Scripture:
For everything comes from Him; everything exists by His power and is intended for His glory. To Him be glory evermore. Amen.
Romans 11:36
Observation:
Paul’s context in this passage is to live depending in God’s grace, never loosing our trust in Him, always fixing our eye in the sacrifice of Jesus, not in our own works. This verse is the conclusion of this chapter and highlights the supremacy of God. Paul ants us to live humble before God because everything comes from Him, not form my hard work; everything exists by his power, not by my power; and all the blessings and favor of God is intended for His glory, not mine. This entire chapter warns us of the possibility of loosing our focus in God because we place our focus on ourselves. The more God uses us and blesses us, the more we need to shine the spotlight on Him.
Application:
How easy is to loose my focus form God and place it on me! During this season of fruitfulness, I’m reminded of the importance of placing my trust in God first in all my dealings. Every single blessing I have comes because of His grace, not because my efforts. I don’t deserve his kindness. The more I recognize this basic principle in my life, the more I will see the power of God flowing in my life and ministry, because everything comes by his power.
This week I got together with Jerry and Kimberly Dirmann, a married couple that are partners in the ministry. They are pastors of a great church in Southern California called, “The Rock.” Kimberly reminded me of this principle with great passion. She told me that very often we do ministry in our own power because we stop trusting in the power of God. Many leaders end up burned out because they work hard on their own power, not in the power of God. Jerry reminded me that our Lord’s yoke is easier, and His burden is light. The first sign that we are not putting our trust in God’s grace is when we feel the weight on our shoulders. We cannot create impact with our lives and ministries on our own power. We need to depend in God;’s power. We cannot steal His glory when He uses us to advance His kingdom. We must keep trusting in His favor upon our lives and expect His power to flow freely and effectively in our lives.
Prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father, the lsat thing I want to do in my life is to do my assignment independent from your power. More than ever before, we need your power during this season. Please help me to keep my eyes fixed on you, not in my good works or success. Help me to toil and work hard trusting in your power, not mine. Show me where I’ve been distracted and change my heart. Let me give you ALL the glory to you. I don’t want to take one iota of your glory for me. Use me for your glory, and for your glory alone. Amen!
Friday, May 30, 2008
HOPE DEFERRED. By Renee Takahashi
Scripture:
Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but when the desire is fulfilled, it is a tree of life.
Proverbs 13:12
Observation:
When something that we hope for doesn’t come to pass, we become sickened at heart, we are disappointed. Disappointment is a sickness of the heart because it can surely lead to depression, discouragement, a negative attitude, and despair. It can easily take our focus off God and put it on to the situation. But we are not promised a life without hope. On the contrary, we are given the promise of God’s plan for a hope and a future for our lives. When disappointments come our way, we have to choose to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus. He does have a plan and we can trust in Him and His plan.
Application:
Keeping my eyes fixed on Jesus helps me to rest assured and to be still in His presence, even in the disappointments. Just recently, my husband’s plans to purchase a home ended up in a tangled web of letdowns. What he hoped for, what he anticipated was not the reality. It was very easy to slip into despair after all the emotions that was ramped up within the family. Yet, the Lord brought great wisdom and fore sight into what His plans are. Although they didn’t include the plans our flesh had established for the moment, I am reminded of Psalm 37:4… delight in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart… and that totally confirms the second part of the scripture for me… when the desire is fulfilled…. It doesn’t say if…. It says when! God has a plan! A plan for a hope and a future. I don’t know the plan, but I trust in Him. I don’t know when it will happen, but I trust in Him. The hope might be deferred, but it will come to pass, just as the Lord has promised. And it will be His plan, not ours! How cool is that! How will I be different today because of what I have just read? I will rejoice that everything is in His hands.
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, thank you for your words of wisdom. Thank you that you have taught me today to deal with disappointments in a manner that glorifies your name. And that is to keep my eyes focused on you! To trust in your plans for me, not in my plans for myself. Thank you that you know the desires of my heart. Thank you that I find more and more ways to delight in you every single day. You are ever present and ever near. Thank you that hope is never gone, it may just be deferred. Thank you that during the times it is deferred, that I hold on to you and I learn all that you have for me during that season. In your mighty name I pray… amen
Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but when the desire is fulfilled, it is a tree of life.
Proverbs 13:12
Observation:
When something that we hope for doesn’t come to pass, we become sickened at heart, we are disappointed. Disappointment is a sickness of the heart because it can surely lead to depression, discouragement, a negative attitude, and despair. It can easily take our focus off God and put it on to the situation. But we are not promised a life without hope. On the contrary, we are given the promise of God’s plan for a hope and a future for our lives. When disappointments come our way, we have to choose to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus. He does have a plan and we can trust in Him and His plan.
Application:
Keeping my eyes fixed on Jesus helps me to rest assured and to be still in His presence, even in the disappointments. Just recently, my husband’s plans to purchase a home ended up in a tangled web of letdowns. What he hoped for, what he anticipated was not the reality. It was very easy to slip into despair after all the emotions that was ramped up within the family. Yet, the Lord brought great wisdom and fore sight into what His plans are. Although they didn’t include the plans our flesh had established for the moment, I am reminded of Psalm 37:4… delight in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart… and that totally confirms the second part of the scripture for me… when the desire is fulfilled…. It doesn’t say if…. It says when! God has a plan! A plan for a hope and a future. I don’t know the plan, but I trust in Him. I don’t know when it will happen, but I trust in Him. The hope might be deferred, but it will come to pass, just as the Lord has promised. And it will be His plan, not ours! How cool is that! How will I be different today because of what I have just read? I will rejoice that everything is in His hands.
