Unexpected surprises in our lives

Jealousy and envy - PH - 16 Feb 2014

God Made You to Make a Difference

God calls you to a service far beyond anything you could ever imagine. You were put on earth to make a contribution.

You weren't created just to consume resources - to eat, breath, and take up space. God designed you to make a difference with your life.

The Bible says, "God . . . has created us for a life of good deeds, which he has already prepared for us to do." (Ephesians 2:10 TEV) These "good deeds" are your service to the world. Whenever you serve others in any way, you are actually serving God.

When most people think of this "special work," they think of pastors, priests, and professional clergy, but God says every member of his family is to minister. In the Bible, the words servant and minister are synonyms, as are service and ministry. If you are a Christian, you are a minister, and when you're serving, you're ministering.

Have you ever wondered why God doesn't just immediately take us to heaven the moment we accept his grace? Once you are saved, God intends to use you to fulfill his purposes. God has a ministry for you in his church and a mission for you in the world.

Is there anything holding you back from accepting God's call to serve him?

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Motivation is a key to achievement and success

   Motivation is a key to performance. Youth must be motivated and inspired to seek excellence. Motivation is a big word that means "why you do the things you do." If an attitude of excellence exists among youth, then these youth develop a sense of pride that pushes them to do their best in every endeavor. They are not satisfied with lackluster performances in school, home or church. They want to give their best.

   Good teachers are those who are able to motivate. Just about anyone who has graduated from a college can stand in a class and recite information and grade a report. However, it takes a unique person to motivate students. Good teachers are those who constantly seek ways to motivate students and not just make it through the day. These are the ones that turn on the light for millions of children everyday, encouraging them to reach higher and achieve more.

   What is the value of a coach? Mostly, the value of a coach is in his ability to motivate players to give their best. There are millions of coaches that can design plays and demonstrate executions. The best of them are the ones who can motivate players to "want to be the best."

   While coaches motivate players to be the best, the church should work to motivate youth to do their best; there is a difference.

   God doesn't expect us to win, he expects us to do our best!    God doesn't expect us to be the champion, he expects us to give our own championship performance, which is the best we can do!    God doesn't expect us to be first, he expects us to give everything we have in the pursuit of being first and when we have done our best, he is pleased.

   This is a crucial difference between what the church teaches and what the world recognizes. The world recognizes the victor, the winner and the champion. God recognizes the competitor who gives his best in the process.

   The world gives trophies, praise and sometimes dollars.    God gives everlasting life in the kingdom of God.       That's why Jesus encouraged believers to seek first the kingdom of God. Getting the praise of God is important to a believer, winning is secondary. We are praised by God if we play by the rules and give our best, even if we lose the contest.

    The motivation of every youth should be to hear God say, "Well done my good and faithful servant, thou hast been faithful over a few things now I will make you master over many."

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Come through the cross - Pastor Julian Rosales - 9 Feb 2014

Your presence is heaven to me (Darlene Z)

Who is like You Lord in all the earth

Matchless love and beauty, 

endless worth

Nothing in this world will satisfy

Jesus You're the cup that 

won't run dry

Your presence is Heaven to me

Your presence is Heaven to me

Treasure of my heart and of my soul

In my weakness You are merciful

Redeemer of my past 

and present wrongs

Holder of my future days to come

Your presence is Heaven to me

Your presence is Heaven to me

Your presence is Heaven to me

Your presence is Heaven to me

Oh Jesus, oh Jesus

Your presence is Heaven to me

Oh Jesus, oh Jesus

Your presence is Heaven to me

All my days on earth I will await

The moment that I see You face to face

Nothing in this world will satisfy

'Cause Jesus You're the cup 

that won't run dry

Nothing in this world can satisfy

Jesus You're the cup 

that won't run dry

Jesus You're the cup 

that won't run dry

Your presence is Heaven to me

Your presence is Heaven to me

Your presence is Heaven to me

Your presence is Heaven to me

Oh Jesus, oh Jesus

Your presence is Heaven to me

Oh Jesus, oh Jesus

Your presence is Heaven to me

Holy Spirit (Kim Walker)

