The Pastor and His Son

I do not know the author, but if it touches your heart, it is that God touched you.

 

The Pastor and His Son
A good reminder of God's Love.

Every Sunday afternoon, after the morning service at the church, the Pastor and his eleven year old son would go out into their town and hand out Gospel Tracts.

This particular Sunday afternoon, as it came time for the Pastor and his son to go to the streets with their tracts, it was very cold outside, as well as pouring down rain. The boy bundled up in his warmest and driest clothes and said, 'OK, dad, I'm ready.'
His Pastor dad asked, 'Ready for what?'

'Dad, it's time we gather our tracts together and go out.' Dad responds, 'Son, it's very cold outside and it's pouring down rain.'

The boy gives his dad a surprised look, asking, 'But Dad, aren't people still going to Hell, even though it's raining?'

Dad answers, 'Son, I am not going out in this weather.' Despondently, the boy asks, 'Dad, can I go? Please?'

His father hesitated for a moment then said, 'Son, you can go. Here are the tracts, be careful son.'

'Thanks, Dad!'

And with that, he was off and out into the rain. his eleven year old boy walked the streets of the town going door to door and handing everybody he met in the street a Gospel Tract.

After two hours of walking in the rain, he was soaking, bone-chilled wet and down to his VERY LAST TRACT. He stopped on a corner and looked for someone to hand a tract to, but the streets were totally deserted.

Then he turned toward the first home he saw and started up the sidewalk to the front door and rang the door bell. He rang the bell, but nobody answered. He rang it again and again, but still no one answered. He waited but still no answer.

Finally, this eleven year old trooper turned to leave, but something stopped him. Again, he turned to the door and rang the bell and knocked loudly on the door with his fist. He waited, something holding him there on the front porch! He rang again and this time the door slowly opened. Standing in the doorway was a very sad-looking elderly lady. She softly asked, 'What can I do for you, son?' With radiant eyes and a smile that lit up her world, this little boy said, 'Ma'am, I'm sorry if I disturbed you, but I just want to tell you that *JESUS REALLY DOES LOVE YOU* and I came to give you my very last Gospel Tract which will tell you all about JESUS and His great LOVE.'

With that, he handed her his last tract and turned to leave. She called to him as he departed. 'Thank you, son! And God Bless You!'

Well, the following Sunday morning in church Pastor Dad was in the pulpit. As the service began, he asked, 'Does anybody have any testimony or want to say anything?'

Slowly, in the back row of the church, an elderly lady stood to her feet. As she began to speak, a look of glorious radiance came from her face, 'No one in this church knows me. I've never been here before. You see, before last Sunday I was not a Christian. My husband passed on some time ago, leaving me totally alone in this world. Last Sunday, being a particularly cold and rainy day, it was even more so in my heart tha t I came to the end of the line where I no longer had any hope or will to live.

So I took a rope and a chair and ascended the stairway into the attic of my home. I fastened the rope securely to a rafter in the roof, then stood on the chair and fastened the other end of the rope around my neck. Standing on that chair, so lonely and brokenhearted I was about to leap off, when suddenly the loud ringing of my doorbell downstairs startled me. I thought, 'I'll wait a minute, and whoever it is will go away.' I waited and waited, but the ringing doorbell seemed to get louder and more insistent, and then the person ringing also started knocking loudly. I thought to myself again, 'Who on earth could this be? Nobody ever rings my bell or comes to see me.' I loosened the rope from my neck and started for the front door, all the while the bell rang louder and louder.

When I opened the door and looked I could hardly believe my eyes, for there on my front porch was the most radiant and angelic little boy I had ever seen in my life. His SMILE, oh, I could never describe it to you! The words that came from his mouth caused my heart that had long been dead, TO LEAP TO LIFE as he exclaimed with a cherub-like voice, 'Ma'am, I just came to tell you that JESUS REALLY DOES LOVE YOU.' Then he gave me this Gospel Tract that I now hold in my hand.

As the little angel disappeared back out into the c old and rain, I closed my door and read slowly every word of this Gospel Tract. Then I went up to
my attic to get my rope and chair. I wouldn't be needing them any more.

You see---I am now a Happy Child of the KING. Since the address of your church was on the back of this Gospel Tract, I have come here to personally say THANK YOU to God's little angel who came just in the nick of time and by so doing, spared my soul from an eternity in hell.'

There was not a dry eye in the church. And as shouts of praise and honor to THE KING resounded off the very rafters of the building, Pastor Dad descended from the pulpit to the front pew where the little angel was seated.

He took his son in his arms and sobbed uncontrollably. Probably no church has had a more glorious moment, and probably this universe has never seen a Papa that was more filled with love & honor for his son... Except for One.

Our Father also allowed His Son to go out into a cold and dark world. He received His Son back with joy unspeakable, and as all of heaven shouted praises and honor to The King, the Father sat His beloved Son on a throne far above all principality and power and every name that is named.

Blessed are your eyes for reading this message.

Don't let this message die, read it again and pass it to others. Heaven is for His people!
Remember,
God's message CAN make the difference in the life of someone close to you.

Please share this wonderful message...