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, thank you for your words of wisdom. Thank you that you have taught me today to deal with disappointments in a manner that glorifies your name. And that is to keep my eyes focused on you! To trust in your plans for me, not in my plans for myself. Thank you that you know the desires of my heart. Thank you that I find more and more ways to delight in you every single day. You are ever present and ever near. Thank you that hope is never gone, it may just be deferred. Thank you that during the times it is deferred, that I hold on to you and I learn all that you have for me during that season. In your mighty name I pray… amen
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
KEEPING THE GOSPEL AS GOOD NEWS. By Pastor Fernando
Scripture:
Through Christ, God has given us the privilege and authority to tell Gentiles everywhere what God has done for them, so that they will believe and obey him, bringing glory to his name.
Romans 1:5
Observation:
We have been given authority to preach the Good News of how God reconciles people to Himself. According to Paul, this is a privilege that we cannot take lightly. The fruit of this calling is people that believe and obey God’s plan for their lives. If we take this privilege seriously, and if we are doing under the authority of God, then people will put their faith in God and they will follow His ways. Preaching the gospel is very simple! It’s about giving hope to those that are disappointed; it’s about strengthening the weak; it’s about encouraging the downcast; and it’s about bringing life to the lifeless soul.
Application:
This passage confirms the style and DNA of my sharing of the Good News. Some other well intended brothers and sisters may want to present a version of the Gospel from a perspective that highlights legalism, or that spreads fear of going to hell, or that looks down at their current condition. Such Gospel may contain the truth, but doesn’t bring good news. I want to focus my life and my style in proclaiming the love of God in His Son Jesus and how we can be reconciled with Him. I don’t want to use the few words I have the privilege to speak to people to be negative, or to accuse, or to attack other people. I want to preach the Gospel and be known more for what I stand for rather than be known for what I stand against. I want to keep the Good News as good news. And I want people to believe them and obey them not because they are afraid of negative consequences, but because they are motivated by the rich blessings they will find when yielding to it.
Prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father, please help me to focus in the blessings of the Gospel and to be a champion in preaching the Good News of how you reconcile people. Let me be known for the hope I bring to people with my preaching, not by the fire and commotion I could cause by blaming, accusing, and attacking other people’s views. Lost people in this world are more open to hope than to condemnation. So let me preach boldly your message of reconciliation in such a way that people come to you motivated not by fear, but by love and appreciation for your grace. Amen!
Through Christ, God has given us the privilege and authority to tell Gentiles everywhere what God has done for them, so that they will believe and obey him, bringing glory to his name.
Romans 1:5
Observation:
We have been given authority to preach the Good News of how God reconciles people to Himself. According to Paul, this is a privilege that we cannot take lightly. The fruit of this calling is people that believe and obey God’s plan for their lives. If we take this privilege seriously, and if we are doing under the authority of God, then people will put their faith in God and they will follow His ways. Preaching the gospel is very simple! It’s about giving hope to those that are disappointed; it’s about strengthening the weak; it’s about encouraging the downcast; and it’s about bringing life to the lifeless soul.
Application:
This passage confirms the style and DNA of my sharing of the Good News. Some other well intended brothers and sisters may want to present a version of the Gospel from a perspective that highlights legalism, or that spreads fear of going to hell, or that looks down at their current condition. Such Gospel may contain the truth, but doesn’t bring good news. I want to focus my life and my style in proclaiming the love of God in His Son Jesus and how we can be reconciled with Him. I don’t want to use the few words I have the privilege to speak to people to be negative, or to accuse, or to attack other people. I want to preach the Gospel and be known more for what I stand for rather than be known for what I stand against. I want to keep the Good News as good news. And I want people to believe them and obey them not because they are afraid of negative consequences, but because they are motivated by the rich blessings they will find when yielding to it.
Prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father, please help me to focus in the blessings of the Gospel and to be a champion in preaching the Good News of how you reconcile people. Let me be known for the hope I bring to people with my preaching, not by the fire and commotion I could cause by blaming, accusing, and attacking other people’s views. Lost people in this world are more open to hope than to condemnation. So let me preach boldly your message of reconciliation in such a way that people come to you motivated not by fear, but by love and appreciation for your grace. Amen!
Thursday, May 15, 2008
MYOB. By Renee Takahashi
Scripture:
To make it your ambition and definitely endeavor to live quietly and peacefully, to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we charged you.
1 Thessalonians 4:11 (Amplified)
Observation:
The goal is to live a life that is quiet and peaceful; minding your own affairs. In other words, not to be a busy body. Quiet not so much meaning without noise, but without clatter, without distraction. When we get into things that are not for us to get into, our lives can get chaotic. We are taking on things that weren’t assigned to us. We miss things that are. When we tend to our business, we have the anointing from God to do what it takes to do it right. The old adage “mind your own business” although was normally spoken negatively, has great truth to it!
Application:
I have been learning quickly that there is much truth to this. God forewarns us to the tendencies that come naturally for us… to help others out. There is good to that, but when our motives are not pure or not wise, we can get ourselves into a mess. Hallelujah for the Holy Spirit who directs our every step! We can lean on Him to tell us if the situation is something that we are called to participate in, or if it is a distraction from something just around the corner that the Lord has appointed us for.
How will I be different today because of what I have just read?
I will continue to seek the Holy Spirit every morning to orchestrate my day with what needs to be handled or not. I will trust Him only to determine what is my business and what is not.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, I thank you for a heart of compassion. And I thank you that I can lean on you, trust you to use that heart of compassion in a way that honors your name. Protect me from interfering or just being plain nosy and getting into things that are not affairs that you have called me to. Thank you in advance for discernment to know the difference between what is a concern and a responsibility. Lord you are Good! All the time… In Jesus mighty name… amen
To make it your ambition and definitely endeavor to live quietly and peacefully, to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we charged you.
