Monday has "NOT" been one of "those days"; it's just almost gone, and that's that!
Anyway, wasn't yesterday just amazing! Thanks to everyone for making it such a fabulous day.
Sunday morning: the atmosphere was so amazing from start to finish, but especially at the finish - when we just couldn't - finish that is! It was one of those very special moments when you just needed to be there to experience it; a moment that could rightly be described as "heavenly" and the worship as "angelic". It was like heaven and earth met together in Top House for a few brief moments of earth time.
The message I brought was a follow up to last week's message and was also entitled "Walking with Giants". Having talked about "A few good men" the movie, and showing a clip from the same, I mentioned that the Bible has details of more than a few good giants. We looked at three of these as follows:
Abraham - who was a giant in the life of his nephew Lot (even when they had separated)
David - was a giant in the life of Saul (even when Saul turned against him and sought to have him killed)
Barnabas - was a giant in the life of Paul (even when others were suspicious of Paul's conversion)
Sunday night: Once again we were well packed as people gathered for the special YWAM presentation of a production they call "Encounter", which is the story of creation through to the death and resurrection of Christ. The presentation concluded with an excellent time of worship led by the YWAM Team. There was an appeal for salvation and recommitment to Christ. Several people responded to this. The following is a copy of a text message sent by one person afterwards (I have tidied up the txt spelling!):-)
"If you've just received this text from me, it means you are either my daughter, son, sister, mother, father, family or friend, and I hope you don't judge me for what I am about to tell you. But at 8.15 pm tonight I made a fresh commitment to the church and to God. So please don't look at me differently and know that I love you all with all my heart. xo"
Hey - this is what it's all about. It's about being a God influence in people's lives that hopefully will one day bring about this kind of response and return. This was a great conclusion the day.
ADVANCE: Next Thursday night, at 7.45 sharp, we are having a special Advance Training Night. This is for everyone at New Life, but especially for all involved in departments. At our recent "Vision and Information Night" one of the points of discussion was the need for "TRAINING". We all agreed that this is something we need to be improving. So here's a great opportunity to get along for some good training all the way from YWAM, Boston. The focus will be "Evangelism".
Quote: "A team that can lead almost 200 people to Christ in the first few days of their visit to Northern Ireland, is worth listening to".
Question: How are we ever going to be "God-influences" without evangelism?
Prayer & Fasting: As announced on Sunday, we have designated this coming Friday to Prayer & Fasting, concluding with a special time of prayer, at Top House, on Friday night from 10 pm until 2 am. We are not legislating, but are suggesting that you decide to do one of the following:
(a) Fast (in this case - do without food) all day
(b) Fast for a portion of the day (you decide when, but make it meaningful)
(c) Fast from 2 pm to 2 am (12 hours)
Besides "fasting", spend some time during the day in prayer (perhaps 3 or 4 times (maybe 10 or 15 minutes each time) at selective times throughout the day.
The focus for the Prayer and Fasting: (a) For the hand of God to be evidently upon the ministry and outreach of New Life City Church (including all the departments); (b) For the finances to enable us to move to "City Life Centre"; (c) For other churches within the Shankill community and further afield (not forgetting Randallstown and Maghera).
Stay focused; stay strong; and keep being a God-influence.
Pastor Jack
Commit the entire day to prayer and fasting
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