There's nothing worth more 

that will ever come close

No thing can compare, 

You're our living hope

Your Presence Lord

I've tasted and seen, 

of the sweetest of Loves

Where my heart becomes free, 

and my shame is undone

Your Presence Lord

Chorus

Holy Spirit You are welcome here

Come flood this place 

and fill the atmosphere

Your Glory God is what 

our hearts long for

To be overcome by 

Your Presence Lord

Let us become more aware 

of Your Presence

Let us experience the Glory 

of Your Goodness

God is here (Darlene Z)

Open our eyes, Lord

We want to see You

Open our hearts, Lord

We want to know You

Open our ears, Lord

We need to hear You

Jesus be revealed

Jesus be revealed

God is here

God is here

God is here

He is able

We draw near

To see Jesus face to face

God is here

God is here

God is here

He is faithful

We draw near to see Jesus

Oh Jesus be revealed

Open the gates, Lord

Reveal Your glory

Open the nations

Establish Your Kingdom

Open the Heavens

Pour out Your Spirit

Jesus be revealed

Jesus be revealed

God is here

God is here

God is here

He is able

We draw near

To see Jesus face to face

God is here

God is here

God is here

He is faithful

We draw near to see Jesus

Oh Jesus be revealed

Holy

We cry holy

Hallelujah

God is here

God is here

God is here

God is here

He is able

We draw near

To see Jesus face to face

God is here

God is here

God is here

He is faithful

We draw near to see Jesus

Oh Jesus be revealed 

As we pray (Gateway Worship)

As we pray, the darkness 

turns to light

As we pray, the will of God 

and man align

With one voice we lift 

our hands to say

We only trust in Jesus name

Lord of mercy hear this 

prayer we raise

Let Heaven's gate be open

Let words of life be spoken

Not ours but Your will be done,

Father, as we pray to You

As we pray, the blind 

are given sight

As we pray, the heart of God 

and man unite

With one voice we lift our 

hands to say

We only trust in Jesus name

Lord of mercy hear this 

prayer we raise

Chorus

Let Heaven's gate be open

Let words of life be spoken

Not ours but Your will be done,

Father, as we pray to You

Bring freedom and forgiveness

Bring healing and repentance

For only You can save us

Father, as we pray to You

We lift one voice to one God,

 for one cause that 

all may know You

One voice to one God, 

for one cause that 

all may know You

One voice to one God, 

for one cause that 

all may know Your love

Elementary Truths: The Laying of Hands Reference

http://themessianicmessage.com/article_laying_hands.pdf

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Elementary Truths: Laying of Hands

Introduction

The fourth foundational doctrine in Heb. 6:1-2 is the laying on of hands. At first glance, this may seem an unusual choice to be placed among the foundational doctrines. It may not even as essential as other doctrines in the list. However, we know that God does place tremendous importance on the laying on of hands, and it is thus imperative for us to study and practice it.

The laying on of hands is the practice where one believer lays his hand on another, as a physical sign that God is imparting something spiritual to the person. It was practiced throughout both the old and new testament. It is a natural sign of the spiritual work that God is doing.

There is nothing magical about the laying on of hands; the person putting his or her hand upon you does not have some kind of mystical power. The blessing does not come from the hand of the man touching you but comes instead from the presence of God. The laying on of hands can be a contact point between man and God.

Purposes for the Laying on of Hands
There are many circumstances where the practice of the laying on of hands took place in the Scripture. In this section, we will look at four of the primary reasons:

1. Blessing – The laying on of hands was used throughout Scripture as a means of blessing others. It is generally the right hand that is used in order to impart the blessing. Israel blessed Joseph's two sons by placing his hand on their head, saving the greater blessing (the right hand) for the younger son Ephraim – Gen. 48:14.
   Why right hand and not left?
   i. The right hand is associated with God’s strength (Exodus 15:6), favor (Psalm 16:11), and help (Psalm 20:6). This is why Jesus is described as sitting at the right hand of God the Father (Mark 14:62).
   Jesus also laid His hands upon people to bless them. Mat. 19:13-15.
   The little children were blessed when Jesus laid His hands upon them; Jesus desired to bring blessing to the people.
   The laying on of hands still brings tremendous blessing today. Parents should lay hands on their children often, praying for the blessing of God to be upon them. Often times, when a congregation is praying for someone and it is impossible for everyone to lay hands on the person, the people will stretch forth their right hand towards the one being prayed for. This is another form of blessing through the laying on of hands.
2. Commissioned for Service and Ministry 
3. Moses laid his hands on Joshua in front of the whole congregation of Israel. Joshua received he delegated authority to lead Israel as commanded by God. The laying on of hands by Moses cemented Joshua into his position- Num. 27:22-23.
   When the first seven deacons of the Early Church were chosen, hands were laid upon them as they were set into position. Hands were laid on those called to leadership roles, even in the practical aspects of the church life – Acts 6:5-6. 
   

