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written by Br. Jean Leonidas
I was blessed to have attended another meeting in Mississauga, Ontario Canada. I was blessed because I left the meeting encouraged to serve God and to make the necessary changes to bring me closer to God. From the first service on Saturday to the last service on Sunday evening, the services were filled with songs, praises, preaching and teaching from the word of God.
Br. Singh, the host pastor, showed us the purpose of the church. He said the church is not to entertain God's people but to bring them to a state of holiness. He quoted 2 Timothy 4:1-6, where the apostle Paul was admonishing and directing Timothy to preach the word of God. Paul told Timothy not to be led by the circumstances or situations around him but to be instant in and out of seasons; the word of God had to be preached in any circumstances. Br. Singh said, "Preaching is important for God's people to be saved". He continued in saying that although Paul was forty years into his ministry there was a last word he had to give to Timothy because a man's last word says a lot. Timothy had to know the seriousness in leading the people of God.
Br. Johnny Miller from Rockhill, SC, reminded us to have humility in us no matter what position we hold in the work of God. He gave us a scripture in Psalms 119:99, where David said he had more understanding than his teachers. Br. Miller showed us that although David had more understanding than his teachers that did not give him more authority than his teachers. He said God appoints authority and we should always have a spirit of humility in order to serve God better. He continued in saying that ministers of God should serve the saints of God. Br. Miller gave a wonderful testimony on how he came to the Lord; he was walking contrary to God but was able to meet the Lord when he accepted an invitation to a Pentecostal church, that same day he received the Holy Ghost. This shows us how much we receive from God when we respond to the preaching of a man of God.
Br. Glenn Goodwin from Des Moines, IA, showed us thru Mathew 5:2 the qualities or the attitude to have in order to inherit the kingdom of God. He called these attitudes the B-attitudes and they are: poor in spirit, mourning, meek, hunger, a thirst for righteousness, pure in heart and peace-makers. Br. Glenn showed in detail that each attitude is a process that leads to the other. What I appreciated is that it starts out with being poor in spirit and ends up with a rejoicing spirit which is one of the fruits of the spirit. After listening to Br. Glenn I realized we cannot put on holiness but God must work the spirit of holiness in us.
Br. Preston Wambau from Washington, D.C., gave us a message admonishing us to count our days because we might not have as much time as we think we have. He quoted Psalms 90:9-12, where David was asking the Lord to teach us to number our days. He reminded us in verse 10 that God sets our age limit to seventy years and if we are healthy, eighty. He continued in showing us that with all the responsibilities we carry in this world we must consider the time we have to worship God and live each day as it is our last.
Br. Richard from Elmont, NY, made a call out to the church especially the youth by asking, "Where are the seventeen year olds in our day?" He quoted Acts chapter 7, showing us that Stephen as a seventeen year old young man was able to be used by God. In the midst of all the persecutions he was able to stay faithful with what he believed in. Br. Richard said "Stephen was able to recite the whole history starting from Abraham and he didn't have any paper in from of him". Br. Richard continued in showing that Stephen preached the word to them because only by preaching can souls be saved.
Br. Remy from Boston, MA, showed us we should be true to what God called us to be. He emphasized on the true love we should have toward one another.
Br. Antoine from Westbury, NY, emphasized the importance of having the knowledge of God in us. He explained by having the word of God in our heart, we are able to judge our conduct. He said we need young man and woman in the church in order for the church to continue the work. He said we have to be open to what God is doing in our day to the point where God can send someone like Stephen to preach to us and we would not reject Him. He continued in talking to the saints encouraging them to respect their pastor and to always have the right spirit.
The meeting was great and we did not go to enjoy the meeting but to hear what God had to tell us. Preaching is important for us and these meetings give us a great opportunity to hear messages to help us change. May God continue to speak to us thru the ministers He has chosen to preach His word.
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