He cuts off what I dont need…
15 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes[a] so that it will be even more fruitful. 3 You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. 4 Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.
I strive to be like You. Remove the things in my life that keep me from You. I want to remain in you all the days of my life. Bringing honor to you with my life. Thank you, for I have been made clean in you. I know without You I can do nothing.
Evangelism, Apologetics…. Can you really? Lets see!
Evangelism, Apologetics…. Can you really? Lets see!
by Yolanda Ontiveros on Friday, June 24, 2011 at 11:16pm3 days and 1 more to go in the V.O.C. (Victory Outreach Conference) My heart was challenged with my desire to be an Evangelists. A desire that has been in me since I was 5 or 6 years old, standing in the mall and sharing a track.
Why did my passion from such a young age to adulthood not bring the power of God from the bible? Why doesn’t in you? Why isnt that box of food I’m packing calling so many around me to do the same?
I was beside myself and floored with realization that we are dead Christian’s! Walking around like a raised Lazarus still wrapped in our death robe.
Reinhard Bonnke, Sonny Arguinzoni Jr. & Sr., and Mario Murillo are a few men I heard speak this last few days. Men that have the right to be teaching about this specific topic of Evangelism. Men who have went to lost part of the world, men who have save over 3 million souls in one night alone, men like Reinhard Bonnke who saved over 100 million people in his ministry and still growing.
Each day I left there literally feeling different. And I must have changed something coz each day I went back I made more and more friends. People would literally make a point to talk to me. And for once I was interested in their life and story too. This event was huge! International. It cost over 1 million to rent the LA Convention Center. N doode it was free!!!
Each event was different, but powerful like non other than before. No Hillsong concert or special camp could have prepared me for this. I looked around me and realized I sat next to prostitutes, murders, addicts, drug dealers and pimps. Haha and more ppl like me whatever I may be categorized as. Some had so many tattoos I wanted to color them no joke. It was like a walking art board. Some looked scary at first sight, but had this amazing smile and bible in hand. They walk with a sorta elegance and dignity about them. There was a humilty and sincerity in their voice when they praised. There were sounds of Kings and Queens as they lift their heads in prayer. I was in awe of these people that the world has disregarded as rejects.
Then one questions remained… Lord who reached them? Who did you use?
Preaching after preaching I heard it became clearer and clearer. I don’t think I ever sat through a preaching with goose bumps the entire time, or the desire just stand on my chair, this was the first time that I ran to the alter in the middle of the service more then once.
What was it about these men that got them… got me? And praise God they told us how….
Its not food boxes we pack even celebrities can do that. Its not the special evangelism events we plan all month for. Its not the clever words used for the four spiritual laws. Its not our bible school lessons or our super cool apologetic statements. AND its definitely not how many points we get over the non-believer on street corner. Then end up leaving anyway. Haha sigh.
Its one thing and one thing only.
It is the power of God inside you that will win souls for Christ.
This power cannot be man made nor can it be faked. The spirit of the unbeliever will know immediately. They will have no reason to be attracted to us. No matter how much we know. But, if it’s the genuine power of God, that comes from our complete and utter obedience, the love of a life that follows him, then and only then will we attract them all.
You see its not enough to think you have it. It’s a spirit thing. It only comes from the touch of God. It’s the same power that raised Lazarus from the dead, made the blind see, healed the lame and demon possed.
It cannot be faked and the evidence will be by who will follow you. I saw it with my own eyes these last few nights. The anointing of God was so strong we all wanted to run near. I had an urge in me that turned into a firey hunger that only God could feed. I had to get closer to these men in hopes that some might fall on me.
And at that moment Reinhard Bonnkee said, “I wont give you my anointing, this is Bonnkee’s anointing, but you! You have your own, specially created anointing. One that is specifically hovering over each one of you waiting for the word of God before it is ready to act.”
What he meant was- we all can do what he can. We can save 3million souls too. We can make a difference. But, the spirit of God is hovering over each of us just waiting for the Word of God to be revealed in our lives. And that’s the power that attracts. It only comes from the word of God being revealed through our walk with Him. Thats the only answer, thats the only way.
Wanna be a true Evangelists? First live a true life before Christ and he will put a passion in you that will attract anyone who comes your way. We still have time to put more in heaven and less in hell!
