Can I tell you, I am still on fire from the Night of Worship on Saturday. What an amazing experience that was. The combined praise team, with musicians from all three campuses, was powerful and spirit-filled. And the choir, amazing! And then, of course, there were the testimonies that spoke so compellingly to the transformational power of a life-changing relationship with Jesus.
I think I can honestly say that by the end of the evening I was spiritually encouraged and renewed in a way that I really needed. It seems like so often the struggles, stresses and busyness of life distract us from Christ and rob us of our spiritual passion and joy. I know that for myself I sometimes get to a place where I need to be spiritually renewed, replenished and refreshed in God's presence. I definitely experience that at the night of worship!
But as I was reflecting on it today, I was reminded that we don't have to wait for a special event to experience that refreshing of the Holy Spirit. We can have that experience every week in worship. I think part of the reason the Night of Worship was so powerful for me was because I came into it with a tremendous sense of anticipation. I just knew in my heart that it would be a powerful encounter with God. Every Sunday when we gather for worship, we need to come knowing, believing and expecting that God is going to be present in a life-changing way. If we will come to worship eager to be in God's presence, excited to be together with other believers and anticipating the movement of the Holy Spirit, every Sunday can be a powerful time of spiritual renewal.
The Night of Worship was special. There was something great about being all together as one body. And the combined praise team and choir was amazing. But I believe we can have that same kind of renewing spiritual experience every Sunday when we gather for worship. If each of us will come “prayed up” and prepared to offer our whole heart to Christ, we can experience that same restorative presence of God every week.
As we prepare together for worship this weekend, I would encourage us all to come expecting and anxiously anticipating the powerful movement of God's Holy Spirit. Let's make every Sunday a joy-filled, Spirit led encounter with the living God. I can't wait for us to be together this Sunday to experience all that God has for us.
Love you all!
Pastor Steve