When in Doubt, look up.

^{“When in Doubt, look up.”}

¹ I lift up my eyes to the hills— where does my help come from?  ² My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth. ~ Psalm 121:1-2 (NIV)

“Thats right, If you’re ever in doubt of what to do, just look up. The answer always comes when we remember to ask our Father in Heaven.”

“Father God may I always remember to look up to You for the answers in my life. Please help me find a solution to my problem and let Your WILL be done. I ask this in Lord Jesus name. Amen.”

Peace and Joy to you all,

Jojo Carpio

How You Can Help Disaster Victims

Philippians 4:6-7 (NIV)

⁶Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. ⁷And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

How You Can Help Disaster Victims

Prayer is the most effective way that we can help. I ask that we make a serious commitment to prayer in this time of tragedy. As Christians, we must keep this disaster at the top of our prayer lists. Every time we hear recent news on this event, we must pray and pray specifically!

The following are some suggested ways to pray:

• Pray for the people affected by this disaster every time you hear about it.
• Pray for the healing of the injured.
• Pray for the families world-wide who have lost loved ones.
• Pray for those people who have lost their homes.
• Pray that disease and the spread of disease is avoided.
• Pray for the wisdom, safety, and strength of relief workers.
• Pray for an opportunity to minister in a tangible way.
• Pray that the gospel will be proclaimed and heard by those who have never heard it before.

Humbleness?

Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will lift you up. (James 4:10 *NIV)

Sometimes we all become depressed because of things that happen in our lives.  For sometimes we feel; We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. (2 Corinthians 4:8-9)

Now when you feel the pressures of life remember the words of king David, for he wrote; Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve my life; you stretch out your hand against the anger of my foes, with your right hand you save me. (PSALM 138:7)

Therefore we do not lose heart. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. (2 Corinthians 4:16-18)

So Everyone, Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.   Amen. (1 Peter 5:6-7)

All My Love & Prayers,
Jojo Carpio

An Example to Follow

An Example to Follow

For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted.

— Hebrews 2:18

Although He was God, Jesus experienced human limitations like we do.

Not only was He hungry, not only was He sleepy, not only was He weary and lonely, but He also was tempted. Jesus felt the presence and pressure of temptation just as we do. He didn’t have a sinful nature, but He experienced temptation.

Now why is it important for us to be aware of the fact that Jesus was tempted? It was so we could know that we follow a God who understands what we’re going through.

As the apostle Paul wrote, “In all things He had to be made like His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people” (Hebrews 2:17).

Jesus also left us an example to follow as we face temptation. He occupied ground that we, too, can occupy.

It’s important to note that Jesus did not meet Satan with His considerable supernatural power. He could have said, “I don’t want to fool around with you right now. I have other things to do.” And He could have disappeared. He could have called on the angels to intervene. He could have even overruled Satan because of His clear authority over him.

Instead, He met the devil with the written Word. He countered every temptation with Scripture (see Luke 4:1–13).

So when you are tempted, you also need to have Scripture stored in your mind and heart to deflect the blows of the devil. When you have memorized Scripture, when you have gotten it ingrained in your memory banks, it is there to use during times of temptation. 

 Peace and Joy,

 ojo

Why the Cross?

Why the Cross?

Now it came to pass, when the time had come for Him to be received up, that He steadfastly set His face to go to Jerusalem . . .

— Luke 9:51

Why did Jesus have to die? Why the cross? Why couldn’t God just say, “Look, I know you have sinned against Me. It’s okay. Never mind. You are all forgiven.”

The answer is that it doesn’t work with His nature and character.

God is just. And the justice of God requires that our sins be paid. He could not accept us into fellowship with Himself unless the penalty was paid.

You see, the cross demonstrates the justice of God. At the cross of Calvary, the love and the justice of God met. Jesus had to go to the cross because humanity is sinful, and there was no other way to bridge the gap between a just and holy God and sinful humanity.

The cross was His goal, and it was His destination from the very beginning. He spoke of it frequently.

So don’t think the cross was a mistake. Don’t think that Jesus didn’t know it was coming.

Jesus, being God, had complete foreknowledge. He was braced for the cross. He knew the cruel and horrendous pain that awaited Him. In fact, Scripture tells us, “He steadfastly set His face to go to Jerusalem” (Luke 9:51). He would let nothing or no one deter Him from His course.

