Inner View

By Pastor Dave Limmer

These have been days of extensive change in the life of this local church. Likewise, we are seeing changes in the city and in the lives of several pastors and leaders. What is the Lord preparing us for? Jesus said that He "would build His church and that the gates of hell would not prevail." Jesus' heart is very clear. He desires to build a people into a force called the church that will prevail through the gates of hell, or into the enemies territory.

Sunday, March 17, the Holy Spirit brought us to a place of repentance and dealing with three specific "strongmen" in the spirituals.

• The first strongman is pride and self-pity, which includes self-sufficiency and arrogance (we're better than...).
• The second strongman is a Jezebel spirit, which refuses to walk in relationship and distracts with idols and immorality.
• A spirit of greed/poverty is the third strongman.

All of these deal with basic areas of trusting God and being a people of faith who know their God and do exploits. God is obviously exposing those areas that will keep us from exploits, areas where the devil would make major attempts to hinder and compromise this church.

Thus, we rejoice in God's faithfulness to convict and reveal as we are changed by His power in forgiveness and repentance. Now we must walk in the fruit of repentance; some will need to make restitution, many will need to form new thought patterns and actions as they walk out their repentance.

This month will be a launching point for RFC as we will be involved in several services that will have eternal impact for this church and for the years to come. Casper Open Bible will again host a prophetic presbytery from Sunday, April 7, to Tuesday, April 9, with three prophetic teachers coming in for these meetings. Several of our women will be attending a Women's Conference in Kirksville, MO, from April 8-13. We will host a prophetic presbytery here at RFC April 23-25, as well as having Barney from Nepal join us during that week.

Paul writes to Timothy, "do not neglect your gift, which was given you through a prophetic message when the body of elders laid their hands on you." A prophetic presbytery is what Paul is referring to as a body of elders. God will often use the prophetic to raise up leaders, to call forth the gifts of the Holy Spirit in the Body, to impart an authority and calling. God is preparing us for this time of presbytery to call us as a church to a higher level of commitment, holiness, and authority. We are desperately in need of God's authority and power to see the Kingdom preached with the intensity of the early church, to see signs and wonders as a means to the Gospel going forth effectively, and to see the Church established.

Jesus' commission to "make disciples" can become a reality, even though much of the American church is satisfied with converts. Throughout the New Testament we see Jesus and His appointed leaders speaking and praying over the lives of people. It is fitting that we prepare our hearts and ourselves to receive the prophetic word to us as individuals and as a church. May we have a power encounter with the Holy Spirit to the degree that our hearts are purified by faith and we walk in step with the Spirit, therefore being witnesses and servants who love their God and obey Him.

Home Groups

"What does a Homegroup do?" you may be wondering. "What does it look like?"

As it says in Acts, "And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. ... from house to house ... Praising God..." Acts 2:42-47

by Laurette F.

God is really moving in our Wednesday Home Groups. Glory hallelujah! It amazes me how He weaves Himself in similar ways in all the homes. Often I have compared general reports of what was discussed or prayed for in other homes and many times our group was prompted to do the same!

And when I ask, "Hey, how did your Home Group go this week?" Every time the answer is the same, "It was wonderful. God really moved!" We may never know how He will choose to move, but one thing is for sure, he WILL move, in His incomparable power.

Thank You, Lord for Your mighty Hand and consistent character - that You bless our little groups with Your great Presence.

by Shannon G.

When our home group began, we were meeting at the church. As a group, we decided to forgo the convenience of meeting at the church and started meeting in our homes. Once we made that change, there was a definite shift in the atmosphere of our meetings. We were more able to relax and become like a family, having times of fellowship instead of coming together because we felt like we had to in order to learn a certain thing.

I also noticed that when we started meeting in our homes, we got to see how each of us really lives. Home is where our lives happen. It's a window that shows other people who we are and how we live. Because of that there is a sense of vulnerability that occurs for the person hosting the meeting.

Explosion

RFC Youth Group

By: Pam W.

The past Friday Night Explosion was no different than the last. Nor was it any different than six months ago. It was still as intense.

I marvel at the fact that the desire to seek God and know Him has not lessened. It has become more evident. I thank God that there is a yearning to be in the presence of God. There is vision in those who come. Leaders and participants of all ages gather with sincere hearts to seek and hear from God.

The front seats are quickly filled as everyone comes in. Just as quickly they empty when the call comes to worship! Who can stay in their seats?

This night there was a quiet waiting. As a group we stand before the King. He holds out the scepter and bids us enter into His Presence. We are drawn into the throne room; some on our faces, some with arms raised.

"Lord, I long to see you glorified, in
everything I do.
All my heartfelt dreams I put aside
to see Your Spirit move with power in my life.
Lord of all; all of creation sings your praise in
heaven and earth.
Lord we stand, hearts open wide. Be
exalted."

