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Austin events Campaign Austin Holy Spirit guidance Leadership Replication Questions and Answers

God Loves You and Laid Out a Supernatural Path: Saved, Baptized, Filled… gotta see it!

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Our message was John 3:1 – 21.
You have GOT TO READ IT. Oh, sure you know it. Well, you know the story about Nicodemus going to Jesus at night and getting told he needs to be born again. And you remember Jn3:16 That God so loves the world….that He gave his only begotten Son. Did you ever put them together,even?

This is what I noticed. Big revelation. Jesus said you can not SEE the Kingdom of Heaven unless you are born from above. Then he says you can not ENTER the Kingdom unless you are born of the Water and of the Spirit. Most people just lump these all together. Really, if pressed, they would have to say they just don’t know all that Jesus meant here. Some say that Baptism is part of being born again. Most are really strong that baptism doesn’t substitute for being born again, becoming a new creation; so, for this reason are really frightened by anything that sounds like “baptismal regeneration” like a ritual is enough without reality. However, We all agree that you SHOULD BE BAPTIZED. Most everyone thinks that “water” here means baptism and not “washing of water by the Word.” So?

Context for metoday is that Rodney Howard Brown told a story about a guy who answered the altar call/gave his life to the Lord/was saved, and was going to church, but just couldn’t understand stuff. Just struggling to be a Christian. Then he got baptized and everything became clear to him like an almost immediate revelation. Baptism made a huge huge huge difference. We all agree that we should be baptized, out of obedience. It is a symbol that we are dead with Christ. So we like to dunk people. Better symbolism. Count yourselves dead to sin, dead with Christ, and alive with him in His resurrection. Awesome.

Then, can’t enter into the Kingdom unless you are born of the Spirit? Oh gosh, I could teach a whole semester on various versions of explanations of Holy Spirit and when Holy Spirit enters into the life of the believer. Of course, you can’t be saved without the conviction and convincing of Holy Spirit. But, on the other hand, not everyone has been empowered. Not everyone moves in supernatural gifts– which are CLEARLY taught in the New Testament. (And given that something like 10 million people today do, it is pretty hard imagine that they ceased. LOL.) Oh, then, what about Jesus blowing on his disciples and saying “receive the Holy Spirit” versus the Holy Spirit apparently blowing in on the Day of Pentecost? I think I can pretty well explain “in, with,and on” another time but that is not nearly as important as the point here in John 3. You can not ENTER into the Kingdom unless you have been born ***of the Spirit.***

So we can all agree we want to be born from above, born of the water and born of the Spirit, right? Of course, we want to see and enter the Kingdom of God? Of course. Right. Sure. Yes. Amen.

We are definitely going to agree on being born again, as a heart work, of turning your heart to the Lord, of believing that Jesus rose from the dead, of accepting Him as savior. We believe in our heart and make public confession. Romans 10. Yes.

Rom 10:9  That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 
Then, we all agree that we should be baptized. Good. Rom_6:4  Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

Col_2:12  Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.
Great.
And then we all must agree that we should be being filled with the Holy Spirit. Act 2:38  Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. 

Eph_5:18  And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit;

So, we all agree that Christian life, walking IN the Kingdom would be one of being filled with the Holy Spirit. (And being filled will mean, we will see many places, speaking the Word boldly, being empowered to witness, and moving in supernatural manifestations otherwise called “gifts of the Spirit.”) Fine.

Now, one of the objections to the classical Pentecostal teaching of a second definite work is that charism (or gifting of the Holy Spirit) is supposed to come in baptism. So, imagine an Anglican or a Presbyterian arguing that a baby gets everything he or she needs in baby baptism. No matter how well ensconced in ancient theology that idea may be, modern personal reflection just reels. (I don’t think you can come up with a single example of anything working that way. For instance, Augustine, John Wesley, and Johnathan Edwards all had salvation experiences, even though they believed in baby baptism.) Now, however, here is a new way of putting that together. Why can’t a newly saved (justified) believer, who gets baptized, come out speaking in tongues? LOL. Why not go for the gusto and get it all at once? Why wait until you are sanctified, ossified, or backslidden? ROFL! That is not the way I was taught, but from recently pastoral experience, looks like maybe a good goal. While I surely understand why the Pentecostals formulated things they way they did — and actually think they have the best formulation overall — why wait? Why not bet saved, baptized and filled to overflowing with Holy Spirit all at once? Sound good to me.

And surely, this would spur growth. This is what we want. This is our focus.

