DAILY SPRING
May 2nd 2012
CONDITION FOR PEACE
"So Ahab sent unto all the children of Isreal,and gathered the prophets together unto mount Carmel.And Elijah came unto all the people,and said,how long halt ye between two opinions? If the Lord [be] God,follow Him;but if baal [then]follow him.And the people answered him not a word (1 18 v 20-21)
When the idolatry of Isreal and the wickedness of King Ahab continued ununabated,Elijah knew that repentance was not in sight and subsequently called for judgement.Judgement was the only way out since the people had wholly turned their hearts against the Lord God of Isreal.
God gave Elijah a Word.Rain and dew had ceased in Isreal for almost three and a half years.Just the way he was commanded to decree drought,so he was commanded to reverse it(1 Kings 18 v 1),but Elijah knew what God best desired. He then gave conditions for peace. The much awaited rain would not come until the land was cleansed. All parties in the land must gather in a concert of power and the people must personally decide the God they would follow. Ahab,Baal and Asherah prophets were the agents of destabilization and confusion,they must openly prove the strenght of their gods.
The people of Isreal were the direct victims and audience,they must witness the concert and decide which God they must serve.
Today,no matter the threat, to your life and destiny,the threat of evil in your country,stand firm on the whole truth of God's word and do all you can to prove that God those not fight by numbers but by the faith of the righteous on Him.
Never get threatened from speaking the hard truth,because you seem to be alone among serious oppositions.Elijah did it and I know you can do it. Scriptures says,"Elijah was a man like us". We can do what he did. The same Spirit of God in Elijah is in you.
The rain shall come but all defenders must be brought to book.I see God visit every evil working against you with a view to restoring back your past blessings and glory.
PRAYER POINTS
1) Pray for the cleansing of your life and father's house from all unrighteousness and demonic invention.
2) Almighty God,today ,locate,break and destroy anything planted in my life and father's house,causing disunity,setback and shame,in Jesus Christ name.
3) Almighty God,arise ,judge every hand behind the woes in my life and in my father's house and restore our lost,glory,in Jesus Christ name.Amen
Daily Spring,April 22nd 2012
DAILY SPRING
April 22nd 2012
WISDOM FOR EXPLOIT
"Then Samuel took a flask of oil and poured it on his head,and kissed him and said: Is it not because the Lord has anointed you commander over His inheritance?"(1Samuel 10 v 1)
In Gods plan,destiny is designed and created to meet needs. In marriage couples are designed to meet the need of each other. Beloved of God we are born to meet needs...We ar...e answers to the cry of the world!
At times,people might consider us liabilities because of some situations in our lives but the truth is we are not liabilities in any way but the answer to the needs of a dying world. In 2012,answers shall be delivered to our lives and homes.Answers shall meet answers in every aspects of our lives. In Saul,Samuel did not see a man looking for an ass but he saw a captain of the Lords inheritance. The true and real you shall be seen and discovered by others from today! This is our year of supernatural exploit. We will find answers and solutions this year to every pressing issue of life.
Saul left home to look for what was missing and only to walk into his destiny. What we are looking for will become a channel of Gods peace and good news to our lives. Things will always happen so God can have His next agenda because He has the final word.As long as we are following God,what we find ourselves doing becomes our link to our next divine agenda.Every word that Saul received from Samuel changed his status on earth because they were from God.
As we have being sent by God,we are His responsibilities. This year ,beginning from today,people will ask us to name our desires! We will meet people that will be relevant to our purpose and assignment in Christ.
Like Saul,we are the chosen of the Lord,approved of the Lord and accepted by the people. Wisdom demands we live therefore daily in the consciousness of the Hand that made us. It is foolishness to keep bad company because of opposition. Do all you can to keep the company of Gods people,no matter what may come your way in life. It takes God to sustain our destinies in this troubled world. Because of divine attraction and divine destiny,it was not the same Saul that left his house that returned to his house. This is our season and year of transformation and manifestation!
PRAYER POINTS
1) Give me a burden Oh God to reach out to the needy in and out of the body of Christ with your love in Jesus Christ name.
2)Energy sappers and time wasters that has infiltrated my life and vision,your time is up! Let the fire of God put you on the run now in Jesus Christ name.
3) This year and from now Mighty God,connect me to the company of people that will add value to my life and help me fulfil my divine assignment on earth in Jesus Christ name,amen!
April 22nd 2012
WISDOM FOR EXPLOIT
"Then Samuel took a flask of oil and poured it on his head,and kissed him and said: Is it not because the Lord has anointed you commander over His inheritance?"(1Samuel 10 v 1)
In Gods plan,destiny is designed and created to meet needs. In marriage couples are designed to meet the need of each other. Beloved of God we are born to meet needs...We ar...e answers to the cry of the world!
At times,people might consider us liabilities because of some situations in our lives but the truth is we are not liabilities in any way but the answer to the needs of a dying world. In 2012,answers shall be delivered to our lives and homes.Answers shall meet answers in every aspects of our lives. In Saul,Samuel did not see a man looking for an ass but he saw a captain of the Lords inheritance. The true and real you shall be seen and discovered by others from today! This is our year of supernatural exploit. We will find answers and solutions this year to every pressing issue of life.
Saul left home to look for what was missing and only to walk into his destiny. What we are looking for will become a channel of Gods peace and good news to our lives. Things will always happen so God can have His next agenda because He has the final word.As long as we are following God,what we find ourselves doing becomes our link to our next divine agenda.Every word that Saul received from Samuel changed his status on earth because they were from God.
As we have being sent by God,we are His responsibilities. This year ,beginning from today,people will ask us to name our desires! We will meet people that will be relevant to our purpose and assignment in Christ.
Like Saul,we are the chosen of the Lord,approved of the Lord and accepted by the people. Wisdom demands we live therefore daily in the consciousness of the Hand that made us. It is foolishness to keep bad company because of opposition. Do all you can to keep the company of Gods people,no matter what may come your way in life. It takes God to sustain our destinies in this troubled world. Because of divine attraction and divine destiny,it was not the same Saul that left his house that returned to his house. This is our season and year of transformation and manifestation!
PRAYER POINTS
1) Give me a burden Oh God to reach out to the needy in and out of the body of Christ with your love in Jesus Christ name.
2)Energy sappers and time wasters that has infiltrated my life and vision,your time is up! Let the fire of God put you on the run now in Jesus Christ name.
3) This year and from now Mighty God,connect me to the company of people that will add value to my life and help me fulfil my divine assignment on earth in Jesus Christ name,amen!
Daily Spring,April 18th 2012
DAILY SPRING
April 18th 2012
PARENT,THAT'S YOUR JOB DESCRIPTION
"...teach them diligently to your children..."(Deuteronomy 6 v 7):
A) He had the wrong emphasis.He placed material success above spiritual success.
B) He had the wrong enviroment.He thought his children could in Sodom and not be affected by it.
C) He had the wrong expectation.He thought he could change his surrounding by compromising with them.
D) He set the wrong example.He thought his family would follow his instructions,instead they followed his lifestyle.
E) He had the wrong relationships.He didn't realise, untill it was too late,how sodom had influenced his famiy (Genesis 19vs 4-5).If you think you can live by the world's rules and expect your children to follow God's,you're kidding yourself.Instead of preaching about the shoes you want your chidren to fill, walk in them! lead by example.Outside of your influence as a parent,the four greatest influence in your child's life are thier peers, the internet,media and music.And all are either working for you or against you.You say "but I'm really busy right now",get un-busy! rethink your priorities. Your children's character is being moulded each day,the question is, by whom? God's Word clearly states that these six things constitute your job description as a parent:
1) Instuct them (Deuteronomy 6:6-7).
2)Train them (Proverbs 22:6).
3)Provide for them (2 Corinthians 12:14).
4)Nuture them (Ephesians 6:4).
5)Discipline them (1 Timothy 3:4).
6) love them (Titus 2:4).
The truth is, there is no greater responsibility!!
Abraham had a nephew called lot who succeeded in business, but lost his family. How come? because:PRAYERS1) Ask God for His forgiveness for leading a life that led your children astray because of the bad examples you set in Jesus Christ name Amen
2) Oh lord give me the ability to train my children to know You in Jesus Christ name Amen
3) Jehovah Elshadi, chain me and my family to your Alter so that we may serve you in Jesus Christ name. Amen
April 18th 2012
PARENT,THAT'S YOUR JOB DESCRIPTION
"...teach them diligently to your children..."(Deuteronomy 6 v 7):
A) He had the wrong emphasis.He placed material success above spiritual success.
B) He had the wrong enviroment.He thought his children could in Sodom and not be affected by it.
C) He had the wrong expectation.He thought he could change his surrounding by compromising with them.
D) He set the wrong example.He thought his family would follow his instructions,instead they followed his lifestyle.
E) He had the wrong relationships.He didn't realise, untill it was too late,how sodom had influenced his famiy (Genesis 19vs 4-5).If you think you can live by the world's rules and expect your children to follow God's,you're kidding yourself.Instead of preaching about the shoes you want your chidren to fill, walk in them! lead by example.Outside of your influence as a parent,the four greatest influence in your child's life are thier peers, the internet,media and music.And all are either working for you or against you.You say "but I'm really busy right now",get un-busy! rethink your priorities. Your children's character is being moulded each day,the question is, by whom? God's Word clearly states that these six things constitute your job description as a parent:
1) Instuct them (Deuteronomy 6:6-7).
2)Train them (Proverbs 22:6).
3)Provide for them (2 Corinthians 12:14).
4)Nuture them (Ephesians 6:4).
5)Discipline them (1 Timothy 3:4).
