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Friday, December 30, 2022

PASSION using L.I.F.T. 2023



I'm gathering THOUGHTS.
I'm listening to PASSION.
Using the WORD or ACRONYM L.I.F.T.  
Here's what I gathered:


  • FROM ROLYN
L - LIVE BY HIS WORD
I - INTENTIONAL DISCIPLESHIP
F - FERVENT PRAYER INTERCESSION AND POWER EVANGELISM
T - TEACH AND REACH THE WORLD



  • FROM CLOONEY

L...    Love God Love the people in house churches
I....    Intercede for more people come to know Jesus via more communities to reach
F....   Filled in the Holy Spirit. more soaking through prayer
T....   inTimacy ,.. personal intimacy with God



  • FROM CEZAR 

L -    Living humbly
I -     Influence more communities for Jesus
F -    Fast and Pray
T -    Take risks
T -    Touch the world, looking forward to a mission field abroad. Engage the OFWs.



  • FROM RAYMOND

L -    Lead like Jesus 
I -     Intercede like Jesus 
F -    Faithful like Jesus 
T -    Teach like Jesus

            

Given a CHANCE to write 
  • FROM JRs LIST

L I F T .....

what will your LIFT for 2023?

Example:
LIFT

L -    Love God Love People
I -     Intercede
F -    Fire of Holy Spirit
T -    Touch the WORLD

Thursday, December 22, 2022

THE ANNUAL CALL CONFERENCE 2022

 



SONG

For the Sake of the CALL
Nobody stood and applauded them
So they knew from the start This road would not lead to fame
All they really knew for sure was Jesus had called to them
He said "come follow me" and they came
With reckless abandon they came

Empty nets lying there at the waters edge
Told a story that few could believe and none could explain
How some crazy fishermen agreed to go where Jesus lead
With no thought for what they would gain
For Jesus had called them by name and they answered

Chorus
We will abandon it all for the sake of the call
No other reason at all but the sake of the call
Wholly devoted to live and to die
For the sake of the call

Drawn like the rivers are drawn to the sea
No turning back for the water cannot help but flow
Once we hear the savior's call we'll follow wherever he leads
Because of the love he has shown
And because he has called us to go we will answer

We will abandon it all for the sake of the call
No other reason at all but the sake of the call
Wholly devoted to live and to die

Bridge
Not for the sake of a creed or a cause
Not for a dream or a promise
Simply because it is Jesus who calls
And if we believe we'll obey

Chorus




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HLM VERSE 1993

“We who are alive are always in danger of death because we are serving Jesus. 
So his life can be shown in our earthly bodies.  
Death is at work in us. But life is at work in you.
2 Corinthians 4:11, 12 (NIV)







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supplements

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This article below .... helped me to discern my calling and separation in the year 1987 ....

CALLING
&
SEPARATION
By Bob Yandian

As they (prophets and teachers) ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said separate unto me Barnabus and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them” (Acts 13:2).

