Whoooo Hoooo! What a Day! Coffee & Tea greeted us in the foyer, provided by Revolution Youth at a £1 per cup to help with some of their plans. After we got everyone inside we got right into some amazing worship. It did not take long to fill the place with the sound of heartfelt worship and praise. It was also great to see and welcome so many visitors.
Refuge in Worship #2: This was the second part of the message I brought last week. I hope you all felt as good hearing the message as I did speaking it. It was just amazing! I began by repeating and adding to the 1st two points I had brought last week. These were:
1. A True Worshipper will seek the face of God, with others and alone in the Secret Place.
2. A True Worshipper will not need to be coerced into God's Presence.
The third and final point I made in this message was:
3. A True Worshipper will honour God in Lifestyle. Paul said, "With unveiled faces we reflect the Lord's Glory" (2Cor.3:18). This means we will honour God in our public lifestyle. Moses' face shone after he had been with God. When Peter and John were walking through the market place the people commented that they had been with Jesus. There was something about them that made it clear they had been with Jesus. They reflected Christ because they had been with him.
The fact is when you spend time with God you will not need to put on airs and graces and pretend you're better than others. There will be something about you're lifestyle that looks better than the brand name clothes you wear; that speaks louder than the words that come out of your mouth; and sounds sweeter than the songs you sing. Your face might not shine like Moses', but your lifestyle, the way you live in public, at home, in the work place, at school, in the community, will be enough for others to know you have been with Jesus.
At the end of the message two people, a man and a young lad, raised their hands to indicate they had committed their lives to Christ. I spoke with the man afterwards. I cannot write anything about him at the moment, but this was so amazing! It was his first time in a church like ours. He had been brought up Catholic, but had rejected the teaching of the church years ago. He said that at first he did not feel comfortable when we started to sing etc, but he settled and enjoyed the service. He said that everything I said made sense (so what's new?). Let's continue to thank God for salvations.
Let me add this as a side note, but an important side note: At the beginning of the message I went into free flow for about five minutes when talking about True Worshippers. I made it absolutely clear that we do not condemn people and do not reject them on the basis of religion, politics, colour of skin or sexual lifestyle and choices. I again said, as I have done many times, that Jesus declared he did not come into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through him might be saved. If Jesus did not condemn the world, why then should we? We have no right to do what he did not do. We have no right to slap people over the head with the Bible, but we're to love them into the Kingdom of God. However, we always have the right and the responsibility to proclaim the truth of God's Word. This is my position, and is therefore the position of New Life City Church.
Sunday Night Worship Special: A great night that had something of everything and something for everyone. Praise, worship, dance, reflection, encouragement, prayer ministry etc. At one point I shared how God had shown me a waterfall. It was narrow, but very high. It's source was not the earth, but was heaven. At the bottom of the waterfall was a large pool or lake. The water flowing into this pool was bringing with it the blessings of heaven. I felt the need to invite people to step in by faith and receive healing, wholeness or whatever it was they needed from God. To do so where each person stood or to step forward for prayer. Some people came forward. Nicky Stronge came forward with Stephanie as Stephanie needed prayer. Nicky shared with me that before I got up to speak she saw that I was covered or surrounded with water, and then I got up and talked about the waterfall! Let's continue to believe God for great things to be done and for some amazing testimonies.
Thanks to Kevin who supplied free muffins (not three muffins; free muffins) to be sold by the youth with the tea and coffee tonight. They raised £60 on their first day. Mark says "Thanks" to everyone who bought tea and coffee. Regarding Kevin and FEED; he can do with your help by using FEED on the Shankill and the Falls. Why not plan to call in from time to time and support his efforts? Go for it!
This coming week:
Monday Prayer time: 12.45 pm. Upstairs in the Prayer Room at City LIFE Centre
Prayer & Bible Study: Thursday at 7.45 pm
Sunday 11.30 am Worship; Teaching; Communion
Funniest thing today: When Billy Potts handed the communion tray to Sally Speers she took a cup and tried to drink from it, but it was empty as someone else had already drank from that cup. Bill said to Sally, "You should've gone to specsavers!!!!"
Newsletter: Thanks again to Bill Manwaring for the new Newsletter. Please make sure you email Bill if there is something you need put in it. Team Leaders, please use this as a means of passing information on.
Thanks again to everyone who works hard for the development and advancement of New Life City Church.
Have a great week. Stay focused; stay strong; and keep being a God-influence.
Pastor Jack
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