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INTERNATIONAL CAMP MEETING 2008 BLOG
West Milton, Ohio, USA
Saturday, June 7, 2008
AM Service
Bro. Randy Hargrave preached on Sanctification. Sanctification is a vital experience for every saved person. If your sins have been washed away and you have experienced salvation, you are a candidate for sanctification. It is imperative that you seek this experience very soon after you are saved. In order to stay saved and grow in your Christian life, you need the Comforter, the Holy Spirit, to guide you and lead you always. There is an inherent sin nature within everyone that has not been removed until you get entire sanctification. This experience will eradicate that nature and give full control to the Holy Spirit. To be wholly sanctified you must give up everything without reservation. From that point forward the Holy Spirit will lead, guide, and keep you as you walk with Him. Unsanctified people cannot work for God effectively and cannot preach or teach in the Spirit. We need every one to be sanctified so we can worship God together in the Spirit.
PM Service
True Conversion was the topic of Bro. John Strizu's message this evening. Unfortunately, there is much confusion across the world as to what constitutes salvation. Shaking a preacher's hand or saying a formal prayer does not mean you are saved. You must be able to point back to a crisis experience - a radical change that transformed your life. If you don't know whether you are saved or not and can't seem to figure it out, you're not saved. If you are saved, you know it. In our day, people have diluted salvation to a weak, ineffective experience that is purely emotional and shortlived. People profess to be saved and go right on sinning. Would the God that created heaven and earth not have enough power to live above what he saved you from? Since when do we have a "Christian" sinner? A sinner by any other name is still a sinner. Get truly converted and you can leave the sin far behind and live victoriously through the power of the blood that Jesus shed for us on Calvary. You won't talk the way you used to talk, your desires will changed, everything will be new! It will be a life-altering, dramatic translation from old to new. The blind man that Jesus healed could not explain medical process of his healing, but one thing he knew: He used to blind and regardless of all the doubters, he could see! You may not know how He did it for you, but you will know it happened. True conversion removes all doubts and sets you free from the power of every sin.
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Sunday, June 8, 2008
AM Service
Bro. Jacob Braun preached on The Visitation of God. God is doing a work in this time - don't you miss it! Sometimes there are a few small things people don't understand about the truth and they reject the whole thing and go back to a place where they are almost completely dissatisfied. It is amazing how the devil manages to hold people back over petty things they do not quite understand. It is important that you not miss the visitation of God in your life. If you do not react for a while, He will move on to other hungry souls. You can be right in the midst of the saints and miss your visitation. Be alert to what God is doing, react quickly and move on to reach others.
PM Service
Bro. Ray Tinsman preached the evening message on The Mind of a Sinner. He mentioned that people don't like to have someone scare them, but tonight he wanted to present reality in the hopes that the facts would be wake up call and scare you to your senses. If you acted in daily life as sinners do in their spiritual life, you would be ordered to have a psychiatric assesment to determine the state of their mental health. Knowing the final outcome and the dire consequences, people choose to a mediocre and unfulfilling life on earth and eternal torment in hell. It is a complete, losing proposition. The sinner has little joy in life and a horrible punishment in the end. People have said that they and their buddies want to go to hell. In hell there will be no buddies. You will hate each other as you are in torment together. Please do something about your eternal destiny now. The devil is content with you wanting to do something about it soon - so long as you don't act now.
A number of souls were gloriously saved tonight - thank God!
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Monday, June 9, 2008
AM Service
Two brothers, one from India and one from Kenya, gave reports of what the Lord is doing in there respective localities. It is wonderful to hear how the Lord is working worldwide.
PM Service
Thankfully, just before the service tonight, we received some welcome relief from the oppresive heat and humidity of the past few days, with a cooler weather front moving through the area.
The saints were rejoicing much in the Lord tonight as the songs of Zion were sung. The Ohio singers sang "I'm Living this Live Just to Live Again" and the glory came down in a blessed way. Many were running the aisles and jumping for joy as the thought of heaven filled our hearts. There were a number of inspired and anointed testimonies by various saints. In closing, an altar call song of invitation was sung as an opportunity to come forward and seek help for your soul. The altar was full and overflowing as the Spirit of God moved on many hearts to seek more of God. It was a blessed evening, indeed!
