THE ULTIMATE MEAL

 The heart of abiding faith "leans into God,” anticipating His voice, looking for His next move. Like Jesus, we are to be able to say, "My food is to do the will of Him who sent me’ (John 4:34 NASB). I am strengthened in hearing God speak. I am nourished through my own obedience to His voice. The situations of life take on meaning and purpose because of the abiding faith to follow Jesus. Hearing from God is the essential element of the Christian life, for "man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God”’ (Matt. 4:4). His voice is our life.

There are many tables to eat at in life:
1-There is the table of public opinion. The food is sweet, but it sours in the stomach.
2-There is the table of personal achievement. That’s a power meal for sure, yet the crash is as rapid as the ascent.
3-There’s only one table with rich food that settles well and brings supernatural strength; it’s the table of God’s will.

Culled from the book "DREAMING WITH GOD SECRETS TO REDESIGNING YOUR WORLD THROUGH GOD’S CREATIVE FLOW" by Bill Johnson

WHAT KIND OF CHURCH ARE YOU BUILDING?

This article was originally written by a Nigerian church consultant and I am yet to know his details because I forgot to do that while saving it into my laptop.

Our Lord Jesus used the analogy of building when He first talked about the church “I will build my church…” – Matt. 6:18.

Building takes planning, systematic approach and time. It cannot be done at once, rather, it must be done systematically, one block after the other. Sometimes, it takes a lifetime to build a very good house. And the durability of any physical building is largely determined by the foundation. The scripture refers to the church as the spiritual house of the Lord (I Pet.2:5). It goes to show that the church is people, not just the building. People are the church and they must be built for the Lord. The Lord wants to dwell in people, not in material or physical buildings. So, building the church means building the people up for the Lord and in the Lord.

Over the centuries, Jesus has used various people to build His church. The right emphasis has always been on the people as the church and the church has survived various persecutions and deprivations because she was rightly built for the Lord.

However, it has been observed and noted that today’s leaders have been building the church, largely in an unbiblical way.

How leaders are building the Church today

Various church leaders have risen up today, claiming authority from Christ and they are building the church in ways that have left much to be desired. Permit me to pinpoint some of the major ways the church is being built today.

1.        Architectural Cathedral churches

Many mainline, Pentecostal and charismatic leaders are now expending all their energy, effort and finance in constructing the best building in the world as a church. It has become a competition to have a structural edifice and state of the art building as church, while the people are left unbuilt for the Lord. In the believe that the building is the church, we have wrongly focused on having a good, modern and digital church building, while the real people that are the true church are left spiritually destitute, beggarly and shallow in the things of the Lord. However, we need to realize that Jesus did not die to save cathedrals but people. And He is not coming to rapture our fine buildings, but people that are truly His.

2.        Biblically Illiterate churches

Today, there are small, middle-size and large churches that are biblically illiterate. The people are scripturally ignorant because they were not taught. The church is built upon preaching, motivation and ideas of men, spiced only with scriptural passages here and there. People now go to church without a bible and you can go through weeks of services in a church without the bible being open once! Christians of today no longer use the term, ‘the bible says,’ when discussing spiritual issues, rather the common refrain is, ‘my pastor says’, our bishop says’ ‘papa says’ Why? Because they are biblically illiterate. So-called Christians are ignorant of what the bible says about dressing, work, marriage and living. That is the reason we are no longer good examples to our neighbours.

3.        Prophetic and Power Dependent churches

Church leaders of today are also building the church on prophecy, power and miracles only. People are being prophesied upon in meetings, miracles are being sought and power demonstration are emphasized. Even though the people are not free from sin, evil and ungodly living. The people are now prophecy and power dependent. They seek prophecy everywhere, even from devils. Dreams, visions, revelations and prophetic manipulations are thriving in the church and people cannot do anything without prophecies received. With people’s faith built on such things, they become a prey to false prophets and charlatans. They also use ungodly and occultic means to better their lot in life and ministry, so long it is prophesied. People that are prophecy and power dependent cannot be truly stable in the faith.

