Monday, May 11, 2009

Global Day Of Prayer May 31



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2009 GDOP in Tokorozawa, Saitama

Open Stage at Tokorozawa's KokuKoen Park
Expectant of God's Presence!
Pentecost Sunday, May 31, 2009
Time: 3:00-5:30 PM
Place: Tokorozawa Aviation Memorial Park's Open Stage

For more details about this event, contact Stan DeLaCour (iccsjapan@aol.com) or for Japanese- Sanae Akiyama at (sanae@mba.nifty.ne.jp). Last year, the seating at the Seibi Hall was about 300+. This location seats 2,000+. The Lord can do this! THANK you for your prayers. This location we have will be a great place to have GDOP! The Open Stage--located in the west side of Kokukoen--is going to be a great spot to lift up the Name of Jesus!

The United Prayer Service will be done in many languages.


There is parking all around the park, yet is very close to Kokukoen Station which is one station north toward Kawagoe from Tokorozawa on the Seibu Line. (It might be better to come by train.) Drink machines, shopping for food and public rest rooms are all around and in the park area. Plan to come early and stay after the GDOP program is over. Donations will be accepted.

Please tell others to continue to PRAY for the Lord of the Harvest!

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2009 GDOP in Shinjuku

Worship Hall
When: May 31th, 5:00-6:00 p.m.
Where: Tokyo Chuo Church (Shinjuku)
      2-18-8 Okubo, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo
For more information, contact Timothy Himei ( tmh@s7.dion.ne.jp).

Miracles, Tongues, Interpetation and Healing

Like last week, this Gift of the Spirit--the gift of Miracles, gives the person the ability to call on God to do supernatural acts.

Look to Romans 15:18, 19. “I will not venture to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me in leading the Gentiles to obey God by what I have said and done— by the power of signs and miracles, through the Power of the Spirit…”

This gift really is tied to other gifts like Healing Tongues and Interpretation of tongues. These gifts of the Spirit are all miracles. It is all from God’s Hand to help the Body of Christ function in the way He wants it to.

MIR·A·CLE A NOUN
1. an event that appears to be contrary to the laws of nature and is regarded as an act of God.
2. an event or action that is totally amazing, extraordinary, or unexpected.

Encarta® World English Dictionary © 1999 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. Developed for Microsoft by Bloomsbury Publishing Plc.

A Wonder. A unexplained Phenomenon. Something that people Marveled at. A real Sensation.

Miracles, don’t happen every day and yet they do. (Birth, both physical and spiritual births are real miracles.) In the Bible, there were times when nothing like miracles happened for many, many years. There was the 70 years of silence between the Old and New Testament. There were years when the Lord God did not act. In the New Testament, Jesus was about 30 years of age when He started His Ministry. It is said of Him that the Miracle at the wedding was His FIRST miracle. He did not ‘perform’ miracles every day after that…YET, or when He did touch someone,take a special interest in someone’s problem or sickness or when He preached the Gospel, Miracles did occur. Why? There is a connect with the Gospel and miracles. The Gospel is Good News, it is not old news. People were in need of hearing NEW things and God was not going to let them down.

The person with the Gift of Miracles contributes God’s Power to the Body. They speak God’s truth and have that authenticated by an accompanying miracle. (Not just nice words that sound like they have power but really shows that Power in Divine happenings.) They express confidence in God’s Faithfulness and ability to manifest His Presence. Those with this gift bring the ministry and message of Jesus Christ with definite power. They claim God to be the source of the miracle and glorify Him while representing Christ, and though the gift point to a relationship with Christ.

Have you ever met someone with this gift? I have, to my knowledge, not done so. Yet, Paul wrote about this gift. Can we see in the scriptures any evidence of this gift? Yes.

From 1 Peter 4:10. we read: Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms.

The Source of the Gifts are found in God alone: 1 Cor 12:6. There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men.

The end result is for the Lord to gain the glory—not the person: John 9:3. "Neither this man nor his parents sinned," said Jesus, "but this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life.”

Along with the Gift of Miracles, comes other—what is called “Sign Gifts” or signs and wonders.

Looking at the list Paul gives us, we can see about four there that come under this heading: HEALING, MIRACLES, TONGUES, and INTERPRETATION OF TONGUES.

It is to these four gifts, rather three, as we already looked at Healing last week, that we will spend some time this morning looking at and studying about.

