RAISING THE DEAD. By Pastor Mark Olson

SCRIPTURE - John 11:44

The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face. Jesus said to them, "Take off the grave clothes and let him go."

OBSERVATION

Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead after he’d been in the tomb four days already. When Lazarus came out of the tomb, he was alive but still covered with grave clothes and needed assistance from the others to get the grave clothes off and release him to life again.

APPLICATION

When Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead, he walked out of the tomb still covered in his grave clothes. And Jesus instructed his followers there to take the grave clothes off Lazarus so he could walk on his own. Lazarus must have looked like a “dead man walking”. He was alive – Jesus has just given him life. But he still looked like a dead man.

Sometimes, I feel like I am covered in grave clothes. I know I have a new life that Jesus gave me, but I still feel bound up by the grave clothes – the reality and consequences of my past failures. I can’t seem to go on sometimes when my past seems to rise up to haunt and entrap me. And those failings of the past seem like grave clothes binding me and keeping me from walking the walk God has called me to. What am I to do with this mess ?! How can I walk when I am bound up like this ? Jesus called on his followers to assist Lazarus to take off the grave clothes and “let him go” so he could walk and live again. How does that work in God’s kingdom ? How can I help others to shed the grave clothes of their past and allow them to walk freely in the life God called them to live. And how can I shed my own grave clothes and walk the way You want me to, Lord ? Is there a piece of this life I am missing ? Maybe my brothers and sisters in the faith are more important than I thought ? Maybe, as Paul compares us to a physical body, the other members of the body of Christ are so very much more important than I realized. We need them to help us shed the “grave clothes” – the things in our past that bind us up and keep us from walking the path God has called us to live. Maybe God is telling us we cannot live this new life without them. It is impossible to live the Christian life without my brothers and sisters walking along side and helping me shed the clothing of the grave.

There are times with I have my towel all rolled up and ready to throw it in and walk away. But I know I can’t. As Peter put it in John 6:68 “Lord, to whom shall we go?” In other words, there is no one else we can go to, no one else to lean on, no one else to worship, to follow, to give us eternal life ! We may often want to return to the grave, because walking in grave clothing is hard ! But as we learn to lean on our brothers and sisters in accountability, in fellowship and to help us shed those grave clothes of the past, we can begin to be released to live this life God has called us to here on earth.

PRAYER

Lord Jesus - Help me to walk in this new life you have given me. Help me to shed the grave clothes that may still bind me from walking fully in this life. Help me to lean on my brothers and sisters to assist in shedding the grave clothes of the past. I commit to following you, Lord. I commit to walking freely in newness of life. There is no one else, other than You, Lord. In Jesus name, Amen.

SCARS OF HOPE. BY TJ Gorum

SCRIPTURE

In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. 1 Peter 1:6-7

OBSERVATION

Scars stories are fun to listen to sometimes. Sometimes people have scars that look like they got into a knife fight but really are from something stupid like getting head butted while playing football (not me of course ;-) Other times though theses scars are trophies that come from a battle. They act as reminders of triumphs or lessons learned. The clearest picture of this would be a war hero general. If you were to look at some of the most successful combat heroes they will probably not be perfect and untouched, but rather carry brands in their flesh from near death experiences. During the time when the wound happened it was one of the most painful times in that persons life, but they experience they received from it was life changing. Some people may say that these scars are reminders of their mistakes, which may be true sometimes. However, let me ask you this question...would you rather follow a general into battle with scars on their body and experience or a unblemished inexperienced general with a perfect record? I’ll take the scared general any day. Many times I feel like we would try to answer and say both, I want a general who is proven and has no scars. Yet these generals don’t exist. The reality of life and battle is that you will get wounded, sometimes because of your own fault, sometimes because of things beyond your control. But the confidence and experience a scared soldier has is priceless. They know what works in real battle, not just what works in the classroom. When they experience victory because of their experience they learn to trust the method and not the feeling.

A first time warrior is petrified of battle. It is the nature of man to be that way. Questions and doubts flood their mind that never have before because in real life they have everything to lose. What if this doesn’t work? What if we made a mistake? What if I am wrong? They can then deviate from the plan, disqualify themselves or worse, lose faith. But the solider who has seen the battle plans in action is able to face battle with much more confidence, not just because they know what can work in battle, but because they have the scars and experience to prove it.

APPLICATION

With the Christian life it is the same. Christians who have suffered and have scars from it have way more confidence in God. Yes, when they were in the vally and suffering it was/is the hardest times in life. BUT when you see God come through in these hard times and bring you out from death you learn to trust who God is vs. what you feel. The problem with many Christians today is that we want to walk with as little pain as possible. We don’t want to suffer. We don’t want to put ourselves on the line. What we want is to talk about our great faith without ever having to exercise it. We aren’t warriors of faith anymore. We are historians of faith. We talk about what others have done.

Today I realize what Peter says that when you have proof of your faith-a spiritual scar, than it is worth more than Gold. You don’t just know about God’s faithfulness, you KNOW GOD. When you face future battles you aren’t relying on a book but rather a source of power that you know actually works. In the beginning of my walk I wanted to not suffer and know God. Now that I have suffered I found that without it I’m not sure I would have ever known Him.. Was it painful? Yes. Do I want to experience that stuff again? NO. Is it worth it and would I do it again if I knew where I would be today? YES

PRAYER

Father, thank you for being faithful. THank you for my spiritual scars. Help me to be a warrior of faith and to not be afraid to suffer and wage war for you. Help me to lead others into battle and would you prove yourself to them that they may know you. Amen.

ABOUT SUFFERING. By Kamu Sing

Scripture
1 Peter 5:8b - Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings.

Observation
As followers, believers, disciples of Jesus, we are destined to suffer. It is inevitable that we will be persecuted by those who do not share the same belief and faith. We will be pointed at for the small things because we don’t resemble what the world looks like in the big things.
Paul writes about suffering on how we are to conduct ourselves when it comes. He doesn’t say if...it’s when. As a Christian, we are to consider ourselves blessed if we face trials of suffering because we identify with Christ.
What stood out to me is one advice that Paul gives when suffering, is to remember those who are sharing the same trials that we are all around the world. In my own experience, when I suffer, I have a huge tendency to be very inward focused. A lot of my thoughts, feelings, sometimes even actions are geared toward what is happening to me. As Paul shares this word of advice to look out, I can really see the value of focusing on how others are suffering too. This way, it helps to keep our flesh, our selfish nature, the evil in us away from the unhealthiness of thinking that life should be easy and fair and comfortable.