4.        Seeking God’s Hand and not His Person churches

Ministers of today are largely building churches that seek God’s hand for blessing, but not His person. Such people pretend to worship God, but in truth are only looking for what He can do for them. Most modern day churches are built as ‘give me, give me church’. The emphasis is on what God can do for you and almost nothing on what is your responsibility to God. Most of the prayers, fastings and programmes are based on ‘enemies’, victories and breakthroughs, and nothing on holiness, righteousness and being obedient to the Lord in all things. In such places, people are ready to call ‘Holy Ghost fire’ upon any perceived enemies, even though their attitudes and characters are quite unchrist-like!

 5.        Worldly Success but spiritually bankrupt churches

It is also a reality that too many leaders are building the church along the line of financial, material and physical success. Your worth and wealth are used to determine your spiritual success. Success in physical and material terms are harped upon to the detriment of people’s spiritual life. Churches that are built on worldly success are noted for carnal, ungodly and bankrupt living. Corruption, immorality, lukewarmness and spiritual apathy reign in such churches. People do all kinds of ungodly work in order to appear successful to others and the church keeps mute. Such churches usually become backsliding churches with lots of spiritually dead people but physically okay and materially wealthy.

6.        One sided/line of the truth churches

It is an incontestable fact that churches are also built on one line of truth. They are started as power, deliverance, prayer, faith and worship centers and unfortunately are built only along that line. Churches in this scenario usually experience numerical growth for some time until people will start looking elsewhere for the balance. Imbalance churches build spiritually imbalanced people and that injures and ruin the lives of many.

These above mentioned churches have been true caricature of the church Jesus had in mind. They are largely our churches, not His own church. They are churches built after the wisdom of men, not the true representative of Christ in the world. Because these are the churches that are prevailing in the land, that is the more reason the world has not been won to Christ. In spite of the widespread of churches, little or no impact is made upon our societies.

To really build the church Jesus had in mind, church leaders need to start with themselves. They have to build themselves as true disciples of the Lord first, and it’s only then they will be able to build their churches purposefully, intentionally, deliberately and scripturally. It is only when the church is being built in a purposeful and scriptural way that we can impact the world for Christ.

LIVING WITHOUT FEAR

Imagine a place here on earth where you can live free and secure from pain, plagues, calamities, Insurgency, suicide bombers, environmental terrorism, shootings, drugs trafficking and their consequences,  floods and tornadoes, growing xenophobia, joblessness, terrorist attacks, famine… Where can we find that place of glorious safety, that place of glorious peace and joy? Does such place really exist?

Yes. Such a place exists; it is the most glorious place to live in the entire world. It is a place of glorious safety, a place of glorious peace, of joy, where you can experience God's power and God's protection, God's goodness. That place is called the secret place of the Most High. (Psa 91:1)

For thousands of years, this Psalm 91 also known as the soldier’s Psalm has been an inspiration, comfort, and a promise for God’s people. It is amazing to read the ancient descriptions of warfare described by the psalmist, and compare it to what we see in the global war on terror today. Insurgency, suicide bombers, environmental terrorism—they seem to fit into the words “fowler’s snare”, “deadly pestilence”, “terror of night”, “arrow that flies by day”, “pestilence that stalks in the darkness”, “plague that destroys at midday.” There are definite promises we can lay hold on in this Psalm 91 that can calm our fears and help us to face the challenges undisturbed.

In these days of global instabilities and violence, where man’s pride in term of intelligence and security has shown his limits(bombings and shootings in Europe and America despite “their supremacy”), let’s heed the saying of the Lord in Isa 31:1 “Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help, And rely on horses, Who trust in chariots because they are many, And in horsemen because they are very strong, But who do not look to the Holy One of Israel, Nor seek the LORD!”

I have heard striking testimonies about the impact of Psalm 91 which sometimes is referred to as “The Soldier’s Psalm” in the lives of people. Late Rev Kenneth E. Hagin said after laying hold by faith on the promises of this Psalm, he never experienced an accident despite all the miles he covered by road in the course of his evangelistic campaigns. I also heard Rev. Kenneth Copeland sharing the story of a particular senior officer in the Marines in the USA army who was assigned to a high casualty troop. He made it compulsory for them to learn and recite this particular Psalm and for the years he spent with his troop, there were no casualties but barely three weeks after he left, they started recording casualties again.

