SCRIPTURE
"Whoever corrects a mocker invites insult;
whoever rebukes a wicked man incurs abuse.
Do not rebuke a mocker or he will hate you;
rebuke a wise man and he will love you.
Instruct a wise man and he will be wiser still;
teach a righteous man and he will add to his learning."
Proverbs 9:7-9
OBSERVATION
You can know the heart of a person by the way they respond to correction. Solomon in his wisdom used the test of correction to see deep into the hearts of people and discern their true colors. If after a correction the person responds defensively with insult or abuse, that person revealed wickedness. Solomon instructs that there is no point in correcting people like that. But when the person corrected responds with love and with gratitude, that person reveals wisdom and godliness.
APPLICATION
We all have been or will be tested with correction. When our decisions are not the best and we do not see the implications of our mistakes, God will send people to correct us. Our response to such correction will reveal what we truly have in our hearts. This is especially true when the person doing the correction is not well informed and assumes things. Do we have a license to be rude and defensive in those special circumstances? I don't think so! It's at those moments when humility is very important. Even though the correction may be based on false assumptions, if we have the right heart, we will listen to it, learn from it, and become better and wiser people because of it.
I need to be humble when receiving correction from people, specially when their correction is unfair or without all the facts. But also, as a leader, when giving the opportunity to bring loving correction to others, I must have discernment and read people's hearts. If they resist and complain, for a while I can work with them patiently so they can process the correction properly. But if they reach a point of rebellion, they have failed the test of correction and I need to walk away. And for those who pass the test, who receive and appreciate the correction, I need to invest even more time, energy, and resources in them. They are teachable and open to the wisdom of God in their lives. They will always grow in character and become more like Jesus.
PRAYER
Dear heavenly Father, thank you so much for reminding me a bout the test of correction. Help me to pass it and give me wisdom to help others around me to be more humble and pass it as well. Amen!
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
TATOOING THE HEART. By Pastor Fernando
SCRIPTURE
Let love and faithfulness never leave you;
bind them around your neck,
write them on the tablet of your heart.
Then you will win favor and a good name
in the sight of God and man.
Proverbs 3:3-4
OBSERVATION
Solomon believes in engraving or tattooing the heart with two important character traits: love and faithfulness. I have no tattoos in my body and I would never condemn anyone for tattooing themselves. But when I observe people, I can see that some tattoos are silly and some are really cool. I specially like the ones that remind people of something special, like the memory of a loved one, or a personal and noble goal in life. For some people tattoos are not a trend. The ink art defines who they are. Solomon is not suggesting that we need to tattoo our bodies in order to be better people, but he is asking us to engrave God's principles in our hearts to remind us who we are. In that way, we will be always reminded of who we are and how we react to situations in life.
APPLICATION
I'm the kind of guy that needs to re-engrave my heart with God's principles in a consistent basis. Love and faithfulness are the two big ones that Solomon prioritizes to be engraved in our hearts. No mater what we are going through, when our love and faithfulness guide us every step of the way, we will find ourselves making excellent decisions, honoring God, and being a blessing to those around us. Sometimes I react to situations forgetting who I am and the character I must exercise. I guess the engraving is not deep enough and the ink in my heart is faded. But the Holy Spirit is waiting for me ready to engrave my heart deep with His wisdom.
PRAYER
Dear heavenly Father, thank you so much for reminding me of the most basic things that I must engrave in my heart. Holy Spirit, please carve love and faithfulness deep in the tablet of my heart and use the most visible ink to write your words over my mind. So when I have to respond to a situation, love and faithfulness will flow naturally out of my heart. Let me honor you always as you tattoo my heart with your image. I love you Lord. Amen!
Let love and faithfulness never leave you;
bind them around your neck,
write them on the tablet of your heart.
Then you will win favor and a good name
in the sight of God and man.
Proverbs 3:3-4
OBSERVATION
Solomon believes in engraving or tattooing the heart with two important character traits: love and faithfulness. I have no tattoos in my body and I would never condemn anyone for tattooing themselves. But when I observe people, I can see that some tattoos are silly and some are really cool. I specially like the ones that remind people of something special, like the memory of a loved one, or a personal and noble goal in life. For some people tattoos are not a trend. The ink art defines who they are. Solomon is not suggesting that we need to tattoo our bodies in order to be better people, but he is asking us to engrave God's principles in our hearts to remind us who we are. In that way, we will be always reminded of who we are and how we react to situations in life.
