Daily Bible Reading: Acts 26
Weekend Bible Reading, Saturday: Acts 27; Sunday: Acts 28
This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us---whatever we ask---we know that we have what we asked of him. ~ 1 John 5:14-15 NIV
Some months ago, Timberlake finished its project, Building Hope, creating additional physical space for expanding its ministry. In much the same way, we are embarking on the next mission God has for the church: One Million Reasons. This time the objective is intentional investment to enable us to reach even more of our friends, neighbors, colleagues that are living lives apart from Jesus and His love.
Some growth could not happen until we made space for it to happen. Making space for God's work has both a physical and spiritual reality to it.
Every aspect of our lives has both a physical and spiritual dimension. Our impact in the physical realm is essential, but limited by time and space. Our influence in the spiritual realm is defined by knowing "His incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms." (Ephesians 1:19-20).
The Apostle Paul calls us to take advantage of that power in two ways in Ephesians 6:10-18. We are to stand firm putting on the full armor of God so that we can take our stand against the enemy's schemes. Second, we are also to pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. Because of Jesus' victory over death we have power in the spiritual realm to stand firm, silencing the enemy of our souls and to accomplish our mission. We can draw near to God with confidence knowing that if we ask for anything according to His will we will receive it. So, in the same way that we created physical space for God's work, our faithful prayers create spiritual "space" for Him to accomplish His purposes.
So as we wrap up this series and this month of devotionals, let’s pray together for our church as we move forward in working out God’s mission for us. Let’s seek His will and be open to His leading as we see how He wants to use us individually, and as a body of believers, to accomplish His work through this church.
Prayer: Lord, thank You so much for the gift of prayer and the power it gives to us to create spiritual "space" for You to work. We stand firm against the enemy’s schemes to undermine the accomplishment of our mission to make more and better disciples. Help us to be steadfast and bold in our prayers, and to hear your voice so we can obey and accomplish the work you’ve set before us. In the name of Jesus, Amen.
Thank you for being with us for this month of daily devotionals. As the One Million Reasons series closes this weekend we hope you’ve been encouraged and have had moments of hearing God’s voice through His Word and the time you’ve spent with us. Keep reading God's Word each day. There are so many good online devotional options out there - a few to check out:
the YouVersion App, Daily Hope with Rick Warren, or Proverbs 31 by Lysa Terkhurst
God Bless You!
- The Timberlake Devotional Volunteer Team