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RCRC Month of Prayer
June 30 – Run to win
Read: Heb 12:1-3 – "The divine competitor"
Observe: Paul’s application to his mission is inspirational, isn’t it? He is passionate. He is prepared to bear the cost. He ran the gauntlet of rejection. He lived a life of discomfort and rejection. How do we explain that? What made him tick? What motivated him?
Paul’s desire to run the race, and to run it with perseverance, is explained by the fact that he was imitating his Saviour. Jesus is the divine competitor. Hebrews 12 encourages us to look to him so that we will not grow weary and lose heart. Remember this: Jesus endured the cross. He scorned its shame. Phil 2 reminds us that Jesus counted heavenly glory and honour as nothing. He humbled himself, took the nature of a servant, became human, and entered a life of suffering that ended on the Cross. His exaltation, however, will never end!
These are our teachers, friends. And Jesus is our Lord and Master, now seated at the right hand of God in all glory and honour. Our calling, then, is not to a cosy, inward looking religion but to concerted mission as we follow the pioneer and perfector of our faith. Our calling is to courageous Christianity as we carry the apostolic Gospel into the darkness of our world. And in Christ’s name we will never, never give up, because our eyes are fixed on the One who is with us. He enables, empowers, and enfolds us in his protecting love (Matt 28:16-20).
Pray:
- For courage in your witness, and for the determination to follow in the steps of Christ who suffered in order to bring his people to glory.
- For courage and discernment for the church as it develops the ‘race plan’ for the future: church planting strategies; leadership development plans; effective nourishing of the body of Christ; leading people into witness and faith. Ask for a strengthening of our commitment and knowledge in the Gospel, and for the discernment of understanding what can change to make us more effective in this work.
- Wisdom: We really need wisdom for what to do in relation to property needs: all our plans and aspirations need to be governed by the demands of the "race plan". These things may be unclear at this point – so we really need to ask God to guide us. Can you please keep praying for this, even when the ‘month of prayer’ has come to an end? Feel free to pass on your comments or thoughts to the address below.
- 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.
Mark your diary: July 22 breakfast
We have planned a follow up breakfast for the morning of Saturday July 22 (7:30am – 9:30am). We will be discussing what God has taught us over this last month, and seeking to clarify aspects of our future planning and what our property needs may be. Please mark this date in your diary now, and make a point of being there. We want to know you are coming, so send an email to office@redlandscrc.org.au and tell us how many places you need.
Tomorrow’s email: I may indulge you attention to pull some threads to together following this month of prayer. I have greatly appreciated the feedback you have given, and really look forward to the remainder of the journey with you!
Feedback: dave@redlandscrc.org.au