Scripture:
“Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline; therefore be zealous and repent.”
Revelation 3:19
Observation:
When the Lord reproves and brings discipline into our lives, He has a clear goal in mind - to motivate our humility before Him and to develop a zeal for Him. Because my Father loves me, He will bring discipline, chastening, and consequences of poor decisions. This happens when my zeal for His ways dims away and when my pride starts to grow. But I believe that is possible to avoid the chastening and reprove of God. If we have a genuine and consistent zeal for integrity in our hearts, and if we repent often of our wrongdoing, then we will not have to be disciplined. Our Heavenly Father is righteous and He will never reprove me by mistake, or unnecessarily, or unfairly. That’s why repentance must be a common practice in my everyday life. I cannot let my zeal for righteousness to be compromised when I’m tired, or hurt, or distracted.
Application:
God’s discipline over my life comes because God’s love for me is real. He says, “I love you Fernando. I accept you the way you are, but love you too much to leave you that way. For that reason, you will suffer the consequences of your poor decisions and sinful habits. I reprove you because I want to humble you. I want to break you, so I can make you according to my plan.”
Nobody likes to be disciplined, but it is necessary. That’s why humility and repentance are so important. However, we can confess and repent all day long; but if we don’t change our wrongdoings, God will take us by the hand, in His love and grace, to places where our impurities will be removed with His consuming fire. As we endure His discipline, we will be renewed and we will become more like HIm.
In our Christian walk we will experience great victories over some areas of our lives, but defeat in others. Our flesh becomes addicted to wrongdoing and by default we continue to fall. When that happens, and we realize about our sin, it’s already too late! At those moments we must trust the Lord, repent before Him, and walk willingly to the altar of sacrifice and face the consuming fire of His love. The more I walk that way before God, the greater my zeal for integrity will be.
Prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father, please forgive me not just for my sinful habits, but also for avoiding the consuming fire of your love. Please help me to submit to your ways and walk in the integrity of my heart. I’m trying to control my flesh and be more aware of my compulsions before sin happens. I need you more of You in my heart. Teach me how to develop a consistent zeal for your righteousness, for the truth, and for purity. I don’t want to embrace the father of lies, but I want to be truthful like you. Humble me as I walk in the loving discipline you bring into my life. Amen!
Friday, August 29, 2008
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
NO BREACHED WALLS. By Pastor Fernando.
Scripture:
...May there be no breached walls, no forced exile, no cries of distress in our squares...
Psalm 144:14
Observation:
The tragedy of Hurricane Katrina over the city of New Orleans in 2005 has become one of the saddest stories of natural disaster in American history, especially because it could have been prevented. The enormous water pressure breached some sections of the levees of the city. The consequent flood took many lives, left thousands of people without homes, forced an exile to neighboring cities, and spawned a multi-state wide crisis. Before this tragedy happened, engineers and experts warned about the critical condition of the levees. Unfortunately, officials responsible for their maintenance did not wanted to pay the price of the repairs. Nobody paid serious attention to the cracks on the wall, and when the catastrophe occurred, the price to pay was exponentially higher than the repairs.
In ancient times, city walls were the last line of protection against enemies and invaders. A breached wall was a sign of vulnerability and an invitation for the enemy to come to teal, kill and destroy. Rulers and citizens paid close attention to the condition of the walls. It was a priority for their lives.
Application:
In our own lives we have a real enemy that wants to bring disaster and chaos. We live in a world that constantly puts huge amount of pressure against our hearts. The wear and tear of this battle will eventually cause some damage, small cracks, that need to be repaired immediately. There is a window of opportunity to fix these cracks. And if we procrastinate in the repairs, our lives will become easy targets for the enemy and vulnerable to the constant pressures of this world. The consequences of neglected cracks will be devastating. Disaster will come unannounced. The cost of a repaired crack will always be small compared to the cost of a breached wall.
We need to pay attention to the kind voice of the Holy Spirit who will reveal and make us aware of certain cracks in the walls of our hearts: unforgiveness, unresolved sin, stubbornness, pride, etc. These cracks will not repair by themselves. We need to patch them up and reinforce the walls with sincere repentance and with the powerful blood of Jesus. We can avoid future pain and unnecessary devastating consequences by the diligent measures we take today.
Prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father, let’s have an inspection together to the levees in my heart. Show me the cracks that could become an open invitation for the enemy to come to steal, kill, and destroy. Let me put my trust in the power of your blood to make my life safe from the pressures of this world and the attacks of the enemy. I need you Lord to stay sharp and to maintain solid foundations and strong walls in my life. Let me forgive those who constantly offend me and forgive me for the many trespasses that weaken my walls. May there no breached walls in my life, in our home, and in our church. Amen!
...May there be no breached walls, no forced exile, no cries of distress in our squares...
Psalm 144:14
Observation:
The tragedy of Hurricane Katrina over the city of New Orleans in 2005 has become one of the saddest stories of natural disaster in American history, especially because it could have been prevented. The enormous water pressure breached some sections of the levees of the city. The consequent flood took many lives, left thousands of people without homes, forced an exile to neighboring cities, and spawned a multi-state wide crisis. Before this tragedy happened, engineers and experts warned about the critical condition of the levees. Unfortunately, officials responsible for their maintenance did not wanted to pay the price of the repairs. Nobody paid serious attention to the cracks on the wall, and when the catastrophe occurred, the price to pay was exponentially higher than the repairs.
In ancient times, city walls were the last line of protection against enemies and invaders. A breached wall was a sign of vulnerability and an invitation for the enemy to come to teal, kill and destroy. Rulers and citizens paid close attention to the condition of the walls. It was a priority for their lives.