We sing the words again and again from our lips and heart.

Be exalted...

The word spoken pierces our hearts with the call to fulfill the purpose of God's hand on our lives. We are created to glorify Him! The worship we have been giving has been with selfish motives. Acknowledging the truth, God brings a desire to turn again to Him with hearts open wide, wanting to see Him glorified in everything we do. Worship rises again. The glory comes down.

We gathered in quickly tonight, and now who wants to go?

Next week? The church will gather together again... Our hearts will wait as we again come before the Father.

The Father will stir, sit forward, delighted. "Son, Your bride has come to worship!"

"Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens: let thy glory be above all the earth." Psalms 57:11

Kid's Church Lessons in April

• 4/07/02 Samuel - Hearing God
• 4/14/02 Zaccheus - Hunger and Passion
• 4/21/02 Noah - Faithful to God and Not Ashamed
• 4/28/02 Adam and Eve

"And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me." Matthew 18:5

Audrey expresses her love for Jesus in worship at Kid's Church.

What I learned in Kid's Church

In our last Kid's Church meeting we talked about how a woman worshiped Jesus by washing His feet with her tears, drying them with her hair, and anointing them with perfume. The kids learned that no matter what you did in the past it is important to worship God.

Sarah:

I learned that we need to pour perfume on the Lord's feet and dry them with our hair by worshiping more and we need to bow down and admit to the Lord that we have sinned.

Josh:

I got out of it that we should praise God whenever we can, anywhere, anytime.

Paul:

You should not feel embarrassed to worship God in front of people who know about God more than you.

Prophetic Presbytery

We all look forward with anticipation to the ministry God has for us through Steve and Tom. All that God has been and is doing in these days is to prepare us for this time.

RFC will be
hosting a
Prophetic
Presbytery
April 22nd - 24th
Be in prayer for
this time:
Seeking God
Seeking His will
Seeking His purpose

Steve and Sheryl Youngblood

Steve has been a member of the leadership team of Covenant Life Fellowship Church since the church began in 1983. While he serves as the senior pastor of CLF, Steve has also been gripped with a desire to serve the call beyond. It is his desire to see strong, local churches built across our nation and the world. He now travels extensively, serving local pastors and congregations as they strive to win the world one person at a time. Steve also heads Northeast Missouri Bible College in Kirksville, which is designed to train young leaders. Sheryl joins Steve in that effort by serving as a dean in the college and overseeing all of the education departments of the church. Steve is currently in a two-year transition period in which he will be turning over the role of Senior Pastor to Tom Bedford.

Tom and Andrea Bedford

Originally from Fresno, California, Tom Bedford moved to Kirksville with his family in 1995 to be a part of CLF Church. As a young man, Tom submitted his life to the Lordship of Jesus Christ. Zeal for God's House has consumed him since that day. He holds a Biblical Literature degree from Azusa Pacific University in California. Tom is an elder at CLF Church and is the midst of a transition into the role of senior pastor. Tom's prophetic call has been seasoned and sharpened during these years as he has helped to pastor and lead both this local church and Northeast Missouri Bible College. Because of his love for God and for God's people, Tom has become a true prophet who builds the Church. His wife, Andrea, is a professional dancer intent on seeing all areas of the arts returned to their rightful place as expressions of worship. She has established a dance program through the NMBC School of Worship Arts, and is active in theater productions in the church.

Mission Vision

Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature." Mark 16:15

Pastor's Conferences in the Philippines

On March 19th, a group of pastors and young adults, including Justin L., left Kansas City to fly to the Philippines, arriving in Manila on March 22nd. This group from Kirksville's Covenant Life Fellowship Church traveled to the Philippines to participate in several conferences, with the intent of teaching, training, and encouraging national Philippine pastors. Two conferences, one in Kabankaland and one in Dipolog, were held during the last two weeks of March, and the final conference in Bais will be held April 1st and 2nd. Please agree in prayer for God's will to be done during this trip.

The group is scheduled to return to Manila April 3rd-5th and will be on stand-by April 5th-10th for the return home.

Update on Pat K.

Pat is planning to take a missions trip to Asia March 28th through April 10th. Keep Pat in your prayers for God's will to be done during this mission trip and for his safe return home.

Gospel For Asia

Gospel for Asia (GSA) has pledged to help the Dalits of India. These people are the lowest of the low in the country of India and they number about 300 million. They have been persecuted for the last three thousand years even though a constitution was declared in 1950 that all people in the nation of India are equal. A deep-rooted religious belief system determines the value of an individual and his opportunities in life. This system holds many in bondage and in a generational cycle of poverty and illiteracy.

