Victory Over Self Rev. Barry Auch
When Joshua crossed the Jordan, he had not only defeated the kings that were on the east side but now also on the west (Josh. 12:14, 7-24). We see there was still a great conflict of the higher Christian life even in the place called the Land of Promise. As Christians, we may face conflict as well in obtaining the higher Christian life. It wasn't a battle of grosser forms of sin, for they were left behind when they crossed the Jordan. This new adventure was coming into the land of holiness, obedience, and rest. However, Joshua's battles in the new land were real and arduous, and they have helpful insights for us. Surely, we would think that no consecrated Christian would dare to indulge in willful disobedience or sin (before the crossing). These grosser forms were put away at Calvary (work of the cross). As Joshua led, he found there are other giants (kings) more subtle, whom with he fought so long and perhaps plague us. The Apostle Paul gives descriptive words of the Christian's conflict: "...that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for Him who died for them and was raised again" (2 Cor. 5:15). Now you may be wondering "What are these other, more subtle giants (kings that Joshua fought) that plague us?" They are the many areas of our self-life which, while not perhaps directly and willfully sinful in a grosser sense, are still opposed and run contrary to the will of God. They must be slain before we can ever go any further in perfect harmony of His Divine will to the higher Christian life. These things are monsters, tyrants, which if allowed to go unchecked and remain, will ultimately bring us into subjection of sin, bring us into a spirit of leanness, and will separate us from our Lord. Oh, how well Joshua understood this and sought to eliminate the cause of its source. To Joshua there was one progenitor (forefather), all of one family, that being Arba, the father of Anak (Joshua 14:15; Hebron used to be called Kiriath Arba after Arba, who was the greatest man among the Anakites). Then the land had rest from war. The name Arba means "the strength of Baal." Baal was the Ancient Sidonian god of nature, and Arba stands for the natural heart, in all the force of its self-will and sufficiency. His son Anak, signifies in Hebrew, "long-neck," representing pride and self-will. What character these two names represent of the whole family. Self-will (Arba) is the head of the dynasty in our lives. It expresses itself as: I will, I shall, I'm too busy, I don't have time to pray, I don't think that it is important enough! All the excuses of our lack of consistency with the Lord begin with "I." Never does our neglect begin with "God," e.g. “God said, I was too busy to pray today!” You see, it recognizes no king but its own imperative choice. Arba must die before the city of Hebron can be won and given to Caleb. Self-will (Arba) must die, and ‘yieldness’ must be the watch word before the gates of holiness and peace can be established. We have become so willful that God cannot move in us as He wills. He has often to crucify us to our own will, for no apparent reason other than to break us, and make us self-surrendered, and wholly subjected to His control. ‘Yieldness’ must be the watch word before the gates of holiness and peace can be established. God has great gifts and power to bestow but is looking to pour into clean vessels. Can you imagine drinking out of a vessel that contained milk and then reused with a carbonated beverage before cleaning? What an awful taste and an unwillingness to be used. How does a Holy God pour out His gifts that are righteous, pure, and holy, into a defilement of a vessel, and expect them to remain pure? The answer is He doesn't! Have you wondered why you possess little power, why you can't seem to get victory over little things, how easy it is to drift into thoughts that are hideous, how the spirit of the world has come into your home and you don't know now to get it out? Does your vessel need to be cleansed? Beloved, often in our lives, we have had to surrender something to Him which He really wished us to have. We could have been yielded to the Lord to break us, so He could in return give to us what we really wanted! In like manner God had to take Isaac from Abraham, and then give him back as no longer Abraham's Isaac but God's. The will thus surrendered becomes a stronger will, but not our will, but His within us. Then when we choose, we choose with the strength of God, and He chooses forever. Have you yielded your will and received His? Has the city of Arba become the city of Hebron, and the home of His love? Christian, allow God to have His way in the smallest decision that you make. Allow Him to truly show Himself strong unto you in every facet of life's decisions. Have you completely surrendered in total abandonment unto Him? Allow God to fulfill the scripture "...that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for Him...". He is waiting for your surrender in spirit, soul, and body (I Thess. 5:23,24). We are so grateful for all of you, your prayers and support! Every blessing, Elizabeth Metz Elizabeth Metz on behalf of the Evergreen Center Staff
