When morning came, we roused ourselves and trotted outside for a short jog to the Winneba Sports Complex where we had a vigorous ‘keep fit’ session to stir up our appetites before breakfast. After a rousing session of multicultural worship, Jide Ojo, the lead evangelist of the church in Accra took the podium to deliver the welcoming address. What followed was a cultural display that drew astonished smiles from the assembled crowd. Inspired to improve upon last year’s opening ceremony which unfortunately suffered from technical hitches, the conference organizers showed that they had truly stepped things up.

A small troupe adorned in the most regal indigenous garments exhibited the beauty and intricacy of Ghana’s local culture in an elaborate display of Adowa dance accompanied by traditional drumming. After each country had a chance to present a slice of their own rich indigenous culture, we cleared the hall and moved onto the classes for the day, the first of which was a general class on “Jesus and the Poor” taught by Francis Dasse of the Abidjan church.

Francis spoke with incredible conviction about the deep-rooted compassion Jesus exhibited during his life on earth and by the end of the class; many hearts were moved to reconsider their attitudes toward the less fortunate among us. The class ended with a short intermission where all the delegates split up into groups and prayed for a few minutes, asking God to grant them sympathetic hearts for the poor.

Friday’s main event was a trip to nearby Winneba Hospital for a bit of practical community outreach. Last year’s Singles Conference gave disciples a chance to expend energy by whipping the grounds of the Korlebu Hospital into presentable shape. This year’s project allowed for a bit more variety: pockets of disciples split up, fanning out into different areas of the Winneba Hospital to find opportunities to give.

Some spoke to the kids in the children’s ward, encouraging them with kind words and cheerful pep talks. Others took up cleaning tools and worked on sweeping and mopping the rooms until they sparkled. At the end, all the delegates came together for a presentation which Jide Ojo made to the Winneba Hospital on the church’s behalf.

Exhausted from the trek to the hospital (we walked to and fro!), most people collapsed in a happy heap upon returning to the hotel. After a quick shower, there was a dash for the dinner table and then a relaxed night of fellowship as people floated off into groups to joke, laugh and recap the day’s events.

The next day’s morning exercise came with a fascinating twist: dance instructor Romeo Eyo wearied our muscles with his “rhythm aerobics:, giving a whole new meaning to the phrase “Dance till you drop!” and I’m quite sure that whilst we panted through his hilarious routines, some of us stretched ligaments we never knew we had. After rinsing off the perspiration, we congregated for breakfast and then a short singing devotional in the main hall. Primus Dasoberi from Accra shared his thoughts on “keeping at it”, reminding us that the godly walk was all about perseverance. Shortly after this, the day’s classes commenced. The first batch of lessons comprised of the one-two punch: “Remain in the Vine” and “Unapproved and Unashamed”, two classes which were split into separate sessions for men and women. In the class “Remain in the Vine”, Eli Tetteh from Accra and Tutu Sangonuga from Lagos encouraged the delegates to anchor themselves in God by planting deep roots. In the second class, Robert Sery from Abidjan and Elizabeth Crawford peeled back the curtain on who we truly are in God and it was invigorating to be able to reassert our true calling and begin to think of ourselves once again as a priesthood, one with royal heritage.

After this, all the delegates reconvened in the main hall where Philip Okullo, a disciple who recently moved from Nairobi, Kenya to Accra, delivered a class on Discipling. What made Philip’s presentation particularly unique was the simple, down-to-earth manner in which he coaxed out the incredible benefits we reap when we embrace relationships and open ourselves up for guidance from others. By the end, it was clear to all the singles that discipling was both a tool given to us by God and a treasure chest filled with opportunities.

At this point men and women split up again for a bit of “heart-to-heart” on the topic of Christian Dating, led by Mike and Chinwe Olomo. One of the great gems from this segment was the great reminder that in our relationships with fellow brothers and sisters, instead of obsessing over our own wants and needs we should rather look to contribute to the growth and development of our spiritual siblings. If we work at fashioning one another into the Christians Jesus wants us to be, we are sure to discover that God also will supply our own needs. The Q&A session afterwards was a great chance to air out questions and make contributions and we all left with a renewed zeal to cultivate pure and godly relationships with one another.

After another great lunchtime we returned to the main hall to hear one of the longest serving couples of the Accra church, Jimmy and Kathryn Parry, take the podium to share about “Jesus and the Lost”. In the last six years, we all know how difficult it has become for many of us to live out the evangelistic lifestyle we used to. One of the great things about the Parrys’ message was the various simple and practical examples they shared from their own lives, modelling the very heart that they were admonishing us to have.

The split class which followed gave us a chance to place these concepts in a ministry context and Ayo Adegbesan from Lagos and Odile Meyvier from Abidjan did a fabulous job of reminding us that it is time to leave our comfort zones behind. The world still needs the hope we have to offer and we must strive to be creative and determined in bringing it to them.

