Knowledge-surpassing Love

I am still amazed to see God working in each of our lives today. I see some are constantly changing while some are either changing slowly or about the same. Some of us are struggling with God because God isn't giving up on them. I am so thankful to God for His wonderful grace and love. I see His love through some believers who truly loves God and the people around them.

Apostle Paul wrote to the Ephesian church, "..and to know this love that surpasses knowledge - that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God." Ephesians 3:19 (niv) This was Paul's third request from the church (people) in Ephesus. He also ask the same request from all of us believers today!

His request is that the believers may know the dimensions of the knowledge-surpassing love of Christ. Did you see that!? "..knowledge-surpassing love.."! He prays that they may be "rooted and grounded in love." (Ephesians 3:17) Not superficial love but genuine. Christians shouldn't simply know God and His Word. Christians shouldn't "act" scholarly.

"If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing." 1 Cor 13:2 (niv)

Bingo! We are nothing without love. If we only have knowledge about God but no love for others around your life, we're nothing! If we meditate on His Word but have no regard for others, it means nothing to God!

Two words, "..rooted.." and "..grounded..". I learned something from the two.

• "Rooted" refers to botany, to life.
• "Grounded" refers to architecture, to stability.

This is for all the saints. If one isn't rooted and grounded in love, what then? Death! Like plants, its roots must go deep in the soil in order to grow and become a beautiful plant. In the same way, Christians must go deep in love (unselfishly, unconditionally, agape) in order to grow and become like Christ. Apostle Paul wants them to "..know this love (the love of Christ) that surpasses knowledge." The vast expanse of the love of Christ is the love of God Himself. From this launching pad we can begin to measure that which is immeasurable and to know that which passes knowledge.

The new year will be here in 31 days! It's really hard to believe that! I'm not talking about developing a resolution that tends to be broken. It's about cultivating our hearts. It's about increasing our love for the most reluctant person in the world. It's about throwing away our selfishness! It's about making relationships a top priority. It's about making time for God.

What does God want happening to us as His church?
What areas of my life do I need to work on and improve (in terms of relationships)?
What are things that I am the most stubborn about (hurts, hang-ups or habits)?
How can I be more and more like Christ?
What am I reflecting before the eyes of the world?
What can I do to be a more loving Christian?

I have been praying for some within His congregation at Fairfax and all others in the world who continues to mellow themselves away from the utmost potential God has for them. Only the Holy Spirit can lead a believer into this vast experience of the love of Christ. Since it is infinite, it is beyond human comprehension. Once you comprehend this love of Christ, I will see that you have been filled with all the fullness of God!

Running well?

"You were running a good race. Who cut in on you and kept you from obeying the truth?" Galatians 5:7 (niv)

How well are you running the Christian race? At first (their first love for God), they behaved themselves very commendably, had readily embraced the Christlike life and discovered a zealous way walking the Jesus walk and working hard at it. And in their baptism, they have surrendered 'their whole life' to the Lord declaring themselves aloud they are followers of Christ and their behavior was agreeable to the Holy and Eternal Word of God! Are you running well? But there is a problem among Christians today:

"Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken your first love." Revelation 2:4 (niv)

Christians simply give up running the race for the crown of life. The life of a Christian is a race, so therefore, the Christian must run and keep on running. It's an eternal marathon with God! We must constantly keep our eye on the prize which is in Heaven. It is not enough that we run the race by merely professing we're a Christian but we "must run well" by living up to what we profess! Thus these Christians may be running the race for a while, then something obstructed their progress to grow and mature, were either turned out of the way or brought up a white flag calling it quits.

So, therefore, Apostle Paul asks us, "..who cut in on you.."? You were running well but now you couldn't hold on in the way! Some of us rather run a mile, 5 miles, or 10 miles. But running a marathon would be too much and time consuming. Paul knew those in the Galatian church. He knew what it was that hindered them. But he threw in a question that only the "quitters" can answer for themselves. And seriously consider if they had any good reason for quitting, for lagging behind, for slowing down? Here are some reasons why they simply quit:

1. They believed in God and surrendered their life to Him (in part) and ran well for a while. Then they started to run out and in bounds, until they allowed things in life to hinder their progresses and turned out of the way.