Application
For me personally, I feel like I’ve come to a point where suffering isn’t a surprise in life. It is a clear indicator that I must be doing something that the enemy doesn’t like. I must be in some way on the right tract. Now, I don’t want to imply that every moment of suffering means that we’re doing good or right. Sometimes God allows suffering in my life to correct too. But suffering isn’t all the time, everyday of the week. As we begin to hear God clearly and act in obedience, suffering isn’t so much a bad thing than a type of discipline that God gives to us. It’s kind of like a baby learning through trials and circumstances. When a child is doing something they shouldn’t, like trying to stick a metal object into an electrical outlet, the parent will discipline pretty severely so that the child will understand that this is not to happen ever again. The child suffers for a period of time and then learns the lesson. If that child doesn’t learn the lesson and continues in the same action, either the parent will increase in discipline or the unfortunate circumstance will take it’s place. Likewise for us as children of God. He will allow suffering to happen to sometimes teach us certain lessons.
Many of us as believers will focus on the suffering and lose sight of the lesson. As we take the first step to refrain from being inward focused, I know that there is so much to learn that God wants to show in that suffering.

Prayer
Lord, I am truly grateful for your continued Truth that allows me to remember and respond correctly. As much as I might not want to remember this lesson, it is very important to meditate on this and live it out when suffering happens...not if, but when. Thank you for guiding me where I am in my life. I look forward to more of this adventure that You’ve already set before me. I love you. In Jesus name, Amen.

THE MIGHTY EIGHT. By Pastor Fernando

SCRIPTURE
⁵For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; ⁶and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; ⁷and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. ⁸For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. ⁹But if anyone does not have them, he is nearsighted and blind, and has forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins.
2 Peter 1:5-9

OBSERVATION
This is Peter's version of the fruit of the Spirit when we truly become fully devoted followers of Christ. The change in our lives is reflected by an increase of these eight virtues. Faith is the starting point and love is the goal. In between, we need to grow in goodness, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness and brotherly kindness. Peter suggests that they work together as one overflows over the other. The more faith I have, the more goodness I will develop. The more goodness I have, the more knowledge I will have, and so forth. The reverse process is also true. I cannot have a measure of love greater that my measure of brotherly kindness. I cannot have a measure a measure of brotherly kindness larger than my measure of godliness, and so forth.

APPLICATION
As I prepare for what has for next year and for the future, looking at Peter's mighty 8 provides me with a clear idea of who I want to become and also a strategy to accomplish that. Just like a pyramid, the base of faith must be vastly large. On top of that I must build goodness, and on top of that knowledge, etc. I think my problem is that I try to work in all these virtues separately, not as unit. I need to realize that the work must be comprehensive, one building upon each other and feeding from each other. I cannot be strong in godliness and week in perseverance. I cannot say that I lack self-control but I abound in love. Only if I focus in all eight of them and increase my measure in each one of them, I will see my life thriving and growing, giving glory to God, and showing that He truly lives in me.

PRAYER
Dear heavenly Father, please let me fgrow in each area of the mighty eight. Help me to understand more and more about the way each one of them build on each other and feeds from each other. I want to honor you with my life and reveal to the world that you live in me by the way I grow in your image. I love you Lord Amen!

LOVING MY NEIGHBOR. By Kim Matsukawa

SCRIPTURE:
If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you do well; but if you show partiality, you commit sin, and are convicted by the law as transgressors. James 2:8-9

OBSERVATION:
James gives instructions on how not to commit sin by the law of “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Reminding us that we need to treat everyone equal, whether they are rich or poor, have a mansion or live in a box. What a humbling thought, reminding us that as Jesus put it in Matthew 25, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’ (Matthew 25:40)

APPLICATION:
I am totally guilty of giving preferential treatment to certain people. I would like to think that I have a purer heart, one that accepts everyone just the way they are, however, know that is not true. Reading this scripture with Matthew 25:40 as well as “you’re your neighbor”, reminds me that when I treat, or don’t even acknowledge those that I am not comfortable with; they too are God’s creature and I need to treat them as such.

PRAYER:
Heavenly Father, forgive me for my selfishness of not sharing with those less fortunate as much as I probably could. Your humbling scripture reminds me that I need to love everyone equally and without thinking of what could I get out of it. I ask You for a heart of unabounding love for others who hardly get a chance to receive it. Help me to know what to do when approached and when I need to approach someone else. Amen…

TRUSTING GOD. By Pastor Fernando

SCRIPTURE

Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you." So we say with confidence, "The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?"
<sup>Hebrews 13:5-6

OBSERVATION

The writer of Hebrews has a great sense of urgency to pass down to his readers the most important values of a fully devoted follower of Christ. Among them he points out sexual purity, hospitality, generosity, justice, and mercy. And also he has a warning about greed and loving money. He accurately describes lack of contentment as a dangerous root in our lives because ultimately steals away our trust in God's love, provision, and protection.

I recently heard Chris Rock, a well known celebrity, confessing how Americans worship money because of what it has to offer in this world. We live in a money loving society that even though has enough and more than everyone else, still is not satisfied and craves for more. If we are not careful, such mindset can invade the heart of a follower of Christ and cause him/her to have divided loyalties. Jesus said that we cannot have two masters. We cannot serve God and money. We must make a choice almost in a daily basis. And if we choose to love God above money, then we will grow trusting more and more in his provision, protection, and plan for our lives.</sup>

APPLICATION.

<sup>Currently I'm looking at the future of my family and the church. In both fields I see the potential for a greater blessing. At home, even though we have more than enough, we are looking to buy a house and we are very excited about it. However, we also must be cautious about it. Our heart is deceitful and very easy we could become ungrateful and greedy. We want to remain faithful to God and to our calling to be servants and spiritual leaders with integrity. We want to keep an above reproach lifestyle and a sense of authority when it comes to live simple lives for the sake of the gospel.

With the church we are facing a great opportunity to have more and to do more for the kingdom of God. And it's very easy to allow greed and pride to creep in. I want to lead our church in faith for great things to happen without being pretentious and arrogant. We don't want to trust in our abilities, or past experiences. We want to simply trust God and follow His direction. We want to dream for better things without being ungrateful about the current things. And by God's grace, we will have such heart coming into those important decisions.

PRAYER

Dear heavenly Father, please give me a pure heart as I approach important decisions about my family and about your church. Please reveal any trace of ingratitude and greed in our hearts so we can get rid off it and walk into this season with a clean heart. We want to walk into better things not because we are unhappy, but because we are following you. We are happy with what you have given us, but if it's your will to have more, give me wisdom about how to walk into it and also give me grace to receive with humility what you have prepared for us. I love you more than anything!</sup>

MOMENTS LOST. By Pastor Jan Tomai

SCRIPTURE
“And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness.” 2 Timothy 2:24-25

OBSERVATION
Quarreling does not seem to solve anything. Just as Timothy shares, it renders one close to being foolish. The worst part of quarreling is how it leads to deception. The harder we fight for something, the more we think we are walking in doing what is right. Manytimes, the issue is of no consequence when compared to people hungry, hurt, and lost without Jesus.

APPLICATION
Occasionally, I find myself drawn into something that really is of no importance but here I am arguing. The arguing comes not so much from a heart-felt stance as from a need to defend myself against some invisible unknown enemy from my childhood! My natural tendency is to avoid quarreling at all costs. I grew up as a youngster with nothing but contention in my family and home. My family took pride in quarreling loudly and perversely. I ran from it then and run from it now. I am immediately hit by the futility of the situation. However, it is very important that I learn to step-back, stop feeling attacked and being defensive. Only then, will I stop running and use those words of gentleness you put in my heart.