And by the way, many congratulations to J.C. who got baptized today! HalleluJah! We rejoice with you.

So it is all about getting showered with God’s love. No need to wait for each step. Let’s just receive it all. Maybe this will end up with a better result: more and quicker understanding. Less fooling around. Less offense over obviously true basic teachings. Like little child who has a tummy ache, and mommy says, “Honey, when you steal a bunch of green apples and eat them all at once, then your tummy will ache.” And Junior gets mad at mum. And says “You bad mommy.” And slams the door to his bedroom. Or, worse, teen, stuffs herself with …. some red dye sugary concoction full of chemicals and won’t eat food.” Then Dad says, “Daughter, you are showing signs of obesity and we are worried about diabetes for you.” Then youngster says, “Oh, you just don’t love me. I am running away from home.” Then she does. Only to meet worse fate. God wants good for you… just like good parents. Pastors often want a crowd and stable budget. Nevertheless, the Lord wants the best for you. That is why there is a laid out path. Not to mention it to the kids would be neglect.

Yes, of course,the youngsters have some duty to make decisions. Maybe the more we can get them showered in God’s love, having radical experience3d, then the more they will understand… and grow up quick.
(Just like you learn better if your tummy isn’t hurting or your brain is not foggy from too much red sugary chemically concoction? And if you realize you are in the best house in the country, you won’t want to run away?) Welcome to the family of God. Welcome to the Father of all. Welcome to our little group willing to read, hear, study, grow, and serve together.

*****Many congratulations to J.C. who got baptized today! HalleluJah! We rejoice with you. ****

We talked about Holy Spirit on Pentecost, but not so much the Baptism of the Holy Spirit because we have a different crowd than expected. But, please, do ask, if you are not already moving in supernatural gifts.

Austin events Holidays Holy Spirit guidance

Pentecost is On — Meetings back to Zoom for the time being

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We had a pretty good Pentecost Potluck party. The Awakening is On. It starts by repentance/healing — letting God clean us out so Holy Spirit can flow through us. It means be being filled. It means moving in the gifts – even in creative miracles. It means speaking the Word in boldness.
I really thank the 3 people who really went out of their way to come. Those who did not, really missed it.
Given lots of ins and outs that I won’t go into, I’ve decided to go back to Zoom for the time being.
See you Sunday, I hope!

If you are looking for mid-week meetings, this week you can tune into www.Revival.com — as well as the usual recommendation of T & Th https://perrystone.org/
and Friday evening https://www.chavdaministries.org/Groups/1000047680/Chavda_Ministries_International/Media/Media.aspx

This guy is in LA and you can get his service in the afternoon, and also Friday prayer https://www.youtube.com/user/ShekinahWorshipTV

Most pastors NEVER recommend you watch someone else – for more reasons that one. I’ll just say: if you have any questions, let me know. Just be sure you are fed. There is LOTS available, so beside YOUR OWN prayer, singing, and Bible reading — there is no reason not to be fully fed and grow as fast as you can, especially if you have to be inside. There is benefit to sticking to one channel, rather than getting confused: one preacher teaches faith and another not so much, and a third not at all. Even in the short history of this church, we have had this problem. So you are best advised to tune into recommended sources.

But it it time to be out. Listen to God and serve people.

Austin events Blessings Holidays Holy Spirit guidance Leadership Replication News

Holy Week letter to Jesus Name Austin

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It has been some time since I’ve had the warm fuzzies of having us all together. We are having connectivity challenges. So, I am taking this avenue, email, which uses less bandwidth. Please respond with increased spiritual bandwidth. Seek God; hear God; and share with us by reply all something God has blessed you with.

Tonight will start the Feast of the Lord called Passover. Once long ago, the Lord rescued the Israelites out of bondage. Most of us don’t put proper attention on how sin binds us. Most of us don’t even see how much in bondage we are in our society, with poor education, deceptive and detrimental medicine, fake & bleeding-is-leading news, a financial system of thievery, and corrupt government. Indeed, we have a substitute value system regnant, that loves sin and hates godliness. But God is working a great rescue operation.

Passover is called Passover because the death angel passed over the houses of the Israelites – who *were told to stay in their homes,* and to *mark those homes with the blood of the lamb*, and *were told to eat the lamb together as a family.* And then to be prepared to move out. How prophetic of our day. Believe God will keep you. Feel protected as you celebrate communion with me, with the Chavdas, with the Enlows or wherever. (See links on www.JesusNameAustin.org for distance communion.)

