Worship instead of worrying!

"You can not worry and worship at the same time" Thank you for reminding me Lord.

Just want to share with you this devotional I read on my mail  from Joel Osteen. God spoke to me through this because He knows I've been worrying a lot in the past few days. Be blessed!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Let God Be God TODAY’S SCRIPTURE “Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for Him...” (Psalm 37:7, NKJV) TODAY’S WORD from Joel and Victoria Are you struggling with trying to make a dream come to pass? Are you frustrated in a relationship, trying to make someone else change or live right? You may mean well, you may have good goals, but if you are trying to orchestrate things to happen your way, on your timetable, you are only going to frustrate yourself. At some point, you have to turn those circumstances over to God and trust that He has your best interest at heart. How do you turn things over to God? Start by making the choice and declaring your resolve. Simply say, “Father, I choose to let You be God of this situation. I take my hands off. I trust You.” Then, choose to worship Him. Worship is one of the best ways to set your heart and mind in the right place. You can’t worry and worship at the same time! Worship is a sign that you are trusting God; worry is a sign that you are trying to control things. Today, take the pressure off yourself and turn things over to God. Give Him control and let Him take your setbacks and turn them into comebacks. Remember, the God who holds the universe holds you in the palm of His hand. Trust Him and let God be God in every area of your life! A PRAYER FOR TODAY Father, today I choose to release every care and concern into Your loving hands. I refuse to worry and choose to trust. Fill me with Your peace. Show me Your ways as I surrender every area of my heart and life to You in Jesus’ name. Amen. — Joel & Victoria Osteen

Exceedingly and Abundantly

image source : http://inspiredbyfamilymag.com/2012/02/11/the-story-behind-the-artist-taking-risks/

Drums and new microphones

Slowly, we are getting back to normal. I mean our worship services.

Last Sunday, for the first time in more than two months, we set up Ramon's drum set :) Everyone was thrilled to see him play drums again. It's been a while

And also, we were blessed with three brand new microphones!! I'm sure it won't be long till we have that speakers and amplifiers we are praying for.

God is really good and He never failed us. His faithfulness in our church and to everyone of us is amazing!

We are still praying for a permanent worship place, a place where we can always gather anytime we want to. A place where we can set-up our musical instruments and bulletin boards. It can just be a square room that can accommodate at least a hundred people. I'm sure with the creativity of our young people it will be one nice worship place. Knowing them, they would even want a wall fountain in one area :) That would be soothing! 

But anyways, slowly God is answering our prayers. If  He has blessed us with equipment I'm sure He'll give us a permanent worship place too!!

SELAH band with Paul Tagle

It was their first time and they were bit nervous but all in all it turned out good. Hopefully they'll have more worship sessions coming soon!

Give thanks in all circumstances

My husband spoke at a midweek service last night and his message was about the power of gratitude :) and he quoted 1 Thessalonians 5:18 " give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus."

I was reminded of the many things actually endless things that I should be thankful for. Everyday we have reasons to thank God and therefore reasons to praise and worship Him.

After the service-I was immediately put to test. Someone told me about a text that angered me and my very first instinct is to do something but while we were on our way home I decided to just give thanks that at this point in time I am being tested and that my character is being mold thorugh this. And we prayed and thanked the Lord for the circumstances.

Sometimes, when we are not in a so good situation we find it hard to give thanks, but you'll be surprised how the very people that has been affected by the recent flood are still thankful for a lot of things. Bless their heart.

Last night, we were also taught to give thanks in advance for the things that we pray and hope for. In a way declaring that we will soon receive the answer to those prayer.

of course I gave thanks for the gift of parenthood, for the daughter or the son that He will be giving us soon. I know in my heart that we will become parents soon. I don't know how but I know we will in no time :) I am excited! and recently I've been browsing online stores that sells baby stuff again, you know those cloth diapers that are so cute and the lullaby earth crib mattress . I even thank God for the baby shower my friends would give me someday..hahaha!!

This sounds crazy but that's my hope and faith :)

How much is one's soul?

