Declaration 2022: The DevotionalsSample

The Church - Inclusion and Transformation “ ...I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock, I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.” – Matthew 16:18 At the start of 2022, this amazing response from Jesus to Peter inspires us that “the rock” on which Christ builds His church is Peter’s confession that Jesus is “the Christ, the Son of the Living God”. Jesus says this knowing all Peter's weaknesses and that he will eventually deny knowing Him three times. Yet Peter is included. This should give us all confidence, this new year, that we too can find a place in His Church, because it was not built for perfect people. Despite all Jesus knew of Peter’s life, Jesus renames him Simon Peter which means a “rock”, speaking strength into him rather than focusing on his failures. Jesus doesn’t beat him up, but corrects and builds him up.  I believe Jesus consciously uses the concept of a “rock” twice to emphasise His vision for the Church through Peter, as a body that would build up, correct and strengthen. All rocks take time to form through a long process of pressure and change. For us, therefore His church is a place of formation and processing, which helps us, through His Spirit, to experience transformation. But we should allow ourselves, and others grace in the process and not give up on ourselves or our destiny if we don’t see all the desired changes in our time frame. Let’s remember as we start 2022 that Jesus said He would build His church and that hell would not overcome it. In other words, the church was built to last! If you’re in His church then you’re a part of that same spiritual fabric and you can endure more than you realise! When life’s difficulties come, it’s important to remember that being part of His church means you are no pushover, you were not built to break, you were built to last. Reflection: * Have you been disqualifying yourself from the church, focused on failures rather than your strengths? If God can correct and use Peter, then why not you? * In 2022, are you ready to surrender to God and allow Him to process and form you so that he can use you? * Pray that this year Jesus will strengthen His worldwide Church. By Pastor Mike White