And, for the first time, the evening services are being broadcast live at 7 PM/19:00 EST on the Gospel Trumpet Online Radio, which is accessible through the Online Radio page on this website. We pray that this will be a blessing for those that are unable to be here in person.
For those of you who have never had the opportunity to be at the International Camp Meeting, this is the typical daily schedule for those in attendance:
7:30 AM - Prayer Meeting
8:30 AM - Breakfast
10:30 AM - Morning Service
2:00 PM-4:00 PM - Quiet Time
4:00 PM - Dinner
5:15 PM - Youth and Children's Meetings
6:40 PM - Pre-Service Prayer Meeting
7:00 PM - Evening Service
11:00 PM - Lights Out Curfew
There is an onsite bookstore offering a variety of books, Audio CD's, articles of clothing, and miscellaneous items. The bookstore is open daily (except Sunday) from the end of the morning service until 2 PM and until 10:30 PM after the evening service.
The services are all held at the West Milton Christian Center campground, which as at full capacity for lodging, with overflow lodging at the Ludlow Falls campground and area hotels.
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Tuesday, June 10, 2008
AM Service
This morning the saints met in Greenville, Ohio (home of the nearest local congregation of the Church of God) for a street meeting in the town square. Much literature was distributed and much singing was broadcast live for the benefit of the pedestrians and those that wished to stop and listen.
PM Service
Bro. Daniel Layne preached tonight on The Saints and the Spirit. Most professing Christians have no idea what the Holy Spirit really is. They preach and talk about Him but do not really know him. You cannot put the Holy Spirit in a box and bring him out occasionally for people to peek at. He wants all or nothing. He must have full control to do what He wants to do. Too many people are seeking the experience of sanctification and still need to give up flesh, their own ideas, and other things that are preventing a full surrender. Don't be satisfied with a "take-it-by-faith" experience. Get down and get the real thing, pray through until you have the clear witness that self has died and the Holy Spirit has unfettered control of your entire mind, soul, and being. Once you have it you will know it! The doubts will be removed and your whole life will be in tune with the Spirit.
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Wednesday, June 11, 2008
AM Service
An ordination service was held this morning. Bro. Jacob Braun and Bro. John Strizu were ordained to the ministry of the Church of God. Bro. Jacob Braun is ministering in Steinbach, Manitoba and Bro. John Strizu's home congregation is Greenville, Ohio, although he spent a few months helping out in the Philippines earlier this year. It was wonderful to see how the Lord has worked in their lives and how they are endeavouring to do their best for Him and have dedicated their lives to His service.
PM Service
Bro. Stephen Hargrave preached on King Jesus. Jesus came into this world to be a king. Since He was a baby, He was reigning. Even while hanging on the cross and looked helpless, He reigned. When He died and was laid in the tomb, He still reigned. He has conquered Satan and made him obedient like you would a dog. Satan can only do what Jesus allows him to do. Jesus is not the only one who is sitting and is a king. Jesus has called us to sit with Him on the throne and reign over sin. If you want to be a king then come up and reign. Don't you give up your seat when tempted! Stay seated and reign! Thank God for a King - Jesus!
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Thursday, June 12, 2008
AM Service
This morning, Bro. Henry Hildebrandt preached on Your Mother. Who is your mother - your true, spiritual mother? Your mother is not one that tolerates division. Any church that tolerates that God's children be divided cannot be your mother. Solomon, in his great wisdom, proved that out in his judgement when the two women came to him, both claiming the living child. The false mother was willing to have the child cut apart, but the true mother begged for the child's life. You were orphaned with your living parents until you found your Mother! The church, the Body of Christ, is your spiritual mother as whole and each fellow child of God is your brother and sister. As a result, you have a huge family that spans the globe. This spiritual mother will cause you to leave your mom and dad and other family so that you can get the right nourishment for your soul. A true mother feeds, guides, and disciplines her children.
