This is a summary of Brother Louie Ortiz' teaching from Thursday, April 21, 2011
Thinking too much about circumstances that are beyond our control can be very dangerous. We tend to overanalyze situations sometimes and this usually leads us to the wrong conclusions. We wind up complicating things that are really quite simple. We might even take our frustrations out on some unsuspecting person who is genuinely trying to help us because we misinterpret their intentions and react incorrectly.
The Devil is the accuser of the bretheren and when you're already busy beating yourself up, he likes to jump right on your back and make things worse. He constantly tries to remind you of all your past mistakes and wants you to dwell on every hardship and loss you've ever experienced so he can make you feel like a total failure.
John 3:16
16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
I John 4:10-11
10 Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son [to be] the propitiation for our sins.
11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.
Jesus is the exact opposite. He loved us so much that he made the ultimate sacrifice to save us. Remember the next time the Devil tries to defeat you that Jesus already defeated him. Keep your eyes and thoughts focused on Jesus, and his love and mercy will set you free...from the Devil, from sin, and from yourself.
Saturday, April 23, 2011
Friday, April 22, 2011
Are You Spiritually Bipolar?
This is a summary of Brother Moreno's teaching from Tuesday, April 19, 2011. Click here to listen to the audio version.
Bipolar disorder refers to the cycling of a person's moods between high (elevated energy) and low (depressed) episodes or "poles". Is your spirit in this condition? Have you ever felt like you were on the top of the mountain one service and in the lowest valley the next? This happens much more frequently than it should. When we're down, we can't seem to get in touch with God. We get trapped in a self-centered state of depression and all we want to do is have our own little pity party. Everyone around you might be jumping and praising God, but not you. You cannot be moved. Amazingly, you feel so good the next service that you just can't imagine why no one else is running circles around the building like you are. Ever seen someone like that, or been there yourself?
This usually happens when we lose sight of the big picture and try to get out ahead of God. We forget that God can answer our prayers in one of three ways: Yes, No, or WAIT. We say "No God, I don't want to wait, I want it now, I want it now, I want it now!" We forget that God wants us to take things one day at a time, just like he did when he created the heavens and the earth.
Genesis 1:31
31 And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, [it was] very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day.
Genesis 2:1-3
1 Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them.
2 And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made.
3 And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made.
Many people relate the story of the seven days of creation to the seven dispensations of God. The sixth day, the day that man was created, is associated with the sixth dispensation, that of grace. Indeed, man would be entirely lost if it were not for God's grace. Now notice what happened on the seventh day which is associated with the seventh dispensation, that of Christ's reign. God sanctified this day as a holy day of rest, just as the seventh dispensation signals completion or rest.
Could it be that God wants you to stop every once a while and give him thanks for what he has done for you? Maybe take a little time to acknowledge where he has brought you from? Or maybe God is trying to use you to complete a work in someone else? Maybe there's a doctor at that hospital you seem to be stuck in that God wants to reach. Are you willing to WAIT and let God use you the way he wants to?
Sometimes we get so caught up in our own little world, we don't realize that God just wants us to stop for a moment and thank him no matter how you feel. There's a song that says "I Give You Glory, Just Because of Who You Are." Not because he blessed you, or because everything is going good right now, just because he is God. Stop being spiritually bipolar. Remember, there's a new day coming, another mountain to climb, another lesson to be learned. Take time to stop and reflect on everything he has done. Then he'll be able to take you to the next day and give you the rest you deserve.
Bipolar disorder refers to the cycling of a person's moods between high (elevated energy) and low (depressed) episodes or "poles". Is your spirit in this condition? Have you ever felt like you were on the top of the mountain one service and in the lowest valley the next? This happens much more frequently than it should. When we're down, we can't seem to get in touch with God. We get trapped in a self-centered state of depression and all we want to do is have our own little pity party. Everyone around you might be jumping and praising God, but not you. You cannot be moved. Amazingly, you feel so good the next service that you just can't imagine why no one else is running circles around the building like you are. Ever seen someone like that, or been there yourself?
This usually happens when we lose sight of the big picture and try to get out ahead of God. We forget that God can answer our prayers in one of three ways: Yes, No, or WAIT. We say "No God, I don't want to wait, I want it now, I want it now, I want it now!" We forget that God wants us to take things one day at a time, just like he did when he created the heavens and the earth.
Genesis 1:31
31 And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, [it was] very good. And the evening and the morning were the sixth day.
Genesis 2:1-3
1 Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them.
2 And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made.
3 And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made.
Many people relate the story of the seven days of creation to the seven dispensations of God. The sixth day, the day that man was created, is associated with the sixth dispensation, that of grace. Indeed, man would be entirely lost if it were not for God's grace. Now notice what happened on the seventh day which is associated with the seventh dispensation, that of Christ's reign. God sanctified this day as a holy day of rest, just as the seventh dispensation signals completion or rest.