Application:
In our own lives we have a real enemy that wants to bring disaster and chaos. We live in a world that constantly puts huge amount of pressure against our hearts. The wear and tear of this battle will eventually cause some damage, small cracks, that need to be repaired immediately. There is a window of opportunity to fix these cracks. And if we procrastinate in the repairs, our lives will become easy targets for the enemy and vulnerable to the constant pressures of this world. The consequences of neglected cracks will be devastating. Disaster will come unannounced. The cost of a repaired crack will always be small compared to the cost of a breached wall.
We need to pay attention to the kind voice of the Holy Spirit who will reveal and make us aware of certain cracks in the walls of our hearts: unforgiveness, unresolved sin, stubbornness, pride, etc. These cracks will not repair by themselves. We need to patch them up and reinforce the walls with sincere repentance and with the powerful blood of Jesus. We can avoid future pain and unnecessary devastating consequences by the diligent measures we take today.
Prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father, let’s have an inspection together to the levees in my heart. Show me the cracks that could become an open invitation for the enemy to come to steal, kill, and destroy. Let me put my trust in the power of your blood to make my life safe from the pressures of this world and the attacks of the enemy. I need you Lord to stay sharp and to maintain solid foundations and strong walls in my life. Let me forgive those who constantly offend me and forgive me for the many trespasses that weaken my walls. May there no breached walls in my life, in our home, and in our church. Amen!
THE SHEPHERD'S RESPONSIBILITY. By Pastor Fernando.
Scripture:
“My people have been lost sheep. Their shepherds have led them stray and turned them loose in the mountains. They have lost their way and cannot remember how to get back to the fold. All who found them devour them...“
Jeremiah 50:6-7
Observation:
The Lord reveals to Jeremiah that His people are so far away from Him because the shepherds of Israel did not do their job. They became more preoccupied in keeping their positions of privilege rather than in feeding the people with the truth of the Lord. The shepherds of Israel were responsible for the spiritual condition of the people, and when the people turned form God, it was a direct reflection of the performance of the shepherds.
Application:
Israel had plenty leaders, but not many shepherds. and those who took their responsibility seriously to feed the people, were mocked, even killed. We can have a lot of leadership in our lives and still walk away from God if there is no shepherding. This morning I’m reminded of the importance to be a shepherd that leads, not a leader that tries to shepherd. My calling from God was to feed the lambs, the sheep, the flock that God has entrusted me. If I fail them as a shepherd, their spiritual condition will be a reflection of my failure, they will suffer unnecessary consequences, and eventually, I will be at fault. For that reason, I need to keep my heart of a shepherd sharp at all times. I may make many mistakes as a leader, but I cannot fail as a shepherd.
Prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for calling my to shepherd your people. I want to take my call seriously because the spiritual condition of many people are at stake here. Your people deserves the best, loving, God fearing shepherds. Please use me to feed your people well, so they are strong in difficult seasons. Help me to instruct them to build a solid foundation in their lives. And bring shepherds to our team that serve with that kind of heart. Not people like Diotrephes, who loves to be a leader, according to 3 John 9. But people like Your Son Jesus, who showed us how to serve and love the flock. Amen!
“My people have been lost sheep. Their shepherds have led them stray and turned them loose in the mountains. They have lost their way and cannot remember how to get back to the fold. All who found them devour them...“
Jeremiah 50:6-7
Observation:
The Lord reveals to Jeremiah that His people are so far away from Him because the shepherds of Israel did not do their job. They became more preoccupied in keeping their positions of privilege rather than in feeding the people with the truth of the Lord. The shepherds of Israel were responsible for the spiritual condition of the people, and when the people turned form God, it was a direct reflection of the performance of the shepherds.
Application:
Israel had plenty leaders, but not many shepherds. and those who took their responsibility seriously to feed the people, were mocked, even killed. We can have a lot of leadership in our lives and still walk away from God if there is no shepherding. This morning I’m reminded of the importance to be a shepherd that leads, not a leader that tries to shepherd. My calling from God was to feed the lambs, the sheep, the flock that God has entrusted me. If I fail them as a shepherd, their spiritual condition will be a reflection of my failure, they will suffer unnecessary consequences, and eventually, I will be at fault. For that reason, I need to keep my heart of a shepherd sharp at all times. I may make many mistakes as a leader, but I cannot fail as a shepherd.
Prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for calling my to shepherd your people. I want to take my call seriously because the spiritual condition of many people are at stake here. Your people deserves the best, loving, God fearing shepherds. Please use me to feed your people well, so they are strong in difficult seasons. Help me to instruct them to build a solid foundation in their lives. And bring shepherds to our team that serve with that kind of heart. Not people like Diotrephes, who loves to be a leader, according to 3 John 9. But people like Your Son Jesus, who showed us how to serve and love the flock. Amen!
THE WILL OF THIS WORLD VS. THE WILL OF THE LORD. By Pastor Fernando.
Scripture:
Stop loving this evil world and all that it offers you, for when you love the world, you show that you don’t have the love of the Father in you. For the world offers only the lust for physical pleasure, the lust for everything we see, and pride in our possessions. These are not from the Father. They are form this evil world. And this world is fading away, along with everything it craves. But the if you do the will of God, you will live forever.
1 John 2:15-17
Observation:
The battle of the ages is not lived in iraq or in Georgia. It’s fought right in our hearts between the will of this evil world and the will of the Lord. This world entices our hearts with a triad of pleasures: lust for the physical pleasure, lust for the things we see, and pride in our possessions. The will of God calls for righteousness and obedience to His ways. This battle is constant i and every day these two forces will collide for ownership of our soul. The amazing thing is that our hearts give the advantage to either one. JOhn is very clear about this. Loving this world and its pleasures will steal our life away. All these pleasures are momentary. But Loving the will of God will give us life everlasting. The pleasures God offers are unending.
