Do You Think of Yourself as a Dangerous Person?

Before Jesus ascended into heaven to sit at the right hand of the Father, He gave these specific instructions to His followers: “But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” (Acts 1:8) We all understand the concept of testifying of the love and salvation of God, beginning in the areas around us and then moving out to other areas, but what about “the power”? Jesus said that the Holy Spirit would fill us with this power. When the disciples were filled with the power of the God, they didn’t hold back or accept poor results, but instead were dangerous (spiritually speaking) in the society of that time, as through the Holy Spirit, miracles of healing were done, people turned to God in repentance, and groups of believers were formed who had experienced a change when they opened their lives to the resurrected Christ.

We should be careful not to fall into the trap of daily routines, where to be a believer only means that we gather together to do certain activities so that we will feel good about ourselves. If the focus of a congregation or a Bible study isn’t to allow the presence of God and experience the working of the Holy Spirit, then soon we will realize that although the intensions are good, they are without the effectiveness of God’s power. If we don’t have this intimate and personal encounter then it is only religion and good intentions and we are deprived of experiencing the nearness of the presence of God.

The enemy of our souls knows that while we live in the routines of religion we will pose no threat to him, and he will continue with his schemes to use deception, accusation, doubt, and lies to paralyze the body of Christ. But he also knows that in the moment we wake up from this sleep, this spiritual lethargy, (Ephesians 5:14), we will become very dangerous as we move forward against him as true witnesses, declaring that only through Jesus is there salvation, healing, freedom, and something very important, our words will be supported by acts that demonstrate the power of the Holy Spirit with whom we have been anointed and who resides in us.

Promise of the Week: And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.” And they went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word through the accompanying signs. Amen. Mark 16:15-20

And Who Do You Say That I Am?

Recently I had the opportunity to travel with some brothers and sisters from our church to the land of Israel, the place where the great majority of events recorded in the inspired Word of God took place. One of the places that we visited was Caesarea Philippi in the northern region of Galilee. Long ago, this was a place where one could find many altars to the gods of Greek mythology and because of this many people would go there to worship their idols. It was in this place that Jesus questioned His disciples saying; “Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?” So they said, “Some say John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter answered and said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” (Matthew 16:13-16)

While we were there we could see the ruins of those stone altars that remain to this day, and we could understand why Jesus asked His disciples this question. It was to see if they realized and understood the difference between those dead idols and Jesus himself. That is what made Peter’s response so significant when he answered and declared that truly He was the Christ, the Son of God. Today we live in times where it is not just one region of our country that practices idolatry, but a whole society that is corrupted and saturated by it. The idols of today are not wooden statues or altars of worship, but rather external things, without the obvious appearance of idols, that have taken control of the lives of people all the same such as materialism, pleasures, licentiousness, etc. Today’s idols could also take the form of internal things that rob us of the ability to focus such as the hurts from the past, doubts, worries, or the state of constant preoccupation that little by little turns into a life style. If you find yourself in this situation, answer Jesus’s question for yourself: “And you, who do you say that I am?” May you be able to declare from the depths of your heart and with complete sincerity, “You are my savior and from now on, I turn over the control of my life to You, acknowledging You as my Lord, because You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God.”

Promise of the Week: “Jesus answered and said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed] in heaven.” Matthew 16:17-19

How to Respond to Halloween

During this time of year many parents find themselves in a difficult situation because they need to answer their children’s question about why Christians don’t participate in Halloween. The children want to know why it is bad to dress up in costumes and go out trick or treating like all the other children do with their parents. “Because it is of the devil.” “We are Christians, and we don’t celebrate this day.” These short and simple responses don’t really answer the sincere questions of our children, and they deserve better.