2. They have become tired after hearing the messages of the Lord over and over. Then allowing stumbling blocks in their way doing nothing to divert from them and avoid the dangers. This is especially important for young converts whom needs to be forewarned.

3. There will be those who will mislead a Christian away from obeying the truth and thereby are in danger of losing the greatest blessings they had done from the start until the turning point.

We are to embrace and profess the truth, the gospel that was preached to us. No matter how often we have heard the greatest stories of God, it's the only true way to find justification and salvation! And this, we must fully obey the form of teaching that God has entrusted us! What do we do with the gospel that was given to us?

1. The truth is not only to be "believed" but to be "obeyed"!
2. We receive the truth in love and grasp the awesome power of it!
3. We need to acknowledge that those who do not rightly obey the truth will be judged by God!
4. Our obeying the truth and embracing it enables us to run well in the Christian race and to persevere through just about any hindrances that comes our way.

When running the race well, we must strip off the "me-centered-mentality" and clothe ourselves daily with the "Christ-centered-mentality". I can give you alot of examples of "me-centered-mentality" but I think you know this mentality very well. Whatever you think or feel that is defending against the truth (yet you believe and love God), is still a "me-centered-mentality".. You do what you feel is best for you (me-centered) instead of doing what is best for God (Christ-centered)!

So how well are you running today?

Black Friday

I'm staying at home with the kids today while Michelle go out and shop for bargains. She's been out since 4:45 this early morning. I just happen to watch CNN and saw a terrible incident at Walmart on Black Friday!!. I'm not sure where this happened but apparently there was a huge fight between two people over one box. I must say that it's RIDICULOUS!!!

'Tis the season to be folly!

They pose one tragically foolish action that only mere kids do. It's like fighting over a piece of candy. He was extremely rigid and I could see his veins popping out of his neck. They had to get a couple of men to hold him down to the floor until the police comes. His scream really scared the bystanders, especially kids. I sympathize those kids having to witness such horrible example this adult portrayed. I wouldn't be surprised if those kids that witnessed the incident would probably do the same to their own brothers or sisters at home or even in schools. What's the world getting themselves into?

A couple of things I learned from this:

LACK OF PRESUMPTIONS - when we think we already know it all. "He who answers before listening - that is his folly and his shame." (Pr. 18:13, NIV) This guy gave a punch when all he could do is ask a simple question for the other person's reason. Read the teachings of Jesus here:

"If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also. If someone takes your cloak, do not stop him from taking your tunic." Luke 6:29 (niv)

Obviously, this guy has his eyes set on one particular item. I was reading the ads from the newspaper of all the items on sale. In the Best Buy ads, they were selling PS2's "Splinter Cell" for $9.99 which is a HUGE BARGAIN!! But they're only selling 18 of them. I was thinking to myself, what if two people arrive at the same time and seeing only one left on the shelf and they're interested in the same thing. Imagine in slow motion, both of them are reaching out as fast as they can. Maybe one of them gave a arm-push on another. Then sparks will fly! I think Best Buy is asking for a whole lot of trouble!!

Here's a couple more...

IMPATIENCE - when you interrupt and jump to conclusions. "There is more hope for a fool than for someone who speaks without thinking." (Pr. 29:20, NLT)

PRIDE - when we are defensive and unteachable. "The way of a fool seems right to him, but a wise man listens to advice." (Pr. 12:15, NIV)

You can learn from anyone if you know the right questions to ask!

'Tis the season to be jolly! We should be "jolly-ful" for having this life, having the most precious relationship with Jesus and knowing we're on our way home to be with the Father. There's nothing else that I want to have but Jesus. There's nowhere else that I rather be than dancing with Him as He sings over me! It's good to have a bargain of goods (and if it's available, even if I don't get my hands on the last box) and we need to understand that these goods don't last forever! They're destined to perish with use and age.

