Category: Personal Journey

Categories
Luke and Acts Personal Journey Uncategorized

Best Of Both World’s (Luke 1:28)

As we experience life’s challenges we cannot enjoy the sunny days without the rainfall. We cannot enjoy joy without first feeling disappointment. Life has a balance of both joys and sadness to provide a unique story that God is establishing us in our time here on earth.

While reading the Book of Luke I will share my reflections upon Scripture and the Study Notes provided by the Fire Bible I got for my Ordination. Let’s go ahead and dive in!

According to the Study Notes from Luke 1:28, it states that “God calls someone to a specific mission for him, It will almost always involve blessing and suffering, joy, and sadness, successes and disappointments.”

We have a desire about the mission that is instilled with individuals pursuing their lives for God and His mission for us. We are reminded that just because we follow God’s will that “no problems with occur and everything will be smooth and without issues.”

That is far from the truth; When it comes to the mission of our lives it is a journey of trusting God and believing that He will follow through. Simone’s desire for his mission is the see the coming messiah and knew his mission was complete when Mary and Joseph brought Jesus to him. The Holy Spirit prompted this event which helps us to trust the Holy Spirit’s leading when it comes to our lives.

Nobody wants to wait but you cannot enjoy something valuable without a price to pay. Waiting shows the importance and commitment to show how valuable something is. Waiting comes with preparation and consistent prayer which is what we see Simeon illustrating.

I remember the mission God called me to start a Christian Club at my High School campus. I knew that this wasn’t going to be easy and that there will be plenty of joys and disappointments. From relational problems with individuals, to petty conflicts, to my church eventually splitting. There are always moments to look back and say “Wow this was so bad and disappointing.” But then I remember the mission that God called me during that time which was to Seek the Lost, Empower Believers, Serve The Campus, and Start A Legacy. I truly believe that even though the radical change of my life to the point that people were throwing apples toward me while walking by the cafeteria. I stayed constant with my mission to make Jesus known by my actions and words. I saw a lot of fruit and people even now that we are adults can trust my insights regarding faith and practice. They can trust my insights about Jesus because they saw me living out my faith during high school. People will refer to me as a Jesus Freak which was fine because that shows proof that my life was focused on Him.

Whatever you are going through don’t forget that there will be the best in both worlds of the good and bad. Let those two develop a story worth telling for the hope that we cannot appreciate the good moments now if we haven’t gone through disappointments.

Categories
Personal Journey Uncategorized

We Are Great Listeners But Not Great Followers

The hardest thing to do is to look at yourself in the mirror. Our culture is deeply focused on belonging and security. It is easy to believe that we are secure with the things we do instead of allowing God to know us. What do I mean?

We know that we are called to follow Jesus and to listen to His voice.

Scripture states that:


My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.

John 10:27

There is a connection when it comes to being followers of Jesus. In order to listen, you must follow which means you must be obedient.

God spoke to my heart about obedience and certain things that I have been lacking in that area in my life. We sometimes don’t want to “listen” because there is a price to pay by following Jesus. We justify our sinning based on cultural acceptance instead of denying ourselves daily and picking up our cross. “Oh, Jesus didn’t specifically mention that activity”, but yet the principles state otherwise. We could always pull out the mentioning of a specific action to justify the behavior. But you cannot change the principles that demand accountability for your actions.

When it comes to convictions Paul stated this:

“I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything”—but not everything is constructive.

1 Corinthians 10:23

We must find things that are benefiting us and not causing us to make dumb decisions. I have my share fair of unwise decisions that I am currently reaping because I haven’t dealt with my inner man and listening to God, denying myself, and following Him. When God spoke obedience He MEANS it and if you do not listen then don’t be surprised by the consequences of your actions. You will either be wise and listen or face the discipline based on love. I may not know your weak spots and your flaws but God is right there waiting for your honest repentance. No more “I will stop starting today” but then end up doing the same thing a few weeks later. This is why we desperately need to be surrendered under His authority and lordship in our lives. He is our Savior who saves us from our sin and our Lord who keeps us accountable to live transformed lives which are only through Him.

