Making the Most of Christmas -

Christmas can be one of the most stressful times of the year. Even more so than tax season. Here are a few tips I have found that can make Christmas a better time for you if you find that you are overwhelmed with activities, shopping, budgets and people.
Spread your activities throughout the month

Take activities slow and enjoy them. Don't try to do everything at once. Remember, "less is more" at Christmas time.

Delegate items on your "to do" list.

Spend more time finding volunteers and coaching them through the holidays. You can't do everything yourself. Remember, that is what passing on traditions is all about.

Eat healthy food during the day.

You will need your energy for the long evenings. Sugar zaps energy from you. Remember: "All things in moderation". Save the treats for the evenings and try to limit them so that you can enjoy them more throughout the season. My reccomendation is to avoid alcohol altogether. Believe it or not, it does more harm than good, especially during the holidays when you think it is ok to drink. Fatigue, stress, depression and other holiday experiences are multiplied by alcohol.

Take time to stretch

Stretching relaxes muscles and increases blood flow. Get a good stretch if you have been sitting too long or getting ready for a long ride home.

Take time to be alone with God.

Christmas is all about celebrating the birth of Christ, salvation, joy, peace and good will towards man. It should be a time of reflection, renewal and hitting the spiritual "reset" button. Take time to be alone. Read scripture. Think deep thoughts and recommit your walk with Christ. You will soon find that the holidays will be especially meaningful, fulfilling and heart warming once again. Here are some great passages to read throughout this season: John 1:1-5, 9-14; Hebrews 1:1-3; Philippians 2:5-7; 2 Corinthians 8:9; Matthew 20:28

Merry Christmas from Pastor Vince and Family

The ones whom Jesus heals - Mark 5:21-43

Mark 5:21-43 records two miracles happening in one episode. The miracle of raising Jairus daughter from the dead and the Woman suffering with continuous bleeding. Both were in great need from the Lord and were looking for a miracle from the Lord. One was a "big shot" in the community. A religious leader, well know and probably very well off financially. The other was an insignificant woman. Perhaps with little or no friends or family because of her illness. The two characters paint a startling contrast in the story. Does God care more for the rich or the poor? For the popular or for the unpopular? Looking at these two stories declare an amazing "Yes!"


Note the contrasts in these two persons:

Jairus Woman:
Miracle needed Jairus :Resurrection Woman: Healing from bleeding
Position Jairus : Father, leader Woman: Random woman
Character Jairus :Well known Woman: Unknown.
Request Jairus : falling, pleading, public Woman: Secretly, hidden
Response Jairus :Jesus heals in secret Woman: Jesus heals in public
Result Jairus :Girl walks around Woman: goes in peace
Jesus said Jairus :"Don't tell anyone.." Woman: "Who touched me?"

God heals peoples secret pains and problems, at the same time he heals even people who's lives are very public. Jesus is not limited to space, time, celebrity status or insignificant people. Who is the one who has a problem is too big? Or too small? Jesus would go out of His way, or on His way to help you. He wants to do a miracle and answer the prayers of every ones walk of life, great or small, big or little. As Peter says: "Cast all your cares upon Him, for He cares for you." 1 Peter 5:7

Jesus is only limited by those who do not ask, and do not have faith. Have you put your cares on Him today? Have you asked Him to help you in your trial? He is waiting for you to ask.

A disciple like that! That's what we need. Mark 5:1-20

As Jesus was getting into the boat, the man who had been demon-possessed begged to go with him. 19 Jesus did not let him, but said, “Go home to your own people and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.” So the man went away and began to tell in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him. And all the people were amazed. Mark 5:18-20

When I was in Israel last year I noticed that there was a Catholic church built over the sight of every major Bible story. So much so that my tour of Biblical sights quickly became a tour of strangely named Catholic churches. I told one of my Pastor friends that I bet there is a church where the "pigs rushed off into the sea", jokingly, just jokingly. And sure enough, there is a church built on that sight bearing that name. We didn't go see. I had no desire to see it.

It is obvious from this story that the peoples first thought about Jesus was that He was Satan himself. And that He was the one controlling the man called "Legion", for there were many demons in this poor man. They begged Jesus to leave the area, but Jesus told the man to stay and be a "witness" of His power in him.

I was quickly reminded of how many people fear Christianity because they see it as an evil or bad element of our society. This is true. Many people for whatever reason see our movement as the epitome of evil because we dare speak out about what the Bible calls wrong. Trust me, the more you follow Christ, it is just a matter of time before people start wondering if what you are into, is really a bad thing and not good for society.

Jesus did not do any miracles. No tricks, no schemes. He left only one man to be a witness.

This man:
Spoke truth
Presented his life as a witness
Stayed active in the community (The Decapolis of all places, that's downtown!)
Used the fact that he was well known as a testimony against his former lifestyle.
Never stopped talking about Jesus.

I think we need a few more good men like him, who are willing to be faithful disciples. Why don't we join him today?

Have a blessed day my friends

Pastor Vince

Ask the wind - Mark 4:35-41

That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side.” Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?”
He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. He said to his disciples, “Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?” They were terrified and asked each other, “Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!”

We see a destination, He sees a destiny
Where God leads us is a mystery to us, but never to Him. He knows what we need and when we need it. He know what we can handle, and what we cannot. The disciples thought they were going on a simple little boat ride. After all, they were fisherman, skilled navigators. They knew the sea. There was no need to worry. A child could navigate this small sea. The confidence in themselves was sure and secure... or so they thought.


We see a storm, He sees a nap
As the storm on the horizon drew closer, Jesus took advantage of some good nap time. He was not worried. Nor concerned. He fell fast asleep. I am amazed as to why the disciples woke Him up in the midst of the storm. Did they want Him to grab an oar? Did they want Him to help with the sail? Just exactly how much help could a carpenters son be on a capsizing boat? Panic and fear gripped the crew. Perhaps they were angry at Jesus because He was not afraid but asleep? How dare He not be concerned for them? Perhaps they just wanted some company as they thought that they were going to meet their certain doom.

We see Him not caring, He sees us not believing
It was not that Jesus did not care, it was that the disciples did not see. They saw Jesus in His humanity asleep, but in His deity, He was wide awake! They were looking for a human solution, not a God solution. Jesus responded in a God-like fashion and stilled the seas. I believe the disciples were attempting to dictate the terms of God's work in their lives. Just help us row a little bit Jesus, just until we get out of this mess. Jesus says "I put you in this mess so that you would treat me with the respect I deserve."

We see the problem as the storm, He sees the problem as our faith.
What limitations we place on ourselves by our lack of belief! What negative thoughts we think, what impossible odds we stack against ourselves by our lack of faith! The disciples battled, struggled, failed until their faith showed up! What battles are you facing today? Where is your faith in the midst of the storm?


We fear the storm, the storm fears Him.
Storms are nothing to laugh at. The story of Joppa, Missouri is a tragic one. We can see the effects of weather and the damage which tornadoes and storms can do to an entire community. The question is not why did Jesus calm the storm for the disciples but not for Joppa, the question is whether the Deity of Jesus ceases to be true because Joppa was hit. The answer is clearly "no". Jesus remains true to who He is regardless of the effects of storms in our life. The point of the story is not that Jesus stops storms, the point is that Jesus can stop storms, because He is God. Our fear of God http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gifshould not be based on His activity, but rather His power.

