SCRIPTURE
1Meanwhile, when a crowd of many thousands had gathered, so that they were trampling on one another, Jesus began to speak first to his disciples, saying: "Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees, which is hypocrisy. 2There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. 3What you have said in the dark will be heard in the daylight, and what you have whispered in the ear in the inner rooms will be proclaimed from the roofs.
Luke 12:1-3
OBSERVATION
Jesus gives a strong warning to his disciples about never becoming contaminated with hypocrisy like the Pharisees. In this passage Jesus compares their hypocrisy with the yeast used to make bread. Yeast is what is inside the bread, at the very core. The yeast can be bad in the inside, yet the outer appearance of a loaf can be healthy. The Pharisees look very spiritual in the outside, but in the inside they allowed corruption, envy, and jealousy to breed. It's hard to tell when a person has the yeast of a Pharisee. Only God can see through the heart. But Jesus says that one day the inner motives and the truth will be exposed and everyone will know.
APPLICATION
Right now there is a Pharisee growing inside each one of us. By nature, our yeast can be easily polluted . The heart is deceiving and very often, unnoticed, the Pharisee starts invading our minds, asks questions, demands entitlements, becomes judgmental, and very soon our good intentions become overwhelmed by selfishness and jealousy. Oh in the inside, we may look like the most delicious loaf of bread people have seen. But in the outside, our yeast is rotten. There is a Pharisee growing in each one of us. And every single day it grows stronger, more daring, more devilish. How can we get rid of it?
The only solution for this inner problem is death. The moment that this Pharisee's head pops out we need to be quick to cut it off. We cannot tolerate it! We cannot allow him to roam in our minds. We cannot pretend that we can have him under control. We cannot tame it. We can only kill it. Clear and simple.
I can see that Pharisee form the distance. In the outside he looks great, victorious and very spiritual. God uses him to do great things in the church. Fro the distance I can tell that he wears a name tag. And as I get closer to read it and learn his name, I'm shocked. I can see my name on it. It's me. And that Pharisee must die!
PRAYER
Dear heavenly Father, I come to the cross this morning with the intention to bring the yeast of the Pharisee growing in me. He must die in your presence. I refuse to let him breathe. Help me to keep him dead. Instead of trusting so much in the outer anointing that anyone can see, let me focus in the inner anointing that no one can see. Instead of prioritizing in prayer more power to do your miracles, let me prioritize my character to become more like you. Help me to kill the Pharisee within me so Christ has all the room to grow in my heart. Amen!
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
HUMILITY: THE PRICE FOR THE PRIZE. By Pastor Fernando
SCRIPTURE
"I, Daniel, understood from the Scriptures, according to the word of the LORD given to Jeremiah the prophet, that the desolation of Jerusalem would last seventy years. So I turned to the Lord God and pleaded with him in prayer and petition, in fasting, and in sackcloth and ashes."
Daniel 9:2-3
OBSERVATION
Daniel realized from the Scriptures that God's promise for Jerusalem's restoration was due. 70 years of captivity came to an end, but Jerusalem remained in ruins and the temple was inoperable. Instead of doubting God, Daniel takes boldly the role of an intercessor and comes with great devotion to God's presence to plea in fasting and prayer. He comes to the Lord with humility, not demanding God's fulfillment of His promise. He is repentant, recognizing that God's mercy is not earned by personal merit. He simply believes what God said, and He is going to seek and wait in the Lord until the promise becomes a reality.
APPLICATION
There are so many promises of God that are due in our lives and that are not being fulfilled, not because God is incapable, but because we are not participants in claiming their fulfillment. Daniel trusted God, but he understood his own responsibility in God's plan for His people. When a promise is not being fulfilled, the heart of a leader will rise to the occasion. Shepherds shine when they put on the intercessory hat. Leaders grow when they seek and wait in the Lord for the fulfillment of God's promises. God is looking for leaders with big hearts that not only believe and trust His promises, but that are also are willing to pay a price for the prize. Humility is the currency leaders use to align their lives with God's plans. And humility is only mined in God's presence, praying and fasting, in repentance and silence before a holy God.