With the goal of counteracting the influence of Halloween on the family and providing a safe place where children will not need to go out into the streets and expose themselves to different dangers such as poisoned candies, razorblades in fruit, or the accidents that can be caused by being out in the dark, some churches hold family festivals with entertainment, games, and candy and invite the community. Unfortunately there are legalistic Christians who think that the churches are celebrating Halloween when in fact they are simply giving parents and children a fun and wholesome alternative to the world’s celebration of Halloween.

When parents don’t know what to say to their children (approximately 4-10 years old) who want to dress up, they can suggest that they dress up like people from the Bible. If a child says, “But I want a scary mask like my friend!” parents lovingly and firmly should guide them to make other choices. When we do this, it isn’t that we are in agreement with Halloween, but at the same time we aren’t disappointing our little ones with a short NO. The truth is that when they become adolescents, they will understand better for themselves. As parents we know that from the time they are little, it is our responsibility to teach them the truths from the Word of God. “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it. Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb is a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, so are the children of one’s youth. (Proverbs 22:6; Psalm 127:3-4)

Promise of the Week: May the LORD give you increase more and more, you and your children. May you be blessed by the LORD, who made heaven and earth. (Psalm 115:14-15)

The Only Thing That Satisfies Hunger

We live in times when it gets harder each day to satisfy our inner needs. Man, by his very nature, tends to fill the empty places in the heart with fleeting entertainment, money, sports, casinos, work, trips, etc. Very few people understand that God designed this empty spot in the heart of man and only our Lord Jesus Christ can fill it. It is through Jesus alone that we can experience a full and abundant life. (John 14:6; John 10:10)

If you have already had a personal encounter with Jesus but there is still dissatisfaction deep within you, it is important to identify the reason for this feeling. Perhaps you attend a church and feel that you are doing it more out of obligation than desire, and it has become only a habit. If this is your condition, I have this advice for you: Don’t give up, but continue seeking. There are many ways to have a deeper and more personal connection with the Lord, but there is something that you need to do, because the word ‘seek’ implies effort and action. Your relationship with the Heavenly Father does not happen by accident, but requires you to be intentional in your communion with Him.

The Lord desires us to know Him through reading, studying, and meditating on the Word of God. But there is even more; He wants us to experience Him and know Him intimately. It is during this time that we can sense the nearness of His presence and His will is revealed to us through His Spirit. When we succeed in establishing the daily habit of having communion with Him, we will learn better how He is working in our life. “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.» (Jeremiah 29:11-13) I encourage you to let nothing interrupt your communion with Him. Very soon you will realize that this companionship with the Lord is truly satisfying, and you will find yourself needing Him more and more. Then you will truly know what it means to always hunger for Him, but at the same time, to always be satisfied.

Promise of the Week – “Ho! Everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat. Yes, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. Why do you spend money for what is not bread, and your wages for what does not satisfy?Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good, and let your soul delight itself in abundance.
Incline your ear, and come to Me. Hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you…” (Isaiah 55:1-3)

In This World You Will Have Affliction

When the things that happen to us in our daily lives grow increasingly difficult, there is an immediate temptation to feel like victims of circumstances. If we allow this temptation to dominate us, we will expect the people around us to feel bad for us and have compassion. But thanks be to God, in Christ Jesus we have another alternative. Through Him we can already experience victory in the midst of any tribulation.

Sometimes it would seem that when we need help the most, the answers remain out of reach. This adversity can deceive us to the point that we begin to believe that we are destined to be in this condition because we deserve it. If we allow this reasoning to control us, it will contaminate our mind, overwhelm our heart, and make us feel defeated. There is not a single instance in the Bible where God has felt sorry for a person who complained about his condition. On the contrary, He has always provided the answer to those who put their confidence and hope in Him. Jesus said to His disciples, “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)

The Lord is not indifferent to our suffering because He knows what it is to be rejected, falsely accused, and despised. As a man, He did experience sickness, sadness, and affliction. Today take heart and cry out to Him in the midst of the tribulation, and He will answer you. “For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” (Hebrews 4:15-16)

