Day  1 – Friday September 25th, 2009

This year’s E Group Meeting started with a trip to Azusa Street in Los Angeles, CA. After meeting at the Hope Center, we headed to downtown LA where Azusa Street Revival have been sparked.

Our first stop was at Edward S. Lee’s house where William J. Seymour held prayer and Bible study meetings. Unfortunately the house was not preserved so we were not able to see this historic place. From there we headed to Bonnie Brea House in which this early Apostolic movement in our modern history started to experience growth and have church services and people started to receive the the gift of the Holy Ghost. Today the house on 214 North Bonnie Brae Street, Los Angeles, CA is preserved as a private museum. Next stop is the 312 Azusa Street, Los Angeles. In this location stood the Apostolic Faith Mission Church led by Rev. William J. Seymour where hundreds and thousands of people experienced and received the gift of the Holy Ghost.

We have concluded the Azusa Street revival tour after visiting the Rev. William J. Seymour’s grave and the  Apostolic Faith Mission camp site.

E Group’s fist session of meetings started on Friday evening at Hope Center, Redlands, CA. Rev. B.J. Wilmoth after making his introductory comments has asked us introduce ourselves. Following the introductions we have started a fervent prayer session.

After Rev. B.J. Wilmoth’s preaching, the Spirit of God moved on all of us. We had more fervent prayer following the preaching. The next speaker of the night was Rev. Myles Young. His message on the word of God have resonated in our minds as well as our spirits. After the prayer and the alter service we were dismissed for dinner and fellowship.

Very hospitable and gracious people of Hope Center have already prepared us a delicious dinner and organized the fellowship hall for all of us young men to eat and fellowship. It was a perfect setting and many of us have created new friendships.

Day  2 – Saturday  September 26th, 2009

In the morning on Saturday our day sessions started with a prayer and getting in tune with God.  Rev. Jonathan Shoemake preached to us on the important and necessity of prayer as well as what a young minister ought to do. Prayer broke after the preaching and rejuvenated us.

Rev. Kevin Bradford preached the closing message of the E Group 2009 meeting. After the prayer and the alter service we were invited to have lunch at the fellowship hall. Following the lunch and fellowship the Question and Answer Panel Discussion took place. The panel of great Men in our Apostolic Movement, Rev. B.J. Wilmoth,  Rev. Jonathan Shoemake, Rev. Kevin Bradford and Rev. Clifford Clark and moderator Rev. Myles Young have answered our questions and shared their experiences in ministering the word of God.

With this it marked the end of the 2009 E Group Meeting. This year’s meeting was an educational and spiritual uplift to many young men who are inspired to minister the word of God in many capacities. Looking forward to the next E Group Meeting in 2010.

From the Ivy League schools of Princeton, Yale, Duke, and Harvard that once educated young men to become ministers, to the motto “in God we trust” that is on our currency, the influence of the Gospel is evident in America. We can also observe the testimonies of transformed lives in the church. How did this message of a man and a cross reach us 2,000 years later? It required faithful men that were sold out to the Gospel; men that had deep convictions about who Jesus was (Son of God), what He did in their lives (made a way for salvation), and the purpose He stood for (spreading truth). To be a soldier of Christ that win souls and lives right, one must have conviction concerning faith.

Our nation once had a strong biblical foundation that made us strong, but the pull of the world has brought about many spiritual fatalities. The Bible makes many references to our faith in the context of warfare. In Ephesians Paul describes the armor of God. He also instructed Timothy to “fight the good fight.” If young men are falling out of the army of righteousness, that means they are not reaching the world. Even after experiencing God’s love, they are seduced by the world whether it is pornography, alcoholism, drugs addiction, or false doctrine. Conviction is the pillar that will sustain our walk with God and without it, we will be on the road to defeat.

May I remind someone the reality of this battle we face against the enemy? The Bible describes the enemy as one that is out to steal, kill, and destroy (John 10:10). The world can be very seductive, especially for young men who may not feel the pressures of older men that have families and more responsibilities of the household. Some may have the mentality of I will live now and grow later which is dangerous thinking.

Conviction is defined as being convinced, or strong belief. The apostles had a deep conviction that Jesus was God and Savior and it drove them to the point of being martyred. Without the conviction that Jesus was the messiah, they could not have gone out and died for what they believed in, unless they were utterly insane. If we do not maintain the same convictions of the gospel and doctrine the apostles had, we will not influence the world as they did.

To get to the place where we can maintain our strong beliefs, we must:

1. Pray – Ask and ye shall receive (Matthew 21:22). Take time in prayer to ask God to instill or maintain your convictions regarding doctrine or faith. Pray for someone that is struggling.

