Saturday, 27-Feb at 5.00pm
Sunday, 28-Feb at 8.30am and 11.00am
Venue: Glad Tidings AOG, Maranatha Auditorium
Admission: Free

Bob Kilpatrick is a musician, song writer, radio personality, husband and father of five. He grew up overseas and he motivates people to get involved in God’s Great Commission. More information here.

Glad Tidings wishes a blessed Chinese New Year to everyone! In view of the celebrations, we have combined all English Language weekend services.  We welcome you and your family to join us if you are in town.

* Kindly note that just for this week, the Saturday Young Adult service, Youth and Junior church will be combined as well with the Sunday service.

“FAVOR is the special affection of God toward you that releases an influence on you, so that others are inclined to like you, or to cooperate with you.” – Lance Wallnau
FAVOR is different from Grace, although it comes from the same root word. Grace is undeserved—The Bible is full of instruction about how we can obtain FAVOR.
FAVOR is like being dipped in honey so that the blessings of God stick to us.

TOUGH TIMES
The Hamans of this world and all the conflict they stir up can give us a hard time. …. How do you live, much less find favor in such a tough hostile environment?

ESTHER FOUND FAVOR
Esther found FAVOR (2:17) —so much so that the King made her Queen
Esther found FAVOR (5:8) —so much so that the King offered her up to half his kingdom.
Esther found FAVOR (7:3)- so much so that her life and the lives of the Jews were spared
Esther found FAVOR (8:5)—so much so that the King wrote a new law on behalf of the Jews.

How did Esther find favor?

I. FAVOR COMES TO THOSE WHO SEE LIFE FROM GOD’S PERSPECTIVE

Esther 4:14 – Mordecai is putting Esther’s life in perspective for her. He pointed out to her that there was a purpose in appointment and her problem!
People who live with God’s perspective believe in the providence of God. They believe that God is up to something big in their life.
The better you know God’s word, the more you’ll begin to see life from God’s viewpoint. (Prov. 3:1-4)

II. FAVOR COMES TO THOSE WHO PRAY AND PREPARE THEMSELVES

King Saul: “… and I have not sought the Lord’s favor…” ( 1 Sam. 13:12)
David: “I entreated Your favor with my whole heart …” (Ps 119:58)

Esther’s Preparation: 3 days of extraordinary Fasting & Prayer.
Esther was in a difficult place, which many would have deemed impossible, but that is when God works best.
Pray Specifically: All you need is favor from the right person (not everybody). Pray specifically … give me favor in the sight of the king / my employer ….
Prayer and fasting helps us understand God’s plan.
The book of Esther is one of the most remarkable books in the entire Bible, because even though it never once mentions the name of God, His presence is always felt behind the scenes. So Pray! And Fast!

III. POWER ACTION ATTRACTS FAVOR

1. FAVOR FOLLOWS THOSE WHO ACT IN FAITH / FAITH IN ACTION.
Esther risks it all, her very life, and acts on what she knows. God moves for us, when we move for Him. James 1:22. Take ACTION on your problem.
Most people think that having “faith” means that we just stand idly by, while God solves all our problems. It’s easier to wait on a miracle than it is to do the difficult thing God wants us to do. If you’re not happy with the way your life is, or your education, or your marriage…or any other big problem you face… God’s given you the power to change it. Be responsible for what you can do.
God wants us to have an “ACTIVE FAITH”. A faith that stretches us out of our comfort zones. In other words, we do everything we possibly can in faith, and then leave what we CAN’T do to God!

2. FAVOR FOLLOWS THOSE WHO ACT FAVORABLY

Appropriate Place. Esther 5:1 Esther positioned herself directly in his line of sight!

Appropriate Dress. Esther put on her royal apparel. Respectful. Dress how you want to be recognized.

Appropriate Words. Esther 5:4-5. Esther chose her time and her words very carefully. Look for God’s divine appointments. The bible says that’s “there’s a time for everything under the sun”

* John Maxwell, in “The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership” writes “The wrong action at the wrong time leads to disaster. The right action at the wrong time leads to resistance. The wrong action at the right time leads to a mistake. But the right action at the right time leads to success.”

- – And then she came out with the hard truth …..Esther said, “The adversary and enemy is this vile Haman” (Esther 7:6a – cf vv3-7)

Esther 9:22. “turn” – overthrow; overturn; transform (Gen 50:20)

I.  FAVOR IS THE CONFIDENCE OF IDENTITY (Luke 4:22)

YOU ARE WHO GOD SAYS YOU ARE!