JESUS our savior paid it with his life. His life is priceless because HE is the only son of GOD the Father and HE loved him deeply and yet HE gave him up for us. 

It is very very clear in John 3:16 "For God so loved the world..that HE gave His only begotten Son..."

So therefore we Christians and believers of Christ should not also put a "tag price" on one's soul. Souls are important to HIM and HE wants everyone to be save and live with HIM in eternity. 

Luke 15:7 says " I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent"

I understand one sinner who repents....

And  why am I  writing this? because I can't get over with the comment I read about a youth camp last Sunday. I do not exactly remember the words but it says something like this " The souls brought to the Lord does not compensate with the expenses made"

I almost cried when I read that..I wanted to cry because of the fact that the ones who made such comments are not mere Christians but Leaders and Pastors.

So my question ( and really I want to ask them this given the chance) is how much should a church or organization spend for a soul? Fifty pesos per soul? One Hundred pesos per soul? One Thousand per soul?

It is so sad that money counts a lot and that churches are not willing to spend much for the salvation of one sinner...

While JESUS gave HIS everything including HIS very own life.

Taking Prayer Walking to new Heights over Niagara Falls

Got this on my email and thought of sharing it to anyone who reads my blog :)
God bless!!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Revs. Al and Deb Warner (Aug 2, 2012)

"Deep calls to deep in the roar of your waterfalls…" Ps. 42:7 NIV

"The King of the Wire puts his faith in the King of kings." QMI news agency

EDITOR'S NOTE: BCN has already published several articles regarding high wire walker Nik Wallenda's extraordinary and inspiring walk over Niagara back in June. However, this particular piece noted many of the prayerful activities of Believers in the area, and prophetic words which preceded that event. We felt it was important to include those as Nik's feat was actually a remarkable fulfillment of some of them. –Aimee Herd, BCN.

Revs. Al and Deb Warner
(on behalf of those who serve the regional church in
Western New York & Southern Ontario)

The eyes of the world were on Niagara Falls, twin cities in the U.S. and Canada, as Nik Wallenda performed his high-wire walk on June 15th. To the amazement of millions of people who watched breathlessly, Nik seemed calm, had a smile on his face, granted interviews during the walk, and spent much of the 26 heart-pounding minutes praying and quoting Scripture as the ABC crowd listened in.

Nik talked to both his earthly father, Terry, and his Heavenly Father:

"Thank You for Your peace, Lord. Thank You for Your confidence, God. Thank You Jesus."

"Thank You Jesus, my righteous King. Praise You, Father God. Praise You, Jesus."

"God is good. What an amazing opportunity. What a blessing."

"Oh Lord, You are my Savior, You are my King. You are my Jesus. You are my Counselor, You are my wisdom. Praise You Jesus."

Nick prayed and prophesied over two nations as the world held its collective breath. Of course Nik does not just pray when the television cameras are on, but as Nik says, "I'm always praying."

As is the case for Christians across the world, our region (which includes Western New York and Southern Ontario) has been believing for a move of God of epic proportions to come in our midst. We have fasted, we have prayed, we have repented, we have prophesied, we have come together. But could God have moved outside our religious 'box' to answer our collective prayers? I am reminded of God's word to Isaiah, "See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?" (Isaiah 43:19 a) Could a daredevil's stunt be an answer to our prayers?

Steve Shultz summed it up this way for his Elijah List readers shortly after the event: "…perhaps the MOST PROPHETIC EVENT that we have posted, is a link to a man walking from the USA to Canada. …God allows, even prophesied, that we would not 'see it coming' what HE was about to do."

As my wife Deb and I watched and listened to Nik, it dawned on us that we were observing the most surprising move of God that we have ever witnessed. What happened in the Niagara region to prepare for this unconventional move of God? Long before the international press turned its cameras toward Niagara, God was preparing the ground for seed and harvest.

Niagara Falls, NY, has been declining for 50 years.
1959 – Niagara Falls, NY, population, 110,000
2012 – Niagara Falls, NY, population, 51,000

God is resurrecting Niagara Falls. Recent highlights include:
August, 2003 – Pastors in Niagara Falls, NY, came to together to pray in response to a word from Canadian pastor Dennis Wiedrick, as well as the murdering of youth in the city. Continues to this day.