The Greek word for separate means, “to sever, to mark off from others by boundaries, or to set apart for a specific purpose of work.” The Greek word for called is referring to the ministry gift of the Apostle that Saul and Barnabus stood in. Notice how it is worded in this verse of Acts. “Separate (present tense) unto me… for the work whereunto I have called them (past tense).” This shows us that Separation comes after our Calling.
We know that this occasion in Acts was where Paul’s separation occurred, but when was he called? Galatians 1:15 tells us that he was called by God’s grace from his mother’s womb. But Ephesians 1:4 tells us that we were chosen in Him before the foundation of the world. Our calling goes back into eternity past.
Just because you have recently found out what ministry gift you are going to stand in doesn’t mean that God just now called you. You were led into a calling which was ordained by God before the foundation of the world. This is all a part of God’s plan of predestination.
But we’ve seen from this occasion in Acts that there is more than a call into the ministry, there must also come a time of separation. “Paul a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God” (Romans 1:1). We are called into an office but we must become separated unto the gospel. The calling is of God, but we have much to do with the time of separation. When we are called into a ministry we must begin to study the Word of God to show ourselves approved unto Him (II Timothy 2:15). Paul spent much time in prayer, fasting and study before he was approved of God and separated unto the work.
Jesus told us “many are called few are chosen” (Matthew 20:16). This is because there are very few who will pay the price and humble themselves under God’s hand. Many, after sensing the “call” on their lives try to open their own doors. Paul told Timothy that a bishop should “not be a novice, lest being lifted up with pride, he fall into the condemnation of the devil” (I Tim. 3:6). It is for your own protection that God does not separate you at the time He drops the calling into your heart. You must prove yourself by putting God’s Word first, so He can trust you in the work of the ministry.
When looking for workers in the church, I first desire faithfulness. The Word tells us that above all a steward is to be found faithful. I will many times take faithfulness over qualifications. Qualifications can be taught, but faithfulness cannot. God himself will not reward you for qualifications but for faithfulness. “Well done thou good and faithful servant. Thou hast been faithful over a few things I will make thee ruler over many” (Mt. 25:23). If you will humble yourself under the mighty hand of God, He will exalt you in due time (I Peter 5:6).
If you will be faithful to study, pray and seek God’s will in your calling, the time of separation will come. God promised it to you in due time.
You have just been shown that God calls you before He separates you. The time of separation may be years after you have been called into a ministry. The time of calling is of God, but the time of separation is up to YOU. As you are faithful to study the Word of God and apply yourself to do whatever your hand finds to do, the time of separation will come. God always rewards faithfulness, not just in heaven, but here on earth. He will make you ruler over much in your own ministry, if you will be faithful in the time of the few things.
The reason I even began to study this teaching on calling and separation was because of the lack of the supernatural. With all the teaching on faith today people are receiving more from God than ever before. More people are walking in health and prosperity today than all past years combined. But one area bothered me. With all the teaching on faith today, where are the miracles of the book of Acts? We TEACH about the gifts of healings and working of miracles, but where are they? Where are the signs which are supposed to follow the ministering of the Word? We see them to a limited degree, but not like the New Testament pattern in the book of Acts.
When I went to the Lord in prayer about it, God showed me Stephen for an example. “And Stephen, full of FAITH and POWER, did great wonders and miracles among the people (Acts 6:8).” The Lord showed me that the church today is full of FAITH, but lacking in POWER. The WORD produces FAITH, but where does POWER come from? When the Lord showed me, he brought a word to me that I had not seen for a long time. The word was SANCTIFICATION. What ever happened to holiness and right living? We’re teaching one side of the coin, but the other side must be stressed too. We’re full of FAITH but lacking POWER. Faith without WORKS is dead (non productive). We’re full of the Word, but our personal lives are full of immorality, lying, and hypocrisy.
We love to quote the first half of the epistles, but leave out the second half. We are seated with Him in heavenly places, all principalities are under His feet, we have been given an inheritance, sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, and made kings and priests in this life. But what about those closing chapters of the epistles? Aren’t they true too? “Therefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbor …let him that stole, steal no more, …let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, …but fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, …neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, … and have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness (Eph. 4:25, 28, 29, 5:3,4,11).” If we’re going to live in the first half of the epistles, let’s move on to the second half too. Let’s balance out the scales, lest we be weighed and found wanting.
I decided to do a study on miracles. The best place to go was the Word, and the best place in the Word was the life of Elijah and Elisha. These two were known for their miracles and little else. What was in their life that we can use today? These two men had the same life-styles that many people of miracles have today. Even though Catherine Kuhlman, Smith Wigglesworth, William Branham, Oral Roberts, Kenneth Hagin, Amy McPherson, and these others might differ on their TEACHING, they all have one thing in common. THEY LIVED AND DO LIVE SANCTIFIED AND SEPARATED LIVES. The key to POWER in the Christian life is HOLINESS. The WORD produces FAITH and SANCTIFICATION produces MIRACLE POWER. These are the two sides of the coin that worked in the life of Stephen.
Sanctification can be seen in the life of Elijah and Elisha. They live separated lives from the world. They called people to repentance from idols, fornication, and apostasy. 
In I Kings 19 we see the call of Elisha to replace Elijah. Elijah was in a bad mood after queen Jezebel sent him a life threatening note. Elijah ran into the wilderness and fell under a juniper tree. We need to take note that we are often prone to defeat immediately after a great victory. The day before, Elijah had called fire down from heaven on the prophets of Baal. The next day he ran from the queen’s note. Many times it is the little foxes which spoil the vine. We can be tripped up by a little thing after seeing a victory in a big thing. Elijah was feeling dejected under the tree and asked the Lord to die. Now he did not really mean it. If he would have wanted to die, all he needed to do was stay in Jerusalem, the queen would have seen to his death. ELIJAH WAS LOOKING FOR PITY. In verses 5-8, the angel of the Lord (Christ) appeared to him, baked him a cake and brought him a cruise of water. Many times when we are at our lowest, Jesus does something special for us.
The Lord did not intend for Elijah to STAY dejected, but to regain strength and go back to Jerusalem. His job there was not done. But Elijah took the strength of that cake and water and ran forty days and nights to Mount Horeb, the opposite direction of Jerusalem. Elijah was not through having a pity party. In verses 9-14, he repeatedly told the Lord that he was only one left serving the Lord and everybody else had forsaken God. In other words, if having a pity party worked ONCE on the Lord and God provided comfort, maybe it would work AGAIN. But by the end of the time in the cave, the Lord told Elijah that there were seven thousand who have not bowed their knee to Baal, and that He had now chosen Elisha to be prophet in his (Elijah’s) place (vs. 16). Never think that you are irreplaceable. God got along fine before you came along, and He will do fine when you are gone. He always has replacements to fill your slot. Elijah kept pushing the Lord with his pity routine, until the Lord just replaced him with Elisha.
In verses 19-21, we have the occasion of Elisha’s call. Remember that Elisha is already called even though he doesn’t know it. God knew it before the foundation of the world, and Elijah knew it days before. Elijah found Elisha plowing with twelve yoke of oxen. This tells us that Elisha was a PROSPEROUS farmer. Most men in that day did not have that many yoke of oxen. Elisha was going to have to leave a good job.