Mt 5:13 – Ye are the salt of the earth:
Mt 5:14 – Ye are the light of the world.
1Co 3:16 – 17 ye are the temple of God, and the Spirit of God dwelleth in you.
1Co 6:11 – ye are washed, and ye are sanctified, and ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God
2Co 3:3 – ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ … written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart.
1Co 10:13 – ye are able to bear any temptation the devil throws at you.
Gal 3:26 – ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.
Gal 3:29 – ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.
Eph 2:8 – ye are saved by grace through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God
Col 2:10 – ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:
Col 2:12 – You are buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.
1Pe 2:9 – ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light:
1Jo 2:14 – ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one. YOU ARE AN OVERCOMER!

II. FAVOR IS THE CONFIDENCE OF PURPOSE (Luke 4:18-19)

III. FAVOR IS THE CONFIDENCE OF DESTINY (Luke 4:18-19)

IV.  3 WAYS  TO BUILD CONFIDENCE AND FIND FAVOR

THE WORD: Finding the place where it is written about you (Lk. 4:17)

THE HOLY SPIRIT : Being the Place (Vessel) the Spirit fills and anoints
(Lk. 4:18)

THE CHURCH:  Be at the Place of God’s Favor & Blessing where you can be a blessing (Luke 4:15)

16-17 January: Missions Partners
Young Adults Service
Date: Saturday 16/1/10  5pm
Speaker: Rev Hermie Galzote from Philippines

Celebration Service 1
Date: Sunday 17/1/10 8.30am
Speaker: Rev Samuel Lam from Vietnam

Celebration Service 2
Date: 17/1/10 11am
Speaker: Rev Samuel Tamang from Nepal

22-24 January: Rev Luis Cabral
Rev Luis Cabral is the Associate Pastor of Auckland’s Takapuna Assembly of God. While in South Africa, he heard from God to go “to the ends of the earth”. He has held crusades in POrtugal, Mozambique, Malaysia, Indonesia and England.

Combined Cell Meeting: Fri 22/1/10, 8.30pm
YA Service (Missions Pledge 1): Sat 23/1/10, 5pm
Celebration Services (Missions Pledge 2 & 3): Sun 24/1/10, 8.30 am & 11.00am

THE YEAR OF GOD’S FAVOUR
(Luke 4:14-27)
A Message by Rev Dr Vincent Leoh on 2 & 3 January 2010

This word—FAVOUR—can change your life. In the Old Testament it means: Grace, charm, acceptance, goodwill, or desire. In the New Testament, “Favour” is from the Greek word “Charis” or “Grace.” It is the divine influence upon the heart and its reflection in the life; the spiritual condition of one governed by the power of divine grace. “Favour is the special affection of God toward you that releases an influence on you, so that others are inclined to like you, or to cooperate with you” (Lance Wallnau).

Favour is different from Grace, although it comes from the same root word. Grace is undeserved, unmerited. But the Bible is full of instruction about how we can obtain favour. We live in the Favour of the Lord through prayer, faith, obedience and perseverance

I. WHAT IS THE YEAR OF JUBILEE / FAVOUR?
(Luke 4:14-21; Isaiah 61:1-3; Leviticus 25:1-13)

THE JUBILEE
n     A PRINCIPLE (Lev. 25)
n     A PROPHECY (Isa. 61)
n     A PERSON (Luke 4)

The Messianic Year of Jubilee
More than a Year: The year is not a set of 365 days, but a period of time where God’s favor, God’s grace is available to mankind.

Year of Jubilee vs Age of Jubilee
Jesus our Jubilee

II. WE ARE LIVING IN A NEW ERA OF GOD’S FAVOR

STARTING OVER
… a new day
… a new start

The Jubilee is a secret from the heart of God. It is His way of letting people know that no matter how messed up things might get, we are never far away from His forgiveness and restoration. God gives us a chance to start all over.

SET FREE !
FREEDOM, LIBERTY, RELEASE
God does not want His people enslaved any more to anything, not even to poverty!
7 Areas the FAVOUR of God is Revealed

1.  Salvation (Psalms 106:4).
2. The abiding presence of God (Gen. 18:1-3).
3. Tangible benefit in the lives of others (Gen. 30:27).
4. The fingerprints of God in our lives (1 Sam 2:26; 3:19)
5. Personal refreshing (Proverbs 16:15; 19:12).
6. Personal protection (Psalm 5:12)
7. The work of our hands are blessed (Deut. 24:19).

