Biblical Teaching

Happy 40th Anniversary, Genesis Bible Fellowship Church. June 15 is a time to celebrate forty years of Pastoral and Church Ministry. Join us as we receive encouragement from one another as we read about the when and the 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!

I have been reading God's word since my preteen years, trying to understand, with the help of the Holy Spirit, how to apply His word to my life. I don't always get it right, but I am willing to learn and to keep trying to be a doer of His word, not just a hearer. My husband and I were faithful members at our previous church of about 17 years. I taught Sunday School, sang in the choir, attended Bible Study sessions, and developed meaningful relationships. As time went on, I had come to realize that the Word was being compromised to satisfy those who chose to live in darkness, and as a Sunday School teacher, this was very unsettling in my spirit.

As I grew spiritually from reading the Bible, I found that what was being preached in the pulpit was not aligning with what I needed to hear, to be challenged more in my walk with Jesus, and draw closer to Him, to come out of darkness, and into His light. I had outgrown the church spiritually and all the "feel good" messages and services weren't enough for me anymore. Hebrews 4:12 says "...the Word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and spirit. of joints and of marrow. And is a discerner of the thoughts and intentions of the heart."

We met with our pastor at the time, and shared our thoughts with him. Before leaving the church, we wrote letters to the ministries we served on, expressing why we decided to leave the church, with biblical references. Whether or not they read the letters did not matter. We felt responsible to at least explain why we stepped away.

We have been friends of the Mosley’s for many years, and had visited Genesis a few times, so we were familiar with Pastor Cockrell and how he really preaches the Word. As we continued to visit Genesis, it amazed us how every sermons seemed as though God was speaking to us through Pastor Cockrell. We have been members for 22 years, for which we are grateful, and I can honestly say that we have both grown (and continue to grow) spiritually as a couple, and individually.

PRAYER: Lord God Almighty, thank You so much for Your word that never changes, for Your faithfulness and Your love that never ends. As we seek You first in all things, and Your kingdom, thank You for providing a secret place, where we can abide with You, and for being our covering, our refuge, and shelter, in the precious name of Jesus, I pray, Amen
By Sis. Debora Brockington

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