Defining scriptures:
I love my family. They have helped me to become a better person through all our experiencing difficulties and happiness.
I love my church family. You have uplifted me, shared your sorrows and joys. We have grown together.
I love my neighbors. Old friends and new friends.
But the greatest love in my life is the love of Jesus Christ. That is who I want to talk about this morning. The love that God has given to be thru his son Jesus.
Several years my doorbell rang. There was a movie names "The Postman Rang Twice".
God only range once, thru Bill Turbyfill. Bill came to see me that Saturday morning to ask me to teach the senior high class. My answer was quick and emphatic with a resounding NO. You see I could say no then.
I was not a Christian, not good enough, did not know any scripture. I went to Sunday School from being guilty., because of my father-in-law Shine.
It was His bright light that brought me to Whaley St. I was coming to Sunday School. We got to put on our best dress and gloves and hats. You see we wore hats and I loved to go anywhere I could wear my hat. I enjoyed sitting for an hour. But my duty was done.
These credentials did not make me a great candidate for Sunday School teacher.
To make a long story short, Bill would not leave, so my hope and support was Harold. So I asked him "what he thought". Wrong question cause he gave to wrong answer and agreed with Bill. Bill handed me the material said "ten o'clock on the 3rd floor tomorrow". Then he finally left.
That Sunday began the greatest journey I could possibly have. Those steps were high and hard to climb.
I learned quickly that I had nothing to offer. And God assured me that I was right. Because He was the giver and enabler. I claimed the promise in Phillipians 4:13, All things are possible in Jesus Christ who strengthens me.
John 3:16. For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son, that whosoever believed in Him would not perish bust have everlasting life.
I remember a favorite story I used to tell to children at camp about a man called Whosoever. Whosoever heard that a King was coming and he wanted to clean up house and he asked all the members of the church to help him but they didn't do inside cleaning. But told him of a person who might help. He learned this scripture and recognized his name. He was told by the minister that he did not have to get his house in order that the King would do that. I heard Larry give his testimony but he substituted his name Larry for Whosoever.
All of us can be a Whosoever and have everlasting life. God's love and strength has sustained me in this earthly journey.
I stayed at Whaley St, not because the people were good like I thought I had to be. They had needs too. Nor was it because of the minister. I have loved all of my ministers. But I stayed because: God became alive to me.
One Sunday evening the minister gave a message on God loving us, unconditionally, we didn't have to be intelligent, have great talents, no outstanding abilities. Didn't have to be good." Wow! That opening the door for me. I was in. God loved me.
Matthew 16:24 Then Jesus said to His disciples, If any man would follow me, let him deny himself, pick up his cross and follow me. I heard "Bertha take up your cross, bring your baggage and will get rid of it as we walk. I lost some of the baggage when I took that first step in faith and acknowledged lack of knowledge.
I wanted to know this God of love. To have a personal relationship with Him. I no longer would be content to know about Him.
Thru the years God has humbled me in leading me into many ministries.
I was asked to teach an adult class. The book of Mark. I couldn't say No to God. But, as I accepted I wondered why??? I certainly was not a scholar of scriptures.
That Sunday as I came in, there sat two missionaries on the front row in front of my table. They were faithful servants, who interpreted scriptures in foreign countries. Then Doug Beaman came in, you all know how knowledgeable he is and is also a faithful servant.
I thought, Lord what are you doing to me??? Geography is misplaced....They should be where I was, I should have been where they were.
This was not a good year for me. My brother, my mother and a seventeen year old nephew died that year. This Sunday, I begin to sniffle and the tears came. I thought I was all right but could not control my emotions. Doug in his graciousness said, "Would you like for me to teach". I said yes. Doug moved to the front and I went to the back. We are getting some of the geography straight.
As I sat there and listened to Doug, he was discussing the same message that I had prepared and planned to discuss. Of course, he did it much more eloquently than I ever could. Then I knew why I was there - not to teach but to be taught. God was humbling and teaching me not to be envious and inferior of other's gifts, but to look to him for wisdom that he would give me in his good pleasure and when I was ready to receive it.