We ask skeptics who He is, but we should ask the wind, "Who is this man!"
Don't wait before it is too late to trust Jesus as your Savior. Believe on Him now. Don't judge His effectiveness as a Savior on your situation, or even on other people who do not know Him. Look at the world, the creation, the smallest to the greatest and asked "who created all these?" Then look to Jesus, the author, the perfecter and finisher of life to be everything you need for today!


Pastor Vince Gonzales
North Dallas Family Church

Disciples may not have all the answers, but they have the one who gives them the answers. Mark 4:30-35

With many similar parables Jesus spoke the word to them, as much as they could understand. He did not say anything to them without using a parable. But when he was alone with his own disciples, he explained everything. Mark 4:30-35

How many times have we asked God "why?" and received no answer? Have you ever felt like God is holding out on you and not answering prayers or giving you a reason why? When and where do you search for the answers to the unexplained "why?". This passage gives us a little insight into that dilemma.

The crowd vs The Quiet

Jesus operated in a public arena. He engaged the crowds in ways which perplexed them. He disturbed their comfort zone with strong words at times, and at other times baffled them with questions. Crowds and mobs are prone to uncontrollable rage. There is something about the presence of large people that naturally raises the adrenaline in the room. However, Jesus was not about crowds, he was about people. He used the crowds to create a stir, but the quiet intimate moments to stir peoples hearts to action and understanding. Being a disciple means that we can enjoy the public Jesus and also the private Jesus. As we draw close to Christ, He draws close to us and offers us insight which the mob is incapable of understanding. There are some Christians which enjoy the crowds and the excitement of public gatherings, but there are also others who seek Christ in the quietness of personal bible study and prayer. Being a disciple means you can enjoy both.


Being a disciple is not necessarily being "his" disciple.

The scripture clearly differentiates between disciples and being a disciple of Christ. Jesus spoke differently to his own disciples and left the outsiders trying to figure things out on their own. This is because being a disciple of Christ has its privileges, but not without cost.

Meaning and understanding for us only comes through the lens of suffering and sacrifice. That is where the teachings of Jesus make sense. Some interpret scripture through the lens of fame and prosperity, this is not what Jesus is wanting from us. When we learn to accept Christs teaching about following Him in the light of great difficulties and obstacles, life makes sense. The parable of the mustard seed can be seen as an insignificant life becoming great in the kingdom or just simply a nice story about a tree. Following Christ brings insight and greater commitment.

The peace that comes from explanation.

Perhaps we all want that peace the most. The peace that comes from hearing from Christ, regardless of the explanation. While answers and outcomes may not be the ones we were hoping to hear or to receive, knowing they are the Lords answers brings comfort and eventually, joy. This is because peace comes not from the information gathered buy by the one who gives it.

Are you seeking purpose and meaning from the outcomes of life, or from the one who holds life in His hand? That is something to think about!

Trust me, God is at Work! - Mark 4:26-29

Jesus also said, “This is what the kingdom of God is like. A man scatters seed on the ground. Night and day, whether he sleeps or gets up, the seed sprouts and grows, though he does not know how. All by itself the soil produces grain—first the stalk, then the head, then the full kernel in the head. As soon as the grain is ripe, he puts the sickle to it, because the harvest has come.”

The more you do, the more you will reap, so do something!
One cannot expect something to happen without making it happen. I love the fact that Jesus uses the word "seed". Every action is a seed when once planted begins to grow. However, nothing will grow if nothing is planted. The beautiful thing is that once it is placed in the ground, God takes over and does the rest. What thoughts and actions are you planting today? What plans are you making for your future? What are you planting today to make that happen?

Everything you do takes time, so trust God for it!
We are naturally impatient creatures. Our timetable is not God's. His thousand years is one second and our second can seem like a thousand years. But don't give up! God is surely at work! He has promised to never leave us or forsake us!

The end is not first, it is last, and everything is a work in progress!
We cannot expect things to pop up magically. the laws physics apply to reality. God's plans and activities begin with small steps, but we need to put first things first. God is a God of order and must be respected for such. So start small, dream big and be faithful! God will seem to move slowly, but He is always right on time!

The harvest is worth the wait!
The most beautiful fruit started with seed in the dirt. Not very pretty and certainly not very tasty! But yet, when God is in control, he begins to work out the details in splendid ways! His creation is beautiful. What a joy and blessing to be part of the creative process and share his glory with Him!

There are projects that we do that reap immediate benefits. There are visions and dreams that we have that require a lot of work, patience and sacrifice. Then, there are some jobs that we just don't even see any fruit come of it. But don't give up my friend. God is surely at work!

Pastor Vince Gonzales

Just do it! - What God wants from our lives. Mark 4:21-25

Perhaps there was nothing more that Jesus disliked than indifference. Especially to the way we live our life. As Jesus preached along the shore of Galilee He said to them, “Do you bring in a lamp to put it under a bowl or a bed? Instead, don’t you put it on its stand? For whatever is hidden is meant to be disclosed, and whatever is concealed is meant to be brought out into the open. If anyone has ears to hear, let them hear.”
Now many would take a look at this parable as a riddle and try to find some type of secret meaning somewhere. For us, it simply means that God has given us life, and that life has meaning. We were designed to glorify God with our lives not hide them from the view of others. As Christians, Jesus places within us the power of the Holy Spirit. He does not put it there for us to hide it. He does not put it there for us to deny it. He puts it there for us to shine it, to bring him glory and honor.
Perhaps the greatest way we can shine our light is through verbal witness. Simply, telling someone about the greatest change that they can ever make in their life is in their lifestyle. People need to know that this life that they are born with is not the final reality. It is a gateway to eternity that God gives us when we are born again and actually start living.
This principle can be demonstrated by people like Chuck Colson. One man who gave his life to Christ and allowed God to use him and shine his light in a very special way. We all know the name Chuck Colson from the Watergate scandal. But the story of his imprisonment is equally as notorious for Jesus. The story begins on the day Colson was released from prison.
One day, shortly before leaving prison, Colson was going about his business in the prison dorm while some inmates played cards. Suddenly, one of the players, a six-foot-tall prisoner named Archie, bellowed, "Hey, Colson. You'll be out of here soon. What are you going to do for us?" Suddenly, the whole room fell silent. All ears were straining to hear the answer. "I'll help in some way," replied Colson. "I'll never forget you guys or this stinking place." "Bull!" roared Archie, slamming down the pack of cards on the table. "You all say that. I've seen big shots like you come and go. They all say the same things while they're inside. Then they get out and forget us fast. There ain't nobody cares about us. Nobody!" But today, 35 years later, thousands upon thousands of Christian volunteers and churches do care. They care enough to visit prison, mentor prisoners, help their families, and share the Good News of Christ with them. That's because in 1976, Colson founded Prison Fellowship, which, together with churches of all confessions and denominations, has become the world's largest outreach to prisoners, ex-prisoners, and their families, with ministry taking place in 113 countries around the globe.
Can you imagine taking great tragedy and making it glorious and impactful for all of eternity.

