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Digg it UP - Are YOU an Apostle?
Are Your Employees As Productive As They Would Have You Believe? to stand on its own two feet. Ideally, a
true apostle understands the early Church-style expression of Church
life as non-leaders before they were sent out to plant churches and
bring them to maturity. Sadly, I've never personally met a self-
proclaimed, "titled" apostle who plants churches that gather according
to New Testament guidelines.In this day and age, most companies have computers with Internet access. If you have employees using the Internet for personal use, this can create a big problem for you. You may not want your employees using company equipment for their own use but could be in a situation where you haven't found a way to effectively manage this policy. Perhaps you've already had problems that you want to prevent from recurring.If you have a policy that allows staff to only surf personally during lunchtimes and/or breaks, you might want to ensure that this is all they are doing and that work periods remain productive. Or, if you have employees that submit overtime hours for pay, you might want to be sure that during that overtime, there is absolutely no personal surfing happening. You also may need to determine what is happening on your network in order to protect company proprietary information and protect against security threats.Instilling a company wide policy on Internet usage is very important for legal reasons but it can be hard to police if you need to leave the Internet open to searches for company reasons. Some companies have all non-company related programs blocked. Others cannot do this because their employees may need to access some programs or websites due to the nature of the business.One way to determine exactly what your employees are doing is to install computer surveillance software. There are several options for this. Programs can provide you with all the details you need to keep your company at peak proficiency. If there are employees doing things that they shouldn't with company resources or during company time, this will tell you. You can find out what websites are visited, how long your employees spend their and what information is sent and received on their computers. You can dete On the other hand, I HAVE met individuals who can EASILY be described as "apostles" because they are functioning as such but are NOT recognized as such by the Church at large because they don't find it necessary to receive a title. I wish I could say that I knew of a church that was planted by a so- called apostle that is gathering under the Headship of Jesus Christ without all the "churchy" manmade trappings, where the members know one another intimately, love each other unconditionally, and are experiencing a depth in Christ, where decisions are made by the community with no one "lording' over another, where lives are being transformed and where every-member functions without any individual's control. Such is the fruit of TRUE biblical, apostolic ministry (1 Corinthians 9:2; 2 Corinthians 3:1-4). Far too often, titled "apostles" in today's so-called "apostolic movement" Static Sites And SEO Are Dead: Please Make A Note Of It The word "apostle" is derived from the Greek word, apostolos, which
means messenger, ambassador, literally a "Sent One." Although the
term is most often used to describe the Twelve Apostles, certain others,
including Paul and Barnabas, were also referred to by this term
according to God's purposes at any given time.The Dodo, T-Rex, and Aggressive Search Engine Optimization – Gone Forever. Here’s What You Can Do Now…You can really take a lot of flak from people who don’t read and listen carefully to what you say.Note to reader: Never declare the death of something even if it is a foregone conclusion and 100% true unless you are ready for some grief from the peanut gallery.Such was the case when we started telling people on webinars and teleconferences that SEO was dead.SEO? DEAD? My goodness you could hear the cans of whoopass opening up from all the 90-pound geekling search engine optimization firms around the world.The pocket protector (a geek’s gauntlet) had been thrown down.Context has a lot to do with any bold statement and declaring SEO dead was in a context that explains perfectly what I meant by it.The web has changed drastically this year. Call it web 2.0 or whatever you wish, but the webscape is a mighty different place than it was a year ago.Everything has changed from search engines to social networking to publishing platforms (what you actually run your content on).I guess I should qualify that by saying the web has changed, but most marketers have yet to wake up and smell the coffee.Back to SEO being dead. The context in which this declaration was made was when we were recently discussing the new results we’d gotten from heavy testing and the fact that what used to work for us no longer worked.One might think “bummer, man!” Actually it is a blessing in disguise. With the right system for publishing, the