'Faith is the affirmation and the act that bids eternal truth be present fact.'
Coleridge

Three things
in life that, once gone, never come back -

1. Time
2. Words
3. Opportunity

Three things in life that can destroy a person -
1. Anger
2. Pride
3. Unforgiveness

Three things in life that you should never lose-
1. Hope
2. Peace
3. Honesty

Three things in life that are most valuable -

1. Love
2. Family & Friends
3. Kindness

Three
things in life that are never certain -
1. Fortune
2. Success
3. Dreams

Three things that make a person -
1. Commitment
2. Sincerity
3. Hard work

Three things that are truly constant -
Father - Son - Holy Spirit

I ask the Lord to bless you, as I pray for you today;
to guide you and protect you, as you go along your way.
God's love is always with you, God's promises are true.
And when you give God all your cares,
you know God will see you through.

Pass this along to People you want God to Bless - I just did!

 

And here’s more. Watch http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q844OgsP4_4&feature=related

 

Life Begins at 40!

They say "Life begins at 40!" But I'm not 40, I'm just 37. I am actually writing my 40th post in this blog.

It's again an it's-been-awhile post. When I had my facebook sabbatical last July until my birthday, I also left this blog almost un-updated. First, I was on my way to finding myself again after getting lost in the wilderness. Second, I was un-encouraged to write. I felt I had little to share. Third, I lost the purpose of this blog. How will this blog help its readers, no matter how few they were? There are still many reasons, but somehow, a few have been resolved and I am getting there.

So, as today is my 12th spiritual birthday, I ask you to continue to pray for me for inspiration to continue or to revamp this blog... that God will lead me to a purpose ... to be an instrument of elevating worship ... that transcends ... to help fellow worshipers  ... to give God the glory due Him.

p.s. do you like the new look of the blog?

What if...

This is another re-post. I received this email today and it got me thinking…

Si Lord talaga alam kung kelan ako babatukan sa ulo. Here He is again trying to get my attention.

Message: "Hello!... busy ka? naku mukha nga... tagal na natin di nagkikita... tagal mo na ako di dinadalaw... alam mo miss na kita... o sino yang nagtext sa iyo?... buti pa sa kanya nakapagreply ka agad... napansin ko ang dami mong ginagawa talaga... ang dami mo ring things to do diyan sa planner mo ah! 

* mapangarap ka talaga noh?... ang dami mong plano . ** nakakatuwa naman na malaman yan. kasama ba ako sa  plano ** mo? ano? naku di ka agad makasagot... sige okay lang alam ko naman kung ano talaga sagot mo... *

nakita kita nung Friday, aga mo umalis sa office. alam mo ba, ang akala ko pupuntahan mo ako. ooppss! hindi pala! TGIF (THANK God it's Friday)  pala kayo ng mga friends mo. umaga ka na nakauwi ah? naghintay ako sa 'yo. pagpasok mo sa kuwarto mo, di mo ako napansin... haaay! kawawa ka naman siguradong kinabukasan masakit ang ulo mo, tanghali ka na gigising... Ang dami mong lakad, naghihintay ako na tayo naman ang maging magkasama kaya lang sa dami ng schedules mo sa trabaho at sa labas ng office parang malabo .

O sige na, balik ka na sa work mo. i might be eating too much of your time maging dahilan pa ako para masira ang plano mo sa araw na ito... gusto ko lang sabihin sa'yo na nandito lang ako kapag kailangan mo ako... pag hindi ka na busy. totoo yon! walang biro! ayaw mong maniwala? Ganon kita kamahal kasi! ayaw mo pa ring maniwala? Haaay! remember this, kahit singit lang ako lagi sa buhay mo, kahit biglaan mo lang na natatawag ako dahil nagulat ka, nasaktan ka, nauntog ka o dahil part ang pangalan ko nung binabasa mo sa text, you will be in my heart always...  trial after trial isipin mo kasama mo ako na lumalakad, hindi man sa buhangin, kasama mo pa rin ako... sa lahat plano mo , kahit hindi mo ako kasama perfecting it... para mas maging masaya ka... minsan tayo naman ang mag-usap ha? minsan ako naman ang dalawin mo... miss na talaga kita eh...
sa akin hindi ka singit lang..." 

JESUS 

Paki forward ha para naman malaman ng iba kung gaano ako kapanabik sa kanila... pero paki tanggal yung name ng nag-forward sa 'yo...

I KNOW YOU WILL RESPOND!

What if God couldn't take the time to bless us today because we couldn't take the time to thank Him yesterday?

What if God decided to stop leading us tomorrow because we didn't follow Him today?

What if we never saw another flower bloom because we grumbled when God sent the rain?

What if God didn't walk with us today because we failed to recognize it as His day?

What if God took away the Bible tomorrow because we would not read it today?

What if God took away His message because we failed to listen to the messenger?

THINK ABOUT THIS ONE... 
What if God didn't send His only begotten Son because He wanted us to be prepared to pay the price for sin?

What if the door of the church was closed because we did not open the door of our heart?

What if God stopped loving and caring for us because we failed to love and care for others?

What if God would not hear us today because we would not listen to Him?

What if God answered our prayers the way we answer His call to service?

What if God met our needs the way we give Him our lives?

What if we failed to send this message on? 

THIS IS A SIMPLE TEST.... 
If you love Jesus, send [share] this to people you know... 

 

 

LUCIA REVEALS THE THIRD SECRET OF FATIMA

I am publishing this in my blog so that we may all be prepared. For we do not know when the time or our time will come. It is better to be prepared or be sorry later. The message is simple: BE GOOD! Be good to yourself, to others. Be reconciled to God and to others. It may hurt your pride, but will deliver your soul to sanctity. God bless everyone!

