Preacher Mike (if you only knew how much I struggled saying that)
2 Timothy 4:2 Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.
I would like to give you a glimpse into my life, into my testimony, into the evidence of the power of God’s grace on the life of a great sinner. I was raised in a Christian home, and yet became a rebel. I ran from God headlong into a life of sin; I did so much wrong, you could almost pick a sin, and I could relate. I hang my head in shame of the life I led for most of my life. I went back to church, even in and out of church for awhile, but I answered that tug on my heart that God placed there. My life changed when I accepted Christ as my Savior and began to read my Bible every day. God began his sanctification work in me; it is a painful process that requires the revealing of sin, the repentance and obedience required, and the removal of it from one’s life. It is a never ending process for our lives here.
I felt a stronger tug about three years ago, maybe that tug to preach. God laid this daily ministry in my lap almost two years ago, and I have been amazed at his provision and work in it. I moved my HVAC business model to that of a ministry, and God has opened doors for me to take Christ into peoples homes as a contractor. The past six weeks of my life have been hard to describe. I was given the opportunity to preach my first sermon, to get a glimpse of what it was like. I commented later that I experienced every emotion possible that day; it truly was hard to put into words. Then God opened the door to put my name in the hat for consideration as a preacher at a small local church. The day after that opportunity came, God clearly answered that three year prayer one morning for what was his Will for my life; I was called to preach his Word. This put into motion the whirlwind that has been the past month. I was voted in as their preacher yesterday at that church.
If you have followed this ministry, you knows’ I am an unedjumicated man. I stood before them yesterday and told them I am simply an ol’ country boy with a heart for God. The root of my ministry lies in God’s grace, and spending time with him daily, becoming disciples in that pursuit. I stand before you as the proof of God’s grace and mercy; Grace in the forgiveness through Christ he has giving me that I did not deserve; Mercy in not sending me into eternal punishment that I did deserve. There is no sin you can commit, for which you cannot be forgiven in Christ. How many times must he die to forgive you? You are not to get yourself better and then come to God, you are to come to Christ and then you will get better; the only true change in life always begins at the Cross.
I do not know what the future brings, but I know all I want to do is to abide in His Will for my life for each day. I know that He is taking me far outside of my comfort zone; He is taking me where I cannot rely on me, but only Him. He has humbled me beyond measure with his calling on my life. It will forever change my life and my families too. My great-grandfather was a southern-Baptist preacher here in town, from what I know, an uneducated man too. I hope that he is smiling down from heaven on me now. God does not call the equipped, he equips the called. There is nothing special about me, He can and will do the same for you with a heart for Him. All you must do is pursue Him daily, and the rest will fall into place. Model your life after Matthew 6:33 Seek Ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you. It truly is that simple; put God first every day, in every thing, and watch what he reveals to you.
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