PRAYER
Dear Jesus, recently I've been reminded of the triple H character pattern that those in leadership are called to follow, especially the value of holiness. This includes my responsibility to see you plan, not mine, happening in the people you have called me to lead. Please give me Daniel's heart to humble himself and intercede according to your plan. There are so many promises for our hurch and for my personal life that will only become reality as I partner with you in prayer and fasting. Let me be humble before you. Let me pay the price for the prize.
"I, Daniel, understood from the Scriptures, according to the word of the LORD given to Jeremiah the prophet, that the desolation of Jerusalem would last seventy years. So I turned to the Lord God and pleaded with him in prayer and petition, in fasting, and in sackcloth and ashes."
Daniel 9:2-3
OBSERVATION
Daniel realized from the Scriptures that God's promise for Jerusalem's restoration was due. 70 years of captivity came to an end, but Jerusalem remained in ruins and the temple was inoperable. Instead of doubting God, Daniel takes boldly the role of an intercessor and comes with great devotion to God's presence to plea in fasting and prayer. He comes to the Lord with humility, not demanding God's fulfillment of His promise. He is repentant, recognizing that God's mercy is not earned by personal merit. He simply believes what God said, and He is going to seek and wait in the Lord until the promise becomes a reality.
APPLICATION
There are so many promises of God that are due in our lives and that are not being fulfilled, not because God is incapable, but because we are not participants in claiming their fulfillment. Daniel trusted God, but he understood his own responsibility in God's plan for His people. When a promise is not being fulfilled, the heart of a leader will rise to the occasion. Shepherds shine when they put on the intercessory hat. Leaders grow when they seek and wait in the Lord for the fulfillment of God's promises. God is looking for leaders with big hearts that not only believe and trust His promises, but that are also are willing to pay a price for the prize. Humility is the currency leaders use to align their lives with God's plans. And humility is only mined in God's presence, praying and fasting, in repentance and silence before a holy God.
PRAYER
Dear Jesus, recently I've been reminded of the triple H character pattern that those in leadership are called to follow, especially the value of holiness. This includes my responsibility to see you plan, not mine, happening in the people you have called me to lead. Please give me Daniel's heart to humble himself and intercede according to your plan. There are so many promises for our hurch and for my personal life that will only become reality as I partner with you in prayer and fasting. Let me be humble before you. Let me pay the price for the prize.
Friday, September 18, 2009
LIKE ELIJAH. By Pastor Fernando
SCRIPTURE
"He will be a man with the spirit and power of Elijah. He will prepare the people for the coming of the Lord. He will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, and he will cause those who are rebellious to accept the wisdom of the godly."
Luke 1:17
OBSERVATION
John the Baptist had a special anointing and call in his life. He was the forerunner for the ministry of Jesus. He prepared the way for the coming of the Lord. He brought reconciliation between generations, and persuaded listeners to embrace and obey God's wisdom. This is the kind of effective ministry we need around in order o see a real manifestation of the presence of Jesus.
APPLICATION
Just like John the baptist had the spirit and power of Elijah, I'm convinced that the church has the same anointing for today. Like John, we must prepare the way in people's hearts for the visitation of Jesus in their lives. Just like John, we are called to bring reconciliation in the family unit, to nurture marriages and support healthy relationships at home. And just like John, we are called to persuade people to obey God's highway.
PRAYER
Dear heavenly Father, please help our church to move in the spirit and power of Elijah. Amen!
"He will be a man with the spirit and power of Elijah. He will prepare the people for the coming of the Lord. He will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, and he will cause those who are rebellious to accept the wisdom of the godly."
Luke 1:17
OBSERVATION
John the Baptist had a special anointing and call in his life. He was the forerunner for the ministry of Jesus. He prepared the way for the coming of the Lord. He brought reconciliation between generations, and persuaded listeners to embrace and obey God's wisdom. This is the kind of effective ministry we need around in order o see a real manifestation of the presence of Jesus.