When Elijah passed by, he threw his mantle around Elisha. Elisha knew exactly what that meant. I know he recognized Elijah when he saw him coming toward his farm, and was probably surprised when he threw his mantle on his back. But he recognized that God was calling him to stand in the prophet’s ministry and carry on the work of Elijah.
Elisha did not hesitate or question, he dropped the oxen and RAN after Elijah (vs. 20). The first thing God is looking for in us is OBEDIENCE to the call. Elisha asked Elijah only one favor, and that was to properly tell his parents goodbye. Elijah said to him, “Go back again for what have I done to thee”. In other words, don’t follow the call just because of ME. Don’t follow the call just because you might be hooked up with some famous minister. Make sure you are in the ministry because you want to follow GOD. Elisha clinched his calling when he went back to say goodbye to his parents, because he SLEW the oxen and BOILED their flesh (vs. 21). HE BURNED HIS BRIDGES BEHIND HIM. There was no way he would go back to farming there. So often we want to follow the Lord and leave a connection or two to the old life, just in case the ministry does not work out.
My favorite part of the character of Elisha comes at the end of verse 21. “…Then he arose, and went after Elijah, and MINISTERED unto him.” If I were following a great man like Elijah, and I had just left a prosperous farm and burned my oxen, I WOULD WANT TO KNOW WHAT TO DO FIRST AS A PROPHET. HOW DO I CALL FIRE DOWN FROM HEAVEN? HOW DO I PART WATER? HOW DO I STOP THE HEAVENS FROM RAINING? But Elisha did not do that. He MINISTERED to Elijah. He began to work in the ministry of HELPS. We must be HUMBLE ourselves under the mighty hand of God first, then He will EXALT us in due time. Elisha still had a long way to go before he would be operating in miracles. In other words, Elisha had been CALLED, but he had not been SEPARATED yet. Elisha had to be faithful in the FEW things before God could trust him and make him ruler over MANY.
For a long time I thought that Elisha followed Elijah for only a few weeks or months before he actually stood in Elijah’s office. But as I got into this study, I found that Elisha followed Elijah for over TEN YEARS. Can you imagine operation in a ministry of helps for over TEN YEARS? Elisha had to carry Elijah’s coat, book his hotel rooms, set up his book table, and carry the luggage all that time. Elisha never performed ONE miracle all those years. We have already seen from I Kings 19 that Elijah was a moody individual. He was proned to self pity and moods of depression. Can you imagine being Elisha and seeing the great man of God in some of those states? I can hear Elijah saying, “everybody has forsaken God and we are the ONLY ones left. I wish we could just die”. Can you imagine the shock to Elisha when he first saw Elijah acting that way? “Elijah, what kind of CONFESSION is that?” About that time I can imagine too that the devil made sure that Elisha saw some prosperous farmer in the field with twelve yoke of oxen, plowing just to entice him to give up the ministry and go back to farming. I have never seen it fail yet that a man really sell out to the ministry that he didn’t get some offer to go back into the world and make good money. Satan seems to be there strongest in the times of discouragement. But Elisha stayed true to the calling. We are never told that Elisha complained or erred from ministering to Elijah. We can now see why God passed over the seven thousand to choose Elisha. During all those years, Elisha watched and learned from Elijah’s good and bad points. He learned what to DO in the ministry and also what NOT TO DO. Thank the Lord for ministers today who will tell where they have missed it. They want others to profit from their mistakes. No one is perfect. James tells us that “Elijah was a man subject to like passions as we are (5:17).
In II Kings 2 we have the story of Elisha’s SEPARATION. Here is the time when he began to actually stand in the ministry that Elijah was to vacate. Just before Elijah was to depart, we see the final temptations given to Elisha to leave the ministry. In verses 2, 4, and 6, Elijah said to Elisha, “Tarry here (at Bethel and Jericho)”, and Elisha said unto him, “As the Lord liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee.” We know that the Lord does not tempt us with evil, but many times the Lord will question us to see if we really are in faith or presumption. The Lord wants to know if we are really ready to step out or just fooling ourselves. But Elisha showed that he would be faithful, no matter what. It’s often tempting to take off for a while, but we need to know when to do that and when not to. Elisha knew that the time for Elijah to leave was coming very soon, and that he must be faithful right to the end.
Not only was there pressure put on him through Elijah to rest for a little while, there was also pressure given to him by the sons of the prophets. In Bethel and in Jericho, in verses 3 and 5, the sons of the prophets said “…Knowest thou that the Lord will take away thy master form thy head (authority) today?” And he (Elisha) answered, “Yea, I know it; hold ye your peace”. Elisha had been under the wing of Elijah for over 10 years. After that long a time, there is security knowing that the buck does not stop with you. You always have Elijah to take the brunt of the situation. But now Elisha was going to be taken away from the place of authority and Elisha was going to take his place. In other words, the sons of the prophets were saying, “Elisha, WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO?” Did you know that your biggest pressures do not come from the world but from RELIGIOUS PEOPLE? Those who have tried this “faith stuff” and failed. These sons of the prophets were trying to provoke Elisha to fear. “What are you going to do?” I like Elisha’s answer. “Yea, I know it, hold ye your peace.” In other words, SHUT UP”. Elisha did not know what was coming up in the future. But he did now one thing. God had taken care of him all this time, and He wasn’t going to stop now. Elisha did not know what was going to happen, but that was not his problem, it was God’s.
There are times I do not know what to do. I do not know what is going to happen. But when tomorrow gets here, God will provide just like He has always done. But what I don’t need, is doubt and fear peddlers. Jesus had to put them out of the room when he raised the little girl from the dead. Many times we have to do the same thing with the words of our mouth. We tell them to shut up IN LOVE. 
Then notice what the sons of the prophets did when Elisha refused to accept their fear and doubt. “And fifty of the sons of the prophets went, and stood to view afar off: (vs7)”. If they can’t convince you, they will stand off and WAIT FOR YOU TO FAIL. I’m sure as they stood there, they were conversing among themselves about Elisha’s “zeal without wisdom”. But my friend when you’ve got God’s Word to stand on, YOU CANNOT FAIL. Elisha had paid the price for all those years and he was not in his plans. To keep his thoughts pure, he had to “cast down imaginations” and “pull every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ!”
In verses 8-10, Elijah split the Jordan river with his mantle and went across with Elisha. This is a very important lesson we must learn. We are not ready to ask God for things until we have first proved ourselves before Him. “If ye abide in Me and My words abide in you, (THEN) ask what ye will and it shall be done unto you (Jn. 15:7).” After years of service, Elijah knew he could trust Elisha to make a request based on God’s will. ELISHA DID JUST THAT. “… let a double portion of thy spirit be upon me (vs 9).” 
Elisha did not pull that request out of the air. It was not just a whim. He had been planning on that request for some time. THE DOUBLE PORTION IS THE RIGHT OF THE FIRST BORN SON. Elijah had no children. Elisha had left his father. Elisha wanted that hundred fold return (Mark 10:29,30). Elisha was claiming the right to the double portion because he had become a son to Elijah. This is seen when Elijah went to heaven by the whirlwind. Elisha cried out “…MY FATHER, MY FATHER, The chariot of Israel, and the horsemen thereof (vs 12).”
In verses 13, 14 Elisha received the double portion, and he used the mantle of Elijah and split the Jordan River. His FIRST miracle was the same as Elijah’s LAST. In other words, his ministry took up where Elijah’s had left off. He continued on with the ministry of Elijah, only with more power and demonstration. The Word tells us that if we will stick with the Word that even our enemies will be at peace with us. This was also true in the case of Elisha.
“And when the sons of the prophets which were to view at Jericho saw him, they said, the spirit of Elijah doth rest on Elisha. And they came to meet him and BOWED THEMSELVES TO THE GROUND BEFORE HIM (vs. 15)”.