 

LUCIA REVEALS THE THIRD SECRET OF FATIMA

Nationality:  Portuguese
Born:  3-28-1907,   Aljustrel , Portugal
Died:   2-13-2005 (aged 97)
Convent of Carmelitas
Coimbra , Portugal

LUCIA REVEALS THE THIRD SECRET OF FATIMA

Regardless of whatever Creed or Religion, it is better to be prepared and  be in good terms with GOD,...who created us; for we never know when we will be leaving this world.....
                       
LAST SECRET OF FATIMA
The Church has given  permission to reveal to the people the last part of the message. The Blessed Virgin appeared to three children in Fatima, Portugal , in 1917........ this is a proven fact;one of these children was Lucia, (died 2-13-05). She was a cloistered nun, and lived in a monastery in Portugal . Lucia disclosed the message for the first time;  to Pope Pius Xll  who, after reading , sealed it and stored it away without making it public. Later Pope John XXIII read it and, in the same manner as his predecessor, he kept it out of the public eye because he knew that once revealed; it would bring desperation and panic to mankind, But now the time has come, and permission has been granted from Pope John Paul II  to reveal it to the children of God;........ . ........ not to create panic, but to make God's people aware of this important message and be prepared.

 

The Virgin told Lucia:
'Go, my child, and tell the world what will come to pass during the 1950's - 2000's. Men are not practicing the Commandments that God has given us. Evil is governing the world and is harvesting hate and resentment  all over. Men will  fabricate mortal weapons that will destroy the world in  minutes!.... .. where half of the human race will be destroyed. The war will begin against Rome , and there will be conflicts amongst religious orders...... .....  God will allow all natural phenomena like smoke, hail, cold, water, fire, floods, earthquakes, winds and inclement weather to slowly batter the planet.  These happenings will come to pass before the year 2012.!!!!

"For those who don't/won't believe..... . . this is the time..... Your beloved mother told you:- ...........those lacking charity towards others, in words & deeds and those who do not love their neighbour like my beloved Son has loved you all ....... cannot survive! They will wish to have died. God will punish severely those who do not believe in him, those who despise him and those who did not have time for him." 'I call upon all of  you to come to my son Jesus Christ. God will help the world, but all of those who do not show fidelity and
loyalty will be destroyed!'

 

 

Father Agustin, who lives in Fatima , said that Pope Paul VI gave him permission to visit Sister Lucia,a cloistered nun (she did not leave the monastery nor was allowed to receive any visitors). Father Agustin said that she received him greatly overwhelmed and told him: 'Father, Our Lady is very sad because nobody is interested in her prophecy of 1917,  though the righteous are walking through a narrow path, the evil ones are walking through an ample road that is leading them straight to their destruction! Believe me, Father, the punishment will come very soon.  'Many souls will be  lost and many nations will disappear from the earth.  But, in the middle of all these, if men reflect, pray and practice sincerity, good deeds, kindness and respect, the world can be saved....... . .. However, if men persist with evil ways....greed, hatred, selfish acts, rivalry, and rif, the world will be lost forever!.

 

The time has come for all  to pass on the message of our Blessed Lady to their families, friends, and to the entire world. Continue praying, make penitence and sacrifices. We are close to the last minute of the last day and the catastrophes are near. Due to this, many that were far from the Church will return to the open arms of the Church of Jesus
Christ.

The joining of the churches will result in one Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church; ........ England , Russia , China , Jews, Buddhists, Muslims, Hindus,Protestants, etc..... All will return believing and worshipping God our Creator, in his beloved Son and in Blessed Mother Virgin Mary.'

WHAT AWAITS US ???
Everywhere there will be 'Peace Talks', but punishment will come.
A MAN IN A VERY  IMPORTANT POSITION WILL BE ASSASSINATED AND THIS WILL PROVOKE THE WAR. A POWERFUL ARMY WILL DOMINATE ALL THROUGH EUROPE AND THE NUCLEAR WAR WILL COMMENCE. This war will destroy everything; darkness will fall over us for 72 hours (3 days) and the one third of humanity that survives this obscurity and sacrifice, will commence to live a new era; they will be good people. On a very cold night, 10 minutes before midnight, A GREAT QUAKE will shake the earth  for 8 hours. This will be the third signal that God Is, who governs the earth. The righteous and those who propagate the faith and the message of the Lady of Fatima is :
'ONE SHOULD NOT FEAR, DO NOT BE AFRAID'.

