Philippians 1:6

God's grace means whatever God does for and in and through us that we would never deserve. Our Bible passage talks about God's good work in us that He began and will bring to completion on the day of Jesus Christ. 

First, testify what God does IN you, and not what He does THROUGH you (that alone will make you slave). 
Follow the Ark (the presence of God), just as the Israelites did to cross the Jordan River into the Promised Land. Pastor Eric encouraged young leaders that "God wants you to seek His face every day to allow God to work in you, and not to seek the face of your senior leader. For ministry is not the point, but Jesus is." 

Second, by allowing God to work in you and by seeking His face/presence every day, you can finish well. Some have estimated that about 70 Christian leaders do not finish well. With God working in us, we can finish well for sure.

Beware of the ministry idolatry. Pastor Eric also warns, "It is not right to burn out for Jesus. God doesn't call you to lose your wife and children for the sake of ministry." Take care of yourself first. "You cannot love other people more than you love yourself."  We need to spend time with God every busy day.  "Ministry is not a place to compete; only those who are insecure do. You have a problem if you want something more than Jesus when you get up in the morning.... If your heart pulled astray by ministry idolatry, then you need to repent to God (see John 21:16ff)." 

"Just try to be a humble, faithful and teachable servant, and make your name known in heaven." Don't try to earn the credit or make your own name. Follow the way of our Lord Jesus: to have a hight impact with a low profile, rather than way of the world that tells you to have a high profile with a low impact.

The series "Living in the In-Between"
Talk 9
“Living in the world, but not being of the world”
(John 17:14-18) (MP4)

​We are here for a reason. God placed us here for his purpose. But, if we are absent-minded, we will forget why we are here. If we remember only halfway, the result will be also only halfway. Then where can we know it for sure? In the Bible.
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For Lifenet groups and personal reflection
1) Tell your story how hard it was to “Live in the world but not to be of the world.”
2) Why is it necessary for us to be sanctified by the truth, though we have already been saved? What is our part in the process of being sanctified by the truth?
3) Read 1 Peter 4:1-4. Why do we have to arm ourselves? How can we arm ourselves?
4) Why is the Sabbath a precious gift?
-Tell how you are practicing the Sabbath rest. How is it working in your life?
-Why is it difficult to practice the Sabbath rest? What will you do about it?

NLIF is an international church in Yangon. Come and join our English Sunday worship service.

Series “Living in the In-Between”
Talk 8
“Embracing Grief and Loss”
(Psalm 42:1-3) (MP4)
 
Do you know what is the common experience for everyone? All people on this earth will die one day. The death is a part of being human. Denying death makes us less-human. And the other common experience is suffering losses, and it's a very part of normal life.
Today our topic is “Embracing Grief and Loss.” First, grief is a gift from God. Second, grief is where we can meet God. Third, grief is a mark of a wounded healer.
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For LifeNet groups and personal reflection:
1) Briefly share one loss you have experienced in the last one year. How has this loss impacted you?
2) How do you tend to react to loss or painful incidents? Where did you learn it?
3) How can grief be a place where we can meet God? How important is it for our spiritual maturity?
4) “The wounds of Jesus are a part of his identity. They tell us who he is. (John 20:27)” What kind of message may our experiences of loss, pain, grief speak to others?
5) Read Psalm 43:1-3. How does this Psalm express your feeling or your situation? What does this Psalm speak to you?
 
NLIF is an international church in Yangon. Come and join our English Sunday worship service.

The series "Living in the in-between"
Talk 7
“For the Recovery of Abundant Life”
(2 Corinthians 8:9) (MP4)

Today, we will first look at the destruction of relationships and poverty. And Christ will recover our dignity as humans, image of God and give us abundant life.
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For Lifenet groups and personal reflection
1. How do you describe poverty? According to your description of poverty, what may be the solution?
2. How is poverty related to the destruction of our relationship with God?
3. Do you know of any cases in which help hurt people and made their situation worse, and any cases in which the one who helps was hurt by the one whom he helped?
4. Do you know of any cases in which the poor are excluded from opportunities to become richer because of social system or culture?
5. “For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich. (2 Corinthians 8:9)” What does this mean for you?
 
NLIF is an international church in Yangon. Come and join our English Sunday worship service.