Monthly Archives: September 2009

rest(oration)..

catchhisfire

Joshua De Gracia

Fact: ministry work is tiring. I’m not even in the full time ministry and I have to say that I got spiritually tired. Fact: Christians do get tired of doing God’s work and are sometimes in need of a break or restoration. Restoration is the act of renewing, revival or being restored. There is nothing wrong with restoration because it gives us a chance to step back, rest and look at how we are doing things and even make adjustments.

Rest(oration) was really important for me this past week. Honestly, I felt like I was getting tired of driving to the west side of the island for ministry and church activities. Ministry along with reaching out to people and doing KnowGodKnowLove left me tired and weary and I felt like I needed to take a temporary step back in life. So I prayed and God answered my prayer. The week that I decided to go on restoration was the same week that Word of Life Christian Center had their “Catch His Fire Carry His Flame” conference.

Matthew 11:28-30

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

The conference was exactly what I needed. I got to receive from dynamic speakers. They included Brian Houston, senior Pastor of Hillsong, Jerry Deville whoops Seville, Jesse Duplantis and more.  It was unreal, message after message, I felt the word penetrate my heart and overflow my soul with so much to give back. I also got to hang out with ms. pizzle-focl and got to meet a lot of awesome Word of Life Christians, build relationships and share with them about our ministry here at knowGodknowLove. Thank you WOL for putting on such a powerful, impacting and life changing conference.

Now I’m back and ready to bring it. Back then the devil painted a laser dot on me and now I believe I’m a walking spiritual target that he wants to take out. But I’ve got God on my side and fact: no weapon formed against me shall prosper.

For all of you feeling weary, there is nothing with taking a step back with ministry or church work that you may be in. Believe me, I’d rather have someone take a break than continue working and burning out. If you do decide to restore yourself, remember to stay in tuned with God’s word, do your devotions and stay in constant prayer. Restoration is not a vacation from your relationship with Jesus, just your respected ministry.

knowGodknowlove808@gmail.com

pray for the Philippines..

flood

Pray for the Philippines..

The rainfall brought by typhoon ONDOY to Metro Manila and nearby areas in a span of six hours on Saturday was the most in recorded history, surpassing the previous record for the metropolis in 1967. Hurricane Katrina dumped over an inch of rainfall in Louisiana for 3 hours and another 0.5 inches per hour over the next 5 hours on August 29, 2005. Ondoy dumped an average of 2.24 inches per hour for six hours.

At one point, 80% of Manila was covered with flood waters and more than a million people are homeless due to the water damage. As of today, at least 240 were found dead.

It’s been a little more than 2 months since my arrival from our mission trip in the Philippines and to see the country hit with a disaster like this really touches my heart. In a country that has lost hope and faith due to poverty, corruption and turmoil, we pray that God reveals Himself to the people.

It’s in the midst of turmoil that people look for answers and God is the ultimate answer for everything.

Keep them in prayer for they are in desperate need of it..

If you wish to donate please check out: http://www.redcross.org/

knowGodknowlove808@gmail.com

one year later..

KGKL_Anniversary

“Greater things are still to be done in this city..”

-Chris Tomlin (God of this City)

This is the first post of KnowGodKnowLove when I started posting it on Myspace.

Check back this week for awesomeness from team KGKL!

9/22/08

YES IT’S TRUE..
here’s some chicken soup for ya soul’

2 Corinthians 4:16-18
therefore do not lose heart. though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. for our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. so we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. for what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

Galatians 6:7
A man reaps what he sows. the one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the spirit will reap eternal life. let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proprer time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.

Continue to walk in faith peeps.

If you have any questions about this..HOLLA..

Enjoy the reading and reflect on what it means in your life.

-no matter what you did in the past, present or future…Jesus loves YOU!

Wow, we’ve come a long way since then..

happy birthday KGKL..

KGKL_Anniversary_02

09.22.08 – 09.22.09

Wow, it’s been a  year already since that first post on “myspace.” Thank you God for allowing my team and I to be stewards of faith and move in this internet ministry.

2 Corinthians 4:15

“All this is for your benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God.  16Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 17For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.”

I spent the last week thinking of what I would write for this post, but I sit here “blank”  and in awe of His greatness. It has been a real tough year, but in the end, it was all worth it. There were so many times I felt like giving up due to persecution, condemnation, criticism, and lies that the enemy instilled in the people around me.  By God’s power, I was able to overcome, to be the last man standing because what I am doing is glorifying His kingdom and not my own.