Copied from Bob Yandian
An Internet Download


*A Special READING ARTICLE for all LTS  Students of  His Life Ministries.





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NEW INPUT ....

Starting
POINT
(Supplemental Reading for those who are thinking about going Full-Time as a Pastor of 
a Local Church or Missionary)  

Discerning and Affirming 
God’s ‘Call’ on Your Life to Full-time Ministry

If you have just started seriously considering full-time service, you are probably trying to think through the many implications it has on your life. We have supplied a number of questions to help you gain an overall understanding of your call and the general process of God’s training program.  Starting Point: Clarifying Your Call

Clarifying the ‘call’:
·    What motivates you to want to go into full-time ministry?
·    Is this a new desire or has it been longstanding?
·    Where and when did it begin?
·    Write down as clearly as you can what God’s ‘call’ for you means.

Seeking Direction:
·    Have you prayed and fasted to confirm and clarify God's leading for your life?
·    What specific confirmations and clarifications regarding His will has He revealed to you?
·    Have you discussed your God-given burden with your church leaders?
·    What obstacles have you met up with?

Parental blessing:
·    What do your parents think about your going into full-time ministry?
·    What are their concerns? What might be behind those concerns?

God speaks to us through our parents even when they are older or are non-Christians. They might not be able to fully understand what we are talking about, but it is important that we honor them by respecting their advice and taking it seriously.

Marital unity:
·    If married, does your spouse share your vision?
·    Did you communicate your burden clearly with him or her?

The husband and wife both need to share the same willingness to serve the Lord.

As a husband, have you loved your wife and built up your marriage so that she has the needed security and love to share your vision? If not, wait and further deepen your commitment to properly establish your marriage relationship. Your wife’s eager participation is critical.

As a wife, have you discussed with your husband what his and your spiritual ‘dreams’ are? You need to pray and wait for God to fulfill them. Many times they are fulfilled only later in life. Meanwhile, discern how you can be a ‘helpmate’ to the way God is leading him.

Recognizing experiences:  
·    Are you serving now?   Where?
·    List the actual ministries you are doing (planning, counseling, visiting, teaching, serving, etc.).
·    List other ministries that you have participated in that are not listed above.
·    What spiritual gifts have you used in the above ministries?
·    What ministries do you like being involved in the most?

Training of in God’s Word:            
·    Have you personally done any serious study of God’s Word? List what it was and when it took place.
·    Have you received discipleship training or mentoring from another? Again list when it took place and what level it was (e.g. beginners, growth/overcomer, or training).
·    Have you taken any formal training programs? When did it occur? How did it help you?

Your spiritual life with God:
·    Do you meet with the Lord daily in prayer and reflective reading of His Word?
·    Are there days or times when you are not consistent? Why is this?
·    Do you keep a spiritual journal about what He is saying to you?

Formation of concrete plans towards the goal:
·    What steps have you taken so far toward serving full-time in ministry?
·    Are there certain skills or degrees that are necessary for service in your area of interest?
·    What barriers are between you and reaching that goal?
·    About how much time do you expect is needed to reach that goal?
·    What milestones have you already crossed?

Do not be frustrated at ‘closed’ doors. Take the steps that you can. Pray about how to overcome those final barriers to reach that goal. Remember that God places those obstacles there to shape our own faith and give us opportunity to grow. It is our training.



Spiritual JournalFinal Thought

We strongly suggest regularly keeping a spiritual journal that traces God’s leading in your life. It is a place you can remember your calling. You can see how far God has brought you as well as stay focused on the challenges ahead. In any case, it is a time to be enjoyed. Look at it as a special time where He will be doing special things in and through your life.  A calling is, after all, a special joint venture in which He has called you to work along with Him and promises to equip and use you in that work.

 

Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go to the Father. And whatever you ask in My name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask Me anything in My name, I will do it. If you love Me, you will keep My commandments. (John 14:12-14 NASB).




