Thursday July 14, 2022

Today is Thursday, July 14. We continue our tour of Ephesus traveling to the fourth chapter of Paul’s letter to the Ephesians.

In the morning, I wait for a word from my Heavenly Father, I sit at the feet of my Lord Jesus to learn his truth, and I open myself to the abiding presence of the Holy Spirit.

Pause and Pray

Holy and Loving God, thank you for inviting me to sit with you in the stillness of daybreak as you surround me with your embrace of steadfast love. I breathe slowly and deeply – exhaling my concerns and worries into your trustworthy care and inhaling your joy and peace to carry with me throughout my day. Amen.

I worship God at the altar of my soul and joyfully praise him with the words of Psalm 43.

Send me your light and your faithful care, let them lead me; let them bring me to your holy mountain, to the place where you dwell. Then I will go to the altar of God, to God, my joy and my delight. I will praise you with the lyre, O God, my God. Psalm 43:3-4

Pause and Pray

Today’s focus is on leadership in the church. Throughout its pages the Bible contains many examples of leaders. In the Old Testament God raised up leaders like Moses, Joshua, the Judges, the Kings of Israel and Judah, and the Prophets. In the New Testament, the early church had Apostles, Elders and Deacons. By definition, church leaders exercise authority, an authority they receive from Jesus Christ the head of the church. The key to true and effective leadership is to become a humble servant, imitating Jesus who humbly and faithfully served God and humanity.

So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. Ephesians 4:11-13

Christ followers make up the church – the body of Jesus. Each of us has an important role to play and are equipped with specific gifts, skills and abilities necessary to do the work God needs. If I am sitting on the sidelines, God wants to put me back in the game. I am to be deployed strategically for God’s purposes at every age and stage of my life on earth. Apostles go into new places to win disciples for Jesus and plant churches. Prophets interpret God’s Word and speak truth to people. Evangelists proclaim the gospel and witness to the truth. Shepherds are pastors and leaders who care for people and help them grow strong in the faith. Teachers study and interpret God’s word in order for the young and old to gain understanding.

Ask: What has God equipped me to do in the life of the church? Am I sitting on the sidelines, or am I actively using my gifts employed in the work of God?

Pause and Pray

Blessed Lord Jesus, thank you for loving the church so much that you want her to to be built up, strong, unified, mature, growing in love and knowledge, and attaining to the whole measure of your fullness. Help me understand my particular role in the local church. What are the gifts you have given me? Am I called to lead others? Give me the inspiration and courage I need to serve you faithfully. I read the words from Ephesians again and listen for the message you have for me.

So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. Ephesians 4:11-13

Ask: What image, word or phrase stands out to me when I slowly read this passage? What is God trying to say to me through these words of scripture?

Pause and Pray

Every believer is called to serve in the body of Christ and employ the gifts Jesus has given them in the setting of the local church. As I read this passage, I ponder my particular role in my current faith home at this age and stage of my journey. Beyond the gifts of leadership that Paul specifically mentions in this passage of Ephesians, there are other places in the New Testament that define additional gifts needed to build up the church (1 Corinthians 12:1-11, Romans 12:4-8). These gifts can be defined as administration, compassion, discernment, encouragement, faith, generosity, healing, helping, knowledge, speaking/interpreting tongues, service and wisdom. (umc.org/en/content/spiritual-gifts) The main reason God has given me a spiritual gift is to serve others in love and build up my church. I consider how God might be speaking to me through today’s scripture.

Pause and Pray

Lord God, I invite you to reveal or remind me of my particular spiritual gifts. If they are latent or lacking, I ask you to revive them and employ them in my local church. Open doors to service, inspire me to action, equip me to build up the church that I love. Please use me for your kingdom work.
Amen.

For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully. Romans 12:4-8

I leave this time of prayer equipped with the gifts God has given me, eager to serve my family, my church and the world.

Amen