right technology, tools and tactics, the web is easier to market on than it ever has been before.Website owners no longer have to pour through endless forum threads and documentation, expensive courses and training seminar Theirs was NOT a title; it was a function. NOTE: Apostles were ALL Disciples but not all Disciples were Apostles Disciple is derived from the Greek word, mathaytes, which means learner, or student. Generally, apostles have always been chosen from among the disciples (Matthew 10:1), therefore, there have always been far fewer apostles than disciples. By definition, an apostle of God is a messenger of God. Even Jesus Himself is referred to in this way: "Therefore, holy brethren, who share in a heavenly call, consider Jesus, the APOSTLE and high priest of our confession. He was faithful to Him Who appointed Him," (Emphasis mine, Hebrews 3:1-2 RSV). Notice that Jesus was, Himself, a SENT ONE. In John 20:21 (RSV), "Jesus said to them again, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent Me, even so I SEND you," (Emphasis mine, ). Again, notice that Jesus SENT the disciples, thus making them SENT ONES, too. True apostles were, and still are, traveling itinerant ministers. They are those SENT by the Lord, and often by The Church* itself to plant new Christian communities (House Churches; Simple Churches) and strengthen the Body of Christ. Often, these Sent Ones are actually called-upon, just as Paul was, in the vision he received of the man from Macedonia. In other instances, they will go to a place where there already exists some Believers in Jesus (Acts 16:11-15) who may need training and encouragement. At other times, their mission may be to establish The Church from scratch. My wife and I, for example, will be leaving for a weekend in mid-May to do exactly this with a group in California. Two other groups in Africa and two in Texas have made similar requests this month. I, personally, know several ministers who are criss-crossing the nation in an effort to build into the Body of Christ in exactly this same manner. I believe God is raising up more and more Itinerant Ministries such as this - people who willfully and obediently leave the comforts of home and family to fulfill the Great Commission as the Spirit leads. In fact, I will be attending an important meeting of such Itinerant Ministers who will be gathering in California soon. If you are a traveling minister who reads this and feels led to join us, write me for information. Please intercede for this gathering of men and women. Perhaps your current situation is not permitting you to travel...kids in school, a demanding job, etc. There are often many reasons why we Christians CAN'T do something but there is ALWAYS one REALLY GOOD reason why we SHOULD. The Great Commission is one of those reasons. I know a woman in Denton, Texas who is married with four children. She has embraced an online ministry to Chinese students who desire to improve their English skills via computer. The government-sanctioned book they're studying - believe it or not - is "The Purpose-driven Life" by Rick Warren. With 80% of the Chinese students becoming Christians as a result of their online participation, this woman is conducting 4 classes each week from the comfort of her home and is asking for help. Please let me know if you are interested. *Please note that, when I use the word "Church", it does not pertain to a building or an institution that is officiated by a man called "pastor" who preaches sermons. That’s not the Church as described in the New Testament. The New Testament Church was (still is) simply a community of believers that gathers under the Headship of Jesus Christ - a family where every member participates in the meetings, develops their gifts, is trained to function in ministry, taught about and developed a "Kingdom mentality," and participates in the decision-making process as any family member would. They understood that they were children of the same Father, a God who wasn't seated on a cloud in Heaven, but One who made His dwelling place WITHIN each of them. God says: 'I will dwell in them, walk in them, and I will be their God' (Leviticus 16:12; 2 Corinthians 6:16; ). 'Know ye not that your bodies are the temples of the Holy Spirit dwelling in you?' (I Corinthians 3:16). "Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly..." (Colossians 3:16). TRUE APOSTLES A true apostle will focus upon "enabling" The Church, building it from the ground up if necessary. Their focus is first upon the foundation in accordance with Ephesians 2:19-20, "...you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God's people and members of God's household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone." True apostles help the Church to stand on its own two feet. Ideally, a true apostle understands the early Church-style expression of Church life as non-leaders before they were sent out to plant churches and bring them to maturity. Sadly, I've never personally met a self- proclaimed, "titled" apostle who plants churches that gather according