The next morning we made the trip back to Accra for service with the rest of the Accra church and it is not exaggeration to say that the worship was thrilling to behold. A multicultural display of sheer reverence to God, it all climaxed with a rousing sermon from the lead evangelist of the churches in West Africa, Chris Ogbonnaya.

The entire weekend was an experience, from beginning to end and from the excited feedback that was being given as disciples chatted with each other, said reluctant goodbyes and exchanged contact info after service. It was a conference to be remembered.

We look forward with baited breath to the 2010 Singles Conference…in Lagos!

Read much more about the churches in West Africa at www.icocnigeria.org.

Hebrews 12:1-2 “Since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses…let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.”

Please join us for a spiritually uplifting weekend of fellowship, fun, and learning from some of the great single men and women of faith written about in the Bible. We also get the added benefit of experiencing this spiritual encouragement beneath the mountainous backdrop of scenic Vermont, enjoying the many activities and attractions the area offers.

Date: March 18 – 21, 2010

Cost: Starts at $100 (which includes 2 night lodging, breakfast Saturday & Sunday morning, snow tubing, rental facilities and guest speakers)

For more information: www.bostoncoc.org/singles or emsil terry_folker@chnts.net

“What Faith Can Do”

Looking for some inspiration? Come see “What Faith Can Do” at the 2010 Singles’ Getaway weekend, March 19-21. Over the course of the weekend in the beautiful Rocky Mountains, there will be times to be inspired by the Word of God, by the majesty of God’s creation, by fellowship and by great praise & worship. And, if that is not enough, there are plenty of opportunities for recreation or rest and relaxation.

**Just Added / Updated**
Guest Speaker – Marco Pellizzeri, Evangelist, Los Angeles Coastal Singles Ministry Guest Musicians – Allen Gower and the Colorado Springs Worship and Praise Band

When & Where:
March 19-21, 2010
Snow Mountain Ranch
Granby, Colorado

Registration Cost Options
Two Nights’ Lodging and 4 Meals (Saturday breakfast thru Sunday breakfast): $119
One Night Lodging and 3 Meals (Saturday lunch thru Sunday breakfast): $79

Today, I want to encourage all church members by sharing about two inspiring Old Testament figures who were single and super role models for Christians in all our fellowships worldwide today.

As singles, they are models of faith and motivating examples to all Christians—not only for singles but to all in the Christian community worldwide.

A lot of the basis for this message from David M. Hoffeditz’s work, THEY WERE SINGLE, TOO.

Jeremiah
Psalm 13 starts, “How long, Lord, will you ignore me? How long will you pay no attention to me?” That was a song of David’s, but it certainly reflected the lonely and single life of Jeremiah, too. Hoffeditz writes, “Until, ‘the fall of Jerusalem in 587 (BC), his [Jeremiah] forty-year ministry was marked by opponents’ attempts to silence him by means of arrests, trials, beatings, imprisonments, and’ assassination.

Throughout his life, Jeremiah was seen as both an angry man and a weeping prophet. He even called down judgment (through the power of God) on some of this opposition.

However, more important than the behavior Jeremiah showed are the sacrifices he made. One of them was his call to not marry, as reported in 16:2 of Jeremiah; he was also certainly called to not have children, too. It should be noted that at the time in Israel’s history, there was not even a Hebrew word in existence for “bachelor”. It was generally not an acceptable condition in Hebrew society.
Throughout the entire book, Jeremiah shows us at least 5 ways to persevere and succeed as a child & a prophet of God’s—even with our loneliness and our persecutions. First of all, Jeremiah was appointed from birth to take on his role as prophet or even as human being. God tells him in Jeremiah 1:4-5, “Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you, and before you were born, I consecrated you; I appointed you prophet to the nations.”

This news is similar to what Apostle Paul told the Ephesians in 1:4-6. There we are told that Jesus chose us before the world was created. Moreover, before Jeremiah knew God; God already knew Jeremiah—and the same is true for you and me. And while Jeremiah (and we) doubt, GOD SUPPLIES.

Second, we need to trust in God’s control. By chapter 15, Jeremiah has experienced a lot of stress—including isolation and loneliness, totally marginalized and feeling rejected by ALL. Jeremiah makes a list of over a dozen things he has done to serve the Lord. He petitions God for an explanation. Soon, God responds that he is in control. Finally, in Jeremiah 16:9, Jeremiah pronounces that the Lord “is my strength and fortress, and my refuge in my day of affliction.

Third, and very importantly, we can each learn God’s perspective. This can be seen in Jeremiah’s purchase of a field n the midst of the Babylonian siege of Jerusalem. WOULD YOU BUY PROPERTY UNDER BOMBARDMENT? In Jeremiah 32:16-25, we see that Jeremiah can do this because he recognizes God’s perspective of things. “Ah Lord God, it is you who made the heavens and the earth by your great power and by your outstretched arms. Nothing is too hard for you 9and) you show steadfast love to the 1000th generation.” Through the power of prayer, Jeremiah had received the vision to buy the field in war time.

