Scripture:
They still did not understand the significance of the multiplied loaves, for their hearts were hard and they did not believe. Mark 6:52
Observation:
Jesus was extremely patient with His disciples. Many times they were slow to gain insight on Jesus’ messages and miracles. They were so perplexed and astonished at the miracle of the feeding of thousands that they couldn’t catch up with what Jesus was doing next. Mark is quick to point out the reason of their behavior - hardness of heart. They had Messiah right in front of them and they couldn’t see Him or recognize Him. The hardness of their heart caused them to not believe. One thing is to is to doubt what someone tells you, and another is to doubt what you have seen with your own eyes. They were second guessing themselves and couldn’t believe what was already happening before them.
Application:
Hardness of heart is not a demonized attitude. In fact, it’s very common in all of us and regularly practiced by default. As followers of Christ we may try to push our way. But when an instruction that contradicts or challenges where we want to go is given, our hardness of heart will motivate several thoughts and attitudes that may not please God. We may try to undermine, rationalize, and/or stubbornly make a case for our ways. Our choice should always be to trust and obey, even when we don’t understand what God is asking for. I should appreciate the patience of the Holy Spirit and all my mentors and teachers that have been bearing with my hardness of heart. I should trust them and obey them, softening my heart, and embracing an attitude of genuine submission to the divine order of God.
Also as a leader, I must extend patience and compassion at all times, especially to those under my care that have a hardened heart and that undermine my instructions or cannot listen to my lessons. I must not treat these people as if they were stupid or rebellious. I must extend the same compassion the Lord Jesus gives me when I’m the one slow and hard to listen His instructions for my life.
Prayer:
Dear heavenly Father, I truly want to be more like your Son Jesus when it comes to be a servant leader. Let me be more patient and compassionate with those who are hardened. They are not worse than me, and I’m not better than them. We all love you and want the blessings of faithfulness in our lives. Let us be obedient in your ways. Let us be soft in heart to your instructions, and guide us into a more trustworthy relationship with you. Amen!
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
THE TENSION BETWEEN RULES AND RELATIONSHIPS. By Pastor Fernando
Scripture:
Then Jesus said to them, “The Sabbath was made to benefit people, and not people to benefit the Sabbath. And I, the Son of Man, am master even of the Sabbath!” Mark 2:27-28
Observation:
The Pharisees made a big deal about Jesus and his disciples’ activities on the Sabbath. They had rules about the Sabbath that were sometimes ridiculous. They took one of the ten commandments and built a whole commentary based on hundreds of rules about the Sabbath. This tradition came so far as to change the original intent of God with t he Sabbath. Jesus challenged that mindset and brings back the original intent for God’s rules--to benefit people. Jesus points out that the best way to solve a tension between rules and relationships is to air on the side of relationships without breaking the original intent of the rules.
Application:
Rules are important and necessary because they provide margins that define the pathway in front of us. Just like cones properly arranged in a traffic hazard zone provide a clear lane for flow, rules are meant to benefit the people that use them. One problem comes if we get rid of the cones and allow people to drive over the hazards, hoping for no accidents. Another problem comes when the cones become barricades rather than delineators. People get stalled and flow is interrupted. This creates a tension that must be balanced. And when someone with authority deals with the tension and tries to arrange the cones in the right way, some other people will get offended. These people deal with this tension by putting rules about people. For them is more important to follow procedure than being effective. Rules become red tape. And this generates frustration and sometimes rebellion. We need to deal with tension by honoring people above the rules. And this mindset requires a greater sense of discipline and discernment. Rules are to bless people, not to make their lives more complicated. We need to embrace rules, but we need to manage them well so they never become more important than relationships.
Prayer:
Dear heavenly Father, please forgive me for the many times I put rules above relationships, or when I dismiss certain rules in order to make people happy. Give me wisdom and discernment to deal with this in a way that honors you. Amen!
Then Jesus said to them, “The Sabbath was made to benefit people, and not people to benefit the Sabbath. And I, the Son of Man, am master even of the Sabbath!” Mark 2:27-28
Observation:
The Pharisees made a big deal about Jesus and his disciples’ activities on the Sabbath. They had rules about the Sabbath that were sometimes ridiculous. They took one of the ten commandments and built a whole commentary based on hundreds of rules about the Sabbath. This tradition came so far as to change the original intent of God with t he Sabbath. Jesus challenged that mindset and brings back the original intent for God’s rules--to benefit people. Jesus points out that the best way to solve a tension between rules and relationships is to air on the side of relationships without breaking the original intent of the rules.
