Yesterday and today was the JIL BC Re-Encounter with 25 delegates and candidates to become new Cell Leaders. Praise the Lord and they completed their JIL 12 journey including this Re-Encounter weekend. A big congratulations to all of you!!!!! Just keep your eyes on the prize, i.e., Jesus Christ. You have to prepare now for your SOL 3.
It was a complete success full of God's favor and blessings. Our food was prepared by the cooking team from JIL North Vancouver Church... Thanks guys for the best food there is and cheers for the the whole Re-Encounter team headed by Ptr Myra Paguntalan who also celebrated her birthday yesterday and spend it with all of us. Happy Birthday again!!!!
To the whole team...congratulations for spending your time this weekend. May the Lord bless you for your labors....
One could really never know what will occur. What I have learned is to come with a ready heart for what God wants to do. After all, it is His time and will that happens anyway. I was there as His vessel to release His desire and purpose being His servant as well. Together with the teaching team...the experience was all worth it.
Over-all, it was another evidence of God's enduring faithfulness and grace that causes us to exclaim praise and worship to give Him the highest form of glory....Thank God for His abiding presence always...
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Friday, November 28, 2008
Personal Thoughts - God's Mighty Embrace
Allow me to share my thoughts in written form towards God's love that I received.
A Mighty Embrace
I hope that you are ministered knowing that God's mighty embrace is always near...
A Mighty Embrace
You have looked into my heart wanting it yours
You have peered in to my soul wanting to satisfy
You have touched my life wanting to come in
And said, "You are mine forever."
Here at this place I am restored
Here at this place I am healed
Here at this place I am renewed
By your mighty embrace
I am never the same because of your love
I am never the same because of your grace
I am never the same because of your touch
And I say, "I am yours forever."
I hope that you are ministered knowing that God's mighty embrace is always near...
Living Life over Despair
Whether we like it or not, we are faced with the reality of life and death. Many of us even dread or get depressed whenever a birthday approaches or someone dear to us passes away. Just this past week, one of our church leaders was in a vehicular accident with serious injuries that led to her death. It was so sudden that many of us, especially her family were caught by surprise. How do you live through such ordeal when you are caught in such a situation? It was such an unexpected event that we were still in shock even up to this time. My only thought when I heard the news was, “Just like that, she’s gone.”
Job had the same experience when his ten children suffered a great and terrible freak accident as described in the Scriptures, “While he was still speaking, yet another messenger came and said, "Your sons and daughters were feasting and drinking wine at the oldest brother's house, when suddenly a mighty wind swept in from the desert and struck the four corners of the house. It collapsed on them and they are dead." (Job 1:18-19)
Death will always be part of our lives - whether we like it or not. But how should we react to such event? Let me share how Job reacted, “At this, Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground in worship and said: "Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked I will depart. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised."
One may say, “I cannot do that!” I’m not Job! That may be true and accurate but how we react is our choice. Job’s initial reaction was due to the fact that he had a strong faith in God’s character and ability. Unknown to Job, Satan’s attack on his integrity and faith was what caused these unfortunate events to occur in his life in the first place as stated in Job 1:9-11, "Does Job fear God for nothing?" Satan replied. "Have you not put a hedge around him and his household and everything he has? You have blessed the work of his hands, so that his flocks and herds are spread throughout the land. But stretch out your hand and strike everything he has, and he will surely curse you to your face."
Job passed the initial test that Satan unleashed to prove his faith in God as stated in the Scriptures, “In all this, Job did not sin by charging God with wrongdoing.” (Job 1:22)
You’ll see that though Job lived in a different time and generation, his life is strikingly similar to ours today. Each person will be able to relate to Job’s life one way or another. But one thing that will probably differ is how we react to situations that cause us great pain and suffering.
When you are not aware that such things will happen, then I’m sorry to say that you are very ignorant and naïve of what life is really all about. I’m not criticizing nor putting down anyone but we should realize this fact of life.
Let it not be said about you that you showed genuine faith in God during positive and good times but went on a downward slope and crumbled during the worst of times. Our consistency must be seen in situations both happy and sad – that is when you will begin to thwart Satan’s suggestions that we are only believers during good times but, curse God in our difficult moments. Therefore, let’s prove Satan wrong and let us prove that faith in God is not conditional but unconditional based in God’s character.
Somebody said, “I find the great thing in this world is, not so much where we stand, as in what direction we are moving. To reach the port of heaven, we must sail sometimes with the wind, and sometimes against it — but we must sail, and not drift nor lie at anchor.”
Let’s talk again!
Job had the same experience when his ten children suffered a great and terrible freak accident as described in the Scriptures, “While he was still speaking, yet another messenger came and said, "Your sons and daughters were feasting and drinking wine at the oldest brother's house, when suddenly a mighty wind swept in from the desert and struck the four corners of the house. It collapsed on them and they are dead." (Job 1:18-19)
Death will always be part of our lives - whether we like it or not. But how should we react to such event? Let me share how Job reacted, “At this, Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground in worship and said: "Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked I will depart. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised."
One may say, “I cannot do that!” I’m not Job! That may be true and accurate but how we react is our choice. Job’s initial reaction was due to the fact that he had a strong faith in God’s character and ability. Unknown to Job, Satan’s attack on his integrity and faith was what caused these unfortunate events to occur in his life in the first place as stated in Job 1:9-11, "Does Job fear God for nothing?" Satan replied. "Have you not put a hedge around him and his household and everything he has? You have blessed the work of his hands, so that his flocks and herds are spread throughout the land. But stretch out your hand and strike everything he has, and he will surely curse you to your face."
