Pursue What is Prized by: Sis. Leonor Fernandez

Philippians 1:9-11

And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment; That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ.

As employees, we are appraised by our superiors to gauge how competent we are in our particular line of work. As Christians, if we are to be evaluated on our prayer life, what would our mark be?

Personally, how would you rate your prayer life? If you had to give yourself a grade, would it be a 100%, 90%, 75% or would you choose the word "incomplete". Let's phrase the question into a multiple choice question:

Is your prayer life, A) Excellent, B) Above average, C) Average, D) Below average or E) "I need help!”? Probably many of us would choose E because we feel our prayer life truly does need help.

As we think about prayer, let's begin with three simple statements:

1. Prayer is both the easiest and the hardest discipline of the Christian life.

2. Almost everyone prays. Believers and non-believers, and almost everyone feel he can improve in this area.

3. Prayer presents us with both theological and practical problems.

"Prayer is the very sword of the saints," said Francis Thompson. If that is true, why do we often keep the sword in the scabbard? Lee Robertson called prayer "the Christian's secret weapon, forged in the realms of glory". Why, then, do we not use it more effectively? Often we simply don't know what to say when we pray. I'm thinking especially of those moments when we begin to pray for others beyond our most intimate circle. What do you do when you have a large list of people to pray for, including loved ones, friends, neighbors, co-workers, missionaries, and others whom you hardly know at all? Lord, bless uh..uh..uh “Lisa" then we go to the next name “and bless Jim" then we go to the next name: "Lord I ask that You really bless the missionaries in Africa" And on it goes.

As one man remarked, if we took the word "bless" out of our prayer vocabularies, some of us would never pray again. While I believe it is perfectly appropriate to ask God to bless people, I think we can move far beyond that and, in so doing, dramatically increase the effectiveness of our prayers. Let us look closer to Paul's prayer for the Philippians and use it as blueprints for powerful praying (with the aid and guidance of the Holy Spirit of course).

Paul's prayer includes three points: Three P's

1. PROSPER

V9 And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment.

Abound in love:

The word ABOUND comes from the Greek word περισσεύω perisseuō (per-is-syoo'-o) which means to superabound (in quantity or quality), be in excess, be superfluous; also (transitively) to cause to superabound or excel: - (make, more) abound, (have, have more) abundance, (be more) abundant, be the better, enough and to spare, exceed, excel, increase, be left, redound, remain (over and above).

As a proof of his great affection for the people of Philippi, Paul puts this petition on their account; which supposes that they had love, as they must certainly have, since the good work of grace had begun in them, for wherever the work of the Spirit of God is, there is love. Imagine an empty cup slowly being filled with water. When the water reaches the brim, it begins to overflow down the sides of the cup. That’s the picture Paul has in mind- love filling the hearts of the Philippians until it overflows. If you would notice, almost all prayers of the Apostle Paul begin with a petition for love. That’s because love is supreme of all Christian virtues.

…And (grow) in Knowledge and in Judgment

The word KNOWLEDGE Gk ἐπίγνωσις epignōsis (ip-ig'-no-sis) meaning: recognition, that is, (by implication acknowledgement: - (ac-) knowledge (-ing, -ment).

Paul's prayer continues with a request that the Philippians might grow in their knowledge of God. This sort of knowledge goes beyond factual information. It is a kind of knowing that comes from a deep, personal, and intimate relationship with another person. In context, Paul is praying that their love express itself in an intimate knowledge of who God is.

JUDGMENT αἴσθησις aisthēsis (ah'ee-sthay-sis) means perception, that is, (figuratively) insight.

If knowledge is the accumulation of facts, judgment however, is an advance upon knowledge. Judgment is the correct use of the facts. In other translations, they used the word "insight", which in Greek speaks of moral discrimination, the ability to look at various options and say, "This one is good. That one is better.”

As a tiny rudder guides a massive ship, our lives often turn on small decisions and unexpected events. We like to think that these decisions don't matter, but they do because each decision is connected with other decision, like so many links in the chain of life itself. This one is best "This leads to the second point in his prayer.

2. PRUDENCE:

Prudence means the ability to govern and discipline oneself by the use of reason.

v 10 That ye may approve things that are excellent, KJV (that you may have the gift of true discrimination, NEB)

APPROVE δοκιμάζω dokimazō (dok-im-ad'-zo) means to test (literally or figuratively); by implication to approve: - allow, discern, examine, X like, (ap-) prove, try

There is a process of testing metals, such as gold ore and coins, to find out what they were worth. There is gold and "fool's" gold. It looks like gold to the naked eye, but it isn't, and it's not worth anything. Too many Christians settle for "fool's gold" in the choices they make.

