As Christ thanks God for the church, so should we. Here, again, Paul is an outstanding example. (Google image, 5-secrets-of-church-revitalization).
"I always thank God for you" (1 Cor. 1:4). "Ever since I heard . . . I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers (Eph. 1:15-16). "I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy" (Phil. 1:3-4).
"We always thank God, the Father of our lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you" (Col. 1:3). "We always thank God for all of you, mentioning you in our prayers. We continually remember before our God and father . . . " (1 Thess. 1:2-3).
Are you constantly thanking God for your church? Thanking God over and over increases your love. Only love, Pauline love, Christlike love, can sustain you and enable you to be the leader of your people God wants you to be.
Again and again you will need to pray God to baptize you anew with His love. Time and again you will need to call to the Holy Spirit to pour His love in new rivers of fullness through your soul. It is a costly ministry—costly in love, in tears, in pleadings, in agonizing intercession, in time, and in soul energy. But love you must—more, and more, and more.
2. Make the church your special joy. When you love people intensely they become your constant source of joy, especially as they respond to your love. Just as a parent receives joy observing the child's play, growth, interesting sayings, and constant development, so your heart of love for your people will rejoice constantly as you see the Spirit of God at work in them.
Paul not only rejoiced constantly over the church, it was his pride and glory. He delighted with deep spiritual satisfaction. He wrote to the Corinthians, "I glory over you in Christ Jesus our Lord" (1 Cor. 15:31). "I have great confidence in you; I take great pride in you" (2 Cor. 7:4).
3. Keep the church in your heart. Paul testified, "I have you in my heart" (Phil. 1:7). They were written on his heart (2 Cor. 3:2).
They had such a place in his heart that Paul could hardly find words to describe it. "You have such a place in our hearts that we would live or die with you" (2 Cor. 7:3).
David Brainerd, in describing his love for the American Indians, wrote, "When I was asleep I dreamed of these things, and when I waked, the first thing I thought of was this great work." He kept the people on his heart. Are the people to whom you minister constantly in your heart?
4. Open your heart in love to the church. Paul wrote to the Corinthians, "We have . . . opened wide our hearts to you" (2 Cor. 6:11). He referred to the depth of his love for them which caused him to weep for them when he saw their struggles and needs (2 Cor. 2:4).
Paul called God as his witness that he deeply and truly loved his people (2 Cor. 11:11). Though he was absent from them in the body, in love and prayer he was with them in spirit, observing them and delighting in them (Col. 2:5).
You never dare react to the disappointing attitudes or actions of some of your people and begin to shut your heart against them. Christian leaders must consciously endeavor always to keep their hearts open through love to their people.
5. Have constant holy longings for the church. Paul wrote to the Philippians, "God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus" (Phil 1:8). His longing was so great because Jesus had shared with him such deep affection for the church.
When Paul was away from his beloved people he longed for them so intensely it was painful. Such longing kept him constantly praying for them. Do you have such deep longing for your people that it constantly drives you to prayer?
6. Love by constant intercession for the church. While your prayer for your people is never fully obvious to them, yet the love invested in prayer for your people becomes apparent in many ways. The leader who invests much prayer in his people does not need to announce it to them.
They will sense his loving concern and it will bind their hearts to him. Certainly prayer is often the most powerful way to love people. It is not the only way; it cannot take the place of concrete demonstrations of love, but it is basic to all else and upon it depends the effectiveness of all else.
Christ lives to intercede for the church and the world. It is He who directs the Spirit to place upon the heart of a godly leader prayer burdens for the church. Every prayer concern for your people comes direct from the heart of God to you. It is a trust from God to you. You dare not fail Christ by failing to spend extended time each week interceding for your people. Nothing is more important.
Ablaze for God
#37 How to Love the Church
by Dr. Wesley L. Duewel
(pp. 129-132) ZondervanPublishingHouse
Eph. 4:32 (KJV) "And be ye kind one to another,
tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as
God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you."
Eph. 5:21.27 (KJV) "Submitting yourselves one to
another in the fear of God. (27) That he might present
it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or
wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy
and without blemish."
