Ministry Updates Part 2: JRAM Southern Alberta and Red Deer

JRAM Lethbridge

JRAM Lethbridge Core Team

The second half of our ministry visit included JRAM Lethbridge, Banff and Red Deer. Our visit to Lethbridge last Wednesday was a two-hour trip from Calgary (one-way), together with Pastor Edith Catayong, was filled with expectation of a wonderful time and indeed it was a great time! We had a jolly introduction with one another before a special dinner fellowship with great food prepared by the brethren. Afterwards, an informal mini-service was done complete with an exhortation and an update meeting about JRAM’s status. Over all, everyone, including Monette, and myself were truly encouraged with their excitement and partnership towards JRAM’s mandate. Thanks JRAM Lethbridge for the fellowship we had, the excellent dinner and the amazing on-the-spot song number of “The Prayer” by Dione and Tess Cabrisus.

JRAM Banff

JRAM Banff

The following day, we drove to Banff with our Coordinator Mafe Galao to meet our JRAM brethren there. Coming from Calgary that day was very sunny but along the way there was snow flurries but the trip was smooth and enjoyable. We appreciated seeing Banff covered in snow and it was such an awe-inspiring sight! On arrival, Mafe, Monette and I met with our brethren waiting with a pleasing hotpot (shabu-shabu) dinner treat. It was perfect meal for a cold day to warm our palate. After introduction, we ate and had a buffet of biblical topics to the delight of all those who were there. I believe that everyone went home carrying new insights from our informal bible study with much gladness. Thanks JRAM Banff for the dinner treat and your warm welcome to us.

JRAM Red Deer

From Banff, we drove straight to Red Deer on a sunny Friday but with low temperature, it was really freezing cold. The next day, we met with the JRAM Red Deer Core Team waiting with a dinner treat as part of our fellowship before a formal meeting to update them about JRAM events and direction. Truly, any meal is a good way to start a great conversation between church families. Afterwards, the meeting started to inform them of the latest happenings in JRAM. I was given an opportunity to preach on their Worship Service the following day to encouraged them to adopt an “Outlook of Great Expectation.” Afterwards, a dinner fellowship was provided before a short meeting was done for the information of the JRAM members as well. The atmosphere was filled with anticipation and I believed that everyone was truly informed and ready to move onwards as partners together for the harvest. Thank you JRAM Red Deer for the special gifts you’ve given us and the fellowship we have shared even for a short time.

Special gifts from JRAM Red Deer with Pastor Edna Solaina

Overall, each ministry trip that we had this year gave us many learning experiences that would only contribute in making sure that JRAM would be fulfilling the mandate received from the Lord. We are indeed blessed with people that partners with us in moving towards greater things. There’s more to come and the excitement is building up to see greater things ahead. Thank God for His favor to all of us and all glory belongs to Him alone!

Ministry Updates Part 1: JRAM Southern Alberta Visit

Joint Prayer Gathering - JRAM Southern Alberta

JRAM Strathmore

The first half of our ministry visit for Southern Alberta is done with activities completed this past weekend. It was indeed a great opportunity and a privilege for us to serve God’s agenda for JRAM as a whole. The prayer gathering we had last Friday with JRAM Southern Alberta Churches was an awesome night as God honored our praise, prayer and worship with His presence. God never fails to show up when His people raises their voice in unison to lift up His Holy Name.

JRAM High River

Saturday and Sunday was concentrated on two JRAM locations, namely, Strathmore and High River. Meeting them for the first time was such a mighty blessing for us as we discuss important matters that JRAM is pursuing and have done in the past eight months. Altogether, I believe that the discussion will bear fruit that can only result in pursuing the Great Commission together as partners in God’s Vineyard. Having the occasion to preach in their respective Sunday Worship Services allowed us to serve God’s Word to strengthen all of us to continue with an “Outlook of Great Expectations.”

No one can miss the atmosphere of joyous celebration that can be felt during our times together. It was like a family reunion to say the least complete with sharing meals together and it will not be complete without it. What a great time indeed! I got a boost of encouragement just being with them and I know that Monette felt the same way. Seeing each one with a smile in their faces and deep commitment with excitement in serving God was deeply contagious.

JRAM Strathmore Children's Special Number

JRAM High River Gesture of Appreciation

A huge “Thank You” to all our brethren in JRAM High River headed by Jhon and Elvie Bautista for their warm welcome, fellowship with a gift and gesture of appreciation. Also, to our brethren in JRAM Strathmore headed by Cely and Rene Esteban for such a wonderful time of fellowship for two days complete with meals shared and a great time. In both locations, we felt God’s love and presence among them, our beloved brethren in Christ. Let us continue to do God’s great work with great expectations for “Greater Things Have Yet to Come!”

