Category: English Blog

It is almost impossible for me to be still. I even fidget when I am sitting down doing “nothing.” I am worst at home where there are always something that needs to be done… dishes waiting to be washed, dirty clothes to pick up, furniture to dust, bills to pay, and the list goes on. How on earth can I sit still and relax?The first part of Psalm 46 says “…the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging” (v 2 & 3). That description brings to mind all of the recent disasters that have occurred. An earthquake and tsunami in Indonesia, to volcanos erupting in Hawaii and Guatemala, resulting in entire communities being wiped off the face of the earth. Then in verse 6: “Nations in uproar, kingdoms fall…” This again brings to mind the wars being waged right now in many countries in the Middle East. Earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanic eruptions, devastating hurricanes, wars – these situations provide a perfect excuse for anybody to panic, to be in a frenzy… certainly not the time to just be still!

However, the Psalmist wants us to see that in the midst of all the turmoil and catastrophes, God is in charge and is very much in control. “Come and see what the Lord has done, the desolations he has brought on the earth. He makes wars cease to the ends of the earth. He breaks the bow and shatters the spear; he burns the shields with fire” (v 8 & 9). Nothing happens without His direct intervention! Then he says: “Be still, and know that I am God…” Another way of saying this is: Stand back kid! Just watch! I am about to do something that is going to blow you away!”

There are many right now, who are facing certain challenges that threaten their sanity and stability. There are many who have lost jobs, many who have lost their homes. Some could currently be losing their very family because of divorce. There are those who are facing challenges that threaten their very existence due to a fatal illness or debilitation. However, there are many whose challenges may not be as big, but could be equally debilitating: living with obnoxious teens, living beside a problematic neighbor, working with an impossible boss, or always having to make ends meet from paycheck to paycheck.

In the midst of big or small challenges, often our tendency is to panic, fret, or get frantic.
God sees and knows what we are going through. He wants to remind us that in whatever situation, He is there, and He wants to be exalted (v 10 & 11). Every impossible situation is a perfect opportunity for Him to display His power and magnify Himself. So, instead of getting frantic, trying this or that…simply, stand back, and trust Him to impress you and show you what He’s got!

He says, “Be still and know that I am God…” – Psalm 46:10

“Why do you notice the little piece of dust in your friend’s eye, but you don’t notice the big piece of wood in your own eye? How can you say to your friend, ‘Let me take that little piece of dust out of your eye’? Look at yourself! You still have that big piece of wood in your own eye. You hypocrite! First, take the wood out of your own eye. Then you will see clearly to take the dust out of your friend’s eye.” (Matthew 7:3-5)

One of the most important life skills that you have to learn is conflict resolution. If you don’t, you’re going to spend a lot of your life miserable, because we’re imperfect people, and we have conflict almost every day of our lives.

If you want to resolve conflict, you’re going to have to make the first move. That means you’re going to have to ask for God’s help, because it takes courage to approach someone you are in conflict with and tell that person you want to sit down and work it out.

Then, you don’t start with what the other person has done wrong. You don’t start with a bunch of accusations or ways that you’ve been hurt. You start with what’s your fault.

The conflict may be 99.99 percent their fault. But you can always find something to confess! Maybe it was your poor response, even if it came out of defensiveness. Maybe it was your attitude. Maybe it was the way you walked away.

You have weaknesses in your life that others see clearly but you’ve never seen. Those are your blind spots. You have weaknesses you’re clueless about. That’s why you need to come to conflict resolution with a humble heart and begin with your own faults.

Jesus said, “Why do you notice the little piece of dust in you”Why do you notice the little piece of dust in your friend’s eye, but you don’t notice the big piece of wood in your own eye? How can you say to your friend, ‘Let me take that little piece of dust out of your eye’? Look at yourself! You still have that big piece of wood in your own eye. You hypocrite! First, take the wood out of your own eye. Then you will see clearly to take the dust out of your friend’s eye.” (Matthew 7:3-5)

He’s saying you need to confess your part of the conflict first. What’s the piece of wood in your eye that is keeping you from seeing the situation clearly? Don’t start with the other person and all the ways they’ve hurt you until you’ve confessed your part of the conflict first.

