Descubriendo la Vida

13 March 2021

March Ministry (and other adventures)

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One wonders, does one not, how goods and services are really being affected by lockdowns and shifts in economic power. But maybe some of these things aren’t so unusual, if you look back over the years!

Like mailing some letters, and having them delivered to your house by mistake (I finally brought those back to the post office, by the way. The nice lady just rolled her eyes and took them.). Or ordering something and having the wrong item delivered (do you know how hard it is to actually contact someone about a mistake like that?). Ah, the little things that take up our time!

But there are also a lot of things to enjoy! For example, we enjoyed a visit to the city of Puebla earlier this week, and were able to visit some friends we haven’t seen in a while. These times are not only fun, but a good time to share ministry ideas.

I finally had a chance to look at some new tracts that our friend Chalo created (pictured here). It’s titled “Uncertainty”, and talks about the uncertainty that the COVID-19 situation has created. So we’ll be providing those to our church as another witnessing tool.

The weather changed here, as it usually does (in our perception) – very quickly. In a few days we’ve gone from several layers of clothes and lots of candles and hot drinks to t-shirts and fans. The jacarandas are in full bloom and everyone mentions the heat in casual conversation.

We’re heading into another busy weekend now, as I prepare a Bible study for tonight (on the Second Coming of Christ!) and worship music for tomorrow. Nathanael will be joining us again on the ukulele, so that’s always fun. 🙂

Then on Monday we have a one-day men’s retreat out in the country, which should be fun! Meat will be involved. Please do pray that this will be a good time of sharing together.

On Sundays we continue our study of Romans, so I’ve been spending lots of time in Romans 11, which is a real blessing, though also a real challenge! And then we’ll be taking a break and doing some special themes – Palm Sunday, a special Good Friday service, and then of course Resurrection Sunday. And then we continue our biblical Anthropology series.

So there will be a lot of interesting and worship-causing study over the next few weeks!

25 April 2020

“Phase 3” and Upcoming Events

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OT Survey class — Old Testament Survey Class

In Mexico, when it comes to COVID-19 “phases”, phases 1, 2 and 3 are bad, and then starting with phase 4 recovery begins. At least, that’s the theory. So essentially, phase 3 is a recognition that COVID-19 is an epidemic in Mexico.

So when the government finally announced this week that we are in “phase 3”, what changed? Basically, the announcement was – “We’re now in phase 3. Remember how we told you to be careful? Now we’re really really serious. BE CAREFUL!”

It appears that it’s not so much a matter of new laws from the federal government, but changes more locally as organizations see fit. Local governments, but even more businesses, who are deciding as they go how to handle the situation and interpret what “phase 3” means for them.

For example, in Mexico City in recent days, 20% of the public transportation has been shut down, and face masks are required if you’re on the bus or train (although just how much this will be enforced is uncertain).

“No drive days” were also expanded. Some of you may remember that in Mexico City cars are not allowed to drive on certain days (depending on the last number of their license plate). Newer vehicles can avoid this (ours is just barely new enough) by getting an emissions test. So now we’ve gone to being able to drive every day to having 6 or 7 days per month when we’re not allowed to drive.

Local businesses are either closing down for now, or enforcing special measures for health, or – let’s be honest – not doing much differently at all.

So enough about all that – what activities do we have coming up in the next few days?

We’re continuing a Bible study on basic Christianity, designed to help us to teach others. Tonight’s topic – Who is Jesus? – focusing on what He said about Himself, and what His early followers said. (In case you’re curious, we’ve been using Google Meet for these studies.)

Tomorrow is our online service. We’re (Lord willing) switching to full-on video interaction with the whole congregation, using GoToMeeting. Our services, thankfully, have been very interactive since the beginning, with prayer and sharing times carrying on as normal. But this is the first service, other than a special Good Friday service, when we’ve attempted to get everyone onto at least audio and hopefully in most cases two-way video.

We’re continuing our study of the book of Daniel, which for me has been even more relevant than I expected. Visions of God’s hidden hand in times of trouble – why wouldn’t it be relevant?

Anyway, Rod will be getting us into the 70 weeks of Daniel, in the incredible Daniel chapter 9.