I have personalised it for your use. You can even use it on your loved ones, missionaries and friends. All you have to do is just to include their names where it applies. For example: “Surely You will save (name) from the fowler’s snare and from the deadly pestilence. You will cover (name) with His feathers, and under His wings (name) will find refuge; His faithfulness will be (name’s) shield and rampart.” vs. 3-4

Remain blessed in Jesus Name.

Thanks

PSALMS 91:

1 Because I dwell in the secret place of the Most High God, I abide under the shadow of the Almighty.

 2 I say of the LORD, "You are my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Whom I trust."

 3 Surely You deliver me from the snare of the fowler and from the perilous pestilence.

 4 You cover me with Your feathers, and under Your wings I take refuge; Your truth is my shield and buckler.

 5 I am not be afraid of the terror by night, Nor of the arrow that flies by day,

 6 Nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness, Nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday.

 7 A thousand may fall at my side, and ten thousand at my right hand; but it cannot come near me.

 8 Only with my eyes do I look, and see the reward of the wicked.

 9 Because I have made the LORD, who is my refuge, Even the Most High, my dwelling place,

 10 No evil befalls me, nor does any plague come near my dwelling;

 11 For You give Your angels charge over me, to keep me in all my ways.

 12 In their hands they bear me up, lest I dash my foot against a stone.

 13 I tread upon the lion and the cobra, the young lion and the serpent I trample underfoot.

 14 Because I have set my love upon You, therefore You deliver me; You set me on high, because I know Your Name.

 15 I call upon You, and You answer me; You are with me in trouble; You deliver me and honour me.

 16 With long life You satisfy me, and show me Your salvation."

VIVRE SANS PEUR NI DANGER

Imaginez un endroit sur terre où vous pouvez vivre libre et protégé de la douleur, plaies, calamités, l'insurrection, les kamikazes, le terrorisme de l'environnement, les fusillades, le trafic de drogue et leurs conséquences, les inondations et les tornades, la xénophobie croissante, le chômage, les attaques terroristes, la famine ... Où pouvons-nous trouver cet endroit de glorieuse sécurité, ce lieu de paix et de joie glorieuse? Est-ce que cet endroit existe en réalité?

Oui. Un tel endroit existe; c’est le lieu le plus glorieux où l’on puisse vivre dans le monde entier. C’est un lieu de sécurité glorieuse, un lieu de paix glorieuse, de joie, où vous pourrez découvrir la puissance et la protection de Dieu, la bonté de Dieu. Cet endroit est appelé le lieu secret du Très-Haut. (Psaumes 91: 1)

Pendant des milliers d'années, ce Psaume 91 également connu comme le Psaume du soldat a été une source d'inspiration, de confort, et de promesse pour le peuple de Dieu. Il est étonnant de lire les anciennes descriptions des guerres décrites par le psalmiste, et de la comparer à ce que nous voyons dans la guerre mondiale contre le terrorisme d'aujourd'hui. Les Insurrections, les kamikazes,  le terrorisme environnemental semblent tenir dans les mots «le piège de oiseleur", "la peste mortelle", "la terreur de la nuit", "flèche qui vole de jour", "peste qui marche dans les ténèbres », « peste qui frappe en plein midi". Il y’a des promesses bien précises dont nous pouvons appropriée dans ce Psaume 91 qui peut calmer nos peurs et nous aider à faire face aux défis sans être dérangé.

En ces jours d'instabilités et de violence globale, où la fierté de l'homme en terme de renseignement et de sécurité a montré ses limites (attentats et fusillades en Europe et en Amérique malgré «leur suprématie»), prêtons oreilles à la parole du Seigneur dans Esaïe 31:1 "Malheur à ceux qui descendent en Égypte pour avoir du secours, Qui s'appuient sur des chevaux, Et se fient à la multitude des chars et à la force des cavaliers, Mais qui ne regardent pas vers le Saint d'Israël, Et ne recherchent pas l'Éternel!"

