I spent a few days last week in Oklahoma trying to help others, but I came away helped.
Last Sunday night was our Vision Night, and one of the ways we purposed to GROWING IN KNOWING JESUS together was to simply go to church! “And so much the more as ye see the day approaching!” In these last days, we need more of the Word of God, not less.
Well, I need the Word too, and the PREACHING of God’s Word last week filled my tank to overflowing. God used Bro. Sam Davison to stir my spirit when his sermon from Acts 13–21 showed the spirit of the Apostle Paul. He was stirred in spirit, pressed in spirit, and so he purposed in his spirit to serve the Lord as FULLY as he could. I so badly want that for 2024.
Then, Bro. Brent Givens preached on Isaiah 40—when circumstances seem too big… behold your GOD! Oh my, what a help.
Another preached on sharing the workload of ministry, and another preached on the mere sparks of our own self-effort versus the FLAME of God’s power… wonderful words from God to us. I needed the preaching.
I also needed the fellowship. What a joy to be around fellow pastors and Christian workers, and it was a great joy to see Bro. Alex Del Cid and Bro. Karsten Blevins again, as well as all the students we’ve met over the past couple of years. We were gladly spending and being spent for the sake of the Gospel. It wasn’t a vacation, but it was good.
Short trips like these are so valuable, and we could represent YOU in such a unique way through this conference. We gave nearly $3k away to church planters, but it still feels like WE were the ones blessed by the giving. It truly is more blessed to give than to receive.
I’m so excited for church today. We get to worship God, baptize new converts, open God’s Word and be encouraged by our family.
It’s a JOY to serve the Lord, and I love serving with you. GROW IN KNOWING JESUS this year. –Pastor Ryan