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.

SPIRIT-FILLED. By Pastor Fernando

SCRIPTURE

⁴²They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. ⁴³Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. ⁴⁴All the believers were together and had everything in common. ⁴⁵Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need.
Acts 2:42-45

OBSERVATION

As I read the entire chapter about how the promise of the Holy Spirit was fulfilled in the Day of Pentecost, this passage is the immediate result of what happened to all those believers who experienced being filled with the Holy Spirit. They were able to be focused and devoted themselves to what mattered the most. Wonders and miracles became common among them. And the fruit of the Spirit in kindness and generosity was evident as people took care of each others needs.

APPLICATION

When the Spirit of the Lord fills people's lives, amazing things are going to happen. Harmony, miracles, and extravagant generosity are going to be the norm. I always wonder if the lack of those things around me are a direct sign that we are lacking of the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives. If the answer is "yes" then I must seek the pouring of the Holy Spirit in my life in such a way that overflows all around me and affects those near me. It's not anyone else's fault. It's my own responsibility to make sure that I'm walking with the Spirit, that I'm always filled with His presence, and that I'm willing to do what He prompts me to.

PRAYER

Dear heavenly Father, thank you for your gift of the Holy Spirit to empower us to become more like your Son Jesus. Let us live in the fullness of your Holy Spirit. Let us come together in harmony, devoting ourselves to what really maters, obeying your word, having fellowship with one another, beinga blesing to others, and experiencing supernatural miracles around us. Please fill us with your Holy Spirit and let us overflow with your glory so our city is transformed with your glory. Amen!

THE RIGHT FOCUS. By Pastor Fernando

SCRIPTURE

8 They read from the Book of the Law of God, making it clear and giving the meaning so that the people could understand what was being read.

9 Then Nehemiah the governor, Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who were instructing the people said to them all, "This day is sacred to the LORD your God. Do not mourn or weep." For all the people had been weeping as they listened to the words of the Law.

10 Nehemiah said, "Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is sacred to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the LORD is your strength."

11 The Levites calmed all the people, saying, "Be still, for this is a sacred day. Do not grieve."

12 Then all the people went away to eat and drink, to send portions of food and to celebrate with great joy, because they now understood the words that had been made known to them.

Nehemiah 8:8-12

OBSERVATION

When the people that had rebuild Jerusalem after years of captivity in foreign lands, Ezra open the Book of the Law and read it to all the people. It seems that they never heard the Word of God in a way that they understood. And once they got it, they were distressed. They were morning and weeping because they knew of the wrong they and their ancestors had done. But Nehemiah, Ezra, and the elders instructed the people to not be emotional about the past, but to celebrate the present victory and focus in the future.

APPLICATION

God's Word is powerful to bring conviction, not so we live in guilt in shame, but so we can pursuit God in righteousness. Once we understand God's Word we will realize where we fall short. If we are sincere and humble, the discoveries will lead us to repentance. But as soon as possible, we must move forward and focus in the present forgiveness of God and in the future holiness we can share as we set our minds to obey God's Word. We need to rejoice as we understand God's will. But more than anything, we need to celebrate the fact that now we know better, that now we can be in the light, and that we are set apart to live according to the instructions in the Scriptures.

PRAYER

Dear Heavenly Father, many times as your Word convicts me I stay too much time in morning, focusing more in th epast and in what I could have done, rather than celebrating the truth and focusing in doing what your Word says. As a teacher of your Word and as a spiritual leader of your people, please help me to always articulate well and communicate clearly this principle to the people that are understanding your Word. Help me to highlight grace and redemption above punishment. I want to motivate people to obey you, not becasue they are afraid of hell, but becasue they are excited about heaven. Fill me with your Spirit and help me to lead just like Nehemiah and Ezra did! Amen!

GOD THOUGH US. By Pastor Fernando

SCRIPTURE
6 So we rebuilt the wall till all of it reached half its height, for the people worked with all their heart. 7 But when Sanballat, Tobiah, the Arabs, the Ammonites and the men of Ashdod heard that the repairs to Jerusalem's walls had gone ahead and that the gaps were being closed, they were very angry. 8 They all plotted together to come and fight against Jerusalem and stir up trouble against it. 9 But we prayed to our God and posted a guard day and night to meet this threat. 10 Meanwhile, the people in Judah said, "The strength of the laborers is giving out, and there is so much rubble that we cannot rebuild the wall."
Nehemiah 4:6-10

OBSERVATION
Nehemiah's predicament is grim: the job is halfway done, the workers are tired, there's a lot more to do, and enemies are plotting to attack and destroy or delay the work. Nehemiah's leadership kicked in by doing two things: praying and preparing for battle. He found a way to motivate the people to keep working, this time with weapons at a hand's reach...