Application:
Choosing the will of God over the will of this world is easier said than done. Daily we have opportunities to crave the things of this world, to respond to the lust of our hearts, to envy what others have, and to be prideful when we obtain them. This three areas show three important indicators of how well are we following the will of God: sexual purity, contentment, materialism. If we are failing any of these three tests, we must recalibrate our hearts and chose to follow God’s will. Is God’s presence shining so brightly in my heart that my sexual life and thoughts can remain with Him? Am I satisfied with the things i Have, or do I continually crave and envy the things that others have? Does my material possessions make me feel better about myself, or do I need to possess something in order to feel better? The answer to those questions will determine who is winning the battle in my heart.
Prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father, please let me be an ally and supporter of your will as the battle for my soul intensifies against this evil world. Let me give you the advantage as I chose to obey you and to follow your ways. May my moral life be always acceptable in your presence. Grant me courage to refuse immoral thoughts in my mind and immoral actions with my body. Help me to be constant and thankful with all the blessings you provide for my life. And teach me how to have a simple life and to find my joy in following your ways. Amen!
Stop loving this evil world and all that it offers you, for when you love the world, you show that you don’t have the love of the Father in you. For the world offers only the lust for physical pleasure, the lust for everything we see, and pride in our possessions. These are not from the Father. They are form this evil world. And this world is fading away, along with everything it craves. But the if you do the will of God, you will live forever.
1 John 2:15-17
Observation:
The battle of the ages is not lived in iraq or in Georgia. It’s fought right in our hearts between the will of this evil world and the will of the Lord. This world entices our hearts with a triad of pleasures: lust for the physical pleasure, lust for the things we see, and pride in our possessions. The will of God calls for righteousness and obedience to His ways. This battle is constant i and every day these two forces will collide for ownership of our soul. The amazing thing is that our hearts give the advantage to either one. JOhn is very clear about this. Loving this world and its pleasures will steal our life away. All these pleasures are momentary. But Loving the will of God will give us life everlasting. The pleasures God offers are unending.
Application:
Choosing the will of God over the will of this world is easier said than done. Daily we have opportunities to crave the things of this world, to respond to the lust of our hearts, to envy what others have, and to be prideful when we obtain them. This three areas show three important indicators of how well are we following the will of God: sexual purity, contentment, materialism. If we are failing any of these three tests, we must recalibrate our hearts and chose to follow God’s will. Is God’s presence shining so brightly in my heart that my sexual life and thoughts can remain with Him? Am I satisfied with the things i Have, or do I continually crave and envy the things that others have? Does my material possessions make me feel better about myself, or do I need to possess something in order to feel better? The answer to those questions will determine who is winning the battle in my heart.
Prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father, please let me be an ally and supporter of your will as the battle for my soul intensifies against this evil world. Let me give you the advantage as I chose to obey you and to follow your ways. May my moral life be always acceptable in your presence. Grant me courage to refuse immoral thoughts in my mind and immoral actions with my body. Help me to be constant and thankful with all the blessings you provide for my life. And teach me how to have a simple life and to find my joy in following your ways. Amen!
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
DEALING WITH UNRESOLVED SIN. By Pastor Fernando
Scripture:
If we say we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and refusing to accept the truth. But if we confess our sins to Him, He is faithful and just to forgive us and to cleanse us from every wrong.
1 John 1:8-9
Observation:
John reminds people about the reality of sin in those who walk with the Lord. “God is light and there is no darkness in Him” means that those who have fellowship with God cannot be in darkness because God’s presence in them, even if is like a small candle, will illuminate their lives and dissipate darkness. The problem is when a Christian sins and they fool themselves about it by making excuses, by rationalizing it, or by making it right and acceptable before God. When a believer sins, there’s only two options: to embrace the sin or to confess it and repent before God. If they choose the first option, they are fooling themselves if they think that they live in fellowship with God. If they choose the second option, God’s presence will bring forgiveness and restoration so that person can keep walking in the light of God’s truth.
Application:
As I have the opportunity to lead people in their walk with Christ, I expect that sooner or later each believer will face their compulsions and nature of sin as they walk with the Lord and fall. We all are sinners. But if we choose confession and humility before God, we will become sinners with hope. Unfortunately, there are many brothers and sisters that are so entangled in their sin that they choose to embrace it. The great majority think that God is still with them as they walk in a sinful lifestyle. They misunderstand God’s grace. In the prodigal son story, the Father doesn’t go after son to provide his light of blessing and protection. The father, brokenhearted, lets the prodigal go away. He only waits for his son to come to his senses and to comeback to the house where he can find light and shelter. My heart breaks for brothers and sisters that live in denial, that choose to embrace their sin, and that end up fooling themselves as they refuse to accept the truth. In my personal life, I need to deal with unresolved sin as quick as I can. I need to return to my father in humility with sincere confession and determined repentance. Also, I need to help people to come to their senses, to stop fooling themselves, to confront them with the truth in love, and to expect the best out of them.
Prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father, please let me come to you with a repentant heart as I fall in my walk with you. I stumble over and over and I need your mercy and grace. I don’t want to excuse, rationalize, or cover up my sin. Let me be always quick to deal with unresolved sin. In the same way, please help me to guide people into the truth. Father, I pray for the many brothers and sisters that are living right now in deception, embracing their sin, and walking away from the truth and the light of your love. I wish I could go after them. But I need to follow your example and wait for them. I must expect the very best out of the worse people. Please set them free from their deception, help them to remember your love and grace, and prepare our hearts as they return to your home to enjoy fellowship with you. Amen!
If we say we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and refusing to accept the truth. But if we confess our sins to Him, He is faithful and just to forgive us and to cleanse us from every wrong.
