I Just Led Someone To Christ!

Wow, what a joy to be used of God to lead a young man and woman to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ! I praise the Lord for all those that had a part in sowing the seeds of the gospel in the lives of these individuals prior to tonight. It was obvious that many have shared their faith with both of them as they were both ready to be saved. I know that the angels in heaven are rejoicing and signing praise for the expansion of the family of God that took place tonight! I am so thankful for their decision and I pray that God will continue to work in the hearts of people. Use me Lord in anyway possible. Dear Lord, I pray that you would place your protective hand around these that have just received you and that you would keep Satan away from discouraging them in their new walk with You. Help them to trust in You with all their heart and to not lean upon their own understanding. As they acknowledge You, I pray that You will direct their paths. In Jesus name, Amen!

The Passing of Time

It amazes me how fast time moves now that I'm older. I can remember when I was just 10 years old and watching my dad shaving one morning just after he turned 35 years old. As I stood in the doorway of the bathroom and wondered when I would ever be old enough to shave, I thought to myself, "Thirty-five years seems like forever." Now I am 40 years old with three teenage sons and wondering when it was when I got older. It is so true when the Bible tells us that life is like a vapor, it appears for a little while and then it is gone. Why did it seem like it took forever to get through school? If I could have spoken to that little 10 year old boy 30 years ago, I would have told him to invest his time wisely, because before you know it, it will be gone. And once it's gone, you can never invest it again.

"The Amazing Race"

Hebrews 12:1 tells us to, “…lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and … run with endurance the race that is set before us.” The Bible compares the Christian life to an athlete in a race. It also tells us that there is only ONE WAY to get into this Amazing Race; we must be “born again” (John 3:7). Our enemy, Satan, tries to keep everyone out of the race, but once you’re in the Amazing Race, all Satan can do is try to get you to STOP running, pointing our attention to “other stuff” instead of running the race with all our heart.

After we enter the Amazing Race, Hebrews 12:2 reminds us that we must fix our attention and focus on Jesus, the “author and finisher of our faith.” Paul told us in 1 Corinthians 9 that he needed to discipline his body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. He also mentioned that his greatest fear was being disqualified, in other words, being DETOURED from the race and losing his effectiveness for the Lord’s work.

The most difficult part of the Amazing Race is YIELDING to the Holy Spirit and allowing Him to direct our paths. There are millions of people around the world that have never heard the name of Jesus Christ. It is important that we get as many people as possible to join the Amazing Race while there is still time. If we are not able to go to the foreign mission field to run the Amazing Race, we must be willing to send those that have trained to go. Regardless of us GOING or SENDING, the Apostle Paul encouraged us to, “press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. (Phil. 3:14). Remember that all athletes practice strict self-control. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize.

On Your Marks, Get Set, GO!

What An Amazing Blend of Cultures!

Today was an exciting day for me as the pastor of Victory Baptist Church here in Anaheim, CA. This morning I had the wonderful opportunity to be a part of a baby dedication. Eventhough I have been a part of many dedications over the years, this was the first one that blended in the wonderful Filipino culture and traditions. I was truly blessed to be a part of it. If that wasn't enough for a day of culture, the evening brought another baby dedication from another family within the church, this with India traditions and cultural practices. What an amazing day that we live in when within one church there can be such a blend of cultures from around the world. It just goes to show that as members of God's family, we can learn to appreciate the jewels of cultural diversity that are sparkling around the world. Blessed be the name of the Lord!