6) love them (Titus 2:4).
The truth is, there is no greater responsibility!!
Abraham had a nephew called lot who succeeded in business, but lost his family. How come? because:PRAYERS1) Ask God for His forgiveness for leading a life that led your children astray because of the bad examples you set in Jesus Christ name Amen
2) Oh lord give me the ability to train my children to know You in Jesus Christ name Amen
3) Jehovah Elshadi, chain me and my family to your Alter so that we may serve you in Jesus Christ name. Amen
Inspirational
The enemy doesn't and will not waste his bullets on corpses,but he is after those that are on fire for Christ and working the works of Christ. The good news is ...the Greater One lives inside of us and we need not let Him down!
Daily Spring,April 17th 2012
DAILY SPRING
April 17th 2012
STAND ON GOD'S PROMISES
"He always does what He says"(2Corinthians 1 v 19)
Ever had a friend break a promise? An engagement or agreement to take a leap together broken? The cheque that didnt not come,the repair man doesnt show up,your friend doesnt show up for that date? keep counting....people will let us down but God wont!. He always does exactly what He says." He...fulfils all...[His]promises" (2 Corinthians 1 v 19-20).
Knowing this enables us to keep walking by faith while we wait for them to be fulfiled' Sometimes not knowing how it will turn out or become,can be frustrating,causing us to worry,despair and evn give in to fear.If we knew how it was going to play out we would have bing better-off. In that health crisis....a question about marriage...a decision that neds to be taken in the ministry or at work...uncertainty over a child...we all have areas we need to hold on to what God said...He knows what He promised us,He cant lie,and He can't forget.He will surely deliver on time.Who else can make promises like that?
The Lord God is calling us to look unto Him in these days of the trials of our faith in our everyday life. He will come through to us no matter how hard and difficult that challenge is....God will surely break through! Psalm 23 tells us "The Lord is our Shephered" and then all that should happen to us. Lets just sit back and trust Him to take us where He has prepared for us in Christ. Its a decision we need to take and act on.
PRAYERS
1) Repent of all th times you wanted to quit or you even walked out on it all and ask God to forgive and heal you of the pains the enemy has caused you on the process.
2)You spirit of acting on impulse and impatience,lose your hold upon my life physically and spiritually in Jesus Christ name.
3)I recieve Oh Lord the manifestation of your will upon my life,ministry,marriage,family,finances,Job,business,relationships in Jesus Christ name,amen.
April 17th 2012
STAND ON GOD'S PROMISES
"He always does what He says"(2Corinthians 1 v 19)
Ever had a friend break a promise? An engagement or agreement to take a leap together broken? The cheque that didnt not come,the repair man doesnt show up,your friend doesnt show up for that date? keep counting....people will let us down but God wont!. He always does exactly what He says." He...fulfils all...[His]promises" (2 Corinthians 1 v 19-20).
Knowing this enables us to keep walking by faith while we wait for them to be fulfiled' Sometimes not knowing how it will turn out or become,can be frustrating,causing us to worry,despair and evn give in to fear.If we knew how it was going to play out we would have bing better-off. In that health crisis....a question about marriage...a decision that neds to be taken in the ministry or at work...uncertainty over a child...we all have areas we need to hold on to what God said...He knows what He promised us,He cant lie,and He can't forget.He will surely deliver on time.Who else can make promises like that?
The Lord God is calling us to look unto Him in these days of the trials of our faith in our everyday life. He will come through to us no matter how hard and difficult that challenge is....God will surely break through! Psalm 23 tells us "The Lord is our Shephered" and then all that should happen to us. Lets just sit back and trust Him to take us where He has prepared for us in Christ. Its a decision we need to take and act on.
PRAYERS
1) Repent of all th times you wanted to quit or you even walked out on it all and ask God to forgive and heal you of the pains the enemy has caused you on the process.
2)You spirit of acting on impulse and impatience,lose your hold upon my life physically and spiritually in Jesus Christ name.
3)I recieve Oh Lord the manifestation of your will upon my life,ministry,marriage,family,finances,Job,business,relationships in Jesus Christ name,amen.
Daily Spring,April 16th 2012
DAILY SPRING
April 16th 2012
WE ARE ON A MISSION!
"Go I am sending you"(Luke 10 v 3)
Jesus sent His disciples out on a mission saying,"Do not take purse or bag...and do not greet anyone on the road"(Luke 10 v 4).Observe three things He emphasised:
1) "Do not take a purse".No hoarding! God will bless the man or woman who says,'Every penny you give me above my needs,Lord I'll use to enable the spreading of the Gospel'. Imagine standing at the jugdement seat of Christ with your riches uninvested,your assignment unfulfilled,and your sphere of influence unreached for Christ. Imagine the beloved you couldn't and didn't attend to because they were not from 'your' Church or had no tithe card or good tithes coming! The Churches,Ministries,ministers or the beloved you looked at and saw the needs in their lives and because they are not from 'your' Church,you moved on. Oh sent of Christ! What can you possibly say to Christ on the last day? He never gave us the names to idolize on but a body that was butchered for our sins. Let's live as one body not as the nations of the world classified under 3rd,2nd,1st world countries,oil rich and land rich struggling for a world leader post! We already have a leader...CHRIST OUR KING!
2)"Do not take a...bag". No excess baggage! Gods Word says, let us strip off every weight that slows us down,especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us"(Hebrew 12 v 1). Whatever that can get your attention can influence you,and whatever can keep your attention can master you. Satan dreads the completion of our assignment,so we must fight to keep focus. Do not let those little foxes,'it dosent matter attitudes',thinking like the worl as you uphold those wordly thoughts with decieving ourselves that we have GRACE! So to the world it is sin but to you sin in grace.
3)"Do not greet anyone on the road". Do not waste time ' social circulating'! Question any relationship that doesn't contribute to your destiny positively. Paul was single-minded on this issue: "...if any man obey not our word by this epistle,note that man,and have no company with him..."(2 Thessalonians 3 v 14). The hour is too late and the need too great. In the old days,in certain agricultural states in America,they closed the schools for a few weeks and everyone was sent into the fields to gather the harvest. Why? Because to wait is to be too late and the crops will be destroyed and all the time,money,pains and efforts put at it will be invain! You don't have to dress or talk like the world to be comfortable around the world or so you don't seem outdated... Its stylish and glorious to walk in power! Get some spiritual buttons turned on by the power of the Holy Ghost kingdom warrior and the world will want what you represent and the power you command because of whose we are that has sent us!
PRAYERS
1) Repent and ask God to forgive you in anyway you have gone contrary from the mission He snt you.
2)Every weight of delay,carryover characters from the world hanging around and in me,your time is up! Be floushed out now by the fire of the Holy Ghost in Jesus Christ name.
3)Oh God I have no power of my own, inject into me the ability to fulfil my mission on a daily basis in Jesus Christ name,amen
Women in the Ministry
"Pentecostal Women in Ministry:
Where Do We Go From Here?"
By
Where Do We Go From Here?"
By
Sheri R. Benvenuti
Pentecostal women who are called to ministry walk a fine and often precarious line. We, on the one hand, are not radical feminists who demand certain fights, suspicion patriarchal hierarchy as the greatest of all human evils, or refer to God as "she" at every turn. However, on the other hand, we are not simply passive about our call to ministry. We do notice the "man's world" in which we must function, and we understand that the "female," too, helps make up what we know about the image of God. We are not women who wish to displace men, nor do we view women who are not called to ministry as being in any way inferior. We are women who simply and humbly ask that we be given room to be obedient to the Lord who has called us. We are certainly not the first generation of Pentecostal women who have pursued such an opportunity.
When one reads about some of the great women in our history such as Aimee Semple McPherson, Alice Belle Garrigus, Maria Woodworth-Etter, Marie Burgess, Kathryn Kuhlman, and Mae Eleanore Frey, it is encouraging to know that these extremely gifted women ministered with great success at a time in history that did not make life easy for them. Their call to preach seemed to supersede everything else in their lives, motivating them to pay a difficult price to fulfill God's will. Their faithfulness is of great encouragement to every Pentecostal woman in ministry today.
However, there is some disappointment at the present state of women in ministry in our Pentecostal fellowships. While there are indications that a few of our denominations are experiencing a small increase in the total amount of women who serve in those fellowships(1), the figures reveal that there will be a slow upward climb ahead for women who are called to serve.
I must confess that I have a vested interest in the issue of women in ministry, not only from an academic perspective, but also from a personal point of view. I have been a Pentecostal minister for the last twenty-five years. During this time the discussion of Pentecostal women in ministry has come to the point where much work has been done both biblically and historically to redefine the opportunity for women in ministry positions. However, my experience still causes me to resonate with the great Assemblies of God evangelist, Mae Eleanore Frey who once said, "... for God-fearing, intelligent, Spirit-filled women, upon whom God has set his seal in their ministry, to have to sit and listen to men haggle over the matter of their place in the ministry is humiliating to say the least."(2) In addition to this difficult personal situation for women, there is also the greater reality of a world desperately needing every anointed person to preach the gospel, while the Church busies itself with unending doctrinal debate over who is qualified to minister in what position. We are, in a sense, watching the house burn down while arguing about which fire truck to use. The time has come for Pentecostal women in ministry to leave the arena of debate and simply be who they are and do what God has called them to do.
In view of the need for practical solutions which will work to encourage women in this endeavor, the historical context from which we function is vitally important for Pentecostal women in ministry simply because it not only sets precedent for what we do, but also because history has a way of teaching some invaluable practical lessons. With this in view, there are at least three important needs that can be identified to justify a place for Pentecostal women in ministry.