PRAYER
Lord, speak to my heart when I feel contention in the air. Give your voice to my words that there is true humility in kindness and gentleness. Restore to me those moments lost due to my shortcomings. Thank you for bringing me out of darkness into your light.

TRUE HUMILITY. By Pastor Fernando

SCRIPTURE
In a large house there are articles not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; some are for noble purposes and some for ignoble. If a man cleanses himself from the latter, he will be an instrument for noble purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work.
2 Timothy 2:20-21

OBSERVATION
Paul has a very practical philosophy of life. He believes there's two kinds of people: those used by God for noble purposes, and those who are not used for noble purposes because of their current ignoble use. Gold and silver vessels were used for very important occasions. Wood and clay vessels were used for day to day stuff. In fact, wood and clay articles were used for something dirty because Paul implies that they needed to be clean. And once the cleansing happens and the ignoble things are gone, then the vessel becomes holy in the hands of the Master and used to do good things.

APPLICATION
Without a doubt, Paul calls each one of us to a reality check about our lives. We all start in our journey with God as vessels of wood and clay, dedicated to ignoble purposes, wasting our true potential, engaged in things that the Master doesn't use. That is our nature. But such nature can be altered when we take the responsibility to cleanse ourselves. Nobody can do the cleansing for us. We need to self-initiate the process and continue keeping our lives clean from impurities.

For some reason I always thought that God will take my wood and clay and turn them into gold and silver. The problem with this mindset is that we give then room for feeling entitled, regardless of our true condition. Better being a clean wood and clay article used by the Master for good things than being a god and silver article filled with filth and discarded by the Master. I find that it is more healthy to think about my own life as wood and clay than needs to be cleansed regularly rather that gold and silver that seems to be so righteous. True humility is not defined by what others perceive in me but by what I harbor in my heart. And if I find something filthy in it, I need to cleanse myself right away from anything that would hinder me as a useful article in the hands of the Master to do good things in this world.

PRAYER
Dear heavenly Father, thank you for clarifying this illustration in my heart. Forgive me for the many times I felt entitled to your grace and forgiveness, having a false sense of humility, thinking that because you have used me in the past for noble purposes, automatically I will be used in the future. Help me to remain faithful and humble at your feet, always thinking about my own life as insignificant, unless you use me. Give me a clean and pure heart, and the diligence to keep it clean from the selfish and lustful desires of my youth, being always ready to be used by you, my Master., to bring glory to your name. Amen.

THE UNDESIRABLE CROSSROAD. By Pastor Fernando

SCRIPTURE

Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and to show true humility toward all men.

Titus 3:1-2

OBSERVATION

Paul's words of instruction are very clear. Even though Titus was a high ranked leader in the church, he was instructed to remind the people that God had appointed leaders above them. Regardless of their performance, such authority must be respected by displaying godly character, by being ready to do whatever is good. This is not a command to become gullible and easily manipulated by ungodly rulers. This is clearly a command to confront with respect, to respond with wisdom, not to react with emotion, to stay away from personal attacks and to focus on the issues.

APPLICATION

Very often we forget that our spiritual leaders are human beings, vulnerable to mistakes and to the distractions that this world offers. When they under perform according to our expectations, we are quick to criticize without the character Paul reminds us all of us to display. We dismiss relationship for task and we neglect love for the sake of justice. We forget that Jesus sets an example of balancing both, grace and truth. So when our chance comes to make a difference, we have a choice - to tilt the balance on the side of dishonor or on the side of what is good. Do we let our emotions rule, or we let the fruit of the Spirit to become evident?

Recently I've been experiencing this common and undesirable crossroad where a few of my leaders have made poor choices. Standing here is interesting what I can see. I can see the loyalists trying to excuse their behavior and even determined to protect and perpetuate those who were negligent. I can see the angry mob arming themselves with pitchforks to fight against them. I can see the opportunists, masters in manipulating the naive, positioning themselves sometimes from the shadows, sometimes out in the light. The funny thing is that they all think they are doing what is right. I wish I can see in the midst all of this mess more people like Jesus - those who respectfully can speak the truth in love without slandering, those who can spearhead and bring change with sacrifice, not with manipulation, and those who are practitioners of true humility. Where are they? I hope I can find them around me, but most important of all, I hope I can find one of those inside of me.

PRAYER

Dear heavenly father, thank you so much for the honor and privilege you give me to lead your people and to be led by others. As you give me the opportunity to lead, please let me reminded at all times of the right character we must have when dealing with the mistakes of those in authority over us. Let me display a true humility very similar than Jesus'. Let me speak the truth in love at all times by keeping the perfect balance between grace and truth. Give me favor during this new season in my life as I become more involved in serving your people and your kingdom. Build your character in mine. Let me be more like you. Amen!

DRESS CODE. By Pastor Fernando

SCRIPTURE

¹² Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. ¹³Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. ¹⁴And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

Colossians 3:12-14

OBSERVATION

As Paul declares the kind of fruit that results from a genuine faith, he uses the illustration of clothing. We put on, we wear certain things that affect the way people perceive us, but most important, reflect who we really are. Paul mentions some virtues that are consistent to other biblical passages. He talks about compassion, kindness, humility, etc. He encourage us to deal properly when others offend us. But above all things, Paul points out love as the virtue that binds all things together. Loving people in Paul's eyes is the fulfillment of all the commandments.

APPLICATION

When reading this passage I cannot avoid to see a template for my personal growth in he next season of my life. Growing in love for others is God's plan for me. The clothes I wear every single day, meaning the attitude I chose to put on in my daily affairs, are the key to be more fruitful in this area. There is nothing more uncomfortable that being wrongfully dressed for an occasion. I remember when we went to Argentina few years ago, the temperature was in the low 50's, and a bunch of Hawaiians were wearing t-shirts and slippers. I remember also attending a dinner, not following the dress code, feeling awkward, and even disrespectful towards the hosts. Certainly, in our walk with Christ and as we relate to others, we need to be extremely aware of the dress code. I cannot keep wearing the wrong attitude. I must learn from Jesus and how He dresses. He puts on the right garments, He makes others feel loved, and He truly displays the fruit of the Spirit in all His interactions.

PRAYER

Dear heavenly Father, I want to learn how to dress properly so I can be a reflection of who you are to those around me. I want to get rid of the wrong and inappropriate garments. I want to wear your compassion, your holiness, your humility, and your honesty. Let me be a man that put on your Son Jesus every day. Let me walk with Christ and as Christ in this world. Please make 2010 a year to grow in love for you and for the people you place around me. In Jesus name, Amen!

Heart Felt Living. By Pasotr Jan Tomai

SCRIPTURE
“For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing." Romans 6:18

OBSERVATION:
God must sometimes tire of our lives. It isn’t the thoughts that we think but the the words that we speak about others and the actions we perform that tells of this inability to overcome sin in our lives. I think that is why God gave grace to each of us--to sustain our life when we do what we do not want to do and to protect our thoughts, words, and actions toward others when they do what was not meant as an offense. Our sinful side wants to assume that others’ intentions are not meant for good.

