Mobile, Alabama 2012
This week in Alabama completes the 14th State of the 50 along, “The Journey 50 States One True Story JESUS!” I was looking forward to coming to Mobile because Pastor Steve Lawson’s Church is here. Over the past 5 years I had been encouraged by Steve’s expository preaching. He challenges believers to bold, to go and to take a stand for Jesus Christ. No matter if you are the only one that will! Some of you know that God has blessed me to do just that. So, when I arrived in Mobile I made a beeline to Christ Fellowship Church. Well, not everything works out the way I hope it will. But the Lord is faithful in working all things for my good.
Merry Christmas! 2012 from David Banton
Later, Monday afternoon Pastor Charles Brown and the staff at Government Street Baptist Church welcomed me. Throughout the week the fellowship there was sweet.
Ministry in Mobile was limited. I mean the pace was frantic, go, go, and go. Besides driving in traffic and parking in places with high visibility not many would stop and talk. So, on Tuesday and Friday I went door to door. No one was rude and I think giving them a Christmas card and DVD helped.
It was odd that throughout the week I only remember one person coming to me in joyful response to the, “Jesus Truck.”
The Service on Sunday was great and the place packed. At the end Pastor Charles said I want to introduce David to you, and then He motioned for me to come. Glad I was awake and now wide awake! Pastor said a few words and then asked me to close in prayer. So the Holy Spirit gave me words to speak. Not a conventional prayer but one for souls to receive the gift of God. Looking back at this, there were several blessings. First the Holy Spirit moved through me and the reason I say that is because; this happened spur of the moment and I was not anxious about the crowd or what I was to say. Secondly, the pace of that week had been so fast and I was burdened not having the opportunity to talk to many people. Well, there before me was a packed house whose hearts Pastor Charles had prepared! Praise God! Amen.
Later I was privileged to attend worship service and have fellowship with New Life Vietnamese Baptist Church. The presentations by the children, guest singer, guest speaker and Rev. Phi Thuong Vo really brought the spirit of Christmas home to me. Thank You!
In closing, God has been faithful to provide everything I had need of. One of which was not easy to swallow and that was learning not to be so expectant of men. Even those I have looked up to while God used them to increase my faith. So by God’s hand I may be able to stand alone if it becomes necessary!
Dear Saints in the Lord Jesus Christ,
My Greatest treasure is God’s Gift to me of Salvation and everything that entails! The “Bestest Gifts” given me this year have come from You! I cannot thank You enough for your Prayers; your Encouragement, your Gifts and your every Support. I know God has seen everything and that treasures are being stored up for each of You.
My fervent prayer is for God to bless “You” by the Increase of Your Faith, to Separate You even more from the things of the World, to Embolden You to Follow JESUS where so ever HE Wills! Brethren we know God is more than able and that HE will give our Hearts to be Taken all the more by Jesus Christ! Please entreat God concerning this. Amen.
Until next week, God willing I write to you again.
Merry Christmas! 2012 by David Banton
Merry Christmas, David Banton