Greeting beloved, family, this Pr.Miguel, it's approaching that time again of relocation, for some of you that have been sponsoring my mission I am grateful to all of you, please continue to show your support in what you can, the reward comes from God.
May the good Lord prosper all of you, in all the areas of your life, don't miss our Wednesdays prayer meetings, with strong prayers comes strong results.
Love.Pr.Miguel
Thursday, 22 March 2012
Notice
Warning Notice Ignored
"Then he brought them out and asked, 'Sirs, what must I do to be saved?' They replied, 'Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved, along with everyone in your household.'"1
In July of last year, three young tourists when visiting Yosemite National Park were swept over the 317-foot Vernal Fall. One of the tourists, a young woman, was no doubt drawn by the alluring beauty of the raging waterfall and the fast moving Merced River below after a record winter snowfall. Tragically she slipped on a rock above the falls. Two friends reached out to rescue her and the trio was swept over the edge.
At the bottom of the trail leading to the Vernal Falls there is a sign warning about the fast moving water. Also, when entering the Yosemite Park, visitors are given a news paper warning about water hazards and to stay away from fast moving water.
Furthermore, at the top of the Vernal Fall there is a guard railing and a metal safety barricade marked with a warning. Tragically the victims of this tragedy ignored all the warning signs, climbed over the barricade, and fell to a horrific death.2
How foolish we say, and yet, I wonder how many warnings in life we ignore. The greatest tragedy of all is when we ignore all the warnings in God's Word, the Bible—and especially so if we ignore God's warnings about life after death.
For example God's Word reminds us that "It is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment [of God]."3
Furthermore, as God said to the nation of Israel, the same applies to every one of us: "Therefore thus will I do to you, O Israel … prepare to meet your God."4
And to Christians: "For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad."5 Yes, this word is for Christians. We will not be judged for our sins because Jesus paid that judgment price on the cross for us when he died in our place. But we will be judged on the basis of how faithfully we have served God since we became Christians—and be rewarded accordingly.
Again, in the words of Jesus: "And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell."6
Whatever you do, do not be like the tourists who disregarded all the warning signs in the Yosemite National Park and fell to a horrific death, and disregard God's repeated warnings, and ignore God's only remedy to assure us from a lost and hopeless eternity in hell—which is to "Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved."1
"Then he brought them out and asked, 'Sirs, what must I do to be saved?' They replied, 'Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved, along with everyone in your household.'"1
In July of last year, three young tourists when visiting Yosemite National Park were swept over the 317-foot Vernal Fall. One of the tourists, a young woman, was no doubt drawn by the alluring beauty of the raging waterfall and the fast moving Merced River below after a record winter snowfall. Tragically she slipped on a rock above the falls. Two friends reached out to rescue her and the trio was swept over the edge.
At the bottom of the trail leading to the Vernal Falls there is a sign warning about the fast moving water. Also, when entering the Yosemite Park, visitors are given a news paper warning about water hazards and to stay away from fast moving water.
Furthermore, at the top of the Vernal Fall there is a guard railing and a metal safety barricade marked with a warning. Tragically the victims of this tragedy ignored all the warning signs, climbed over the barricade, and fell to a horrific death.2
How foolish we say, and yet, I wonder how many warnings in life we ignore. The greatest tragedy of all is when we ignore all the warnings in God's Word, the Bible—and especially so if we ignore God's warnings about life after death.
For example God's Word reminds us that "It is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment [of God]."3
Furthermore, as God said to the nation of Israel, the same applies to every one of us: "Therefore thus will I do to you, O Israel … prepare to meet your God."4
And to Christians: "For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad."5 Yes, this word is for Christians. We will not be judged for our sins because Jesus paid that judgment price on the cross for us when he died in our place. But we will be judged on the basis of how faithfully we have served God since we became Christians—and be rewarded accordingly.
Again, in the words of Jesus: "And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell."6
Whatever you do, do not be like the tourists who disregarded all the warning signs in the Yosemite National Park and fell to a horrific death, and disregard God's repeated warnings, and ignore God's only remedy to assure us from a lost and hopeless eternity in hell—which is to "Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved."1
Monday, 12 March 2012
God Told Me?