to New Testament guidelines. On the other hand, I HAVE met individuals who can EASILY be described as "apostles" because they are functioning as such but are NOT recognized as such by the Church at large because they don't find it necessary to receive a title. I wish I could say that I knew of a church that was planted by a so- called apostle that is gathering under the Headship of Jesus Christ without all the "churchy" manmade trappings, where the members know one another intimately, love each other unconditionally, and are experiencing a depth in Christ, where decisions are made by the community with no one "lording' over another, where lives are being transformed and where every-member functions without any individual's control. Such is the fruit of TRUE biblical, apostolic ministry (1 Corinthians 9:2; 2 Corinthians 3:1-4). Far too often, titled "apostles" in today's so-called "apostolic movement" Letting Your Holiday Villa in France - Spain and Portugal - Should You Bother With An Agent
ONES, too.Owners of villas in France, Spain and the Algarve use agents for two main reasons: firstly they don't know how to market their house, and secondly, they worry about damage to their house. Agents can help with both of those things to some extent, but are they worth the commission? The answer is it depends.Marketing is more than just advertising. The villa rental market in Europe is now very price sensitive, at all levels. Customers do their research and know precisely what a villa is worth. Set your pricing too high and your house will stand empty: set it too low and you will be full by March and wish you had asked more. A good agent can tell you what it is worth and has a lot of data on which to base that advice. But do your research and you will know what your villa is worth as well. If you are confident in your ability to do that then you can save yourself a commission.You might need help describing your villa to the best effect. For example, your views might be stunning, but sadly that is not worth much in the market these days - to some customers 'stunning views' sounds like something that people say when they can't think of anything else to say. In an oversupplied marketplace you need to make a house stand out.Choice of tenants is the area where agents can really add a lot. Letting your pride and joy to strangers can be scary to the uninitiated. Established agencies have long lists of happy customers who come back year after year, and whom they know often personally. If you are going to let strangers stay in your house then it is comforting to know that at least they are friends of friends.The position of agents in the market used to be controlled by marketing media. Press advertising and publishing brochures is expensive, and in the pre-Internet world it was prohibitive for indiv True apostles were, and still are, traveling itinerant ministers. They are those SENT by the Lord, and often by The Church* itself to plant new Christian communities (House Churches; Simple Churches) and strengthen the Body of Christ. Often, these Sent Ones are actually called-upon, just as Paul was, in the vision he received of the man from Macedonia. In other instances, they will go to a place where there already exists some Believers in Jesus (Acts 16:11-15) who may need training and encouragement. At other times, their mission may be to establish The Church from scratch. My wife and I, for example, will be leaving for a weekend in mid-May to do exactly this with a group in California. Two other groups in Africa and two in Texas have made similar requests this month. I, personally, know several ministers who are criss-crossing the nation in an effort to build into the Body of Christ in exactly this same manner. I believe God is raising up more and more Itinerant Ministries such as this - people who willfully and obediently leave the comforts of home and family to fulfill the Great Commission as the Spirit leads. In fact, I will be attending an important meeting of such Itinerant Ministers who will be gathering in California soon. If you are a traveling minister who reads this and feels led to join us, write me for information. Please intercede for this gathering of men and women. Perhaps your current situation is not permitting you to travel...kids in school, a demanding job, etc. There are often many reasons why we Christians CAN'T do something but there is ALWAYS one REALLY GOOD reason why we SHOULD. The Great Commission is one of those reasons. I know a woman in Denton, Texas who is married with four children. She has embraced an online ministry to Chinese students who desire to improve their English skills via computer. The government-sanctioned book they're studying - believe it or not - is "The Purpose-driven Life" by Rick Warren. With 80% of the Chinese students becoming Christians as a result of their online participation, this woman is conducting 4 classes each week from the comfort of her home and is asking for help. Please let me know if you are interested. *Please note that, when I use the word "Church", it does