APPLICATION
I'm the kind of guy that needs to re-engrave my heart with God's principles in a consistent basis. Love and faithfulness are the two big ones that Solomon prioritizes to be engraved in our hearts. No mater what we are going through, when our love and faithfulness guide us every step of the way, we will find ourselves making excellent decisions, honoring God, and being a blessing to those around us. Sometimes I react to situations forgetting who I am and the character I must exercise. I guess the engraving is not deep enough and the ink in my heart is faded. But the Holy Spirit is waiting for me ready to engrave my heart deep with His wisdom.
PRAYER
Dear heavenly Father, thank you so much for reminding me of the most basic things that I must engrave in my heart. Holy Spirit, please carve love and faithfulness deep in the tablet of my heart and use the most visible ink to write your words over my mind. So when I have to respond to a situation, love and faithfulness will flow naturally out of my heart. Let me honor you always as you tattoo my heart with your image. I love you Lord. Amen!
Thursday, May 21, 2009
PERSISTENCE IN DOING GOOD. By Pastor Fernando
SCRIPTURE
He will give eternal life to those who persist in doing what is good, seeking after the glory and honor and immortality that God offers.
Romans 2:7
OBSERVATION
Eternal life cannot be a reward for perfection simply because nobody is perfect. According to Paul, eternal life is a reward for persistence in doing what is good. In the verse before, he claims that we all will be judged according to what we have done. And that judgment is not about results only. It will consider more heavily our attitude, our patience, our consistency, and our desire to fight our sinful nature in order to give glory to God. Eternal life is not for perfect people but for those who get up in sincere repentance each time they fall.
APPLICATION
This is graduation season in our church. Several people in our church have been honored in Commencement ceremonies recently. Graduation is a time of celebrating the efforts and sacrifices of the past and rewards the dedication of the students towards a common goal. Eternal life is not a reward for those who are graduates but a reward to those enrolled in the process. At the time of God’s judgment, we all who are students of his ways and live in the school of the Holy Spirit will be granted the honors of eternal life. Some of us will be very righteous, presenting many crowns of glory before God. Some others may not have that many crowns. We cannot give up in our pursuit of righteousness because our salvation depends on it. Our persistence in doing what is good is the strongest sign of our salvation and the best way to improve our intimacy with God.
PRAYER
Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for reminding me about endurance and the importance of staying faithful in your ways. Help me to encourage those who disqualify themselves when not persisting in doing good. Give me the right words to encourage them to resume their walk with God, to get up again and fight the good fight, and to endure until you call them home. Amen!
He will give eternal life to those who persist in doing what is good, seeking after the glory and honor and immortality that God offers.
Romans 2:7
OBSERVATION
Eternal life cannot be a reward for perfection simply because nobody is perfect. According to Paul, eternal life is a reward for persistence in doing what is good. In the verse before, he claims that we all will be judged according to what we have done. And that judgment is not about results only. It will consider more heavily our attitude, our patience, our consistency, and our desire to fight our sinful nature in order to give glory to God. Eternal life is not for perfect people but for those who get up in sincere repentance each time they fall.
APPLICATION
This is graduation season in our church. Several people in our church have been honored in Commencement ceremonies recently. Graduation is a time of celebrating the efforts and sacrifices of the past and rewards the dedication of the students towards a common goal. Eternal life is not a reward for those who are graduates but a reward to those enrolled in the process. At the time of God’s judgment, we all who are students of his ways and live in the school of the Holy Spirit will be granted the honors of eternal life. Some of us will be very righteous, presenting many crowns of glory before God. Some others may not have that many crowns. We cannot give up in our pursuit of righteousness because our salvation depends on it. Our persistence in doing what is good is the strongest sign of our salvation and the best way to improve our intimacy with God.
PRAYER
Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for reminding me about endurance and the importance of staying faithful in your ways. Help me to encourage those who disqualify themselves when not persisting in doing good. Give me the right words to encourage them to resume their walk with God, to get up again and fight the good fight, and to endure until you call them home. Amen!
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
IDLE AND BUSY. By Kamu Sing
Scripture
2 Thessalonians 3:13 - And as for you, brothers, never tire of doing what is right.
Observation
Paul, in this particular passage, is writing about those who are “idle”. Idle being those who may not use their time wisely or responsibly. He also speaks of them as being busybodies instead of busy.
