RUN TO WIN

1 Cor 9:24-27 (NKJV)

Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. ²⁵ And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown. ²⁶ Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. ²⁷ But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.

My family and I would like to congratulate Sis. Leonor Fernandez and WIN – Al Ain Youth Ministry on their very first anniversary. May the Lord mature all our youth into Christ likeness for service to the next generation church! God bless the youth!

The youth ministry of our church has been with us ever since the beginning. However it has not been formally recognized officially as a separate ministry until last year. This is due to the fact that the youth and children were both under the WIN – Al Ain Children’s Ministry under the guidance of our dear Sis. Rina Cañas who had moved on with her family to WIN-Surrey in Vancouver, Canada. Two workers were under her: Sis. Tereh Diaz who handles the children and Sis. Leonor Fernandez who handles the youth. The youth and children celebrated their ministry anniversary together for the last 10 years. When Sis. Rina moved on, the two leaders were appointed unto their own separate ministry.

This year we are now recognizing the Youth Ministry officially as separate from the Children’s Ministry under the care and guidance of Sis. Leonor while the Children’s Ministry is under the care of Sis. Tereh Diaz. This move is consistent with our National Board Ministry setup for the entire UAE.

The WIN – Al Ain Youth Ministry has chosen for their theme “RUN TO WIN.” (in line with our church Annual theme of “LET US GO ON TO MATURITY”).

The Youth of today is filled with energy and creativity. They are a new generation of believers who would try new things the older generation has never thought of. They are the frontliners when it comes to technology, innovation and invention. They come up with new ideas. We can hardly keep up with them.

They wisely chose the theme “RUN TO WIN.” They are aware that we are supposed to run to win and not just run fast. Many people today become so fast and so furious that they have forgotten to win the prize. Activities have become a goal in itself. Many youth would go for church activities as an end rather that a means to obtain the prize. The prize is “MATURITY.”

We need to guide their energy to become productive members of the church. I have known a lot of youth who always attend church activities but never matured spiritually. They never grow into the WORD of God nor did they grow to pray and worship. Sure they can look and sound spiritual in concerts, camps and special events. But how about in their homes and schools and communities? We must challenge them to become like Christ in their lives whether in church or outside. We must teach them the real essence of Christianity much more than learning Bible verses or doctrines. We must instruct them to become disciples of Jesus to affect the world around them with their living testimonies of transformed lives.

The Youth today belongs to the age that is now the constant focus of the enemy to destroy them with temptations to drugs, alcohol, premarital sex, and new age teachings. The devil knows that these youth are capable of doing great and mighty things for the glory of God. Satan therefore is trying to divert their attentions from reaching the purposes of God in their lives by enticing them to run after worldly trivial pursuits. Since they are still young in the ways of the world, the devil finds it easy to pull them down into committing sin. Unfortunately, there have been a lot of spiritual casualties.

Unless we guide, train, and pray for them, we will lose the battle. If we encourage them to run the race to win, we will win the war. Running is not the goal, winning is! All our efforts must produce the fruit of righteousness in their lives and thus produce an army of evangelists ready to share the Gospel with thousand of souls saved as the result.

May the youth of our church take up the challenge of discipline and devotion unto the Lord Jesus Christ. May they rise up in true worship, prayer and obedience to the Word. May they discover the true life in the Spirit so they will not give in to the lust of the flesh. May they be filled with the Holy Ghost and do great things for the glory of the Father and His kingdom here on earth. May they run the race to WIN!

God bless the Youth Ministry with His power and glory!

WIN AL AIN CHILDREN’S MINISTRY 10TH YEAR ANNIVERSARY MESSAGE

Luke 2:52 (The Message Bible)

And Jesus matured, growing up in both body and spirit, blessed by both God and people.

My family and I would like to congratulate Sis. Tereh Diaz and the Friday School teachers a blessed WIN – Al Ain Children’s Ministry 10^th year Anniversary. May the Lord reward all of you richly in Christ Jesus!

The children’s ministry is very essential in any church or ministry. In them we plant the seeds of faith that will give them hope for today and for the future. We salute every Friday school teacher who has given his or her time with the children. It is never easy to teach young children the way of the Lord. They require great patience, care and love for these little ones if they were to grow spiritually.

My prayer is that the children of this church would grow up to maturity unto the full stature of Christ. This will require teachers as well as all members of Christ’s body to accomplish this monumental task. We thank all of those who have given us support for the last 10 years for the benefit of the children.

Eph 4:11-16 (NKJV)

And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, ¹² for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, ¹³ till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; ¹⁴ that we should no longer be children (that is, not to be childish in behavior, but with childlike faith- note mine), tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, ¹⁵ but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head--Christ-- ¹⁶ from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.

This year our annual Church theme is “LET US GO ON TO MATURITY” (Heb 6:1).