2. Study – Study to shew thyself approved unto God (II Timothy 2:15). Knowing what you believe and why you believe it will help you fight doubt that weakens conviction. David also wrote that a secure knowledge of God’s word would keep a person from sinning (Psalm 119: 11).

3. Accountability- Iron sharpeneth iron (Proverbs 17: 7). We need to make sure the people we surround ourselves with are drawing us closer to God. As humans prone to error, we stumble and it help to have support. The Bible said with one, we can put 1,000 to flight, but with two, we can put 10,000 to flight (Deut. 32:20).

 “All the strength and force of man comes from his faith in things unseen. He who believes is strong; he who doubts is weak. Strong convictions precede great actions.” – James Freeman Clarke

What comfort there is in knowing that Jesus is the “author and finisher of our faith”!  If we break Hebrews 12:2 down, we see that “author” according to Strong’s concordance is “the originator, founder; leader, ruler, or captain”.  One could launch deep into the waters of the Oneness of God with respect to Jesus being the author and finisher of our faith, but we will try and stay in the safety of the shallow end of the pool and yet still make our point. 

He is the Originator.  “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was God.  All things were made by Him; and without Him was not anything made that was made” (John 1:3).

Webster describes “founder” as “one that establishes”.  “Thy throne is established of old: thou art from everlasting” (Psalms 93:2).  He is the one that “laid the foundations of the earth” (Job 38:4) and is the “chief cornerstone” (Ephesians 2:20).  In looking at these scriptures we see that the one that established is the one that created.  Amen.

A leader is a headship of a body, a conductor, or a guide.  He is the one providing direction to those behind; a shepherd, if you please.  “I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep” (John 10:14).  “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them” (John 10:27). 

Allow me to veer off the road for a moment.  Whose voice are you hearing?  Or worse yet, whose voice are you listening to?  If you have a virtual internet relationship with someone on Facebook, MySpace, a personal blog or Twitter that is trying to persuade you against the teachings of your Pastor, stop!  The traditions and standards that your Pastor has instituted are for your protection.  Your Pastor is the one that will have to give an account for you.  Let him do it with joy and not grief.  If any should try to teach otherwise, they are at the least little foxes or worse, wolves in sheep’s clothing. 

Jesus is the Ruler.  “Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named not only in this world, but also in that which is to come” (Ephesians 1:21).  A ruler can only have dominion over what he can control.  “And he arose and said unto the sea, Peace be still.  And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.  And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this that even the wind and sea obey him?” (Mark 4:39-41).

To finish the study of the first word of this text, “author”, we come to captain.  Hebrews 2:10 calls Jesus the captain of our salvation.  Acts 4:10 lets us know that only through Jesus can we find salvation, “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under Heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved”. 

Finisher is noted as the perfector.  If we be of Him through salvation (Acts 2:38) and are able to enjoy of His inheritance, then we are made perfect by Him in our reconnected-ness to God.

Faith is translated as assurance.  Assurance is a guarantee, a promise; something you can count on and take to the bank.  Hebrews 11:1, “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”  We have the evidence or proof, it’s in the assurance. 

Just taking this one verse brings a true confidence in the power and might of Jesus in any aspect of life because, “Greater is he that is in you than he that is in the world” (I John 4:4).  My trust is with the Captain who has perfected our assurance.

You will always see light when it shines in darkness, but you’ll never find darkness in the light. “And God said, Let there be light: and there was light. And God saw the light, that it was good: and God divided the light from the darkness.” (Genesis 1:3-4)  There has distinctively been a line drawn by the word of God that separates light from darkness. In 2 Corinthians 4:6, Paul says that God commanded the light to shine out darkness. By the commandment of God, the good light shines out darkness.

 As we sneak so quietly into the kitchen and crack open the door to the fridge for a midnight snack a little trigger in the fridge door has been set off and now light breaks through the opening of the door. At this same instant darkness in the room retreats to hide behind an object to be nothing more then a faint shadow.  A line has been crossed and we are now in light. No longer are we silently, yet over dramatically, gasping for air while in shock as at least one of our ten toes makes contact with an unidentified object waiting in dark.

Light is intentional, we turn it on to be able to see where we are going, what is coming, or what is our surroundings. First we must find the power source in order to have light. “God is light and in him is no darkness at all.” (1 John 1: 5)  In John 8:12 Jesus is speaking and says, “…I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.” So God is the power source of the light. When I received the gift of the Holy Ghost the light of God entered into my life, lighting my path. No longer must I walk in darkness not being able to see my next step. I now carry a torch that bears the name of God. Matthew 5:14 says, “Ye are the light of the world.” Verse 16 goes on to say, “Let your light so shine before men…” So as Jesus is the source of which we receive power I’m the bulb that his light shines through. The light of God just doesn’t turn off as if there has been a power outage due to weather conditions. The only way that this light can be turned of is by cutting out the power source.