EXCELLENT διαφέρω diapherō; (dee-af-er'-o) means to bear through, to “differ”, or (by implication) surpass: - be better, be (more) excellent, be of more value.

Paul prays that the Philippians old have such love and insight that they would continually make wise choices in life. He prayed that they would not be satisfied with the status quo or with spiritual mediocrity but push on to true spiritual excellence. In a sense he is asking God for the gift of "spiritual discrimination"-the ability to make wise choices under pressure.

His prayer continues with the results that flow from the above points mentioned, which leads to the third point.

3. PURITY - Unmixed with any matter, spotless, stainless

That ye may be sincere and without offence.

SINCERE εἰλικρινής eilikrinēs –(eilik-ree-nace') >heilē (the sun’s ray) and judged by sunlight, that is, tested as genuine (figuratively): - pure, sincere.

A broken pottery in the Ancient world was often covered with wax and painted over. People were deceived into thinking that they were buying sound vases. However, if they were to hold this vase up in the sun, the sun would reveal the cracks. To be pure means to live in such a way that the truth about who we are is clear, that when we are held up to the light of the sun of who God is, there is nothing to hide. "No wax" of pretense and hypocrisy can be found in our lives.

WITHOUT OFFENCE/BLAMELESS ἀπρόσκοπος Aproskopos (ap-ros'-kop-os) >, not leading into sin; passively faultless, that is, not led into sin: - none (void of, without) offence.

This is derived from a Greek word which the opposite meaning is Scandal-originally referred to the bait in a trap that would catch unsuspecting animals. It came to mean a lifestyle that caused others to fall into sin, In contrast, a blameless person is free from moral scandal-you don't stumble into sin and you don’t cause others to stumble because of your sins.

FRUITFUL LIFE

The Bible often uses the metaphor of a fruit tree to describe both life of the righteous and the life of the wicked. Regarding false prophets, Jesus declared that by their fruits we would know them. This is precisely what Paul is praying for-the fruit of visible Christian character. A fruitful life is one that is distinctively Christian on every aspect

Conclusion:

Let us be encouraged, inspired and challenged by the prayer of the Apostle Paul for the Philippians. He prayed the life of Christ be in the soul of these people.

He prayed that they would have overflowing love and wisdom to choose the best things in life, and he did not mean the best things in general, he meant God’s best for them. He prayed that they would pursue what is prized and prize what is of value.

Let's Win Al Ain for Jesus by: Pastor Edward Barcial

LET’S WIN AL AIN FOR JESUS!

WIN – AL AIN 16^TH CHURCH ANNIVERSARY MESSAGE

1 Tim 2:8 (NKJV)

I desire therefore that the men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting

My family and I would like to greet all of you a Blessed 16^th Church Anniversary! May the glory of the Risen Christ shine brighter and brighter upon us until the day of His second coming.

It is so sweet to know that our church has been worshipping Jesus for the past sixteen years. Truly God is faithful even in the midst of trials that He is truly able to complete what He has started. Our church has grown with so much blessing that we have become a blessing to other pastors, missionaries and churches as well. The saying “the more you give, the more you receive” is definitely alive and true in our lives as worshipping believers of Jesus in WIN-Al Ain.

The theme that the Lord has impressed on my heart not only for this year but for the next decade is “LET’S WIN AL AIN FOR JESUS!” And the first step to accomplish this great task is by prayer for every district. Our goal for the next 10 years starting this year is to establish prayer zone leaders who are filled and baptized with the Holy Spirit who will then intercede for their individual district. We have begun this move district by district on a monthly basis. We invite all of you to be part of this monthly gathering of believers in your own district or community and let’s begin to WIN AL AIN for JESUS!

Matthew Henry’s commentary on 1 Timothy 2:8 goes like this:

Under the gospel, prayer is not to be confined to any one particular house of prayer, but men must pray every where. We must pray in our closets, pray in our families, pray at our meals, pray when we are on journeys, and pray in the solemn assemblies, whether more public or private. We must pray in charity; without wrath, or malice, or anger at any person. We must pray in faith, without doubting, and without disputing.

The challenge for us today is developing a prayer lifestyle that is evident not only in our homes or church but EVERYWHERE! Our aim is to raise up prayer zone leaders whose task is simply pray in the Spirit always. This is not a glamorous nor easy task. But Jesus encourages us with His words:

Matt 6:6 (NKJV)

But you, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly.

