Merry Christmasy & Happy New year

 We thank the Lord for His goodness! 

This year, we received a most precious gift of a son, Joshua Padon Tisbe Portugal. 

We also continue to serve the Lord together at Buffalo Chinese Christian Church as English Ministry Pastor. 

We hope that this season, you may also find the peace which Christ affords, the greatest of His blessings!

Week 3, Buffalo, Basements, Brides

Hi all, we reflect on our third week here in Buffalo, and its been filled with confirmation that God would have us serve here. Working with Pastor Sunny, God is showing me how to emulate his care over his speech, his diligence in serving, and his personal drive to live very near God. His family also continues to show us the wonderful fruits God promises to those who abide in and serve Him.

Basements... we got to see homes today, and even saw one which cost as much as rent in California to own. So we are definitely looking to see if the Lord would have us settle down, or continue to rent. The desire to own is strong, but we also know that God always gives what we need, not necessarily what we want. So we are confident that He will provide!

Brides... there are five this year in BCCC's immediate and extended family of singles. We witnessed one today, of Ed and Shali, Shali being the closest of friends to Maggie. We thank God for demonstrating before us His ability to create beauty out of clay pots, when we adorn ourselves with the gospel. Their lives spoke of humility, innocence, and purity, that God enables all of us to pursue, when we live in fear of Him. I love the meditation of the wedding focusing on the resolve to bless the Lord amidst lack of prosperity:

¹⁷ Though the fig tree should not blossom And there be no fruit on the vines, Though the yield of the olive should fail And the fields produce no food, Though the flock should be cut off from the fold And there be no cattle in the stalls, ¹⁸ Yet I will exult in the LORD, I will rejoice in the God of my salvation. ¹⁹ The Lord GOD is my strength, And He has made my feet like hinds' feet, And makes me walk on my high places. Habakkuk 3:17-19

May you be encouraged, as we have been, to live in fear of the Lord.

Buffalo, Residents Week 1

God is amazing! We're here, in the east coast, enabled by His grace to partake in the life of His saints here in Buffalo Chinese Christian Church. We are living in Eric and Vivian Wu's home for the next few days, as we wait for our belongings to arrive.

The weather is definitely different, and I find, conducive to great times of study. Maggie took pictures of the wonderful office prepared for me at the church, and it has been a tremendous place thus far, for preparations, about 4 hours a day. The remainder of my time is spent off church, this week- visiting w/ families and getting to know the area.

Maggie cooked her first meal today, Ziti pasta, w/ peas, olive oil, herbs, and chicken breast. Alongside the ribs from Dash's (courtesy of Eric), and the wonderful treats the Livingstone ladies dropped over, we had a feast! Unfortunately, Eric is ill, and did not see all the excitement downstairs as we were suprised by the care package the girls brought over at Red Oak.

We are enjoying the 3 hour difference, as it allows us now to call Cali, with our nighttime free minutes!

Just want to thank God with you, for He has done exceeding and above all our expectations. He is provider, sustainer, and enabler.

As I meditate upon this great privilege to enter full time work for Him, I am overwhelmed, knowing, as Paul did, of my wretchedness, and the amazing favor He bestowed upon all of us:

¹⁴ and the grace of our Lord was more than abundant, with the faith and love which are found in Christ Jesus. ¹⁵ It is a trustworthy statement, deserving full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, among whom I am foremost of all. ¹⁶ Yet for this reason I found mercy, so that in me as the foremost, Jesus Christ might demonstrate His perfect patience as an example for those who would believe in Him for eternal life. 1 Timothy 1:14-16

Oh, and our new address is: 1887 Eggert Rd, Apt #3, Amherst, NY 14226

The post below are our notes from Glendale Bible Study, as we go through Barnett's Joy of a Word-Filled Family. Outline titles and select points are directly from Barnett, otherwise the source is in parenthesis right after excerpt (e.g. JMA stands for John Macarthur)

Ch. 3: The disciplines of a Word Filled Man

Disciplines to cultivate

Lives committed to personal integrity

Psalms 15:2 (NASB95)
² He who walks with integrity, and works righteousness, And speaks truth in his heart.

James 1:22-25 (NASB95)
²² But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves. ²³ For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks at his natural face in a mirror; ²⁴ for once he has looked at himself and gone away, he has immediately forgotten what kind of person he was. ²⁵ But one who looks intently at the perfect law, the law of liberty, and abides by it, not having become a forgetful hearer but an effectual doer, this man will be blessed in what he does.

