Scripture:
For when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be strong in character and ready for anything.
James 1:3-4
Observation:
James starts his letter with a sense of urgency to communicate about the importance of endurance. James indicates that endurance needs to grow because it will shape our character and set us up for anything the Lord wants in our lives. When our faith is tested we have an opportunity to grow, but if our endurance is short, we will not be able to develop our character and miss the opportunity. In our lifetime we will have more opportunities to grow in character. That’s why we need to start growing in endurance, go through quitting points, and expect great rewards after we endure during difficult times. Endurance is the air the blows our character - the more endurance we grow, the more character we will develop.
Application:
This message is so important today because our microwave postmodern society demands immediacy. Character is not developed overnight and we need endurance and strength for the long haul. We cannot cut and run. We need to stay and endure in the midst of the tests of our faith. My son David has become a role model of endurance. This week we are taking an intensive neurological therapy that will help to develop his brain and overcome the effects of autism. As part of the therapy, he has to creep with chest and stomach on the ground for several minutes a day. Yesterday he did 2 hours of creeping! I couldn’t even do it for 5 minutes! The neurologist’s research indicates that as he creeps, his brain will make important connections that will result in major development on basic traits like speech. In several moments he stops to rest, or lifts up his chest, or goes sideways. Obviously he is tired. But somehow, he finds the strength to keep going and going. He doesn’t understand what will result of all the creeping, but we know that great results and growth will come in his life as he endures.
Prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for teaching me so much about endurance during this week. I don’t like the uncomfortable seasons when I go through life creeping, stomach and chest on the ground. I want to give up and go back to the familiar, even if the familiar keeps me from growing and developing more character. Please teach me to endure, to find the strength and the trust in you when my faith is tested. There are so many things I want to give up, yet they are in my life to develop more endurance. Please give me more resilience to keep creeping, to keep my face on the ground, to stay humble when my flesh wants to raise in pride, and to surrender all to you! I love you Jesus. Amen!
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Thursday, July 3, 2008
PROTECTED. By Pastor Fernando.
Scripture:
“If you want me to protect you, learn to believe what I say.”
Isaiah 7:9
Observation:
The Kings of Aram and Israel are about to invade Judah. Isaiah is called by God to prophesy upon king Ahaz about this situation and to promise His protection over him. This prophecy of protection also reveals God’s plan to rescue His people from their enemies. The sign of a virgin giving birth to Messiah was to be the sign of God’s ultimate deliverance. But just as many of God’s promises have conditions, God’s protection is directly dependent on our faith. We must trust God’s power and faithfulness. He will always do what He says!
Application:
As God’s people, we have a constant enemy lurking around, waiting for opportunities to steal, kill, and destroy. God promises our protection as long as our faith is placed in Him. There’s no need to fear when the enemy marches against us. We cannot allow hearts faint when the enemy’s attacks are being planned and put into motion. We must put our trust that our God is certain to provide reliable protection as we place our trust in Jesus. This morning I’m encouraged to put my trust in Him and to believe in the promises He has for my life. Very often I’m overwhelmed by the way the enemy comes against me and start loosing my faith. At those moments I need to press on in my convictions and believe that God is my bodyguard. He would never allow the enemy do to me something outside His perfect plan. And even if the enemy touches my life, God will always use those situations to bring great blessing into my life.
Prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father, please forgive me for the many times when I forgot your promises of protection and run from the battle field already defeated. Help me to put my trust in you completely, specially in circumstances where the odds seem all against me. When the enemy charges like a flood, I know you will repel him with your Mighty Arm. Help me to live in a way that honors you and keeps you closer to me as my protector. I don’t want to live outside of your security zone. Help me to honor you by increasing my trust in your Word and promises for my life. Amen!
“If you want me to protect you, learn to believe what I say.”
Isaiah 7:9
Observation:
The Kings of Aram and Israel are about to invade Judah. Isaiah is called by God to prophesy upon king Ahaz about this situation and to promise His protection over him. This prophecy of protection also reveals God’s plan to rescue His people from their enemies. The sign of a virgin giving birth to Messiah was to be the sign of God’s ultimate deliverance. But just as many of God’s promises have conditions, God’s protection is directly dependent on our faith. We must trust God’s power and faithfulness. He will always do what He says!
