Representing the King.

 

Ready to "go"?

 https://youtu.be/xnGrr7hMJ6Y

PR '24 . . . work day 2

As Scripture says, “Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame.”For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!" (Romans 10:11-15)

It is great to be used by God! To have Him call us and then send us . . . just think about it for a minute.

The Creator of the universe . . . the God of eternity . . . has stepped down and interrupted our selfish plans to call upon us to share in His work. It is not like He needs us or anything, He just loves us enough to say, "Hey . . . join me!"

So here we are in Puerto Rico with a bunch of teenagers serving God. Even though we have had a lot of rain lately and plans have changed, there is still work to do . . . service to render. There is always work to be done in the Kingdom even a menial as cleaning a bathroom or emptying trash.

So as we partner with Praying Pelicans and Pastor Abraham Morales and the Primera Iglesia Bautista de Peniel here in Canovanas, PR, we are willing to do whatever task we are asked to do. Our labor is not in vain. Only what we do for Christ will last.

Imagine doing it for a lifetime . . . .

Imagine being Mary . . . Advent continued.

 A virgin is about to become pregnant with the Savior of the world . . . and YOU are the virgin!!! OMG for real!!!!!!

A Savior has been promised to the people of Israel through the prophets. Jews anticipated this day. But like this . . . me?  How? But yet it was predicted!

Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel. (Isaiah 7:14)

Imagine being Mary! What would you have done? What would your response have been?

Mary said yes! She risked embarrassment, humiliation, ridicule and misunderstanding. She risked friendships and family loyalties. She risked her engagement to Joseph. She was available and appreciative to God.

What about us? As we approach CHRISTmas, are we as available and appreciative to God?

One task....His will.

Jesus said, “My food is to do what my Father sent me to do. My food is to finish his work. Don’t you have a saying? You say, ‘It’s still four months until harvest time.’ But I tell you, open your eyes! Look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest right now. (John 4:34-35)

As believers, we have one task; complete God's will for our lives. We do not have time to wait until tomorrow! Right now is the right time!

When God calls we must answer. This means we must be listening, watching and ready to act. 

What is God desiring of you?

That no one be lost . . .agradecido!

It is God's will that no one be lost for eternity. In fact, this is why He came in the flesh to offer Himself a sacrifice for all mankind's sin (Luke 19:10). The cool thing is that He now allows us to participate in the process by being His witnesses to bring those who are lost into fellowship with Him!

I realized early on in my CHRISTian walk that God gifted me teaching, faith, and most importantly evangelism! By definition evangelism is simply the spreading of the Christian gospel by public preaching or personal witness and a zealous advocacy of a cause. . . in this case the cause of Christ and one's eternal soul. God has challenged me to share Christ with everyone I meet. I have a special heart for youth and young adults as the world challenges them to transform into it's image rather than God's plan. (Romans 12:1-2) I am grateful to God . . . agradecido a Dios!

    https://youtu.be/XY08Ptnu28Q

So as we prepare to leave and serve in Puerto Rico, I ask your prayers that we are His witnesses to those whom He sends to us. God's language is love. In fact He is love. (1 John 4:8)

 El que no ama, no ha conocido a Dios, porque Dios es amor. (1 Juan 4:8)

So this is our team goal . . . to bring God's love to our neighbors in Puerto Rico! Please pray as we prepare to GO . . . and support if you are able. All support goes to serve those we meet! (Cash App: $Carrollmission)

 

Why did you choose me? How could you choose me? Use me anyway!

Today, as we are preparing to leave for Puerto Rico in two days, I still stand in awe of God . . . Why did you choose me? How could you choose me? Standing before His Glory, I realize I am nothing and deserve nothing . . . yet He still chooses to use me for His glory! I guess this is how Isaiah felt only a million times worse, actually before the Throne!