Tongues bridled by internalized truth

Psalms 15:3 (NASB95)
³ He does not slander with his tongue, Nor does evil to his neighbor, Nor takes up a reproach against his friend;

James 1:26 (NASB95)
²⁶ If anyone thinks himself to be religious, and yet does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this man's religion is worthless.

Hearts governed by love from above

James 3:17 (NASB95)
¹⁷ But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy.

Mark 3:25 (NASB95)
²⁵ "If a house is divided against itself, that house will not be able to stand.

Thoughts captivated by God above

Psalms 15:4 (NASB95)
⁴ In whose eyes a reprobate is despised, But who honors those who fear the LORD; He swears to his own hurt and does not change;

Promises guarded by truth within

Psalms 15:4 (NASB95)
⁴ In whose eyes a reprobate is despised, But who honors those who fear the LORD; He swears to his own hurt and does not change;

Matthew 10:11 (NASB95)
¹¹ "And whatever city or village you enter, inquire who is worthy in it, and stay at his house until you leave that city.

Goals lived for life beyond today

Psalms 15:5 (NASB95)
⁵ He does not put out his money at interest, Nor does he take a bribe against the innocent. He who does these things will never be shaken.

Guard the little things

Luke 16:10 (NASB95)
¹⁰ "He who is faithful in a very little thing is faithful also in much; and he who is unrighteous in a very little thing is unrighteous also in much.

Authority: Do you really obey the laws God placed over your life?

Romans 12:1-2 (NASB95)
¹ Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. ² And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.

1 Peter 2:13 (NASB95)
¹³ Submit yourselves for the Lord's sake to every human institution, whether to a king as the one in authority,

Devotion: Do you really feed on God’s word daily?

Memory Verses about the Word of God:

Romans 10:17 (NASB95)
¹⁷ So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.

Revelation 1:3 (NASB95)
³ Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of the prophecy, and heed the things which are written in it; for the time is near.

2 Timothy 2:15 (NASB95)
¹⁵ Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.

Psalms 119:9-11 (NASB95)
⁹ How can a young man keep his way pure? By keeping it according to Your word. ¹⁰ With all my heart I have sought You; Do not let me wander from Your commandments. ¹¹ Your word I have treasured in my heart, That I may not sin against You.

1 Timothy 4:15 (NASB95)
¹⁵ Take pains with these things; be absorbed in them, so that your progress will be evident to all.

Joshua 1:8 (NASB95)
⁸ "This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success.

Other Topics

Basic Doctrine

Fellowship with God

Promises of God

Prayer

Salvation

What is Shaping Your Mind?

Romans 12:2 (NASB95)
² And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.

Colossians 3:16 (NASB95)
¹⁶ Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God.

2 Corinthians 10:3-5 (NASB95)
³ For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh, ⁴ for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. ⁵ We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ,

How can we reverse the Loss of a Word-filled mind?

To mortify means “to throttle sin and crush it in our ives, sapping it of its strength, rooting I out, and depriving it of its influence (JMA).”

Mortification involves the cultivation of new habits of godliness, combined with the elimination of old sinful habits from our behavior.

Eight Ways to Mortify[1]

Stop the Sinning

1 Peter 2:11 (NASB95)
¹¹ Beloved, I urge you as aliens and strangers to abstain from fleshly lusts which wage war against the soul.

Starve the Flesh

Romans 13:14 (NASB95)
¹⁴ But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh in regard to its lusts.

Look Unto Jesus

Colossians 3:1-2 (NASB95)
¹ Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. ² Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth.

Saturate With the Word

Joshua 1:8 (NASB95)
⁸ "This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success.

Stay in Constant Contact

1 Thessalonians 5:17 (NASB95)
¹⁷ pray without ceasing;

Stay Wary of Sin’s Power

Matthew 26:41 (NASB95)
⁴¹ "Keep watching and praying that you may not enter into temptation; the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak."

Make Little Choices

1 Timothy 4:7 (NASB95)
⁷ But have nothing to do with worldly fables fit only for old women. On the other hand, discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness;

Walk in the Spirit

Galatians 5:16 (NASB95)
¹⁶ But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh.

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[1] From JMA’s The Vanishing Conscience

Hebrews 12

We had a wonderful time at Bellwood. I preached on Hebrews 12, and went to Hometown Buffet. We were not with our physical fathers today, but our text reminded us that His nurturing influence upon our lives is to be endured, and it will result in a harvest of righteousness. May Our Heavenly Father bless us all with His admonitions.

Tuxedo Junction in Burbank, found the coral matching the bridesmaid dresses.