Arm-Twisting for God
"Be shepherds of God's flock that is under your care … not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples."1
On more than one occasion I have sat on a church planning meeting and as we were about to discuss the matter at hand, one member stated that God told him how the matter was to be.
End of discussion! Who can argue against God?
Well not quite.
My response was, "Well, God hasn't told me; so can we pray about and discuss the matter further."
As you can imagine my questioning this man was not appreciated.
On another occasion a man came to me and told me that God had told him he was to work for me. We won't discuss his qualifications for the job, but I thought I'd take the risk that God wouldn't punish me for not giving him a job. I didn't … and God didn't!
While God does speak or communicate to us in various ways through his Word, circumstances, a sense of inner peace, a deep conviction, or in a word that you sense deeply is from him, it is never contrary to his Word, and it is never manipulative.
Unfortunately "the Lord told me" is sometimes used as a way of controlling or manipulating others to get one's own way, and/or for being a power broker. When this happens, we need to recognize it for what it is and not buy into it. And we need to make sure that we don't do it ourselves. God doesn't need us to arm-twist for him.
Suggested prayer: "Dear God, you desire truth in my innermost being so help me always to be truthful to myself, to others, and to you, and never seek to control anything or anybody in your name or in any other way. Ever! And help me always to discern when others are attempting to arm-twist for you. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus' name, amen."
"Be shepherds of God's flock that is under your care … not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples."1
On more than one occasion I have sat on a church planning meeting and as we were about to discuss the matter at hand, one member stated that God told him how the matter was to be.
End of discussion! Who can argue against God?
Well not quite.
My response was, "Well, God hasn't told me; so can we pray about and discuss the matter further."
As you can imagine my questioning this man was not appreciated.
On another occasion a man came to me and told me that God had told him he was to work for me. We won't discuss his qualifications for the job, but I thought I'd take the risk that God wouldn't punish me for not giving him a job. I didn't … and God didn't!
While God does speak or communicate to us in various ways through his Word, circumstances, a sense of inner peace, a deep conviction, or in a word that you sense deeply is from him, it is never contrary to his Word, and it is never manipulative.
Unfortunately "the Lord told me" is sometimes used as a way of controlling or manipulating others to get one's own way, and/or for being a power broker. When this happens, we need to recognize it for what it is and not buy into it. And we need to make sure that we don't do it ourselves. God doesn't need us to arm-twist for him.
Suggested prayer: "Dear God, you desire truth in my innermost being so help me always to be truthful to myself, to others, and to you, and never seek to control anything or anybody in your name or in any other way. Ever! And help me always to discern when others are attempting to arm-twist for you. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus' name, amen."
Sunday, 11 March 2012
Persistence
Rewards of Persistence
"A lizard can be caught with the hand, yet it is found in king's palaces."1
What could a tiny lizard possibly teach us? It teaches the rewards of persistence which "takes it to the top."
Another has said, "The race is not always to the swift but to those who keep on running." Among other things, fulfilling God's will for our lives means reaching our total God-given human and spiritual potential. We don't have to be geniuses to do this, but we do need to be persistent and keep on keeping on regardless of our circumstances.
The Apostle Paul experienced all sorts of trials and setbacks. He was shipwrecked, stoned and left for dead, whipped and beaten, and thrown into prison for promoting Christianity. He knew firsthand what it was to experience loneliness, cold and hunger. The interesting thing about this is that Paul penned some of his great letters to the churches while in prison, as did John Bunyan as he wrote Pilgrim's Progress when he was in prison.
I listened to a preacher some time ago, a preacher who had cerebral palsy and struggled with every word he spoke. I was deeply moved. God used this man to influence hundreds of lives for all eternity. If ever I saw persistence it was in this man. In spite of his debilitating handicap, he reached his top and was maximizing his full potential.
