Praise God for another great day at New Life City Church. You can be sure that many of those who were at church yesterday morning had faced problems during the week; you can be sure that many went through difficult situations; you can be sure that many had been spiritually challenged; yet there they were; joining together in the presence of God and lifting their voices together to praise the one who had gone through so much for them. Thank God that each one was rewarded and blessed as God moved amongst us.
Mark Ritchie was such an encouragement as he spoke right into the heart of the church and into the hearts of those who had gathered. He brought a message from Mark 10 that was focused on the encounter between blind Bartimaeus and Jesus. The main points he made were:
1. Bartimaeus could see the possibilities. Though he was blind physically, he could see possibility. Sadly there are many, even in church, who though they can see physically, fail to see the possibilities. Someone said, "Possibility dances with those already on the dance floor" Thank God that with God "All things are possible", and especially when we come together there is the possibility of healing; the possibility of financial blessing, and the possibility of salvation.
2. Bartimaeus had a shout within him. Even though his circumstances worked against him, and even though others tried to silence him, there was a shout within that could not be silenced; in fact when challenged he shouted all the more, "Jesus! Son of David! Have mercy on me!" It's not what's around you or in front of you that matters; it's what's inside you that matters. Is there a shout inside you?
3. Bartimaeus knew what he wanted. Jesus asked him what he wanted, but only because it was important for Bartimaeus to speak it out and to declare what he wanted from Jesus. When Bartimaeus told Jesus what he wanted, it was not only out of need, but out of his willingness to see the possibilities and out of the shout he had within him.
Mark encouraged us as a church to see and believe in the possibilities, pointing out that the place where we now meet is a place of possibility that is filled with people of possibility. Thank God for the shout that went up yesterday morning. Let's keep the shout going; let it get stronger and louder in the coming weeks; and let's make sure that no one and nothing silences the shout within us. Thank God also for the two who responded to the appeal for salvation. That's two more great reasons to lift up a shout unto God!
Dedication: Danielle and Kris were truly blessed yesterday as they joined with family and friends for the dedication of baby Mason and young Darryl. This was another great opportunity to pray for the blessing of God in the lives of children; to be part of the lives of people, and to be a witness and a God-influence to family and friends.
FIST: Last week was the first Sunday night for GLOW, while last night was the first Sunday night gathering for the men of New Life City Church to come together under the FIST banner. There was a good turn out of 28 men. During the evening one man walked in off the street. He saw lights on and came in. He is Catholic. He said he felt safe coming into the building because of where it is. We split up into groups and discussed the following:
1) What are the key characteristics of a man devoted to God? 2) What are the required disciplines of a man devoted to God? 3) What are the greatest barriers that prevent us from being devoted to God?
Well done men for such a great night. I would encourage every man in New Life City Church to get involved with FIST and let's drive forward together. The same encouragement goes to the women and GLOW.
Sunday Night Special at 7 pm.
We plan to do a Sunday Night Special on the last Sunday of each month. This is for the WHOLE CHURCH. This is not a monthly alternative to the Sunday morning service, but is complementary to all we are doing. I would therefore ask you to plan to be at church on Sunday morning at 11.30, but to also plan to be with us for the Sunday Night Special. Our guest speaker will be Jim Rea who is the minister of the Shankill Methodist Church. I hope to see you then. Why not email your friends; Facebook, Bebo and Text them and invite them along? Why not?
Prayer: Monday morning Prayer from 11 am - 12 noon; Thursday night Prayer at 7.45 pm. Please pray for Billy Haddock's mother who is seriously ill in hospital; pray for Jason and Alison that the blessing of God will be upon them this week; pray for people out of work and for those who have gone through difficult situations recently, and perhaps still going through them. Continue to pray for Eileen's husband Terry; for Coleen's dad and for Julie's dad. Continue to pray for and to, as much as possible, encourage one another.
Have a great week. Stay focused; stay strong; and keep being a God-influence.
Pastor Jack
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