 

WHAT TO DO??? :

Bow your heads, kneel down and ask God for forgiveness.  Because, only what is good and is not under the power of evil will survive the catastrophe. In order for you to prepare and remain alive and safe, I will give you the following signs: ANGUISH..... ... AND IN A SHORT PERIOD THE EARTHQUAKE WILL COMMENCE... THE EARTH WILL SHAKE.....
The  shake will be so violent that will move the earth 23 degrees and then it will return it to its normal position. Then, total and absolute darkness will cover the entire planet....
All the evil spirits will be mingling around and free, doing harm to all those souls that did not want to listen to this message and those who did not want to repent. To the faithful souls, remember to light the blessed candles, prepare a sacred altar with a crucifix in order to communicate with GOD and implore for His infinite mercy.... All will be dark; and IN THE SKY A GREAT MYSTIC CROSS will appear to remind us the price that his beloved Son had to pay for our redemption.. ... In the house the only thing that can give light will be the HOLY CANDLES... Once lit, nothing will put them off until the three days of darkness are over.  Also, you should have holy water that should be sprinkled abundantly on windows and doors. The Lord will protect the property of the chosen ones.... Kneel down before the powerful cross of my beloved Son, pray the Rosary and after each Hail Mary you must pray the following: 'Oh God forgive us our sins, preserve us from the fires of hell, take all souls to heaven, especially those who are in more need of thy mercy.
Blessed Virgin Mary, protect us, we love you, save us and save the world'. Pray 5 Creeds and  the Rosary which is the secret to my Immaculate Heart. All those who believe in my words go and take the message to everyone,

DO NOT FEAR!  FEAR NOTHING DURING THE LORD'S GREAT DAY.
Talk to all, now that there is time. Those who keep quiet will be responsible for all those souls who will perish in ignorance. All those who pray humbly the rosary will have the protection of heaven. Those who are bound to die, I will help them die in peace, and they will be holy when they enter the other world. I wish all my children to attend mass every first Friday and every first Saturday of each month; to confess and receive Holy Communion; and in doing so, save the world from its TOTAL DESTRUCTION. ..!!  When the earth shakes no more, those who still do not believe in our Lord will perish in a horrible way:- The wind will bring gas and it will disperse it everywhere, then the sun will rise. Maybe you will survive this catastrophe. Do not forget that God's punishment is holy and ONCE IT HAS STARTED YOU SHOULD NOT LOOK OUTSIDE, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCE
!!!! GOD DOES NOT WANT ANY OF HIS GOOD CHILDREN TO SEE WHEN HE PUNISHES THE SINNERS..... ......... ....

 

All this encompasses with the  writings of the Holy scriptures.. .... Read on the New Testament: Lucas  21- 5:121, 12:19, 20:20, 29:33   Letters of St Paul 3 - 8 - 14 Isaiah 40, 1:5:9.
You must understand that God allows all this to happen. The Pope and Bishops are now awaiting another message that speaks about repentance and prayer. Please remember that God's words are not a threat, .......... but good news.....

Please reproduce these pages and send them to all you know so we all can have the opportunity to repent and be saved. We do not know if those receiving this message believe or not in GOD,....but just think that, if you are receiving this message it is for a good reason!!.. from God who created us and loves us so much! Our Creator is giving us the chance to be saved, no matter  what religion or creed we may be. If you don't believe in this message, at least send it to others, it costs you nothing. To all those receiving it, they can have the opportunity to judge and decide for themselves. Remember, we can avoid a great deal of evil if we practice the Commandments that Our Loving Father God gave us.... Just 10 simple ways, that if we all put into practice we can obtain God's pardon.
Amen.

From Evernote:

Prayer by Bro. Froi

Prayer

- is simply talking to God

- is active not passive

Preparatory prayers: Binding, Shielding, Hedge of Protection

Praising (song)

The Lord brings us form natural realm to supernatural realm (place of power / encouragement)

After 15 minutes, the enemy will want to stop you from praying. Move on.

Pray for those close to you, your community, your church, the unchurched.

The enemy cannot withstand the power that you have. In the supernatural realm, there is nothing impossible. Always picture us in this place when we are praying.

Pray for your personal concerns, the concerns of others, etc.

Ephesians 6:12

2 Corinthians 2:1ff ... Was caught up to the third heaven

Do not underestimate the powers of our own prayers. It is the devil's design to discourage our efforts. He has even succeeded to influencing people to stop praying.

Watch out for signs and wonders. They will be proof and encourage and give you hope in your prayers.

When do you go to pray

1. When you are in distress Psalms 4:1

2. When there is an edict from the king Daniel 6:8-10

3. When we want to fight against our adversaries Luke 18:1-7

Prayer puts us in the frontline of the battle : crying prayer, loud prayer, pleading prayer, sweating prayers, stout, unwavering and confident prayer.

The spiritual potential of prayer is tremendous.

We are advised to pray hard and long.

Go to your most comfortable place.

Ask the Holy Spirit to teach you to pray.

The Lord will carry you in this task of praying  

Don't worry about the time. Just stay there and pray.

Pray for your brothers and sisters

Keep your eyes open. The Lord will show you and remind you of things or persons we need to pray for.

Encourage others by our prayers especially those who are falling out.

Why we need to pray.

1. We have been commanded to pray

Jeremiah 33:3

2. We can change the course of history with our prayers. (Abraham, Moses, David, etc)

3. Prayer benefits the salvation of souls. It allows the Lord to draw men to His community. Serious prayer can change the hearts of men even those in deepest darkness.

We need to overcome our carnal nature of minimizing spiritual activity.

Many people are spiritually anemic for failure to immerse in prayer.

In the community, we need to pray

To _________ our leadership (?)

To confront those who are whining, compromising

To ignore critical words spoken about us.

To wipe out our spiritual superiority and jealousy over other's success

To stir up the gift that God has given us.

We cannot afford to quit our prayers. We pray to defeat the machinations of the evil one and that we will be able to see the promises of God fulfilled on us.