God has a plan and life-purpose for each of us, too. To achieve it, it won't happen without dedication, commitment, hard work, and persistence. As Paul said, "It is God himself in his mercy, who has given us this wonderful work … and so we never give up."2
Suggested prayer: "Dear God, in the midst of setbacks and the disappointments of life, please give me the gift of persistence so that I will never give up the goal of becoming all that you want me to be, and to keep on doing what you want me to do. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus' name, amen."
"A lizard can be caught with the hand, yet it is found in king's palaces."1
What could a tiny lizard possibly teach us? It teaches the rewards of persistence which "takes it to the top."
Another has said, "The race is not always to the swift but to those who keep on running." Among other things, fulfilling God's will for our lives means reaching our total God-given human and spiritual potential. We don't have to be geniuses to do this, but we do need to be persistent and keep on keeping on regardless of our circumstances.
The Apostle Paul experienced all sorts of trials and setbacks. He was shipwrecked, stoned and left for dead, whipped and beaten, and thrown into prison for promoting Christianity. He knew firsthand what it was to experience loneliness, cold and hunger. The interesting thing about this is that Paul penned some of his great letters to the churches while in prison, as did John Bunyan as he wrote Pilgrim's Progress when he was in prison.
I listened to a preacher some time ago, a preacher who had cerebral palsy and struggled with every word he spoke. I was deeply moved. God used this man to influence hundreds of lives for all eternity. If ever I saw persistence it was in this man. In spite of his debilitating handicap, he reached his top and was maximizing his full potential.
God has a plan and life-purpose for each of us, too. To achieve it, it won't happen without dedication, commitment, hard work, and persistence. As Paul said, "It is God himself in his mercy, who has given us this wonderful work … and so we never give up."2
Suggested prayer: "Dear God, in the midst of setbacks and the disappointments of life, please give me the gift of persistence so that I will never give up the goal of becoming all that you want me to be, and to keep on doing what you want me to do. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus' name, amen."
Wednesday, 7 March 2012
Precautions
The Need for Precaution
"Conies [rock-badgers] are creatures of little power, yet they make their home in the crags."1
While the ants teach us many lessons, including the importance of being prepared as much as possible for whatever lies ahead, the conies or rock badgers show us the need for precaution and being responsible for taking care of ourselves.
These small animals hide behind the rocky crags jutting up in the mountains where no eagle can get to them. They also hide close to the rocks where they remain unseen by prowling lions. Away from the safety of the rocks they would be dead meat.
Too many people today are over-dependent, expecting somebody else or the government to take care of them. God's goal for each of us is that we mature and grow up, not be independent nor over-dependent, but interdependent. If we don't take care of ourselves and accept responsibility for getting our needs met in healthy ways, nobody else is going to do it for us. Rock-badgers, if they didn't exercise precaution and take care of themselves, would either starve or be eaten. If we don't learn to do the same, we will, in the long run, "be eaten up!" And when we expect others, including for some the government, to do for us what we can and need to do for ourselves, we remain immature, over-dependent and irresponsible.
Furthermore, in life, the reality is that we can't trust everybody. Jesus didn't trust himself to everybody either. And like him, the more we know and understand ourselves, the more we will be able to sense whether we can trust somebody else or not. And we certainly can't trust our arch enemy, the devil. As Peter put it, "Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour."2
We don't want to become cynics, but we do need to be careful, take necessary precautions against all forms of moral ineptitude, wrong-doing and evil, and accept full responsibility for every area of our life. Above all we need to daily trust our life and way to God as did David who said, "The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge … He is my stronghold."3
"Conies [rock-badgers] are creatures of little power, yet they make their home in the crags."1
While the ants teach us many lessons, including the importance of being prepared as much as possible for whatever lies ahead, the conies or rock badgers show us the need for precaution and being responsible for taking care of ourselves.
These small animals hide behind the rocky crags jutting up in the mountains where no eagle can get to them. They also hide close to the rocks where they remain unseen by prowling lions. Away from the safety of the rocks they would be dead meat.