August, 2006 – Cindy Jacobs' prophetic word at Niagara Falls:
"The Lord says look to the north of America to the Niagara Falls area, even in the Peace Bridge area for there is a hotbed of terrorism in that area... listen, anyone that lives along the northern borders of the United States, the very northern border, God is calling us to pray. God is calling for Canadians, God is calling for those in the U.S. Let us join hand to hand and let's intercede and let's protect our nation."

February, 2008 – Pastors from Niagara Falls, NY, and Niagara Falls, Ontario, gather to pray.

September, 2008 – 400+ pastors and intercessors from both sides of the border, including the mayors of Niagara Falls, NY and Ontario, gathered and prayed on the Rainbow Bridge, thus spanning the Niagara Gorge and linking two nations in prayer. This was in response to a prophetic word given by Cindy Jacobs in 2006.

May, 2009 – Chuck Pierce's prophetic word:
"…it will be known all over our nation that Buffalo and the waters of Niagara Falls are a sign of the river of God that has come into Buffalo. We thank you that even the power stations in the Buffalo area and in the Niagara area will begin to shift, and you will begin to activate new industry, and you will begin to move in a new way."

April 17, 2012 – Doug Addison's prophetic word:
"This month I keep feeling that there is something significant that is going to be centered right around the Niagara Falls area. God is releasing something new and powerful that will prove to be a dividing point for many who do not understand how God's power works."

May 15, 2012 – Kathie Walters' prophetic word:
"Many people have had visions of Niagara being a type of the next and last great move of the Spirit... Niagara is coming – it is close, closer than you think, and you are being drawn by His love and His power."

What are some lessons to be learned from Nik Wallenda?

1. Nik first dreamed of walking over Niagara Falls when his parents brought him here when he was 6. He stewarded the dream for 27 years, including years of training and planning, along with seemingly insurmountable obstacles and disappointments. Both the U.S. and Canada had to change their 128-year-old ban on Niagara Falls stunts. Divine dreams require persistence and endurance to complete successfully.

2. We were nervous when we heard that Nik Wallenda was going to perform in Niagara Falls. We were afraid that Nik might be added to the long list of visionaries that have come here and died, either literally or figuratively. But the season has changed. We cannot let the past paralyze our future. Although Nik fought it, ABC required that he be tethered throughout the walk. We believe the tether may be a prophetic picture—visionaries are safer when they are tethered (rightly aligned, connected to or partnering with) one another. We are better TOGETHER!

3. As Nik listened to the voice of his father, Terry, in his ear, he received the wisdom and encouragement he needed to complete his dream. Terry was also a veteran wire-walker with 36 years of experience. We have our Father's reassuring voice, as well as seasoned saints cheering us on. (Heb. 12)

4. Encouraged by the roar of the crowd as he got closer to land, Nik sprinted the final few steps. Nik finished well, as Scripture encourages us to do. But you may not hear the crowd's cheers until the end.

5. Even 'secular' news sources reported on Nik's faith in their coverage.

*Carolyn Thompson, Associated Press: "A Born-Again Christian, Wallenda said he stays calm on the wire by talking to God, quoting Scripture and praying."

*The Toronto Star: "His wife and three children held hands and prayed with him minutes before he began. …Prayer comes easily to Nik, a Born-Again Christian, who thanked God and Jesus out loud—and through his microphone to the world—for much of his 26-minute feat."

*Good Morning America, ABC directly asked Nik about his praying while he walked the wire. "I prayed non-stop. The Bible says to pray without ceasing and I'm always praying."

*Buffalo News: "Once the cameras were shut off, Wallenda walked around the park, picked up cigarette butts and tried to make sure the piles of trash left by media staffers were cleaned up."