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Our Relation To Politics(Faith Home Bulletin, Sep. 1964, A Pilgrim Here Below) “I exhort, therefore, that first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; for kings, and for all in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior.” 1 Timothy 2:1-3 Jesus clearly declared, “They are not of this world, even as I am not of this world,” John 17. We are NOT OF THIS WORLD. It is the truth of God. It is His Word. It is the Will of God concerning you. If you are living close to Jesus; and breathing the breath of the prayer of His Love; then it will be beautiful and easy for you, as the Holy Spirit moves your heart in that Will. You will welcome, as the Word of Salvation, the Word so clearly stating what your attitude is toward the politics of the world and of our nation. The apostle Paul exhorts, by the Spirit of God, to do a specific thing concerning all in authority, for kings, and for all men. This includes a wide range of those who lead and who govern. The exhortation is not a vague effort to get you to take sides in a controversial spirit. What Paul says is much like the word which Jesus spoke, “Render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar’s and unto God the things that are God’s.” This is not a vague, indecisive, do nothing, failure to participate. It is positive, direct, right to the point. It carries obligation to the hearer. The exhortation, and Word of God’s Will is NOT to parade, and wave banners, and blow trumpets, and yell, and get all heated up in a strife of tongues, and in the spirit of controversy. It is distinctly NOT to be worldly minded, or worldly acting. The Word is NOT and exhortation to do like the world does, nor enter the world’s enthusiasms. But very definite things are stated as being God’s Will. He clearly makes known His Will. You ARE TO DO CERTAIN THINGS about the nation’s politics. According to the Scriptures your community and commonwealth is IN HEAVEN. Your “HOME” is in Heaven. You do not BELONG to this world. But you are IN this world. Being a member of a Heavenly Commonwealth, what shall you do in the world where your pathway, at present, lies? How will you adjust yourself to the political situations that arise frequently? You will follow the instructions of the Lord and Governor of your heavenly kingdom. And it is important that you do what He says—particularly important, “For the earth IS THE LORD’S.” Even a group as inconsiderable as our own church might seem to be, can have a vast power in this world, IF WE OBEY THE CLEAR WORD OF GOD. That word defines your position and attitude. God wills that you make supplication; that you pray; that you intercede; that you give thanks. If you are in touch with Jesus, that is what you will do concerning the coming elections, and concerning all elections: “First of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men.” Study those verses on your knees, “BEFORE THE LORD.” Walk with your God. And what result, particularly, should we look for and aim at? WHOM should we seek to be elected? What choice do we desire? To those who have surrendered, and resigned, their lives and their wills to God, there is but one choice, GOD’S CHOICE. The true PRAY-ER wants that, seeks that, and finds faith-rest, in GOD’S CHOICE, always. Your prayer counts infinitely more than your vote. -Our Lord is Coming Alumnus WeddingWe celebrate with joy the union of Anthony Townley and Sophia that took place in Myanmar on May 20th. Please keep them in your prayers as they minister together in Sophia’s homeland. We are so grateful for all of you, your prayers and support! Every blessing,
Elizabeth Metz Elizabeth Metz on behalf of the Evergreen Center Staff Three Steps to Lowliness (From Feed My Lambs, by Rex Andrews) MEEKNESS Meekness is the blessedness of bearing one another’s burdens and getting along with one another. Thus we get the life of patience: for patience means to stay down under. IN this is the subjection of pride which should be subjected to Jesus. In this meekness is also the submission of the will. ‘Blessed are the meek for they will inherit the earth.’ Matt. 5:5 MOURNERS These are those who suffer loss (if we are but willing to go through it). The loss we suffer of anything, if it is something we love, is to our good. In this suffering of loss we become more and more conscious that we are away from Him. The thing we loved has taken His place in our hearts. We begin to be aware of the conflict in giving up something we desire and want to dwell on. It may be our home, our loved ones, thoughts or things that we unconsciously love more than Jesus. But if we are willing to go through the degree of loss so that we can say with our whole heart, ‘I am willing to suffer the loss of anything or persons that my heart holds dear,’ we will be brought into the realization of just Himself. Happy are the true mourners. The Comforter comes to all who suffer this total loss. ‘Blessed are they that mourn for they shall be comforted.’ Matt. 5:4 POVERTY OF SPIRIT ‘Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.’ Matt. 5:3 Poor like a beggar – dependent upon God for everything. This is the utter lowliness one comes to in utter lowliness: ‘I AM NOTHING, I KNOW NOTHING, I HAVE NOTHING, I CAN DO NOTHING, AND I WANT NOTHING BUT JESUS.’ Adopt an Intern - A Letter from the PresidentAmos 8:11 Behold, the days are coming, says the Lord God, when I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but [a famine] for hearing the words of the Lord.