Too many people today are over-dependent, expecting somebody else or the government to take care of them. God's goal for each of us is that we mature and grow up, not be independent nor over-dependent, but interdependent. If we don't take care of ourselves and accept responsibility for getting our needs met in healthy ways, nobody else is going to do it for us. Rock-badgers, if they didn't exercise precaution and take care of themselves, would either starve or be eaten. If we don't learn to do the same, we will, in the long run, "be eaten up!" And when we expect others, including for some the government, to do for us what we can and need to do for ourselves, we remain immature, over-dependent and irresponsible.
Furthermore, in life, the reality is that we can't trust everybody. Jesus didn't trust himself to everybody either. And like him, the more we know and understand ourselves, the more we will be able to sense whether we can trust somebody else or not. And we certainly can't trust our arch enemy, the devil. As Peter put it, "Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour."2
We don't want to become cynics, but we do need to be careful, take necessary precautions against all forms of moral ineptitude, wrong-doing and evil, and accept full responsibility for every area of our life. Above all we need to daily trust our life and way to God as did David who said, "The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge … He is my stronghold."3
Pray for Israel 1
Why Pray For Israel?
I know Bible commands to pray for Israel. And we know Gods word will come true at the end . Under the circumstances could our prayers change fulfilling the end times or any other Bible have prophesied? God will protect Israel any way as promised won’t he?
Q. I know Bible commands to pray for Israel. And we know Gods word will come true at the end . Under the circumstances could our prayers change fulfilling the end times or any other Bible have prophesied? God will protect Israel any way as promised won’t he?
A. God has sworn to uphold and protect Israel (Jer. 31:35-37) Paul said that Israel will again become the center of God’s focus after He’s finished His work with the Church (Romans 11: 25-27). When you pray for Israel you are actually praying for the Lord’s return because that’s when the believing remnant of Israel will be redeemed. And while these things will happen regardless, we are commanded to pray for them, and will be rewarded for doing so. (Psalm 122 & 2 Tim. 4:8)
Info.Supplied by sources
I know Bible commands to pray for Israel. And we know Gods word will come true at the end . Under the circumstances could our prayers change fulfilling the end times or any other Bible have prophesied? God will protect Israel any way as promised won’t he?
Q. I know Bible commands to pray for Israel. And we know Gods word will come true at the end . Under the circumstances could our prayers change fulfilling the end times or any other Bible have prophesied? God will protect Israel any way as promised won’t he?
A. God has sworn to uphold and protect Israel (Jer. 31:35-37) Paul said that Israel will again become the center of God’s focus after He’s finished His work with the Church (Romans 11: 25-27). When you pray for Israel you are actually praying for the Lord’s return because that’s when the believing remnant of Israel will be redeemed. And while these things will happen regardless, we are commanded to pray for them, and will be rewarded for doing so. (Psalm 122 & 2 Tim. 4:8)
Info.Supplied by sources
Prayer For Today
Suggested prayer: "Dear God, in the words of the hymn writer, 'Rock of Ages cleft for me, Let me hide myself in thee.' Help me never to stray from you, and always be responsible for every area of life. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus' name, amen."
Pr.P.Miguel
Pr.P.Miguel
Tuesday, 6 March 2012
Support Israel.Ido
Dear Penalto,
Yesterday, Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with President Obama in the White House. None of us know for sure what was said in this meeting. But we all know that there are disagreements between the Prime Minister and the President over how best to prevent a nuclear Iran.
In his public comments from the White House, Prime Minister Netanyahu insisted Israel must be the "master of its fate" and that "Israel must have the ability always to defend itself, by itself, against any threat."
We agree. We believe that when it comes to defending Israel and the Jewish people, Prime Minister Netanyahu cannot defer to anyone else's judgements, red lines or timetables. The Prime Minister must resist pressure from any and all outside forces. He must insist that Israel live up to the fundamental promise of its creation -- to ensure that the Jewish people would no longer have to depend on anyone else for their survival.
Next week, we're flying to Jerusalem to meet with Prime Minister Netanyahu. When we see him, we will present him with a letter reminding him that he has friends in the United States who agree that the Israeli people must make the difficult decisions about how to defend themselves free from outside pressure.
When we present this letter, we want to tell the Prime Minister that it was signed by many thousands of Christians from across the country. Please click here now to add your name to this letter of support. And please share this letter with your family and friends.
