AUG 12

Revelation 1:9-10
Memorise Revelation 1:10a
“I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day”

The preparation for a typical Sunday should begin the day before. Saturday nights should not be spent out partying with friends, or watching a late night movie. Neither should it be spent in front of the TV or computer filling our minds with senseless entertainment. We should also try as far as possible to complete any homework or revision earlier in the day, and get an early night. Knowing that the following day is the Lord’s Day, we should rest well, so that we would have the energy and strength for the day ahead.

Ideally, we should have an early start, rising early to seek the Lord, just as Mary rose ‘very early in the morning’ (Luke 24:1) on that first Lord’s Day. We can then take time to pray, read the Bible, and prepare our hearts to worship Him in church. Special note for the ladies (and perhaps guys as well), our preparation ought to be primarily spiritual and not physical as if we are preparing for a fashion show, for doing so really does distract our hearts and minds from the true purpose of going to church.

With a mind focused on worshipping God, we should arrive in church early, and spend time to quieten our hearts and pray. Instead of busily trying to socialize or catch up on the latest gossip, or discuss the previous night’s soccer scores, we ought to fill our minds with thoughts of God and not of any distracting thoughts that would spoil our worship, which really ought to be the highlight of the day. As the worship service begins, be in constant prayer that God would fill us with the Holy Spirit, and enable us to worship Him with our full heart, soul, mind and strength, and that we would be able to receive His Word with receptive hearts. In this way, we seek to emulate the Apostle John who was found to be “in the Spirit on the Lord’s Day” (Revelation 1:10) and as a result, received great revelation from God.

For some churches, there might be classes held either before or after the service, and it would be most beneficial that we avail ourselves to them. After all, they are excellent opportunities to learn more of God’s Word. This is one day in seven where we should have no secular commitments to attend to, and would therefore be free to devote to the Lord. If your church has two services on the Sunday, it would be great to make it a point to attend both, for there can never be too much spiritual blessings to receive, through worshipping Him and hearing His Word.

Thought: A well planned and prepared Sunday can be such a blessing!
Prayer: Lord, may I have a foretaste of heaven each Lord’s day.