All posts tagged: Blessing

The Next Step

Previously, I wrote the article about Missional Community and the most recent one was about taking the time to be intentional to have a transformational community.

I mentioned that I will be writing about the next step towards building missional community. In order for us to have lasting changes, we need to build a strong foundation. Our foundation is the Biblical Principles.

I am currently conducting a teaching series on “a study on Living in God’s Dominion Here on Earth.” Here’s Session #1 Introduction to the Kingdom

Be blessed!

Merlin

Merlin GonzalesThe Next Step
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24/7 in Indianapolis July 21-27

I pray this message will reach you well.

BREAKING DOWN THE DIVISION WALLS
In the past 8+ years, the Lord had guided me to meet numerous people from all walks of life. Through the annual FHL Week in Indianapolis, I had the privilege to interact with many leaders for the “Mission Trip in Your Own Backyard” also known as FHL Week in Indiana. Because of our deadline (every last full week of July), everyone who committed to participate, works hard to bring the community together through projects & services and, prayer & worship. We have seen dozens of churches come together, many businesses come to serve and to provide resources, both the local and the state government proclaim FHL Week, educational institutions and local neighborhoods are mobilized to serve people unconditionally and to spread the love of God in our communities.
Throughout the years, the projects and services accomplished were worth hundreds of thousands of dollars. Most specially, many people accepted Jesus as their Lord and Savior. Relationships began and has deepened in central Indiana. With the grace of God, division walls are being broken down.
FHL Week projects/services focus was very beneficial for those who receive services and for those who serve. We have seen outreaches and ministries birthed through the unity during the missions week. There are groups of churches in Greenwood, IN and also in Noblesville, IN working together on a regular basis. It is to the glory of God. Truly, our journey together is better than what is being accomplished. A legacy of transformation is evident and alive.
The Lord is leading us to deeper relationship with Him and with each other. We all know that without prayer and worship, we will not be able to attain deeper knowledge of God and of our role in the expansion of His Kingdom. Each of us has a part to play in this mandate.
CONVERGENCE
The passion I have to see unity in the Body of Christ and to continuously pursue Him in the expansion of His Kingdom here on earth, and after fervent prayers, I would like to invite you to consider coming together for the 24/7 Prayer/Worship during FHL Week 2013, July 21 3pm to July 27 3pm. We will still do the projects/services simultaneously.
You can help bring God’s presence through the unity of the believers by praying for us and/or joining us during the 24/7. We will divide the 168 hours by 12-hr segments. Each segment will be facilitated by 14 Coordinating Teams from different churches, ministries, localities, nationalities, etc. This model will bring more of the unity in the Body of Christ  since many groups are invited to work together instead of one church/organization coordinating all the scheduling and preparations. Many rivers of Living Water John 7:38, “as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them,” will converge together for a powerful week of prayers, worship and works of service.
Through my years of experience working with the different FHL Week Area Coordinators and Christian leaders in central Indiana, this model brings unity, accountability and deeper relationships with God and with others.
GOD’S GLORY THROUGH UNITY
We will start speaking with potential Coordinator Teams next Wednesday, March 13, 2013. Please let me know if you are interested in being a part of this monumental vision. You may reply to this Blog or call us at 317-578-3370. I will keep you posted through my Blogs. Thank you for your prayers.
Thank you in advance for praying with us for the sake of the the Body of Christ in Indianapolis Eph 4:11-13,  ”So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unityin the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.
I will send you more information as we continue to move in step with the Spirit. For the meantime, please pray for this vision and feel free to forward this message to those whom you think have the same vision of bringing unity in the Body of Christ through unabashed 24/7 Prayer/Worship. I am asking you on behalf of the Church in Indianapolis.
And Jesus prayed for the unity of all believers – John 17:20-21 “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one— I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.”
God bless you,
Merlin Gonzales
Indianapolis, IN USA
Merlin Gonzales24/7 in Indianapolis July 21-27
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a Study on God’s Dominion: Session 2

KIOM Bookmark Front 2.25x8.25

Week Two: Signs of the Kingdom

Read The Kingdom in Our Midst (KIOM) Part 2 and answer all the questions.

Study Is. 35:5-6

And when he comes, he will open the eyes of the blind
and unplug the ears of the deaf.
The lame will leap like a deer,
and those who cannot speak will sing for joy!
Springs will gush forth in the wilderness,
and streams will water the wasteland.

~ Isaiah 35:5-6 (NLT)

Based on the verses above, what are the signs of the Kingdom that Jesus will bring to the earth?

‎”Our future is affected by our response and action today.”

Someone once said,  “I don’t regret the things I’ve done so much as I regret the things I didn’t do when I had the chance.” Have you found yourself saying, “I wish I would have, should have and could have”? What can you do now to live the life you meant to live?

Jesus taught the Kingdom of God through His ___________and ___________. Pg. 66

Jesus came not only to give us freedom from the ________________ but also to be “Christ-Like” in the world. Pg. 70

What is the main focus of FHL Week? Pg. 74

Jesus had more conflicts with the  ­­­­­______________ than the _____________ and  the ___________. Pg. 76 Why?

Based on Matthew 23:23, what are the things that the teachers of the law and the Pharisees neglected?