APPLICATION:
So many times, I can think about things I have done that I did not want to do causing unintended offense. If the grace were not there, I would find life futile and un-meaningful for where would I go to find forgiveness. And, how would I keep my thoughts, words, and actions pure before the Lord when others offended me? At first it seems complicated, but it isn't. It is the daily walk to hear God and receive freely what He gives us.

PRAYER:
Lord thank you for your relentless, undeserved grace. Help me to use it with love and heart-felt intention not allowing a place for the enemy to reside in my life.

Renewing Me in Him. By Kim Matsukawa

SCRIPTURE: I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. Romans 12:1-2

OBSERVATION: The price of Jesus paid was a high one and all that He asks for in return is a sacrifice of our body and mind to Him. He asks us to take care of ourselves and to constantly renew our minds.

APPLICATION: The season before brought me to question how much I have missed because I failed to take care of myself in mind and body. So in this season, I became more physically active and took a critical thinking class. Paddling became a great help in my ability to lose a few pounds, giving me confidence in myself. The class has allowed me to think outside of my own little world and giving me the fervor to want to learn more. Each of these things would not have been possible without knowing that God's got my back. He can help me through anything. As I continue to renew myself in Him, I yearn for more knowledge about Him.

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I thank You for being with me every step of the way. I ask forgiveness for taking so long and ask for Your continued guidance in the season to come. Thank you for this season of helping me to grow. I look forward to spending more time at Your feet. Amen

BUILDING BRIDGES. By Pastor Fernando

SCRIPTURE
⁵May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, ⁶so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Romans 15:5-6

OBSERVATION
In the context, Paul wants to make sure that relationships among brothers and sisters in the church are thriving and are not affected by differences of opinion in non-essential matters. The people in the church in Rome needed a message about preserving unity. Regardless of difference of style, they all could have one heart and one mouth to worship the Lord. They were making a big deal of small things, not realizing that it was causing division. Paul's sobering instruction instructs them to focus in the essentials and to grow together in their devotion for God.

APPLICATION
One of the saddest things I've seen in the church is the division that differences of opinion create when people prioritize dogma over love. I love a quote that has been attributed to St. Augustine tha says, "In essentials, unity. In non-essentials, liberty. In all things, charity (love)." The problem is that many times we make non-essentials the essentials. We use our personal convictions as an opportunity to grow apart. We sacrifice unity for being right. But at the end, we result being wrong, very wrong.

As I grow in my call to lead the church, I need to have much wisdom to always be a bridge builder, not a wall builder. I want to help people to get along, but also I need to get along with those who have differences of opinion with me. The tendency is to walk away and hide from them because we are afraid of their judgment, or of their attempts to convince us of their positions. I'm sure God's calling in my life is greater than that. Building bridges, especially among people that believe in Jesus Christ as God, Lord and Savior, is a noble task worth while to pursuit.

PRAYER
Dear heavenly Father, please help me to always think and act as a bridge builder. Give me endurance and encouragement to build a spirit of unity among the church and other churches. Amen!

OBEDIENCE THAT COMES FROM FAITH. By Pastor Fernando

SCRIPTURE

⁵ Through him and for his name's sake, we received grace and apostleship to call people from among all the Gentiles to the obedience that comes from faith. ⁶ And you also are among those who are called to belong to Jesus Christ.

Romans 1:5-6

OBSERVATION

As Paul starts writing his letter to the Romans, from the very beginning he reveals his purpose to call people to the obedience that comes from faith in Jesus Christ. He is the prime defender of salvation through faith. But he also clarifies that true faith always results in obedience to God's ways. In other words, our faith is validated by our level of obedience or resistance to God's instructions. The quality of our faith is determined not by what we believe but by the way we live.

APPLICATION

The greatest struggle in my life is to live according to what I believe. For years I tried and tried to live up to my convictions, to defeat my compulsions, and to honestly have a lifestyle that reflects my faith. The second greatest struggle in my life is to call out people to live that way. As a pastor my greatest worry and what keeps me awake at night is the frustration of seeing people that believe in God living as if they do not believe His Word. God's grace and mercy has been covering me during my own struggles with unwavering obedience. His patience and kindness has lead me to repentance. And even though sometimes I fall again, I still find his forgiveness available as I repent constantly.

However, I'm troubled in my heart for so many dear people I know that continue living stubborn lives, doing whatever they want, and not doing what God clearly instructs them to do. I must have the same patience and mercy that God has with me. I must find ways to motivate them to obey and never give up trying.

PRAYER

Dear heavenly Father, thank you so much for your grace over my life. I'm doing better living out my faith trough sincere obedience. But now I need your help in helping people to live out their convictions as they trust and obey your ways. Give me a special anointing to motivate, guide, and disciple people in this way, to become faithful and committed followers of your son Jesus. Amen!

SHEEP OR GOATS. By Pastor Fernando

SCRIPTURE - Matthew 26:31-46

³¹"When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his throne in heavenly glory. ³²All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. ³³He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.

³⁴"Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. ³⁵For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, ³⁶I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.'

³⁷"Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? ³⁸When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? ³⁹When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?'

⁴⁰"The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'

⁴¹"Then he will say to those on his left, 'Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. ⁴²For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, ⁴³I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.'

⁴⁴"They also will answer, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?'

⁴⁵"He will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.'

⁴⁶"Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life."

OBSERVATION

In this passage, Jesus makes a clear distinction between sheep and goats. The sheep are people who develop a compassionate and merciful heart towards those in need. They do not much, but the little they do makes a difference in the life of others. Their lifestyle may not look very spiritual and their labor may be unnoticed by others, but Jesus Himself takes notice of their compassion. On the other side of the spectrum, you have the goats. They are indifferent to the needs of others and deny mercy. Even though we are given access to God through faith and not our works of mercy, our faith becomes real as we are compassionate towards others. Jesus is clear about this.

APPLICATION

I'm convinced that we need to ask ourselves regularly where we stand, on the right side with the sheep, or on the left side with the goats. The tricky part is that we can easily deceive ourselves and think that we are sheep when in reality we are goats. Who am I feeding? Who am I caring for? Who am I providing roof for? These are tough questions. An the real answers determine where we stand. We cannot pretend to be sheep and stand with the goats. Jesus can see through all the stuff. He will separate who is who.

I need to stand on the side of the sheep. But most important of all, I need to do the things that sheep do. I cannot neglect my work of compassion, helping the needy to have a better life. As we celebrate today the holiday of thanksgiving, I cannot avoid thinking of those in need that by the grace of God we have been helping in the recent years. I think about the Compassion children we have been sponsoring in Colombia, Tanzania, and the Philippines. I'm also thinking about Ashish and the kids in India. We are so blessed to help them, but there is so much more to do.