1 Thessalonians 4:11 (Amplified)
Observation:
The goal is to live a life that is quiet and peaceful; minding your own affairs. In other words, not to be a busy body. Quiet not so much meaning without noise, but without clatter, without distraction. When we get into things that are not for us to get into, our lives can get chaotic. We are taking on things that weren’t assigned to us. We miss things that are. When we tend to our business, we have the anointing from God to do what it takes to do it right. The old adage “mind your own business” although was normally spoken negatively, has great truth to it!
Application:
I have been learning quickly that there is much truth to this. God forewarns us to the tendencies that come naturally for us… to help others out. There is good to that, but when our motives are not pure or not wise, we can get ourselves into a mess. Hallelujah for the Holy Spirit who directs our every step! We can lean on Him to tell us if the situation is something that we are called to participate in, or if it is a distraction from something just around the corner that the Lord has appointed us for.
How will I be different today because of what I have just read?
I will continue to seek the Holy Spirit every morning to orchestrate my day with what needs to be handled or not. I will trust Him only to determine what is my business and what is not.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, I thank you for a heart of compassion. And I thank you that I can lean on you, trust you to use that heart of compassion in a way that honors your name. Protect me from interfering or just being plain nosy and getting into things that are not affairs that you have called me to. Thank you in advance for discernment to know the difference between what is a concern and a responsibility. Lord you are Good! All the time… In Jesus mighty name… amen
SEEK OR FORSAKE. By Pastor Fernando
Scripture:
As for you, my son Solomon, know the God of your father, and serve Him with a whole heart and a willing mind; for the Lord searches all hearts, and understands every intend of the thoughts. If you seek Him, He will let you find Him; but if you forsake Him, He will reject you forever.
1 Chronicles 28:9
Observation:
As king David charges Solomon with the assignment of the temple building in this verse, his admonishing as a loving father comes across. More than building the temple, David exhorts his son to seek God. David is passing the baton of his royal assignment, not his personal relationship with God. Solomon has to walk on his own the path of faith. He needs to know the Lord, the God of his father, and learn how to serve him with a whole heart and a willing mind. Ministry is transferable, but intimacy with God must be a personal responsibility to cultivate and maintain.
The wonderful thing about David’s legacy is his special friendship with God. David’s heart was pure and his thoughts were absent from wickedness. He was a sinner, but his heart was not set to sin because of his constant passion for God’s presence. Passion for the Lord results in fruitful obedience. David is more concerned for the condition of his son’s heart, not for the state of the building project. He knows that if Solomon has the right heart towards God, the Lord will bless all his endeavors and the assignment will be done according to the Lord’s will.
Application:
Once again the Lord reminds me of the most important assignment in my life—to be closer to Him, to depend more on Him, and to love Him with my “whole heart” and with a “willing mind.” These last two words are crucial in order to live out my love for God. My mind must be willing to pursue the Lord, to seek His face, to have His insight, and to think like Him. My biggest struggle as both, a believer and leader, is to think according to the mind of Christ. The reason why I sin is because I’m not thinking like God. The reason why I make poor decisions is because I’m on my own, uninfluenced by the Holy Spirit. Forsaking God is more than stop attending church. Forsaking God has to do with not giving Jesus the place He deserves in our mind and in our heart. Instead of being the Master and Commander he becomes my personal Genie, my spare tire, my forgotten umbrella for rainy days.
Seeking God is to cultivate a life-regimen in which the Lord has priority over the tasks. My talents and gifts can take me so far, but the anointing that comes from intimacy with the Lord can take me to the places where miracles happen and where faith is like the air we breathe. Of course I want to have a big assignment in my life and ministry the same way Solomon had. But I want to seek God’s face above all. I want God’s friendship more than the prestige of ministry.
Prayer:
Dear Jesus, please make my mind more willing to seek your loving face above seeking your giving hands. I want intimacy above effectiveness. Prosperity and blessings will be nothing if I don’t have you. Please help my to pray more in such a way that I grow in my dependence with you. Forgive me for the many times in which a serve with half heart, more concerned about my professional reputation than my spiritual growth. Teach me how to seek your face in such a way that my ministry becomes a reflection of my friendship with you. Please Lord I need you more than anything, more than degrees, or more influence, or higher positions. I’m willing to trade my high calling for closeness to you. Give me strength and courage to walk over the places you want me to conquer. Increase my passion for you by the way I live for you. Amen.
As for you, my son Solomon, know the God of your father, and serve Him with a whole heart and a willing mind; for the Lord searches all hearts, and understands every intend of the thoughts. If you seek Him, He will let you find Him; but if you forsake Him, He will reject you forever.
1 Chronicles 28:9
Observation:
As king David charges Solomon with the assignment of the temple building in this verse, his admonishing as a loving father comes across. More than building the temple, David exhorts his son to seek God. David is passing the baton of his royal assignment, not his personal relationship with God. Solomon has to walk on his own the path of faith. He needs to know the Lord, the God of his father, and learn how to serve him with a whole heart and a willing mind. Ministry is transferable, but intimacy with God must be a personal responsibility to cultivate and maintain.
The wonderful thing about David’s legacy is his special friendship with God. David’s heart was pure and his thoughts were absent from wickedness. He was a sinner, but his heart was not set to sin because of his constant passion for God’s presence. Passion for the Lord results in fruitful obedience. David is more concerned for the condition of his son’s heart, not for the state of the building project. He knows that if Solomon has the right heart towards God, the Lord will bless all his endeavors and the assignment will be done according to the Lord’s will.
Application:
Once again the Lord reminds me of the most important assignment in my life—to be closer to Him, to depend more on Him, and to love Him with my “whole heart” and with a “willing mind.” These last two words are crucial in order to live out my love for God. My mind must be willing to pursue the Lord, to seek His face, to have His insight, and to think like Him. My biggest struggle as both, a believer and leader, is to think according to the mind of Christ. The reason why I sin is because I’m not thinking like God. The reason why I make poor decisions is because I’m on my own, uninfluenced by the Holy Spirit. Forsaking God is more than stop attending church. Forsaking God has to do with not giving Jesus the place He deserves in our mind and in our heart. Instead of being the Master and Commander he becomes my personal Genie, my spare tire, my forgotten umbrella for rainy days.
