Here I Am - Pastor Greg Hendricks

Sunday was our Gen Service, and we celebrated. With Pastor Franklin and the worship team, we praised the Lord. One of the songs sung at VBS was “I’m Free!” With Jesus, we are free to know that we are daughters and sons of the Almighty King. A new Pastor Michel spoke about VBS and his desire for kids to know the living God through VBS. Because over $1020 came in, Pastor Michel followed through on his promise to shave his twelve year old beard and even shaved his full head of hair. The offering will fund the September Glow Night party.

Pastor Greg Hendricks shared what the Lord impressed on him. “Do it for the sake of the Lord; connect to the heart of the Father; seek the heart of the Lord as you dive into His Word.” These powerful words were for the seasoned saints and the next generation.

“For the sake of a generation, tell your soul, spirit and mind, ‘Here I am,’” Pastor Greg announced. He read from 1 Samuel 3:1-10 about God, Eli, and Samuel. A generational transaction was taking place: a young kid was ministering in the Lord’s house; Eli the seasoned saint was working with Samuel; and God was overseeing them. Pastor Greg had three major points for us to consider.

The first was the Bible said he was ministering. “The boy Samuel ministered before the Lord under Eli.” 1 Samuel 3:1 (NIV) Pastor Greg posed an important question,”You can do things for God, but are you are you hearing the voice of the Lord?” Samuel heard a voice, and he ran to Eli, but Eli had not heard the Lord’s voice that night. However, after three times, he recognized it was the Lord calling Samuel.

“Then Eli realized that the LORD was calling the boy. So Eli told

Samuel, ’Go and lie down, and if he calls you say, ’Speak, LORD,

for your servant is listening.’ So Samuel went and lay down in his

place.” 1 Samuel 3:9 (NIV)

Eli advised Samuel to a) lie down-be available; b) If He calls you again-stay in a humble posture; c) respond to the LORD-humbly; say ”Your servant is here.” On a side note, Pastor Greg spoke to the seasoned saints,”You will be most alive when you help someone else hear the voice of the Lord.” That is such good advice for all of us, for “When you & get it,’ you come alive.” You can help someone have a revelation so they can get it. Serving pulls you closer to God.

Three truths to consider:

God is not seeking perfect skills. He is seeking surrendered hearts. For example, Moses said to the LORD,”Pardon your servant Lord. I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since you have spoken to your servant. I am slow of speech and tongue.” And the Lord replied,”Who gave human beings their mouths?” Exodus 4:10-11 (NIV) Others who were imperfect, surrendered servants were Peter who cut off Malchus’ ear and Matthew, the chief tax

collector. He is seeking submitted spirits. God is seeking your heart to believe in Jesus like Isaiah did, “Here am I. Send me.” Isaiah 6:8 (NIV) God will infuse your surrender with His strength. “Grace flows to the lowest places in your life,” stated Pastor Greg.”Your disposition before God can reposition you before man.”

Hearing God’s voice starts with seeking God’s heart. “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:13 (NIV) The secret place speaks loudest to the seeking heart because peace is not something but is Someone. Those who seek Him intently are rewarded. “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.” John 10:27 (NIV) Even further, those who seek His presence hear His whisper. We learned that point about two weeks ago when Pastor Josiah preached about Elijah who was so discouraged after

defeating hundreds of Baal’s priests because Jezebel threatened him. Elijah ran to a cave.

However the Lord sought him out, and Elijah felt the earthquake, the wind storm, and the fire, but God was not in them. He heard God’s soft whisper. “And after the fire the sound of a low whisper.” I Kings 19:12 (ESV) How do you hear a whisper? You need to be close to the source.

Lean into the Lord and hear His still, small voice.

God’s call in your life grows with God’s community in your life. “He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love.” Ephesians 4:16 (NLT) In other words, “Isolation limits impact. Connection with others multiplies it,” emphasized Pastor Greg. “Every God-sized purpose requires God-sent partners.” For example, was Pastor Michel able to pull off such a vibrant VBS alone? No, he had a team working with him to decorate, lead

each group, be in charge of each station. They each said,”Here I am.” “Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble.” Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 (NLT) You are planted amongst people to walk out your purpose. Here I am! Purpose finds power in partnership or to say it another way, “Purpose grows where fellowship flows.” Our purpose is to love God; love people. Here I am! May we fulfill His purpose to love God and love people so we can be salt and light in this troubled world.

Calendar:

July 6-Prayer night at 6:00

July 12-FC movie night 7:30

July 18-LB potluck, worship, and speaker LaMar Key 6:00 in the youth center (The One

Way Inn)

July 18-Midnight Hour 8-12:00 in the Activity Center

July 25-Men of God Movement 6:00

Submitted by

Larry and Annette Linthicum