What do you have in your lamp? Where are you placing it? Are you hiding it or shining it? Jesus concludes his discourse with these words: “Consider carefully what you hear,” he continued. “With the measure you use, it will be measured to you—and even more. Whoever has will be given more; whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them.”

Let's go and be a shining light today!

Blessings,

Pastor Vince

What are you hearing? - Grasping today's Parables Mark 4:1-20

Why we just don't listen!
Jesus taught them many things by parables, and in his teaching said: “Listen! A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants, so that they did not bear grain. Still other seed fell on good soil. It came up, grew and produced a crop, some multiplying thirty, some sixty, some a hundred times.” Then Jesus said, “Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear.” Mark 4:3-9

When Jesus Disciples asked him about this parable, they questioned why did He even speak in parables to begin with? Why couldn't he just speak plainly. Jesus explained that there are many people out there who hear, but few who really WANT to hear. That's why Jesus used parables. They require a little bit of thinking, reception and application. Anyone interest in cute, pity little sound bites just won't get them. So to us as believers Jesus poses this explanation. In order to really get the Word, it is going to require some work on our part. Just as the sower trows the seed on the ground, the ground cannot receive it until the prep work for the soil is done first. The sower has to break the ground, remove the rocks and make the soil usable, or receptive to the seed. So too, God must do a work in our lives before we would be able to receive the seed.

First, Satanic intervention blocks the seed.
In verse 15 Jesus says: "Some people are like seed along the path, where the word is sown. As soon as they hear it, Satan comes and takes away the word that was sown in them." Satan takes the real message away by replacing it quickly with something totally different than what the Word actually says. This is his strategy number one against us. Do you remember how he tried to tempt Jesus in Matthew 4? Jesus stay on God's Word and said to Satan "It is written" three times. But Satan responded with mis-quotes, out of context reasoning and words used to try to throw Jesus off track. Jesus is the model for us to receive the Word simply as it is written, plainly and taken to heart. Have you ever been satisfied with surface responses which accomplish nothing or deep thoughtful consideration to what God is saying?

Second, Not willing to take the heat for the Word.
"Others, like seed sown on rocky places, hear the word and at once receive it with joy. But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away." Jesus said.
We have to be able to take a stand on God's Word. Not be ashamed of it. Jesus said that if you are ashamed om Him and His word He will be ashamed of us when He returns to take us home (Luke 9:36). When one considers how accurate God's Word is, we need not be ashamed of it. I know we all want to be popular when we were younger, and being known for being a Christian is not considered to be the way to go, but wouldn't you want to be "right" rather than "popular". Don't you realize that the reason why people want you to be popular (which really means being like them) is so that they control you, manipulate you and re-create you into their image? So much for being popular. Jesus wants us to be popular with Him alone by knowing, obeying and believing His word.

Third, worry, materialism and the quest for popularity win out over the Word.
Verse 18-19: "Still others, like seed sown among thorns, hear the word; but the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things come in and choke the word, making it unfruitful."
The Word of God will accomplish nothing for us if we dilute it with any kind of worldly wisdom. If our goal in life is money and power, looking in God's Word to justify our sinful cravings will do us no good. It just isn't in there! God wants us to prosper in His way, on His terms, not according our failed plans. God's word is truth, and it must be acted upon as the truth for that is the only way that we can be set free. The Bible does not deceive, trick us or manipulate us through guilt to change our lives. Jesus offers us grace to believe, grace to feel and grace to act out what He promises to those who love Him and follow Him. Jesus said "don't worry about tomorrow". If you worry about tomorrow there will be no way to trust Him today. That is what He is calling us to do!

Fourthly, the good listeners hear the Word and take it to heart where it is planted deep and bears much fruit. 1 Thessalonians 2:13 says: " And we also thank God continually because, when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as a human word, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is indeed at work in you who believe." This is how we are to listen to God speaking. We hear His voice, we believe His Word, then we allow it to change our lives. Anything less is allowing the Word to slip on by.

Have you allowed God to break up the hard soil in your life? The anger, the frustration and sorrow of this world? Have you allowed Him to remove the rocks (just as broken relationships, life's disappointments) which like large boulders hinder you from loving God? If you don't allow Him to remove these things from your life there will be not way to receive, hear, listen and obey His voice when He speaks to you. Are you allowing God's word into your life?

So the Gatorade commercial is relevant to our study today of God's Word today. The question is: "God's Word: Is it in you?".

Be blessed,

Pastor Vince
20 Others, like seed sown on good soil, hear the word, accept it, and produce a crop—some thirty, some sixty, some a hundred times what was sown.”

Not fitting in with the "in" crowd. Mark 2:14-21

We saw last week how Jesus took on "big religion" and took authority over it. Now He takes on "big Religious people." The Pharisees attempted to paint Jesus as hanging out with the wrong crowd (Tax gatherers and sinners), eating the wrong things (not fasting) and then finally, not thinking the right things (old wineskins and new wine). In these verses Jesus confronts the problem with religion versus a real relationship with God through His Son Jesus.
Religious people are only empowered by people whom they can trap into believing that their system is the only way because it is theirs. Sinners and tax collectors do not follow any religion whatsoever. That is why they are called "sinners." Due to their lack of a moral compass, they have nothing to do with religion, but because they are made in the image of God, they are very valuable to God. Jesus prefers people who have no religion to those who live for religion because they are more open to receiving Him. The dangerous thing about religion is that it usually does not start with God, but starts with man and what man says about God. Jesus is revelation from God. He came to show us the way and those who do not listen do not wish to change. Irreligious people who are not interested in spiritual things are usually the ones that religious people are not interested in pursuing. As Christ followers, we are to seek the lost, not the ones who are found. That is why Jesus said He came to those who are "sick" and not the "well." The challenge for us is love the ones who are not interested in what we offer, and to love them because they do not "fit" in any religious affiliation. The Pharisees rejected Jesus because He did not play their games and conform into what they believed God to be: "their puppet." Jesus reminds us that He is calling us to a life on not mere religiosity but refreshing life to those who need a place to fit in.

Are you reaching out to those who need some direction today? Let's learn to love the way Jesus loved!

Peace,

Pastor Vince

Jesus takes on "Big Religion"

I am intrigued by the scene of forgiveness that Jesus expressed in Mark 2:1-12. As the news of His healing ministry spread throughout the land, four faithful friends tear a hole in the roof to get to Jesus. Upon seeing the paralyzed man, Jesus said to him "your sins are forgiven." However, "sin" was not the problem, paralysis was, or so it seemed. This causes me to raise some questions: "Is illness a result of sin?" "When bad things happen to me, is it because I have sinned?" "If sin is the real problem, then how should we look at sick people?" It seems that if we look at this passage as a treatise on illness and sin, we will miss out on what Jesus is doing through this paralyzed man. Jesus steps in and takes over all access to God in front of "big religion."

Jesus takes on "Big religion"
Just as politicians today promise that they will confront "Big business", "big oil", "big industry", so too, Jesus uses the opportunity to confront "big religion." The pharisees fully embraced the power, control and finances of the community by keeping the people in the dark religiously. Jesus ministry was a direct assault on their power base and they knew it. If people were sick, they would go to the temple. If they were needing forgiveness, they would go to the temple. If they needed a word from God, they would go to the temple. Now, in a crowded house, a busted ceiling and a great commotion, the pharisees see that they need to try to wrestle all of the power and attention away from Jesus. "Who can forgive sins but God alone? This man is committing blasphemy" they said. Actually... only Jesus can forgive sin and He sets out to prove it.