III. HOW CAN WE EXPERIENCE THE YEAR OF GOD’S FAVOUR?

1. LET THE SPIRIT TAKE HOLD OF YOU (Lk. 4:14, 18)

2. YOU TAKE HOLD OF GOD’S PROMISES
Elijah and the widow
Elisha and Naaman
(Lk. 4:23-27)

10 Blessings that come with God’s FAVOUR

GOD’S FAVOUR CAN …

1. Produce supernatural promotion and increase (Gen 39:21)
2. Bring restoration of every thing the enemy has stolen (Exo. 3:21).
3. Bring honor in the midst of adversaries (Exo. 11:3).
4.  Produce increased assets (Deut. 33:23).
5. Give great and unusual victories even against impossible odds (Josh 6:20; 10: 9, 20).
6. Give recognition and promotion even when you seem to the least likely one to receive it (1 Sam. 16:22).
7. Produce prominence and preferential treatment, favor and kindness (Esther 5:8).
8. Get petitions granted, even by ungodly civil authority (Esther 5:8).
9. Change rules, regulations, even laws if necessary to your advantage (Esther 8:5).
10. Win battles you did not even have to fight because God will fight them for you (Psalm 44:3).

2010 IS THE YEAR OF FAVOUR
(LUKE 4:18-19)

** DECLARING GOD’S FAVOUR

Thank You Father for the Precious Gift of Jesus, my Jubilee!  Today (This year) I declare and decree that THIS IS THE DAY THE LORD HAS MADE SPECIALLY FOR ME! I will rejoice and be exceeding glad in it.

TODAY I AM FAVOURED IN YOUR SIGHT – PREGNANT WITH MY BLESSINGS, BENEFITS AND BREAKTHROUGHS!

TODAY, I expect many Great and Wonderful Things to happen in my life because my expectation and hope is of the Lord and it shall not cut off!

TODAY IS THE DAY FOR MY SALVATION!
TODAY IS THE DAY OF MY BLESSINGS AND BREAKTHROUGHS!
TODAY, MY VOICE IS HEARD ON HIGH!
TODAY, MY PRAYER IS ANSWERED!
TODAY, MY DESIRE IS GRANTED!
TODAY MY DREAM HAS COME TRUE!
TODAY, MY DESTINY IS BEING FULFILLED!

TODAY, the very moment, RIGHT HERE AND RIGHT NOW, is the HOUR OF MY MANIFESTATION and THE HOUR OF MY REVELATION!
TODAY YOU HAVE FAVOURED ME WITH THE BLESSING OF YOUR GOODNESS! AND I AM OVERFLOWING AND FULL WITH YOUR GOODNESS.  TODAY I AM BOUNTIFULLY BLESSED TO BE A GREAT BLESSING TO OTHERS!

AS I WALK THIS DAY, THE LORD HAS ANOINTED MY HEAD WITH HIS FRESH HEAVENLY, OIL OF FAVOR! THE BLOOD OF HIS FAVOUR IS LIKE A SHIELD SURROUNDING MY LIFE! I DECLARE AND DECREE THAT I AM AN ANOINTED CHILD OF THE MOST HIGH!  I WILL NOT BOW DOWN IN SHAME, IN DEFEAT OR DISAPPOINTMENT FOR THE LORD IS MY SHIELD, HE IS THE GLORY AND LIFTER UP OF MY HEAD!

TODAY, I CHOOSE TO BELIEVE GOD AND HIS UNFAILING WORD!
TODAY, I CHOOSE LIFE AND LIFE MORE ABUNDANTLY WHICH THE LORD HAS GIVEN ME!
TODAY, I CHOOSE TO LIVE THE OVERFLOWING, OVERCOMING, OVERWHELMING AND OVERTAKING ABUNDANT LIFE OF ALMIGHTY GOD!

I receive the Grace to live a holy, righteous and blameless life before Him!
I receive the Grace that will put me as head not the tail of every situation!
I receive the Grace to heal the sick, perform signs and wonders and miracles!
I receive the Grace to have wisdom, knowledge, honor, riches, strength, wealth and blessings.

