Human Sufferings

For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps (1 Peter 2:21)

“So much trouble in the world,” one great musical-poet once sang ever so lamentably.

As Christians, we are not inoculated with some kind of divine serum to deter, prevent or keep away sufferings from their malicious insurgencies to attack our personal world.

In fact, I am one of those who sincerely believe quite the opposite. Being a Christian, a committed believer, can, and will, become a fierce magnet, involuntarily attracting the alloys of the ‘Big D’s.’ Never heard of the Big D’s, you say? Maybe you’ve heard them not, but surely you’ve met them, or will meet some of them in the not too far, distant future: Disappointment, Discouragement, Defeat, Disaster, Dangers, Disorder, Disrespect, Destitution, Desolation, Disillusionment, Drugs, Despondency, Depression, Disease, Death, Disgruntled, Dread, Distress, Divorce ( Dissolution), Dilemma, Discomfort, Disorder, Devastation, Diseases…Death!
* The mystery of suffering! Suffering beyond any doubt is the commonest feature of human life. There are none who escape. There are the weird, strange, sufferings of childhood, which grow into the sterner sufferings of our manhood; and these into the special sufferings of old age. It reaches every portion of our being. Our body is held in the grip of physical suffering; our minds know the exquisite sufferings of intense perplexity, our hearts are continually all but broken in the woes of life and our wills in the spheres of intense suffering, in the intense discipline to which we are called upon to submit in life; and the inner shrine of our being is the scene of our most suffering—it casts its shadow over our life. Looked at upon the surface, all life may seem to be a comedy; but it is a very weird and pathetic comedy, for beneath this comedy lies the awful tragedy of life. *James Hasting

Eight proper ways to respond to sufferings:
1. Expect suffering— John 15:19-20—If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you, 'A servant is not greater than his master.' If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will keep yours also.
John 16:33 These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world."
2. Commit your soul to God at the very beginning of your suffering—
1 Peter 4:19 Let those who suffer according to the will of God commit their souls to Him in doing good, as to a faithful Creator.
3. Don’t try to understand all the reasons for your suffering—
Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.
4. Realize others suffer—
1 Peter 5:8-9 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.
5. Pray while in your suffering—
James 5:13 Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray.
Psalm 50:15 God says, Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify Me."
6. Don’t despise your suffering—
Hebrews 12:5 Have you forgotten the exhortation which speaks to you as to sons: "My son, do not despise the chastening of the LORD, nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him.
7. Don’t faint because you’re suffering—
Proverbs 24:10 If you faint in the day of adversity, your strength is small.
Hebrews 12:3 Consider Jesus Christ who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
8. Patiently endure your suffering in a steadfast way—
Romans 12:12 rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer;
2 Tim. 2:3 You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.
1 Peter 2:20 For what credit is it if, when you are beaten for your faults, you take it patiently? But when you do good and suffer, if you take it patiently, this is commendable before God.

“Success and suffering are vitally and organically linked. If you succeed without suffering, it is because someone else has suffered before you; if you suffer without succeeding, it is that someone else may succeed after you.” Edward Tudson

Damacus

Here's a link for you to enjoy :)

Contentment in Life

I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.
Philippians 4:12 NKJV

I’ve been employed ever since I was ten years old. It was sheer, moral duty in order to help defray the financial obligations in the life struggles of a single-parent household. When Paul writes, I have learned, the Greek word implies instruction. Instructions in life’s journey come via formal education, organic learning, success, failure, cultural experiences, social interactions, trials and triumphs. Without a doubt, these experiences effect can and will have lasting effects.

One mere peek at the apostle’s life can attest that Paul underwent a major reversal in his luminous career. At one point he had everything a person could desire: credentials, social standing, power, authority, education, money, recognition and respect. Suddenly and gradually Paul lost everything, man!

Like Paul, I too, lost everything. I remember the event all too well: A thirty-nine year old husband of a pregnant wife and father of three children, unemployed for the very first time in his entire life. Furniture, automobiles and electronic gadgets were the most attractive items sold at the necessitated yard sale. What a harsh lesson to learn.

The school of affliction is a grueling taskmaster. The objective of this discipline is to find contentment in God which is a feeling of calm satisfaction; a state of mind in which one’s desires are confined to his lot whatever it may be. It is opposed to envy, avarice, ambition, anxiety and repining. I know boasting is wrong, but I feel as if I can boast in the Lord because I graduated from the school of affliction with top honors! I encourage you to stay the course… don’t weary in doing good… in due season you will graduate with top honors by His strength!

