SCRIPTURE - Zechariah 7:9-10
"This is what the LORD Almighty says: 'Administer true justice; show mercy and compassion to one another. Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, the alien or the poor. In your hearts do not think evil of each other.'"
OBSERVATION
The people of Israel got used to many religious rituals like fasting in certain months, but lost the purpose and the significance of them. In fact, they neglected the most important things of the Law. And they were more concerned in doing the rituals rather than becoming what God instructed them to become, a people that reflected God's glory through justice, mercy, compassion and sincere love for others. Sadly, they did not listen and continue neglecting what really mattered. In Jesus' time we see the same happening with regard of the Sabbath. People were more concerned about the rituals than helping people on the day of rest.
APPLICATION
It's easier to reduce our relationship with God to mere rituals rather than focusing in what God wants us to become. With a ritual we can check the box and have the impression that we accomplish what is required. Rituals can be very deceptive. But when the real test is who we are and who are we becoming, the reality of God's will reveals our shortcomings.
There are more rituals in my daily life than ever before: doing daily devotions, praying for the needs of others, having communion once a month, doing water baptisms every two months, etc... All these rituals can be deceiving and become meaningless if the main purpose of doing them is neglected. And that purpose simple stated is that I become more like Christ.
Today I'm challenged to look beyond all the rituals I practice into the reality of who I am becoming. Rituals are not necessarily bad, but they are not the end of the means. They are means to an end. And if I'm not arriving to the character of Jesus, to the Fruit of the Spirit, then I need to evaluate those rituals and get rid of those which are not helpful in becoming a man after God's own heart, full of passion for God and compassion for people.
PRAYER
Dear heavenly Father, thank you so much for your faithfulness in my life. This morning I'm remembering the song, "I'm coming Back to the heart of worship," when it says, "I'm sorry Lord for this thing I made, when it's all about You!" Please reveal to me when my rituals become a deception and a distraction for what really maters. Bring more of the Fruit of the Spirit into my life and if a religious ritual is on the way blocking my progress, give me the courage to challenge it and get rid of it so your anointing flows like a river and I can become more like you. Amen!
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
THE PRINCIPLE OF AUTHORITY. By Pastor Fernando
SCRIPTURE - Zechariah 3:7
"This is what the LORD of Heaven's Armies says: if you follow my ways and carefully serve me, then you will be given authority over my Temple and its courtyards..."
OBSERVATION
Zechariah is ministering to Jeshua, the high priest, and delivers a prophetic word containing an amazing promise from God. This promise is about a divine flow of authority over the things of God, but it comes with a condition. It requires obedience and faithful service to the house of the Lord. And in verse 8, Zechariah says to Jeshua... "you are symbols of the things to come." Just like many passages of the OT, this verse has important implications today for all those who serve the Lord.
APPLICATION
I like to be in authority over my house, not becasue I'm a control freak, but because I can see God's anointing flowing through me to provide emotional security, spiritual direction, and physical resources to my family. There is harmony when authority is steward well. But when I've been a guest in someone else's house where I'm not in authority, and there is chaos all around, I want to take over and lead. However that authority hasn't been given to me. The same principle works in the kingdom of God. Authority flows from God when we line up in his will through obedience and faithful service.
As an individual, I need such authority to rule over God's temple, my body, my mind and my heart. The fruit if the Holy Spirit is self-control, and it easily flows when we are under authority. As a head of my family, I need such authority to love and serve them like Jesus would. But I could easily loose my command post if I walk away from the flow of divine authority. And as a shepherd of God's people, I need that authority, no to manipulate others, but to guide them to the fresh waters and green pastors God wants us to go.
PRAYER
Dear heavenly Father, thank you so much for setting effective principles to live blessed lives. I have to admit that I violated this principle and I have lost grip of my authority. I may not loose my title or position, but the authority, the favor I have with people to motivate them and mobilize them. Please restore my heart so self-control flows naturally in my life.
"This is what the LORD of Heaven's Armies says: if you follow my ways and carefully serve me, then you will be given authority over my Temple and its courtyards..."