APPLICATION
Just like John the baptist had the spirit and power of Elijah, I'm convinced that the church has the same anointing for today. Like John, we must prepare the way in people's hearts for the visitation of Jesus in their lives. Just like John, we are called to bring reconciliation in the family unit, to nurture marriages and support healthy relationships at home. And just like John, we are called to persuade people to obey God's highway.
PRAYER
Dear heavenly Father, please help our church to move in the spirit and power of Elijah. Amen!
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
MEASUREMENTS. By Pastor Fernando
SCRIPTURE
"The angel who talked to me had a measuring rod of gold to measure the city, its gates and its walls."
Revelation 21:15
OBSERVATION
Both Ezekiel and John had visions of celestial beings measuring the things of God. In Ezekiel's vision, a detailed inspection of the temple and the surrounded areas included taking measurements. In john's vision, the New Jerusalem goes through the same procedure. God wants his people to understand the importance of measurable works. He wants to reveal standards to be hold accountable. Numbers are important to determine direction and to evaluate how effective progress is going.
APPLICATION
Measurements are important in our relationship with God and when advancing His kingdom. Measurements provide a clear target and sets the basis for an effective strategy. Without measurements, its difficult to know what we are looking for.
Recently I've been looking in more accountability in my personal relationship with God. I need some clear goals that can be measured. I cannot just say, "I need to pray and fast more." This is a noble goal, but lacks measurable results. I should say, "I will pray every other day and fast once a week."
With our church, I think we have great goals, but our measurable factors are not clear. We need to be more strategic in determining clear goals and expectations as we move forward. It's critical that the team understands what we are doing and how the results can be measured.
PRAYER
Dear heavenly Father, help me to be wiser and diligent to have clear measurements in my relationship with you and to fulfill them. At the same tie, I pray that you will bless our church staff strategic retreat this week. Let us come with clear goals and measurable indicators that will help us fulfill our assignment during this season. I love you Lord, Amen!
"The angel who talked to me had a measuring rod of gold to measure the city, its gates and its walls."
Revelation 21:15
OBSERVATION
Both Ezekiel and John had visions of celestial beings measuring the things of God. In Ezekiel's vision, a detailed inspection of the temple and the surrounded areas included taking measurements. In john's vision, the New Jerusalem goes through the same procedure. God wants his people to understand the importance of measurable works. He wants to reveal standards to be hold accountable. Numbers are important to determine direction and to evaluate how effective progress is going.
APPLICATION
Measurements are important in our relationship with God and when advancing His kingdom. Measurements provide a clear target and sets the basis for an effective strategy. Without measurements, its difficult to know what we are looking for.
Recently I've been looking in more accountability in my personal relationship with God. I need some clear goals that can be measured. I cannot just say, "I need to pray and fast more." This is a noble goal, but lacks measurable results. I should say, "I will pray every other day and fast once a week."
With our church, I think we have great goals, but our measurable factors are not clear. We need to be more strategic in determining clear goals and expectations as we move forward. It's critical that the team understands what we are doing and how the results can be measured.
PRAYER
Dear heavenly Father, help me to be wiser and diligent to have clear measurements in my relationship with you and to fulfill them. At the same tie, I pray that you will bless our church staff strategic retreat this week. Let us come with clear goals and measurable indicators that will help us fulfill our assignment during this season. I love you Lord, Amen!
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
TO LOVE HIM. By Pastor Fernando
SCRIPTURE
18 The LORD is near to all who call on him,
to all who call on him in truth.
19 He fulfills the desires of those who fear him;
he hears their cry and saves them.
20 The LORD watches over all who love him,
but all the wicked he will destroy.
Psalm 145:18-20
OBSERVATION
When David uttered this words, he had gone through all kings of disappointments in life. He was considered not worthy of honor by his own father, taunted by giants, persecuted by his king, and betrayed by his own son, among many things. He suffered bitterly all kinds of injustices on top of the pain brought by his own disobedience. Yet, after going through all these situations, he understands the compassion and the goodness of God. He does not grow bitter, he grows better. He understood that above all things, what truly matters in life is to love God. And out of a sincere love and devotion to God, the greatest blessings flow in such a way that they overwhelm the disappointments, erasing all bitterness and contempt.
