Merlin Gonzales

merlin

Merlin founded Faith Hope and Love Intl., which collaborates with churches crossing denominational lines. He has developed the concept of “Mission Trips in Your Own Backyard” to unify the Body of Christ by bringing the love of God into the community. Merlin’s messages and teachings are about raising up a generation passionate for God to build a legacy of transformation. He is an Advisory Council Member for the State of Indiana Office of the Faith-based and a co-host for Religion in the News. Merlin speaks at churches, businesses, government, educational institutions and faith based organizations to encourage people to live out their faith. He is a church consultant helping pastors reach out in their communities to raise and train leaders. Merlin and his wife Annie live in Noblesville, Ind.

Session 7: Experience it!

June 16, 2016 Merlin Gonzales a Study on God's Dominion, blog, KIOM Study

The worship for our last session was led by the Jesus House. After the worship, we had dinner together catered by Olive Garden restaurant.

There are many ways to “Experience” God’s Dominion here on earth. One of them is through serving, so some of the class participants shared their planned outreaches during FHL Week on July 24 – 30:

Prayer Table out in a public place
Discovering the beauty in nature through the eyes of the children
Adopt a Block to connect with the residents
Street Outreaches

There are many more outreaches that were shared and more are still in the planning stage. We talked about the importance of SWOT to evaluate our projects and services. Evaluation of the projects could be as important as the project itself. We need to find out the project’s Strength, Weakness, Opportunity and Threat.

We had the actual graduation after a brief class discussion. I am so proud of all of you! The completion of the class is just a step in your deeper spiritual walk with God. As we learn more about His character, we will experience more of the Kingdom here on earth.

Thank you for allowing me to be a part of your spiritual journey. I am looking forward to join you on your outreaches soon!

Listen to Session 7

Part 1

Part 2

God bless you!

Merlin

Session 6: Take it to the Streets

June 6, 2016 Merlin Gonzales a Study on God's Dominion, blog, KIOM

In the Book of Acts, the early disciples listened to the Gospel not only with withe ears but with their hearts also. As soon as they heard the message, they “took it to the streets” immediately.

At our 6th session, Tony and Erin Barnes led the worship. Then John Whitaker and Marvin Reynolds shared powerful testimonies on stepping out in faith.

On July 24-30, there will be several outreaches that will be happening in the neighborhoods through the participants of the class. Several outreaches are already in the planning stages. God has been guiding our class and has been equipping us for the works of service (Eph. 4:12)

This Thursday is the Commencement night or the beginning of the new stage of our walk with Christ. Please feel free to invite your families and friends to share this momentous moment.

Assignment for Session 6

If you haven’t yet, finish reading “The Kingdom In Our Midst”

Contemplation: Meditate on Matthew 10:7-8 and what you have been commissioned to do as follower of Christ.

Experiential: Now GO – live out your faith and bring the Kingdom of God into the world daily!

Session 5: Time Changers

June 1, 2016 Merlin Gonzales a Study on God's Dominion, blog, KIOM

The signs of time is changing because you are a TIME changer!

“In the last days the mountain of the Lord’s temple will be established as the highest of the mountains; it will be exalted above the hills, and all nations will stream through it.” – Isaiah 2:2
Our 5th session started with worship led a Midtown worship team led by Najwa Loh with Tim Taylor. We learned the 7 cultural mountains that influence a nation. However, God has called us to be salt of the earth and ambassadors of heaven. It is God’s desire for us to influence the way people live and to shift their worldview to the Kingdom reality. We are to change the culture and to mold our society according to the teachings of Jesus.

For Session 6, we will look at several Bible verses to learn how we can “Take it to the Streets” and be in the world but not of the world. We will have a Guest Speaker who will be sharing God’s power in His ministry that is now serving millions of dollars worth of food to Indiana. We will learn how to apply heaven’s principles in practical ways. Some class participants will also be presenting their projects/outreaches. If you haven’t yet, please make a “Wish List.” Who knows, God may answer all or some of them so dream with God.

Assignment for Session 6

Read pages 140-173 of “The Kingdom In Our Midst”and answer Questions 3-5 on pages 174-176.

Contemplation: Meditate on Hebrews 13:20-22 and be reminded how the Lord has uniquely equipped you.

Experiential: Invite your friend to spend some time in the streets to prayer walk. Be sensitive to what the Holy Spirit is doing and act on what you sense God is revealing to you at the moment.

Listen to Session 5

Session 5

God bless you!

Merlin

Session 4: Signs of the Kingdom

May 24, 2016 Merlin Gonzales a Study on God's Dominion, blog, KIOM

Signs of the Kingdom are here with us

Shiloh MBC Men’s Choir

Session 4 started with worship from Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church! It was such a blessing to join the worship of a 7 – man choir. Thank you to Pastor Brian and his group. This week, our session will start with worship led by Najwa Loh and Tim Taylor, both from Midtown Vineyard community.

White board discussions

One of the Signs of the Kingdom is change. We watched this video from Andy Stanley about leadership and change. We learned that tradition could be a stronghold and an obstacle in experiencing the Kingdom. We also learned that the Pharisees and the Sadducees (basically the religious leaders with their tradition and unbelief) had more conflict with Jesus than the demoniacs and the sinners.

“Then some Pharisees and teachers of the law came to Jesus from Jerusalem and asked, ²“Why do your disciples break the tradition of the elders? They don’t wash their hands before they eat!” ³Jesus replied, “And why do you break the command of God for the sake of your tradition?” – Matthew 15:1-3

Assignment for Session 5

You are a Time Changer

Read pages 107 – 140 of “The Kingdom In Our Midst”and answer the Group Discussion Questions in Session 5.

Contemplation: Think about a project, service or event that you’ve wanted to do but have not taken the first step to start the process.

Experiential: Make intentional efforts to increase your faith by relying more on the Lord rather than your own strength and will.

Listen to Parts 1 and 2, 3 and 4

Part 1:

Part 2:

Part 3:

Part 4:

Session 3: Kingdom Worldview

May 18, 2016 Merlin Gonzales a Study on God's Dominion, blog, KIOM Study

Kingdom Worldview

At the start of Session 3, Don and Donna Cherry and Jeff Teel blessed the group with their awesome worship! This week, my friend Pastor Brian will bring one of his worship groups to lead the worship. It is going to be another awesome night!

Don & Donna and Jeff

Session 3 table discussions

Heaven invades earth when we partner with the Holy Spirit. Jesus launched His ministry after He was baptized by the Holy Spirit and Jesus was endowed by the Holy spirit to fulfill His Messianic mission. Jesus was bestowing on His disciples the same Spirit that had descended on Him at His baptism, including us, now. We learned in Session 3 that we literally become God’s hands and feet when we see His way of doing things (Kingdom worldview) and then act accordingly.