PROMISE OF THE WEEK – Surely He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed Him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed. (Isaiah 53:4-5)

What the Lord Begins, He Always Completes

Unlike us, God always fulfills what He says He will do. His thoughts, plans, and purposes are very different from ours. Human wisdom teaches us that in order to achieve great things, we need to associate with extraordinary people and have sufficient resources. Jesus, however, fed thousands of people with just the lunch of one boy (Juan 6:5-12) and saw the offering of the widow’s mite as the most generous.( Lucas 21:2-3)

When Jesus called His disciples, they were just common men, but when they were filled with the Holy Spirit, they changed their world. God specializes in using people who aren’t naturally qualified in order to demonstrate His glory; He doesn’t seek people who feel capable. (Moses stuttered and he was 80 years old, yet he was the simple shepherd who freed his nation from slavery. Gideon was hiding from the enemy when God called him a strong and valiant man.) Being a common or weak person does not disqualify you, but on the contrary, it is the ‘characteristic’ that God looks for to display His divine power because He delights in taking the insignificant one and making him powerful.

Have you ever considered that when you lack the ability or talent, then the Lord Jesus can demonstrate his glory and power? If you are ready today to submit in obedience to His leadership, then ask His with a sincere heart to take that which you have, be it great or small, and then get ready to begin the adventure of a lifetime. You will learn to live by faith, and through your obedience He will do great things. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever, and just as He did with those men of old, He will do powerful things in you and through you.

being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ; He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it. (Philippians 1:6 & 1 Thessalonians 5:24)

PROMISE OF THE WEEK – 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)

Where is the Kingdom of Heaven?

When people hear this question, what immediately comes to mind is that the Kingdom of Heaven is a very faraway place where God lives and where, if they have lived good lives here on earth, they hope to go one day. The Bible teaches us that the Kingdom of Heaven isn’t one of distances but of perspective. Jesus taught on this topic extensively. On more than thirty occasions in the Gospel of Luke, Jesus made reference to the Kingdom of Heaven using many different comparisons. (the hidden treasure, the grain of mustard, the net, the priceless pearl, etc.)

The Kingdom of Heaven is not a geographical place nor a place far out in the universe somewhere. The Kingdom of Heaven is a person, and that person is our Lord Jesus Christ. He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him. He came to His own,[ and His own did not receive Him. But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth. (John 1:10-14)

One can not enter into this Kingdom through good works, physical sacrifices or through being a good person here on earth. It is also not necessary to wait until the end of our physical lives here on earth to enter into the Kingdom of Heaven. Every person who has received Jesus Christ into their heart as the Lord of their life can have the certainty that the Kingdom of Heaven has been placed there and now He lives in us. It is because of His presence that we live and move and have our existence in Him.

PROMISE OF THE WEEK: Matthew 5:3,10 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven. Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.

When God Remains Silent

If we consider our thoughts in those moments when we don’t receive the Lord’s answer to our prayers, they are apt to be disillusioned and confused, (especially if we have scriptures that support those requests), and we might even think that He is not listening. If the silence continues, we give way to doubt and discouragement. Some people feel guilt and fear, thinking that maybe they have done something wrong, causing the Lord to abandon them. Eventually this can even lead to resentment towards God. These attitudes are natural, but they aren’t the best way to react. If you don’t have an answer to your prayer, consider the following:

Ask why. It isn’t wrong to ask God questions so that you can better understand His plans and purposes.

Wait on His time. He has the wisdom and infinite knowledge. He knows exactly what to do and how and when to do it.

Trust in Him. When the Lord remains silent, it doesn’t mean that He isn’t involved in what is happening to you. You don’t see the answer, but He is working on a better plan that He has for your life.

Increase your time of intimacy with Him. Respond to those times of silence with submission, confidence, and patience. Your relationship with Christ will be enriched, and as you persevere, you will experience spiritual maturity.