From Evernote:

Are You Limiting God's Blessing? by Tatay Bob

Matthew 6:25-34 Therefore I say to you, Do not be anxious for your life, what you shall eat, or what you shall drink; nor for your body, what you shall put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? 26 Behold the birds of the air; for they sow not, nor do they reap, nor gather into barns. Yet your heavenly Father feeds them; are you not much better than they are? 27 Which of you by being anxious can add one cubit to his stature? 28 And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow. They do not toil, nor do they spin, 29 but I say to you that even Solomon in his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 30 Therefore if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much rather clothe you, little-faiths? 31 Therefore do not be anxious, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, With what shall we be clothed? 32 For the nations seek after all these things. For your heavenly Father knows that you have need of all these things. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness; and all these things shall be added to you. 34 Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow; for tomorrow shall be anxious for its own things. Sufficient to the day is the evil of it. (MKJV)

When you worry,

    Look at the birds,

    Consider the lilies of the field

    grass of the field

Sirach 30:24 ... worry brings on premature old age.

1 John 5:14-15 And we have this confidence in him, that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.

And if we know that he hears us in regard to whatever we ask, we know that what we have asked him for is ours.

Discuss all our concerns with the Lord? Bring to Him every decision.

Jeremiah 29:11 For I know well the plans I have in mind for you, says the LORD, plans for your welfare, not for woe! plans to give you a future full of hope.

John 10:10 I came so that they might have life and have it more abundantly

Scriptural Principle: Our God is the God of blessing

    Psalms 81: provides an insight on what is blocking God's resources for you?

    1 James 1:17

    Philippians 4:19

    Psalms 37:4-5 Find your delight in the LORD who will give you your heart's desire. Commit your way to the LORD; trust that God will act

To delight in someone is to experience great pleasure in His presence. It happens only if we know the person well. We must have knowledge of God's goodness.

To commit is to trust in God for everything.

Why are we missing out on God's blessing? We may not be seeking and listening for God's will.

    1. Deep personal relationship with God?

    2. Doing things God's way?

    3. Are you truly trusting God

REQUIREMENTS FOR RECEIVING HIS BLESSINGS

1. Ask, Seek, Knock

Matthew 7:7 "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you."

Ask ... Pray Always

Seek ... Study His Word

Knock ... Act on The Word, Serve the Lord and Attend the Community

2. Be specific with what you are asking. Ask for the finest.

3. Anticipate His answer. But in Mark 11:24 make sure you are aright with God. Claim.

4. Walk in Obedience. Obedience is better than Sacrifice.

Last Word...

If they hearken and serve 'him', They shall spend their days in prosperity, And their years in pleasures. -Job 36:11

(Picture thanks to http://www.lordsflock.org/about_elders.html)

From Evernote:

Saved to Serve by Tatay Bob

Ps 139 14 I will praise You; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Your works are marvelous and my soul knows it very well. 15 My bones were not hidden from You when I was made in secret and skillfully formed in the lowest parts of the earth. 16 Your eyes saw my embryo; and in Your book all my members were written, the days they were formed, and not one was among them. 17 How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God! How great is the sum of them! 18 If I should count them, they are more than the sand; when I awake, I am still with You.

We are made the way we are for a specific ministry.

Job 10

Is 64:8 potter and clay

Ephesians 2:10 We are His workmanship... To do good works.

We are not an assembly line product. We are uniquely made. An original masterpiece.

God did not give us talents, or allowed us to experience things if it were not to give Him glory.

Isaiah 43:21 we were formed/created to give Him praise.

Our ministry: SERVICE.

1. Accept and celebrate the shape God has given only to you.

    Romans 9:20

    Jeremiah 29:11

    Christ has given us special abilities to do special roles.

    Also recognize our limitations.

    Your shape determines your specialty.

    When we over-extend ourselves to other abilities and roles, we become stressed.

    Galatians 6:4 do not compare with others.

    Satan can tempt you, 1) to compare your ministry or your gifts with others; 2) to conform your gift to the expectations of others (compromising), to stop you from accomplishing the purpose God designed for your gift

2. Keep developing your shape, keep developing your gift.

    1Timothy1:6

    If you don't exercise your muscle,they weaken. In the same way with gifts, if your don't use them, you might lose it. Use it and it will grow.

    1 Timothy 4:14-15.

    For a teacher to become a master teacher. Study, feedback and practice.

    Always do your best.

    Take advantage of every training to develop your shape, gift and ministry.

3. Give God your best.

    Ephesians 5:17 by understanding the will of the Lord.

    Start finding out God's will.

    Evaluate yourself honestly. Ask other people to confirm your evaluation.

    Where have I seen the fruits in my life?

    Where have I been successful?

4. When serving God, listen to your heart

    Proverbs 27:19 the heart will tell you what you love to do.

    Matthew 12:34

    Passion - "labis na pagkakagusto"

5. When serving, serve from the heart

    Deuteronomy 11:13-14

    Luke 10:27

    Repeatedly, the Word of God remind us to serve Him with all our heart.

    Signs:

       Enthusiasm, you don't need external motivation, you are not easily discouraged.

       Effectiveness. Passion drives perfection. Proverbs 15:16

    To love God with all your heart is putting God first in every decision and filling your day with praise and worship to Him

    To love God with all your mind is wanting to adjust to his viewpoint

    To love God with all your strength is putting your time, talent and treasure, physical energy at His disposal

    We will never tire or grow weary. We do not stop nor quit.

