Meeting Report Sept. 24, 2006: 

Once again we gathered at the chapel for another evening of praise and sharing God’s word.  The Spirit of God was present and knit our hearts together in a time of closeness and honest, heartfelt sharing.  We tend to enjoy the smaller crowd better where the saints can be free to express what is on their hearts – something which cannot be done as easily in a larger congregation.  For as the bible says in Hebrews 10:24-25, when we come together as Christians in worship, we are to challenge (or provoke/exhort) one another to continue on in love and good works.  This cannot be done in “spectator” church, where the laity is only an audience and not a player, but only in an environment where all saints are free to share, in an orderly fashion, as God leads them.  And when any thing is revealed to another that sitteth by, let the first hold his peace.  For ye may all prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted. 

Bro. Dale Rude brought a lesson on the Beattitudes – or the attitudes that must BE for a Christian.  Taken from Matthew the 5th chapter, the Lord opened up the scriptures and gave fresh understanding to these timeless passages which we have read over and over.  These attitudes are actually a progression of a life before and after salvation.  First a sinner must recognize they are poor spiritually.  They need help from God.  Then they must be sorrowful that they hurt God by their sins.  Next they must be humble enough to cast themselves on God’s mercy.  God will then pardon their sins, give comfort to their heart, bring them into the kingdom of God, and supply whatever they need for their souls well being.  These new Christians will then crave to know more about God – just as one would crave food.  They will be forgiving to those around them, and live with a pure heart.   As they live this Christian life, it will be so good they will want to share it with others or be an instrument of peacemaking to bring peace between their fellowman and God.  For God has made all of His children ministers of reconciliation to share the gospel with those around them.  As they share, not all will accept their new faith, and persecution will follow.   They are not to worry though for if they didn’t possess something valuable, the devil wouldn’t fight so hard for it.  Instead, rejoice because they aren’t alone in their sufferings and the Lord will reward them for their efforts. 

Several of the saints added their thoughts during the lesson and some expressed how they had never heard this passage explained that way.  Thank the Lord for spiritual understanding and gifted teachers who can expound God’s word to us.  How exciting it is to learn something new from His word.  I rejoice at thy word as one that findeth great spoil.  Yes, O Lord, your words are the rejoicing of my heart.  (Psalms 119:111,162). 

Tape of the lesson available.