I must confess that I have a vested interest in the issue of women in ministry, not only from an academic perspective, but also from a personal point of view. I have been a Pentecostal minister for the last twenty-five years. During this time the discussion of Pentecostal women in ministry has come to the point where much work has been done both biblically and historically to redefine the opportunity for women in ministry positions. However, my experience still causes me to resonate with the great Assemblies of God evangelist, Mae Eleanore Frey who once said, "... for God-fearing, intelligent, Spirit-filled women, upon whom God has set his seal in their ministry, to have to sit and listen to men haggle over the matter of their place in the ministry is humiliating to say the least."(2) In addition to this difficult personal situation for women, there is also the greater reality of a world desperately needing every anointed person to preach the gospel, while the Church busies itself with unending doctrinal debate over who is qualified to minister in what position. We are, in a sense, watching the house burn down while arguing about which fire truck to use. The time has come for Pentecostal women in ministry to leave the arena of debate and simply be who they are and do what God has called them to do.
In view of the need for practical solutions which will work to encourage women in this endeavor, the historical context from which we function is vitally important for Pentecostal women in ministry simply because it not only sets precedent for what we do, but also because history has a way of teaching some invaluable practical lessons. With this in view, there are at least three important needs that can be identified to justify a place for Pentecostal women in ministry.
The Need for Pentecostals to Return to Their Roots
The moment this statement is made, one must assume that Pentecostals have indeed strayed from their initial identity. The fact that the participation of women in ministry is even an issue within the context of Pentecostalism suggests this to be true. There are at least two things which have contributed to this change from the early days of Pentecostalism.
First, as Pentecostal denominations began to formalize their structure, women who were active in every type of ministry position were simply left out of denominational leadership roles. Up to this point, in fact, there is little to suggest that women doing the work of the ministry, holding positions as pastors, teachers, and evangelists, were even questioned in the validity of their function. Men and women of that day seemed to be grounded in the understanding that because God chose women to participate in the New Testament Holy Spirit baptism experience, it was only logical that they, too, should carry the message of the gospel. In the words of Mae Eleanore Frey, "God Almighty is no fool- -I say it with all reverence--Would He fill a woman with the Holy Ghost--endow her with ability--give her a vision of souls and then tell her to shut her mouth?"(3)
In their insightful article concerning this idea, Charles H. Barfoot and Gerald T. Sheppard hold that in those early days, three factors were responsible for the equality of the sexes in Pentecostal ministry:
1.The importance of "a calling."
2.The confirmation of the call through the recognition of the presence of ministry gifting in the person by the community.
3. The community's eschatological belief that they were experiencing the "latter rain" in which "your sons and your daughters will prophesy."(4)
Barfoot and Sheppard suggest, however, that "as routinization and regimentation of community relationships set in, reactions did occur against the [Pentecostal] movement's prophesying daughters."(5) One vital reaction to which Barfoot and Sheppard refer involves the whole question of authority. That is, should women in ministry have positions of authority over men? As Pentecostal fellowships moved from the pioneer phase of their development into the formalization of church structure, a shift began to take place in the minds of the early framers of these groups. Where once women were free to function in any ministry gift, now some were unable to fulfill their call by being relegated to newly defined "feminine" roles, while others paid a great price to remain true to their call. That the idea of authority should be at the center of the discussion not only determined the path that early Pentecostalism was to take, but was a direct reversal of the position taken by the early pioneers of the movement.
In early Pentecostalism, authority was never the issue; rather, servanthood was always the focal point of one's ministry calling. Even the manner in which the church services were conducted suggested that early Pentecostals fully believed that the Holy Spirit himself held absolute authority, and the Spirit anointed whomever he chose to serve the body of believers. Frank Bartleman describes those early days:
Brother Seymour was recognized as the nominal leader in
charge. But we had no pope or hierarchy ... The Lord Himself
was leading ... We did not honor men for their advantage,
in means or education, but rather for their God-given
'gifts...' The Lord was liable to burst through any one. We
prayed for this continually. Some one would finally get up
anointed for the message. All seemed to recognize this and
gave way. It might be a child, a woman, or a man.(6)
While deconstruction of structural organization is not what is called for, what is necessary is a return to the biblical, and early Pentecostal, understanding that all authority is defined by the degree to which one serves. That is to say, for the Pentecostal, authority is not derived through position alone, as some may assert, but rather is found in the individual who serves the body of Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit. With this understanding, the gender of the individual in question becomes irrelevant, for no one ever debates which gender is qualified to serve.
The second contributing factor is what Cecil Robeck calls "the 'evangelicalization' of Pentecostals."(7)
First, as Pentecostal denominations began to formalize their structure, women who were active in every type of ministry position were simply left out of denominational leadership roles. Up to this point, in fact, there is little to suggest that women doing the work of the ministry, holding positions as pastors, teachers, and evangelists, were even questioned in the validity of their function. Men and women of that day seemed to be grounded in the understanding that because God chose women to participate in the New Testament Holy Spirit baptism experience, it was only logical that they, too, should carry the message of the gospel. In the words of Mae Eleanore Frey, "God Almighty is no fool- -I say it with all reverence--Would He fill a woman with the Holy Ghost--endow her with ability--give her a vision of souls and then tell her to shut her mouth?"(3)
In their insightful article concerning this idea, Charles H. Barfoot and Gerald T. Sheppard hold that in those early days, three factors were responsible for the equality of the sexes in Pentecostal ministry:
1.The importance of "a calling."
2.The confirmation of the call through the recognition of the presence of ministry gifting in the person by the community.
3. The community's eschatological belief that they were experiencing the "latter rain" in which "your sons and your daughters will prophesy."(4)
Barfoot and Sheppard suggest, however, that "as routinization and regimentation of community relationships set in, reactions did occur against the [Pentecostal] movement's prophesying daughters."(5) One vital reaction to which Barfoot and Sheppard refer involves the whole question of authority. That is, should women in ministry have positions of authority over men? As Pentecostal fellowships moved from the pioneer phase of their development into the formalization of church structure, a shift began to take place in the minds of the early framers of these groups. Where once women were free to function in any ministry gift, now some were unable to fulfill their call by being relegated to newly defined "feminine" roles, while others paid a great price to remain true to their call. That the idea of authority should be at the center of the discussion not only determined the path that early Pentecostalism was to take, but was a direct reversal of the position taken by the early pioneers of the movement.
In early Pentecostalism, authority was never the issue; rather, servanthood was always the focal point of one's ministry calling. Even the manner in which the church services were conducted suggested that early Pentecostals fully believed that the Holy Spirit himself held absolute authority, and the Spirit anointed whomever he chose to serve the body of believers. Frank Bartleman describes those early days:
Brother Seymour was recognized as the nominal leader in
charge. But we had no pope or hierarchy ... The Lord Himself
was leading ... We did not honor men for their advantage,
in means or education, but rather for their God-given
'gifts...' The Lord was liable to burst through any one. We
prayed for this continually. Some one would finally get up
anointed for the message. All seemed to recognize this and
gave way. It might be a child, a woman, or a man.(6)
While deconstruction of structural organization is not what is called for, what is necessary is a return to the biblical, and early Pentecostal, understanding that all authority is defined by the degree to which one serves. That is to say, for the Pentecostal, authority is not derived through position alone, as some may assert, but rather is found in the individual who serves the body of Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit. With this understanding, the gender of the individual in question becomes irrelevant, for no one ever debates which gender is qualified to serve.
The second contributing factor is what Cecil Robeck calls "the 'evangelicalization' of Pentecostals."(7)
While Pentecostals have achieved a sense of acceptance and respectability through their relationship with the National Association of Evangelicals, "as evangelical values have been adopted by Pentecostals, the role of women in ministry has suffered."(8) Pentecostal denominations have traditionally allowed women much greater freedom in ministry roles than their evangelical counterparts. A return to our Pentecostal roots, in this case, would mean a return to the theology and experience that make us who we are: a diverse, yet unified group of individuals who are each empowered by the Holy Spirit to function in ministry gifts.
Each of the women who were involved in ministry in the early days were women who were incredibly and undeniably gifted. These were women who reaped a great harvest. Many people were converted, many were healed, denominational boundaries were broken, and men, women, and children received the outpouring of their own personal Pentecost. Edith Blumhofer asserts that:
In the early Pentecostal movement, having the "anointing"
was far more important than one's sex. As evangelistic bands
carried the full gospel across the country, women who were
recognized as having the anointing of the Holy Spirit shared
with men in the preaching ministry ... A person's call-- and
how other believers viewed it--was far more important than
[ministerial credentials].(9)
For a Pentecostal, one's call to ministry is confirmed by the gifting. While denominational ordination is an important factor in validating one's call, it is simply that, a validation of the ministry one is already doing through the empowerment of the Holy Spirit.(10) Consequently, women in ministry who are Pentecostals should be just that, Pentecostals. They should be encouraged to pray for the sick, preach, teach, evangelize, and do the work of the ministry, understanding that their validation comes through the gifting of the Spirit, as well as the corresponding ordination of the Church.
Each of the women who were involved in ministry in the early days were women who were incredibly and undeniably gifted. These were women who reaped a great harvest. Many people were converted, many were healed, denominational boundaries were broken, and men, women, and children received the outpouring of their own personal Pentecost. Edith Blumhofer asserts that:
In the early Pentecostal movement, having the "anointing"
was far more important than one's sex. As evangelistic bands
carried the full gospel across the country, women who were
recognized as having the anointing of the Holy Spirit shared
with men in the preaching ministry ... A person's call-- and
how other believers viewed it--was far more important than
[ministerial credentials].(9)
For a Pentecostal, one's call to ministry is confirmed by the gifting. While denominational ordination is an important factor in validating one's call, it is simply that, a validation of the ministry one is already doing through the empowerment of the Holy Spirit.(10) Consequently, women in ministry who are Pentecostals should be just that, Pentecostals. They should be encouraged to pray for the sick, preach, teach, evangelize, and do the work of the ministry, understanding that their validation comes through the gifting of the Spirit, as well as the corresponding ordination of the Church.