J'ai entendu des témoignages saisissants sur l'impact du Psaume 91 qui est parfois appelé "Psaume du soldat» dans la vie des gens. Le défunt Rev Kenneth E. Hagin  dit qu’après avoir pris possession par la foi sur les promesses de ce Psaume, il ne connut jamais un accident en dépit de tous les milliers de kilomètres qu'il fit par la route dans le cadre de ses campagnes d'évangélisation. J’ai aussi entendu le Rev Kenneth Copeland partager l'histoire d'un officier supérieur dans les Marines américaines qui  fut affecté à une troupe qui enregistrait de forte pertes dans ses rangs. Il rendit obligatoire l'apprentissage et la récitation de ce Psaume 91 et pendant toutes les années passées avec cette troupe, il n'enregistra aucune  victime mais trois semaines à peine après son départ, cette troupe recommença à enregistrer de nouvelles victimes.

J'ai personnalisé ce Psaume pour votre utilisation. Vous pouvez aussi même l'utiliser pour vos proches, les missionnaires et les amis. Tout ce que vous aurez à faire c’est juste d’y inclure leurs noms où nécessaire. Par exemple: «Car c'est lui qui délivre (nom)  du filet de l'oiseleur, De la peste et de ses ravages. Il couvrira (nom) de ses plumes, Et (nom) trouveras un refuge sous ses ailes; Sa fidélité est un bouclier et une cuirasse. "Vs.3-4

Restez  béni au Nom de  Jésus.

Merci

PSAUMES 91

1 Parceque je demeure sous l'abri du Très-Haut, je repose à l'ombre du Tout Puissant.             

2 Je dis à l'Éternel: “Tu es mon  refuge et ma forteresse, Mon Dieu en qui je me confie!”         

3 Car c'est Toi qui me délivre du filet de l'oiseleur, De la peste et de ses ravages.          

4 Tu me couvres de Tes plumes, Et je trouve un refuge sous Tes ailes; Ta fidélité est un bouclier et une cuirasse.                                     

5 Je ne crains ni les terreurs de la nuit, Ni la flèche qui vole de jour,                

6 Ni la peste qui marche dans les ténèbres, Ni la contagion qui frappe en plein midi.    

7 Que mille tombent à mon côté, Et dix mille à ma droite, je ne peux être atteint;                    

8 De mes yeux seulement je regarde, Et je vois la rétribution des méchants.                  

9 Car Tu es mon refuge, ô Éternel! Je fais du Très-Haut ma retraite.                               

10 Aucun malheur ne m'arrive, Aucun fléau n'approche de ma tente.                           

11 Car Tu ordonnes à Tes anges De me garder dans toutes mes voies;                                      

12 Ils me portent sur leurs mains, De peur que mon pied ne heurte contre une pierre.          

13 Je marche sur le lion et sur l'aspic, Je foule le lionceau et le dragon.                          

14 Puisque je t'aime, Tu me délivres; Tu me protèges, puisque je connais Ton nom.             

15 Je T'invoque, et Tu me réponds; Tu es avec moi dans la détresse, Tu me délivres et Tu me glorifies.                                           

16 Tu me rassasies de longs jours, Et Tu me fais voir Ton salut.

DESIREZ-VOUS MIEUX CONNAITRE DIEU?

Une des raisons principales de nombreux chrétiens sincères semble trouver le christianisme est une tâche ardue c’est parce qu'ils ne parviennent pas à réaliser que le christianisme c’est principalement connaitre une personne, le Seigneur Jésus-Christ. Mais cette «connaissance» est au-delà de la connaissance mentale et académique, elle est au-delà de ce que certaines personnes ont appelé «assentiment mental".

Jean 17:3 «Et ceci est la vie éternelle, qu'ils te connaissent, toi, 

le seul vrai Dieu, et Jésus-Christ que tu as envoyé.