Seeking God is to cultivate a life-regimen in which the Lord has priority over the tasks. My talents and gifts can take me so far, but the anointing that comes from intimacy with the Lord can take me to the places where miracles happen and where faith is like the air we breathe. Of course I want to have a big assignment in my life and ministry the same way Solomon had. But I want to seek God’s face above all. I want God’s friendship more than the prestige of ministry.
Prayer:
Dear Jesus, please make my mind more willing to seek your loving face above seeking your giving hands. I want intimacy above effectiveness. Prosperity and blessings will be nothing if I don’t have you. Please help my to pray more in such a way that I grow in my dependence with you. Forgive me for the many times in which a serve with half heart, more concerned about my professional reputation than my spiritual growth. Teach me how to seek your face in such a way that my ministry becomes a reflection of my friendship with you. Please Lord I need you more than anything, more than degrees, or more influence, or higher positions. I’m willing to trade my high calling for closeness to you. Give me strength and courage to walk over the places you want me to conquer. Increase my passion for you by the way I live for you. Amen.
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
OVERFLOWING LOVE. By Pastor Fernando
Scripture:
And may the Lord make your love grow and overflow to each other and to everyone else, just as our love overflows toward you. As a result, Christ will make your hearts strong, blameless and holy when you stand before God our Father on that day when our Lord Jesus comes with all those who belong to Him.
1 Thessalonians 3:12-13
Observation:
What a wonderful way Paul had when praying for God’s people! He prayed with insight, according to the will of God. In this passage, Paul prays that God will make our love grow and overflow. I love the picture of that! God wants to develop a love that never becomes stagnant, but that keeps growing until overflows. Why does God want to do that? Well, Paul says that such love has a purpose - to develop strong, blameless and holy hearts that will stand before God. Such love prepares us to the end. In other words, the only thing we can take to heaven with us is the condition of our hearts. If we develop a loving heart on this side of eternity, we will carry on a strong, blameless, holy and loving heart to the other side. That’s why we need to develop loving and growing relationships until they overflow. Only in that way we can develop the heart of Jesus in our lives.
Application:
I love the way the plants in our garden keep growing and growing. I don’t do anything about it. God sends the rain and the growth happens. The result is a beautiful garden that gives God all the glory. I like to think about all my relationships as different gardens that need to be cultivated and nurtured. I want each relationship to grow and overflow with beauty. I want to plant seeds of love on this side of eternity that will germinate on the other side. I want to come to that day, when I present myself before the Lord, with a strong blameless and holy heart. I need to be intentional praying to God about this! I want my love for people to grow and overflow, meaning that my love must affect others around me. I want my love for Karen to overflow and bless others. I want my relationship with my kids to overflow and inspire others. I want my loving relationships with my family and friends to overflow and affect positively others around me. That is the kind of assignment that we all are responsible for.
Prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father, please make my love to grow and overflow so many people can give you glory as they see your Son Jesus in the way I love those around me. Build in me a strong, blameless, and holy heart. Give me grace with the people that sometimes are difficult to love, with those who offend me, mock me, or persecute me. Help me to be more like You. Amen!
And may the Lord make your love grow and overflow to each other and to everyone else, just as our love overflows toward you. As a result, Christ will make your hearts strong, blameless and holy when you stand before God our Father on that day when our Lord Jesus comes with all those who belong to Him.
1 Thessalonians 3:12-13
Observation:
What a wonderful way Paul had when praying for God’s people! He prayed with insight, according to the will of God. In this passage, Paul prays that God will make our love grow and overflow. I love the picture of that! God wants to develop a love that never becomes stagnant, but that keeps growing until overflows. Why does God want to do that? Well, Paul says that such love has a purpose - to develop strong, blameless and holy hearts that will stand before God. Such love prepares us to the end. In other words, the only thing we can take to heaven with us is the condition of our hearts. If we develop a loving heart on this side of eternity, we will carry on a strong, blameless, holy and loving heart to the other side. That’s why we need to develop loving and growing relationships until they overflow. Only in that way we can develop the heart of Jesus in our lives.
Application:
I love the way the plants in our garden keep growing and growing. I don’t do anything about it. God sends the rain and the growth happens. The result is a beautiful garden that gives God all the glory. I like to think about all my relationships as different gardens that need to be cultivated and nurtured. I want each relationship to grow and overflow with beauty. I want to plant seeds of love on this side of eternity that will germinate on the other side. I want to come to that day, when I present myself before the Lord, with a strong blameless and holy heart. I need to be intentional praying to God about this! I want my love for people to grow and overflow, meaning that my love must affect others around me. I want my love for Karen to overflow and bless others. I want my relationship with my kids to overflow and inspire others. I want my loving relationships with my family and friends to overflow and affect positively others around me. That is the kind of assignment that we all are responsible for.
Prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father, please make my love to grow and overflow so many people can give you glory as they see your Son Jesus in the way I love those around me. Build in me a strong, blameless, and holy heart. Give me grace with the people that sometimes are difficult to love, with those who offend me, mock me, or persecute me. Help me to be more like You. Amen!
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
CHANGE OF CLOTHES. By Pastor Fernando.
Scripture:
You have turned my mourning into joyful dancing. You have taken my clothes of mourning and clothed me with joy, that I might sing praises to You and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give you thanks forever!
