Monday,
June 11, 2018
Therefore, since we are
surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses,
let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles.
And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us,
fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.
For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame,
and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners,
so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles.
And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us,
fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.
For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame,
and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners,
so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
Hebrews 12:1-3 NIV
Bill and Lizzie and I
went to Bowling Green yesterday to celebrate the 200th anniversary
of First Baptist Church. Thirty-five years ago, Bill served as the pastor of
Emmanual Baptist Church on Main Street in Bowling Green – a mission church of
First Baptist. And yesterday he was privileged to have the opportunity to speak
from the pulpit in reflection of his time there. It was a very special time for
reminiscing and reuniting with old friends. The food was good, too.
One of the themes for
the celebration was remembering the wonderful people who had gone before us to
pave the way for the First Baptist of today. We heard stories of people in the
1800s and 1900s who carefully did the Lord’s work on that corner. They invested
in the lives of children and college students who continued His work there and
around the world.
Bill was one of those
college students. He very eloquently reminded us of some stalwarts of the faith
who had diligently encouraged and supported him as his ministry was first
taking flight. And some of the people in attendance were testimony of the
impact that Bill’s life has had on them. It was pretty cool to realize that not
only is Bill a result of the ministry of that church but he has left his own
mark on hundreds of lives there and at our other churches because of his
obedience to the Lord’s call.
Who has been special to
you in your formative years as a believer? A grandparent? A school teacher? A
coach? A neighbor? And how have you influenced others in your walk? When it is
all said and done and you go home to be with the Father, will someone here
count you among the great cloud of witnesses?
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