Wednesday, June 27, 2007
Reunión de Damas. Women's Meeting
Don’t forget that this Friday there will be a special women’s meeting here at Koinonia Surco. Everything will be starting at 4:00 p.m. and will finish at 8:00 p.m. There will be worship, Silvia and Betty will be teaching God’s word and there will be food as well. The cost is 3 soles. Confirm your attendance with Betty. The phone number is 223-6184.
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
Un Departamento y Un Edificio. An Apartment and a Building
Quiero animarles a visitar el blog de Koinonia Cañete. Estamos orando por un local en la zona cerca de San Vicente y parece que Jaime ha encontrado un buen lugar. El precio es bueno y Jaime ha puesto unas fotos en el blog. Estaré yendo a chequear el lugar la semana que viene. Oren por sabiduria y provisión para saber si este es el lugar.
Haga un clic en la columna al derecho que dice Koinonia Cañete para visitar el blog y puedes hacer un clic aquí también.
http://www.koinonia-canete.blogspot.com/
We've been a little busy helping Robin and Tracy to find an apartment. It looks like they found one at a good price close to the church. This afternoon they're going to sign the contract. Thanks Lord.
I want to encourage you to visit Koinonia Cañete's blog. We've been praying for a building in tha area of San Vicente and it looks like Jaime has found a place. The price is good and Jaime has put some photos in the blog. Pray for wisdom and provision so know if this is the place or not.
Click on the part of the column to the right that says Koinonia Cañete or you can click here as well. http://www.koinonia-canete.blogspot.com/
Friday, June 22, 2007
Las Visitas. The Visits
This has been a week of visits. Some friends from Ayacucho came by on Monday with Pastor Yu and his friends from New Jersey. Robin, Tracy, Kilaine, Liam, Dan and Cathy came from Boynton. A little later in the day Claudio came by. He’s a friend that’s Peruvian but lives in Miami. We’ve been a little busy and so I haven’t had time to write much. God willing, I’ll be writing a little more next week.
Saturday, June 16, 2007
El Secreto del Gozo Cristiano. The Secret of Christian Joy
No basta con leer la palabra o recibirla mientras otros la exponen; debemos regocijarnos en ella. “Me regocijo en tu palabra como el que halla muchos despojos” (Salmo 119:162). En los tiempos de la Biblia a veces la gente escondía sus riquezas en jarras y las enterraba (Mateo 13:44; Jeremías 41:8). Si de repente, mientras araba su terreno, un campesino descubría una jarra con oro, seguramente se regocijaba. Hay grandes tesoros enterrados en la palabra de Dios, y tú y yo debemos cavar diligentemente para encontrarlos mientras leemos, meditamos y oramos, y cuando encontramos esos tesoros, debemos regocijarnos y dar gracias.
Si leemos y estudiamos la palabra de Dios únicamente porque es nuestro deber, entonces tal vez nunca nos serán revelados sus tesoros. Es aquel creyente que se regocija en la palabra, que se deleita en leerla y estudiarla día tras día quien encontrará los tesoros escondidos de Dios. “Bienaventurado el hombre que teme a Jehová, y en sus mandamientos se deleita en gran manera” (Salmo 112:1). “Sino que en la ley de Jehová está su delicia, y en su ley medita de día y de noche” (Salmo 1:2).
¿Te deleitas en la palabra de Dios? ¿Prefieres la palabra de Dios a la comida (Salmo 119:103; Lucas 10:38-42), al descanso (Salmo 119:55,62, 147-148) o a las riquezas (vs. 14, 72, 137,162)?
¿Puedes decir: “!!Oh, cuánto amo yo tu ley! todo el día es ella mi meditación… Lámpara es a mis pies tu palabra, y lumbrera a mi camino (Salmo 119:87,105)?
Warren Wiersbe
The secret of Christian joy is to believe what God says in His Word and act upon it. Faith that isn’t based on the Word is not faith at all; it is presumption or superstition. Joy that isn’t the result of faith is not joy at all; it is only a “good feeling” that will soon disappear. Faith based on the Word will produce joy that will weather the storms of life.
It isn’t enough for us to read the Word or receive the Word as others expound it; we must also rejoice in the Word. “I rejoice at Your word as one who finds great treasure” (Ps. 119:162). In Bible days, people sometimes hid their wealth in jars buried in the ground (Matt. 13:44; Jer. 41:8). If a farmer plowing his field suddenly discovered a jar filled with gold, he would certainly rejoice. There are great treasures buried in God’s Word, and you and I must diligently “dig” for them as we read, meditate, and pray; and when we find these treasures, we should rejoice and give thanks.
