Big Steps with God

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Taking steps of faith

This was the theme for this year’s TOAM Conference. As we journeyed through the lives of people in Hebrews chapter 11 our faith was built up. Indeed the Heroes of faith listed in that magnificent chapter still speak to us today beginning with, our father Abraham, and ending with nameless heroes and of course our greatest Hero of all time – the Lord Jesus Christ himself. The call was very clear, to fix our eyes on Him – the author and finisher of our faith, as we take huge steps of faith. The encouragement to embrace & emulate these heroes came ever so clearly as well as the things these men had to reject & refuse in order to fulfill their call. Sin, fear & discouragement are daily things we have to refuse in order to grow up in our faith.

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05 Oct

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Tree of Life

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Sermons

Being Mission Oriented

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On A Mission

We have been going through the book of Acts and Franco more than preached a brilliant sermon on the Sunday before some of us went to Guwahati on mission. It was a ‘now word’ for us – a wake-up call.

He said that as Peter entered his house and Cornelius greeted him, it was a giant leap for mankind. In Acts 9:32, Peter was available and obedient to the leading of the Holy Spirit. And the unexpected happened. So it is with mission. So is it for us who are led by the Holy Spirit. Are we excited about the unexpected? With the suddenlies and the surprisinglies?

He reminded us of Esther, who laid her life on the line for her people. David, who was suddenly called out of the pasture into an unprecedented battle which changed the history of the Israelites. And Mary the mother of Jesus. Greeted by the Angel Gabriel and given a message from God which was totally unprecedented and unexpected yet she responded positively, saying “Be it done unto me according to your word”. He challenged us to be part of an end time revival which is coming, by being available, and being led by the Holy Spirit as sons of God. Don’t be parochial, he said. But be available and be overcomers of barriers such as 1. Food, 2. Culture, 3. Social
4. Mental i.e. preconceived notions.

We as a church took steps that can become a giant leaps into Orissa, Chhattisgarh, Silliguri, and Guwahati which is the gateway to the North East. And on the first day of our time together in Guwahati we were told that since 1842 when there was revival in Assam there has not been anything till now when we are sensing that there is something happening again and God is about something unprecedented. This kind of confirmed the message Franco quoted Hudson Taylor of mainland China Mission fame, who said there are three stages for every Christian: First it is Impossible, then it is difficult, and then it is done. It looks impossible but when we are available to come out of our comfort zone and take action the difficult gets done. So where are you? 1^st, 2^nd or 3^rd stage? Wherever you are, God wants to take you to the next level of faith and works.

John Piper said in his book ‘Let the Nations be glad’, that at the heart of God is worship ( Jn 4:23) but the means is Mission. Have we in any small way incorporated this Mission, or our own TLC’s mission into our lives? Let’s go out and take the harvest for the Lord! – Pat

31 Jul

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Tree of Life

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Devotions

The Twenty One Days at the Throne Room

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We as a church endeavored to actualize this scripture during the last 21 days, meeting morning, noon and evening at a home despite heavy rains and traffic delays. We worshipped, sang and prayed. Some prayed softly, some whispered, some expressed passionate pleas and still others were loud enough to possibly provoke even the neighbors to at least think of praying!

Young children, seniors, widows, married couples, singles, all prayed each according to their faith. It was a special joy to hear the passionate worship of some new believers as they sang to the Lord in Hindi.

Numerous petitions surrounded us and realizing their enormity people of little faith may have wondered if God could or would respond. But for our Omnipotent God all our petitions a million times over are like a mere drop in the ocean.

At the close of this endeavor, we may ask ‘Has a good thing come to an end’? No! For us this is a new beginning. Someone said, ‘Prayer is the door to God’s treasury and Faith, the key’.

We have the key in our hand, let’s use it!

15 Jul

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Tree of Life

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Devotions

DEVOTION: Our God-given roles

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Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God. 2 Corinthians 5:20 (KJV)

True fulfilment in life comes when you stop running to and fro, grasping for things to fulfill you, and begin to realize the marvelous plan God has for you.

Of the billions of people on this planet, you have the unique role of a husband, father, wife, mother, son, or daughter. God has positioned you to serve Him in whatever environment you find yourself. It is our responsibility to let a hurting world know that God, in His love, gave His Son on the Cross.

You are special, one of a kind, and essential in the kingdom of God.Without you, many will not hear the good news of Christ. Without you,many will not be saved, healed, delivered, and served in His name.

God has ordained a special place of ministry for each of us. This isn’t a choice on our part. God has commissioned every believer with the ministry of reconciliation. Reflect today on the roles you alone can fill, and then determine to fulfill those roles to the very best of your God-given abilities

A Prayer to make:

Use me, today, O Lord. Let me be Your voice, hands, feet, and witness in the world. When others look at me, I pray that they will see You. Amen.

24 May

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Tree of Life

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Resources

Terry Virgo & Church Planting Networks

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This is a small video by Ed Stetzer interviewing Terry Virgo, the founder of Newfrontiers, a network of churches that Tree of Life Church is a part of.