Did you cause conflict by being insensitive? Or were you overly sensitive? Did you not show compassion for the person who was hurting? Were you being over demanding? What are your blind spots? Once you figure them out and confess them, you’ll be ready for the next step in conflict resolution.

In Jeremiah, the Lord admonishes us to pray, saying, “You will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart” (Jeremiah 29:12-13)

Each of us would like to see great and mighty things from God. However, if we fail to pray, then we will never fully experience the power of God in our lives.

Prayer is our declaration of faith in a mighty God. When we pray, we acknowledge our need of Him and our dependence on Him alone. Calling out to God also declares our desire for His wisdom, guidance, and protection.

We have the awesome privilege of entering God’s presence through prayer. It is here that we discover the will of God for our lives and receive His power so we can victoriously face the enemy of our souls.

In this life, there will be times when we struggle with feelings of disappointment. In those times, we may be tempted to wonder how life ended up feeling so unfair. If we are not careful, our spiritual focus will shift, and we will wonder, “Why pray?”

Never allow this attitude to rest within your heart. Prayer is our mighty weapon of victory. It is a matter of the will rather than emotion or intellect. When the bottom drops out of life, we must become more determined than ever to pray.

In Scripture, Paul reminds us that a spiritual battle rages around us (2 Corinthians 10:3-4). However, we are not defenseless. Prayer is a powerful and sure weapon. Therefore, we can pray and by faith know that God hears us when we call to Him.

Prayer: Father, You are a Mighty God, and I acknowledge my need for You and my dependence upon You. I pray for Your will for my life. May I receive it with joy and thanksgiving knowing You love me. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.

³ For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. ⁴ The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds (2 Corinthians 10:3-4)

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong (2 Corinthians 12:9–10)

How do people do it? How do they withstand the hurricane-like blows that pummel their lives? The wind, the waves, the surges of heartbreak, crashing one after another, unrelenting in their destruction. How do these people survive… and still lift their faces to the Lord? How can they be so strong when they are at their weakest?

I know the answer. I know it because I’ve lived it. Over the course of my life, some violent storms have hit me. But somewhere in the middle of each storm, God’s voice reminds me that He provides sufficient grace for this trial. And when I am weak, He is always very strong. “Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” Note that connection between my weakness and Christ’s power. “For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” It’s the hard times and the unhealthy times and the hurting times that reveal my weaknesses. And it’s also during those times that God shows up strong.

We often treat suffering like a game of dodgeball. When anything hard comes at us, we jump out of the way. We duck, dive, and hide. We spend our whole lives trying to avoid anything painful or hard. But there’s a better kind of life—a deeper, more fulfilling kind of life—that isn’t about avoiding pain. It’s about finding God faithful and sufficient in the midst of whatever trials or thorns He allows. There’s something about our weakness that opens the flow of God’s strength. In the midst of a trial, there’s a power coming into your life that you’ve never experienced before, because you never needed it so desperately before. Only when you’re personally weak can you experience this supernatural strength.

When you see a hard thing coming your way, try a different reaction: I may not want this, I certainly didn’t choose it, but I can accept it and be content even now. I know God’s grace is sufficient to get me through it. I’m going to see the power of Christ in my life in an incredible way. I’m weak, but He’s strong.

God never allows a thorn without providing sufficient grace and strength in our weaknesses. Sufficient grace is not just enough to survive, but enough so that we can have supernatural joy in the midst of anything He allows us to go through. That’s strength.

Reflect:

“My grace is sufficient for you,” God promises. What does grace look like? Recall a moment in your life you’ve received God’s grace during a trial.

“For when I am weak, then I am strong,” Paul admitted. How are you weak? How does this actually make you strong?

Pray:

Father God, by faith I believe that Your grace is sufficient for me. No matter what. I believe that each day You will provide the strength and grace I need for that day. Like the Apostle Paul, I admit that I’m weak. I need You. Only when I’m weak can I experience Your real strength. Please teach me not to avoid suffering but to be content. You are enough for me. In the name of Jesus I pray, amen.

Key Verse: Isaiah 43:19

Behold, I will do a new thing. Now it shall spring forth; Shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.