Next week we’ll be continuing our hermeneutics class with the second set of students. It’s exciting times because we’re really starting to get into the nitty-gritty of interpreting passages of the Bible. We’re also continuing with the Old Testament survey course, switching to more frequent but shorter classes.

And of course in between all the regular studies and prep for the studies, we’re trying to serve one another as we’re able.

These are busy times, actually. For those who have been paying attention the past few years, we traditionally consider “manic May” one of our busiest times of the year, and this year is proving to be no exception! But I suppose it’s nice to know that there are some things that haven’t changed.

15 February 2020

A Few Things to Pray For…

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Hannah is already about 3/4 through her time in Colombia! Today, tomorrow and Monday – and then Monday night they leave for Canada. They’ll be home on Tuesday.

So keep praying for Hannah and the team – especially for energy for the last bit of their trip, and that the Holy Spirit would use them in the lives of those they meet!

This past week the women from the Las Palmas church hosted another women’s breakfast! About half of the women were first time guests to any of our church events, so brand new friends. About 30 women all together.

So please pray for these women! They had a craft time, and our friend Viri gave a clear presentation of the gospel.

Pray for our service this Sunday. We were unable to meet at our normal location again – they’re having a “Fiesta Expo”. I should have told them that the biggest fiesta of all is the Church on a Sunday morning, celebrating the Resurrected Lord! 😀

But anyway, we’re continuing our marvellous series called “Words” in which we’re studying words related to salvation. There’s so much to learn about salvation! And I’ll be preaching as we continue our odyssey through the book of Daniel. Please pray that God will work in people’s hearts.

Pray also for our children’s Sunday school. They’ve been talking about the Law of Moses and the Ten Commandments, as you can see here:

This Sunday our friend Sandra will be teaching them about the Tabernacle.

Actually, some intense topics this weekend! As usual, we really need the Spirit to work through us (and often in spite of us!).

Tonight (working backwards here) we continue our Discovering Life (Descubriendo la Vida) study (we’ve been learning about the attributes of God). And next Saturday we start our next institute course – a 60 hour Old Testament Survey, which will be going every two or three weeks or so until the end of June.

So — just a few little notes about what’s been happening here! Thanks for your prayers!

15 July 2017

Finishing 45 Bible Studies …

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Last night we finished up a series of 45 Bible studies. We did the Chronological Bible Study (15 lessons) and then Discovering Life (15 lessons) and Discovering Life 2 (15 lessons). No one has been there for all of them – but I think everyone has learned a little something. 🙂

We actually spent two weeks on the last lesson, which was both on spiritual gifts, and then the conclusion.

Here are some of us – well, one person had to leave early, and not all the kids are in the picture, but this is most of us adults from tonight… although not everyone came tonight… ok, enough disclaimers…
Bible Study - Grand Finale!

We tried to end the study focusing on the gospel itself. So this was my attempt at covering some of the key teachings in Scripture…

The Gospel of God’s Grace (Acts 20:24)
   Which is a gift of God, not from works (Ephesians 2:8-9)
   Which gives the forgiveness of sins (Acts 26:16-18)
   Which saves (Romans 1:16)
   Which strengthens us (Romans 16:25)
   Which teaches us to live a godly life (Titus 2:11-14)
If we don’t obey it, we will be lost (2 Thessalonians 1:8-9)
If we change it, we will be accursed (Galatians 1:8)
Those who believe
   Are free from sin (Romans 6:22)
   Have been born again (1 Peter 1:23)
   Were washed, sanctified and justified (1 Corinthians 6:11)
   Await the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ (Titus 2:11-14)

It was fitting, I think, to end with that great text from Titus. I pray that the last line would be a description of our church — a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works!

For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people,
training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions,
and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age,
waiting for our blessed hope,
the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ,
who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness
and to purify for himself a people for his own possession
who are zealous for good works.
Titus 2:11-14

2 March 2013

Controversial Issues in the Christian life (part 2)

Jim Devotional and Bible, Ministry glimpses 0

This is part 2 of a study we started yesterday on controversial issues regarding the Christian life. This is a more-or-less direct translation from Spanish of a study we did here in Mexico City.

Doesn’t the Bible say “all things are lawful for me”?

