“He who win souls is wise’ says the Holy Word. (Pv 11:30). These men win souls. They must be wise. And wise indeed to commit their Sunday afternoons for works of missions. A church-start work that after 14 months of steady sowing of seeds and watering, yielded new and old believers alike from Mt Laurel to Browns Mills . These believers drawn by the Lord creating a community of faith we trust would become permanent witness in that county.

Sunday after Sunday, be it  colds of Winter or chills of Spring these men thread on.What is Summer and fall? They are just seasons marking these men’s progress of work.They were relentless and unforgiving unto their own weary bodies.In pursuit of souls they were unmindful of the passing seasons.It’s hard not to be inspired when you are surrounded with these kind of men.In silence they have encouraged my spirit .Casting influence they hardly know.

At one thirty ,Sunday afternoon,hardly after Agape Meal, they are moving on to take that one hour and ten minutes of drive to mission field  and would return at about five to their own families. The drive to is their only time for rest and drive fro is their moment of rejoicing before the Lord for whatever things He has done in their midst that afternoon. Yes, they rejoice. They always do. To my delight,keeping me awake on the wheel.

A few good men. That’s all it takes.In my case, five! Five men who are willing to place the yoke of servant hood unto their necks and move with CHRIST, side by side,step by step in many afternoons of toiling and sweating. While many others are greatly involved in CLUSTERS , CHOIR, PRAISE TEAMS, PRAYER GROUPS and the likes, these five men seek to establish a work that shall become a church that soon will have Choir,Clusters, Praise Teams,Prayer groups of its own. And the process is long and weary thus the kind of spirit that shall endure the length  of time and and test of circumstances.Really, a few good men.

They may not be the finest in terms of character and behavior! They may not be the sharpest in terms of intellect! They may not be most acceptable in terms of friendship and partnership, but hey, The Lord, the Creator of universe loves them, He called them, and behold,they were willing.Its up to God to trim their rough edges.He has taken a risk on them and I am not bothered by it at all. They are my team mates and we are a team. We have to work on with our team work.

Tim Tebow they are not. Nor Jeremy Lin. They may not create Tebowing nor Linsanity. They may not turn heads when their names were called nor attract listening ears. But they’re faithful doing their task to to honor their Lord also.In less serious way ,I know these men love TEE- ing and Bow-Lin! Fore! Strike! Baw Gid!

If Gideon has his three hundred and the Lord Jesus His twelve, he surrounded me with five, enough to claim the county of BURLINGTON FOR CHRIST. The mighty shout is,JESUS IS LORD.And ‘Burlington” listens. The work has progress to the point that we’re deciding to have a regular worship service every Sunday! But we have to check our excitement. We need to seek the will of God. We are in weeks of prayer now concerning this matter. Gideon has to wait until the sign from the Lord has been given.The Lord Jesus has to say “my time has yet  come”. Fleece or prayer?  Whichever way, both convey waiting upon the Lord.  We’re better off  waiting.

In my mind now, I think of Joshua commanding the sun and moon to be still (Josh 10:12-13). I think of Christ commanding the storm to stand still ( Mark 4:35-41).And I know that I possess no such powers because the few men He surrounded me with to do the work of mission in Burlington cannot for long  Be Still!

Thanks be to God for examples of few good men who understands His orders of STEPS and STOPS. 

But I took the question as it was stated.

Christians make a lot of mistakes. We are not fine nor refine as we ought to a lot of times. We have episodes of unguarded moments.Those costly mistakes and errors and slips undermine the holy teachings and admonitions  we advocate and became known for. We frustrate people and we’re frustrated at times! It is not helpful to fully assign blames to offenders. Every Christ followers has to carry some degree of responsibility for  creating and bringing the sorry state of church relationship into a messy stuff. Our little hands are not clean. Marks of bias,prejudice,and verdict gloves them.

The command to love one another is central to Christ teaching. In fact Jesus called it a new commandment. He said, “ A new commandment I give to you,that you love one another ; as I have loved you, that you also love one another” (Jn 13: 34). The newness of this command is essential for us to recognize and to aptly apply. The “old one” is of course, loving thy neighbor as thyself. No more! But loving our neighbor as “I loved you”. Hence,loving the brethren now is never release from our own estimation, feel, and willingness,of relating that love, but rather,pattern after the demonstrated love of Christ to us. Yourself is more than a departure point. Christ love is the arriving point from where our own love can really begin. And that’s our struggle and dilemma. Struggle because it constantly slip our grips and dilemma because we cannot put a steady hold on it.

