Posts Tagged ‘Psalm 127’

The Church Unleashed in TJ!

Posted: September 21, 2015 in Christianity, Church Planting, Ministry, Ministry Partners, Prayer, Tijuana
Tags: , , , , , , ,
2
A Glorious Sunday of Worship
Dave preaching at LMT Plan Libertador in Rosarito

Dave preaching at LMT Plan Libertador in Rosarito

Today (Sunday) was an invigorating day! It’s so good to see God’s church in action. The church growing, and reaching out to the glory of God!

In the morning I was able to visit and preach at Lo Mejor del Trigo (LMT) Plan Libertador in Rosarito. Victor Bravo pastors this young church, which we helped him and his wife, Sol launch this past March.

Victor and Sol are some of my favorite people. They have so much energy and enthusiasm and it’s plan to see that they love their people and the people love them.

Dave & Pastor Victor Bravo in front of the church

Dave & Pastor Victor Bravo in front of the church

I preached on Christ’s tender invitation to come learn from him, and rest in him from Matthew 11:25-30. I’ve been camped out on that passage for a while now. It was hot in the church today, so I feared the congregation might take my exhortation to rest literally. Fortunately, they stayed awake and I sensed the Lord used His Word to lift up the spirit of the people.

Even though this church is only a few months old they already have about 40 people in their service. Victor and Sol are doing an outstanding job in showing the love of Christ in the community of Plan Libertador. I wish all our church plants would start off like this one is.

That’s our continued prayer. Lord, build your church.

7 Year Milestone at LMT La Morita
Jaime & Valentina on the far right receiving a plaque of recognition for their 7 years of ministry at the church

Jaime & Valentina on the far right receiving a plaque of recognition for their 7 years of ministry at the church

In the afternoon I was able to go to LMT La Morita in Tijuana to celebrate their seventh anniversary. My good friend, pastor Jaime Rodriguez is leading this church. He planted the church with his wife, Valentina in 2008.

Jaime also ministers as the Hispanic pastor of Bridge church in San Diego. I really enjoy working with him. As I’ve said before it’s a real privilege for me to minister with the men and women like Jaime & Valentina and Victor and Sol.

So encouraging to visit these two churches, and see how God’s Spirit is working in each church.

God’s Amazing Work – What a Joy!

When I pray and think about the future and what God wants to do on the border and throughout the Baja I keep being reminded of Ephesians 3:20.

Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen. (Ephesians 3:20, 21 ESV)

I love  the idea of Christ doing far more abundantly than all that we ask or think. It doesn’t only say abundantly, but the passage says far more abundantly. God can and will do more than we can even ask or think of. I don’t know about you, but that gives me hope.

Sometimes I get frustrated when I try to do the ministry in my own strength, or even when I lean on my own understanding too much.

So many wonderful promises in the Bible to keep me going in the right direction, and to remind me who’s in charge.

“Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain.”
‭‭Psalm‬ ‭127:1‬ ‭ESV‬‬
Thanks for praying and standing with us as we minister here, and see God fulfilling his promise to build his church.
In His Grip, Dave

Quiet in a Loud World

Posted: March 29, 2014 in Christianity, Ministry, Prayer, Reflections & Musings
Tags: , , , ,
2
Be Still My Soul
The Diaso Family at Christmas!

The Diaso Family – growing together in God’s grace

Through our work in the ministry and our family trials God has been teaching me some great lessons. One of them is the importance of resting in him.

That has not been an easy lesson to learn. The Psalmist in Psalm 46:10 says to cease striving and know that I am God. Yet I continue to strive.

I’m grateful that the Lord does not give up on this slow student. He is a patient and loving teacher.

There are some wonderful promises in the Bible, that I have a hard time believing. Just think of Psalm 127:2, “It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil; for he gives to his beloved sleep.”

Draw Near to Jesus
pastor Leo leading us in prayer

pastor Leo leading us in prayer at the border

I think that’s an amazing verse, because I often feel guilty if I’m not staying busy. There’s this battle to be always at it, always doing something that at least feels productive. Jesus said Mary had chosen the better thing as she was at Jesus’ feet while Martha was busy serving.

The Lord has impressed on my heart that I need to grow in listening to his voice, and to do that I need to be quiet. I ask the Lord that he will work in my heart and help me to slow down and rest in him.

When I meet with the pastors I’m working with, I’ve been encouraging them to learn to listen to the voice of God. It’s essential for ministry, especially if we want to last and be effective.

God calls to come before him and to rest in him

God calls to come before him and to rest in him

O Lord, please continue your holy work in me. Make me like Jesus. Cause me to work hard, but also to slow down and to rest in you. Be still before the Lord.