Also- for those of you who wanna know more there’s still one more day left tomorrow at 8a.m. and a special finale at 6pm! I learned sooooo much and its was really a life altering experience. Its not one of those I heard it already. Send a msg here and i’ll save u some seats! Hope to see you there.
beloved let us love…
beloved let us love…
by Yolanda Ontiveros on Saturday, June 18, 2011 at 4:08pm
As Christians we must always check our hearts.
Words n knowledge mean nothing if our life does not resemble that of Christ.
How did He love His neighbor…
How did He respect…
How did He honor…
How did He speak…
How did He live…
One thing is for sure… BLAMELESS!
If you are experiencing blame, if people are hurting around us take some time to reflect on your actions.
We must never confuse correction in the name of holiness as judgement in the name of bias opinions.
The bible says, Correction begins at home (the church)
Embrace your brothers n sisters corrections. Even if it hurts, pokes at your pride…
Sometimes, we are just wrong.
Sometimes, we just need to be corrected.
Sometimes, we just need to change.
Sometimes, our actions say something different than our mouth.
How we live our days is how we live our lives.
ASK YOURSELF:
Is this the most loving way we can live it?
Is this the most loving way we can love my God and my neighbor… by living the way I live right now?
If you cant say yes- then the answer is NO. simple right?
If your neighbors cant say yes! LOL the answer is NO!
If your home (the church) cant say yes… the answer is no.
[We outta live in such a way that each person we come in contact with- is Christ.
We outta live in such a way that each person we come in contact with - sees Christ in us.
THE ANSWER TO ALL FAILED RELATIONSHIPS.]
What did Christ do?
When life was unfair to Him, He sacrificed His life in return.
When people spit in His face, He sacrificed His life in return.
When people opposed Him, He sacrificed His life in return.
Can we sacrifice ours? Really?
If it means our life would be a life lived of love for God and our neighbor?Can we?
Can we give up our life for the sake our hurting brother like Christ did?
Can we give up our own way of thinking n living?
If means our sacrifice would please God?
In most cases… we hear no way! Its my life as long as I’m not sinning.
Friends,
Again I say-
[We outta live in such a way that each person we come in contact with- is Christ.
We outta live in such a way that each person we come in contact with - sees Christ in us.
THE ANSWER TO ALL FAILED RELATIONSHIPS.]
CHRIST GAVE WHAT HE DIDNT HAVE TO
CHRIST GAVE UP WHAT HE DIDNT HAVE TO
~
WHAT TO DO?
FOLLOW HIS EXAMPLE COMPLETELY.
We must live differently after each aha moment with Christ. Never making a principle out of your own experiences, desires n selfishness. Let God be original.
AND TAKE HEART-
One amazing thing about being a follow of Christ is that… WHEN WE FOLLOW HIM… WHEN ITS NOT REQUIRED… whatever we sacrifice, whether its a temporary one or even a lifetime sacrifice… He knows our hurt… He knows our struggle to do so… He felt or feels our pain AND in the end Christ will return to you so much more.
REMEMBER:
God doesn’t judge us based on other peoples actions toward us. He judges us on our actions towards them.
If they are right our wrong has nothing to do with us. Its how we responded that shows who we follow. Christ or ourselves. Please, dont say Lord, Lord I’ll do anything for you… then run at moment He says give up all you have.
Whats the verdict today? How did you show your love for Christ today… by loving one another…
Be Blessed!
*****[We outta live in such a way that each person we come in contact with- is Christ.
We outta live in such a way that each person we come in contact with - sees Christ in us.*******
All the Gossip you want to Know about FCF!!!
Proverbs 6:16-19 There are six things which the LORD hates, Yes, seven which are an abomination to Him: 1.Haughty eyes, 2. a lying tongue, And 3. hands that shed innocent blood, 4. A heart that devises wicked plans, 5. Feet that run rapidly to evil, 6. A false witness who utters lies, And 7. one who spreads strife among brothers. (Notice that the one who spreads strife is different than a false witness who is a liar.The following verses will reveal how such things as GOSSIP and SLANDER “spread strife among brothers.” )
http://www.fcflife.com/2011/05/each-other-series-22-submit-to-each-other/