Application
I love it when Paul is so direct and clear about how these people he is talking to should live and conduct themselves on a day to day basis. He is speaking to those who are idle and seem busy but are really not. When I hear the word idle, I can’t help but hear apathetic; one who has or shows little or no feeling or emotion; having no concern. A lot of times in ministry we get so many people that come to us and throw up everything about their lives, their problems, their need for someone to fix it. They share out of their heart and desire so much for anyone to help. For us as those who give their life to God to work in the ministry, we can hear all these people and sometimes become emotionless or compassionless for their situation. In our head it’s like, “heard this before” or “I know exactly what they need to do” and there sometimes is a slight misalignment with our heart and our assignment to these people. Today, I receive a word to just check my heart and realign myself if I’m off just a little. It isn’t that I am evil but more because I am human. Jesus was perfect and was never off when it came to loving others. We as followers trying to be more like Him, sometimes need to correct a little here and there and fine tune our hearts to become closer to who Jesus wants us to be. And then there is the subject of being “busy” or seeming that way. As we work in the ministry, we can get so caught with things that seem pressing or very urgent when it may not actually be. And very often, it’s those things that seem pressing are the very things that hinder us from actually doing the assignment that God wants us to do. If we are not careful, we may find ourselves as “busy” but not the slightest effective or efficient. I know for me, the Lord is asking that I check what I am doing to make sure and correct back if necessary, that I am doing what He has assigned me to do. It is so critical that we don’t become busybodies and fool ourselves to thinking that we are not capable of God’s assignment for our lives.
Prayer
Wow God. So much...I am so encouraged by the words that you’ve given me. Help me to not become idle in my life and correct back to truly loving others and show me the areas in my life that is making me a busybody than just busy. I want to be faithful in all areas of my life and I know that You are just waiting to show me how. I love You. In Jesus name, Amen.
2 Thessalonians 3:13 - And as for you, brothers, never tire of doing what is right.
Observation
Paul, in this particular passage, is writing about those who are “idle”. Idle being those who may not use their time wisely or responsibly. He also speaks of them as being busybodies instead of busy.
Application
I love it when Paul is so direct and clear about how these people he is talking to should live and conduct themselves on a day to day basis. He is speaking to those who are idle and seem busy but are really not. When I hear the word idle, I can’t help but hear apathetic; one who has or shows little or no feeling or emotion; having no concern. A lot of times in ministry we get so many people that come to us and throw up everything about their lives, their problems, their need for someone to fix it. They share out of their heart and desire so much for anyone to help. For us as those who give their life to God to work in the ministry, we can hear all these people and sometimes become emotionless or compassionless for their situation. In our head it’s like, “heard this before” or “I know exactly what they need to do” and there sometimes is a slight misalignment with our heart and our assignment to these people. Today, I receive a word to just check my heart and realign myself if I’m off just a little. It isn’t that I am evil but more because I am human. Jesus was perfect and was never off when it came to loving others. We as followers trying to be more like Him, sometimes need to correct a little here and there and fine tune our hearts to become closer to who Jesus wants us to be. And then there is the subject of being “busy” or seeming that way. As we work in the ministry, we can get so caught with things that seem pressing or very urgent when it may not actually be. And very often, it’s those things that seem pressing are the very things that hinder us from actually doing the assignment that God wants us to do. If we are not careful, we may find ourselves as “busy” but not the slightest effective or efficient. I know for me, the Lord is asking that I check what I am doing to make sure and correct back if necessary, that I am doing what He has assigned me to do. It is so critical that we don’t become busybodies and fool ourselves to thinking that we are not capable of God’s assignment for our lives.
Prayer
Wow God. So much...I am so encouraged by the words that you’ve given me. Help me to not become idle in my life and correct back to truly loving others and show me the areas in my life that is making me a busybody than just busy. I want to be faithful in all areas of my life and I know that You are just waiting to show me how. I love You. In Jesus name, Amen.
THEY ARE NOT THE ENEMY. By Pastor Fernando
SCRIPTURE
11 Yet we hear that some of you are living idle lives, refusing to work and meddling in other people’s business. 12 We command such people and urge them in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and work to earn their own living. 13 As for the rest of you, dear brothers and sisters, never get tired of doing good. 14 Take note of those who refuse to obey what we say in this letter. Stay away from them so they will be ashamed. 15 Don’t think of them as enemies, but warn them as you would a brother or sister.