We often criticize secular television for its lack of positive coverage of Christian events. But ABC took this to a far greater audience than Christian television could have. ABC – 13.1 million viewers. Canadian CTV television – 6.8 million viewers. Internet viewers estimated at over a billion people worldwide (Enigma Research). Could it be that God is positioning Christians to "know their God… and carry out great exploits"? (Daniel 11:32, NKJV)

What's next for Nik and for our region? Nik told the Buffalo News, "There will always be a piece of my heart in Niagara Falls… The truth is, I do see a future here and hope to have a show in this area and hope to spend more time here."

Nik, thank you for releasing a new spirit to dream and hope again throughout our region. Perhaps you succeeded even beyond your own lofty goals to 'inspire people.' On behalf of our cities, thank you Nik, for hearing God and persevering to walk it out!

"So there was great joy in that city." Acts 8:8
__________________

Revs. Al & Deb Warner are the founders and directors of Set Free Inc. Set Free is a networking ministry connecting business, governmental and church leaders for a Nehemiah-like rebuilding and transformation of our city. Al and Deb have over 30 years experience pastoring local churches and working as missionaries in Hong Kong. In 1997, God laid a burden on their heart to bring the regional church of greater Buffalo, NY, together. As they obeyed, God birthed their ministry, Set Free Inc. The Warners have led multiple prayer and training events over the years, including National Day of Prayer.

To contact them, email: info@setfreeinc.org

Keep singing, keep praising God

"I will praise the Lord as long as I live; I will sing praises to my God while I have my being."- Psalm 146:2 (ESV)

Please keep on praying for the Philippines specifically the Luzon which is mostly affected by the flood due to heavy rains since Monday. 

 Our office work was suspended for two days, our streets are flooded Tuesday and Wednesday and we are forced to stay inside, my husband though braved the flood to get some food for us. I know now how it feels to be trapped inside your house and then you have nothing to eat. :( And really if you don't know the Lord you'll be scared. I was at times worried but the husband's steady faith keeps me sane :)

image source : http://wallpaper4god.com/en/background_psalm-1462/

What we did for two days? well, because our television was broken and our computer broke down also yesterday we were left with nothing to do but listen to music and sing and also I went back to reading (a real book).

 We also had time to clean our home :D My husband found an old musical instruments brochure and enjoyed looking at MF ibanez guitars and other gadgets while cleaning. Over all it was a productive two days for us. Sure the rain stopped the world for a while but we kept on singing, we kept on praising. :) 

Have a nice day everyone!

Housewives Retreat

@ Maravilla, Nagcarlan, Laguna last July 27-28, 2012

This was originally planned when we were still with my old church but the housewives core leaders decided they will push through with it despite of what had happened and we are so glad they did :)

More housewives are challenged to do ministry work and all of us were blessed. Thank you Lord!

Indeed. how good and pleasant it is when brethren dwell together in unity!

Tita Nida- the servant leader of the housewives group

that's yours truly speaking about "Mature Christian"

In Worship..there is Unity :)

Some of our Pastors were there to support us

Do you let your kids watch TV?

I am not yet a Mom but I have few nieces and nephews, all of them grew up watching tv. Now, in my yahoo group, there has been a lengthy discussion and exchange of ideas about the TV policy at home, the benefits and the downside of it. I still don't know what i would do if ever I become a parent but I am sure I can not eliminate TV at all in our home so I guess I would be in the "restricted tv time" side. But I really do not know. 

I also believe in the NO TV policy but that would mean no TV at all in your home right? 

Most of the Christian parenting books and articles I read (yes I read those even I am still not a parent) are on the no TV policy because they believe that TV has so much influence in a child and that it takes away the creativity in them. With TV, they don't need to imagine things anymore because it's there already. I have friends who let their kids watch tv and surprisingly they (the kids) also learn from it. 

Anyways, I will know what to do when I get there, for now,my husband and I enjoy watching tv together (which we very seldom do as we are not fond of télés series and mostly we open our tv to watch the news only) 

How about you? do you have kids? do you let them watch TV? 

Jesus The Heart of Worship Global Ministries

This was our church bulletin last Sunday :)

Thank you lord that you are providing for our church's needs.