OBSERVATION
Zechariah is ministering to Jeshua, the high priest, and delivers a prophetic word containing an amazing promise from God. This promise is about a divine flow of authority over the things of God, but it comes with a condition. It requires obedience and faithful service to the house of the Lord. And in verse 8, Zechariah says to Jeshua... "you are symbols of the things to come." Just like many passages of the OT, this verse has important implications today for all those who serve the Lord.
APPLICATION
I like to be in authority over my house, not becasue I'm a control freak, but because I can see God's anointing flowing through me to provide emotional security, spiritual direction, and physical resources to my family. There is harmony when authority is steward well. But when I've been a guest in someone else's house where I'm not in authority, and there is chaos all around, I want to take over and lead. However that authority hasn't been given to me. The same principle works in the kingdom of God. Authority flows from God when we line up in his will through obedience and faithful service.
As an individual, I need such authority to rule over God's temple, my body, my mind and my heart. The fruit if the Holy Spirit is self-control, and it easily flows when we are under authority. As a head of my family, I need such authority to love and serve them like Jesus would. But I could easily loose my command post if I walk away from the flow of divine authority. And as a shepherd of God's people, I need that authority, no to manipulate others, but to guide them to the fresh waters and green pastors God wants us to go.
PRAYER
Dear heavenly Father, thank you so much for setting effective principles to live blessed lives. I have to admit that I violated this principle and I have lost grip of my authority. I may not loose my title or position, but the authority, the favor I have with people to motivate them and mobilize them. Please restore my heart so self-control flows naturally in my life.
Monday, September 27, 2010
THE PROMISE OF GREATER GLORY. By Pastor Fernando
SCRIPTURE - Haggai 2:9
"'The glory of this present house will be greater than the glory of the former house,' says the LORD Almighty. 'And in this place I will grant peace,' declares the LORD Almighty.'"
OBSERVATION
In this passage the Lord is promising an amazing blessing. For years the people of Israel prioritize the reconstruction of their own homes, but neglected the temple. But if the people prioritize building the Temple, God promised to pour out His glory in a greater way than before. And the former glory experienced at the Temple when Solomon dedicated it was over the top. God always wanted to give greater blessings to His people. as long as they submit to His plan and will.
APPLICATION
In my own understanding of this passage, I cannot avoid thinking that in the New Covenant my soul is the living temple of the Holy Spirit. As we look at the condition of such temple, we need to look for places of differed maintenance, areas where neglect is evident, and situation that defile and bring corruption to the temple of the Lord. This ear God gave us the blessing of purchasing a home. We are very thankful for it. However, the past owners neglected some issues of maintenance in this house. Slowly we have been taking care of this issues one by one. It's a lot of work to do, but if we want to keep our home livable, we need to be intentional about taking care of it.
In my own temple, I can see many areas where my own neglect has become evident. In the past I experienced amazing moments of God's glory, and sometimes I think that I would never reach that level again. But this promise in Haggai gives me hope to expect a greater glory than the former. There is more form God for my life. And as I become more intentional about restoring this temple, I will see God's promise being fulfilled in my on life.
PRAYER
Dear Heavenly father, thank you so much for this promise that brings me hope for greater things ahead. Please forgive me for the differed maintenance in your house, for allowing corrupted things in your house, and for neglect the proper care of your house. please renew my heart and stir my will to prioritize the ministry of my own heart. Make my heart your home once again, and let it be more glorious than ever before. Shine your face upon me and bring me to new vistas and greater intimacy with you. I love you Lord. Amen!
"'The glory of this present house will be greater than the glory of the former house,' says the LORD Almighty. 'And in this place I will grant peace,' declares the LORD Almighty.'"
OBSERVATION
In this passage the Lord is promising an amazing blessing. For years the people of Israel prioritize the reconstruction of their own homes, but neglected the temple. But if the people prioritize building the Temple, God promised to pour out His glory in a greater way than before. And the former glory experienced at the Temple when Solomon dedicated it was over the top. God always wanted to give greater blessings to His people. as long as they submit to His plan and will.