13 Therefore I stationed some of the people behind the lowest points of the wall at the exposed places, posting them by families, with their swords, spears and bows. 14 After I looked things over, I stood up and said to the nobles, the officials and the rest of the people, "Don't be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, who is great and awesome, and fight for your brothers, your sons and your daughters, your wives and your homes."

Nehemiah's conviction of God's power to help them build the wall was unshakeable. However, he did not crossed his arms and hoped for the best. He mobilized the people, he worked harder, and he trusted that God through them was going to deliver them and use them to rebuild the city.

APPLICATION
Nehemiah is one of the best examples of godly leadership when facing a difficult task. As a spiritual leader in our community, I'm called by God to build people according to God's will. I'm also called to build a church that exalts Christ and brings people closer to the Lord. This task is not easy and requires a unique anointing of leadership. My assignment is to persuasively cast the vision God has for our church, to motivate God's people to partner together with me to fulfill the vision, to give clear instructions of how to accomplish this vision, and to supervise that we all are in one accord following the same strategy.

I can totally relate to Nehemiah's report. I feel that our walls are also halfway done. We have done a great work, but we are not done. We must continue building. I'm also aware that our spiritual enemy wants to stop us at any cost. and I'm also aware that our workers are tired in in need of some rest. However, I'm fully convinced that God fights on our side and that despite of all these roadblocks, there is a way to partner with God by praying and by doing what it needs to be done. We need to continue closing the gaps, tying loose ends, and building the vision because God works not just for us, but also through us.

PRAYER
Oh Holy Spirit, please empower my life and our church to keep building the vision you have entrusted us. Give me the Nehemiah type of leadership skills to motivate people to work hard not because it depends on our own effort, but because you want to work through us. Help us to serve with passion and dedication, even if we are tired and demoralized. Give us a fresh portion of your Holy Spirit to fill our tanks. Reveal our gaps in the wall and our loose ends so we can diligently deal with them. Amen!

SACRIFICIAL GIVER. By Pastor Fernando

SCRIPTURE
1As he looked up, Jesus saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury. 2He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins. 3"I tell you the truth," he said, "this poor widow has put in more than all the others. 4All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on."
Luke 21:1-4

OBSERVATION
Jesus displays his brilliant insight when teaching his disciples about generosity. As He observes the truly sacrificial giving of this poor widow, He compares it with the giving of the rich. The checks of the wealthy may have had lots of numbers on them, but they had no faith and no heart. The two copper coins the widow gave may not be impressive enough to the human eye, but they were full of faith, hope, and trust in God to take care of her needs. Jesus wants to make sure that this widow's heart is displayed for generations to come as her giving is recorded in Scripture. That should be our heart, our motive, and our joy when we give.

APPLICATION
I would not like having my giving compared to this poor widow. I would be seriously embarrassed. I've been generous all my life. Several times I gave things away with a sacrificial heart, but I have never gave it all. I never sacrificed everything in order to depend fully on God. The funny thing is that every time I give something away, without intending something in return, God always provides my life with greater blessings. If I give money away, God brings more money to me. If I give cars away, God always brings a better car to me. So why don't trust God with everything? Well, the answer I may not like that much. My doubts and hesitation reveals that I have a hard time trusting God to take care of my needs completelly. I know God will take care of my needs, but when it comes to jump in the water and truly give it all, I struggle with it.

PRAYER
Dear Lord Jesus, I'm embarrassed to see how difficult is for me to really give everything away and fully trust in your hand of provision to take care of all my needs. Keep changing my heart until I get to that point where without hesitation I can give my everything to you. Let me have this poor widow's DNA. Help me to become truly reliant in your hand of provision for everything in my life. Amen!

HOW TO PLEASE GOD. By Pastor Fernando.