Right Way

An individual without direction is like Alice in the fairy tale Alice in Wonderland. In a conversation between her and the Cheshire Cat, Alice asked, "Would you tell me please, which way I ought to go from here?" "That depends a good deal on where you want to get to," said the cat. "I don't much care where," said Alice. "Then it doesn't matter which way you go," said the cat.

Many have been trying to search diligently and seeking patiently the right direction for their life. There is an intense desire to having an better-quality life as days and years pass by yet the “how” still seems unknown to many. How does one know if you are traversing in the right direction? Is being married with this person the right choice?  Is this course the right way? These are all valid questions that need valid answers.

There are those who trust their instincts in regards to making choices. Yet many is stuck and surrendered to whatever comes their way. Though, there is a bit discomfort at first but for lack of a better option, they’ve just decided to just give in. Both of these actions are extremes that need to be evaluated and applied on a case-to-case basis. Also, because of the many choices presented to us, conflict within us arises. Thus, we become unstable and double-minded especially true when we allow other people to give opinions, the choice becomes even more difficult. Remember that every situation we are in will contribute or confuse any right decision made.

Proverbs 3:5-6 provides a clear glimpse of what should we do especially if you will seek God’s help in this regard. It goes like this: “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.” (NIV)

You see, only God knows the future and He is the only one that could provide the necessary guidance towards it. Let’s look at the example in the life of Abraham in Genesis 12:1-3, “The LORD had said to Abram, "Leave your country, your people and your father's household and go to the land I will show you. "I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you." (NIV)

Looking at this example, observe that God did not tell him where he will go but only mentioned that He will show the way towards it. Then the promises of blessing were added to emphasize God’s intentions. There was a specific direction from point A to point B yet no mention to what will happen along the way was missing. Abraham’s response was critical to the fulfillment of God’s plan and he needed to have faith in God’s plan. Unreserved faith in God’s promises kicks in a high gear for those who trust God’s way unquestionably.  God has a clear direction towards the way we need to go and a guaranteed result when we completely obey resolutely.

Unfortunately, this is where many are stumped at the idea of putting everything in God’s hands. They shudder at the thought of not knowing the specific details of any venture. This is due to the fact that we were taught not to do it this way. Furthermore, when we let go of something, we think that everything must go our way or no way. Besides, one might say, “Trusting other than my own instinct even God Himself is a red flag and a “no-no”.

Well, it is a choice that each one must make. We could continue to do what we think is and receive unsatisfactory results as a hit and miss style or through God’s way that is already proven as tried, tested and true. Remember that with God, it is always a sure thing!  We know that God fulfilled His promise to Abraham because even after more than 4,000 years, Abraham is still a very important figure to three major religions in the world: Judaism, Christianity and Islam. What more do you need to be assured that God knows what He is doing?

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Sure Formula for an Answered Prayer

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Many have been longing that their prayers will be answered in the most expeditious way. Jesus has given many principles to answered prayers. He fully intended that we receive the desires of our heart and when you begin to scrutinize the facts, Jesus calls for simple response of faith and obedience. The question is this: are we willing to apply these two important ingredients to an answered prayer?

In order to fully comprehend this truth, let me share a specific biblical principle that is applicable to every husband that I will highlight in this article. According to 1 Peter 3:7, “Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers.” (NIV) The Apostle Peter spoke of clear instructions for every husband to attain answered prayers.  They are as follows: (1) be considerate as you live with one’s wife, (2) treat one’s wife with respect as the weaker vessel and as heirs of the gracious gift of life. In doing so, nothing will hinder every husband’s prayers. Why the attention is focused largely on the husbands? I believe that this is due to the fact that every husband has been given leadership and spiritual authority to make things happen for their families. By instituting these biblical principles in every marital relationship, hindrances to answered prayers will be removed.

Clearly, God wanted every husband to know that the opportunity for answered prayers has been provided. It must be known and practiced daily. We have been always taught that the husband’s role is only to provide for their families when in fact there is much more. God wants to hear every husband offer up unhindered prayers for their wife, children, family and many other concerns that will provide emotional, physical, spiritual, financial benefits. This is God’s agenda for every family beginning with the head of the family. Somebody said, “Everything rises and falls on the leadership.” The leadership in every home must come from the man of the house. If he fails to do so, chaos and dissension enters in and one should not look elsewhere to see the breakdown of families without the leadership of a man. We cannot go against what God has instituted since time immemorial. Therefore, every husband must begin to claim back the role and see to it that it is being fulfilled according to God’s standard and biblical specifications.

