God Has Created All Things for His Glory

In celebration of Genesis Bible Fellowship's 40th Pastoral & Church Anniversary we would like to take the month of June to  share Devotionals based upon when and how the Lord led each writer to Genesis! Bible Fellowship Church. Enjoy today's devotional and may it remind you of when you were led to this branch of Zion!

Our lives, as creatures of a sovereign God, are colored throughout this journey called life. In 1972 at 25 years old my life was impacted by my sister Brenda’s conversion because of the witness of a homosexual Jew who had accepted Jesus as his Savior. God used her to plant a seed in my heart. So, in October 1972, I accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior at Manna Bible Baptist Church at a revival. The Lord opened many doors of ministry for me in Women’s Ministry and music. However, God’s plans were already set in eternity.

The Lord had distinguished a young man at Manna, Wayne Cockrell, who had a love, commitment, and growth in the Word of God as a great prospect as a preacher. As the Lord was prompting my heart according to Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.” I knew that He was leading me in a new direction. I then boldly went to his home and told him that the Lord showed me that he was to be my new pastor. What a surprise to know that the Lord had borne that same witness in the hearts of seven others. Thus, the birth of Genesis Bible Fellowship Church.

MEM is the Hebrew word for 40. Noah – the rain falls for 40 days. Israel – wanders in the wilderness for 40 years. Numbers 32:13 – the Biblical measure of a generation is forty. Jesus -- tested in the wilderness for 40 days and after His resurrection Jesus is a witness to his disciples for 40 days before ascending to heaven to sit at the right hand of the Father.
Forty speaks of something decided, tested and reshaped. The God who works in the opening season is the same One who is working in the closing season. God still showed up and sustained the ark for Noah for 40 days, manna was still supplied for the Israelites for 40 years, and Jesus’ presence was the rewarding evidence of His Resurrection and Ascension for 40 days.

As we celebrate 40 years of God’s blessings, testing’s, faithfulness, and commitment to His Word, I look forward to the Gospel message continuing to be proclaimed at Genesis Bible Fellowship Church and the soon return of the Lord Jesus Christ. Hallelujah!!!

PRAYER: Thank You JESUS for the journey!!!
By Sis. Cheryl Torain

Would you like to share your testimony? Follow the Devotional format above and email your devotional to paula1028smith@gmail.com.