Le mot grec utilisé pour le mot "connaitre" est ici "Ginosko» qui signifie «apprendre à connaître», comprendre, percevoir, se familiariser avec. Ginosko veut dire avoir une connaissance à la fois pratique et intime, le genre qu’un homme et une femme ont au cours d'une relation sexuelle.

Dieu étant un esprit, ce genre de connaissance pratique et intime ne peut être possible que si Dieu Lui-même se révèle à vous.

Pas étonnant donc que la plupart des prières qui ont été faites pour les nouveaux convertis étaient pour que cette connaissance par le moyen de la révélation se manifeste en eux.

Tout ce que nous allons à jamais désirer de Dieu en tant que Chrétien a déjà été pourvu, mais cela va prendre cette «connaissance» pour en jouir (2 Pierre 1: 3)

Si vous souhaitez véritablement grandir dans cette connaissance de Dieu, je veux vous encourager à prier quotidiennement ces prières si dessous. J’en ai personnalisé trois d'entre elles pour vous.

EPHÉSIENS 1:16-21

16. Seigneur Je ne cesse de te rendre grâces pour mon salut et je prie

 17. afin que le Dieu de notre Seigneur Jésus-Christ, le Père de gloire, me donne un esprit de sagesse et de révélation pour mieux Le connaitre,  

18. Je demande Seigneur que Tu illumines les yeux de mon cœur, pour que je sache quelle est l'espérance qui s'attache à Ton appel, quelle est la richesse de la gloire de Ton héritage que Tu réserves aux saints,                         

19. et quelle est envers nous qui croyons l'infinie grandeur de Ta puissance, se manifestant avec efficacité par la vertu de Ta force.                      

20. Tu l'as déployée en Christ, en le ressuscitant des morts, et en le faisant asseoir à Ta droite dans les lieux célestes,                                               

21. au-dessus de toute domination, de toute autorité, de toute puissance, de toute dignité, et de tout nom qui se peut nommer, non seulement dans le siècle présent, mais encore dans le siècle à venir.

EPHÉSIENS 3:14-19

14. Je fléchis les genoux devant le Père,          

          

15. duquel tire son nom toute famille dans les cieux et sur la terre,

16. afin qu'il me donne, selon la richesse de sa gloire, d'être puissamment fortifiés par Son Esprit dans mon l'homme intérieur,                        

                                                      

17. en sorte que Christ habite dans mon cœur par la foi; afin qu'étant enracinés et fondés dans l'amour,                                                   

 18. je puisse comprendre avec tous les saints quelle est la largeur, la longueur, la profondeur et la hauteur,                                                                       

19. et connaître l'amour de Christ, qui surpasse toute connaissance, en sorte que je sois remplis jusqu'à toute la plénitude de Dieu.

PHILIPPIENS 1:9-11

9. Et ce que je demande dans mes prières, c'est que mon amour augmente de plus en plus en connaissance et en pleine intelligence

10. pour que je sache discerner ce qui est important, afin que je sois sincere et irréprochables pour le jour de Christ,

 11. et que je sois rempli du fruit de justice qui est par Jésus-Christ, à la gloire et à la louange de Dieu.

Essayez vous à personaliser ces autres passages :

Colossiens 1:9-14; 2Thessaloniciens 1:11-12 .

je serai bien ravi si vous en partagez avec nous

restez béni

DO YOU DESIRE KNOW GOD BETTER?

                          

One of the major reasons many sincere Christians seems to find Christianity an uphill task is that they fail to realize that Christianity is majorly if not all about knowing a person, that is the Lord Jesus Christ. But this “knowing” is beyond the mental and academic knowledge, it is beyond what some have called "mental assent".

John 17:3 "And this is eternal life, that they may know You, 

the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.

 Greek word used for the word “know” here is “Ginosko” which means “to learn to know”, to understand, to perceive, to become acquainted with. ginosko means to have a practical intimate knowledge, the type that a man and a woman have during a sexual intercourse.

God being a spirit, that type of practical intimate knowledge is only possible as God Himself reveals it to you. 

No wonder the major prayers that were made on behalf of new converts were for that revelational knowledge to me made manifest to them.

