Daily Devotional: Monday, Nov 9
Speaker: Ben Sigman
Theme: A Dangerous Church
Weekend Music links on iTunes: Majestic by Lincoln Brewster; Hosanna by Paul Baloche; The Stand by Hillsong; Desert Song by Hillsong.
Read: Psalms 133:1; John 13:34; Acts 4:32; Philippians 1:4
Think: This weekend Pastor Ben began a new series "Dangerous Church". This doesn't mean church is not a safe place to come to but rather that it is a place that challenges us in our lives to get closer to God.
Many people do not go to church and there are almost as many reasons for it as there are people. The Bible tells us that we need fellowship to encourage and support us in our walk with Him. Just as coals retain their heat and burn longer when with other coals, we keep going longer through struggles when in fellowship with others. Taken from the fire a coal quickly loses its heat and purpose. The same can be said of us.
In a ‘dangerous church' God's people say ‘Yes' when God asks them to do something without first knowing what He requires. A ‘dangerous church' talks about God's heart and subjects that the Bible talks about, even though it may make people uncomfortable. A safe church protects its traditions and avoids controversy, keeping everyone comfortable and happy.
We need to say ‘Yes' to God as individuals and as a church and follow His lead. Think of Jesus' invitation to men who became His disciples... Had they not gone with Jesus when He called, they would have missed out not only on salvation but on witnessing the most amazing things first hand! What they had wasn't much to offer, just the walking away from their nets, but they did it willingly and whole heartedly... and they were part of changing the world!
Do: Keith Green, who was one of the first contemporary Christian music artists, wrote this in one of his songs:
"Here am I, send me, though there's really not that much I can do.
What I have seems so small, but I want to give it all to you."
Think about an area in your life where you have been holding back from saying Yes to God. Be dangerous and say yes... then let Him work to do amazing things.
Pray: Dear Lord, we ask that you give us the strength to be part of a dangerous church, one that says yes to You in all things. Please open our eyes to see Your opportunities and blessings that come from being open to Your will in our lives. Amen.
The eDevotional is written each week by a team of volunteers from Timberlake Church. |