The Need for Role Models
There is no greater example of the necessity for women to have role models than that found in the life and ministry of Aimee Semple McPherson. After 10 years of grueling evangelistic work, McPherson decided to settle down in Los Angeles in 1921. She purchased property near Echo Park, designed and built Angelus Temple, dedicating the new building on January 1, 1923. By the time she was thirty-three years old, Aimee Semple McPherson had established the first Christian radio station in the United States, a 5,300 seat auditorium in which thousands of people were saved and healed, a Bible College, and ultimately a denomination, all of which are still in operation today.(11) The International Church of the Foursquare Gospel now has well over 1.9 million members, with over 31,000 churches and meeting places in 72 countries around the world.(12)
While McPherson was uniquely gifted and greatly used of God, she did not exist in a vacuum. Other influential women had begun to pave the way for her, providing many models to follow and, as a result, a certain level of acceptance for women in ministry that she otherwise may not have enjoyed. The number of women providing a legacy of leadership in the Pentecostal movement were numerous. In addition to those women addressed in the articles under consideration, there were others such as Maria Woodworth-Etter, who by the end of 1885, was drawing an estimated 25,000 people to her camp meetings. Also active in the Movement was Marie Burgess, who after having been baptized with the Holy Spirit in 1906 under the ministry of Charles Parham, began preaching in Illinois, Ohio, and Michigan, eventually founding the great Glad Tidings Hall in New York.
McPherson herself was not unaware of the impact she would have upon women in ministry, and in fact encouraged other women to follow her lead. In a lecture to one of her Bible School classes, she stated:
This is the only church, I am told, that is ordaining women
preachers. Even the Pentecostal works, in some cases, have
said, "no women preachers." But I am opening the door, and
as long as Sister McPherson is alive, she is going to hold
the door open and say, "Ladies, come!"(13)
She was evidently true to her word, for by 1944, the year of her death, women accounted for 67% of the ordained clergy in the denomination which she founded, the International Church of the Foursquare Gospel. Following her death, however, a change in the number of ordained women began to occur. By the late seventies, the figure had dropped to 42%.(14) By 1993, the number of ordained women had decreased to approximately 38%(15) While this ratio is relatively high compared to other Pentecostal denominations, it must be noted that a great percentage of these ordained women are wives of ordained pastors who do not necessarily function in legitimate church leadership roles, with only a handful of these women functioning as senior pastors of a congregation.
Even more interesting is the lack of women found within corporate leadership in the denomination. Because all executive offices are appointed, using senior pastors as the pool of possible candidates, coupled with the fact that there are few female senior pastors in the denomination, of the 34 executive council members, only 5 are women, with two of these women serving in traditionally female roles as Assistant Secretary and Director of Women's Ministries. Further, of the 166 divisional representatives, none are female.(16) While there may be other contributing factors, the lack of women in high-profile positions has surely made a strong contribution to the decrease of women who hold senior ministry positions within the Foursquare Church. Could it be that the absence of a powerful example such as Aimee Semple McPherson has contributed to this decline?
This phenomenon has not gone unnoticed by some of the leaders in the denomination. In fact, in February of 1995, the International Church sponsored the first National Women's Leadership Conference in Fort Worth, Texas. The 900 women who were in attendance strongly responded to the theme of the conference: Catch the Vision: Create a Legacy. These women obviously believe that it is not only important for Pentecostal women in ministry to fulfill their call in the present, but that by doing so, they will also create greater opportunity for future female leadership as well by modeling Spirit empowered ministry to the next generation of women.
The Need for Affirmation
Pentecostal women who are called to ministry have need of affirmation from three specific sources. Harvey Cox, in his Fire From on High, has noticed the high value Pentecostals have put on "direct revelation." In his chapter that concerns Pentecostal women in ministry, Cox says of a testimony he heard:
It went a long way in answering my question about how so
many women win the right to preach in a church which, at
least technically, forbids it. It clearly demonstrated why
Pentecostals, who take the authority of the Bible very
seriously but also believe in direct revelation through
visions, have opened a wider space for women than most other
Christian denominations have. What the Bible says is one
thing, but when God speaks to you directly, that supersedes
everything else.(17)
While it is true that Pentecostal women in ministry have had a tendency to base the validity of their ministry on the "call" experience alone, one must consider that the call itself requires scriptural basis. Women must first function in ministry with the validity of their call resting in scripture, not in spite of it. Pentecostals must hold to the truth that gender bias runs in direct opposition to the entire message of the gospel. While it is true that in the old fallen order, sex discrimination is practiced, redemption in Christ has set us free from the practice of using gender as the criteria for determining positions of leadership within the Church. Paul declares that "there is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus" (Gal. 3:28). Paul declares this rather radical statement within the context of a discussion with the Galatians concerning the futility of their attempts to satisfy the Old Testament law (particularly circumcision) by their own works, while continuing to maintain that they are living by grace. In Paul's view, circumcision, specifically a male rite, had fulfilled its purpose in the Old Testament. In the New Testament, however, the old rite has been replaced by the rite of baptism, in which all believers--male and female, slave and free, Jew or Greek--can participate. Stanley Grenz says of this passage in Galatians that,
Paul indicates that the transition from circumcision to
baptism has destroyed the significance of the distinctions
between persons which formerly were used to establish social
hierarchies. These include appeals not only to ethnic
heritage (Jew and Gentile) and social status (free and
slave) but also to gender differentiations (male and
female). Therefore the hierarchy of male over female
introduced by the Fall is now outmoded ... (18)
For Pentecostals to live according to any hierarchical structure which exalts one race, one social group, or one gender over another is to bring ourselves under a bondage that was never purposed for us in Christ. That is not to say that organization is not necessary, it certainly is. However, we must live according to the New Testament injunction to "be subject to one another out of reverence for Christ" (Eph. 5:21). All human relationship within the context of the community of God must always be guided by equal submission.
Further, looking to scripture as the foundation for ministry means that the "problem passages" must be wrestled through, using all of the academic tools available. My personal experience has been that once these issues were dealt with, in a manner true to hermeneutical principles that provided solid answers, I felt a confidence in my ministry that had not been experienced up to this point. In addition, not only is it important for the Pentecostal female minister for her own benefit to understand that she is functioning in ministry because of a scriptural foundation (not in spite of it), this knowledge will also serve to neutralize opposing doctrine, thereby opening a greater opportunity for women in official ministry positions.
Secondly, women are entering Bible Colleges and Seminaries in staggering numbers. In fact, according to 1993 statistics, 25-30 percent of the students enrolled in seminary degree programs in the United States are women.(19) Clearly, women are sensing the call of God to full-time ministry; as a result, they are responding to their call by pursuing formal education. It is vital, then, that our Pentecostal colleges offer education concerning women in leadership within the context of the Pentecostal distinctive. However, this education must not be in any way limited to women or to the subject of women in leadership, but should encompass both historical and Biblical analysis arising from a Pentecostal tradition. In short, young Pentecostals need to be taught the distinctives of their Pentecostal heritage and identity, which include the scriptural validation of ministry for women. This effort will not only give female students great confidence in their call through proper understanding and equipping, but will also serve to inform our young male Pentecostals, as well, preparing them to deal with the reality of the female ministers they will surely encounter in their ministries.
Last, the call of God, in addition to the act of ordination for female Pentecostals, becomes a moot issue unless ministry opportunities are available to women. Today, I can not look across my desk at a young female who is about to graduate with a degree in Pastoral Ministry and confidently say to her that there will be a position open to her in the local church for which she has been called and trained. For example, in the Assemblies of God in 1993, 15.2% of credentialed ministers were females, but 40.2% of that number were 65 years or older. And, only 1.06% of all credentialed ministers were female senior pastors. Further, there are some Pentecostal denominations that do not yet allow women full ordination. Because women who are called to ministry cannot be disobedient to the will of God for their lives and must be true to their calling, this lack of opportunity within the Pentecostal ranks will, I fear, cause many of our brightest and best ministers to defect to non-Pentecostal denominations where their fire and zeal is most welcomed, regardless of their gender.
Therefore, our Pentecostal fellowships must be willing to give equal opportunity to those women who are called to ministry, not merely allowing them the more traditional female roles in the church, but recognizing the possibility that no position in church/servant leadership is gender restricted.