"Now we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands. For while we are in this tent, we groan and are burdened, because we do not wish to be unclothed but to be clothed with our heavenly dwelling, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life." 2 Cor. 5:1, 4 (niv)

The only important goods we need is to be "clothed in Jesus". (Galatians 3:26-27) Are you clothed with an heavenly clothes? This is the most Divine Bargain we cannot miss!!!

Something to be thankful for....

Last night's Thanksgiving eve service was great! The word, "thank you, thanks, thanksgiving" pops up in almost every slide, comments and paper. Murray gave a short devotional about thanksgiving and he brought us back into the old days where Jesus gathered His Disciples for the Last Supper. Murray helped us see four different words out of the four verses: Took, Gave Thanks, Broke Bread and Ate. Also, he handed out a piece of paper for us to fill out with about 20 questions. One of the questions hit me and I struggled to answer it:

What circumstances do you struggle to be thankful for?

Over a year ago and in the wee morning hours of the night, our middle daughter fell from the top of her bunkbed and landed her mouth on a bookshelf. The pictures of her ordeal is still vivid in my mind. It is something that I will never forget for the rest of my life. It's a reminder of a lot of things! Really! However, I am so very thankful for living in this time of the world where we have doctors and doctors with technologies! Even if bunkbeds wasn't invented until about a couple of years ago, suppose she fell out of a tree and landed on a rock down below in the 1800's, she probably wouldn't have the original look.

In addition to this, it reminds me of Christ Jesus. Through my daughter's cries, pain, blood and perseverance, I see Jesus! Everytime I think of her ordeal, I think of Christ's. I want to encourage my blog readers that regardless of any circumstances, be thankful, be grateful! And remember, compared to your suffering, Christ's suffered more!

"..in everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." 1 Thessalonians 5:8 (nas)

There are alot of verses I want to share with you that we ought to be thankful for today!

1. Thanks for the SALVATION! "But thanks be to God that though you were slaves of sin, you became obedient from the heart to that form of teaching to which you were committed.." Ro. 6:17 (nas)
2. Thanks for our LORD JESUS CHRIST! "Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!" Ro. 7:25 (nas)
3. "..who for my life risked their own necks, to whom not only do I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles;.." Ro. 16:4 (nas)
4. Thanks for the VICTORY IN JESUS! "..but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ." 1 Cor. 15:57 (nas)
5. Thanks for the PRAYERS OF THE SAINTS! "He will rescue us because you are helping by praying for us. As a result, many will give thanks to God because so many people's prayers for our safety have been answered." 2 Cor. 1:11 (nlt)
6. Thanks for GOD'S GRACE! "All of these things are for your benefit. And as God's grace brings more and more people to Christ, there will be great thanksgiving, and God will receive more and more glory." 2 Cor. 4:15 (nlt)
7. Thanks for the AWESOME GIFT! "Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!" 2 Cor. 9:15 (nas)
8. Thanks for the UNCEASING THANKS! "..do not cease giving thanks for you, while making mention of you in my prayers;.." Eph. 1:16 (nas)
9. Thanks for ALL THINGS IN CHRIST'S NAME! "..always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father;.." Eph. 5:20 (nas)
10. Thank you, God, FOR ALL BELIEVERS! "We give thanks to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you,.." Col. 1:3 (nas)
11. Thanks for the INHERITANCE WE HAVE IN HEAVEN!"..giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in Light.." Col. 1:12 (nas)
12. Thanks for the BELIEVER'S LOVE IN ACTION!"Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father." Col. 3:17 (nas)
13. Always GIVE THANKS IN PRAYER! "We give thanks to God always for all of you, making mention of you in our prayers.." 1 Thess. 1:2 (nas)
14. Thanks for the BELIEVER'S GROWTH AND MATURITY! "We ought always to give thanks to God for you, brethren, as is only fitting, because your faith is greatly enlarged, and the love of each one of you toward one another grows ever greater;.." 2 Thess. 1:3 (nas)
15. Give Thanks IN SHOUTS OF PRAISE! "Through Him then, let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that give thanks to His name." Heb. 13:15 (nas)
16. Thanks to the ONE WHO LIVES FOREVER AND EVER! "And when the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to Him who sits on the throne, to Him who lives forever and ever,.." Rev. 4:9 (nas)
17. Thanks to the ONE WITH GREAT POWER AND AUTHORITY AND DOMINION! "We give You thanks, O Lord God, the Almighty, who are and who were, because You have taken Your great power and have begun to reign." Rev. 11:17 (nas)

So, regardless of our circumstances, there's still something to be thankful for: GOD!