I want to thank my team. My writers: Arnel, Jayson, Summer, Sarah Mae, Keiko, Yumi, Chanelle, Karen, Katrina. The people that create our awesome graphics: Anna, Julius, Janice, Jon Anthony, Lawrence, Micah. My photographers: Chris, Mai, Travis. My advisors: Pastor Kei, Pastor Billy, Jerico. God bless you all.

Thanks to my family and everyone that took the time to read what we put out, for your constant support and prayers, and believing in us from the beginning. If I left anyone out, I love y’all.

“Oh Lord im gonna lift You up and never want to stop.”

This next year, we are gonna bring it with new series, prayer and how to connect YOU to a church near you (sorry, Hawaii only).

We have reached more than 45,000 people worldwide this past year and I know God has greater things in store for KnowGodKnowlove.

To God be the glory, forever and ever. Amen

-Joshua De Gracia knowGodknowlove808@gmail.com

my existence..

my exis

By guest blogger Alpha Christina

http://alphanikki.wordpress.com/

It is my desire to constantly defy the ways of this world so I won’t settle down with all the temporary hypes of this life because there is something greater UP there.  GOD is bigger than all of this.

“My prayer today is that GOD would make me an extraordinary Christian”
-George Whitefield

We are not to feel at home in this earth for we are not of this world. Our citizenship is in heaven. -Rick Holland

As my mom once told me in a letter,

The world is neither for us to desire, nor for us to dream of going and seeing every places, it is God’s, the desires and dreams are exclusively for Him, where He will send us and give us the golden opportunity to seek first His presence in every corners of it.  Ours is very basic, learn how we can flourish and nurture His earth, how we can do our share to maintain its richness and beauty.

Accepting that “golden opportunity” will be a way of glorifying and exalting Him by letting people feel that there is God, letting them see God in you by being ready to feel their needs and giving your open arms and hands when they need it.  Being bold enough to share His Words and allow Him to use you in His battle.  Just be selfless in having a God governance life and before you knew it, God is handing you your Platinum Card to Heaven.

Don’t get so caught up with all the enticing things this fallen world has.
It will come and go.

“Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.”
Colossians 3:2

Lord,help me see that my very existence is not for my own.
But in giving YOU praise and honor in every aspect of my life.

communication(II)..

comm 2

Joshua De Gracia

In communication(I), we looked at its importance, how God calls us to communicate effectively and how the devil can use it as a stronghold in our lives. However, I just wanted to focus a little more on the relational part of communication, especially when it comes to boyfriend/girlfriend, husband/wife.

If you have had the joy of being in a relationship, you know how important communication is with your significant other. One minute , the two of you can be wildly in love with each other and the next, it seems like all hell broke loose. You girls may be thinking, “yup, it was all his fault” and you guys may be like “I don’t even remember how it was my fault this time.”

When miscommunication occurs, it is our initial reaction to get mad because things did not go according to plan. I for one am a walking testimony of how God had to work in me in that area. My ex used to really dislike it when I got mad because there was something that wasn’t said between the two of us and caused our plans to be delayed. But, by God’s grace, He has worked in that area ever since. Don’t get mad at the other person because it is going to start a long fight of pointing fingers and the blame game. Instead, forgive each other and move on since there is no use crying over spilled milk.

Romans 12:19-21

“Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,”says the Lord. On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”

2 Timothy 2:23-24

“Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. And the Lord’s servant must not quarrel; instead, he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful.”

My parting shout to you. Next time you get into a fight because plans weren’t communicated effective, choose to get better and not bitter. If you can’t do that right away, pray, pray and pray some more.

knowGodknowlove808@gmail.com

communication(I)..

commincation

Joshua De Gracia

Remember this saying when you were a little kid? “Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me.” Oh how my parents were wrong when they taught me that anti-teasing phrase.

Communication is very important when it comes to relationships. We do it to ensure the exchange of our thoughts and feelings from one person to the next. In this generation, it is done through more than voice and body interaction but through texting, the internet, twitter, etc..

James 1:19-21

“Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, 20for man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires. 21Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.”

Since relationships is key in our lives, God stresses communication. It either builds or can destroy relationships, all pending on how well it is between individuals. . Consequently, God speaks often about good communication and warns of the effects of bad communication.

