CPMA

I have recently been appointed the Church of Prophecy Marker Association leader at our local church. This was my service from tonight.

I Peter 2:1-9
1 Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings,
2 As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:
3 If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious.
4 To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious,
5 Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.
6 Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded.
7 Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner,
8 And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed.
9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should show forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:

The first Church marker I saw were the lively stones.

Here is my testimony that I wrote for the Rocky Mountain Messenger for the 2002 May/June edition. “September eleventh is not a day any of us will soon forget. For me that date holds a special meaning. I had spent the last two weeks in Colorado Springs surrounded by people who called themselves Christians but weren’t living for the Lord. I was discouraged and confused. While visiting my Mom in Salida I spent some time with some old friends and backslid miserably. The next morning, September eleventh, I woke up and heard what everyone else in America already had. At that point I knew no matter what others believed I had to live my life for the Lord. That evening He led me to Chris Clarkson. I thank the Lord for Brother Chris and his willingness to answer all of my questions and lead me through tons of scripture. I love this Church. I love the fellowship I have experienced here. Recently I was baptized with the Holy Ghost. At one point while at the altar I opened my eyes to see our Regional Overseer Brother Smith, Brother Chris, my pastor, Brother Shuler and his wife all praying for me. The love I felt from each of them at that moment blessed my soul. This Church, the Bride of Christ is what I was searching for. To be in a place with others who will do all that the Lord has commanded us to do is truly a blessing. I never even thought that a Church like this might be in existence. I love our doctrine, I love our Church history, but most of all I love our Cornerstone who has led me to this place.”

God used the lively stones that made up the local Colorado Springs and Salida Churches to show me that there was something very special about The Church of God. I saw a group of people who were committed to serve God no matter what it cost them. Not too long ago I read a story about Susannah Wesley. ""One of her daughters wanted to do something that was not a sin but was also not right. When told not to she was not convinced she shouldn’t. It was late and she and her mother were sitting beside a dead fire. Her mother said to her: “Pick up that bit of coal.” “I don’t want to,” said the girl. “God on,” said her mother. “The fire is out, it won’t burn you.” “I know that,” said the girl. “I know it won’t burn me but it will blacken my hands.” “Exactly,” said Susannah Wesley. “That thing which you wish to do won’t burn, but it will blacken. Leave it alone.”" I saw a people who not only did not want to be burned by sin but also didn’t want to be blackened by worldliness. I saw this in the doctrine and in the advice to members as well.

I heard a couple of messages the first year that I was in the church that have really stuck with me. One of which was on Queen Ester about how when she was to go unto the king she only took what the chamberlain appointed. I look at that like us with the Holy Ghost. There are many things that we accumulate in life and some of them are even good but as we get closer to perfection those things will fade away as we only have what the Holy Ghost appoints.

There is a beauty in the holiness of the church that makes me want to shout for joy and cry all at the same time because she is so beautiful and will one day be perfect.

We sang Nothing Between and When The Church of GOd Arises