not pertain to a building or an institution that is officiated by a man called "pastor" who preaches sermons. That’s not the Church as described in the New Testament. The New Testament Church was (still is) simply a community of believers that gathers under the Headship of Jesus Christ - a family where every member participates in the meetings, develops their gifts, is trained to function in ministry, taught about and developed a "Kingdom mentality," and participates in the decision-making process as any family member would. They understood that they were children of the same Father, a God who wasn't seated on a cloud in Heaven, but One who made His dwelling place WITHIN each of them. God says: 'I will dwell in them, walk in them, and I will be their God' (Leviticus 16:12; 2 Corinthians 6:16; ). 'Know ye not that your bodies are the temples of the Holy Spirit dwelling in you?' (I Corinthians 3:16). "Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly..." (Colossians 3:16). TRUE APOSTLES A true apostle will focus upon "enabling" The Church, building it from the ground up if necessary. Their focus is first upon the foundation in accordance with Ephesians 2:19-20, "...you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God's people and members of God's household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone." True apostles help the Church to stand on its own two feet. Ideally, a true apostle understands the early Church-style expression of Church life as non-leaders before they were sent out to plant churches and bring them to maturity. Sadly, I've never personally met a self- proclaimed, "titled" apostle who plants churches that gather according to New Testament guidelines. On the other hand, I HAVE met individuals who can EASILY be described as "apostles" because they are functioning as such but are NOT recognized as such by the Church at large because they don't find it necessary to receive a title. I wish I could say that I knew of a church that was planted by a so- called apostle that is gathering under the Headship of Jesus Christ without all the "churchy" manmade trappings, where the members know one another intimately, love each other unconditionally, and are experiencing a depth in Christ, where decisions are made by the community with no one "lording' over another, where lives are being transformed and where every-member functions without any individual's control. Such is the fruit of TRUE biblical, apostolic ministry (1 Corinthians 9:2; 2 Corinthians 3:1-4). Far too often, titled "apostles" in today's so-called "apostolic movement" A Beginner's Guide to Selling on eBay - 10 Tips For Success thering in California soon. If you are a
traveling minister who reads this and feels led to join us, write me for
information. Please intercede for this gathering of men and women.You've been buying on eBay for a while and naturally, your thoughts turn to selling your own items. Yet, you're not quite sure where to start. First, you will need to sign up as a seller and provide all the information asked for and a credit card number. Once that is complete, you're ready to begin listing your items. Below, I've outline ten tips that will help make your auctions a success and reap you better profits from your sales.1. Your title should be authoritative and tell exactly what the item is. Instead of saying Turkey Platter, list specific info such as Turkey Platter, stoneware, late 70's and maker. You are limited to around 80 characters for your title, so be sure to choose it wisely. Avoid words like 'look', 'must see' etc., as most experienced eBay shoppers don't pay attention to them.2. Choose the category for your listing carefully. With hundred of different categories to choose from, this can be a bit difficult to determine. If you feel your item fits in more than one, feel free to select a second category. More than one category does incur extra fees, so be aware of that as you list.3. A picture is worth a thousand words in an auction listing. All items need at least one picture. Higher priced items need more than one. Use a good quality digital camera or a scanner if the item is flat. Proof your pictures to make sure they are clear and crisp, crop where needed.4. List all the details of your item in the description box. Be sure to point out any flaws in the item. Think of any keywords that you would look for if you were searching for the item and include those in the description. Also list what payments methods you will accept, how long the buyer has to get payment to you and what shipping methods you will use.5. Determine the lowest amount of money you will t Perhaps your current situation is not permitting you to travel...kids in school, a demanding job, etc. There are often many reasons why we Christians CAN'T do something but there is ALWAYS one REALLY GOOD reason why we SHOULD. The Great Commission is one of those reasons. I know a woman in Denton, Texas who is married with four children. She has embraced an online ministry to Chinese students who desire to improve their English skills via