Meeting Report Nov 19, 2006:

The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever. -- Psalms 23  

Sunday morning, we were blessed to have meeting with about 40 people who met in a home. The presence of God was upon us and we were edified and encouraged by the songs, testimonies and lesson. Bro Dale brought a message from Luke 4:18, The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised. It was a time of encouragement, healing and strengthening.

Sunday night, we were blessed with a cozy chapel as God worked it out for the furnace to be repaired. Please read our Praise Report!. Bro. Joe brought a very timely lesson on being led by Christ in paths of righteousness.  Christians will follow Christ, the Lamb, wherever he leads (Rev. 14:4).  Even if it is contrary to all they have ever been taught.  Clearly, Christ said unless you forsake all that is standing in your way – people, traditions and false ideas, or temporal cares – and follow him, you cannot be his disciple (Matt. 19:29). 

How does God lead us?  First of all, God leads in a straight path, not a crooked one as seen in Jeremiah 31:9 and Ezekiel 1:12. A crooked path is constantly changing direction, but the path God chooses for us is fixed and sure. We know what direction we are taking and the goal is always in view.  Someone traveling the crooked path would be what the bible calls a double minded man – one who cannot make up his mind and doesn’t really know what direction he is taking – an aimless wanderer.  Christ’s followers, though, are unwavering and faithfully pressing towards the goal. 

Christ leads gently.  He doesn’t drive His people for he knows if he leads them faster or farther than what they can bear, they will die. (Isa. 40:11, Gen 33:13-14).  His sheep hear his voice, which is always tender and encouraging, and they will follow him or do what he says (John 10:27).  Even if he leads them into trials.  Sometimes God permits trials to come our way to test us and see what kind of “stuff” we are made from.  That way, we will know if there is any imperfection in us.  We must not shrink from these times, nor ask God to “take away” the trial before it has done the work upon us that God has ordained.  We must be willing to “follow the lamb wherever he leads” even if it means into the furnace. 

The fire of God will purify our Christian character (Mal 3:3) just like in the natural, when metals such as gold and silver are heated and all the impurities come to the top.  When the metal cools again, the impurities (dross) is scraped off, leaving a more perfect metal than before.  Likewise, trials bring to light things in our character we have never seen before.  When these imperfections are scraped away, it leaves us more pure, more Christ-like than before.

When God led the Israelites out from Egypt, his presence went before them in a cloud.  The people followed the cloud and when it moved, they moved.  When it stopped, they waited.  Let’s all be careful to follow God as He leads.  Should he say “wait”, let us wait on him.  Sometimes we can only see a step or two ahead of us, but if we take that step of faith, eventually we will complete our journey.