Yet the astounding result of this kind of love is the very thing we’re seeking for “all the world will know that thou art my disciples, if you have love one for another” (Jn 13:35).

And so failure to do so,frustration naturally files up. This submerge and surface in the Body spreading its fatal dose to weak-hearted and immature believers-creating havoc in the fellowship of Christ followers. Yet this unflattering lot can be the very ground from where new loving can be demonstrated by His people. Those who see the problem can be the very part of the solution. Those who identify the conflict can play the peacemakers. Those who see the gap can start putting up bridges. To withdraw or get out will miss the very opportunity of allowing this new love to surface.To bloom. To blossom.To spread out its life that we may take delight and inspiration on its  inherent beauty. Thus bonding us truly.

Apostle Paul wrote: “… we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulations produces perseverance; and perseverance,character; and character hope; Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us “(Rom 5:3-5). Amazing! We often miss this Roman heart-chamber! Perseverance,character, hope, surface in the midst of troublesome times. Difficulties and conflicts in remarkable ways build us up and does not tear us down.It strengthened us and not weakened us.  James, the brother of Jesus reminds:”…knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work,that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing” (Jm 1:3-4). We’re admonished to let patience have a hold on us.And patience will help us deal with unsavory and unflattering things be it things, situations or persons. And look patient brethren how stretched it is. “ …until the coming of the Lord” (Jm 5:7). Whoooaah! Peter stressed that our faith more precious than gold is likened to gold passing through fierce fire,to remove impurities.For our benefit and good,yes,we are fired at! Not to fire back!

And so,If I may, let people say what they want to say on your face. Let people throw what they want to throw in your way, Let   them draw what they want to draw of your image. They can do their worst. Was it Abraham Lincoln who said this thought or words to this effect? If you’re on the truth,ten thousand devils telling you’re lying won’t change that. If you’re on the wrong,ten thousand angels saying the opposite will not make you right nor upright.

To this day, the Lord Jesus sanctifies or cleanses her (the church) with the washing of water by the Word (Eph 5:26) . Why?  “that He might present her to Himself a glorious church,not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish. (v.27). The love of the Lord to the church is deep, long, and enduring. That should inspire us. we may be spotty today, has wrinkles and worst unholy and full of blemish, but that’s where exactly He wants us to effect that love of Him. And that’s JESUS and HIS LOVE, unchanging, even if the actions and attitudes and ways of His followers misrepresent Him.

Telling me strongly, that’s us, let’s love one another,as He loves us, even many a time our actions and actuations toward one another have not been a  representative of our Lord’s kind of love.

Loving church, just as CHRIST loves the church. Let’s take it that way.   

Humility  without doubt is a key component in seeking the face of God in favor of revival. Humility prods us to come in His presence with repentant heart. Humility dictates that by our own no way we can usher in revival. Revival is caused by God,and GOD ALONE. Humility teaches that we are gasping for life and we need infusion of God’s reviving Spirit.Humility shows that any spiritual progress or spiritual movement comes in when God’s finger moves. Spark of God’s glory is hidden from the eyes of those who cannot humble themselves before GOD.”My soul clings to the dust;revive me according to Your word”( Ps 119:25)…is the heart cry of a humble soul.

Revival praying comes from a broken heart burden by the deadness, dullness and dryness of Christian witness. A prayer that continually seeks the face of GOD for more of HIS presence and direct intervention on the affairs of men.It is a sad lamentation to the condition of Christian witness that  came so low and so ineffective and so powerless!It is a declaration that GOD and GOD alone can turn that witness afresh.More significantly, the joy that used to lodge in the heart of God’s people is miserably missing! Absence of joy alone speaks so sadly of the low state of that  spiritual condition. No wonder Ps 85:6 utters that: “Will YOU not revive us again,That YOUR people may REJOICE in YOU?” Whatever happens to admonition,”Rejoice for the joy of the Lord is your strength”? Revival praying seeks this joy and more. This type of prayer persist,insist, and endures.Persist,because we believe revival is the answer, insist, because we know no other alternative, and,endures because we will not give up.We will hang on on the hem of His garment.