Could it be that God wants you to stop every once a while and give him thanks for what he has done for you? Maybe take a little time to acknowledge where he has brought you from? Or maybe God is trying to use you to complete a work in someone else? Maybe there's a doctor at that hospital you seem to be stuck in that God wants to reach. Are you willing to WAIT and let God use you the way he wants to?
Sometimes we get so caught up in our own little world, we don't realize that God just wants us to stop for a moment and thank him no matter how you feel. There's a song that says "I Give You Glory, Just Because of Who You Are." Not because he blessed you, or because everything is going good right now, just because he is God. Stop being spiritually bipolar. Remember, there's a new day coming, another mountain to climb, another lesson to be learned. Take time to stop and reflect on everything he has done. Then he'll be able to take you to the next day and give you the rest you deserve.
Tests and Trials
This is a summary of Elder Henderson's teaching from Sunday, April 17, 2011
General Patton once said “Better to fight for something than live for nothing.” Sometimes, the pressures of life require us to fight for what we believe in. Don't despair, God uses these situations to make us stronger and to turn us into what he wants us to be. In fact, the only time real learning and growth can take place is during a fiery trial. No matter how hot it gets, or how long it seems to last, don't give up hope. Put your trust in God. He will not only help you pass the test, he'll also put a song of joy in your heart. The next time life's pressures get you down, consider the following excerpts from the book of Psalms:
Psalms 40:1-3
1 I waited patiently for the LORD; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry.
General Patton once said “Better to fight for something than live for nothing.” Sometimes, the pressures of life require us to fight for what we believe in. Don't despair, God uses these situations to make us stronger and to turn us into what he wants us to be. In fact, the only time real learning and growth can take place is during a fiery trial. No matter how hot it gets, or how long it seems to last, don't give up hope. Put your trust in God. He will not only help you pass the test, he'll also put a song of joy in your heart. The next time life's pressures get you down, consider the following excerpts from the book of Psalms:
Psalms 40:1-3
1 I waited patiently for the LORD; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry.
2 He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, [and] established my goings.
3 And he hath put a new song in my mouth, [even] praise unto our God: many shall see [it], and fear, and shall trust in the LORD.
Psalms 16:11
11 Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence [is] fulness of joy; at thy right hand [there are] pleasures for evermore.
Psalms 30:5
5 For his anger [endureth but] a moment; in his favour [is] life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy [cometh] in the morning.
Psalms 34:1-4
1 <[A Psalm] of David, when he changed his behaviour before Abimelech; who drove him away, and he departed.> I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise [shall] continually [be] in my mouth.
Psalms 16:11
11 Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence [is] fulness of joy; at thy right hand [there are] pleasures for evermore.
Psalms 30:5
5 For his anger [endureth but] a moment; in his favour [is] life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy [cometh] in the morning.
Psalms 34:1-4
1 <[A Psalm] of David, when he changed his behaviour before Abimelech; who drove him away, and he departed.> I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise [shall] continually [be] in my mouth.
2 My soul shall make her boast in the LORD: the humble shall hear [thereof], and be glad.
3 O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together.
4 I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
All Things are Possible
Our Church was blessed last night with the teaching of Bro. Chacko from India. He testified about his experience with being a Pastor in India and told us why he believes that with Jesus, “All Things are Possible”.
He started by telling us a story about someone who was ridiculing him for being a “Jesus Only” person. He told them that if you are not “Jesus Only” then that makes you “Devil Only” because the Bible says there are only two, the God of Heaven, and the god of this world. If you are not associated with the God of Heaven, that leaves only one alternative.
Matthew 2:11
11 And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.
Notice the word “him” in this verse. They didn't worship Mary or Joesph, but they fell down and worshiped Jesus.
Bro. Chacko also testified about how his first Church building in India was torn down by unbelievers. He could not retaliate because that's not the way a Christian should act. Instead, he went on a 21 day fast. At the end of the fast, the man who led the effort to tear down the building knocked on his door and apologized for his mistake. He then rebuilt the Church and even added some rooms on the top to serve as a private residence for Bro. Chacko and his family. All things are possible!
John 16:21
21 A woman when she is in travail hath sorrow, because her hour is come: but as soon as she is delivered of the child, she remembereth no more the anguish, for joy that a man is born into the world.
Bro. Chacko told us that after so many years in the ministry, he can look back now at his 52 Churches, and can't remember the anguish it took to establish these works. He also has an orphanage with 64 boys and girls that was mainly funded by a believer in Waco, Texas. The gentleman gave him a donation that was so large, he was unable to receive it by law. It is nearly impossible for a Christian Church in India to be granted permission to receive large sums of money from foreign sources, but he was granted that right only one month after applying for it. Again, with Jesus, All Things are Possible!!