Application:
Rules are important and necessary because they provide margins that define the pathway in front of us. Just like cones properly arranged in a traffic hazard zone provide a clear lane for flow, rules are meant to benefit the people that use them. One problem comes if we get rid of the cones and allow people to drive over the hazards, hoping for no accidents. Another problem comes when the cones become barricades rather than delineators. People get stalled and flow is interrupted. This creates a tension that must be balanced. And when someone with authority deals with the tension and tries to arrange the cones in the right way, some other people will get offended. These people deal with this tension by putting rules about people. For them is more important to follow procedure than being effective. Rules become red tape. And this generates frustration and sometimes rebellion. We need to deal with tension by honoring people above the rules. And this mindset requires a greater sense of discipline and discernment. Rules are to bless people, not to make their lives more complicated. We need to embrace rules, but we need to manage them well so they never become more important than relationships.
Prayer:
Dear heavenly Father, please forgive me for the many times I put rules above relationships, or when I dismiss certain rules in order to make people happy. Give me wisdom and discernment to deal with this in a way that honors you. Amen!
Monday, October 27, 2008
THE REWARDS OF FAITHFULNESS. By Pastor Fernando
Scripture:
For the next two years, Paul lived in his own rented house. He welcomed all who visited him, proclaiming the Kingdom of God with boldness and teaching about he Lord Jesus Christ. And no one tried to stop him. Acts 28:30-31
Observation:
What an amazing way to close the book of Acts. Paul was able to get to the place God revealed to him. He was at Rome, faithfully preaching and teaching without serious opposition. Paul’s faithfulness was tested with persecutions, beatings, imprisonment, and shipwrecks. But he was able to endure all of them. He trusted God and His plan to take him to Rome to proclaim the Good News. He knew that God was faithful, so he was bale to be faithful. And the best part of all, is that God rewarded his faithfulness and Paul became the instrument of God to proclaim the Gospel around the known world in a relatively short period of time.
Application:
Faithfulness trumps personal ability and it will always bring the rewards that God has promised. Paul was many things, but his greatest virtue was faithfulness. He trusted God’s revelation of getting to Rome, the most influential place in the world, to proclaim the most powerful message ever delivered. When he saw all the doors closing and no way of escape, he trusted God and had hope for a miracle. Every single time God rescued him. It’s amazing what faithfulness to God and His promises does in our lives. No matter what opposition we face, when we are faithful and endure, we will walk into the promises of God trusting not in our abilities, but in God’s faithfulness. Today I’m encouraged to face any opposition, any kind of roadblock, and any kind of storm, knowing that God has a redeeming purpose on the other side of my trials. My hope is still alive because I remain faithful to the One who is always faithful.
Prayer:
Dear heavenly Father, thank you for being always faithful and true. You have given clear images of the future that become blurry when we face opposition. But your faithfulness makes me endure and helps me to be more faithful to you. Please remind me of what waits on the other side of the storm. Show me what is coming after the test. Reveal to me the reward that will come to your people as i continue being faithful to you. Grant me more faithfulness to honor you and to advance your kingdom in the few years I have ahead of me. Thank you Lord. Amen!
For the next two years, Paul lived in his own rented house. He welcomed all who visited him, proclaiming the Kingdom of God with boldness and teaching about he Lord Jesus Christ. And no one tried to stop him. Acts 28:30-31
Observation:
What an amazing way to close the book of Acts. Paul was able to get to the place God revealed to him. He was at Rome, faithfully preaching and teaching without serious opposition. Paul’s faithfulness was tested with persecutions, beatings, imprisonment, and shipwrecks. But he was able to endure all of them. He trusted God and His plan to take him to Rome to proclaim the Good News. He knew that God was faithful, so he was bale to be faithful. And the best part of all, is that God rewarded his faithfulness and Paul became the instrument of God to proclaim the Gospel around the known world in a relatively short period of time.
