Posts Tagged ‘apostle paul’

Who Will Win in the End?

Posted: May 23, 2014 in Christianity, Ministry, Missions, Reflections & Musings
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The Battle Rages On
Sunset on the Pacific

Sunset on the Pacific

Over the last couple weeks I’ve met with some of the pastors that I’m coaching and encouraging, and they are going through some difficult times. That’s why the question of, who will win comes to mind.

I take comfort that despite the fact that the battle rages, and at times it’s hard to see the light we know that God is on the throne. We know that God uses our pain. He uses our hardships to build into our lives. The Lord doesn’t waste the troubles we encounter.

I just finished reading through the book of Job this morning, who is the patron saint of suffering. God never really answered Job as to why he suffered so much. His answer seems to be, if I told you why, you wouldn’t understand. Job was humbled before the Lord. He recognize how small he was compared to God. He repented of his foolish plea.

Look to Jesus

Of course, our Lord Jesus Christ who is perfect and holy endured the cross for our sin. Jesus is the ultimate example.

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:1, 2 ESV

Look to Jesus.

That’s an amazing statement, “who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross.” Jesus is our hope. His resurrection means there is victory over sin, death and Satan. We are to live in that victory as more than conquerors!

If we want to be like our savior, should we expect not to suffer?

The answer isn’t to seek suffering. It helps tremendously to know that a loving Father is orchestrating all things.

Our Suffering is Not Wasted

The apostle Paul encourages us to rejoice in our suffering, which seems like crazy talk. Yet, he does this, because of what the difficulties of life are building into us.

“Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.” Romans 5:3-5 ESV

All the hardships we endure in this life are producing good things in us: endurance, character, hope. So don’t give up dear friend, there is much hope.

Pray for us and those pastors and ministers we serve with who are going through some trying times! Pray that we will all keep our eyes on Jesus!

In His Grip, Dave

DiasoLifeOnTheBorder.org

 

 

The Joy of Christmas and God’s Increase

Posted: December 24, 2013 in Bright Spots on the Border, Christianity, Church Planting, Family Happenings, Ministry, Ministry Partners, Missions, Prayer, Reflections & Musings
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The Joy of the Season!
David & I both celebrate our birthdays in December. The cake got the best of us - "Mordida"

David & I both celebrate our birthdays in December. The cake got the best of us – “Mordida”

Today is a doubly special day in our home. We celebrate the birth of our first-born son, David Jr. and we celebrate the birth of Christ.

Like many my family and I enjoy this season. It’s a great time to reflect on the many gifts the Lord has given us. I love having all the family together, at least my immediate family. I do wish I could be with my parents and my brothers and their families. It becomes more complicated to bring everyone together, but I am so thankful that our kids can be with us.

God Provides the Increase

When I reflect on this last year, and some of the gifts and blessings the Lord has given us I’m reminded this has been one of the most fruitful years we’ve had in our 25 years of ministry. I realize that the Lord provides the increase, but it’s so good to be on this journey. It’s so good to witness God working in the hearts of men and women.

Paul says it best in 1 & 2 Corinthians:

I planted, Apollos water, but God gave the growth. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth. – 1 Corinthians 3:6,7

For it is all for your sake, so that as grace extends to more and more people it may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God. –2 Corinthians 2:15

God is doing a Healing and Restorative work!

Dawn and I love the people we work with. The pastors we are able to serve alongside on both sides of the border. We are grateful that our relationship with them has deepened.

He is moving and bringing many to a saving faith. It is beautiful to be a part of a ministry where we witnessed over 100 come into a new relationship with Christ. Many of those that came to Christ are now growing in their faith.

Just last week we saw 17 people come to Christ through our Christmas in City Heights outreach!

Dave with Daniel Nuñez and two of the church planters, Ivan Casados and Jose Luis Rivera

Dave with Daniel Nuñez and two of the church planters, Ivan Casados and Jose Luis Rivera

There were also many in Tijuana that came to Christ through are partnership with Lo Mejor del Trigo and our church plants there.

Here’s the story that one of our friends, Pastor Ivan Casados and his wife, Rocio shared with us about a family that has been changed forever by the gospel.

Recently, Rocio met a woman who lives in the neighborhood, Veronica. Rocio asked Veronica if she could pray for her. Veronica said that she needed prayer for her back, and that she was scheduled to have surgery later that week. Veronica was nervous about the upcoming operation.

Rocio prayed and Veronica felt God’s peace, which carried her through the surgery. This comforted and encouraged Veronica and it opened a door for Rocio and the church to share the love of Christ with her. Veronica gave her life to Christ with her. Later her husband, Saul and her son, Samuel came to Christ. Now the family is growing in their faith and they are part of the core group for this new church.