Psalm 30:11-12
Observation:
David wrote this song to be sang at the dedication of the temple years after his death. David understood what it means to rebound from a pit of distress to a place of glory and redemption. He knows what it feels to mourn when life throws the most disappointing moments. He was ignored by his father, persecuted by his king and mentor, separated from his best friend, chastised by his family, hated by his first wife, criticized by the leaders of Israel, betrayed by his own son, taken advantage of by his friends, and attacked by many enemies. In spite of all these situations, David is able to experience change in his life. His life was full of ups and downs. More downs than ups. But when God restored his life and turned his mourning into joyful dancing, the few moments of peace and joy overwhelmed the years suffering and agony.
David here uses a powerful picture to illustrate what God does when He brings restoration--a change of clothes. Mourning clothes were dark, ragged, dusty, and shameful. Wearing those clothes were an expression in the outward of the inward pain and sorrow. David experienced God himself saying, ”Enough mourning. Time to change your clothes. Time to wear everlasting joy.“ This act of God caused David to explode in praise and worship before God with thanksgiving.
Application:
What a powerful word of hope we find in David’s psalm. We all wear mourning clothes at certain times in our life. Our pain and suffering becomes part of our lives and sometimes it seems that they are here to stay. Our spiritual closet is full of different fashion trends of mourning: Business casual mourning, aloha attire mourning, workout outfits in mourning, pajamas of mourning.... All our options seem to live in fear, agony, and pain. We learn how to cope and we become masters in handling our pain.
But God has a different plan. He wants to go through our spiritual closet and get rid of all the junk and mourning garments in our lives. His fashion trend is ”everlasting joy.“ He wants to clothe us with His joy and with restoration. However, being dressed and having someone getting our clothes requires a childlike attitude and a humble spirit. My son Daniel doesn’t want me to chose his clothes anymore. He thinks that he is old enough and independent enough to make those decisions for himself. We need to let God dress us up. We may not like what He wants us to wear... But the reality is that when we surrender to Him and to His ways, we will experience peace and joy like no other. So let’s get rid of the mourning clothes and let God dress us up with garments of joy.
Prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for turning my mourning into dancing, for giving me beauty for ashes, for restoring my heart and for healing my pain. You have clothe me with garments of joy and I want to praise you and thank you for your mercy and grace over my life and my family. This morning I pray for your church and for all those that are still wearing garments of mourning... In your mercy, clothe them with everlasting joy! Bring hope and healing into their lives. Help them to walk in the healing process with dignity, humility, and trust in your love and power. May your glory shine in their lives! Amen!
You have turned my mourning into joyful dancing. You have taken my clothes of mourning and clothed me with joy, that I might sing praises to You and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give you thanks forever!
Psalm 30:11-12
Observation:
David wrote this song to be sang at the dedication of the temple years after his death. David understood what it means to rebound from a pit of distress to a place of glory and redemption. He knows what it feels to mourn when life throws the most disappointing moments. He was ignored by his father, persecuted by his king and mentor, separated from his best friend, chastised by his family, hated by his first wife, criticized by the leaders of Israel, betrayed by his own son, taken advantage of by his friends, and attacked by many enemies. In spite of all these situations, David is able to experience change in his life. His life was full of ups and downs. More downs than ups. But when God restored his life and turned his mourning into joyful dancing, the few moments of peace and joy overwhelmed the years suffering and agony.
David here uses a powerful picture to illustrate what God does when He brings restoration--a change of clothes. Mourning clothes were dark, ragged, dusty, and shameful. Wearing those clothes were an expression in the outward of the inward pain and sorrow. David experienced God himself saying, ”Enough mourning. Time to change your clothes. Time to wear everlasting joy.“ This act of God caused David to explode in praise and worship before God with thanksgiving.
Application:
What a powerful word of hope we find in David’s psalm. We all wear mourning clothes at certain times in our life. Our pain and suffering becomes part of our lives and sometimes it seems that they are here to stay. Our spiritual closet is full of different fashion trends of mourning: Business casual mourning, aloha attire mourning, workout outfits in mourning, pajamas of mourning.... All our options seem to live in fear, agony, and pain. We learn how to cope and we become masters in handling our pain.
But God has a different plan. He wants to go through our spiritual closet and get rid of all the junk and mourning garments in our lives. His fashion trend is ”everlasting joy.“ He wants to clothe us with His joy and with restoration. However, being dressed and having someone getting our clothes requires a childlike attitude and a humble spirit. My son Daniel doesn’t want me to chose his clothes anymore. He thinks that he is old enough and independent enough to make those decisions for himself. We need to let God dress us up. We may not like what He wants us to wear... But the reality is that when we surrender to Him and to His ways, we will experience peace and joy like no other. So let’s get rid of the mourning clothes and let God dress us up with garments of joy.
Prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for turning my mourning into dancing, for giving me beauty for ashes, for restoring my heart and for healing my pain. You have clothe me with garments of joy and I want to praise you and thank you for your mercy and grace over my life and my family. This morning I pray for your church and for all those that are still wearing garments of mourning... In your mercy, clothe them with everlasting joy! Bring hope and healing into their lives. Help them to walk in the healing process with dignity, humility, and trust in your love and power. May your glory shine in their lives! Amen!
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
RESTORING COMMUNION WITH GOD. By Pastor Fernando
Scripture:
Thou are not pleased with burnt offering.
The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit;
A broken and a contrite heart, O God, Thou wilt not despise.
Psalm 51:16-17
Thou are not pleased with burnt offering.
The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit;
A broken and a contrite heart, O God, Thou wilt not despise.
Psalm 51:16-17
Observation:
David’s heart was far away from God’s ways. It's Spring Break and King David is not at war - where he should be - but he's taking naps and living in leisure in his brand new palace. That year's spring break can be called, "David Gone Wild." His lust consumes him as he watches Bathsheba taking a bath. His flesh is strong and his spirit is weak, so he commits adultery, murder, and conspiracy to cover his sinful tracks. He shut down the voice of the Spirit in his conscience, but later on, got caught under a supernatural revelation to Nathan the prophet.
