We have been in our new building for about a month and each week we are experiencing beautiful outpourings of the Spirit. I have been overwhelmed at times at how tangible the presence of Christ has been during worship. I'm so thankful for the musicians who prepare passionately to lead us.
I want you to know I prepare not only the message for Sunday but I fight with all my heart each week to receive a fresh anointing to release - if that makes sense. I wrestle in prayer and struggle all week to get a portion of God's fire. I seek hard that what I am preaching would become real to my own heart so I can preach from a place of authority. Please be praying for me in this. I need to be bathed in your prayers as I can feel the rage of demonic resistance against my efforts. I need your prayers.
I also want you to know that what happens on Sunday is not just the result of pastors and worship leaders preparing well. The experience created on Sundays (and other gatherings) can only reach its full expression when everyone comes prepared, comes to serve, comes to bless, comes to give themselves wholly in worship. So I urge you to come ready to give and ready to receive. Practically speaking I encourage you not to stay out late Saturday night and make every effort to rise early Sunday to prepare your heart. This simple habit can make a dramatic difference. And be praying constantly throughout the week for our Sunday gatherings!
I'm excited this week to preach on Colossians 1:24-29. The writer, Paul, gives us several important characteristics of a minister. At first I wasn't sure how or why this would be relevant to 99% of us at Ren who aren't "ministers" but the Lord quickly reminded me that every single person who is a follower of Christ is a minister. So it helped me to look at the passage in a whole new way with exciting relevance for all of us. I'm praying that God would awaken and equip you to what he has called you to do in this life!!!
–Pastor Scott A.