Take a moment and pray that the Lord will speak to you in this time of study.

I have come to believe in my understanding of God that He is a God of New Beginnings. When Adam and Eve failed to keep God’s covenant, God made reference to a plan of salvation for them and for mankind. Even as He pronounces judgment on Adam and Eve, He makes reference to One who is to come who will “crush” Satan’s head, even as Satan will bruise His heel. (Genesis 3:15b), The One in God’s plan of redemption is Jesus, the Messiah, whom Satan will attempt to destroy on the cross, but will in fact condemn Satan to the Lake of Fire on the Day of Final Judgment. (Revelation 20:10) He speaks of a new beginning.

When God seeks to judge the world and destroy mankind with a universal flood, He provides a means of preservation for man and the rest of creation through Noah whom He instructs to build an ark for himself, his family, and the animals. (Genesis 6:13-14, 18-19) He provides for a new beginning.

Even in God’s promise to Abraham, He tells him that he will be the father of a mighty nation. But the people will be in bondage some 400 years and after that time God will bring them back to the land that He is promising to Abraham. (Genesis 15:13-16) It is a prophecy of the coming events of Joseph and a 430 year period when Moses would come to deliver them. The story of Joseph is about God preserving His promise to Abraham to make him the father of a mighty nation. Although after the death of Joseph, four hundred years later the Israelites become slaves in Egypt, God sends a deliverer in the person of Moses. It is a new beginning.

One of the most beautiful stories of God’s faithfulness is found in the book of Ruth. It is a story of how God brings blessing and fulfills His plan of redemption of mankind through the person of one gentile woman named Ruth. Ruth is a Moabites and she is married into an Israelite family. When her father-in-law dies and her own husband dies and her brother-in-law dies, she is left without hope for a family and a future. She pledges herself to her mother-in-law, Naomi and her God, Yahweh, the God of the Hebrews. They travel together to Naomi’s home of Bethlehem. It is there by God’s providence and direction that she meets Boaz, who is to be her Kinsman Redeemer. The Kinsman Redeemer was a provision under Jewish law whereby the closest male relative to a widow who is childless could marry her and have children by her. She and her children would have protection and financial provision by becoming part of the family of the Kinsman Redeemer. The widow would be saved from a future life of poverty and desolation. And along with Ruth the future of Naomi is preserved as well. I like the way the story ends. When Ruth gives birth to her first child by Boaz, we are told: “Then Naomi took the child and laid him in her lap, and became his nurse.  The neighbor women gave him a name, saying, “A son has been born to Naomi!” So they named him Obed. He is the father of Jesse, the father of David.” And it is from this line that the Messiah, Jesus comes. (Ruth 4:16-17) There is a new beginning for Ruth and Naomi.

Finally our verse for the week introduces God’s promise of a new covenant and the coming of the Messiah to fulfill the Old and the New Covenant. God says, “Behold, I will do a new thing.  Now it shall spring forth; Shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.” (Isaiah 43:19) The new beginning is for all mankind.

In all of these examples God makes a way for his will to be done. The Bible is full of these kinds of stories where God continues to bring about His will and fulfill His Covenant Promises. It is important to know that God does not work with a Plan B in mind. That is to say that He does not say “If my first plan, my preferred plan does not work, then I have a Plan B that I can go to.” All that transpires, God knows of in advance and He uses to accomplish His will. God’s “new beginning” is always part of His A Plan. There is no Plan B. And because of this truth, we can trust in Him.

The Bible says in John 15: 8 “This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.” God does not expect you to be talented or gifted He just wants you to use what he has given you.

In the Bible, the word “joy” and the word “gift” come from the Greek word itself. It is the word for “grace.” When you use your spiritual gifts, you bring joy to God, and it brings joy to you as well. God says, “You are doing the things for which you were created.” And you say, “This feels good!” Feeling the greatest joy in the world comes from using your gifts for God’s purpose because it works, and you know it, and enjoy it.

There is no feeling in the world better than doing something for the glory of God, knowing that you are doing His will. It is the greatest emotion in the world! If you have never felt that, discover and develop the spiritual gifts that are in you so that you can enjoy your life and bring glory to God.

