WELL THIS IS ONE OF THE CHURCHES THAT JUST CELEBRATED THEIR FIRST YEAR. AS YOU CAN SEE IT'S NOT COMPLETED AS IT NEEDS SIDES BUT IT DOESN'T SLOW DOWN THE WORSHIP ONE BIT. THEY ARE RENTING THE PROPERTY FOR 50 PESOS A MONTH. WE HAD A POTLUCK AFTER THE SERVICE WHICH IS NOT UNUSIAL. EVERYONE HAD A BLESSED TIME. I WAS SO AMAZED AT WHAT IS GOING ON DOWN HERE. THE PEOPLE HAVE A SINCERE LOVE FOR ONE ANOTHER AND THAT'S A GOD THING.
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
ANNIVERSERY IN SAN-FRAN
WELL THIS IS ONE OF THE CHURCHES THAT JUST CELEBRATED THEIR FIRST YEAR. AS YOU CAN SEE IT'S NOT COMPLETED AS IT NEEDS SIDES BUT IT DOESN'T SLOW DOWN THE WORSHIP ONE BIT. THEY ARE RENTING THE PROPERTY FOR 50 PESOS A MONTH. WE HAD A POTLUCK AFTER THE SERVICE WHICH IS NOT UNUSIAL. EVERYONE HAD A BLESSED TIME. I WAS SO AMAZED AT WHAT IS GOING ON DOWN HERE. THE PEOPLE HAVE A SINCERE LOVE FOR ONE ANOTHER AND THAT'S A GOD THING.
Friday, June 10, 2011
Any Room for Grace?
Today's Scripture: Romans 12:1
"By the mercies of God . . . present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God."
Read it online at the Bible Gateway: (NIV) (NASB) (KJV) (The Message)
Some may ask, "Who can possibly keep a commitment to pursue holiness without exception for even some 'small' sins? If there are no exceptions, is there any place for grace? Is God really this strict?"
Yes, God really is this strict because he cannot compromise his holiness the least bit. His goal is to conform us to the likeness of his Son, and Jesus was completely without sin, though tempted in every way that we are (Hebrews 4:15). No, we cannot, or perhaps will not, keep our commitments to God perfectly, but that should at least be our aim. In a battle, some soldiers will always be hit, but each one makes it his aim not to be hit. A lesser aim would be the height of folly for the soldier, and it's just as dangerous for us in our battle with sin.
Is there any place for grace? Most assuredly; in fact, in Romans 12:1, Paul based his call for such decisive commitment on God's mercy or grace. John Calvin commented on this verse as follows: "Paul's entreaty teaches us that men will never worship God with a sincere heart, or be roused to fear and obey him with sufficient zeal, until they properly understand how much they are indebted to his mercy."
So we see once again the relationship of grace and discipline. A loving response to God's grace and mercy is the only motive acceptable to God for the commitment Paul called for. And the continual reminding of ourselves of his grace and mercy provides the only enduring motivation to sustain such a commitment and keep it from becoming oppressive. That's why we must preach the gospel to ourselves every day.
Today's Scripture: Romans 12:1
"By the mercies of God . . . present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God."
Read it online at the Bible Gateway: (NIV) (NASB) (KJV) (The Message)
Some may ask, "Who can possibly keep a commitment to pursue holiness without exception for even some 'small' sins? If there are no exceptions, is there any place for grace? Is God really this strict?"
Yes, God really is this strict because he cannot compromise his holiness the least bit. His goal is to conform us to the likeness of his Son, and Jesus was completely without sin, though tempted in every way that we are (Hebrews 4:15). No, we cannot, or perhaps will not, keep our commitments to God perfectly, but that should at least be our aim. In a battle, some soldiers will always be hit, but each one makes it his aim not to be hit. A lesser aim would be the height of folly for the soldier, and it's just as dangerous for us in our battle with sin.
Is there any place for grace? Most assuredly; in fact, in Romans 12:1, Paul based his call for such decisive commitment on God's mercy or grace. John Calvin commented on this verse as follows: "Paul's entreaty teaches us that men will never worship God with a sincere heart, or be roused to fear and obey him with sufficient zeal, until they properly understand how much they are indebted to his mercy."
So we see once again the relationship of grace and discipline. A loving response to God's grace and mercy is the only motive acceptable to God for the commitment Paul called for. And the continual reminding of ourselves of his grace and mercy provides the only enduring motivation to sustain such a commitment and keep it from becoming oppressive. That's why we must preach the gospel to ourselves every day.
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
I have to say I'm so proud of our pastor. He's been a very busy man what with training the leaders of the churches as well as the pastors from our other churches.He has also started a bottle water business. He uses that to be able to minister to the people in their homes. His plate is quite full but he seems to manage ok.
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