only Christ’s death on the cross has provided forgiveness for all who believe (Romans 3:23; 6:23). The Bible says, “It is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment” (Hebrews 9:27).
Our appointed face-to-face encounter with God puts everything in perspective. So whether we live 70 years or 1 0000, the issue of eternity is the same: “Prepare to meet your God!” (vs 12).
Prayer:
¥ Think of 5 people you know that are unsaved and that you want to come to Christ for salvation. Pray for each one by name. Ask God to give you the opportunity to speak to each one about Christ’s offer of salvation.
¥ Pray that your church would grow through conversions.
Wednesday, 25 July 2012
Wednesday July 25, 2012
Read Exodus 4:1-9, 17
Conventional wisdom questions how much can be accomplished with little. We tend to believe that a lot more can be done if we have large financial resources, talented manpower and innovative ideas. But these things don’t matter to God. Consider just a couple of examples:
In Judges 3:31, a relative unknown man named Shamgar delivered Israel from the Philistines single-handedly. How? He won a great victory by killing 6000 Philistines with nothing more than an oxgoad (a stick sharpened on one end to drive slow-moving animals).
In Exodus, when God asked Moses to lead the people of Israel out of Egypt, Moses was afraid the people wouldn’t listen to him or follow him. So God said, “What is that in your hand?” (4:2). Moses replied, “A rod.” God went on to use that rod in Moses’ hand to convince the people to follow him, to turn the Nile River into blood, to bring great plagues on Egypt, to part the Red Sea and to perform miracles in the wilderness.
Moses’ rod and Shamgar’s ox-goad, when dedicated to God, became mighty tools. This helps us see that God can use what little we have, when surrendered to Him, to do great things. God is not looking for people with great ability, but for those who are dedicated to following and obeying Him.
Prayer:
¥ Pray that your congregation would be God focused and willing to do the tasks set for it by God. Pray for power equal to the tasks not tasks equal to your power. Pray that God would be glorified as you do the work given to you by God.
¥ Pray that the work of Uni Impact (through the Richards in NZ) would be powerful and active. Ask God to use them to grow His kingdom, to make disciples and to send those disciples out on Mission.
Conventional wisdom questions how much can be accomplished with little. We tend to believe that a lot more can be done if we have large financial resources, talented manpower and innovative ideas. But these things don’t matter to God. Consider just a couple of examples:
In Judges 3:31, a relative unknown man named Shamgar delivered Israel from the Philistines single-handedly. How? He won a great victory by killing 6000 Philistines with nothing more than an oxgoad (a stick sharpened on one end to drive slow-moving animals).
In Exodus, when God asked Moses to lead the people of Israel out of Egypt, Moses was afraid the people wouldn’t listen to him or follow him. So God said, “What is that in your hand?” (4:2). Moses replied, “A rod.” God went on to use that rod in Moses’ hand to convince the people to follow him, to turn the Nile River into blood, to bring great plagues on Egypt, to part the Red Sea and to perform miracles in the wilderness.
Moses’ rod and Shamgar’s ox-goad, when dedicated to God, became mighty tools. This helps us see that God can use what little we have, when surrendered to Him, to do great things. God is not looking for people with great ability, but for those who are dedicated to following and obeying Him.
Prayer:
¥ Pray that your congregation would be God focused and willing to do the tasks set for it by God. Pray for power equal to the tasks not tasks equal to your power. Pray that God would be glorified as you do the work given to you by God.
¥ Pray that the work of Uni Impact (through the Richards in NZ) would be powerful and active. Ask God to use them to grow His kingdom, to make disciples and to send those disciples out on Mission.
Tuesday, 24 July 2012
Tuesday July 24, 2012
Read 1Corinthians 3:5-15
Someone once asked me why she should be like Jesus now since she would become like Him when she got to heaven (1John 3:1-3). Great question! Especially when it’s easier to just be yourself.
Actually, there are several reasons why becoming like Him now is important, but one is near the top. When we see and stand before Him, we will give an account as to whether or not we lived in ways that were consistent with His will. Or, as Paul put it, whether or not we have built on Him as our foundation with “gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay [or] straw” (vs 12-13).
All that we do to advance His kingdom—things like contribute to the strength of His church, serve the poor and needy and promote righteousness and justice as He did—is like building with essential materials that will survive the fire of His judgment. On the contrary, building with things that reflect our fallen ways, and living to advance ourselves and our earthly desires are commodities that turn into a pile of ashes before the consuming fire of His Glory.
I don’t know about you, but I’d rather love Jesus enough to live like Him now, for the thought of standing before Him in a heap of ashes is an unthinkable alternative.
Prayer:
¥ Pray for the music team in your congregation. Include the leaders, the musicians, singers and technical people. Pray that God would bless them in their work and use them powerfully to edify others.
¥ Pray that cell groups would be growing in love and unity. Pray that each and every person would be in a cell and contributing to the needs of the church.
Someone once asked me why she should be like Jesus now since she would become like Him when she got to heaven (1John 3:1-3). Great question! Especially when it’s easier to just be yourself.
Actually, there are several reasons why becoming like Him now is important, but one is near the top. When we see and stand before Him, we will give an account as to whether or not we lived in ways that were consistent with His will. Or, as Paul put it, whether or not we have built on Him as our foundation with “gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay [or] straw” (vs 12-13).
All that we do to advance His kingdom—things like contribute to the strength of His church, serve the poor and needy and promote righteousness and justice as He did—is like building with essential materials that will survive the fire of His judgment. On the contrary, building with things that reflect our fallen ways, and living to advance ourselves and our earthly desires are commodities that turn into a pile of ashes before the consuming fire of His Glory.
I don’t know about you, but I’d rather love Jesus enough to live like Him now, for the thought of standing before Him in a heap of ashes is an unthinkable alternative.
Prayer:
¥ Pray for the music team in your congregation. Include the leaders, the musicians, singers and technical people. Pray that God would bless them in their work and use them powerfully to edify others.
¥ Pray that cell groups would be growing in love and unity. Pray that each and every person would be in a cell and contributing to the needs of the church.
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