According to Hoffeditz, Eugene Peterson writes of Jeremiah, “No one becomes human the way Jeremiah was human by posing in a posture of victory. It was prayers, hidden but persistent, that brought him to human wholeness and spiritual sensity that we want.” Jeremiah’s prayer life also attests to his heart and the fact that God wants to communicate with us there in our hearts.

A fifth lesson from the life of Jeremiah is that he did have and these friends played great and supportive roles. In the same way, we are called to be friends to our brothers and sisters in Christ. We are called to act in supportive roles, too.

Recall the Eunuch in the King’s court who came to rescue Jeremiah in 38:1-13. His name was Ebed Melech—and as a eunuch, by definition , he was single, too. This Ethiopian slave took his own life into his hands by challenging the King Zedekiah and eventually b rescuing Jeremiah. Others who aided Jeremiah and his works included Gedoliah, the Governor of Judah, and Elash, the Son of Saphan. Both faced death threats. As well, Baruch served Jeremiah despite losing his royal lineage rights in the Kingdom of Israel.

Nehemiah
We turn now to another single who was a role model in the Old Testament: Nehemiah, who came back from the exile to Jerusalem to reconstruct the Kingdom, we find a man who is neither a prophet nor a born leader. He is simply a cupbearer. Like Jeremiah, Nehemiah was ridiculed by his own workers, by the work he performed, and even mocked by the materials he had chosen. Tobiah, a principle opponent, even sent letters threatening his life and that of his workers.

In all this, any individual—let alone a single person and an outsider in Jerusalem—might have been engulfed by depression at such a moment. What drove Nehemiah on??? It was his commitment to the Lord. This commitment truly represents the character of Nehemiah.

Hoffeditz notes, “Living with imperfect people creates frustration and discouragement.” In building the Old Testament Jerusalem Wall anew, we observe that Nehemiah observed many intraparty and intra-familial feuds. There were the struggles between those who had much and those who had little. There was anger amongst those who had good property and those who had less good quality land and homes. Socially there was struggle constantly.

However, from the first part of Nehemiah’s book onwards we see that Nehemiah’s actions and character revealed a full commitment to the Lord [despite the people’s sins and failures evidenced all around him]. Commitment was what Nehemiah was about. This was how a young untrained leader—a cupbearer—was able to lead his people to do more & more while surmounting all kinds of obstacles for over 12 years.

Nehemiah’s commitment rested not only on the knowledge of God’s words and promises in scripture nor legends. Like Jeremiah, Nehemiah walked with God, i.e. just as Adam in the garden of Eden. JI Packer is quoted by Hoffeditz: Nehemiah “saturated with praying and praying of the truest kind—the kind of prayer that is always seeking to clarify its own vision of who and what God is, and to celebrate his reality in constant adoration, and to rethink in his presence such needs and requests as one is bringing to him . . .”

God, help us all to pray like that!

As Hoffeditz, himself shares, “There are no easy twelve steps or instant packets to obtain commitment to the Lord.” It requires prayer, searching for knowledge, avoiding false concepts of self-sufficiency, and a focus on the vision of God and his commitment to us and our communities on earth.

Through his intimate relationship to God, Nehemiah’s commitment grew. For example, he prays when he asks for provision from the Persian King (2:4). He prays for the safety of his people and the guards (4:9). In 6:9, he calls for the lord to strengthen his people further in the midst of foreign pressure. Finally, in various verses (2:20, 4:15) we can see that Nehemiah seems often to fully rest in comfort that the Lord will act. For example, in his prayers and actions, he moves quickly away from ever asking: “Why am I persecuted?” or “Why are my people so besieged?” Instead, he moves quickly to calling on God to tackle his assignments.

The Lord was in charge. Nehemiah simply had faith in this.

A final reason that this single man pursued that Restoration of Jerusalem project–not to be an example for us for all time—but rather because he enjoyed the privilege and joy of serving the Lord.

Let us do the same. Find our calls and follow with commitment.

In summary, Jeremiah & Nehemiah were committed to the Lord and therefore did not quit.

Five areas of Jeremiah’s are lifted up in this Message for reflection on how Jeremiah was able to overcome so much trouble in his life as a prophet. This enabled him to not only to survive but to productively serve the Lord as we should;

(1) Jeremiah recognized that the Lord had called him.
(2) Jeremiah’s trust in God’s control served as a defense against loneliness and isolation.
(3) Jeremiah could continue on in spite of opposition and trouble because he came to embrace God’s Perspective.
(4) Both Jeremiah and Nehemiah were committed to prayer everyday with the Lord—on their knees or off them.
(5) Jeremiah needed friends and supporters—and had them throughout his long life—[Let’s be supporters of one another like Jeremiah!!!!]