Make A Decision And A Plan For The Future:

Everyone can have an idea, but if you do not have a plan then how can you be accountable for following up your idea?

The decision starts today, but God will handle the rest.

For he says,

“In the time of my favor I heard you,

and in the day of salvation I helped you.”

I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation.

2 Corinthians 6:2

I understand that we will never be perfect, but I also understand that this shouldn’t be an excuse to justify our sin. While we are fallen based on our sinful nature, we have Christ who is there to create us new. So if you are not growing, becoming new, and listening to Jesus and what He requires us to do, then are you really new?

Can you honestly look back throughout the year and say that you have changed? Of course, there are maturity aspects but what about the spiritual aspect of your life? What about those triggers that the enemies know about and who will keep placing temptations in order for you to fall? Or a habit you know that isn’t healthy but you claim that “this is who I am” to make it seem justifiable.

I have struggled so much this year in a spiritual sense, while I was committed to listening to Jesus I was not willing to follow His direction. That’s a lot of us and I want to remind you that it’s not too late to surrender.

We are called to be living sacrifices to God:

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.

Romans 12:1

We offer ourselves not based on what we do for the church but based on our relationship with Him. We are so busy with life and ministry that we forget who we are truly doing this for, Jesus.

Categories
Personal Journey

New Chapter Statement

My Faith Journey is an understatement. God tends to keep guiding me in different directions and allowing me to learn and see the lessons that I am being taught. Here is my motivation for the next couple of months until God changes my assignment.

My Faith Journey | Pastoral Statement | Covering

Categories
Educational Journey Personal Journey Uncategorized

Your Testimony Has Power

Audio Version Of This Post

I remember the words I was thinking about regarding testimonies and how valuable they are. My testimony is a treasure because of the rich value it provides in my life and the effects it can have to provide hope for others in their walks with Christ.

I just finished a Discussion Forum regarding storytelling and the importance of how the biblical author used it to provide theology and insights that we can gain. Our testimonies can be the confirmation of the theology of Scripture which provides validation and standard of our basis of faith. No one can discredit your testimony because it is your experience. But I noticed within our church culture we focus too much on what people have been through in the past and not on the involvement of what God is doing now. Here is what I wrote regarding Testimonies and how the church can teach through storytelling.

The Church's most common way to teach through a story is through our testimony, but sadly a lot of us stop on that segment of storytelling and need to retell and redevelop stories of how God is being involved in our lives. Testimonies are great for personal witness about how we made a commitment to Christ and our situations connected with that but learning through our own struggles and situations we can relate through our interaction with Scripture. God is setting up stories for us to tell those around us.
The Holy Spirit does a good job of convicting us when we interact with Scripture to produce a change in our lives which concludes witnessing of a story that can be told through the confirmation of Scripture. 
- Amancio Rosas

When disciplining new believers in the faith I would allow them to go through a program that includes a segment on writing their testimonies. Here are the following three guidelines that I explain and teach:

1.) Your Testimony Brings Remembrance

It is a human habit to forget, our minds are designed to process things in our lives to remember the valuable moments and forgetting moments that are deep inside in the backburner. It is easy to forget what God has done in our lives due to our forgetfulness. Our Testimony helps us remember what we have been through and writing an account will keep us humbled because it was Jesus who helped us in our lives. This keeps us from being critical towards others and their walk with Christ including when they are first starting. The Holy Spirit plays a part to help us remember things in our lives. While Jesus spoke to His disciples about how the Holy Spirit will bring in remembrance everything that was taught and spoken. We can be in full confidence that He is still active in that role today when it comes to what Jesus has done for us and what we have learned from Him.

But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.

John 14:26

2.) Your Testimony Has Power

Storytelling is common throughout Scripture since a good amount is narrative accounts. We can learn theology based on the narrative account since they paint a picture in our minds about the complexities of different outcomes. Just like we take serious about context, it is the principle and application which should confirm the seriousness of context. Revelation 12; Depending on your views on prophetic writings, it has a mixture of different literary techniques but the main purpose is to take this verse and provide the common principle when trying to confirm the purpose of testimony.

