God's Faithfulness

God has never once failed. Pretty amazing thought, huh? Not one time has he ever made a mistake, accidentally let something go awry, misspoken, or forgot to pick his child up at school, burnt the chicken, said things in unrighteous anger, ran over a squirrel in the road, bombed a test in school, let a curve ball get the better of him in the box, slipped on some gravel, gotten the wrong present for someone at Christmas, absolutely...never...failed. Can you even imagine one of us making it through our week without failing someone or something somewhere? How about perfection for a year? How about perfection for a lifetime; at your funeral, they would say, he never made a mistake. Whatever. Watch the video above, as a pre-reminder to my word of testimony.

I was reminded of God's faithfulness this week, even in my wavering faith. Things that were supposed to come through, fell through. Then those things were replaced with even better things in a really spectacular, 'never would have believed it' way. We literally wept at God's awesome workings yesterday. The icing on top of the cake is that what we thought completely fell apart, might not be all the way dead! I know that was probably confusing, and I wish I could tell you more specifics, but I can't; the depravity of man would be put on display, even though God would be glorified.

"Your faithfulness endures to all generations," -Psalm 119:90. So, just know that God is FAITHFUL, all the time! I guess I felt a little like the disciples who heard "O, you of little faith" several times. In retrospect, I suppose I will feel like Job, crushing defeat, then greater restoration. I guess I should have been like the man in Mark 9:24 who said, "I believe, but help my unbelief."

I don't know what you may be going through, but maybe to the few people who read this blog, it will be an encouragement. God is faithful! In suffering, in pain, in loss, in need, in sickness, in health, in wealth, on the mountain tops, in the valleys, in darkness, in light, He is faithful! Just because we can see or think of a reason for God's working, does not mean there is not one. He is sovereign, He is good, and He is purposeful. And He is faithful!

Plans Coming Together!

I love it when you can see the hand of God bringing many things into line to accomplish a vision that He has given you. I love it when a plan comes together. And that is what recent days have brought at New River Baptist Church and Tifton. I feel confident that God impressed upon my heart to begin looking to lead New River to start a new congregation in Tifton. Most of our 29 Baptist Churches here look about the same, and we are losing generation after generation of younger adults, students, and children because of our unwillingness to separate tradition from gospel, and contextualize our presentation of an eternal gospel. So after sharing that vision numerous times, and nearly giving up (O me of little faith), God has been working toward accomplishing His vision for us and a new plant here in Tifton. I want to take a minute and give God glory and share what things are coming together:

1. A church planter that we had spoken with about six months ago has reestablished communication with us. And he has come back with a passion and a sense of clarity about God's calling upon his life to begin a new church in Tifton. He is so excited and convinced that he is making preparations necessary to move his family here and begin this plant in Jan 2010. He will have much support from his home church, GBC, NAMB, and other local churches. God has truly provided a much needed piece of the puzzle
2. Several people at New River have really softened up to the idea of beginning a new congregation in Tifton to the end that we have established a Church Planting Fund here at New River. The initial donation was $4000. And people keep designating money to it each week. And many attitudes that once were hesitant are now becoming open, and even excited about church planting.
3. God is sending visitors to us who are interested in church planting. People who have experience in church plants previously; people who are adequately qualified for leadership; people who are very much like our target generations that we are losing in Tifton; people that are willing to sacrifice for God's cause; and people who are influential in their respective circles.
4. And just this week, we have had a key roadblock to funding from New River for a church plant removed! This one is a minor miracle coming at just the right time. One of our committees which was involved in paving the way for some funding made a decision to pursue the vision, sacrifice for the glory of Christ and for the thousands of Tifton who don't know Christ and won't come to our churches as is. It is not a done deal yet, but a major milestone was achieved.

Pray that God will continue to line everything up for this plant at our church and through other churches that are interested in helping. If you know of any church or individual that would like to have more information or possibly support this plant, please let me know, and I will get them the info that they need to begin seeking God's face on the issue.

May the Lamb receive the reward of His suffering and call out His church in Tifton!