Not only in our prayer closets but in your workplace, when your travel, when you wash the dishes, etc. Literally, EVERYWHERE! We will saturate the city with prayer for salvation, healing and deliverance. Evangelism will then become easy and a reality if we first pray that the Lord will change the heart of the people of this land whether locals or expats. Our prerogative is not conversion, evangelism is. Conversion is God’s prerogative; our job is simply to intercede that when we share the Gospel, they will be attentive to God’s message of love and hopefully to born again into the Kingdom.

In the next ten years, I foresee daughter churches arising from these prayer zones. This was how the early church started on the day of Pentecost around two thousand years ago. It all started when they gathered in one accord and prayed until the Holy Spirit came like a rushing mighty wind and all of them were baptized and spoke in other tongues

Acts 2:1-4 (NKJV)

When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. 2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

Soon after Peter was Spirit-baptized and preached with power, three thousand souls cried out “Men and brethren, what shall we do?" Acts 2:37 (NKJV). There will come a time that we will not be asking them to accepting Jesus but the unbelievers will be asking us how to be saved. This can only be done if we are all ablazed with the fire of God’s Holy Spirit. I really do believe that God is going to restore the Church not just in its former glory but with greater glory!

Haggai 2:1-9 (NKJV)

In the seventh month, on the twenty-first of the month, the word of the Lord came by Haggai the prophet, saying: 2 "Speak now to Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua the son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and to the remnant of the people, saying: 3 'Who is left among you who saw this temple in its former glory? And how do you see it now? In comparison with it, is this not in your eyes as nothing? 4 Yet now be strong, Zerubbabel,' says the Lord; 'and be strong, Joshua, son of Jehozadak, the high priest; and be strong, all you people of the land,' says the Lord, 'and work; for I am with you,' says the Lord of hosts. 5 'According to the word that I covenanted with you when you came out of Egypt, so My Spirit remains among you; do not fear!' 6 "For thus says the Lord of hosts: 'Once more (it is a little while) I will shake heaven and earth, the sea and dry land; 7 and I will shake all nations, and they shall come to the Desire of All Nations, and I will fill this temple with glory,' says the Lord of hosts. 8 'The silver is Mine, and the gold is Mine,' says the Lord of hosts. 9 The glory of this latter temple shall be greater than the former,' says the Lord of hosts. 'And in this place I will give peace,' says the Lord of hosts."

Today we are experiencing wars and earthquakes in rapid frequencies like in the Middle East, Indonesia, Haiti, & Japan. These are the signs that the Lord Jesus told us about the last days. God is shaking the world so that we will come to Jesus, the Desire Of All Nations, and will fill us with His glory, hallelujah! Jesus foretold these signs of the end times in the Gospels:

Matt 24:3-14 (NKJV)

Now as He sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, "Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?" 4 And Jesus answered and said to them: "Take heed that no one deceives you. 5 For many will come in My name, saying, 'I am the Christ,' and will deceive many. 6 And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. 7 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places. 8 All these are the beginning of sorrows. 9 Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name's sake. 10 And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another. 11 Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many. 12 And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. 13 But he who endures to the end shall be saved. 14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.

Jesus is coming soon. We must prepare for His coming. Prayer is the first step if we are to endure during the end times. We are already in the last of the last days. Let us pray that the Gospel will be preached in all the world. But before this worldwide evangelism takes place, there will be a revival of prayer and intercession. God will shake not only the earth but the heavens as well.

Hebrews 12:25-29 (NKJV)

See that you do not refuse Him who speaks. For if they did not escape who refused Him who spoke on earth, much more shall we not escape if we turn away from Him who speaks from heaven, 26 whose voice then shook the earth; but now He has promised, saying, "Yet once more I shake not only the earth, but also heaven." 27 Now this, "Yet once more," indicates the removal of those things that are being shaken, as of things that are made, that the things which cannot be shaken may remain. 28 Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear. 29 For our God is a consuming fire.

There is a great shakening happening now! Stand firm in His grace alone. Let us prepare the way of the Lord! Let us pray with Holy Ghost power! Let’s WIN AL AIN FOR JESUS! Maranatha! Come Lord Jesus!

