Judas

“[Judas] had been treated by Jesus himself, in all external things, as if he had truly been a disciple, even investing him with the character of apostle, sending him forth to preach the gospel, and enduing him with miraculous gifts of the Spirit. For though Christ knew him, yet he did not then clothe himself with the character of omniscient Judge, and searcher of hearts, but acted the part of a minister of the visible church (for he was his Father’s minister;) and therefore rejected him not, till he had discovered himself by his scandalous practice; thereby giving an example to guides and rulers of the visible church, not to take it upon them to act the part of searcher of hearts, but to be influenced in their administrations by what is visible and open.”

Jonathan Edwards

"Judge not, that you be not judged. For with what judgment you judge, you shall be judged: and with what measure you measure, it shall be measured to you. And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me cast out the mote out of thine eye; and lo, the beam is in thine own eye? Thou hypocrite, cast out first the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye." Matthew 7:1-5

the david junkers

Please continue to keep in touch with us through our new blog- the david junkers. 


We recently (the 24th) moved from Kagawa Prefecture in western Japan to Matsumoto in Nagano (3 hours from Tokyo up in the mountains). We have committed our Takase Christ Church to Zentsuji Baptist Church. It is best that a church plant a church, not individuals. Now we will serve in the Abundant Life Church- a church my parents started and Jon my brother is leading. We will be taking Jon's place for their year of home assignment. Do pray for us. And keep in touch with us here at the david junkers

Zentsuji Baptist Church....

March 18th, the Zentsuji Baptist Church (above) had a farewell worship and party for us. Since we have recently (24th) moved to Matsumoto, it is this church that will now continue our Takase Christ Church. Though we thought we had to 'shut down' our church, the Lord in his mercy has continued the ministry through them. I praise His name and I thank Pastor Kubo and the Zentsuji Church. I believe this is God's pattern: a church planting a church, rather than individuals planting a church on their own.

"And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ." Philippians 1:6

Humility and self-diffidence and an dependence on our Lord Jesus Christ will be our best defence.

“Humility and self-diffidence and an dependence on our Lord Jesus Christ will be our best defence. Let us therefore maintain the strictest watch against spiritual pride, or being lifted up with extraordinary experiences and comforts, and the high favours of heaven that any of us may have received. We had need, after such favors, in a special manner to keep a strict and jealous eye upon our own hearts, lest there should arise self-exalting reflections upon what we have received, and high thoughts of ourselves as being now some of the most eminent of saints and peculiar favourites of heaven, and that the secret of the Lord is especially upon us. Let us not presume that we above all are fit to be advanced as the great instructors and censors of this evil generation; and, in a high conceit of our own wisdom and discerning, assume to ourselves the airs of prophets or extraordinary ambassadors of heaven. When we have great discoveries of God made to our souls, we should not shine bright in our own eyes. Moses, when he had been conversing with God in the mount, though his face shone so as to dazzle the eyes of Aaron and the people, yet he did not shine in his own eyes; “he wist not that his face shone.” Let none think themselves out of danger of this spiritual pride, even in their best frames. God saw that the apostle Paul (though probably the most eminent saint that even lived) was not out of danger of it, no not when he had just been conversing with God in the third heaven: see Cor. xxii.7. Pride is the worst viper in the heart; it is the first sin that ever entered into the universe, lies lowest of all in the foundation of the whole building of sin, and is the most secret, deceitful and unsearchable in its ways of working, of any lusts whatever. It is ready to mix with every thing; and nothing is so hateful to God, contrary to the spirit of the gospel, or of so dangerous consequence; and there is no one sin that does so much let the devil into the hearts of the saints, and expose them to his delusions. I have seen it in many instances, and that in eminent saints. The devil has come in at this door presently after some eminent experience and extraordinary communion with God and has woefully deluded and led them astray, till God has mercifully opened their eyes and delivered them; and they themselves had afterwards been made sensible that it was pride that betrayed them.”

Jonathan Edwards

"As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble...." Ephesians 2:1-2

Failures

“The basis of revival is men and women shattered by their failures- aware that all is not well, helpless to do anything about it.” Bishop Festo Kivengere

"I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing." John 15:5

Josh's graduation!

Last week Friday, Joshua graduated from 6th grade!

The gospel is to be preached as well as the law.....

”The gospel is to be preached as well as the law, and the law is to be preached only to make way for the gospel, and in order that it may be preached more effectually. The main work of ministers is to preach the gospel: “Christ is the end of the law for righteousness.” So that a minister would miss it very much if he should insist so much on the terrors of the law, as to forget his Lord, and neglect to preach the gospel; but yet the law is very much to be insisted on, and the preaching of the gospel is like to be in vain without it….”

Jonathan Edwards

"Through the law comes knowledge of sin. But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it-- the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe." Romans 3:20-22