As I record the information about each service through this blog every week, I am sometimes at a loss for words. You see, I want to be factual in what I say, and yet at the same time, I want to write from my perspective of how I felt the service went, understanding that my feelings are not always what everyone else felt. So forgive me if sometimes my feelings do not reflect your own - feel free to add your own thoughts in the comments below.
For me, Sunday morning began as a struggle. I was dealing with some personal conflict that had me up at 5am and at the church by 6am. I was struggling with some tough feelings, but I was actively giving them to God, and even during the praise team practice and before church I was frustrated and conflicted.
Yet, when the music began at 9am for the worship, it lifted. There is something about worship that frees us, that refocuses us, and that allows us to put our problems in perspective. So once the church started singing, my spirit immediately lifted, and what I thought would be a tough day of preaching for me (yes, I have those kinds of days) turned into a good day as we focused on the JOY of serving God from John 4 - after all, it was the third week of Advent, and JOY was our focus.
But as I delivered the message, when it came time at the end, so many people raised their hands that they wanted to "find the nourishment that comes from DOING the will of God," I was excited. I desire to see our church body step forward TOGETHER in planting and harvesting, every one knowing his/her role and doing his/her part. When this working together happens, there is "much joy waiting" for us and for God.
It was a good day at The Journey, even though for me it started out as a struggle. I am so grateful for the people who come ready to worship, and who are ready to enter into God's presence, because by inviting God's presence, I, for one, experienced JOY - thank you so much for your consistency in being ready to take the congregation into the presence of God.
The attendance today was lower (Christmas shopping, parties, and events are drawing people away - just don't forget to come back!) as we had 130, but if you missed it, there is always next week.
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Hebrews 2:9-13 But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, now crowned with glory and honor because he suffered death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone. 10 In bringing many sons to glory, it was fitting that God, for whom and through whom everything exists, should make the author of their salvation perfect through suffering. 11 Both the one who makes men holy and those who are made holy are of the same family. So Jesus is not ashamed to call them brothers. 12He says,
"I will declare your name to my brothers;
in the presence of the congregation I will sing your praises."13And again,
"I will put my trust in him." And again he says,
"Here am I, and the children God has given me."
These verses in Hebrews 2 tell us that the our Brother, The Lord Jesus proclaims the praises of God in the midst of the congregation.I think that is what we sense sometimes. It's Christ in me, the hope of Glory,and the Christ in me begins to fulfill the word of Hebrews 2. He is our Savior but here in Hebrews it says that He is not ashamed to call us brothers. Verse 11 says that the one who makes men holy and those who are made holy are of the same family !! WOW ! He worships the Father through us !!
Pastor Rob, I share in your joy over worshipping our God. We as a people, as a modern day Jehosaphat Company, must continue to press into the worship that God desires and seeks. It really does make the differance between blindness and sight,deafness and hearing,bondage or freedom,life or death.May the Holy Spirit open our heart and eyes to this truth. It seems now that the Lord is taking us into the next step of not just saying it anyway but now "getting out of the boat" and walking with Him.We don't stop speaking the word we just put some legs on it.1Corin 12:21 And the eye cannot say to the hand, "I have no need of you"; or again the head to the feet, "I have no need of you." The head can't say to the feet ,"I have no need of you" (who's the head of the body?) WOW huh ?We have a bigger role in this end time then we yet realize..........
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