From my family to yours,

Ps Edward, Sis. Marlene, David John and Sally Joy

Looking Back, Reaching Forward By: Pastor Audie Castillo

Looking Back

SIxteen years has come and gone, and we witnessed the progression of the work of the Lord in this place. From our humble beginning to where we are now, it is amazing to witness the work of the Lord in the Body of Christ (WIN-Al Ain). To some of you who were with us when we started, it is worth remembering and LOOK BACK…your sacrifice, your faithful service, your perseverance through thick and thin , and your dedication and commitment in your respective ministries. It is also worth remembering the men and women who were with us in the ministry over the years. Some of them are already gone in our home countries; most of them pursue their dreams abroad or elsewhere. Wherever they are now, our prayers are all with them. The Lord honors the

work you have rendered and I know that your labour in the Lord will not go in vain.

Reaching Forward

And today, to all of you who partner with us in the ministry, we are grateful and appreciates your service ; let us take part in the history of WIN – ALAIN. One of these days, we will part ways, some will go home, others will be assigned to different places, and migrate to where GOD is leading them and be used in the ministry of GOD, we’re all gone from here. What partnership you have done your ministry that the future WIN – AL AIN will be remembered? What is the legacy that you are leaving them? There are

greater years ahead of us, greater works, greater ministries, greater responsibilities, let us be in one accord to fulfill the higher calling of God in our lives. Let our presence felt in the community, in our work places, in the neighborhood, in the malls, in the streets. I challenge you all, to carry out the great work the Lord has commissioned us to do, “LET US WIN AL AIN FOR JESUS”.

Philippians 1:3-6 (NIV 2011) “³ I thank my God every time I remember you. ⁴ In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy ⁵ because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, ⁶ being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”

In behalf of the Pastoral staff, council members and leaders, we honor your dedication and commitment in the harvest field. You are in our prayers………

May the Lord continuously bless us .

HAPPY 16^TH ANNIVERSARY!!!

WITH ALL OUR LOVE,

Bro. Audie and family

Philippine Believer's League

Word International Ministries Al Ain is currently participating in the Philippine Believer's League (PBL). The Team had it's first game againts the JCMI, with WIN Al Ain winning the game.

Message of Thanks from the Gideons

Jeremy Brown, John Kochummen and wife, (Gideons International)

with Pastor Edward and Sis. Marlene

On behalf of the Abu Dhabi camp of The Gideons International, let me express our loving appreciation for allowing us to be a part of the Word International Ministries, Al Ain worship service on Friday 4th March 2011 and for allowing our Jeremy Brown to speak about the Gideon ministry at the service.

We have been greatly blessed to hear your testimony of how a Gideon testament changed the course of your life some 34 years ago.

Your story is truly a great encouragment to all of us serving in the Gideon ministry.

We are humbled & thank the Lord for the excellent offerings entrusted to us by the church, to reach His Word to so many more eager hands and touch so many more lives in 193 countries of the world.

Offering at the service has been UAE Dirhams (AED) 5,888 and Omani Riyal 20.

We sincerely thank you, the church leadership and the congregation for their generosity.

These funds are being immediately & fully remitted to our Nashville Head Office.

They will enable Gideons to provide at least 1,217 scriptures free of cost to so many eager hands around the world.

Kindly convey our thanks to the church family too. Also appreciate your prayers for the Gideon team who are already in Kisii, Kenya just about to start a very hectic schedule of 6 days of scripture distribution in that land.

God bless you and your family and ministry as you serve Him

Together in His service,

John Kochummen
National Field Coordinator for UAE
www.gideons.org

Ph 050 4510823
POB 32096, Abu Dhabi, UAE

BELIEVE IT OR NOT! by Sis. Diane Leonardo

(The 3 R’s of John 3:16)

There was a tightrope walker, who did incredible aerial feats. All over Paris, he would do tightrope acts at tremendously scary heights. Then he had succeeding acts; he would do it blindfolded, then he would go across the tightrope, blindfolded, pushing a wheelbarrow.

An American promoter read about this in the papers and wrote a letter to the tightrope walker, saying, "Tightrope, I don't believe you can do it, but I'm willing to make you an offer. For a very substantial sum of money, besides all your transportation fees, I would like to challenge you to do your act over Niagara Falls."Now, Tightrope wrote back, "Sir, although I've never been to America and seen the Falls, I'd love to come."

Well, after a lot of promotion and setting the whole thing up, many people came to see the event. Tightrope was to start on the Canadian side and come to the American side. Drums roll, and he comes across the rope which is suspended over the treacherous part of the falls -- blindfolded!! And he makes it across easily.

The crowds go wild, and he comes to the promoter and says, "Well, Mr. Promoter, now do you believe I can do it?" "Well of course I do. I mean, I just saw you do it." "No," said Tightrope, "do you really believe I can do it?" "Well of course I do, you just did it." "No, no, no," said Tightrope, "do you believe I can do it?" "Yes," said Mr. Promoter, "I believe you can do it." "Good," said Tightrope, "then you get in the wheel barrow."