The more of us who sign this letter, the stronger the message we send to the Prime Minister.
At this difficult and dangerous juncture, let's make sure that the Prime Minister knows he's not alone.
Blessings to you and those you love,
Pastor John Hagee
National Chairman
Christians United for Israel David Brog
Executive Directo
Yesterday, Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with President Obama in the White House. None of us know for sure what was said in this meeting. But we all know that there are disagreements between the Prime Minister and the President over how best to prevent a nuclear Iran.
In his public comments from the White House, Prime Minister Netanyahu insisted Israel must be the "master of its fate" and that "Israel must have the ability always to defend itself, by itself, against any threat."
We agree. We believe that when it comes to defending Israel and the Jewish people, Prime Minister Netanyahu cannot defer to anyone else's judgements, red lines or timetables. The Prime Minister must resist pressure from any and all outside forces. He must insist that Israel live up to the fundamental promise of its creation -- to ensure that the Jewish people would no longer have to depend on anyone else for their survival.
Next week, we're flying to Jerusalem to meet with Prime Minister Netanyahu. When we see him, we will present him with a letter reminding him that he has friends in the United States who agree that the Israeli people must make the difficult decisions about how to defend themselves free from outside pressure.
When we present this letter, we want to tell the Prime Minister that it was signed by many thousands of Christians from across the country. Please click here now to add your name to this letter of support. And please share this letter with your family and friends.
The more of us who sign this letter, the stronger the message we send to the Prime Minister.
At this difficult and dangerous juncture, let's make sure that the Prime Minister knows he's not alone.
Blessings to you and those you love,
Pastor John Hagee
National Chairman
Christians United for Israel David Brog
Executive Directo
Friday, 2 March 2012
Confession
Obsession With Confession
"Don't recite the same prayer over and over as the heathen do, who think prayers are answered only by repeating them again and again."1
Confession of all sins and wrongdoing is not only essential for receiving God's forgiveness, but also for achieving physical, emotional and spiritual healing and total well-being. However, a word of warning: Confession without repentance is a game.
Repentance means to turn around and go a different way; that is, turning from negative to positive behavior. To confess and not genuinely seek to discover and resolve the causes behind our negative behavior/s means that we don't want to face the real issues and are using confession as a salve to soothe our conscience. When we keep repeating this pattern, our confession may have become an "obsession with confession" and nothing but a smoke screen behind which to hide our real selves.
As Jesus said, "When you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him."2
The bottom line for effective prayer and genuine confession is the motive behind the prayer; that is, being honest with ourselves and with God with a genuine desire to overcome the sins and faults we are confessing.
Suggested prayer: "Dear God, please help me never to use confession or any religious ritual as a means of hiding from my true self. Help me to always be honest with myself and with you. And may my confessions always be genuine; and grant that, with your help, I will overcome my sins and faults. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully in Jesus name
Pr.Miguel
"Don't recite the same prayer over and over as the heathen do, who think prayers are answered only by repeating them again and again."1
Confession of all sins and wrongdoing is not only essential for receiving God's forgiveness, but also for achieving physical, emotional and spiritual healing and total well-being. However, a word of warning: Confession without repentance is a game.
Repentance means to turn around and go a different way; that is, turning from negative to positive behavior. To confess and not genuinely seek to discover and resolve the causes behind our negative behavior/s means that we don't want to face the real issues and are using confession as a salve to soothe our conscience. When we keep repeating this pattern, our confession may have become an "obsession with confession" and nothing but a smoke screen behind which to hide our real selves.
As Jesus said, "When you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him."2
The bottom line for effective prayer and genuine confession is the motive behind the prayer; that is, being honest with ourselves and with God with a genuine desire to overcome the sins and faults we are confessing.
Suggested prayer: "Dear God, please help me never to use confession or any religious ritual as a means of hiding from my true self. Help me to always be honest with myself and with you. And may my confessions always be genuine; and grant that, with your help, I will overcome my sins and faults. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully in Jesus name
Pr.Miguel
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