computer. The government-sanctioned book they're studying - believe it or not - is "The Purpose-driven Life" by Rick Warren. With 80% of the Chinese students becoming Christians as a result of their online participation, this woman is conducting 4 classes each week from the comfort of her home and is asking for help. Please let me know if you are interested. *Please note that, when I use the word "Church", it does not pertain to a building or an institution that is officiated by a man called "pastor" who preaches sermons. That’s not the Church as described in the New Testament. The New Testament Church was (still is) simply a community of believers that gathers under the Headship of Jesus Christ - a family where every member participates in the meetings, develops their gifts, is trained to function in ministry, taught about and developed a "Kingdom mentality," and participates in the decision-making process as any family member would. They understood that they were children of the same Father, a God who wasn't seated on a cloud in Heaven, but One who made His dwelling place WITHIN each of them. God says: 'I will dwell in them, walk in them, and I will be their God' (Leviticus 16:12; 2 Corinthians 6:16; ). 'Know ye not that your bodies are the temples of the Holy Spirit dwelling in you?' (I Corinthians 3:16). "Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly..." (Colossians 3:16). TRUE APOSTLES A true apostle will focus upon "enabling" The Church, building it from the ground up if necessary. Their focus is first upon the foundation in accordance with Ephesians 2:19-20, "...you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God's people and members of God's household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone." True apostles help the Church to stand on its own two feet. Ideally, a true apostle understands the early Church-style expression of Church life as non-leaders before they were sent out to plant churches and bring them to maturity. Sadly, I've never personally met a self- proclaimed, "titled" apostle who plants churches that gather according to New Testament guidelines. On the other hand, I HAVE met individuals who can EASILY be described as "apostles" because they are functioning as such but are NOT recognized as such by the Church at large because they don't find it necessary to receive a title. I wish I could say that I knew of a church that was planted by a so- called apostle that is gathering under the Headship of Jesus Christ without all the "churchy" manmade trappings, where the members know one another intimately, love each other unconditionally, and are experiencing a depth in Christ, where decisions are made by the community with no one "lording' over another, where lives are being transformed and where every-member functions without any individual's control. Such is the fruit of TRUE biblical, apostolic ministry (1 Corinthians 9:2; 2 Corinthians 3:1-4). Far too often, titled "apostles" in today's so-called "apostolic movement" Beware the Shark Infested Waters of Ebay: Ebay Fraud Run Amok as (still is) simply a
community of believers that gathers under the Headship of Jesus Christ
- a family where every member participates in the meetings, develops
their gifts, is trained to function in ministry, taught about and developed
a "Kingdom mentality," and participates in the decision-making process
as any family member would. They understood that they were children
of the same Father, a God who wasn't seated on a cloud in Heaven, but
One who made His dwelling place WITHIN each of them. God says:
'I will dwell in them, walk in them, and I will be their God' (Leviticus
16:12; 2 Corinthians 6:16; ). 'Know ye not that your bodies are the
temples of the Holy Spirit dwelling in you?' (I Corinthians 3:16). "Let
the Word of Christ dwell in you richly..." (Colossians 3:16).Fake items abound on eBay, and it takes much effort not to be duped by scammers who peddle these wares. There have been many painful stories relating how a seemingly legitimate item turned out to be either fake or defective.It is possible, however, to avoid these scams if one is careful and vigilant. Buyers should be wary of any purchase over eBay, and should take steps to ensure the authenticity of the item and to make sure the item is in reasonable condition.Be VigilantBuyers should take the initiative by doing plenty of background research. They must learn as much as possible about the products before bidding on them. If the seller provides pictures of an item, they should not be taken at face value. Comparison of these pictures with the real item helps in this regard.Many sellers will use pictures from manufacturers that do not represent the item they are actually selling; buyers should ask the seller for actual pictures of the item. If the seller balks, buyers should refrain from bidding. Collector?s items, autographed memorabilia, and historical artifacts are common items that are misrepresented on eBay.AuthenticateFamiliarize yourself with the various bodies that certify respective items. For example, reputable