First Works

Repent and do the first works. – Revelation 2:5

So a few weeks ago, I was just feeling spiritually weak, almost spiritually dead.  More than anything, I just wanted to sit in church and let the Word somehow wash over me.  It was like one of those times where you just want to stand in the hot shower and let that blessed water just flow all over you.  That’s just the place I was in at the moment.

I went to one of two churches that have become my “safe havens” when I need to go.  To my disappointment, I didn’t check out the Facebook page.  If I had, I would have seen that they weren’t having a service that night.  I was just about to head home when my mind was flooded with what I used to do when I first started serving the Lord.  I used to go to any and all church services I could. I didn’t care about the denomination; I didn’t care about the stares when I walked in.  I just wanted to be around Bible teaching.

So, I breathed a prayer: “Lord, lead me somewhere that has a 7:00 service.”  I drove less than a mile when I came across Harvest Church.  I said, “Lord, what are the chances they have a 7:00 Bible study?”  Immediately after asking Him the question, I received the answer by looking at their sign. I pulled in and parked.

My heart started beating fast and hard.  I was nervous.  I thought to myself, “where did that come from?”  Sure enough, I remembered it used to pound pretty hard back in the day when I’d walk into unfamiliar territory.  When I opened the door, they had tables set up in a circular fashion so everyone could see everyone.  I immediately thought, “I must be walking in on a leadership team meeting or something.” So, I asked, “You guys having Bible study tonight?”  The pastor was so excited, “Yes we are!”  He immediately went and got me a study book and handed me everything I would need to be a part of the group.  Everyone was genuinely glad that I was there.  Also, I wasn’t even close to the latest person, which made me feel better for some reason.  God does use those late people!

The study was on prayer. I learned a lot from the study. Eventually, I plan on preaching a sermon at Lifeline on what I learned.  When hard questions were asked, the pastor gave great answers.  I could tell he was a real deal man of God just looking to help people grow in the Word and in their Christian faith.  I’m glad I met him and got to see with my own eyes what he was all about.  I left with a renewed vigor to be all about what I needed to be about.

It was so nice to do the things I did at first.  I couldn’t believe it had been about 20 years since I just randomly picked a church, walked in, and participated in their church service.  I definitely may do some more of this.  Thank you Harvest Church and Pastor Josh Bridges for being all about the King’s business.

Later

Adam