Dear folks and friends of Evergreen Center, Today, in nations all around the world, those words from Amos are true. However, God is not leaving us to that famine! Peoples of all nations, languages, skin colors, and religious affiliations are aware that something is happening in the world that surpasses previous visitations of God, namely, “God’s Word is Rising!” Little groups of people, here and there, have been praying for a “rising of His Word in the earth, now!” It is not a call for Christians to get involved in political activism; that is partly what has got us into the trouble we’re in now. The call is to “hear the words of the Lord and obey them.” While this applies to every Christian, it is especially directed to ministers, evangelists, priests, rabbis and teachers of the Word. God has, for His Glory, raised up Evergreen Center to be a “voice in the wilderness” not only to its congregation, but also to the young people who go through the discipleship training program. They learn to know Jesus as He really is. At the outset of the program, we felt we should not enroll more than ten interns per term. At present, in term 21, for the first time we have full enrollment. For term 22, which begins at the end of January 2019, it looks like we will be full again. I wish all of you reading this could visit and see for yourselves what God is doing in the lives of these young people. Some have, literally, given up everything to be here: house, land, cars, all worldly goods, and even well-paying jobs. In addition, God has sent teachers that will drive for hours, one way, to come and share with the interns what they have learned of Jesus. When one intern was asked what it is like to be at Evergreen Center, he answered it with one word: “FIRE”. A former intern described it as “a slow transition back to sanity.” Has this been the experience of all interns? Honestly, no. However, Jesus is offered to everyone who comes to Evergreen Center, whether they are a part of the discipleship program, the congregation, or as visitors and retreat attendees. We have nothing to offer anyone, except Jesus. Up to now, most of the interns that have come to Evergreen have been from the United States. We are now starting to get real interest from overseas. Some of them are from very poor countries and do not have finances to come to the US or to pay the fee for the discipleship program. Therefore we are introducing a program that many of you may be interested in. It is called “Adopt an Intern.” The goal is for friends of Evergreen to pray and ask the Lord if this is something you would be willing to invest in. I say “invest” because that is what we do here at Evergreen Center we invest in the lives of young people. Did not Jesus invest in your life and mine on the Cross? At this time, the “Adopt an Intern” program is designed only for those from overseas that do not have the means to attend Evergreen as an intern. For anyone interested in investing in a young person’s life from overseas, please write or call and we will send you detailed information about how you can bless an intern from another country. God Bless, Pastor Dan We are so grateful for all of you, your prayers and support! Every blessing, Elizabeth Metz on behalf of the Evergreen Center Staff Live the BibleLive the Bible – “Lord, give me an obedient spirit.” Obedience is the great lesson. If you won’t let Him have possession in the times when you are being tried in your daily life, in the hours of your testing, you will soon be the one to be testing other people. Hasn’t He picked out a sweet way for our crucifixion, a beautiful way? Suppose He had said, “Now you must be sad and sorrowful, dark and gloomy, crabbed and cranky? There are two holy things—“peace and joy.” “Great peace, have they that love thy law.” If I haven’t “great peace” I don’t love His law enough. Have you greater peace at some times than at others? Look up all the ways to find peace. The Lord will point a kindly finger at your fault. Run to Jesus when you are lacking peace. Look to see what others did to get peace. “In everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made know unto God, and the peace of God which passes all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus,” Go to your Bible – examine yourself. Who lacks joy? What are you not doing? There are lots of good recipes. EC Annual Retreat
EC Alumni Wedding
We are so grateful for all of you, your prayers and support!
Every blessing, Elizabeth Metz on behalf of the Evergreen Center Staff Prayers Which God Cannot Answer(Article by Thomas Hogben, from Feed My Lambs) SIN, in however obscure a form, is an absolute hindrance to power. One cherished evil habit can make it impossible for the soul to see God. A spirit of jealousy or unforgiveness will completely shut out the Power and Presence of God. A grudge, bitterness, a desire for retaliation will break the wings of faith and hush the cry of real prayer. A callous conscience concerning some unpaid bill, or act of restitution, has turned aside the incoming tide of blessing and grace from many a soul. It is pathetic to hear poured forth on all sides – hundreds of prayers to which God is unable, by the very nature of things, to respond; prayers full of agony of desire, prayers for the choicest gifts God has to bestow, prayers offered in the Name of Jesus and based upon His own Word, but which God cannot answer because the way is blocked in the soul of the man who prays. Of what use would a mighty gift of faith be to a soul which was occupied with human slights and grievances? Could a baptism of burning love to God and man be bestowed upon one whose chief thought was for self, for position, for fame? How should the Spirit of Pentecost be poured out upon one who had never yet walked down the way of humiliation to Calvary? The common prayer-cry is, “Fill me, and lift me up!” The Divine answer is very often: “Be emptied and go down!” Revival Conference in CAWe would like to ask for your prayers regarding Pastor Doug’s upcoming speaking engagements in California this October. The founder of Sermon Index, Greg Gordon invited Pastor Doug and eleven other men to speak at a conference in Southern California entitled, “How Long, O Lord?” Each speaker is required to spend time weekly in prayer for the conference and for each other, and to attend the other speakers' sessions. Pastor