Genesis 2:18 declared, “And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him. (KJV) The key word in this verse is “helpmeet.”  The woman’s specific job description is to be a helpmeet for the man. It is to complement what is lacking in man that could be found in a woman.  That is why, it is very important to fully understand and comprehend the marital relationship not from a worldly perspective but from God’s perspective. Every husband must recognize his role to the wife as a source of blessing not a burden. It is vital to the health and continuance of the marital relationship that this principle must be establish. Failure to do so results in hindrances to prayers. How many prayers have been hindered due to ignorance of God’s truth! May every husband begin to make a resolution to follow the path towards answered prayers! Just imagine that one of the keys is the proper application of treating one’s wife according to biblical standard. If only it is a common knowledge, unfortunately, it is not. Therefore, I have aimed to share this vital information to all husbands. Nothing is ever too late to properly apply God’s word and correct wrong notions about it.

The most important truth is this: that God is honored when marriage is applied biblically. He created and designed it to bless humanity. When incorrect marriage principles are applied, the opposite effects are evident and hindrances to prayers occur. Therefore, begin to evaluate your relationship in light of what you have learned and I assure you, when you do what is right, it will result in answered prayers.

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Transforming Disagreements into Blessings

How do disagreements come about? Looking back from my encounters, I discovered that disagreements usually come from two common sources—criticisms that found its way back to the person being criticized and another comes from having an opinion, plan or proposition that needs to prevail over another. Let’s deal with the first source and how to translate it into a blessing. Here’s what I’ve come across to think about from a certain person named “H.G.B.” who observed, “Criticism is always difficult to accept, but if we receive it with humility and a desire to improve our character it can be very helpful. Only a fool does not profit when he is rebuked for his mistakes. Several years ago I read a helpful article on this subject. It stated that when we are criticized we ought to ask ourselves whether the criticism contains any truth. If it does, we should learn from it, even when it is not given with the right motivation and in the right spirit.

The article then offered these four suggestions: (1) Commit the matter instantly to God, asking Him to remove all resentment or counter criticism on your part and teach you the needed lessons. (2) Remember that we are all great sinners and that the one who has criticized us does not begin to know the worst about us. (3) If you have made a mistake or committed a sin, humbly and frankly confess it to God and to anyone you may have injured. (4) Be willing to learn afresh that you are not infallible and that you needed God's grace and wisdom every moment of the day to keep on the straight path. When we are criticized, let's accept what is true and act upon it, thereby becoming a stronger person. He who profits from rebuke is wise.”

Following such great insights will surely transform any criticism coming our way into a blessing. Always remember that no matter what we do, it is a fact that there are always criticisms coming from people who can’t afford not to criticize. Having been a pastor for many years, I have learned to deal with them carefully. The way I deal with them is this: I usually judge any criticism I received with thorough assessment of its truth and realism. If they can help me improve whatever it was I was being criticized, then it becomes a blessing for my own benefit and even appreciates it as coming from a concerned person. But if and when the criticism is malicious and without merit whatsoever after careful analysis, then I would dismiss it out rightly as if I did not hear anything. I need to make a choice to cause me to be discouraged about it or transform it as a blessing. 

In regards to the other aspect of disagreement I’ve mentioned above, one example that I’ve come across came from the Scriptures: Acts 15:36-40 showed how disagreements can even affect those that are followers of Jesus: “And after some days Paul said to Barnabas, "Let us return and visit the brothers in every city where we proclaimed the word of the Lord, and see how they are." Now Barnabas wanted to take with them John called Mark. But Paul thought best not to take with them one who had withdrawn from them in Pamphylia and had not gone with them to the work. And there arose a sharp disagreement, so that they separated from each other. Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed away to Cyprus, but Paul chose Silas and departed, having been commended by the brothers to the grace of the Lord” (ESV).   

Clearly, Paul and Barnabas had a disagreement that causes them to be separated with one another due to John Mark, being Barnabas’ cousin (Colossians 4:10). They may have separated but the blessing resulting from it was two missionary teams spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ instead of one. However, the story did not end there but definitely produced interesting outcomes afterwards: John Mark became the author of the Gospel of Mark and even though Paul disliked him in this story, John Mark became a companion of Paul in his missionary journey eventually, “Luke alone is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is very useful to me for ministry” (2 Timothy 4:11). See how everything turned out for the best and ultimately, God has His way of transforming what seems bad towards His plan for humanity’s salvation and for His servant’s benefit. Don’t immediately jump to conclusions in every disagreements you encounter, they may be coupled with unexpected blessing when dealt with properly and biblically.

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