PRAYER

Dear heavenly Father, today we are specially thankful for all the blessings you give us, specially for the grace to help others who are in need. Please help us to stand always at your right, among the sheep. Help us to find creative ways to take care for the needs of the poor. Give us a special anointing to become a "resource" church that helps the needy. Teach us how to increase our generosity and be more externally focused, especially with people that lack the most basic needs. We are thankful for all your blessings and we pray that we will continue sharing those blessings with others. Amen!

MY SOLID ROCK. By Pastor Fernando

SCRIPTURE - Matthew 16:13-18
¹³When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, "Who do people say the Son of Man is?" ¹⁴They replied, "Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets." ¹⁵"But what about you?" he asked. "Who do you say I am?" ¹⁶Simon Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God."

¹⁷Jesus replied, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven. ¹⁸And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.

OBSERVATION

A couple of weeks ago I was at the Hermon Stream Natural Reserve (Banias) in Israel where the ruins of Caesarea Philippi are located. I was standing on the area where it's most likely Jesus spoke these words to His disciples. I was amazed of how this passage comes alive by looking around the visual context. This city was an interesting place of pluralistic worship. Several temples of different deities were standing here in the days of Jesus, one right next to each other.















The Temple of Pan had it's back wall toward a huge cave that it was called "the gates of hell." In Pan's worship, people would bring their babies and smash them against the rocks of the cave.

But the most amazing thing is that there is a huge rock above all this temples that completely overwhelms everything around it. This rock is massive! Maybe 400 feet wide and 80 feet tall. Jesus was using this rock to illustrate how our faith in Him can overcome anything else and that even the so called "gates of hell" cannot overcome our faith.



APPLICATION

What Jesus said in Caesarea Philippi meant a lot to His disciples. Like 2000 years ago, we are surrounded by a pluralistic society that worships so many idols (celebrities, humanism, other religions, tolerance, possessions, power, etc). And when asked, many people say that Jesus was a good moral teacher, a compassionate prophet, or a champion for the poor and outcast. But above all these, there are many poeple like Peter who recognize Jesus as the Son of the Living God. In our culture, this may not seem very significant because people of a genuine Christian faith are looked down as ignorant, intolerant, and even arrogant. In a certain way, we may be threaten by the way other faiths are growing in popularity. But we should not fear, because our faith stands on the rock, on solid ground, and nothing, not even the gates of hell will prevail.

Very often I feel that my faith goes against the grind and that there is little hope to see the kingdom of God advancing in my oen life and in the lives of those who I shepherd. That's why this passage is so meaningful now to me. My rock, it's way more greater and powerful, and solid, and everlasting, than any other force around me. The great testimony of what Jesus said is confirmed today, 2000 years later. All these other temples are in ruins, but The Rock is still firm and strong.

PRAYER

Dear heavenly Father, thank you so much for the opportunity to see the context of what this message means for us. Give us the confidence to continue advancing your kingdom in our culture and society today. Not even the gates of hell can prevail. You are greater than anything else and we will not be overwhelmed by anything in this world. Our faith has been solid, is solid, and will remain solid for eternity. You are the Christ, the Son of God, My Solid Rock! And in the midst of all kinds of pagan worship around me, my faith is in you. Amen!

MY CAPERNAUM. By Pastor Fernando

SCRIPTURE. Matthew 4:12-16

¹²When Jesus heard that John had been put in prison, he returned to Galilee. ¹³Leaving Nazareth, he went and lived in Capernaum, which was by the lake in the area of Zebulun and Naphtali— ¹⁴to fulfill what was said through the prophet Isaiah:
¹⁵"Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali,
the way to the sea, along the Jordan,
Galilee of the Gentiles—
¹⁶the people living in darkness
have seen a great light;
on those living in the land of the shadow of death
a light has dawned."

OBSERVATION

Jesus begins his ministry in Galilee, most exactly in the city of Capernaum. According to the prophetic word of Isaiah and the report of Matthew, the people of this city were living in darkness. It was the land of the shadow of death. Jesus intentionally decides to shine His light in the darkest places. It was there where He found His first disciples. From there, His healing ministry became notorious and His fame spread until Syria.

APPLICATION
As we chose to follow the ministry of Jesus, we need to find our own Capernaum, a place where darkness seems to have domain, and shine the light of Christ's love with faithfulness. We cannot be afraid of the darkness. We need to be in the midst of it. Many Christians want to stay in the light always because they fear the darkness will overpower them. We need to find our Capernaum so we can make a difference in this world.

Last night my good friend from church invited me for dinner with one of his colleges from work. He warned me that his friend was kind of... lost. And it was true. This guy is close to professional success, but afar from the restoring love of God. His conversations were filthy and his mindset was covered by darkness. What a contrast! All day I was surrounded by pastors in a conference, and at the end of the day I was with someone living in the darkness. I realized that I was in Capernaum, and that I like to be in Capernaum.

I enjoyed my dinner with this gentleman. We did not talked about Christ, but he said that our time together was the highlight of his trip. The Lord reminded me of the importance to be around people that are living in darkness. How else they are going to see the light? We cannot hide the light under a bushel. We need to shine God's light, like a city on a hill.

PRAYER

Dear Heavenly Father, thank you so much for the Capernaum moments you give me to shine your light. Please give me a passion to always seek opportunities to shine your light in dark places and to give people living in darkness a taste of what it means to walk with you. Amen!

SCRIPTURE - 1 Corinthians 7:35

I am saying this for your benefit, not to place restrictions on you. I want you to do whatever will help you serve the Lord best, with as few distractions as possible.

OBSERVATION

The apostle Paul is really intentional in helping the believers to focus in loving God rather than in doing things to earn His love. He wants to be honest about his convictions so he makes a distinction between God's Word and his own preferences. Being single helps him to focus more in the work of the Lord. A lifestyle that avoids eating food sacrificed to idols helps him to be a better servant, specially to weaker believers. The key is to distinction between putting restrictions and giving instruction. They are not the same.

APPLICATION
Today I came back form an amazing and life-changing trip to Israel. I know myself and I can see how I'm going to ask evry believer that I know to go to Israel. Certainly it's great if every believer can spend few days in the Holy Land, seeing, smelling, touching what we read about in the Bible. However, this is not a requirement for a sincere faith. It helps a lot, but it doesn't make us better Christians nor give us a special favor with God.

PRAYER

Dear heavenly Father, help me to communicate my passion for the Holy Land without bringing guilt or making restrictions to people. Even though I consider very important to be there, especially for pastors and teachers, give me wisdom and grace to motivate people in a way that honors you. Amen.

IMPRESSIONS. By Pastor Fernando

SCRIPTURE

As he taught, Jesus said, "Watch out for the teachers of the law. They like to walk around in flowing robes and be greeted in the marketplaces, and have the most important seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at banquets. They devour widows' houses and for a show make lengthy prayers. Such men will be punished most severely."
Mark 12:38-40

OBSERVATION
Jesus disliked profusely the false impression that the Pharisees were giving to the rest of the people. Their religiosity was a facade. They were inconsistent in their beliefs and behavior. And worse of all they thought their prideful and selfish behavior was godly. Jesus was very cler about this. Punishment comes to those who live to impress others with lies.