Jesus takes on "Big medicine."
While everyone was looking to see if Jesus could really heal, Jesus used the occasion to show that He could really forgive. When Jesus said to the man "rise and walk" he took on "big medicine" only because he had "big authority" from the man upstairs. The problem with with "big religion" is that they don't realize that the "man upstairs" is now the man in their "living room." The problem with "big religion" is that they all make claims to be the power broker, but it is really only Jesus who has real authority and power.

Jesus takes on "big praise."
"This amazed everyone and they praised God, saying, “We have never seen anything like this!”, was the response of the crowd in the room. What more can you ask for? One man dismantles the cartel on religion and medicine and He does it for free. He exposes the problems with the scenes of a paralyzed man and the condition of the human soul. Religious and political power are no match for the Kind of Kings and Lord of Lords. Many people sell their souls to these earthly institutions when all that they really need is a touch from Jesus. To have a real relationship with Him and not look for a false power broken, trying to substitute for what they really need.

The dismantling of "big religion" and "big medicine" in America.
The institutions of great churches and hospitals which we enjoy in this great land of ours are some of the finest in the world. The point of the passage is not that human organization of these institutions are not evil, but evil is perpetuated when these institutions believe that they are the real deal and the God is unnecessary and irrelevant. When Jesus forgives sin, He says to the institutions "where do you go when sin is the problem?" "How do you treat it?" "How do you get rid of it?" These are the questions that the great institutions cannot answer because they believe that finding cures is all that you really need. Jesus reminds us that all that we really need is Him.

Here is the question: "Are we seeking healing from big medicine, or from Jesus, through the hands of a doctor." "Are we seeking forgiveness from the church, or from Jesus through the institution of the church." Many people say that they have lost faith in the church and have given up on religion. Perhaps this is because they are looking for the church to be God, and it has simply not lived up to that name. Some people have given up on looking for a cure to their disease and have blamed doctors and technology, then have entered into despair. This is because they are still trusting in "big medicine", "big religion" and not "big Jesus." He is bigger than any institution because His authority comes from one who has the greatest authority one heaven and on earth.

Do you have Him?
Is He the answer to your sin problem?
Are you trusting in your religious affiliation or Jesus mighty hand?
If you ask Jesus to forgive you of each and every one of your sins, and God has forgiven you. Is there no need to trust in anyone and anything else? Let's get away from our addiction to "big business", "big religion" and "big mediciine" and let's look to our big God!

Isn't it great that we serve such a really "Big God".

Let me hear somebody say "Amen!"

Why this man? - One leper out of a thousand yet Jesus chose him. Mark 1:40-45

Mark chapter one records that Jesus walked along the shore of Galilee healing diseases and teaching in the synagogues. It mentions the word "many" were healed on several occasions. He drove out "many" with demons and "many" came to see him. In fact verse 33 of chapter 1 mentions that the "entire town" came to see him. The crowds were innumerable and the people who were healed could not be counted anymore. Of all the miracles performed that day only two were mentioned specifically by the author. One, was Simon's mother in law, and the other was the leprous man. The author Mark probably knew Simons mother in law, so he would recall the event quite easily, but my question is why does the leper stand out? I would venture to say that his heart was in the right place while the others were not. He was seeking a healer, not just a healing. He was interested in the relationship with Christ, not just the results of Christ. I believe that this is what Christ is seeking in us today. An ongoing, minute by minute servanthood relationship rather than a quick "thank you Jesus, I'll see you later" relationship. Let's scan the details:

The man approached with respect and politeness: On his knees he came and begged for his healing. He did not doubt Christs ability, he doubted his worthiness to receive the healing he so desperately needed. “If you are willing, you can make me clean.”

The man received a compassionate response from Jesus. While some translations say: "Jesus was indignant", a better translation says that he was "moved with compassion". This makes more sense because of what Christ did after He responded to the man. "He reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!” Immediately the leprosy left him and he was cleansed." (v. 42). If you recall from the old testament, it was forbidden to touch a leper, but Jesus willingly did. He looked at him and healed him because he loved him. Jesus loved him because this man had faith, which perhaps the others did not.

The man could not contain his joy, but shared with the world what Jesus had done. Although it seems that this was not what Jesus wanted, he wanted him to tell the priests that the Messiah was here, he rather told those around him and forgot about the priests. It is kind of hard to blame him for disobedience, I am sure that religion was the last thing on the ex-lepers mind, he wanted everyone to know about Jesus.

This whole episode brings us to the point of prayer. Are you asking Christ in your prayer life with faith, approaching him humbling and being willing to be used by Him? Or are you simply looking for a healing and not the healer? Are you looking for a need to be met or a needing to meet the healer. Look beyond your need and get to know the one who wants to get to know you.


Peace.

Jesus in the Synagogue: "Not taking sides, but taking over."

Mark 1:21- 28: "They went to Capernaum, and when the Sabbath came, Jesus went into the synagogue and began to teach. The people were amazed at his teaching, because he taught them as one who had authority, not as the teachers of the law. Just then a man in their synagogue who was possessed by an impure spirit cried out, “What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are—the Holy One of God!” “Be quiet!” said Jesus sternly. “Come out of him!” The impure spirit shook the man violently and came out of him with a shriek. The people were all so amazed that they asked each other, “What is this? A new teaching—and with authority! He even gives orders to impure spirits and they obey him.” News about him spread quickly over the whole region of Galilee."

Jesus takes over the spiritual conversation (v. 21-22).
The first act of authority Jesus displayed was to walk into the synagogue and to begin to teach. In doing so, he was challenging the Rabbis of the day as to their understanding and insight into the teachings of Moses. The scriptures do not tell us what passage He read from, nor what He taught concerning the passage, but I am sure that His teachings went something like this: "What I just read, was talking about me, what you just heard, was speaking about me, what you must do now, is decide what you are going to do about me." Sounds kind of self centered doesn't it? Well, when you are the King of the Universe, and rightfully so, that interpretation should be the truth. I am sure this bothered the Rabbis, especially when they were accustomed to nobody speaking with authority, for they all quoted other Rabbis who said other things. They were usually Rabbis who were dead, but often quoted as a way for a younger Rabbi to establish his authority on the basis of some other ones fame. This was the tradition and habit of the Rabbis, and still is to this day. Jesus quoted no one but God by reciting the scripture which He established as the very Words of God. Jesus did not need the fame of former religious men to establish His authority. He took it for himself. But Jesus doesn't stop there, by taking over the synagogue, taking over the Bible study and taking over the teaching, He takes over what even the other Rabbis could not take over, the spiritual realm of unclean spirits.


