Site Administrator posted on December 02, 2010 06:43
November 1 - 6, 2010 began the Evangelism and Recovery Seminars with speaker, Hal Gates, NAD Health Ministries Assistant. There were five nightly meetings with supper. Sabbath during the worship service was our sixth and final meeting.
Monday, "The God of Hope" was an uplifting message with Romans 15:13 as the key text. Tuesday, "Hope is Anchor" key text was Hebrews 6:18 & 19. One can tell that Pastor Gates knows God by the way speaks of his past experience. He was devastated from all of the wrongs he had done. We began to realize that the convicted person must admit over and over his addictions. Wednesday, "Take Hold of Hope" the key text was Hebrews 6:18. Pastor Gates used his personal experiences to show how folks can be "high up in society," get dragged down by self indulgence, and ask God to take over their lives. It was wonderful to know that we can become God's child and be safe from "the tempter" of this world. Thursday, "Set Our Hope" and our key text was 11 Corinthians 1:10. These messages have been presented on very personal addiction experiences of Pastor Gates. He showed us through the Bible, how, through God's grace, any type of addict can be saved. Pastor Gates covers all aspects of life and sometimes may even stepped on some toes, and Praise God for allowing us to feel the nudge. Friday, "Prisoners of Hope" our key text was Zechariah 9:12. We learned how to invite the Holy Spirit into our lives and make us fit for Jesus. We have to lay all of our burdens at Jesus' feet and let Him know that we cannot deliver ourselves. Each night Pastor Gates asked those who wanted to give their hearts and problems to Jesus to get on their knees with him and pray. He would allow silence as so we could pray and then Pastor Gates would pray. It was so personal and inspiring. Sabbath, "Hope and a Future" the key text was Jeremiah 29:11. There was no tiptoeing around the things that can separate us from God; he also gave us the solution as to how to be in tune with God. We must realize that we cannot remove these things from ourselves BUT: God can and we must ask Him, then God will. Pastor Gates reinforced each night, that no matter how badly we have sinned, God will forgive us; we must ask Him into our lives daily and even change our life styles, if necessary, to get rid of bad habits and bad influences. At the end of his sermon, we were asked to "fall on our knees" and pray with him, if we wanted to ask God into our lives.
In closing, Pastor Gates asked us to memorize Romans 15:13. Each night he would have us repeat it, but personalizing the pronouns: May the God of hope fill ME with all joy and peace as I trust in him, so that I may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Another Evangelistic Series has ended. One of these days we won't be able to come to Meetings to pray and study the way we do now. There is no time to delay. Copies of the sermons can be obtained from Darcel Harris.