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HIS LIFE MINISTRIES 2023 
PROPOSED SERIES


January 1 
– New Year Service
Title: GOD FIRST
Verse: Matthew 6:33 NIV
33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.


January 2023 series
Title: REBUILD TO BE BETTER
Verse: Nehemiah 2:17-18 NLT
17 But now I said to them, “You know very well what trouble we are in. Jerusalem lies in ruins, and its gates have been destroyed by fire. Let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem and end this disgrace!” 18 Then I told them about how the gracious hand of God had been on me, and about my conversation with the king.

They replied at once, “Yes, let’s rebuild the wall!” So they began the good work.


February 2023 series
Title: Limitless @ 30
Verse: Ephesians 3:20-21 NLT
20 Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. 21 Glory to him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever! Amen


March 2023
Title:  Rescue
c/o WordTeach 

April 2023
To Be Announced



May 2023
Title: Jesus Among the People
Verse: Matthew 9: 35-36 ESV
35 And Jesus went throughout all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction. 36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.


June 2023
Title: Beautiful Home
Verse: Proverbs 24:3-4 NCV
3 It takes wisdom to have a good family,
    and it takes understanding to make it strong.
4 It takes knowledge to fill a home
    with rare and beautiful treasures.


July 2023
Title: So Be It. Embracing Trust and Absolute Surrender
Verse: Luke 22: 42 CEB
42 He said, “Father, if it’s your will, take this cup of suffering away from me. However, not my will but your will must be done.”


August 2023
Title: Anxious for Nothing. Finding Confidence in a Worrisome World
Verse: Philippians 4:6-8 NKJV
6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.


September 2023
Title: Time to Wake Up. Living in light of Christ’s Return
Verse: Romans 13: 11-14 LB
11 Another reason for right living is this: you know how late it is; time is running out. Wake up, for the coming of the Lord is nearer now than when we first believed. 12-13 The night is far gone, the day of his return[a] will soon be here. So quit the evil deeds of darkness and put on the armor of right living, as we who live in the daylight should! Be decent and true in everything you do so that all can approve your behavior. Don’t spend your time in wild parties and getting drunk or in adultery and lust or fighting or jealousy. 14 But ask the Lord Jesus Christ to help you live as you should, and don’t make plans to enjoy evil.


October 2023
Title: Worthy
Verse: Revelation 4:11 ESV

“Worthy are you, our Lord and God,
    to receive glory and honor and power,
for you created all things,
    and by your will they existed and were created.”


November 2023
Title: Stored Up. Invest Stronger to Build Higher
Verse: Matthew 6:19-20 NLT | 1 Timothy 6:17-19 NLT
19 “Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal.

17 Teach those who are rich in this world not to be proud and not to trust in their money, which is so unreliable. Their trust should be in God, who richly gives us all we need for our enjoyment. 18 Tell them to use their money to do good. They should be rich in good works and generous to those in need, always being ready to share with others. 19 By doing this they will be storing up their treasure as a good foundation for the future so that they may experience true life.


December 2023
Title: God Came Near 
Verse: Luke 2: 8-15 ESV

8 And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. 10 And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying,

14 “Glory to God in the highest,
    and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!”[c]

15 When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened,

Tuesday, December 13, 2022

GIVING now & GIVING vows

THANKSGIVING Season at His Life Ministries is an opportunity to teach people to GIVE, and that is to GIVE in WORSHIP!
  
To GIVE THANKS to the LORD in worship all out!

We call this a FIESTA of GIVING.   
Attached to a UNITED cause and Vision-Mission of the church, it becomes a great tool to teach Stewardship and Discipleship AND Cooperation.

NOW GIVING 
= is the actual DAY of Giving our BEST after Prayer and United Readings to prepare all to GIVE with the right mindset and motivation.  Afterall knowing where our money should be going is a good practice of ACCOUNTABILITY.  

VOW GIVING (or pledges) 
= is also employed for the reason of being aware about the LARGNESS of the PROJECT if ever there will be one.  There were THANKSGIVING YEARS that we gave back to the LORD to be given back to the CHURCH TREASURY for more stability in DAY to DAY, Week after Week, Month after Month needs.  YES, the churches need to be wise in SAVING for the days up ahead. 
While VOW GIVING is for the long term commitment we place upon ourselves voluntarily for us to be part of a JOURNEY is that BIG!

============

WHY GIVING IS SO EMPHASIZED IN THE BIBLE?
from GOTQUESTIONS.COM

Our God is a giving God. 
He is a God of abundance (John 10:10; James 1:5; Psalm 103:8; Isaiah 55:1-7; 2 Corinthians 9:8; Romans 5:20), and He loves to give. He sacrificed willingly on the cross and then invited us into fullness of life. 
As His children, we are called to imitate Him (Ephesians 5:1). 
Our generosity in giving is a demonstration of God’s character and a response to what He has done for us.  Christians are a light to the world (Matthew 5:14-16). 
As we become more and more who God has called us to be – more like Him – through the process of sanctification, we reflect God more and more. We become more loving, more gracious, and, yes, more giving. Because God is generous, we are also called to be generous. Generosity not only points others to God, it is an appropriate response to what God has done for us.

