“Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, 20 having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone, 21 in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, 22 in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.” Ephesians 2:19-22 NKJV
Jesus King of Kings and Lord of all,
You came to earth as a man but ascended to Heaven as the King of Kings, Defeating sin and death on the cross. No one, no-one else has that power! We come to You and bow the knee and confess You are Lord of all. We are given the choice of becoming Your subjects in the Kingdom of Heaven. A Kingdom of love. And a Kingdom we are called to live in as citizens. Choosing to obey the King. Help me live as a good citizen.
We are fellow citizens if we, together with all the members of God’s household, keep You as the cornerstone holding the Kingdom together. No-one else, nothing else, can be the cornerstone. Not ability, not wealth, not influence, not beautiful buildings, not some idol made by human hands. Just Jesus. Help the church keep the main thing the main thing. The Gospel of Jesus Christ. Jesus, the cornerstone. In every generation there have been those that wanted to oppose or challenge the church.
Paul wrote letters to the early church to keep them focused. Today is no different. The truth is, God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life (John 3:16).
Amidst all the questions and oppositions the church has to face in todays society, which I do not have answer to, this one thing I know. God in great mercy pardoned me, forgave my sin and set me free. I know that Jesus lives as really and truly as the reality that I love the taste of chocolate! (Psalm 34:8). Be in the choices the church leaders are being forced to make. Keep us firm on the foundation of Christ, centred and laying the don’t knows at Your feet. One day all these questions will be answered and we will see the whole picture. Till then keep us in the heart of Your heart.
In Jesus name we pray and give thanks, Amen.
Jesus King of my Heart,
Hear we are again with all those people we love, those people we worship with, those people we rely on and rely on us, those people we support serving God, those people we work with, know through hobbies or study. We bring them all to you. Some You know have special needs at this time, some are in dire need of Your help. Some we just want You to hold and love. With all the different requests we come to You – because You are the source of al that is good, kind and true. You can heal, still storms, provide bread, lead, reassure, restore, forgive . . . Thank you Lord.
Today we pray for all those citizens captive in the Kingdom of darkness. Those enslaved by pornography, drugs, lust for money, who scam, steal and embezzle. Those who are violent towards their family, physically or mentally. Those who steal and burgle. Those who belong to territorial, controlling gangs who intimidate and bully. Break into their darkness and provide a way out. Give them the choice and the help they need. And where they cannot walk away, confound them so they cannot harm.
We pray for our King, our Government and our nation, for healing, good decisions and that wrong would be uncovered and right be recognised. We pray for leaders around the world. May they all have a desire to see the end of war in Ukraine. Move God to bring about a change from war into peace.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Worship Meditation – Tuesday 6th October 2020
My foundation and in harmony!
In Christ alone, my hope is found
He is my light, my strength, my song
This Cornerstone, this solid ground
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm
What heights of love, what depths of peace
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease
My Comforter, my All in All
Here in the love of Christ I stand
In Christ alone, who took on flesh
Fullness of God in helpless babe
This gift of love and righteousness
Scorned by the ones He came to save
‘Til on that cross as Jesus died
The wrath of God was satisfied
For every sin on Him was laid
Here in the death of Christ I live, I live
There in the ground His body lay
Light of the world by darkness slain
Then bursting forth in glorious Day
Up from the grave He rose again
And as He stands in victory
Sin’s curse has lost its grip on me
For I am His and He is mine
Bought with the precious blood of Christ
No guilt in life, no fear in death
This is the power of Christ in me
From life’s first cry to final breath
Jesus commands my destiny
No power of hell, no scheme of man
Can ever pluck me from His hand
Till He returns or calls me home
Here in the power of Christ I’ll stand