SCRIPTURE
His pleasure is not in the strength of the horse, nor his delight in the legs of a man; the LORD delights in those who fear him, who put their hope in his unfailing love.
Psalm 147:10-11

OBSERVATION
The Psalmist reveals here the greatest key for people to please God. This is very important and we cannot miss it. Under any circumstance God will be pleased by the strength of horses. Just like today the power of nation is measured by their military arsenal, in the ancient times, the strength of a clan or a nation was measured by horse power. All nations wanted to have the best and the most horses. Israel was commanded never to do that. In Deuteronomy 17:16 God instructed this, "The king, moreover, must not acquire great numbers of horses for himself or make the people return to Egypt to get more of them..." And in Deuteronomy 20:1 Moses said, "When you go to war against your enemies and see horses and chariots and an army greater than yours, do not be afraid of them, because the LORD your God, who brought you up out of Egypt, will be with you." Clearly, God wants his people to trust Him, not in what they can acquire.

In the same way, God's pleasure is not based in how strong their legs can be. With the kind of transportation in the ancient times, the legs were very important, and even more for people enlisted in the army. They had to be able to endure long distance marches, resist incline hills, and provide support when in battle. massive legs were a sign of individual strength. So people will train their legs to become stronger and stronger. But God is not impressed with such traits.

APPLICATION
Under any circumstance God will be pleased by the strength of our horses, which is whatever we can gather and ride on: our accomplishments, our structures, our stuff. In the same way, God's pleasure is not based in our legs, which is whatever we develop individually to get ahead and move forward in life: personal development, our education, our experience, our personal achievements, our influence.

The key to please God is to fear HIM. And in this context, fearing God is about putting our hope in His unfailing love. Nothing else!

In other words, my focus is to trust that great things can happen to me because God loves me. I'm blessed, not because I work so hard, but because He loves me. Our church thrives, not because we are better than others, but because God loves us and He loves the lost people He brings to our care. So when God reveals his vision for the future and we see great blessings ahead of us, instead of amassing more horses and working out the legs, we must praise God for His unfailing love, fear Him, and trust that all those blessings come only because He is crazy in love for us.

PRAYER
Dear Heavenly Father, thank you so much for reminding me once again about the key for success in pleasing you. Forgive me for focusing more in horses and in strong legs rather than in your unfailing love. Develop that fear in me. Oh, Holy Spirit, fill me more and more so I can fear God and trust only in His unfailing love for me and the people I lead. Please help me to be a shepherd that guides people into this kind of understanding and that radically changes our lives. Amen!

TRUE GENEROSITY. By Pastor Fernando

SCRIPTURE
12Then Jesus said to his host, "When you give a luncheon or dinner, do not invite your friends, your brothers or relatives, or your rich neighbors; if you do, they may invite you back and so you will be repaid. 13But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, 14and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous."
Luke 14:12-14

OBSERVATION
Jesus is instructing against the human tendency to be generous with a hidden selfish intention. The Pharisees liked to make feasts and invite influential people, not because they were hospitable, but because they were shrewd. They gave the appearance of being givers when in reality they were takers. Like master chess players, they would strategically give away something in hopes to take something greater. But Jesus reveals that the true motives behind our generosity will be revealed sooner or later. Those who practice true generosity, the one that has no strings attached and the one that does not hope for something in return or repayment, they will have their eternal reward before God.

APPLICATION
It's amazing the way our nature tries to use something good like generosity and turns it into something selfish. The modern practice of fundraisers has become a strategic game of giving in order to get something. Sadly, we now have to make a distinction between true generosity and fake generosity. Jesus taught us that in our daily lives, when we are giving away, we are letting go and we don't expect anything in return. We may be repaid later on. But that is not the goal of generosity. We give to give. We don't give to get.

I like to be generous, but I can catch myself sometimes scheming ways to get something in return for my generosity. I do that with people and I do that with God. Once again the Pharisee in me tries to pop his head and mess things around. For that reason, I need to be aware of my tendency to give to get, and get rid off it by giving with no expectations of repayment. I know God sees my motives and sacrifices. He will give me His reward.

PRAYER
Dear heavenly Father, please keep my heart pure when practicing generosity towards others and towards you. Let me be generous with all kinds of people, influential and outcasts alike. Give me the joy of giving without expecting one thing in return. Let me stay always on the side of true generosity. Amen!