Continue praying. Keep in communication with Him and keep asking. In the Gospel of Matthew Jesus told us: “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. Or what man is there among you who, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!” (Matthew 7:7-11)

God will not remain silent forever. He will respond in the perfect time. Today, learn to trust completely in Him and continue being faithful. Soon you will discover that your relationship is much deeper and richer, and ultimately you will understand that this waiting period was what helped you grow closer in your relationship to God.

The Secret of Contentment

When we travel by freeway or surface streets in Southern California, we can know for sure that we will be close enough to other cars around us to read their bumper stickers. Once I read one that said, “Almost Content.” When I stopped to think about this saying, I realized that to be “Almost Content” was not possible because you either do or don’t have contentment.

We live in a generation today controlled by consumerism which makes it difficult or almost impossible to reach the point of true contentment in our hearts. If we have one car, we want two. If we live in a small apartment, we want a more spacious house. If we earn a certain salary, we want more. The desire for better things isn’t completely bad, but the problem arises when our attitude isn’t one of continual gratitude for what we do have. The book of Hebrews teaches us this truth, “Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” (Hebrews 13:5) The only remedy for hearts that “want it all” is the contentment that is found in the presence of the Lord. He alone is sufficient to supply our needs and desires, and only He can give us the true peace and satisfaction that we are looking for in this life.

Really the meaning of contentment is to be able to say: “It could be worse.” If I don’t have a job but I have my feet so that I can go look for work, it could be worse to not have legs to walk. If I don’t have enough money to go out to eat with my family, it could be worse to not even have food in the house to cook. If I live in a small apartment, it could be worse and I could not even have a place to rest but be living beneath a freeway overpass. I think that the point is clear. Contentment isn’t to have what we want, but rather, “To be satisfied with what we have.” The Lord has promised to take care of His own, and because of this, we trust in our great Shepherd, and we live our lives thanking Him for His love, His provision, and His faithfulness.

PROMISE OF THE WEEK: Now godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content. 1 Timothy 6:6-8

A Challenge to Today’s Culture

Which type of person do you think has the greatest impact in our society? Is it the person with power and authority who orders people around, or is it that person who delights in serving others and works so that the other person will have success even before himself? When Jesus came into the world, the Jews were waiting for someone like a powerful king who would free them from the oppression of the Roman government, and they were ready to adore and serve this great liberator. The Savior, however, showed himself to be a man with a servant’s heart who didn’t think twice about washing his disciples’ dirty feet. He could have driven the Romans out of that area, but that wasn’t his mission. He knew clearly why He had come: “just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” (Matt. 20:28)

In the book of Philippians Paul describes for us the manner in which the King of Kings humbled himself to the lowest level in order to teach us by His example what it really is to serve. “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. (Philippians 2:5-8) The message that we constantly receive in our culture is that to be influential people we need to have power and demand that others recognize our authority. In contrast, the life of a servant of the Lord is not focused on himself nor in a desire for greatness, but rather in obeying the Father and following the example that the Lord Jesus Christ set for us; that of serving.

We need to look for those opportunities to serve, or better yet, not ignore those times when we can be a blessing to others. Serving others is something that our culture has ceased to do. We serve our fellow man when we pray for them even if we don’t know them, bless them even when they reject us, or help them in their every need, great or small. The Lord gives us all these opportunities and we ought to take advantage of them to show this self-centered culture that there is a different and better way to live. We have the guarantee that this type of attitude will give the world hope, and they will see the attitude that Jesus Christ taught us, the same attitude for which God exalted Him.

PROMISE OF THE WEEK: And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ. Colossians 3:23-24

Clothed Like the Chosen of God

When we choose the clothes to wear to church on Sunday, we look for the best that we have in our closet, but on more that one occasion, the mother will suggest to her children or husband that they wear other clothes, not because the clothes that they chose had something wrong but because the combinations of clothes selected are not exactly the best. (I have had this experience.) It is wise to listen to a wife or mother who is suggesting another combination because ultimately her desire it that we shine and look our best when we go into the house of the Lord to praise His name.