If you would like to sponsor one of the children at the orphanage, please contact Calvary Apostolic Church, and we will put you in touch with Bro. Chacko. A donation of only $50/month will pay all expenses for one child.
Sunday, April 10, 2011
God Wants to Bless Us
Pastor Molander taught today about God's desire to bless us. God created man because he wanted fellowship with someone that had the right to choose to serve him or to choose to go their own way. He also established some rules to live by that would prove whether we were serious about wanting to serve him.
Deuteronomy 11:22-28
22 For if ye shall diligently keep all these commandments which I command you, to do them, to love the LORD your God, to walk in all his ways, and to cleave unto him;
23 Then will the LORD drive out all these nations from before you, and ye shall possess greater nations and mightier than yourselves.
24 Every place whereon the soles of your feet shall tread shall be yours: from the wilderness and Lebanon, from the river, the river Euphrates, even unto the uttermost sea shall your coast be.
25 There shall no man be able to stand before you: [for] the LORD your God shall lay the fear of you and the dread of you upon all the land that ye shall tread upon, as he hath said unto you.
26 Behold, I set before you this day a blessing and a curse;
27 A blessing, if ye obey the commandments of the LORD your God, which I command you this day:
28 And a curse, if ye will not obey the commandments of the LORD your God, but turn aside out of the way which I command you this day, to go after other gods, which ye have not known.
Notice the word IF in chapter 27, and again in verse 28. The decision is ours to make! Yet even when His people failed, he still gave them additional chances to receive his blessings.
I Kings 16:30-33
30 And Ahab the son of Omri did evil in the sight of the LORD above all that [were] before him.
31 And it came to pass, as if it had been a light thing for him to walk in the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, that he took to wife Jezebel the daughter of Ethbaal king of the Zidonians, and went and served Baal, and worshipped him.
32 And he reared up an altar for Baal in the house of Baal, which he had built in Samaria.
33 And Ahab made a grove; and Ahab did more to provoke the LORD God of Israel to anger than all the kings of Israel that were before him.
Then God sent a prophet to him to warn Ahab about his decisions.
I Kings 21:27-29
27 And it came to pass, when Ahab heard those words, that he rent his clothes, and put sackcloth upon his flesh, and fasted, and lay in sackcloth, and went softly.
28 And the word of the LORD came to Elijah the Tishbite, saying,
29 Seest thou how Ahab humbleth himself before me? because he humbleth himself before me, I will not bring the evil in his days: [but] in his son's days will I bring the evil upon his house.
Every time the Israelites turned back to God he would bless them. Still, only two of the people he brought out of Egypt actually made it to the promised land. God sent us his Son to make a way back to God's blessings again. Christ was born to die in our place so our choice to turn from God would not permanently separate us from God.
Matthew 1:18-21
18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.
19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just [man], and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily.
20 But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.
21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.
John 3:16
16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
Romans 5:8-11
8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.
10 For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.
11 And not only [so], but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.
This means the reconciliation of God and man was provided through the sacrificial death of Jesus. Not only did he die for us, but he wants to live inside us to help us receive God's promised blessings.
John 14:15-17
15 If ye love me, keep my commandments.
16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;
17 [Even] the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.
We have a decision to make. We can either choose to live in our human will and be lost forever, or we can choose to surrender our life to Him and spend eternity in heaven. Why not invite him into your heart today? Repent of your past sins and commit to living a clean and holy life according to the rules he gave us so you too can inherit his blessings. IF you do, he will bless you not only in your everyday life, but ultimately with eternal salvation.
Deuteronomy 11:22-28
22 For if ye shall diligently keep all these commandments which I command you, to do them, to love the LORD your God, to walk in all his ways, and to cleave unto him;
23 Then will the LORD drive out all these nations from before you, and ye shall possess greater nations and mightier than yourselves.
24 Every place whereon the soles of your feet shall tread shall be yours: from the wilderness and Lebanon, from the river, the river Euphrates, even unto the uttermost sea shall your coast be.
25 There shall no man be able to stand before you: [for] the LORD your God shall lay the fear of you and the dread of you upon all the land that ye shall tread upon, as he hath said unto you.
26 Behold, I set before you this day a blessing and a curse;
27 A blessing, if ye obey the commandments of the LORD your God, which I command you this day:
28 And a curse, if ye will not obey the commandments of the LORD your God, but turn aside out of the way which I command you this day, to go after other gods, which ye have not known.
Notice the word IF in chapter 27, and again in verse 28. The decision is ours to make! Yet even when His people failed, he still gave them additional chances to receive his blessings.