APPLICATION
In my own understanding of this passage, I cannot avoid thinking that in the New Covenant my soul is the living temple of the Holy Spirit. As we look at the condition of such temple, we need to look for places of differed maintenance, areas where neglect is evident, and situation that defile and bring corruption to the temple of the Lord. This ear God gave us the blessing of purchasing a home. We are very thankful for it. However, the past owners neglected some issues of maintenance in this house. Slowly we have been taking care of this issues one by one. It's a lot of work to do, but if we want to keep our home livable, we need to be intentional about taking care of it.
In my own temple, I can see many areas where my own neglect has become evident. In the past I experienced amazing moments of God's glory, and sometimes I think that I would never reach that level again. But this promise in Haggai gives me hope to expect a greater glory than the former. There is more form God for my life. And as I become more intentional about restoring this temple, I will see God's promise being fulfilled in my on life.
PRAYER
Dear Heavenly father, thank you so much for this promise that brings me hope for greater things ahead. Please forgive me for the differed maintenance in your house, for allowing corrupted things in your house, and for neglect the proper care of your house. please renew my heart and stir my will to prioritize the ministry of my own heart. Make my heart your home once again, and let it be more glorious than ever before. Shine your face upon me and bring me to new vistas and greater intimacy with you. I love you Lord. Amen!
Friday, September 17, 2010
POSSESSIONS. By Pastor Mark Olson
SCRIPTURE - Ezekiel 44:28
I am to be the only inheritance the priests have. You are to give them no possession in Israel; I will be their possession.
OBSERVATION
Ezekiel is telling the people of Israel about the various things he saw in his vision. One of them pertains to the priests – how they are to minister, dress, etc. Here he tells the priests that the Lord is their inheritance and they are to own nothing in land or possessions.
APPLICATION
I am finding that preparing to move to Haiti is hard on my flesh. Every day I go home for lunch to go through a box or two - and every day I have to choose whether to sell, save or toss various things I own. It’s an exciting time, but a hard time. Going through your entire life and making decisions about getting rid of stuff is not easy. Mementos from my childhood, family photos – even my Boy Scout uniform and my high school letter sweater ! - all of which I have to deal with!! I admit, I am saving and packing away some of those things, but others I am getting rid of and I don’t want to.
The priests were told that they could have NO possessions. Wow ! Imagine that. They could have nothing at all and had to depend on God for absolutely everything in their life. God was their possession and inheritance. Yet, as you read the scripture, the priests had it all ! They lived in the temple, got to eat the first fruits and the best of the gifts to the Lord. They ate the grain offerings, sin offerings and guilt offerings. And everything devoted to the Lord was theirs to use (verses 28 – 30).
What is it about us that we must have stuff that belongs only to us and not to anyone else. Even when God provides things for us to use, we still seem to want to have them for ourselves – we want to own them. Our natural, selfish tendency is to heap up possessions and “treasures” in this life to hold on to. Even though we say we don’t heap up treasures here on earth – we do, or at least we want to ! Though we don’t often admit it, we are selfish. And the truth comes out when the treasures have to be disposed of or are physically taken away. Am I willing – am I able – to let go of my possessions for God’s call to Haiti ? It’s fairly easy to let go of the “duplicates” and the stuff I don’t care about much, but as I get closer and now am going through personal things to get rid of that I really love (my camping gear, my tools, things I’ve had for many, many years, etc.), the reality of my selfishness comes out. Letting go is hard.
Someone yesterday said I should sock away a bunch of money in the bank for when I return to “civilian life” after the mission field. He said I would need it to get started again in the “regular world”. Little did he know that I don’t have any money to “sock away”, but the interesting part is that his comment made me nervous. Should I try to hold onto something for the future ? Or should I just trust that God will take care of me when I am in the field and when I return to the regular day to day world (assuming I won’t be in the mission field the rest of my life). The fact that I got a little nervous, again shows my selfishness and also my incomplete trust in God to take care of me.