It went a long way in answering my question about how so
many women win the right to preach in a church which, at
least technically, forbids it. It clearly demonstrated why
Pentecostals, who take the authority of the Bible very
seriously but also believe in direct revelation through
visions, have opened a wider space for women than most other
Christian denominations have. What the Bible says is one
thing, but when God speaks to you directly, that supersedes
everything else.(17)
While it is true that Pentecostal women in ministry have had a tendency to base the validity of their ministry on the "call" experience alone, one must consider that the call itself requires scriptural basis. Women must first function in ministry with the validity of their call resting in scripture, not in spite of it. Pentecostals must hold to the truth that gender bias runs in direct opposition to the entire message of the gospel. While it is true that in the old fallen order, sex discrimination is practiced, redemption in Christ has set us free from the practice of using gender as the criteria for determining positions of leadership within the Church. Paul declares that "there is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus" (Gal. 3:28). Paul declares this rather radical statement within the context of a discussion with the Galatians concerning the futility of their attempts to satisfy the Old Testament law (particularly circumcision) by their own works, while continuing to maintain that they are living by grace. In Paul's view, circumcision, specifically a male rite, had fulfilled its purpose in the Old Testament. In the New Testament, however, the old rite has been replaced by the rite of baptism, in which all believers--male and female, slave and free, Jew or Greek--can participate. Stanley Grenz says of this passage in Galatians that,
Paul indicates that the transition from circumcision to
baptism has destroyed the significance of the distinctions
between persons which formerly were used to establish social
hierarchies. These include appeals not only to ethnic
heritage (Jew and Gentile) and social status (free and
slave) but also to gender differentiations (male and
female). Therefore the hierarchy of male over female
introduced by the Fall is now outmoded ... (18)
For Pentecostals to live according to any hierarchical structure which exalts one race, one social group, or one gender over another is to bring ourselves under a bondage that was never purposed for us in Christ. That is not to say that organization is not necessary, it certainly is. However, we must live according to the New Testament injunction to "be subject to one another out of reverence for Christ" (Eph. 5:21). All human relationship within the context of the community of God must always be guided by equal submission.
Further, looking to scripture as the foundation for ministry means that the "problem passages" must be wrestled through, using all of the academic tools available. My personal experience has been that once these issues were dealt with, in a manner true to hermeneutical principles that provided solid answers, I felt a confidence in my ministry that had not been experienced up to this point. In addition, not only is it important for the Pentecostal female minister for her own benefit to understand that she is functioning in ministry because of a scriptural foundation (not in spite of it), this knowledge will also serve to neutralize opposing doctrine, thereby opening a greater opportunity for women in official ministry positions.
Secondly, women are entering Bible Colleges and Seminaries in staggering numbers. In fact, according to 1993 statistics, 25-30 percent of the students enrolled in seminary degree programs in the United States are women.(19) Clearly, women are sensing the call of God to full-time ministry; as a result, they are responding to their call by pursuing formal education. It is vital, then, that our Pentecostal colleges offer education concerning women in leadership within the context of the Pentecostal distinctive. However, this education must not be in any way limited to women or to the subject of women in leadership, but should encompass both historical and Biblical analysis arising from a Pentecostal tradition. In short, young Pentecostals need to be taught the distinctives of their Pentecostal heritage and identity, which include the scriptural validation of ministry for women. This effort will not only give female students great confidence in their call through proper understanding and equipping, but will also serve to inform our young male Pentecostals, as well, preparing them to deal with the reality of the female ministers they will surely encounter in their ministries.
Last, the call of God, in addition to the act of ordination for female Pentecostals, becomes a moot issue unless ministry opportunities are available to women. Today, I can not look across my desk at a young female who is about to graduate with a degree in Pastoral Ministry and confidently say to her that there will be a position open to her in the local church for which she has been called and trained. For example, in the Assemblies of God in 1993, 15.2% of credentialed ministers were females, but 40.2% of that number were 65 years or older. And, only 1.06% of all credentialed ministers were female senior pastors. Further, there are some Pentecostal denominations that do not yet allow women full ordination. Because women who are called to ministry cannot be disobedient to the will of God for their lives and must be true to their calling, this lack of opportunity within the Pentecostal ranks will, I fear, cause many of our brightest and best ministers to defect to non-Pentecostal denominations where their fire and zeal is most welcomed, regardless of their gender.
Therefore, our Pentecostal fellowships must be willing to give equal opportunity to those women who are called to ministry, not merely allowing them the more traditional female roles in the church, but recognizing the possibility that no position in church/servant leadership is gender restricted.
Conclusion
Today, Pentecostals find themselves asking what it means to be truly Pentecostal. With a new appreciation for education rising within their ranks, young Pentecostals, both male and female, are beginning to notice that in the early days of the Movement, Pentecostals were involved in the women's suffrage movement, were conscientious objectors, and were vitally involved in many areas of social reform. Further, there are some who are now calling for an abandonment of much of the evangelical theology which is diametrically opposed to the original Pentecostal experience, while at the same time holding to a form of biblical literalism, which is in effect, having the result of the development of a Pentecostal hermeneutic which is more in line with the Pentecostal experience.
Ideally, as women become more assured in their calling to ministry, more confident in their gifting by the Holy Spirit, and are affirmed in who they are biblically and historically through the process of education and ministry opportunity in their fellowship, these women will rise to the occasion.
"If..women are [no] less capable than men of piety, zeal,
learning and whatever else seems necessary for the
[ministry], then why ... should the church not draw on
the huge reserves which could pour into the priesthood if
women were here, as in so many professions, put on the same
footing with men?"(20)
Why, indeed?
Ideally, as women become more assured in their calling to ministry, more confident in their gifting by the Holy Spirit, and are affirmed in who they are biblically and historically through the process of education and ministry opportunity in their fellowship, these women will rise to the occasion.
"If..women are [no] less capable than men of piety, zeal,
learning and whatever else seems necessary for the
[ministry], then why ... should the church not draw on
the huge reserves which could pour into the priesthood if
women were here, as in so many professions, put on the same
footing with men?"(20)
Why, indeed?
Daily Spring,April 14th 2012
HOW'S YOUR PRAYER LIFE
"...it is time to seek the Lord..." (Hosea 10 v 12)
...
The place of prayer is where you meet with God to be instructed,corrected,cleansed,loved,built up and prepared to do his will. It can be anywhere,buy it must be somewhere! It can be anytime,but must be a set time.without prayer,what do you have to draw on! You will work harder and harder and achive less and less because you are operating in you own strenght.
But after you've prayed you will struggle and accomplish more because you are operating in God's strenght. If you are spending hours watching television but don't have time to pray, ' it time to seek the lord.' If you're leaving comfortably with sins that once troubled you,' it is time to seek the lord.' If you are speaking words of bitterness towards someone who hurt you.' It is time to seek the lord.
If having material things consumes so much of your energy there's none left for God and your family,' it time to seek the lord.'The new testament chruch grew so fast that the Apostles had no time to pray. So they said,'..." It is not right ...'(Acts 6). That's where you must start! If you have foresaken the place of prayer it will show up in your attitudes and actions. What did the apostles do? They said,'....we will ourselves continually to prayer...'(Acts 6:4).
And look what happened; '... The word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied...'(Acts 6:7). If you have gotten this far with little prayer,inconsistent prayer, or no prayer,think how far you'll go when you begin to pray.
PRAYERS
1) Repent of a prayer life you have hat doesnt gloryfy God and ask Him to put you back into shape
2)Powers drying up my prayer life be consumed by the power of God now in Jesus Christ name.
3) I will be who God has made me to be for Him in Jesus Christ name,amen.
"...it is time to seek the Lord..." (Hosea 10 v 12)
...
The place of prayer is where you meet with God to be instructed,corrected,cleansed,
But after you've prayed you will struggle and accomplish more because you are operating in God's strenght. If you are spending hours watching television but don't have time to pray, ' it time to seek the lord.' If you're leaving comfortably with sins that once troubled you,' it is time to seek the lord.' If you are speaking words of bitterness towards someone who hurt you.' It is time to seek the lord.
If having material things consumes so much of your energy there's none left for God and your family,' it time to seek the lord.'The new testament chruch grew so fast that the Apostles had no time to pray. So they said,'..." It is not right ...'(Acts 6). That's where you must start! If you have foresaken the place of prayer it will show up in your attitudes and actions. What did the apostles do? They said,'....we will ourselves continually to prayer...'(Acts 6:4).
And look what happened; '... The word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied...'(Acts 6:7). If you have gotten this far with little prayer,inconsistent prayer, or no prayer,think how far you'll go when you begin to pray.
PRAYERS
1) Repent of a prayer life you have hat doesnt gloryfy God and ask Him to put you back into shape
2)Powers drying up my prayer life be consumed by the power of God now in Jesus Christ name.
3) I will be who God has made me to be for Him in Jesus Christ name,amen.
“I will seek that which was lost and bring again that which was driven away ,and will bind up that which was broken, and will strengthen that which was sick: but I will destroy the fat and the strong: I will feed them with judgment”. (Ezekiel 34 v 16)
Judgment will start from the leaders of the body of Christ to the world….the ‘heavy shakers and movers’ of the Church. God help us to finish this race to His glory in Jesus Christ name, amen!
DAILY SPRING, April 11th
DAILY SPRING
April 11th 2012
THE DOMINO EFFECT OF PRAISE (2)
“My mouth is filled with your praise…all day long” (Psalm 71 v 8)
In 2007, after battling leukemia, pianist/song- writer, Roger Bennett died. At first he thought he was in remission, but the disease returned with a vengeance. He wrote on his website: ‘Our enemy stalks us exactly the way the Bible describes, as a roaring lion. He hides in the bushes waiting for any sign of weakness. Then he strikes. He didn’t strike me physically; he struck a more critical part, my joy, confidence, and hope. Every thought I turned towards heaven bounced back like it was made of brass. Every time I tried to look at the bright side, I ended up imagining a dark future’. Then he threw his most effective dart; doubt.’ You call yourself a Christian, what a hypocrite! You are more afraid than ever…more filled with despair. So much for your faith, Mr. Gospel singer! ’ I believed everything he said, I tried everything I knew to pull out of it…I thought if I dozed off, it will pass…but the clock seemed to move in slow motion. Sleep was nowhere near. I tried to loose myself in the Bible, but the words blurred and I couldn’t make sense of them’. Then Bennett had an epiphany, as he thought about Paul and Silas in prison ‘They didn’t despair’, he wrote ‘they sang praises and that became their weapon. One after another…old song came to me and I sang them to my empty room, it wasn’t a great performance, but it may be the most powerful blessing I received.
