All In Daily Devotional March 1: The Power of Jesus' Church

 First Redeemer Church

 

 

The Power of Jesus’ Church

 

 

“And Jesus responded, ‘Simon son of Jonah, you are blessed because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but My Father in heaven.  And I also say to you that you are Peter and on this rock  I will build My church, and the forces of Hades will not overpower it.  I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth is already bound  in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth is already loosed in heaven.’”  

Matthew 16:17-19

 

 

God is God. There is no other. He is holy and worthy and majestic on His throne. He knows best, and He has given us His church. We pause to praise Him.   

 

Jesus is the Rock, the Cornerstone laid in Zion, His is an unshakeable reign. He charged Peter and the disciples with furthering His kingdom work, and the call still stands today. We get to be a part – living stones built upon Him, the body of Christ with Jesus our head. 

 

There is power in Jesus’ church. It is a power beyond our own. 

 

We too easily forget that the blessing is ours. We reduce the church to walls and programs and think it exists for us and serves our purposes. It is so much more.  It is His, all of it. We cannot take it for granted or view it through any other lens.    

 

It’s simple. His church is effective when yielded to His leading. It operates best when it flourishes in His purpose and works He has already prepared. In any other measure, efforts are wasted, time is spent, and glory lies sadly misplaced.  

 

It matters greatly.  

 

There is a waiting world hungry for freedom and truth. There remains much to do, and God, in His power, sets apart His church to help carry forth His kingdom. He has equipping to accomplish and edification to foster. There is work to be done and a message to proclaim. His church has light to shine, hope to share, and certainty that points from the cross into eternity. 

 

God invites us to be part of what He is doing. It is a necessary humbling, stopping to remember His plan. He uses people, flawed and failing, to accomplish what only He can. His church exists for Him and flourishes in His power. It is a power beyond our own. 

 

We get a front-row seat. What a responsibility. What a joy.  What a cornerstone in Christ. May we not waste opportunity. Let’s throw our arms wide, join hands, and walk in all the ways God is leading. He has work yet to do in His church until the day He calls her home.    

 

Upon this rock we stand.

 

We’re All In. 

 

 

o   Thank you, God, for your church and your plan to further your kingdom here on earth.

o   Help us yield to your purpose so your church can function as you design and intend.

o   Give us eyes to see opportunity and courage to step into all the ways you lead.

o   We pray your church would be mighty in our community and in our world.