“To whom much has been given, much more will be expected.” 
This has become a common phrase in Western society. Its biblical roots are in Luke 12:48. 
Because we have been so freely loved, we now love others (John 13:34). 
Because we have been forgiven, we forgive others (Matthew 18:21-35). 
Our response to God’s abundance with us is to share that abundance with others. 
When we appropriately receive God’s generosity, it humbles us. 
We recognize that we are not worthy of His gift. Out of gratefulness, we become more gracious with others. We begin to learn the heart of God and want to be more like Him.
Generosity has positive effects in human relationships. When one person gives freely to another, the recipient often “passes forward” the gift. In the Christian life, the impetus is much greater. Jesus taught us that “it is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35).

Not only does our giving demonstrate God’s character to the world, it results in increased faith for us. When we are willing to give, we declare that our faith does not depend on material possessions. 
Instead, we show that our faith is in God, who is always faithful to provide (1 Kings 17:7-16).
Christians are giving people, and, in giving, they lose nothing. 

As Bunyan wrote, “A man there was, tho' some did count him mad, "The more he cast away the more he had.” When we give, we empty ourselves in order to be filled again by God. 

“Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you” 
(Luke 6:38).

Saturday, December 10, 2022

HIS LIFE APOSTOLIC COUNCIL 2023

Name CHANGE for our HLM COUNCIL!

Now to be called "HLM 'apostolic' COUNCIL"


Why?
This is in the CONTEXT of



1
A MOVEMENT needs a central position based on the footsteps of JESUS. 
It is “that life of love and holiness lived on earth by the Son of God in order to save and sanctify people, therefore we follow HIM.
"Apostolic" means belonging or relating to the early followers of Jesus Christ and to their teaching.  
HIS LIFE MINISTRIES is a NEW TESTAMENT Church.


2
A MOVEMENT rests on the spirit of constant renewal and revival toward new adventures and embrace risks of faith for God's glory.  
  • Apostolic servant-leaders are attracted to new and innovative things, they are pacesetters, this grabs their interests. 
  • They don't scare you but rather excite you. Going new places, facing new challenges, and trying new things - - this gets them up in the morning!!
#paraKaninoKaBumabangonPRINCIPLE


3
A MOVEMENT has a tendency to be on maintenance mode along the years, worst will become a monument of past successes, that's why we need to pray for new servant-leaders and constantly renewed ones as well.
 
The HLM "apostolic" Council makes this one sure: 
That the constant call to launch and oversee churches together with their spiritual sons (NEW NEXT GENS) in the ministry do the work. These people are recognized by other apostolic leaders and meets the biblical qualifications of an elder.


====
The PRESENT 
HIS LIFE MINISTRIES 'apostolic' COUNCIL

We have these precious MEN 
(with their spouses as ADVISERS) in 
our DIRECTORY as of this coming year 2023.
  • Eric J. Negado (Theresa Negado)
  • Jonas Cubing (Clooney Cubing)
  • Glenn H. Arellano (Glad Arellano)
  • Ranty S. Camponion (Faith Camponion)
  • Raymond Jamora (Ellen Jamora)
  • Baughart Española Sison (Angel Sison)
Seven in TOTAL, including yours truly (JR) to be RECOGNIZED this 
December 10 2022 during the VICTORIOUS NIGHT of TESTIMONIES!



====
SUPPLEMENTS 
(past posts)

SUPPLEMENT # 1

His Life Ministries is a TEAM -LED Group!
We have a COUNCIL.

They all come from our Senior Pastor's SMALL GROUP.
Together with their Spouses they pray and seek God's direction for the church and the movement.

Evangelism, Discipleship and Leadership is their thrust, compliant with the set standards of Righteousness [Accounting; Legalities; etc] based on the Word of God, the Bible.

They are given the mandate from God's Word to be the Final Decision Making Body at His Life Ministries concerning all church affairs.

UNANIMOUS Decisions is the GOAL!
Meaning:  If we are not TOTALLY UNITED over a matter, we put it aside for more prayer and discussion till the right time and season it has to be addressed again.

We are totally rallying around the Vision Making Disciples for the Glory of God, thus:  
Glorify God, Make Disciples.

We may meet as REGULAR as we can -- once a month or once a Quarter.

------------
OUR GOAL:  
Raising 2000 Life Group Leaders this 2016-2017 and onwards! 




SUPPLEMENT # 2

HIS LIFE MINISTRIES PASTORAL 
JOB DESCRIPTION - GUIDELINES

HIS LIFE MINISTRIES PASTORS:
Growing Servant Leaders [who are committed to make disciples of Jesus Christ]
in His Life Ministries to advance the Kingdom of God!

VISION OF HIS LIFE:
Glorify God . Make Disciples

==============================
THE HIS LIFE MINISTRIES PASTOR
==============================

I. QUALIFICATIONS:

a)
Meets the qualifications of an elder (1 Timothy 3:1-13; see also Titus 1:6-9) and has a growing personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ.

Here is a trustworthy saying:
If anyone sets his heart on being an overseer, he desires a noble task.

Now the overseer must be
above reproach,
the husband of but one wife,
temperate,
self-controlled,
respectable,
hospitable,
able to teach,
not given to drunkenness,
not violent but gentle,
not quarrelsome,
not a lover of money.
He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him with proper respect.
(If anyone does not know how to manage his own family,
how can he take care of God’s church?)
He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same judgment as the devil.
He must also have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil’s trap.


