Water in a Drought

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!

The year was 1995, I was 25 and living my best life. I had recently graduated from college
(1993) and now I was moving out on my own and purchasing a house. Everything in my life was going well. I had known the Lord for 2 decades now, but often took my salvation for granted. I fully understood that I could not lose my salvation and I often misrepresented Christ with my behavior knowing I could just ask for forgiveness (1John 1:9). Throughout high school and college, I straddled the fence, yes, I was a lukewarm Christian; hot for Christ when necessary, but mostly lukewarm. The Lord was not pleased (Revelations 3:16), but I continued being lukewarm until the Lord said, “Enough!” I had outgrown my childhood church, in short, I was not growing there.

In 1995, as a new homeowner and out from under the watchful eye of my parents, I began
looking for a new church home while also still partying and such. During this time, the Lord was working on me; my heavenly Father put His foot down. He allowed life to happen and happen it did! I did not have any peace. I would often hear scripture in the most secular of places. For one week straight the scripture that I would hear multiple times a day was: “For the wages of sin is death.” (Romans 6:23) The Lord was talking to me and I listened, eventually. My life was unraveling and the churches I visited did not quench my thirst. I began being hot for Christ with everyone and my so-called friends began leaving. A few years later, 1997, I was invited to a wedding at Genesis Bible Fellowship. I sat in the back of the church in a dark place spiritually, mentally, and emotionally. I was spiritually dehydrated and being led by God to water. When Pastor Cockrell gave the 5 C’s and their breakdown, I realized immediately this was what I needed. I knew that this was the water my body was craving.

“As the deer pants for the water brooks, so pants my soul for You, O God.” The following Sunday I took the 30-minute drive from my house to Genesis. Pastor Cockrell preached about relationships that don’t glorify God. I listened as my life was seemingly laid out in front of these strangers, but while also being convicted. Ironically, I was also being filled. I decided to come back the following Sunday because there was no way the Pastor would preach on the same topic. Well, it was a 4-part series. I had found my brook. The water was plentiful and refreshing. What I was thirsting for I had found. Sunday after Sunday my tank was filled. This water hydrated my spirit. I was beginning to look like the person I claimed to be. One year later, yes, I was disobedient for an entire year, I joined the church. Since joining Genesis I have grown immensely. It is difficult to sit under the Word of God and not grow; you will either grow or go.

PRAYER: Dear Heavenly Father thank You for leading me to Genesis. Thank You for relieving my thirst. Lord, protect, cover, and uplift Pastor Cockrell as he continues to bring Your Word raw and uncut. Lord, thank You for the safe place that is Genesis where questions can be asked free of ridicule, where sick come to be healed, and the Pastor of the church tells us what You have said even when we don’t want to hear it. Thank You, Lord, for Genesis, a church that stands firmly on Your Word. In the matchless name of Jesus, Amen.
By Sis. Patricia Towns