Doug will speak Saturday, October 6th, in the late afternoon. You can watch the conference for free on a simulcast. Please see sermonindex.com or their Facebook page for more info. On Sunday, October 7th, Pastor Doug will share at Pastor Yuriy Litvin’s Russian church in the morning and again with the young people in the evening. The following Sunday, October 14, he will speak at Calvary Chapel Malibu, where our graduate Brian Laspada is the Pastor. Rev. Liz Fritz will be accompanying the Deterts at all three of these speaking engagements. The last week of Doug and Millie’s trip, they will stay with their friends Greg and Karin Larkin. We do ask for your prayers and intercession for both Doug and Millie, their travels, the conference and the other speakers, and both churches. Thank you! EC Alumni WeddingsOur summer was filled with joy as we witnessed more of our graduates find godly spouses, and join the ranks of married folk. David Carlson married Mikayla Roberts on June 23rd on the EC property down by the lake. It couldn’t have been a more beautiful day! Abby Zupke married Ryan Korporal on July 14th in Iowa. There was such a sweetness of Jesus presence in their ceremony. Please keep these couples in your prayers as they grow in oneness and seek the Lord for direction in ministry. We are so grateful for all of you, your prayers and support! Every blessing, Elizabeth Metz on behalf of the Evergreen Center Staff Strive To Enter(Article by Evangelist Ruth M. Brooks from Feed My Lambs) Luke 13:22-27 I was struck with that “strive to enter in at the strait gate” – the narrow gate. This narrow gate is the gate of poverty of spirit. Without it one cannot go through that gate. It is a divesting of one’s self, of all one is and has outside of Jesus. The rich man, who TRUSTS in riches, cannot get through there. He has too much of a load. He could never squeeze through that tiny place. Yet the Lord has ways of reducing man so that he can pass through the eye of a needle and never bump anywhere.This means that any who wants to know Jesus will have to know Him by the kind of poverty which He is – His wonderful lowliness, His beautiful selflessness. It is the opposite of what humanity is, of the natural birth. Jesus wants us to be born anew into His nature. The poor in spirit need not seek self-justification; God justifies them. They do not have to build up a reputation or try to preserve it; they do not seek man’s praise – they desire God’s praise only and live that Jesus be glorified. These poor are indifferent to the “advancement of their own interests.” They “have nothing, they know nothing, they want nothing but Jesus.” See how narrow is the door! The Word clearly shows that many will seek to enter in when it is too late, after the master has shut the door. You and I have had great opportunities. We need to take advantage of them and let Jesus take His place in us so that it is “no more I but Christ.” Catherine of Sienna, at a very young age, began seeking the Lord. She was just swallowed up in the love of Jesus. In her thirties she became a power in the land and a guide to the Pope. The Lord used her to speak to the leaders of her nation, to cardinals and church officials. She rebuked them for their sin, and their hypocrisy. She was in such a poverty and holiness of God that the wicked trembled and shuddered because her very purity was a rebuke to their sin. She moved kingdoms because she was given to Jesus. We know so little about the life that is in God, the life that is hid with Christ in God. Jesus wants us to know Him better. “Strive to enter in at the strait gate” – the gate where you go alone yourself, not anyone else, even the dearest, just you and Jesus. Not with all these trappings and ambitions, these things that we love that are outside of Him. Things we want to be and wish we were and try to be and appear to be. These things keep us out. Let us be divested of all that keeps us on the outside of this strait gate – this narrow way where we find Jesus in His loveliness and fullness. It would be good to make this coming week one of watching – watching that we do not waste time. Take time to spend it with Jesus - to watch and pray and seek His face. It would be a good thing to watch our words that we do not speak idly. To work at it by willing God’s will and putting our will on His side. To will that we will not say unkind, critical things, that our words will not be displeasing to Jesus. That the “words of our mouths and the meditation of our hearts may be acceptable in His sight.” O let it be a prayer this week, a week of watching. A time of watching, watching, watching that Jesus has His way. Let Jesus have His way. It would be a good thing to dedicate ourselves as some in the world give themselves to become something in the world. It would be good to kindly exhort one another to pray. What would ever happen if prayer meetings should spring up during the day! Any time! Wouldn’t it be wonderful? It would please Jesus if we cut off some of the talk and visiting and wasting time, and seek Him. I believe God wants to give us a cry for Himself. He wants to give us a seeking spirit. He wants to help us to wait on Him. How would you like to wait on Him all the time that you would have talked to or have visited with someone whose company you enjoy very much? How would you like to take that time to wait on Jesus? “O, I do not have any time.” It would be interesting for you to see how much time you have, that you use in wasting time, and talking unnecessarily, and then go to your room and fall on your face before Jesus. I somehow feel the seriousness of the time we are in. Now is our salvation nearer than when we believed. O my God, shake us! May He arouse us and keep us awake. Term 21Front row L to R, Frank Levecchi, Ashley Kroph, Tabitha John, Chris Martin, Nathan Metz Back row L to R, Dustin Walker, David Kraus, Ethan Baird, Julie Izzo, and Mike Izzo It is with much gratefulness that we have begun the fall term. Jesus has brought 7 new interns to us, and we have 3 returning interns. Mike Izzo, David Kraus, and Frank Levecchi are returning for their second term. Julie Izzo, (wife of Mike), Dustin Walker, Ethan Baird, Nathan Metz, Tabitha John, Ashley Kroph, and Kristine Martin are beginning their first term. Please join us in prayer for them as they continue on this journey towards Jesus.