Application:
As God’s people, we have a constant enemy lurking around, waiting for opportunities to steal, kill, and destroy. God promises our protection as long as our faith is placed in Him. There’s no need to fear when the enemy marches against us. We cannot allow hearts faint when the enemy’s attacks are being planned and put into motion. We must put our trust that our God is certain to provide reliable protection as we place our trust in Jesus. This morning I’m encouraged to put my trust in Him and to believe in the promises He has for my life. Very often I’m overwhelmed by the way the enemy comes against me and start loosing my faith. At those moments I need to press on in my convictions and believe that God is my bodyguard. He would never allow the enemy do to me something outside His perfect plan. And even if the enemy touches my life, God will always use those situations to bring great blessing into my life.
Prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father, please forgive me for the many times when I forgot your promises of protection and run from the battle field already defeated. Help me to put my trust in you completely, specially in circumstances where the odds seem all against me. When the enemy charges like a flood, I know you will repel him with your Mighty Arm. Help me to live in a way that honors you and keeps you closer to me as my protector. I don’t want to live outside of your security zone. Help me to honor you by increasing my trust in your Word and promises for my life. Amen!
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
FORFEITED BLESSINGS. By Pastor Fernando.
Scripture:
Live in such a way that God’s love can bless you as you wait for the eternal life that our Lord Jesus Christ in his mercy is going to give you.
Jude 21
Observation:
Jude reveals that we can prepare our lives on this side of eternity to harvest blessing. God’s love rains upon our lives to bring unmeasurable blessings. However, if we are not careful in our choices and lifestyle, we will forfeit those blessings. It will be like putting on a canopy over our hearts that keep them dry and untouched by God’s love. His grace and mercy will continue flowing in abundance, but we may miss them because we are distracted living in such a way that God’s love cannot bless us.
Application:
Many poor choices in my life cause me to forfeit the many blessings God’s love has for me. Even though I’m very blessed, i wondered how much blessed i would be if I would make optimum choices all the time. Sometimes I live in such a way that blocks God’s blessings. I chose self-indulgence rather than discipline, or pride rather than humility. In those moments I’m loosing a great deal of God’s blessing in my life. It’s a sad reality that should motivate me to make better choices and to live in such a way that God’s love can bless me. But thank be to God, Jude also says in verse 24 that “God is able to keep us from stumbling.” The remedy is simple to understand, yet difficult to put into practice. In order to avoid forfeited blessings, we need to obey His ways. The more we do that, we will live in such a way that God’s love pours blessing after blessing in all the areas of our lives.
Prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father, please forgive me for all the forfeited blessings because of my poor choices and disobedience. Thank you for being so gracious and merciful with me. Please let me avoid any habit, compulsion, or mindset that causes me to forfeit your blessings. Reveal to me the circumstances that make me vulnerable and help me to get out from them. You are faithful to always reveal to me the emergency exit when i feel trapped in my own sin. Give me the strength and the willpower to walk in obedience before you so I can receive all the blessings that rain over my life because of your everlasting love for me. Amen!
Live in such a way that God’s love can bless you as you wait for the eternal life that our Lord Jesus Christ in his mercy is going to give you.
Jude 21
Observation:
Jude reveals that we can prepare our lives on this side of eternity to harvest blessing. God’s love rains upon our lives to bring unmeasurable blessings. However, if we are not careful in our choices and lifestyle, we will forfeit those blessings. It will be like putting on a canopy over our hearts that keep them dry and untouched by God’s love. His grace and mercy will continue flowing in abundance, but we may miss them because we are distracted living in such a way that God’s love cannot bless us.
Application:
Many poor choices in my life cause me to forfeit the many blessings God’s love has for me. Even though I’m very blessed, i wondered how much blessed i would be if I would make optimum choices all the time. Sometimes I live in such a way that blocks God’s blessings. I chose self-indulgence rather than discipline, or pride rather than humility. In those moments I’m loosing a great deal of God’s blessing in my life. It’s a sad reality that should motivate me to make better choices and to live in such a way that God’s love can bless me. But thank be to God, Jude also says in verse 24 that “God is able to keep us from stumbling.” The remedy is simple to understand, yet difficult to put into practice. In order to avoid forfeited blessings, we need to obey His ways. The more we do that, we will live in such a way that God’s love pours blessing after blessing in all the areas of our lives.
Prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father, please forgive me for all the forfeited blessings because of my poor choices and disobedience. Thank you for being so gracious and merciful with me. Please let me avoid any habit, compulsion, or mindset that causes me to forfeit your blessings. Reveal to me the circumstances that make me vulnerable and help me to get out from them. You are faithful to always reveal to me the emergency exit when i feel trapped in my own sin. Give me the strength and the willpower to walk in obedience before you so I can receive all the blessings that rain over my life because of your everlasting love for me. Amen!