In His Grip, Dave

DiasoLifeOnTheBorder.org

 

 

 

What About the Time to Build?

Posted: February 24, 2014 in Christianity, Ministry, Prayer, Tijuana
Tags: , , , , , ,
1

In my last post I wrote about how we’ve endured a season of trials, but now things are getting better. We are hopeful and even rejoicing in what God is doing!

A Time to Build
Two of our friends, Pepe & Ulysses working on the house. They also helped me get my car fixed!

Two of our friends, Pepe & Ulysses working on the house. They also helped me get my car fixed!

There are various seasons of life

A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance

— Ecclesiastes 3:4

The passage in Ecclesiastes 3:3 also mentions, “a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up” among other things. There is a time for everything.

The Lord has been bringing healing, and whereas we felt like we were being broken, God is building. He is building in our lives, as well as literally building via the ministries we are serving with.

Even in the midst of the tumultuous ride that we’ve been on, the Lord has been at work. Last week we had a wonderful time with Redeemer Church San Diego and Lo Mejor del Trigo Rojo Gomez.

Hunter Benson, back left with some of the others from Redeemer that came on the trip

Hunter Benson, back left with some of the others from Redeemer that came on the trip

I talked to Hunter Benson, the leader of the Redeemer group, and he told me about all the positive reports that he has been getting since the trip from those that joined us.

I also saw Scott Griffiths, who guided the construction on the pastor’s home. Scott said he really enjoyed working with Redeemer. They did a great job, and worked hard to get the project done.

You might remember that my car broke down during the trip. It needed a new fuel pump. I was able to get it fixed for a reasonable price, which is a huge answer to prayer. I picked the car up on Friday, and I saw the house at the church in Rojo Gomez. It’s close to being finished.

While I was at the house they were working on the some of texturing, so they could paint the inside of the house, and put up the kitchen cabinets. Our hope is that the house will be completely done and ready for Abraham and his family to move into in about a week.

Joy in the Journey

It gives me joy to see how committed God is to his work advancing. I know it isn’t dependent on me. I am thankful that he allows me to be involved, and to be blessed as I work with friends to bless others.

Thank you so much Jesus for this tangible demonstration of your love.

The Lord Builds the House

Unless the LORD builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain.

—Psalm 127:1

O Lord, do build the house. Do watch over the city. We recognize our dependence on you for all things – for the advancement of your kingdom on earth as it is in heaven!

In His Grip, Dave

DiasoLifeOnTheBorder.org

Growing Up With Our Children: It’s NOT for Wimps!

Posted: January 16, 2013 in Christianity, Family Happenings, Journey, Prayer, Reflections & Musings
Tags: , , , , , , , , ,
11
Jonathan & Dawn, family fun

Jonathan & Dawn having some fun together

Over the last month we’ve experienced the joy of having our kids visiting us. David Jr. has been home from college. Jonathan was with us for Christmas. Hannah is visiting now.

Dawn and I have entered the stage of being empty nesters. There are some things we like about it, but we really miss our kids.

A friend told us that we give our children roots, so we can give them wings. We do pray that they will soar! We just don’t want them to soar too far away. 😉

Our prayer is that our kids will walk with the Lord all the days of their life. That they will truly be in love with Jesus. If that is true of them then they will make the right choices as they grow in God’s rich grace.

David, Hannah, Dawn and Dave Diaso, family

David, Hannah, Dawn and Dave

We love all three of our now grown children so much. We are hoping that they will live closer to us. In the meantime, we trust in God’s goodness. We give thanks that they can visit. We praise the Lord that they are doing well, and that we have a strong relationship with them.

Part of the difficulty we face is that on the one hand we are to love our children, but we shouldn’t make an idol out of them. Only the Lord can fill the deep recesses of our heart. It’s so easy to look to things or people to do what only God can do.

Dave & Hannah Diaso at Coronado Island San Diego Harbor

Dave & Hannah on Coronado Island with the San Diego Harbor in the background!

I do thank the Lord for my children, and I give them to the Lord daily. I pray that they will walk with the Lord and love him more each day. “Lord, you know our heart. Work in our hearts as well that we will love you, and put you before all others.”

“Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one’s youth.” (Psalm 127:3,4 ESV)

I suppose there are others of you that can identify with what we are going through. If you have children you may have already gone through it, or you may be in the process of going through it, like us, or it may still be ahead of you. Let me know what encouraging bits of wisdom you’ve learned along the way. We need all the insight we can get!

In His Grip, Dave

DiasoLifeOnTheBorder.org