Approaching Pentecost

As we approach what many deem to be one of the most important parts of human history - Pentecost - we should look at the gifts that God has made available to us. 

Here is the most clear breakdown I have ever been able to see to give a great over view of 1 Corinthians 12 and how WE are to approach God's great gifts given to us by His precious Holy Spirit:

GIFTS OF THE SPIRIT (1 Cor. 12)

COMMUNICATION GIFTS:
-Prophecy - a divine utterance of the Holy Spirit to encourage, edify or comfort people.

-Tongues - the gift of speaking supernaturally in a language not known to the individual.

-Interpretation of tongues - an interpretation of a message that is given in tongues.

KNOWLEDGE GIFTS:
- Word of wisdom - wisdom to know what to do or how to do it, either for your life or someone else’s.

- Word of knowledge - knowledge of an event or other information in someone’s life (past or present) that you were not aware of in the natural.

- Discerning of spirits - to discern the spirit world, to tell whether something is divine (God or angels), human (natural origin) or demonic (Satan or demons).

POWER GIFTS:
- Faith - a unique form of faith (not the faith that saves you) that supernaturally trusts and does not doubt concerning specific matters – to believe God for the impossible.

- Gifts of healing - the healings God performs supernaturally. i.e. a broken arm.

-The working of miracles - the manifestation of power beyond the ordinary course of natural law. This is where something that could never have been done naturally occurs.

Make yourself aware that God DOES and WILL use you in these gifts as he has placed them in you already. Find what that is and ask God to awaken your curiosity for more of HIM! 



-Pastor Tony Cruz

Why Go To Church?

Below are 13 reasons why we should attend church services on a regular basis. 

1. Because it is an act of obedience to God and it honors the Lord's Day. Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy (Ex. 20:8).

2. Because we need to belong to a community of faith that includes our brothers and sisters in Christ who are trying to live out the gospel just like we are.

3. Because we will benefit from being taught and led in worship by others, rather than always depending on ourselves to read and study the bible.

4. Because we need regular reminders of our standing in Christ, help in acknowledging and confessing our sins, and teaching about God's truth.

5. Because we need help in praying, tithing and fasting.

6. Because we need help to face the issues of life and faith as presented through the teachings of the Bible.

7. Because we need to hear how believers in the past struggled, grew and lived out their faith from different perspectives.

8. Because we need to hear about the experiences of other contemporary believers.

9. Because we need to hear reminders of God's love.

10. Because we need an alternative to the constant messages of a culture that ignores God.

11. Because we need to experience artistic and creative expressions of the faith, such as music, praying, fasting and tithing.

12. Because believers need help to reflect on the past week and see it as a small part of the journey of life.

13. Because we need a conscious break from work, family problems, and self interests in order to concentrate on the Lord.

In brief summary, the strategies and schemes of the devil are well thought out and proven to work better than the marketing strategies of rich corporations like microsoft. 

Therefore, we need other people we can count on to help us make it threw tough times when they arise. 

Our chances of finding people we can count on in church are far better than finding someone we can count on anywhere else in the world.

Plus, going up against these strategies with out proper guidance will lead to unnecessary mistakes being made on our part.

In conclusion, going to church while also doing our own personal bible study at home on a regular basis helps us to get confirmation of God's message and what He wants us to do with our lives.