I’m Not Used to This

Happy 40th Anniversary, Genesis Bible Fellowship Church. Less than a week to go, thank you for celebrating forty years of Pastoral and Church Ministry. Join us as we receive encouragement from one another while 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!

SCRIPTURE: “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away, behold all things have become new.” 2 Corinthians 5:17

I accepted the Lord Jesus as my Savior in 1976 at Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church. There I began to grow as the foundational truth of God’s word took root in my heart. I was active in youth ministry and had many Christian friends to hold me accountable in my growth.

In 1986, I married my husband who had been a member of Manna Bible Baptist Church. At the time, I had not considered the possibility of leaving my home church where I was comfortable and secure. As time went on, we visited Genesis Bible Fellowship Church where Tyrone had been visiting. It was a new ministry and very new to me. I wasn’t used to folding up chairs. The atmosphere wasn’t what I was accustomed to either. Then, Tyrone said we had to make a decision. I knew we could not as newlyweds attend separate churches. So, the last Sunday in November I spoke with my pastor who fully understood and gave me his blessings. With tears, I said my goodbyes to my Mt. Pleasant family.
 
The following Sunday, December 1986, we joined Genesis. It took me some time adjusting, coming from my previous church. I was use to a choir marching down the aisle opening worship. I was use to carpeted floors, stain glass windows and pews. Each Sunday, I would turn to these thoughts. Then one Sunday the Holy Spirit spoke to my heart. The true church is not about any of those things. It’s the people, the body of Christ that makes up the church. That settled it for me. I had to grow up and accept the new thing the Lord was doing. No regrets, no turning back. The Word of God, as taught by our Pastor Cockrell, has anchored me through the good times and bad. I am so grateful to the Lord for my Genesis family who are truly armbearers! 40 years, Glory to God!

PRAYER: Father, thank You for beginning and continuing the new work in me. I’ve decided to follow Jesus, no turning back. No turning back. Thank You for Genesis Bible Fellowship Church, and our Pastor Cockrell. In Jesus Name I Pray, Amen
By Sis. Toni Lawson

 Less than a week to go, thank you for celebrating forty years of Pastoral and Church Ministry. Would you like to share your testimony? Follow the Devotional format above and email your devotional to paula1028smith@gmail.com.