Author: But God Changes Everything (2014)
Senior pastor of People’s Church, a multi-ethnic, multi-generational church in Oklahoma City
Graduate of Evangel University in Springfield (1997)
Worldwide speaker preaching in Ukraine, Malawi, and Uganda
Wife: Tiffany
Four children
Guest Bio
Let God Change Your Life Today!
CBN.com
–MEET HERBERT COOPER
Herbert is the senior pastor of People’s Church in Oklahoma City. When Herbert was 13 years old, a female family friend sexually abused him. After several months, in spite of her manipulative threats, Herbert was able to break away and stop the abuse. The sexual activity, coupled with his parents’ divorce, set Herbert on a bad path. His reaction to situations and the way he thought were from places of anger and shame. The effects of the abuse stayed with him many years, and dictated a “reckless life-style.” His end would have been destruction until he had an unforeseen “but God” moment.
According to Herbert, “but God” appears in Scripture around 36 times. The purpose behind those two seemingly small words is to “reveal that a Divine change is about to occur in human lives.” Herbert says God wants us to stop looking through a limited viewfinder so we can see how drastically different God views our circumstances. It doesn’t matter whether we have been wounded, are insecure, have lost our way, or can only see things that seem to be impossible. God gives us healing, confidence, guides us, and makes everything possible.
Herbert was a college football player who hid behind his image, unable to face the painstaking memories from his past abuse, and the divorce of his parents, which shattered his world. One evening, with free pizza being his motivation, Herbert went to a Fellowship of Christian Athletes meeting. After the meeting, Herbert gave his life to Christ. Herbert says we hide our sin, shame, and hurts from God, all the while pushing Him away. However, when we open our hearts for God to see and heal, life springs forth. Herbert reminds us of Psalm 34:18, “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”
NO SURPRISES
Herbert says there is nothing we can do or say that surprises God. The key to experiencing the “but God” encounters is to invite Him into every situation we have. The healing journey draws us into a closer and deeply meaningful relationship with God. By meditating on God and His Word, it soon becomes an integral part of our lives that feeds and heals us. Crying out to God whether you are scared, angry, or afraid is equally important because that too is a form of prayer. Prayer opens your heart to God and allows the Lord to administer His healing power.
“Forgiveness unlocks the door to your won freedom.” Forgiveness is not always an easy choice, but according to Cooper it is harder to be full of hate and be unforgiving than it is to let go and forgive. We need to look around and realize we are all frail, we all are sinners, and ultimately need to look upon Jesus our Savior. Without forgiveness, we weaken our position in Christ, and end up imprisoning ourselves. Herbert knows this from a personal position as the day arrived when he had to choose to forgive his abuser. Without forgiving her, the “but God” would not have happened. When he let God in, God turned his life around and he walked to a life of freedom.
Herbert’s desire is to offer ways to change our lives, see our possibilities as endless, release the pains of the past and let God develop His passion in us. Start hearing “but God” a different way. “God never gives up on you, and will always pursue, rescue, help, and love you. My prayer for you is that you would know His love, and it would change everything for you. But God changes everything,” says Herbert.
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