“How terrible it is for me!” I cried out. “I’m about to be destroyed! My mouth speaks sinful words. And I live among people who speak sinful words. Now I have seen the King with my own eyes. He is the Lord who rules over all.” A seraph flew over to me. He was holding a hot coal. He had used tongs to take it from the altar. He touched my mouth with the coal. He said, “This has touched your lips. Your guilt has been taken away. Your sin has been paid for.” Then I heard the voice of the Lord. He said, “Who will I send? Who will go for us?” I said, “Here I am. Send me!” So he said, “Go and speak to these people. (Isaiah 6:5-9)

I hear the words of one of my dearest mentors (already at home with Jesus) who constantly reminded me and everyone else he could speak to : "Only what you do for Christ will last!"  

Like with Isaiah, He has cleansed me. Like with Isaiah He sends me. Like with Isaiah I will go! I am committed to share His love, grace, forgiveness, and invitation to become a child of the Living God. Though not perfect in any way, if He decided to use me I will be used. 

My prayer is that folks can see and feel Jesus through me and want Him for themselves. I may not know why or how God, but use me anyway!

Are we willing to be filled or remain empty?

 Rubbermaid containers, Tupperware, recycled take out containers, old shoe boxes, reusable Amazon boxes . . . all containers ready for use/reuse. What about you and me? Are we available for God to fill us up again and again for His use? Can God store in us His love and grace and allow it to be shared with others . . . and do it again and again? To put it another way, are we reusable?

Are we willing to be filled or remain empty?

    But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. (2 Corinthians 4:7-10)

 

Much like the reusable containers we keep around the house for that leftover dinner, work lunch, or even a box to mail a care packaged to our college students, we as jars of clay are to allow God to fill us daily to deliver His words to others. It might be a morsel of hope, a bit of joy, a bite or two of grace, or even a box filled with instructions how to meet with Jesus for the first time. 

You see if we remain useful, and do not allow ourselves to become crushed by or own despair and challenges, we can be useful to God and others. Yet if we remain focused on our own struggles and do not allow God to rule in our lives, we are useless to God and people! As we empty ourselves of our own issues, we become available to God to fill!

Are we willing to be filled or remain empty?

We move on by faith and trust the Comforter . . . the Healer . . . the Provider . . . our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!

 

Give praise to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! He is the Father who gives tender love. All comfort comes from him. He comforts us in all our troubles. Now we can comfort others when they are in trouble. We ourselves receive comfort from God. We share very much in the sufferings of Christ. So we also share very much in his comfort. If we are having trouble, it is so that you will be comforted and renewed. If we are comforted, it is so that you will be comforted. Then you will be able to put up with the same suffering we have gone through. Our hope for you remains firm. We know that you suffer just as we do. In the same way, God comforts you just as he comforts us. (2 Corinthians 1:3-7)

One thing I have learned as a result of a life of sports . . . pain follows you the rest of your life: arthritic knees, worn down and fraying shoulder joints, painful feet, broken blood vessels from numerous pulls, strains, and torn muscles. Shall I go on?

But what I have learned from both sports and the last thirty years as a Christ-follower is that pain keeps me humble. Nothing compares to the pain Jesus endured for me! I cannot go back to my teen years when I cold run, lift, and play forever. Yet I can move forward and live the best and most active life for Christ despite the daily pain.

Like the lessons we have learned from nearly twenty short term mission trips and

even in our ministry with teens and families . . . pain is part of life but Jesus overcomes it all! Not Tylenol, not Advil, not even Motrin or Tyenol-3 . . . not Oxycodone or Hydrocodone . . . not even anesthetics can wipe out the pain sin causes . . . only Jesus!

Yet as we serve other people groups we share their pain and their struggles from hurricanes, earthquakes, floods, and economic blight. Yes, we offer items to meet physical needs. We have painted, cleaned, taught, rebuilt, torn down, and even played. We hurt many times when we return because we could not fix everything. In fact, their lives would go on as the dealt with tragedy, poverty, homelessness and illnesses. We could only offer hope.  . . . the hope that is in Jesus! Our lives have been changed and we can never go back to our old ways. 

Every mission trip has changed us. Every person we minister to impacts our lives. despite the pain, the strain, even the bleeding, we move on by faith and trust the Comforter . . . the Healer . . . the Provider . . . our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!

