Speaker: Bro. Joven Calingo Text: Acts 1:4-8, 12-14; 2:1-4 When a time of Inactivity Slows you down. 6 So when the apostles were with Jesus, they kept asking him, “Lord, has the time come for you to free Israel and restore our kingdom?” 7 He replied, “The Father alone has the authority to set those dates and times, and they are not for you to know. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Jesus, after his torture, crucifixion and death on the cross returned from time to time after his resurrection to show himself to his disciples. Jesus instructs them to stay in Jerusalem to wait for the promised Holy Spirit. At the same time, the disciples were getting anxious with regards to what was going to happen next and bombarded Jesus with many questions, " “Lord, has the time come for you to free Israel and restore our kingdom?” Jesus answer, " “The Father alone has the authority to set those dates and times, and they are not for you to know." This answer places the disciples in a situation that many of us are not comfortable with. The place of not knowing and waiting. What they did not understand as well was that what they were waiting for was someone that would change their whole stance on their faith. The Holy Spirit was going to empower them to become resolute in their faith, unwavering and un-fearing. This was the crossroad of their life. When they received the Holy Spirit they were transformed from men hiding in fear to bold witnesses for the Gospel of Christ. This is a challenge to us, Are we functioning by our strength and chutzpah or are we marching in line with the Holy Spirit and God's word. Remember, our Lord said in John 15, without me, you can do nothing. Let's always be ready to ask for help and direction from the Holy Spirit. It is the antidote for our weariness and anxiousness caused by the not knowing and waiting. If we have to wait, let's wait upon the Lord because those that wait upon the Lord will renew their strength, they shall mount up on wings like eagles. Waiting and not knowing is an exercise in Trusting the Lord. "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not unto your own understanding, In all your way acknowledge him and He will direct your path. And as you know, Eagles soar not flapping their wings but they effortlessly ride on thermals (hot wind) to bring them to new heights without any effort. This is Pastor Jun with this day's encouragement from scripture.

Speaker: Pastor Jun Cardenas Text: Luke 8:40-50, 54-56 When Well Meaning People Interrupt Your Plans 43-44 But as he went, the crowds nearly suffocated him. Among them was a woman, who had a hemorrhage for twelve years and who had derived no benefit from anybody’s treatment. She came up behind Jesus and touched the edge of his cloak, with the result that her hemorrhage stopped at once. 45 “Who was that who touched me?” said Jesus. And when everybody denied it, Peter remonstrated, “Master, the crowds are all round you and are pressing you on all sides ....” Jesus was on his way to the house of Jairus when he felt power come from out of him while they were in a large crowd. This stopped Jesus from fording through the crowd, he wanted to know who touched him. This seemed to perturb his disciples like Peter and John and they said, “Master, the crowds are all round you and are pressing you on all sides ....” Translation, there's gonna be someone who touched you, newsbreak Jesus, we are actually in a sea of people! Why would Jesus take the time to attempt to identify the person who touched Him, when this appeared to be nearly impossible to do, and when it threatened to cost the life of the girl who was mortally ill? There are at least two answers, I believe. The first answer is that His delay was for the good of the woman who had been healed. The second answer is that His delay was also for the good of Jairus and his daughter. Jesus had very few words to say to the woman, but they are very important ones. Let us look at them carefully: “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace” (Luke 8:48). (1) Jesus would not allow the woman to have a second-class healing. (2) Second, Jesus would have no misunderstanding as to the real cause of the woman’s healing. (3) Third, Jesus did not want the woman to experience guilt for stealing a healing (4) Finally, Jesus would not allow the woman’s faith to be anonymous. It is not the miracle which Jesus wanted to make public, but rather the woman’s faith. Jairus’ faith was very evident, as he fell before the Lord Jesus and pled for Him to come to his house. But while the woman reached out to Jesus in faith, she had done so anonymously. Jesus does not allow her faith to remain anonymous. Faith in Christ must be publicly professed. (Bible.org Bob Deffinbaugh). That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. As the Scripture says, “Everyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame” (Romans 10:9-11). God wants us to publicly confess our faith, in so doing, when He acts on our behalf, it becomes an overwhelming testimony of what can do if we believe. So let's make it a habit to share our faith so that we can declare the Lordship of Jesus. This is Pastor Jun for Crossroads Church.