    

1 Corinthians 16:22 If anyone does not love the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be accursed.

6. Serve to please God, not men.

    Colossians 3:23

    How do we know if we are truly serving the Lord? It will show in your attitude: Excellence and Enthusiasm.

Tonight, ask our self.

1. What do enjoy doing most

2. When do I feel fully alive

3. What am I doing when I lose track of time

4. Do i like routine or variety

5. Team or individual

6. Thinker or feeler

7. Competing or cooperating?

Ephesians 1:11-12

11 in whom also we have been chosen to an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His own will, 12 for us to be to the praise of His glory, who previously had trusted in Christ;

From Evernote:

Wanted: Cross-bearers by Sis. Techie

Matthew 16:24-27 Then Jesus said to His disciples, If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me. 25 For whoever desires to save his life shall lose it, and whoever desires to lose his life for My sake shall find it. 26 For what is a man profited if he shall gain the whole world and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? 27 For the Son of man shall come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and then He shall reward each one according to his works.

2 Timothy 4:2 preach the Word, be instant in season and out of season, reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long-suffering and doctrine.

2 Timothy 3:16-17 All Scripture is God-breathed, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be perfected, thoroughly furnished to every good work.

James 1:22-25 But become doers of the Word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. 23 For if anyone is a hearer of the Word and not a doer, he is like a man studying his natural face in a mirror. 24 For he studied himself and went his way, and immediately he forgot what he was like. 25 But whoever looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it , he is not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work. This one shall be blessed in his doing.

We must continue to listen to the Word. We must profit every time we listen to the word of God, letting His word come alive in our life.

Living with Jesus, obeying His word requires us to pay a great price, but the rewards are so great.

The message of God is

1. Self-denial

    - It is all about what Jesus wants. His words are unchanging.

    - to deny is to refuse to associate with, thus to refuse to be associated with your old self.

    - Romans 6:11, consider yourselves dead to sin, but alive in God

    - expect conflicts with those who do not follow Christ with you.

    -  

2. Take up your Cross

    - in Jesus time, the cross was unattractive, because it connotes death.

    - Mark 10:17-24, there are barriers taking up our cross.

    - we may need to enter throughout the narrow gate and that may need divesting ourselves from our baggages like the ca,el entering the eye of the needle.

    - always thud narrow road that leads to God

3. Follow Jesus

    - 1peter 2, learn from the example of Jesus.

If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me. 25 For whoever desires to save his life shall lose it, and whoever desires to lose his life for My sake shall find it.

From Evernote:

Opportunity to Change the Potter By Sis. Techie Rodriguez

Holy Week Recollection 2

Jeremiah 18:1ff

Opportunity - 'pagkakataon'

"Go down at once to the potter's house. I will speak to you further there." -Jeremiah 18:2

Pag-talima.

The Lord blesses those who obey immediately.

We cannot say 'Later', to the Lord.

All the faithful people in the Bible immediately obeyed the Lord.

Noah did not even know rain and flood, but he made the ark the Lord asked him to make.

The Lord is grieved every time we disobey.

Saul, though anointed grieved the Lord at his disobedience. The Lord regretted His decision.

Let us not create that opportunity for God to regret giving us the favors to our community.

Let us not lose the opportunity of the great favors. Sis. Michelle's prophecy of the Solomon's Anointing to the Lord's Flock is another opportunity.

Abraham, Noah, Daniel, David, Peter are examples of obey-ers

"I, the LORD, say: 'O nation of Israel, can I not deal with you as this potter deals with the clay? In my hands, you, O nation of Israel, are just like the clay in this potter's hand.' -Jeremiah 18:6

To permit defects or to re-make the pot, the potter has the choice.

God has the power to reshape nations and individuals according to His preference.

Our strategy is not to be mindless or passive but to be receptive on God's purpose. We must yield to Him. An unsurrendered life has many defects.

A surrendered life is an obedient life. We give to Him everything, our time, our talents, our treasures. Not by our own will.

When we become the cause of disorder in the Lord's work, there is an evil spirit ailing you. There is a problem with our relationship with God. Irregular prayers? Missing Bible readings? How can the Lord speak to us?

Our society today admires people who are assertive, have strong personalities, independence and defiance of authority. This develops to stubbornness, self-importance and even refusal to listen to God. If we let this go unchecked, it becomes a way of life. We become hostile to God.

2 Timothy 4:2 Preach the message, be ready whether it is convenient or not, reprove, rebuke, exhort with complete patience and instruction.

We correct one another.

Hard vessels will need to be smashed and broken, melt to be remolded. So let us remain soft, wet and pliable so that we may always be remoldable.

Do we always put our will the priority?

Remember the hardest vessel are dry. Dead. Insensitive. Complacent.

Let us turn to God now and ask for forgiveness. Let the Living Water, Jesus,  bring back our wetness and pliability that we may conform to His purposes. As the Potter sees a flaw in us, surrender so that He can re-form us.

What kind of vessel are we now?  

The Lord can transform what you are now and become a better, lofty, honorable vessel that gives glory to it's Maker.

18:11 Frame- mold, fashion. In this verse, frame evil.

Jeremiah 18 gives us hope and opportunity to change the potter's mind.

Disobedience mars the God's plans of greatness for the vessel.

Obedience is the true mark of love for God

2 Timothy 2:20ff

But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour. If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work.

