Ministry Updates-JIL BC Events - Re-Encounter Weekend

Yesterday and today was the JIL BC Re-Encounter with 25 delegates and candidates to become new Cell Leaders. Praise the Lord and they completed their JIL 12 journey including this Re-Encounter weekend. A big congratulations to all of you!!!!! Just keep your eyes on the prize, i.e., Jesus Christ. You have to prepare now for your SOL 3.

It was a complete success full of God's favor and blessings. Our food was prepared by the cooking team from JIL North Vancouver Church... Thanks guys for the best food there is and cheers for the the whole Re-Encounter team headed by Ptr Myra Paguntalan who also celebrated her birthday yesterday and spend it with all of us. Happy Birthday again!!!!

To the whole team...congratulations for spending your time this weekend. May the Lord bless you for your labors....

One could really never know what will occur. What I have learned is to come with a ready heart for what God wants to do. After all, it is His time and will that happens anyway. I was there as His vessel to release His desire and purpose being His servant as well. Together with the teaching team...the experience was all worth it.

Over-all, it was another evidence of God's enduring faithfulness and grace that causes us to exclaim praise and worship to give Him the highest form of glory....Thank God for His abiding presence always...

Personal Thoughts - God's Mighty Embrace

Allow me to share my thoughts in written form towards God's love that I received.

A Mighty Embrace

You have looked into my heart wanting it yours

You have peered in to my soul wanting to satisfy

You have touched my life wanting to come in

And said, "You are mine forever."

Here at this place I am restored

Here at this place I am healed

Here at this place I am renewed

By your mighty embrace

I am never the same because of your love

I am never the same because of your grace

I am never the same because of your touch

And I say, "I am yours forever."

I hope that you are ministered knowing that God's mighty embrace is always near...

Living Life over Despair

Whether we like it or not, we are faced with the reality of life and death. Many of us even dread or get depressed whenever a birthday approaches or someone dear to us passes away. Just this past week, one of our church leaders was in a vehicular accident with serious injuries that led to her death. It was so sudden that many of us, especially her family were caught by surprise. How do you live through such ordeal when you are caught in such a situation? It was such an unexpected event that we were still in shock even up to this time. My only thought when I heard the news was, “Just like that, she’s gone.”

Job had the same experience when his ten children suffered a great and terrible freak accident as described in the Scriptures, “While he was still speaking, yet another messenger came and said, "Your sons and daughters were feasting and drinking wine at the oldest brother's house, when suddenly a mighty wind swept in from the desert and struck the four corners of the house. It collapsed on them and they are dead." (Job 1:18-19)

Death will always be part of our lives - whether we like it or not. But how should we react to such event? Let me share how Job reacted, “At this, Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground in worship and said: "Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked I will depart. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised."

One may say, “I cannot do that!” I’m not Job! That may be true and accurate but how we react is our choice. Job’s initial reaction was due to the fact that he had a strong faith in God’s character and ability. Unknown to Job, Satan’s attack on his integrity and faith was what caused these unfortunate events to occur in his life in the first place as stated in Job 1:9-11, "Does Job fear God for nothing?" Satan replied. "Have you not put a hedge around him and his household and everything he has? You have blessed the work of his hands, so that his flocks and herds are spread throughout the land. But stretch out your hand and strike everything he has, and he will surely curse you to your face."

Job passed the initial test that Satan unleashed to prove his faith in God as stated in the Scriptures, “In all this, Job did not sin by charging God with wrongdoing.” (Job 1:22)

You’ll see that though Job lived in a different time and generation, his life is strikingly similar to ours today. Each person will be able to relate to Job’s life one way or another. But one thing that will probably differ is how we react to situations that cause us great pain and suffering.
When you are not aware that such things will happen, then I’m sorry to say that you are very ignorant and naïve of what life is really all about. I’m not criticizing nor putting down anyone but we should realize this fact of life.

Let it not be said about you that you showed genuine faith in God during positive and good times but went on a downward slope and crumbled during the worst of times. Our consistency must be seen in situations both happy and sad – that is when you will begin to thwart Satan’s suggestions that we are only believers during good times but, curse God in our difficult moments. Therefore, let’s prove Satan wrong and let us prove that faith in God is not conditional but unconditional based in God’s character.

