Time does go by faster and faster. I am reminded of that when I see old Jr. Highers graduating from highschool and entering into college. I also am reminded when I see the frailty of human beings that this life was not suppose to be this way. When I read Genesis 1 I see that God had a plan and of course that plan was Jesus but I long for the future plan, being with Christ, being in his presence, being away from the misery of sin and into the perfection of the Godhead.

But——

Even when I long, I can not neglect what my purpose here on earth is. Showing the love of God through Christ to humanity. May I be diligent in my work as a Christian which encompasses every aspect of my life, may you be diligent as your work as a Christian in your homes and in your professions and in your schools. This life is short, make the most of every opportunity.

Romans 12:9-13~ Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in pryaer. Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.

Please bring this year in prayer for the ministry, for those in need, for my wife and I, and also that we will meet the needs of Jr. Highers. We should always long to outdo the previous year with things for the Lord. May we all draw closer and throw off the hinderance of sin.

With all that said, I just want to encourage everyone to make sure when you come to service that you are making relationships with the youth. I see more talking with one another and even though that is good that we can have fellowship, let us make another time for that so we can focus on the task at hand.

PJ

Christmas is right around the corner and as I write this I am reminded of all the last minute things I need to get done. It is very easy to get distracted from the focus of Christ. Sometimes I get so frustrated that I just want to say, “Enough! The gifts and all this hustle, just can’t we just stop!”

Well I hope everyone has a blessed Christmas and enjoy their week with friends and family.

I would like to just share what the heavenly host praised to God as the shepherds were watching and listening to the news of Christ’s birth.

Luke 2:14~ Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased.

Jesus brings God’s glory on earth for mankind.
Jesus is peace the true peace that the Jews spoke of.
God is pleased in his Son.
We find true peace in Christ with our souls and life.
When we receive the son, God is pleased in us.

May you desire Christ even more everyday as we can focus on him through all things.

PJ

Have you ever had one of those days, that once you woke up, you realized nothing is going to go the way you want it.

I had one of those days this past week, I hate them. I get really frustrated and then I complain about it to everyone.

In light of present circumstances, it is easy to look at it and complain about it. Sometimes saying, “God, is this really necessary for me to go through.” I complain a lot, if you did not know that about your pastor. NOW YOU DO! It is easy to start going on a complaining tangent about everything. But God has his way of getting my priorities right and to see why am I really complaining.

This happens everytime someone may come up to me and ask for me to pray for them. I just stop and say, “God, forgive me for my complaining attitude, I have so much to be grateful for.” This also happens during the worship service, “God, forgive me for dwelling upon my needs, you are so good to me.” This happens when I ready his word, “Lord you love is so great, forgive me for taking my eyes off of it. My situations are really not that critical, I always tend to make them bigger than they are, and I dwell on them so much that it annoys my wife. That is why it is so important to be in the word, to participate in worship, and to pray for others.

Psalm 27:-4-14, “One thing I ask of the LORD, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple. For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his tabernacle and set me high upon a rock. Then my head will be exalted above the enemies who surround me; at his tabernacle will I sacrifice with shouts of joy; I will sing and make music to the LORD. Hear my voice when I call, O LORD; be merciful to me and answer me. My heart says of you, “Seek his face!” Your face, LORD, I will seek. Do not hide your face from me, do not turn your servant away in anger; you have been my helper. Do not reject me or forsake me, O God my Savior. Though my father and mother forsake me, the LORD will receive me. Teach me your way, O LORD; lead me in a straight path because of my oppressors. Do not turn me over to the desire of my foes, for false witnesses rise up against me, breathing out violence. I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD.

PJ

2nd Kings 6:16~ He said, “Do not be afraid, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.”

Have you ever felt alone or outnumbered? I have never been in combat and I give credit to those who have. I have felt alone in certain circumstances but never because someone was going to get me. I have felt outnumbered but that would be just in a basketball game or soccer game but never in battle. Here Elisha and his servant are being surrounded by the ruthless Syrian army. But Elisha tells his servant do not be afraid, why, because there was a better, more powerful army that was surrounding them. It was God’s army. And they were ready to protect Elisha and his servant.

It is the spiritual fight that we really should be concerned about and not necissarily the physical. Ephesians 6:12 tells us, “For we are not fighting against people made of flesh and blood, but against the evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against those mighty powers of darkness who rule this world, and against wicked spirits in the heavenly realms.” This is what will really drag us down.

There is a spiritual battle going on and we may not see it but it is over our soul. But the crazy thing is that I know I was purchased at a high price and no matter how crazy the battle goes, I am never alone or outnumbered because of what Jesus did for me on the cross. With this we know that we can face those spiritual oppositions only through Christ. He has my back, and his word tells me that He will never leave me nor forsake me. Have comfort in Christ even through those tuff time spiritually. Have comfort to know that you were bought at a price that you can never repay or need to for that matter.

PJ

2nd Kings 2:2, 4, 6~ As the Lord lives, and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.

Three times Elisha says this to Elijah, the prophet whom he left everything to follow and learn from. As we read the text of 2nd Kings ch. 2 we see that Elijah and Elisha both were aware of what was going to happen, that God was going to take him away. Even other prophets were sharing with Elisha that today was the day that the Lord was going to take him. They did not say die, they knew God was going to be supernaturally taking Elijah away. But he stuck with Elijah through the tough times and the good times. He got the see the prophet at work. But this was going to be something spectacular, he did not want to miss this.

How is it when you walk with the Lord you do get to see some amazing stuff. You get to see how God faithfully takes care of his children, you get to see God work through his servants and share the Gospel, you get to see people whom you would never think receive the Gospel and turn from their old lives and they are a new creation.

Looking back from the time I started serving the Lord, I would not trade it for anything, I have had a wonderful experience but more than anything I get to see the Lord work in the lives of people. I would not want to miss that for the world. I am reminded of Isaiah, when the Lord was saying, “Whom shall I send and who will go for us? Isaiah said, “Here am I! Send me.” I know he would not want to miss this opportunity to be used by the Lord.

May you be blessed and desire serving the Lord more than any other opportunity in this life.

PJ