They triumphed over him

    by the blood of the Lamb

    and by the word of their testimony;

they did not love their lives so much

    as to shrink from death.

Revelation 12:11

While the context is about the war that is going down with the “Women” and Michael, it is obvious and makes sense that the blood of the Lamb in our lives today washes away our sin. When we are reminded about what Jesus has done in our lives and His bloody sacrifice we are reminded of the power of the blood of the lamb. The word of their testimony is where I want to emphasize the importance of your identity. Your testimony has the power to not only to remind but to overcome. This serves to help others overcome their struggles through Jesus because of our witness and praying over them based on the power of Christ through the sacrifice that we provided for the forgiveness of our sins and the testimony of salvation that keeps our foundation firm during life.

3.) Your Testimony Is Ongoing

Your life doesn’t end when you accept Christ in your life. Not sure why so many people believe that and then do not live transformational lives, Seeing God being involved, and slowly go back to their old life. When we are reminded and know that is power then we can have continued to allow God to shape more stories that will benefit those around us. We must allow God to use us in the good times and difficulties to provide hope for those around us.

Categories
Educational Journey Personal Journey Uncategorized

3 Views On The Word “Create”

Audio Version Of This Post

It’s not surprising that I have felt a tug in my heart to focus on this one specific word “consecrate.” But wait isn’t this post about the word “create” yes it is but before we get into that let’s go through a little update about the motive behind this explanation.

Consecrate:

To consecrate is to be set apart, to be in total commitment for God and His purposes. This is the definition that I came up with because of my past experiences of how this word meant in my personal life. It is common in our lives to be comfortable, acceptable about certain habits and attitudes, and forget our focus on the kingdom, and learning to navigate the life that God has called us to live by.

I am currently going through the Pentateuch as a personal study through the first five books of the Bible. Currently, in my University classes, I am taking the Torah which is the Hebrew Term for Law. It wasn’t until I came to this explanation of what “create” means, opened up a whole new meaning in my personal life. Let’s go ahead and dive in.

To Create Is To Separate:

We can look throughout the Genesis Story that God decides to separate things when creation was happening. From darkness between light, water between sky, and water between ground. (Genesis 1:1-9)

I am reminded of the scripture regarding David to “create a clean heart”

“Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.” Psalms 51:10

To have a clean heart, God must separate our hearts which are wicked to bring renewal and restoration as you could see that this impacts us to have the right spirit as our attitudes and actions are being changed but separation is the key.

My question is what is something you need to allow God to separate in your life for creation to personally take place? In order for God to create there must be separation.

To Create Is To Give Life:

As you go on regarding the creation story we see an element of life-giving when it comes with the terms of “produce, make, give,” those are life-giving terms to illustrate creation. (Genesis 1:24-31)

This is the most common view that people have. Which makes sense because our main purpose is to create things that are good in our lives. Through Christ scripture states that:

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! 2 Corinthians 5:17

How is this new creation becoming? It is becoming due to the giving life to the new. The newness is what is developed in the process of creation. From the beginning God created through life-giving terms we have confidence that our new creation is life-giving.

Jesus states His purpose on why He came according to the gospel of John.

“The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life” John 10:10 NLT

Other translations focus on the word “have” which you can’t have something without it being created.

To have newness and life we must separate and then allow life to begin but even before life can start to express this is the most important aspect that we tend to forget.

To Create Is To Let Things Die:

While we know that God created life, Humans because they decided to be disobedient towards God allowed Sin to come into the world to provide death. This was not God’s design because out of God’s protection He wanted to protect us from this state for not even being close to the tree of Life. While Death was used as a curse, God can use this to provide a way for creation to be purified. (Genesis 3)

It was the death of Jesus that provided life and reconciliation for us to have a relationship with God. What was once a consequence of sin from the fall is now the solution for salvation in our lives.

