Change The World Educate Girls

Today, Tony Copple led worship and brought the message at street people’s church. Strumming his guitar, he led the attendees in “Amazing Grace.” He brought a message concerning the work and person of Holy Spirit.
He began with some pivotal questions about the person of the third member of the Trinity: Who is Holy Spirit?
Have you ever marveled at the natural world? It is like no other place in the universe. Holy Spirit was there when it was created. He’s been there forever? but most people don’t know anything about Him.

In the Old Testament, He helped particular people for particular purposes: Gideon, Sampson, Isiah, Ezekiel, Joel. Joel prophesied he would pour out His Spirit on all people.

In the New Testament, Jesus is born. All the people involved in the birth of Jesus are filled with the Holy Spirit. He brings new things, a desire to love others, even your enemies, and freedom to break addictions. He can use you!

John the Baptist discovered the link between the Holy Spirit and Jesus; when Holy Spirit came down on Jesus in the form of a dove while John baptized with water.

Jesus said “The spirit of the Lord is upon me. Let anyone who is thirsty come to me.”
At Pentecost – something amazing happened – the Holy Spirit came like tongues of fire over the apostles and was poured out on all people, including you and me.

Peter preached: Repent, and be baptized, and you will receive the Holy Spirit.
Now, we all can also be baptized in the HS when we ask forgiveness for our sins, thank Jesus for dying for our sins on the cross, and ask Holy Spirit to come and live in us. Then it will be as if we are sponges, drenched in the water of life, so that His Spirit flows from us to others.

Once you are baptized in the Holy Spirit,you are anointed FOR LIFE. It’s not something that comes and goes, based on how you feel that day.

Pope Paul II said, “The Holy Spirit changes people and history.” He brings an overwhelming sense of love and joy.
He is for everyone. Finally,Tony shared the story of Jackie Pulanger whose life was transformed by Christ. ... See more

Our God is so big and strong and mighty.

Today, I shared with the girls a well-known story from the book of Esther. Although this book does not mention God by name, He is working behind the scenes, issuing his divine and sovereign plan for Israel and the nations.

From the story, we can learn that we need to shift our perspective in 4 areas: leave regret and press forward into our future. Philippians 3:13 says, “This thing I do, forgetting those things that live behind I press for toward the back of the high call of Christ Jesus.” That requires grit: godly purpose, resilience, inventiveness, and trustworthiness.

Then, Esther had to move from a selfishness identity to one of community. She moved from weakness to strength as she approached the king. She divulged the fact that she is a Jew, a fact that she had hidden for a long timeThat she was a Jew.

In chapter 5, she declared, “Gather together all the Jews of Susa. I will going to see the king. If I must die, I must die.” But she does not die; instead, she moves from weakness to strength as she faces her fear.

Finally, she moves from distrust to trust. She goes into the king’s presence, which was against the law if one has not been issued an invitation, and he extends his scepter towards her. In fact, he participates in the two banquets that she throws. She thus renews her marital relationship with the king. In the end, Esther is even given Haman’s property.

The Persian empire spread from Eastern Europe to Pakistan. Half of the earth’s population was under its rule. If Haman’s desire to annihilate the Jews had succeeded, all Jews would’ve been eliminated.
There would’ve been no line of David, no Messiah, no salvation and eternal life for any of us. The festival of Purim celebrates God’s deliverance thru one woman (see Esther 8:29).

We do have a testimony, and we should share with the Lord has done for us. We like Esther can cloth ourselves with strength and move past the things that want to hold us back from the purpose and plan God has for us. As Mordecai declared in Esther 4:12, who knows if perhaps you were created for such a time as this? ... See more

It was great today having an all-male team leading us at Riverview. Uncle Tony led is in
worship, and then it was time for the salient message brought by Uncle Kevin.

He began his lesson by handing out keys and locks. He then asked the recipients of the keys to find the correct lock: a beautiful metaphor for the lesson that was to come.