Jesus takes over the spiritual confusion (vs. 23-25).
I suspect that people with impure spirits were everywhere in Jesus day. They would disrupt public gatherings, family meetings, and even sabbath day services. What do you do with these pesky people who allow themselves to be used as an instrument of Satan. This person was not just having a bad day, they were having a bad life. In the first part of the evil spirits statement, he tried to rouse the synagogue against Jesus. In the second part of the statement, he claims that he knew who Jesus was, the "Holy One of God". While the statement was true, Jesus did not want His identity to be associated with evil, nor is identity to be forced upon people. Jesus always wanted the truth proclaimed, with individual people making the right choice about his identity on their own. As Jesus took command of the situation, the evil spirit was exposed for what it truly was, a possessive, divisive spirit which controlled people and situations. The way Jesus dismissed the spirit was powerful like a tornado tossing a house several miles away. While the crowd was aware of evil spirits, they were not aware of the ability to flick them away so quickly. Jesus displayed His power physically, intellectually and spiritually. What more could you want in a Savior?

Jesus takes over the spiritual headlines.
I love the conclusion that the people in the synagogue reach: "“What is this? A new teaching—and with authority! He even gives orders to impure spirits and they obey him. News about him spread quickly over the whole region of Galilee."

Do you realize on this day that there is no authority on earth other Jesus? At the end of the Gospel of Mark we read that all authority on heaven and earth was given to Jesus after the resurrection. We do not need to follow stories, fables, sound bites, pithy little poems, the opinions of others but rather the teachings of Christ as given to us in the New Testament.

In what area of weakness are crying out to God for? Could it be areas in your family, thought life or present day struggles. Following Christ and His teachings, holding to His promises and declaring victory today restores order, peace, forgiveness and restoration to our heavenly Father.

Follow the Savior in His steps today!

"Lifes purpose" The definition of discipleship

Mark 1:16-18 "As Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” At once they left their nets and followed him.

There are three things I notice about Jesus call upon our lives based on the episode in Mark chapter 1, The call, the job description and the response.

Jesus calls us where we are
Jesus life was strategic, as we walked along the perimeters of the sea, His mission was to go into Jerusalem, be crucified, die and be raised from the dead. In accomplishing his mission, He called certain men to be with Him, to accompany Him, to learn from Him and also to be His messengers. As Jesus called the first disciples, He went and found men where they were, doing what they do, to accomplish extraordinary things. He did not train them, but their following Him would be there training. He was not looking for experience, but willingness. Real people in real places. This should make us think about how much He wants us to get in the game. We often think that there are more qualified and experienced people people elsewhere, who can get the job done. This certainly was not the pattern for Jesus. Do you know that Jesus wants to take you to the next level of your life from where you are right now? He wants to begin right now today, not when you are ready and prepared. He is looking for a few more disciples. They did not discuss pay, benefits or hours, they were looking for a boss, and they made a decision to put Jesus in charge of their careers. They knew that if Jesus was in charge, He would also take care of the pay, housing and retirement.

Jesus calls us to do what we do, but for Him.
Jesus first instruction was to follow, the second part was to do. He will not ask us to do anything that we do not want to do. He wants us to follow, and in the following we will "do". If you are not willing to follow, then you are not willing to do, so if you respond to His call, then you will be willing to do what He wants you to do. So follow Him, and let Him clarify what He wants you to do. Jesus did not change their job description, He changed their purpose. They were fisherman by trade, now they were to be fisherman by call. They fished for themselves, now they fished for Christ. They fished in the sea, now they will fish where Christ leads. They fished to eat, and now they eat in order to fish.

Jesus calls, and He expects us to move
I like when the story says: "At once they left their nets and followed him." There was no fear or hesitancy in their leaving the nets. I am sure there was a sense of peace, calm and excitement in their response to Jesus. They were drawn to Him in a way that was greater than their profession, they wanted to do the same thing they were doing in the sea but now for Him.

There are many times that I see men often confused about Church, family and life. I have sensed great fear and opposition to really getting involved in church, Bible study, prayer and family leadership. I am sure this is because they confused holding down a good job, feeding the family and getting the kids to school as job number one. While being responsible is commendable, it is a good start but not and end in itself. Working is no substitute for working for the Lord. Being a good parent is no substitute for parenting for the Lord. And punching the time clock is not substitute for punching the time clock for the Lord.

Develop a life's purpose defines our discipleship.
Does what we do define who we do it for? Does joy and pleasure come from what we do or who we do it for? If you hate your job, and your life would changing your job making you any happier? How long would an increase in pay go you make you happier? The reality is that once we understand for whom we do things for will we ever be able to enjoy our work. In other words, our work description does not change but who we are doing it for does!

Prayer:
Lord, help me to do for you what before I was unwilling to do because now I understand my lifes purpose. Help me to see that it is not my life I am enhancing but you will and pleasure that I am seeking to fulfill. This life is a fleeting moment before the time we meet face to face and my earthly labor will be no more. Help me to serve you until that day that you say "Well done, my good and faithful servant." In Jesus name, Amen.

Fourth of July Freedom.

When the puritans set sail in search of freedom they landed upon the ground which would become the future United States of America? Did they find freedom? No, they found a land. When they bent their knee and thanked God for bringing them to safety, did they find freedom? No, but they exercised it. Freedom is a place in the heart where God dwells with us. His glory fills the earth, and all of creation stands in awe of it. When He expresses his will for us, and gives us boundaries and parameters by which to operate, we find freedom within the lines. There is no freedom outside the lines. One might think that we are not free if God tells us what we cannot do. However, because of the reality of death and consequences of disobedience. Our freedoms are limited to protect us, but not so limited that we cannot enjoy them. it is an evil eye that craves things which God has not designed for us to enjoy. It is an evil person who criticizes the maker, or denies his existence on the basis that the creator will not allow us to do certain things. True freedom only exists where the sovereign Lord destines us to experience it. The Apostle Paul had this in mind when he wrote: "In Him we live, move and have our being."

The United states of America was created by a group of men who outlined the laws of our land. They understood that our rights came from God and that He was the ultimate protector of them. We as a country stand united, and indebted to God who revealed Himself to us through His word so that we might enjoy Him and know Him. We are indebted to the soldiers and civil servants who have given their lives to protect what God himself and endowed to us. This forth of July, let us thank our government servants, our workers and all who work to make this country the best on earth. And let us reflect on God, our country and our freedom.

Prayer: "Father God, the eyes of a watching world are upon you. Let us do our part to show them who you are and what you have done for us through our worship, our service and our love. Thank you for our country, our faith and our family. Thank you that you uphold our country with your might right hand. In Jesus name, Amen."

A Fathers love - Fathers Day reflections on the Lord's Prayer Matthew 6:9-13

As I was reflecting on my Fathers Day message for 2011, I was reminded that one of the most profound prayers ever prayed or written was one by Jesus, given to His heavenly Father. In His relationship with the Father, Jesus recognized the key elements which Fathers give to their children. In Matthew chapter 6, verses 9 - 13 we see what Fathers do for us in our lives.

Fathers give us a name (v. 9)
As son's of a earthy Father, the first thing we receive from a Father is their name. I am reminded of what sadness falls upon the fate of un-wed teenage mothers when the boy in their life does not or can not give their child his last name. That is because when a Father gives his name to his child he is declaring responsibility, relationship and protection. So too, a father gives his pledge to his children by giving his name. He pledges protection and a place in society as a son. As long as that child is a minor, he or she remains under the protection and tutelage of their earthly father.