On the day that Jesus rode into Jerusalem on the donkey, the liturgy and the words on people’s lips on the street was “Blessed is He who comes in the Name of the Lord. Save now.” That was the day that the Jewish families were supposed to be looking for a spotless lamb and taking it into their houses. On the day that Jesus took break and the cup in His celebration of the Passover, he was celebrating on the right day, but one day before the Sandhedrin – because over the years they had lost count. On the day that He was crucified, it was the day that families were slaying their lambs. Blood was running.

Then…it looked like the hopes of a the Kingdom were lost. One wondered if the guards or the Romans would come for more of us. The disciples and the women were huddled together. While they didn’t quite get it right in casting lots for the new 12th, it was an act of faith. There would be a tomorrow. Jesus’ mission would go on… somehow. Maybe?

But then, the women, the ones who had gone early to the tomb, came back with strange and awesome news.

We remember this. Let’s remember together.

HOSANNA, BLESSED IS HE WHO COMES IN THE NAME OF THE LORD.

Reply all, or type in the comment section of the website. Stay tuned for instructions for Friday night and Sunday services.

Austin events News Prayer

SUNDAY APRIL 5TH Prayer Points, Sermon Summary, & Zoom Help

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PRAYER POINTS
Please pray for our leaders, especially the President and Vice-President: that they make good decisions, have good counsel, and supernatural stamina
Let’s pray for the front line health care workers. Some are overworked because of the virus, almost all out of policy, and many are frightened. Many are without the supplies they need. Soon we will have many who have graduated without the full education that normally they would have had.
Let’s pray for each other. Each is undergoing their own challenges. Often we can pray in more faith for others.
Please add this seriously to your list: pray for the oversight of the Treasury. I have now had it confirmed that there has been an important change. Probably different things are intended by different people. Let’s pray that God’s will prevails. Really.

SERMON SUMMARY
Fly over the book of Zechariah : 8 visions, answer to deputation, and 4 chapters on the ultimate victory of God’s Kingdom. Amazing how there are layers of truth: true in Z’s day, true in Jesus time on earth, and true coming up.
Message for now: clearly “return to me.” God intends for our good, even in this time of trouble and shaking.
What we should do : seek God by spending at least 30 minutes a day quiet time. Scripture memory verse: Zec 4:6.
Focus on new understanding of the vision of Joshua, new garments. Joshua, the High Priest of that day and Zerubabel, the secular ruler of that day, served the Lord. So we, as 2 ennd-time companies serve both in the church and in secular vocations. We know about having filthy garments changed, and thoughts protected in a time of lots of confusion and deception.
Focus on the KIND of leadership Jesus, the ultimate Shepherd exerts in the entrance on a donkey, rather than a war horse.
Awesome that we have an important part in the grand drama of the ages. To do: look to Jesus, be kind, do our assignments. This we knew, but now endowed with Spirit and ultimate meaning.

ANNOUNCEMENTS
1. Service this Friday at 7:00p. See below for other options.
2. Not able at this time to post the sermon from Zoom. It is possible, but too much time consumption and not very good quality.
3. We are having connectivity issues. I have blazing fast speed and have never had issues until this week. It is clear at this point it is not merely one set of servers. So, let’s all be patient.
I will post the audio only of today’s service, if I can edit out the personal mentions (like who was there and who was not and why.) Let’s pray we are all back together eating well soon. Oops, not good quality and not so easy.

TUTORIAL:
If you come on Zoom, check your mic and speaker, either when you have the option in the entering process. Alternatively, if you in the meeting, notice the up arrow next to the mic symbol on the bar at the bottom of the screen.
Some of us have to select WHICH mic to use.
If you have low bandwidth, then select only audio and don’t try to do visual. If you have visual only, try typing. Notice the bar at the bottom. Notice there is a chat symbol. Select that. Then you will see a column on the right side for chat. Notice at the bottom of that column is a space to write in. Notice that you can write to everybody or to just one person.
If you have visual and are confused,can’t hear, want to agree or not, use sign language. But we should conquer Zoom soon. There are short videos, and good ones, on the Zoom site. There are more on Youtube.

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A New and More Biblical Prosperity Gospel — A Call to Commitment to Assignment

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Studying Haggai. There we are in endtime prophecy. The Lord calls the church to repentance, because it has been building its own house and not his.
This is a new and clearly Biblical prosperity teaching. God would like to bless your house, but can’t if you aren’t building His.
There are a lot of people God has called to leadership. But there are leadership tests that need to be passed. Without a commitment to learn, it is pretty hard to be a Christian. Without commitment to work, you are not a leader. Without a commitment to pull together, you can’t be on a team of leaders.
And yes, sure, there are wounds of previous top leaders who didn’t deploy you, but there needs to be a commitment to healing, too. Come to the Lord.
It is a call to commitment, my friends.

