"...God's household, which is the church of the living God,
the pillar and foundation of the truth."
(1 Timothy 3:15b, NIV)
MORNING DEVOTION- "O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee..." (Psalm 63:1)
Scripture Reading: Acts 2:1-47
The Church was born on the Day of Pentecost; the 50th day after the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. The Lord chose a feast day as the appointed day to send the promised Holy Spirit. It was the Feast of Weeks, the Firstfruits of the Harvest (reference Numbers 28:26; the Feast of the Harvest (reference Exodus 23:16)); and now it had become the firstfuits of the great harvest of the Church. The giving of the Holy Spirit came with "a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind...and divided tongues, as of fire" on the Day of Pentecost. The day of celebration for the giving of the law upon Mount Sinai, which had also come in fire, would now be the day of fulfillment of God's new government upon their hearts: "I will put My law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their God and they will be My people" (Jeremiah 31:33b). The public proclamation of the gospel began as the Holy Spirit endued the disciples with power to preach in the many different languages from all the countries known at that time which were in Jerusalem for the feast (15 nations are listed); they spoke in languages they had not known as a sign from heaven of the resurrection of Jesus Christ and confirmation of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. "about three thousand were added to their number that day" (v.41).
The birth of the Church was extraordinary and miraculous. The Lord had prepared them for this blessed event because they "were all with one accord in one place" and "they all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication" (Acts 1:14a). They were united in prayer and holy love and continued in that same manner from that point on, as they "devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer" (v.42). They opened their hearts to one another and were joined together with a common interest, and they opened their hands and sold their possessions to care for those in need (v.45). They were diligent in their hearing and preaching of the Word, and their prayers were without ceasing; their love to one another increased and they were filled joy.
The "spiritual" body of Christ was birthed and built "on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus Himself as the chief cornerstone" (Ephesians 2:20). Peter laid the first stone with his inspired confession of faith, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God" (Matthew 16:16). Since then, God's solid foundation, the Church which upholds the truth (reference 1 Timothy 3:15), stands firm, "sealed with this inscription: 'The Lord knows who are His,' and, 'Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness" (2 Timothy 2:19). Zechariah saw this stone with the inscription on it being laid: "See the stone I have set in front of Joshua! There are seven eyes on that one stone, and I will engrave an inscription on it,' says the LORD Almighty, 'and I will remove the sin of this land in a single day" (Zechariah 3:9). The seven eyes are the seven-fold Spirit of God who will guide, direct, and fulfill the purposes of God in the Church (reference Isaiah 11:2). "I do not believe in a repetition of Pentecost, but I do believe in a perpetuation of Pentecost - and there is a vast difference between the two...Pentecost did not come and go, but...Pentecost came and stayed..." - A.W. Tozer.
Heavenly Father,
Prepare our hearts even now as
You did at the birth of Your church
to experience and appreciate
the life of Your Holy Spirit.
We are facing a great dilemma, Lord,
and only You can guide us through
these tumultuous days ahead
by the power of Your Holy Spirit.
Teach us to be still and know that
You are God. Open our hearts
and purify them so that Your Holy Spirit
can find holy ground in which to rest
His tender feet, and do the work
necessary in the inner life
so our hearts will be awakened
to advance Your kingdom and
proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ.
In Jesus' Name. Amen.
Someone once wrote that, "while the early Christians lacked temporal resources, they were not short on spiritual power." The early church knew what it meant to appreciate and experience the life in the Spirit. Our modern church is lacking in necessary spiritual power because we are not united as we should be and we do not pray as we ought. The Lord revealed Himself to His early disciples and He confirmed His presence with the outpouring of His Holy Spirit. It is our duty as the church of God to continue to carry this blazing torch of truth that has been entrusted to us, and reveal God in all His holiness and majesty to this generation. We have the power to change our current course of spiritual destruction and moral decline if we will repent, return to our First Love, and pray without ceasing. Let us unite in prayer this morning with an earnest desire to return to our spiritual roots and become the Church of Acts - where the acts of the Holy Spirit were evident as believers gave their time to fellowship, prayer, and the ministry of the Word.
The tabernacle in the wilderness was designed to provide a place where the presence of God would dwell in the midst of the people; in the same manner the Church has been established to become "a holy temple" where His Spirit can dwell. "And in Him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by His Spirit" (Ephesians 2:22). His desire, both then and now, is to reveal His presence and power to the nations. Through His chosen people, Israel, God revealed His light to the Gentiles (reference Luke 2:32), and united them to fulfill His "eternal purpose" (reference Ephesians 3:6). Through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, God achieved what seemed impossible - He united the believing Jew and Gentile into one Church - that they would become one new man (reference Ephesians 2:15-16): "...that all of them may be one, Father, just as You are in Me and I am in You" (John 17:21); ultimately displaying through them His love to the world. "May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that You sent Me and have loved them even as You have loved Me" (John 18:23). His purpose has not changed for thousands of years as He continues to work through His people to reveal His glory to the nations, so many will be drawn into His presence.
The early Church suffered tremendous persecution, which God used to achieve His purposes of bringing His message to the utmost parts of the world (reference Acts 1:8). Even though they were scattered, they remained unified as one body; encouraging one another, building each other up in the faith, and providing for each other to accomplish the mission they had been called to. "And He has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making His appeal through us" (2 Corinthians 5:19b, 20a). Unity in the church is a critical component of God's plan; we cannot carry a message that boasts of unity and harmony if the body, which is supposed to be operating as one, is cut off at the knees because of disputes and disagreements. "The body is a unit, though it is made up of many parts; and though all its parts are many, they form one body. So it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit into one body - whether Jews or Greeks, slave or free - and we were all given the one Spirit to drink" (1 Corinthians 12:12).
