Weekend Reflection

I trust that each of you spent some time in prayer and intercession for our nation this past weekend as we reflected on the tragedy of 9-11-01.  We experienced a wide variety of emotions at New River Worship Center.  We expressed a somber remembrance of those who lost their lives during the terrorists attacks on that tragic day in American history.  We also took a moment to express appreciation to those first responders and military personnel who daily place their lives in harms way so that we can be protected and enjoy our freedom.  We also rejoiced as we celebrated the dedication of  Chloe, one of the new additions to our church family at New River.  All of these emotions were experienced through the Call to Worship phase of our service.  We wanted to make sure that we looked back with  respect and remembrance but we wanted to also look forward with renewed hope and faith.  Our faith is in God and His ability to reveal Himself in the affairs of mankind.

The Worship service was anointed with the power and presence of the Holy Spirit.  We purposefully declared the greatness of God and made sure that we recognized that nothing is impossible with God.  It is never too late for God to make a difference in the lives of people.  We can not afford to lose our confidence in God even during the most trying of events or circumstances that we are facing.  We also celebrated the testimony of a young lady from TN (her parents attend our local fellowship) who has been battling cancer for the past several months.  In June of this year she was given 6 months to live but last week her PET scan revealed that she is cancer free.  I can almost hear some of you shouting "Praise God from whom all blessings flow."  We spent Sunday evening in a time of worship and intercession.  I truly believe that God is calling the church to intercession.  I have written those words on numerous occasions but I am still deeply committed to that call from God.  We must stop waiting for everyone else to do the praying; it is time that EACH OF US commit to being a prayer warrior/intercessor.  2 Chronicles 7:14 does not call for a select group of people to pray; it simply says "If my people, which are called by my name..."  Each of us bear a personal responsibility to pray and seek the face of God on behalf of ourselves, our family, our communities, our nation, and our world.  Let us step forward and answer the call that God is issuing. 

I need to offer praise to God for one more specific blessing.  The prayer times in both services were highly anointed and I truly believe that they made a difference in the lives of those who participated.  We anointed several prayer cloths (Acts 19) last night to be shared with our family and friends and in doing so we are believing that God is going to work the miracle that they need.  God is AWESOME and I still sense His closeness this morning as I share these words.