This skit was performed by The Connection Youth Ministries in Corona, CA Oct. 26, 2007
Video Rating: 4 / 5

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Tithes and Offerings

Tithes are what you give to God after he blesses you. This is supposed to be 10% of every increase you get. God demands that you take it to his house. Offerings are what you give to God spontaneously. These are to show God how much you love him. You should always give God the best all the time. You can give an offering as a way of worshipping God, blessing your man of God or because God has told you to. Whatever the case, just know that it is a seed you are sowing which will come back to you pressed down shaken together and running over.

Tithes and Offering open God’s favor and grace into your life. God judges your heart when you give. He sees what you have denied yourself just to obey his word and will. As a result, he will not withhold anything from you. When you give sacrifially, God comes in and does more than you ever expected from him. If you give to God because he demands you to but your heart is not into it, do not expect anything from him. God loves a cheerful giver.

Even if you are giving him your last penny, do it with joy knowing that he will open windows of heaven and pour out a blessing you do not have room to receive. Tithes and offerings also open doors that prayer alone cannot. When you combine prayers, giving and fasting, no devil can withstand you. Nothing that you will ever desire will God withhold from you. Always know that we serve a mighty and great God who owns everything in this world. As his child, you are entitled to all his riches.

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Why is abstinence important? Why should you abstain from sexual intercouse before marriage? What does God say about the issue? This video will help u find out in a fun energetic emotional way. Soli Deo Gloria Daniel Cameron HOT Ministries Online President

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Stress Relief Through Charity

One of the best ways to relieve yourself from the stresses in life is by giving to others. When you help others it takes the focus off of you and your problems and shifts the focus to the needs of others.

Helping others brings about change in the community and a peace to you and someone in need. Below are 10 ways to volunteer and give the gift of yourself to others:

1.Walkathons-

Walkathons are charity walks. The only thing required is desire, determination and some good walking shoes. To participate contact the charity of your choice who is hosting the walk to register. Once you register you will be asked to get sponsors to donate money on behalf of you walking. Sponsors can be anyone- your family members, co-workers, church members, local businesses etc. Donations can be anywhere from .00 to as much as your sponsor is willing to donate.

2.Local Nursing Home-

Many residents of nursing homes don’t have anyone to visit them and would love a visit from a warm and friendly person. It would only require an hour or two of your time a week and it would really make a difference to an elderly resident who does not have family or someone to look after them. Check with you local nursing home to find out how to volunteer at their center.

3.Boys and Girls Club-

Many of the youth today are in need of activities to keep them out of trouble and someone to guide them so that they stay grounded and out of harms way. Your local boys and girls club does just that by providing sports and fun activities for children in the area. The club is always in need of responsible, patient adults who are willing to help. Check your local yellow pages to find the center near you and give them a call to find out how to volunteer.

4.Local Church Ministries-

The church is a place where people can go to find help in a variety of areas. Put your spiritual gifts to good use at your local church by joining a church ministry. There are many areas that you can be of help in- youth ministry, usher board ministry, missions ministry, prison ministry, music ministry, just to name a few. Check with your local church to see where you can be of the most help.

5.Local Food Bank-

This is a wonderful charity where you can help those in your community get the food they need. All it takes is a phone call to your local food bank to get started.

6.Homeless Shelter-

Help those who need shelter to get the food and shelter they need. Think of the difference you will make to those in your community by devoting a couple of hours a week of your time to this charity.

7.Girls and Boy Scouts of America-

What a fun charity. Responsible and patient volunteers are always appreciated. It requires only a few hours of your time a week meeting with the children. You would play games, participate in badge earning activities, go on local outings and more. Check with your local Boys Scouts or Girls Scouts office to find out about the volunteer opportunities in your area.

8.Domestic Violence Centers-

There is a great need in our country to protect those suffering from physical abuse. Volunteer opportunities are available in the shelters and to answer domestic violence hotlines. Contact your local shelter today to find out how you can help.

9.Rape Crisis Center-

Rape is a serious crime and rape victims need all the help and support that they can get to recover from this form of abuse. Volunteers are needed to work in local crisis centers and on crisis hotlines. There may be special training that is needed for this type of charity due to the circumstances of the service. Check with your local rape crisis center to find out how you can help.

10.Pet Shelters-

Pets need love too! There are many pet shelters that are in need of volunteers to care for sick and homeless pets and to help them to find good homes. If you love pets and enjoy working with them this is a great charity for you.

The opportunities to volunteer in your community are endless. Still not sure where you can volunteer? Visit www.volunteermatch.org to match your skills with one of the many charities in your area. Giving of yourself to others in such a positive way is one of the bests gifts you can give to yourself and others.