Also, when Barnabas and Saul were sent out as missionaries, the other church leaders laid their hands upon them – Acts 13:2-3.

3. Impartation – The baptism, anointing, and gifts of the Holy Spirit imparted through the laying on of hands. A spiritual "transfer" can take place where God imparts spiritual things to the one who has laid upon him or her.
   Other Scriptures: Acts 8:17, 1 Tim. 4:14, 2 Tim. 1:6
   
4. Healing – Physical healing is often released through the laying on of hands. As part of the Great Commission, Jesus promised His followers that they could heal the sick through laying on hands.
   Scriptures:Mark 16:18, Mark 6:5, Luke 4:40, Luke 13:13, Acts 28:8
   Thus, we should lay hands on those who are sick in our churches today. Physical healing will come if we are faithful to keep in to pressing in to God in this matter.
   

Who Should Practice Laying On of Hands?

1. Church leaders – Leaders in the church should be active in the ministry of laying on of hands. Most instances of laying on of hands in the New Testament were done by leaders in the church.
   
2. All Believers – "And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will take up serpents; and they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover" – Mark 16:17-18.
   

Although the laying on of hands is primarily practiced by church leadership, it is not exclusively that way. Jesus promised that all believers could lay hands on the sick and see them recover. Therefore, all believers should be engaged in the laying on of hands at one time or another.
Care Should be Taken
1 Tim 5:22 – "Do not lay hands hastily, nor share in other people's sins; keep yourself pure."
Although all believers may lay hands on others, however, care should be taken before this is performed. We should not be quick to lay hands on others. This is particularly true in the context of placing people into leadership positions, as the above Scripture is primarily referring to.
Those with unrepentant sin their lives should not practice laying on of hands to others. The laying on of hands comes with impartation, and sin can be imparted as well. Thus, make sure there is no unrepentant sin in your life before laying hands on others.
Moreover, you should also beware of who you allow to place their hands on you. You should not allow backsliders or those with serious sin to impart their sin into your life.

That is why churches often limit the laying on of hands during a church service to pastors and leaders. This is wisdom and a safety measure, and ensures the congregation that only known and proven men and women will be engaged in the ministry. This does not mean those who are not leaders can ever lay their hands on others, but rather that they should only do so if they have the approval of the church authority.
CONCLUSION
The laying on of hands is an invaluable foundation that needs to be in every Christian life and every church. It brings great strength and blessing to the body. We should seek God to give us ever – increasing wisdom in this area, so that we may practice this activity on a continual basis, in His Word. 

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God Says You Are Capable

God says you have been gifted for ministry to serve other people. Every Christian is a minister. That doesn't mean every Christian is a pastor, but we are all ministers. Anytime you're using your talents and gifts to help others you're ministering.

Notice the Bible verse above says, "He saved us for his holy work." You are saved to serve.

You may be thinking, "How do I know what my ministry is?" You look at your talents, your gifts, and your abilities. You look at how God shaped you. God wants you to use those talents and gifts to help other people. Every time you do that, that's called ministry: nothing fancy, scary, or supernatural about it. It's just helping others.

Can you minister in a sales office? Yes, you can. Can you minister as an accountant? Yes, you can. Can you minister driving a truck? Sure! Anytime you're helping other people in the name of Jesus, you're ministering.

In fact, God says you're necessary in the church. You're a necessary part of this family. Look at it this way, if I don't use my talents - you get cheated. If you don't use your talents - I get cheated. Everybody else in the congregation gets cheated.

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Onward Forward March (PH)