The congregation stood spellbound gasping for enough breath to shout amen as Pastor Crossly preached the New Year's message, "A New Thing for a New Year."
It was obvious that Natasha was the only one still seated. This sent a negative message that she was not "into" the service. Of course it was the assumption. Truth is, Natasha was very much into the service and the message, but did not confuse her feelings with the facts about her distant relationship with Jesus.
After Pastor Crossly finished preaching he invited those in need of prayer to come forward. Natasha strolled forward never looking up. She was already in position when the minister said, "Bow your head, please."
She stood with her head bowed and eyes closed. The slide show of past challenges scrolled at slow speed in her mind. Trying to force the tears stay within boundaries, she threw her head back and looked up into ceiling and tears flowed freely. In a whisper of desperation that only God could hear, she pleaded, "Lord help me."
Instead of the traditional method of allowing the associate ministers to pray for each individual, Pastor Crossly simply said, "Everyone standing at the altar here's what you must say, Lord, I receive the new things you have for me in the new year."
What happened then would change Natasha's life forever. There were no tingling feelings, or goose bumps. There were no fantasy land vision with flying baby angels on white clouds. As a matter of fact, Natasha experienced none of the strange stories that she had heard from her childhood. Just the fact that for the first time in her adult life of attending church she walked away with a new mindset; a new attitude and a new outlook on life for a New Year.
Perhaps, it seems nothing changes for you year after year —same challenges.
Don't confuse feelings with the facts, better yet the Truth. You may feel like nothing is changing, but God's Word is true. So just change your mind and your feelings will follow!
It was obvious that Natasha was the only one still seated. This sent a negative message that she was not "into" the service. Of course it was the assumption. Truth is, Natasha was very much into the service and the message, but did not confuse her feelings with the facts about her distant relationship with Jesus.
After Pastor Crossly finished preaching he invited those in need of prayer to come forward. Natasha strolled forward never looking up. She was already in position when the minister said, "Bow your head, please."
She stood with her head bowed and eyes closed. The slide show of past challenges scrolled at slow speed in her mind. Trying to force the tears stay within boundaries, she threw her head back and looked up into ceiling and tears flowed freely. In a whisper of desperation that only God could hear, she pleaded, "Lord help me."
Instead of the traditional method of allowing the associate ministers to pray for each individual, Pastor Crossly simply said, "Everyone standing at the altar here's what you must say, Lord, I receive the new things you have for me in the new year."
What happened then would change Natasha's life forever. There were no tingling feelings, or goose bumps. There were no fantasy land vision with flying baby angels on white clouds. As a matter of fact, Natasha experienced none of the strange stories that she had heard from her childhood. Just the fact that for the first time in her adult life of attending church she walked away with a new mindset; a new attitude and a new outlook on life for a New Year.
Perhaps, it seems nothing changes for you year after year —same challenges.
Don't confuse feelings with the facts, better yet the Truth. You may feel like nothing is changing, but God's Word is true. So just change your mind and your feelings will follow!
Since everyone's talks about resolutions at the beginning of every new year, why don't you resolve to begin the new year with new attitude; a new outlook on the possibilities and promises that comes from having a relationship with Jesus Christ. Let your new beginning be a greater desire to just be in the presence of the Lord and experience the peace of God that will guard your heart and your mind in Christ Jesus. Read Philippians 4:7
"JUST BE" (LIVE) FOR THE PRAISE OF HIS GLORY. The fact is that what He wants; that's what He planned before the foundation of the world. READ EPHESIANS 1:11
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