Dave and Dawn - thankful for the Lord's renewing work on the border

Dave and Dawn – thankful for the Lord’s renewing work on the border

One of the things we are excited for 2014 is that we are getting ready to help Ivan and Rocio plant a new church in Valle Verde in Tijuana.

Prayer is Key

I strongly believe that one of the reasons God is blessing the ministry on the border is the prayer of so many friends. Thanks for holding us up, and standing with us in prayer.

Merry Christmas! Worship the King!

In His Grip, Dave

DiasoLifeOnTheBorder.org

Church on a Bus in Tijuana!

Posted: November 28, 2012 in Bright Spots on the Border, Christianity, Church Planting, Ministry, Missions, Prayer, San Diego, Tijuana
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Pastor Juvenal Gonzalez on the mobile church bus

Pastor Juvenal Gonzalez on the mobile church bus

Church on a bus, what a concept! Have you ever worshipped on a bus?

Yesterday I was in Tijuana learning about some new friends ministry, and they told me how they hold church services on a bus. This is a creative way to plant new churches.

When the church is just starting, and doesn’t have enough people and funding to build a church they hold service on a bus. I guess, it’s church on the go, although the bus is parked when they are worshipping.

Pastor Juvenal Gonzalez and missionary Jim Shankula showed me one of the buses they use to reach people for Christ in new communities. They also use tarps for a tent like covering, which works better when the weather is good.

What do you think about having church on a bus? It is a creative way to reach people when resources are limited.

Paul speaks of becoming all things to all people to reach them.

“…I have become all things to all people, that I might save some. I do it all for the sake of the gospel, that I may share with them in its blessings.” (1 Corinthians 9:22,23, ESV)

The seats on the bus are cushioned!

Cushioned seats! One advantage to church on a bus

God’s heart as Paul expresses it here is to “think outside the box” in sharing the good news of the gospel. I and those that minister with me share this desire. I know there are limits on how far we should go with this.

I’m curious to know what you think about the practical implications of becoming all things to all people, to save some? How do we live that out?

We continue to pray for the kingdom of God to be expanded on both sides of the border.

What are some of the creative ways you’ve seen or experienced in worship? Or, Maybe you have a creative idea that we should consider in reaching people for Christ on the border. I’d love to hear it!

In His Grip, Dave

DiasoLifeOnTheBorder.org

Do You Truly Believe God Rules Over All?

Posted: April 20, 2012 in Christianity, Church Planting, Ministry, Missions, Prayer, Reflections & Musings
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The Lord rules over all creation

The Lord rules over all creation

I’ve been pondering this question lately. Do I really believe God is sovereign? A simple definition of sovereignty is that God rules over all.

If God is sovereign. If He does rule over all things and I (we) truly believe that then why do we worry so much?

If our Heavenly Father is a good God, and He controls all things for His glory, what do we have to be anxious about?

Yet we all worry to some degree or another. Many suffer ill-health due to stress and how that stress is handled. I’m not saying that I don’t think we should be concerned or that we should be apathetic about what’s going on in our life, rather that we should lean hard on our loving Father.

As I read many other blog posts on the web it is apparent that a number of people struggle with believing God is good, because of the difficulties they experience in life. These are valid concerns. I cannot hope to fully address all that is involved with these questions here. There are volumes of books that have been written on these topics. I hope rather to bring some light and to uplift those who may feel squashed.

I believe life is full of mysteries that are not fully understood this side of heaven. Still there are some promises that can and should keep us grounded. They should give us courage to live in this broken and fallen world.

Here’s some of the promises that I keep going back to when I start to worry, and get my eyes off of Jesus.

The Apostle Paul lists some very powerful and comforting promises:

“for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.” (2 Timothy 1:17)

“do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6,7)

“No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:38,39)

These three passages I include in my prayers almost daily. And these are only a small sampling of all the marvelous promises that are found in the Bible.

Dave praying with Juan Arjona

Dave praying with Juan Arjona

When I start feeling overwhelmed with the demands of life. When I begin to lose sight of the fact that God is in control I remember these passages and pray them out loud.

My prayer: “O, Lord, you have not given me a spirit of fear, but one of power and love and self-control. I receive the peace of Christ that passes all understanding and guards my heart and mind in Christ Jesus. I thank you, Lord that you are victorious, you have defeated sin, death and Satan on the cross. We are more than conquerors in Christ, and nothing shall separate me from the love of Christ. Neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation shall separate me from the love of Christ. Amen.”

If you are you in Christ you have much to be thankful for. Christ does say that in this world we will encounter trials, but we are to be of good cheer for He has overcome the world. I hope that this might lift you up!

In His Grip, Dave

P.S. Please pray for our ESL outreach which starts today at 4:30 PM (PT).

DiasoLifeontheBorder.org