’ The psalmist wrote,” My mouth is filled with your praise…all day long”. (Psalm 71:8) try it
It’s a strategy that works!!!
No matter how tough that situation may seem…go ahead and drown the evil thoughts and the all-too obvious effects of that situation into the blood of Jesus Christ as you praise through, and God will exchange your sorrows and pains with His divine intervention! Amen.
PRAYERS
1) I drown every voice and thoughts of negativity at the time of my challenges into the blood of Christ in Jesus Christ name.
2) Dress me up oh Lord with the garment of praise that comes only from you in Jesus Christ name.
3) I command the power of failure, sorrow and confusion to lose your hold on me now in Jesus Christ name.
Begin to confess the new you that is praise powered!
DAILY SPRING April 10th
DAILY SPRING
April 10th 2012
THE DOMINO EFFECT OF PRAISE (1)
"...I will praise you more and more" (Psalm 71 v 14)
Never limit yourself to worshipping God only in Church. Rather be like the Psalmist: "I will bless the Lord at all times..."(Psalm 34 v 1). When you don't feel like praising God but you do it because you want to please Him,that's called "...the sacrifice of praise..." (Hebrew 13 v 15). And when praise becomes a life style,it has a domino effect(thats when one change causes another,which inturn causes another). when we tell God how wonderful He is,how much we love Him and want to spend time with Him,we are more likely to find people telling us how much they love and appriciate us and enjoy being around us...every seed we sow,we reap!On the other hand,when we with hold from God the praise He deserves,we deprive ourselves the joy and contentment we so desire in our own lives.
God inhabits (occupies,sets up house in) the praises of His people(Psalm 22 v 3).When we praise God,He sends His angels to fight and win battles on our behalf. David praised God more and more and it work! God backed up this message today with what He did for me today and I will praise Him for the rest of my life and so will you in Jeesus Christ name,Amen
PRAYERS
1)Repent and ask God to forgive you for the times challenges and its horrible effects took over the praises you would have given Him.
2) Oh God I rededicate my life to praiseing you all the days of my life in Jesus Christ name.
3)As I praise you Oh God,conquer all my enemies for me and break and destroy every door that has being locked against me and give me victory in Jesus Christ name,amen.
April 10th 2012
THE DOMINO EFFECT OF PRAISE (1)
"...I will praise you more and more" (Psalm 71 v 14)
Never limit yourself to worshipping God only in Church. Rather be like the Psalmist: "I will bless the Lord at all times..."(Psalm 34 v 1). When you don't feel like praising God but you do it because you want to please Him,that's called "...the sacrifice of praise..." (Hebrew 13 v 15). And when praise becomes a life style,it has a domino effect(thats when one change causes another,which inturn causes another). when we tell God how wonderful He is,how much we love Him and want to spend time with Him,we are more likely to find people telling us how much they love and appriciate us and enjoy being around us...every seed we sow,we reap!On the other hand,when we with hold from God the praise He deserves,we deprive ourselves the joy and contentment we so desire in our own lives.
God inhabits (occupies,sets up house in) the praises of His people(Psalm 22 v 3).When we praise God,He sends His angels to fight and win battles on our behalf. David praised God more and more and it work! God backed up this message today with what He did for me today and I will praise Him for the rest of my life and so will you in Jeesus Christ name,Amen
PRAYERS
1)Repent and ask God to forgive you for the times challenges and its horrible effects took over the praises you would have given Him.
2) Oh God I rededicate my life to praiseing you all the days of my life in Jesus Christ name.
3)As I praise you Oh God,conquer all my enemies for me and break and destroy every door that has being locked against me and give me victory in Jesus Christ name,amen.
SALVATION AND PRAISE OUTREACH MINISTRIES INTERNATIONAL'S MANDATE
SALVATION AND PRAISE OUTREACH MINISTRIES INTERNATIONAL
Salvation and Praise Outreach Ministries International is a mandate given to Apostle Deborah Nwanji Chinedu by the Almighty God in these times of great awakening with the Holy Spirit being the sole leader and head.
VISION : Returning Gods people back to Him
MISSION :Salvation and Praise Outreach Ministeries International is poised to fulfilling Gods great comand to return Hispeople back to Him.
Looking at our society today,we can see that we have lost the manuscript of our God given kind of life and we need to get back to God so as to take back what rightly belongs to us.
We are therefore calling on Gods people to give Him all the burdens of their lives and be free to take up our destinies as He had it planned originally.
our Lord Jesus Christ in Matthew 11 v 28-30 is calling His people back to Him so he can help them.
The Vision will be realized through reaching out to widows ,orphans, less privileged, sex workers, abused women, disaster thorn areas, war casualties, drug addicts, communities, strangers and grass root populace, through
- Rehabilitation centers
-Education - Vocational centers for skill acquisition
-Adult education
- Tertiary and secondary education
- Universities
- Career development
Farming (Animal and Crops)
Food banks
Fast food
Food production
Printing and publications (The Daily Spring, Motivational story books and novels, Christian literature books etc)
Life and Health services
Providing Shelters (Orphanages, old peoples home and hostels to start life from)
Community developments
Small scale monitored, refundable capitals
Cultural activities
Collaborations with government and non-governmental organizations.
Aids Mission
Introducing and establishing assemblies for the spiritual growth of the people known as Salvation and Praise Assembly.(Church planting)
-Transportation
-Prayer camps and facilities
-Apostolic and Prophetic Instruments for building the body of Christ (Battle Cry from the Walls)
With the Vision God showed me in 1991,I believe there is still great works to be done and we need to let Gods people know and experience the love Christ has for us that made Him take up even death on the cross. The Lord told me that the Church will come out of the Church and so we as the called out have to show the world why he called us out of what ‘used to be’ and why they should come to Christ.
VISION SCRIPTURES (Mathew 25v35-40)
“Then shall the king say unto them on His right hand, come ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.
For I was a hungered, and ye gave me meat; I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink; I was a stranger and you took me in.
Naked and ye clothed me; I was a sick and ye visited me; I was in prison and ye came unto me,
Then shall the righteous answer Him saying, Lord, when saw we thee a hungered and fed thee? Or thirsty and gave thee drink?
When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? Or naked and clothed thee?
Or when saw we thee sick or in prison and came unto thee?
And the king shall answer and say unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me”
OBJECTIVES
1. To awaken the God given potentials inside the image of God
2. To restore Gods people to their place in the heart of God.
3. To expose and build Gods people in their God given talents and destinies.
4. To sanitize our society through Gods kind of ways.
5. To establish the fact that no image of God is useless but are created for special destinies to glorify God.
6 To teach love, show love and live love
MISSION PARTNERS
Salvation and Praise Outreach Ministries International, being an Apostolic/Prophetic/Missionary, ministry, we completely trust God to adequately provide us with all we need to accomplish this vision.
We therefore sincerely pray that the Holy Spirit who is the sole head of this vision will move you to stand with us through
1, Prayers.
2, Partnering with us in the various arms of our outreaches
3, Financial/Material support
4, Enlisting into this army of restoration, by identifying with us and this vision to make a mark on earth to the Gods glory.
You can do this today and be a partaker of the joy that comes from the over whelming joy that comes as a result of reaching out to Gods people, especially from the faces and lives of the beneficiaries…..it’s a sight and experience no money can buy!!
Be a part of what God is doing. JESUS ON THE CROSS, JESUS IN THE GRAVE, JESUS OUT OF THE GRAVE, JUSTIFIES AND SEALS OUR SALVATION!!!!
DAILY SPING
April 08th 2012
THIS IS OUR REDEMPTION DAY ANNIVERSARY
'"But he sai to them, Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth,who was crucified. He is risen! He is not here,see the place where they laid Him". (Mark 16 v 6).
SING: He is Lord,He is Lord,amen.He is risen from the dea,He is Lord! Every knee shall bow ,ever tongue confess,that Jesus Christ is the Lord!
SING: Because He lives,I can face tomorrow.Because He lives,all fear is gone.Because I know -o-o-o,He hold my future;my life is worth a living just because He lives.
God is faithful to honor His Word. He raised Jesus from the dead as He promised and as Jesus prophesied unto His own life.The grave is the Land of no return.
It is a place of scarcity,no light,no help can be receieved or given.It is a land of bitterness as we will not see those loved ones again.
Any power of darkness that
threatens a child of God,beloved of Christ,risks his domain,cause it will be destroyed.Any evil power fighting us has actually signed 'at owner's risk' because when you put your hands to the fire,you will get burnt.
The prophecy of Christ's greatness was a problem to the Jews so they placed hefty men on the entrance of the grave. No maater the strategy,when God takes over,it will be destroyed an whoever that enemy is not relevant. God changes our siuations for good without any negociations.
When Christ rose as proclaimed,an angel of God replaced the dead guards.Today,by virtue of his finished work of Christ,we have being redeemed from spells,curses,sebacks and every evil yokes of life. Again today,whatever hat has blocked us out of the scene and relevance shall give way in Jesus Christ name. The power in the blood of Chris shall make a case for and in all tha is our's or that concerns us!
By God's grace,in this 2012,we will come out of obscurity and begin to make marks that will glorify God and suprise many! We will be great...yet again and fulfill our dreams!
PRAYERS
1) In the name of Jesus Christ,I re-dedicate my life to you Almighty God and believe you are able to redeem my destiny and raise me from dead situations to life ,from nobody to somebody through Christ. I am saved,delivered and resurected from poverty to prosperity,captivity to victory and sickness to health.
