First Touch Ministry

A few years ago, as we went to view a housing site in Talisay area with my nephew and his girlfriend (now his wife), I was on the driver's seat and took the wrong route back to the main SRP road. As we ask a few people along the way for guidance, it became even more confusing, leading us to very narrow roads that eventually took us to a circular passageway which turned out to be a large concrete culvert. To our shock, it turned out to be the drainage system underneath the main SRP road! We had no choice but to pass through it, though puzzled that many people are actually there, staying and using it as a passageway. Thankfully, we did make it back to the main SRP road and went home safely.

That was a scary, dangerous, and unthinkable place to be. We didn't plan or expect to be there; I just ended up taking the wrong path.

A few thoughts come to mind regarding that experience.

First, 𝙬𝙝𝙚𝙣 𝙬𝙚 𝙡𝙤𝙨𝙚 𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙬𝙖𝙮, 𝙬𝙚 𝙣𝙚𝙚𝙙 𝙩𝙤 𝙨𝙚𝙚𝙠 𝙤𝙪𝙩 𝙨𝙤𝙢𝙚𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝙧𝙚𝙡𝙞𝙖𝙗𝙡𝙚 𝙩𝙤 𝙜𝙪𝙞𝙙𝙚 𝙪𝙨—not just anyone, but someone who can lead us back in the right direction. The tendency is to distance ourselves from such individuals, fearing discipline, correction or rebuke. I speak from experience on my own tendencies, but we cannot allow the enemy of our soul to win over us in this area. ‭

Hebrews 12:11 (NIV‬) says,
"No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it."

Second, in life's journey, 𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙚 𝙬𝙞𝙡𝙡 𝙗𝙚 𝙩𝙬𝙞𝙨𝙩𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙣𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙨𝙪𝙧𝙥𝙧𝙞𝙨𝙚 𝙪𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙢𝙖𝙮 𝙡𝙚𝙖𝙙 𝙪𝙨 𝙩𝙤 𝙡𝙤𝙨𝙚 𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙨𝙚𝙣𝙨𝙚 𝙤𝙛 𝙙𝙞𝙧𝙚𝙘𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣.

We need to get back to His word for guidance. Isaiah 43:19 (NIV‬) points out, "See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland."

Third, 𝙬𝙝𝙚𝙣 𝙬𝙚 𝙡𝙤𝙨𝙚 𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙬𝙖𝙮, 𝙬𝙚 𝙘𝙖𝙣 𝙞𝙣𝙖𝙙𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙩𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙡𝙮 𝙙𝙧𝙖𝙜 𝙤𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧𝙨 𝙖𝙡𝙤𝙣𝙜 𝙬𝙞𝙩𝙝 𝙪𝙨 𝙞𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙬𝙧𝙤𝙣𝙜 𝙙𝙞𝙧𝙚𝙘𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣. As Christians, we often believe that our mistakes are solely between us and God, but in reality, they impact those around us, especially those who love us and those who look up to us.

In ‭Matthew 18:6 (NIV‬) Jesus says, “If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in me—to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea."

That is a hard teaching from the lips of our loving Savior himself who says in John 10:28 (NIV‬), "I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will sn**ch them out of my hand."

So, can we really do all these difficult tasks ahead? The answer is Yes. Matthew 19:26 (NIV) Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

The apostle Paul says in ‭2 Corinthians 12:10 (NIV‬), "That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong."

In this month of Love, we can show our love to other people especially to those closest to us by following God's commands through His strength, not ours.

Lastly, let me give you a portion of a classic song by Steve Green.

"We're pilgrims on the journey of the narrow road
And those who've gone before us line the way
Cheering on the faithful, encouraging the weary
Their lives, a stirring testament to God's sustaining grace

Surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses
Let us run the race, not only for the prize
But as those who've gone before us
Let us leave to those behind us the heritage of faithfulness
Passed on through godly lives

Oh, may all who come behind us find us faithful
May the fire of our devotion light their way
May the footprints that we leave lead them to believe
And the lives we live inspire them to obey
Oh, may all who come behind us find us faithful."

We are already four weeks into 2026. The celebrations have quieted. Life feels "normal" again. Routines are back in full swing.

