Matthew 28:18-20
 (MP3)
Our Lord has made a clear final command to His disciples, with no ambiguity.
This Great Commission of our Lord (Matt. 28:18-20) has three components:

1. The Affirmation
2. The Command
3. The Promise

 
There is the affirmation and authority of the Lord Jesus as He commissioned His disciples. Every follower of Jesus has His command to share the gospel and make disciples of all nations. We also have His promise that He is with us always in the Holy Spirit.
 
Jesus' description of the blessed people of God begins with a very strange statement: "Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the kingdom of God" (Matt. 5:3).
 
Those we feel really loyal to are the kind-hearted ones. We don't find ourselves really loyal and attached to someone because of their great wisdom, achievements or abilities, but because of their kindness, humility and goodness to us.
 
We are called to be like our Lord Jesus, "who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross" (Phil. 2:6-8).  
 
 
Come join us at our English service of the International Church in Yangon!

“Desiring God brings freedom” (Psalm 73:23-28)
 
We see favoritism in our daily life. It is pretty common. Favoritism is everywhere, in school, in companies, in shops. Unfortunately, there is favoritism in the family as well.
Favoritism is the seedbed of jealousy, jealousy is the byproduct of favoritism.
Not all our desires will be satisfied. And we see some people have greater wealth, pleasure, opportunities, power and joy of fellowship than you have.
It’s almost un-avoidable to face the situations which cause envy in us.
 
What shall we do when we start to envy someone?
(1) Check your heart.
There are only two directions, either turning toward God or turning away from God. In the feeling of envy, where are you heading toward?
(2) To be aware that God knows your situation and your needs.
(3) God is my portion! (Ps 73:23-28)
God gave us the Holy Spirit! God gave us His Spirit! God gave us Jesus!
How much value do you put on the fact “God is my portion”?
Read this sermon... 
 
For Lifenet groups or personal reflection
1) Have you ever felt envy or jealousy in your family, school or work place? How did it affect your self-awareness and relationship with others?
2) “Society is often motivated by an envy-fueled ambition.” Have you ever seen this? What is the danger of this?
3) Read Psalm 73:23-28. What does God speak to you? How does this scripture help you to overcome envy?
4) Have you ever experienced that God knows your situation and your needs?
5) How valuable is it for you that “God is my portion”? What may be the challenge to integrate this with your daily living?

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

Colossians 3:12-17 (MP3)
The Path to Forgiveness

• Choose a perspective

1. Autonomous Self vs. Member of Christian Community
2. Victim vs. Recipient of God’s Grace
3. The Past vs. the Future

10 helpful truths about forgiveness (See Saying Yes to God, chapter six.)

1.  Forgiving others doesn’t mean denying the wrong.
2. Forgiveness means forgoing revenge. (Luke 6:27)
3. When you forgive others, you stop holding the offense against them. (1 Cor. 13)
4. Forgiveness doesn’t mean being foolish.
5. Forgiving others will set you free from being a prisoner to the past, if you begin to discipline your thinking.

•  Stop ruminating over what has happened. It’s not helping.
•  Stop trying to make sense of senseless behavior. It’s not possible.
•  Learn whatever you can from what happened, and then stop going over and over the failed or dysfunctional relational dynamic. Such internal churning will wear you down, and gives you nothing in return.
•  Maintain at least a neutral attitude toward the person who refuses to apologize, or is unwilling to seek healing in your relationship.
       6.  Remember, the future lies before you.
       7.  Forgiveness, then, means moving on.
       8.  Sometimes we need God to help us to release the poison trapped in our hearts and minds.
       9.  The next step is to genuinely desire good for their life.
    10.  Finally, forgive out of obedience while you wait for the grace to forgive from your heart.

Come worship with us at our English service of Yangon international church!

Rev. Dr. Timothy C. Geoffrion
1 John 4:7-8, 11-12

My big disappointment: I want to love others in the way Jesus loves me but I can't sometimes...
The gap—Why is it there?
Paul’s analysis: Two choices (Romans 8:5-6)
                                   Focus your mind (Phi 4:8-9)
                                   Follow the Holy Spirit (Gal 5:13-16)
The Solution...
(MP3)
(Outline PDF)

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