Revival fasting in its barest form is a discipline of denying self of food and nourishment for a period of time with the sole purpose of communing with God. This kind of fasting is a small price we’re ready to pay in seeking the face of GOD in favor of revival. This revival fasting is not to twist God’s hand to act nor buy out His mercy to release.No! This is simply conditioning our soul about the seriousness of the matter before us.And,we tell our body  that seriousness. Fasting humbles too. Ezra states: “ Then I proclaimed a fast there at the river of Ahava, that we might humble ourselves before our God,to seek from Him the right way for us and our little ones and all our possessions…so we fasted and entreated our God for this,and He answered our prayer.”(Ez 8:21,23).God still answers prayer and honors fasting.

And revival waiting is a “divine moment” time. I don’t know when the answer to prayer and fasting  will come but it will come.That thought, that assurance,assures.Even if GOD will bade His time, ours is to wait. We can learn this lesson from Prophet Micah: “Therefore I will look to the Lord; I will wait for the God of my salvation;My God will hear me.”(Mic.7:7). He knows the art of waiting, it is looking and praying to God. He will hear from God because he waits on God. Let’s do the same.

Psalm 27:14 adds:

                                                                                      Wait on the Lord; Be of good courage.

                                                                                      And He shall strengthen your heart;

                                                                                      Wait, I say, on the LORD!

 

Let’s pray,let’s fast, and let’s wait fro revival that will come from GOD for this generation.

I know for sure that Marchesa and Perze has done that superb video presentation. Capturing many occassions of ministry functions over the years. Frozen in living colors are the many wonderful moments with wonderful families God surrounded me with . Reminding me of the fabulous  journey we’re riding in through the years. It wasn’t smooth sailing, but hey,no open seas stay calm all the time.What awesome ride this still is.  The precious children I dedicated to the Lord, have seen the appearance and disappearance of their baby teeth.Seen their first small steps, and “endure” their innocent “noise” (ha,ha,ha…,) all in the house of God. Came rushing in the many occasions of fellowship and worship  with these lovely people mutually energizing and enriching our spirit together. I really have very little to offer and contribute but somehow GOD has a humorous way of using the little things to amuse His people. Really to me, the video is meant to present the mercy of God, that in His hand, even a worm , can be a game changer.

Elders, Deacons and WMU summed up the sincere thoughts  of the church  itched on mahogany wood…now proudly hung on the Pastoral office.They are the very ones who stand ready to shore up help.If the church stands up on four legs, you can guess how important they are to me in keeping the church standing up. We are meant to work together and they have been through these years. Always seeking ways to help  and support the many aspects of ministry . If their  and the church’s sincerest thoughts are now hanging in my office, the church as a whole is right here in my heart routinely pray for  year after year after year. Apostle Paul, or Pastor Paul to me, said it first, he said to the Philippians…”I have you in my heart” (Phil 1:7). And so without shame ,I’m saying to you SJBCI Philippianos, I have you in my heart.

The church has  perked my spirit up. This fold of sheep  has communicated their deep and sincerest appreciation. God Bless you, good people.

Now, among other things, I received, huge boxes of Toblerone, Eagle Shirt  #5 , and a sweater. But you know what?  The many words of encouragement and appreciations I received are FAR sweeter than boxes of Toblerone can offer (but I’m guarding my boxes of Toblerone really good). The many hugs  and embraces extended me has warmth me  better that a sweater can manage (but I’m not tossing my sweater away, nunca!). And the very fact that the church loves me and appreciates me  has wrapped me with superior cloth than what  an Eagle no. 5 t-shirt (hey, I’m, thinking of trading it with Tebow’s…) can give.

Thank You so much SJBCI. To everyone of you, your gestures of kindness are deeply appreciated.

pastor ding

This victorious declaration magnifies what unity creates…beauty.

