Posts Tagged ‘Matthew 6’

This Wild, Joyful Ride!

Posted: October 9, 2019 in Church Planting, Ministry, Ministry, Missions, Prayer
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Traning Pastors and Church Planters
Training with Red de Multiplicación in Mexico City

I give thanks for the goodness of God! Over the last month I’ve been able to train church planters in Cuba, Mexico City and Tijuana. I love helping pastors start new churches. It’s the most effective way to reach people for Christ, and this is true no matter where you are in the world.

A number of the pastors I work with have so little. It strengthens my faith as I see the sacrifices they make for the kingdom. When I’m with these friends and see how they live and minister it helps me to put things in perspective about what is truly important in life. One of the things we struggle with in America, and I’m sure it happens around the world, is comparing ourselves to others. The devil uses this to get our eye off of the ball, off of what is truly important. I’m reminded of how Christ told us to put our “treasure in heaven where neither moth or rust destroys and where thieves do no break in and steal.” Then Jesus drives the point home and tells us, “for where you treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:20, 21).

The enemy wants to to forget where are true treasure lies.

That’s not to say that it is easy for the church planters that I work with. Nor does it mean that they never struggle with comparing themselves to others. Yet, I do believe many of them do not get as entangled in some of the trappings that we trip over in our more affluent culture.

The Challenges & Trials
Training with Ben Meyer, Abraham Velazquez and Federico & Blanca Muñoz and other church planters in Tijuana

These pastors do face many obstacles and many trials as they serve the Lord. My heart goes out to them, and I find myself often wishing that I could do more. So when I’m training them I always seek to be sensitive to the Spirit and what is going on in their lives. That way Dawn and I can encourage them and pray for them.

Just before I started writing this I received a message from one of our dear friends from Cuba telling us that her cousin just lost her baby, and another close friend of theirs was killed in an accident. On Friday Dawn and I met with some of our church planters that live near us on the border and their daughter told me that she was sleeping on cushions on the floor, because they don’t have a bed for her. It breaks my heart to learn how many of our faithful friends are living and the circumstances that they are facing.

When we train it’s more than just how to plant a church. It’s more than just how to write a vision statement or a mission statement we have to care for the individuals. When we can bring the need for competencies, knowledge, emotional, spiritual and physical needs together we see the Lord working in amazing ways. It’s one of my chief joys in ministry. To care for the whole person and their families. The relationships that we build are priceless!

The Rewards of Ministry
Church Planting Training with our Cuban friends

Part of the reward of ministering in this way, apart from seeing churches planted, and people coming to Christ which is a true reward within itself is the love and relationship we develop with these church planters. As I’ve mentioned in the past some of them come to refer to Dawn and me as dad and mom. Some of their children call us their grandparents, which I guess is also part of getting gray as we age.

As we minister in this way we see the Lord bringing rich and bountiful blessings. We see the church growing, and people coming to Christ. Lives and communities are being transformed by the gospel!

All this is made possible by so many people like you who pray for what God is doing here. God hears your prayers and he responds. It’s exciting to be on mission with God. Thanks so much for joining us on this wild and joyful ride!

In His Grip, Dave

DiasoLifeOnTheBorder.org

On Earth as it is in Heaven: Kingdom Connections

Posted: June 11, 2019 in Christianity, Church Planting, Ministry, Missions, Prayer
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God is on the Move

Our family at David & Emily’s wedding – Jonathan, Hannah, Grandma Alice Moore, Dawn, David Jr., Emily, David Sr., Grandpa Ron Diaso

Wow! So much is happening that it’s hard to keep up. With our son, David’s wedding with his bride, Emily, and our travels to Pennsylvania it’s been difficult to write and post all that the Lord is doing.

Today in trying to decide what to write about I went back and forth between writing about the wonderful advance in church planting throughout Latin America or about what is going on in Cuba and beyond. The Lord is doing an amazing work in Cuba and through our Cuban friends right now. The people of Cuba are going through a heartbreaking trial right now. Our Cuban brothers and sisters need our prayers, so I will focus on them today.

Our Concern for our Friends in Cuba

Article from The San Diego Union-Tribune from Sunday May 12, 2019 on the Cuban economic crisis

Cuba is going through a shortage of food. This has grown even more pronounced since the start of the year. Our friends have been writing to us and telling us that they are having a hard time getting basics like cooking oil, bread, eggs, pork, and chicken. There is also a shortage of soap. When these items are available they have to wait in long lines for them, and sometimes even travel to other cities to purchase them.

All of our Cuban friends who are pastors and live throughout the country have asked us to pray. So I wanted to make you aware of what is going on and to ask you to join us in prayer for this country and her people. The church goes through even greater persecution depending on the part of the country that the pastor lives and works in.