We are instruments of God. Though we still have the gift of free will, but if we consider Him Lord and Potter, we don't have any privilege to say No.

Don't settle for anything less, be the best vessel.

Always 2 ends of vessels.

Vessels of honor or dishonor

Vessels of mercy or vessels of wrath. Romans 2:7-8

It's is the stubbornness of the human heart that causes the wrath of God.

When we are being washed, don't mess with it. Judas betrayed Jesus despite his company for three and a half years. His hardness of heart led him to betray Jesus.

Today, let us recall the times when we did not follow God that we missed God's blessings. Let us ask the Lord, to check on us today, to change our hearts (Ezekiel 36:26).

From Evernote:

The Tragedy of Wasting Opportunities by Sis. Techie

Luke 14:15-24

"Blessed is he that shall eat bread in the kingdom of God."

Crucial Opportunities

1. To be a servant of God

2. To be a child of God

3. To know God more

4. To support God's work

5. To let God refresh, take care of you and your circumstances

6. To receive word from God, receive God's guidance through prayer

Lot - nephew of Abraham missed the opportunity of being blessed if had stayed with Abraham, Jehazi- servant of Elijah missed the anointing, Demas, Epaphras - companions of Paul

Every opportunity is very important for us. Pray each day for God to bless each opportunity to see the purposes of God.

In our families, don't waste opportunities to express our love, spend time with our family.

Laziness wastes opportunities.

Trials can be wasted if we miss the opportunities to learn the lesson, grow in the character of Christ, endure and be victorious. James 1:2-3

But the God of all grace, He calling us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a little, He will perfect, confirm, strengthen, and establish you . 1 Peter 5:10

Missed Spiritual Opportunities

1. Sermon that' just right for you

2. Time for prayer

3. To wait for God to move

4. A word of encouragement

5. For the Lord to change the direction in our lives

6. Spiritual victories: cutting off sin and bondage in our life, overcoming our flesh, persecution, sickness

7. Evangelism

Thomas missed a lot by his absence the first time Jesus appeared to the disciples: Jesus greeting of Peace, commissioning, Jesus passing through walls.

Opportunities when lost may never be retrieved.

When God says, No, it may be another opportunity waiting.

May we not miss these opportunities especially His final invitation, "Come, good and faithful servant, enter into the joy of the Lord."

From Evernote:

Eight Telltale Signs You are Veering Off your Purpose by Bro.Froi

1. frequent interruptions

2. frequent changes

3. minor pursuits

4. people pleasing

5. pursuing materialism

6. repeated procrastination

7. spiritual dullness

8. unwise decisions/choices

Antidotes

Personal interior discipline: Prayer, Study of the Word

Personal exterior discipline:

Corporate discipline

We have to be conscious to stay on the realm of the supernatural.

From Evernote:

Eight Telltale Signs You are Veering Off your Purpose by Bro.Froi

1. frequent interruptions

2. frequent changes

3. minor pursuits

4. people pleasing

5. pursuing materialism

6. repeated procrastination

7. spiritual dullness

8. unwise decisions/choices

Antidotes

Personal interior discipline: Prayer, Study of the Word

Personal exterior discipline:

Corporate discipline

We have to be conscious to stay on the realm of the supernatural.

From Evernote:

The Solomon Anointing by Sis. Michelle Corral

1 kings 1:5-8

Solomon anointing. Is being beyond, exceptional, exceedingly.

The house of the Lord was finished on the eleventh year of Solomon's reign.

King Solomon

4th king of Israel. king David's son.

Many of us were given a prophecy about who we are, who we will become, about our ministry. But many have not been fulfilled.

There are certain difficulties about destiny.

The author of 1Kings is Jeremiah.

Everything in the Bible is personal, powerful, prophetic and relevant.

The bible is not a biography nor a history book.

If you have a destiny, there will be some difficulty in getting to that destiny.

Jeremiah 29:11

A destiny his something bigger than you. Something that you alone cannot attain.

"My destiny is who I will become and not who I am now, by the grace of God."

Destiny is a dream.

My destiny is a dream of extreme multiplication beyond expectations.

Solomon magnified David's kingdom a thousand times. Everything about Solomon is exceedingly.

2 Chronicles 1:1

Solomon son of David solidified his royal authority, for the LORD his God was with him and magnified him greatly.

God gave Solomon wisdom and very great discernment; the breadth of his understanding was as infinite as the sand on the seashore. Solomon was wiser than all the men of the east and all the sages of Egypt. ... People from all nations came to hear Solomon's display of wisdom; they came from all the kings of the earth who heard about his wisdom. -1 Kings 4:29, 30, 34

Prophecy for TLF: Gadol (none so great), everybody knows their place, position, place of functioning, causing the work of God to be done.

There Zadok the priest and Nathan the prophet will anoint him king over Israel; then blow the trumpet and declare, 'Long live King Solomon!' -1 Kings 1:34

Jeremiah, the writer, included the messianic anointing of king, priest and prophet.

33 Gihon, overflowing with anointing, Gihon was also used in Gen 2. One of the 4 rivers of the garden of Eden.

Believe in your destiny. No matter what people say, believe it.

If there is a word God has given to your life, you will see it performed and fulfilled by God.

From Evernote:

Deliverance by Bro.Emmanuel Corral

God was performing extraordinary miracles by Paul's hands, -Acts 19:11

Pokemon Toys Are evil.