The first Mother-daughter Churches Picnic Fellowship of South Jersey Bible Church International and her daughter churches held last Labor Day at Washington Lake Park ,Washington Township , has generated a kind amazing camaraderie among church leaders and people that Labor Day and turned out to be a “Favor Day” from the Lord. We received tremendous amount of encouragement and inspirations from the preaching of the Word given by Dr. Robert Turner and the presence of God’s people from One Hope In Christ Church(Atlantic City), Philadelphia Bible Church International (North Philly) The Church of The Good Shepherd-Cherry Hill, The Church of The Good Shepherd-South Philly, and International Baptist Church(Upper Darby).

How amazing to observe the immediacy of connection among God’s people despite the limited number of getting together in a given year.The greetings and embracing were spontaneous and gracious. Conversations were hilarious yet courteous. No program of activities yet people seem to know what to do next. They are natural in their ways, loose and free. Dancing was childlike but not childish. A lot of giggling and laughing but clean and funny. All of these and more created a beauty to behold . I am glad we tried it and gazed at the beauty of the brethren dwelling together in unity.Unity is marvelous in His sight.

Now we can move from fellowship to greater collaboration of work. Next year, we can tell what other outcomes has came out of this first Mother-daughter churches fellowship.

I thank the Lord for the leadership and presence of pastors who led their people to come and made that day of gathering a memorable one. Thank You so much Pastors Gipitulan, Manao,Nable, Talampas and Yanes. You were the hidden hands behind this gathering. Thank you for putting up a united front for the Lord and Head of the Church, The Lord Jesus Christ. I am grateful for your kindred spirit.

Thank You for this first.

Needless to say, this is the beginning of yearly gathering of our churches to savor the beauty of the Lord in the midst of His people.

Till Next,

pastor ding

“Redeeming The Family” as a theme for this year’s Family Retreat has proven to be  an intimate encounter with the Lord.

The responses exhibited by participants to the preaching and teaching of the Word were possible only because God has touched them. Well communicated Word helped many in really sensing their particular need of empowerment  from the Lord in the task of raising up the family in the Lord. Tears may have revealed convicted hearts but  conveyed shame and frustration as well in displeasing the Lord by  ungodly living . Tears transmit multiple meanings. One of which is recognition of misdeeds.

The Survey taken after the final activity of the retreat shows results of overwhelming positive tune.Easily, the highest approval rating generated over the last nine years of annual retreat.  Thanks be to God for bringing people’s focus to the very purpose of Family Retreat. Hearing  and listening and communing with the Heavenly Father undividedly.

This retreat has cemented the truth that His PRESENCE more than the PLACE  matters most. We’ve been to places that offer rolling valleys, mountain tops and sea sides that captivate.They offer myriad of nostalgia and merits. Yet at the end,it’s the Creator that matters and not the created. Him being around and not what around Him.

It is the FELLOWSHIP that really counts and not the classy FACILITIES. Warm fellowship forges people closer together in the midst of bare surroundings.However, better facilities  enhance ease and  comfort of those in the fellowship.They go together, but fellowship can stand on even without facilities and the reverse is not true.

It is the PEOPLE who came together that brings  puts  joy and pleasure to the gathering and not the FOODS serve.. People offers the best sweetness  and warmth to one another.It’s people who enlivened and enriched the fellowship. Foods fill the stomach.People fills people.

It is COMMUNION with the Father, Son and Holy Spirit that truly build and lift one spirit up more than the COMPANION we have in our worship room. The morning Devotions, the prayer partnership, the worship services ushered us again and again in the presence of the Almighty. And before His presence we fill our cup, again and again.

Now, I’m not saying that the place, facilities,food nor companion has no value at all. No. Not at all! They matter and  matters much. But if there are silent, and very serious lessons of redeeming insights it’s these compared and contrasted simple things.

Thank you so much for joining our Family Camp Retreat this year. To God be the glory.

Thank you very much, Bro. Dan Cosico, Bro. Ted Eleazar, Bro. Perze Ababa and Bro. Rogie Rabanillo.  You give our church a bright future.  By bringing the Word of God and your way of handing the sermonic materials you gathered, it reveals so much of your ability to handle teaching and/or preaching function in the church.  While not all of you may end up preachers, teachers you will be, and either way, it’s beneficial for the church, thus bright future for our church.  God has revealed to us that He has packed our church with these kind of men for He has a bigger plan for us in the future, and that future starts now.

