519. Pentecost Conference 1927

We have experienced one more Pentecost conference, and once more we have been able to taste and feel the goodness of the Lord and that His mercy endures forever.

A new time has come because now cars come from long distances packed full of friends. Eight days before Pentecost, a bridal entourage came by car all the way from Hemsedal. It was brother O. Løken and sister Ingebjørg Haug, who were married by the justice of the peace in Horten. We had decorated the meeting hall for the occasion and it was a very festive and ceremonious time that we shared together. Brother Aslaksen came from Hønefoss.

On Pentecost morning, there was a big truck outside the meeting hall. During the night it had come from Kristiansand with brothers Joachim Wold and Tønnes Andersen as drivers. There was also a car that came from Sandefjord, and people came by train and ship from nearby cities. Sisters Lotte Johansen and Inga Eltvik came all the way from Ålesund. It was the first time they had been to a conference. Thora Windeløv and Elisabeth Christiansen also came from Fredericia in Denmark. Sister Rikke Johansen, who is Norwegian but lives in Fredericia, also came. There were also friends from many different cities.

Fellowship in the Spirit and our love for one another draws us together. It is amazing to see the joy that is expressed when friends meet one another again.

In the meeting we heard that leaders in the church of God are not to dominate people, but to give each one opportunity to find out personally what is right. An example that was given was that a mother-in-law is not to command and rule over her son’s wife. If she were to do that, and outlive her daughter-in-law, then she would have lived two lives, while her son’s wife hadn’t had the chance to live at all. We must let every person have the opportunity to live. If the one who can be called a “leader” has a strong spirit, then he, or, as is usually the case, “she” becomes a tyrant who uses his or her power in every detail. In this way souls suffer under strong oppression. The leading of the Spirit expresses itself in a way that is convicting but not oppressive, and that is just the way we must be when we are dealing with other people. Do not get too close to anyone; do not interfere in people’s personal lives. But keep an eye out for sin so that it never gets control. Women, in particular, can be unmerciful and hard when they have something to say. Therefore, the man is to be the leader in an assembly, which is what the Scriptures tell us.

Personally, I would like to say: Put down your ruler’s scepter and take up your shepherd’s staff. If the latter is needed as a weapon, it will be against wolves and not against sheep. Blessed are the merciful for they shall receive mercy. Remember that!!! And live according to it!!!

On the second day there was a very significant Spirit of judgment and burning that rested over the meeting. The friends were strongly moved by a number of testimonies where people expressed acknowledgment and judgment over their personal lives, and where they praised God for deliverance. Brother Aslaksen is now planning to visit Bergen, Måløy, and perhaps Ålesund. Pray for him that it can be successful.