Deacons, likewise, are to be
men worthy of respect,
sincere,
not indulging in much wine,
and not pursuing dishonest gain.
They must keep hold of the deep truths of the faith with a clear conscience.
They must first be tested; and then if there is nothing against them, let them serve as deacons.
In the same way, their wives are to be women worthy of respect,
not malicious talkers but temperate and trustworthy in everything.
A deacon must be the husband of but one wife and must manage his children and his household well.
Those who have served well gain an excellent standing and great assurance in their faith in Christ Jesus.


b)
Is physically, emotionally, and mentally able to fulfill the duties assigned.

c)
Has experience as a spiritual leader.
Has grown his 12 [LIFE Group] and has released people into the ministry of Life Groups under the CROSS-COURSE ... 
THE R.O.W. - roads, over, way).

d)
Has a compelling desire to lead people to faith in the Lordship of Jesus Christ and on to spiritual maturity 
as a disciple-maker.

e)
A covenanted member of the church at His Life Ministries.

f)
Has undergone LTS 
[Leadership Training School]
Year1 (LGL+ 1,2 3 plus CROSSFIRE),
Year2 (Basic DOCTRINE and DEEPER DOCTRINE)
and
Year3 (Missions and Ministry) trainings.
*now in 2020 YEAR 4 (Divinity School Program)

g)
Actively leading an L Group [Lead Group], LIFEGroups for Leaders of 12.
NOTE added:  This has to be CALIBRATED SOON in 2023*


II. RESPONSIBILITIES:

a)
Disciple the local church in loving Jesus and in accomplishing the vision of winning people, bonding believers, training disciples and sending leaders in the Vision of 12.

b)
Submit to a Pastor’s LIFEGroup for mentoring and supervision.

c)
Attend a His Life Pastor’s meeting or conference.

d)
Make a weekly update and report of local church’s WIN, BOND, TRAIN, SEND progress and other ministry related updates through the His Life local church website (e.g blogspot account or website assigned by the Missions department) or through emails.

e)
Submit regular report required by the ONE HIS LIFE MOVEMENT / MISSIONS Department.

f)
Undergo regular trainings and seminars provided by the One His Life Movement or Missions Department.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(drafted by Pastor Glen A with additions from Pastor JR)
Note: SITE leaders, preachers, volunteers and aspiring pastors may apply for formalization.



SUPPLEMENT # 3

The Pastors Move: Think like a BISHOP

When I met our guests from Bermuda this 1st week of March this year led by Bishop Neville Smith, I mentioned that probably the Year 2012 is the Year of the Bishops at His Life Ministries (we have TWO Christian Bishop Guests this 2012 -- Bishop Neville and Bishop James FROM USA - Black American Bishops).

We usually do not call our LEADERS. PASTORS and ELDERS "bishop" here in Negros Island.  
In Iloilo they have Christian Bishops already, same with Manila.  
But here in Negros we tend to not use the word "bishop".

Nevertheless, I believe that every PASTOR must think like a bishop -- in increasing coverage, responsibility and leadership (that is to train and lead many and multiple groups in discipleship).

WHY?

ANSWER:
FOR THE MULTITUDES TO BE REACHED, DISCIPLED and LED powerfully!

---------------------------

Most pastors thinks "UNI".  
When I say "uni" -- I refer to the idea of being "so territorial" and sometimes "limited" 
(or self-limiting).  
They are contented to be locked-in at a certain LOCALITY and FLOCK 
(of sometimes 45, 60 or even 85 people), instead of reaching and touching the FOLD (the unbelievers by the thousands of a city or region).  

---------------------------

SO WHAT IS TO DO?
ANSWER:  
think like a BISHOP (not to be called one, or have a title of one).  
But to have the mind of an OVERSEER in an expanding world around us -- not just to be a preacher, to be a LifeGroup leader of ONE LifeGroup, but a LifeGroup leader of 100 LifeGroups (that is leading other LifeGroup Leaders) ! ! !
THEN and only THEN can YOU BE READY FOR THE MULTITUDE.

Will you make this your MOVE, Pastor?

============
DEFINITIONS
(from www.gotquestions.org)

Question: "What is a bishop, biblically speaking?"

Answer: In the New Testament, a bishop is a person who functions as a teaching leader among a local group of Christians. The Greek term episkapos has also been translated as “episcopal,” “elder,” “overseer,” or “pastor.” All refer to the same office and are therefore synonyms.
In the earliest churches, its leaders were simply referred to as “elders.” For example, in Acts 20:17 we read, “Now from Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called the elders of the church to come to him.” In Philippians 1:1, Paul introduces his letter “to all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with the overseers and deacons.” Apparently, there were originally only two leadership positions in the church: elders and deacons.
In the Pastoral Epistles, Paul speaks twice regarding the qualifications of elders, those he considered the leaders of the local church (also notice that these elders generally served as teams rather than as single leaders).

In 1 Timothy 3:1-7 we read,
"The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer (bishop), he desires a noble task. Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive, for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God's church? He must not be a recent convert, or he may become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil. Moreover, he must be well thought of by outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace, into a snare of the devil."

From this list, we conclude several things. 
First, the job is a noble task.
Second, the job is a limited task (male pronouns and references are used throughout.).
Third, integrity is critical (above reproach, committed to his spouse, clear thinking, self-controlled, well respected, friendly, not influenced by alcoholic drinks, not violent or argumentative, not greedy, caring for his children, and having a good reputation among the unchurched).
Fourth, he must have the ability to teach. (Deacons, whose requirements are listed in the next verses, are not required to have teaching ability.) Titus 1:5-7 shares a similar list for elders, but it adds the ability to rebuke false teaching. When Peter wrote to this group of church leaders, he called himself a “fellow elder” (1 Peter 5:1).