If we read and study the Word of God only from a sense of duty, then its treasures may never be revealed to us. It is the believer who rejoices in the Word, who delights to read and study it day by day, who will find God’s hidden treasures. “Blessed is the man who fears the Lord, who finds great delight in his commands” (Ps. 112:1, niv). “But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night” (Ps. 1:2).
Do you delight in God’s Word? Would you rather have God’s Word than food (Ps. 119:103; Luke 10:38–42), or sleep (Ps. 119:55, 62, 147–148), or wealth (vv. 14, 72, 137, 162)?
True of you? “Oh, how I love Your law! I meditate on it all day long. . . . Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path” (Psalm 119:97, 105, niv).
- Warren Weirsbe
Thursday, June 14, 2007
El Niño y Su Sandwiche. The Boy and His Sandwich
Ya regresé de Ayacucho. Participé en la ceremonia de la graduación de los seminaristas y fue bueno ver a todos de nuevo. De todos modos quiero confesar que el momento más impactante para mí también fue el momento más triste también. Pasó cuando hablamos con el niñito que ven en la foto arriba. Tiene 6 añitos y estudia en el colegio en Mollepata donde Pastor Yu ha hecho muchas obras. El martes fuimos al colegio para entregar sándwiches, chocolates, gaseosas y lápices a los alumnos. El primer niño que recibió un sandwiche fue el niño de la foto. Nos miraba y luego miraba a su sándwich, a veces bajaba la mirada hacia el suelo también. No decía nada, ni siguiera gracias. La profesora nos dijo que a veces pasa todo el día sin pronunciar ni una palabra y el día siguiente habla unas frases. Después de un tiempito dijo, “gracias”. Todos comenzaron a decirle, “come, come, es riquísimo”. El seguía mirándonos y luego, bajaba la vista para mirar su sandwiche. Después de un tiempo más dijo que quería llevar el sándwiche a su mamá. Muchos de los niños en los lugares más pobres del Perú, especialmente en la sierra, tienen esa actitud. La pobreza une a la familia. Saben que significa estar con hambre y se preocupan por sus padres y familiares. Estos niños realmente conmueven el corazón.
He regresado a Lima bendecido como siempre y con más ganas de servir al Señor sabiendo que Cristo es la única esperanza que hay; porque Dios siempre cuida a sus hijos. Tenemos que seguir predicando el evangelio y haciendo todo lo que se pueda para que El Perú cambie.
I’ve returned from Ayacucho. I was able to participate in the ceremony with the graduating class at the Methodist Seminary and it was good to see everyone there again. I have to confess though, that the moment that had the biggest impact on me was also the saddest. We went to a school in Mollepata where Pastor Yu has done a lot of work. The school was where I met the little boy in the picture above. He’s 6 years old. We went to his school to bring sandwiches, chocolates, soda and pencils to the students on Tuesday. The boy in this picture was the first child to receive a sandwich. He kept on looking at us, looking at his sandwich and then looking at the ground. He didn’t say anything, not even “thank you”. His teacher told us that he can go for a whole day sometimes without saying anything and then the next day, he might say a few phrases. After a little while, he said, “gracias” (thanks). At that point everyone started telling him, “eat your sandwich, it’s delicious”. He kept looking at it and then looking at the ground. After a while, he told us that he wanted to bring his sandwich home to “mama”. Many of the children in the poor areas of Peru have this attitude. Poverty unites them as a family. These children know what it means to be hungry and to worry about their parents and brothers and sisters. These children really break your heart.
I’ve returned to Lima blessed as always and with a greater desire to serve the Lord. I know that Christ is the only hope. God always takes care of His children. We must continue to preach the gospel and to do whatever we can so that Peru will change.
El Colegio de Mollepata. The School in Mollepata
Los Niños de Mollepata. The Children From Mollepata
Monday, June 11, 2007
Los Solteros. Voy a Ayachucho. The Singles. I'm Going To Ayacucho
Saturday, June 09, 2007
Solteros Que Ministran. Singles That Minister
This evening we will be starting a Bible study for singles. We’ll be studying together (even though I’m married), for the next 5 weeks. The study will be each Saturday evening. Please pray for it. We don't want a singles ministry. We want singles that minister.
Friday, June 08, 2007
Keith Green
Keith Green
Prefiero que la gente me odie sabiendo que he intentando salvarlos.
