Daily Deprogramming

This is the title of todays Daily Devotional by Ardith Keef. “Press On!” 

She talks about feeling like you are walking through peanut butter and being exhausted, but “pressing on.” Maybe she should stop and listen to the “still small voice” rather than pushing herself to exhaustion.  Perhaps the Lord is trying to tell her something.  I had to learn this the hard way.

For over twelve  years from May 1994 to August of 2006, I pressed on, through all that came my way.  I served in my church. I hardly ever missed a meeting. From 1998 to 2003 I went to an Assisted Living Facility twice a month for the pastor and had the privilege of leading at least 6 people to Christ.  I worked for Ardith many hours a week , often up to 50 hours  or more just for Ardith, and then I was on call when possible. I worked nights taking care of the elderly besides so I could work days for Ardith.  I was able to lead at least 5 of my overnight clients to Christ as well.   Yes, I  can truly say I pressed on…

Back in the spring of 1997 there was a morning where I woke up and was smitten by the Holy Spirit ,and in my heart He gave a witness that the inner struggles I was experiencing , every day had a simple explanation.  The leaders of the Anchor church Bill and Ardith Keef were out of the will of God, in sin, and their marriage wasn’t valid with Him.  At least their marriage was not acceptable to their leading a church!  The leader of a church should have only one marriage.  I was beside myself and deeply grieved and the agony and struggle within deepened.   I put it all aside and “pressed on.” (Later I found out that an elder in the Ukraine Church had displayed the courage  to tell Bill Keef this with an open Bible, and while Bill squirmed in his chair, he didn’t listen or heed the warning.)

Then it was the same with the “Jezebel Spirit”.  Often through the years from 1997 to 2006  there was a nudging from the Holy Spirit that the Jezebel Spirit was trying to control the Anchor Church, but I ignored it and “Pressed on.”

I barely noticed how one person controlled everything and everyone in the church. The whole church revolved around one person. My whole life revolved around the same person. Even prayer services revolved around her life ,and the prayers were about her store, her law practice.  It was always about Ardith Keef.  The singing, the Sunday School, every function was controlled  and had to be sanctioned by one person. However that person was so “wise and spiritual.” She was always the one to decide is something was right or wrong for the church. I saw it, but ignored it.  ”It must be me, I’m so weak and stupid”  ,is how I thought.  “I pressed on.” I was so busy I hardly had time to think, let alone listen and heed the Holy Spirit.

Then in 2006 when Bill and Ardith Keef stepped over the line and their behavior was recognizably bazzare, my worst fears along with the leadings and promptings of the Holy Spirit came to fruition.   I could plainly see that something was off center in the church when both of them refused to stand up to any questioning or criticism of their behavior, but instead cast out as wicked those who would dare “question their authority.”  Even those who had loved and served them for many years.  I could plainly see that they were indeed a cult and  an abusive church. I then realized that their “authority” was self appointed and their teachings and doctrines were self-willed, making them perverted and twisted.

I  was horrified when I realized had been in sin  myself  as I “pressed on ” serving Ardith,  disregarding the Lord’s urgings.  I was in sin as I busied myself day after day,  doing the will of someone who wasn’t the Lord.  I was mortified to find out that  I feared disobeying another, while not fearing the Lord God in heaven.  I was too busy with doing her “works” and “pressing on” with her doctrines to hear, and heed  the Lord speaking  to me.   The Anchor Church was out of His will for the whole time, and I  had supported  the leaders in shunning people, breaking up families, supporting divorces, betraying their mates, and even praying for people to die.   My “pressing on” was definately all for naught.   I had to repent before God and apologise to those whom I sinned against!   Shockingly, I found them to be forgiving, kind, loving, and nothing like I was led to  believe!  They were the ones who were more like Jesus  than the ones who cast them out and shunned them!  The realization was indescribable and took some time to sink in.

Now it’s all history and Bill and Ardith Keef have shown their true colors. They refuse to admit their wrongs and humble themselves before God . They do not want Truth. They are not interested in  Love and Mercy. Ardith wants control at all costs.  They are out of His will and “Pressing On!” but not to His goal. To their own glory and praise! I believe now that the Holy Spirit was truthfully nudging me and warning me that they were out of His will, and the Jezebel spirit was indeed trying to control the Anchor Missionary Fellowship Church.  

What have I learned by these things?  I have learned that all “Pressing on” is not necessarily to the right cause. That listening to the promptings of the Holy Spirit is imperative.  Not to be too busy to hear Him when He speaks. Don’t trust your own heart and your own understanding. Love God’s people, but remember we are all weak and frail, and no matter how wise and spiritual one appears,  especially with leaders,  closely examine the fruit of  their lives periodically.  There is only one Head of the Church. 

Move on if you have to, but “press on” to the true goal, “to the supreme and heavenly prize to which God in Jesus Christ is calling us.”Phil 3:14