 We are to be a light to the lost, a reflection of the light of God in a dark world. But just as we purposely turn on light, we can also cut off the source that is feeding power to the light bulb. “If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth.” (1 John1:6) What is truth? Preaching Jesus name baptism and being filled with the Holy Ghost. Why is light throughout this world cutting off the source of power and falling to the dimming light of the emerging church? Jesus said, “Be holy for I am holy”. What is holy in Hollywood, revealing clothing, boys looking like girls, girls looking like boys, or being so relevant that you can’t tell the difference between a first time visitor and the rest of your church? This is what happened to me a few years ago and I knew I was getting caught up in something that could not stand the test of time.

 I thank God that I have found a path of transcendent light shining from the house of God that led me from the dim light of the emerging church. 1 Peter 2:9 says that we were called out of darkness and into his “marvelous light”! 2 Cor. 4:6, His light shines out darkness. But what about being relevant to the world?  Paul wrote in Romans 12:2, “And not be conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will or God”. I want God’s perfect will in my life! The Word of God is clear that we are to “be not conformed to this world”! We are a chosen people that are separated from this world!

 In conclusion, light can always be turned on in a dark room but darkness can not be turned on to over power light unless the power source has been cut off from the light.

Luke 11:34-35, “The light of the body is the eye: therefore when thine eye is single, thy whole boy is full of light; but when thine eye is evil, thy body is also full of darkness. Take heed therefore that the light which is in thee be not darkness.”

Date of Tour: Friday, September 25
Time of Tour: 8:30 AM to 3:30 PM (Approximately)
Meeting Location: Hope Center, 1210 Ford St., Redlands, CA

Pre-Tour suggested reading :

1. “Azusa Street” by Frank Bartleman

http://www.amazon.com/Frank-Bartlemans-Azusa-Street-Revival%C2%97/dp/0768423651/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1248458249&sr=1-1

2. “The Azusa Street Mission and Revival” by Cecil M. Robeck Jr

http://www.amazon.com/Azusa-Street-Mission-Revival/dp/1418506249/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1248458461&sr=1-1

*To reserve your seat: Contact E Group via email: info@menseekinggod.com , or via office number: (909) 793.4353 on or before Sept 21

We look forward to seeing you all there!

Ayres Hotel (E Group Staff Recommends)
909-335-9024
1015 W. Colton Ave
Redlands, CA 92374
 
Room Rate for King or Two Queens: $99.00
(Reservations at this rate must be made before Sept 11th)
Includes Complimentary Hot Breakfast
Conference Code: E Group
 
Comfort Suites
909-335-9988
1230 W. Colton Ave.
Redlands, CA 92374
 
Room Rate:
King $95.00
Two Queens: $105.00
(Reservations at this rate must be made before Sept 13th)
Includes Complimentary Breakfast
Conference Code: E Group
 
Country Inn & Suites
909-792-7913
1650 Industrial Park Ave
Redlands, CA 92374
 
Room Rate: $87.00
King or Two Queens
(Reservations at this rate must be made before Sept 1st)
Complimentary Hot Breakfast
Conference Code: E Group

   I have never heard a seed complain.  Yeah, I am pretty sure of it.  I have never heard a seed of an apple tree complain about not being an orange tree seed.  And I can’t ever say that I have heard an orange tree seed complain about not being an apple tree seed.  They just simply know their respective role and are content on being what they were originally made to be.  There is no fighting or jealousy amongst one another, because one is getting more attention than the other.  They don’t contrive personal agendas and hold back biting meetings about each other in hopes that they will one day overthrow one another.  No, they simply understand that God made them unique to fulfill His particular plan for their lives and they trust Him fully to carry out this process.  We could learn a good deal from these little seeds.

    Before that seed ever becomes a fruit bearing tree it first has to die (John 12:24).  The word used for “die” here is apothnesko, which has both a literal and figurative meaning, usually with reference to death in sin (Romans 5:15).  This dying out of sin and ones self can be extremely painful.  Like the seed, the places we are taken (in the Spirit) are dark and sometimes terrifying.  We are caked in mud and loneliness sets in all around us.  We may question God’s plan for our lives, but the seed never questions.  It continues the process because it knows that this is what it was meant to be.  That seemingly insignificant seed already possesses everything it needs to sustain the elements of the earth and hardships it may go through.  It already has the entire make-up of that fruit tree within it.  It just has to go through the process to produce the fruit.