2 Thessalonians 3:11-15
OBSERVATION
Paul found out that some people were taking advantage of the generosity of others in the church. They were living idle lives, refusing to work, dedicated to follow their "call," and meddling in other people's business. Paul's rebuke is strong. He tells lazy people like this to get a job and grow up. But also he encourages everyone else to not become disappointed by what these idle people were doing and to continue helping people that are in genuine need. And if the lazy people continue in such lifestyle, they need to be ashamed by our isolation from them. They need to be warned as a brother or sister, not threatened like if they were enemies.
APPLICATION
This morning the Lord answers so many questions and gives me clear instructions of how to deal with people that refuse to work, but have the best arguments to manipulate others into "supporting" them. Sadly to say, a small group of people in our church has been affected by a woman that fits this description. She has a calling in her life but refuses to work to support herself and demanded the church to take care of her needs. When our church did not comply to her requests, she left. She started her own ministry. She wants others to support her and demands that those who follow her give their tithes to her (her vision). She can hear God telling her to buy a luxury car even if she gets into debt, but refuses to follow the biblical principles of submission and accountability.
The best part for me about this passage is about the way I should treat her. I cannot deny that her actions upset me. I despise manipulative tactics to collect money from people, especially when they are done in the name of the Gospel. So I've been tempted to treat this person as an enemy. But in God's Word the Lord instructs us to warn this person as a sister. This is the right way, the biblical way, to approach this situation.
PRAYER
Dear Jesus, please help me to confront this situation and treat this person as a sister, not as an enemy. Even though there is a lot of hurt in my heart for the people that are being deceived, please help me to put my feelings aside and confront in genuine love. And even if things are not resolved for the better, I know that my conscience is clear and that I will act according to your ways. Amen!
11 Yet we hear that some of you are living idle lives, refusing to work and meddling in other people’s business. 12 We command such people and urge them in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and work to earn their own living. 13 As for the rest of you, dear brothers and sisters, never get tired of doing good. 14 Take note of those who refuse to obey what we say in this letter. Stay away from them so they will be ashamed. 15 Don’t think of them as enemies, but warn them as you would a brother or sister.
2 Thessalonians 3:11-15
OBSERVATION
Paul found out that some people were taking advantage of the generosity of others in the church. They were living idle lives, refusing to work, dedicated to follow their "call," and meddling in other people's business. Paul's rebuke is strong. He tells lazy people like this to get a job and grow up. But also he encourages everyone else to not become disappointed by what these idle people were doing and to continue helping people that are in genuine need. And if the lazy people continue in such lifestyle, they need to be ashamed by our isolation from them. They need to be warned as a brother or sister, not threatened like if they were enemies.
APPLICATION
This morning the Lord answers so many questions and gives me clear instructions of how to deal with people that refuse to work, but have the best arguments to manipulate others into "supporting" them. Sadly to say, a small group of people in our church has been affected by a woman that fits this description. She has a calling in her life but refuses to work to support herself and demanded the church to take care of her needs. When our church did not comply to her requests, she left. She started her own ministry. She wants others to support her and demands that those who follow her give their tithes to her (her vision). She can hear God telling her to buy a luxury car even if she gets into debt, but refuses to follow the biblical principles of submission and accountability.
The best part for me about this passage is about the way I should treat her. I cannot deny that her actions upset me. I despise manipulative tactics to collect money from people, especially when they are done in the name of the Gospel. So I've been tempted to treat this person as an enemy. But in God's Word the Lord instructs us to warn this person as a sister. This is the right way, the biblical way, to approach this situation.
PRAYER
Dear Jesus, please help me to confront this situation and treat this person as a sister, not as an enemy. Even though there is a lot of hurt in my heart for the people that are being deceived, please help me to put my feelings aside and confront in genuine love. And even if things are not resolved for the better, I know that my conscience is clear and that I will act according to your ways. Amen!
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
SCRIPTURE
11"But when the king came in to see the guests, he noticed a man there who was not wearing wedding clothes. 12'Friend,' he asked, 'how did you get in here without wedding clothes?' The man was speechless. 13"Then the king told the attendants, 'Tie him hand and foot, and throw him outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.' 14"For many are invited, but few are chosen."
