We have had so many requests and emails about the daily devotions on the Prayerline. That Reverend Vossen has returned to the daily format of devotions starting January 20th. We appreciated your feedback, and even though it is difficult for his schedule. Our shepherd has agreed to take us on a new journey into God's word for 2014. We pray you will take advantage of this personal ministry of the Word on a daily basis.
" Knowing The Word And What The Blood Does For Me " 2013 was a year of challenge personally. I had tragic personal loss, almost lost my life in a near fatal car accident. Then had many personal and spiritual challenges. However, in the midst of it all my Lord kept on expressing His Love. Giving me hope in the midst of the darkest nights. His Love, His Grace, His ever embracing arms taking me in. Oh, I felt alone at times and wondered what I was going to do. Yet, God's Love, His church, His mercy ruled throughout the year. Satan the enemy of my soul had me on the ropes a couple of times. Pounding at me as I doubted self and God's gifts, anointing and grace. Nevertheless, when it came to going down to the canvas, I would hear the Good Shepherd's voice encouraging me on.
God never has let me forget His love for me, or toward me. Despite the personal difficulties of life and the hurts caused by friend and or foe. His love has never failed, and His Holy Spirit has been the difference in taking this little bit of humanity. Then anointing it to reflect God's love and word to a needy world. A world we all live in, that needs the body of Christ to reflect the true nature of God's character to a world in crisis. A crisis of hope in the eroding culture of our society. Which has forgotten what God's Spirit can do inside the heart of man. When His Holy Spirit imparts that part of God's essence that can regenerate a man or woman's life. Setting them free from the selfishness of this world, and producing the character of His Spirit to touch the lives of so many people, in need of God's presence in their lives in some way, fashion or form. We have been talking in our devotions about the " let us " series from the book of Hebrews. Where we seem to always be drawn to the throne of Grace. Where God reaches out to us in more ways than we have ever thought of before. It is that throne of Grace we cannot ignore, that we must embrace. For it is the place where we meet with God on a daily basis. Where our lives can be refilled and empowered to service. It is at that place not dissimilar to Gethsemane, that we die out that the will of God can be accomplished in our lives each and every day. Remember it is at the altar we came to know Him. It is at the altar we will find the Grace to abide in Him. Hebrews 4:16 Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Christmas was busy but relaxing for the most part. I was able to have friends over from the church, and enjoyed some wonderful services at various churches. I believe my kids all had a nice time with their families, and my daughter Jessica was excited to finally have her husband home to stay from Afghanistan. I missed not having my loved ones with me. Adam and I, won't be able to hook of till this week. I am looking forward to that precious time together.
I am going to miss Father Chapman who is being transferred to another parish. I have enjoyed having his encouragement with the ministry at CGMF and in endeavors at St. Martins and other endeavors. He is a wonderful pastor and a good friend. He has been so open to various opportunities in the Body of Christ, and really has a fantastic attitude about everything. Well, I pray I get caught up with the work at CGMF. I am behind in backing up files and archiving materials. As well, a variety of bible study curriculum prep for 2014. We finished the verse by verse studies from the book of John and will be doing a more topical study with 1& 2 Kings and 1& 2 Chronicles. It should be challenging, but a lot of fun for everyone. I pray for all a good beginning of the new year. I am looking forward to it, as it has been a tough past year with personal loss and physical difficulties from a near fatal car accident. God richly bless you all. We are running behind in finishing the CGMF Quick Quizzes for the Book of John. We completed our study of John, and we will try to have those review lessons finally done within the next few days.
On another subject. Many of you have asked if the " Christ In Session Series " is available in its totality. The editing of the audio series " Christ In Session" has been a challenge because of two rather " noisy " lessons. We are working to have those edited or re-recorded as soon as possible. The originals had a lot of inconsistencies in the recording process. I pray God's grace to be with each family this Christmas season, and that our Lord would make himself known to you in a special way. Enjoy your time with family, friends and others. Take time to give thanks and praise for the gift of the Son. If that is difficult to do given your circumstances, I am trusting God that He will minister to you out of His benevolent love. That you might find hope and light at the end of any trial or this period of loneliness you might be going through today. May God bless and encourage all, in Jesus Name. " Lips That Give Thanks " " Nor Form Nor Comeliness "
Our daily devotion for today reminds of our necessity to be identified with the Jesus of Calvary, and our battle with carnality. Challenging us to allow the Spiritual Man to reign within us, and shedding the mindset of this current generation. Recognizing rather the mindset of the Kingdom of God, and loving our fellow man like Jesus did. That the world would see Jesus in its modern setting and time through us, the Body of Christ.
