Today we had the funeral service for Herbie Pettit.  Herbie had only been a part of our church for a few months.  Herbie was a very special person.  He dealt with some special challenges in his life.  When the Turners brought him to a Bible Fellowship class and to our church, they were not sure how he would be received.  The Bible Fellowship class welcomed him with open arms.  He became a part of the choir and in a very short time was very devoted to our ministry.

Herbie had some challenges that limited what he could do, but he used the ability that he had to the utmost.  While he needed the help of others in some areas, he was extremely intelligent and he had a tremendous heart for people.  When I think of Herbie, I think of the definition of success that says, “Success is not what you are, but what you are compared to what you can be.”  According to that definition, Herbie was a tremendous success.  He made an impression on all those that knew him.

Herbie’s situation also reminds us of the importance of Bible Fellowship.  That class reached out to him and immediately made a difference in his life.  That is the way it is supposed to work.  Bible Fellowship gives us the opportunity to touch the lives of others.  It is a place where you will be ministered to and it is a place where you can make a difference.  If you are not a part of Bible Fellowship, then you are missing out on an opportunity to make a significant difference in the lives of others.

I constantly hear stories of how these classes have had an impact on the lives of people.  It is such a blessing to me to hear them over and over.   Today has made me more excited about our Bible Fellowship year which begins this Sunday.  There is a class for everyone.  If you are not involved, you are missing a wonderful experience and you are depriving so many others of what the Lord may use you to do in their lives.

One of the tools that God can use to help you make the best of your ability is Bible Fellowship.  Herbie understood that and he practiced that.  In doing so, he left a reminder for all of us.  I pray that we will have the same depth of commitment that he had.