APPLICATION
Its crazy how many times my sinful nature wants to impress a false me rather than to impress Christ in me. Its very important for me to catch myself doing that, repent, and let the truth come through. This is at the core of my struggle to pleasing God rather than pleasing people. The sense of urgency and importance is great because of the consequences it could bring.

PRAYER
Dear Lord, please help me to avoid false impressions and embrace your impression of Christ in me. Let me be true and true! I loe you Lord. Amen!

THE PEOPLE OF ISRAEL. By Pastor Fernando

SCRIPTURE

³ He will not let your foot slip—
he who watches over you will not slumber;

⁴ indeed, he who watches over Israel
will neither slumber nor sleep.

⁵ The LORD watches over you—
the LORD is your shade at your right hand;

⁶ the sun will not harm you by day,
nor the moon by night.

⁷ The LORD will keep you from all harm—
he will watch over your life;

⁸ the LORD will watch over your coming and going
both now and forevermore.

Psalm 121:3-8

OBSERVATION

This is one of my favorite promises from God's Word. Interesting I'm reading this on my way to Israel. God's love for His people is amazing and you can see His passion to bless them and protect them. However, the tendency when we read this passages is to think about "Israel" as a territory or a nation. Even though this piece of land is covered under the promises of God, God's heart is for the people of Israel, those who worship the God of Abraham and inherit his promises.

APPLICATION

I cannot describe the amount of anticipation I have for this trip. For years I've been dreaming with visiting the holy land and its sites. My heritage and bloodline to Jewish ancestors runs deep and I'm very excited about getting there. However, the Holy Spirit wants to bring sobriety to my emotions. It's not about the piece of land, but more about the people. The apostle Paul cried to God for the people, not for the nation, and surely not for the real state. My excitement of being in the holy land must always be bellow my excitement of ministering to holy people. I need to enjoy this trip and capture the moment, but my focus as I go to Israel should be the people that God loves so much and wants to bring closer to Him.

PRAYER

Dear heavenly Father, thank you so much for this opportunity to travel and visit the Holy Land. I'm so excited to visit the land of my blood ancestors and more than anything, my spiritual ancestors. Please give me a heart for the people above anything else. Bless my family and the church back at home. Amen!

GRUDGES by Pastor Mark Olson

SCRIPTURE - Mark 6:19

So Herodias nursed a grudge against John and wanted to kill him. But she was not able to,

OBSERVATION

Herodias was upset over John the Baptist calling her marriage to Herod unlawful so she was angry and held a grudge against John. And we see that the grudge led her to have John killed.

APPLICATION

Grudges can be such a terrible thing to allow to grow in our hearts. We may often try to dismiss them as “no big deal”, but they can be one of the most destructive things we can ever allow in our hearts. The scripture says she “nursed” the grudge. Such an interesting word. It’s like she took care of the grudge, feeding it, encouraging it, helping it to grow just like a little pet, or a plant. Eventually it matured and “blossomed” into a horrible plan to have John the Baptist murdered. Whenever I am offended or upset over something someone says to me or about me or someone does something in my life that hurts me, I need to deal with it immediately before God to make sure that offense doesn’t settle down into my heart and grow into a monster that eventually overtakes me and causes me to do things I would never think of otherwise. It doesn’t always mean I have to talk to the offender, but I must ask God to “kill that seed” of the grudge in my heart before it starts to grow and develop. If I don’t, the end result could be very destructive to me and to those around me.

PRAYER

Father, help me to remember the lesson of Herodias - nursing a grudge will only lead to destruction. Make me sensitive to the beginning of a grudge settling in my heart and remind me to bring it to you immediately for forgiveness and cleansing. You are the judge. You are the one to deal with offenses. Help me to forgive as you have forgiven me. Thank-you for your word speaking to my heart. I love you, Lord. In Jesus name, Amen.

SOFTENED HEARTS. By Pastor Fernando

SCRIPTURE

Immediately he spoke to them and said, "Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid." Then he climbed into the boat with them, and the wind died down. They were completely amazed, for they had not understood about the loaves; their hearts were hardened.
Mark 6:50-52

OBSERVATION

The disciples were experiencing amazing miracles but they could not understand them. The explanation Mark gives is that their hearts were hardened. So many miracles happened right under their noses and they were not able to see beyond the greater blessing that was being revealed to them. The Son of God was living among them and they were clueless because their hearts were hardened.

APPLICATION

I wonder how many times I experienced miracles but missed the full blessing because my heart was hardened. When we become skeptic and even sarcastic about what God does in our lives, our hearts are suffering a hardening transformation. Instead of finding purpose and an increased intimacy with God, we move along as if nothing special happened. For people with hardened hearts there is a sense of entitlement that steals a sense of awe of who God is. They also focus in the miracle, not in the source of the miracle. For them, the extraordinary has an explanation, but there is neither hunger to explore it nor desire to find out the depth of its meaning.

We need to keep our hearts softened at all times. We cannot lose a sense of awe and amazement when God works His miracles around us. For many outsiders, we may be perceived as naive, ignorant, or even crazy when we refuse to have hardened hearts. Who cares! More about God hides behind His amazing works. Why don't explore it?

PRAYER

dear heavenly Father, thank you for revealing that there is more about You behind your amazing works in my life. I don't want to stop in the miracle. I want to find my amazing in the Author of miracles. Please soften my heart in those areas where I have become entitled, or sarcastic, or skeptic. Let me find you and let me grow more and more in my love for you. Amen!

THE HARVEST IS COMING. By Pastor Fernando

SCRIPTURE

²⁶He also said, "This is what the kingdom of God is like. A man scatters seed on the ground. ²⁷Night and day, whether he sleeps or gets up, the seed sprouts and grows, though he does not know how. ²⁸All by itself the soil produces grain—first the stalk, then the head, then the full kernel in the head. ²⁹As soon as the grain is ripe, he puts the sickle to it, because the harvest has come."
Mark 4:26-29

OBSERVATION

In this parable Jesus is talking about the progression of how the kingdom of God grows and advances. The kingdom grows from an insignificant and lifeless seed to an abundant harvest. The key is that the man is only responsible of two actions: to plant the seed and to harvest the grain. The in between part the process is natural, done behind the curtain, by the divine hand of God.

APPLICATION

God's kingdom advances in a process where I partner with God. I plant the seed, He takes care of the next steps, until it's time for me to harvest the grain. We cannot give up planting seeds of the Gospel around us. And as we plant seeds, we need to trust God to take care of the rest. We may be tempted to put our hands in the in between stage. We want to intervene in a part of the process where only the Holy Spirit has the access. I plant the seed, but he alone can develop the stock, then the head, then the full kernel in the head. I must be patient and let Him do His work at His pace. But once the harvest is ready, I need to get engaged again and work hard reaping the harvest.

Recently the Lord has put in my heart and keeps confirming that next year will be a "year of the harvest" for our church. All the seeds that we have planted during the first 5 years have been growing and now are about to give everlasting fruit. This means that all the efforts we have been patiently invested on, and all the situations we have endured, will come to fruition according to the will of God. All the people we have exposed to the truth of the Gospel will finally surrender, repent, and obey God's ways. The harvest is coming and I need to be sharpen the sickles and be ready to reap what the Lord has done behind the scenes.