   Then, after the seed has taken a backseat to its own wants and desires, God pushes it further into the earth.  Deeper and darker become the surroundings when wanting to do the will of God.  We, like the seed, need roots to keep up firmly grounded when the wind and the rains that await us come calling.  As we stretch and scratch through the earth in search of water and nutrients to feed our roots, we begin to grow simultaneously upward.  Now, the balance of establishing roots and breaking through the surface becomes of utmost importance.  If the seed sprouts too quickly and does not have enough “grounding” then the first storm that washes over its dwelling will destroy it.  On the contrary, if it refuses to surface than its whole point of existence is stifled by refusing to “take on” the opposing elements.  Sadly, many neglect the importance of this disciplined process, and merely sit on the sidelines, afraid to commit themselves again.

   Upon reaching the surface, this new sapling faces its most difficult challenge yet, it must bear fruit.  Not just any fruit though, but good fruit, because its fruit will be a reflection of its character.  And as in our case a determining factor for our soul.  Therefore, along the way to “becoming” there will be many times when we can forget the way of the seed.  We can forget that God has a purpose for us and that it is not determined by what our neighbor is doing, but rather what God wants to do in us.  Not everybody produces one hundred fold.  Some are thirty and some are sixty.  Now, we obviously want to excel in all that we put our hands and minds to, but what would happen, if instead of trying to become someone we are not, we became the someone we already are.  You see, God didn’t tell the serpent thousands of years ago about a man, but rather he told him about a seed (Genesis 3:15).  Reason was, that Seed knew exactly who He was what He was sent to do.

   Baptism comes from the Greek word baptizo which means to immerse, performing ablutions, i.e., cleansing with water.  In John v3 Jesus and his disciples were going through the land telling people about baptism.  John clearly knew the importance of baptism than the other disciples. He knew that a person should be immersed in water while being baptized.  John records: And John also was baptizing in Aenon near to Salim, because there was much water there: and they came, and were baptized (John 3:23, KJV). If it wasn’t important then he would have stayed where he was, but he needed more water to make sure that they would be immerse.

   What is the importance of baptism?  Well Jesus told us in Matthew 28:19, “ Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.”  He also said if you’re not “born of the water and of the Spirit ye shall enter the kingdom of God” (John 3:5). Romans further explains baptism by indicating we are “buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. (Romans 6:4, KJV)”  So to be buried with him into his death, you have to be fully immersed into water, symbolizing that one is going down dead and coming up as a new person with all one’s sins washed away.

   Returning to Matthew 28:19, let’s find out more what Jesus was talking about. As we’ve seen, Jesus commissioned us to baptize them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost (not in the name of the father, the name of the son, and the name of the Holy Ghost).  What Jesus said in Matthew was language experts call a “participle phrase.”  Consequently, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost described the name He was talking about.

   What’s the importance in a name?  Acts 4:12 records that “neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.”  Isaiah 9:6 says, “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counseller, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, and The Prince of Peace.”  Does Isaiah say He is “God manifest in flesh”?  Paul stated in Ephesians v4 that there is only One God and Father.                 

   In the 14^th chapter of the book of John, Jesus gives a revelation of who the Holy Ghost is.  He said in 14:16, “I will pray to the Father that he would give you a Comforter.  In v18 Jesus tells them,  “I will not leave you comfortless, I will come to you.”  Then v26 goes on, “but the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, He shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.”  Jesus gives us the answer to whom he was talking about in 16:22: “And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you.”  So what’s the name he was talking about? JESUS!

   How should I be baptized then?  Well since we know who Jesus was talking about, then shouldn’t I be baptized in His name?  Jesus came unto his disciples in the coast of Caesarea Philippi and said “Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?”  And they said unto him some say that thou art John the Baptist, some Elias, and other Jeremias, or one of the prophets.  Then said unto them, But whom say ye that I am?  Peter answered him and said Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God (Matthew 16:16).  After answering Jesus gave Peter the keys to the kingdom  and said what ever thou bind in earth shall be bound in heaven and whatsoever thou loose shall be loosed in heaven  (Matthew 16:19).

   In Luke 24:45-47 Jesus opened the disciple’s understanding and said that “repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.”  Peter was among those to whom Jesus had spoken and whose understanding had been opened. After having listened to these instructions, a few days later he was inspired by the Holy Ghost to preach on the Day of Pentecost. The hearts of the hearers were pierced and, feeling condemned, they cried out to Peter and the other apostles, saying “what shall we do?”  And without any hesitation, Peter replied:  “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost” (Acts 2).

