What am I doing wrong?!?!

42 They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.

DEVOTION.
The key word. To translate it, I would like to borrow a word from Ptr. Frank: DAYUKDOK. If I want a multiplying ministry, I should banish mediocrity, half-heartedness, and (oh well..) comfort. Ministry work is not for the faint hearted nor is it a joke. The God I serve is worthy of everything. I should be devoted to the study of God’s word, fellowship and prayer. These are just some of the basics of Christian living. Taking time to do these things will lead to knowing the Lord, and what he wants to do through me.

44 All the believers were together and had everything in common.

UNITY.
Oneness. One vision. One Hunger. One Source, One God.

45 Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need.

GENEROSITY and SELFLESSNESS.
Whoa!!! Wait. I know I haven’t reached the level of selling what I have for anyone yet. But it is my prayer. First, to have a generous heart. Second, to be selfless and sacrificial when confronted with the pressing need of a brother or a sister.

46 Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts..

CONSISTENCY.
Everyday with untiring devotion to the Lord the early Christians met together. I can’t imagine having a worship everyday but want to feel what they felt --- so filled with the Holy Spirit they just can’t get enough!


Reflection:
1. My ministry is not growing because I am not devoted (its do or don’t. anything in between is unacceptable)
2. Too many activities distract me from my primary role --- to love God and to make disciples.
3. Selfishness prevents me from being used by God to showcase His love through generosity for His children.
4. I am inconsistent.

Lord I lift it all up to you… I know change is on its way..I’m letting go..and letting God.

Reflection - Acts 1 (Part 2)

I

May another take his place of leadership - - - Acts 1: 20b (Psalm 109.8)

When one of the leaders fall, he must be relaced to complete the team. In games like basketball, volleyball and soccer, when a player is down or injured, the coach calls that person out and replaces him with a substitute. A substitute however must be able to play as well as those already in the field.

The One who is next in line.

The One who got a point short during the initial selection of the first set of players.

In ministry work, the team must be complete to battle it out. In the case of the disciples, they sought a replacement for Judas to complete the twelve disciples...the power of 12. A biblical model the ministry began adopting since 2006. With one member down, the team is crippled.

II

Then they prayed, " Lord, you know everyone's heart. Show us which of these two you have chosen." Acts 1: 24

Three points:

1. The disciples gathered together and prayed

There is power when 2 or 3 are gathered in the name of the Lord.

2. Agreement in prayer and oneness

They all prayed the same prayer. They all longed for the Lord to show them the one to

replace Judas Iscariot. They all acknowledged that only the Lord knows the hearts of men

they are choosing from.

3. Obedience wihtout doubting

After casting the lots, it fell to Matthias, the disciples obeyed. Obedience to God's

prompting without doubting. When the Lord answered their prayer, they obeyed without

questions.

III

In choosing my twelve, i have been lax and chose just anyone because they are the ones available, they were FATS (faithful, available, teachable, submissive)--- or so i thought. I learned that i have to pray for them through my prayers. They are there, waiting for me.

I pray O God you'd open up my eyes, prepare their hearts for the apostolic mission they are to do for You.

A Reflection : Acts 1

"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."

Acts 1:8

When does a person receive the Holy Spirit?

When the person is born again

Why is there power when a person receives the Holy Spirit?

Being a deposit from the Lord, it empowers.

Do I have the Holy Spirit? Has its power rested on me?

What does it mean to have power?

Do I have it?

Annointing of Multiplication (Part 1) - Annointed

The stage (the LTH PWT tuning their instruments before the start of the session)

Pastors Laudjair Guerra (right) and his translator (who is also a pastor..i'm so sorry i forgot to get your name..)

LAMI guys (left-right) Jop, Nor, Buboy

LAMI ladies (left-right) Ate Aileen, Cecille, and Manilyn

More LAMI ladies (left-right) Tita Irene, me and Ate Aileen

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

The third Sunog Mindanao was held at the CAP Auditorium, Anda Street in Davao City last September 1-3, 2009. Everyone was so excited to see old friends from the past 2 Sunog Mindanao Conferences. The theme for this year’s conference is Anointing of Multiplication. The night started with a very spirit-filled praise and worship lead by the BCC PWT. Indeed everyone can feel the presence of God in the place.

The conference started by introducing Ptr. Cesar Castillanos’ 12 in the Philippines. Indeed God can use an ordinary pastor to do great and extraordinary this for Him…the secret..ANNOINTING…

Ptr. Rich Witmer’s wife Melissa shared a few point on how to be anointed. Here are the points she shared during the start of the night’s session.

How to have anointing

1. I have to have a supernatural experience/encounter with God
Gone are the lax quiet times with my God and the lazy prayers I routinely pray. I need to soak in the fullness of God’s presence in order to experience Him.

2. I have to open up my heart to God
No secrets. Can one really keep a secret from Him? He knows everything!!! I need to stop being so self sufficient and independent and admit to Him what I really feel. I am weak. I lack. Help me.

3. I have to trust Him.
To trust that He will not me go with the confidence of saying it because He said so.

There are tons of things I learned. But the most important of all is that I changed. I am trying to..by His grace.

Prayer for a Friend

This is my prayer for a dear friend singing the Desert Song...
I know what i did for you is far from ALL I HAVE TO DO..
I love you my dear friend..
You are a blessing..
I miss you..

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

Prayer for a Friend - Casting Crowns
From the Album The Altar and the Door (2007)





Lord I lift my friend to You.
I've done all that I know to do.
I lift my friend, to You.
Complicated circumstances
have clouded his view.
Lord I lift my friend up to You.

I fear that I won’t have the words
that he needs to hear.
I pray for Your wisdom , oh God.
And a heart that's sincere.
And Lord I lift my friend up
to You.

Lord I lift my friend to You.
My best friend in the
world, I know he means much
more to You.
I want so much to help him, but
this is something he has to do.
Lord I lift my friend up to You.

There's a way that seems so right to him.
But You know where that leads.
He's becoming a puppet of the world.
Too blind to see the strings.
And Lord I lift my friend up to You.

Lord I lift my friend to You.
I've done all that I know to do.
I lift my friend, to You.