merchants of autographed sports memorabilia should include a COA (certificate of authenticity) from a trusted third party. Counterfeit or misrepresented items should be reported to eBay. When buying on eBay Motors, one may have an inspection service double-check if the seller is accurately representing his automobile.Look at the FeedbackOne should analyze the feedback rating of a seller. Analyzing feedback is another helpful exercise to prevent scams. Sellers who have an established history of credible sales are usually helpful and professional TRUE APOSTLES A true apostle will focus upon "enabling" The Church, building it from the ground up if necessary. Their focus is first upon the foundation in accordance with Ephesians 2:19-20, "...you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God's people and members of God's household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone." True apostles help the Church to stand on its own two feet. Ideally, a true apostle understands the early Church-style expression of Church life as non-leaders before they were sent out to plant churches and bring them to maturity. Sadly, I've never personally met a self- proclaimed, "titled" apostle who plants churches that gather according to New Testament guidelines. On the other hand, I HAVE met individuals who can EASILY be described as "apostles" because they are functioning as such but are NOT recognized as such by the Church at large because they don't find it necessary to receive a title. I wish I could say that I knew of a church that was planted by a so- called apostle that is gathering under the Headship of Jesus Christ without all the "churchy" manmade trappings, where the members know one another intimately, love each other unconditionally, and are experiencing a depth in Christ, where decisions are made by the community with no one "lording' over another, where lives are being transformed and where every-member functions without any individual's control. Such is the fruit of TRUE biblical, apostolic ministry (1 Corinthians 9:2; 2 Corinthians 3:1-4). Far too often, titled "apostles" in today's so-called "apostolic movement" Get Cheap Car Insurance in Fort Worth, Texas to stand on its own two feet. Ideally, a
true apostle understands the early Church-style expression of Church
life as non-leaders before they were sent out to plant churches and
bring them to maturity. Sadly, I've never personally met a self-
proclaimed, "titled" apostle who plants churches that gather according
to New Testament guidelines.In Fort Worth, Texas motorists have to hold a minimum about of liability insurance on their vehicle before they can register it. This law is in place to protect everyone and although this coverage may be great for someone with an older car, it’s not likely to be sufficient for someone driving a brand new SUV. The minimum that is required in Fort Worth, Texas includes $20,000 coverage per person for death and injuries as well as amounts for both victims and property damage. Don’t buy this type of cheap car insurance in Fort Worth, Texas unless you feel comfortable with bare minimums.Adding more coverage to your policy doesn’t necessarily mean that you won’t be able to secure cheap car insurance. There are different types of insurance and some typically cost more than others. For example, if someone in Fort Worth, Texas opts to purchase towing and labor coverage they are going to pay more than someone who passes on that. Collision coverage also raises the price of car insurance premiums drastically and unless you are driving an older vehicle, this type of coverage is strongly suggested.A good tip for finding cheap car insurance is to seek out quotes only from companies who cater to good drivers. Obviously this is only beneficial if you are a good driver yourself. Many individuals with stellar driving records make the mistake of obtaining quotes from companies that deal almost exclusively with high risk drivers. Typically premiums with companies like this are going to be higher than they would be with other insurers, so be aware of what type of company you are dealing with before asking for a quote.Also ensure that as your car ages, your cover changes. There comes a time in the life of every car when coverage can be lowered. If you’ve had collision on your car for years and you’ve come to realize On the other hand, I HAVE met individuals who can EASILY be described as "apostles" because they are functioning as such but are NOT recognized as such by the Church at large because they don't find it necessary to receive a title. I wish I could say that I knew of a church that was planted by a so- called apostle that is gathering under the Headship of Jesus Christ without all the "churchy" manmade trappings, where the members know one another intimately, love each other unconditionally, and are experiencing a depth in Christ, where decisions are made by the community with no one "lording' over another, where lives are being transformed and where every-member functions without any individual's control. Such is the