I Kings 16:30-33
30 And Ahab the son of Omri did evil in the sight of the LORD above all that [were] before him.
31 And it came to pass, as if it had been a light thing for him to walk in the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, that he took to wife Jezebel the daughter of Ethbaal king of the Zidonians, and went and served Baal, and worshipped him.
32 And he reared up an altar for Baal in the house of Baal, which he had built in Samaria.
33 And Ahab made a grove; and Ahab did more to provoke the LORD God of Israel to anger than all the kings of Israel that were before him.
Then God sent a prophet to him to warn Ahab about his decisions.
I Kings 21:27-29
27 And it came to pass, when Ahab heard those words, that he rent his clothes, and put sackcloth upon his flesh, and fasted, and lay in sackcloth, and went softly.
28 And the word of the LORD came to Elijah the Tishbite, saying,
29 Seest thou how Ahab humbleth himself before me? because he humbleth himself before me, I will not bring the evil in his days: [but] in his son's days will I bring the evil upon his house.
Every time the Israelites turned back to God he would bless them. Still, only two of the people he brought out of Egypt actually made it to the promised land. God sent us his Son to make a way back to God's blessings again. Christ was born to die in our place so our choice to turn from God would not permanently separate us from God.
Matthew 1:18-21
18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.
19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just [man], and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily.
20 But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.
21 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.
John 3:16
16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
Romans 5:8-11
8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.
10 For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.
11 And not only [so], but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.
This means the reconciliation of God and man was provided through the sacrificial death of Jesus. Not only did he die for us, but he wants to live inside us to help us receive God's promised blessings.
John 14:15-17
15 If ye love me, keep my commandments.
16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;
17 [Even] the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.
We have a decision to make. We can either choose to live in our human will and be lost forever, or we can choose to surrender our life to Him and spend eternity in heaven. Why not invite him into your heart today? Repent of your past sins and commit to living a clean and holy life according to the rules he gave us so you too can inherit his blessings. IF you do, he will bless you not only in your everyday life, but ultimately with eternal salvation.
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
What is Faith?
Tonight, Elder Henderson taught on the word Faith.
Before we try to understand what faith is, let's first explore what faith isn't. Some people think it is a form of belief or religion, like "I belong to the Christian Faith". While it's true that the word can be used that way, that's not the kind of faith you need to actually BE a Christian. Some people also confuse faith with hope. It is good to hope for things, but if you never do anything about it you don't have the faith that is required to make those hopes a reality. Faith is not hope, faith requires hope + action.
Here's an example from scripture:
James 2: 14-19
14 What [doth it] profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?
15 If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food,
16 And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be [ye] warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what [doth it] profit?
17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.
19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.
In verse 16, hoping that someone has warm clothes to wear and food to eat is very nice, but actually supplying the food & clothes is a lot closer to the real meaning of faith. Also, notice in verse 19 that the devils have a belief in one God, but that belief alone can not save them. Simply believing in God is not enough, some action is required on your part before you can actually be saved.
So what is faith? It is believing in something so confidently that you base your actions upon those beliefs. Faith causes you not only to hope and believe, but to take action.
Hebrews 11:1
1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
Some synonyms for substance include significance, reality, actuality. Faith makes hope become real.
Mark 11:22-23
22 And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God.
23 For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith.
If you have faith in God, he will help you move the mountains, or problems, out of your life. Try adding some faith to your hopes and beliefs and see just how far God will take you!
Before we try to understand what faith is, let's first explore what faith isn't. Some people think it is a form of belief or religion, like "I belong to the Christian Faith". While it's true that the word can be used that way, that's not the kind of faith you need to actually BE a Christian. Some people also confuse faith with hope. It is good to hope for things, but if you never do anything about it you don't have the faith that is required to make those hopes a reality. Faith is not hope, faith requires hope + action.
Here's an example from scripture:
James 2: 14-19
14 What [doth it] profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?
15 If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food,
16 And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be [ye] warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what [doth it] profit?
17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.
19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.
In verse 16, hoping that someone has warm clothes to wear and food to eat is very nice, but actually supplying the food & clothes is a lot closer to the real meaning of faith. Also, notice in verse 19 that the devils have a belief in one God, but that belief alone can not save them. Simply believing in God is not enough, some action is required on your part before you can actually be saved.
So what is faith? It is believing in something so confidently that you base your actions upon those beliefs. Faith causes you not only to hope and believe, but to take action.
Hebrews 11:1
1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
Some synonyms for substance include significance, reality, actuality. Faith makes hope become real.
Mark 11:22-23
22 And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God.
23 For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith.
If you have faith in God, he will help you move the mountains, or problems, out of your life. Try adding some faith to your hopes and beliefs and see just how far God will take you!
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