The Word of God invites us to clothe ourselves with the attitudes and actions that go together with the identity of Jesus Christ. We want to be known by the style of clothes that we wear, because we make Jesus known to others when we are clothed with actions and attitudes that reveal His presence in our lives. To have success in this transformation, it is necessary for us to divest ourselves completely of all the clothes of filthiness… «Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.” (Colossians 3:5) and follow the wise counsel of the Apostle Paul, to fill our spiritual closets with the same clothing that the Lord Jesus puts on. “Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering;” (Colossians 3:12). …But above all these things put on love…and let the peace of God rule in your hearts (vv. 14-15)

Now in order to clothe ourselves as the chosen of God, it is necessary to know Him personally and maintain this intimate communion with Him. If we listen to Him, He will say, “You shouldn’t go out dressed like that.” In that moment, allow Him to guide you with His love and allow Him to lead you back to the closet so He can redress you in His image. I assure you that you will shine better than you ever thought or hoped. You have been chosen to be his Ambassador, to manifest in your person the abundance of His love, His grace, and His goodness. This is a privilege that you and I received in that day when we made the decision to invite Him into our heart, and we were clothed with the love of Christ Jesus.

Promise of the Week – “Arise, shine; for your light has come! And the glory of the LORD is risen upon you. For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and deep darkness the people; but the LORD will arise over you, and His glory will be seen upon you. The Gentiles shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising.” (Isaiah 60:1-3)

The Power of the Blessing

This summer my family and I traveled to Mexico to celebrate our parents’ 60th wedding anniversary with my eleven brother and sisters. We had a beautiful ceremony where each one of the children took the opportunity to express gratitude to our parents for the beautiful memories and all the sacrifices they had made to raise such a large family. You can imagine the emotions, tears and deep feelings that were expressed as every one of us shared from our hearts. Now as a family, we will always hold dear to our hearts these precious sentimental memories.

I want to share something that occurred during this gathering, which greatly touched my heart. One of my sisters after thanking my parents for their love and care turned to my papa and said: “I will never forget the time I was going through great difficulty in my life and you prayed for me and taking my hands in yours, you blessed me. From that day on, because of your blessing, my life has been transformed and become prosperous in all areas.” Sometimes we think that because of the modern times in which we live, this type of blessing no longer has the same value. Perhaps we think this way because every day we see a rise in the instability of families, because their values and principles have been eroded by division, abandonment, selfishness, and many other challenges that have resulted in a coldness of the heart.

The Word of God, however, teaches us that the Lord grants authority and wisdom to those who have the privilege of being parents, and also gives them the responsibility to pray for and bless the lives of their children, declaring over them the promise of well-being, protection, and provision. Today I encourage you as a father or mother of a family to bless your descendents with the promises that have been given in the Word of God, “Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb is a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, so are the children of one’s youth. Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them; they shall not be ashamed, but shall speak with their enemies in the gate.” Psalm 127:3-5

PROMISE OF THE WEEK: “You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.” Deuteronomy 6:5-9

The Greatness of Serving

When we describe the attributes that characterize our Lord Jesus Christ, generally what comes first to mind is: He is powerful, sovereign, King of kings and Lord of lords. These are all fitting descriptions because they express the truth of who Jesus Christ is, but when He came into this world, He did not come as Sovereign or Powerful, but instead He put aside all of His deity and magnificence and showed Himself to us in the form of a servant. The ministry of Jesus was always one of helping others and never was seen as an act of inferiority, but on the contrary it was the way in which He demonstrated the love that He had for each one of us.

We live in a time when the merits of serving others has been changed into an act of lesser importance, and its value has been degraded so much that we have begun to believe that to serve others is not the job of those in power and authority, but only of those who have little education or are of the lower social class. As believers, we should take care that we too are not influenced by the currents of vain superiority which attempt to drag us under and drown us. The Father exalted His Son for the obedience that He demonstrated when He came into this world to fulfill His purpose, and in the letter to the Philippians we who have received the Lord Jesus are called to follow His example: to serve others.

Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Philippians 2:4-11)

PROMISE OF THE WEEK – And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ. (Colossians 3:23-24)

Obeying the Vision

Since the very beginning of creation, God has sought companionship with man. We know it isn’t because God feels lonely or needs someone to talk to, but on the contrary, it is man who needs the presence of God in order to understand His plans. These plans are generally revealed to men through visions, but most of the time it begins with the simple impressions of the Holy Spirit in the heart of a man whom the Lord desires to use.

There are many examples in the Bible of how God revealed His will to common men. For example, Moses, who complained to God that he didn’t know how to speak, was used by God in spite of that to save a people who had been in slavery for over 400 years. Then there was Gideon, who belittled himself and his abilities, but just like Moses, after his encounter with the Lord was used to save Israel from the Midianites and the idolatry that predominated in the nation at that time. These men were chosen by God, and through a personal encounter with Him, they received the vision and ability to communicate with others what God had called them to do. “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart.” (Jeremiah 29:11-13)

Knowing that we have the support of God to accomplish what He has called us to do, we move forward in obedience just as those men of old who decided to fulfill the vision that God had shown them. Perhaps our assignment is not to free a people from physical slavery, but today there are many people who are in emotional and spiritual slavery, and the Lord is calling us to be messengers of liberty. Through the prophet Habbukuk, the Lord motivates us to take part in what He has revealed to us. “Then the LORD answered me and said: “Write the vision and make it plain on tablets, that he may run who reads it. For the vision is yet for an appointed time; but at the end it will speak, and it will not lie. Though it tarries, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.” (Habakkuk 2:2-3)

PROMISE OF THE WEEK – Since you were precious in My sight, you have been honored, and I have loved you; therefore I will give men for you, and people for your life. Fear not, for I am with you; I will bring your descendants from the east, and gather you from the west; I will say to the north, ‘Give them up!’ and to the south, ‘Do not keep them back!’ Bring My sons from afar, and My daughters from the ends of the earth—Everyone who is called by My name, whom I have created for My glory; I have formed him, yes, I have made him.” Bring out the blind people who have eyes, and the deaf who have ears.” (Isaiah 43:4-8)

From Whence Comes Our Help?

Recently we have heard the news of a legal verdict that has caused many people in this nation to feel discontented. We live in a country of democracy and rights, but even this system of justice is not perfect because it is executed by humans. Events like this that cause such an outcry in our nation not only lead us to mistrust our system, but also remind us that we live in world where, because of sin, injustice and the abuse of power exist. Sadly, as a result of this increase in wickedness, the heart of our society has grown cold.
Thousands of years ago, the prophet Isaiah warned us in the Word of God that we would live in times of great confusion such as these, and through the inspiration of the Lord, he wrote, “Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; Who put darkness for light, and light for darkness; Who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight! Woe to men mighty at drinking wine, Woe to men valiant for mixing intoxicating drink, who justify the wicked for a bribe, and take away justice from the righteous man!” (Isaiah 5:20-23) Unfortunately this is the reality that surrounds us, and so much deception can lead us to the point that doubt and fear cause us to forget to place our confidence in the Lord and the power of His justice.
In each generation the attack of the enemy has been felt. This enemy fervently wants to rob us of our health, damage our relationships, and weaken us through discouragement and disception. Perhaps today you are going through times of difficulty when you need the help of the Lord. “From whence comes my help?” asked the psalmist, who responded with encouraging words of affirmation as he gave the only true answer: “I will lift up my eyes to the hills—From whence comes my help? My help comes from the LORD, who made heaven and earth. The LORD shall preserve your going out and your coming in from this time forth, and even forevermore.”( Psalm 121: 1-2,8)

PROMISE OF THE WEEK – “He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust.” Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the perilous pestilence. He shall cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you shall take refuge; His truth shall be your shield and buckler.” (Psalm 91: 1-4)

I Will Build My Church

These words of Jesus, “I will build my church” should affirm our faith and fill us with hope as we continue in obedience doing what He has entrusted us to do. The church, however, needs more than buildings and people to be built up; it needs the help and direction of the Holy Spirit. For this reason, before ascending to glory, Jesus told his disciples that they should await “The Promise of the Father.”

