Happy New Year!

So I’ve been going to church every Saturday since I can remember. I only recently started watching the services online this year, because I wasn’t able to go home as much. Even though this has been the case, not every sermon I’ve heard has left me on a high. For me, this is what it’s all about. Sitting in church just hearing someone talk, does absolutely nothing for me. However, if you preach in a way that makes me understand and want to listen, I’m all the way there!

Now there some popular topics in the Bible that preachers love to speak about. Often, it can be the same sermon that’s just preached in a different way; nothing really exciting. But there are those few sermons that although it’s the same story, the way it’s presented makes me get it. Speaking specifically on two sermons that I heard last year, my day at church was truly a blessing.

Firstly, London Youth Federation (LYF) Day of Fellowship (DoF). This day left me buzzing! From the music to the sermon itself, I truly enjoyed church that day! I love music. For me, music is a very important part of the service. And when it’s executed well? Oh my! These are days where I just loose my voice casually, like it’s nothing. That day I was singing the most. The music just… wow! Like I don’t even know how to describe it. It’s one of those things where you had to be there to experience it. Just watching it through the live stream or even Snapchat, would never have given you the same feeling. The things that they did that day! Lol! It was ridiculous. I really hadn’t enjoyed praise and worship in a long time, like how I did on that day. Not to mention, my friend who I invited told me to tell her about the next one. It was truly a day not to be missed.

But the sermon? American pastors have a way of getting the message across so that you really understand. That day the Pastor was speaking about how Jesus is our friend, our brother, but most importantly our defender. We went to court that day! She let us know something we already knew, in a way that we hadn’t known before. It was a sermon that didn’t even give me time to snap, because I was too engrossed! I think I only got one cheeky snap, but that was it. Even thinking about it now puts a smile on my face. If I could relive that day, I 100% would!

Secondly, last Sabbath. It was the last Saturday of the year, and a great way to end. The sermon was brought to us by Andrew Fuller, and when I tell you I’m still buzzing, I’m not lying. I’ve heard Andrew preach a lot; he’s from my church, like that’s big bro! His sermons have to be one of my favourites. Now I’m not just saying this because I know him, I’m saying it because it’s true. When he preaches, like the American Pastor, I get it! On Sabbath his sermon was based around Mark 4:35. He was specifically speaking about how we have to make changes and adapt to our surroundings, so that we can still be the change that is needed. He spoke on the story of when Jesus and the disciples were on the boat, and the storm scared the disciples into thinking they were gonna die. I thought I knew this story inside out, but I have never heard anyone explain it in the way that he did. It made so much sense! It’s like I was hearing it for the first time. He did speak about other things, and every part of that sermon had me interested. At one point, I was literally at the edge of my seat just so that I could see him better.

It’s sermons like these that just make you want to be on fire for God. Sermons that have you checking the time, only when the preacher tells you that they’re rapping up. These are the sermons I love; when I really enjoy church. Learning about the blessings of our heavenly father is a great thing, especially when you’re really able to understand what that big book of scriptures is talking about. Like I said before, Andrew spoke about a lot of things. What stood out the most for me though, is when he said that ‘with transparency, there is grace’. With me loving to keep everything to myself, this really spoke to me! Like do you know how hard it is to be transparent sometimes? But with God, I’m claiming that grace!

We’ve started a new year now and all praises must go to God. There are so many people who weren’t able to make it to 2018! So even if New Years Eve wasn’t great, the fact that we’re still alive today is already a blessing. Look at all the tragedies that happened last year; the amount of people who lost their lives is just heart breaking. So if we’re not grateful for anything else, we must be grateful for our lives. Make new goals. Do new things. Step out of your comfort zone. Speak things into existence! I’m claiming blessings this year. I want to continue to grow in my relationship with God, because I really want to be able to make him the centre of my life. I’m finally gonna get my driver’s license. Whether I get a car is another thing, but I really just need that license; it’s been way to long! I’m gonna start believing in my sauce more. My photography keeps on getting better, but yet I fail to see it as well as others do. Finally, I will graduate with good grades. I’m already claiming it!

I hope your year is prosperous, full of wins and life changing experiences. We’ve made it this far, and with God we can make it even further. May he continue to bless you with good health and long life, good grades, beautiful bank accounts and lovely fresh faces! May your wins be serious wins, and may your loses also be wins. As Andrew said, that storm that may come up in your life will take you to the other side, to a better place than you were before. With God all things are possible, and if he says it is done, it will surely be done. So enjoy 2018! You only live once right?