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Time to Listen!

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Today we had a word out of Haggai Time for the church to repent. We followed the request of the President, passed on by Franklin Graham and others, a couple of weeks ago to repent on behalf of the nation — a nation that has passed as law of the land things that are hateful to God, that have always proven to be detrimental to society over the centuries, and have never been tradition in the US. Now, however, we are called to pray for repentance for the church. May the Lord grant repentance to the church. And our loved ones. Time to listen!

It is time for a fear of God. We pray that God grant it to us, to the church, and our nation.

For us, also, time to get stirred up, to open our eyes to the way God sees it. Time to build the Kingdom. And the House. God’s way.

For this, God promises blessings.

Also we got a good example of someone who heard from God to get supplies for his family. That is the way we ought be to: practiced in hearing from God. Let’s work on it. Failing that, good if we have had a history of listening to God and good teaching and being prepared. Failing that, listen now. Sort which teachers are good. And LISTEN!

This is the sequence: presence, power, glory, and shalom.

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Day of Fasting and Prayer Today

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Pastors Mahesh and Bonnie Chavda, All Nations Church in Fort Mill, SC, have declared today a day of fasting and prayer. (We realize that many people because of health condition can not fast food and water. Fast what you can. Maybe food. Maybe meat and sweet. Maybe television. Whatever the Lord leads.)

Weekly Watch Focus: Raise the Shield! Wield the Sword! Corporate Call to Pray and Fast

Battle Lines Are Drawn—

The assault is on public confidence because panic creates chaos and shuts down love.
The assault is on love because that’s who God is.
The assault is on the business community because it funds the work of God. The assault is on the FAITH of believers because we are the salt and light. As Dietrich Bonhoeffer wrote, “The Church is the only hope for the world.” We are set up for a massive display of God’s recovery!

We—the Church everywhere, believers on the earth—are the front line of defense and offense. Raise your shield and wield the sword of your word in agreement with God’s word in this moment.

Two things this week:

FAST

Following up with the President’s call and National Day of Prayer, we are calling you to participate in a day of fasting this Thursday, March 19. You may fast in any form you have grace for. We are asking everyone to participate. If you choose to fast food, some of all that stuff you may have packed into your cupboard will just go that much farther! For our ANC family local and abroad, we were going to “honor Pastor Bonnie” for her birthday coming up this Friday, March 20th. She asks that in lieu of gifts you join with her in the fast day this Thursday.

We are fasting according to Psalm 2:6-8: “Yet I have set My King on My holy hill of Zion. I will declare the decree: The Lord has said to Me, ‘You are My Son, today I have begotten You. Ask of Me, and I will give You The nations for Your inheritance, and the ends of the earth for Your possession.’”

PRAY

For America. Fast and pray for America’s victory in the full-fledged battle against the coronavirus outbreak. Lift up a concerted prayer for our nation to be hidden in the shadow of the Most High. Lift up the name of Jesus and the Lord’s banner of victory over this disease. Pray for the administrations on national, state, and local levels to effectively cooperate and collaborate. Pray they mobilize our best reach and resource to turn the tide of infection and begin national recovery of health to our citizenry and economy. Bind spirits of panic, isolation, greed, and the kind of “self preservation” that disregards concern for a neighbor as well as one’s self. Ask for America!

For Italy. She is the spiritual mother of the faith of Christians around the world for generations. She has been put on display globally as an epicenter of celebrating Christ, specifically the sacred beauty and power of His death on the cross through the Eucharist. Regardless of your theology or ours, putting Jesus on display through faith appropriated in His body and blood is the demonstration of the gospel: “Every time you do this you proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes” (1 Cor. 11:26). It is the ultimate challenge to the kingdom of darkness and the kingdoms of this world. It is His “blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins…poured out for many…given for you!”

Italy is being crushed beneath the shadow of coronavirus. The infection rate has spiked, the healthcare system has been pressed beyond capacity and medical workers are now having to choose whom to save. Nearly a quarter of Italy’s population are octogenarians, the most vulnerable and highest risk for this infection.

In the midst of this crisis, we are also we are seeing the incredible love and resilience of the Italian people under lockdown quarantine out on their balconies filling their atmosphere with songs of love and solidarity for one another. Let’s join them, America.