Often we worry or rather focus more on what version of the Bible than I should read, that in scrutinizing it to enter into the joy of God, we use our human philosophy to pretend that we understand and know our Lord better. In John 16:13 the Word of God tells us that “when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the Truth” – we can only know Jesus Christ through His Word where He has been revealed to us through Holy Spirit who takes the things of Christ and reveals them to us.

In John 16:14 it says the word “God will glorify me because it is from me that he will receive what he will make known to you.” Christian life focuses on getting to know Christ in an ever deeper way, he firmly believed The goal of knowing and learning the sound doctrine is to know the Glorious Savior so that you can understand the purpose of your life in the and its purposes, because a life without Purpose, without Prayer can not be a life in Christ.

Jesus Christ our Lord teaches us that he lived in complete dependence on the Father to show us how we too should live. The Bible teaches us that Jesus Christ took the form of a servant and became obedient to death on the cross, you are ready to live a life of obedience to God.

Thank you for following us through these little messages that I hope will serve you to live a more serene life to the purposes of God, knowing that you were equipped with gifts and talents. Glory to Honor and Honor be to Him alone.

Walter Bustamante

I remember television courtroom episodes where people beg for forgiveness from a cynical judge when they should seek forgiveness from the person they’ve wronged. Usually these shows take the irony to the next level: The judge shows less mercy to those who beg, viewing their actions as further demonstration of their weak character.

Thankfully, God is not this kind of judge, though we often falsely characterize Him that way. At the beginning of Psalm 143, the psalmist remarks:

"O Yahweh, hear my prayer; listen to my supplications. In your faithfulness answer me” (Psa 143:1). He then adds, “And do not enter into judgment with your servant, because no one alive is righteous before you” (Psa 143:2).

The psalmist’s prayers are well spoken, but are they honest? The psalmist goes on:

"Teach me to do your will, for you are my God; your Spirit is good. Lead me onto level ground” (Psa 143:10).

This line demonstrates that he is not spouting rhetoric; he is living in reality.

We’re often determined to convince God to see things our way. Instead, we should be determined to see things His way. God is not a judge in a courtroom drama. Furthermore, His Son has already paid the price for our sins—we have been pardoned through Jesus’ intercession. The only requirement on our part is to enter into a relationship with Him.

We cannot justify our actions, for it is only by God’s goodness that we are able to do good, and it’s only out of severe disobedience and ungratefulness that we act poorly. We need to change our perceptions so that our conversations with God become holistic. We should not just ask; we must act. We should not just speak; we must listen. We should not just petition; we must enter into an honest relationship with God.

God Bless you,

W. R. B.

Most pastors are in the ministry because they want to make a difference. When you talk to them about what this “difference” means, most will say something that has to do with helping people to know and follow Jesus faithfully. There is little disagreement about what we are doing. The how… that’s another story. 

As a pastor, my head is full of ideas on how to have a strategic ministry. Books abound that seek to help us reimagine, reinvent, and rethink the Church. Of course, I am not against thinking, evaluating, and trying to minister faithfully in our changing context. But I do get tired of the rush of new ideas. We are not the first Christians, nor are we the first to face challenges. On the other hand, we have not been given a different set of Scriptures to guide and govern the church today. If we believe in the sufficiency of the Scriptures, then we must hold that we have been given all we need to equip ourselves and sail with fidelity, and even to prosper, in our respective contexts.In light of this, what did the apostles do when faced with challenges? Prayed Read the Epistles to the churches and observe what they do (ex, Ephesians 1: 15-22, 3: 14-21, Phil 1: 9-11, Col. 1: 9-13). Why? Because they understood that the nature of the battle was not carnal. It could not be won by demonstrations of wisdom, innovation, personal ability, or some other way. The nature of the battle is spiritual. Therefore, work is spiritual (Ephesians 6: 10-20). 

My advice to a strategic ministry is not really very creative. They are certainly not innovative. They are, Biblical. 

If you want to hit the target and help people know and follow Jesus faithfully, then you need to pray. 

I want to give you three aspects of the sentence that I believe are especially strategic.