GENEROUS OUTPOURING. By Pastor Fernando.
Scripture:
He saved us, not because of the good things we did, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins and gave us a new life through the Holy Spirit. He generously poured out the Spirit upon us because of what Jesus Christ our Savior did.
Titus 3:5-6
Observation:
One of the greatest benefits of the cross, besides eternal life with God, it’s the Spirit-filled life we all can experience on this side of eternity. Our God is so rich and generous that He gives out from His blessings with extravagant love. When it comes to pouring out His Spirit upon us, He wants us to experience the overwhelming intensity of His love. He wants us to be soaked and absolutely filled with His Holy Spirit. Like rivers of new life flowing and gushing from our lives, God wants to saturate our hearts and every area of our lives with His glory. Again, we don’t have to earn this blessing with good deeds. As we simply put our faith in the work of Christ in the cross, invite God’s outpouring of His Spirit, and expect the generous flow of His glory, we will continue enjoying the spirit-filled life He has promised to each one of us.
Application:
As I think of what’s coming in the next half of this year, my heart cannot stop thinking about a generous outpouring of His Spirit in our lives. I’m looking with expectation what the Holy Spirit is going to do in my own life. I know that I haven’t experience everything God has for me, and I trust that my God is rich and generous to keep pouring His Spirit in fresh and abundant ways. The flow doesn’t have to stop in my personal life. I definitely want more of the flow of the Holy Spirit in all the areas of my life. I need His fresh anointing in my devotion to God, in my marriage, in my parenting, and in my leadership. In the same way, I sense a fresh flow of the presence of the Holy Spirit in our church. This next half of the year will be glorious, not for what we have done to deserve it, but because of what Jesus has done to provide it.
Prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father, pour your Spirit in my life in a way that brings glory to your name. Remove any kind of roadblocks in my mind or in my heart that impede the free flow of your glory. Take away my fears, my insecurities, and my pride. Let your glory come freely and in abundance. Fill me completely with your love and compassion. Let your Holy Spirit produce abundant fruit in all areas of my life. The same I pray for our church. Please pour your Spirit upon your people in ways you have not done before. Let rivers of life flow to cleanse, to purge, and to anoint your people. There’s no greater blessing that your Spirit filling our lives. Fill each ministry and each leader. Let your glory of the next days be greater than the glory of the former days. Let us receive all the blessings that your sacrifice in the cross provide, specially the generous outpouring of your Spirit. Amen!
He saved us, not because of the good things we did, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins and gave us a new life through the Holy Spirit. He generously poured out the Spirit upon us because of what Jesus Christ our Savior did.
Titus 3:5-6
Observation:
One of the greatest benefits of the cross, besides eternal life with God, it’s the Spirit-filled life we all can experience on this side of eternity. Our God is so rich and generous that He gives out from His blessings with extravagant love. When it comes to pouring out His Spirit upon us, He wants us to experience the overwhelming intensity of His love. He wants us to be soaked and absolutely filled with His Holy Spirit. Like rivers of new life flowing and gushing from our lives, God wants to saturate our hearts and every area of our lives with His glory. Again, we don’t have to earn this blessing with good deeds. As we simply put our faith in the work of Christ in the cross, invite God’s outpouring of His Spirit, and expect the generous flow of His glory, we will continue enjoying the spirit-filled life He has promised to each one of us.
Application:
As I think of what’s coming in the next half of this year, my heart cannot stop thinking about a generous outpouring of His Spirit in our lives. I’m looking with expectation what the Holy Spirit is going to do in my own life. I know that I haven’t experience everything God has for me, and I trust that my God is rich and generous to keep pouring His Spirit in fresh and abundant ways. The flow doesn’t have to stop in my personal life. I definitely want more of the flow of the Holy Spirit in all the areas of my life. I need His fresh anointing in my devotion to God, in my marriage, in my parenting, and in my leadership. In the same way, I sense a fresh flow of the presence of the Holy Spirit in our church. This next half of the year will be glorious, not for what we have done to deserve it, but because of what Jesus has done to provide it.
Prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father, pour your Spirit in my life in a way that brings glory to your name. Remove any kind of roadblocks in my mind or in my heart that impede the free flow of your glory. Take away my fears, my insecurities, and my pride. Let your glory come freely and in abundance. Fill me completely with your love and compassion. Let your Holy Spirit produce abundant fruit in all areas of my life. The same I pray for our church. Please pour your Spirit upon your people in ways you have not done before. Let rivers of life flow to cleanse, to purge, and to anoint your people. There’s no greater blessing that your Spirit filling our lives. Fill each ministry and each leader. Let your glory of the next days be greater than the glory of the former days. Let us receive all the blessings that your sacrifice in the cross provide, specially the generous outpouring of your Spirit. Amen!
