Gospel of Glory: News and Event Article

There is always a phrase we find in every move of God, at every historical new beginning, at every defining moment in Biblical history. That phrase is “and they built/repaired the altar of the Lord!” In modern history, we have forgotten the importance of God’s altar. However, in Dr. Alemu Beeftu’sRestoring the Altar for Fresh Fire, we have a modern day call and explanation for God’s people to find their way back to His altar to experience His Fire, Joy and Renewal! We must have a generation that tears down iniquitous ALTARS and builds ALTARS filled with God’s uncompromising fire! I thank God for my dear friend, Alemu Beeftu, for writing this wonderful book. Not only does he explain that the ALTAR is a structure used in worship as the place for presenting, but he reveals the necessity of the sacrifice of worship today!

You will learn about worship, but this book makes me want to go up to the “high place” and tear the devil’s kingdom down. Now is the time for our generation to build God’s altar. This is the manual that will help us understand why and how.

NEWS/EVENTS

The Seven Day Challenge to Develop a Servant's Heart

Day One: Sunday

I.             Focus: Wash the feet of the Risen Lord with worship and praises

II.            Person to Remember: The Lord God

III.           Practical Thing to Do: An act that honors God (describe it here):

1.    What will do to honor, the Lord in a very special way, this week?

2.    What will adjust in your life style to honor the Lord the rest of your life?

IV. Prayer appropriate for today: Speak your desire to submit your glory to the Lord, as did Mary as she washed Jesus' feet with her hair.

Scripture: Six days before the Passover, Jesus arrived at Bethany, where Lazarus lived, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. Here a dinner was given in Jesus' honor. Martha served, while Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with him. Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus' feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of perfume. (John 12:1-3)

Reflection:Wash the feet of the Lord with true worship. Pour the perfume on His feet as did Mary. Give Him your best. Wipe His feet with your hair. Put your glory under His feet. Show Him your true love and affection with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength. Repeat this every day as many times as possible.

V. List your Praises

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VI. Write what the Lord is saying to you and your response to Him

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Day Two: Monday

I.              Focus: Wash the feet of your immediate family

II.            People to Remember: Each of your family members, with special focus on the one with whom you need to become closer today.

III.           Practical Thing to Do: Any act that demonstrates your heart to serve your family members (describe it here):

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IV.          Prayer appropriate for today: Bless your family in spoken prayer, taking the time needed to be specific with each family member.

1.       Scripture: Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord �Husbands, love your wives as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her�.Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. "Honor your father and mother"� Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord. (Ephesians 5:21, 22, 25, 6:1, 2, 4)

2.      Reflection:Take time today to express your true love and care to your spouse and children. Pray for each member of your family, and make time to do or discuss something special with your spouse and children today, even if it is simply a few moments on the telephone. The man said, "This is now bone of my bone and flesh of my flesh�" (Genesis 2:23) is an expression of washing a spouse's feet. Say things that are edifying, encouraging, and uplifting as a priest of your home. Declare and decree the purpose of God and His blessings over them as you bless them.

V.           List practical steps you should take to be a better priest of your home:

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Day Three: Tuesday

I.              Focus: Wash the feet of Johns � people of covenant in your life

II.            Person to Identify: Whoever has functioned as John for you this week (see Chapter 5)

III.           Practical Thing to Do: An act that reinforces your relationship with "John" (describe it here):

1.    Who are the covenant people in your life?

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2.    What do you need to do to strengthen your covenant?

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IV.          Prayer appropriate for today: Pray that you will offer John the example and specific help needed to fully develop her/his potential.

Scripture: Near the cross of Jesus stood his mother, his mother's sister, Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary Magdalene. When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, "Dear woman, here is your son," and to the disciple, "Here is your mother." From that time on, this disciple took her into his home. (John 19:25-27)

Reflection:Take time today to support your covenant friend in prayer and find a few moments to encourage your friend over the phone, via e-mail, or face-to-face over coffee. Thank your friend for being trustworthy and sensitive to your wellbeing.

V.           What is the Lord saying to you about covenant relationship

Day Four: Wednesday

I.             Focus: Wash the feet of Peter

II.            Person to Identify: The person who functions as Peter for you (see Chapter 6)

III.    Practical Thing to Do: Pointing out a specific skill of "Peter's" that helps you (describe it here):

IV.   Prayer appropriate for today: Ask to see Peter through God's eyes, especially to see his/her gifts and talents. Thank God for them.

1.      Scripture: He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, "Lord, are you going to wash my feet?" Jesus replied, "You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand." No," said Peter, "you shall never wash my feet."Jesus answered, "Unless I wash you, you have no part with me.""Then, Lord," Simon Peter replied, "not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!" (John 13:6-9)

2.     Reflection:Pray that you will find ways to nurture Peter both as a person and as a potential leader. Pray specifically that Peter will become more secure in his role now and develop greater leadership skills this week. If you can name those skills to bless him/her specifically, all the better. People like Peter thrive on one-on-one attention, too. Use this time to check your heart about walking in forgiveness. Give the Lord permission to search your heart (Psalm 139:24).

