All posts tagged: paradox

Another Kingdom Class just started

It’s been a busy July with the FHL Week 2013 new format. We started with Prayer Celebration on July 21, 2013. The rest of the week included several Projects/Services such as the Project Blessing. Simultaneously, we did the first ever 24/7Indy non stop prayer and worship for 168 hours. We have seen God Encounters and miracles.

After a busy FHL Week, we started the 4th Kingdom Class in Anderson, Indiana on Aug 21st. Like all of the Kingdom classes, this class will end with a project. The project will be tied in with the 24/1 Prayer Worship in Anderson. The participants in this class are expecting big things to happen in their city in the near future. Stay tuned!

Merlin GonzalesAnother Kingdom Class just started
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The Kingdom living

Pioneer MBC and Mt. Sinai Life Church are sponsoring yet another class on the Kingdom based on my book, “The Kingdom in Our Midst” hosted at Pioneer MBC located at 2001 Yandees, Indianapolis 46202 and at every Wednesday night 7p EDT until July 17th. Since the cost of the teaching had been taken cared of, this is now open to public. If you decide to join us, just show up at Pioneer MBC on the 19th, purchase your book ($15/ea), invite others and be ready to join a group fired up for the Lord.

Many are the Christian casualties in the spiritual realm

        because they take Christianity casually here in our world.

                                                                                   – Merlin Gonzales

 

A Study on Living in God’s Dominion Here on Earth

The purpose of this 6-week class is to help ignite your passion to live a life characterized by your relationship and faith with God. It is designed to be interactive, relational and conversational with Biblical teachings to encourage an atmosphere of camaraderie and support.

Spiritual discontent is sweeping the nation. People of different faith are looking for more. Although they cannot define “more”, they know that they are not yet operating their lives according to their calling. Some of them know their purpose but they do not know what’s the next step.

Luke 17:20-21, “The coming of the kingdom of God is not something that can be observed, nor will people say, ‘Here it is,’ or ‘There it is,’ because the kingdom of God is in your midst.” – Jesus

Don’t look for miracle; be the miracle! This study will:

·      Help you discover and affirm your higher calling

·      Encourage you to step out in faith in your daily walk with God

·      Increase your spiritual growth

·      Assist you in broadening your vision with Biblical principles

·      Challenge you to apply the Biblical teachings when you implement your “Practical Learning-in-Action” (PLA)

·      Make you more aware of living in God’s Dominion here on earth

·      Give you confidence in the promises of God

 

So if you have taken this class before and would like a refresher course, you have not completed the entire course or would like to re-take and invite others, you are welcome to join us. Don’t forget that you can join us virtually through 

What is possible if you are living in the reality of the Kingdom here on earth?

 

Hope you can join us. God bless

Merlin GonzalesThe Kingdom living
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What If?

I’d like to share with you this article taken from my book:

I have been curiously interviewing people about their idea of the Kingdom of God for many years. This notion of asking people their perspective began in the early 2000s. I began asking my home group members this question: “If you were given a chance of a lifetime, what would you do for your neighborhood?” More recently a friend told me that a pastor once asked, “What would your neighborhood look like if you could say, ‘The Kingdom of God is here’?”

That question piqued my interest. I thought, that’s what I’ve wanted to ask all these years. So I started asking people the question. I went all out. I started a contest online, spoke about it on TV and on radio, and interviewed people from all walks of life. This question brought me to city halls, churches, businesses, schools and people on the streets. I even had an opportunity to interview medical professionals in hospital rooms and patients in ICU. That same year, the Super Bowl was in Indianapolis and I had the opportunity to ask people from different parts of the United States. I have summarized some of the answers below.

What would your neighborhood look like if you could say, “The Kingdom of God is here”?

Men’s Bible group:

“A bunch of people worshipping and astonished before the Lord.”

“Neighbors acknowledging each other.”

“ Getting to know each other and being able to serve by knowing what other people are going through.”

“Desiring righteousness, peace and joy.”

 

Indianapolis Mayor’s Neighborhood Services:

“There would be a greater sense of peace and safety to take away the constant looking over your shoulder and constant concern for your family. Developing relationships with different parts of your community beyond just having religion and spirituality.”

“You can better develop the sense of safety, which in turn fosters the moving of the Spirit. If we don’t have relationship with God, it’s hard to have relationship with others. But the opposite is true; if we don’t have relationship with our neighbor, it’s hard to have relationship with God. Oftentimes, the way that folks meet God is through their neighbors and through what they see in their neighbors’ daily lives. You cannot meet God if you don’t have relationship with somebody, even if it’s the small business owner that sells gasoline at the corner; you could go through life and never see God. There would be very few needs, less crime and more love.”

