What an awesome privilege it is to be a child of God and to serve Him! As I approach my 50th birthday this coming October, it is amazing to see the hand of God working and moving in my behalf. An amazing chapter of my life began one year ago, when God brought me to Progress Baptist Church! This month, our church family is celebrating the 10th anniversary of the founding of Progress Baptist. What an amazing story of the work of God! From his teenage years, Bro. Joe Cox had a desire in his heart to plant a church for the glory of God. God’s hand on this ministry for the past ten years has proven that this burden was from the Lord.
A few months after the Lord moved me here as pastor, Brother Joe and I enjoyed a good time of fellowship over the phone. As we shared with each other how God had worked in each of our lives during the previous two years (as well as before), it was increasingly obvious that our Great God had orchestrated the events long before anyone knew or understood what the Potter had in mind! These events were not always easily understood at the time, but the “fruit” has given witness to the fact that the “root” was holy as described in Romans 11:16. God does all things well. It is comforting to read in the Scriptures how God used frail human beings, with the same issues and sin nature we struggle with today, to accomplish His will. We do have a great treasure in earthen vessels! Praise God that the foundation “standeth sure!” and we can do what He has called us to do!
As we pause to look back over the past ten years since God allowed a faithful group of folks and their young pastor to plant this church in the will of God, let’s be careful to give HIM all of the glory. Jesus said, “Without me, ye can do nothing.” God raised up this ministry, and only He can sustain it! After we look back, let’s look forward with great anticipation. Let’s pray and ask Him to do great things! He is longing to do great and mighty things for and through His people in this sin-cursed world we live in. Let’s allow Him to use us to shine His light in this society that is stumbling in the darkness of sin, looking for answers and peace in their soul.
“To God be the glory, great things He hath done!” I’m so glad He’s not through!!