Somebody said, “I find the great thing in this world is, not so much where we stand, as in what direction we are moving. To reach the port of heaven, we must sail sometimes with the wind, and sometimes against it — but we must sail, and not drift nor lie at anchor.”

Let’s talk again!

Personal Thoughts-Undignified Worship

It was a great time what transpired last week in JIL BC Churches. A new level of worship has occurred that swept many of the participants both in the Worship Nights and Worship Breakthrough. Personally, I had the chance to really express myself in ways that I know had given my Lord Jesus a great time as well. I know now that it is called "Undignified Worship."

Just watch this video with the lyrics and you will understand what it means to be "Undignified" in our worship- all for our Lord.




The events that I've mentioned were events that I had the chance to become undignified. Though I may be a Pastor, but I am a disciple and a worshiper of the Lord as well. And my Lord is worthy to be praised in ways that will bless His heart and honor Him even if it seems foolishness to other people watching. It is because I am only concern with how my "Audience of One" thinks and feels. When He is happy, I am happy, too!!

JIL 18th Anniversary Celebration

Seeing that the JIL Church in British Columbia has reached its 18 years is a testimony to what God is able to do with people whose their lives were given to Him. Responding to God's call is an important decision that any genuine believer of God will have in their lifetime. I have responded to God's call to pioneer JIL BC 18 years ago with a handful of people and this time, He is not yet done to show what He could do further.

Yesterday, the celebration was about Him and His faithfulness throughout the past 18 years. However, He is not yet done but each and every year is another opportunity to see new things. This celebration was made special with the commitment of the JIL BC pastors, leaders, workers and congregations from JIL Vancouver 1&2, North Vancouver, Surrey Newton & Fleetwood, Burnaby, Richmond,Victoria, Nanaimo, Multicultural and Whistler.

They've worked hard to make this event successful and glorious. Congratulations to all of you once again for an excellent job!

Part of this year's celebration was the participation of Sis Edith Mendoza, the JIL Worldwide Music Ministry Chairman as the Anniversary Speaker together with the Musikatha Team namely, Paul, Marlon, Graham, Karmi, Dinah, Joan and Joey. The whole atmosphere during the celebration was filled with great excitement and anticipation for what will transpire. And sure enough, God honored our event with a manifestation of His presence during worship, the preaching of the Word and ministering time. What an awesome time it was to be in such a place!

The facility of Red Robinson Theater in Coquitlam, BC was transformed at the moment as place of worship and praise to the audience of One- The Lord Jesus Christ.

What can I say after 18 years? I'm ready and looking forward with excitement and renewed passion to do God's will with God's people in the JIL Church.

Again, congratulations to all JIL people! Be ready for another year of challenge with an overflow of God's mighty favor to all of us!!!

School of Evangelism

One of the key aspect of being inspired in doing what we need to do is to find the right avenue to do so. In my life as a disciple of Jesus, attending conferences to enhance myself in ministering effectively is a great opportunity. That's why when the Billy Graham School of Evangelism came to Vancouver this month, my wife and I decided to attend the second time. Our first time was last year in Seattle. But this time I made sure to encourage other JIL Pastors and leaders to join us this time.

For three days from Nov 11-13, 2008, we were being fed and given the challenge to focus on the Great Commission of Jesus as witnesses of the Gospel message. There were many sessions and speakers that provided personal testimonies, challenges and timely words for the task of the Gospel.

Altogether, it was a fruitful three days and worth going to. I will attend again given the chance. I am excited especially for those who came along to attend. I believe that God re-energize in all of us a new passion and fire for the Gospel message.

Let's talk again!

A Night to Remember!

Last night was the JIL British Columbia (BC) Night of Praise, Prayer and Thanksgiving for our 18th Anniversary celebration on November 16, 2008. From 7:30-11pm, we spent our time focused on God's promise, power and presence. JIL churches from Vancouver 1&2, North Vancouver, Surrey Newton and Fleetwood, Richmond, Multi-Cultural and Burnaby were there to complete the event.

