What The Lord Taught Me In The Early Days Of CFC - Annie Poonen
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Summary
The speaker reflects on the growth and sustenance of their community, emphasizing that all success is due to the Lord, not human effort. Drawing from Psalm 127, she stresses that the Lord must build the house and watch over the watchmen. She shares personal testimonies about feeling constrained in a formal church setting, finding freedom and spiritual nourishment in meeting at home, and maintaining gratitude for God's continuous guidance through various challenges.
Outline
The message in plain words, in the order it unfolds. Select a time to jump the video to that moment.
Unless the Lord builds the houseThe speaker reflects on Psalm 127, emphasizing that all the growth of CFC over 44 years is due to the Lord rather than human effort.
Trusting God amidst criticism and oppositionRecalling the early days when people criticized their doctrine, the speaker draws comfort from Jehoshaphat's prayer in Second Chronicles, noting that their eyes remained on the Lord.
Finding deliverance from social intimidationComing from a small town, the speaker felt intimidated by the affluence of the previous church and felt like a slave to people's expectations until meetings started in their home.
Growing up in a joyful spiritual atmosphereMeeting at home felt like being set free, allowing the family to immerse themselves in frequent meetings, fellowship, and God's word.
The first lesson: Sanctifying myself and taking up the crossThe Lord taught the speaker to surrender her personal preferences and schedule, embracing the practical daily life of taking up the cross.
The second lesson: Practicing hospitality without grumblingThe Lord impressed upon her from First Peter the importance of welcoming guests and accommodating people into their home without inner or outer grumbling.
The third lesson: Taking care of home matters for the ministryShe learned to prepare everything beforehand so that her husband could preach the word freely and the family could approach meetings with peace and preparedness.
Seeing children grow up in the faith and carry on hospitalityThe speaker concludes by thanking God that her children grew up respecting the brothers without bitterness and now desire to practice hospitality in their own homes.