Kingdom Expansion in the midst of Trials

Luis & May with their children Zuri & David

Lucas* & Maria* with their children Zuri & David

Even amidst all the challenges, there are rays of light that shine as the gospel goes forth. Pastor Lucas* and his wife, Maria* shared with us how they just baptized 23 people, and they are grateful that the church continues to grow.

Over the last two weeks, we’ve been helping Lucas and Maria reach out to a minister in Colombia, whose name is Andres. Lucas and Maria have never been to Colombia, but somehow they connected through the ministry in their church.

Freedom in Christ in Colombia

Prayer in Camaguey. These people are warriors!

Prayer in Camaguey. Where Pastor Lucas & Maria minister. Their people are warriors!

Andres’ dad, Jose Diego is in the hospital in Colombia. He has blocked arteries and he’s been in critical condition. Jose Diego has practiced white magic and voodoo. Andres shared the gospel with his dad and used some prayers that we shared with Lucas and Maria and his dad prayed to receive Christ. Andres said that his dad looked better and healthier after they prayed together. Then Andres lead his father through some prayers to break off his involvement with the occult. After the time of prayer, Jose Diego told Andres to go to his house and remove and destroy all the idols and altars that he had in his house.

Jose Diego is supposed to be moved to another hospital this Thursday for the operation on his blocked arteries. They are praying and trusting the Lord for complete and total healing. Andres also shared with us that they are praying that through this that salvation will come to their whole family, all the aunts, uncles, brothers and sisters. Pray with us that the Lord will use Andres and the testimony of his father, Jose Diego to bring many to Christ.

Encouraged by Kingdom Connections

Pastor Mario & his wife, Yany. Two of our other very dear friends that live and minister in Cuba.

Also, pray for Lucas* and Maria* who are amazing evangelists that the Lord will guide them as they encourage and minister to Andres and his family. Pray for the other pastors that we are working with like Pastor Mario and his wife, Yany (photo above).

Isn’t it amazing how the Lord works!?! Here Dawn and I are on the San Diego-Tijuana border ministering to and encouraging Lucas and Maria, who live in Cuba and they are ministering to Andres and his family in Colombia. Dawn and I have never met Andres, but somehow the Lord has connected us and extended our reach as the kingdom of God grows. We continue to pray that, “Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” (Matthew 6:10 ESV).

Thank you, Jesus, for your great and might work!

In His Grip, Dave

DiasoLifeOnTheBorder.org

2 Keys to Transformation

Posted: June 30, 2015 in Christianity, Prayer, Reflections & Musings
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Growing Together - Course on The Keys to a Transformed Life

Growing Together – Through the Course on The Keys to a Transformed Life

God is Taking Us Deeper

Over the last two weeks God has drawn us deeper. Dawn, Hannah and I have been going through a workshop on Keys to a Transformed Life. What’s made it extra special was that we were able to take our missionary colleagues Peter & Jenny Boling and Jim DeWitt. Four pastors from Tijuana and four church leaders from Ensenada also went with us.

2 Keys – Forgiveness & Repentance

Pastor Jaime Avila, Pastor Mario Perez and Pastor Ivan Casados with Calvin Anderson & Jeinny Escorcia

Pastor Jaime Avila, Pastor Mario Perez and Pastor Ivan Casados with Calvin Anderson & Jeinny Escorcia

Two of the keys we spent a lot of time focusing on were forgiveness and repentance. These are bedrock Christian disciplines. On the one hand, they are very basic to our faith. On the other hand, we often struggle to put them in practice.

We don’t like to admit that we are wrong. Our pride gets in the way. Yet forgiveness and repentance bring healing. God’s grace meets us at our place of weakness.

Luther said that all of life is repentance.

The Benefits of Confession

James speaks of the benefits of confession, even confessing to one another. A Christian practice that has mostly been lost on the church today.

And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working. (‭James‬ ‭5‬:‭15-16‬ ESV)

I can’t say that it is easy to open up and share about areas where we are wounded, but it is freeing when accompanied with forgiveness and repentance.

Turn to the father. He promises to remove our sin as far as the east is from the west. Learn of the father’s love for you.

The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. He will not always chide, nor will he keep his anger forever. He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities.For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far does he removes our transgressions from us. As a father shows compassion to his children, so the Lord shows compassion to those who fear him. (‭Psalm‬ ‭103‬:‭8-13‬ ESV)

The Keys to a Transformed Life

Our Group – The Keys to a Transformed Life

It’s all part of the upside down kingdom. Where we see a flaunting of sin in the world, God calls us to repent. In many ways that word, repent, seems old an antiquated today. It sounds harsh, and yet it is what the Lord chooses to bring us healing and wholeness. God ministers to us through confession and repentance.

