Getting Started
I was going to drive my own car but I had some troubles with it that prevented that. It seems my car needed some repairs, which I already knew of. So I ended up riding with someone else which is perfectly fine. All the money I had for gas, I took it and gave it to them. At first it seemed like we were all going to miss another Conference, but in the end, here we are. On the way I was so amazed at how it all worked out that we could all go, that I had to make a post about it on Google +. I could feel in my spirit that God was congruent with my decision to get there regardless of the cost. I thanked Him then and there while we were on the road.
The first night was like a struggle for me. I felt like I was holding back or like I should make myself feel a certain way. Of course we do not live life by our feelings. So I ignored them and decided to just get in. and let what happen, happen. Rev Olsen preached the first night and the message was so very encouraging. Immediately I began to review my life, its direction, and my decisions both past and present. I looked on at my personal relationships I’d formed over the years. I looked on with regret at the ones I did not form. I can make an abundance of excuses but in the end, the fault is mine and the past cannot be redone. I definitely plan to form more relationships, better relationships in the coming years.
My Ministry
My main concern in this conference is my ministry. Where is it going? I feel like it could be so much better. I feel like things could be so different for me. I should be pastoring a work right now! Yet, I’m not. Why? I know why but I’m not going into detail here. The short answer is, "me". I am the reason that I am where I am and only I can change that. I feel like I’ve put my ministry on the shelf. I have allowed the lack of finances, a lack of an education, and other personal devices to come in and choke out my ministry. If I am indeed the gardener, it is high time to get some weeds and stones out of the way so that my ministry can begin to produce fruit.
So starting right now, I’m changing things. This is me making a difference in the world. I’m making a difference by overcoming the obstacles that are in my way. I can overcome them and have done so already because my master has already overcome.
1 John 4:4, "Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world."
Interpreting The Skit
The Wednesday morning conference service featured a skit. As it stands, I am a fan of situational comedies. The skit was very funny but the lesson within dealt directly with real life situations. As we live our lives for God, things happen that wear on us. These things are little, subtle. They won’t occur all at once, but little by little. Bit by bit. In this manner, the enemy of our soul manages to strip away our armor leaving us defenseless. That armor which is given to us by God so that we may protect ourselves against those things that would come against us and destroy us. As each scene went on and ended, the soldier found himself being de-armed until finally he was completely defenseless. Once he was defenseless, he was attacked by many obstacles. Doubt, circumventing questions, money problems (the need for more or the want for more), social networking, video games, success in endeavors other than that of God, all of these things attacked him.
The soldier realized that he was not completely unarmed. He still had prayer. It wasn’t long before he reacquired his shield of faith, and his sword which is the Word of God, that he was able to fight and defeat some of these enemies. It wasn’t much longer after that before he defeated everyone and regained the helmet of salvation and the other pieces of armor necessary for survival.
In my own life, I see that I cannot change the past. I can’t make people like me nor can I make them love me. What I can do is go to war. I can put my armor on and fight. God is the one who I must please. If I can improve my relationship with Him, coupled with doing what I am supposed to do (developing habits of prayer, studying to show myself approved, a workman unto God, soul winning) everything will fall into place. By faith, prayer, bible reading/study, doing what is right, being right before God and man, I can regain my power. I can establish myself as a man of God. I can make my calling and election sure.
Removing Barriers
Tonight’s service was different. It was the second night that someone did not get to preach. I suspect that particular minister didn’t mind, because the Holy Ghost is the order of the service. Tonight He had his way. Tonight I tore down barriers that I had allowed to be in my heart and mind. I realize that I was being very pessimistic and allowing the enemy of my soul to lie to me. I will not do that again. I’m going to be positive, keep looking up and pressing forward in my life to God.
I trust God. I believe in Him. I have faith in Him. I know the things He has done for me and I know that I my service to him is only reasonable.
Over Too Soon
We finally, albeit quickly, reached the last service. At first it did not look like anyone was going to preach again, but finally the song service came down. I do not know what the last song the choir sang was, but it seemed . . . "not ready". Perhaps it is because I never heard the song before, I don’t know. I just did not like it. It’s not that it was a bad song, I just think the choir needs to practice it a little more . . .maybe a lot more.
Then the Reverend was called upon to preach. Even he admitted he did not expect to preach that night. Looking back on the service and the content of the message, it was probably best that he did preach. This was the summary message, the one to send us home.
Jude 1:12-13, "These are spots in your feasts of charity, when they feast with you, feeding themselves without fear: clouds they are without water, carried about of winds; trees whose fruit withereth, without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots; (13) Raging waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame; wandering stars, to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness forever."
Revelation 3:1-6, "And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead. (2) Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God. (3) Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee. (4) Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy. (5) He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels. (6) He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches."
The above verses are what Rev Kekel covered in his message entitled: "Hate The Garment". I wish I had the memory to put everything I heard back together for you, sadly, I do not. What I do know is we do not have to walk around in stained garments. We do not have to be those clouds without water, trees without fruit, waves of foam, or wandering stars. We can come to Jesus Christ and through #1 Faith, #2 The Blood of Jesus, and #3 a Strong Resolve, keep clean our garments and overcome in our lives for God. There is no need to be a hypocrite oppressed by our pride, hatred, jealously, and et cetera. All of these things can be done away with by faith in the Lamb of God. He is an overcomer. THE overcomer. It is because He overcame that we are able to over come. 1 John 4:4, "Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world."