There is some controversy about the sign gifts. Some say that they do not happen today. That the ‘time of signs an wonders’ are history—only found in the beginning of the Church. I.E. Acts and beyond coming to an end at the end of the Apostles.

I do not feel that would be correct. The, so-called “sign gifts” were and are found in the Church today. There are some here today, worshiping with us that have these gifts. Practicing them. Use them in their personal time of worship and it is a fine and wonderful thing to have! I have asked the Lord for these gifts and so far, He has not given them to me. He has asked me to look to Him alone and not ask for anything that I could use to puff me up. People in this room who are not puffed up are using these gifts. They can handle this gift. They are not proud of being one who has these gifts. They use these gifts in their private worship, in their personal prayer time and they enjoy them very much.

To use TONGUES today in this service would only mean that there would be an INTREPRETATION of those spoken words. Some of you have heard it here at ICCS in the past. One would say something that we could not understand…time went by…people prayed…and then the Lord gave us an interpretation of what was said. It usually deals with a praise to the Living God. A word of encouragement. Instruction. Even a warning. But always, two elements are there. One, it would not contradict the Word of God, and two, it would not bring glory to the one who says it. (Three: When in doubt, go back to One and Two...) Always, it must point to the Lord. Always, the rest of us understand it after the interpretation is given. Not a new teaching or revelation.

Why have it? When is it used? Paul instructs us when to use this gift: 1 Cor 14:1ff Follow the way of love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy. For anyone who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God. Indeed, no one understands him; he utters mysteries with his spirit. But everyone who prophesies speaks to men for their strengthening, encouragement and comfort. He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church. I would like every one of you to speak in tongues, but I would rather have you prophesy. He who prophesies is greater than one who speaks in tongues, unless he interprets, so that the church may be edified.

In other words, do not use these gifts when there are unbelievers around. In that, should it be used and a non-believer hears it, they would think the worse of us. The words spoken in Tongues are not words of our own language, sometimes they are words from another language group or Hebrew, or, in some cases, a Heavenly language. The person speaking it is not in control of what he/she says. They could stop it but they may to be able to call it up at will.

I have witnessed this in a group of believers when a call is made for the group to pray. Silence, then some mumblings, then someone speaks loudly and the rest keep silent. Paul instructs us to have such times done in an orderly fashion. Not everyone yelling out words BECAUSE the words spoken are for the fellowship to hear and for them to give glory to God for them.

Look at Pauls’ words in 1 Cor 14:39-40. Therefore, my brothers, be eager to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues. But everything should be done in a fitting and orderly way.

One time a while ago, a person who had been coming to ICCS for a long time, told me they were very displeased that I forbid the speaking of tongues in the service. I was surprised that such a thing was said as I have never spoken against speaking in tongues—ever! I asked the person when I said that, and they could not say, just that they felt that I was against it. I asked the person if they spoke in tongues and the person said ‘yes.’ I asked why, if the Lord was prompting them to speak in tongues, why they had not done so in obedience. They could not say anything. I instructed that person: ‘IF you are prompted by the Holy Spirit to indeed speak in tongues and you did not, it was not my error but theirs as the prompting was not obeyed.’ I feel that I gave that person the 'right' to use their gift. There was freedom now. We both learned a great deal from each other and the friendship remains...maybe even stronger because of the direct conversation.

I have this to add to this issue, not really from me but from Paul in 1 Cor 14:12-19. So it is with you. Since you are eager to have spiritual gifts, try to excel in gifts that build up the church.
For this reason anyone who speaks in a tongue should pray that he may interpret what he says. For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful. So what shall I do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my mind; I will sing with my spirit, but I will also sing with my mind. If you are praising God with your spirit, how can one who finds himself among those who do not understand say "Amen" to your thanksgiving, since he does not know what you are saying? You may be giving thanks well enough, but the other man is not edified.
I thank God that I speak in tongues more than all of you. But in the church I would rather speak five intelligible words to instruct others than ten thousand words in a tongue.

To end then, let’s read how Paul ends the topic in 1 Cor 14:22-25. Tongues, then, are a sign, not for believers but for unbelievers; prophecy, however, is for believers, not for unbelievers. So if the whole church comes together and everyone speaks in tongues, and some who do not understand or some unbelievers come in, will they not say that you are out of your mind? But if an unbeliever or someone who does not understand comes in while everybody is prophesying, he will be convinced by all that he is a sinner and will be judged by all, and the secrets of his heart will be laid bare. So he will fall down and worship God, exclaiming, "God is really among you!"