Giving Thanks

Paul explains that he "learned" to be content. Paul chose his attitude – trained his mind and heart to select his life perspective. "Learned" means "to be educated by experience." Paul is saying that all of his life experiences – good and bad – had become his tutor in gratitude. Paul learned to be "content," a word that means "contained." In other words, Paul trained himself to focus on inner resources – those resources God deposited in his heart and soul – rather than outward circumstances. He chose to be grateful, to give God praise no matter what his outer circumstances might be.

"Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus."1 Thessalonians 5:18 (niv)

Paul knew that he could trust God. Paul counted on Him to come through because God had always come through for Paul. I think it's interesting when one author wrote in one of the books I have read, "You see, there's a money-back guarantee on every promise of God!" Behind every promise of God is the perfect and flawless integrity of God.

"I will give thanks to your name for your unfailing love and faithfulness, because your promises are backed by all the honor of your name." (Psalm 138: 2, NCV)

Our Father allows us to go through trials, giving us the opportunity to rest on His promises while choosing the attitude of gratitude in the midst of those trials! When we choose gratitude, we are choosing joy! When our heart is fixed on gratitude we are choosing praise, enthroning God in the midst of the circumstance. Our praise prepares a place for Him to dwell and reside. No matter how deep the valley – no matter how painful the wound – no matter how difficult the road – our choice to praise Him is an invitation for Him to come. And when He comes, everything changes.

"But You are holy, Enthroned in the praises of Israel." (Psalm 22:3, NLT)

It is easy to choose gratitude when the seas are calm, the skies are clear and the boat is full of fish! But the real test of gratitude accompanies the greatest storms of life, that's why Jesus took His followers out to sea to test them! Gratitude realizes that God is sovereign and rests in the knowledge that His ways are not our ways. It is not necessary for us to understand His process in order to trust His heart. Gratitude is a learned choice made by the heart that seeks God. When gratitude becomes our heart habit we will naturally trust Him more and live with a sense of anticipation, knowing that He is constantly at work in and around us.

When we choose to fill our hearts with gratitude, it makes life sweet! Make gratitude a habit!

40 Day Finale!

The second 40 Days of Purpose campaign has now been logged in the history books!! It's been a wonderful 40 Day drive learning God's five purposes in our lives! If you haven't read Rick Warren's book, Purpose Driven Life, don't hesitate to check his book out. It's worth your time reading this book and you'll get alot out of it. Of course, it all depends on where your heart is. So be praying that your heart is forever set on God, His purposes, His plans and the eternal home we await!

Here are some freeze frames of the 40 Day Celebration, "SURVIVOR PARTY" we had last weekend! It was one fun-crazy event!!!!


40 Days Celebration participants having a BLAST!!!!













Cario Stewart and Jack Mitchiner aims their rubber bands at their target!













Eric Tomas shot one of hundred bands! He managed to get to the top three, along with teammate, Ben Martin, and won!













Matt Sickon prepares for a rubber-band shootout!













40 Days Kids all smiles!!!













SURVIVOR PARTY TEAM #1: Brenda, Neil, Mark, Kenny & Cario













SURVIVOR PARTY TEAM #2: Tim, Kathy, Helena, Sara, Steve, Ricky & Jack













SURVIVOR PARTY TEAM #3: Aracelis, Mel, Robin, Michelle, Ben, Evan & Eric













SURVIVOR PARTY TEAM #4: Darrin, Fred, Christy & Matt (Not pictured: Nancy & Jane)













And a very, very special thanks to our "SURVIVOR PARTY" organizer, Bev Young, with special help from the ladies': Kathy Flavin, Holly Morris, Christy Pomnitz and Michelle Lowenstein...