We are so grateful for all of you, your prayers and support! Every blessing, Elizabeth Metz on behalf of the Evergreen Center Staff "Be Amazed at JESUS"(Notes by Rev. Doug Detert from a talk given by R. Andrews) Mark 10:32-52 Verse 32 --- All the way long it is Jesus. What He went through was to make it possible for us to have Jesus. Your doctrinal positions, etc., won’t matter; all that matters is what Jesus does, and what you do with Him. This is especially true about the doctrines of the Coming of the Lord. The prophecies of His First Advent were embedded in the spirit of their giving, and were to the carnal mind hard to understand. Jesus fulfilled every type and shadow, every sacrifice, every ceremony, etc. The Pharisees didn’t recognize Him because they didn’t love Him. Where am I tonight? We don’t care about hair-splitting distinctions here. All we care about is union of our hearts with Jesus. Do you like Jesus? The kind of person He is? What do you do in your heart with Jesus? But there were some who, quickened by God, loved Him, and followed Him. They didn’t beg Christ to follow them! Isn’t that the whole message of the Old Testament? “Just walk with me, I’ll take your hand.” That was the whole thing. So any doctrine you will ever teach is irrelevant unless we have a walk with Jesus. There’s only one who is Wonderful! Don’t think you’ll ever do anything wonderful. Just be amazed at Jesus. That’s what God wants. It’s not you that God is making wonderful. Isn’t it wonderful what God can do with you! What is the wonder of it? That a nothing like me, nonetheless with, and by, and for, and in JESUS makes me something. Read, read, read the Gospels, because you’ll never run out of things to learn about Jesus. Why? Because you need Jesus, as God understands Him. The Jesus of the Bible. Read with a worshiping heart. Every time you see Jesus’ name, say, “I love you, Jesus; You are wonderful,” etc. “You will never exhaust the unfolding of the possibilities of Divine reality in the Gospels. Noah Kauffman grew up in a Christian home in Viroqua, WI. He had an awareness of God at a young age. Before his teenage years he began to recognize his wretched nature. In his inability to stop being bad, he cried out to Jesus for a changed heart. At the age of 19, Noah felt called to apply as an intern in the Evergreen Center Discipleship Program. During his internship, Noah entered further into the life of Christ’s love constraining him. He was compelled in Christ to take others into his heart just as they were and free them by bearing them to God. Before graduating Noah felt called to stay at Evergreen Center. Although the door was not open at that time, Noah did hear accurately. He trusted the Lord, hiding what he felt in his heart, and continued forward with plans for an AG Power & Equipment Technician Certification. During the next 5 years, he faced many opportunities to grow and lean on Jesus. The Lord proved Himself faithful at every turn. During this time he came to realize his affection for a girl he had grown up with at Living Faith Church. Her name was Megan Rutten. He spent much time in prayer about pursuing a life with Megan. When he felt the Lord's prompting, he respectfully and honorably made his affections known, first approaching Megan’s parents. Noah's request to pursue a relationship with Megan came shortly after she shared her uncertainty about her salvation in their young adults Sunday school. Noah’s choosing to love her anyway, affected her. She has expressed how Noah was a picture of Jesus to her, taking her into his heart right where she was and cherishing and nourishing her there. This helped her further see and understand God’s love. One day, before Noah and Megan were married, the Lord made himself known to Megan as she was reading in Isaiah 43. The Lord revealed Himself to her in such a way that it has provided a “No turning back” in her faith. In the fall of 2017, Noah supported his wife's desire to become an Evergreen Center intern. During Megan’s terms, Noah assisted with property maintenance. He was a loving support to Megan as she navigated through the demands of the internship. Nearing the end of Megan’s second term they were asked to consider staying on as staff. Noah is currently overseeing maintenance at Evergreen Center. He is a support to Dennis Tieman at the Waushara Co. jail ministry and assists Kevin Teachey (Resident Assistant) in the daily life of the interns. Megan serves as Secretary, manages the cleaning at the center, and is serving as Evergreen Center’s Fall Retreat Coordinator. Megan has encouraged many in the faith during her time here. She respects Jesus, admits when she is wrong and then patiently turns to strengthen the brethren as Peter did. We are so glad to have Noah and Megan Kauffman as fellow workers at the Evergreen Center. They hold a position for His Kingdom to come and His Will to be done, not only in their own lives, but also in the lives of all others. May Jesus continue to rise in and through them! They greet you with the warm affections of God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ. Annual RetreatPlease consider joining us for our Annual Fall Retreat, September 7-9, 2018. Rev. Kurt Koeshall will be speaking on “The Time is NOW to enter in, for the Time is near” (Rev. 1:3). We are greatly anticipating what the Lord will do!
