Scripture:

“Even before the creation of the world , God loved us and chose us IN CHRIST to be holy and without fault in his eyes. God decided in advance to ADOPT US INTO HIS OWN FAMILY by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ . This is what he wanted to do and it gave him great pleasure. So we praise God  for the glorious grace he has poured out on us who belong to his dear Son.” (Ephesians 1:5-6)

They said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.” And they spoke the word of the Lord to him together with all who were in his house. And he took them that very hour of the night and washed their wounds, and immediately he was baptized, he and all his household. And he brought them into his house and set food before them, and rejoiced greatly, having believed in God with his whole household. (Acts 16:31-34 NASB)

Reflect:

‘The harvest is plenty!’ No one is beyond God’s love. God promises us that if we ask, SEEK (Seek Him) and knock, the door will be opened to you (Matthew 7:7).’  So many times we think we’ve got to reach out to God, but He has tried so many times to reach us, and that was through His Son, Jesus. He came to us. He came looking for me because He saw the desire in my heart and saw that I really wanted to know who He was. From that encounter with God, then we can begin a life-changing crossroad for our whole family.

In our natural family as well as the family of God, Christ is supreme over all.  In the family of God, in His Kingdom, the local church is an expression of the body of Christ.  God is our Father, our Lord and our King and as sons and daughters of the King we have access to Him (his presence, His Holy Spirit), His Kingdom and to all the kindness, power and spiritual gifts that he wants to bestow upon us.

What does it meant to be a part of the body of Christ? Or a part of His Kingdom? And why does the body exist?
As a local church, ICC is the local expression of the body of Christ and we want to be a healthy and fully-functional body.  If we reflect on the human body, every body part and every cell has a function and works best when it is healthy.  If the body is infected,  paralysed or has cancer cells it can cause the body to stop functioning properly and it will become dysfunctional.  Those cells must be cut off or amputated as it can cause decay and even death to the body.  And similarly, in the body of Christ, we want the body to be healthy because as a body we exist to serve others, we are called to be the hands and feet of Christ to Go and Make Disciples.

Prayer

Jesus, I pray for my family, and all the families of Australia, that every family member will come to know You as their Saviour and dearest Friend. I ask that the veil of deception and unbelief would be lifted from their eyes so that they can see the Truth of who You are. I ask you, Holy Spirit, to stir the hearts of the ‘prodigal sons and daughters’ of this nation to return to their loving Heavenly Father. Send out more ‘harvesters,’ Lord! Show me how I can be effective in reaching out to the people in my life who don’t yet know You. 

Prayer Points:

 

  • Pray that the people that God has put on your heart at this time will encounter the Father’s love for them
  • Claim and declare that the promise of Jeremiah 29:12-13 will become reality for those you are praying for: At that time, you will call out for Me, and I will hear. You will pray, and I will listen. You will look for Me intently, and you will find Me (Jeremiah 29:12-13 Voice)
  • Pray that each of us will realise our identity in Christ and the the potential and gifting that God has placed in us to function well in the body of Christ
  • Pray for individuals and families in our church to be healthy emotionally, spiritually and physically
  • Pray for your destiny and shalom peace over our families, city and nation.

Ps Jonathan Mok
Senior Minister