In the life of Nehemiah we see two more insights into how we—whether single or married—can carry on and succeed.

(1) Though Nehemiah was but a humble cupbearer, he was willing to give up everything—moving a thousand kilometers from a royal court to dusty and filled with rubble Jerusalem.

(2) Nehemiah gave up his time, too. For 12 years, he put up with great opposition from military powers and 12 years of infighting among the Israelis themselves.

Nehemiah was threatened with his life. He was mocked and ridiculed, but he continued – leading us to another insight: if we, too, are committed to service and to God’s community we will feel a joy of blessings and privilege.

Amen.

by Kevin Anthony Stoda

Germany

Registration:

Early registration $65 until Jan. 15th
$75 from Jan.16th – Feb. 28th
$80 from Mar. 1st – Mar. 18th

Online registration closes at midnight on Mar. 18th.
$85 to register at the event.

Accomodations:

$99 per night double occupancy (1 King bed); $109 per night quad occupancy (2 Double beds), plus $6 per day resort fee. For more information about Ocean Place Resort visit their site at www.oceanplace.com.

Questions:

Email: gpccsingles@gmail.com ° Website: www.gpcc.org/stand ° Phone: (610) 677-2100

When the planning began, Singles Family Group Leaders along with other disciples who were just as eager to help, were encouraged to bring visitors to this retreat.  As most of the messages are directed towards us, disciples, we fasted and prayed for 15 friends who will be inspired and convicted and desire to change.

‘My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,’ and ‘My ways are far beyond anything you could imagine’ says the Lord in Isaiah 55:8 – surely, as this passage says, His thoughts are not ours –God doubled the number of our visitors and 2 of them were Muslims.

At the mountains of Ras Al Kaimah,  a couple of hours’ drive from Dubai, God   blessed us with a time of spiritual rejuvenation. Dan and Mary Alison with over 30 years of personal walk with Christ and years of ministry experience, walked us through the Book of Isaiah.  They led us from the Highway, they themselves have walked to the Highway where God expects all of us to be.   Most of us realized that we were as dry spiritually as the desert that we passed by on our way to the mountains.  The break out classes were times of sharing that have tremendously exposed our hearts.

We were deeply grateful for the last weekend of November 2009.  It was capped with a lesson from the book of Joshua 24:22-27.  The real challenge for us is what’s going to happen after the retreat.  How are we going to put into action the commitments that we made?  How willing and eager are we to share the Good News to our friends and visitors? How joyful are we in serving Christ’s ministry?  Each one of us was given a stone of remembrance, a reminder of the commitments we made to God.

It’s been a fruitful time pre, during and post Highway of Holiness Singles Retreat.  Today, a single baby brother was born in one of the springs  of Hatta Mountains.  Currently we have 4 singles studying the bible and 1 of them is of Muslim faith and we’re all praying for them.

To God be all the glory.

Much love

In Him

Ces  Jarencio

Dubai lnternational Fellowship

19 December 2009

“On a hill overlooking Bethlehem, Michael the archangel, watches over the birth of Jesus, when he is visited by his old friend and now arch-enemy, Lucifer. The two angels clash in a battle of faith and wills over the future and fate of Jesus Christ. Who will be victorious?

A Christmas Story by Kimba Henderson

It was a crisp, cold night. The sky, a cobalt blue, was the perfect canvas for the stars to display their God-fashioned magnificence. A figure sat upon a boulder in a field overlooking a lonely inn and stable. The sheep were aware of the figure amongst them. A warrior, with a face chiseled as from a rock, eyes the deepest pools of black and long wavy hair of rust, brown and red. The color tended to change the more time he spent on earth. The sheep could sense that the presence amongst them was fearsome but not dangerous, yet they kept their distance. They could not afford to be wrong in such a matter.
Michael, the archangel felt at peace among the sheep and for the time being felt responsible for them, having sent their shepherd to be a part of the welcoming committee for the birth of a one-of-a-kind child. Michael looked down as a lamb broke from the others and moved toward him. Of all of God’s creatures, sheep were one of his favorites, especially the young ones. They sensed their vulnerabilities and knew they needed to be protected and Michael was uniquely made by God to protect the most precious of His creations – Man.
Michael sighed, grateful for the opportunity to rest, something he had not been able to do much of, since being assigned the most dangerous of tasks. Protect my son. Michael remembered his Lord’s exact words. At the time, little did Michael know this task would begin even before the child’s conception. More danger lurked in the near future as Jerusalem’s King Herod the Great would command that all boys under the age of two, be put to death for fear that Jesus, this Messianic child would rise up to take his throne. Little did Herod know that Jesus had come into the world to give men life, not take it from them.
Michael lowered his eyes to the ground before him and grieved silently in his heart for all of the boys he would not be able to save and the mothers he would not be able to comfort. Once again, the words of the prophet Jeremiah would come true.