Packing to Serve . . . at home on the mission field

As we are preparing to serve in Villa Hugo, Puerto Rico, there are some needed things to place in our bags . . . However, the most vital item we need is His Word!

The word of God is alive and active. It is sharper than any sword that has two edges. It cuts deep enough to separate soul from spirit. It can separate bones from joints. It judges the thoughts and purposes of the heart. Nothing God created is hidden from him. His eyes see everything. He will hold us responsible for everything we do. (Hebrews 4:12-13)

As we go through life, many of keep an emergency box or bag in our vehicles and some even at home. It contains the essentials . . . just in case an emergency arises. We have the first aid kit, portable phone charger, blanket, jumper cables, perhaps even some non-perishable snacks. But what about the most vital item we need to pack everyday . . . His Word?

Are we prepared for anything thrown our way? Are we ready to respond to a need in a way that pleases God? As we "hide His word in our hearts" (Psalm 119:11) we are prepared to react in a much more Godly way to unexpected occurrences . .. whether on the mission field or at home. 

Yet is our home not our first mission field?

 

Commanded to "go"!

 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” (Matthew 28:19-20)

We are all commanded to reach others for Christ . . .whether personally or by supporting those that do. Not many realize the difficulties is raising support for mission work as well as family needs. Many of us have to work two-three jobs besides ministry in order to continue serving. 

However, YOU can change that by prayerfully supporting local missionaries (like us!) financially and thus joining God at work in sharing Christ, meeting physical needs, and adding to His Kingdom! We all cannot "go", but we all can and should support His work! 

https://www.facebook.com/donate/805571283695673/

Thanks in advance!

In a challenging world, we have great joy, perfect peace, and hope!

Our God is a God who strengthens and encourages you. May he give you the same attitude toward one another that Christ Jesus had. Then you can give glory to God with one mind and voice. He is the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Christ has accepted you. So accept one another in order to bring praise to God. I tell you that Christ has become a servant of the Jews. He teaches us that God is true. He shows us that God will keep the promises he made to the founders of our nation. Jesus became a servant of the Jews. He did this so that the Gentiles might give glory to God for his mercy. . . . May the God who gives hope fill you with great joy. May you have perfect peace as you trust in him. May the power of the Holy Spirit fill you with hope. (Romans 15:5-9,13)

So as a school year comes to an end and society seems to be opening back up again, many have fears and anxieties as to what to do, where to go, when to go, how long to stay, etc. We as believers need not to fear or be anxious. Rather, we have great joy, perfect peace, and hope!

Thank God for the doctors. Thank God got the nurses. Thanks God for the hospitals and researchers. Thank God for the scientists and government leaders who have rushed the vaccines to so many world-wide! While they have done a tremendous job, my faith is not in them, nor the masks or the anti-bacterials, but my faith remains in God!

I look back and thank God for getting us through this past year and a half. He has kept us for sure. I now move forward: 

But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead,

 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3:13-14 )

Let's trust God now as we move forward and share that great joy, perfect peace, and hope that others so desperately need!

Keep it movin'

“Now whatever city or town you enter, inquire who in it is worthy, and stay there till you go out. And when you go into a household, greet it. If the household is worthy, let your peace come upon it. But if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you. And whoever will not receive you nor hear your words, when you depart from that house or city, shake off the dust from your feet.  . . . .“Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves. But beware of men, for they will deliver you up to councils and scourge you in their synagogues.  You will be brought before governors and kings for My sake, as a testimony to them and to the Gentiles. But when they deliver you up, do not worry about how or what you should speak. For it will be given to you in that hour what you should speak; for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you. (Matthew 10: 11-14,16-20)

Many times, we serve unnoticed. Other times we serve despite neglect and ignorance. We have been doubted, misrepresented, even ridiculed at times. Often, simply invisible.  This often the life of missionaries and others who serve mostly in the background . . . in the trenches . . . in the very day despite the challenges. Yet we will never stop! Even after twenty-three years of serving in our very own Jerusalem and even to the outermost parts of the world (Acts 1:8), it hurts at times! Yet, we must keep in movin'.(Matthew 10:14) We cannot and will not quit!