It’s amazing that an obscure little scripture in Ezekiel would cause me to think so hard about my life and what is really in the depths of my heart. God has a way of showing us our own heart and bringing out the darkness that’s down deep for us to see. Hard to deal with those emotions. But I am also reminded that no matter what “possessions” I don’t have, or have to get rid of, I have it all in Christ. God owns the “cattle on a thousand hills” as the scripture says and I don’t have to worry because I have a God who loves me, who died for me, and who will take care of me in every situation. I need to remember that piece of this scripture – I have everything I need in Christ !!
PRAYER
Lord, You are everything to me. Help me to live that out in my day to day life. You are my inheritance, my possession. If I don’t have something that I think I need, you will either provide it for me somehow, or I don’t need it ! Thank you for showing me the selfishness inside me. Cleanse my heart and make me more like you. In Jesus name, Amen.
Thursday, September 16, 2010
FAITHFUL REWARDS. By Pastor Fernando
SCRIPTURE - Psalm 128:1-4
Blessed are all who fear the LORD, who walk in his ways. You will eat the fruit of your labor; blessings and prosperity will be yours. Your wife will be like a fruitful vine within your house; your sons will be like olive shoots around your table. Thus is the man blessed who fears the LORD.
OBSERVATION
The fear of the Lord has great rewards in eternity, but also in this world. Walking in God's ways prepares an atmosphere where blessings are abundant and family relationships thrive. Many men, even non believers, would love to have such lifestyle. They want the rewards but they don't want to pay the price. Somehow we want to walk on our own ways and expect the rewards of those who walk in God's ways. What a great deception!
APPLICATION
Sometimes I wonder, "What did I do right to be so blessed?" I enjoy what I do for a living, God has given me unprecedented favor with other people, my family life is very rewarding, and generally speaking, my life overflows with blessings. Certainly, the decisions I made in the past about living according to God's ways has paid off. However, today's decisions and tomorrow's decisions could change my life's outcome in a swift way. The great blessings I have today can be spoiled if my fear of the Lord - my desire to walk in God's ways - is compromised. Every day I face decisions where I must choose my way of Gods way. And my way is usually easier and more appealing, but it will damage my relationship with God. I need to stay away from anything that has the potential to ruin my relationship with the Lord.
PRAYER
Dear heavenly Father, thank you so much for all the amazing and abundant blessings you have poured into my life. I don't deserve your grace and mercy. Yet, because of your unfailing love, you have given me more than I could ever imagine. Please help me to steward well all those blessings by staying closer to you, by following your ways, not my ways, and by staying away from the things that could separate me from you. My decisions affect the lives of those who I love the most. And out of love for you and for them, keep me always in your ways. Let me surrender my fears, my flesh and my sinful desires before you. Let me become a man after your own heart. Amen!
Blessed are all who fear the LORD, who walk in his ways. You will eat the fruit of your labor; blessings and prosperity will be yours. Your wife will be like a fruitful vine within your house; your sons will be like olive shoots around your table. Thus is the man blessed who fears the LORD.
OBSERVATION
The fear of the Lord has great rewards in eternity, but also in this world. Walking in God's ways prepares an atmosphere where blessings are abundant and family relationships thrive. Many men, even non believers, would love to have such lifestyle. They want the rewards but they don't want to pay the price. Somehow we want to walk on our own ways and expect the rewards of those who walk in God's ways. What a great deception!
APPLICATION
Sometimes I wonder, "What did I do right to be so blessed?" I enjoy what I do for a living, God has given me unprecedented favor with other people, my family life is very rewarding, and generally speaking, my life overflows with blessings. Certainly, the decisions I made in the past about living according to God's ways has paid off. However, today's decisions and tomorrow's decisions could change my life's outcome in a swift way. The great blessings I have today can be spoiled if my fear of the Lord - my desire to walk in God's ways - is compromised. Every day I face decisions where I must choose my way of Gods way. And my way is usually easier and more appealing, but it will damage my relationship with God. I need to stay away from anything that has the potential to ruin my relationship with the Lord.
PRAYER
Dear heavenly Father, thank you so much for all the amazing and abundant blessings you have poured into my life. I don't deserve your grace and mercy. Yet, because of your unfailing love, you have given me more than I could ever imagine. Please help me to steward well all those blessings by staying closer to you, by following your ways, not my ways, and by staying away from the things that could separate me from you. My decisions affect the lives of those who I love the most. And out of love for you and for them, keep me always in your ways. Let me surrender my fears, my flesh and my sinful desires before you. Let me become a man after your own heart. Amen!