The earliest writings of the church fathers also seem to confirm this role of bishops as the teaching leaders who served alongside deacons to oversee the church. Both Clement of Rome (c. 95) and the Didache referred to elders and deacons from the late early first century to the early second century as the church’s leaders.
Over time, additional layers of leadership were added to the church. Eventually, the term bishop came to be applied to a regional church leader who administered many churches. At the Council of Nicea in A.D. 325, the church leader of each city or area represented his region’s churches. These leaders were referred to as “bishops.” Many Christian traditions continue to embrace this role of bishops today.
However, the biblical teaching is that elders and deacons lead local churches. The elder was also known as a bishop or pastor and functioned in that role. This does not make additional church leadership roles wrong (to meet important needs for regional or national leadership among groups of churches), but indicates that Scripture points to elders and deacons as the local church leaders.

============
DEFINITIONS
(from an on-line Encyclopedia):

A bishop (English translation of the biblical Greek επίσκοπος episcopos "supervisor, protector") is an ordained or consecrated member of the Christian clergy who is generally entrusted with a position of authority and oversight. Within the Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox , Anglican, Old Catholic, Independent Catholic Churches, and in the Assyrian Church of the East, bishops claim apostolic succession, a direct historical lineage dating back to the original Twelve Apostles. Within these churches, bishops can ordain clergy including other bishops. Some Protestant churches including the Lutheran and Methodist churches have bishops serving similar functions as well, though not always understood to be within apostolic succession in the same way. It is the one ordained deacon, priest and then bishop who is understood to hold the fullness of the (ministerial) priesthood, given responsibility by Christ to govern, teach and sanctify the Body of Christ, members of the Faithful. Priests, deacons, and lay ministers cooperate and assist their bishop(s) in shepherding a flock.
The office of bishop was already quite distinct from that of priest in the writings of Ignatius of Antioch (died c. 108), and by the middle of the 2nd century all the chief centres of Christianity were headed by bishops, a form of organization that remained universal until the Protestant Reformation.[1]

------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------
This Write-Up is
Dedicated to My 12

As the given leaders of our church (at His Life), the KING’s MEN network must continue to serve, and move in the highest service we can all do for all the rest of the Networks—Women, Young Professionals, Youth and our Children.
From this perspective, I am giving you a vision to “BISHOP” people.  
This is a noble ambition (see the following words used in 1 Timothy 3:1)

New International Version (©1984)  
Here is a trustworthy saying: If anyone sets his heart on being an overseer, he desires a noble task.

New Living Translation (©2007)  
This is a trustworthy saying: "If someone aspires to be an elder, he desires an honorable position."

Aramaic Bible in Plain English (©2010) 
This is a trustworthy saying, that if a man desires Eldership, he desires a good work.

GOD'S WORD® Translation (©1995)  
This is a statement that can be trusted: If anyone sets his heart on being a bishop, he desires something excellent.

King James 2000 Bible (©2003)  
This is a true saying, If a man desires the office of a bishop, he desires a good work.

American King James Version 
This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desires a good work.

American Standard Version  
Faithful is the saying, If a man seeketh the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work.



To "BISHOP" people -- This is one of the most needed functions we have to act upon as we want to reach the multitudes.

I personally believe that we have to start as DEACONS (servants) -- then move on to greater service and responsibility … thus YOU ARE NOW TO HAVE THE FUNCTION OF BISHOP UPON YOUR MIND-SET.  Don’t be called ONE, rather just function as ONE.  This will be a noble goal if you really want to REACH THE MULTITUDES!  
There seems to be no other way!  You have to CHANGE your MIND! 

YOU MUST HAVE NOT JUST 12 people, but must have 12 LifeGroups OVERSEEN by you!  
Go for the 144 LEVEL. It has to be in place!

YOU MUST HAVE NOT JUST 1 or 2 SITES, BUT GO for 10 SITES, 10 REGIONS, 10 CITIES overseen by you and your wife.  
This is BISHOPPING!!!  
Remember what JESUS said ... now be in charge of 10 CITIES!  Wow!
I praise the LORD for 2012.  I believe for more NEW PEOPLE, NEW DISCIPLES, NEW LEADERS and NEW CHURCHES to be launched for the Glory of God.  This is the DIRECTION I am willing to go to make a difference and a transformation in this community, city and country(s) that God has placed me to be together with our church at His Life Ministries.

I know I could not do this alone.  That is why a UNIFIED and PASSIONATE TEAM is a requirement.  TEAMS make DREAMS work.  And TEAMS make CATALYTIC movements ... it is also a powerful MULTIPLYER!

You MUST thing like a BISHOP!

To MY  12 -- lets pray together, preach together, disciple people together in the Vision and Values of His Life Ministries.

WOULD YOU HEED THE RESPONSIBILITY of BISHOPPING?

Will you make this your MOVE this 2012?

jr here :-)

Wednesday, December 7, 2022

DID WE HAVE MORE in 2022?

 


DID we experienced MORE of JESUS?

DID we encounter the HOLY SPIRIT more and more in our PRAYER?

DID we get more and more of our LEADERS to PRAY?

DID we sacrifice MORE for THANKSGIVING 2022?

DID we have MORE and MORE churches?

  • Campus Churches
  • Community Churches
  • Celebration Churches
  • Cell (Life Groups) Churches
  • Catch Party Churches
  • Champions Churches
  • Canopy Churches
  • Company Churches
DID we learn MORE and MORE of the WORD of God and applied it to daily living?