David was shocked not only at the way Nathan wisely confronted him with his sin but also at the realistic evaluation of his fallen heart. That’s why he appeals to God’s grace, lovingkindness, and mercy to be forgiven and cleansed from his iniquity. He was disgusted with his stained heart and requested God to create in him a clean heart, to renew a diligent spirit to obey God’s ways, and to restore communion with the Lord’s presence.
What amazes me the most about this incident is David’s understanding of restoring communion with God. Normally the tradition was to present a guilt offering and a burnt offering to atone the sin. But for David that wasn’t enough if the heart was far away from the sacrifice. He literally came to the Lord with a broken spirit, a contrite heart, and a humble and repentant attitude.
Application:
We know that our sin damages our intimacy with God and that confession and repentance restores that relationship. But we must very careful to live that reality seriously and with the highest level of respect. We must understand that having a broken spirit is more than an apologetic attitude. It’s a lifestyle of humility before God that prompts us to distrust our human instincts and trust in the power of God to defeat temptation. Having a broken spirit is more than feeling sorry and shameful for our bad behavior. It’s a condition of complete dependence in God’s grace, mercy, and lovingkindness. It’s a state of mind where our self-sufficiency is vanishes and Christ’s work in the cross fills the smallest crack and flaw.
When we come to the Lord with a broken and contrite heart, we approach him humbled by the greatness of God’s character compared to ours. In His presence we expect not only to be treated fairly by God but also to be loved by Him. That’s why God is pleased with that attitude more than all the sacrifices we can make. The broken spirit is vulnerable to God’s love and is healed by the power of the blood poured in Calvary.
We must develop a lifestyle where our heart becomes broken and contrite when we fall. We cannot take God’s grace as a game where we sin and then we ask forgiveness lightly. We must break our hearts before God, expose its rotten condition, and allow Him to put it all together with His love and grace over us. We must value our communion with God more than anything by learning how to restore it when we sin. Probably that’s one of the reasons why God hasn’t removed the presence of sin among us. He wants us to love Him strong enough to be willing to break our hearts, to humble ourselves in His presence when buffeted by our sin, and by depending solely in His grace, not in our good efforts.
Prayer:
Dear Jesus, please forgive me for not having a broken spirit and a contrite heart at all times. Many times I tried before to please you with good works, with sacrifices, but without a heart of repentance and humility. Please grant me a clean heart that will repel the stain of sin and that will stay humble in your presence. Let your love and grace flow over me in such a way that I become speechless and unable to restore communion with you on my own efforts. Let my faith be placed in the cross alone and in the price you paid for my sin. I know that I will continue sinning in many ways. So please give me a broken spirit to come to you in a way that pleases you and that allows you to heal my brokenness. Amen.
Monday, May 5, 2008
ASKING FOR GOD'S INHERITANCE. By Pastor Fernando
Scripture:
“Only ask, and I will give you the nations as your inheritance, the ends of the earth as your possession.”
Psalm 2:8
Observation:
The Lord declares in this psalm the birthright that His children have to receive an inheritance from Him. There is no limit for God’s abundance and for what He shares with His children. He offers the nations, the ends of the earth as our possession. This world may be under the ruling of Satan, but God has declared that as we ask to Him, He will give us every square inch as our possession. We are in a crusade against not other people, but against the forces of darkness that claim dominion over what is ours. Our battle is for what our inheritance and our strategy should to be to ask God to help us conquer what the enemy has stolen from us. The problem is that we don’t ask for what it’s ours. The title of property in on our name and we cannot allow invaders to claim our possessions as theirs.
Application:
Many of our blessings are not enjoyed because we don’t ask God for them. It’s like having a wining lottery ticket on our wallet, but never enjoy its rewards because we never claim it. We need to ask our Heavenly Father for our inheritance and expect His power to deliver it to us. I can think in different areas where this can be applicable. But one specific area I want to focus today is in our influence in the ministry. There are so many corners in our community that need to be asked as our inheritance. In the spiritual realm, there are souls that need to come to the Kingdom of God and we need to ask for them. There are spiritual places that need to be redeemed and rededicated for the Lord. In the physical world, there are places that we need to secure for the advancement of the Kingdom of God. It’s our birthright as sons and daughters of the mOst High! But we will never enjoy our inheritance if we let others walk away with it, and if we neglect asking God for what is already ours.
Once again the Lord is prompting my heart to ask in faith, to dream big dreams, to enlarge my vision, and to crave my inheritance until the end of the earth. I remember when we asked the Lord for the Kahala Mall space. It took a lot of faith to take that step. We cannot stop here! There are my souls that need an encounter with the love of God and we need to bring them in to a place where God’s glory dwells. I would love for every single faithful believer to start asking for their inheritance, not out of arrogance or selfish motives, but out of conviction and faith in God’s promise and power. We need to ask more and expect more because we are entitled to much more that what we have right now.
Prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father, forgive me for not asking for my inheritance and for neglecting what you have given to me and to our church. Let me increase my faith so I can ask boldly for more and more blessing, not because I’m not satisfied with what I have, but because I need to steward more of what you have planned for me. Please give us the hearts of the people in our coomunity. Let us be a church that shines in the midst of darkness and where people can find your love, mercy and grace. Father, I ask you for our church to take a foothold in the physical realm as well in the spiritual with property of our own. Open our eyes so we can see you r plan for us. Help us to think as your children and as coheirs with Christ. Amen!
“Only ask, and I will give you the nations as your inheritance, the ends of the earth as your possession.”