“ When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.” Acts 2:1-4 This well-known event that occurred that day of Pentecost wasn’t just a miracle to show the divine power of God, but it was a visible sign that at that very moment God was breaking down the barriers of race, language, gender, and religious beliefs. When this took place, a multitude gathered and all of them could hear speech in their own tongue, leaving them astonished and amazed because they had never seen anything like it before.

With this event, the Early Church was born. Now, 2000 years later, the Church continues to be built up by the Lord Jesus because one of His promises was that the gates of the enemy would not prevail against it. If we, like the early believers, dedicate ourselves to obey His Word and heed the direction of His Spirit, we will see the Kingdom of God established in our generation. On that day of Pentecost, the message of the Lord was heard by people from many different nations who came to Jerusalem. In the same way, God has brought people of all nationalities to the city of Los Angeles, and they need to experience the impact of believers filled with the power of the Holy Spirit.

PROMISE OF THE WEEK – “And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness. Now the multitude of those who believed were of one heart and one soul; neither did anyone say that any of the things he possessed was his own, but they had all things in common. And with great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And great grace was upon them all.” Acts 4:31-33

We are Imitators of God (Ephesians 5: 1-2)

When the Word of God exhorts us in Ephesians 5:1 to “be imitators of God as dear children,” how should we interpret this passage? To understand it better, we need to continue reading the next verse which exhorts us to walk in love, following the example of the Lord Jesus Christ, who out of love for us gave Himself as a pleasing offering and sacrifice to the Father. This passage is very clear in how to we need to conduct our lives in true obedience to God.

We live in a generation in which loving our neighbor is almost exclusively associated with romantic love between two people. Even we, who publically declare that we are followers of Jesus and belong to the family of faith, suffer from coldness in our relationships. It is important we not forget that to love someone is to love them as if we were doing it for Jesus. “Then the King will say to those on His right hand, ‘Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.’” Matthew 25:34-36

What this world truly needs to experience is the genuine love that arises from a heart that has been transformed by the love of Jesus, instead of a heart that is controlled by apathy, indifference, passiveness, and self-centeredness. All believers have been given the opportunity to impact our society not with our human love, which is very limited and self-centered, but with the love that has been shed in our hearts. To do this, we need to mature spiritually so that we can love unconditionally and without personal interests. We should ask the Holy Spirit to help us see every person with the eyes of Jesus and treat them with compassion and mercy. Let us not miss the opportunity to bless our neighbor and in so doing, to please our Heavenly Father as the beloved sons and daughters He has called us to be.

PROMISE OF THE WEEK
“In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.” 1 John 4:10-12

I Will Come to You

In the summer season, there are some places in California that reach temperatures of 120 degrees or more. The Coachella Valley is known as one of the hottest places in all of California. If one travels through this area by car without air conditioning, one will experience frustration and suffer in the blazing heat; but if one travels in the same area in a car equipped with air conditioning, it doesn’t matter how miserable the weather is outside, because one has the advantage of air conditioned comfort.