A little baggage fell along the was, inferiority to others , pride, and self centeredness.
I learned what missions were. What great experiences they are. We had wonderful mission conferences sharing (where we were serving with others).
Then a group of young people had the opportunity to go on a mission in South America. Trudi was in that group and I went too. We had to send in our testimonies, why? Who? We had to get approved by the Mission Board. We got accepted. As Christians, we were going to share with the South American people how much God loved them.
Another humbling experience was when the people in the midst of the worst poverty met us on the shores singing joyously, praising God and welcoming us with outstretched arms. We didn't need to show them how much God loved them, they already knew.
There were some hardships sharing of God's love, and also some humorous times.
One of the highlights was when we were going to sing "How Great Thou Art" in Spanish for them. A great honor and tribute to them, was for us to sing of God's power in their language. They would think we were pretty smart. Well, needless to say, we were pitiful. A Joyous Fiasco.
These people responded to us by singing "How Great Thou Art" in English. What an outpouring of praise - the rafters shook.
Then as we sat down, I heard this awful noise outside as the rocks came thru the door and windows thrown by a group of people who did not want this Christian movement to be there. Some of these rocks came passed my feet. At first, I was anxious and frightened as were all the others. But then I claimed another promise: Jesus said "I will be with you always. When one or more are gathered in my name I will be among you".
Another learning experience in my Christian walk was a week long children's camp during the summer for the children of the church and neighborhood.
Of course I wasn't one of the privileged workers, who got to cook, wash dishes and clean up. They got to sleep in a cabin on a real bed with adults at the end of the day. Quiet and peace!! I was chosen to sleep in a tent out in the woods where the mosquitoes were out in full force. I shared this tent with three wonderful little girls. I got them all bedded down and everything was quiet and I heard this soft voice, "Bertha, can I sleep with you"? And then, I heard two more voices. So I got to share my cot that was not big enough for one with three more. I loved being there to share this time with them.
One year we had some material left that we couldn't use. There were several sitting around and it was one of my rare quiet times. I just commented that the material would be good to use for a children's sermon in church. Maryanna was there and said "Well Bertha, why don't you do that?" You know sometimes when you hear something you hope that it would just go away. That is how I felt ' if I ignore it the wind will blow it away. Maryanna's brother was the minister so you know what her influence with him would be. And, he was most willing to let me do this. So, began another mile in my journey. Sharing with the children of the church God's word and His love, and how it would effect their lives.
Then I was asked to again climb those steps to the third floor to be with the senior high group. What Joy.///To share God's love thru my love and the need to apply it to our everyday life.
Well, those steps were still high, but they weren't as hard to climb this time. You see the first time I climbed them along. This time I was not alone, God climbed them with me. As I look around the church today and see some of those teenagers, some of them are mature adults and some are young adults still serving and seeking God's will and some have dropped by the wayside (some at other churches). I just praise God and give thanks for being a small part in their lives.
I am still climbing those stairs, I have to admit it is not quite as hard as the first time nor is it as easy as the second time. I won't bother to say why. But I am sure glad for that platform in the between the stairs. Now I have the privilege to get to know the children of those earlier teenagers. God is faithful.
There are many more experiences I would love to give God the glory for in my life , but I have shared some of my WOW's today. WOWs!! When was the last time you let God wow you?
I praise God for His grace (that which does for us that we cannot do). His mercy (that which I do not deserve) and all that he was given me and done for me. I pray and never have to face his judgment (that which I deserve).
I am not here today because of anything that I done. But because of: God's love and his nudging many of you to direct me in and to his will.
God may want you to be nudger or to be nudged. How will you answer Him???
I haven't reached the pinnacle of goodness that I thought I should be in the beginning of this journey.
As I have heard Mrs. Ostelle say many times, "God is still working with me" and Rev Davis shared with us in Bible Study that God was still working with him and we had the confirmation from Billy that he was. I too feel that God is still working on me. Ask Harold, he too will confirm it. Will you let Him work with you???
It has been a wonderful journey walking with Good and I pray that it will continue to be. Amen.