Let's face it, it is not as bad as the apostles had it. It is not as bad as some in other countries have it today. (https://www.persecution.com/) Yet it still hurts. However, we must be reminded that as we serve Christ and share His words and His love, we are doing it for Him, not for the applause (or support) of men. Times are going to get worse. Stay encouraged . . . 

Keep it movin'. Only what we do for Christ will last!

 Therefore we make it our aim, whether present or absent, to be well pleasing to Him. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad. Knowing, therefore, the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are well known to God, and I also trust are well known in your consciences. (2 Corinthians 5:9-11)

 

So appropriate for today

  In a large house there are things made out of gold and silver. But there are also things made out of wood and clay. Some have special purposes. Others have common purposes.  Suppose someone stays away from what is common. Then the Master will be able to use them for special purposes. They will be made holy. They will be ready to do any good work. Run away from the evil things that young people long for. Try hard to do what is right. Have faith, love and peace. Do these things together with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. Don’t have anything to do with arguing. It is dumb and foolish. You know it only leads to fights.  Anyone who serves the Lord must not be hard to get along with. Instead, they must be kind to everyone. They must be able to teach. The one who serves must not hold anything against anyone. They must gently teach those who are against them. Maybe God will give a change of heart to those who are against you. That will lead them to know the truth.  Maybe they will come to their senses. Maybe they will escape the devil’s trap. He has taken them as prisoners to do what he wanted. (2 Timothy 2:20-26)

Wow! These words are so appropriate for today's society! I don't really have to say much.

We all, young and old, can heed this advice as believers. Do not get involved in the bitter back and forths of this society. Stay separated! We cannot blend in and our witness be lost. Christ followers need to be distinctively different to be seen, heard and effective.

As we present a different option......CHRIST....maybe some will come to their senses as Paul wrote!

Ambassadors of reconcilation to all people groups, not just "mine"!

 Attention CHRISTian!

The Bible simply and clearly says that we (believers) are God's children and Christ's ambassadors. Because of this, we should not be passive. Instead, we should learn to stand on life's issues. We are salt and light, bringing in God's colours and flavours to this bland, tasteless world we in which we live in but don't belong.We all have a role to play in letting Christ's light shine in the darkness. 

 "And all of this is a gift from God, who brought us back to himself through Christ. And God has given us this task of reconciling people to him. For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people's sins against them. And he gave us this wonderful message of reconciliation. So we are Christ's ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us. We speak for Christ when we plead, 'Come back to God!' For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ." (2 Corinthians 5:18-21)

 "Reconciliation" means to make right, to heal, to bring together. The "world" means everyone . . . . every culture, every ethnicity, every color, every race, every language, every tribe (Revelation 7:9). We have been given the task as ambassadors to represent Christ to everyone and to make every effort to bring them to Christ!

If we are really praying, "on earth as it is in heaven" than His will is for all peoples to be one as He and the Father are one (John 17). I know it will get better. The bible says so . . .in eternity. However, we . . . His people . . . who are called by His Name . . . right here and now . . .need to humble ourselves and take a stand . . . . for Him! 

No Republican . . .No Democrat . . .No organization or movement but that of God and His people . . . . as one!

be doers of the word.....stop talking, shouting....DO SOMETHING!

 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.  For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was.  But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does. If anyone among you thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this one’s religion is useless.  Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world.(James 1:22-27)

Fellow CHRISTians . . . Those of us who really love the Lord and want His will here in earth as it is in heaven . . . those of us who know one day every tongue, every tribe, every nation will be one . . . .yes we the people of Christ . . .

 

It is high time we wake up and start doing the Word and living the Word as One body, agreeing with the Word and using our ministry of reconciliation to heal our land as we humble ourselves, repenting our wicked ways and actually seek others for the Kingdom, not for our causes!

 

I am tired of the social noise and the Church silence. I am not talking about the few individual pastors and churches who are actively calling us out to action. I am speaking to the Body. . . .why are we silent, still, quiet? September 26 there is a call for a prayer walk in DC, but I have had believers criticize it . . . a prayer walk! Watch this video then let me know your thoughts. Agree or disagree? It's time to act!