Demons roam the earth.

Some people open themselves to the devil.

God does the miracles, not the minister. Do not make the mistake of looking at the person. Always look to God.

so that when even handkerchiefs or aprons that had touched his body were brought to the sick, their diseases left them and the evil spirits went out of them. -Acts 19:12

Paul became a vessel of the Holy Spirit. Because he was walking in the footsteps of Jesus Christ.

You have to have the calling of God before you can minister as shown in verses 13-18

Paul was not afraid to go, because he had God with him, he spoke the truth. The devil will flee when you have Jesus Christ in you.

We have to know Him to love Him. We have to be spirit-filled. The devil will flee at the sight of Jesus, not at the sight of us.

The name of the Lord was given the rare honor.

This became known to all who lived in Ephesus, both Jews and Greeks; fear came over them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was praised. -Acts 19:17

Read the Bible, be filled with the word of the Lord. Let it convict you.

*** Read the Bible again S L O W L Y.***

The devil does not want us to read the bible. He wants us to remain ignorant.

The bible will help us repent and turn away from our sins.

Take your time reading the bible. The Holy Spirit will reveal the meanings, explain the scriptures.

The devil speaks to the mind. God speaks to the heart.

Bro.Emmanuel Corral

From Evernote:

The Anointing by Sis. Michelle Corral

The anointing is the power of God.

We receive it during Baptism through the oil.

Not just to become children of God but to preach the gospel throughout the world.

2 types of Anointing

1. Anointing Oil- prophets ,priests and kings. We participate in the prophetic, priestly and kingly anointing of Jesus Christ. The messianic anointing of Jesus Christ has been shared with us.

Exodus 3,31

The holy anointing makes us become the personal property of God, personal possession of the Holy Spirit.

2. Fresh Olive Oil. Oil is worn or put on when sickness is over, mourning is over, when broken heart is made whole.

King David anointed himself after learning that his son is dead, end went to the temple to worship God.

Ruth found her destiny because of the anointing.

Moses. Ex 27:20ff offering of the oil represent the offering/anointing of the individual to the church. Our gifts are our talents given freely, daily to the church.

One day to go for Lord's Flock Big Event

From Evernote:

Hearing or Listening by Sis. Techie Rodriguez

Reading: Samuel 3:1-10

Hearing - abot-tenga(pandinig)

Listen - pinakikinggan, pay heed, listen to warnings, obey, pay attention

Samuel's reply, "Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening."

James 1:19 Let every person be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger.

Samuel was not yet familiar with the voice of God.

John 10:27 the sheep know the voice of the shepherd. The followers of Jesus will be able to discern the voice of God.

While Samuel knew the written word, he did not yet understand the ways God reveals himself to his servants, the prophets.

You have to train yourself in listening and discerning the voice of God.

You can be hearing but not listening. To whom you focus your hearing, is the one you are listening to.

"For God speaks, the first time in one way, the second time in another,  though a person does not perceive it. -Job 33:14

You will hear a word spoken behind you, saying, "This is the correct way, walk in it," whether you are heading to the right or the left. -Isaiah 30:21

HOW ARE WE GOING TO LISTEN?

2 Timothy 4:2-5

Preach the message, be ready whether it is convenient or not, reprove, rebuke, exhort with complete patience and instruction.For there will be a time when people will not tolerate sound teaching. Instead, following their own desires, they will accumulate teachers for themselves, because they have an insatiable curiosity to hear new things. And they will turn away from hearing the truth, but on the other hand they will turn aside to myths.

You, however, be self-controlled in all things, endure hardship, do an evangelist's work, fulfill your ministry.

1. Expect to hear from God when you listen (expectancy)

Jeremiah exemplifies someone who is expectant of God's answer.

'Call on me in prayer and I will answer you. I will show you great and mysterious things which you still do not know about.' -Jeremiah 33:3

The scriptures promises us that God will speak.

Expectantly believing the promises of God is expressing your faith. Faith is the substance of things we are hoping for.

Psalms 5:6-8

Expecting from God is expressing our trust in God, believing in His faithfulness.

2. Quietly.

Psalms 46:10 Be still and know that I am God

Jesus prayed in deserted quiet places.

Mark 1:35 Then Jesus got up early in the morning when it was still very dark, departed, and went out to a deserted place, and there he spent time in prayer.

We have many concerns. There are many thorns, thistles that prevent us from hearing the word of God. Remove them that the Word of God may come to your hearing.

3. Patiently waiting

Jeremiah 13:1,5,6 Many days later the LORD said to me, "Go at once to Perath and get the shorts I ordered you to bury there." -Jeremiah 13:6

Jeremiah patiently waited for the Lord's instruction.

As we wait and listen we will understand.You cannot compel God to tell you everything. It can be weeks before God speak again of the topic.

4. Openly

2 Timothy 3:16 Every scripture is inspired by God and useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,

God may answer you differently from the message we expect, because He knows what is best for you. You cannot just come to him for comfort and encouragement. For He also reproofs, corrects those whom He loves.

James 1:19 Let every person be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger.

5. Attentively. Listen to God with your full attention.

Proverbs 4:20-22.

My child, pay attention to my words; listen attentively to my sayings.Do not let them depart from your sight, guard them within your heart; for they are life to those who find them and healing to one's entire body.

6. Submit and obey