SOUNDING
OUT:
The Clergy Meetings, January 25-27
We had a wonderful weekend
fellowshipping with the 43 folks at our recent clergy
meetings. The full sharing fellowship was inspiring and
refreshing, and the Word of God shared in session and
out of session was a wonderful demonstration of spirit
and power. Our vision for our lives increased with the
increase of God, and our reverence and awe for Him was
magnified by His mercy and grace.
John Shroyer opened the
meetings showing us how God prepared for years for the
ministry of the Apostle Paul. Charlie Quillen taught on
Gods grace, and Jon Nessle shared the seven main points
of his Growing in Gods Power series. Allan Woodhouse
taught the Sunday Morning Fellowship on Be a Friend of
Jesus. Then we publically recognized the ordination of
Dr. Bob Darnell. His family came in and we closed the
weekend with this special time together.
I remembered to do as a
wise man once told me, and I collected my pay during
the weekend. He encouraged me to always do my best for
God, and promised that my pay would be the satisfaction
and peace I would enjoy as I layed down to sleep knowing
that I had done my best for God that day. My sleep was
certainly sweet, and it continues to be as I do my best
for Him.
There is a cleansing power
in the spoken Word that brings deliverance to the broken
hearted and establishes us firmly in Gods grace. In John
15:3 Jesus said, Now ye are clean through the word which
I have spoken unto you. Experience is certainly no guarantee
for truth, yet until we experience Gods goodness, grace,
and love what do we really know about Him? Gods Word
is a Living Word that makes known Gods will and establishes
a firm foundation on which to live.
Psalm 107:20 says, He [God]
sent His word, and healed them, and delivered them from
their destructions. When the Word is spoken with love
it heals and delivers. There is no substitute for Gods
Word spoken on believing lips. I collect my pay when
I know I have been faithful to do as He has asked. However,
I love to get bonuses, too. Thats what I call the unsolicited
thanks I get when God works in people and they write me.
Following is one I received this week. I thank God for
His mercy and grace that allow me to continue to do what
He has called me to do.
Dear Wayne,
Just wanted to say again how thankful I am
for the Word you taught here in Bothel, WA on Walking
by the Spirit. It changed my life! My attitude and countenance
have changed because I am no longer looking at all my
inadequacies but rather to the glory of God. The analogy
you did using the compact mirror was an awesome example!
I realized when I am looking at myself, I see myself (old
man) and others see that too. But, when I'm looking at
the Light (God) it reflects and shines out from me and
though I don't see it (because I'm not looking at myself)
others will see a difference in me because I'm reflecting
the Light of God ~ a much more pleasant sight! :)
I also wanted to say again how much the Word from
Romans 7 blessed me. When you expounded on how sin uses
the Word against us ~ WOW! In my mind the phrase "continue
in the Word..." became like a prison sentence for
me. I felt like I never did enough of the Word or didn't
do it good enough to be worthy. Doing the Word was like
a burden because I didn't think I could ever be disciplined
enough and therefore never felt "free indeed"
anymore. That has all changed for me now, and I understand
that continuing in the Word is a walk of Grace (including
stumbles!) with my Heavenly Father. What a relief! I am
free to fellowship with God whether I got the house clean
or the laundry done or not!
I also appreciated how Ferne felt after leaving
the cult and thank God immeasurably for working in her
heart too, to get together with the Shroyers and how CFF
all came about. I am so thankful for all of you and all
the ways you bless God's people and share His Word. You
have inspired me, and I once again have the desire in
my heart to do the same and find ways to allow my life
to bring people back to God.
Love to all,
A.L. WA
The final touch, so to
speak, with Gods deliverance is when we go and tell others
about it. God is glorified as we let our light shine (Matthew
5:16). We have been redeemed and belong to Him. Expressing
our thanks to Him, and declaring His goodness to others
is the natural outflow of an unburdened heart (Psalms
107:2). What a privilege to live as one who belongs to
Him.
|