The challenge for us adults is to be very mature in our Christian faith. By this we mean that we should be children themselves to minister to them. In the Bible, children are considered blessed by God because of their purity and innocence. Jesus challenged the disciples to be children themselves if they want to enter the Kingdom of God:

Luke 18:15-17 (NKJV)

Then they also brought infants to Him that He might touch them; but when the disciples saw it, they rebuked them. ¹⁶ But Jesus called them to Him and said, "Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God. ¹⁷ "Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it."

This is the mystery of the Kingdom of God. To be mature in faith is to be childlike in God’s eyes. The disciples in this passage were adults acting like immature children by rebuking the parents who wanted their infants to be touched by Jesus.

When Jesus was just twelve years of age, he was acting more mature and adult-like while in the temple teaching. Though he was a child, he was actually very mature beyond his years by declaring that He was doing His heavenly Father’s business.

Luke 2:46-49 (NKJV)

Now so it was that after three days they found Him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, both listening to them and asking them questions. ⁴⁷ And all who heard Him were astonished at His understanding and answers. ⁴⁸ So when they saw Him, they were amazed; and His mother said to Him, "Son, why have You done this to us? Look, Your father and I have sought You anxiously." ⁴⁹ And He said to them, "Why did you seek Me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father's business?"

If we are going to be mature like Jesus, let us also declare that we are doing the Father’s will in our lives. Are we moving in His will? If we are pre-occupied with our own business and not God’s, then we are still immature. By this time we ought to be teachers ourselves (Hebrew 5:12).

Finally, brethren, let us well heed the words of Christ:

Matt 18:1-6 (NKJV)

¹ At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, "Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?" ² Then Jesus called a little child to Him, set him in the midst of them, ³ and said, "Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. ⁴ "Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. ⁵ "Whoever receives one little child like this in My name receives Me.

⁶ "But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were drowned in the depth of the sea.

Such is the Father’s love to little children that whoever causes them to sin is worthy of death! Let us therefore fear God and love our children and become like them in spirit. Let us become teachable as children so we can teach them as well how to live. Let us humble ourselves knowing that it is not our age, knowledge or strength that enabled us to enter heaven but by receiving Jesus as Lord and Savior with faith in our hearts. This is a gift from God, not of works. (Eph 2:8, 9). John tells us that Jesus gave us the right to become children and it was never our right to be so!

John 1:12-13 (NKJV)

But as many as received Him (Jesus), to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: ¹³ who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

God bless the children of God in Christ!

Pastor Edward

WIN - Al Ain

2008 WIN-Al Ain Family Day

It's time for the much anticipated event of the year. FAMILY DAY. Last December 7, 2008 Word International Ministries- Al Ain held their annual family day at Green Mubazzarah. The congregation was divided into five tribes, with each team having their own banner to carry. Here are the five tribes:

Tribe of BENJAMIN - Prince of Peace

The blue team was the over-all champion of the event. By defeating Team Joseph on the Crossing the Jordan River event, they nailed the championship. The team captain was Bro. Melvin.

Team Benjamin practicing before the Cheering Competition
Pastor Edward as Moses during the Cheering Competition

Tribe of JOSEPH - Wonderful God

It is indeed true that strength does not come in number but it lies courage. The Violet team headed by Sis. Lilia had the fewest member among the 5 teams. But they battle it out with Team Benjamin for the over-all crown. In the end Team Joseph won the Best in Entertainment Award courtesy of the three mascots they have during the Cheering Competition.

The Most popular members of Team Joseph

Tribe of SIMEON - Counselor

Sis. Bing was the team captain of the Green Team which has the most members along with the yellow team. With green streaks on their hair, the girls of team Simeon performed a high-energy cheer that placed them in heavy contention for the Cheering Competition. In the end, they bagged the Best in Uniform Award.

The green team in action during the relay game

Tribe of LEVI - Mighty God

The most energetic team was headed by Bro. Paul. So it is no surprise that the Yellow Team walked away with the Cheering Competition first place award.

The voice and the moves that won them the Cheering Competition Award.

Tribe of REUBEN - Everlasting Father

Last but certainly not the least is the Red Team headed by Sis. Precy. The most well-behaved team among the bunch, Team Reuben got the judge's approval to take home the Most Disciplined Team.

The adorable majorette of Team Reuben

Glory to God for a successful staging of our Family Day. See you again next year guys!

Ushering Ministry 7th Anniversary

WIN – ALAIN USHERING MINISTRY 7^TH ANNIVERSARY MESSAGE FROM THE PASTOR

Romans 12:1 (NIV)

Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God--this is your spiritual act of worship.

Romans 12:1 (NKJV)

¹ I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.

