First Baptist of Las Colinas

11 For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. 12 Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. 13 And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart. - Jeremiah 29:11-13 NKJV

I guess He knew all along that I would return to First Baptist of Las Colinas. From around seven years old to about twelve years old I came to FBLC and all I left with was John 3:16 hidden in my heart but yet without understanding, and a ton of memories. My best friend in that church was Josh and he's now with the Lord. 90% of the other people I knew around my age up to around 22 years old.. well, they aren't really following the Lord at the moment. So there I was. The church split up after the pastor passed away and my family stopped going. Up until I was 21 years old I sat behind a computer screen playing video games day in and day out. This became an addiction among other things that come with the internet. When I came back to FBLC I was welcomed with open arms full of love. Invited to sit with a few young men and saved by Pastor Dale on my first year. From that point on I've been going. Now that three years has passed, I'm almost 24 years old and I can't think of any other place I'd rather be on Sundays, Wednesdays or any other day needed. My attendance isn't perfect though. Sure, I find refuge in Jesus. But no one is ever going to tell me that Church is useless. Not every church is the same, but my church is beyond what I could have ever asked for or even imagined.

The difference of now and how it was when I was young is abundant. Here are a few things.

We don't have a Youth Group. We don't come to church to split up, we stick together as a family. We stick together, learn, grow and worship together as a family.
I say family because that's exactly what we are. Where when we sing we actually enjoy it, we smile and sing praise to the Lord instead of singing it because that's what the music director chose.

This week I failed horribly spiritually. Without going into detail, going to church wasn't something I was looking forward to. Because I didn't think I deserved to be there. At the same time I was afraid of confronting my convictions. I was hiding, and that's where sin gets its' strength; secrecy. Thankfully, the Lord gave me strength to get up and hop in that shower. Realizing someone else depends on me to get to church, and I consider that a blessing in more ways than one. I still didn't feel like I deserved to go. Unprepared and unorganized, I wasn't ready. So much so that I didn't bother singing, simply moving my lips to the words. I didn't think I deserved to even be heard. By the end of the sermon I had grown tired of wrestling with the Lord, holding tight to my old ways. I was done. I closed my eyes and prayed and begged for forgiveness as I gave all my sin to Him. All my worry, all my struggle, all my heart and soul to Jesus on the cross. Immediately I forgot why I felt like I didn't deserve to be there and I knew that it was Him.

I'm not where I should be.
But I'm definitely on the path to get there. The Lord said it is not good to be alone. He didn't only mean in marriage. In Fellowship with those around you, especially at church. Today among every Sunday.. I was encouraged. I was motivated. I was renewed. No one will ever take that away from me. The joy that I get from seeking wisdom from good, godly fathers and the fellowship I receive from friends around me. All in the house of the Lord where we come to worship, give thanks, praise and learn about Jesus. Sometimes that's all it takes.. to completely turn my world around. Whether it's hearing truths from scripture being taught, or having a 1-on-1 chat with someone. I find nothing but blessings at First Baptist of Las Colinas.

I guess He always knew I'd come back. I guess He always had plans for me to come back home to Him. No matter where God takes me in life, whether internationally or locally. First Baptist of Las Colinas will forever be my home in this temporary world.

I plead to you. I beg of you... whoever reads this. He has plans for you. He has already prepared an answered for your prayer you haven't even prayed yet. Close your eyes right now, and give thanks to God that He is sovereign over your life. That if you are His.. he will never leave you nor forsake you.