Pastor Joe Ascalon

08/11/2025

My friends, I know many of you are still feeling the aftermath of the typhoon.

Take heart, God is your refuge, your strength, your shelter. I’m keeping all of you in my prayers — for comfort, courage, and restoration. May His love bring healing, His peace calm your spirit, and His hope light your way forward.

03/11/2025

The past few days have felt like a string of challenges, one after another.

First, Mt. Kanlaon erupted, its ash rising into the sky like a warning from the earth itself. Then came the earthquakes, shaking the ground beneath our feet, as if to remind us how fragile stability can be. And now, a storm is on the horizon, its winds whispering of what’s to come.

In moments like these, it’s easy to feel the weight of it all, to let the uncertainty settle in. But there’s a quiet invitation in the midst of the chaos—a call to rest. Not just to stop, but to truly rest in the One who holds it all together.

“He will cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you will find refuge.” — Psalm 91:4

And so, as the world around us stirs, there’s a choice to be made: to lean into that rest, to trust in His steady presence, and to find peace even when the storm rages.

It’s in that rest that we find the strength to keep going.

Have a great week ahead!

24/10/2025

Heavenly Father, as Mt. Kanlaon erupts, we place Negros Island in Your hands. Protect every life, calm the hearts of those in fear, and surround communities with Your peace. Be their stronghold and guide every step of the responders. Amen.

24/10/2025

When you’ve spent years encouraging others to trust God through their storms, you never quite imagine the day you’ll face one so personal, so life-altering, that it tests every word you’ve ever preached.

In March 2024, I had a stroke. Suddenly, life slowed down. The pastor who once moved from meeting to meeting now had to learn how to rest, how to heal, and how to lean on others. Then, after a year, I suffered a heart attack in September. It was humbling, frightening, and yet, strangely filled with peace.

Because even there, in the quiet hospital room, I felt the nearness of God. The peace of the Lord truly surpasses all understanding. He reminded me gently, “I’m not done with you yet.”

After my angioplasty, my doctor told me, “Your heart is normal now. You can return to your routine.” Those words carried more than medical relief — they carried strong spiritual wind that refreshes.

Now, ministry isn’t just about the work we do — it’s about who we become through the trials we face. It’s about slowing down enough to hear God’s voice again, to rest in His sovereignty, and to remember that our bodies are temples that need care, not just endurance.

To my loving wife, my family, the Ikthus Church community, and all the friends who prayed and stood by me — thank you. Your faith lifted me when my own faltered.

If there’s one thing I’ve learned through it all, it’s this: take care of your health, nurture your soul, and never forget that as long as you’re breathing, God’s not done with you. His purpose still unfolds — one step, one heartbeat, one miracle at a time.

— Pastor Joe

16/10/2025

In 2018, my wife and I had the chance to visit Batanes and honestly, it still feels like one of the most breathtaking places I’ve ever been. Everywhere I looked, it was like God’s beauty and creativity were on full display. The endless skies, the rolling green hills, the crashing waves — it all felt like a love letter from the Creator.

I’ve always loved taking photos. I’m not a professional or anything — I just enjoy capturing moments that remind me of God’s handiwork. And in Batanes, it felt like every time I pressed the shutter, it was an act of worship. Every photo was my way of saying, “Wow, Lord, You made this.”

There are days when I wish I could go back. I’d love to walk those quiet paths again, feel the wind on my face, and see what new beauty God might show me. But for now, I’m taking life slow, focusing on rest and recovery. Even so, those memories of Batanes remind me of something important: God’s goodness isn’t just in the big, breathtaking places. It’s here, too, in the everyday moments, if I just take the time to see it.

“The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands.” – Psalm 19:1

15/10/2025

To all my fellow pastors,

Thank you for answering God’s call to shepherd His people. For every sermon you’ve poured your heart into, for every prayer you’ve lifted in quiet moments, and for every act of love and leadership — thank you.

I know ministry can be a road filled with challenges. There are days when the weight feels overwhelming, when doubts creep in, and when the fruit of your labor feels distant. But let me remind you: your faithfulness is never in vain. God sees every sacrifice, every moment of obedience, and every seed you plant in His name.

“Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.” — 1 Corinthians 15:58

This Pastor Appreciation Month, I want to honor you. Keep pressing on. Keep trusting in the One who called you.

12/10/2025

The Power of Surrender
By Pastor Joe

There’s something freeing about letting go. I’ve learned that the more I try to control everything — the outcomes, the timing, the people — the more frustrated I become. But when I give it all to God, peace follows.

You see, surrender isn’t weakness. It’s strength. It’s saying, “God, I trust You more than I trust my own plans.” And that’s when things begin to shift.

Proverbs 3:5–6 (NIV) says:

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.”

There have been times when I didn’t understand what God was doing, but looking back, I can see His hand guiding every step. Surrender doesn’t mean giving up — it means letting God take over, believing He knows what’s best even when I don’t see it yet.

Maybe today, God is inviting you to release something — a worry, a plan, a relationship. Hand it to Him. When you stop striving to control, you make space for God to move.

Sometimes you just have to let go and know — know that God is in control, know that His timing is perfect, and know that He’s working all things for your good.

10/10/2025

May the Lord cover the Philippines with His mercy and peace, and strengthen those rebuilding after the earthquakes. 🇵🇭

07/10/2025

Fix your thoughts on what is true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, and admirable” (Philippians 4:8 NLT)

I know it’s hard to stay focused with so much noise around us. Ads, social media, and even our own doubts try to tell us we’re not enough. But God’s truth says something different: You matter. You are loved. You are enough.

When you spend time in His Word, your mind and heart find rest: “His peace will keep your thoughts and hearts quiet as you trust in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:7 TLB).

Start today—fill your mind with truth, not lies.

Let God’s peace transform your life.

06/10/2025

Some seeds struggle to grow because thorns crowd them out. Life’s worries, riches, and pleasures can choke your heart too—making it hard to hear God.

Luke 8:14 (NIV):
"The seed that fell among thorns…is choked by life’s worries, riches and pleasures, and does not mature."

Clear the weeds. Lean in. Let God’s voice take root.

05/10/2025

You know, this reminds me so much of what Jesus said in Luke 8:8 — “He who has ears to hear, let him hear.”

It’s like Jesus was saying, “I’m speaking, but are you listening?” Because God is always speaking — through His Word, through the Holy Spirit, through moments and people in our everyday life. But the real question is, are we quiet enough to actually hear Him?

When we take time to listen, something powerful happens. We don’t just know about God — we know Him. There’s a big difference. You can read all the verses, attend church every Sunday, and still miss His voice if you don’t pause long enough to listen.

But when you do — when you tune your heart to Him — He begins to guide you, protect you, and even correct you. Sometimes it’s just a whisper: “Don’t.” “Wait.” “Trust Me.” Those few words can save you from so much heartache.

And honestly, that’s where real success begins. Not in chasing what the world calls success, but in living in sync with God’s will. When you hear Him and follow Him, you start walking in purpose — in the very thing He designed you for.

So today, take a moment. Slow down. Listen. Because God is speaking — and He’s got something personal He wants to say to you.

04/10/2025