My family and I would like to greet the WIN- Al Ain Ushering Ministry a happy 7^th anniversary. I congratulate Sis. Beth and all the brethren who has been serving the Lord untiringly and unreservingly through this important and vital ministry within this church. Without them, the people coming in would find it difficult to be ushered into the Holy Presence of God. We praise God for workers such as them. May the Lord bless and reward them openly as they do the work unseen by men but seen by the Heavenly Father in secret. Be blessed indeed all you Ushers!

As we draw near to a close of this year’s theme of “BUILDING THE NEXT GENERATION CHURCH,” we now have our monthly theme of “WORSHIP” for November as one of the essential doctrines in laying down the strong foundation for future believers. We declare WIN – Al Ain as one of the worshipping churches here in the UAE and it will continue to be so until the coming of the Kingdom of God.

We almost always think of worship as something that has to do with songs and music, and the people involved in the FRONTLINE such as the Worship Team and Choir who along with the minister or pastor are very visible upfront. They are the ones who receive much appreciation. But almost always the Ushering Ministry is often neglected and unappreciated since they work silently at the back. They are , in fact, a great part of our worship lifestyle.

The Bible is very clear that to worship God requires serving Him. Music and Song is not the only thing that the Lord requires. God requires along with our expressed inward worship is our outward service towards Him. We worship God in spirit, soul and body! We haven’t really worship Him if we do not, in one way or another, serve the body of Christ with actions that are clear and in direct obedience to His word. Romans 12:1 commands us to offer our bodies as worship (NIV) and service (KJV).

Perhaps this message is not only intended for the Ushers but for the Worship team to reflect. As singers and dancers we always think that we are already worshipping through our music and dance. Perhaps, honestly, we are doing this to serve ourselves and our flesh. The attention we are getting is perhaps our reward and not the Joy of the Lord. We may have become mere Christian “entertainers” and not servants! We may be willing to attend Church services as long as we can sing and play before a crowd. If somehow we are not allowed to do so, we will not be willing to come at all. We may have become performers and not servant-worshippers!

Here are some verses in the Bible that you can feed on SO that you will never say to yourself after serving God and the brethren that “I HAVE NOT WORSHIP THE LORD TODAY.”

Worship and Service in the Bible is one and the same!

NEW TESTAMENT

Matthew 4:10 Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.

Luke 4:8 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Get thee behind me, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.

OLD TESTAMENT

Deuteronomy 4:19 And lest thou lift up thine eyes unto heaven, and when thou seest the sun, and the moon, and the stars, [even] all the host of heaven, shouldest be driven to worship them, and serve them, which the LORD thy God hath divided unto all nations under the whole heaven.

Deuteronomy 8:19 And it shall be, if thou do at all forget the LORD thy God, and walk after other gods, and serve them, and worship them, I testify against you this day that ye shall surely perish.

Deuteronomy 11:16 Take heed to yourselves, that your heart be not deceived, and ye turn aside, and serve other gods, and worship them;

Deuteronomy 30:17 But if thine heart turn away, so that thou wilt not hear, but shalt be drawn away, and worship other gods, and serve them;

1 Kings 9:6 [But] if ye shall at all turn from following me, ye or your children, and will not keep my commandments [and] my statutes which I have set before you, but go and serve other gods, and worship them:

2 Chronicles 7:19 But if ye turn away, and forsake my statutes and my commandments, which I have set before you, and shall go and serve other gods, and worship them;

Jeremiah 13:10 This evil people, which refuse to hear my words, which walk in the imagination of their heart, and walk after other gods, to serve them, and to worship them, shall even be as this girdle, which is good for nothing.

Jeremiah 25:6 And go not after other gods to serve them, and to worship them, and provoke me not to anger with the works of your hands; and I will do you no hurt.

Daniel 3:12 There are certain Jews whom thou hast set over the affairs of the province of Babylon, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego; these men, O king, have not regarded thee: they serve not thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.

Daniel 3:14 Nebuchadnezzar spake and said unto them, [Is it] true, O Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, do not ye serve my gods, nor worship the golden image which I have set up?

Daniel 3:18 But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.

Daniel 3:28 [Then] Nebuchadnezzar spake, and said, Blessed [be] the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who hath sent his angel, and delivered his servants that trusted in him, and have changed the king's word, and yielded their bodies, that they might not serve nor worship any god, except their own God.

To the Ushering Ministry, Continue to be faithful to the Lord and His work, but don’t forget to express your worship through corporate singing and dancing. Martha the servant is just as important as Mary the worshipper. One cannot be without the other. They are both serving the worshipping the Lord in their own way. Putting them together paints a true picture of a true worshipping church that the Lord delights upon. After we have serve God through the church, worship the Lord at His feet in loving adoration.

Together with the Ushering Ministry, let us all worship Jesus in Spirit and in Truth!