On a personal note, let me thank you for not saying NO to your opportunity.  As a result, you we’re revealed.  I relish the fact that all of you can become timbers in our church and thus strength to depend on.  God bless all of you as you let those gifts grow more and more.  Continue to be a blessing to God’s people.

Happy Easter Sunday everyone!

casting or dreaming dreams or goal-setting , it’s a look forward. For pastor like me, it wasn’t easy every time.But I was also called  to lead.

By stating objectives and numbers, people may still,despite the careful presentations,miss the very essence of projected trajectory.

If, say, “ to organize a new church by December of 2012” is a goal, people may still retain the number and date and not the journey. They are

hearing the figures and not the flight. Of course, we want them all on board.

Planning I stressed is not about figuring things out and manipulating numbers and dates. I see and always consider it a JOURNEY OF HOPE. In my exercise of faith,goal becomes a “substance of things hoped for ,the evidence of things not seen” (Heb 11:1). A new church is yet, but, it is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Clearly expressing a statement of hope. Goal -setting no matter how simple nor short is expressed sentiment of hope.

Pointing the direction is one thing, and getting there is another. Here the stated goal is substantiated by STEPS OF FAITH. Here’s another perspective we don’t want our people miss. We will take intentional , connected and related decisions along the way. Many a time will be costly and difficult but rewarding at the end, inching  us closer to our destination.The journey will not be void of confusion nor conflicting priorities, but they will crystallize our vision even more. In fact will forge us even closer, aiding us to move better ,step by step,side by side,day by day together.  By faith says the Holy Word, “Abel offered…Enoch was taken away…Noah prepared the Ark…Abraham obeyed…Sarah conceived seed…Jacob,when dying blessed the sons of Joseph…and on and on…these cloud of witnesses took steps of faith that served the will of God in their generations and made a difference.Steps of faith that will dare us to move in a journey.And consolidate us along the way.

Finally, but not lastly,we see this forward look as an ACT OF LOVE. It is the translation of our statements  into movements. Acting on our words.Matching our words with works,all because we LOVE the LORD of our faith. John reminds us of this simple truth.”BY this we know love, because He laid down His life for us” (1 Jn 3:16). God loving the world is not empty rhetoric.He gave us His Son, and His Son laid down His life for us.We have an example to follow, the LORD JESUS who declared the love of the Father and sealed it with HIs blood.”We also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren…”,says John. Our obedience and willingness to act our love extend to the point of death. Thus casting a forward look and willingly pursue it is driven by love to please the LORD from whom we have learn love.

What is the end that I seek in writing this humble reminder? Is it to set the course or to steer the ship?

I have no time to answer, but get on board, we’re on a journey. And it is a journey of hope, a step of faith ,and an act of love into 2011 and beyond…

Again, here comes this global merrymaking recognized and revered by the people the world over.

From homes to neighbors and communities, from parks and malls, sprout the familiar decors, the blinking colored lights, and, putting up of Christmas trees. On air, the sounds of Christmas carols. Peace, hope and love are the sounding joys.

I dare say, the season works like magic.People are a lot friendlier,helpful ,kind and generous.Even ceasefire between warring groups are announced and observed to the point.  And yes, people flock  to the house of worship again. The suddenness of seeking God, though short-lived, is remarkable. And strange as it may seems, the season stirs sense of awe and wonder the likes of which you never see in other “celebrations”. In silence, how we wished that this sense of awe and wonder would linger much longer!

Trying not to dampen this spirit of joy and merrymaking, we’re raising the flag of caution against the veiled presence of “too much” and “over-indulgence”. Over the years, the humble scene of manger and the Babe wrapped in a swaddling cloth had been glamorized, commercialized and therefore scandalized. We wonder today if in the midst of our merrymaking the presence of SAVIOR  can still be sensed? Or it doesn’t bother us at all even if His presence is absent? Imagine the manger without THE BABE? That song says it all.”…the hope and fears of all the years are met with you tonight…”

What truth is  central on this occasion?   It is this. The coming of the Son of God, JESUS CHRIST, in the flesh, to save us from penalty and punishment of sin.That the miraculous is centered on conception and not on birth…”The Holy Spirit will come upon you and the power of the highest will overshadow you…”(Lk.1:35).For God so loved the world that He GAVE His only begotten SON, says John (3:16).He will save His people from their sins,adds, Matthew (1:21).

