Theophilus Ministries

We are BLESSED to be back.  As always these trips are profitable and very worthwhile but at the same time very draining.  The main goal of our trip was two-fold.  The first part was to take a small team to help finish some of the construction projects at the Calvary Chapel in la Chorrera.  The second part was to make a connection with the brothers at Radio Faro de David to look into getting on this great station that covers a large portion of the western part of the country. 

While we were in country we were able to spend a considerable amount of time with our brothers and sisters at Iglesia Cristo Vive, who have churches all over the country from the province of Chiriqui in teh west to the Darien Jungle in the east.  The day we arrived we had the honor of being invited to the one year anniversary of their church in Via Maria, San Miguelito - a very poor slum outside of Panama city.  The worship and messages were great and I was able to introduce my friend and student Aguilar who gave his very first expositional sermon.  As we have been teaching them to do, Aguilar covered part of the 1st chapter of Romans beautifully, he ”read distinctly from the book, in the Law of God; and they gave the sense, and helped them to understand the reading.” (Neh 8:8)

Our 6 hour trip the next day from Panama City to David to meet with the Radio station people served as an opportunity to take the Pastor from CC La Chorrera to take care of some documentation as well as provided a time for us to fellowship and talk about inter-fellowship opportunities between Cristo Vive and Calvary Chapel.  My good friend and brother in the faith Anselmo Avedano joined us for the long trip where we worked out schedule for conducting a New Believers/Inductive Bible Study class on Tuesday nights.  It is interesting to see how similar we are as churches - they need a bit of instruction on how to study and teach but we definately can learn about how the church needs to serve as a commnity of believers that is truly led by the Holy Spirit.  I love my church but I feel that we have some rough times ahead - my encouragement to the faithful: STAY FAITHFUL AND FULL OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.  We have the quote from the radio station and intend to move forward with the programming.  Sergio Lopez, pastor from the Logos hispanic ministry will be the first on the air.  We will inform you about when the programming comes on so that those of you interested can tune in on the internet.

We always appreciate your prayers.  We have some specific financial needs: (1) we need a consistent commitment for donations to support two fulltime ministry workers.  the cost for both is around $600 a month.  if you can help with this (or a part of it) for a minimum of a year please write me at erick@1john.com.  (2) We need a consitent flow of $500 a month for the radio progarm - this will give is 5 days a week of programming on Faro de David (www.farodedavid.com).  we intend to add other programs but want to start with this one.  (3) we are looking for help as we get the defunct KWAVE en Espanol going again as an independent ministry.  If you have web designing skills or can help with the financial aspect of this project we would be blessed. (4) we are planning two trips later this year to do construction projects - one in Honduras and one in Panama.  If you feel the call to come and help out or can help with giving, we will need around 4,000-6,000 per project to get them done.

The rest of the week provided ample opportunity for teaching, fellowship and work.  I was blessed with the opportunity to teach through teh 1st chapter of 2nd Peter, encouraging the brothers and sisters down in Panama that our calling as Christians is one of action.  We are called to respond and add diligently to the faith that we have the good works that God has prepared for us.  As you read this I pray you will also be both encouraged and motivated to respond to the call of Christ in action.  There are far more opportunities than there are people.  Truly the harvest needs workers. This economy needs to be a wake up call for those of us who have put our trust in Christ - the riches and comforts of this world are not for us, they can dissapear in a second.  You are not a Republican, you are not a Democrat, you are not for this cause or that one - you are a slave to Jesus Christ, and a slave does only what his master commands.

Your master has commanded you, as He said to the disciples before ascending:

And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen. (Mat 28:18-20)

Panama Missions, Spanish christian living, christianity, God, Jesus Christ, Panama Missions, practical living

Friends and Supporters,  Erick had the opportuntiy to speak at Calvary Chapel Costa Mesa’s Hispanic Ministry on 12/13/2009.  Check out the video

http://bit.ly/6RmEsf

God Bless you all

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Amigos. Erick tuvo la oportunidad de compartir la Palabra este fin de semana pasada al ministerio hispano de Calvary Chapel.  Aqui tienen el video grabado.

http://bit.ly/6RmEsf

Dios les bendiga a todos Uds.

