July 3, 2011
On July 4, 2011 we will commemorate 235 years since the signing of the Declaration of Independence. This is the document that gave us independence from Great Britain and was the birth of our new country! Believe it or not, I was not living then, but just recalling this event gives me and most of us a sense of pride. Hope you have a fun 4th of July, but remember our freedom which we enjoy today cost a lot from our founding fathers. What we are enjoying today at New Bethel was part of what our forefathers envisioned. Any man, woman, boy or girl can praise the Lord without fear of what will be done to them.
What a wonderful testimony Austin shared with us last Sunday. It all started in the Wednesday night RA class with Jeff Harris sharing the gospel plan of Salvation. Austin was 9 years old when he felt the need to ask Christ into his heart. That night made a difference in his life. Austin has accomplished a lot of things during his high school years, but his praise was not what he has done but what Christ has done for him. One thing which spoke to me powerfully was when it was lunchtime Austin would go and sit with the young people who didn’t have others to sit with them. He never said anything about having a scholarship given to him or making the winning shot in an important game. It was all about his Savior. He spoke without any notes just from his heart. You might have seen him in the paper this week working with kids at a basketball camp. The Franklin Country Boys and Girls Basketball Academy which was held for kids in grades 1- 8. Austin worked with the older kids. I can see him in coaching in a few years after his college days or in ministry for the Lord. Now I am not calling Austin into the ministry but I can see the power of God on his life.
I have been preaching on Joseph from the book of Genesis who was a 17 year old young man whose life was powerful. He stayed true to the Lord in a land which did not serve the Lord nor worship the Lord. In every battle his testimony was that the Lord was with Him. The pagan rulers all gave witness to the fact God’s blessing was upon him. No matter if he was in prison for something he did not do or in the palace even the rulers they saw how the Lord was blessing everything he touched and they put all leadership into his hands. He was able to save the people of Israel when 7 years of famine came.
Pastor Tommy
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