This phrase is from 1Corinthians 6:12. Paul certainly isn’t saying that Christians don’t need to obey God! This passage is about immorality. There are numerous commandments in this passage, including “flee from sexual immorality” (1 Corinthians 6:18). In fact, the Bibles says that we know that we love God if we keep His commandments (1John 5:3).

Paul is probably referring to something that the Corinthians were saying. Because there was freedom for believers when it came to things like Jewish dietary laws, they used this phrase as an excuse to sin.

No! says Paul We still need to live to glorify God (1Corinthians 6:20).

When the answer isn’t clear . . .

When we’re dealing with these kinds of decisions, we need to search God’s Word for the answer. Here are 10 things to keep in mind:

Is it for the glory of God? (1Corinthians 10:31)
Can I do it in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God? (Colossians 3:17)
Does it belong in the temple of the Holy Spirit? (1Corinthians 6:19-20)
Does it come from faith? (Romans 14:23)
Will it edify others? (Romans 14:19)
Am I loving God and others? Or am I loving myself and the world? (1John 2:15; Matthew 22:37-39)
Will I be yoked to unbelievers? (2Corinthians 6:14)
Will it allow something to master/dominate me? (1Corinthians 6:12) Will it make something other than God my master?
Do I have the mind of Christ about this issue? (Philippians 4:8)
What does my church think about these things? (Hebrews 13:7,17)

Living in community…
Are there times when I need to limit my freedom out of love for others? For sure! Our goal is to help others to grow and be strong!

In 1Corinthians 8 we have an example. Unbelievers in Corinth were eating food offered to idols. The believers didn’t want to give honour to idols, so they would often avoid eating this food. However, some believers didn’t think it was a big deal. What does Paul say about this in 1Corinthians 8:8-13? (You can read the whole chapter if you have time.)

To summarize . . .

Live to glorify and love God in everything.
Study the Scriptures.
Treat other believers with love, forgiveness and grace.

That’s the end of the study. I wrote a little about the discussion we had about it here in Mexico here.

Special thanks to An Introduction to Biblical Ethics by Robertson McQuilkin (1995) for some of the ideas in this lesson.

1 March 2013

Controversial Issues in the Christian life (part 1)

Jim Devotional and Bible, Ministry glimpses 0

Recently I was talking with a friend about our study on questionable issues (grey areas) in the Christian life. I did a quick translation into English so he could see what the study said.

So I thought I would share it with you here too.

Two things to remember, though. First, remember this is a part of a larger series of studies that included topics such as Who is the Holy Spirit and How does God work in my life? and How can I understand the Scripture?. So it really isn’t stand alone.

Also, this was written for the context we’re in here in Mexico City, and was translated almost directly. Obviously wherever you are you’ll have your own issues and your own emphasis.

That being said, here’s part one (I’ll post the rest tomorrow):

What about “grey areas”?

Why are there so many disagreements among Christians about how to live the Christian life? For example:

Should a Christian go to the casino, or play the lottery?
Should a Christian smoke? Drink? Do drugs?
Are video games bad?
Is it a sin to listen to certain types of music?
Is it ok for a woman to wear pants?
Is it good for a Christian to go to the movies?

There are some things that the Bible doesn’t talk about directly. For example, the Bible doesn’t talk directly about video games. Sometimes the Bible does talk about something, but we don’t agree about how to apply it to our lives today. For example, the question of alcohol.

But why don’t Christians agree?

The authority of Scripture: Some people simply don’t accept what the Bible says. Or, they have another authority beside or above the Bible.
A lack of understanding: Some people have a better understanding of the Bible than others. Perhaps someone simply doesn’t know what the Bible has to say about a certain topic.
Questions about what the Bible means: Two people that have studied the Bible still may disagree, because they simply don’t agree about what a passage means.

We disagree about something â€“ now what?!

Our goal is to study the Scripture together, and to come to an agreement wherever possible. But there will always be certain things we don’t agree about. What should we do when that happens?

Romans 14:1-8
“Welcome/receive/accept the one who is weak in faith, but do not quarrel over opinions/quarrel over disputable matters.”

Every person must obey God in their own hearts. “It is before his own master that he stands or falls.”

We have the responsibility to study these things for ourselves, so that we can be “fully convinced in our own mind.”

According to these verses, how should we treat people who disagree with us when it comes to “grey areas”?

(what do you think?)

…more tomorrow.

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