“But what things were gain to me, these I have counted loss for Christ. Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ.” Philippians 3:7-8

His and yours,
panch

Update

Dearest Friends,

I've just returned from the national, Calvary Chapel Pastors Conference (over 1000 senior pastors from around the world). The dismal political, social, financial and cultural shifts are not limited to Montebello. In fact, not only nationally, but are also being experienced all over the world, as testified by some of the international pastors present at the event (1 Peter 5:9 “…steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.). If I wasn't a follower of the Truth, I would be a bit hyper-phobic and vague about the latest, gloom and doom global political scenarios, let alone our own domestic state of affairs.

Well, in spite of the grim and gloomy circumstances, why is CCM doing construction, you may ask? To be honest…I dhont knaw! No, no, that’s not totally true; I do know, and I am inclined, SWAYED, in fact, and propelled by the sheer necessity to expand our borders, by the heartfelt, soul-convinced, Spirit guided compulsion to resume our development, due mainly by the obvious: the Gospel, the Truth, the Word of God, is sounding better and better each and dreadful day, and were expanding!

Throughout church history (not the Vatican kind), the church grows and bourgeons ever so fruitful; it grows whenever the society becomes weary and moral, financial, social, and political collapse are in the horizon (Acts 8 Now Saul was consenting to his death (Stephen). At that time a great persecution arose against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles; therefore, those who were scattered went everywhere preaching the word…“).

As some of you can bear witness, construction is at an all, fast-paced hurriedness. Rick Ham Construction Company and its employees have been outstanding and are staying within the contractual, precise time-schedule. Now that the foundational, support-columns are in place and approved by the city, we shall now observe a flurry of activities, construction specialists from all levels, all of them, moved with enthusiasm, due, I believe, by some of the more than a few excited laborers that make CCM their home church!

Many of CCM’s ‘OG’s” (Original members) still around can give a shout-out testament to God’s benevolence towards Calvary Chapel Montebello. Come what may, we seem to make it through good times and bad times. God has been faithful to this minister and ministry; call me a fool and a dreamer...but the dreams, though foolish, do come true!

I love you all. May God’s blessings pour out upon you and yours. Don’t freak. Don’t flinch. Keep your eyes on the prize.

Pray for me and our entire pastoral staff and their families, and of course, the church-support staff as well.

Look up.

His and Yours,

Pancho

Israel Update

Shalom!!!!!

Here are a few updates from the Israel trip.......

Mark and I swimming in the Jordan river after the baptism.
Teaching before 28 travelers got "dunked."
Sunrise on the sea of Galilee! One of the perks of jet-lag.
The Masada Hiking Crew (the hiked up the entire hill?!)
David Rosales (CC Chino Valley), myself, and Gary Ruff (CC Foothills)
In Qumram where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found.
Teaching at Gideon's Springs (Joshua 6-7)
Beit She'an (where King Saul died and hung).

We are now in Jerusalem and it's bustling loudly outside my hotel window. Mark and I are going to grab dinner at a local restaurant with some CCM people. Intimate fellowship!!! Everyone is having an AMAZING time and I pray more sheep from Montebello will be able to join us next time. Keep us in prayer...

panch

Church Dedication and Israel

Shalom!!!

I am in Israel with all of our travelers and we just finished a gastronomical meal of hummus, falafels, vegetables, lamb, fish, and chicken. I course, just ate carrots....... yeah right! For those who have prayed for me, thanks so much! I covet your prayers.

On another note, to those who came out to our church building dedication, I want to thank you for making the event memorable. It was a truly blessed event and I'm grateful to have the honor of serving such amazing sheep!

I'll be posting pictures on facebook and blogging more. Keep us in prayer........

panch

Facebook

Wednesday, March 18, 2009, 9:03am

Bianca: Dad, have you thought about getting a facebook or myspace account? Think about how many people you could connect with and encourage!

Me: No, man! Why would I want to do that? It's just going to waste my time. 

Bianca: Dad, stop being old! There are a lot of pastors who have profiles and they don't have to check them like everyday or anything. Just stay up with times.

Wednesday, March 18, 2009, 11:05am

Bianca: Dad, Roland [office techie] just told me that you have TWO fake myspace accounts. This is getting rediculous. Do you really want people to think that your favorite recording artist is Crystal Lewis and your favorite book is An Altered Life?! Come on, Dad... let me show you how easy this process is...

Wednesday, March 18, 2009, 3:10pm

Bianca: Okay. It's all set up! You love me. I know you do. 

I lost the battle. I've succumb to the 21st century and my two eldest daughters couldn't be more happy. You can now find me on facebook... against my wishes.