APPLICATION
How easy is to let our disappointments overwhelm our heart! How easy is to blame God for our pain and consider Him distant or negligent to rescue us from trouble! Disappointment poorly handled will lead us to either guilt or judgment. And both roads lead to shame and bitterness. For that reason, the hey to steward disappointments correctly is to have a fresh and sincere love of God. Every time that our disappointments produce either shame or botterness, we need to see the need to grow closer to God in sincere love. My God is always closer when we call Him in truth. When we are desperate and hurting He comes to aid, not to rub salt in an open wound. To love Him is to trust Him, even when we don't understand Him.
PRAYER
Dear heavenly Father, today I'm reminded of the importance of handling disappointments correctly. I know they will keep coming and I must fight the tendency to either feel guilty or judgmental. Give me wisdom beyond my years not just to handle things correctly, but above all things, to love you beyond my reality. Let every disappointment become and opportunity to fall in love more and more with You. I may not be the brightest or the strongest. That's fine! All I want is to love you and to experience all your blessings flowing abundantly until they overwhelm my disappointments. Amen!
18 The LORD is near to all who call on him,
to all who call on him in truth.
19 He fulfills the desires of those who fear him;
he hears their cry and saves them.
20 The LORD watches over all who love him,
but all the wicked he will destroy.
Psalm 145:18-20
OBSERVATION
When David uttered this words, he had gone through all kings of disappointments in life. He was considered not worthy of honor by his own father, taunted by giants, persecuted by his king, and betrayed by his own son, among many things. He suffered bitterly all kinds of injustices on top of the pain brought by his own disobedience. Yet, after going through all these situations, he understands the compassion and the goodness of God. He does not grow bitter, he grows better. He understood that above all things, what truly matters in life is to love God. And out of a sincere love and devotion to God, the greatest blessings flow in such a way that they overwhelm the disappointments, erasing all bitterness and contempt.
APPLICATION
How easy is to let our disappointments overwhelm our heart! How easy is to blame God for our pain and consider Him distant or negligent to rescue us from trouble! Disappointment poorly handled will lead us to either guilt or judgment. And both roads lead to shame and bitterness. For that reason, the hey to steward disappointments correctly is to have a fresh and sincere love of God. Every time that our disappointments produce either shame or botterness, we need to see the need to grow closer to God in sincere love. My God is always closer when we call Him in truth. When we are desperate and hurting He comes to aid, not to rub salt in an open wound. To love Him is to trust Him, even when we don't understand Him.
PRAYER
Dear heavenly Father, today I'm reminded of the importance of handling disappointments correctly. I know they will keep coming and I must fight the tendency to either feel guilty or judgmental. Give me wisdom beyond my years not just to handle things correctly, but above all things, to love you beyond my reality. Let every disappointment become and opportunity to fall in love more and more with You. I may not be the brightest or the strongest. That's fine! All I want is to love you and to experience all your blessings flowing abundantly until they overwhelm my disappointments. Amen!
Thursday, September 10, 2009
THE FUNK ZONE. By Pastor Fernando
SCRIPTURE
20 I will never forget this awful time,
as I grieve over my loss.
21 Yet I still dare to hope
when I remember this:
22 The faithful love of the Lord never ends!
His mercies never cease.
23 Great is his faithfulness;
his mercies begin afresh each morning.
Lamentations 3:20-23
OBSERVATION
How disappointing life can be! Sometimes life offers awful times and brings overwhelming grief. Our human nature is tested to a break point, and reveals the true character of our soul. Jeremiah sees those moments as opportunities to have hope in God's love and mercies. He went through so much pain and hurt. He did not have anything left. Yet he refused to give up hope in who God is! Jeremiah knows that God's love is faithful and with no limits. He knows that God's mercies are new every morning.
