| It's Sunday morning... |
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Every week, I get a new chance to give wonderful people the greatest
news there is - that God has plans for their lives, and that plan is
centered around Jesus Christ and what He did on the cross and through
His resurrection... But before I get up in the pulpit, here is what my day looks like along with my thoughts: 5:30am - Wake up. Upon waking, I find myself immediately praying, praying for people that are struggling, praying for people that haven't been to church lately, praying for my words to actually have the power of the Holy Spirit behind them...and that begins my day. 5:35am - I grab coffee (already brewed), and I sit down to read my Bible for my own personal feeding. One of the things I read today was from Psalm 69:6, "Let not those who hope in you be put to shame through me, O Lord GOD of hosts; let not those who seek you be brought to dishonor through me, O God of Israel." And my prayer goes up again - "God, may people who come to The Journey today seeking you, may they not be hindered because of me." 6:10am - I pick up Shadow of the Almighty, a book I am currently reading about the life of Jim Elliot. It is an amazing thing to interact with great men and women of God, and see reflected in their lives what I feel, as well as be challenged to go deeper in my own walk and in my leadership. I pray that God continues to transform my heart. 7:15am - After some more coffee, cereal with banana, and a timeout for a news check online, I go upstairs to shower. In the shower, I continue to pray for God to bring people today. I know that even at that point, Satan is fighting against the saints, calling them to yield to the spirit of slumber, or to the spirit of heaviness that would make them think, "What's the use?" 8:00am - I head on over to the church, hear the praise team practicing, and begin getting things in order - touch base with my leaders, make sure the small details (like messy microphone cords or papers on the floor) are taken care of. I want there to be no distraction (as much as I can help it) when it comes to worship and to receiving the Word of God. 9:15am - After giving the welcome, I find a place to worship with the praise band. I sit in the front because it offers very little distraction. I do notice when the praise team hits a bad note or chord, but generally I am worshiping and engaging God, asking Him to speak to my heart before I preach - and He often does. I also take time to pray for the praise team and the worship leader, as I know there is much going on, and there needs to be a God-centered focus. I am also praying that those who are not yet here WILL get here. 9:35am - I've started preaching, and I notice a "sleepiness" (not always, just sometimes) with the congregation. I know my words can fall flat, but in my heart, I AM PRAYING! Praying that the Lord will open hearts and unstuff ears; praying that the Word as seed will fall on ready, receptive, good ground; praying against the evil one and his influence; praying through distractions (as much for me as for others!). 10:10am - The invitation is given. My heart leaps when people respond, although there ARE plenty of times where response doesn't happen because I didn't lead them to a clear response. This is always a crucial time, and I pray that God effectively leads us through and that people's hearts are genuinely turned MORE toward God - that they won't leave the same way as when they came in...and it often happens. 10:20am - Church lets out, and I meet and greet many. Amidst all the "thank you's" and "good message, Pastor", I offer up a prayer of thanksgiving as well as a prayer that the Word would not be stolen when people leave... Everything repeats for the next service. But every Sunday is different. I genuinely HATE when people miss, for whatever reason. And I hate when our members rob themselves of the community and teaching that God wants them to have. And I hate when our members can't minister to someone who needs a friendly smile or a good word because they never showed up...the church is so important. NO - not the building, not the pastor's message, or the praise team's music - the CHURCH as PEOPLE - the body of Christ gathering together every week - is important! At least that's what goes through my heart and mind...and on Sunday mornings, I pray that the church realizes how important it is to our community. The more we get together and grow in Christ, the more effective and powerful and life-changing we will be to our community...and so on Sunday mornings, I am praying for God to be magnified and exalted at The Journey, so that He can do THROUGH The Journey what He has determined to do... OK - it's 7:30am - and I need to shower...but now you know what will be on my heart...
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