“A voice is heard in Ramah,
weeping and great mourning,
Rachel weeping for her children
and refusing to be comforted
because they are no more.”

Such words should never come true. Michael secretly hoped that God would allow him to avenge the death of every son of Rachel but knew such vengeance was never up to him.

As the lamb moved closer, Michael reached out to touch him. A foul wind, not of God’s nature blew across the field. The sheep stirred uneasily and the lamb scurried away, sensing the danger. Suddenly behind Michael there was a presence, a familiar scent, a familiar feeling. Dread. It could be none other than the one who was once his closest friend, a brother in worship but now his most vicious enemy.
“What are you doing here, Lucifer,” Michael asked without turning around.
“Unlike you, I live here,” Lucifer replied. Michael cringed knowing that was the truth, spoken through that upturned smirk his nemesis usually spoke with.
Lucifer remained behind Michael slowly becoming vexed by this archangel who did not fear him enough to keep his eyes on him. Michael’s attention turned to the stable, keeping his mission before him. “Keep your eyes on the prize,” Michael said under his breath, knowing that Lucifer was not there to bestow a gift on Jesus, speak a blessing, or worship the Messiah. Michael closed his eyes, prayed silently to God for the strength to do battle no matter the cost and do as his Lord had commanded, protect my son.

Michael opened his eyes and next to him was Lucifer looking down at the stable. From the corner of his eye, the brilliance and beauty that God had bestowed upon this now-fallen angel once again struck Michael. Lucifer’s long mane of hair, an almost impossible blend of gold and platinum was just the beginning. He had soft, exquisitely constructed facial features and eyes of bluish-gray, which was the best way to describe them as God had created the shade just for him. Michael saw through it all. Envy, greed, and pride are all he saw now. But, to the naked or untrained eye, Lucifer embodied the glory men wanted for themselves. Michael understood how he deceived so many men. How could he not, having deceived a great number of God’s angel army?

“So what’s with the barn?” Lucifer asked casually as he looked at the stable. The smirk was still plastered on his face and annoyed Michael to no end.
“A man does not have to be born in luxurious surroundings to be great. And, those born in the best of surroundings are not safe from a fall from grace, are they?” Michael asked without attempting to be subtle.
Lucifer laughed. The long years had made his old friend crotchety and ornery…or did his edginess have something to do with the child born in the stable? It didn’t matter. Whatever it was, Lucifer knew he could work with it.
“Men of low birth are easy to destroy. You know this,” Lucifer taunted.
“The child in that stable will grow up to be the Good Shepherd that saves people from their sins and from you,” Michael responded passionately.
The smirk widened on Lucifer’s face and Michael clinched his fist waiting for Lucifer’s retort. “Who will save the Good Shepherd from me?”
“I will,” Michael thundered. The earth trembled, causing the sheep to cluster for safety.
“You spend day and night in the presence of God where sin is not allowed,” Lucifer reasoned, “but this Good Shepherd will be here with me in my realm where sin is not only allowed it is greatly encouraged.”
“He is the Son of God!” Michael spat back.
“He is a man,” Lucifer replied with a disdain in his voice Michael heard only when “men” were the subject at hand. Something about Jesus took Lucifer to a new level of hate. Michael could only imagine how far he would go. Lucifer’s plan to trick the Magi into returning to King Herod after visiting Jesus to tell him of the Messiah’s location would be thwarted. A disturbing dream would send the Magi home by another route. Did Lucifer know this plan was already foiled and was hatching Plans B, C and D? Were these plans already in motion? Michael knew he would have to trust God to alert him to such schemes.

Michael rose, suddenly feeling the need to be on his feet. Lucifer knew that he was getting to Michael and reveled in his heart as he spoke. “Your precious Messiah will rise to a height one would not expect from a man born in a stable, but he will fall and his people, his sheep will fall with him and never recover.”
“You’re mad,” Michael quickly diagnosed the angel of light.
“Am I? Do the scriptures not say the Messiah will be stricken by God?”
“Scripture from your lips sounds most foul,” Michael spoke the obvious.
“As it should, but is scripture true and infallible? Yes.” Lucifer answered his own question in case Michael didn’t want to play along. “Your Good Shepherd will be stricken by God, and the only way He can earn such a curse is to sin.”
“Ludicrous!” Michael began to pace. “What will you do? Parade the beauty of women before him? He will not lust. Will you enrage him to the depths of his soul? Still, he will not strike another.”

Lucifer chuckled. No obvious sin would fell Jesus, although he’d give it a try. “Your little stable boy will love men far too much. That will be his downfall.”
“You’re a liar,” Michael spat.
“And?” Lucifer loved when conflict resigned to the level of name calling. Victory was in sight. “Your Messiah is a descendant of Adam, David, and Solomon, men who have sinned greatly before God.”
“ALL MEN SIN,” Michael thundered.
“Of course they do,” Lucifer smirked. That was the point he’d been making all along and Michael was just now getting it. It was a trap, one he walked right into. Michael wondered what is it about this son of God that makes me so passionate but witless enough to fall for the schemes of Lucifer? For the first time in several millennia, Michael knew he was in the gravest of danger.