   All throughout the Book of Acts people were baptized in the name of Jesus Christ.  Galatians 3:27 says “For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.”  So the only way that we can be Christ-like is to put on Christ through baptism, because without the name we don’t have the blood, and without the blood we don’t have the name.

   God in the Old Testament gave a covenant with Abraham and told him that he would bless his seed and bless every seed after his, and also make Abraham a father of many nations.  God said the only way He would keep his covenant with Abraham is that he circumcised every male in his household.   “And ye shall circumcise the flesh of your foreskin; and it shall be a token of the covenant betwixt me and you.  And the uncircumcised man child whose flesh of his foreskin is not circumcised, that soul shall be cut off from his people; he hath broken my covenant.  That was an everlasting covenant that God made with Abraham” (Genesis 17:1-21).  God was very particular with his people and what he wanted from them. 

   “Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands” (Ephesians 2:11).  Paul, in Colossians 2:11, “In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ.” And the writer of Hebrews adds, “For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people” (Hebrews 8: 10). 

   God had made a New Covenant for Gentiles to be inherited into Abraham’s everlasting covenant that God had made with him.  So the way to be inherited into his covenant is to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, by the “circumcision made without hands” (Colossians 2:11)

   Paul, on his way to Ephesus, met believers who had not yet been baptized the proper way. “And he said unto them, ‘Unto what then were ye baptized?’ And they said ‘Unto John’s baptism.’ Then said Paul, ‘John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.’ When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus” (Acts 19:2-5).

   As we know now that baptism is essential to God’s salvation plan he has for us, so we should follow the order and steps that have been place in front of us so that we will have eternal life.

Book now or forever fold your peace! Southwest 48hr Promotional! Every city on sale from September through November. Book a roundtrip flight from Sacramento, CA to Ontario, CA (Redlands, CA – Pastor BJ Wilmoth)  for a grand total, after taxes and fess, of $81.25! Or, for those flying from out of state, book round trip flight from Tulsa, OK to Ontario, CA, including taxes and fees is $213.90! Dallas, TX to Ontario, CA = $213.90! For more information regarding the September 25- Event, please reference the flier located on the website! For those who were riding the fence due to travel expenses, now is the time to actualize this opportunity! See you in September!

I have a shirt that reads “I am not… But I Know I AM.” A person lacking an understanding of God’s revelation as the “I AM” may put the emphasis on “know” and thereby interpret the statement to mean “I talk myself up to be more than I actually am.” The actual meaning of the statement, however, is completely opposite of such an interpretation, and can only be understood through an understanding of God, the “I AM.”

The implications of the statement itself are extensively applicable to many situations, as indicated by the ellipsis after the word “not”. By itself, “I am not…” can be quite disheartening: I am not special, I am not great, I am not intelligent, I am not capable, etc. There are thousands of words and phrases that can be placed after the words “I am not.” Furthermore, when we say we are not …, we imply that we cannot …, as illustrated by Moses’ dialogue with God in Exodus chapters 3 and 4. Moses makes no less than 4 (perhaps 5) arguments that he is not ready for the job. In his last argument that he could not do what God had called him to do, in verse 10 of chapter 4, he says “I am not eloquent … I am slow of speech, and of a slow tongue.”

The second, more important part of the statement, “But I know I AM,” is the answer to all of Moses’ misgivings about his own abilities, but it takes him a while to get it. After Moses’ second argument, “God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM” (Exodus 3:14), and when Moses made his case that he was not eloquent, God said “Who hath made man’s mouth? Or who maketh the dumb, or deaf, or the seeing, or the blind? Have not I the Lord? Now therefore go, and I will be with thy mouth, and teach thee what thou shalt say” (Exodus 4:11-12). In other words, “Moses, it’s not who you are that matters; it’s who I am that counts. I made your mouth and I will guide you to the right words.” Moses could say, “I am not eloquent, but I know I AM,” and when you know I AM, you don’t have to be eloquent. As we decrease, God increases; when we are not able, God does the work through us and thereby receives the glory due unto his name.

With God’s infinite knowledge and insight into the future, it would be foolhardy to rely on one’s own abilities or talents. David said in Psalm 139:6, “Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high, I cannot attain unto it.” David, made the same type of statement that Moses made back in Exodus, but judging by the contextual location of this verse (in the midst of sundry praises for God’s all-seeing providence), David’s acknowledgement of his inability to attain unto the wonderful knowledge of God shows his understanding that God would make up for what he lacked on a much higher scale. It’s not only acceptable to not be something, but based on God’s Power, it’s actually beneficial, because God can always do a better job than we can. I am thus happy to make the statement, “I am not… But I know I AM!”