1 John 1:8-9
Observation:
John reminds people about the reality of sin in those who walk with the Lord. “God is light and there is no darkness in Him” means that those who have fellowship with God cannot be in darkness because God’s presence in them, even if is like a small candle, will illuminate their lives and dissipate darkness. The problem is when a Christian sins and they fool themselves about it by making excuses, by rationalizing it, or by making it right and acceptable before God. When a believer sins, there’s only two options: to embrace the sin or to confess it and repent before God. If they choose the first option, they are fooling themselves if they think that they live in fellowship with God. If they choose the second option, God’s presence will bring forgiveness and restoration so that person can keep walking in the light of God’s truth.
Application:
As I have the opportunity to lead people in their walk with Christ, I expect that sooner or later each believer will face their compulsions and nature of sin as they walk with the Lord and fall. We all are sinners. But if we choose confession and humility before God, we will become sinners with hope. Unfortunately, there are many brothers and sisters that are so entangled in their sin that they choose to embrace it. The great majority think that God is still with them as they walk in a sinful lifestyle. They misunderstand God’s grace. In the prodigal son story, the Father doesn’t go after son to provide his light of blessing and protection. The father, brokenhearted, lets the prodigal go away. He only waits for his son to come to his senses and to comeback to the house where he can find light and shelter. My heart breaks for brothers and sisters that live in denial, that choose to embrace their sin, and that end up fooling themselves as they refuse to accept the truth. In my personal life, I need to deal with unresolved sin as quick as I can. I need to return to my father in humility with sincere confession and determined repentance. Also, I need to help people to come to their senses, to stop fooling themselves, to confront them with the truth in love, and to expect the best out of them.
Prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father, please let me come to you with a repentant heart as I fall in my walk with you. I stumble over and over and I need your mercy and grace. I don’t want to excuse, rationalize, or cover up my sin. Let me be always quick to deal with unresolved sin. In the same way, please help me to guide people into the truth. Father, I pray for the many brothers and sisters that are living right now in deception, embracing their sin, and walking away from the truth and the light of your love. I wish I could go after them. But I need to follow your example and wait for them. I must expect the very best out of the worse people. Please set them free from their deception, help them to remember your love and grace, and prepare our hearts as they return to your home to enjoy fellowship with you. Amen!
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
KEEP ON SEARCHING. By Pastor Fernando.
Scripture:
Search for the Lord and for His strength , and keep on searching.
Psalm 105:4
Observation:
This verse reminds me of the importance of dependence on God on a daily basis for all areas in our lives. The point of the Psalmist here is to recognize God’s faithfulness to provide His strength every single time His people searched for Him. God is worthy to be trusted because He delivers 100% of the time. The best illustration I can think of about how me dependency on God works is with my appetite. My wife usually asks me if I’m hungry and my reply every time is, “Honey, I’m always hungry.” Right after I have a great breakfast, a couple hours later, my body starts craving for the next meal. My body depends on my brain to motivate my for the action of eating. This happens every single day, several times a day. The same is with God. There are times where I search for his strength, and He will give me enough to get by. But as i keep going in lie, I will need more of that strength because there is a relationship of dependency from me on God. I need His strength for breakfast, for lunch and for dinner every single day of my life.
Application:
Very often I will search the Lord for strength and he will answer my prayer. But life has a way to suck it all up. God gives me enough to get buy so I can go back to Him for more and build intimacy and dependency with Him. That’s why I need to be mindful of keeping on searching for His strength in my life. My body cannot consume on one meal the nutrients for an entire month. In the same way I cannot pretend that one moment of sustain from the Lord will carry me on forever. He is faithful to give me my daily bread. He wants daily encounters. He wants daily mercies. he wants to be my provider of strength at a daily basis. For that reason I must keep on searching for His strength in my life, because those who search diligently and daily will find what they are looking for.
Prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father, let everything that happens in my life bring glory to your name. Let me develop and internalize this dependence on your strength in my life. I don’t want to depend on one good meal of your strength to carry me on for several weeks. i want my daily bread and my daily portion of strength to deal wisely and victoriously with all the issues in my life. I love you Lord. Amen!
Search for the Lord and for His strength , and keep on searching.
Psalm 105:4
Observation:
This verse reminds me of the importance of dependence on God on a daily basis for all areas in our lives. The point of the Psalmist here is to recognize God’s faithfulness to provide His strength every single time His people searched for Him. God is worthy to be trusted because He delivers 100% of the time. The best illustration I can think of about how me dependency on God works is with my appetite. My wife usually asks me if I’m hungry and my reply every time is, “Honey, I’m always hungry.” Right after I have a great breakfast, a couple hours later, my body starts craving for the next meal. My body depends on my brain to motivate my for the action of eating. This happens every single day, several times a day. The same is with God. There are times where I search for his strength, and He will give me enough to get by. But as i keep going in lie, I will need more of that strength because there is a relationship of dependency from me on God. I need His strength for breakfast, for lunch and for dinner every single day of my life.
Application:
Very often I will search the Lord for strength and he will answer my prayer. But life has a way to suck it all up. God gives me enough to get buy so I can go back to Him for more and build intimacy and dependency with Him. That’s why I need to be mindful of keeping on searching for His strength in my life. My body cannot consume on one meal the nutrients for an entire month. In the same way I cannot pretend that one moment of sustain from the Lord will carry me on forever. He is faithful to give me my daily bread. He wants daily encounters. He wants daily mercies. he wants to be my provider of strength at a daily basis. For that reason I must keep on searching for His strength in my life, because those who search diligently and daily will find what they are looking for.
Prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father, let everything that happens in my life bring glory to your name. Let me develop and internalize this dependence on your strength in my life. I don’t want to depend on one good meal of your strength to carry me on for several weeks. i want my daily bread and my daily portion of strength to deal wisely and victoriously with all the issues in my life. I love you Lord. Amen!
A RELENTLESS POTTER. By Pastor Fernando
Scripture:
So I did as He told me and found the potter at his wheel. But the jar he was making did not turn out as he had hoped, so the potter squashed the jar into a lump of clay and started again.
Jeremiah 18:3-4
Observation:
This passage is an amazing picture of God’s resilient grace and mercy. He never gives up working on His people. He doesn’t get weary when their hearts don’t turn as He wants. He simply starts again, from scratch, caring for His people until the clay is moldable in his hands and becomes the product that He always intended. He is a relentless potter. He will not give up until His is perfected. God is not impatient. He is not in a hurry. He knows what He wants and He will be persistent working and molding our hearts until He likes what comes out.
Application:
I don’t know where would I be if God wasn’t a relentless potter. Many times my clay was not workable and He had to squash me to start all over again. This has happened several times as He molds my character, as he builds my ministry, and even as He helps me to be a better husband, father, and friend. God will never give up on me, even if He has to start all over again in my life. I should learn more from Him. Deep inside I know that I’m not a relentless potter.
My tendency is to give up when I fail. If the jar is not turning right, I would become impatient, probably throw away the clay, and move from pottery into gardening, or something else. When I help people to develop the character of Jesus and to grow in their personal relationship with God, very often the clay of their hearts will not turn as I had hoped. To start all over again requires too much compassion and grace. That’s where I need more of the character of Jesus in my life. I need to become more relentless in the mist of failure. Disaster doesn’t come when we fail, but when we give up. I don’t want to give up on people. I want to be willing and patient enough to start all over again if necessary until the final product looks like what God has intended.
Prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for encouraging me to don’t give up on people and to believe the very best even in the worse of individuals. Let the clay of my heart be moldable in your hands. Do in my life whatever needs o be done so I can glorify your name. Squash me and start over again when I fail to turn in your desire. And let me learn form you as I get involved in the formation of others. Give me the patience to strat all over again, if necessary, until they become according to your design. Amen!
So I did as He told me and found the potter at his wheel. But the jar he was making did not turn out as he had hoped, so the potter squashed the jar into a lump of clay and started again.
Jeremiah 18:3-4
Observation:
This passage is an amazing picture of God’s resilient grace and mercy. He never gives up working on His people. He doesn’t get weary when their hearts don’t turn as He wants. He simply starts again, from scratch, caring for His people until the clay is moldable in his hands and becomes the product that He always intended. He is a relentless potter. He will not give up until His is perfected. God is not impatient. He is not in a hurry. He knows what He wants and He will be persistent working and molding our hearts until He likes what comes out.
Application:
I don’t know where would I be if God wasn’t a relentless potter. Many times my clay was not workable and He had to squash me to start all over again. This has happened several times as He molds my character, as he builds my ministry, and even as He helps me to be a better husband, father, and friend. God will never give up on me, even if He has to start all over again in my life. I should learn more from Him. Deep inside I know that I’m not a relentless potter.
My tendency is to give up when I fail. If the jar is not turning right, I would become impatient, probably throw away the clay, and move from pottery into gardening, or something else. When I help people to develop the character of Jesus and to grow in their personal relationship with God, very often the clay of their hearts will not turn as I had hoped. To start all over again requires too much compassion and grace. That’s where I need more of the character of Jesus in my life. I need to become more relentless in the mist of failure. Disaster doesn’t come when we fail, but when we give up. I don’t want to give up on people. I want to be willing and patient enough to start all over again if necessary until the final product looks like what God has intended.
Prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for encouraging me to don’t give up on people and to believe the very best even in the worse of individuals. Let the clay of my heart be moldable in your hands. Do in my life whatever needs o be done so I can glorify your name. Squash me and start over again when I fail to turn in your desire. And let me learn form you as I get involved in the formation of others. Give me the patience to strat all over again, if necessary, until they become according to your design. Amen!
Thursday, August 14, 2008
A RELENTLESS SHEPHERD. By Pastor Fernando
Scripture:
Lord, I have not abandoned my job as a shepherd for your people. I have not urged you to send disaster. It is your message I have given them, not my own. Jeremiah 17:16
Observation:
Jeremiah faithfully delivers the messages from God to the people of Jerusalem and seriously takes his call to be a shepherd for the people of God. However, the leaders mock him and the people don’t listen to him. His character is constantly judged, his relationship with God is scoffed, and his reputation is destroyed. From all angles, Jeremiah’s life is overwhelmed with sorrow. He is desperate before God and vents his frustration to the Lord. But he remains faithful to his call from God. he is a relentless shepherd that will not walk away from his assignment. He is not a hireling that runs away when things get tough.
Application:
I wish shepherding God’s people was an assignment free from obstacles and difficulties. The rewards of serving God’s people are countless and valuable. But there are times where our character is misjudged, intentions are misinterpreted, performance is criticized gracelessly, and mistakes are not forgotten easily. People will do and say terrible things to shepherds and if they don’t have a tough layer of skin, they will certainly be hurt and probably to the point of abandoning their call. I already lost count of people that started as good shepherds and now are MIA because of the brutal attacks against them. I’m not immune to this kind of persecution. For that reason, I need to have my call firmly strapped to my heart. If my conscience is clear and clean about my efforts in shepherding God’s people, then I should be strong enough to withhold any kind of storm and attack. I must never forget that some sheep are wounded and they will kick and ram the shepherds. And a good shepherd will not kill the sheep for that. He always finds away to help the sheep because he knows that Jesus, the Good Shepherd, will take care of the other shepherds that serve His purposes.
Prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for reminding me about the realities of shepherding your people. As scared and wounded sheep kick me and ram me over, help me to live above the attacks and to remain faithful and relentless in my calling. Prepare my heart for the upcoming criticisms, misunderstandings, misrepresentations and complaints against me. Please give me the strength to always remain faithful and to never cut and run from your assignment in my life. Amen!
Lord, I have not abandoned my job as a shepherd for your people. I have not urged you to send disaster. It is your message I have given them, not my own. Jeremiah 17:16
Observation:
Jeremiah faithfully delivers the messages from God to the people of Jerusalem and seriously takes his call to be a shepherd for the people of God. However, the leaders mock him and the people don’t listen to him. His character is constantly judged, his relationship with God is scoffed, and his reputation is destroyed. From all angles, Jeremiah’s life is overwhelmed with sorrow. He is desperate before God and vents his frustration to the Lord. But he remains faithful to his call from God. he is a relentless shepherd that will not walk away from his assignment. He is not a hireling that runs away when things get tough.
Application:
I wish shepherding God’s people was an assignment free from obstacles and difficulties. The rewards of serving God’s people are countless and valuable. But there are times where our character is misjudged, intentions are misinterpreted, performance is criticized gracelessly, and mistakes are not forgotten easily. People will do and say terrible things to shepherds and if they don’t have a tough layer of skin, they will certainly be hurt and probably to the point of abandoning their call. I already lost count of people that started as good shepherds and now are MIA because of the brutal attacks against them. I’m not immune to this kind of persecution. For that reason, I need to have my call firmly strapped to my heart. If my conscience is clear and clean about my efforts in shepherding God’s people, then I should be strong enough to withhold any kind of storm and attack. I must never forget that some sheep are wounded and they will kick and ram the shepherds. And a good shepherd will not kill the sheep for that. He always finds away to help the sheep because he knows that Jesus, the Good Shepherd, will take care of the other shepherds that serve His purposes.
Prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for reminding me about the realities of shepherding your people. As scared and wounded sheep kick me and ram me over, help me to live above the attacks and to remain faithful and relentless in my calling. Prepare my heart for the upcoming criticisms, misunderstandings, misrepresentations and complaints against me. Please give me the strength to always remain faithful and to never cut and run from your assignment in my life. Amen!
THE GIFT OF PEACE. By Pastor Fernando
Scripture:
“I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.” John 14:27
Observation:
Jesus is about to walk into the Garden of Getsemane when he spoke these words. He talks about giving us peace as a gift right before the most terrifying moment of His life. This is important to understand because “peace” is one of the most misunderstood blessings we have. Jesus left us with peace of mind and heart. This means that we don’t have to make worse-case scenarios in our mind when going through a situation. We can focus in the best-case scenarios and believe in the power of God to work in our lives. It also means that in our heart we can suppress unhealthy emotions and release healthy ones. When we are going through a difficulty, our emotions will determine our attitude facing that situation. Jesus says that He has giving us a peace that will prevent us form being troubled or afraid. Yet, this passage is all in the context of receiving the Holy Spirit. This peace is a gift that the Holy Spirit brings with His presence and glory.
Application:
When Jesus walks into the Garden where Judas would give him away, He was terrified and afraid. This is the beginning of a series of sufferings and trials that will end up in his crucifixion. Is He being a good example of putting this gift of peace into practice? If Jesus is truly give away this peace, why he walks into the Garden without it? Well, first of all, Jesus reveals that He shares fully our humanity. In spite of all the blessings we have in God, our human nature will respond naturally with fear when facing a difficulty. The peace of God doesn’t make us immune to the troubles of this world. We will be troubled and afraid. But the peace of God saves us form staying that way. Jesus did not remain troubled and afraid all the way to the cross. His fears and troubles where left at the garden as He walks into the hands of His assassins with peace in His mind and His heart.
Prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for helping me to understand the peace you give me as a gift. Thank you for being so generous and for allowing me to see how your peace is supposed to work in my human nature. Please help me to get rid of my troubles and fears as your peace floods my mind and heart. Let me walk full of your Spirit as I face situations where I normally become troubled and afraid. Amen!
“I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.” John 14:27
Observation:
Jesus is about to walk into the Garden of Getsemane when he spoke these words. He talks about giving us peace as a gift right before the most terrifying moment of His life. This is important to understand because “peace” is one of the most misunderstood blessings we have. Jesus left us with peace of mind and heart. This means that we don’t have to make worse-case scenarios in our mind when going through a situation. We can focus in the best-case scenarios and believe in the power of God to work in our lives. It also means that in our heart we can suppress unhealthy emotions and release healthy ones. When we are going through a difficulty, our emotions will determine our attitude facing that situation. Jesus says that He has giving us a peace that will prevent us form being troubled or afraid. Yet, this passage is all in the context of receiving the Holy Spirit. This peace is a gift that the Holy Spirit brings with His presence and glory.
Application:
When Jesus walks into the Garden where Judas would give him away, He was terrified and afraid. This is the beginning of a series of sufferings and trials that will end up in his crucifixion. Is He being a good example of putting this gift of peace into practice? If Jesus is truly give away this peace, why he walks into the Garden without it? Well, first of all, Jesus reveals that He shares fully our humanity. In spite of all the blessings we have in God, our human nature will respond naturally with fear when facing a difficulty. The peace of God doesn’t make us immune to the troubles of this world. We will be troubled and afraid. But the peace of God saves us form staying that way. Jesus did not remain troubled and afraid all the way to the cross. His fears and troubles where left at the garden as He walks into the hands of His assassins with peace in His mind and His heart.
Prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for helping me to understand the peace you give me as a gift. Thank you for being so generous and for allowing me to see how your peace is supposed to work in my human nature. Please help me to get rid of my troubles and fears as your peace floods my mind and heart. Let me walk full of your Spirit as I face situations where I normally become troubled and afraid. Amen!
OUR OWN STRENGTH AS AN IDOL. By Pastor Fernando
Scripture:
“But they are deeply guilty, for their own strength is their god.“
Habakkuk 1:11
Observation:
When God announces to Habakkuk that the Babylonians will raise to conquer the nations, God points out that they are violent, cruel, and proud. God describes their own strength as their god. They are self-confident and arrogant. Pride is a form of idolatry that deceives and misguides. When self-confidence in our own strength settles in, people think that they are invincible and they will go in a path that seems successful for a while, but that at the end, arrives in a place of emptiness and self-destruction.
Application:
I never thought of my own strength as a god. So easy to put my trust in my own efforts, experience, titles, and accomplishments. Yet, such misplacement of trust will result in idolatry. Worshipping our own strength is not just a practice of ancient cultures. It happens today, in every nation, and to many people. Our society feeds our own personal desire to succeed, and very often the focus will be on ourselves. We are on the spotlight to shine, so we will toil hard to achieve success, we will trust in our own strength, and we become idol worshipers of a god that has limits, that gets tired, that is easily corruptible, and that cannot satisfy the desires of our heart. We need to watch our tendency to put our own strength as our god. We need to trust in the blood of Jesus and trust in God’s favor over our lives. Our strength comes from our humility before God, and as we truly worship Jesus, the King of Kings. He is invincible, incorruptible, and always faithful.
Prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father, help me to get rid of any kind of idolatry in my heart, especially when I put my trust in my own strength. Let me rest assured that as I put my trust in you my life will always be safe. You are my strength and from you comes all the blessings that endure. Give me wisdom to see the circumstances that cause me to rely on my own strength so I can repent quickly and return to a place where only You is worshipped in my heart. Don’t let me get use to your favor over my life so then I will take it fro granted. Amen!
“But they are deeply guilty, for their own strength is their god.“
Habakkuk 1:11
Observation:
When God announces to Habakkuk that the Babylonians will raise to conquer the nations, God points out that they are violent, cruel, and proud. God describes their own strength as their god. They are self-confident and arrogant. Pride is a form of idolatry that deceives and misguides. When self-confidence in our own strength settles in, people think that they are invincible and they will go in a path that seems successful for a while, but that at the end, arrives in a place of emptiness and self-destruction.
Application:
I never thought of my own strength as a god. So easy to put my trust in my own efforts, experience, titles, and accomplishments. Yet, such misplacement of trust will result in idolatry. Worshipping our own strength is not just a practice of ancient cultures. It happens today, in every nation, and to many people. Our society feeds our own personal desire to succeed, and very often the focus will be on ourselves. We are on the spotlight to shine, so we will toil hard to achieve success, we will trust in our own strength, and we become idol worshipers of a god that has limits, that gets tired, that is easily corruptible, and that cannot satisfy the desires of our heart. We need to watch our tendency to put our own strength as our god. We need to trust in the blood of Jesus and trust in God’s favor over our lives. Our strength comes from our humility before God, and as we truly worship Jesus, the King of Kings. He is invincible, incorruptible, and always faithful.
Prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father, help me to get rid of any kind of idolatry in my heart, especially when I put my trust in my own strength. Let me rest assured that as I put my trust in you my life will always be safe. You are my strength and from you comes all the blessings that endure. Give me wisdom to see the circumstances that cause me to rely on my own strength so I can repent quickly and return to a place where only You is worshipped in my heart. Don’t let me get use to your favor over my life so then I will take it fro granted. Amen!
DUMPING THE JUNK. By Pastor Fernando
Scripture:
The king removed the Asherah pole from the Lord’s Temple and took it outside Jerusalem to the Kidron Valley, where he burned it. Then he ground the pole to dust and threw the dust in the public cemetery. 2 Kings 23:6
Observation:
King Josiah, motivated by obedience to the Scriptures and devotion to the Lord, started a purging process to bring wholeness to Jerusalem and Judah. He paid special attention to the Temple of the Lord, where years of neglect and disobedience allowed pagan practices, even a detestable Asherah pole to be used in pagan worship inside the temple. Josiah took any trace of idol worship, removed it from the land, and took it to the dump, the Kidron Valley, to be destroyed.
Application:
Josiah reveals to us a pattern to be followed when we discover that there’s junk in our lives. Whether is intentionally or unintentionally, the residue of our flesh, compulsions, sinful habits, poor skills, and slave mentality will cause us to allow junk in our hearts. If we are not careful, or if we neglect regular trips to the dump, we will end up clogging our heart with junk that we don’t need and that God doesn’t want in our hearts. As we prepare for a new season, it’s important to ask the Lord to reveal His Word to us and to show us any trace of idol worship, thoughts of the flesh, selfish ambition, sinful habits, fears, compulsions, poor skills, and any other unholy thing that he doesn’t want in our lives. We need to take regular trips to the dump to place all our junk under the blood of Jesus. We need to allow His power to destroy anything that doesn’t bring honor to His name, and we need to continue growing from glory to glory according to His image.
Prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father, during this season I need to clean house and get rid of all the junk that has perverted the good purposes you have placed in my heart. Please make me aware of the junk that clogs my heart and that needs to be taken to the dump. I want to be whole, and I need to be covered under the precious blood of Jesus. Amen!