Fathers give us a home and rules (v. 10)
When Jesus prayed, "thy kingdom come", He recognized the heavenly kingdom will be the place that he will ultimately live but that relationship continues even now. Our fathers provide along with a name, but a place, a city, state address to which we have been defined to dwell. It is within that realm that we experience the freedom to enjoy Him. In my fathers house there is for his children a place to belong, where it is safe and he provides his shelter.

Fathers provide food and shelter (v. 11)
"thy daily bread" is the most evident sign of a Father in the home. The dinner table is not only a place to eat, but also a place to share feelings, thoughts and experiences of our day. It is important that we eat and share together with our Fathers so that we know where our food comes from.

Fathers teach us to love and forgive (v. 12)
On the road to independence through maturity, our fathers teach us to forgive, which is the greatest gift they can give us. Fathers provide the example for us on how we view other people. I remember my father sharing with me about how he dealt with being mistreated, and the ability to forgive. I learned how it takes a real man to forgive and rise above being mistreated. Jesus reminds us that the relationship with the heavenly Father is maintained through forgiving others as He has forgiven us.

Fathers lead us to righteousness (v. 13).
Fathers are the greatest example of living right. We learn from our fathers what to respect. In fact, Fathers are the greatest examples for us of how to live. They are vital in maintaining core values which society cannot teach us. How many of asked why we do what we do respond: "Well, that's what I saw my Dad do.." The same is true with manners, behavior, respect and raw talent. We get these things from our Fathers.

As our relationship with our Heavenly Father is what Christ modeled for us, so too, the relationship with our earthly father is mirrored throughout our lives. The impact of a father to his children is beyond words. The experts are still studying the impact of earthly fathers upon their children and admit the profound impact of them upon society, but are not able to explain it. That is because the relationship is spiritual, it has dimensions which are not seen or heard, but felt. So too, with our heavenly Father.

This year, let's thank our Fathers for the joys and blessings of being in our lives and helping us to understand our heavenly Father just a little bit better.

Have a happy Fathers day!

Pastor Vince Gonzales

Work, Rest and Worship: Our commitment to honor the Sabbath

There are several misconceptions about work by too many Christians. Some believe that hard work is part of the curse and that if Adam hadn't of sinned, we would not have to work. A couple of problems with that is that God made Adam work before the fall of man to sin, second, before Adam was even created, God worked!
The creation story depicts for us the story of God, seeing the world in chaos, turning on the light of His work bench and beginning to create, organize and position the chaos in an orderly, self sustaining, beautiful work. The pattern was:

Day one: Turn on the light! Creating light and dispelling darkness.
Day two: Assess the problem and begin to correct it. Creating land and water.
Day three: Fix the land and water with tides, times and seasons: Create the moon,stars and outer space.
Day Four: Set up the ecological systems: Create the sea, and land habitation.
Day Five: Create animal and plant life so that human life can be sustained.
Day Six: Create mankind in His image and likeness.
Day Seven: Stop all work!

God gives us an example of what our work week should be like. Work is the process of taking chaos and making it orderly. Through creativity, ingenuity and diligence, God put order into the universe. So too, our work week should be the process of bringing chaos into submission into the order of the universe. Work is not sin, bad or a curse, it is a blessing! To work hard is to be God-like and the work of our hands should be glorifying to God.

But even in the process of creative, rewarding work, God gives us another example to follow, and that is to cease from labor for a time of worship. God stopped working on the Seventh day, so that He could worship Himself (since there was no one higher than Him to worship) and receive glory unto himself for His great work in creation.

The seventh day, the sabbath day, is a day of necessary rest, for the purpose of worship. Without it, men die. They day because their labor becomes enslavement, misery and ceaseless stress upon life. The day of rest must be a time where we stop, take a mental and spiritual day of rest and refocus our minds on what life is really all about. We were created to give glory with our heart, mind, body and strength to the our Holy and Sovereign Lord! Otherwise, we are merely hamsters, running around in a cage, waiting to die. Worship turns our eyes off of the earth and causes us to look heavenward where one day, all chaos will be brought completely into order when heaven will be brought down to earth.

The sabbath rest teaches us that work is good, when it leads us to rest(Exodus 9-10a)
Now some might get hung up on "Can I wash my car on Sunday?", "Is it OK to cut the yard on Sunday?" "Is it ok to go to church on Saturday?" These are all worrisome questions about what the sabbath rest is all about. It is not the day is holy because the "rest" is holy. You can be at church and not rest if your mind is still worried about the work you have to do on Monday. You cannot rest if you are worried about your finances and you cannot give unto the Lord your tithe because you are so worried about your work that you cannot share. You should go to church on your special day (Saturday or Sunday, whichever you choose) to rest, and cast all of your cares upon Him, because He cares for us! (1 Peter 5:7, Ps 55:22). That is what true worship is all about. It is not about just taking a day off of work, but it is stopping to put all our our work, life and love into proper perspective.
Rest is good, because it allows us to worship (v. 10b)
It you rest, it should be for the purpose of worship. Sleeping is not worship. It rests your body, but not your spirit. If your spirit is not rested in worship, you will never be able to sleep well or enjoy the fruit of your labor. Resting in the spirit is to rest in the forgiveness of our sins, to trust tomorrow in the hands of a living God and to be confident that our labor is not in vain. It is to sit, be still, and know that He is God (and that we are not.) We must also realize that rest, is hard work! It takes time to shut down the mind, body and work week in order for us to prepare to worship Him. We have to decide to designate a special time for our worship and be committed to not allow anything to disturb it!
Worship is the reason why we work and rest (v. 11)
Lastly, we must understand that it is the time when man and God meet together in worship is why God created us and the world in the first place. He created us to work, so that we might bring Him greater glory and honor through our work. We who work hard ought to glorify God through our hard labor! We must also work hard at our worship, which means that we are not to allow anything else interfere with our rest and worship.

A quick end note: I was reflecting on our college graduates finishing school this year and it dawned on me that we must really reinforce this truth to our children. That the purpose of college is not to get smarter so that we will make more money, but rather so that we can glorify God through more organization of the chaotic world we live in. Our purpose is not to make money, if that is the purpose of education we will destroy ourselves in the process and become extremely disappointed. As the scripture teaches: "You cannot serve God and mammon (Matthew 6:24)." The purpose of all that we are to do is to glorify God, and that includes our work, our rest and our worship.

Stay committed.

Pastor Vince

Does God have a last Name? The Third Commitment: "Not mis-using God's Name"

At a casual glance, most would consider this command to mean that we are not to say "G_ _ D_ _ _ it" (You can fill in the blanks yourself). This should be obvious to all that cussing should not be a part of anyone's vocabulary. It is totally rude and unnecessary. Unfortunately, many Christians believe that simply because they do not cuss, they are not breaking the third commandment. However, we are not looking at the commandments that way, we are looking at them as commitments, as Jesus saw them. When Jesus expanded the command to not commit adultery to include looking at a woman and lusting after her as adultery, He was looking at a deeper commitment we must have toward a simple commandment. So likewise we will be looking beyond the command not to misuse God's name but to honor His name.