Whatever we will ever desire from God as Christian has already been provided but it will take this “knowledge” to enjoy it (2Peter 1:3)

If you want to genuinely grow in that knowledge of God, I want to encourage you to daily pray the prayers below. I have personalised two of them for you.

 

Ephesians 1:16-23  

16. I will never cease to give thanks to you oh God of my Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory,

17. I ask that you give me the spirit of wisdom and revelation to know you better,

18. Cause the eyes of my understanding to be enlightened; that I may know what is the hope of Your calling for my life, what are the riches of the glory of Your inheritance in the saints,

 19. Grant that I may know what is the exceeding greatness of Your power at work in me who believe, according to the working of Your mighty power 

20. Which You exercised in Christ when You raised Him from the dead and seated Him at Your right hand in the heavenly places,

21. Far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come

22. And You put all things under His feet, and gave Him to be head over all things on behalf of the Church,

23. Which is Your body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.

Ephesians 3:14-21

14. I bow my knees to the Father of my Lord Jesus Christ, from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named,

16. Asking oh Lord that You would grant me, according to

the riches of Your glory, to be strengthened with might through Your Spirit in my inner man,

17. That Christ will dwell in my heart through faith; that I, being rooted and grounded in love,

18. That I may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height—

19. To know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that I may be filled with all the fullness of God.

20. Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that I ask or think, according to the power that works in me,

21. To Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.

Check these other passages and personalize them for yourself: 

Philippians 1:9-11; Colossians 1:9-14; 2Thessalonians 1:11-12 .

I will be grateful if you share it with us. 

Remain strong in Christ

How to Change Your World for God

Do you want to change the world for the glory of God? There are many ways you can get involved in serving God and others. Here are a few ideas to get you started: (Note: all Scriptures quoted from the New International Version 1984)

1.    Pray.

Pray for the people who have never heard the name of Jesus. Pray for an end to injustices such as poverty, racism, genocide, human trafficking, corruption and abortion. Pray for peace and security throughout the world. Pray for leaders. Jesus teaches us how to pray in Luke 11. Be specific. Operation World is a great book which can help you in this. If you can't get the book, you be emailed daily prayer requests. Sign up at http://www.operationworld.org/prayer-movement-sign-up 'I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone— 2 for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.' (1 Timothy 2:1-2).

2.           Tell others about God by your life and your words. God's salvation is terrific news worth telling. 'I pray that you may be active in sharing your faith, so that you will have a full understanding of every good thing we have in Christ.' (Philemon 1:6).

3.          Do small things cheerfully for God and others.

'Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men...' (Colossians 3:23).

4.         Help save the creation for future generations. Recycle, plant trees, carpool, use public transport, buy energy efficient lightbulbs, connect to solar power if you can afford it, switch off unneeded lights, pick up litter....you complete the list! 'The LORD God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and TAKE CARE of it.' (Genesis 2:15, emphasis added).

5.         Petition governments and people in authority over matters of injustice (remember to always do this respectfully). Lobby yourgovernment to increase foreign aid and to put pressure on corrupt governments. Campaign for the rights of the unborn. Don't be silent if your government spends millions on sports while making excuses on why they can't give more aid to the starving and homeless. Sign petitions (always make sure you check the petition carefully first). Write to overseas governments requesting the release of prisoners of conscience. There are countless ways to get involved in these things. 'Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute.' (Proverbs 31:8).

6.         Write to persecuted Christians. Over 200 million Christians are persecuted today because of their faith- our brothers and sisters. They are beaten, abused, denied their basic rights, fired, evicted, kidnapped, imprisoned, tortured and even killed.You can pray for them and even write to some of them who are in prison by visiting www.prisoneralert.com In this way you can encourage them even though you can't physically visit them. 'Onesiphorus...often refreshed me and was not ashamed of my chains. On the contrary, when he was in Rome, he searched hard for me until he found me.' (2 Timothy 1:16-17).