1. The Private Prayer 

2. Pastoral Prayer

3. The Body Prayer

Until next time, where we will share this biblical strategy together.

God bless you,

Walter Bustamante, (Men’s Ministry Leader 2016-2017)

Most of us have learned this rule from a very young age, do to others the what you would have them do to you. But today I want you to see the current context of this teaching of Jesus.

7. “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.
8. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.
9. “Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone?
10. Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake
11. If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!
12. So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.
(Matthew 7: 7-12)

This statement, also known as the golden rule of conduct, is an affirmation that Jesus made in relation to the satisfaction of our needs and the attainment of what God wants us to be and do. He was challenging the people to ask the Lord for His blessings and ask Him sincerely: What is your will for my life? What do you want me to do? What have you planned for my success? What will make me a winner in your eyes?
The Lord taught the people to persist in the persecution of blessings and divine success until they obtained it. If you live a good relationship with others and treat others as yourself, you will be blessed by the Lord. In the Gospel of Luke we find a teaching of being merciful, not to judge, not to condemn, to forgive. The Lord gives us direct proportion of the way we think and act, knowing that a large percentage of our thoughts and opinions are directly related to what others say and do. I want to leave you with two verses that talk about how the Lord responds based on our behavior with others.

For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.
(Matthew 6:14)

For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.
(Matthew 7: 2)

God bless you,
Walter Bustamante, (Men’s Ministry Leader 2016-2017)

1. Learn the parts:

Don’t waste your team’s time – prepare beforehand on your own time and come ready to rehearse! Know the songs, know the arrangements and be ready to contribute at a higher level – warm up if you are a vocalist, tune up if you play an instrument, etc.

2. Turn up. On time!

As musicians and singers, it’s so easy to think you’ve done the right thing by showing up at all… that song that was running around your head sidetracked you, those lyrics you had to memorise, the latest song that just downloaded to your iTunes account that you just had to stop and listen to…
The truth is though, as a musician you play on a team… there’s no room for lone rangers or late-comers. Respect others enough to turn up when you should and where you should — be punctual! And if you have gear to set up, then arrive earlier! It won’t go unnoticed.

3. Take lessons:

No matter how good you are, keep pushing the ceiling and keep getting better! Not just in your leadership and Christian discipleship but in your skill, technique and musicianship — make every effort to bring your very best every time you play and sing! No matter how good you are, keep pushing the ceiling and keep getting better!

4. Cultivate a ‘can do’ attitude:

Try and be one of those people who sees possibility rather than obstacles. Find ways of being able to say ‘yes’, to go the extra mile and to inject yourself into the team. If there are new songs, new ways of doing things, new members to come along side — say ‘yes’ as your default, not ‘no way’… it’s so much easier on your leader!

5. Debrief:

Be willing to listen to feedback after services and be committed to continuous improvement! Highlight what others have done well and work on your own shortcomings.

6. Love Jesus:

As Christians, prioritise your relationship with the Lord! Be someone who brings depth and authenticity to the platform. Be ready to encourage others — know what God’s challenging you on and be willing to lead pre-service prayer meetings and behind the scenes. Developing spiritual maturity means you will become someone your leaders can count on! As Christians, prioritise your relationship with the Lord! Be someone who brings depth & authenticity to the platform

7. Dig for Gold:

Help others to see the gifts in themselves. Champion others and look for people in your church who could contribute to the worship team. There’s nothing better than to help people see the talents that God has entrusted to them and help them unearth their potential!

8. Worship off the platform:

When you are sitting in a service, be the type of person who leads worship from your seat! Don’t sit back judging what’s happening but engage in worship like you’d expect the congregation to do if you were leading!

9. Be helpful:

Think about what it takes to make Sundays happen — photocopying, admin, roster confirmations, communication, setting the stage, etc — and then be proactive to do what you need to do quickly! For example, confirm your rostered positions and offer to help in other areas if and when you have time.

I’m sure there’s a hundred more things we could add to this list, but this is a good start for now 😉

Why don’t you take some time and reflect on which of these things you’re good at and which ones you might need to grow in? You and the worship team will be better for it, I promise!!

With Much Love, A&O ❤️