The word “believe”, in Greek means "to live by".

This is a nice story...makes you ask, how often do we say that we believe Christ can do it, but refuse to get in the wheelbarrow?

In this gospel, John provides clear evidence that Jesus is the Son of God and that by believing in HIM, we may have eternal life. Before it was called “The Gospel According to John”, it was originally from the Greek word “Kata Ioannen” which means according to John. “Ioanness” is derived from the Hebrew name Johanan which means “Yahweh Has been Gracious”

John 3:16 is the summary of the conversation of Nicodemus and Jesus Christ over the issue of being born again. This verse is spoken by Jesus Christ himself. In the previous verses, we can see that Nicodemus came to see Jesus Christ at night. Nicodemus has been described in the bible as a Pharisee and a ruler of the Jewish council called the Sanhedrin. He chose to see Jesus Christ at night so that the other Pharisees would not see him. Daylight conversation between Pharisees and Jesus Christ tended to be conflicting. But Nicodemus really wanted to learn something from Jesus Christ.

Nicodemus as described in the bible is a learned teacher himself. Yet, he came to see Jesus to examine HIM for himself to separate fact and rumor. Their conversation was focused on the idea of being born again as a requirement to see God’s kingdom. Jesus Christ was able to unfold powerfully Nicodemus’s question about entering to the mother’s womb again and be born again. He also explained to Nicodemus the mysteries that only God can do.

That conversation made Jesus mentioned how God loved the world by giving His one and only Son. After that event, Nicodemus was seldom mentioned in the Bible. He again appeared when the religious leaders attempt to arrest Jesus Christ. He spoke boldly in His defense because he understood that Jesus was truly the messiah. His next appearance was when he joined Joseph of Arimathea in asking Jesus’ body in order to provide for its burial. From this perspective, we can say that Nicodemus is growing continually. His growth in the Lord was not instant, rather gradual.

1. Representation of God’s Love

For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son….(v 16a)

Jesus Christ is the representation of God’s unconditional love. A love that is not static or self-centered; a sacrificial love through His Son Jesus.

Romans 5:8 But God demonstrates His own love towards us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

Ephesians 2: 4-5 But God being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ

In the Old Testament, a higher form of love, involving loyalty, steadfastness, and kindness, is expressed by the Hebrew word hesed, which is sometimes translated as “loyalty” (2 Samuel 22:26). More often, however, this Hebrew word is translated as “steadfast love” or “loving-kindness.” Love is the mutual and binding grace between God and man!

2. Requirement To Eternal Life….that whoever believes in Him…

To believe is more than intellectual agreement that Jesus is God. It means to put our trust and confidence in Him that He alone can save us. …that whoever believes in HIM…- refers to Jesus Christ and Jesus Christ is the very image of God himself.

Therefore believing in HIM means obeying the Law and the word of God.

Its impartiality--He gives it to whosoever; that is, to all alike (Matthew 5: 45)

Its limitations--it is nowhere said in the Bible that because God so love the world that He will save unbelievers

The belief in the dual nature of Jesus is essential to salvation. Unbelief is the world's crowning sin! Nicodemus believed that Jesus Christ have come from God. He then made a decision to see Him despite the danger and consequences if other Pharisees would see him.

1 John 5:13 These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life.

3. Reward Of Believing …eternal/everlasting life

After believing, the reward is really great. The reward is the assurance that we will not perish and spend eternity in the lake of fire; rather, we will all have everlasting life. Jesus mentioned to Nicodemus that he must be born again so that he can see the Kingdom of God where we all have eternal life with our Maker.

Some people are repulsed by the idea of eternal life because their mortal lives are miserable. Eternal life is God’s life embodied in Christ given to all believers now as a guarantee that they will live forever. In eternal life, there is no death, sickness, enemy, evil or sin. We will not experience unfair treatment there unlike to what we experience here on earth. The real happiness awaits us there.

Its beneficial richness--it blesses with life eternal!

1 John 5:11-12

¹¹ And the testimony is this, that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son ¹² He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life.

Conclusion:

Salvation is free for all but the requirement is to BELIEVE. The principle is simple, If we believe in Jesus Christ, we will be saved with the promise of eternal life. If we believe, are we willing to get in God’s wheel barrow and travel through the tightrope with Him? On the contrary, if we don’t believe, we will perish. The choice is ours.

May God bless us all!