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
DRY BONES. By Pastor Fernando
SCRIPTURE - Ezekiel 37:4-6
4 Then he said to me, "Prophesy to these bones and say to them, 'Dry bones, hear the word of the LORD! 5 This is what the Sovereign LORD says to these bones: I will make breath enter you, and you will come to life. 6 I will attach tendons to you and make flesh come upon you and cover you with skin; I will put breath in you, and you will come to life. Then you will know that I am the LORD.' "
OBSERVATION
This prophecy from Ezekiel is one of the most significant ones in the the history of the people of God. Ezekiel foretells the undeserving outpouring of God's grace over Israel as God himself brings life again to the nation of Israel. In Jewish mindset, dry bones were the strongest sign for desolation, hopelessness, and godlessness. This strong picture describes perfectly where they were emotionally, spiritually, and even physically. But God's promise challenges that reality.
APPLICATION
During this season in my life I want to look into the areas where it feels like a field of dry bones. What it used to be alive and functional has become dead. But I have hope today. I need a powerful blow of the breath of God in those areas. I need to come to life as the presence of God does a miracle of resurrection. My devotion for God sometimes feels like a field of dry bones. The only way I can come to life again is not by my own efforts and religious routines. I truly need an infuse of the Holy Spirit into my life.
PRAYER
Dear heavenly Father, today I come to you seeking more of your presence in my life. Please breathe on to me the breath of life. Turn my dry bones into a new healthy body that gives glory to your name. Give me a new heart so I can follow you wholeheartedly. In Jesus name, Amen!
4 Then he said to me, "Prophesy to these bones and say to them, 'Dry bones, hear the word of the LORD! 5 This is what the Sovereign LORD says to these bones: I will make breath enter you, and you will come to life. 6 I will attach tendons to you and make flesh come upon you and cover you with skin; I will put breath in you, and you will come to life. Then you will know that I am the LORD.' "
OBSERVATION
This prophecy from Ezekiel is one of the most significant ones in the the history of the people of God. Ezekiel foretells the undeserving outpouring of God's grace over Israel as God himself brings life again to the nation of Israel. In Jewish mindset, dry bones were the strongest sign for desolation, hopelessness, and godlessness. This strong picture describes perfectly where they were emotionally, spiritually, and even physically. But God's promise challenges that reality.
APPLICATION
During this season in my life I want to look into the areas where it feels like a field of dry bones. What it used to be alive and functional has become dead. But I have hope today. I need a powerful blow of the breath of God in those areas. I need to come to life as the presence of God does a miracle of resurrection. My devotion for God sometimes feels like a field of dry bones. The only way I can come to life again is not by my own efforts and religious routines. I truly need an infuse of the Holy Spirit into my life.
PRAYER
Dear heavenly Father, today I come to you seeking more of your presence in my life. Please breathe on to me the breath of life. Turn my dry bones into a new healthy body that gives glory to your name. Give me a new heart so I can follow you wholeheartedly. In Jesus name, Amen!
Thursday, September 9, 2010
WITH DESPERATION. By Pastor Fernando
SCRIPTURE - Lamentations 2:19
Arise, cry out in the night, as the watches of the night begin; pour out your heart like water in the presence of the Lord. Lift up your hands to him for the lives of your children, who faint from hunger at the head of every street.
OBSERVATION
Jeremiah is grieving over the destruction of Jerusalem. Everything that once was dear was devastated. As he laments for this tragedy, he encourages the people to seek the Lord now like never before. He warned them about this destruction before it happened, hoping for them to repent and change their ways. But they continued in their rebellion. Now he hopes that after the destruction of the city and the fulfillment of his prophecies, their hearts are soften and ready to seek the Lord. But he instruct them to seek God once again with an increasing passion an desperation.