We are so grateful for all of you, your prayers and support! Every blessing, Elizabeth Metz on behalf of the Evergreen Center Staff Are You A Peace MAKER?(Notes from a Morning Time given by Rev. Doug Detert.) "Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. John 14:27 Has the Spirit of peace gotten a hold of you? Do you create confusion or make peace wherever you go? Confusion is missing something of God, and idols in your life will bring you into confusion and keep you from peace. This world has a different idea about peace than what we find described in Jesus’ words. Peace is a SPIRIT, it is what you ARE. Jesus is the ultimate Peace-maker, and He has made peace by the blood of His cross. What an interesting way to make peace…with a cross? “For it pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness should dwell, and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross.” Colossians 1:19-20 Peace is completeness in God. We become a peacemaker like Jesus when we die for others, or in other words enter into their death. James 3:17 tells us how to make peace. “…The wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy.” Can you really be a peacemaker without a mercy-ing heart? No, because you will be in confusion. Did you know that you can’t shine light on anything without creating a shadow unless the object is completely transparent? Are we completely transparent with God or are we casting shadows on the lives of those around us? Do we allow Him to search us and see if there is any confusion in us? He wants to fill you with HIS peace. Won’t you let Him? Kevin and Jenn Teachey are serving here in ministry at the Evergreen Center. Their stories have many similarities. Both grew up in church; both were healed of illnesses; and yet both struggled to believe that God could really change their Wills and Natures. In many ways, they were stuck in the 'church-world,' with a hyper-focus on having right theology and had no personal, daily walk with God. We are to be FULL of the Holy Ghost and Fire, right? They are on that path, believing for a total IMMERSION into God. The fire of God is burning up their self-life, which used to rage against God and His Providences. Through many dealings, Kevin and Jenn have learned to “thank God in all things.” They try to see God's hand in everything, and to THANK GOD no matter what! They are slowly learning to walk on water! So how do two 'church kids' find Christ? How does God reveal to two such young people that they REALLY do NOT know it all? How do they stop debating and arguing, and transition into a daily life of trying to find the Mind of Christ concerning a matter? How do they put God before father, mother, sister or brother? Once you begin to see the Lowliness of God it changes everything inside of you. You are done; or perhaps, we would say, like Isaiah, you are “undone.” It melts you. You are done with the world, the flesh, and the devil. Then, and only then, are the toughest dealings seen as a wonderfully edifying mercy from God. Through their godly leaders, who continue to speak into their lives on a weekly basis, the greatest rebuke is then seen through the eyes of a humble child who just wants to feel the corrective love of their Heavenly Father. Jenn homeschools their two children, Ryan Douglas (5) and Quinn Noelle (3). She also teaches a weekly class in the Discipleship Program on The Meaning of the Cross, occasionally plays the piano in church, and preaches in rotation on Sunday Mornings. Her will and nature is changing, for the glory of God. Her level of JOY is increasing, not staying stagnant or decreasing. She is being filled. Kevin is the Resident Assistant and the congregational pastor, as well as being on the Evergreen board. He was once extremely fearful and self-conscious; now, he depends on the grace of God, which allows him to love and repent. God is making Kevin teachable. Here at the Evergreen Center, we are believing for a total change of heart and mind/understanding. We are believing for Christ to FILL us with His Holy Spirit 100%. They believe if a man can be demon possessed, then he can be fully possessed by God to be TRULY like Jesus. Please don't settle; don't stop. In order to stand in these very last days, we have to have our Wills and Natures dealt with, and we have to be being filled daily with His Holy Spirit and Fire. Annual RetreatPlease mark your calendars for our Annual Retreat, September 7–9, 2018. Rev. Kurt Koeshall will be sharing with us on the theme, "The Time is NOW to Enter In, for the Time is Near." (Rev. 1:3) We are greatly anticipating what the Lord will do this year, and would love to have you join us!