GSA would like to start 200 primary schools for Dalit children. By the end of 2002 their goal is to have at least 100 of those schools open. The cost is $25,000 per school. This will build a three to four classroom school and includes all the necessary furnishings. You can send your gift to:

Gospel for Asia
1800 Golden Trail Court
Carrollton, TX 75010

RFC Body Life

The Cutting Edge welcomes your "thank yous", praises, announcements, invitations, and testimonies of God's goodness.

Brian, Megan, Isaac, and Faith would like to say "thank you" to all of our brothers and sisters that prayed for and encouraged us during Faith's stay in the hospital. We are very blessed to be placed in this body and love you all very much.

Concert of Prayer

by Michele S.

March's Concert of Prayer met with the focus on the youth of Casper. We began the evening with the prophetic word that the battle is becoming more intense around us. We also heard the Lord say get out of the way and stop hindering what He wants to do in and through our youth.

The Lord is tired of His adults missing and avoiding opportunities to reach out to youth. They're hurt, they're angry, they're hungry for acceptance and authority - but most importantly, they need Jesus! The call has gone out for 1,000 Casper youth to come into a strong relationship with the Living Christ within the next year.

The church has been guilty of giving up and not praying, supporting or standing firm for the youth. We have laid down our weapons and allowed Satan direct access to our young people. Through disobedience, they have been given the label of "a lost generation." We expect rebellion from them, even though Proverbs 22:6 tells us to "Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it." We have considered the young people to be a nuisance and not worth our time, when God calls them "a heritage", "a reward", and a blessing (Psalm 127:3, 5). We have judged them by the look on their faces, their hairstyle, their clothing. We have refused to relate to them because they don't fit our ideas of "nice" or "safe".

But enough- get out of the way! God wants to see Casper's churches come together and reach the youth of this city. He called us to repent of our judgmental attitudes and actions, we prayed for hearts of compassion for our youth and we spent time calling Casper's youth into right relationship with God and into His kingdom. Which is exactly where God wants them- in His Presence.

Concert of Prayer

Prophetic Word shared at The Concert of Prayer on 3/21/02

Life On The Edge

Most Favored???

by Carol A.

Have you ever thought seriously about all the troubles we have on this earth? Many times we blame ourselves, others, even God for them. We don't see our troubles as learning tools or as growing us up in the Lord. We want to blame something or someone.

Look at Mary, the mother of Jesus. In Luke 1:26, angel Gabriel appears to her and says, "Hail, thou that art highly favoured" (vs. 28). Here she is, a virgin, and she's going to be pregnant with the Son of God. She's going to labor and birth this child. All during her pregnancy this little girl is suffering; we women who have been pregnant can attest to that- but we haven't experienced riding on a donkey for many miles and walking for miles daily. Then having to deliver God's Son- your son- in a dirty stable!

Now where is that "O favored one?" It doesn't sound like she's very favored to me. Yet God said she was favored.

Now Jesus is growing up. I'm sure Mary went through many experiences with Him, like all of us parents, but maybe even more. Luke 2:42-50 says that when Jesus was twelve he went with his parents to Jerusalem. When they left to go home, Jesus stayed behind. Joseph and Mary went a day's journey without Jesus, it probably took them another day to get back to Jerusalem, and vs. 46 tells us it took three days before they found him. We don't know whether Jesus had brothers or sisters, but I will venture to say that he probably did. We don't know if they brought the kids back with them or if they had to find relatives to take them while they hunted for Jesus. Can you imagine the frantic searching? Where is the "O favored one"?

Many years go by- Mary experiences life. Joseph must have died before Jesus started his ministry. Mary experiences the ups and downs, like all of us, with her children.

Can you imagine what comes next? In John 19 Jesus is nailed to the cross and Mary witnesses it (vs. 25). Can you imagine the agony of seeing your child, after being beaten and abused the way Jesus was, hanging on a cross? And still the words "thou that art highly favored," are there.

The Lord has spoken to me and has said we, His chosen people, are favored ones. Like Mary, we will go through many hard times, many challenges, many painful experiences. But we are "O, favored ones," also. We belong to Jesus, we identify with Him.

The difference in going through hard times depends on whether we decide to go through by ourselves or with Jesus; but we must go through!

The Gift of Love
by Mary Thorrez

I just want to thank you
For helping me see
(In a most gentle way)
That it's not about me.

Though time after time
through prayers and tears
My heart was broken
From all the years
That the canker worm had eaten
and made barren my soul
that the Lord kept a hunger
that would not let go.

And when the time came
to restore to me
All of those treasures He
wanted me to see
Then suddenly, like one sunny day
My vision was clear and
He made a way

But it wasn't about me anymore
But what God planned
and had in store
For a people to become
as His own Son
to live for Him and become one
to bloom together-a fragrance rare
To bask in His Son,
in His tender care
To bend with the winds,
to soak up the rain
To share each blessing and bear
each pain
Through cleansing blood and
burning fire
Together becoming
His Hearts Desire
So thank You again for giving to me
the gift of love so pure and free.