Psalm 2:8
Observation:
The Lord declares in this psalm the birthright that His children have to receive an inheritance from Him. There is no limit for God’s abundance and for what He shares with His children. He offers the nations, the ends of the earth as our possession. This world may be under the ruling of Satan, but God has declared that as we ask to Him, He will give us every square inch as our possession. We are in a crusade against not other people, but against the forces of darkness that claim dominion over what is ours. Our battle is for what our inheritance and our strategy should to be to ask God to help us conquer what the enemy has stolen from us. The problem is that we don’t ask for what it’s ours. The title of property in on our name and we cannot allow invaders to claim our possessions as theirs.
Application:
Many of our blessings are not enjoyed because we don’t ask God for them. It’s like having a wining lottery ticket on our wallet, but never enjoy its rewards because we never claim it. We need to ask our Heavenly Father for our inheritance and expect His power to deliver it to us. I can think in different areas where this can be applicable. But one specific area I want to focus today is in our influence in the ministry. There are so many corners in our community that need to be asked as our inheritance. In the spiritual realm, there are souls that need to come to the Kingdom of God and we need to ask for them. There are spiritual places that need to be redeemed and rededicated for the Lord. In the physical world, there are places that we need to secure for the advancement of the Kingdom of God. It’s our birthright as sons and daughters of the mOst High! But we will never enjoy our inheritance if we let others walk away with it, and if we neglect asking God for what is already ours.
Once again the Lord is prompting my heart to ask in faith, to dream big dreams, to enlarge my vision, and to crave my inheritance until the end of the earth. I remember when we asked the Lord for the Kahala Mall space. It took a lot of faith to take that step. We cannot stop here! There are my souls that need an encounter with the love of God and we need to bring them in to a place where God’s glory dwells. I would love for every single faithful believer to start asking for their inheritance, not out of arrogance or selfish motives, but out of conviction and faith in God’s promise and power. We need to ask more and expect more because we are entitled to much more that what we have right now.
Prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father, forgive me for not asking for my inheritance and for neglecting what you have given to me and to our church. Let me increase my faith so I can ask boldly for more and more blessing, not because I’m not satisfied with what I have, but because I need to steward more of what you have planned for me. Please give us the hearts of the people in our coomunity. Let us be a church that shines in the midst of darkness and where people can find your love, mercy and grace. Father, I ask you for our church to take a foothold in the physical realm as well in the spiritual with property of our own. Open our eyes so we can see you r plan for us. Help us to think as your children and as coheirs with Christ. Amen!
GIVING GOD VETO POWER. By Renee Takahashi
Scripture:
2 Samuel 7
Observation:
This whole chapter is about David wanting to build a house for the Lord. It revealed to me a wonderful example of Godly relationships. David’s intentions were humble and good. He was living in a beautiful palace and the ark was in a tent. He must have thought, “what’s wrong with this picture?” And so he sought council and the prophet Nathan said to do what he wanted to do because the Lord was with him. The very night he spoke those words, the Lord spoke to Nathan and gave him a revelation about what the Lord’s plan was for David and his family. Two things were highlighted as I read the chapter. The first is that the prophet gave David the blessing to do his heart’s desire. Then that very same night, the word of God came to Nathan and he went straight to David and told him what God had revealed. Nathan’s pride didn’t get in the way of speaking what the Lord revealed to him. Just that day, he told David to do as he wanted to and the Lord was with him. Then the next day, he had to come back to David and share the instructions that were not what David wanted to do. This scripture revealed to me the relationship between David and Nathan. They were humble, they respected one another and ultimately, they both were open and willing to allow the Lord to veto anything without judgment upon the other. The second is that David received the words and quickly acted upon it. He too was humble not to fight against Nathan and make him feel inadequate as a prophet because just the day before, he was given the green light to proceed as he desired. Instead, upon hearing the word of God, David went before the Lord and accepted God’s plan in exchange for his own.
Application:
Although my thoughts are racing with a number of gems God has for me in this scripture, I feel led to hone in on one that is so applicable to my walk right now. Almost daily, someone will ask me about which direction to take in a certain situation. I seek God and ask how He wants me to bring the person closer to Him and for words of encouragement and direction. I am not a prophet, but I am a caring sister in Christ. Today I feel empowered to be able to share what is on my heart, but to also be very, very humble to make whatever correction the Lord may bring to me. And in times of revelation, that I would immediately convey the words of God. I must also be very, very careful whom I would give direction to because it has to be in the context of a trusted relationship. I must always be prepared to make the change, take the detour, wait the moment, whatever it is the Lord is asking me to do. And when the Lord stops what is already in motion, to be like David and praise the Lord for the promises of the eternal significance the Lord has planned.
How will I be different today because of what I have just read?
I will not be paralyzed to move as my heart leads, but be ready to obey God’s specific word.
Prayer:
Father God, thank you that you are an abundant God. There are so many things in this scripture that touched my heart but the one thing I really needed to hear was that you are faithful to keep your word to keep me in your will as I seek your face. Thank you Lord that you do not give me a spirit of fear, but of courage to do the deeds you prompt me to. I am humbled to be your servant. I love you Lord.
2 Samuel 7
Observation:
This whole chapter is about David wanting to build a house for the Lord. It revealed to me a wonderful example of Godly relationships. David’s intentions were humble and good. He was living in a beautiful palace and the ark was in a tent. He must have thought, “what’s wrong with this picture?” And so he sought council and the prophet Nathan said to do what he wanted to do because the Lord was with him. The very night he spoke those words, the Lord spoke to Nathan and gave him a revelation about what the Lord’s plan was for David and his family. Two things were highlighted as I read the chapter. The first is that the prophet gave David the blessing to do his heart’s desire. Then that very same night, the word of God came to Nathan and he went straight to David and told him what God had revealed. Nathan’s pride didn’t get in the way of speaking what the Lord revealed to him. Just that day, he told David to do as he wanted to and the Lord was with him. Then the next day, he had to come back to David and share the instructions that were not what David wanted to do. This scripture revealed to me the relationship between David and Nathan. They were humble, they respected one another and ultimately, they both were open and willing to allow the Lord to veto anything without judgment upon the other. The second is that David received the words and quickly acted upon it. He too was humble not to fight against Nathan and make him feel inadequate as a prophet because just the day before, he was given the green light to proceed as he desired. Instead, upon hearing the word of God, David went before the Lord and accepted God’s plan in exchange for his own.
