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No other organization or institution on Earth is like the church. Whether your church is large or small, its power or effectiveness doesn’t depend on material resources. The church is the community of faith in the resurrected Jesus and given the power of the Holy Spirit. God can do great things in your community through your church.

Hypocrisy is easy to spot in others, but we often miss it in ourselves. Pray that the Lord would reveal any hypocrisy in your life. You can use the words of Psalm 139:23–24: “Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”

The Ephesians 4 model radically changes our view of ministry. Instead of being concerned about staffing a handful of programs, the church should be concerned about equipping people for life. Pray for your church leaders that they will be faithful to this calling, and consider your part in this ministry.

Leaders for secular institutions are chosen on the basis of education, wealth, personality, or connections. Notice how that is different from the qualifications for leaders in the church! The overseers for the body of Christ should be known for their godly devotion and good character. Pray that these qualities will abound in your church.

Worship is a lifestyle before it is an event, and God cares about our every thought, word, and deed. Write all or part of today’s passage on a card to place where you can see it during your daily life. Remember that when you’re driving to work or washing the dishes or walking the dog, your life can be an offering of worship.

Diversity in musical taste is not the greatest problem for the church; rather, the problem is our tendency to regard those whose preferences differ from ours with contempt. Even if you don’t prefer some of the music in the church, try to listen to its message. Ask the Lord to help you learn and grow from the songs in corporate worship.

The best way to protect the church is to protect its doctrine. What does your church believe? If you’ve never read your church’s doctrinal statement, ask for a copy. Pray today that your church’s leaders and members will all be vigilant in both understanding and promoting God’s truth and sound doctrine.

Today’s church is being tested in this area when it comes to marriage. It should make little difference to the church whether same sex marriage is acceptable to the culture at large or legally recognized by the state. God is the one who sets the standard (Rom. 1:24–27). What is legal may not necessarily be right in God’s eyes.

Traditions themselves are not the problem in the church. The problem comes when we allow our traditions to overrule what God has commanded or we turn our traditions into litmus tests of worship or fellowship. Pray that you will not cling to traditions, habits, or preferences at the expense of obeying God or showing love and grace to others.

Giving financially is a way to be part of God’s work through the church. Paul’s directives are still good: Plan ahead. Give in proportion to your income. Expect those who receive your funds to give an account of how it is being used. Review your budget this weekend to see whether you need to make changes in your giving to the Lord’s work.