Darkroom/Negatives

On our way home from church last Sunday after such a heavenly weekend, I took a quick glimpse of a church sign that reads:

"Worry is a darkroom where negatives are developed!"

I laughed and said, "How true!!!!"

"Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?" Matthew 6:27 (niv)

If you're in a "darkroom", get out before Satan develops the "negatives" out of you!!!

40 Days Conference

We had one of the most inspirational, motivating and informational conference in years!! 45 were in attendance for this year's 40 Days conference. We had alot more that couldn't come but pray that they will return next year for what we hope to top this year's conference! We're working on this now! Men and women have left this conference with a renewed sense of purpose: to reach for one soul within one year. Here are some 40 Days Freeze Frames for you to look at all that had gone on last weekend:















Mark Lowenstein reading Revelation 7 before singing praises to God!




















Jose Abenchuchan, guest speaker from Jacksonville, Florida, preaching, "Fearless Faith". He talked about how most of the members of the churches in the world fail to be the light of the world, salt of the earth and seed-bearers!! Christians do not share their faith out of fear of losing friends, fear of lack of knowledge of explaining why they believe in Him, why they are a Christian, lack of time spend in sharing the gospel with others, and reluctant of sharing the good news because of many rejections from others. Jose went on to say that God charged us to be seed-bearers with "FEARLESS FAITH"! If you missed this lesson, you missed the conviction of the Holy Spirit!














There are brotherly and sisterly hugs visible throughout the conference!














Mark Lowenstein led the congregants to praising God singing, "A New Anointing"!














Jose Abenchuchan challenged the members to make a commitment to go and bring in "ONE SOUL" to Christ and work with that soul (teaching, admonishing, coaching, nurturing, loving, supporting). (Above) Jose lights Bev Young's candle then asked God to bless her as she makes the commitment.














Jose lights Jack Mitchiner's candle then asked God to bless him as he reaches "ONE" for Christ!















A room filled with Sunday's small groups discussing the 40 Days material: MINISTRY.

We closed the 40 Days conference on a high note! Jose challenged the members of the Lord's church to minister others within His Body! There were no dry eyes during this special time and many hearts were crushed knowing of their sins and their lack of awareness that each of us were shaped to serve God!

Please pray for others who couldn't be with us during this special time. They truly missed out God's best for their lives. Not only the weekend was a time to feel God's refreshing Spirit being poured out onto us but also when we come together every week to be fed with God's eternally powerful Word helping us grow and be mature saints of God.

In Christ Alone!

Beware!

The interior car lights were on. Glove compartment opened. Items that were in the compartment were displaced on the seats. Oakley sunglasses (two of them) and another sunglasses were missing. A business card from the police officer was placed on our door. You guess it! We're a new victim of a random car theft in our neighborhood! Actually, both cars! Yet, we rejoiced before the Lord!! I was actually singing with my wife in the car as we left to go to work, "Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!" Crazy, are we? I doubt it!

"For you yourselves know full well that the day of the Lord will come just like a thief in the night." 1 Thessalonians 5:2 (nas)

Yes! We were very surprised it happened to us, especially in this nice neighborhood AND after living here for over a month!. It's really interesting here.. We have always wanted to clean our vehicles. But we procrastinated this for so long. Until a couple of young boys whom the police caught them rummaging around our vehicles gave us the most perfect time to clean the vehicles. No, they didn't capture these brute thieves. Remember, Satan is still out there!

I want to share with you an interesting parallel from reality to spirituality:

1. Who is the thief in a spiritual realm? Satan! Always, always beware of him!
2. Read John 10:10.. Satan lures us into the trap (sins) and destroys us!
3. The very soul we have may be ransacked by Satan himself. Disappointing? Yes. But look to the person who gives us life, Jesus Christ.
4. Repent from your sins (clean up your life).
5. Enjoy the Lord's favor (we're enjoying a clean car!!)