General Information, Panama Missions, Spanish

(ESPANOL ABAJO)

“Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble; for so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” (2Pe 1:10-11)

Sometimes scripture has a way of pulling us out of our problems and setting our perspective straight. We struggle and toil in this life to stay on track, battling the flesh and a powerful spiritual enemy at every turn. As we do this we often forget that the blessings of God which we will receive in Heaven are so amazing that they will wipe away any remembrance of our suffering on earth. As Paul puts it, “for I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.” (Rom 8:18)

It is hard but we have a responsibility to take the steps necessary to live a godly life. As James reminds us “submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.” (Jas 4:7) We have a responsibility to resist and if we do our part we know with all assurance that God will do His part and we will never stumble. But more than not stumbling we have the better promise of the abundant and glorious entry we will enjoy as we enter the presence of the Lord in the everlasting Kingdom.

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“Por lo cual, hermanos, tanto más procurad hacer firme vuestra vocación y elección; porque haciendo estas cosas, no caeréis jamás. Porque de esta manera os será otorgada amplia y generosa entrada en el reino eterno de nuestro Señor y Salvador Jesucristo.” (2Pe 1:10-11)

Las Escrituras tienen una habilidad de sacarnos de nuestros problemas y corrigiendo nuestras perspectivas. Luchamos en esta vida de quedar en el camino bueno. Siempre estamos en guerra contra la carne y el enemigo espiritual, los cuales son muy poderosos. Mientras hagamos esto, frecuentemente olvidamos que las bendiciones de Dios que vamos a recibir en el cielo son tan maravillosas que van a borrar cualquier recuerdo del sufrimiento que hemos experimentado aquí en la tierra. Como dice Pablo, “Pues tengo por cierto que las aflicciones del tiempo presente no son comparables con la gloria venidera que en nosotros ha de manifestarse.” (Rom 8:18)

Es difícil per tenemos una responsabilidad de tomar los pasos necesarios para vivir rectamente en la vida. Como nos recuerda Santiago, “Someteos, pues, a Dios; resistid al diablo, y huirá de vosotros.” (Jas 4:7) Tenemos una responsabilidad de resistir y si hagamos nuestro parte tenemos la seguridad que Dios va a cumplir con su parte y no vamos a tropezar. Pero aun mejor que no tropezar es la promesa de la entrada amplia y generosa que vamos a disfrutar al entrar en la presencia del Señor en el reino eterno.

Devotional Ramblings, Spanish 2nd Peter, christian living, christianity, God, hope, Jesus Christ

(ESPANOL ABAJO)

“For if these things are yours and abound, you will be neither barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For he who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins.” (2Pe 1:8-9)

Do you think that if I told you, with words only, how to hang-glide that you would be able to go out and jump off a big cliff and successfully make it to the bottom?  Absolutely not, you would need time to exercise that knowledge by practicing with a real hang-glider in a safe environment before attempting such a stunt.  In similar fashion, knowledge alone does not guaranty success in our walk with Christ.  There is knowledge in Christ that can leave us unfruitful and barren.  If we as believers sit under sound teaching and fail to respond to that teaching by putting into practice the things we learn than we will not be fruitful nor abound.  As a person does this their spiritual senses begin to dull and they lose the ability to be challenged personally by God’s Word.   This continues until, as the scripture says, they lose all of their spiritual bearings and forget their position in Christ. 

“I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you” (Mat 5:44)

Does this scripture cause you to cringe as you realize your inadequacy in the flesh OR has it become just words on paper and a catchy phrase to recite?  God desires more from us as the body of Christ; He wants our lives so that He can change them.  Respond to the Word as you read it, put into practice the things He reveals to you, cast off the hardness in your heart and He will meet you where you are at.  I have no doubt that you will fail, but I also know with all assurance that He will succeed and cause you to abound.

“And do this, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed. The night is far spent, the day is at hand. Therefore let us cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light.” (Rom 13:11-12)

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“Porque si estas cosas están en vosotros, y abundan, no os dejarán estar ociosos ni sin fruto en cuanto al conocimiento de nuestro Señor Jesucristo.  Pero el que no tiene estas cosas tiene la vista muy corta; es ciego, habiendo olvidado la purificación de sus antiguos pecados.” (2Pe 1:8-9)

¿Piensas por un momento que si yo te mostrara, con palabras solamente, como hacer ala delta que pudieras saltar de un precipicio grande y llegar a la tierra exitosamente?  ¡Absolutamente no!  Necesitarías tiempo para ejercer ese conocimiento por practicar antes de intentar hacer el vuelo.  De la misma manera, conocimiento solo no es suficiente para garantizar éxito en nuestro camino con Cristo.  Hay conocimiento que podemos tener en Cristo que nos puede dejar sin fruto y ocioso.  Si nosotros, como creyentes, fallamos de responder a las enseñanzas sanas por poner en práctica las cosas que aprendemos, entonces no vamos a abundar ni hacernos fructíferos.  Si un creyente lo hace así, sus sentidos espirituales van a ponerse embotados  y va a perder la capacidad de ser retado personalmente por la Palabra de Dios.  Si esto continua, las Escrituras nos dice, se va a desorientar y olvidar su posición en Cristo.