But before we started the program last night, we have received the news of the passing away of one of our brethren and co-worker in the Lord from JIL Burnaby Church, Jasmine Javier. Jasmine was involved in a vehicular accident in Delta last night and succumbed to serious injuries that caused her death. In spite of this news, we have persevered to continue the program last night.

Jasmine is our VIA Head in JIL Burnaby Music Ministry and one of our best Worship Leaders. She will be sorely missed by all of us especially her radiant smile and countenance exuding a deep love for God and worship. Yet we will hold her dear in our heart even as she passed from this life to the next....with God in heaven. May she fills the heaven and drowns the choir of angels with her worship before God's throne.

The JIL Church family extends its deepest sympathies to the Javier family. We need to extend a special prayer for the Javier family especially Bro. Bobby and Sis. Bernadette being Jasmine's parents as they go through this difficult time.

I believe that this is where we come as their spiritual family to just be there for them... just allow our prayers to permeate their situation with God's peace and comfort, to cry with them and to mourn their loss. As Ecclesiastes aptly put it, "there is a time for everything."

Though we may have this situation hanging with us as we celebrate our anniversary, I believe that this will be a grand opportunity as well to declare God's faithfulness that no matter what we go through whether for us or against us, we will be determined to remain in His care and to let our faith resound even greater in times like these.

Lastly, let the whole world know that we have a strong anchor in Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour for "He will never leave us nor forsake us."

God bless us all!

SEIZE THE MOMENT

The arrival of the global positioning satellite (GPS) technology was a welcome relief for many drivers that do not know how to read a map. No matter the variations and brands, it sure helped a great deal. I just recently obtained one for my own use. I have heard about it a long time ago but never had the time to get one until I was in Netherlands and saw it in action. I was fascinated with it and decided that when I came back to Canada, I would buy one just like that. Sure enough, it became a useful tool for me. Just imagine that up to a minimum of four satellites are focused on this little box to guide anyone that uses it.

How does it work? I have listed three things below that I believed this little box initially provided me with;

1. It showed new directions from what I was familiar with.

2. It showed my estimated time of arrival (ETA).

3. While driving, it reminds me of the direction that I need to follow in order to reach the direction I gave.

I believe there are more things beside what I gave but I will learn more as I get familiar with it. But the most fascinating of all was its ability to be a little box with great potential. There are many things that one could discover when explored thoroughly. It was such a great invention that made any driving easier, especially mine. Although, it was also designed to verbalize its commands that borders to being an annoying box yet when one is alone, it becomes a companion to avoid being sleepy at times. I’m afraid that the time of using maps is nearing to be a thing of the past, though most unlikely.

The dawning of the GPS technology has given me quite a lot of insights in daily living. The problem with many drivers like me is moving from what we know and trusting a small box to provide the direction we need. There were times that I felt it was not reliable and even thought of it being wrong altogether. Yet, I was proven wrong many times and gave me many lessons that I want to share with you.

Before he left, Jesus gave us the Holy Spirit for daily living. In John 16:13, Jesus spoke on the Holy Spirit’s job description, “But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come.” (NIV) From this, the Holy Spirit became like the GPS given to us by Jesus to guide and provide us of what we need to know according to God’s will. Moreover, he leads us closer to it. But our main problem is this: our inability to listen carefully to his instructions and most of the time we even dare to go against his will.

There were many times that he spoke of God’s will and counseled, “Seize the moment!” Unfortunately, we missed it and went our own way. But like the GPS, when we miss our supposed exit, it will recalculate to tell us the next. And when we ignore its instruction, the result will be delays. The same principle applies when we have the same attitude with the Holy Spirit. Though he will remind us that we missed the mark, he will not give up on reminding us until we follow his way.

Let me share some important insights for you to remember:

1. Believe immediately and never hesitate to follow the Holy Spirit’s promptings. Listen carefully to His voice.

2. Always react positively and not negatively when faced with an instruction that we are not familiar with.

3. Lastly, to attain success in great measure, yield wholeheartedly and not half-heartedly.

God opens many doors of opportunity at the most unexpected time and situations. Therefore, we must always be ready to seize the moment and grab the opportunity to do his will when given the chance. Just like the GPS technology, we are being watched and guided by the Holy Spirit who is able to see ahead of us to reach a successful destination.

Let’s talk again!!