Really, the loss is our gain! "What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ..." Philippians 3:8 (niv)

I love this verse!!! Whatever I have doesn't give me eternal life! When it comes to Oakleys, it a costly loss. I actually lost an Oakley. It is in the bottom of the sound (ocean inlet) at Outer Banks, NC. Two Oakleys are a costly loss. But that's ok. There's more to life than these losses. When it comes to loss of home, job, or a life, it is my prayer that God will remind us that these losses are nothing compared to the "SURPASSING GREATNESS OF KNOWING CHRIST"! Is God playing mind games with us? I think not!

Materialism doesn't make you right with God.
Wealth doesn't make you right with God.
Having a perfect earthly family doesn't make you right with God.

All these things are destined to rot and perish. They don't last forever. It is our Lord Jesus Christ that makes you right with God! That lasts forever!

DREAMING?

Recently, I was praying to the Lord tonight and asked Him for His wisdom and guidance. After reading His Word, especially on words like, "visions", "dreams", and "future", I just thought I'd ask my blogfriends (neat name, huh?) for your God-given input on a vision statement, mission statement and also encourage us to attain a certain and realistic, again, realistic goal that we all "will" work toward as a family and to glorify God!

Please pray about this, first, before you give me your input. Seek His guidance. Read His Word and meditate on a verse whether it's missional, serving, edifying, and others.

Don't forget, bloggers!! Jose and Kathy Abenchuchan will be coming to D.C. for the MISSIONDC, a 40 Day conference this weekend starting this Friday night!! I believe this will be a great conference, not that it's entertaining but informative to equip each of us to be fishers of men!

Keep on dreaming God's dream, blogfriends!!

Dreaming God's Dream

We need to dream God's dream. How do we do that? By reading His Word and thinking God's Word and playing over and over the voice of God that we have read over and over again!

So I want to challenge you to dream great dreams for God.

Open your Bible and read Ephesians 3:20, especially the Living Bible, "God is able to do far more than anything we would ever dare to ask or even dream of, infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts or hopes."

Awesome! Only God can provide us a vision or goal that we never have thought of! That’s an amazing verse. It is as if God says, "I want you to think up the biggest thing you think I can do:

• In your life (not what you want happening the way you want but the way God wants.)
• In your ministry (areas that brings Christ in your community)
• In your church (edifying the body and bringing unity between one another)

and I can top that; I can beat it.”

Find something that God can do through you that you will not fail to do. Think about this. God gave each of you a gift to perform for His glory. Examine yourselves and the gift God gave you. Then let that expand your horizons. Let it expand your dreams. Let it expand your vision into God’s unlimited vision for your ministry.

But how do you find God’s vision for your ministry? A couple of things:

GOD'S WHAT

God always reveals His vision for your ministry. But that's only if you're attentive to His plan, providence and power! When He reveals it, the first thing He shows you is HIS WHAT. He shows you what He’s going to do. I believe it is normal for us to make mistakes once we start out doing a ministry for God - once God has shown you what He’s going to do in your life and ministry – is to immediately run out and assume we can accomplish it any way we wish.

I often make mistakes like this trying to do anything under my own power, my own way, my own efforts. Eventually, we'll be burned out and fall flat on our face trying to figure out what went wrong! Don't take this as a means of coming to the point of a failure but a turning-point, a detour! It's an opportunity to wake up and crawl back to God for His power, His way, and His efforts.

Where is the vision? What's our goal as a church? Where are we going from there? What's the purpose of coming together? Often, churches in the world lack spiritual strength and stability because they don't have a goal, vision, purpose or a dreaming God's dream! I strongly recommend that every church in the world develop a vision/goal, with God's help, to strive and reach for. Once we have reach the goal, we re-group and develop another goal. We're building layers of goals by layer toward eternity!

GOD'S HOW

God’s HOW is always in the exact opposite way that you thought. You say, “I’ll grow the church this way.” And God will say, “No, let’s do it MY way” - because He wants the glory. We need to do it according to His pattern.

GOD'S WHEN

Once you see the HIS WHAT and HIS HOW you’re still not finished. There's another part of the vision - God shows you WHEN.

The longer I walk with the Lord,
and the longer, I'm in ministry,
the more I'm convinced that God’s timing is perfect.