Phil. 2:5 (KJV) "Let this mind be in you, which was
also in Christ Jesus."
Jim Cymbala- "The book of Revelation says that when the twenty-four elders eventually fall at the feet of Jesus, each one will have a golden bowl—and do you know what's in the bowls? What is this incense that is so fragrant to Christ? 'The prayers of the saints' (Rev. 5:8). (p. 81 in his book, FRESH WIND, FRESH FIRE).
The Most Dangerous Game
By James H. Cagle
What was it that enabled Christ to follow His Father's plan?
When Jesus was baptized by John the baptist, the Father spoke to Him of His being pleased with Him, even though He had not done any miracles yet. It gave Jesus a bedrock confidence that His Father loved Him and would be with Him.
It's the same with us, if we are rooted and grounded in God's love for us, we will be willing to do all that we can to accomplish His will.
God wants us to trust Him with His special plan He has devised to bless us and those we know. When you know how much He loves you, it will sustain you! (Taken from Pastor Rick's message, 3/18/2017. List of recent sermons of CFC ministers. Teen Challenge testimonies are also available there.
"We always thank God, the Father of our lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you" (Col. 1:3). "We always thank God for all of you, mentioning you in our prayers. We continually remember before our God and father . . . " (1 Thess. 1:2-3).
Are you constantly thanking God for your church? Thanking God over and over increases your love. Only love, Pauline love, Christlike love, can sustain you and enable you to be the leader of your people God wants you to be.
Again and again you will need to pray God to baptize you anew with His love. Time and again you will need to call to the Holy Spirit to pour His love in new rivers of fullness through your soul. It is a costly ministry—costly in love, in tears, in pleadings, in agonizing intercession, in time, and in soul energy. But love you must—more, and more, and more.
2. Make the church your special joy. When you love people intensely they become your constant source of joy, especially as they respond to your love. Just as a parent receives joy observing the child's play, growth, interesting sayings, and constant development, so your heart of love for your people will rejoice constantly as you see the Spirit of God at work in them.
Paul not only rejoiced constantly over the church, it was his pride and glory. He delighted with deep spiritual satisfaction. He wrote to the Corinthians, "I glory over you in Christ Jesus our Lord" (1 Cor. 15:31). "I have great confidence in you; I take great pride in you" (2 Cor. 7:4).
3. Keep the church in your heart. Paul testified, "I have you in my heart" (Phil. 1:7). They were written on his heart (2 Cor. 3:2).
They had such a place in his heart that Paul could hardly find words to describe it. "You have such a place in our hearts that we would live or die with you" (2 Cor. 7:3).
David Brainerd, in describing his love for the American Indians, wrote, "When I was asleep I dreamed of these things, and when I waked, the first thing I thought of was this great work." He kept the people on his heart. Are the people to whom you minister constantly in your heart?
4. Open your heart in love to the church. Paul wrote to the Corinthians, "We have . . . opened wide our hearts to you" (2 Cor. 6:11). He referred to the depth of his love for them which caused him to weep for them when he saw their struggles and needs (2 Cor. 2:4).
Paul called God as his witness that he deeply and truly loved his people (2 Cor. 11:11). Though he was absent from them in the body, in love and prayer he was with them in spirit, observing them and delighting in them (Col. 2:5).
You never dare react to the disappointing attitudes or actions of some of your people and begin to shut your heart against them. Christian leaders must consciously endeavor always to keep their hearts open through love to their people.
5. Have constant holy longings for the church. Paul wrote to the Philippians, "God can testify how I long for all of you with the affection of Christ Jesus" (Phil 1:8). His longing was so great because Jesus had shared with him such deep affection for the church.
When Paul was away from his beloved people he longed for them so intensely it was painful. Such longing kept him constantly praying for them. Do you have such deep longing for your people that it constantly drives you to prayer?
6. Love by constant intercession for the church. While your prayer for your people is never fully obvious to them, yet the love invested in prayer for your people becomes apparent in many ways. The leader who invests much prayer in his people does not need to announce it to them.
