This is my first opportunity to communicate through our new website to the Awakening Church family and friends. There are so many things I want to say to each person who have trusted our spiritual leadership over the past six weeks. I would love to write about Hebrews 13:17 concerning the joy I have in “giving an account on your behalf” before the Lord. Indeed, each of you have made it easy to be joyful in difficult circumstances of which I am eternally grateful.
Although Hebrews 13:17 is such a significant passage for Shepherds to meditate on, it is the verse that precedes it that has caught my attention. I desire to call each of you to be mindful and very grateful of how the Lord is using verse 16 through St. Marys Church to bless our fellowship.
When Pastor Randall Dockery heard that Awakening Church needed a place to meet, he did not hesitate to offer the St. Marys Church facilities. In fact, on three different occasions, that gracious Pastor extended a serious and sincere invitation for our fellowship to meet at his Church building. In a day where Churches seem to be in direct unbiblical competition with each other, here is a Pastor that is looking out for the good of another congregation.
Hebrews 13:16 says,
“Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.”
Hebrews 13:16
St. Marys Church has given us their building, their resources and their blessings for the sake of furthering the Kingdom of God. They have taken to heart this passage in complete obedience by sharing what they have. They have obviously learned how to be “pleasing to God.”
How do we respond to such kindness? First and foremost we must give the Lord glory for His sovereign will to use their sacrifice to bless our fellowship. Second, we must never forget their kindness. The best way we can honor St. Marys Church is to look for the opportunity the Lord will give us to do the same. Last of all, we must be good stewards of their facility and resources by taking very good care of the things they have freely given to us.
I am overwhelmed at how the Lord has magnified the meaning of biblical words such as grace, compassion, kindness, love, and unity through the Pastor, leadership, and the congregation of St. Marys Church. Now let each congregation share the truth of scripture to reach our community with the wonderful story of redemption!
Pastor Mike
Psalm 32:8