PRAYER

Dear heavenly Father, thank you so much for working the night shift, for being so diligent behind the curtains, doing the part that no one else can do when advancing your kingdom. Help us to continue planting seeds, to be faithful and patient, and also diligent and ready to reap the upcoming harvest. In advance, I thank you for the harvest of initiatives that will be achieved, for the met goals, for the souls reached, for the ministries that become more effective, for the new leaders that will be empowered and deployed, for the transformed lives around us, for the restored relationships, and for your vision to become clearer. I cannot wait to reap this upcoming harvest! Bring it on Lord!

QUESTIONS ? by Pastor Mark

SCRIPTURE - Acts 17: 11b -

….. for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.

OBSERVATION

When Paul preached the word to the Bereans, they began to search the scriptures every day to determine if what Paul was saying about Jesus was true.

APPLICATION

In our New Life Construction Discipleship series we are learning about the importance of God’s word. That the Word is life to me as a Christian and I need it every day – just like I need physical food every day. But here, the writer points out that the Bereans searched the scriptures every day for answers. They had questions. They wondered if this stuff that Paul was preaching was true and dug into the scriptures to find out. Makes me realize that God is not afraid of my questions. In fact, I think He welcomes them, just like a loving father welcomes the questions of their child when they come and ask – “Daddy, what about …... ?” I always loved when my daughter asked me questions and I was able to impart some small gem into her life to help her grow. Even now, as a 26 year-old woman, my daughter comes to me with questions. Earlier this week she called me from Florida to ask how to stain and varnish an old dresser she bought. Not a very “spiritual” question, but I loved it just the same ! That’s the same desire that God has for us. He loves to show us truth. He waits for us to come to Him just like I love to get those phone calls from my daughter. So if I have questions, I shouldn’t be afraid to ask God for answers. He waits for us to come to Him with questions and He loves to provide answers to our questions as we search His Word.

PRAYER

Lord, help me to remember that you are like a loving father - yearning to teach and train me, like a small child. Your desire is that I come to you with my questions and seek the answers in your Word. Help me to grow as I search the Word for answers and help me to remember I need to seek you out daily, just like the Bereans did, searching the scriptures in Acts 17. Thank-you for this reminder. I love you, my Father. In Jesus name, Amen.

PROTECTING FROM DISTORTED TRUTH. By Pastor Fernando

SCRIPTURE - Acts 20:27-31

For I have not hesitated to proclaim to you the whole will of God. Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood. I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them. So be on your guard! Remember that for three years I never stopped warning each of you night and day with tears.

OBSERVATION

Paul's final charge to the leaders of Ephesus was given with a sense of urgency and as a warning. Having a well established role of spiritual father and shepherd, Paul exhorts them to follow his example of always relying in the truth declared in the Scriptures. Starting with themselves, the leaders must watch over the flock. If the leaders are not in the truth, the flock will not be in the truth. People from outside will come like wolves to distort, to deceive, to pull away, and to devour the flock. Even some insiders will raise up full of jealousy and selfish ambition to build their own flock by distorting the truth. So full ef emotion, Paul exhorts them to be on guard, to be willing to die for the flock, to keep warning people about distorting the truth.

APPLICATION

The Holy Spirit in this passage is also charging us, those who God called to be shepherds of the flock, to be on guard and always protect the flock from any form of distorted truth. Day after day I can see how trueish beliefs start affecting the flock I oversee. The way information becomes available in the 21st Century also contributes to the way trueish beliefs spread so fast. So starting with myself, I need to guard what comes to me. Not all Christian books contain the truth. Not all Christain leaders live the truth of the Scriptures. I need to protect our church from any outside influence that brings a different message that the one clearly declared in the Scriptures.

but when the threat comes from within, it's a little more difficult. I've already encountered people in our church that believe in a distorted truth, become deceived, and try to pull away people in their deception. With great sorrow in my heart, I have been firm standing against them, patiently showing them why thy are walking away form the truth of the Scriptures. I need to keep my guard on becasue there are more coming today and they will keep coming in the future. That's why I have an urgency to preach and teach the Word of God, not my own opinions or the opinions of others. What God says is what it goes in my life and in our church.

PRAYER
Dear Holy Spirit, please reveal any distorted truth among us. Help us to unroot any trueish belief in our own hearts first, and then among the flock. Give me discernment and boldness to confront the volwes. Also give me wisdom to teach the truth in such a way that poeple are capable to refute trueish beliefs on their own. Have mercy on those who unintentionally do not understand the truth and distort it to deal with their own insecurities, personal hurts, and fears. Help them to be open and submitted to your truth. Amen!

KEEP ON GOING! By Pastor Fernando

SCRIPTURE: Acts 18:9-11

⁹One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision: "Do not be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent. ¹⁰For I am with you, and no one is going to attack and harm you, because I have many people in this city." ¹¹So Paul stayed for a year and a half, teaching them the word of God.

OBSERVATION

There is a very important reason why God wanted to speak to Paul. He was traveling from town to town, being faithful preaching the Gospel, many people were being saved, but the opposition and the frustration was also increasing. His life was spent between the synagogues and court rooms, between teaching God's Word and running from his accusers. While in Corinth, the reality of the ups and downs of his life was making a toll in his heart. He became afraid and was discouraged. At that point God comes through to deliver a message that felt like an oasis in the desert. And Paul stayed faithful to the Lord and continued his assignment in Corinth for a long time.

APPLICATION

Doing the work of the ministry, serving God and his people, is not always a rewarding experience. Every rose has its thorns. There is a lot of people changing their lives and coming closer to God. But there are many others that continue stubbornly conformed to this world. What keeps me up at night is the opposition of the forces of darkness to our ministry. Just like Paul, there are moments when discouragement settles in and fear starts to feel comfortable in my heart. For some reason we have an unrealistic expectation that the work of the ministry is always smooth, with no opposition, and no hard work. On the contrary, serving God is about getting involved in a spiritual warfare. It's hard work. It's supposed to be challenging because it causes us to depend on God and not in our own strength.

That's why God wanted this encounter with Paul to be registered forever in the Holy Scriptures. His message to Paul is the same message to us. He is with us all along the way! There is no reason to fear. He cannot give up. We need to keep moving forward. We are planting seeds by faith. We do not see the results yet. But the harvest is coming. We need to stick to our spiritual guns and continue serving Him, serving the church, serving the people that are far away from Him, and advancing His kingdom together.

PRAYER

Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for your promise to be with me every single step of the way during this journey. There are times when I cannot feel you, but by faith, I acknowledge that you are always working the night shift. All our sacrifices, all our efforts and hard work are not in vain. At the right moment, you will bring forth a harvest of blessing and a reward for the tough times. Let us continue serving with boldness, with sacrifice, giving all of our hearts, throwing ourselves over the line in order to see your kingdom come and your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Use our church, use our ministries, use our people to bring glory to your name. You are with us. Amen!