God bless us all!

Pastor Edward

Celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles

Succoth - Joy in Harvest

Jesus' Appearing by Robert Somerville

THE GRAND FINALE

The fifteenth day of this seventh month shall be the feast of tabernacles for seven days unto the LORD. (Lev 23:34)

The Feast of Tabernacles (Succoth) was the final and by far the most festive and joyous of the Lord's festivals. History records that four huge candelabras were constructed, lighted, and attended by young men ascending ladders periodically with pitchers of oil to keep them burning. The light from these lamps illuminated the whole city of Jerusalem, and around them danced distinguished men with torches in their hands, singing hymns and songs of praise. The dancing as well as the music continued until daybreak. It was an extravaganza! Scholars suggest that Jesus referred to this custom when he spoke those well known words, "I am the light of the world" (John 8:12). The harvest was completed, the work was done, hearts were filled with gratitude. For these reasons, this festival is also known as the Feast of Ingathering (Ex. 23:16). They came with rejoicing bring in the sheaves!

JEHOVAH JIREH

This festival was called the "Feast of Tabernacles" (Lev. 23:34) because the Israelites actually "camped out" in temporary shelters in remembrance of how God had been their provider (Jehovah Jireh) in their wilderness journeyings, having supplied all of their needs; food, shelter, clothing and good health. It also became a designated time for giving special thanks for the harvest of the fields and newborn livestock of the year. It could be rightly viewed as the biblical "Thanksgiving" holiday.

Spiritually the celebration of Tabernacles represents the fullness of Christ in His Church. It reminds us that He is our shelter and our refuge in the time of storm:

"For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion; in the secret of his TABERNACLE shall he hide me; (Ps. 27:5).

"And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the TABERNACLE (dwelling) of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, (Rev. 21:3).

PRAY FOR THE LATTER RAIN

During the Feast of Tabernacles in Old Testament times, a priest would pour out in the temple pitchers of water, taken from the pool of Siloam, to signify Israel's gratitude for the rain that had produced the harvest, and to pray for rain to return in the coming year. There is a spiritual lesson in this demonstration. The Church of the Lord Jesus Christ should be in special prayer for the rain of God's Holy Spirit and the revelation of restored truth. for our day and time

"Ask ye of the LORD rain in the time of the latter rain; so the LORD shall make bright clouds, and give them showers of rain, to everyone grass in the field" (Zech. 10:1).

"Be glad then ye children of Zion, and rejoice in the LORD your God; for he hath given you the former rain moderately, and he will cause to come down for you the rain, the former rain, and the latter rain in the first month. And the floors shall be full of wheat, and the vats shall overflow with wine and oil. AND I SHALL RESTORE..."(Joel 2:23-25).

My doctrine shall drop as the rain, my speech shall distil as the dew, as the small rain upon the tender herb, and as the showers upon the grass" (Deut. 32:2).

Interestingly, it was at this very celebration of Tabernacles, during the pouring out of water and prayers for the latter rain, that we read:

In the last day, that great day of the feast, (Tebernacles/SimchatTorah) Jesus stood and cried, saying, “If any man thirst let him come unto me, and drink. He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.” (St. John 7:37-38).

Prophetically, this festival celebrates both the first coming of the Messiah (a brochure on Jesus' birth is available). and His final appearance Rabbis have called it "Messiah's Feast" because of the following words of the prophet Zechariah:

"And his feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east, and the mount of Olives shall cleave in the midst thereof toward the east and toward the west, and there shall be a very great valley; and half of the mountain shall remove toward the north, and half of it toward the south. And it shall come to pass, that every one that is left of all the nations which came against Jerusalem shall even go up from year to year to WORSHIP THE KING, the LORD of hosts and to KEEP THE FEAST OF TABERNACLES" (Zech. 14:4,16).

Since the Church is the "...true Tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man" (Heb. 8:2, and since our Lord is the thirst quenching "water of life" (St. John 4:13-14), Believers have much to celebrate at this festival!

Jesus is coming again! If we are to participate in the WORSHIP of the King as described by Zechariah, it is important that the Church receive a clear understanding of this Biblical celebration day. It is appropriate that all Christians begin now to make this celebration a vital part of their appointed times for special Worship and Praise.

ACKNOWLEDGED BY JESUS

As the Feast of "Ingathering", this festival also demonstrates the ingathering of God's "elect" from the four corners of the earth, about which Jesus prophesied. (Mark 13:27)

Jesus said, "Go ye up unto this feast..." (St. John 7:8). Our Lord celebrated the Feast of Tabernacles during His Judean ministry and encouraged His disciples to do so. Therefore, it should continue to be celebrated by the Church today. It is "Messiah's Feast."

source of article: http://www.awarenessministry.org/tabernac.htm