Matthew 11:28 Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

 

Over the past several days, we have learned that true, life-changing ministry is all about the spiritual atmosphere. When God called me into the ministry here in Caney, Oklahoma, He told me to build a retreat facility. I had no idea what that was because I had never been on a retreat. But, as I prayed and sought God for the details, He spoke some very powerful words to me. I knew He was not making a suggestion or giving me a choice in the matter. His Words were not a suggestion. They were a Command. He said, Create an atmosphere where the Holy Spirit can work in the lives of those who come.

 

The purpose of the retreat facility was not to create a vacation destination where people could come and eat good food, play games, and watch movies. This was not at all God’s Plan for His Retreat Facility. His Plan was for people to come bruised and broken by this world and leave Healed and Delivered by the Power and Presence of the Holy Spirit.

 

Consequently, this has always been the underlying goal of this ministry. God made it clear to me that it didn’t matter who the people were or what church they went to, if they came expecting to receive something from God and if the atmosphere was right, they would indeed leave changed. So he gave them his attention, expecting to receive something from them. (Acts 3:5)

 

In the beginning, I didn’t know what to expect. However, I did expect God to be faithful to the Words He spoke to me. I believed that if I was obedient to do the best I could to create an atmosphere where the Holy Spirit could work in the lives of those who came, He would!

 

People told me I was crazy. I cannot tell you how many times people told me that no one was going to come to Caney for a retreat. But, I knew what I heard God say. At that point I had to make a decision: Would I listen to the words of people or would I listen to the Words God spoke to me? It was a no-brainer. I would listen to God.  We must obey God rather than men. (Acts 5:29) It was not easy and it is still not easy but God has been faithful to keep His Promise to bring needed change to those who come here.

 

So, week after week for the past 15 years, people have come and God has moved mightily in their lives. People have been Healed physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Others have been Delivered from demonic spirits. As they come and bask in the Presence of God, they find rest and Peace. That is the atmosphere where God can do His Work in their lives.

 

It’s exciting to watch the Lord move in the lives of people. Nothing of this ministry is about me. I haven’t done anything except what God told me to do. I create the atmosphere and He does all the Work. I give Him all the praise and glory for everything that has been done here over the years and I look forward to much, much more in the future.

 

 

Create the atmosphere. God will……….turn the tide……….in people’s lives.

 

Praise God!         Doreen

 

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