This analogy is good to use to describe the difference that exists between a Christian who knows to ask for the help of the Holy Spirit and one who does not. There is a great difference when we travel in this life resting in the support of the Holy Spirit. Jesus knew that we would encounter difficult circumstances (passing through deserts) and need help. Because of that, He promised He would send his Spirit when He told us: «And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever— the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you.” (John 14:16-18)

The Holy Spirit is a real person. He is our Helper and Comforter; He is ever ready in time of need. Certainly it is not easy to trust in another person, but He is our refuge in whom we can trust. He will never disappoint us because He longs even more than we do to have this communion. He desires to teach us to know the heart of the Father and to reveal His Son to us. He wants to help us as much in our daily activities as in the critical moments of loneliness when He shows Himself to be a faithful friend. If you focus right now, you will hear His voice and be able to distinguish it clearly because His voice is unmistakable, even in the midst of all the other voices around you. The Holy Spirit hears your cry when you ask Him for help, so you can ask Him confidently knowing that He isn’t going to disappoint you. The Holy Spirit, in obedience to the instruction of Jesus, comes to be our Helper.

Promise of the WeekHowever, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you. All things that the Father has are Mine. Therefore I said that He will take of Mine and declare it to you. (John 16:13-15)

The Eternal Word of God

With all the technological advances in this world, there is not a single thing created by man that has an eternal existence or duration. There are certain things that through the years still exist, but they require a great deal of maintenance, and the moment that they are not taken care of, deterioration occurs. Not a single artifact designed by man has the ability to last forever, just as its creator has a limited life. Nothing in this world is eternal.

The only thing we possess with eternal existence is the Word of God. Its perfection transcends the ages, because from the moment God revealed it to the world through men inspired by the Holy Spirit it has existed. Jesus said, “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.” Matthew 24:35 His Word has infinite power, is infallible, produces life, and is filled with promises for here on earth that are eternal. His Word is made effective in us when we permit it to penetrate every area of our life. “For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12

“For as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven, and do not return there, but water the earth, and make it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower and bread to the eater. So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; it shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish what I please, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.” Isaiah 55:10-11 Then the LORD said to me, “You have seen well, for I am ready to perform My word.” Jeremiah 1:12

This week begin to treasure the Word of God. Allow your heart to be fertile land in which His Word, after germinating, will produce fruit. This fruit will not be perishable because it comes from the seed which is eternal, and this seed is the Word of God.

Promise for the Week: Psalms 119: 1-2

A Tribute to a Good Father

This Sunday as we celebrate Father’s Day, I remember events from my childhood that took place by the side of my father. Those summer evenings, after a delicious dinner, we would take a walk at sunset along the main street of our little town. Perhaps I was only four or five years old, but I vividly remember feeling secure as I walked by my father’s side because all along the way I hung on to his leg and we talked about various topics that I can’t even remember. What left the deepest impression on me were those moments spent in the company of the man God used to bring me into this world. Those moments had such a great value in my life, and I treasure them.

Today my father is eight-seven years old. This summer he and my mother, his helpmate through all his life, along with twelve of the fourteen children God has given them, will be celebrating sixty years of marriage. Praise God! I bless my father and thank God for him. Even though he is a man with defects and weaknesses like every one of us, and although he didn’t have the opportunity to have a formal academic education, my father is a very wise man with great integrity, and there is much to be admired in his disciplined life. I honor him and thank him for the moments he took during my childhood to transfer part of his life into my life through his example. The Bible tells us in the book of Ephesians that we should honor our earthly fathers because it is right, and to those who fulfill this command, God gives the promise of a long life here on earth.

Maybe your experience with your biological father was not exactly the most ideal, and you grew up without his constant presence, something you desired to have as an important part of your life. Perhaps he was there in the house, but was always busy, always concerned about things of secondary importance, and never intentionally made the time to impact your life. It could be that he thought that to be a good father simply meant to supply the economic needs of the family. For your own well-being and emotional health, extend pardon to him and don’t allow the roots of bitterness to continue suffocating your soul. Today take hold of this promise of the Lord, “And he will turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers…” (Malachi 4:6) If your father is still living, take this time to make the call, and with this act of obedience, you will give tribute and glory to your true Father who is and always will be your Heavenly Father.