APPLICATION
For some strange reason, I find that people easily forget the dimensions of God's love, His commitment to be faithful to His promises, and His everlasting provision of mercy for every circumstance in our lives. This is the Funk Zone. Many people live there. They get their mail in that address. They live in a funk of self-pity, guilt, shame, judgment and resentment. And then everything becomes funky! No hope and no future!
In my own life, sometimes I dwell more in the negative side of my circumstances rather that in the power of God to take me through each one of them. I can see how the funk zone gets closer and closer. The key is to get out the funk by remembering who God is. Singing praises to God reminds us of His character and pull us away from the funk. For that reason, is imperative that I come to God's presence every time I feel I'm entering in the funk zone. And as I seek the Lord with all my heart in whatever circumstance I go through, I will find the hope and the promise that will take me to peace and restoration.
PRAYER
Dear heavenly Father, thank you so much for reminding me this morning about your everlasting love, your faithfulness, and your new mercies. If it wasn't for them, I would be be very lost. Please help me to stay away from the funk zone and use me to help people get out of there when life hits them hard. Take me to your secret place, where your presence waits for me, so I can sit at your feet, be quiet in your glory, and be embraced by your love and grace. Amen!
20 I will never forget this awful time,
as I grieve over my loss.
21 Yet I still dare to hope
when I remember this:
22 The faithful love of the Lord never ends!
His mercies never cease.
23 Great is his faithfulness;
his mercies begin afresh each morning.
Lamentations 3:20-23
OBSERVATION
How disappointing life can be! Sometimes life offers awful times and brings overwhelming grief. Our human nature is tested to a break point, and reveals the true character of our soul. Jeremiah sees those moments as opportunities to have hope in God's love and mercies. He went through so much pain and hurt. He did not have anything left. Yet he refused to give up hope in who God is! Jeremiah knows that God's love is faithful and with no limits. He knows that God's mercies are new every morning.
APPLICATION
For some strange reason, I find that people easily forget the dimensions of God's love, His commitment to be faithful to His promises, and His everlasting provision of mercy for every circumstance in our lives. This is the Funk Zone. Many people live there. They get their mail in that address. They live in a funk of self-pity, guilt, shame, judgment and resentment. And then everything becomes funky! No hope and no future!
In my own life, sometimes I dwell more in the negative side of my circumstances rather that in the power of God to take me through each one of them. I can see how the funk zone gets closer and closer. The key is to get out the funk by remembering who God is. Singing praises to God reminds us of His character and pull us away from the funk. For that reason, is imperative that I come to God's presence every time I feel I'm entering in the funk zone. And as I seek the Lord with all my heart in whatever circumstance I go through, I will find the hope and the promise that will take me to peace and restoration.
PRAYER
Dear heavenly Father, thank you so much for reminding me this morning about your everlasting love, your faithfulness, and your new mercies. If it wasn't for them, I would be be very lost. Please help me to stay away from the funk zone and use me to help people get out of there when life hits them hard. Take me to your secret place, where your presence waits for me, so I can sit at your feet, be quiet in your glory, and be embraced by your love and grace. Amen!
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
DEALING WITH DISAPPOINTMENTS. By Pastor Fernando
SCRIPTURE
1 When Jeremiah had finished giving this message from the Lord their God to all the people, 2 Azariah son of Hoshaiah and Johanan son of Kareah and all the other proud men said to Jeremiah, “You lie! The Lord our God hasn’t forbidden us to go to Egypt! 3 Baruch son of Neriah has convinced you to say this, because he wants us to stay here and be killed by the Babylonians[a] or be carried off into exile.” 4 So Johanan and the other guerrilla leaders and all the people refused to obey the Lord’s command to stay in Judah.
Jeremiah 43:1-4
OBSERVATION
Some of the commanders and leaders of the remnant inquired to Jeremiah for direction. We can assume that their intentions were right, but they were expecting God to agree with their own plans rather than seeking to obey God's will. So when Jeremiah reveals God's plan, which was contrary to their desires, they were disappointed. And because they were proud and arrogant they handled their disappointment poorly. They ended up fighting against God and in a worse situation than ever before.