TODAY, I CHOOSE TO REACH OUT AND RECEIVE THE ABUNDANT GRACE AND FAVOUR OF GOD!
TODAY, I CONSCIOUSLY CHOOSE THE BLESSINGS OF GOD THAT MAKES ME RICH WITH NO ADDED SORROW!  TODAY, I WILL ABIDE IN UNBROKEN FELLOWSHIP AND COMMUNION WITH THE HEAVENLY BRIDEGROOM!
TODAY, I WILL REIGN OVER SATAN, SIN SICKNESS AND SORROW!
TODAY, I WILL REIGN OVER EVERY CONTRARY CIRCUMSTANCE IN MY LIFE IN THE NAME OF JESUS.
TODAY, I WILL CONSCIOUSLY MAKE BOLD WITHDRAWALS FROM THE STOREHOUSE OF ALMIGHTY GOD WITHIN ME TO MEET ALL MY NEEDS AND THAT OF HUMANITY AROUND ME!
I DECLARE THAT I WILL OWE NO MAN ANYTHING BUT TO LOVE THEM WITH THE LOVE OF GOD!
I DECLARE THAT I WILL NEVER NEED TO BEG OR BORROW BUT WITH THE FAVOUR OF GOD UPON ME AND ABUNDANCE OF THE ALMIGHTY GOD DEPOSITED IN MY HEART I CAN FREELY BLESS EVERYONE!

AMEN! AND AMEN!
LET IT BE DONE IN THE NAME OF JESUS!

SCRIPTURE:
LUKE 4: 18-19
“The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor.  He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour”

This word—FAVOUR—can change your life. In the Old Testament it means: Grace, charm, acceptance, goodwill, or desire. In the New Testament, “Favour” is from the Greek word “Charis” or “Grace.” It is the divine influence upon the heart and its reflection in the life; the spiritual condition of one governed by the power of divine grace. “Favour is the special affection of God toward you that releases an influence on you, so that others are inclined to like you, or to cooperate with you” (Lance Wallnau).

Favour is different from Grace, although it comes from the same root word. Grace is undeserved, unmerited. But the Bible is full of instruction about how we can obtain favour. We live in the Favour of the Lord through prayer, faith, obedience and perseverance

7 Areas the FAVOUR of God is Revealed

1.  Salvation (Psalms 106:4).
2. The abiding presence of God (Gen. 18:1-3).
3. Tangible benefit in the lives of others (Gen. 30:27).
4. The fingerprints of God in our lives (1 Sam 2:26; 3:19)
5. Personal refreshing (Proverbs 16:15; 19:12).
6. Personal protection (Psalm 5:12)
7. The works of our hands are blessed (Deut. 24:19).

10 Blessings that come with God’s FAVOUR
GOD’S FAVOUR CAN …

1. Produce supernatural promotion and increase (Gen 39:21)
2. Bring restoration of every thing the enemy has stolen (Exo. 3:21).
3. Bring honor in the midst of adversaries (Exo. 11:3).
4.  Produce increased assets (Deut. 33:23).
5. Give great and unusual victories even against impossible odds (Josh 6:20; 10: 9, 20).
6. Give recognition and promotion even when you seem to the least likely one to receive it (1 Sam. 16:22).
7. Produce prominence and preferential treatment, favor and kindness (Esther 5:8).
8. Get petitions granted, even by ungodly civil authority (Esther 5:8).
9. Change rules, regulations, even laws if necessary to your advantage (Esther 8:5).
10. Win battles you did not even have to fight because God will fight them for you (Psalm 44:3).

What is God Asking us to Do?
THE CHURCH – FAVOURED 7Cs’

CATCHING
Declaring God’s Favor. Catch-2-fish.

CONNECTING
Conserving God’s Favor. Close Back Door.

COMMUNING
Seeking God’s Favor. Prayer.

COMMITING
Acclaiming God’s Favor. Ownership

CARING
Sharing God’s Favor. Extra Mile Care

CELEBRATING
Celebrating God’s Favor. Quality Celebration Services.

COMMISSIONING
Passing-on God’s Favor. Leadership Development

GOD WILL … WE CAN!

Spiritual Encounter
20 Mar | 9am – 7pm 

SUNDAYS
Growing in Spiritual Intimacy
31 Jan & 7 Feb | 11am – 1pm

Foundation
28 Feb, 7 Mar, 14 Mar | 11am – 1pm

Exploring Romans
7, 14, 21 & 28 Mar | 1.15 – 3.15pm

Building Strong Marriages
14, 21 & 28 Mar | 1.15 – 3.15pm

Register online or submit your Registration Forms at the Church Information Desk.

Come and be renewed and refreshed in the presence of the Lord!