Praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.
Acts 2:47
Most of us at Northview were visitors at one time or another. Did you know before you ever walked into the door at Northview you were prayed for and thought about? Did you realize that the reason we have Studio 6.7 and North Beach was so that your kids would enjoy coming to church? Do you remember the first time you came to Hill Fest and enjoyed the food, drinks, and rides with your family and the families of people from all around the area? All of these things were done so that you could enjoy them. Northview loves making visitors feel welcome, and that is the sign of a healthy, growing church.
Have you ever thought about the people that Jesus hung around? We see in the Bible that He ate with sinners. It was normal for Jesus to have conversations with the outcasts of society, those people who had no home, or were “uncool” in the social world. Jesus was always hanging around people who were in need, and He always offered to help them. Every weekend at Northview someone in need walks through our doors. Maybe their need is for provision or material things, or maybe their need is a spiritual one. The question we must ask ourselves is, “Are we really interested in meeting their needs?” It is not a coincidence that you go to Northview; you are here for a reason. When visitors come to our campus they come for a reason too, they have a need in their life. How are we responding to these visitors? Would you be at Northview if someone didn’t respond to you or ask you to attend? The reason you and I are here is because someone else loved us and cared for us. In the verse above God was adding to the number of the church because people were putting God first and loving others.
Prayer Focus: When was the last time you spoke to a visitor at Northview? When was the last time you invited someone to Northview? In order for Northview to remain a healthy church we must not only love those who already come here, but also those who do not. Pray that God would send people in your life that you could love and invite to church. Pray that He will give you the strength and words to talk to those people. Pray for boldness to love those who are not Christ followers. Pray that God might meet someone’s needs through you.
