Tuesday, August 20, 2013

Tuesday Devotion and Prayer Prompts

Chapters four and five of the book of Revelation contain an amazing description of heavenly worship. John saw a throne in heaven with a rainbow surrounding it. Flashes of lighting and sounds of thunder were coming out of the throne. There were four living creatures who day and night proclaimed: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God, the Almighty, who was and who is and who is to come” (4:8). John also saw twenty four elders who knelt down and cast their crowns before the throne saying: “Worthy are You, our Lord and our God, to receive glory and honor and power; for You created all things, and because of Your will they existed, and were created” (4:11).

John saw God the Father as the One seated upon the throne with a scroll sealed with seven seals in his right hand. He saw God the Holy Spirit as seven lamps of fire burning before the throne. He saw God the Son as the Lamb who was slain.

One of the elders called John’s attention to the Lion of the Tribe of Judah, the root of David; when he looked, he saw a Lamb who was slain. An angel was asking: “who is worthy to take the scroll from the hand of the One sited on the throne?” Nobody in heaven or on earth was worthy to take the scroll. Finally, one of the elders said to John that the Lamb who was slain was worthy to take the scroll. When the Lamb took the scroll something remarkable happened. The whole creation worshiped the Lamb. Like a symphony in crescendo, the four living creatures and the twenty four elders were followed in praise by the thousands upon thousands of angels, who were followed by every created thing in heaven, on earth, and under the earth.

9 And they sang a new song, saying, “Worthy are You to take the book and to break its seals; for You were slain, and purchased for God with Your blood men from every tribe and tongue and people and nation. 10 “You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to our God; and they will reign upon the earth.” (Revelation 5:9-­‐10)

We are purchased people, bought by the blood of Jesus to be a kingdom of priests to worship Him. Having a time to worship God privately is something that all believers can and ought to do, but having the experience of worshiping God corporately with believers from other races, languages, and nationalities is like participating in a heavenly experience. Jesus redeemed us from every tribe and tongue and people and nation. Together we can worship God.

I am so glad that at Apex Baptist, we are willing to experience a piece of heaven worshiping God with people from different races, languages, and nations. Currently during the time of worship in our en Español ministry, the Lord has given us people from 11 different nations. We have a new song to sing, the song of the redeemed, the song of praise and gratitude for having all of our sin forgiven and for making us a new creation in Christ. We have a new position; he has made us a kingdom of priests and we will reign with him. What a privilege and honor!

TUESDAY PRAYER PROMPTS: 

1. Pray for wisdom for pastor Alex to lead our en Español ministry. To finish his doctoral work (comprehension exams in October 7 & 8, and for dissertation).

2. Pray for leadership development in the different ministries en Español; women, men, married couples, singles, worship, greeters, youth, life groups, home groups.

3. Pray for numerical growth; that we develop a heart to reach out to the lost.

4. Pray for spiritual growth. We want to emphasize the vital aspect of being a disciple of Christ.

5. Pray for increasing integration with the English speaking church as we transition to a new schedule of services. We want to have the opportunity to serve and interact with other ministries in the church.

6. Pray for the Medical-­‐Dental Van ministry (April 11-­‐12, 2014). Pray that we can recruit volunteers to serve in the different medical-­‐professional capacities, dentists, dental hygienists, dental assistants, medical doctors, optometrist, and nurses.

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