“Enough for now,” Michael said quietly as he prepared to return home to Heaven and regroup.
“You’re not leaving are you?” the self-proclaimed Light of the World asked with that smirk again.
He thinks he’s won something, Michael thought. He couldn’t let him think that! No, another trap. Do not let me follow him in his pride, Michael prayed in his heart. As Michael moved to take flight, Lucifer was right there with him.
“Why are you running? Aren’t we just having a conversation? I am only asking the questions you will not ask God.” Michael stopped in his tracks. Lucifer knew he’d better keep talking or Michael would be off again. “How will this Messiah of yours save men when they will see him as stricken by the God they worship? Men will despise and reject him.”
“Deceiver!” Michael spat.
“We already covered that with ‘You’re a liar!’ just a minute ago, Michael. But, you know everything I am saying is in the scriptures.” Lucifer cocked his head and his tone displayed a level of condescension never before heard on the face of the earth. “Don’t you know the scriptures, Mikey?”
“I know the scriptures,” Michael turned and challenged Lucifer. “Men will despise and reject him, but they must return to him.”
“Must they? Is this certain?” the condescension was thick still. “Sometimes I wonder if that God of yours knows what He is doing.” The arrogance that had gotten Lucifer kicked out of Heaven in the first place was in full bloom. He cared not. There was something freeing about being exposed. Nothing to hide.

