“So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord. In him you also are being built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit.” Ephesians 2:19–22
Read Ephesians 2:19–22
Lord, we thank you for sending your son as the cornerstone upon which you are building your church. We ask that you not only establish Mars Hill Olympia in their new church building, but more importantly, that you build the disciples there into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit. Help me to understand my part in the body of Christ in my own local church.
Lord, we know that we were strangers and aliens before we met you. Dead in our trespasses, we became like the aliens of Hollywood movies—dangerous, outcasts, villainous. But you, our loving Father, had a plan. Rather than destroying the world to get rid of the alien problem, you chose to be rich in mercy and love. You rescued us, redeemed us, revived us from death, and gave us new life in you. No longer are we aliens. We are, instead, sons and daughters, joined to a community of faith, invited to be known. Thank you, God, for your unsurpassable gifts!
Lord, many of us see aliens around us now. Help the people of Mars Hill Olympia, and all of us, to not shrink back from what we once were. Let us see aliens as you do, as children who are dead in their foolish passions and desires, in need of rescue and reviving. Lord, give the people of Olympia the wisdom and courage to do their part in the body of Christ, inviting people to be aliens no more and to instead be fully known and loved by Jesus and his family. Let Mars Hill Olympia love strangers well, Lord, and be faithful with the incredible gifts you have given. Make our hearts understand these unspeakably amazing things, and let them overflow to those around us.
Amen.
Thank you for praying and giving to be a part of our year-end campaign to raise $2 million above and beyond our normal giving. Go here for more information on how Mars Hill is building a legacy to equip the next generation. Visit marshill.com/give to give online and set up a recurring gift for 2014.