APPLICATION
One of the great lessons of the reality of life is that we will face disappointments. We must learn how to handle disappointments correctly in order to see the provision and the protection of God regardless of our situation. In a nutshell, when facing disappointment we have three ways to go:
1. We can take the road of guilt, which leads to shame. When we face something disappointing because we made a poor choice in the past, the enemy is going to try to bring us down with guilt. We dwell in the past, revisiting our steps with great regret, blaming ourselves for the consequences, without seeking redemption and restoration from God. This road will take us straight to shame, a place where we chain ourselves to hopelessness.
2. We can take the road of judgment, which leads to resentment. If pointing the finger at ourselves doesn't work, then we can blame others. That's the road that the leaders of the remnant took with Jeremiah. When people don't fulfill our expectations and disappoint us, our tendency will be to get angry at them, jump into conclusions - often wrong - and misjudge their intentions and even their character. This road leads to resentment, a place where we will holding grudges and poison our own minds and hearts with discontent and bitterness.
3. We can take the higher road of accepting the new reality, which leads to confidence. When facing disappointment, we don't have to waste time. We can assume the responsibility and accept the new reality. It may not be what we expected, but when we stop resisting with guilt or judgment, but embrace the new reality, God comes with His promises and restores our confidence to face that new reality.
In my own journey with the disappointing diagnosis of autism for my youngest son David, I've seen how easy is to take the wrong road. I felt guilty and considered this situation as punishment for my past, or a direct result from my negligence as a father. Also at times I felt angry at doctors and the entire vaccination system, blaming them for my son's condition. But none of these options helped me when facing my new reality. Only when we came to terms with this reality, we found peace and confidence to ride the storm. I'm not sure where I would be if i continued in the wrong direction. All I know is that as we accepted our new reality, we have seen God's presence, power, provision, and protection every step of the way.
PRAYER
Dear heavenly Father, help me to stay in the road that leads to confidence in your power to face any new reality. Help me to apply this principle in all my decisions and in every circumstance when disappointment arrives unexpected. Teach me how to deal with disappointment in a way that invites your amazing power to work miracles in my life. Help my to follow your example when you faced the greatest disappointment in history. You did not walked in shame, or stayed in judgment. You did embraced the new reality, took initiative and responsibility, and sent your son Jesus to die in the cross for my sin. Let me follow you in this matter. In Jesus name, Amen!
1 When Jeremiah had finished giving this message from the Lord their God to all the people, 2 Azariah son of Hoshaiah and Johanan son of Kareah and all the other proud men said to Jeremiah, “You lie! The Lord our God hasn’t forbidden us to go to Egypt! 3 Baruch son of Neriah has convinced you to say this, because he wants us to stay here and be killed by the Babylonians[a] or be carried off into exile.” 4 So Johanan and the other guerrilla leaders and all the people refused to obey the Lord’s command to stay in Judah.
Jeremiah 43:1-4
OBSERVATION
Some of the commanders and leaders of the remnant inquired to Jeremiah for direction. We can assume that their intentions were right, but they were expecting God to agree with their own plans rather than seeking to obey God's will. So when Jeremiah reveals God's plan, which was contrary to their desires, they were disappointed. And because they were proud and arrogant they handled their disappointment poorly. They ended up fighting against God and in a worse situation than ever before.
APPLICATION
One of the great lessons of the reality of life is that we will face disappointments. We must learn how to handle disappointments correctly in order to see the provision and the protection of God regardless of our situation. In a nutshell, when facing disappointment we have three ways to go:
1. We can take the road of guilt, which leads to shame. When we face something disappointing because we made a poor choice in the past, the enemy is going to try to bring us down with guilt. We dwell in the past, revisiting our steps with great regret, blaming ourselves for the consequences, without seeking redemption and restoration from God. This road will take us straight to shame, a place where we chain ourselves to hopelessness.