Application:
Faithfulness trumps personal ability and it will always bring the rewards that God has promised. Paul was many things, but his greatest virtue was faithfulness. He trusted God’s revelation of getting to Rome, the most influential place in the world, to proclaim the most powerful message ever delivered. When he saw all the doors closing and no way of escape, he trusted God and had hope for a miracle. Every single time God rescued him. It’s amazing what faithfulness to God and His promises does in our lives. No matter what opposition we face, when we are faithful and endure, we will walk into the promises of God trusting not in our abilities, but in God’s faithfulness. Today I’m encouraged to face any opposition, any kind of roadblock, and any kind of storm, knowing that God has a redeeming purpose on the other side of my trials. My hope is still alive because I remain faithful to the One who is always faithful.
Prayer:
Dear heavenly Father, thank you for being always faithful and true. You have given clear images of the future that become blurry when we face opposition. But your faithfulness makes me endure and helps me to be more faithful to you. Please remind me of what waits on the other side of the storm. Show me what is coming after the test. Reveal to me the reward that will come to your people as i continue being faithful to you. Grant me more faithfulness to honor you and to advance your kingdom in the few years I have ahead of me. Thank you Lord. Amen!
Thursday, October 23, 2008
A MORE ACCURATE MESSAGE. By Pastor Fernando
Scripture:
He (Apollos) had been taught the way of the Lord and talked to others with great enthusiasm and accuracy about Jesus. However, he knew only about John’s baptism. When Priscilla and Aquila heard him preaching boldly in the synagogue, they took him aside and explained the way of God more accurately. Acts 18:25-26
Observation:
Apollos was a bold speaker and messenger of the Good News. He spoke with wisdom and eloquence about Jesus but he only knew about the baptism on water. Priscilla and Aquila took him aside and explained him a more accurate way, that includes the baptism of the Holy Spirit. The Scripture refers to this teaching as a “more accurate” way of God. In fact, in the book of Acts we keep reading about believers that were not aware to this part of the Gospel and that were taught about this topic for their complete revelation of the work of God and His grace over them. The early disciples knew that the Baptism with the Holy Spirit was an essential part of their daily walk with God.
Application:
Interesting to find about many honest and sincere believers today that only know about the baptism on water, but have no understanding of the baptism with the Holy Spirit. We must be like Priscilla and Aquila in that regard when we encounter people like Apollos. We need to take them aside and explain the way of God more accurately. As a shepherd, I need to be eager to see our flock not only understanding but also living under the baptism of the Holy Spirit. I need to feed them well and include this important part of the gospel in their spiritual diet.
Prayer:
Dear heavenly Father, thank you so much for the precious gift of your Holy Spirit in my life. Great to walk in a more accurate way. Please help me to take people aside and explain them about this wonderful experience, that is part of the blessings we have because of the cross. Fill our church with your Holy Spirit and let all our people experience the blessing of being baptized with fire from heaven. Amen!
He (Apollos) had been taught the way of the Lord and talked to others with great enthusiasm and accuracy about Jesus. However, he knew only about John’s baptism. When Priscilla and Aquila heard him preaching boldly in the synagogue, they took him aside and explained the way of God more accurately. Acts 18:25-26
Observation:
Apollos was a bold speaker and messenger of the Good News. He spoke with wisdom and eloquence about Jesus but he only knew about the baptism on water. Priscilla and Aquila took him aside and explained him a more accurate way, that includes the baptism of the Holy Spirit. The Scripture refers to this teaching as a “more accurate” way of God. In fact, in the book of Acts we keep reading about believers that were not aware to this part of the Gospel and that were taught about this topic for their complete revelation of the work of God and His grace over them. The early disciples knew that the Baptism with the Holy Spirit was an essential part of their daily walk with God.
Application:
Interesting to find about many honest and sincere believers today that only know about the baptism on water, but have no understanding of the baptism with the Holy Spirit. We must be like Priscilla and Aquila in that regard when we encounter people like Apollos. We need to take them aside and explain the way of God more accurately. As a shepherd, I need to be eager to see our flock not only understanding but also living under the baptism of the Holy Spirit. I need to feed them well and include this important part of the gospel in their spiritual diet.
Prayer:
Dear heavenly Father, thank you so much for the precious gift of your Holy Spirit in my life. Great to walk in a more accurate way. Please help me to take people aside and explain them about this wonderful experience, that is part of the blessings we have because of the cross. Fill our church with your Holy Spirit and let all our people experience the blessing of being baptized with fire from heaven. Amen!