V.        List Peters in your life

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VI.          What action are you are you going to take that will show your t unconditional love and forgiveness of these individuals?

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Day Five: Thursday

I.        Focus: Wash the feet of Thomas

II.       Person to Identify: The person who functions as Thomas for you (see Chapter 7)

III.      Practical Thing to Do: Ask Thomas to review your organization or your leadership

IV.        Prayer appropriate for today: Thank God for Thomas' desire for complete integrity; pray that his/her "integrity checking" will not become legalistic.

Scripture: Now Thomas (called Didymus), one of the Twelve, was not with the disciples when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, "We have seen the Lord!" But he said to them, "Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe it." A week later his disciples were in the house again, and Thomas was with them. Though the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you!" Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here; see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe."Thomas said to him, "My Lord and my God!" (John 20:24-28)

2.     Reflection: Pray for Thomas to maintain his high standardsfor integrity. Ask God to help you be more open and appreciative of Thomas' "reality checks" in your life. Every few weeks, take the time for Thomas to give you a candid assessment of your organization and/or your leadership. Thank the Lord for Thomas.

V.        List Thomas's in your life

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VII.         What action are you are you going to take that will show your unconditional love and forgiveness of these individuals?

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Day Six: Friday

I.        Focus: Wash the feet of the other disciples

II.         People to Identify: Those who fit the description of "other disciples" for you (see Chapter 8)

III.      Practical Thing to Do: Clarify the value and importance of at least one such person today, and tell them about it (note what you will say here):

IV.      Prayer appropriate for today: Pray for each one by name, asking God to help them feel more a part of His work on earth, and of His work with you.

Scripture: To the Jews who believed him, Jesus said, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." (John 8:31)

Reflection: Pray for these people to hold to Jesus' teaching, and to integrity and faithfulness in their roles, as you encounter them in your life and organization. Pray that you can help clarify those roles in some way today. Pray for them by name if possible, that they might gain a greater understanding of the difference their faithful service can make in their current contexts.

VI.          List individuals you need to draw near and walk with like Jesus on the Emmaus Road (Luke 24)

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Day Seven: Saturday

I.        Focus: Wash the feet of Judas

II.         Person to Identify: The person who functions as Judas in your life (see Chapter 9)

III.      Practical Thing to Do: Look for an opportunity to be reconciled

IV.      Prayer appropriate for today: Pray that you will respond with grace toward your "Judas" and that you will trust this person in his/her daily role

Scripture: Six days before the Passover, Jesus arrived at Bethany, where Lazarus lived, whom Jesus had raised from the dead. Here a dinner was given in Jesus' honor. Martha served, while Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with him. Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus' feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of perfume.          But one of the disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was later to betray him, objected, "Why wasn't this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year's wages!" He did not say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief; as keeper of the money bag, he used to help himself to what was in the money bag.       "Leave her alone," Jesus replied. "It was intended that she should save this perfume for the day of my burial. You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me." (John 12:1-8)

Reflection: Pray that the Judas in your life will develop a sincere heart for the needs of others. Ask God to reveal to you any way in which Judas might feel slighted somehow, and work to correct the issue. Pray for strength and commitment to wash this individual's feet until the end, and for grace to trust him with significant responsibilities. Pray, too, that there still might be a way to be reconciled.

V. List Judas's in your life:

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VI.        Ask the Lord to give you His heart so that you can put your heart above your head by showing these individuals true love till the end and unconditional forgiveness.

Is Your Heart Set on Serving?

Shortly after the War Between the States ended in the United States, a black man entered an Episcopalian church in Richmond, Virginia for the worship service. He was the only person of color in the building.

The congregation was still smarting from being a part of the Confederacy, the losing side of the conflict. Many people in the church were still prejudiced against black people. The feeling was only intensified for many of them as they approached the time for communion. When the black worshiper walked down the aisle to receive the elements, whispers were heard throughout the sanctuary. "We use a common cup! How disgraceful to share it with the likes of him!"

Almost immediately, one of the church's most respected leaders stood up and walked to the altar. He knelt to receive communion beside the black man, sharing the cup with him. Then he turned and addressed the congregation. "All men are brothers in Christ. Have we not all one Father?"

The man was the most famous general of the Confederacy, Robert E. Lee. The rest of the gathered congregation put aside their prejudice and followed Lee's example of unconditional love and humility.

A leader whose heart is set on serving can have a remarkable impact for the Kingdom!

Continue the Seven-Day Cycle

                After a few days, you should be able to easily add the Seven-Day Cycle to your daily time with the Lord. I encourage you to release Kingdom blessings in this simple and dynamic way.

                As you move ahead, remember that we cannot expect washing feet to make sense intellectually. In its essence, servant-hood is an issue of the heart. It will make sense only as we put our hearts above our heads.

                So listen to your heart, and hear the Spirit of God. Fill your relationships with the aroma of precious oil, and the service of foot-washing.

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