Speaker: Pastor Ariel Genido Text: Exodus 2:11-22; 3:5-10 When Your Actions Cause An Interruption. 7 Then the Lord told him, “I have certainly seen the oppression of my people in Egypt. I have heard their cries of distress because of their harsh slave drivers. Yes, I am aware of their suffering. 8 So I have come down to rescue them from the power of the Egyptians and lead them out of Egypt into their own fertile and spacious land. It is a land flowing with milk and honey—the land where the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites now live. 9 Look! The cry of the people of Israel has reached me, and I have seen how harshly the Egyptians abuse them. 10 Now go, for I am sending you to Pharaoh. You must lead my people Israel out of Egypt.” If we look into this story, it is quite noticeable that Moses had a heart for those that are being oppressed; in v 11 He saw a Hebrew who was forced to work being beaten by an Egyptian; the following day He saw 2 Hebrews fighting and he defended the one being beaten up. The Hebrew that was beating the other chimed back, " are you going to kill me as you killed the Egyptian?" Moses feared for his life after the revelation of someone knowing of his crime. He fled which was a smart thing to do since as Pharaoh found out, He set out to kill Moses. Fast forward to Midian. He saw women being oppressed by shepherds and not allowing them to fill their troughs with water so that they can give their flocks a drink. Moses has shown us that he was very consistent with his perspective and action against oppression. He helped the women from being harassed by the shepherds which allowed then to draw water. He even helped them to draw water for their flocks. This allowed the women to come home early to the surprise of their Father. V 7 reveals to us the heart of God for his people, "“I have certainly seen the oppression of my people in Egypt. I have heard their cries of distress because of their harsh slave drivers. Yes, I am aware of their suffering. 8 So I have come down to rescue them from the power of the Egyptians and lead them out of Egypt into their own fertile and spacious land." It is so much in line with what Moses was doing on his own as he observed everyday events in the places he was at. His view of righteousness and the ugliness of oppression fell directly in the same place of God's love for his people that were being oppressed at that time. God sees that and I am sure that he directs us to the place where He can use us for his purpose. Looking back at the story of Moses from birth to his migrating to Midian, all of the events that happened to him were directed by God though Moses did not purpose those events himself. The core of his being dictated his actions. Its just that God has an amazing way to use our experiences, skills and where our heart is so that he can apply us to his plan. Knowing this, we can conclude that there is no wasted moment in our lives. God uses all of them for His glory and His plan. Think about it.

When Life Goes Terribly Wrong. 21 the Lord was with him ( Joseph); he showed him kindness and granted him favor in the eyes of the prison warden. 7 But God sent me ahead of you to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance. 8 “So then, it was not you who sent me here, but God. He made me father to Pharaoh, lord of his entire household and ruler of all Egypt. Detours. You are taking a certain path in life then all of a sudden, by some ominous chance, you were redirected somewhere else you did not expect or did not want to go to. Moreover, it made you look bad and worse it detained you there for a long while. Such experience is what happened to Joseph. Because of the dysfunction in his family, his siblings planned a heinous crime against him. Though in the beginning, we see that God had revealed to Joseph that He was going to use him. But somehow, the road he had to take was not a glorious one. It was full of potholes and large crevices. It held him against his will. It was also a lonely and desolate road. There was only one shining spot on this roadway. The phrase, "God was with Joseph" popped up quit frequently. It reminds us of Romans 5 and James 1 with regards to trials and tribulation. That which produces endurance that leads to being perfect and needing nothing. So again, we are being led to change our perspective with regards to suffering. That we should get excited to see what God has in store for us as we go through the trials of our faith. Instead of folding up and resenting God. This is what the bible calls "we glory in our hope"

Speaker: Bro. Alex Cruz Text: Hebrews 11:8-19 8 It was by faith that Abraham obeyed when God called him to leave home and go to another land that God would give him as his inheritance. He went without knowing where he was going. 9 And even when he reached the land God promised him, he lived there by faith—for he was like a foreigner, living in tents. And so did Isaac and Jacob, who inherited the same promise. 10 Abraham was confidently looking forward to a city with eternal foundations, a city designed and built by God. When you were called to follow Christ, did it seem like you were being pulled away from your dreams in life? A lot of times, God surprises us with his calling for us. In Abraham's example, he was told to go to another land and at the time of his calling, he did not know where that place was going to be but look at the scripture, it says " He went without knowing where he was going." That is so amazing for you and I always have to ask God the "who, what where, when and how questions before we proceed. We always have to have a validation or sign. Which is sooo human of us. But we have to realize that when God calls, he always equips and has a plan and a purpose. The whole journey might be the revelation of the purpose. So don't look at the calling as an interruption but the small incremental revelation of God's will, purpose and plan for your life. Hopefully we end up like Abraham and conclude that we are confidently looking forward to a city with eternal foundations, a city designed and built by God. This is Pastor Jun, join us this Sunday and listen to Bro. Alex expounds on these verses for us to reveal more of God's plans and purposes for our lives.