We are so grateful for all of you, and your prayers and support! Every blessing, Elizabeth Metz on behalf of the Evergreen Center Staff GOD'S ROYAL COVERING(Notes taken from a talk given by Jennifer Teachey) Do you like covered trash cans? They are such a blessing when you need to throw away something especially smelly, like a dirty diaper. What about a covered compost bin? All the rotting, smelly, bug-filled waste can bring up such a sense of loathing. We can be very glad that it has a cover, yet what of the sin-filled heart of a human being? What of a very lowly God who covers our raw filth of a sin nature? Our souls long to be covered, and in Ezekiel 16 God shows how He covers us. "And when I passed by you and saw you struggling in your own blood, I said to you in your blood, 'Live!' Yes, I said to you in your blood, 'Live!'” His heart for us is to LIVE! A theses statement if you will. Then, “I spread My wing over you and covered your nakedness.” Here when God sees us in the leprosy of our sin nature and with no thought to His own beautiful garments He covers us. The Holy Spirit drapes over us and gives us privacy to heal, privacy to grow. We are still filthy, and yet He covers us! The beauty of this is when you experience God covering you and all your ugly wounds and it gives you a compassion for other people, the desire to cover them and their needs. God is mighty to save! Don’t have any doubt about what God can do in your life! Don’t have any doubt as to what God can do in another person’s life! It will not be by our sight that we can see what God will do in someone’s life. God took the worst (Saul of Tarsus) and called him a “Chosen vessel!” What a lowly God! Does that not give you HOPE? PROFILE ON DAN AND CHIRS DAKEDan grew up in a Christian home in Oshkosh and Waupaca, Wisconsin. From an early age he experienced what could be called “old-fashioned Pentecost”, where the preaching was direct and fiery, the altars were filled with seekers at the end of every meeting, and where consecration to the Lord’s service was a constant appeal. At 15 years old, Dan knew God had called him into the ministry, but he was a fun-loving teen (and was often in trouble for it!), and he drifted from that call. During the Viet Nam war, he was drafted and served his country as an infantry soldier in the U. S. Army from 1968-1970. God preserved him through that terrible war, but he continued to drift from the Lord and paid for it with much unhappiness. Finally, in the Mercy of God, he joined the congregation worshiping at Glad Tidings Tabernacle, a small church in Oshkosh, and got right with God. He and the Pastor, Rev. Collin Hughes and his wife Barbara, became good friends and Dan became a Board Member. There he met the young lady, Chris, who would become his wife and mother of two wonderful children, Tommy and Tiffany, in addition to four other children from previous marriages. Dan obtained employment at a paper mill in Neenah where his father worked, and for nearly 40 years he served as a Quality Control Inspector for P.H. Glatfelter. Dan knows what “a long commute” means, driving many miles each workday, and more than 40 miles on Sundays and Wednesdays to attend service at Glad Tidings Tabernacle. Eventually he and Chris started a Bible Study in their home on Friday nights, where they studied What the Bible Teaches about Mercy, as well as other topics. When Pastor Doug Detert moved to Wautoma in 1996, Dan invited him to teach the Friday Night Class. As time passed, the group transitioned into a home church, as several in the class felt it was time to change their place of worship of Sundays. Dan and Chris faithfully attended this home church, which met first in Oshkosh, then in Pickett, Poy Sippi, Redgranite, and finally in Almond, Wisconsin. From the outset of the purchase of Evergreen Center’s 105-acre site in Almond, Dan and Chris have been involved in helping the work in countless ways and for countless hours. In 2006, while Dan and Doug were enjoying breakfast together in Wautoma, a call came from Dan’s employer with news that the paper plant was closing. Sensing the hand of the Lord in this seeming unhappy news (and without much tact!), Doug let out a, “Praise the Lord!” Looking back, we can both see that God would use the next 10 years to prepare Dan to assume the leadership of Evergreen Center. 4 years ago the Board ordained Dan, recognizing his calling, and fulfilling the word of the Lord given to him so many years ago, that he should serve as a pastor someday. Since then, Dan has been appointed Chairman of the Board, as well as President of Evergreen Center, and his ministry at the Center is practically full-time now. Meanwhile, his wife Chris, who knew in 2005 that God wanted Evergreen to purchase the property we now own, fasted and prayed until it finally happened in 2006. She stands with Dan as one with him in his new role. This short profile would not be complete without mentioning the tragic death of their son Craig, and how the Lord has inspired the entire Evergreen Center church family by the way they have responded to Craig’s murder, with much mercy, and without bitterness. Many in the congregation have testified to the affect their example has had on us. Truly Jesus has his hand on this couple, and we thank God for them! We are so grateful for all of you, and your prayers and support!
