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praise raises our focus

Powered by praise

The Bible teaches us about the power of praise, and I have experienced it firsthand in my own life. Today, we are looking at an Old Testament story from 2 Chronicles 20:1-24 about the power of praise.

We need to remember to take the Old Testament and relate it to our lives from a spiritual standpoint. In other words, what was a physical reality for the people of the Old Testament? We can apply their physical realities to our lives spiritually. In this particular story, we see that Jehoshaphat, King of Judah, and the people of Judah (God’s people) had a real physical enemy coming against them and surrounding them. We, too, have a real spiritual enemy that comes against us, and sometimes in life, we realize that our enemy surrounds us.

The Bible tells us that Jehoshaphat feared the battle, yet he focused on God. The reality is when the enemy comes against us; our natural inclination is fear. However, what we do with that fear hugely impacts our outcome. Following the example Jehoshaphat set for us sets us up for victory. While he feared the enemy coming against him and his people, he set his focus in another direction.

2 Chronicles 20:12. This verse reminds us of what we need to do when we realize our spiritual enemy has himself and his minions to attack us in some area of our lives.

”O our God, will You not judge them? For we have no power against this great multitude that is coming against us; nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are upon You."

2 Chronicles 20:12

Our Focus is Key
Yes, Jehoshaphat experienced fear when he heard the enemy set out to attack, but he turned his focus to God rather than staying focused on the battle ahead. Focus is key when the battle comes because our natural tendency is to focus on the enemy and how he is working. We need to determine and demand intentionally our focus remain on the Lord.

Several years ago I faced a battle at work. Every outward appearance was that the situation was surrounded with darkness, with the enemy systematically destroying the credibility and favour He had provided for me (Remember in John 10:10, he only comes to steal, kill and destroy). When I looked at the situation, I saw sure defeat. Every day I waited for a call to come and collect my P45.

I was in a fight for reputation, fruitfulness and destiny. The enemy surrounded me. But I fought, day and night, on my knees and sometimes on my face.

At times fear threatened to overtake me. When I focused on the situation, hopelessness & defeat ruled my mind. When I focused on the Lord, truth, hope, & victory overcame my fears & my faith was strengthened.

Notice the plural personal pronouns WE, US, and OUR in 2 Chronicles 20:12.

”For WE have no power against this great multitude that is coming against US;
nor do WE know what to do, but OUR eyes are upon You."

2 Chronicles 20:12

We came through, a surprising champion came to the call, my character was not besmirched, my credibility was upheld, and the fruitfulness of God's provision was clear.

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Dave Food, 15/05/2023

Hello and welcome to Runnymede Christian Fellowship. If you are a new website visitor, then learn more about us, and about planning a visit.

Click here to see more.

Visitors click here.

Planning your Visit

Welcome to Runnymede Christian Fellowship, an Egham Church

Runnymede Christian Fellowship is a church based in Egham but serving a much larger geographical area. Our members come from Egham, Virginia Water, Staines, Windsor, Englefield Green, Egham Hythe, Pooley Green, Maidenhead, Heathrow, Slough, Ashford, Thorpe, and beyond.

Our church is a community of believers who regularly meet to share life and show God's love. We do this by encouraging and serving each other and the community. We believe in the power of prayer, and we are always happy to pray for you.

Church - What to expect

Our Sunday service is available to stream online at 11:00 a.m. You can join us on Livestream or via Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube or X (Twitter).

The Sunday Service is now held at Coopers Hall, Strodes College, Strodes College Lane in Egham open to all, so if you would like to join us, please feel free to do so. If you have any questions, please call us on 01784 637010.

We run a physical Sunday School most weeks, or if you would like your children to receive a weekly Sunday School teaching pack that you can do from home, please email us at admin@e-runnymede.co.uk so that we can send you the materials.

Church on Sunday at Strodes College, Egham

Our Sunday service starts at 11:00 a.m. and typically lasts about 90 minutes.

We start each service with lively worship with songs from around the world, followed by inspired Bible-based teaching. All our sermons are recorded and are available as a podcast after the service.

We have a monthly cycle of Sunday services, with our Communion Service being on the first Sunday of each month and an All-Age All-Nation Service on the second Sunday of each month. Our other Sunday services include Spirit-focused and teaching services.

We have consciously adopted being a blended church that is both for those online and face-to-face. You are welcome to join us on Livestream or via Facebook, Linkedin, YouTube, or X (Twitter), or you can catch up and watch the recordings later.

Joining us in person

Visiting a new and unfamiliar church for the first time can be intimidating, but we want to ensure you feel welcome and enjoy your time with us. A friendly face will be waiting to meet you at the entrance and welcome you.

Doors open at 10:30 a.m. Our Sunday Service starts at 11:00 a.m. and typically runs for about 90 minutes, sometimes followed by tea and coffee.

Driving and Car Parking

Our Sunday Morning Service is now held at Coopers Hall, Strodes College, Strodes College Lane, Egham, TW20 9DR, which has plenty of Parking. Click on the link for directions to RCF.

We have plenty of parking spaces right outside the building. Spaces are reserved near the entrance for anyone with mobility problems (for those with a blue badge). Please let us know if you need to use one of these spaces, have any special needs, or require any assistance.

The car parking area is a public area, so please ensure that your children are under your control and that, for their safety, they do not run around in the car park.

Visiting with children?

Everyone is welcome at RCF. We encourage everyone, young and old, to join the service. We have Sunday School, which starts after worship and runs during the sermon for 30 to 40 minutes for children aged 5 to 13. On the second Sunday of each month, we have a shorter All-Aged All Nations Service, where the children stay for the worship and the sermon.

After Church

We chat over coffee and biscuits after church on the first, third and fourth Sundays. If you want to get more acquainted, why not join us for a Sunday lunch with some of our members? The meal is on us! Please contact us and let us know. We would love to share a meal and get to know you better!

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Any Questions?

If you have any questions, please review our FAQ page. Here, you’ll find answers to many common questions. If you still have questions or concerns, please contact us; we’d love to hear from you.

WE LOOK FORWARD TO WELCOMING YOU TO RCF!!

To contact us or see a map, click here.