7.         Be informed about persecuted Christians and how you can help. Sign up for Voice of the Martyr's free monthly newsletter at http://www.vom.com.au/get-involved/newsletter/ if you live in Australia. If you live somewhere else, google voice of the martyrs in your country and you should come across it. 'Remember those in prison as if you were their fellow prisoners, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering.' (Hebrews 13:3).

8.         Donate to organisations spreading the good news of Jesus or reducing poverty (or both). If you are reading this, you are among

the richest in the world. People around the world desperately need help, and a small amount can make a big difference. 'He who is kind to the poor lends to the LORD, and he will reward him for what he has done.' (Proverbs 19:17).

9.         If you are able, sponsor a child through an organisation such as World Vision, Compassion or Gospel for Asia. 'Religion

that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress....' (James 1:27).

10.       Sponsor a national missionary through Gospel for Asia. Go to www.gfa.org You can also sponsor an overseas theological

student through Overseas Council Australia. '“Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain.” '. (1 Corinthians 9:9, cf Deuteronomy 25:4).

11.       Pack a shoe box of gifts for a needy child through Operation Christmas Child, a project of Samaritan's Purse. Go to

www.samaritanspurse.org 'And he took the children in his arms, put his hands on them and blessed them.' (Mark 10:16).

12.       Instead of Christmas gifts of socks and soap, buy a meaningful gift from an alternative Christmas gift catalogue. The

organisation will let you choose a gift to buy for a person in a developing country, and send you a card to give to a friend. The card informs your friend that you bought a present for someone else on their behalf. Gifts vary from chickens and camels to rickshaws and Bibles. Organisations that have such a gift catalogue include, but are not limited to, Samaritan's Purse, World Vision. TEAR Fund, Christian Blind Mission, Gospel for Asia, Compassion, and Baptist World Aid. You could also request such a gift from others instead of a normal present. '...love your neighbor as yourself...' (Leviticus 19:18).

13.       Buy Fair Trade chocolate and coffee as much as possible. This ensures the workers get a fair price for their labour where they

could otherwise have been cheated or forced to work as a slave. 'I will be quick to testify against....those who defraud laborers of their wages.' (Malachi 3:5).

14.       Sign up to prayer newsletters and email updates from organisations and missionaries. Don't forget to actually pray!

'On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us, as you help us by your prayers. Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many.' (2 Corinthians 1:10-11).

15.       If you're over 18, share your faith online by becoming a volunteer at Global Media Outreach, and answer emails from seekers

and new Christians all over the world. Go to www.globalmediaoutreach.com to find out more. 'He [Jesus] said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation.' (Mark 16:15).

16.       Combat racism and prejudice by getting to know people of other races and cultures. If applicable, promote reconciliation

between the settlers and the indigenous people of your country. 'Here there is no Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all.' (Colossians 3:11).

17.       If there isn't already one, start a Bible study at your school or university. 'All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful f

or teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.' (1 Timothy 3:16-17).

18.       Write to the newspaper on current issues, taking a stand for justice and God's perspective.

19.       Play the internet game FreeRice. Every question you answer correctly donates 10 grains of rice to the World Food Program.

No, someone doesn't go through a pile of rice counting out 10 grains at a time. The revenue raised from the ads and banners on the page is donated, which covers the cost of approximately 10 grains of rice. ‘Now this was the sin of ...Sodom... [she was] arrogant, overfed and unconcerned; [she] did not help the poor and needy. (Ezekiel 16:49).

20.       Search the Internet from Goodsearch. Goodsearch is a free Yahoo-powered search engine which donates half of each search's

advertising revenue to your chosen non-profit. Each search generates approximately a cent, but it adds up very quickly! Some organisations have earned tens of thousands of dollars through this. There are thousands of non profits to choose from. Go to www.goodsearch.com

21.       Consider becoming an overseas missionary. Although the majority of missions work is now being done effectively through

national missionaries, God may still call you to serve Him in another culture. Pray and ask God for wisdom, but don't wait for a blinding light- it rarely comes. 'If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.' (James 1:5). 'Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in[a] the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” ' Matthew 28:19-20).

 Culled from http://www.wikihow.com/Change-Your-World-for-God