Dear
Saints:
I trust
all of you had a blessed Thanksgiving. Truly, we have so much to be
thankful for. This next month, brings us the Christmas Season,
certainly a highlight of the year, for it represents the birth of our Savior,
Jesus Christ. Possibly due to this year’s “economic crisis” maybe more
focus and attention will be given to what the true meaning and Spirit of
Christmas is all about. That Spirit is about giving. It was
exemplified when the Father gave His Son for us. Now, all we have to do
is receive that gift. This gift comes about by surrendering our lives and
asking Jesus to come into our hearts as Lord and Savior. This Christmas
Season, may you and your family experience the greatest gift of all time
through Jesus Christ, our Lord.
Adult Retreat
This
year, as in past years, Adult Retreat will be held at Pacific Beach. The
dates are for February 3-5, 2012. Our Retreat Theme is: “Designed For
God’s Greatness.” All of us are part of a wonderfully designed plan of
God. We are expecting an awesome time in the Lord! International
World Mission’s Director, Bishop David Bryan and his lovely wife, Sister Rosita
will be our special guest speakers at this year’s Retreat!
They both are so excited to be with us. Applications have been sent
to the pastors and have been sent out individually. You can also
download an application by going to the State Website at: wacogop.homestead.com
Applications should be sent in no later than November 30th,
2011 (Note: This date has been extended to December 7th, 2011) This is going to be a
Great Retreat!!! Please don’t miss it!!! We look forward to seeing
you there!!!
Events
Calendar for 2012
January Stewardship Month
January 13-15 Winter Teen Retreat - White Pass (Shelly Symonds, Director)
January
26-29
Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary - Salem, OR (Research & Writing)
February 3-5 Adult Retreat - Pacific Beach (Don & Mary Knoblich, Directors)
February 24 District Convention - Tacoma (Rick Bear, District Overseer)
February 25 District Convention - Washougal (Franklin Smith, District Overseer)
March 10 District Convention - Kirkland (Roger Jones, District Overseer)
March 17 District Convention - Tri-Cities (Franklin Smith, District Overseer)
March
22-24
School of Practical and Advanced Studies (SOPAS III) - Washougal, WA
(English and Spanish Tracks)
“Driven
By The Spirit”
Bishop/Dr.
Don Knoblich
Below is the second installment in the
series of my annual address: "Driven By The Spirit." Last
month we looked at the example given by Jesus, how He was Driven by the
Spirit. For this month's excerpt, we will look at 'How' we can
be Driven By The Spirit. It begins by being "Full of
the Holy Ghost."
(Part II)
Jesus was Full of the Holy Ghost, and He
was Driven By The Spirit. And He left us an example,
“That We Should Follow His Steps.” (I
Peter 2:21)
Being “Full of the Holy
Ghost: is the Key to be Driven By The Spirit. Let’s
look at other New Testament Examples:
Act 6:3 Wherefore, brethren, look ye
out among you seven men (deacons) of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost
and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business.
Act
7:55
But he (Stephen), being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly
into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of
God,
Act
7:56 And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man
standing on the right hand of God.
Act
11:24
For he (Barnabus) was a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost and of faith:
and much people was added unto the Lord.
What do these Scriptures teach us?
1. Deacons (the Ministry) are to be
Full of the Holy Ghost.
2. Before we are called to go to
heaven, like Stephen, it would be a good thing to be Full of the Holy Ghost!
3. If our ministry is to be fruitful,
that is people are saved and added unto the Lord, we must be Full of the Holy
Ghost.
***Please note that Being Full of the Holy Ghost is not the same thing as being “Filled
with the Holy Ghost” when you initially were baptized in His Spirit and
spoke in tongues. That is what happened on the Day of Pentecost, those in
the upper room were filled with the Holy Spirit. No, Being Full of the Holy Spirit is to live a daily,
consecrated life that seeks the will of God. To be Full of the Holy Ghost
is to be continually immersed in His Spirit.
Jesus both leads us and drives
us. (By implication, the Spirit both
leads us and drives us.)
Joh 10:3 To him the porter
openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name,
and leadeth them out.
Joh 10:4 And when he putteth
(driveth, cast) forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow
him: for they know his voice.
Jesus both leads His sheep and He drives
them. He leads them into green pastures, but He drives them into a
safe place from danger. Note, He can only lead them and drive them as
they are submissive to Him, as they are Full of the Holy Ghost.
Sensitivity To The Spirit
How Sensitive are you to the
Spirit?
Have you ever seen a ring in a bull’s
nose? Do you know that a small child can lead a 2,000 lb bull around with
a string attached to the bull’s nose? Why is that? Because the
bull’s nose is very tender, and when he senses a tug on the string, he quickly
moves in the direction the child is leading.
How many of you have a nose
ring? (I am not talking about a literal nose
ring.) (I am talking about one Placed there by the Holy Spirit?!)
And all He has to do is give you a tug, and you’re moving?!
Notice, the bull does not say, “Where are
we going?” or “Why are we going there?” He just moves!
Abraham did not ask questions, When God told him to journey, he said, “Here I
am Lord.” It is obvious that Abraham had a ring in his nose.
Oh, that we can be so
sensitive to the Spirit, that we can be lead around by our noses!
May you all have a Blessed and
Merry Christmas!
Bishop Knoblich