The king removed the Asherah pole from the Lord’s Temple and took it outside Jerusalem to the Kidron Valley, where he burned it. Then he ground the pole to dust and threw the dust in the public cemetery. 2 Kings 23:6
Observation:
King Josiah, motivated by obedience to the Scriptures and devotion to the Lord, started a purging process to bring wholeness to Jerusalem and Judah. He paid special attention to the Temple of the Lord, where years of neglect and disobedience allowed pagan practices, even a detestable Asherah pole to be used in pagan worship inside the temple. Josiah took any trace of idol worship, removed it from the land, and took it to the dump, the Kidron Valley, to be destroyed.
Application:
Josiah reveals to us a pattern to be followed when we discover that there’s junk in our lives. Whether is intentionally or unintentionally, the residue of our flesh, compulsions, sinful habits, poor skills, and slave mentality will cause us to allow junk in our hearts. If we are not careful, or if we neglect regular trips to the dump, we will end up clogging our heart with junk that we don’t need and that God doesn’t want in our hearts. As we prepare for a new season, it’s important to ask the Lord to reveal His Word to us and to show us any trace of idol worship, thoughts of the flesh, selfish ambition, sinful habits, fears, compulsions, poor skills, and any other unholy thing that he doesn’t want in our lives. We need to take regular trips to the dump to place all our junk under the blood of Jesus. We need to allow His power to destroy anything that doesn’t bring honor to His name, and we need to continue growing from glory to glory according to His image.
Prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father, during this season I need to clean house and get rid of all the junk that has perverted the good purposes you have placed in my heart. Please make me aware of the junk that clogs my heart and that needs to be taken to the dump. I want to be whole, and I need to be covered under the precious blood of Jesus. Amen!
TURNING THE TABLES. By Pastor Fernando.
Scripture:
Then, going over to the people who sold doves, he told them, “Get these things out of here. Don’t turn my Father’s house into a marketplace.”
John 2:16
Observation:
When Jesus comes to the temple, He observes all the commerce that temple worship brings. Simply said, He was sick of it! He chased the money changers out with great zeal and intensity. This morning I wonder why Jesus did not do the same with the Pharisees. The merchants were providing actually a service and making easier to worshipers to find the animals for the sacrifice. Some of them probably made a fair profit. So why chasing them and turning their tables? I think the answer lays in what Jesus said to them, “Get these things out of here. Don’t turn my Father’s house into a marketplace.” It seems to me that having the animals and making a profit wasn’t the problem. Jesus is bothered by the way a service to people became a business. Their hearts became more interested in making money rather than in serving people. Jesus had to show them how important is for Him to keep a good heart and to never allow a good purpose be tainted by selfish gain.
Application:
Radical change needs to be done when a good purpose morphs into selfishness. In the ministry, many things can be done that are good, but become perverted when the motive changes. Very often, and very slowly, the tables of our heart become tainted by pride, opportunism, and the lusts of this world. Many people start serving with the best heart and with the best intentions, never wanting to pervert their heart. But once their place in the temple grows and they are granted more influence, their desire to help people changes to help themselves. They stop trusting the Lord and start trusting more and more in their machine. Jesus loves his people and when in his temple the original purpose of service is perverted, He will turn the tables, get rid of the junk, and purify His house. For that reason, I need to check my heart and get rid passionately any kind of selfish motive. Also in the church, I need to make sure that we keep our purpose to serve people always pure.
Prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father, during this season I need to clean house and get rid of all the junk that has perverted the good purposes you have placed in my heart. Keep my heart humble and away from seeking financial gain when serving people. Also give me wisdom to keep our church temple free from marketplace principles. Let us always trust you, not our smarts our strategies. Give me discernment to turn the tables that need to be turned, to be string to protect our divine purpose, and to continue advancing your kingdom without compromising. Keep my heart away from selfish gains and from loving money. Amen!
Then, going over to the people who sold doves, he told them, “Get these things out of here. Don’t turn my Father’s house into a marketplace.”
John 2:16
Observation:
When Jesus comes to the temple, He observes all the commerce that temple worship brings. Simply said, He was sick of it! He chased the money changers out with great zeal and intensity. This morning I wonder why Jesus did not do the same with the Pharisees. The merchants were providing actually a service and making easier to worshipers to find the animals for the sacrifice. Some of them probably made a fair profit. So why chasing them and turning their tables? I think the answer lays in what Jesus said to them, “Get these things out of here. Don’t turn my Father’s house into a marketplace.” It seems to me that having the animals and making a profit wasn’t the problem. Jesus is bothered by the way a service to people became a business. Their hearts became more interested in making money rather than in serving people. Jesus had to show them how important is for Him to keep a good heart and to never allow a good purpose be tainted by selfish gain.
Application:
Radical change needs to be done when a good purpose morphs into selfishness. In the ministry, many things can be done that are good, but become perverted when the motive changes. Very often, and very slowly, the tables of our heart become tainted by pride, opportunism, and the lusts of this world. Many people start serving with the best heart and with the best intentions, never wanting to pervert their heart. But once their place in the temple grows and they are granted more influence, their desire to help people changes to help themselves. They stop trusting the Lord and start trusting more and more in their machine. Jesus loves his people and when in his temple the original purpose of service is perverted, He will turn the tables, get rid of the junk, and purify His house. For that reason, I need to check my heart and get rid passionately any kind of selfish motive. Also in the church, I need to make sure that we keep our purpose to serve people always pure.
Prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father, during this season I need to clean house and get rid of all the junk that has perverted the good purposes you have placed in my heart. Keep my heart humble and away from seeking financial gain when serving people. Also give me wisdom to keep our church temple free from marketplace principles. Let us always trust you, not our smarts our strategies. Give me discernment to turn the tables that need to be turned, to be string to protect our divine purpose, and to continue advancing your kingdom without compromising. Keep my heart away from selfish gains and from loving money. Amen!
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