Grace and peace on this Saturday! I’m glad to finish the week with you in the Pastor’s Workshop.
We’re not only finishing the week, we’re also finishing the series, “Ready to Reopen?” We’re asking the question facing so many. We’re seeking to be guided by our faith as we discern an answer.
Our series has been based on the Book of Judges, Chapters 6 and 7. We’ve followed the story of Gideon and the “reopening” of ancient Israel as we consider our own reopening.
In week one we were invited to “Recover our Confidence”. In week two we were “Reassured in our Doubts”. This week we rise to a “Rally Cry” that leads us forward as we seek to answer the question, “Are we ready to reopen?” faithfully, wisely and well.
The rally cry that comes to us from our text is “A sword for the Lord and for Gideon” (verse 20). The New King James version translates this cry, “A sword of the Lord and of Gideon”.
I like both translations. “A Sword for the Lord…” clarifies and crystalizes whose purpose we are seeking to advance. We are “A Church for the Lord…” At the same time we are “A Church of the Lord…”. We know “the battle belongs to the Lord”. It’s only in Christ’s love that we can be “more than conquerors” as we seek to move forward together in answering the question, “Are we ready to reopen?”
On Saturday we get ready for worship. We prepare with prayer. What would be your prayers for our worship tomorrow? Particularly as you think about the rally cry, “A Church for the Lord and for Christ’s Kingdom Love” what would be your prayers?
Here are a few of mine:
· I pray as a church we will find our confidence in the Covenant we share with God in Christ and in the Commission Jesus Christ gives us as we seek to move forward in faith, answering the question, “Are we ready to reopen?”
· I pray as we think about our rally cry, “A Church for the Lord and for Christ’ Kingdom love “this cry would unify, fortify and mobilize us as we seek to move forward.
· I pray as we think about our rally cry as “A Church of the Lord and of Christ’s Kingdom love” we know “the battle belongs to the Lord”.
· I pray as we answer the question, “Ready to Reopen?” we would do so wisely and well, unified, fortified and mobilized in the “Rally Cry” of God’s grace.
These are a few of my prayers. What are your prayers for yourself and our church as we move forward in these days?
I encourage you to enjoy and be blessed by your time of prayer. I know as you open your heart and mind in faith to the Lord, God will answer and strengthen in grace.
In that faith, I join you in prayer today and look forward to being with you tomorrow in the Master’s Workshop of worship.
Prayer: Gracious God, thank you for the blessing of this last week. Thank You for the way You rally us to Your Kingdom plans and purposes by Your Spirit. Keep us ever mindful and always faithful to the future You have for us. Lead us forward in Your Lordship to and for Your glory. In Jesus’ holy name we pray. Amen