As we begin the new year, I have been seeking the Lord regarding insight into the direction of our church over the next twelve months. We want to see Him pour out His Spirit in new and fresh ways, and see our church grow in maturity and in numbers. Like you, I’ve read through Acts multiple times and took note “the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.” I’ve longed for it and I’ve looked for it. And I will continue to do so…… But….
The Lord took me on a journey over the past several weeks. And it has been a humbling lesson on prayer. I pray regularly, and with joy and love, for each and every one of you. I pray for blessing, for the Lord to heal and provide joy and hope for you and for Him to fulfill His purposes in you. And those are good things to pray. But the Lord has shown me I should be praying something far greater. I want to explore some of these things over the next week, while encouraging us to pray them for each other.
The first thing He showed me to pray for you comes from Ephesians 1.
“I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better.” Ephesians 1:16-17 NIV
Notice the goal: To know Him better. And the means to the goal: God giving each of us the Spirit of wisdom and revelation. Wisdom to know that He is God and we are not, and that there is no good thing living in us, that is in these bodies. (Romans 7:18) And revelation about Himself so that we truly know Him. I knew some things about Pam before we were married but since we have been married and lived together for over 40 years that has changed. She has revealed things about herself and openly lived out her life, her thoughts, her passions and concerns with me such that I really KNOW her. God has revealed Himself in a number of ways, but we can only truly KNOW Him if we are living life WITH Him. His desire is for each of us to KNOW Him.
That is the beginning of what I am praying for you. Will you pray it for me too? My life verse states it this way: “I want to know Christ, and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of sharing in His sufferings. Becoming like Him in His death and so somehow to attain to the resurrection from the dead.” (Philippians 3:10)
Lord Jesus, I thank you for each and every person who calls Eastern Hills home. I beg you to give each of us the Spirit of wisdom and revelation so that we may truly KNOW you, and in knowing you worship you as you deserve, for your glory and our good. In Jesus’ name. Amen
No comments:
Post a Comment