Speaker: Pastor Ariel Genido Text: 1 Thessalonians 4:16-5:8 The Greatest Return 2 For you know quite well that the day of the Lord’s return will come unexpectedly, like a thief in the night. 3 When people are saying, “Everything is peaceful and secure,” then disaster will fall on them as suddenly as a pregnant woman’s labor pains begin. And there will be no escape. 4 But you aren’t in the dark about these things, dear brothers and sisters, and you won’t be surprised when the day of the Lord comes like a thief. 5 For you are all children of the light and of the day; we don’t belong to darkness and night. 6 So be on your guard, not asleep like the others. Stay alert and be clearheaded. When people and even Churches talk about the 2nd coming of our Lord, some even imply that they know when that time is coming. I remember in the 80's, a Korean Church was told by its Pastor that Jesus was coming again and they were given a specific date. Most of the Church Members sold their homes and prepared for the coming of the Lord but that day came and passed without the expected even that was said to be imminent. They ended up getting physical with the Pastor and had to suffer for the loss incurred with them following the instruction. The Bible is clear that Jesus is coming back like a "thief in the night" so we understand that the thief comes without an announcement, it will be a surprise. The Bible also says in v 4 4 But you aren’t in the dark about these things, dear brothers and sisters, and you won’t be surprised when the day of the Lord comes like a thief. So why would we not be surprised? If you are at work and if you are doing what you should be doing, would it be a surprise if your Boss walks in on you? Well, certainly not. Its because you are diligently being who you should be in the context of that company. The BIble in Ephesians 5:8 advises us to be who we are in light of our relationship with Christ. 8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light. So the admonition is to be who you are supposed to be. The best readiness is to be who and what we are. Children of the Light. People will see you and know by your actions who you are and who you serve. So keep espousing the instructions and lessons that we glean from reading and meditating on God's word. Submit to the Holy Spirit and be ye doers of the word not just hearers only. And to no surprise, your thoughts will not be filled with fear about the surprise of the coming of the Lord but rather you will have eager thoughts about his coming because you are prepared and confident due to being alert and remaining clear headed

Speaker: Bro. Joven Calingo Text: Mark 12:28-34 The Greatest Command 29Jesus replied, “The most important commandment is this: ‘Listen, O Israel! The Lord our God is the one and only Lord. 30And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.’* 31The second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’* No other commandment is greater than these.” The best litmus test for the statement we hear from believers, "I love God" is demonstrated by our practice of loving our neighbors or simply stated our live for God is evidenced in our relationship with others. This is clearly expressed in 1 John 4:20- Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen. The Bible is very straight forward with regards to this. Admittedly, it is very hard to love those that are unlovable. But we are not admonished to love with a humanly love (Philadelpoi) but with the God kind of love (Agapayo). Romans 5 says we have that kind of love after expressing our faith in Jesus. Because the love of God is shed broad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us (Romans 5).

Speaker: Bro. Alex Z. Cruz Text: Romans 5:6-11; 18-21. The Greatest Gift 6 For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. 8 But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. 10 For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. 11 And not only that, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation. We have to remember that it was because God demonstrated his love for us that we received the greatest gift of all: Salvation through the redeeming work of Jesus on the cross. So let's not fool ourselves, it is by faith that we have been saved, not by works, so that no one can boast about ourselves. We should remind ourselves everyday that we live and are able to go through life's ups and downs because God's grace is our sufficiency.

Speaker: Pastor Ariel Genido Text: Matthew 12:22-32 What is the Unforgiveable Sin 24 But when the Pharisees heard about the miracle, they said, “No wonder he can cast out demons. He gets his power from Satan, the prince of demons.” 25 Jesus knew their thoughts and replied, “Any kingdom divided by civil war is doomed. A town or family splintered by feuding will fall apart. 26 And if Satan is casting out Satan, he is divided and fighting against himself. His own kingdom will not survive. The Pharisees here demonstrated a resolute rejection of Jesus. Despite the evidence that Jesus had performed a miracle for the demon possessed man, they chose to attribute it to an evil spirit and not to the Holy Spirit. They had shown a hardness of heart which made them consciously and willingly resist God's grace and saving power. To say that they missed the Kingdom of God at hand would be an understatement.