Posts Tagged ‘holy spirit’

The Importance of Confession

Posted: December 19, 2013 in Bright Spots on the Border, Christianity, Journey, Missions, Reflections & Musings, Team Members
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God Works through our Weaknesses
Lindsey, Ana & Rafael working in the the Christmas store

Lindsey, Ana & Rafael working in the the Christmas store

A friend commented after I wrote my last post that I shouldn’t have mentioned I was in a bad mood, or had a bad attitude. They thought everyone is going to wonder why I was in a bad mood.

I think this is a good point, but I felt like it was important to mention my poor state of mind for a couple of reasons.

First, I believe it’s helpful that people understand that it’s God who brings the fruit. Even though you could say that I wasn’t at the top of my game, God still used me. Paul said when I am week then I am strong, because God’s grace abounds and is released.

…”My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of the 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

Pastor Roberto Shim sharing the good news of Christmas with our Spanish congregation

Pastor Roberto Shim sharing the good news of Christmas with our Spanish congregation

I also thought it was significant that the Spirit prompted me to confess my poor attitude, and to repent. After I did that my heart was changed. God began to do an amazing work. This is an evidence of his grace in my life.

Martin Luther said that all of life is repentance. I’m finding this to be true in my life. Also, as rotten as my attitude can be, it’s so freeing once I do confess my sin and my struggle. It makes me wonder, why do I wait so long to turn to God, and confess?

So you might still be wondering, what I had a bad attitude about? It wasn’t any one thing, and it wouldn’t be wise to share it publicly on this forum. Just know that I am a sinner saved by grace, and that God is faithful to use flawed people. I do think confession and repentance are wonderful remedies that the Lord has given us, and I am so thankful for God’s grace. I am so thankful that he forgives, and that he still uses me despite my flaws.

Exciting to See People Respond to the Gospel

The Lord is the one who brings the increase! We are excited to be a part of that.

There were at least 17 people that prayed to received Christ with a group of us from Harbor Mid-Ciy on Sunday. We are so thankful for such a great group of people that the Lord has given us to minister with at Harbor. I pray that the Lord will give us many more days like that.

The fruit was ripe. Dawn and I were there at the right time. Glory be to God is the highest!

In His Grip, Dave

DiasoLifeOnTheBorder.org

Lord, Break Through on the Border!

Posted: July 29, 2013 in Christianity, Ministry, Ministry Partners, Missions, Prayer, Tijuana
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Dawn, Dave and David Jr. with Pastor Mauro and his family and friends

Dawn, Dave and David Jr. with Pastor Mauro and his family and friends

David Jr., Dawn and I had a wonderful Sunday afternoon with our friends at Lo Mejor del Trigo in Mariano, Tijuana. One of our friends from Harbor, Matt Dolstein was also able to join us.

Pastor Mauro Lopez, who leads the church has become a great partner in ministry. We’ve enjoyed getting to know him, his family and those that are part of the church he leads.

We Pray that God’s Spirit will Touch the People

Today (Sunday) I preached at the church. I love being able to encourage the people. This church has  been going through some tough times. I felt as I shared with them today that they needed the Lord to meet them in a special way. David, Dawn and I prayed that God would lead me as I preached, and touch the people.

Dave preaching at Lo Mejor del Trigo

Dave preaching at Lo Mejor del Trigo

Several years ago I read that right before Charles Spurgeon would preach he would repeat to himself, “I believe in the Holy Ghost, I believe in the Holy Ghost, I believe in the Holy Ghost.” I keep that in mind and make it my prayer before I preach. This prayer is a cry to the Lord to minister through me and his Word, and also a reminder that I am dependent on the Holy Spirit to touch others.

Our Source of Power

A friend of mine sent me an article this week that warned of ministers today forgetting to rely on the Holy Spirit as they minister. The author brought up some valid concerns.

Here’s an excerpt from Rev. Al Baker’s article:

My brethren, we are in desperate straits in the Evangelical and Reformed world. The church is generally impotent, tame, and woefully lacking in effecting the culture in which we live. I urge you to read the Scriptures afresh and anew, looking at, believing in the ministry of the Spirit. See how many times in the Book of Acts the Spirit is mentioned. I urge you to read Calvin’s Institutes, John Owen’s work on the Holy Spirit, Revival by Lloyd-Jones, and Scotland Saw His Glory by Richard Owen Roberts as a cursory study of the issue. And then let us pray, seeking God until we find Him.

He finishes the article with these penetrating questions, Are we given to unbelief? Do we doubt the power, efficacy, and immediacy of the Spirit? If so, may we repent and believe.

Our Prayer, Our Need

My prayer is that we will believe in the power, efficacy and immediacy of the Spirit, and that we will see the power of the Spirit break forth as we seek and serve the Lord on the border.

The Lord has been teaching Dawn and me more about his desire for the gospel to penetrate deeply into our lives. Luther, who God used to spearhead the reformation, stated that “we need to beat the gospel into our heads.” He also said, “all of life is repentance.” Good reminders! For some reason we forget the power that gospel has to change our lives as well as the lives of other.

Look to Jesus with us, and may we repent and believe.

In His Grip, Dave

DiasoLifeOnTheBorder.org

God’s Reminders of His Love

Posted: July 24, 2012 in Christianity, Church Planting, Journey, Ministry, Missions, Prayer, Reflections & Musings, San Diego, Tijuana
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Dawn & Dave with the San Diego Harbor in the background

Dawn & Dave – The San Diego Harbor in the background

On Sunday when I was leaving church at Aisquith Presbyterian, just outside of Baltimore, a friend of mine discreetly handed me a crumpled ten-dollar bill. I stuck it in my pocket, and didn’t pull it out until later, because my friend acted like he didn’t want everyone to know about it.

When I got to a place where I could pull it out, and look at it, I saw that it wasn’t a large amount. Yet I felt like the Holy Spirit spoke to me and ministered to me through that gift. He reminded me that He loves me and my family, and that He’s going to take care of us.

You see we’ve got a lot on our plate right now. I’m traveling on the east coast, involved in ministry with World Team this week, and working on fund development on the weekends. Our house is under contract. Sunday morning I received the inspection report before I went to church.

The inspection report was on the discouraging side. It seemed like the buyers were asking for the moon. I had a hard time not thinking about it during the service. It’s hard not to fear that the deal is going to fall through. We are hopeful, looking to the Lord, but we don’t know what’s going to happen.

There are some challenging things going on in our family too. The move has stirred up all kinds of dust. On top of this we are working hard to get the rest of our financial support raised before we move.

In times like this it’s easy to get our eyes off the Lord, and focus on what appears to be a mountain of difficulties. I needed something. I needed the Lord to sweep in and minister to my hurting heart. That’s just what He did!

I don’t know what’s going to happen with our house. I’m hoping and believing that the sale will go through, but we do have some obstacles to overcome. We don’t know how the buyer will respond to our offer.

We do know God loves us, and He cares for our every need. He is more concerned about our family and our ministry on the border than we could ever be.

Psalm 56:3,4 is a great source of comfort in times of need.

“When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise , in God I trust; I shall not be afraid. What can flesh do to me?”

Thank the Lord for His enduring love and His faithfulness.

Pray for the Lord’s wisdom and direction as we negotiate with the buyers. We will most likely give them a response later today to the things they’ve asked us to do as a result of the inspection.

Ask the Lord for His provision as we seek the raise up the final funds we need to be fully funded, and freed up to focus on the ministry on the border. If you would like to partner with us financially, you can give online . Just click on the donate button below: 

In His Grip, Dave

P.S. For updates on Petra Anderson go here…

DiasoLifeontheBorder.org