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RCRC Month of Prayer
June 28 – Run to win
Read: 1 Cor 9:24-27 – "Beat my body?"
Observe: God calls us to rigorous discipline! Sure, this applies to individuals, but he’s talking to his church here. Exacting discipline is required to stay on track in the race: our mission to be used by god to win people. There is a cost involved for church and all who belong to it. It is a cost that brings pain. Self discipline always hurts. The question is this: is it a cost we are prepared to bear?
What sort of cost? It will involve things like...
- Change. Not merely ‘old’ vs. ‘new’, but change that brings more understanding of people’s pain; our community’s real need, and a desire to address those needs
- Money. No one enjoys it when this comes up: but mission always calls us to dig deep. Ministry, mission and service costs money. Leaders of all descriptions need to be trained, educated, equipped and skilled up. Church planting teams needs to be developed. The church’s mission needs to be resourced. The body needs to be nourished. And we haven’t even started talking about facilities yet!
- Schedule, diary and time. The church should banish forever the rule that 80% of the work is done by 20% of the people. This is an affront to the body and to Christ its head. Mission is something we are all called to: every one of us.
- Ridicule. When you place your foot on Christ’s race track, all the world are spectators, and they will let you know what they think. There’s a cost here, too!
The challenge: as a body and as individuals – what cost are you prepared to bear? In giving? In time for ministry? In resources? In using your gifts for others?
Pray:
- Lord, show me as a follower of Jesus the cost I need to bear. Please do not let me turn my back on a closer walk with you.
- Lord, show us as a church family where we need to keep changing. Please do not let us seek comfy Christianity, but concerted and determined witness to you. Help us to be sensitive; to see and address the needs in our local community. Make us alt and light right here, Lord.
- Lord, help us to dig deep so that by your grace and to your glory ministry and mission will flourish and thrive here at Redlands CRC.
- Property Developments: Please ask the Lord to lead and guide us as we consider our calling and mission and what demands that places on our property. Lay these things before the Lord, and ask him to guide us through his word and spirit.
- Lord, have us run the race with determination! Get us thinking about our race plan! Have us hunger for the prize! Let us be a model of your grace as we run to win.
Feedback: dave@redlandscrc.org.au