Why were the sinners attracted to Jesus? Pg. 79

Merlin Gonzalesa Study on God’s Dominion: Session 2
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FHL Announcements: September 2009 Volunteer Opportunities!!

FHL Logo

Opportunities to get involved and to volunteer as of September 2009:

Prayer at the Circle on 8/30/09 3pm

This prayer group will have a brief worship, communion and prayer for Indianapolis

FHL Kindness Days

  • on 8/29/09 :00pm

at 10th St & Rural, Indianapolis; There will be 4 Groups reaching out: Passing out cold drinks, picking up trash, street evangelism and Prayer Tent.

  • on 9/11/09

There will be several projects at Martindale-Brightwood area (clean up, light construction) and in Castleton. We are expecting more than 60 volunteers to come together in serving our communities.

  • on 10/17/09

This day will be focused on Cars of Clay Ministry. More details to come.

FHL Refugees & Farm Ministry

FHL has (3) farms that have been producing food for the community. A church in Greenwood, IN is donating 20 acres land for farming. There will be vision-casting luncheon at Midwest Food Bank on Saturday, September 12 from 11am to 1pm; Lunch is provided. There are opportunities to partner and to volunteer. Contact Wili de la Rosa at [email protected].

Street Evangelism 9/26/09

Meet at Cornerstone Baptist Church located at 952 N. Pennsylvania at 11am to 3pm. Please contact Bill Lamb 317-549-5238 for more info.

FHL Mobile Food Pantry on 9/26/09 3:00pm-4:30pm

Experience the blessing around the city!

Volunteer from 1:00pm-5:00pm. Contact Ethan Crane (317) 578-3370 for more info.

Citywide Prayer 9/27/09

Citywide Prayer/Worship.  Contact Donna Cherry at 317-578-3370 or [email protected]

Jehoshua House, LLC

Offender, Re-entry ministry. Contact Bob Irvin at 317-578-3370 or [email protected] | Jehoshua House.org

Cars of Clay

Car Ministry. Contact Jim Raftery at 317-578-3370 or [email protected]

FHL Corporate Office
Located at 8383 Craig Street, Suite 335, Indianapolis, IN 46250.

Exciting and rewarding volunteer positions available. Contact Merlin Gonzales at (317)578-3370 for more info.

Merlin GonzalesFHL Announcements: September 2009 Volunteer Opportunities!!
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2008-the “Year of Love” for FHL International, Inc. and its Mission to our City

nativity3FHL International, Inc. has opened its heart to allow the Lord to work through us in lavishing Indianapolis with love throughout the 2008 year. Through the Mobile Food Pantry, Kindness Days, ESL, Alpha Classes and FHL International Inc.’s signature event-‘FHL Week’, thousands of individuals were served.

God is doing mighty things through FHL International, Inc. in spite of the current economic conditions. I think the Lord birthed Faith, Hope and Love, International, Inc. during the boom in 2005 as part of our preparation for the current recession.

As I was sharing a vision with one of our partners about using their facilities as a storehouse, someone mentioned how the Lord had used Joseph during the famine in Egypt. Please read Genesis Chapter 41 to see how God prepared Joseph to build store houses around Egypt. This has been the vision of FHL-not to build a conglomerate ministry but a network of centers to work together towards the common good for local areas and their needs. This is what I mean about “building communities of faith, hope, and love around the world.”

Please read Acts Chapter 2, also. The current economic condition is a wake-up call to our churches and ministries to bannerimagelgstart working more closely together (See our future article: 2009 is the ‘Year of Hope’.) With the addition of Cars Ministry and the employment of Bill Farrar as Missions Director, FHL is now poised to expand instead of shrink in these tough economic times, leveraging our god-given resources and talents in serving others rather than using them for self-preservation. Jesus said, to “seek first the Kingdom of God and its righteousness and everything will be added unto you.”

We just need to be reminded of the second Greatest Commandment – love God and others, Mark 12:29-31, “30Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.'[b] 31The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.'[c]There is no commandment greater than these.”

I give glory to God who provided FHL International, Inc. so much. As you have read and heard on the news, countless food pantries are drying up but FHL International, Inc. is now receiving much more than any other time in its existence. God’s economy cannot be explained by human intellect and reasoning. This is the time to have more faith and to rely more on God’s provision rather than men’s wisdom and intellect. (Psalm 146:3)

christmas-boxSomeone said “You cannot out-give God” and it has resonated through FHL International, Inc. throughout the 2008 year. 2009 is the Year of Hope. As vessels of hope, you and I can be conduits of God’s grace and come along side Him in giving hope to our neighbors. As 2008 come to a close, it is not too late to bless others through your prayers and tax deductible contributions. When you consider your year-end giving, please keep FHL International, Inc. in mind.

Please send your contribution to:

FHL International, Inc.
8383 Craig St Ste. 335,
Indianapolis, IN 46250

On behalf of FHL International, Inc., its staff and volunteers, we wish you a Merry Christmas and Blessed New Year.

God bless,

Merlin Gonzales

President, FHL International, Inc.

Merlin Gonzales2008-the “Year of Love” for FHL International, Inc. and its Mission to our City
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