God revealed His name to Moses in Exodus when Moses asked: "Whom shall I say sent me?" God responded: "I AM that I AM". Now the name: "I AM" seems incomplete doesn't it? Why would God say that His name was "I AM?" Jesus explained in Matthew 22:32 that the "I AM" means that He is God of the living, not the dead and because of the present tense usage, implies that Abraham and Issac are still alive. So we are to take the "tense" of the Name seriously, but even more than this, we are to take His last name seriously as well. What is the last name of God? Jesus said that God revealed himself as "I AM the God of Abraham". So in a sense, His last name is "the God of Abraham". The last name of God refers to a more specific personal relationship that He has with those who believe in His name. If you were to list the "last names" of God in scripture you would find over five or six hundred of them. Here are just a few:

Almighty God
Alpha and Omega
An ensign for the nations
An ensign of the people
Ancient of days
Apostle and High Priest of our profession (Jesus)
Author and finisher of our faith (Jesus)
Author of eternal salvation (Jesus)
Author of peace
Beginning of the creation of God (Jesus)
Blessed and only Potentate
Bread of God (Jesus)
Bread of life (Jesus)
Bright and morning star
Buckler to all those that trust in him
Buckler to them that walk uprightly
Captain of their salvation (Jesus)
Christ Jesus
Christ Jesus our Lord
Christ in you, the hope of glory

... and the last names go on and on.

So if you were to use God's first name: "I AM" then then add His last name you would have:

I AM the Almighty God
I AM the Alpha and Omega
I AM An ensign for the nations
I AM An ensign of the people
I AM the Ancient of days

etc...

Now this what I believe being committed to God's name means for us today. If you have known the grace, presence and peace of God for many years, and you are in a real and loving relationship with Christ right now, you know Him as: "I AM the God who saved me", "I AM the God that healed me", "I AM the God that loves me." etc. In other words, when you pray, you are able to pray in His Name: "I AM" and then apply His last name to your current circumstance, situation and need. We are called to pray to the "I AM the God who answers prayer", "I AM the God who helped me get through college", "I AM the God who opened doors for me", "I AM the God who provided a job for me when I needed one really bad", "I AM the God who healed my loved one.." etc.

Understanding God's first and last name in this way brings excitement to our Bible study, depth in relationship with Him, excitement to our prayer life and hope for tomorrow.

Our commitment is not just to "not cuss", or "mis-use" His name, it is a commitment to "use" God's Name, invoking it prayer, because His name, first and last, are extremely powerful.

Stay committed!

Pastor Vince

The First Commitment "No Idols in my life".

So what's wrong with "American Idol"? The most successful show in American history? Absolutely nothing if you accept it for what it is: "entertainment." While the show contains the word "idol", it simply refers to our treatment of celebrities in the past. People like: "Elvis Presley", the Beatles and of course the King of Pop: "Michael Jackson". Growing up in the United States, you hear these voices and songs all over the place. In restaurants , at work, on the elevator etc. We easily attribute "God" like qualities to these people because they are everywhere and their songs make us touch our emotions in a special way. It is a harmless play on words, but American Idol is a fun way to make fun of ourselves and how much we love to be entertained by good talented singers. Few people would ever consider these people "God", unless they were pretty far out there mentally, no matter how much they enjoy music. We know that this is not idolatry in the biblical sense, but what is idolatry really?
Idolatry is a misrepresentation of who God really is, which is quite easy to do. Our thoughts of God are limited, our experience of God is limited, or expression of God in our worship always falls short. There is great opportunity to misrepresent him in our daily experience. Much of what we consider to be God, of God or from God might not really be the true God. In other words, our experience and emotion cannot contain Him.
The first commandment is a stern reminder that we are not to misrepresent God. Moses records God's words to him when he says to him in Exodus 20:1-5: "And God spoke all these words: “I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. “You shall have no other gods before me. “You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me

A couple of key points immediately emerge from the text: 1) Idolatry always leads to slavery. 2) Putting anything between God and us is idolatry. 3) Idolatry has generational consequences.
Because we have the gift of the New Testament, we have insight from Jesus, who is God Himself about worship: In John 4:24, Jesus said "...God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.” If spirit by definition means "without human body or form, eternal not material", then it would be impossible to express God in those terms. Any type of expression in statues, photos, videos or anything else would destroy our understanding of who God really is. Putting God in material terms and worshiping something material would destroy us. It always leads to slavery.
Consider the woman at the well in John chapter 4. She was a slave to the well because she needed physical water. She was a slave religiously because she looked for spiritual strength there because it just happened to be "Jacob well." She believed that every day her trip to the well would bring her a "touch of God" somehow. Just something to get her by for the day. It was just enough "God" for her to get her through the day. She was not exactly for for much more. It was not until she made a trip to well to meet Jesus that her idolatry was exposed, and she found true freedom in Christ. She immediately went and told the whole town about Jesus, becoming the first recorded evangelist next to John the baptist after her conversion. Idolatry has a way of chaining us to people, places and things. This is what God hates. That is why Jesus said to the woman: "
Another thing about idolatry is that it separates us from God. Because it misrepresents Him, it controls and destroys our spiritual compass. Instead of leading us to God, it pushes us further from Him. This past year I had the opportunity to visit Jerusalem in the land of Israel. It was amazing to see people from every nation tribe and tongue travel to that special place hoping to be touched by God in a special way. While it was a neat experience to "walk where Jesus walked", the idolatry was rampant. People were buying crosses, crucifixes, pictures photos, dirt, water, t-shirts, banners etc., like crazy. I saw people kissing stones, rubbing rocks, touching places made of human hands and walking away smiling like something tremendously spiritual just happened. But I know they returned to their homes the same way they left, spiritually hungry for God. I felt saddened to know that these people would be greatly disappointed when they return home, seeking to see, taste or touch God, only to find out that they had missed him. Some pilgrims might even decide to become atheist after a let down like that, I pray not, but I could see how it could happen. It one wants to see God in material terms, they will always become enslaved to whatever they equate to it. If I can only feel close to God in Israel, and no other place I would become enslaved to that place, having to return for my spiritual fix. Thank God that He is Spirit, and we can worship Him anywhere, for who He is and only for how we experience Him. The woman at the well became confused. Her idolatry of persons and places was evident in her response to Jesus in John 4:19 “Sir,” the woman said, “I can see that you are a prophet. Our ancestors worshiped on this mountain, but you Jews claim that the place where we must worship is in Jerusalem.” Jesus clarified the have truth of worship, it is not where you worship but "whom" you worship in verse 21: "'Woman,' Jesus replied, “believe me, a time is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. 22 You Samaritans worship what you do not know; we worship what we do know, for salvation is from the Jews."
The last thing we see about idolatry is that it has spiritual, generational consequences. If our spiritual compass is wrong, and we head down that path, we lead our children and the next generation into the wrong path. Have you ever contemplated how much about God we learn from our parents? That is because truth is more "caught" then "taught." We learn from others habits, experiences and expressions and the teachers who impact us the most are the ones we live with. For me, it was my parents that took me to church and corrected me when I was wrong. it wasn't my school teachers or even the Pastors that did that, it was my parents. They set me on a course and when I left home it was time for me to pick up from there and go further on my own. Parents set their children on a course to find God, but they themselves are not God, or even the best source to find God, we must learn to worship Him in Spirit and in truth.
God said that He was a jealous God. Have you ever had someone else take the praise for your hard work? That is a terrible feeling. So too with God. He hates for us to misrepresent who He really is to anybody. But that is what lies at the heart of our idolatry.
So what would real worship look like? Are we committed to real worship, or false representations of who He is. Real worship must first of all be spiritual. Second of all it should be based on truth. There is absolutely no way we can know what is out there in the spiritual realm where God is, unles God would tell us. That is why the Bible should be central to our worship. We do not worship the Bible, but we worship the God who reveals himself to us through it.
A commitment to saying no to idols means a new commitment to think about God in a fresh new way. A way that does not seek to compare Him to anything in this world but rather to focus in on Him as one with whom we can have a personal relationship. Anything which focuses on the creation rather than the Creator is idolatry. Trying to put God in a small practical box should be despised. That is the root of idolatry.