 

College students from Indianapolis universities:

“I envision our school as a place where everyone feels inspired to have a better education.”

“Everyone could come to school feeling welcome and happy to be there.”

“Having children feel the need to go to college and feel inspired and a sense of hope.”

“You could walk outside at 3 a.m. not worrying that you may get shot or robbed.”

“Everybody should be able to pursue their dream and attain them.”

“God breathed life into the world so God is already present in the world. There would be more love and kindness, more philanthropy events, getting all our school work done and building a good future. Being able to meet the needs of classmates and the community as a whole.”

 

A faith-based non-profit organization director:

“God’s presence is active and alive in our neighborhoods and workplace. I feel we do have world peace. The world is not in turmoil. But where we can have peace is within ourselves and with our neighbors directly so each little corner of our world can have peace and that peace is God’s love. We would have world peace because God’s love is present. It would be a place of peace, joy, love and excitement. This community would be a refuge for the neglected and disadvantaged children, a place set apart to grow up healthy, loved, appreciated and a place where they come to know Jesus to change the future generation for Christ. Building a network of the Body of Christ to help build the campus for children.”

 

A pastor’s perspective:

“We would be a people of unity; there would be no difference based on race and any type of settings that would make one separate. People being treated equally; needs would go away because they will be taken care of by others or a neighbor next to you. There will be an end to what’s wrong. More joy and peace, happiness. There would an end to destruction.”

 

An executive of an international company:

“God is with us all the time. It’s up to us to choose the right or wrong thing that will affect us. We need to help ourselves and others to make the right choices and it would be a growth spiral that makes community grow. The ability to see some of the athletes grow up from poverty or abuse and to help them to make good choices instead of resorting to violence in the streets. To encourage kids and give them the opportunity to see that there is a better life out there [South America] through our company-schools and having real life role models to change their lives.”

 

From the 2012 Super Bowl Village:

“God is all around in many ways.”

“There would be a lot less crime, no prejudice and less drama.”

“God is already in my city; it’s about your perspective. My church is multi-cultural and there is no discrimination.”

“My city would look like heaven, loving each other and submitting to each other and to God.”

 

In an ICU room in hospital:

The patient said, “There will be no judgment.”

The medical professionals I interviewed said, “Laying hands on the sick and seeing them recover. I am sent with a Kingdom assignment here in my workplace. I don’t just take care of patients; I know I am sent with a mission and a purpose. So I pray for patients and I see the Kingdom of God invading the hospitals with healings.”

“The Kingdom of God would manifest through the actions of God’s people. Miracles still happen in hospitals; along with miracles, God has gifted His people with knowledge and the ability to treat sickness and disease so it goes hand in hand. It is equally miraculous that God has gifted His people to do amazing things medically as well. I believe that’s God reaching out in miraculous ways.”

 

In a restaurant, a waitress’s perspective:

“People would be more real and less fake. Believing in religion and not just putting on a show for everybody. This should be a happier place and real good food!”

 

From mayors in Central Indiana:

“I think the presence of God is already here in my city. However, if every one of us is more aware of the presence of God and would act more Christ-like, we would have a much better neighborhood. We would treat each other better, we would not prejudge people. Treat others like you want to be treated.”

“If all of us are conscious of God’s presence it definitely would be a better community. People will be more courteous with each other and be able to enjoy God’s nature. Better neighborhood, serving people.”


 

Merlin GonzalesWhat If?
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Do you long for the Kingdom to manifest in your life?

Living in God's dominion here on earth

Living in God’s dominion here on earth

In the eyes of a child, that is a silly question – for a Christian. Our natural answer would be, “If we have Christ in us, the Kingdom will manifest through us.” John 20:21, “As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.“? So, does your life reflect the character of Jesus?

I ask these questions of myself. My answer is “far from it.” I do not live a perfect life like Jesus. Jesus did not sin; I sin everyday. I strive to be like Jesus but my human frailty shows my weakness. However, in 2 Cor. 12:9, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Is it safe to say then that when Christ’s power rest on you, the Kingdom will manifest in your life?
I’d say yes. It’s out of our personal relationship with God that makes the difference – “For the Kingdom of God is within us”. As I mentioned before, “the reality of the Kingdom begins within us.” The more intimate we are with Jesus, the more we will experience the manifestation of the Kingdom in our lives.
So, do you long for the Kingdom to manifest in your life? Then, how’s your relationship with the Lord? Are your actions motivated by performance or are they fruits of your relationship with God?
All these seem self-contradictory, they seem absurd but in reality, they express possible truth… paradox in the Kingdom.
I know this message is a little different from the ones I sent you before but an interesting notion to dwell once in a while.
Any comment, suggestion, question, encouragement…
Merlin GonzalesDo you long for the Kingdom to manifest in your life?
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