The apostle Paul exhorted the church to keep the unity so we can continue to grow up into maturity under the Head which is Christ (reference Colossians 1:18): "Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit - just as you were called to one hope when you were called - one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all" (Ephesians 4:2-6). As opposition and criticism towards Christianity intensifies, it is important that we, as the Body of Christ, realize that we need each other now, more than ever. We are a family and must stop our finger pointing and malicious talk which is wounding the entire body (reference Isaiah 58:9b), and instead stand united together as one in the bond of peace, to contend for the faith and to fulfill the great commission (reference Matthew 28:19-20). "Love suffers long and is kind..." (1 Corinthians 13:4a).
Heavenly Father,
May we, as Your Church,
"be like-minded, having the same love,
being one in spirit and purpose.
May we do nothing out of selfish ambition
or vain conceit, but in humility consider others
better than ourselves. Help us to not look to
our own interests" (Philippians 2:2-4), desiring not to build
our own little kingdoms, but to look to the interests of
others, and fulfill the greater work of building Your Kingdom.
To the praise and glory of Your name.
In Jesus' Name. Amen.
The Church is the visible representation of Christ in the world, yet our divisions both inside the walls of many congregations, and across the lines of the various denominations, have distorted our message and weakened our impact to a watching world. The events of recent days only reveal the need for greater unity in the Body of Christ. The early church grew deeply in their love toward one another because they prayed together and for one another. This afternoon take time to pray for your church, your pastor, other leaders, and workers as well as the other churches in your community. Pray for a renewed sense of unity in vision and of heart - we are to be united as one heart, for "There is one body and one Spirit" (Ephesians 4:4a). Pray for a repentant and forgiving spirit, so that selfish pursuits and competition would be replaced with a holy unselfish love for one other, and ultimately the desire to please God above all else and bring glory to His name. "By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another" (John 13:35).
EVENING MEDITATION -"...and on His law he meditates day and night" (Psalm 1:2)
Prayer Focus: The Church
The Church has played a vital role in laying the spiritual foundation of our nation. The Scriptures were the "lamp to our feet and light for our path" in guiding the formation of our government and the documents which birthed this great nation. From the very beginning, pastors held a position of influence as the chief educators and leaders of their communities; many of which helped establish our constitutional form of government. Twenty-four out of the fifty-six signers of the Declaration of Independence held seminary degrees. These were men who openly and publicly expressed their faith and held to the belief that our success and very survival was dependent upon adherence to the principles laid out in God's Holy Word. Tragically, there has been a systematic fraying away of the moral and spiritual fabric of our nation over the past 70 to 80 years.
It is vital to our nation and the world that the Church rise up to become the pillar of truth it was born to be (reference 1 Timothy 3:15). The Church holds the keys to heaven - and our access to the blessings this world needs depends on prayer. We have the power within us, through the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit of God, to change our present course towards destruction, and be restored to our former glory with Christ as the Head. The universal remedy for all of our personal and national woes is found in prayer! We will experience the spiritual awakening we so desperately need, when we, as the church, get serious about prayer.
This evening spend time praying for the church fellowship you are a part of, and for the health and wholeness of the entire Body of Christ. Begin by praying for your pastor and church leadership (reference 1 Timothy 3; 4:8, 15-16; 6:11; 2 Timothy 4:2-5; Hebrews 13:17,18). One writer penned, "If you want a better pastor then pray for the one you have." We spend far too much energy complaining about people and programs rather than using that energy to pray for them. Our pastors have a divine opportunity for reaching and influencing the greatest number of people from the pulpit each week, therefore we must pray for them to be protected in their own personal prayer time and Bible study. Pray for strength, peace and health for their marriage and family. Pray for them to be connected with other local pastors in the community so they can be an encouragement to one another. Ask the Lord's blessing for your church to become a pure reflection of Christ in the community, known more for your love towards one another and the presence of the Holy Spirit, rather than for programs and productions. Pray every week that those who enter the doors of your church will experience a personal encounter with the living God. May the doors of the church be as the gate of heaven, that all will come in rejoicing in the goodness of God, and be sent out transformed, proclaiming His glorious message of salvation to the lost world. May the Lord give us the privilege of winning many souls to Christ!
Practical things you can do as you pray for your church: Request a copy of your church directory to pray for your leadership and all the families in your congregation by name. Sign up to receive the prayer request list so you can pray for the specific needs of your church. Join the prayer team, or take part in one of your church's weekly prayer meetings. Commit to praying and fasting one day a week for your church. Arrive early on Sunday mornings to prayer walk around your church or pray over all the pews before everyone arrives. Join with friends from other congregations and meet to prayer walk around a different church in your community each week. Consider sending an encouraging note to those you've prayed for - they will be blessed to know you have prayed for them.
Heavenly Father,
How dearly You love Your church.
How deeply we need to be connected to
Your heart and utterly dependent upon
You and separated from this world.
Lord, we ask that You would give
Your church today an extraordinary spirit of prayer.
Pentecost came as the firstfruit of united,
unceasing prayer, how can we expect
that revival will come today in any other way.
Stir the hearts of Your people to deeper
levels of secret prayer, and draw us out
to increasing opportunities of united prayer.
May we be an encouragement to one
another towards this high and holy intercession
before Your throne. Lord, prepare Your
people for the abundant blessings You
will pour out upon Your church.
Empty us of all worldliness and carnality,
and fill us with Your divine life.
Awaken the heart and soul of the Church
to the lost and dying all around us, and
to the sins among us. Lead us into
a season of deep repentance so that
times of refreshing can come from the Lord.
"Come, and let us return to the LORD;
for He has torn, but He will heal us;
He has stricken, but He will bind us up.
After two days He will revive us;
on the third day He will raise us up,
that we may live in His sight.
Let us know, let us pursue the knowledge of the LORD.
