Overseer's Insight: May 2012

Dear Saints,

The month of April concluding with some outstanding Events. Sister Sherry Johnson directed the Ladies Retreat in Vancouver at the Red Lion. It was well attended and was blessed of the Lord. The Theme was: “This Is My Story: I Am Blessed.” The ladies testified how that no matter what they had gone through in life, God was indeed with them, therefore, they were blessed. Sister Shelly Symonds had another inspiring and instructive Youth Convention. Bishop Trevor Reid, from the International Offices was there to minister to the Youth. Thank you, Sister Shelly, for the great job that you and your leaders do! The month ended with a powerful Men’s Retreat on White Pass. The theme was “Men of Prayer.” Truly, if we are to be the men of God that He desires for us to be, then we must be men of prayer. We had wonderful speakers with Pastor Brian Sturgill on Friday evening, Bill Davison teaching on Saturday, and Bishop Knoblich preaching on Sunday. On Saturday evening, the film “Courageous” was shown. This film really spoke to the hearts of the men. Thank you Bishop Smith and your staff for a powerful Retreat!

UPCOMING EVENTS

We have three State Events coming up in May. For the weekend of May 4 and 5, Camp Focus and a Camp Workday are scheduled. (See Below). On May 17-20, 2012 at Kirkland Family Church, we have scheduled our Gordon-Conwell Homiletics Class with Dr. Padilla. On the last weekend of the month Senior Retreat is scheduled at Washougal. This is always a fun time for all who attend. Our Seniors enjoy the fellowship, the worship, and the Ministry of the Word. Our prayers continue to go out to Retreat Director, Brother James Cabales for a complete and speedy recovery from his recent heart surgery.

CAMP FOCUS/WORKDAY

Please make special note on your Calander that our May 4-5 Camp Focus Meeting will be held at our new Campground! All are welcome to come and help out in preparing our Campground for the Summer Camps! There is cleaning and repair work to do, so bring your work clothes and tools, and let’s join together for a great time. If you have questions, please contact Bob or Donella Gaines at donellag@hotmail.com

WASHINGTON STATE CONVENTION

It is not to early to begin planning for State Convention. This year, Convention will be held at the Red Lion in Kennewick, Columbia Center. It will be on August 17-19, 2012. Bishop Mark Menke, CBL Instructor, will be with us as our special guest speaker from the International Offices. Please make plans now to attend a glorious and spirit-packed Convention. I would encourage you to call the Red Lion and make reservations as soon as possible, to be assured of a room. When you call the Red Lion (509-783-0611), please tell them that you are with the Church of God of Prophecy to get the special group rate. There are lots of exciting things going on in the State, so come anticipating a great time together! Looking forward to seeing you there!!

Events Calendar for 2012

May 4-5 Camp Focus/Workday - (Camp Roganunda) (Bob & Donella Gaines, Coordinators)

May 17-20 Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary - Kirkland Family Church

(Homelectics, Dr. Padilla)

May 25-27 Senior Retreat - Washougal (James Cabales, Director)

June 24-July 8 Summer Youth Camp (At our New Campground - Camp Roganunda!)

August 17-19 Washington State Convention - Kennewick

Oct. 25-28 Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary - Kirkland Family Church

(Theology - Survey II)

“Driven By The Spirit”

Bishop/Dr. Don Knoblich

Excerpts From State Overseer's Address

Over the last few months we have looked at excerpts of my Annual Address regarding the importance of being "Full of the Holy Ghost" so that we can be "Driven By The Spirit." We have looked at the necessity of being "Driven By The Spirit" to Pray and "Driven By The Spirit" to Study, and "Driven By The Spirit" to Reach The Harvest. The section below will focus on the how we should be "Driven By The Spirit" to Pursue Holiness.

Driven by the Spirit To Pursue Holiness

Hebrews 12:14 states: “Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord.”

“Follow” = “Pursue” “Seek After” (These are Stronger verbs than “Follow.”) We are to Pursue Peace and Pursue Holiness

“Holiness” = Sanctification (It is not the same as God’s Absolute Holiness) But, rather it means “to put on” His Holiness.

Why is this important? The Bible tells us that if we do not Follow or Pursue Peace and Holiness, we shall not see the Lord.

A. You see, the Spirit and Holiness go hand in hand. (Soup and Sandwich, you can’t have one without the other.)

-The Spirit will drive us to Holiness and Holiness will invite the Spirit of God. (IF we listen and follow Him, He will direct us on a Holy Pilgrimage.)

-And then, When you Seek after, Pursue Holiness, you Invite the Holy Spirit into the Equation.

-The more Holiness, the more you will find the Spirit of God. The least amount of Holiness,

The less you will find the Spirit of God.

1. We as a Church come from a Holiness/Pentecostal Background. We have Holiness Beginnings. We have Holiness Genes!! (Not talking about holes in our pants!) Holiness is part of our DNA. We should not be ashamed of that, it is one of our Church Distinctives.

-In fact, the Holiness Movement of the 1800’s equated entire sanctification and the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. The early pioneers saw these as being two sides of a coin.

2. The Holy Ghost is Holy! He will not dwell in an Unclean temple! Those who say they have the abiding Holy Spirit, yet live defiled lives, are only deceiving themselves! Those that speak in tongues, but do not dwell in the cleaning stream are children of the enemy.

2Co 7:1 Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

3. On the Contrary, The Word clearly tells us we are to Cleanse Ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit. We are not to taint ourselves with the things of this world. We are to keep ourselves from the “wicked one.”

(“Cleanse Ourselves”) Some things we are responsible for, and some things God is responsible for. (We should know how to possess our vessels in Sanctification and Honor.)

“Perfecting Holiness in the fear of God.” (Perfecting = Finishing, Fulfilling, Completing The Work of Holiness.) Continuing to Work on Holiness. When we are “Driven By The Spirit,” we will “Perfect Holiness in the fear of God.”