God said, “My righteous requirements must be met. But I love humanity. And there is no way they can do it on their own. So I must assist them. I must help them.” So He sent His only begotten Son to bridge the gap.

Jesus came to this earth to buy back what had been forfeited in the Garden of Eden. 

 

Peace and Joy,

 

Jojo Carpio

The Garden of Daily Living

The Lord will guide you always; he will
satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched
land and will strengthen your frame.  
You will be like a well-watered garden,
like a spring whose waters never fail.
              ( Isaiah 58:11 *NIV )

It is the type of garden that we may plant anywhere
 or at anytime of year.  So I hope you will enjoy this special
 garden so much that you will start planting one today!

 Plant Three Rows Of Peas  -  For The Garden Of
 Your Daily Living;
         1. PEACE Of Mind
         2. PEACE Of Heart
         3. PEACE Of Soul

 Plant Four Rows Of Squash;
         1. Squash gossip
        2. Squash indifference
         3. Squash grumbling
         4. Squash selfishness

 Plant Four Rows Of Lettuce;
         1. Lettuce be faithful
         2. Lettuce be kind
         3. Lettuce be patient
         4. Lettuce really love one another

 Now No Garden Should Be Without Turnips;
 - So Plant 3 Rows Of Turnips;
         1. Turnip for meetings
         2. Turnip for service
         3. Turnip to help one another

 Finally Dear One, Your Garden Must Have Thyme;
         1. Thyme for each other
         2. Thyme for family
         3. Thyme for friends
         4. Thyme for prayer

      Water Freely With Patience & Cultivate With LOVE.
 There should be much fruit in your garden, after all “We Reap
 What We Sow.”  Therefore “Happy Gardening Everyone.”
  Amen.

 All My Love & Prayers,

Jojo Carpio

Funny Bloopers

“God has made me laugh, and all who
 hear will laugh with me.”
             ( Genesis 21:6 *NKJV )

     It is said that laughter is the best medicine.  So today
 we shall share a laugh or two, for after all, our Heavenly Father
 has a sense of humor and; He who sits in the heavens
shall laugh.    ( Psalms 2:4 )

    So sit back, relax, and enjoy some of the Bloopers actually
 found in Church Bulletins!

     *The outreach committee has enlisted 25 visitors to
      make calls on people who are not afflicted with
      any church.

     *The Ladies Bible Study will be held Thursday
       morning at 10.  All ladies are invited to lunch in the
       Fellowship Hall after the B.S. is done.

     *Evening massage – 6 p.m.

     *The Pastor would appreciate it if the ladies of the
       congregation would lend him their electric girdles for
       the pancake breakfast next Sunday morning.

     *The audience is asked to remain seated until the end
       of the recession.

     *Ushers will eat latecomers

     *For those of you who have children and don’t know it,
       we have a nursery downstairs.

     *The Rev. Meriwether spoke briefly, much to the
       delight of the audience.

     *Due to the Rector’s illness, Wednesday’s healing
       services will be discontinued until further notice.

     *Next Sunday Mrs. Vinson will be soloist for the
       morning service. The pastor will then speak on “It’s a
       Terrible Experience.”

     *Remember in prayer the many who are sick of our
       church and community.

     *Today’s Sermon:  HOW MUCH CAN A MAN DRINK?
       With hymns from a full choir.

     *Potluck supper:  prayer and medication to follow.

     *Don’t let worry kill you off – let the church help.

     *The 2003 Spring Council Retreat will be hell on May 10th
       and 11th.

     *Pastor is on vacation.  Massages can be given to
       church secretary.

     *8 new choir robes are currently needed due to the addition
       of several new members and to the deterioration of some
       older ones.

    *The pastor will preach his farewell message, after which
       the choir will sing, “Break Forth Into Joy.”