2. We can take the road of judgment, which leads to resentment. If pointing the finger at ourselves doesn't work, then we can blame others. That's the road that the leaders of the remnant took with Jeremiah. When people don't fulfill our expectations and disappoint us, our tendency will be to get angry at them, jump into conclusions - often wrong - and misjudge their intentions and even their character. This road leads to resentment, a place where we will holding grudges and poison our own minds and hearts with discontent and bitterness.
3. We can take the higher road of accepting the new reality, which leads to confidence. When facing disappointment, we don't have to waste time. We can assume the responsibility and accept the new reality. It may not be what we expected, but when we stop resisting with guilt or judgment, but embrace the new reality, God comes with His promises and restores our confidence to face that new reality.
In my own journey with the disappointing diagnosis of autism for my youngest son David, I've seen how easy is to take the wrong road. I felt guilty and considered this situation as punishment for my past, or a direct result from my negligence as a father. Also at times I felt angry at doctors and the entire vaccination system, blaming them for my son's condition. But none of these options helped me when facing my new reality. Only when we came to terms with this reality, we found peace and confidence to ride the storm. I'm not sure where I would be if i continued in the wrong direction. All I know is that as we accepted our new reality, we have seen God's presence, power, provision, and protection every step of the way.
PRAYER
Dear heavenly Father, help me to stay in the road that leads to confidence in your power to face any new reality. Help me to apply this principle in all my decisions and in every circumstance when disappointment arrives unexpected. Teach me how to deal with disappointment in a way that invites your amazing power to work miracles in my life. Help my to follow your example when you faced the greatest disappointment in history. You did not walked in shame, or stayed in judgment. You did embraced the new reality, took initiative and responsibility, and sent your son Jesus to die in the cross for my sin. Let me follow you in this matter. In Jesus name, Amen!
Thursday, September 3, 2009
JUST AND GOOD. By Pastor Fernando
SCRIPTURE
7 All he does is just and good,
and all his commandments are trustworthy.
8 They are forever true,
to be obeyed faithfully and with integrity.
Psalm 111:7-8
OBSERVATION
The Psalmist here is boasting about God's works in human history, in the life of Israel, and in the personal life. The judgment is that everything God does is just and good. And this fact makes all His commandments worthwhile to obey faithfully and with integrity. So at the core of our relationship with God we can see God's justice and goodness. No wonder why the enemy and our flesh conspire against God's character all the time. If we think that God is not just and what He does is not good, we can find reasonable excuses not to obey His ways. This is a lie that keeps people in bondage.
APPLICATION
As we go through life, we will encounter situations where is difficult to see God's justice and goodness at play. These situations are confusing because it seems that God is not just and there is nothing good happening. So what we see determines how we think. And what we believe determines how we behave. I have met people that are not following Christ because they think that God is neither fair, nor caring, nor capable to stop evil in this world. But at the moment they see life from a different perspective, they can see the Majesty of the Almighty keeping things under control, bringing glory and redemption in all areas of our lives.
PRAYER
Dear heavenly Father, You are just and good. You are always fair, always in control, always faithful to protect those who follow You. Please help me to put my trust always in your character so I can have confidence to follow your ways. It doesn't matter what I see, I know you are always just and good with me. You will help me to overcome any difficulty and you will redeem my life from every storm. Also give me wisdom and discernment of how to help others that have the wrong mindset and that need to see the light of your glory. Amen.
7 All he does is just and good,
and all his commandments are trustworthy.
8 They are forever true,
to be obeyed faithfully and with integrity.
Psalm 111:7-8
OBSERVATION
The Psalmist here is boasting about God's works in human history, in the life of Israel, and in the personal life. The judgment is that everything God does is just and good. And this fact makes all His commandments worthwhile to obey faithfully and with integrity. So at the core of our relationship with God we can see God's justice and goodness. No wonder why the enemy and our flesh conspire against God's character all the time. If we think that God is not just and what He does is not good, we can find reasonable excuses not to obey His ways. This is a lie that keeps people in bondage.
