Note: This devotional is taken from the 2023 Prayer and Fasting Week.
Day 5
Truth to Ponder
READ: Luke 18:28–34; Matthew 19:27-30; Ephesians 1:3-14
Our theme for the year is Follow Jesus. What does that look like? In our life, we will be faced with situations where we need to choose to follow Christ, some of which will be very difficult decisions. These may then lead you to ask, “Is it worth it?”
Following the Lord means obeying Him. Our obedience may require us to give up something we treasure – a career, a relationship, comfort – and it will hurt. So what should motivate us to obey just the same?
Rewards are always good motivation, and our obedience will give us that. Here are some of the rewards we get to enjoy in following Christ:
1. Fellowship with Christ – the moment we make a decision to follow Him, we get to enjoy His presence every step of the way.
2. Overflowing blessings – much more than what we can ever give up. (Lk 18:30, Mat 19:29)
3. Adoption as co-heirs – we will also be seated on thrones. (Mat 19:28, Eph 1:5)
4. Spiritual blessings – we become blameless and holy in the sight of God. (Eph 1:3)
5. Redemption and forgiveness of sin – we may stumble still in this lifetime, but our redemption is secure because of His grace. (Eph 1:7)
6. Wisdom and understanding – His will is revealed to us and He gives us the power to understand. (Eph 1:9)
7. Sealed with the Holy Spirit – the guarantee of our inheritance. (Eph 1:13)
But most of all, we have received eternal life the moment we received Him as our Lord and Savior. (Matthew 19:29)
God has provided what we need to follow Christ. His Word is our guide, and His Spirit enables us to obey His instructions. But we need to choose to follow Him. It will not be an easy task, but it will all be worth it.
Examine the Word
1. The disciples of Christ left “everything they had” to follow Him. What was their reason for doing this? What was promised to them? (Luke 18:28–34; Matthew 19:27-30)
2. Following Christ begins when we receive Him as Lord and Savior. According to Ephesians 1:3-14, who are the recipients of these rewards that are mentioned? Is it for everybody?
3. The phrase “to the praise of His glory” appeared three (3) times in
Ephesians 1: 3-14. What is its significance?
Personal Application
1. What reward/s are you now enjoying because you chose to follow Christ? Which ones do you still want to enjoy?
2. Knowing that God has prepared rewards for those who follow Christ, what specific areas in your life are you willing to commit to the Lord?
3. What may hinder you from following Christ?
Prayer
Father in heaven, we are grateful for Your love, and for giving us so much. Your desire for us to walk as Jesus walked is for Your glory, and we continue to depend upon your good grace, wisdom, and power to enable us. May the rewards You lavish upon us make us follow Christ more closely. May our lives be pleasing to You and bring glory to Your name. All these we ask in the matchless Name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen
Prayer Items
NATIONPHILIPPINES: 10-POINT AGENDA (Points 9&10)
Pray for the Holy Spirit to guide our government on the following agenda for economic renewal and long-term growth.
9. Affordable Healthcare: Lower cost of medicines by allowing easier importation and strengthening primary healthcare in underserved communities. Build regional specialty hospitals, build new hospitals and research centers and create a National Centre for Communicable Disease Control and Prevention for improved analytics and better healthcare coverage for low-income Filipinos in order to withstand future pandemics.
10. Food for All: Increase productivity of agriculture and fisheries and bring down cost of food through cooperatives, modernization, and value chain development to be self-reliant on food—food security.
PHILIPPINES: Members of the Cabinet
Lift up to the Holy Spirit the specific work of each cabinet member. Pray for anointing to do the work.
- SEC. and DIR. GEN., NEDA: Arsenio Balisacan
- OIC, OFC., PRESS SEC.: Cheloy Velicaria-Garafil
- NAT’L SECURITY ADVISER: Clarita Carlos
- HEAD, PRES. MGMT. STAFF: Ma. Zenaida Angping
- SOLICITOR GENERAL: Menardo Guevarra
- SPECIAL ASSIST. : Antonio Ernesto Lagdameo Jr.
FAMILY/HEALTH/PERSONAL BREAKTHROUGHS
Pray for physical strengthening of families—practicing healthy lifestyle (diet, exercise and rest); pursuing emotional health in the family.
KBCF
FOLLOW THROUGH ON CLEANSING, EDUCATING and EQUIPPING (CEE)
Pray for the Holy Spirit to enable KBCF to follow through its past efforts on CEE:
a. Guide leaders in the dissemination of policies and guidelines such as on Church Ethics, Accountability, Transparency and Integrity and other policies.
b. Enable strengthening of system of control and manage of recruitment, of pastors, staff, workers and leaders including internal monitoring.
47th Anniversary Message
Point III. The Commitment—Pray KBCFers to continually walk behind Jesus, going where He goes, doing what He does; to continue as His disciple whatever trials may lie our way; to purposefully sew the gospel threads into the fabric of our daily conversations.
Conclusion: Pray KBCFers to ask themselves: are we following Jesus? Are we doing what He would do? Are we doing what we are supposed to be doing in Kamuning, in this city?
Ministry Volunteers
| Spiritual Care Department | Missions Department | Worship Department | Admin Department |
| Sunday School teachers Monitoring Volunteers Equipping Team Support One-on-One or Cell Group Leaders D.U.A Writers Members Care Support | Missions Committee members Campus Ministry Volunteers | Musicians Singers Prayer Committee Members | Scroll Writers/Volunteers Multi-media Volunteers |