Heartwarming Moments Quarantined Italians Sing Together from Balconies

The Italian Airforce gives a Big Emotional lift to their Nation.

Pray for supernatural turnaround. We lift up every aspect of Italy’s medical facilities and workers. Pray for the families being hit by this crisis, the governing agencies and decision makers, and their supply lines.

Bind fear and accusation.

Loose the consolation of the Holy Spirit and recovery of all that has been stolen from them as a people, as families, as a nation.

Pray for the Church and believers across the nation to be anointed with fresh healing power and testimony to proclaim the gospel in this hour of trouble.

Pray for the Vatican, Pope Francis, and Father Cantalamessa, the preacher to the papal household under the two previous popes and current Pope. We have had the joy of meeting Father Cantalamessa on several occasions. He is a wonderful vessel of joy and love who was filled with the Holy Spirit in the U.S. during the Charismatic Renewal of the 1970’s in which Derek Prince, our spiritual father and your spiritual grandfather, played such a significant role.

As you pray for Italy, thank the Lord for your New Testament:
· Apostle Paul’s “prison letters” written from Rome;
· Ephesians, the great “Church” anthem;
· Philippians, the affectionate brotherhood epistle;
· Colossians, the majestic ode to the Son King;
· Philemon, the appeal and plea for social justice and brotherly kindness.

Click here to read the entire watch focus
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Church at Max 10 means lots of House Churches

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Many of you have churches that will broadcast that is great. Others do not. Do this.
Invite your neighbors and have church. You can either all watch a broadcast or have service in a format I will give you.
But listen, if you have a broadcast service, don’t leave it at that. Real fellowship is more than shaking hands — which you might not want to do anyway. Real fellowship is: “how are you doing?
” “Is there anything I can help with.” We need that today.

If you want a broadcasted service, I recommend All Nations in Fort Mill, South Carolina:
chavdaministries.org/Groups/1000047680/Chavda_Ministries_International/Media/Media.aspx

Will try to reco one in California.

But look, people are very interested in their style of worship. Fine, just share.

Now, here is an alternative method, and really superior if you can pull it off.
Coffee/tea
Some method of starting. You can call that “A Call to Worship” A scripture works well.
Some worship via music. If your group can sing, that is superior. At the minimum, you can play a worship song on your phone.
Prayer time.
Message from the Bible or Bible Study.
Announcements
Potluck

We do this, except we have a sermon and prayer time to close, then have break for coffee and pastries, and then have Bible Study.

The rule for Bible Study is comments are permitted only about the verse we are all looking at. Personal reflections and personal experiences only. No doctrine from somewhere else. So, not expect5ed that we must all agree, but is expect6ed that everyone interacts with the text and is transformed, God working with each one where they are. Now, of course, when I run them, I do field questions. If questions arise in your group that no one can answer, fine, write them down and call someone later. Then share the answer next week.

This could be a great time: revival of real community, awakening for neighborhoods, and getting to know neighbors and the Lord!

Also, you might want to go down the block to be sure everyone is okay. Maybe two by two. Everyone is watching the Christians. Let’s reflect the Light of the Lord.

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CHANGE OF MEETING LOCATION

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After some deliberation and prayer, it has been decided that we are going to switch to meeting at my house. This should take care of folks who need to not be in germ’s way and keep up appropriately private, etc. We had hoped to make this move in a few weeks anyway.

However, even though I do not live here alone and even though it is a safe neighborhood, I do not want to put the address on the internet. Please email me for the address. We meet at 9:30. Tommorrow we will have something like breakfast type refreshments. In future, we will attempt a potluck.

Oh, we have exciting times. I am very encouraged. Revival is upon us. HalleluJah.

Agenda: Did you know that Purim just happened? I think this is very prophetic in regard to current events. The President of the USA and Franklin Graham, and Pastor Mahesh Chavda have all asked us to join in the National Day of Prayer (of repentance on behalf of the nation and asking God’s mercy and help facing covid-19) and this we will do. We have not forgotten that we are in a series studying the Holy Spirit. So it will be a great morning.

Please make every effort to come. We are in the beginning days of this congregation and of a great move of God. You will want to say you were there. Indeed, you want to be here.

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Praying for schools

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Coming up on February the 23rd is Collegiate Prayer Day. Please think of what school you want to pray for. Thanks.

There will be time to participate by saying what school you would like to pray for. Maybe you will do something else, depending upon your connection or motivation. Let us know.

Surely our schools are important. Works with our focus on leadership development.