T.J.I.F.A.
Thank Jesus It's Friday...Again!

Pass It On
March 1,  2002
Subject: The  PREPARATION
1. Preparation means so much.  That is why teachers pour out their life's energy to prepare their students to take tests and of course to pass the test of life itself.  But in order to pass you must be prepared.
2. "Be Prepared" was in the motto of the girl scouts when I was .young.    (They might have changed it by now.)
3. Jesus'  desire for His disciples was that they be prepared for His departure and future  persecution that would follow them because they carried the Gospel and did the things that He told them to do.  
4. This week we are looking at Luke 9:1-3, and The Preparation has only started so next week, God willing, we will look even closer into the Preparation of, no only disciples but Saints.
5. Noteworthy: AUDS is still killing people all over the world.  Living without folly could stop this disease, but it continues it's deadly course.
6. In The Mirror: Noah's Arc submitted by SLC
7. RESURRECTION SUNDAY IS March 31, 2002: Good Friday is March 29, 2002; Palm Sunday is March 24, 2002.
God Bless You
See Ya Next Time,
TER




THE   PREPARATION

Luke 9:1-3   
"When Jesus had called the Twelve together, He gave them power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases, and he sent them out to preach  the Kingdom of God and to heal the sick.  He told them: Take no things for, no staff, or bag, no bread, no money,, no extra tunic." NIV_
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Even though the disciples had walked with Jesus approximately two and a half  years, when the end of His Earthly Ministry was approaching there were  certain truths  that Jesus  had to confirm in them before He departed, to ensure  the continuity of  the Gospel through these twelve men. (It may be that you consider the number twelve to be an incorrect calculation or mistake, however, Judas did peach the Gospel with his life's  actions.  His actions portrayed the life of ‘One Who REJECTS A KNOWN TRUTH.'  All of his deeds, even  his words screamed BETRAYER.   Jesus knew it, but maybe/ He had to keep him so that we would know this spirit when we encounterw it.)

In seeing how Jesus painstakingly taught His disciples we'll also know that if It was important for Jesus to prepare His disciples who were with Him all of the time, then how much more of the utmost priority it is  for us who believe?  There can actually be a parallel drawn between His own proclamation (ref Luke 4:18)  and  His disciples' preparation (ref Luke 9:1-3)
Jesus called the twelve together and gave them power,  then instructed them to:
8. Drive out all  demons.
9. Cure diseases.
10. Preach the Kingdom of God.
11. Heal the sick.
"Then He sent them out."
He said take nothings  for the journey-- no staff, no bag, no bread, no money, no extra tunic" Luke 9:3.  NIV

It is almost a certainty that if these requirements were strictly adhered to now there would be many who would not even consider the ministry of Jesus Christ.  Why? Because the ministry has become a ‘good job' rather than or instead of The  Call  to ‘A Way Of Life'.   These preparations were propelling   The Twelve into a life of   sacrifice, faith and dependence on God.   There were no fine hotels.  Jesus said  whatever house receives you , there  you stay.  You see the Gospel is made by God to provide for everyone.

Remember Elijah who, during a famine, went to the widows house and asked her to fix him a cake.  She  was obedient and did what the prophet of God asked of  her and what God had previously commanded and  as a result she and her son had  plenty of flour  and oil (1Kings 17:9-26 you should read it.  It will build your faith.).  This provision was made by God because she housed God's prophet.  

Jesus was teaching His disciples to have faith and to know that if you're God's man, doing God's business, you will be provided for.  The disciples were very excited about what they were ‘doing'.  This excitement caused them to feel exclusive and to think that nobody else should have the privilege that they were experiencing.  Again Jesus had to correct them in their errors and encourage in their good deeds.  

We will look at more of the preparation next week.  Our preparation is very important.  If you are asked to make the potato salad and since you have no potatoes, you just leave them out.  Your dish is incomplete; or what if someone told you about an affair where you prepared to  informal and when you arrived you were the only one with a jogging suit and sneakers?  Preparation is vital to any endeavor.

God Bless you
Looking Forward
TER

NOTEWORTHY:
There are estimated one million American Museums.  This religion is taught ?

28 million diagnosed cases in Africa -AIDS.  It is now  Pandemic. Which means it is greater than an epidemic.  


In The Mirror:

FIVE LESSONS FROM NOAH'S ARC

1. Plan ahead, it wasn't raining when God told Noah to build the Arc.
2. Stay fit... When you're 600 years old, someone may ask you to do something really big.
3. Remember that we are all in the same boat.  And even though your fellows...  there might be fumes that  smell  up the boat, but the Arc is still a better place than the storm going on outside.(language adaptation for TJIFA)
4. Remember the Arc was built by amateurs who were building according to God's plan.  The Titanic was an unsinkable ship built by professionals AND THE MOST IMPORTANT LESSON WE CAN LEARN FROM NOAH'S ARC IS...
5. No matter how big the storm when we are with God, there's always a rainbow waiting.
From "The Plain Truth Magazine" Submitted by SLC
      



Note from TER:
Readers,
AIDS has been mentioned in this Newsletter several times, because of its potential to kill, maim, cause mental psychosis, and a myriad of other disease processes and problems.  It is important that we be reminded daily that this disease is a threat to our well being and  that anyone can contract AIDS and not know it for a very long time.  It concerns and breaks my heart to see the numbers of cases constantly increasing in Africa and around the world.  
The word Pandemic means that it is no longer on any specific area.  The only way is God's way.  
Make preparations to keep yourself safe so that together we can proclaim the Gospel to the nations and keep...
Looking  Forward
TER