Matthew 22:11-14
OBSERVATION
In this parable Jesus is pointing out the process in which people come into the Kingdom of Heaven. The first step is to invite people to the wedding. Some will come, some will not. The second step is to get more aggressive and bring people. The servants had to go and not just invite but to bring people to the wedding. Sometimes merely invitations don't work. His servants need to be persuasive in bringing people to relationship with Him. Now, the last part of the parable is very important. It's a clear indication that there is more in our relationship with God that just showing up to the wedding. When people are brought to the wedding, they are probably not prepared and dressed for the party. But the tradition for the host was to provide wedding attire for unprepared guests. But some guests were either lazy to change or unwilling to leave their clothes behind. It was a sign of disrespect to refuse the wedding attire offered by the host. In fact, a host would ask a guest to leave if they were not dressed properly. That's why Jesus says that many people are called, but few are chosen. Only those that come AND change their ways are the ones chosen.
APPLICATION
When reaching people for Christ, our job is not done when we invite someone to church. It's not done when we are able to persuade that person and bring them to church. We are not done when after hearing the gospel, that person raises the hand to receive Jesus as Lord and Savior. That is just the beginning. True discipleship making has to do with helping people to leave their old ways and to embrace the new ways - to dispose their old clothes and to put on the garments of righteousness. We bring people to Jesus when we take them through a wardrobe intervention. Certain things need to be gone, new things need to be embraced. The old nature is gone, the new life in Christ is embraced.We can get a ticket to heaven when showing up for the wedding, but we may loose the ticket if we are negligent to accept the new life God offers. God accepts us just the way we are, but He loves us too much to leave us that way.
PRAYER
Dear Jesus, let me discard anything that is not appropriate for the wedding banquet. Let me always put on my new nature, my robe of righteousness. Also let me lead our church with that vision. We are bringing many people to Christ, but we need to do a better job helping people to make changes in their life, to leave the old sinful nature behind, and to put on the nature of Christ. Please help us to have an incredible passion for both: evangelism and discipleship. Amen!
11"But when the king came in to see the guests, he noticed a man there who was not wearing wedding clothes. 12'Friend,' he asked, 'how did you get in here without wedding clothes?' The man was speechless. 13"Then the king told the attendants, 'Tie him hand and foot, and throw him outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.' 14"For many are invited, but few are chosen."
Matthew 22:11-14
OBSERVATION
In this parable Jesus is pointing out the process in which people come into the Kingdom of Heaven. The first step is to invite people to the wedding. Some will come, some will not. The second step is to get more aggressive and bring people. The servants had to go and not just invite but to bring people to the wedding. Sometimes merely invitations don't work. His servants need to be persuasive in bringing people to relationship with Him. Now, the last part of the parable is very important. It's a clear indication that there is more in our relationship with God that just showing up to the wedding. When people are brought to the wedding, they are probably not prepared and dressed for the party. But the tradition for the host was to provide wedding attire for unprepared guests. But some guests were either lazy to change or unwilling to leave their clothes behind. It was a sign of disrespect to refuse the wedding attire offered by the host. In fact, a host would ask a guest to leave if they were not dressed properly. That's why Jesus says that many people are called, but few are chosen. Only those that come AND change their ways are the ones chosen.
APPLICATION
When reaching people for Christ, our job is not done when we invite someone to church. It's not done when we are able to persuade that person and bring them to church. We are not done when after hearing the gospel, that person raises the hand to receive Jesus as Lord and Savior. That is just the beginning. True discipleship making has to do with helping people to leave their old ways and to embrace the new ways - to dispose their old clothes and to put on the garments of righteousness. We bring people to Jesus when we take them through a wardrobe intervention. Certain things need to be gone, new things need to be embraced. The old nature is gone, the new life in Christ is embraced.We can get a ticket to heaven when showing up for the wedding, but we may loose the ticket if we are negligent to accept the new life God offers. God accepts us just the way we are, but He loves us too much to leave us that way.
PRAYER
Dear Jesus, let me discard anything that is not appropriate for the wedding banquet. Let me always put on my new nature, my robe of righteousness. Also let me lead our church with that vision. We are bringing many people to Christ, but we need to do a better job helping people to make changes in their life, to leave the old sinful nature behind, and to put on the nature of Christ. Please help us to have an incredible passion for both: evangelism and discipleship. Amen!
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