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Publisher’s Note
Dear readers, The summer is going fast as everyone is having fun especially that we just wrapped up the festivities of the 10 days Calgary Stampede. The weather cooperated in a way where it showered during the parade but it all went well. I’m sure that the organizers of Calgary Stampede were all happy with an [...]
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Follow Him

By Pastor Nilo Briones of Jesus Word of Life International Ministries

Whether knowingly or unknowingly, as we go through life in all its intricacies, we’re following somebody’s footsteps. I’m sharing to you the insights and experience of my daughter Julienne Micah, who just graduated as Valedictorian from Bishop McNally High School, something which my wife Julie and I are grateful to God who generously gives knowledge and wisdom to those who earnestly seek Him.

Micah (as she’s fondly called) shares that she, along with other members of the youth group of Jesus Word of Life (JWoL), attended the YC Alberta, a convention event from May 28th to 30th in Edmonton, which highlighted the theme, “Audacious.” She says that they have witnessed many teenagers who had been blessed with their new-found commitment to the Lord. She further shares the one song that transferred her into an atmosphere of worship – “Holy Spirit Have Your Way” – which was taken from Mark 8:34 when Jesus rebuked Peter for objecting that Jesus will not suffer and die. Afterwards, Jesus painted a picture of what a man or woman who seeks after Jesus looks like — “Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: ‘If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.’ ”
God urged the crowd that if anyone would like to follow him – to talk, laugh, cry, and walk daily with the darling of Heaven, Jesus – the Son of Man pointed out three steps that really require courage and total surrender. One, Jesus wanted us to “deny” ourselves. So should we still wear expensive clothes, or buy the new iPod? How about denying ourselves of TV or Facebook? What Jesus really meant was to say “NO” to ourselves – to gossiping, anger, unforgiveness, irritation, pride, or lust (and not just the sensual one but also lust for fame and money), and anything that gets in the way of coming to Jesus. Just as Jesus denied his royal crown and his sovereignty as Prince of Heaven, so we must also choose to deny the sinful nature of man. More of Him and less of us, right?
The second was to “take up OUR cross”. This actually symbolized – not Jesus’ pain – but our own pain and suffering. Through trials, we not only simply “learn from them”, but God’s glory and power are revealed and lifted up during our times of tribulation. You desire for a life filled with Jesus, right? Well, Jesus was the “Man of Sorrows”, and his life was not all peachy glee and happy. In fact, one of his sole purposes for coming down to earth was to carry the sins of man to the cross upon the Calvary, endure the pain and mockery, and die for the guaranteed forgiveness of the saints and the redeemed. But the happy ending came along when Jesus rose from the dead three days later to prove that “we don’t serve a dead God”.
The third point was to simply follow Him. And, I believe this is a call to action. Since, God delights in “kindness, justice, and righteousness” (Jeremiah 9:24), shouldn’t the passion during worship and words of encouragement during Saturdays or Sundays be transformed into action? Give your best to God – whatever it is: singing, dancing, clapping, cleaning, cooking, etc. for He deserves the best. As Paul says, “I urge you, my brothers and sisters, to ask and pray for the life God ultimately designed for you, for He will bring it into completion (Philippians.1:6).” I challenge you, therefore, to “follow [Jesus] into the homes of the broken…the poor and the needy” (Leeland band at YC). Come and live the life God so eagerly and lovingly designed for you…and follow Him.

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Jesus Word of Life International Ministries currently congregates at 175 Whitefield Drive NE (just nearby Whitehorn C-train station). Feel free to join us every Saturday for Bible Studies (4:30 – 5:30 p.m. for children/youth/adult) and Worship Service (6:00 tp 7:30 p.m.) followed by food and fellowship. If you need to be ministered in prayer and counseling, please contact Pastor Nilo Briones at (403) 973-0623 or e-mail at [email protected]. Blessings!!!

Follow Him

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