YexusCommunitas is not just an event, but it's a movement! Lets keep the conversation going and update the world on how a small gathering can make a big difference!
Check back for updates, ideas, and resources!
So...what are you going to do?!
Monday, November 24, 2008
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Acts 22-28...Yes He Can!
Guys,
The Acts readings for our fasting has been very very inspirational for me. Here are just a few of the insights that I gained for us:
Acts 22
Paul was able to leverage his mother tongue for testimony and for the gospel...so should you and I. We need to take advantage of our Hmong.- Paul was a Jew, but he went to the Gentiles. He was able to weave in and out of both cultures for the sake of the gospel. Not everyone can do you...but you and I can!! This is a gift from God for the sake of the gospel.
Acts 23
Paul was smart and was able to cut to the heart of their accusations against him...the controversy centered around the Resurrection of Christ. We need to center our lives around His resurrection and allow that to motivate us. (I'll be talking about this at YexComm Wednesday night.)- Mission and truly preaching the gospel to hard places (sometimes even in your own backyard) is not a safe ministry. But that's what we are called to.
Acts 24
We never twist Scripture to say what we want it to say...but we need to reason out of Scriptures. Jesus is in perfect harmony with Moses and the Prophets- Prison for 2 years was not a small price for Paul to pay in order for him to make it to Rome...what's the price God's asking us to pay so that we can make it to our mission field?
Acts 25
The secular government is often used by God to give us freedom to do gospel work. We need to take advantage of this in America...because the window for religions freedom is truly truly shrinking in America!
Acts 26
Paul was a very strong intellectual person that believed in the resurrection. People thought he was foolish and that he wasted his intellect. The resurrection is our hope to defy many intellectual challenges that come our way. Jesus vindicates all doubts by resurrecting from the dead.
Acts 27
Paul was a leader among a disasterous situation that involved mostly unbelievers. Will you allow yourself to serve an unbeliving community without hesitation...even seek the good of those who work against you and who are considered unrighteous? Paul did. It was his nature.- Paul's strategic partnership saved his life. Be smart in the partnerships that you make.
Acts 28
Paul completed the mission of Acts 1:8. God had his sites set on Rome and Paul completed this Phase of The Mission. There was much struggle and it was not glamourous at all...but when you align with God's mission, he makes it so only He gets the glory in the end. As a missionary, you have to want to be an unsung hero like Paul.
I love you guys and I value our partnership. I can't wait to worship and fellowship with you next week. Keep laboring and praying towards God's goal for YexComm.
Daniel
The Acts readings for our fasting has been very very inspirational for me. Here are just a few of the insights that I gained for us:
Acts 22
Paul was able to leverage his mother tongue for testimony and for the gospel...so should you and I. We need to take advantage of our Hmong.- Paul was a Jew, but he went to the Gentiles. He was able to weave in and out of both cultures for the sake of the gospel. Not everyone can do you...but you and I can!! This is a gift from God for the sake of the gospel.
Acts 23
Paul was smart and was able to cut to the heart of their accusations against him...the controversy centered around the Resurrection of Christ. We need to center our lives around His resurrection and allow that to motivate us. (I'll be talking about this at YexComm Wednesday night.)- Mission and truly preaching the gospel to hard places (sometimes even in your own backyard) is not a safe ministry. But that's what we are called to.
Acts 24
We never twist Scripture to say what we want it to say...but we need to reason out of Scriptures. Jesus is in perfect harmony with Moses and the Prophets- Prison for 2 years was not a small price for Paul to pay in order for him to make it to Rome...what's the price God's asking us to pay so that we can make it to our mission field?
Acts 25
The secular government is often used by God to give us freedom to do gospel work. We need to take advantage of this in America...because the window for religions freedom is truly truly shrinking in America!
Acts 26
Paul was a very strong intellectual person that believed in the resurrection. People thought he was foolish and that he wasted his intellect. The resurrection is our hope to defy many intellectual challenges that come our way. Jesus vindicates all doubts by resurrecting from the dead.
Acts 27
Paul was a leader among a disasterous situation that involved mostly unbelievers. Will you allow yourself to serve an unbeliving community without hesitation...even seek the good of those who work against you and who are considered unrighteous? Paul did. It was his nature.- Paul's strategic partnership saved his life. Be smart in the partnerships that you make.
Acts 28
Paul completed the mission of Acts 1:8. God had his sites set on Rome and Paul completed this Phase of The Mission. There was much struggle and it was not glamourous at all...but when you align with God's mission, he makes it so only He gets the glory in the end. As a missionary, you have to want to be an unsung hero like Paul.
I love you guys and I value our partnership. I can't wait to worship and fellowship with you next week. Keep laboring and praying towards God's goal for YexComm.
Daniel
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Prayer & Fasting #4: Acts 13-17
Team,
Have a great day praying and fasting this morning.