They will sense his loving concern and it will bind their hearts to him. Certainly prayer is often the most powerful way to love people. It is not the only way; it cannot take the place of concrete demonstrations of love, but it is basic to all else and upon it depends the effectiveness of all else.
Christ lives to intercede for the church and the world. It is He who directs the Spirit to place upon the heart of a godly leader prayer burdens for the church. Every prayer concern for your people comes direct from the heart of God to you. It is a trust from God to you. You dare not fail Christ by failing to spend extended time each week interceding for your people. Nothing is more important.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Used by permission of the author and Duewel Literature Trust, Inc., Greenwood, Indiana. Creative reading style by Jean.
Ablaze for God
#37 How to Love the Church
by Dr. Wesley L. Duewel
(pp. 129-132) ZondervanPublishingHouse
 |
| Hands in prayer (Google image) |
Father, as the church is Christ's great treasure, His precious, beloved bride, His constant joy, and because He eagerly waits for the time when He has the approval of the Father to come for us, may we begin to deeply love our church too!
We need to be open to You for fresh baptizing with love anew, and to have new rivers of Your love flowing through us in our ministry in our homes and in our churches.
May we be willing to agonize for souls through intercession for them with Your love—more and more.
Make the love of my church be a constant realization to me, where it is heavy on my heart to intercede for those who attend, for our Pastor and for those who lead in all the various ministries within our church.
Help us have open hearts for our churches' progressive effectiveness in our community for Jesus. We ask this in His name, and for His glory. Amen.
I've posted in my Healing Thoughts and Prayers - #12 If Your Love Has Waned. I hope you'll check it out!
We need to be open to You for fresh baptizing with love anew, and to have new rivers of Your love flowing through us in our ministry in our homes and in our churches.
May we be willing to agonize for souls through intercession for them with Your love—more and more.
Make the love of my church be a constant realization to me, where it is heavy on my heart to intercede for those who attend, for our Pastor and for those who lead in all the various ministries within our church.
Help us have open hearts for our churches' progressive effectiveness in our community for Jesus. We ask this in His name, and for His glory. Amen.
I've posted in my Healing Thoughts and Prayers - #12 If Your Love Has Waned. I hope you'll check it out!
Today's Bible verses-
Eph. 4:32 (KJV) "And be ye kind one to another,
tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as
God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you."
Eph. 5:21.27 (KJV) "Submitting yourselves one to
another in the fear of God. (27) That he might present
it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or
wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy
and without blemish."
Phil. 2:5 (KJV) "Let this mind be in you, which was
also in Christ Jesus."
Today's quote-
Today's popular post-
By James H. Cagle
"Sports are a multi-million dollar business. Some sports are safer than others.
In order to win championships players risk getting concussion, or broke limbs. These risks players take in hope of experiencing that short lived rush that we call "the thrill of victory . . . "
Today's question-
What was it that enabled Christ to follow His Father's plan?
When Jesus was baptized by John the baptist, the Father spoke to Him of His being pleased with Him, even though He had not done any miracles yet. It gave Jesus a bedrock confidence that His Father loved Him and would be with Him.
It's the same with us, if we are rooted and grounded in God's love for us, we will be willing to do all that we can to accomplish His will.
God wants us to trust Him with His special plan He has devised to bless us and those we know. When you know how much He loves you, it will sustain you! (Taken from Pastor Rick's message, 3/18/2017. List of recent sermons of CFC ministers. Teen Challenge testimonies are also available there.
Upcoming posts-
#38 Have a Parental Love for the Church
22nd- Thursday's post by Dr. Wesley L. Duewel
Society and the Family
24th- Saturday's post by Lee Forbes
#39 The Shepherd Heart
27th- Tuesday's post by Dr. Wesley L. Duewel
#40 Jesus, the Model Shepherd
29th- Thursday's post by Dr. Wesley L. Duewel
 |
| Mountain with spring flowers (Google image)
Click to see snippets of the 7 recent posts)
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Jean's published book Paper back $7.95
(Be sure to "look inside" to see contents
through the 2nd devotion)
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