PM Service
Bro. Randy Hargrave preached tonight on A Thief In the Night. The Lord is coming back - there is no doubt. He will return at an unexpected time. You have been considering whether to get saved. What will my family think, what will my friends think - you have been thinking. Newsflash: if you really get saved you won't care what they think! If you want to go against the tide in a real way, don't paint your hair green and spike it, but get true salvation. You will have to give up everything. But, you are standing at the brink of the eternal beyond, don't hesitate any longer. Flee from your certain destruction. Each generation of saved people has been markedly different from those around them - it's no different today. Are you going to be so scared of what others think that you will be lost? See what the Lord is doing and believe what you see before your eyes so you don't get caught on the wrong side when the Lord suddenly returns.
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Friday, June 13, 2008
AM Service
This morning the ordinances of the Lord's Supper and Feetwashing were observed as we are instructed to by the Lord in the Bible. Following His example, the brothers and the sisters washed each other's feet in a time of warm, Christian fellowship. All those present that are saved were welcome to partake as the Church of God has no membership and each saved person is a member of the Body of Christ. Afterwards, all reunited in the main tabernacle to partake of the unleavened bread (representative of Jesus' body) and the grape juice (representative of Jesus' blood). The bread is baked in one large loaf to represent the unity of the Body and each individual breaks off a small piece for him/herself. The juice is provided in a cup where, again, each individual takes a drink. It is a misrepresentation of the Lord's body to serve communion in small, individual cups as this portrays a divided Body where the members are independent and not in true fellowship with each other. The service was a solemn time of remembrance and thanksgiving for the suffering of Christ for us.
PM Service
Bro. Benjamin Tovstiga preached on The Spiritual Language. God likes volume - not from vocal chords but spiritual words. When you are saved you speak the spiritual language. Nowadays people buy themselves spiritual language courses so that they learn the right words for the membership test. Rosetta Stone can't help you with that! It is not a suit of clothes or other membership parameters. Whether or not you speak the language will spell life or death for you. No spiritual slang is allowed here! Angels are standing at the gates checking to see if you speak the right language. If you try to speak it but you don't really know it - all we hear is mumbling.
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Saturday, June 14, 2008
AM Service
Bro. Patrick O'Shea preached a serious message on this morning. Your life may be cut short at any moment. Be prepared to go at any time. Many people have gone before their time out of this life. Sin is a captor and will destroy your life so that you will be lost in hell forever. If you are saved but are soft on yourself, your heart will be hardened and you will lose your salvation. Be hard on yourself so that you will make it to heaven. Death comes everyday and everywhere. Your turn is coming up - act now to be saved before it is eternally to late. It was a very sobering message to saint and sinner alike to be prepared when our time here is done and eternity begins for us.
A baptismal service was held this afternoon where a large number of saints from all over were baptized.
PM Service
In the evening, Bro. Abram Redekop preached on How To Be Spiritual. The secret to becoming spiritual is to put yourself in a position where the Lord can bless you. You must come to where He is. It is impossible to be relaxed and indifferent and yet become spiritual. It will take a tremendous effort on your part to press forward, climb the mountain, and draw near to God. You hold the key to your own spirituality. Your own efforts will determine whether you will become spiritual or not. You cannot ask God to make you spiritual - put yourself in a position to be blessed and He will do the work.
The Lord mightily bless the message and moved on the saints in a special way. Those assembled were on their knees begging God for more of what they had just heard about.
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Sunday, June 15, 2008
AM Service
Bro. Isaac Thiessen preached on The Real Thing. Do you really have what it takes to make it? Are you just professing or do you possess it? Don't deceive yourself! If you have doubts about your experience, get the real thing and it will remove your doubts. Your life will demonstrate what you really possess. In time, everyone will see whether you have what you say you have. Professing but not possessing is hard work. You have to be someone you really aren't. Make it easier on yourself and get down and get true salvation. That will bring true fulfillment and joy into your life.
PM Service
Bro. John Strizu preached on Backsliding. Backsliding is an awful thing. There has never been a real reason for anyone to backslide. It is like a dog returning to his vomit and a sow to the mire. When you lose your spiritual focus, you lose your way. You backslide because of yourself. Every person is drawn away from God because of himself.
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