In my reading this morning of Acts 13-17, I was enamored again by the courage of the early apostles. In God's eyes, these men are no different from us, but in our eyes, they are giants, pioneers and people who changed the world. There's so much inspiration and application to take away from these chapters, but I want to focus on 3 themes that kept jumping out at me:
COURAGE
They risked. They jumped. They sacrificed. They pressed forward. They returned to resistance. They were bold and gutsy and because of that their enemies made a true observation in saying they were "men who have turned the world upside down." (Acts 17:6)
What about you and me? Will we live life safe? Or will we lay our lives down for the gospel? Maybe it means starting a business. Maybe it means starting a ministry. Maybe it means leaving our homes and our cities. Not everyone's calling is the same. But if we find ourselves not having to risk or sacrifice, maybe we're not living out the adventure that God has planned for those who join his mission.
PROCLAIMING JESUS' RESURRECTION
In these chapters, there was no mention of the cross of Jesus! Yet, it's safe to say that Paul's gospel preached to the cities and the synagogues no doubt included it. However, Luke purposely chose to record numerous references of Paul's sermons to Jesus' resurrection. Why? Because while the resurrection is mystery to both Jews and Gentiles, it is in the power of resurrection that men are able find a hope for new life, now and in the future. Jesus' cross addressed the wrath of God, but his resurrection was a sign to the whole world saying, "New life has begun! Come join in."
Do we cherish the resurrection? Is it a part of our gospel? Do we preach it, breathe it, live it? Do you realize its power to sustain you during suffering? Do you realize its freeing power that allows us to be creative? We don't have to resort to old tactics. We can think about the future. At then end of Paul's great chapter on resurrection in 1 Corinthians 15, he says, "Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain."
WOMEN IN MINISTRY
Jesus came to bring equilibrium to all social and economic issues. He doesn't redefine sexuality, but he does deconstruct some of the gender weaknesses built into cultures. (Great news to liberals!) Luke mentions at least three times of groups of women, many of them prominent, coming to know and serve Christ. Lydia, a purple cloth trader (very rich lady) even becomes a partner in the ministry.
Do we still run our ministries in a way where women are secondary to men? Do we not celebrate women enough? Yes, it is Biblical that men are the spiritual leaders of the home and the community, but none of it would make sense without the partnership and the ingenuity of women.
Linda and Nada, do you feel affirmed in knowing that you are shaped for important world changing ministry?!
"God, thank you for giving Christians a pioneering spirit. Thank you for giving us the Holy Spirit. Help us to be creative for you...to be committed for you...to be courageous for you. Help YexusCommunitas spark something earth shattering in our lifetime. Help us to cultivate the mission that you began in Jesus and continued on with Paul, Barnabas, Silas, Timothy, Luke and the Church today.
"Help our praying and fasting to not be done in vain today. It is for your fame and glory and the joy of all people that we do this."
Have a great day praying and fasting this morning.
In my reading this morning of Acts 13-17, I was enamored again by the courage of the early apostles. In God's eyes, these men are no different from us, but in our eyes, they are giants, pioneers and people who changed the world. There's so much inspiration and application to take away from these chapters, but I want to focus on 3 themes that kept jumping out at me:
COURAGE
They risked. They jumped. They sacrificed. They pressed forward. They returned to resistance. They were bold and gutsy and because of that their enemies made a true observation in saying they were "men who have turned the world upside down." (Acts 17:6)
What about you and me? Will we live life safe? Or will we lay our lives down for the gospel? Maybe it means starting a business. Maybe it means starting a ministry. Maybe it means leaving our homes and our cities. Not everyone's calling is the same. But if we find ourselves not having to risk or sacrifice, maybe we're not living out the adventure that God has planned for those who join his mission.
PROCLAIMING JESUS' RESURRECTION
In these chapters, there was no mention of the cross of Jesus! Yet, it's safe to say that Paul's gospel preached to the cities and the synagogues no doubt included it. However, Luke purposely chose to record numerous references of Paul's sermons to Jesus' resurrection. Why? Because while the resurrection is mystery to both Jews and Gentiles, it is in the power of resurrection that men are able find a hope for new life, now and in the future. Jesus' cross addressed the wrath of God, but his resurrection was a sign to the whole world saying, "New life has begun! Come join in."
Do we cherish the resurrection? Is it a part of our gospel? Do we preach it, breathe it, live it? Do you realize its power to sustain you during suffering? Do you realize its freeing power that allows us to be creative? We don't have to resort to old tactics. We can think about the future. At then end of Paul's great chapter on resurrection in 1 Corinthians 15, he says, "Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain."
WOMEN IN MINISTRY
Jesus came to bring equilibrium to all social and economic issues. He doesn't redefine sexuality, but he does deconstruct some of the gender weaknesses built into cultures. (Great news to liberals!) Luke mentions at least three times of groups of women, many of them prominent, coming to know and serve Christ. Lydia, a purple cloth trader (very rich lady) even becomes a partner in the ministry.