26-28 What then shall we say, brothers? When you come together, everyone has a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation. All of these must be done for the strengthening of the church. If anyone speaks in a tongue, two—or at the most three—should speak, one at a time, and someone must interpret. If there is no interpreter, the speaker should keep quiet in the church and speak to himself and God.

Two or three prophets should speak, and the others should weigh carefully what is said. And if a revelation comes to someone who is sitting down, the first speaker should stop. For you can all prophesy in turn so that everyone may be instructed and encouraged. The spirits of prophets are subject to the control of prophets. For God is not a God of disorder but of peace.

1 Cor 14:37~38. If anybody thinks he is a prophet or spiritually gifted, let him acknowledge that what I am writing to you is the Lord's command. If he ignores this, he himself will be ignored.

As Jesus said, “Let those with ears hear.”

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Next week: ICCS' Intern, Ken Nishiono will be giving the message in Japanese with translation being provided from the front. Please keep Brother Ken in your prayers as he has a full week of work ahead of him as well as preparing the message.

After the service, PLEASE stay for our, so called, "Covered Dish". Here is the chance for one and all to get to know each other better and what better way than eating a meal together. Being an International Fellowship and having many Japanese Nationals as well, the food is ALWAYS much more than Curry n' Rice. We invite you to bring your favoriate foods and share them with us. I can thiink of no better place to be! Always a great time and this week, we will also watch a short video of some short term mission work in Mexico--long before the Swine flu problem came up. We will also be commissioning one of our very own to serve the Lord near a closed country.

Remember that on May 31, Sunday afternoon, in the Tokorozawa's Kokukoen open Stage, Global Day of Prayer will take place. Starting at 3:00 PM and lasting until 5:30 PM, you will be part of a world wide united prayer movement that will include 215 contries around this good Earth. At the Kokukoen event, there will be special music, lots of prayer time and some special prayers for the Christian Workers and for the Children of our community.

Come and Prayer.

2 Chronicles 7:14 (New International Version)
"If My people, who are called by My name, will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land."

2 Летописи 7:14 (1940 Bulgarian Bible)
" и людете Ми, които се наричат с Моето име, смирят себе си та се помолят, и потърсят лицето Ми, и се върнат от нечестивите си пътища, тогава ще послушам от небето, ще простя греха им и ще изцеля земята им."

2 Crónicas 7:14 (Nueva Versión Internacional)
"si mi pueblo, que lleva mi *nombre, se humilla y ora, y me busca y abandona su mala conducta, yo lo escucharé desde el cielo, perdonaré su pecado y restauraré su tierra."

2 Chroniques 7:14 (La Bible du Semeur)
"si alors mon peuple qui est appelé de mon nom s'humilie, prie et recherche ma grâce, s'il se détourne de sa mauvaise conduite, moi, je l'écouterai du ciel, je lui pardonnerai ses péchés et je guérirai son pays."

역대하 7:14 (Korean Bible)
내 이름으로 일컫는 내 백성이 그 악한 길에서 떠나 스스로 겸비하고 기도하여 내 얼굴을 구하면 내가 하늘에서 듣고 그 죄를 사하고 그 땅을 고칠찌라

2 Krønikebok 7:14 (Det Norsk Bibelselskap 1930)
og så mitt folk, som er kalt med mitt navn, ydmyker sig og beder og søker mitt åsyn og vender om fra sine onde veier, så vil jeg høre fra himmelen og forlate deres synd og læge deres land.

歷 代 志 下 7:14 (Chinese Union Version (Simplified))
这 称 为 我 名 下 的 子 民 , 若 是 自 卑 、 祷 告 , 寻 求 我 的 面 , 转 离 他 们 的 恶 行 , 我 必 从 天 上 垂 听 , 赦 免 他 们 的 罪 , 医 治 他 们 的 地 。

2 Crônicas 7:14 (João Ferreira de Almeida Atualizada)
e se o meu povo, que se chama pelo meu nome, se humilhar, e orar, e buscar a minha face, e se desviar dos seus maus caminhos, então eu ouvirei do céu, e perdoarei os seus pecados, e sararei a sua terra.

íðari Kroníkubók 7:14 (Icelandic Bible)
og lýður minn, sá er við mig er kenndur, auðmýkir sig, og þeir biðja og leita auglitis míns og snúa sér frá sínum vondu vegum, þá vil ég heyra þá frá himnum, fyrirgefa þeim syndir þeirra og græða upp land þeirra.