I’m excited you’ve joined our church family in the 2nd week of this exciting adventure as we experience The Power of Everyone coming together to thank and seek God. For 21 days leading up to Sunday, Nov. 23rd, we’ve committed to pray, fast and seek God’s direction personally and for our church. I hope you’ll pause at 10pm each night and pray for about 10 minutes; do this individually, as a couple, or as a family.
During the days leading up to Nov. 23 and our Celebration Offering and the Thanksgiving Family Festival, I’ll list a scripture for you to read and consider. I’ll also share a few thoughts of my own, but my primary desire is that you ask God to reveal to you what this passage means in your life and how you should apply it as you think about what God would have you do. I would also ask that you pray and ask God to speak to the hearts of all the people in our church about this particular passage concerning what they should do. It’s already been a great adventure. Can’t wait to see what this week brings.
Bless you – Pastor BJ
Nov. 15 Hebrews 11:6
And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.
A big part of faith is being “ALL IN” in our trusting, seeking and obeying God. During our Power of Everyone Series, I’ve asked several people to share what God is doing in their lives. I thought Robert Criswell’s story was so fitting for the passage we are reading today. I appreciate Robert’s honesty and his sincere desire to see all of us come together (The Power of Everyone) to earnestly seek God. Here’s Robert’s testimony:
This fall, as we are fasting and praying about the things that interest us the most and those things we pursue with a passion, it has occurred to me, as Pastor BJ put it, “are we all in” and have we “sold out” to doing what God desires of each of us. Things like giving and serving come to the forefront.
Are we each doing all we can do in order to further the Kingdom of God? My personal experience has been that there are times when I become very “self-indulgent” and hold from God the things actually belonging to Him. Fasting and praying bring these discretions to light and cause me great remorse.
I am reminded of when Abraham, in Genesis 22:9-10, was about to sacrifice his beloved son and was stopped at the last instant by God. Abraham was most definitely “all in” when it came to honoring God and His Kingdom. The question I always ask my self is why I cannot be more like that and be willing to give to God, as I should.
I truly believe that God provides these times for us to reflect and look in retrospect at the direction and path we are on so if we are straying we can get back to where we need to be. Giving to God and serving Him are of utmost importance to our church and to Kingdom work. Join us as we begin to move in a direction that will honor God and the work He is doing at Grace Fellowship. My prayer is that our entire body will get to be “all in” and “sold out.” God Bless
Robert Criswell
BJ Rutledge 