Do we still run our ministries in a way where women are secondary to men? Do we not celebrate women enough? Yes, it is Biblical that men are the spiritual leaders of the home and the community, but none of it would make sense without the partnership and the ingenuity of women.
Linda and Nada, do you feel affirmed in knowing that you are shaped for important world changing ministry?!
"God, thank you for giving Christians a pioneering spirit. Thank you for giving us the Holy Spirit. Help us to be creative for you...to be committed for you...to be courageous for you. Help YexusCommunitas spark something earth shattering in our lifetime. Help us to cultivate the mission that you began in Jesus and continued on with Paul, Barnabas, Silas, Timothy, Luke and the Church today.
"Help our praying and fasting to not be done in vain today. It is for your fame and glory and the joy of all people that we do this."
Thursday, July 10, 2008
2nd Day of Prayer and Fasting for YexCom!
YexCom Team,
SCRIPTURE READING
Today we're reading from Acts chatpers 5-8. These are some themes that grabbed my attention while I was reading this morning:
1. The naming of specific cities, names, locations, and buildings
2. The reflective language used by Luke (ie. "in those days...")
3. The incredible influence and authority the apostles had
4. The community of the early church
5. The cultural diversity of the early church
6. The boldness of the gospel preachers
7. The delegation of ministry work resulted in the gospel going further
8. The Jewish roots of the gospel preached by non-Jewish men
9. The usefulness of persecution and joy of suffering for the Name
10. The gospel is the story of the cross, the resurrection, and the Kingdom of God
PRAISES
We added 2 more speakers! Kxf. Txhaj Cawv will be talking about wholistic ministries and the role of the church in transforming communities. Dr. Txawj Teeb will be talking about theology in the Hmong context.
More and more people are hearing about the gathering and are giving positive responses.
PRAYER
1. Unity and cohesion of our YexCom team
2. People will begin to register
3. Finances
4. That YexCom would influence the church to come
5. Jesus would receive glory from all our efforts
Share your thoughts?!
Thursday, June 12, 2008
First day of fasting & prayer
Good Morning Team!!
I hope you are having a good morning. I spent some quiet time with the Lord this morning and already He has filled me up with much insights!
As we spend today in prayer and fasting please be sure to spend some quiet time reading Acts 1-4. These four chapters will help us see how the first Christians witnessed to their home town.
1. Pray for Self:
Be in prayer for yourself first. Pray for transparency with your self and with God (You should be ensured that you are in good standing with God first before you proceed forward with today's prayer and fasting).
Pray for a willing heart and an obedient spirit.
As you read the assigned passages today, pray that the Holy Spirit will reveal truth to you.
2. Pray for Others:
Pray for our team. Pray that we will be united in spirit as we do this together. Pray that God will give us the desire to move in this direction. Pray that we as the core team will be like the first set of Believers, Acts 2: 42-47.
Pray for the Hmong Pastors. Pray for them and on their behalf. Let the Holy Spirit do the leading as your pray for them.
Pray for the Church leader. Pray for them and on their behalf. Let the Holy Spirit do the leading as your pray for them.
3. Pray for God's Will be done:
Pray for God to will reveal to us His Will for our churches.
Pray that we will have the courage to carry out His vision for the sake of His Glory.
Feel free to email the team through out the day with questions and/or thoughts for today as we are still working on getting the blog site up.
Thanks,
Linda
I hope you are having a good morning. I spent some quiet time with the Lord this morning and already He has filled me up with much insights!
As we spend today in prayer and fasting please be sure to spend some quiet time reading Acts 1-4. These four chapters will help us see how the first Christians witnessed to their home town.
1. Pray for Self:
Be in prayer for yourself first. Pray for transparency with your self and with God (You should be ensured that you are in good standing with God first before you proceed forward with today's prayer and fasting).
Pray for a willing heart and an obedient spirit.
As you read the assigned passages today, pray that the Holy Spirit will reveal truth to you.
2. Pray for Others:
Pray for our team. Pray that we will be united in spirit as we do this together. Pray that God will give us the desire to move in this direction. Pray that we as the core team will be like the first set of Believers, Acts 2: 42-47.
Pray for the Hmong Pastors. Pray for them and on their behalf. Let the Holy Spirit do the leading as your pray for them.
Pray for the Church leader. Pray for them and on their behalf. Let the Holy Spirit do the leading as your pray for them.
3. Pray for God's Will be done:
Pray for God to will reveal to us His Will for our churches.
Pray that we will have the courage to carry out His vision for the sake of His Glory.
Feel free to email the team through out the day with questions and/or thoughts for today as we are still working on getting the blog site up.
Thanks,
Linda
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