We are commanded to “put to death” of our earthly nature according to Paul.

5 Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: Colossians 3:5

Death is good in this reasoning because if we do not do our part of putting things to death, the new cannot be cultivated through the Holy Spirit. Do you remember that this should be done daily as Christians?

Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. Luke 9:23

We are no longer living for ourselves because we put our desires to death and now we are living for Christ as living sacrifices to seek the Will of God. The purpose of creation to is to be in the Will of God!

Creation in essence is a process of separation, life giving, and death.

What are certain things you need to allow God to separate?

What are certain things you must say no and put to death In order for God to renew, restore, and give life in your life?

Categories
Personal Journey Uncategorized

Your First Moments Matter

Throughout our journey when it comes to our relationship with God, we can often admit that life can overtake us, creating distractions and hindrances without knowing there’s a disconnect. Busyness and distractions are part of life and are things we must navigate to keep being persistent in keeping God first.

First Encounter:

I remember my first encounter when it comes with my relationship with God. Growing up in religion and developing a religious background, I thought I was all set by pleasing my parents and following the requirements I was told to follow. It wasn’t until God dealt with my hardened heart and learned that my sins could be forgiven by the blood of Jesus Christ that I felt true freedom. Once the altar call was announced, I received a Word about the situation and circumstances in my life. I knew it was time to give my all for Christ, as a sinner, needing His grace and sacrifice for the forgiveness of my sins. I wish I could tell you that everything was rainbow and sunshine but that’s not logical in the Christian Life.

Wrestling:

While reflecting on Jacob’s account, I noticed an important aspect that I would love to highlight regarding the constant battles that we still have to face as imperfect people that God is willing to use for His Glory.

Jacob Wrestling With God. (Genesis 32:22-32)

Jacob was left alone with a man until daybreak. We see wrestling happening when it comes to these two throughout this section of scripture. Jacob was overpowering the individual to the point to where Jacob got his hip wrenched.

1.) Pain is the process of wrestling

Jacob wanted a blessing from God which is why he didn’t want to let go. This shows how much endurance and perseverance Jacob has developed and matured throughout his journey. The fact that he didn’t want to let go and the overpowerment of consistency is what showed his perseverance. Pain was the result but was a reminder of the faithfulness of the blessing. Grace is a free gift but blessings cost because it demands persistence. Brokenness is a reminder of how much we desperately need God to provide for our need.

2.) Jacob’s Name Change

Because of his actions, Jacob, at the time named James, requested a name change. Names are important when it comes to identifying who you are in the Hebrew culture. Jacob means “supplanter” and “deceiver” while Israel means “one who struggles with God.” Due to this encounter with God, Jacob, who was formerly known as Israel, had a transformational encounter with God. While we as believers no longer change our names to prove our character, we can admit that an encounter with God can produce a change of heart and action.

3.) Transformation is Developed through Pain

While a lot of leaders focus on experience to get ahead, it is those who go through pain who receive growth. We want to believe that we will live a happy and fulfilled life as Christians, but pain is part of that experience. You don’t have a change of heart by knowing, but by reflecting and pondering on the condition and willing to be broken by your sin. We tend to fall short, feel guilty, and then ask God to take the guilt away. I think we must embrace the discomfort of our sin and embrace the pain that not only is imparted by us, but the pain that God feels by our shortcomings. Praise God that He is a gracious God, but He does grieve by our actions when we do not comform to His Will.

4.) Transform and Stay Transformed (Genesis 35:9-12)

Jacob had to rededicate himself and his family to God again. One of the beautiful aspects of this is the fact that God wanted Jacob to go back to where they first met (Genesis 28:10-22). God then reaffirmed that His name is now Israel and what He will do in His future generations by the covenant He gave to Abraham and Isaac. I remember my born again experience was full of joy, passion, and excitement. I would assume that Jacob felt the same when he encountered God for the first time at Bethel. He went through a difficult situation where he failed and succeeded. To reaffirm again, he went back to the same spot to rededicate himself as someone who is transformed.