APPLICATION
As we go through life, we will encounter situations where is difficult to see God's justice and goodness at play. These situations are confusing because it seems that God is not just and there is nothing good happening. So what we see determines how we think. And what we believe determines how we behave. I have met people that are not following Christ because they think that God is neither fair, nor caring, nor capable to stop evil in this world. But at the moment they see life from a different perspective, they can see the Majesty of the Almighty keeping things under control, bringing glory and redemption in all areas of our lives.
PRAYER
Dear heavenly Father, You are just and good. You are always fair, always in control, always faithful to protect those who follow You. Please help me to put my trust always in your character so I can have confidence to follow your ways. It doesn't matter what I see, I know you are always just and good with me. You will help me to overcome any difficulty and you will redeem my life from every storm. Also give me wisdom and discernment of how to help others that have the wrong mindset and that need to see the light of your glory. Amen.
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
HEART WORK. By Pastor Fernando
SCRIPTURE
"How weak-willed you are, declares the Sovereign LORD, when you do all these things..."
Ezekiel 16:30
OBSERVATION
As God describes the horrible acts of Israel and compares them with a brazen prostitute, He summarizes the root cause of the problem in this verse. He describes the people being weak-willed. Other translations say, sick at heart (NIV). The Amplified version says, "weak and spent with longing and lust is your heart and mind." This condition describes how capable is the human heart to walk away from God. And God brings judgment into their lives because they refused to work in their hearts. They neglected heart work.
APPLICATION
God's description of the human heart in Ezekiel does not surprise me. What always amazes me is our ability to deny the propensity of our heart to walk away from God and our constant neglect of heart work. We think that our religuios traditions and rituals deal with the heart effectively. But the reality is that our hearts can only be pure in the Holy fire of God's presence. Just like Israel fooled herself believing that they were right with God because of their connection to Abraham, we will fool ourselves if we think that we are right with God by following our traditions. Our heart is sick, and we need an intervention where God's presence burns it all. He has promised us a new heart, a heart that will obey Him and follow Him wholeheartedly. But this heart is only forged by grace as we seek His face sincerely, not to get things from Him, but to grow in friendship with Him. The most important ministry is the ministry of our own heart. We cannot neglect heart work.
PRAYER
Dear heavenly Father, thank you so much for your reminder about the true condition and propensity of my heart. Please change my broken heart for a new heart that gets rid of my weak will and makes me diligent and resilient to obey your ways. Give me a heart that obeys not because I have to, but because I want to. Give me a heart that trusts you and surrenders to your will because I want to be closer to you. Draw me close to you! Never let me go! Amen.
"How weak-willed you are, declares the Sovereign LORD, when you do all these things..."
Ezekiel 16:30
OBSERVATION
As God describes the horrible acts of Israel and compares them with a brazen prostitute, He summarizes the root cause of the problem in this verse. He describes the people being weak-willed. Other translations say, sick at heart (NIV). The Amplified version says, "weak and spent with longing and lust is your heart and mind." This condition describes how capable is the human heart to walk away from God. And God brings judgment into their lives because they refused to work in their hearts. They neglected heart work.
APPLICATION
God's description of the human heart in Ezekiel does not surprise me. What always amazes me is our ability to deny the propensity of our heart to walk away from God and our constant neglect of heart work. We think that our religuios traditions and rituals deal with the heart effectively. But the reality is that our hearts can only be pure in the Holy fire of God's presence. Just like Israel fooled herself believing that they were right with God because of their connection to Abraham, we will fool ourselves if we think that we are right with God by following our traditions. Our heart is sick, and we need an intervention where God's presence burns it all. He has promised us a new heart, a heart that will obey Him and follow Him wholeheartedly. But this heart is only forged by grace as we seek His face sincerely, not to get things from Him, but to grow in friendship with Him. The most important ministry is the ministry of our own heart. We cannot neglect heart work.
PRAYER
Dear heavenly Father, thank you so much for your reminder about the true condition and propensity of my heart. Please change my broken heart for a new heart that gets rid of my weak will and makes me diligent and resilient to obey your ways. Give me a heart that obeys not because I have to, but because I want to. Give me a heart that trusts you and surrenders to your will because I want to be closer to you. Draw me close to you! Never let me go! Amen.
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