Until next time,
Pastor Vince

The Ten Commitments

Long gone are days of Charlton Heston and the epic classic: "The Ten Commandments". I remember watching that movie as a kid with my parents at the Aztec Theater in San Antonio. The parting of the Red Sea was awesome and the special effects were way before it's time. The immense drama which enfolded on the big screen seemed real and yet surreal. Now that we are all grown up our perspective on the Ten Commandments may have changed somewhat. As we read today's headlines it is obvious that we need the Ten commandments more than ever. In fact, if it wasn't for God telling us what is right and wrong and instilling that in our brain, Television shows like "Judge Judy", COPS, and others would be out of business. But because we clearly know what sin is, what is right and wrong, sin is still big business all across the world.
Recently Steven Hawking, a physicist from a major university announced that there is no personal God but only scientific law. Simply put: "God is not there". If He is not there, He certainly has left a huge footprint on society, because everybody knows what sin is and what it does. They know it because they don't like it when it is done to them. Sin in any language is still sin. The Apostle Paul wrote in Romans 2:1-3 " 1 You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge another, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things. Now we know that God’s judgment against those who do such things is based on truth. So when you, a mere human being, pass judgment on them and yet do the same things, do you think you will escape God’s judgment? Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, forbearance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance?"
The Ten Commandments are God's revelation and explanation of this war within us that tears our lives apart. He is good. He is just and merciful. The Ten Commandments are a beginning, not an end to the full picture. Sin destroyed us and condemned us before a Holy God, Jesus Christ destroyed the penalty of sin (which is death) on the cross and by faith we are justified before God. Romans 8:1-4 says: "Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death. For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering And so he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit."
As Christians we are fully justified before God. We have life, we have freedom, we have relationship with Him. So what about the Ten Commandments? Are they irrelevant? Just a nice story? A good DVD to watch around Easter time? No, they are much more than that for us. In order to fully enjoy and embrace the life God has designed for us to have and enjoy, they must become "commitments".
Now when I speak of commitments, some might think of "legalism". That is, a returning to the Ten Commandments so that we live back in the days of antiquity. Where we deny ourselves and live in poverty. No, that is not what God wants. God says that it is impossible for us to complete the Ten Commandments to fulfill them, for we are all sinners. However, God has given us a secret weapon, it is the "Holy Spirit of God" which dwells in the hearts of believers. Romans 7:12-13 says: "Therefore, brothers and sisters, we have an obligation—but it is not to the flesh, to live according to it. For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live." This is the commitment I am talking about. Not the moral obligation which leads to slavery to the law, but a new empowering relationship with the Spirit of the Living God in our lives. Once you understand the power of the Holy Spirit who wants to work in our lives, then we can become unleashed to fulfill the letter of the Law. "For man, all things are impossible, but for God, nothing is impossible." Jesus said (Matthew 19:26).
I want to challenge you to work through this mindset and lifestyle with me. As I begin to preach through this series on Sunday Morning, concerning "The Ten Commitments".

Despierta 2011 - Conference recap!

Our first men's and women's conference at North Dallas Family Church was a great success. First of all, we wanted to honor the Lord by becoming better men and women of God. Second, we wanted to expose our participants to excellent teaching. Rolando Rodriguez and Octavio Esqueda did a fantastic men in presenting our men with some challenging material. Hermana Paul Lopez did a great job of sharing with our ladies. The food and special music was excellent! Our church is learning how to work the kitchen equipment and we are starting to be very productive in there. Our ladies served Chicken Fried Chicken Steak and all the sides. It was a blessing ! The hermanos were truly blessed and our conference ministry is now underway! Praise God!

Please make plans to attend our follow up events as we work towards making them even better.

Some thoughts on Egypt

I just realized that I have had the blessing and divine appointment to be a witness to the last days of Mubarak's reign before his overthrow in Egypt. While I wandered the streets of Cairo this past October I never realized that I was sitting in the middle of the beginning of the Worlds greatest revolutions that our generation will ever see. The downfall of Russia was unpredicted, yet sure. The beginning of the downfall of the Islamic oppressed Middle east is also unprecedented. When I first heard the news of the protests, I was not surprised. I was quite impressed with the oppression which we witnessed while we were there. The grip of the religion of Islam was all over the place. The mistreatment of women, the fear placed on people who dare deviate in any way from the teachings of Mohammad, however strange or intolerant they may be made me expect to see a revolt, but not so quick and not the extent which we are seeing it today. Now, Libya is in the news and other smaller countries are following suit. Perhaps this may be the beginning of people questioning everything about their culture and faith. My prayer and thought is just as the downfall of the Soviet Union opened the doors for many churches to take the Gospel into the Russian countries, the next few years will see unprecedented advancements of the Evangelical movement throughout the Middle East. Perhaps this is the greatest indicator that the return of Christ will be even sooner. Maranatha (come quickly Lord Jesus!). Either way, I am excited and waiting anxiously to hear about the new openness in the Middle East, but I know that this will not come without much bloodshed. Already, the counter forces for freedom are at work in the Middle East. The attempted crackdown of Muslims to retain order are rising but seem to be unsustainable.
My reaction is one of great anticipation. When we left Egypt I thought that we would never be able to return and do real ministry there because of the opposition of Muslims and even the Coptic Christians. Now, I feel that there will soon be a new openness to everything we hope to do there. Join with me in praying that this revolution will be of opening great doors for the Gospel during these last days.

Mission field renovation is now underway

"Mission Field" is the name of our future soccer complex at North Dallas Family Church. With just a few families, a few teams, a little money and a blessing from Royal Haven Baptist Church, we have begun to fix, clean and repair and old abandoned softball field and replace with a new vision for a soccer field that everyone could appreciate.

We give God all the glory, honor and praise for making this field project a reality. Phase one was the demolition of the softball backstop. This week we will begin to tear out the old grass, level the field and re-plant new seed that should blossom into a beautiful green playing field by this April.

Various donors and interested parties have donated the time, labor, money and effort to break ground on the project. We are still in the process of raising the money for the seed, water and landscaping equipment we will need to maintain the property. If you are willing to help, we will be working on the field the next few Saturday mornings. Or, if you are interested in donating any equipment, you may email me at pastorvincegonzales@gmail.com. We are also receiving any financial contributions at NorthDallasFamily.Org and click on "donate". You may make checks out to "Mission Field" and mail them to North Dallas Family Church 10919 Royal Haven Dallas, TX 75229

Thanks and God bless you!

Pastor Vince Gonzales
North Dallas Family Church.
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