Keith Green
All roads lead to the judgment seat of Christ.
Keith Green.
I’d rather have people hate me with the knowledge that I tried to save them.
Keith Green
Thursday, June 07, 2007
El Perdón. Forgiveness
Colosenses 3:13
Continuamos estudiando la vestidura que el apóstol Pablo nos manda a ponernos como cristianos en Colosenses 3, aunque ha pasado más de una semana desde la última vez que escribí algo acerca de este pasaje. Hasta ahora hemos visto que el objetivo de las diversas prendas que conforman esta vestidura es protegernos del frío de este mundo y de sus caminos, y que al vestirnos así somos capaces de llevar una vida que glorifica el nombre de nuestro Señor. También hemos visto que es imposible ponernos esta vestidura o vivir esta vida sin el poder del Espíritu Santo. Él es quien tiene que hacer la obra en nosotros, de otro modo actuamos de manera carnal.
Aquí, en el versículo 13, Pablo nos dice que debemos perdonar. A veces es difícil perdonar, pero mi experiencia me indica que es mucho más duro tratar de vivir la vida cristiana sin hacerlo. Como cristianos, vivir con la paz de Dios en nuestros corazones y en nuestras mentes debe ser un hábito y una bendición cotidiana. Al ser conscientes de que hemos sido perdonados de tantos pecados y caminar conforme al Espíritu, el perdonar llega a ser una parte de nuestra ser. Cuando perdonamos demostramos que Cristo tiene autoridad sobre nuestras vidas porque él es el único que realmente tiene autoridad para perdonar el pecado.
Durante siglos los cristianos han sufrido terribles e innumerables injusticias, pero cada vez que han perdonado a sus enemigos Dios ha usado ese sufrimiento para el avance de su reino. Pienso en los mártires, comenzando por Esteban. O en Corrie Ten Boom sufriendo por la mano de los nazis y a la misma vez perdonando al responsable de la muerte de su hermana. Recuerdo también a un matrimonio de Florida, Estados Unidos, que le enviaba cartas a la cárcel al joven asesino de su hijo hablándole del amor y perdón del salvador, y que gracias a ello él entregó su vida a Cristo.
¿Han escuchado el refrán “perdonar es divino”? Tal vez nunca te parezcas más a tu Señor que en los momentos en que perdonas a los que te han hecho daño.
“bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do.” [1]
Colossians 3:13
We’ve been looking at the wardrobe that the apostle Paul tells us that we are to put on as Christians in Colossians 3, (even though it’s been a while since I’ve written anything about it). We have seen that Paul tells us that as we put these things on, we are actually protecting ourselves from the cold atmosphere of this world and its ways. We see that putting on these different things, we’re able to live a life which glorifies the name of our Lord. We’ve also seen that we can’t do these things in our own strength. We really need the Holy Spirit to do the work in us.
Here in verse 13 we are told to forgive. It can be hard to forgive at times but my experience has been that it’s actually harder for the Christian to live without forgiving. We get used to living with the peace of God in our hearts and minds and it’s a real blessing. We realize that we’ve been forgiven for so many things and forgiving becomes part of our being as we begin to walk in the Spirit. When we forgive we are demonstrating that Christ has authority over our lives because He is the one and only that really has authority to forgive sins.
Christians have suffered terrible injustices through the centuries and countless times have been used of God to further His kingdom when they’ve forgiven their enemies. I think of the martyrs starting with Stephen. I think of Corrie Ten Boom suffering at the hands of the Nazi’s and forgiving the guard that was responsible for the death of her sister. I remember the couple in Florida. Their son was murdered by another young man and sent to prison. I think about how they began to send that murderer letters telling him of the love of the Savior and leading him to Christ.
To forgive is divine and you are perhaps never more close to resembling your Lord than when you forgive those who have grieved you.
[1]The Holy Bible, New King James Version, (Nashville, Tennessee: Thomas Nelson, Inc.) 1982.
Wednesday, June 06, 2007
Ayúdanos. Help Us.
Esta foto no es la más bonita que has visto pero el espacio que ves es importante para nosotros. Queremos construir un salón multipropósito aquí. Sería usado para reuniones pequeñas, la escuela dominical y en los momentos que tenemos muchos huéspedes, un lugar adicional para armar camarotes. Estamos tratando de sacar permiso para la construcción porque tenemos un grupo que viene en Agosto para apoyar. El problema es que sacar permiso no nos está resultando tan fácil como esperamos. ¿Podrían orar para que nos den el permiso antes del fin de Julio? Realmente necesitamos el espacio. Gracias.