APPLICATION
Our tendency is to seek God with passion and desperation when we are in major trouble. We shouldn't wait for destruction to come at our doorsteps for us to seek the Lord. We need to develop a heart that is always willing to seek God, not only when we are facing difficulties, but also when we are enjoying fruitfulness.
In my own life my tendency is to be desperate for God when I'm desperate about life. Sometimes I wait until the last minute to pour out my heart like water in the presence of the Lord. I need to learn how to be more proactive in seeking the Lord with desperation, to remain in the offensive and not in a constant defensive mode.
PRAYER
Dear heavenly Father, please forgive me for not seeking you in the way I should. lately, I've been very passive about what's going on around me. This season is crucial in several fronts in my life, so I've been fasting and praying. But my intensity spiritually needs to go to next level. Help me to seek you with such passion and desperation now, and not just when difficult times arrive. Amen.
Arise, cry out in the night, as the watches of the night begin; pour out your heart like water in the presence of the Lord. Lift up your hands to him for the lives of your children, who faint from hunger at the head of every street.
OBSERVATION
Jeremiah is grieving over the destruction of Jerusalem. Everything that once was dear was devastated. As he laments for this tragedy, he encourages the people to seek the Lord now like never before. He warned them about this destruction before it happened, hoping for them to repent and change their ways. But they continued in their rebellion. Now he hopes that after the destruction of the city and the fulfillment of his prophecies, their hearts are soften and ready to seek the Lord. But he instruct them to seek God once again with an increasing passion an desperation.
APPLICATION
Our tendency is to seek God with passion and desperation when we are in major trouble. We shouldn't wait for destruction to come at our doorsteps for us to seek the Lord. We need to develop a heart that is always willing to seek God, not only when we are facing difficulties, but also when we are enjoying fruitfulness.
In my own life my tendency is to be desperate for God when I'm desperate about life. Sometimes I wait until the last minute to pour out my heart like water in the presence of the Lord. I need to learn how to be more proactive in seeking the Lord with desperation, to remain in the offensive and not in a constant defensive mode.
PRAYER
Dear heavenly Father, please forgive me for not seeking you in the way I should. lately, I've been very passive about what's going on around me. This season is crucial in several fronts in my life, so I've been fasting and praying. But my intensity spiritually needs to go to next level. Help me to seek you with such passion and desperation now, and not just when difficult times arrive. Amen.
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
GOD IS JUST! By Pastor Fernando
SCRIPTURE - Ezekiel 18:29
Yet the house of Israel says, 'The way of the Lord is not just.' Are my ways unjust, O house of Israel? Is it not your ways that are unjust?
OBSERVATION
A bitter sentiment among some people of Israel arouse when the consequences of their sinful lifestyle caught up to them. In their reasoning God wasn't just. In their minds they followed the rules, but God still allowed devastation. They had another opportunity to repent, yet they decided to justify themselves and condemned God. Rather than recognizing their fault, they passed blame to the Lord.
APPLICATION
How easy is to pass blame for the consequences of our wrong actions! Very often when a tragedy occurs is normal to ask why this is happening. In our grieving is natural to think that God has abandon us, or that He didn't care, or that it is His fault. But when we are objective and genuine, we will discover that God is the one giving us comfort and peace in those difficult times. We discover more about God's love and we draw closer to HIm.
However, there are other times when people are very quick to blame God and they refuse to be objective. Their external tragedy becomes internal and corrodes whatever amount of faith they had. At this point, God continues giving opportunities to repent, but sadly, many people choose to walk away from God. In their reasoning, they are doing something great, challenging the Almighty because they have proof that either He doesn't exist, or if He does, he doesn't care about our suffering.
What do we do when we go through difficult times? I've doubted and I've question God's motives, but I cannot see myself going that far as to justify myself and blame God. However, there are thousands of people around me that feel that way and need to be brought back to the understanding of God's fairness and justice. They certainly need a new heart and a new spirit.
PRAYER
Dear heavenly Father, please continue building in me a pure heart that will humble himself before you and will never blame you for what this world brings into my life. Give me also wisdom and understanding of how I can guide people that continue justifying themselves and blaming you. You have so much mercy on them. Please use me to help them see the light of your love for them. Amen!
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