Yet simple changes like,  the letter  “X” in “Xmas” is huge! Spell out the entire name, CHRIST.Even in Greek alphabet, He is not merely “X”. The greeting “Happy Holiday” has greatly replaced “Merry Christmas”. And  attributing to Santa Claus the ability to dispense toys and candies to children around the world before midnight clock strikes.Silent ways of easing HIM out of centrality of Christmas?  How we have softened and lessened and weakened the person, presence and power of the Son of God !

The first Christmas night is a distant simplicity, humility and serenity. Bereft of glamour and selfish clamor,the lowly shepherds can only  cast their look at the Babe in wonder and awe. They worship Him at their barest. Then they spread the news around. Here, we have CHRIST, the CHRIST worshippers and the CHRIST  tellers.  It will take genuine effort to really get through layers of mundane things we put up over the years to see this crucial truth. Imagine the shift put before us, holiness and not  happiness ! Denying self and not asserting self !

Let’s take a closer look again. If we may, take a journey back again,over in that one holy night, that one silent night, lighted by the star from above,and with animals around in that cave, a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloth, a SON away from Home,the first Christmas night. Le-learn the simple lessons again.

BOW DOWN…let’s BOW DOWN.

The above citations has a caption “Losing My Religion” which now I’ll call “Losing the Grip” on this article.

In Cairo, President Obama, pronounced in his speech before Muslim leaders, that “United States of America is no longer a Christian nation”.By whatever degree of explanations, statement like this and survey results contain grains of truth, notwithstanding exactness. Just the thought of it bring shiver to my bones and what more of the truth! I am restless and cannot remain in comfort of peace.

How can we not be moved and remained unaffected? Has this nation already sold its soul to the devil? If  yet, then, it’s selling it fast, at a bargain price.The devil mind you is a good taker, refusing no one marching into his kingdom. Can this word of Christ captures our present day situations  “O unbelieving and perverse generation…”(MAtt17:170 and/or ”This is a wicked generation asking for a sign…” ?

Is President Obama right? I want to think otherwise. In my heart, this is a Christian nation losing its grip to fundamentals of Christianity. The increasing number of non-Christian faith and deplorable conduct of Christians makes a strong case for erosion of Christian tenets and virtues as observed and practiced but as a Christian nation, we, still is, whose influence is declining fast! And that’s where we are. A sad commentary for our faith.

How can we make a difference and stir ourselves to the grip of  our faith? The prophets of God has ancient message relevant for us, “so rend your heart,and not your garments;Return to the Lord your God,for He is gracious and merciful,slow to anger and of great kindness…”(Joel 2:13). “Break up your fallow ground,for it is time to seek the Lord, till He comes and rains righteousness on you.” (Hosea 10:12) “Return to Me and I will return to you.”(Malachi 3:7). We who have the knowledge of God must come back to God in true repentance and brokenness of spirit. We moved away from Him that’s why we created a distance.Satan has fill all the gap in between! We lost sight of God. We turn cold. Many, frozen!

If ever we wanted to see this nation back in the hands of God,we need to see the pattern. His pattern is simple,”If my people who are called by My name, shall humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then…” there’s the simple pattern. The people of God first before the nation can turn around. There must be HUMBLING, SEEKING, and, TURNING on the part of God’s people and then, and only then  God will hear from heaven,forgive our sins and heal our lands.

And thus, we call once again, and summon our people to a sacred assembly, as the prophet of God declare, “Consecrate a fast,call a sacred assembly;gather the elders and all inhabitants of the land into the HOUSE of the Lord your GOD and CRY out to the LORD.”(Joel 1:14/ 2:15-17). And so on THANKSGIVING DAY, as the people of this nation come together,our church set aside the morning until noon of November 25, for our people to fast in the morning and gather at the church for Thanksgiving Sacred Assembly.To seek the face of God that on that Thanksgiving Day,reminding one and all, including President Obama,and the 33% who doesn’t believe., THAT GOD CAN BE FOUND.  He is just waiting for us to come to HIM. He is Near He has never been away. Like a prodigal son, let’s make a HOME RUN. LET’S GO!