STOP DIVISION! By Renee Takahashi.
Scripture:
Warn a divisive person once and then warn him a second time. After that, have nothing to do with him.
Titus 3:10
Observation:
There is always order and resolution to the things of God. The Word tells us exactly what to do when we come across someone threatening the unity of the group. The thing we want is restoration within the group and also with the person. We want to correct the person and invite them to continue in the fellowship. However, if they do not receive the correction, the word strongly instructs us to have nothing to do with that person. Wow!
Application:
This exact situation is current for me right now. God’s words are direct and clear as to how it should be handled. How will I be different today because of what I have just read?
I will meet with the leadership team about the exact points that are causing division.
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, You are faithful in answering questions, giving direction, knowing the burden of my heart even before I sit before you. Thank you for your words of direction to exactly what I am facing today. I ask you Lord for discernment on words that need to be spoken to address the exact points of division. Grant me wisdom to hear the words spoken, the fears, the intentions, and to bring it back to what is truth and to make it be known what is happening within the group. Father, all of Titus 3 gives direction to things at home as well as in the ministry today. You are God! Amen
Warn a divisive person once and then warn him a second time. After that, have nothing to do with him.
Titus 3:10
Observation:
There is always order and resolution to the things of God. The Word tells us exactly what to do when we come across someone threatening the unity of the group. The thing we want is restoration within the group and also with the person. We want to correct the person and invite them to continue in the fellowship. However, if they do not receive the correction, the word strongly instructs us to have nothing to do with that person. Wow!
Application:
This exact situation is current for me right now. God’s words are direct and clear as to how it should be handled. How will I be different today because of what I have just read?
I will meet with the leadership team about the exact points that are causing division.
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, You are faithful in answering questions, giving direction, knowing the burden of my heart even before I sit before you. Thank you for your words of direction to exactly what I am facing today. I ask you Lord for discernment on words that need to be spoken to address the exact points of division. Grant me wisdom to hear the words spoken, the fears, the intentions, and to bring it back to what is truth and to make it be known what is happening within the group. Father, all of Titus 3 gives direction to things at home as well as in the ministry today. You are God! Amen
WHERE LOVE COMES FROM. By Pastor Fernando.
Scripture:
The purpose of my instruction is that Christians there would be filled with love that comes from a pure heart, a clear conscience, and a sincere faith.
1 Timothy 1:5
Observation:
Paul’s purpose to instruct people is to fill them with more love. He understood love as a result of three things: a pure heart, a clear conscience, and a sincere faith. He also believes in a triple H template for every believer: holiness, humility and honesty. As people develop each dimension, there’s an overflow of love that affects the way they live. If the greatest commandment is based in loving God and loving others, then it makes sense to find out where this love comes from and invest in practical ways to produce such kind of love.
Application:
As I walk in holiness, my heart must be consistently protected from impurities and from selfish motives. The more separated I live to honor God, the more love will grow in my heart. As I walk in humility, my conscience needs to be clear from anything that that pollutes my soul. I cannot harbor unresolved sin or unforgiveness. I need to keep my conscience clear from roadblocks and I must allow the blood of Jesus to cover all my thoughts. The clearer my conscience, the more love will sprout out of my heart. As I walk in honesty before God and men, my faith needs to be real to believe in the greatest things, even when it’s challenged by my doubts, fears, and insecurities. As my faith becomes more sincere, love will come to the surface and become more real in my daily affairs.
Prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father, please help me to fill my life with love that comes from these three places. Help me to develop a pure heart as I draw closer to you, not in religious practice, but in intimate relationship with you. Let me be holy just as you are holy. Clear my conscience and soak my thoughts with your precious blood. Don’t let me walk away from your presence with unresolved sin. Let me live in daily repentance before your throne, trusting in your grace and mercy, not in my self-suficiency. And finally, please help me to cultivate a sincere faith, to avoid all kinds of fake and religious things that mask who I really am before you. And as these three grow in my life, let me overflow with love for you and for your people in such a way that others also embrace a triple H lifestyle. Amen!
The purpose of my instruction is that Christians there would be filled with love that comes from a pure heart, a clear conscience, and a sincere faith.