Job passed the initial test that Satan unleashed to prove his faith in God as stated in the Scriptures, “In all this, Job did not sin by charging God with wrongdoing.” (Job 1:22)
You’ll see that though Job lived in a different time and generation, his life is strikingly similar to ours today. Each person will be able to relate to Job’s life one way or another. But one thing that will probably differ is how we react to situations that cause us great pain and suffering.
When you are not aware that such things will happen, then I’m sorry to say that you are very ignorant and naïve of what life is really all about. I’m not criticizing nor putting down anyone but we should realize this fact of life.
Let it not be said about you that you showed genuine faith in God during positive and good times but went on a downward slope and crumbled during the worst of times. Our consistency must be seen in situations both happy and sad – that is when you will begin to thwart Satan’s suggestions that we are only believers during good times but, curse God in our difficult moments. Therefore, let’s prove Satan wrong and let us prove that faith in God is not conditional but unconditional based in God’s character.
Somebody said, “I find the great thing in this world is, not so much where we stand, as in what direction we are moving. To reach the port of heaven, we must sail sometimes with the wind, and sometimes against it — but we must sail, and not drift nor lie at anchor.”
Let’s talk again!
Monday, November 24, 2008
Personal Thoughts-Undignified Worship
It was a great time what transpired last week in JIL BC Churches. A new level of worship has occurred that swept many of the participants both in the Worship Nights and Worship Breakthrough. Personally, I had the chance to really express myself in ways that I know had given my Lord Jesus a great time as well. I know now that it is called "Undignified Worship."
Just watch this video with the lyrics and you will understand what it means to be "Undignified" in our worship- all for our Lord.
The events that I've mentioned were events that I had the chance to become undignified. Though I may be a Pastor, but I am a disciple and a worshiper of the Lord as well. And my Lord is worthy to be praised in ways that will bless His heart and honor Him even if it seems foolishness to other people watching. It is because I am only concern with how my "Audience of One" thinks and feels. When He is happy, I am happy, too!!
Just watch this video with the lyrics and you will understand what it means to be "Undignified" in our worship- all for our Lord.
The events that I've mentioned were events that I had the chance to become undignified. Though I may be a Pastor, but I am a disciple and a worshiper of the Lord as well. And my Lord is worthy to be praised in ways that will bless His heart and honor Him even if it seems foolishness to other people watching. It is because I am only concern with how my "Audience of One" thinks and feels. When He is happy, I am happy, too!!
Monday, November 17, 2008
JIL 18th Anniversary Celebration
Seeing that the JIL Church in British Columbia has reached its 18 years is a testimony to what God is able to do with people whose their lives were given to Him. Responding to God's call is an important decision that any genuine believer of God will have in their lifetime. I have responded to God's call to pioneer JIL BC 18 years ago with a handful of people and this time, He is not yet done to show what He could do further.
Yesterday, the celebration was about Him and His faithfulness throughout the past 18 years. However, He is not yet done but each and every year is another opportunity to see new things. This celebration was made special with the commitment of the JIL BC pastors, leaders, workers and congregations from JIL Vancouver 1&2, North Vancouver, Surrey Newton & Fleetwood, Burnaby, Richmond,Victoria, Nanaimo, Multicultural and Whistler.
They've worked hard to make this event successful and glorious. Congratulations to all of you once again for an excellent job!
Part of this year's celebration was the participation of Sis Edith Mendoza, the JIL Worldwide Music Ministry Chairman as the Anniversary Speaker together with the Musikatha Team namely, Paul, Marlon, Graham, Karmi, Dinah, Joan and Joey. The whole atmosphere during the celebration was filled with great excitement and anticipation for what will transpire. And sure enough, God honored our event with a manifestation of His presence during worship, the preaching of the Word and ministering time. What an awesome time it was to be in such a place!
The facility of Red Robinson Theater in Coquitlam, BC was transformed at the moment as place of worship and praise to the audience of One- The Lord Jesus Christ.
What can I say after 18 years? I'm ready and looking forward with excitement and renewed passion to do God's will with God's people in the JIL Church.
Again, congratulations to all JIL people! Be ready for another year of challenge with an overflow of God's mighty favor to all of us!!!
Yesterday, the celebration was about Him and His faithfulness throughout the past 18 years. However, He is not yet done but each and every year is another opportunity to see new things. This celebration was made special with the commitment of the JIL BC pastors, leaders, workers and congregations from JIL Vancouver 1&2, North Vancouver, Surrey Newton & Fleetwood, Burnaby, Richmond,Victoria, Nanaimo, Multicultural and Whistler.
They've worked hard to make this event successful and glorious. Congratulations to all of you once again for an excellent job!
Part of this year's celebration was the participation of Sis Edith Mendoza, the JIL Worldwide Music Ministry Chairman as the Anniversary Speaker together with the Musikatha Team namely, Paul, Marlon, Graham, Karmi, Dinah, Joan and Joey. The whole atmosphere during the celebration was filled with great excitement and anticipation for what will transpire. And sure enough, God honored our event with a manifestation of His presence during worship, the preaching of the Word and ministering time. What an awesome time it was to be in such a place!
The facility of Red Robinson Theater in Coquitlam, BC was transformed at the moment as place of worship and praise to the audience of One- The Lord Jesus Christ.
What can I say after 18 years? I'm ready and looking forward with excitement and renewed passion to do God's will with God's people in the JIL Church.
Again, congratulations to all JIL people! Be ready for another year of challenge with an overflow of God's mighty favor to all of us!!!
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