We must have a constant reminder to not only celebrate our victories, but to remain in God’s presence to keep growth and transformation as our focus. When we set our minds to please God, we don’t gratify the desires of the flesh but are following the Spirit. Let us be reminded that no matter the battle, need, or struggle we have, we must go through brokenness to be reminded we need to allow God to transform us.

Categories
Personal Journey

Going Back To The Roots 1

Personal Reflection:

Lately, I have been at war with my thoughts regarding everything that has been happening in my life for the last six months. I started assessing my life with deep questions about who I want to become not based on my accomplishments but on my character. I think it has been long enough to say that I dropped off my passion and became content and lazy with my spiritual life. I also have accepted others’ standards of living instead of staying true to my convictions and standards that God has told me to live by.

Pleasing People Instead of Pleasing God

If you were to know me when I was passionate about my faith and devoted in my private life, you would be surprised with the efforts I have made to cultivate the standards I had before.

Side note: These are my convictions which I am not expecting you guys to adopt unless God has otherwise told you to do it. These are my standards and values that were developed within me which I will renew these commitments and values to please God.

1.) My Views on Music:

I remember back in high school when my rapping and speech were out-of-line and weren’t edifying people or building others up. I remember listening to the typical music that my generation listened to and throughout the years it has gotten worse. So God told me to just listen to edifying worship and Christian music. I stayed persistent to that value until a perspective had changed my mind. There were a few people who made fun of the fact that I didn’t listen to it and that I’m” too holy” which caused me to feel like an outsider. So I started to listen to secular for the past two years and I noticed that it was not benefiting my spiritual life. I came to terms that this isn’t what I was supposed to be involved with so I recommitted myself back to the standard that God has placed over my life.

Continuing the Reflection:

I had to come to terms with my motives as to why I would listen to music that is contrary to the Word of God and the lifestyle we are called to live as Christians. Why would I listen to seductive music while the goal of being a Christian is to stay pure? Why listen to music that degrades women when we are supposed to place value in their lives? I for sure think you get what I am talking about. This is my value and standard. I’m tired of living toward others’ standards and it’s time to live by the standards that God has placed in my life.

You say, “I am allowed to do anything”—but not everything is good for you. You say, “I am allowed to do anything”—but not everything is beneficial.

1 Corinthians 10:23

Categories
Personal Journey

The Search for a Home Part 1

It is safe to say that since we are headed towards a New Year, I would like to go ahead and uncover a few things I have learned throughout this crazy transitional period of my life. Being completely vulnerable, I have been a wreck and needed this time to truly figure out what God has for my life.

We see throughout Scripture that people are called to be obedient to God by Faith and not by Sight, and learning to navigate towards His leading to the next destination.

The life of Abraham is a great example of this:

12 Now the Lord said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you.” (Genesis 12:1)

I became obedient to God’s voice and went through this transitional season learning one specific thing that I had a problem with: trusting God.

Fast forward to now, I remember pondering on my thoughts and discussing with God the theme of this transitional period. I will share more about that topic soon but God is called the Alpha and the Omega (Revelation 22:13). He told me to trust Him before this happened and just recently told me to trust Him now.

I remember when I was a youth kid, my Youth Pastor at the time challenged all of us to memorize Proverbs. Proverbs 3:5-6:

5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart
    and lean not on your own understanding;
6 in all your ways submit to him,
    and he will make your paths straight. (Proverbs 3:5-6)

Proverbs are wisdom nuggets to remember and apply in your life. So let me encourage you with a few things about this verse that we can apply today.

1.) Give Your Heart

Sometimes things that we love can get in the way of God. God must be first and when God isn’t first in your life, you will start to leak if you are not constantly being connected to the vine which brings nourishment. (John 15:5)

One of the biggest things that I love is the ministry. There came a point where I was unhealthy and focused on the importance of the position rather than the hearts that I was impacting. I was NEVER considered the Youth Pastor, simply because of disbelief and preparation. If I was truly called to this generation, that is simply broken and in need of leaders to help heal from their current vibes to pursue God’s Love to reflect His Glory, then God will make a way.