Every blessing, Elizabeth Metz on behalf of the Evergreen Center Staff In the recent months, the Lord has been speaking to us in remarkable directness. We would like to share with you some examples of talks that have inspired us. Three talks are available on one disc. They are: “Where Do We Find Jesus Now?” Rev. Doug Detert 12-24-17 “Your Self Strength Must Die” Rev. Kevin Teachey 2-18-18 “Having the Passion of Jesus” Rev. Kurt Koshall 3-25-18 If you would like a free copy, please write "Three Talks" on the back of the response card, with your name and address on the front, and send it back to us. If you wish to enclose $5.00 to cover shipping and handling, that will help, but there is no obligation. God bless you!" "WHOLENESS IN GOD OR A WHOLE IN YOUR HEAD"(Notes taken from a sermon by Rev. Kevin Teachey on Feb. 4th.) Are you a work of God? If you are, what an amazing thing! A large part of being made whole is realizing that you are a work of God. Do you want to be made whole, normal, and complete? In Mark 5, Jesus brought a man from insanity to wholeness. Even though we still have these kinds of problems today, Jesus CAN make us whole. “Jesus, I my cross have taken, all to leave and follow Thee; Destitute, despised, forsaken, Thou from hence my all shall be. Perish every fond ambition, all I’ve sought, and hoped, or known; Yet, how rich is my condition! God and heaven are still my own.” “Go then, earthly fame and treasure! Come disaster, scorn, and pain! In Thy service pain is pleasure; with Thy favor loss is gain. I have called Thee, Abba, Father. I have stayed my heart on Thee. Storms may howl and clouds may gather; all must work for good to me.” This is TRUE wholeness. When things don’t make sense it is often the Lord trying to get at your self-life. Is Jesus the #1 priority in your life? Being made whole happens in ways that we can’t imagine. If you were one of the 99 sheep would you be critical of that one sheep that got lost? Would you be critical of the Shepherd? The man who was healed in Mark 5 wanted to follow Jesus after he was healed, but Jesus told him no. Sometimes, His no’s are more precious than His yes’s. Wholeness in Jesus IS your destiny. Here are five things you’ll have to fight: 1. Slothfulness; 2. A sleepy spirit; 3. Criticalness; 4. Apathy, coasting, or indifference; 5. Confusion. "Wash yourselves, make yourselves clean; Put away the evil of your doings from before My eyes. Cease to do evil, Learn to do good; Seek justice, Rebuke the oppressor; Defend the fatherless, Plead for the widow.” Isaiah 1:16-17 DOING these things will make you whole! RECENT WEDDINGOn Saturday, March 10th, we were blessed to witness the marriage of EC graduate, Joel Huebner to Rosette Shannis. They were married in Viroqua, WI, at Living Faith Church, a kind of sister-church to Evergreen Center. The ceremony was officiated by Rev. Doug Detert. Jesus’ presence was there as these two young people took their vows before God, guests, and family. The joy of the event was slightly overshadowed by the unexpected death of Rosette’s father from a heart attack just ten days before the wedding. Rosette is from the country of Jordan, and was unable to attend the funeral, but was comforted that her mother was able to attend even while grieving the loss of her husband. Please keep Joel and Rosette, and her family in your prayers during this wonderful, yet difficult time. NEWS FROM THE CLASSROOMWhat do the interns really learn here? What really happens in the classroom? Well, it’s not all academic. Yes, content is important, but the teachers are unselfishly pouring out their lives by sharing their personal testimonies. For example, in the Inward Life Class, the Lord is helping the students carefully go through the book, The Practice of the Presence of God, by Brother Lawrence, which is a classic among Christian Literature. Lisa Stout, who has been serving here almost six years, is teaching this class, and the response from the interns has been one of great appreciation! Christ is in the classroom, as each soul is slowly (that is, often, the best way) being transformed by God's amazing grace. All glory to JESUS!!! TERM 20 / 10 YEARS OF MINISTRYAs we mentioned in last month's newsletter, we are right in the middle of Term 20, and we are grateful to God for allowing us to minister to young people consistently for the last 20 terms –two terms equal one year, so really for the last 10 years! When we consider how the Lord has helped us reach those He has been faithful to send us, we bow before our King in deep reverence. The eternal significance of what God is doing here cannot be overstated. This little fledgling ministry, which is located on 105 acres out in the woods of central Wisconsin, has sent out laborers in the vineyard; and we continue to focus on Christ and His Cross! Again, ALL glory to God! Great things HE is doing, as we prepare for His soon return! EC CHURCH SERVICES
MISSIONS UPDATE
We are very grateful for all your prayers and support!
In Christ, Elizabeth Metz on behalf of the Evergreen Center Staff |
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