2)By faith I speak to every grave that has being holding anything that belongs to me to vomit them now in Jesus Christ name,amen!
3) I declare my resurection from the bondage of darkness and into the shinning light of God in Jesus Christ name,amen.
April 08th 2012
THIS IS OUR REDEMPTION DAY ANNIVERSARY
'"But he sai to them, Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth,who was crucified. He is risen! He is not here,see the place where they laid Him". (Mark 16 v 6).
SING: He is Lord,He is Lord,amen.He is risen from the dea,He is Lord! Every knee shall bow ,ever tongue confess,that Jesus Christ is the Lord!
SING: Because He lives,I can face tomorrow.Because He lives,all fear is gone.Because I know -o-o-o,He hold my future;my life is worth a living just because He lives.
God is faithful to honor His Word. He raised Jesus from the dead as He promised and as Jesus prophesied unto His own life.The grave is the Land of no return.
It is a place of scarcity,no light,no help can be receieved or given.It is a land of bitterness as we will not see those loved ones again.
Any power of darkness that
threatens a child of God,beloved of Christ,risks his domain,cause it will be destroyed.Any evil power fighting us has actually signed 'at owner's risk' because when you put your hands to the fire,you will get burnt.
The prophecy of Christ's greatness was a problem to the Jews so they placed hefty men on the entrance of the grave. No maater the strategy,when God takes over,it will be destroyed an whoever that enemy is not relevant. God changes our siuations for good without any negociations.
When Christ rose as proclaimed,an angel of God replaced the dead guards.Today,by virtue of his finished work of Christ,we have being redeemed from spells,curses,sebacks and every evil yokes of life. Again today,whatever hat has blocked us out of the scene and relevance shall give way in Jesus Christ name. The power in the blood of Chris shall make a case for and in all tha is our's or that concerns us!
By God's grace,in this 2012,we will come out of obscurity and begin to make marks that will glorify God and suprise many! We will be great...yet again and fulfill our dreams!
PRAYERS
1) In the name of Jesus Christ,I re-dedicate my life to you Almighty God and believe you are able to redeem my destiny and raise me from dead situations to life ,from nobody to somebody through Christ. I am saved,delivered and resurected from poverty to prosperity,captivity to victory and sickness to health.
2)By faith I speak to every grave that has being holding anything that belongs to me to vomit them now in Jesus Christ name,amen!
3) I declare my resurection from the bondage of darkness and into the shinning light of God in Jesus Christ name,amen.
DAILY SPING
April 08th 2012
THIS IS OUR REDEMPTION DAY ANNIVERSARY
'"But he sai to them, Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth,who was crucified. He is risen! He is not here,see the place where they laid Him". (Mark 16 v 6).
SING: He is Lord,He is Lord,amen.He is risen from the dea,He is Lord! Every knee shall bow ,ever tongue confess,that Jesus Christ is the Lord!
SING: Because He lives,I can face tomorrow.Because He lives,all fear is gone.Because I know -o-o-o,He hold my future;my life is worth a living just because He lives.
God is faithful to honor His Word. He raised Jesus from the dead as He promised and as Jesus prophesied unto His own life.The grave is the Land of no return.
It is a place of scarcity,no light,no help can be receieved or given.It is a land of bitterness as we will not see those loved ones again.
Any power of darkness that
threatens a child of God,beloved of Christ,risks his domain,cause it will be destroyed.Any evil power fighting us has actually signed 'at owner's risk' because when you put your hands to the fire,you will get burnt.
The prophecy of Christ's greatness was a problem to the Jews so they placed hefty men on the entrance of the grave. No maater the strategy,when God takes over,it will be destroyed an whoever that enemy is not relevant. God changes our siuations for good without any negociations.
When Christ rose as proclaimed,an angel of God replaced the dead guards.Today,by virtue of his finished work of Christ,we have being redeemed from spells,curses,sebacks and every evil yokes of life. Again today,whatever hat has blocked us out of the scene and relevance shall give way in Jesus Christ name. The power in the blood of Chris shall make a case for and in all tha is our's or that concerns us!
By God's grace,in this 2012,we will come out of obscurity and begin to make marks that will glorify God and suprise many! We will be great...yet again and fulfill our dreams!
PRAYERS
1) In the name of Jesus Christ,I re-dedicate my life to you Almighty God and believe you are able to redeem my destiny and raise me from dead situations to life ,from nobody to somebody through Christ. I am saved,delivered and resurected from poverty to prosperity,captivity to victory and sickness to health.
2)By faith I speak to every grave that has being holding anything that belongs to me to vomit them now in Jesus Christ name,amen!
3) I declare my resurection from the bondage of darkness and into the shinning light of God in Jesus Christ name,amen.
April 08th 2012
THIS IS OUR REDEMPTION DAY ANNIVERSARY
'"But he sai to them, Do not be alarmed. You seek Jesus of Nazareth,who was crucified. He is risen! He is not here,see the place where they laid Him". (Mark 16 v 6).
SING: He is Lord,He is Lord,amen.He is risen from the dea,He is Lord! Every knee shall bow ,ever tongue confess,that Jesus Christ is the Lord!
SING: Because He lives,I can face tomorrow.Because He lives,all fear is gone.Because I know -o-o-o,He hold my future;my life is worth a living just because He lives.
God is faithful to honor His Word. He raised Jesus from the dead as He promised and as Jesus prophesied unto His own life.The grave is the Land of no return.
It is a place of scarcity,no light,no help can be receieved or given.It is a land of bitterness as we will not see those loved ones again.
Any power of darkness that
threatens a child of God,beloved of Christ,risks his domain,cause it will be destroyed.Any evil power fighting us has actually signed 'at owner's risk' because when you put your hands to the fire,you will get burnt.
The prophecy of Christ's greatness was a problem to the Jews so they placed hefty men on the entrance of the grave. No maater the strategy,when God takes over,it will be destroyed an whoever that enemy is not relevant. God changes our siuations for good without any negociations.
When Christ rose as proclaimed,an angel of God replaced the dead guards.Today,by virtue of his finished work of Christ,we have being redeemed from spells,curses,sebacks and every evil yokes of life. Again today,whatever hat has blocked us out of the scene and relevance shall give way in Jesus Christ name. The power in the blood of Chris shall make a case for and in all tha is our's or that concerns us!
By God's grace,in this 2012,we will come out of obscurity and begin to make marks that will glorify God and suprise many! We will be great...yet again and fulfill our dreams!
PRAYERS
1) In the name of Jesus Christ,I re-dedicate my life to you Almighty God and believe you are able to redeem my destiny and raise me from dead situations to life ,from nobody to somebody through Christ. I am saved,delivered and resurected from poverty to prosperity,captivity to victory and sickness to health.
2)By faith I speak to every grave that has being holding anything that belongs to me to vomit them now in Jesus Christ name,amen!
3) I declare my resurection from the bondage of darkness and into the shinning light of God in Jesus Christ name,amen.
DAILY SPRING
April 07 2012
THE LAST CONTEST
"And the graves were opened;and many bodies of the saints who were raised"(Mathew 27 v 52)
When Christ died,it was a fulfilment of divine agenda. When He died,the veil that partitioned the holy of holies was rent into two from top to bottom,thereby destroying the religious barrier that had separated us from God.
The veil was cut so that we,by covenant,can access His presence to enter the grave where destiny treasureshave been buried. His death was designed to give us access to the grave so that the power of Hades can be broken.He went to Hades to rescue the saints in there and make it impossible for the living saints to see Hades any longer. Christ had earlier prophesied,"Do not marvel at this for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice and come forth - those who have done good to the resurection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurection of condemnation" (John 5 v 28 - 29).
God says what He will do and what He will do,He says it. We as believers must know that we being an extension of God,we must proclaimm what we believe. Light must reveal the contents of darkness. I mean that the empttiness of darkness can only be revealed by the force of light. Jesus said, "I am the light of the world" and so He visited the grave,a place of Hades,the stronghold of darkness. By this visit,He fought, won and recovered the authority that the devil stole from Adam and redeemed the destiny of man into the programme of God. The grave usually signifies spiritually,a place of demonic alter that ties destinies of many.Today,Jesus Christ will visit the graves and pull out alive anything God has designed to enhance our destinies.
A song writer wrote:
He paid the debts He did not owe
I owe the debt,I could not pay,
I needed someoneto wash my sins away
Now I can sing a brand new song amazing grace.
Lord Jesus paid the debt that I could never pay!
He has fought the battles of our lives and won! Just believe now and live in faith. Peace!!!
PRAYERS
1) In the name of Jesus Christ,I died when He died,I entered the grave when He entered,I resurected when He resurected. I have being redeemed by the power of the grave,I am at liberty and my destiny is escured in Him.
2)By the grace of God,Jesus Christ has paid the price for my salvation and redemption;from poverty,sickness,witchcraft and all kinds of wickedness.Therefore,II shall not suffer any more. I am free,rich and healthy in Jesus Christ name.
3) I command every grave to vomit every of my treasures that it holds in Jesus Christ name,amen!
April 07 2012
THE LAST CONTEST
"And the graves were opened;and many bodies of the saints who were raised"(Mathew 27 v 52)
When Christ died,it was a fulfilment of divine agenda. When He died,the veil that partitioned the holy of holies was rent into two from top to bottom,thereby destroying the religious barrier that had separated us from God.
The veil was cut so that we,by covenant,can access His presence to enter the grave where destiny treasureshave been buried. His death was designed to give us access to the grave so that the power of Hades can be broken.He went to Hades to rescue the saints in there and make it impossible for the living saints to see Hades any longer. Christ had earlier prophesied,"Do not marvel at this for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice and come forth - those who have done good to the resurection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurection of condemnation" (John 5 v 28 - 29).