This is often the moment where the initial "New Year energy" begins to fade. It’s the space where our resolutions meet our reality. The year may have already brought its first wins, but it has likely brought its first obstacles, too. Maybe your faith feels vibrant today, or maybe it feels a little quieter than it did on January 1st—wherever you are, God is meeting you there.

Here is a beautiful realization to hold onto: God is not only with us at the starting line—He is with us through every ordinary mile. He is not just the God of the "New Beginning." He is the God of Everyday Faithfulness.

“Let us not get tired of doing what is good. At the right time, we will receive a harvest if we do not give up.” — Galatians 6:9

Growth in our walk with Christ is a beautiful mix of moments. Sometimes it’s a sudden, loud victory where we see His hand clearly. But other times, it’s the powerful, steady growth that comes from:

Showing up with a heart of worship even when you feel drained. Choosing integrity when no one is watching to applaud you. Trusting God’s heart when the next step isn't yet visible.

Maybe you’re walking through a season that feels more like a desert than a garden. Maybe you’re waiting for answers that haven't come. Or maybe you’re simply trying to stay faithful in the small, repetitive tasks of life.

Please know this: God sees it all. He sees every whispered prayer. He sees every silent effort. He sees every weary step. He doesn’t just value our "finish line"; He treasures our walk. Our consistency is our worship.

Our long walk with God isn't just about getting to a destination; it is where our soul is shaped, our roots grow deep, and our character is built. Don’t rush the journey and don’t quit too soon.

The harvest is coming—just keep walking.

𝗔𝗟𝗟 𝗣𝗥𝗔𝗜𝗦𝗘𝗦 𝗧𝗢 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗣𝗥𝗜𝗡𝗖𝗘 𝗢𝗙 𝗣𝗘𝗔𝗖𝗘! 👑🕊️

The grandest and the merriest celebration in FTM family is here. 𝐅𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐲 𝐂𝐡𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐦𝐚𝐬 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓 is all about Jesus, our Prince of Peace 🎄✨

From a beautiful time of worship, to fun and laughter during the game, and sharing food and fellowship; every moment was filled with the FTM kind of love and gratitude.

What a blessing it is to celebrate Christmas as one family, reminded that true peace is found in Christ alone ✨🤍 𝗠𝗲𝗿𝗿𝘆 𝗖𝗵𝗿𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗺𝗮𝘀 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗰𝗵𝘂𝗿𝗰𝗵 𝗳𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗹𝘆 𝘁𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀! 💗🎉

Stop for a moment. Take a deep breath. Not the shallow kind, but the kind that reaches your soul.

You’re trying to be strong and hold it all together. Smiling on the outside while feeling tired on the inside. Your thoughts won’t slow down. Worries about tomorrow keep coming. You’re doing your best, but it feels like too much.

You are not alone. In moments like this, God speaks a blessing over His people, a blessing that still carries power today:

“The Lord bless you and keep you;
the Lord make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you;
the Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace.”
Numbers 6:24–26

This is not just kind words. This is God’s promise.

It doesn’t say life will be easy. But it reminds us that God is near, watching over us, and caring for our souls.

“The Lord bless you and keep you” — You don’t have to protect yourself alone. God is holding you.

“The Lord make His face shine upon you” — You are seen, known, and loved.

“The Lord give you peace” — Not when everything is fixed, but right in the middle of the mess.

This blessing is not only spoken. It is lived out.
It is the story God stepped into.

This is the holy reason for Christmas. God kept His promise to come near.
He didn’t just tell us what to do. He came to be with us.

Jesus was born into weakness, into noise and uncertainty, so we would know that God is not afraid of our broken places.
Christmas reminds us that God stepped into our world to be with us, to save us and to carry what we could not carry on our own.

Immanuel means God with us. Not just on good days. Not just when our faith feels strong. But right here. Right now.

So if you’re tired today…
If your faith feels heavy…
If your heart feels worn—

You don’t have to carry it all.

Lay down the worries.
Lay down the pressure to be strong.
Lay it at the feet of Jesus.

His presence is rest.
His peace is real.
Receive the blessing.