Satan also uses  communication to destroy relationships. How often do relationships suffer because of misunderstanding or miscommunication? Think of a time when you told your significant other that you were gonna do something but instead, went to chill with your friends instead. Or perhaps you had to meet up with your friends for drinks but you had a sudden last minute change of plans and you didn’t let them know. Due to the miscommunication, anger and bitterness arose from the situation.  Satan knows that this is a vital tool that he can turn to have a foothold in your life.

So, if there are changes in which you know are going to affect peoples’ lives, let them know. If you know you aren’t going to be able to make an event or dinner, call or text those people. It might seem hard for you because you may think of yourself as a flake, but to them, knowing that you will not be there actually means a lot. I mean it’s better to not know that someone isn’t coming instead of anticipating their arrival and becoming disappointed in the end. If there’s bitterness or anger, just pray it out like Jesus says.

Communication is a battleground and it is important to obey to God’s standards of communicating.

finding security in Him..

shine

Introducing the Christian Blog “Shining Brightly for Christ”

http://alphanikki.wordpress.com/

by Nicole Marie and Alpha Christina. I highly encourage you to check them out..

I’ve always been the type to have a lot of self doubt and pretty low self esteem of my own abilities, capabilities, image, and anything else I thought was lacking. When I was growing up my mom would always tell me, “what do they have that you don’t have?” & in my head I used to always think, “everything!”

It’s hard to understand that you don’t have to be like every other person that passes by you. You’re your own person. God specifically made you the way you are for His purpose & reason.

That’s when I had to realize what I had was worth more than what I can try to gain… I had Jesus in me.

What else could I ask for? He surpasses any quality or characteristic that is out of this world. He is ultimately the only Being that I should be trying to please and conform to. But sometimes it’s easier said than done . & I find myself struggling the more I try to rely on Nicole instead of God. We all have our own personal struggles and I’m not completely secure in finding peace in that yet. But it’s a challenge I work on daily through His grace. Especially in trying to be a godly woman in a society that sometimes labels us as too ‘conservative  or prude’ if we don’t conform to the ways of what’s seen as attractive or ‘cool’.

Don’t let others tell you what you should be. Allow the Lord to mold you into the child He wants you to be. There’s nothing we’re incapable of accomplishing if we’ve got the Creator of the universe on our side. There’s no reason for us to question what WE can do, but proclaim what HE can do.

Matthew 19:26

“”Jesus looked at them and said, “with man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”"

Let’s act & live as though we truly believe that we can find our self in Him and not in the world! Then that’s when we can find true peace and security that can conquer all fears and doubts. If we just let Him take over, we’ll see Him work through us in ways beyond what we could’ve imagined and through that we can practice true faith in Him and not in ourselves. With Him NOTHING is impossible!

people of proven character and integrity..

KGKL_reflection

KGKL flashback

collaboration:

Josh De Gracia and Summer Nakamura

Romans 5:3-4

“Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.”

2 Corinthians 5:9-10

“So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it. 10For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things while in the body, whether good or bad.”

“We are to be people of Proven Character and Integrity” (”the Heart of the Artist” by Rory Noland).

God calls each and everyone of us to live a life worthy of the calling He has for us. Proven Character is being the person God has called us to be. Character that’s proven over time to be true to the life God has called us to live.

Integrity is doing what is right in God’s eyes even when its difficult. So in order to build character, you must maintain integrity. It can be seen in many ways but perhaps the most important area with much needed integrity is found in relationships.

Considering most people don’t have integrity when it comes to situations dealing with the opposite gender, but to find someone with integrity regarding the opposite sex is rare and beautiful to see. What do we mean?

Well sex and the integrity not to give it up . Society does not look at sex as God sees it. Sex is something God created for “the marriage bed.” It’s intimacy that we are only supposed to feel with the one God has destined us to be with.

However, because of our fleshy desires and temptation, most times unfortunately, waiting till your married does not happen. But to see someone at the age of 25 still be a virgin is like “woah” to the world. It’s exactly why they poked fun and made a stupid movie like “40 year old virgin” because to be a virgin is absurd and rare these days.

But to find someone who you know is human, and struggles just like you with lust and temptation, but still has the strength to not compromise his/her purity and do what is right in God’s eyes, is inspiring and ultimately,it pleases God.

Jesus Loves You              knowGodknowlove808@gmail.com