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
ESSENTIAL "BURDENS." By Pastor Fernando
Scripture:
For it seems good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay upon you no greater burden that these essentials - that you abstain from things sacrificed to idols, and from blood and from things strangled and from fornication; if you keep yourselves free from such things, you will do well. Acts 15:28-29
Observation:
The Early Church fathers understood the importance of honoring basic essentials in the disciplines of new Gentile converts. In many ways, these essentials were “burdens” necessary for their well-being, spiritual growth, sanctification, and witnessing. The good care of their bodies was seen as an essential concern for new believers to follow. A healthy diet and a godly sexual life were very important, at the top of the list. When this foundation is not strong, other disciplines cannot be built. The apostles did not want new believers slaved in a lifestyle that compromises in those areas. They know that when believers walk away from sexual immorality, idol worship, and unhealthy habits, they will be free and do very well in their spiritual journey.
Application:
These essential burdens set up by the apostles deal with “separation” and “consecration.” A follower of Christ is not like everyone else. A disciple of Jesus doesn’t share the same values of the world, but pledges allegiance to the Word of God and its principles. If these are essential burdens for a disciple, then those who are called to be leaders must build upon them. These basics must remain strong and unshakable for a leader in the church. If as a leader I’m not consecrated/separated for the purposes of God, then I will not be free and i will certainly loose effectiveness in my purpose of service. Such separation, the acceptance and observance of these essentials, defines the starting point of a lifestyle that honors God and His Word. An the word the apostles used is “BURDEN” because this essential are not easy. They require sacrifice, hard work, endurance, determination, and self-control. The flesh must be kept weak. And as the flesh weakens, the spirit becomes stronger.
I think every leader must take a regular break and evaluate their walk with the Lord and their observance of these essential burdens. As I dedicate my life to the ministry, I need to be honest about my separation from the things of the world and live consistently in a lifestyle of consecration - to the things that establish a firm foundation in my worship to God. I must honor the Lord with my body and mind, not just with my sermons. counseling, prayers, and songs. The more I do that, the more prepared I will be for the next season of leadership.
Prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father, please help me to focus more in the way I keep my entire life consecrated to you. Let me have a consistent determination about this, honoring daily your Word, serving you with all my heart, and pruning back to these essentials in my lifestyle. Let me live separated from this world and dedicated to your purposes. Amen!
For it seems good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay upon you no greater burden that these essentials - that you abstain from things sacrificed to idols, and from blood and from things strangled and from fornication; if you keep yourselves free from such things, you will do well. Acts 15:28-29
Observation:
The Early Church fathers understood the importance of honoring basic essentials in the disciplines of new Gentile converts. In many ways, these essentials were “burdens” necessary for their well-being, spiritual growth, sanctification, and witnessing. The good care of their bodies was seen as an essential concern for new believers to follow. A healthy diet and a godly sexual life were very important, at the top of the list. When this foundation is not strong, other disciplines cannot be built. The apostles did not want new believers slaved in a lifestyle that compromises in those areas. They know that when believers walk away from sexual immorality, idol worship, and unhealthy habits, they will be free and do very well in their spiritual journey.
Application:
These essential burdens set up by the apostles deal with “separation” and “consecration.” A follower of Christ is not like everyone else. A disciple of Jesus doesn’t share the same values of the world, but pledges allegiance to the Word of God and its principles. If these are essential burdens for a disciple, then those who are called to be leaders must build upon them. These basics must remain strong and unshakable for a leader in the church. If as a leader I’m not consecrated/separated for the purposes of God, then I will not be free and i will certainly loose effectiveness in my purpose of service. Such separation, the acceptance and observance of these essentials, defines the starting point of a lifestyle that honors God and His Word. An the word the apostles used is “BURDEN” because this essential are not easy. They require sacrifice, hard work, endurance, determination, and self-control. The flesh must be kept weak. And as the flesh weakens, the spirit becomes stronger.
I think every leader must take a regular break and evaluate their walk with the Lord and their observance of these essential burdens. As I dedicate my life to the ministry, I need to be honest about my separation from the things of the world and live consistently in a lifestyle of consecration - to the things that establish a firm foundation in my worship to God. I must honor the Lord with my body and mind, not just with my sermons. counseling, prayers, and songs. The more I do that, the more prepared I will be for the next season of leadership.
Prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father, please help me to focus more in the way I keep my entire life consecrated to you. Let me have a consistent determination about this, honoring daily your Word, serving you with all my heart, and pruning back to these essentials in my lifestyle. Let me live separated from this world and dedicated to your purposes. Amen!
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