God says what He will do and what He will do,He says it. We as believers must know that we being an extension of God,we must proclaimm what we believe. Light must reveal the contents of darkness. I mean that the empttiness of darkness can only be revealed by the force of light. Jesus said, "I am the light of the world" and so He visited the grave,a place of Hades,the stronghold of darkness. By this visit,He fought, won and recovered the authority that the devil stole from Adam and redeemed the destiny of man into the programme of God. The grave usually signifies spiritually,a place of demonic alter that ties destinies of many.Today,Jesus Christ will visit the graves and pull out alive anything God has designed to enhance our destinies.
A song writer wrote:
He paid the debts He did not owe
I owe the debt,I could not pay,
I needed someoneto wash my sins away
Now I can sing a brand new song amazing grace.
Lord Jesus paid the debt that I could never pay!
He has fought the battles of our lives and won! Just believe now and live in faith. Peace!!!
PRAYERS
1) In the name of Jesus Christ,I died when He died,I entered the grave when He entered,I resurected when He resurected. I have being redeemed by the power of the grave,I am at liberty and my destiny is escured in Him.
2)By the grace of God,Jesus Christ has paid the price for my salvation and redemption;from poverty,sickness,witchcraft and all kinds of wickedness.Therefore,II shall not suffer any more. I am free,rich and healthy in Jesus Christ name.
3) I command every grave to vomit every of my treasures that it holds in Jesus Christ name,amen!
DAILY SPRING
April 07 2012
THE LAST CONTEST
"And the graves were opened;and many bodies of the saints who were raised"(Mathew 27 v 52)
When Christ died,it was a fulfilment of divine agenda. When He died,the veil that partitioned the holy of holies was rent into two from top to bottom,thereby destroying the religious barrier that had separated us from God.
The veil was cut so that we,by covenant,can access His presence to enter the grave where destiny treasureshave been buried. His death was designed to give us access to the grave so that the power of Hades can be broken.He went to Hades to rescue the saints in there and make it impossible for the living saints to see Hades any longer. Christ had earlier prophesied,"Do not marvel at this for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice and come forth - those who have done good to the resurection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurection of condemnation" (John 5 v 28 - 29).
God says what He will do and what He will do,He says it. We as believers must know that we being an extension of God,we must proclaimm what we believe. Light must reveal the contents of darkness. I mean that the empttiness of darkness can only be revealed by the force of light. Jesus said, "I am the light of the world" and so He visited the grave,a place of Hades,the stronghold of darkness. By this visit,He fought, won and recovered the authority that the devil stole from Adam and redeemed the destiny of man into the programme of God. The grave usually signifies spiritually,a place of demonic alter that ties destinies of many.Today,Jesus Christ will visit the graves and pull out alive anything God has designed to enhance our destinies.
A song writer wrote:
He paid the debts He did not owe
I owe the debt,I could not pay,
I needed someoneto wash my sins away
Now I can sing a brand new song amazing grace.
Lord Jesus paid the debt that I could never pay!
He has fought the battles of our lives and won! Just believe now and live in faith. Peace!!!
PRAYERS
1) In the name of Jesus Christ,I died when He died,I entered the grave when He entered,I resurected when He resurected. I have being redeemed by the power of the grave,I am at liberty and my destiny is escured in Him.
2)By the grace of God,Jesus Christ has paid the price for my salvation and redemption;from poverty,sickness,witchcraft and all kinds of wickedness.Therefore,II shall not suffer any more. I am free,rich and healthy in Jesus Christ name.
3) I command every grave to vomit every of my treasures that it holds in Jesus Christ name,amen!
April 07 2012
THE LAST CONTEST
"And the graves were opened;and many bodies of the saints who were raised"(Mathew 27 v 52)
When Christ died,it was a fulfilment of divine agenda. When He died,the veil that partitioned the holy of holies was rent into two from top to bottom,thereby destroying the religious barrier that had separated us from God.
The veil was cut so that we,by covenant,can access His presence to enter the grave where destiny treasureshave been buried. His death was designed to give us access to the grave so that the power of Hades can be broken.He went to Hades to rescue the saints in there and make it impossible for the living saints to see Hades any longer. Christ had earlier prophesied,"Do not marvel at this for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice and come forth - those who have done good to the resurection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurection of condemnation" (John 5 v 28 - 29).
God says what He will do and what He will do,He says it. We as believers must know that we being an extension of God,we must proclaimm what we believe. Light must reveal the contents of darkness. I mean that the empttiness of darkness can only be revealed by the force of light. Jesus said, "I am the light of the world" and so He visited the grave,a place of Hades,the stronghold of darkness. By this visit,He fought, won and recovered the authority that the devil stole from Adam and redeemed the destiny of man into the programme of God. The grave usually signifies spiritually,a place of demonic alter that ties destinies of many.Today,Jesus Christ will visit the graves and pull out alive anything God has designed to enhance our destinies.
A song writer wrote:
He paid the debts He did not owe
I owe the debt,I could not pay,
I needed someoneto wash my sins away
Now I can sing a brand new song amazing grace.
Lord Jesus paid the debt that I could never pay!
He has fought the battles of our lives and won! Just believe now and live in faith. Peace!!!
PRAYERS
1) In the name of Jesus Christ,I died when He died,I entered the grave when He entered,I resurected when He resurected. I have being redeemed by the power of the grave,I am at liberty and my destiny is escured in Him.
2)By the grace of God,Jesus Christ has paid the price for my salvation and redemption;from poverty,sickness,witchcraft and all kinds of wickedness.Therefore,II shall not suffer any more. I am free,rich and healthy in Jesus Christ name.
3) I command every grave to vomit every of my treasures that it holds in Jesus Christ name,amen!
DAILY SPRING
April 06 2012
DONT KEEP YOUR LOVE IN A BOX!
"She broke the jar and poured the perfume on His head". (Mark 14 v 3)
Mark records: 'A woman came with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume...she broke the jar and poured the perfume on His head. Some of those present were saying indignantly to one another. "Why this waste of perfume? It could have being sold...and the money given to the poor". And they rebuked her harshly. "Leave her alone",said Jesus... "she has done a beautiful thing,...the poor you will always have with you...but you will not always have me.She did what she could. She poured perfume on my body before hand to prepare for my buriel. I tell you...wherever the Gospel is preached through out the world,what she has done will also be told,in memory of her" (Mark 14 v 3-9).
Joseph of Arimathea,brought a hundred pounds of ointment to embalm jesus after He was dead,and not a word of praise is spoken about it in Scripture. This woman brought one pound of ointment and poured it on Him while He was still living,and Jesus pointed out two things:
A) "She did what she could". Acts of kindness are usually not about doing great things,but about doing small things with great love.
B) "What she has done will always be told,in memory of her". What will you be remembered for? A life of service or self-centredness?.
If you think good things about someone, tell them.Go out of your way to fill their lives with joy while there's still time. Those expression of appreciation,those words of forgiveness,that special gift you've had in mind,give it while you can.
Dont keep your love in a box!
PRAYERS
1) Ask God for not obeing Him when he asked you to bless someone,that minister of the gospel,that brother or sister or that ministry.
2) Every spirit making me to explain out reasons not to give to the people of God or the work of God be exposed and frustrated out of my life by Gods power in the name of Jesus Christ.
3)Ask God to give you the spirit to love and to give like the Apostles in the book of Acts and the ealy Church. Make a vow to God to be a blessing to His Body in action,deeds and not just words and start from now,make a commitment to a ministry or Minister every month or week in Jesus Christ name,amen.
Oppress the financial,physical,material and spiritual opressors in your life by your giving!!!
April 06 2012
DONT KEEP YOUR LOVE IN A BOX!
"She broke the jar and poured the perfume on His head". (Mark 14 v 3)
Mark records: 'A woman came with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume...she broke the jar and poured the perfume on His head. Some of those present were saying indignantly to one another. "Why this waste of perfume? It could have being sold...and the money given to the poor". And they rebuked her harshly. "Leave her alone",said Jesus... "she has done a beautiful thing,...the poor you will always have with you...but you will not always have me.She did what she could. She poured perfume on my body before hand to prepare for my buriel. I tell you...wherever the Gospel is preached through out the world,what she has done will also be told,in memory of her" (Mark 14 v 3-9).
Joseph of Arimathea,brought a hundred pounds of ointment to embalm jesus after He was dead,and not a word of praise is spoken about it in Scripture. This woman brought one pound of ointment and poured it on Him while He was still living,and Jesus pointed out two things:
A) "She did what she could". Acts of kindness are usually not about doing great things,but about doing small things with great love.
B) "What she has done will always be told,in memory of her". What will you be remembered for? A life of service or self-centredness?.
If you think good things about someone, tell them.Go out of your way to fill their lives with joy while there's still time. Those expression of appreciation,those words of forgiveness,that special gift you've had in mind,give it while you can.
Dont keep your love in a box!
PRAYERS
1) Ask God for not obeing Him when he asked you to bless someone,that minister of the gospel,that brother or sister or that ministry.
2) Every spirit making me to explain out reasons not to give to the people of God or the work of God be exposed and frustrated out of my life by Gods power in the name of Jesus Christ.
3)Ask God to give you the spirit to love and to give like the Apostles in the book of Acts and the ealy Church. Make a vow to God to be a blessing to His Body in action,deeds and not just words and start from now,make a commitment to a ministry or Minister every month or week in Jesus Christ name,amen.
Oppress the financial,physical,material and spiritual opressors in your life by your giving!!!
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