" Identification To The Cross " December 15th, 2013 Reverend Vossen's Sunday Message Preached At St. Martin Of Tours and at his local CGMF Neighborhood Group. " The King And The Messenger " We are beginning to plan for the following year and we are looking forward to some great changes. However, we also are a little anxious about the changes that will take place as well. Your prayers and participation in bringing about a smooth transition will be of great benefit to us all.
Here is a short list of the emphasis that will be taking place structurally within the next year at CGMF. 1. Neighborhood Groups will be better aligned geographically where possible. 2. Reverend Vossen, Reverend McNeil and other shepherd-leaders will overlap more frequently to assist in the growth and development of each Neighborhood Fellowship. This will help Encourage covenant relationships and further growth in our Christian walk. 3. The School Of Faith will be given greater attention so that supplemental education and course work will be made available online. With a more expansive approach of support for each type of study group being mentored within the framework of CGMF's system of Neighborhood Bible Fellowship Groups. 4. Better organization for regional support for fellowship with one another and within the Body of Christ. 5. Our core discipleship program will stay in place, but be updated where necessary. Also a complimentary course of expanded education within the Foundations Studies will be made with new materials from CSM Ministries. 6. Once a month Gathering's in certain locales will also give rise to Quarterly Mini-Campmeetings with guest speakers, or shepherd-leaders ministering. These are part of the items we have discussed as primary. We also are concerned about our stewardship, for even though we are not a formal church in an institutional sense. We still have financial goals we'd like to see developed and ministry to sister works. It has become apparent that our utilizing periodic renting of facilities or home groups has given way to a lack of apparent financial involvement. For there is no consistent NEED for paying for a permanent office or facility. After a survey of stewardship was taken in some of our more mature groups. We found that because none of our ministers take stipend, and that Reverend Vossen and Reverend McNeil have always volunteered their services. The necessity is not seen by many to give to CGMF, even if their basic Christian fellowship is only within it parameters of influence. They might tithe to another church, or even a ministry friendly with CGMF. However, CGMF is not their first thought. This is of concern to some of our eldership and we hope to address it in the year to come. We hope you are enjoying the Christmas season. Remember to place these aforementioned items of emphasis we mentioned in prayer for the upcoming year. Our hope is that 2014 will be not just our greatest year of growth, but influence and ministry to the whole Body of Christ as well. Question:
" What is your basic foundational discipleship course of study at CGMF " ? We have basically used the same core curriculum with additional study groups when warranted to answer certain needs and growth patterns in the fellowship. Our philosophy is simple, " True Discipleship Takes Time And Covenental Practices ". We at CGMF try to nurture fellowship with Christ and one another, in a loving environment of growth. Where God can encourage each and every believer to develop at their own pace. With the most appropriate group of believers who can share and care for one another in a covenantal fashion. It is here we try to develop certain Neighborhood Fellowship Groups to help encourage that development and fellowship one with another. Concerning the Core Curriculum. We currently utilize the basic Foundations study, the Covenant Worldview Foundations Study and our Discipleship Series ( Our Faith and Our Father ) in our discipleship program. Our Foundations study and the Covenant Worldview Foundations Study has always been from outlines Reverend Vossen has written. The Study on Our Faith and Our Father are a combination of outline notes and background books. If you do not have any of these items, let us know and we can get them for you. The two books utilized for the Our Faith and Our Father series are Derek Prince's Bible Course and a trilogy of books related to the Good Shepherd by Philip Keller. From here we may divert individuals toward more advanced courses of bible study, or encourage believers to certain short term study or prayer groups as the need arises. |
Reverend Patrick Vossen,
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