Application:
Although my thoughts are racing with a number of gems God has for me in this scripture, I feel led to hone in on one that is so applicable to my walk right now. Almost daily, someone will ask me about which direction to take in a certain situation. I seek God and ask how He wants me to bring the person closer to Him and for words of encouragement and direction. I am not a prophet, but I am a caring sister in Christ. Today I feel empowered to be able to share what is on my heart, but to also be very, very humble to make whatever correction the Lord may bring to me. And in times of revelation, that I would immediately convey the words of God. I must also be very, very careful whom I would give direction to because it has to be in the context of a trusted relationship. I must always be prepared to make the change, take the detour, wait the moment, whatever it is the Lord is asking me to do. And when the Lord stops what is already in motion, to be like David and praise the Lord for the promises of the eternal significance the Lord has planned.
How will I be different today because of what I have just read?
I will not be paralyzed to move as my heart leads, but be ready to obey God’s specific word.
Prayer:
Father God, thank you that you are an abundant God. There are so many things in this scripture that touched my heart but the one thing I really needed to hear was that you are faithful to keep your word to keep me in your will as I seek your face. Thank you Lord that you do not give me a spirit of fear, but of courage to do the deeds you prompt me to. I am humbled to be your servant. I love you Lord.
Thursday, May 1, 2008
DEPENDING ON THE LORD'S GUIDANCE. By Pastor Fernando
Scripture:
Because you Levites did not carry the Ark the first time, the anger of the Lord our God burst out against us. We failed to ask God how to move it in the proper way.
1 Chronicles 15:13
Observation:
After Uzziah’s tragic death when trying to move the Ark in a new cart, David was afraid of the Lord’s anger. He had to figure things out! David found in the Scriptures Moses’ instructions and realized that even though Israel had good intentions, they moved the Ark the wrong way. He and the leaders of israel failed to ask God how to move it the proper way. David makes the corrections necessary and instead of a new cart, he gets the Levites to carry the Ark on their shoulders. Moving the Ark was a serious task and needed to be done according to God’s way. Certainly, a brand new cart is very convenient and comfortable when carrying a heavy box. The new cart represents David’s way to do things. The problem is that God’s way was different. David learned an important lesson about dependance on the Lord’s guidance for all his dealings. He learned to ask, “Ok Lord, I have my way to do things, but I want to do them your way, not mine.”
Application:
We need to depend on God on every move we take, not because we are stupid, but because God is in the driver’s seat. I need to learn to trust Him at all times. His ways are better than my ways. I need to develop an automatic dependency on God’s instructions on how to move my life and in how to move His church. Unfortunately, this dependency is not automatic, it need to be intentional every single day. I need to seek diligently in His Word what He wants me to do. It’s very important that I recognize at all times that even though I have certain gifts of discernment and wisdom, those gifts function under the presence of the Holy Spirit in my life. I cannot take the gifts and run away from God to use them. They will be worthless. Those gifts work when I’m depending on the source. I cannot be deceived and think that my gifts will be effective when moving on my own.
Prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father, thank you so much for calling me to move the Ark, to serve your people, and to guide my life in the right path. Please teach me to depend on you in every move and in every step. I need to hear your voice and your instructions to move according to your will. I don’t want to fail to ask You to move my life in the proper way. Please never let me fall in the trap that makes me think that I can move my life and ministry without you. Amen!
Because you Levites did not carry the Ark the first time, the anger of the Lord our God burst out against us. We failed to ask God how to move it in the proper way.
1 Chronicles 15:13
Observation:
After Uzziah’s tragic death when trying to move the Ark in a new cart, David was afraid of the Lord’s anger. He had to figure things out! David found in the Scriptures Moses’ instructions and realized that even though Israel had good intentions, they moved the Ark the wrong way. He and the leaders of israel failed to ask God how to move it the proper way. David makes the corrections necessary and instead of a new cart, he gets the Levites to carry the Ark on their shoulders. Moving the Ark was a serious task and needed to be done according to God’s way. Certainly, a brand new cart is very convenient and comfortable when carrying a heavy box. The new cart represents David’s way to do things. The problem is that God’s way was different. David learned an important lesson about dependance on the Lord’s guidance for all his dealings. He learned to ask, “Ok Lord, I have my way to do things, but I want to do them your way, not mine.”
Application:
We need to depend on God on every move we take, not because we are stupid, but because God is in the driver’s seat. I need to learn to trust Him at all times. His ways are better than my ways. I need to develop an automatic dependency on God’s instructions on how to move my life and in how to move His church. Unfortunately, this dependency is not automatic, it need to be intentional every single day. I need to seek diligently in His Word what He wants me to do. It’s very important that I recognize at all times that even though I have certain gifts of discernment and wisdom, those gifts function under the presence of the Holy Spirit in my life. I cannot take the gifts and run away from God to use them. They will be worthless. Those gifts work when I’m depending on the source. I cannot be deceived and think that my gifts will be effective when moving on my own.
Prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father, thank you so much for calling me to move the Ark, to serve your people, and to guide my life in the right path. Please teach me to depend on you in every move and in every step. I need to hear your voice and your instructions to move according to your will. I don’t want to fail to ask You to move my life in the proper way. Please never let me fall in the trap that makes me think that I can move my life and ministry without you. Amen!
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