fruit of TRUE biblical, apostolic ministry (1 Corinthians 9:2; 2 Corinthians 3:1-4). Far too often, titled "apostles" in today's so-called "apostolic movement" are clinging to practices that are rooted in manmade and even pagan tradition, things that have hindered the Headship of Jesus Christ and the advancement of His Kingdom for over 1700 years. Final thoughts on true apostles: An apostle can be a prophet and a prophet can be an apostle. An apostle can be TRAINED to function as an apostle, but only by exposure to other apostles. Many Christians can and should become apostles, I believe, allowing themselves to serve as additional "sent ones," in other words. A major hindrance to our understanding of true apostleship is that our understanding is simply too grandiose. Christians have elevated the office of "Pastor" to such significance that an apostle must be greater still. After the apostle, what's next? A prophet? Then what...God? Most of us would not acknowledge an apostle unless he came across like a Paul or a Peter. Likewise, we will not accept a prophet unless he measures up to Elijah. In the same way, when we think of, let's say, an evangelist, we think of Billy Graham and nothing less will do. Truth is, many of the apostles in the New Testament were such ordinary people (Barnabas, Andronicus, Junia), that very little was written about them. If we were to stop looking for the spectacular, we would find there are many people in our ranks who are called to be apostles, sent ones who go about establishing churches and training and equipping as they are needed. These "apostling" types may actually come from anywhere within our ranks - from the one we refer to as "Pastor" to the least-likely among us; one who is simply willing and whose life in Christ is unbridled. Most Christian groups can't see themselves functioning without human leadership and, therefore, in our inability to rely solely upon the guidance and teaching of the Holy Spirit Himself, the Church at large fails to occupy new territory. Rather, she hunkers down within the four walls and expects the lost to come to THEM. The "sent ones" in your midst may not be in the same league as Paul or Elijah, but they could exercise some extremely valid ministries and more rapidly advance God's Kingdom. The purpose of Pentecost was to pour the Holy Spirit out onto ALL believers. This means that EVERY believer can have a ministry. We need a Church structure that allows every member to develop into a minister. Rather than a few celebrity Christians in pulpits, , God seems to prefer many - even millions - of small ministries anointed with His Spirit. FEMALE APOSTLES? Years ago, a lady called me and asked what the difference was between an apostle and an epistle. "Is an epistle a female apostle?" she asked, totally serious. Like it or not, women have always played an important role in the advancement of God's Kingdom, even serving in foundational roles. In Exodus 15:20, Miriam, the sister of Aaron was a prophetess and one of the triad of leaders of Israel during the Exodus from Egypt. In Judges 4 & 5, Deborah, a prophet-judge, headed the army of ancient Israel. New Testament examples can be found in Acts 21:8: Philip the evangelist had four unmarried daughters who were prophets. In Romans 16:3, Paul refers to Priscilla as another of his "fellow workers in Christ Jesus." Other translations refer to her as a "co-worker." Still others attempt to downgrade her status by calling her a mere "helper." The original Greek word is "synergoi," which literally means "fellow worker" or "colleague." In Romans 16:7, Paul refers to a male apostle, Andronicus, and a female apostle, Junia, as "outstanding among the apostles." The Amplified Bible translates this passage as "They are men held in high esteem among the apostles." The Revised Standard Version shows the verse as "they are men of note among the apostles." The reference to them both being men does NOT appear in the original Greek text; the word "men" was apparently inserted by the translators simply because their minds recoiled from the concept of a female apostle, just as they often do today. Many translations, including the Amplified Bible, Rheims New Testament, New American Standard Bible, and the New International Version simply picked the letter "s" out of thin air, and converted the original "Junia" (a woman) into "Junias" (a man). The evidence is quite compelling that, in God's Kingdom, "...there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus (Gal. 3:28)" and that, despite our modern prejudices and downright hard- headedness about women in ministry, God's opinion seems to differ completely. I heard a story about an East Indian Christian woman who was sent by the Holy Spirit to establish churches in a certain region of her country. She began by walking the area and praying. When people asked her what she was doing, she answered that she was looking for people for whom she might pray. Time and again she was invited into people's homes to do just that and t
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