Also when we are willing to forgive those who have wronged us, we receive God’s healing touch. It is freeing to forgive. Jesus taught us to pray asking our Heavenly Father, “to forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.… For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” (Matthew 6:12, 14, 15)

That may be a hard passage, but it’s a wonderful promise. Forgiveness is an amazing gift that the Lord offers us. Come and receive his many gifts!

In His Grip, Dave

DiasoLifeOnTheBorder.org

 

 

 

My Prayer: Thy Kingdom Come

Posted: March 18, 2014 in Christianity, Family Happenings, Journey, Prayer, Reflections & Musings
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The Lord’s Prayer

The beautiful sunset Hannah & Dave saw at Imperial Beach last night

The beautiful sunset at Imperial Beach

I grew up praying the “Our Father” or “The Lord’s Prayer”. The repetition caused the words to lose some of their significance.

In the last few years I’ve been struck by the wisdom and power found in this prayer that Jesus modeled for us. Of the many wonderful petitions and phrases in the Lord’s prayer, I’ve been especially drawn to the beginning of the prayer. “Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”

I love to think of God’s kingdom expanding on the earth as the gospel is proclaimed. Dawn and I pray that this will be true of the border.

Lately we have also been praying through our present trial.

Our Plea to Our Heavenly Father

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

We pray the Lord’s prayer, Jesus’ words:

Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. —Matthew 6:9,10 (ESV)

Dawn and I find it helpful and uplifting to pray the Lord’s prayer, then to add. “there is no sickness in heaven (we usually mention a specific sickness or ailment we have, or a family member has) so we pray that you will bring healing.”

I find it comforting to know that one day there will be no more pain and suffering. It is also consoling to realize that God brings some of heaven to earth. We long to see heaven realized.

There is Healing in His Wings

God is at work in some amazing ways. We know he is the God who heals.

We are also learning that when something bad happens to us we can look for him to do a good work, so that grace renewal stories begin to take place.

One example of this is that while we’ve been visiting the hospital over the last week, Dawn has had numerous opportunities to share her faith. Two people have prayed to receive Christ. Others have been encouraged, and the light of the gospel is going out in a place where there is much despair .

Praise God for his good work.

In His Loving Grip, Dave

DiasoLifeOnTheBorder.org

God’s care for the little things

Posted: July 1, 2012 in Christianity, Ministry, Missions, Prayer, Reflections & Musings
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feeding the baby birds

feeding the baby birds

While in my parents backyard this past week I enjoyed observing the birds. They were small birds, maybe sparrows. The birds made a nest in a small bird house that my parents provided them. Momma and papa bird kept bringing the grub as the baby birds chirped. They may not have been “angry birds,” but they were definitely hungry birds.

As I did my bird watching it reminded me of what Jesus said about the birds of the air.

“Look at the birds of the air; they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?”

—Matthew 6:26

Jesus uses this example, asking the rhetorical question, if our Father cares for little birds, don’t you think He will care for you? He exhorts the people of God not to worry, not be anxious. Anxiety will not provide for you, it will not add a day to your life.

In light of the recent Waldo Canyon fire that reached the city of Colorado Springs this is a good reminder. Dawn and I have many friends who were affected in one way or another by the fire. We talked to some of them today at church. Some of them have already been able to go back to their home. One family told me they were going to be able to go back home today. Then those whose homes were in the more affected areas will only be able to see their homes, but not stay in them yet.

Pray for Colorado and for those affected by the fire

Pray for Colorado and for those affected by the fire

The last I heard from Tom Graham, who I mentioned in one of my last posts, he was waiting to get into his home. Hopefully, that happens today.

What’s more basic than food and shelter. Friends of ours lost those basic needs. Everybody in the city is talking about it.

Disasters cause us to worry. Our pastor, Mark Bates pointed out this morning that, “disasters shatter our illusion of control.” Yes, it is an illusion, because sometimes we think we are in control, and then a fire comes. You can lose everything you own very quickly in a fire. Up in smoke all of your worldly positions, and at that moment you do feel powerless.

These times can increase our faith, as we trust in our loving heavenly Father. We don’t always know, why the fiery trials come? Why bad things happen? At least apart from the fact that we live in a fallen world, we don’t know the specific reason we suffer.

Yet we do know God loves us. He loved us enough to send His son, who died on the cross for our sins. He bore the penalty for us.

I’m sure you’ve quoted or heard Paul’s well-known promise found in Romans 8:28,

“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good…”

Then Paul strengthens his argument in Romans 8:32,

“He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?”

You see, if you know God is good, He is powerful and He loves you, then this gives us hope even when we don’t understand. I mean He even God up His own Son for us!

It’s related to the birds. The birds don’t worry, but our heavenly Father takes care of them. He will take care of you too. You are more important than sparrows. You are made in God’s image. So even when it doesn’t seem like God cares, or that He is in control, He does and He is. Praise Him with me!

In His Grip, Dave

DiasoLifeontheBorder.org