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Jehovah?s Witnesses and You

Jehovah’s witnesses are a Christian denomination known for their door-to-door preaching ministry. They are known for calmness especially in approaches to religious issues hoping frankly to win individuals and groups with conscientious objections to the moral as well as religious beliefs shared by them (Jehovah’s Witnesses) In this way, individuals with deferring biblical views are often seen in heated arguments with this sects as teachings go on. Since foundation, Jehovah’s Witnesses have been viewed as highly controversial it is therefore not surprising that the activities of this Christian denomination has been banned in a number of countries.

Even the United States of America, the country of origin of the denomination, the group has faced series of prosecutions at one time or the other. Could this have arisen out of “A Prophet has honor except in his own town? In 1990, the Supreme Court of United States of America ruled that all religious literatures were subject to taxation which the members of Jehovah’s Witnesses claimed was maliciously targeted at the denomination.

I have never been a member of Jehovah’s Witnesses but the activities of the denomination show quite well that they have the good and bad sides depending on how you see them. I have absolute respect for this religious group and I make bold to state that the “Awake” and Watch Tower” publications of the group have immensely benefited many individuals and group in their educational pursuits, study and researches, yet only very few in our societies have publicly acknowledged this intellectual additions. The Awake considered to be the companion of Watch Tower is my favorite, one cannot but shower praises on the caliber of brains beyond the information content of this monthly magazine.

As of 2008, the magazine is published in 81 languages and reaches about 35,754,000 including Nigerians and only second to The Watch Tower as the second most widely distributed magazine in the world. The content of these magazines are usually unprejudiced racial wise which is why it is mostly accepted by all races.

Another good thing about Jehovah’s Witnesses is the ability to penetrate the locals in rural areas especially the African continent. The door-to door teachings of the organization function effectively here, while other churches expect members to come to them especially the wealthy in our societies, Jehovah’s Witnesses take their promises on the arrival of the kingdom to locals in our rural places which is also why these preachers and their literatures are found in the homes of everyone down in our typical African villages. Interestingly, those who have had to turn down their requests still find literatures belonging to Jehovah’s Witnesses in their homes. In this way rather than serve Jehovah’s Witnesses, the Witnesses serve the people which is marvelous in the eyes of the people.

In Nigeria, for instance, the activities of Jehovah’s Witnesses are far from the usual approaches of other Christian denominations in the country which appear to put up unwelcome attitudes to arguments concerning the things of God and force adherents to consume their own views. The members of Jehovah’s Witnesses welcome ideas and arguments from the adherents of other denominations before trying to impose theirs with usually superior reasons.

For reasons beyond my understanding, not much is known about the how the affairs of Jehovah’s Witnesses are organized within their kingdoms as they are most often seen outside in pairs carrying their bags, and doing their door-to door teachings, this I believe is the birth of the controversy trailing this denomination in the interior African society. In order words, not much is known about Jehovah’s Witnesses, a major reason most people prefer to merely listen to them then let go of them. How do we refer to the head of Jehovah’s Witnesses kingdom, pastor or evangelist?

We hear that they are authoritarian and demand absolute adherence from members in keeping to their doctrines and that the denomination may go ahead to expel anyone who fails to comply and shun it. All sexual encounters, constant drunkenness, and gambling outside of marriage or even attempts to marry a non witness may be met with expulsion instead of winning back such members through preaching or counseling. If one is dismissed from the house of God, where on earth does he find salvation?

It is also problem for the denomination which prevails on its members from attending the Christian retreats and fellowships of other Christian denominations yet do all they can to win others to their ministry. You may not expect to have any one member of this group to your social gatherings such as community development unions and others alike in what the society considers as social segregation imposed on members by the Jehovah’s Witnesses. Nothing annoys the society more to find out that someone is not taking part in the arrangements aimed at developing his/her immediate community, and it spells doom for Jehovah’s Witnesses members.

You not expect a Jehovah’s Witness to render any form of social help to you instead all you hear is sermon in which you are told to expect the kingdom of God sooner or later. Perhaps social helps to individuals begins and ends in the kingdom of Jehovah’s Witnesses. A Jehovah’s Witness may be kind and affable to you but this continues as long as you welcome a visit aimed at sermonizing you and your family but this friendship becomes short lasting and abruptly terminates no sooner the divine fraternity ends.

Because Jehovah’s Witnesses oppose blood transfusion, the families of member Witnesses who die as a result of the rejection this medical remedy hold Witnesses responsible, the hatred that this creates lives long after the death of such people and this people see Witnesses as responsible for these deaths. Witnesses therefore come no where near them. Aid work after large natural disasters are performed by Witnesses in places such as USA, France and Britain but are rarely performed in Africa, I have never seen any such in Nigeria.

In spite of all these criticisms, the Jehovah’s Witnesses still have their good sides as pointed out earlier in this article, this is because perfection is not found anywhere but only exists in the Dictionaries, however there is still room for the Organization to make amends on the lapses disclosed here.

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conference.youthministry.com www.morethandodgeball.com A song about youth workers and lock-ins. It premiered at the Group National Youth Ministry Conference. Join us next year in February 2009!
Video Rating: 4 / 5

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