Michael watched Lucifer casually pick up a stone and throw it at the herd of sheep that had started to feel safe again. He missed them all. A symphony of Baaa! was the sheep’s snappy comeback. Throwing stones at defenseless sheep. What was that all about anyway! Just Lucifer being himself, being free, no doubt. Although Lucifer had several “good points,” Michael resolved to trust God. “It is not for me, a created being to know the manifold wisdom of God. I will understand everything in His time, as will you.
“Blah. blah, blah! The shepherd will be stricken and the sheep will scatter. Where is the wisdom in that?”
“I do not know!” The ground trembled at the might in Michael’s voice. Fear, doubt, and frustration swirled around his head. Confusion was just around the corner.
“You fight God’s battles day in and day out, yet he keeps secrets from you.” Lucifer moved closer to Michael and put a comforting hand on his shoulder. He softened his voice, no smirk no smile and went in for the kill. “Do you miss me, Michael?”
There was a curiosity in this. Surely it was mixed with evil but what was true made it to Michael’s heart. “I miss who you used to be, my brother.”
Lucifer slithered to Michael’s side and looked at him, a warmth in his eyes, a longing. “I would not keep anything from you. You would know all of my secrets. We could be brothers again.”
Michael closed his eyes and remembered the past, the friend that Lucifer had once been. He had been his ally, his brother in leadership and glory. He remembered the kinship, the peace and joy that could only come with being unified for a common purpose. Brothers again, they could be, but brothers in darkness was what they would be. Michael opened his eyes. “I will never join you.” His words were resolute.
“I am not at war with God anymore, Michael, just his beloved creation.” He could barely get the words “beloved creation” out of his mouth without spitting them.
“That is what makes you at war with me,” Michael said. The tension was thick. Michael seemed to be gaining strength. This could not happen.
Lucifer laughed. Condescension was his tone of the hour. “You’re always so serious. I don’t believe I have ever seen you laugh.”
“You weren’t there the first time I saw a camel,” Michael quipped. Lucifer and Michael looked at each other and laughed heartily, pure laughter, the kind friends would share. Michael stopped himself. He must always see Lucifer as he was. There could be no laughing. A policy of extreme prejudice must be in affect at all times. Michael looked at the stable one last time, knowing that for now Jesus was safe. Of course he wanted to stay longer to make sure all who were coming to greet Jesus would arrive safely. But, Michael was homesick and felt weak – something he always felt after going a few rounds with his oh-so-worthy opponent. “I will leave you to your domain, for now,” Michael concluded.
As Michael gave Lucifer one last look, there was a desperation in his eyes. He couldn’t leave fast enough. “He will be led like a sheep to the slaughter,” Lucifer stuck the proverbial knife in Michael’s heart. Michael stumbled just as he was about to take flight. “He will be assigned a grave with the wicked,” he added gleefully, twisting the knife in deeper.
Michael knew the prophecies of Isaiah but had always hoped God would explain away what seemed obvious. Confusion swept over Michael. As soon as his feet left the earth, he lost his balance and tumbled to the ground. Frightened sheep ran the other direction uncertain if the Rock-Thrower was also going to attempt flight and have similar results.
Lucifer moved quickly to Michael’s side and hovered over him. As Michael looked up, he realized Lucifer was floating above him, eyes flaming red. That was it for the sheep! They ran from the field terrified as if they were Arabian steeds. Only the lamb stayed put, sensing Michael should not be left alone. But, in their fear, the herd trampled the lamb leaving his body lifeless and bloody.
“Jesus is the Messiah. He will not fall,” was all Michael could manage.
“Then how will he enter this grave of the wicked? No righteous man can enter the realm of burning sulfur and darkness. He will die a sinner and be with me for eternity. He will not be able to save anyone, and you will not be able to save him.” Lucifer made it sound so certain and final.
“He is the promised Messiah?” Michael clung to this with all he had left in him.
“Is he?” Lucifer questioned.
“He… He…”
“…will fall.” Lucifer finished the sentence. He didn’t sound arrogant, just stating a fact. Michael knew a righteous man could not enter Hell but somehow God’s precious son would. Suddenly, doubt, an angel’s second worst enemy, pride being the first, clouded Michael’s mind.
It took only a moment for Lucifer to recognize it in Michael’s face. He was an expert at recognizing it. “Is that doubt, Michael? What must your God think of you now?”
Michael was broken. He couldn’t even find the strength to rise to his feet. Everywhere he looked, Lucifer was there, as if circling around him. It was only when Michael looked Heavenward that his tormentor vanished from his view. “How can this be,” Michael asked the only Being who could answer the question.
“Why do you pray to One who keeps secrets from you?” Lucifer teased. Michael could not see him, but his voice echoed all around him. “God does not listen to the faithless.”
“Do not abandon me!” Michael begged.
“Your iniquities have separated you from your God, Michael.”
Michael struggled to keep his eyes Heavenward, homeward, but he was weakening with guilt. What did God think of him? He was in charge of protecting God’s most beloved creation, but he was filled with doubt. As Michael closed his eyes, the last thing he saw was not Lucifer’s smug, smirking face, but the poor lamb’s bloody, lifeless body. In his own way, Michael felt the same. Once his eyes were shut, there was a quietness, a peace, the kind he had only experienced in the Heavenly realms. Lucifer continued to spout prophecies and deceits Michael’s way certain that he was crumbling slowly inside. It was not like Michael to be quiet. Just a nudge more here and there, and it would be over for him.
Suddenly, in the quietness with his God, the truth came to Michael, at least as much of the truth God deemed necessary for him to know. Michael opened his eyes to find Lucifer with a comforting hand on his shoulder, as if he had been victorious here.
The words spilled from Michael’s mouth, “I will put hatred between you and the woman and between her offspring and yours.”
Lucifer removed his hand from Michael’s shoulder. He had mistaken Michael’s quietness for resignation and defeat. This mistake was a costly one. Now it was Lucifer who had to regroup. Surrender was not an option. He knew how important this battle was. “That is an old prophecy, Michael. I don’t see what it has to do with anything.”
Michael was slowly capturing the full meaning of the words he’d just spoken. “Jesus is the offspring of the woman. It is not for me to know how at this time, but somehow, Jesus will crush you.” There was a silence in the field. The wind stood still and for a moment, Lucifer was miraculously speechless.
“He will die,” Lucifer spat, ending the momentary miracle.
“Perhaps, Jesus will defeat you. ” Michael risked being petty but could not help himself. Do you not know the, Luc?” Suddenly, Michael felt a wetness on his hand. He looked down, and there was the lamb licking him, somehow suddenly alive, without a mark – resurrected.
Lucifer looked at the lamb and hated it. Where was a rock when you needed one?
Michael saw the look in Lucifer’s eyes and sent the lamb away to join his herd. Lucifer and Michael looked after the lamb, both having their own ideas as to how Jesus would ultimately defeat Lucifer.
Michael smiled for the first time as he rose to his feet. “Now you know the truth,” Michael said, filled with confidence once again.
“I’ve always known the truth, Mikey.” Lucifer’s words were venom.
“And yet you continue to deceive?”
“Man wants to be deceived. I just give him what he wants.”
Michael knew this battle was over. There was no need to linger. As he once again moved to leave earth, Lucifer could not stop himself.
“Return to Heaven and remain in the presence of God, where you’re safe. But, remember, Man is here with me.”
“Yes, but God is now on earth. This is a joyous day and will be celebrated forever,” Michael countered.
“Do you know how easy it is to turn the hearts of men from what is eternal?” Lucifer asked, expecting to get under Michael’s skin.
“One does not have to be a man to make that mistake.” Michael had Lucifer’s number and they both knew it. Perhaps Lucifer had lost this battle tonight, but there was no reason why he couldn’t leave Michael with lingering thoughts of insecurity.
“I will allow this day to be joyous forever in my realm, but in time, it will be celebrated for all of the wrong reasons. Men will forget your Jesus. Perhaps not all men will forget but enough will. Enough.” Lucifer replied confidently, knowing this would not be difficult to accomplish.
Michael knew Lucifer’s war on man was an all-or-nothing sort of affair. Because of his pride, he would not be satisfied unless every man wound up in the depths of Hell. But, even the almighty God knew not all men would spend eternity with Him but was assured the overall victory. “Many men will forget Jesus, but enough will remember him. Enough.” With that said, Michael took flight. Lucifer screamed after him some insults and threats about throwing more rocks at the sheep, but Michael paid him no mind. The sheep were safe for now.
Michael took one last look at the stable as he flew over it. A group of shepherds had just arrived and were thrilled to meet the newborn son of God. These men would not forget Jesus, ever. As Michael neared home, he smiled to himself, honored by the fact the he was chosen to be man’s protector and Jesus’ ally.
Then suddenly, as soon as his smile appeared, it fell. The prophecies, the plan of God all struck him at once. Michael was certain that one day he would not be allowed to protect Jesus. Tears flowed down Michael’s cheeks because he knew that would be a day of darkness and dread. But, remembering the resurrected lamb and the sovereignty of God, Michael was certain that soon to follow would be the most joyous of days.