This isn’t the most beautiful photo you’ve seen in your life but the space you see is important to us. We want to build a multipurpose room here. It would be used for meetings, Sunday school and the times when we have a lot of guests, as an additional room for housing. We would put up extra bunk beds here. We’re trying to get the permission needed to begin construction because we have a group coming in August that wants to help build the room. The problem is, getting permission is turning out to be more difficult than we had hoped. Would you pray with us? Pray that we will be able to obtain the permission needed before the end of July. We really need the extra space. Thanks.
Tuesday, June 05, 2007
Me Dio Lengua de Sabios. The Tongue of the Learned
Isaías 50:4
Este versículo forma parte de un pasaje profético que habla de nuestro Señor y su venida al mundo como el Cristo (el Mesías). Muchos piensan equivocadamente que Jesús siempre supo qué decir en el momento preciso porque era Dios. Él era Dios, eso es cierto, pero cuando vino al mundo, Jesús se despojó de sus derechos divinos, se despojó a sí mismo. La epístola a los Filipenses lo dice claramente. Todos los milagros que Jesús hizo en la tierra los hizo como hombre. Cada cosa sabia que enseñó la escuchó primeramente de su Padre. Juan también lo dice claramente. Y en este versículo de Isaías vemos que levantarse temprano para pasar tiempo con su Padre iba a ser una prioridad para Jesús. Que en aquellos momentos de silencio su Padre lo prepararía para lo que tuviera que enfrentar cada día.
Acaso algunos piensen que en las últimas semanas estoy poniendo demasiado énfasis en este tema. Yo no creo que sea así. En estos días necesitamos del Señor desesperadamente. Deseamos que Él haga una obra más profunda en y por medio de nosotros. Pero sin escucharlo a Él, eso será imposible.
“The Lord God has given Me the tongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak a word in season to him who is weary. He awakens Me morning by morning. He awakens My ear to hear as the learned”.
Isaiah 50:4
This verse is taken from a prophetic passage that speaks of our Lord as the coming Messiah. So many of use have the mistaken idea that Jesus always knew the right thing to say at the right moment because He was God. He was God. That’s true, but He gave up His rights as God when He came to earth. Philippians makes that very clear. All of the miracles that Jesus did on earth He did as a man. Every wise thing that He taught was first heard from His Father. John makes that very clear. In this verse we see that waking up early to spend time with the Father was a priority for Jesus. It was in those quiet times that the Father prepared Him for what He would have to face that day. Some may think that I’m stressing this too much lately. I don’t think so. We need the Lord so desperately these days. We desire for Him to do a greater work in and through us, and without hearing from Him, it will be impossible.
Monday, June 04, 2007
De Madrugada. Early In The Morning
E. M. Bounds
The men who have done the most for God in this world have been early on their knees. He who fritters away the early morning, its opportunity and freshness, in other pursuits than seeking God will make poor headway seeking Him the rest of the day. If God is not first in our thoughts and efforts in the morning, He will be in the last place the remainder of the day.
E. M. Bounds
Saturday, June 02, 2007
Serviendo a Dios. Serving God
Mateo 23:11-12
En el reino de Dios, el servicio no es un escalón para llegar a la nobleza: es la nobleza, la única clase de nobleza que es reconocida.
T.W. Manson
"But he who is greatest among you shall be your servant. And whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted."
Matthew 23:11-12
In the kingdom of God, service is not a stepping stone to nobility: it is nobility, the only kind of nobility that is recognized.
T.W. Manson
Friday, June 01, 2007
Villa Maria Del Triunfo.
We ministered in the Villa Maria del Triunfo section of Lima for more than a year. We did children’s ministry, mimes and puppet shows, praise and worship and we preached the word of God to thousands of people. The word was sown in many hearts. When the new mayor took office along with his people, they decided to stop giving us permission to use the park. We’re not complaining. We know it was from the Lord. At the same time, we know that in the Lord’s time, we’re going to be able to do something there again. My desire is to plant a church in Villa Maria! I believe it’s the Lord’s will. Could you pray with me about this today?
¡Orando y Predicando, y Con Pasión! Praying and Preaching, With Passion!
Carlos Spurgeon.
"If sinners be damned, at least let them leap to Hell over our bodies. If they will perish, let them perish with our arms about their knees. Let no one go there unwarned and unprayed for".
Charles Spurgeon