1 Timothy 1:5
Observation:
Paul’s purpose to instruct people is to fill them with more love. He understood love as a result of three things: a pure heart, a clear conscience, and a sincere faith. He also believes in a triple H template for every believer: holiness, humility and honesty. As people develop each dimension, there’s an overflow of love that affects the way they live. If the greatest commandment is based in loving God and loving others, then it makes sense to find out where this love comes from and invest in practical ways to produce such kind of love.
Application:
As I walk in holiness, my heart must be consistently protected from impurities and from selfish motives. The more separated I live to honor God, the more love will grow in my heart. As I walk in humility, my conscience needs to be clear from anything that that pollutes my soul. I cannot harbor unresolved sin or unforgiveness. I need to keep my conscience clear from roadblocks and I must allow the blood of Jesus to cover all my thoughts. The clearer my conscience, the more love will sprout out of my heart. As I walk in honesty before God and men, my faith needs to be real to believe in the greatest things, even when it’s challenged by my doubts, fears, and insecurities. As my faith becomes more sincere, love will come to the surface and become more real in my daily affairs.
Prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father, please help me to fill my life with love that comes from these three places. Help me to develop a pure heart as I draw closer to you, not in religious practice, but in intimate relationship with you. Let me be holy just as you are holy. Clear my conscience and soak my thoughts with your precious blood. Don’t let me walk away from your presence with unresolved sin. Let me live in daily repentance before your throne, trusting in your grace and mercy, not in my self-suficiency. And finally, please help me to cultivate a sincere faith, to avoid all kinds of fake and religious things that mask who I really am before you. And as these three grow in my life, let me overflow with love for you and for your people in such a way that others also embrace a triple H lifestyle. Amen!
HE TRUSTS ME! By Renee Takahashi
Scripture:
Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to your care.
1 Timothy 6:20
Observation:
God trusts me! He trusts me to care for and care about people, situations, ministries, and projects, among other things. What does it mean to have something in my care? The dictionary definition is to pay serious attention to, to protect, to have charge for, make provision for, to look out for, have thought for, regard.
Application:
Wow! That’s a huge undertaking. Something that truly requires the Lord to be an integral part of. I need to clearly determine what are the things that have been entrusted to my care and to intentionally guard them. I must not be distracted by situations and things that pop up that are not entrusted to me. I must deliberately seek the Lord to always know if its truly my care, or if it’s a need that I want to fill. This scripture is confirmation to principles I have been taught about responsibility vs concern. About assignment and calling vs filling needs. About focused vs distracted. About missing the mark. During this time of transition for me, this scripture convicts me to make sure I hear from the Lord what my next step is, so I am in alignment with Him, that He will provide what I need to do it. I cannot, I will not step out of His covering.
How will I be different today because of what I have just read? I will seek the Lord for discernment about what is entrusted to me to care for and what is me taking on something to fill a “need”.
Prayer:
Father, thank you for your word this morning. Truly your word gives life. I thank you in advance for the direction you will give me in taking the next step. In directing my focus. Help me to clarify what you have entrusted into my care, and help me to guard them with the tenacity of a lion. Help me to release the situations that I may get caught up in. Let my focus be on you and not the things that are going on around me. In your mighty name I pray… amen
Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to your care.
1 Timothy 6:20
Observation:
God trusts me! He trusts me to care for and care about people, situations, ministries, and projects, among other things. What does it mean to have something in my care? The dictionary definition is to pay serious attention to, to protect, to have charge for, make provision for, to look out for, have thought for, regard.
Application:
Wow! That’s a huge undertaking. Something that truly requires the Lord to be an integral part of. I need to clearly determine what are the things that have been entrusted to my care and to intentionally guard them. I must not be distracted by situations and things that pop up that are not entrusted to me. I must deliberately seek the Lord to always know if its truly my care, or if it’s a need that I want to fill. This scripture is confirmation to principles I have been taught about responsibility vs concern. About assignment and calling vs filling needs. About focused vs distracted. About missing the mark. During this time of transition for me, this scripture convicts me to make sure I hear from the Lord what my next step is, so I am in alignment with Him, that He will provide what I need to do it. I cannot, I will not step out of His covering.
How will I be different today because of what I have just read? I will seek the Lord for discernment about what is entrusted to me to care for and what is me taking on something to fill a “need”.
Prayer:
Father, thank you for your word this morning. Truly your word gives life. I thank you in advance for the direction you will give me in taking the next step. In directing my focus. Help me to clarify what you have entrusted into my care, and help me to guard them with the tenacity of a lion. Help me to release the situations that I may get caught up in. Let my focus be on you and not the things that are going on around me. In your mighty name I pray… amen
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