http://www.soar2010.net/

“…and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters… He calmed the storm to a whisper and stilled the waves. What a blessing was that stillness as He brought them safely into harbor!” – Psalm 107:29

The Philippines is popularly known as “The Pearl of the Orient Seas.” It is home to the “Chocolate Hills” of Bohol, the powdery white-sand beaches of Boracay, the relaxing cold climate of Baguio, and the historic Spanish houses and cobblestone streets in Vigan. With its many tourist attractions in more than 7,100 islands, the Philippines is no doubt a pearl, a treasure of Southeast Asia.

In the last two months, “The Pearl’s” bouts with tropical storms and cyclones has been greatly chronicled in the international headlines. More than five hundred lives have been lost and millions of dollars worth of public infrastructure has been damaged by these storms and ensuing floods. Even at the time of this writing, another potential storm is being monitored by the local weather authority. It would appear that “The Pearl” has lost just a bit of her luster.
Thankfully, the God of raging storms and engulfing floods is also the God of quiet and still waters, and by His grace, the resiliency of “The Pearl” stands tall amidst our recent natural challenges. As the rest of the Filipino people pick up the pieces of their interrupted lives, your single brothers and sisters in the Metro Manila Christian Church have hearts that are willing to carry on with what God inspired us to do. So, in the aftermath of several angry storms, we accelerate our pace and continue with our preparations to host the 2010 International Singles Conference.

Now more than ever, we need your full support.  Without a doubt, just as in our country’s ongoing relief and rebuilding operations, we can only achieve success with the conference through the unified efforts of our worldwide family, the Spirit’s energy, and God’s providence. He himself will bring us safely into harbor, so that like eagles, we will SOAR in Manila.  Please be praying for us. See you in August.

For His glory,
The Manila ISC2010 Team

Greetings from Dubai!

After much thought and planning, Dubai International Fellowship is rolling out the 2009 Singles Retreat on November 26-28, 2009 at Khatt Springs Resort and Spa in Ras Al Khaimah UAE. Entitled ‘Highway of Holiness’, it promises to be an inspiring, encouraging and enlightening time for all participants who fervently aim for a revitalized faith in God.

To date, over 50 single disciples from the various emirates of the UAE, as well as disciples from Bahrain and Qatar have signed up! Guest speakers are Dan and Mary Allison, former ICOC evangelist and women’s ministry leader, respectively. Dan is a HOPE worldwide executive based in Kabul, Afghanistan while Mary is a high school English teacher in Fujairah, UAE. They will serve us not only with sincere hearts to encourage but as well with over 30 years of personal walk with Christ and about 20 years of ministry experience.

The retreat will officially commence on Thursday at 8:30 pm and will close on Saturday 10:30 am. Other activities on the schedule include fun games, talent show and free time at the resort. Attached is the poster we use to promote the event.

In view of this exciting opportunity, we want to extend our invitation to you and other members or friends from your local fellowship.  Just notify any of these two people for your confirmation as soon as possible:

   Filip Maniquis – Filipina.Maniquis@nielsen.com / 0097150 2834751

   Fred Rubio – fred_rubio_2000@yahoo.com / 0097150 4268324

Fee for the retreat is AED 250 which covers room accommodation for 2 nights (double sharing), buffet breakfast for 2 days, and transport from and to Dubai. You will have to arrange for your own visa. If you need assistance on visa, we have a contact in Dubai who can offer you an arrangement at a discounted price.

We hope you don’t miss out on this grace that we all can enjoy together. We look forward to hearing from you.

To God be all the glory!

Love in Christ,

Andrew Moreno

Family Group Leader

Dubai International Fellowship

Adat Ari El Synogogue
12020 Burbank Blvd
Valley Village, CA 91607

Tickets are only $15 in advance ($20 at the door).  Join the mailing list to know when tickets go on sale.  Find more information at http://ny0010.com