 

https://youtu.be/8tEdZeRRJ7A

 

 

 

A calm faith

How we live during this pandemic says a lot about our faith. Do we panic? Are we easily swayed by the latest tweet, post or news media update?  Are we led by social media or God's Word?

Many know these verses, but have we considered them during theses days of fake news, sensationalism, and political jargon?

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.(Ephesians 6:10-13)

We believers can learn some powerful truths to build our faith during these trying times and togetherness to a lost world craving Truth! We see how quickly the world can be brought to hysteria by the news media. Is there any doubt that the Antichrist will be able to control the entire world when he comes? This pandemic has been similar to a “dry run” just to see what works and what doesn’t work. To learn that Satan’s entire army of angels is indeed working to that end you only have to read Scripture.

We can also be assured that God is in the throne and allow others to see it by now we live. Worse things are to come. Can you imagine how terrible it will be after the Rapture occurs and the Tribulational period begins? Sin is the cause of evil and disease in the world, but Christ died to save us from its power and penalty. This is what we need to teach and model. Others will be drawn to Christ by a calm faith and a non-dramatic response.

know how to answer everyone.

 Give a lot of time and effort to prayer. Always be watchful and thankful.  Pray for us too. Pray that God will give us an opportunity to preach our message. Then we can preach the mystery of Christ. Because I preached it, I am being held by chains. Pray that I will preach it clearly, as I should.  Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders. Make the most of every opportunity.  Let the words you speak always be full of grace. Learn how to make your words what people want to hear. Then you will know how to answer everyone. (Colossians 4:2-6)

Lots of noise in our world today for sure . . . but which noise are we listening to and how are we responding? It's easy to latch on this group or that group without knowing the motives of the people behind the words and actions. 

Paul warns us to be watchful and careful regarding current situations. We can't simply react to a situation without careful thought and preparation. We must be grace-filled and be sure our words will be received in a positive manner. . . .helping to encourage others but also honoring God! 

Remember, Jesus did not hide from the ills of society, but showed compassion, concern, and offered reconciliation and redemption. Do our words and actions as CHRISTians bring others closer to Christ? Be careful concerning our answers to today's culture!

Lord, establish Your will!

 

The plans of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from the Lord.
2 All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the spirit.
3 Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established. (Proverbs 16:1-3)

 As another summer is coming to an end, an albeit unusual summer to say the least, I am preparing to move forward! With much prayer and thought, we have decided to start our youngest son in online college rather than residential for safety precautions. Though our alma mater, Liberty U., is taking big steps to be safe, we want to be sure! Our plan is send him in January. We too are preparing to teach virtually once again at our high school. I miss the kids so much and believe they need school, but again, we must proceed safely! We are hoping for next quarter/semester to open the classrooms.

So we deal with masks, sanitizer, and where to go or not to go. Will we ever be safe? Will things ever be normal? As we make plans, will they be accomplished or changed midstream? Only God knows......

God is still present

Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?

 If anyone defiles the temple of God, God will destroy him. For the temple of God is holy, which temple you are.

 Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you seems to be wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise.

 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God.(1 Corinthians 3:16-19)

We live in a time with much confusion, unrest, insecurities, deceit, fake news and doubts, we as believers MUST be assured that God is still present!  He is right in our midst. In fact, everything we do, everything we say, everything we tweet, post, sign up for, or events we attend we include God, because He lives inside every believer! We cannot forget that.

In a dangerous and unbelieving world, it is imperative that we who believe reflect God in our everyday actions . . . .not just on a SONday or in our prayer closet. In fact, let's come out of the closet like every other group!

Everything we do, every event we attend, every word we write, post, tweet or say reflects the God we serve. A dying world needs to see a genuine, caring, politically active, justice demanding, living out loud, liberty for all CHRISTian. This is no time for hiding in fear. HIS love casts out all fear! (1John 4:18)

Are we going to honor God or bring Him dishonor? Lord, give the discernment I need to honor You over man!