He told a parable of a rich king who built a beautiful castle that was filled with all types of wealth. Unfortunately for the king, he lost the key. So when he and his family members died, there was never anyone who could into this royal mansion.

Uncle Kevin compared the lost key to faith. God‘s kingdom is filled with all manner of riches, but we can only access them through faith.
He then reminded the kids of the story in which Jesus found that he could do no miracles because of disbelief. He was unable to do any great miracles in that town. May we always be encouraged to trust and believe in God’s promises. ... See more

Today, I shared a devotional message with team members of Department of Social Services. It was an enjoyable time of worship, prayer, and a message on the life of Esther. The collegial and warm atmosphere gives me great hope for future cooperation between Teachers of the Nations and the Department of Social Services. Thanks to Andre Gallant for the invitation. ... See more

After worship, it was time for a message at street people’s church. Adam talked about his family of origin which included bank robbers, thieves, and murderers. Many of his family members still believe they are Christian. Are these people really children of God?

Adam spoke of the inheritance of being a child of God. Romans 8:12 explains how to know if we are really children of God. To live according to the flesh, doing whatever one desires or pleases one, is spiritual death- separation from God eternally.

For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. If a person has the convicting power of the Holy Spirit guiding one, that one is a child of God. In addition, that person hates one’s own sin first versus criticizing others’ problems. Next, the true child of God cries “Abba, Father.” That child voluntarily reaches for the Heavenly Father.

Adam used the parable of the Prodigal Son to describe the truly repentant heart of a child: “And if you are a child, then you are an heir according to the promise.” Following God entails suffering. Jesus learned thru obedience, which brought suffering, how to be a Son. ... See more

Happy Friday!! 🎊💃🏽

As we celebrated this day with some songs and a lesson about our desires, not to covet them, but rather trust in God's timing and favor to provide for us as He knows we need.

The meal afterwards was yummy curry mince with rice, as well as some birthday cake 🍲🎂 made by Ronel's mother, Catherine - we all thank you!! ... See more

Today, the girls pulled out their journals, and we began to learn about commandment number 10: you shall not covet. To covet means to want what someone else has. When I covet, I’m saying that God made a mistake. I’m saying God, “I do not trust you.“

Some of the younger girls described wanting to have long hair. When we do not accept who God has made us to be, we are saying that God has made a mistake.

But God is sovereign. That means He rules over everything. In Psalm 16, it says, “the lines have fallen for me in pleasant places. I have a good inheritance. The Lord holds and maintains my lot.” Therefore, He can be trusted.

The girls then described behaviors that they used to get what they want including whining, crying, and harassing their parents until they give in to their demands. I explained that such behavior indicate a lack of trust in God. I poured water into a cup until it overflowed and then showed them a cake varying the amount of cake that I would give them to show how God is overly-generous with us. ... See more

Today, It was Uncle Tony and I at Riverview. Uncle Tony led worship and then began to teach a lesson about how the Bible came to be. Telling the children that it’s the best seller in all the world, he explained that it was inspired by the Holy Spirit and was written by 40 individuals. God speaks to us thru the Bible. God’s Bible is His love letter to us. God reveals Himself to us thru His Word so that we do not worship as pagans. His rules are there to protect us. ... See more

Continuing on with our lesson about God’ as a good Father, we spoke of God’s justice.
He made Jesus the propitiation for our sins though He was sinless. Jesus was crushed for our iniquities. His sacrifice allows us to receive mercy and grace. We are even told to draw boldly to the throne of the grace in a time of need.
We learned mercy is not receiving what we deserve, but grace is receiving what we do not deserve. We want mercy and grace. But most often, we want others to receive justice.

This is a constant battle for us in the classroom. Students love to tattle and report others’ misdemeanors, but when theirs are also similarly turned in for punishment, they either lie or make excuses. They are looking for mercy, instead of judgment. In that respect, few of us grow up. Thank God that His mercies never cease; they are new every morning. Great is your faithfulness and patience, O’ Lord. ... See more