He is never early; He is never late; He is always and precisely right on time. And His timing is as important as the WHAT and HOW of His vision. You must wait for ALL THREE PARTS for God to work in your life.

That's why I am very excited about re-grouping with some of my fellow brothers and sisters next year to discuss Fairfax Church of Christ's Deaf Ministry's vision/goal for the year of 2006 and beyond. We need, with God's help, to implement one. Once we have a vision set up, printed, displayed, and visible, I pray that God's will: HIS WHAT, HIS HOW AND HIS WHEN be done among His church! It's very important that we instill the vision we have for God in our hearts blended in with constant time of prayer and watching God mightily work within His church!

Dream God's Dream For His Glory!!!

The "M" Word!

We're on a mission! A mission to reach the hearts of people with silent cries for help. Deep inside, they know they need Jesus but they may not know "how" to open their hearts to allow Jesus in. They may be paralized with fear of change. They could be afraid they may run into a disappointment that the thought of a dramatic spiritual change didn't happen the way they wanted it to be.

Remember this: when we're fishing for people, we're required to try and test each bait that will produce a bite. Not everyone will accept the same "method of evangelism" you provide. You cannot use the same "method" to every person you meet. Everyone comes in different forms of personalities, traits, backgrounds, interests. You don't talk about Physics with a sports fan. You don't talk about fishing with a ballet dancer. We need to find a common ground - something that is of interest to them. We are to fit ourselves in and learn just about everything a prospect has experienced.

I want to express all that had happened last week!! I am so proud of the church family for jumping in and taking part of a mission to help one of our members of the church. I believe God provided an "Acid Test" on His children at Fairfax. He's not done and will continue to do more tests. I often take over the role as a "caretaker". But the more the church has grown, the more work I will have to do for the Lord alone. I sense God's calling last week after receiving an urgent email on Halloween day. I wasn't sure what to do but went to the Lord and asked for His favor. He provided me one right away by saying as it seems, "Use my children!" So I sent an email out asking some of the members close by or without children who may be willing to help. A couple of them jumped in with a heart to give while one is much more than willing to go and provide for the person on the spot with the gift we gave. For this reason, I praise God for those who have used their time and love by giving to such person in great need.

Today, we talked about Matthew 25:35-39: "And here's why: I was hungry and you fed me, I was thirsty and you gave me a drink, I was homeless and you gave me a room, I was shivering and you gave me clothes, I was sick and you stopped to visit, I was in prison and you came to me.' "Then those "sheep' are going to say, "Master, what are you talking about? When did we ever see you hungry and feed you, thirsty and give you a drink? And when did we ever see you sick or in prison and come to you?'"This is a teaching Jesus taught about the sheep and goats and those who provided for and those who didn't. Our mission is to provide for those in great need. How many people in the world are in great need? I can't count because there are so many of them whom are literally paralized with fear of change, fear of being in the wrong "religion" or "church", fear of getting hurt when they have been hurt daily in the world, fear of isolation from the family of God (are we neglecting our own brothers and sisters in need?) and many other fears that paralizes them!

We're on a Mission.. Yes! Even on a Mission within the body of Christ in effort to build His body, the Church. "May you experience the love of Christ, though it is so great you will never fully understand it. Then you will be filled with the fullness of life and power that comes from God." Ephesians 3:19 (nlt) There are people within His body and outside struggling with the fear of change, hurt, isolation and many more. They clam up with fear. Often, they deny that they have a problem. But we must capture such thought (denial, arrogance, arguments) and make it obedient to Christ: "We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ." 2 Corinthians 10:5 (niv)

"Such love has no fear because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of judgment, and this shows that his love has not been perfected in us." 1 John 4:18 (nlt)

Our Mission, "THE "M" WORD", is to bring the PERFECT LOVE, namely Jesus, into every living soul on earth! This, PERFECT LOVE, will sweep away the fear each person has in his/her hearts!

God loves those who takes action, who is on a MISSION!

"..being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.." Philippians 1:6 (niv)

What's "Your" Mission?

