Sunday Morning, November 22, 2009,

The saints met the morning at the Marriott. We had a great gathering. There was another assembly there when we first arrived, and they were a little noisy at first, but we were able to conduct the meeting... and we also greeted them. They were from a "Christian Science" denomination. Upon hearing this expression for the first time, one of our younger children asked if that meant that they did scientific experiments on Christians!  Ha Ha. The things that kids think of!

Bro Dillow brought a very pointed lesson on working out your own salvation, based on the passage in Phil 2:12-14. Christians should not be up and down in their experience, but there must be an "in and out" element to their salvation. God works his will and purpose in us and we work it out for His glory and good pleasure!

You know you have got the real thing when it can be said of you that "you have always obeyed, not just when the preacher is around, but much more so when he is not around." (paraphrasing vs 12) Only a personal relationship with God can produce such consistent experience.

We are so thankful for the leading of the Holy Spirit working among us. As has become our practice for the past few years, we do not assign speaking responsibilities to anyone, and we certainly don't assign topics to be discussed. We allow the Spirit of God to work with the leadership on an individual basis, choosing whomever He may wish to work through. Many times, we gather together and we will have no idea who will be ministering to us during the meeting. Someone will come forward with thoughts that the Lord has given them. It is amazing how God can successfully operate His church when we allow His to have His full right-of-way!

Operating this way can be a little unnerving at times because of our programmed and structured background, but God has NEVER failed us by allowing him to have His way in our gatherings. The saints are always edified and encouraged!... and that is what our gatherings are all about.