2.) Give Your Understanding

The Scripture states to not lean on your understanding! Why is it that we think we could establish our plans without the Holy Spirit guiding us? Why is it that we turn the other way and feel like we failed when God is the one moving us around? Why is it that it is hard to trust God when we don’t see it in our understanding? The answer to all this is simple: our understanding connects with our control and pride.

Understanding is good when it comes from the guidance of the Holy Spirit and our judgment, but when it comes to trust, we believe God by what His word says and His direction for our lives. It is when we don’t trust His Word and His direction that our understanding becomes prideful and we tell God, “God I understand Your ways, but I will still commit to mine”.

God changed my heart and understanding regarding my calling throughout this transitional season. Ministry is more than just the position and the paychecks you get. It is the hearts of the people you are focused on. So regardless if I am in a position, that shouldn’t determine how I treat people, how I love people, and how I guide people towards their God-given purpose.

3.) Submit to Him

While we may want to maintain control of our lives, God calls us to surrender. Surrender your heart and your understanding and surrender to Him! We as believers of Christ are called to even deny ourselves and follow Him.

Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. (Matthew 16:24)

We must follow God’s leading in all areas of our lives. There are a few things that I needed to submit to Him regarding my plans and my future. There will be another blog post about the “Losses of my Transitional Period” in which I will go through the process that I dealt with regarding things that I have lost in my life. At the end of the day, for better or for worse, God has my heart and my life to the point that I will stay committed to Him no matter what happens!

4.) HE Will…

This is the final statement of this verse and it talks about how God is in control. God WILL. God will do what He told us He’ll do. While giving your heart, understanding, and surrender, we cannot fight with God regarding our plans and future. We must have the confidence of what He has in store for us. Even if you feel some type of loss, fear, hopelessness, discouragement, God has the final word and the final say of what happens. He will make your paths straight.

This means that our crooked lives can be made whole and obedient and we will be following the Will of God in our lives. I have to admit, I am not perfect and I know there are a few crooked things in my life that God has started to change in my life. Even when I didn’t like the outcome of my crookedness, which caused a lot of losses in my life, I must remember this one thing.

TRUST.

Categories
Personal Journey

One With The Spirit (Devotional Preview) Day 1

I remembered how I wanted to publish a devotional a year ago. I am now inspired to start this journey to provide a reflective and contextual mix of both devotional and a insight of Scripture. I will post Day 1 and Day 2. While the rest will be published at a later time.

Day 1: Instructions

“He (Jesus) was taken up into heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles he had chosen” Acts 1:2

The ascension of Jesus is the guideline of fulfilling His role to be in the right hand of the Father. Notice here that it’s through the Holy Spirit that Jesus gave instructions to those whom He has chosen which were his apostles. The emphasis I want to make is that Jesus was partnering with the Holy Spirit which we see throughout the gospels. We have no problems seeing the importance of having the Holy Spirit in Jesus’s life and we should reflect that with our own. Our lives should be inviting the Holy Spirit to help us guide and give instructions in whichever area of life we are currently at.

Prayer:

Holy Spirit, guide me to give instructions that are inspired by God to edify, guide, and to move whomever I encounter today. Help me gain an understand of your role to instruct me and those around my circle of influence. Lastly, let me be one with the Spirit, In Jesus name, Amen.

Categories
Personal Journey

Ordination Update/The Importance Of Self-Reflection

Here is a current update on my Ordination and a small teaching about the importance of self-reflection.

I give some insights into my calling and how I got ordained and then focused on the main principles of self-reflection

Notes:

1.) It gives us an understanding of what is in our hearts. (Jeremiah 17:9)

2.) Bring Clarity and Direction (Lamentations 3:40)

3.) We are able to obey God (Psalm 119:59-60)

4.) When we are stirred we must go to Him. (Psalm 63:1)