You're probably thinking that you're on a mission to get a PhD. degree or on a mission to work with the Peace Corp, or perhaps on a mission to trek on your bike around the world. I have news for you. That's "YOUR" mission! I think that's great that you have an ambition to pursue during part of your life. But we need to look in a completely different perspective. We're born on earth with a purpose. We cannot merely live and then die without meaning. If we do that, we will never be recognized for eternity!

Jesus came from the Heaven to earth with One Ultimate Goal: To save the world from sin! When He was 12 years old, his parents found him in a temple preaching the Word to a group of religious fanatics. They were in awe of the young mind and how He attains such infinite wisdom! But Jesus' mission wasn't over. He continued on through life with compassion, with simple messages and stories about God, life, death and eternity. 21 years later, He cried, "It is finished!" and died, crucified on the cross. The mission His Father gave Him was done!

“In the same way that you gave me a mission in the world, I give them a mission in the world.” John 17:18 (Msg)

Remember, each and every person that believes in Him are co-heirs (partners) with God! So we have a great responsibility, a privilege to specifically share our life's mission. How did you come to know God? How did God, through the Word, change your life? How did you change from the worst to God's best?

JESUS COMMANDS US TO CONTINUE THE MISSION HE LEFT US

It's a command, not a suggestion! In Matthew 28:18-20, He commanded us to go and, #1 MAKE DISCIPLES (bring those in the world to be followers of Christ), #2 BAPTIZE THEM (immerse them), #3 TEACH THEM (teach them the whole will of God, not some). He calls us not ONLY to come to Him but also to GO for Him. Really, the Matthew 28 passage indicates a REQUIREMENT. It is MANDATORY! Not an option. We really don't have an excuse that we're unable to do it. It is not merely a responsibility of a minister but every follower of Christ. The people in the world will know Jesus through Christians.

YOUR MISSION IS A GREAT PRIVILEGE

It is a sure honor to serve our Living God! We're actually "employees of God" and we're representing Him. God doesn't want us to think we're a "salesman for God" trying to sell His products in a heartless way in order to gain a "crown of life". It is a privilege, the most outstanding one!

YOUR MISSION IS THE BEST THING YOU CAN DO FOR OTHERS

Rick Warren quoted, "If your neighbor had cancer, or AIDS, and you knew the cure, it would be criminal to withhold that lifesaving information. Even worse would be to keep secret the way to forgiveness, purpose, peace, and eternal life. We have the greatest news in the world and sharing it is the greatest kindness you can show to anyone." I totally believe when we share the good news that we have the best remedy for our sins and the sins in the world through Christ, the church will become awesomely contagious.

I want to share with those who have been a Christian for a long time. I applaud those who continue to walk with Jesus and still keep God's mission a top priority in their lives by reaching out to those who need Jesus. But there's a problem. One problem is that a long-term Christian will forget how hopeless it felt to be without Christ. This is similar to those who were raised in a Christian family may have never experienced the devastation sin has on them. They know "of sin" and understand that sin separates them from God. Probably without remorse, they acknowledged it all and accept Christ. It is easy to be classified a Christian, on the outside, but God is more interested in the heart. Everybody needs Jesus (period)!

YOUR MISSION HAS ETERNAL IMPORTANCE

Whatever the impact you make on others in the world is far more important and more recognized than any job, achievement, or goal that you have accomplished on earth. The ultimate question is: WHAT'S YOUR MISSION? What have you done with the Matthew 28 command? Is it in the trash? Is it swept under the rug? Has it simply become a bookmark? Perhaps, you may just be aware of it but haven't put it into action?

Life is NOTHING unless I use it to work for our great Lord Jesus Christ which is the work of telling others the good news about Jesus! If your mission comes to a standstill because you're too busy, you're distracted, you're too critical about certain things in the Bible, you don't know how, you may be lazy then you've wasted the life God gave you on earth!

My suggestion is to just bring one person to Jesus a year and teach that particular person before moving on to the next. If 15 family members of Jesus bring in one, we may have added another 15 family members. Take only one at a time and watch God do the rest!

You weren't placed on earth to do nothing or to live for yourselves. God is inviting you again to participate in the greatest job in the Universe, "..seek and save what is lost." So what's your mission?