“Pero yo os digo: Amad a vuestros enemigos, bendecid a los que os maldicen, haced bien a los que os aborrecen, y orad por los que os ultrajan y os persiguen;” (Mat 5:44)

¿Te produce este verso vergüenza mientras te das cuenta de tu incapacidad de hacerlo?  ¿O ha llegado a ser palabas solas y un dicho pegadizo?  Nuestro Dios quiere más de nosotros como el Cuerpo de Cristo.  El quiere nuestras vidas para que las cambie.  Responda a la Palabra cuando lo leas.  Pon en práctica las cosas que te revela.  Quita la dureza que está en tu corazón y El te va a encontrar donde estas.  Yo no tengo ninguna duda que vas a fracasar PERO yo estoy completamente seguro que Él va a triunfar y hacerte abundar.

“Y esto, conociendo el tiempo, que es ya hora de levantarnos del sueño; porque ahora está más cerca de nosotros nuestra salvación que cuando creímos.  La noche está avanzada, y se acerca el día. Desechemos, pues, las obras de las tinieblas, y vistámonos las armas de la luz.” (Rom 13:11-12)

Devotional Ramblings, Spanish 2nd Peter, christian living, christianity, God, Holy Spirit, Jesus Christ, obedience, practical living, works

(ENGLISH BELOW)

2Pe 1:5-7
(5)  vosotros también, poniendo toda diligencia por esto mismo, añadid a vuestra fe virtud; a la virtud, conocimiento;
(6)  al conocimiento, dominio propio; al dominio propio, paciencia; a la paciencia, piedad;
(7)  a la piedad, afecto fraternal; y al afecto fraternal, amor.

¿Alguien te ha acusado alguna vez de ser una persona ingrata? Cuando Pedro dice “por esto mismo”, habla de que hemos sido salvos de la perdición (justificación) y también que Dios nos ha prometido una eternidad de gloria con El en el cielo (glorificación). Por esta razón debemos sentirnos una obligación personal de responder a estas promesas grandísimas por poner diligentemente en práctica las cosas que hemos aprendido.  El cristianismo no es una religión pasiva que solo existe para complacerme y ser como una decoración espiritual para mi estilo de vida.  “¿Mas quieres saber, hombre vano, que la fe sin obras es muerta? (Jas 2:20) Este tipo de fe de etiquetas me lleva a resbalar y caer.  Pablo, en Efesios, enfatiza que estamos metidos en una batalla espiritual y necesitamos estar firmes, llevando toda la armadura de Dios.

Santiago nos dice “Someteos, pues, a Dios; resistid al diablo, y huirá de vosotros.” (Jas 4:7)  Revisa la lista que hace Pedro y pide que Dio te ayude añadir estas calidades de tu vida.  Entonces después, esfuérzate de resistir al diablo y tu carne, poniendo diligentemente en práctica estas calidades en cada momento de cada día de tu vida.  Dios, sí, honrará tu pedida Y Dios, sí, honrará tu esfuerzo.

 ”Así que, hermanos, os ruego por las misericordias de Dios, que presentéis vuestros cuerpos en sacrificio vivo, santo, agradable a Dios, que es vuestro culto racional.”  (Rom 12:1)

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2Pe 1:5-7
(5)  But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge,
(6)  to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness,
(7)  to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love.

Have you ever been accused of being an ingrate?   When Peter says “also for this very reason” He is speaking of the fact that we have been saved from perdition (justification) and also that we have been promised an eternity of glory with God in Heaven (glorification).  For this very reason we should feel personally obligated to respond to these great gifts by diligently putting into action the things we have learned.  Christianity is not a passive, feel-good, religion that a person can use to decorate their lifestyle.  “But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead?” (Jas 2:20) This type of bumper-sticker faith leads to backsliding and falling away.  Paul, in Ephesians, stresses the fact that we are in a spiritual battle and need to stand firm, equipped with the whole armor of God. 

We are told to “submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.” (Jas 4:7)  Look at this list that Peter makes and pray that God would help you to add these qualities to your life.  Then make the effort to resist the enemy and your flesh, diligently putting into effect these qualities in a practical way in every moment of every day.  God will honor your request AND God will honor your effort. 

“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.” (Rom 12:1)

Devotional Ramblings, Spanish 2nd Peter, God, holiness, Holy Spirit, Jesus Christ, obedience, practical living