THE GIFT OF LEADERSHIP. By Pastor Fernando

SCRIPTURE

³⁰The men were sent off and went down to Antioch, where they gathered the church together and delivered the letter. ³¹The people read it and were glad for its encouraging message. ³²Judas and Silas, who themselves were prophets, said much to encourage and strengthen the brothers.
Acts 15:30-32

OBSERVATION

The first leadership team the church ever had encountered their first crisis. There was a disagreement about how to honor the law of Moses under the New Covenant. James was a team player and a great leader. He moderated the meeting at Jerusalem and as a team the church came to a wise decision that was quickly passed out to all the churches. I'm sure that some people were upset at the final decision, but Luke's report in this passage shows that the decisions brought encouragement and direction to the churches. The sincere believers were glad and followed the instructions, and the church kept growing and thriving.

APPLICATION

Once again the Scripture highlights not only the philosophy but also the procedure of doing church as a team. Their actions were consistent with their words. It was not about "the end justify the means." Both the end and the means were led by the Holy Spirit, who gave James the gift of leadership to serve the entire church, not just his personal agenda. Decisions were made as a team, people's voices were heard, and a decision was made in harmony and unity. This is the way we need to live our lives, our ministries, and our families.

Recently I have been in situations when important decisions need to be made at the church, in my family, and in other settings. Each circumstance is different. However, the biblical principles described here can be applied in all of them. My heart is to follow God's ways but sometimes my actions are not consistent. I want to make decisions on my own, without any input of collaboration because I want swift response. I need to let the Holy Spirit guide me with the gifts He generously give: leadership, self-control, wisdom, discernment. Every time the Holy Spirit takes over, not me, we will succeed and draw close to God's presence and will.

PRAYER

Dear heavenly father, please let me abandon my will and mind to the power of your Holy Spirit. As a leader at home and at church, help me to always be consistent between philosophy and procedures, between desires and actions. Help me to be skilled in the gift of leadership you have given me and to honor the position of leadership you have entrusted me with. Let the fruit of my leadership always be honoring to you as people are strengthened and encouraged. Amen!

GOD'S ACCEPTANCE. By Pastor Fernando

SCRIPTURE

Then Peter began to speak: "I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism but accepts men from every nation who fear him and do what is right..."
Acts 10:34-35

OBSERVATION

Peter's world was being rocked to the core. The traditions of Jewish rituals were being challenged. The Holy Spirit was being poured out upon the Gentiles. The Jews were not God's favorites, all men despite of their culture and religious background was being embraced bu God's grace. The promises of the Scriptures were being fulfilled and all kinds of people were coming to relationship with God. Peter got it, but still there were some Jews that had a hard time accepting what God was doing.

APPLICATION

The other day a gentleman had a question at church. He was wondering if we were going to teach the women to implement a dress code in our church because some ladies came to church showing too much skin. Actually he said, that his wife had that question and asked him to come and bring this issue up with me. I kindly answered that we do not have a dress code for our weekend services. We accept people as they come. As long as they are dressed, anybody is welcomed. This means that some people, because of their cultural background, and specially women, may not understand the concept of modesty. But I'm convinced that as they decide to follow Christ and they are filled with the Holy Spirit, God himself is going to reveal to them about their clothing options. We are also teaching in our New Life Construction Course about this, but only if they are serious in becoming disciples of Christ.

This couple's question reminds me that there are many people, usually Christians, with an old legalistic mindset. They are not bad people, but they are misguided. They need to be reminded about the grace that once embraced them. God can reach and fill and use people that do not look like strong believers. They need to understand that we are called to reach all people, including those who do not dress with modesty. Visitors and new believers are accepted just as they are, and as they become committed to follow Christ, there are going to be intersections in their spiritual walk where they will be confronted in love about their habits. The church will not change them, the Holy Spirit will.

PRAYER

Dear heavenly Father, thank you so much for the grace you give to all those who are seeking you, despite of their cultural background and blindness. Please use our church and my life to always exemplify grace and acceptance, regardless of what people look like. Also let your Holy Spirit fill them up so they make changes in their lives , not because they have to, but because they want to. And also, give us a special anointing to help those trapped in the mindset of legalism. Use us to proclaim grace, to have the perfect balance between mercy and truth, and to leave behind empty traditions, religiosity, and discrimination. Help us to be a community when people are loved and accepted, not for what they do, but for who they are. Amen!

ROBBING GOD? By Pastor Fernando

SCRIPTURE: Malachi 3:8-12

⁸ "Will a man rob God? Yet you rob me.
"But you ask, 'How do we rob you?'
"In tithes and offerings. ⁹ You are under a curse—the whole nation of you—because you are robbing me. ¹⁰ Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this," says the LORD Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it. ¹¹ I will prevent pests from devouring your crops, and the vines in your fields will not cast their fruit," says the LORD Almighty. ¹² "Then all the nations will call you blessed, for yours will be a delightful land," says the LORD Almighty.

OBSERVATION

This is one of the strongest passages in the Bible. It's a big deal when God, who is always just and true, accuses His people of robing Him. The people of Israel were disobedient to the first instruction about stewardship. They were not bringing a full tithe to the house of God. Some were bringing less that what they should. Some were giving not the very best of their animals and crops, but they were giving their worse. They gave an impression of being generous and obedient, but in reality they were robbers. They tried to play a scam on God, but they were the only ones loosing because they placed themselves under a curse. However, on the other hand, people place themselves under an unbelievable blessing when they bring their tithes and offerings. God wants people to test Him about this.

APPLICATION

I honestly believe that the purpose behind God's accusation is not money. He owes it all and He does not need anything from us. His purpose is us. We are His precious treasure and He wants us under blessing, not under curse. When we have a tight grasp on money and we scheme to give less, when we are afraid that we will not have enough and decide to withhold our tithe, or when we simply avoid generosity and do not give sacrificial offerings above our tithes, we are robing God. Money becomes our idol, and God is not really who we worship. And for that, we are under a curse. We are not robing God's money. We are robing God's blessing. Our love for money is robing God from blessing us.

God does not want my money. He wants my obedience and sincere dependence on Him. Giving my tithe and offerings sets me under a blessing. God rejoices when His children are blessed and I don't want to rob Him that joy. Also as a senior pastor in our church, I must be creative and compassionate when teaching people about this. I love the people and I want them to live under a blessing, not under a curse. It's not about how much money the church can collect, but about how much joy we can bring to God when we place ourselves and thrive under His blessings.

PRAYER

Dear Heavenly Father, please forgive me for the many times I robbed you, by giving less, or by giving not the best, or by giving late, or by giving to impress others. Please clean my heart and make me generous out of sincere obedience. Don't let me walk under a curse, but keep me in the path of blessing as I give my tithe, and on top of that, sacrificial offerings. Also help me to clear me communicate your heart to your people. There are many people suspicious about money and how churches and leaders use it. Let me address those suspicions with grace and integrity. Let me walk in reverence to you as a good steward of what you give me personally and of what you give to our church to advance your kingdom.