     *The third verse of Blessed Assurance will be sung
        without musical accomplishment.
                      ______________________

     Now I hope that you have enjoyed these as much as
 I did!  Therefore may you have a” joyful” weekend, and may if be
 filled with laughter as well.  After all, it is said, smile and the World
 smiles with you, frown and you frown alone.   Amen

 All My Love & Prayers,
        Jojo

Reshaping

Cause me to hear Your loving kindness in the morning, For in You do I trust;
Cause me to know the way in which I should walk, For I lift up my soul to You.
              ( Psalms 143:8 *NKJV )

     As you may know, when we invite God into our life, and  ask HIM to take control of our “life and will,” we start on the
 journey to become the person that we were meant to be.  For it is written; If anyone is in Christ, he is a
new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.
                              ( 2 Corinthians 5:17-18 )

     This is because God begins to reshape us into that person.  It is written; O Lord, You are our Father; We are
the clay, and You our potter; And all we are the work of Your hand.  ( Isaiah 64:8 )

     Now as we become that new person, God will lead us  to the path that He chosen for us to walk.  It is then that we
 become filled with the Holy Spirit, as well as; The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness,
goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
                                              ( Galatians 5:22-23 )

     So why not ask God to take control of your “life  and will” today, if you haven’t already?   Also say to Him;
Show me Your ways, O Lord; Teach me Your paths. Lead me in Your truth and teach me,
For You are the God of my salvation;  Amen.  ( Psalms 25:4-5 )

     Now my friend, have a Wonderful Day, and remember that  God loves you, and so do I!

 All My Love & Prayers,
        Jojo Carpio

The Good Shepard

He tends His flock like a shepherd: He
gathers the lambs in His arms and carries
them close to His heart; He gently leads
those that have young.
               ( Isaiah 40:11*NIV )

     There is no other love that compares to the love of our Lord,
 for His Children. For as high as the heavens are
above the earth, so great is His love for those
who fear Him.                   ( Psalms 103:11 )
                     [ *Fear should read Revere ]

     He is our strength in time of need, and just as King David
 said; “The Lord is the strength of His people,
a fortress of salvation for His anointed one.”
                                           ( Psalms 28:8 )

     He comforts us and guides us through any adversity.  For,
 He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their
wounds.                            ( Psalms 147:3 )

     He offers us forgiveness for all of our sins, for it is written;
 All the prophets testify about Him that everyone
who believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins
through His name.”          ( Acts 10:43 )

     Best of all, He offers us Eternal Life; “For God so loved
the world that He gave His one and only Son, that
whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have
eternal life.”                      ( John 3:16 )

     So know that you are in loving hands, when the
 Good Shepherd is in charge of your life!  For the Lord your
God goes with you; He will never leave you nor
forsake you.” Therefore, have a wonderful day, and; May
the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love
of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be
with you all.   Amen!
   ( Deuteronomy 31:6 )    ( 2 Corinthians 13:14 )

 All My Love & Prayers,

          Jojo Carpio

Happy Fathers Day

It Is Written:
     “Honor your father and your mother,
  so that you may live long in the land
  the Lord your God is giving you.”
              ( Exodus 20:12 *NIV )

 
      Today being a day to honor our father’s, we began the message
  with the Fifth Commandment.  This Commandment is the first one
  with a promise attached to it!

      So as we enjoy this day with our earthly father, let us not forget
  our Heavenly Father as well, for after all; Have we not all one  
  Father?  Did He not create us?  ( Malachi 2:10 )

      Therefore on this day I would like to share the following poem
  with you.  A poem dedicated to our Heavenly Father!  

                                        Never Alone!

                           He can calm the troubled waters
                           When you walk in dark despair.
                           There is hope when you feel helpless
                           Knowing that the Lord is there…

                           Sharing in your sunshine moments
                           Or in valleys deep and wide,
                           He is always by your side.

                           There’s no other friend so faithful
                           Through the sunshine and rain,
                           Through the teardrops and the laughter,
                           In your joy and in your pain.

                           We could never, ever thank Him
                           For His love He gives so free,
                           Never changing…never ending
                           Throughout all eternity.

                           Oh, the wonder of all wonders
                           As we live from day to day,
                           Knowing that we have a Father
                           Who is with us all the way.
                                          Poet, Gertrude B. McClain

      So to Dad’s everywhere, Grace and peace to you from
  God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ,
  on this your day and throughout the year, and may God Richly
  Bless You as well!     Amen.                             ( Romans 1:7 )

  All My Love & Prayers,
         Jojo Carpio