Pages of Life - Paginas de la Vida

Define "Religion" Please! - A critique of Popular Video culture.

2012-01-12T08:51:00.000-08:00

A popular video floating around blogs and Facebook posts has been: "Why I hate religion but love Jesus". It is rapidly approaching 1 million hits around the world and has great appeal to the twenty-something world. It is extremely well done, and the speaker: "Jefferson Bethke" speaks with compassion for people turned off to religion.

I believe the popularity surrounding the video may stem from hatred of "religion" however the context of the our culture lends itself to be "anti-church". The years of 2000-2010 saw the rise of the "seeker service", "emerging church" and other such movements to expose the irrelevance of traditional church. While the movement had valid criticisms, the critique can be certainly declared to be over. Most traditional churches are providing "contemporary" services and youthful expressions of change which seem to be meeting that need.

My concern is that to the un-trained eye, "religion" can be equated to "church" (the Sunday morning experience). This is my modern day equivalent of "throwing the baby out with the bath water." An old expressions which means that there is much good in the dirty water you want to throw out the window.

Youth transition network did a study on High School Students the year after graduation and found these statistics: “An Assemblies of God study showed a loss of 66% of their students within one year of high school graduation.”

“A Southern Baptist transition project estimates an 82% loss of youth within one year of high school graduation.”
“Fifty to eighty percent of high school students walk away.”
“As someone who recognizes the importance of an ever-growing faith, especially during the college years, these are staggering statistics,” said Cyndi Forman, campus minister of the Baptist Collegiate Ministry (BCM) of Georgia Tech and Emory University. “The statistics are sad, disappointing and dangerous, all at the same time.”

If this study remains true, twenty-somethings do not need reasons to not attend church regularly and maintain their spiritual life. In fact, they need to understand that these are the years in which they need the church the most. The early 20's are years of great change in a young adults life. They are years of new found freedom, and also years of experimentation and development. Without guidance, direction and encouragement, they can easily find themselves in a tail-spin into disillusion and despair.

For me, my college years were years of great transition, growth and dedication to the Lord. All of this was formulated in me by a great group of Christian peers, a Pastor in my life and involvement in social activities at my Church. My university education exposed me to many alternative philosophies and secular positions, however my church kept my feet on solid ground. I actually survived my college years with a bright outlook and a belief that I could make a difference in a dark world.

While there can be the presence of "religion" in Church, the Church is not religion. In fact, the video talks about the "four walls" of a church building. But the church is people, not a building. It is a family, it is a fellowship, it is as the Bible calls it: "the Body of Christ." The reality is that everybody needs a church home just as every family needs to be a home for it's members. In fact it is impossible to say "I love Jesus, but not the church", simply because the church is His body. Like it or not, when you walk away from the Church, you walk away from the visible expression of the historic Jesus. So our obligation to the Lord is to find a church and help make it a better place. A place where He is worshiped and proclaimed.

The local Church in your community does not start wars, it simply is a place where people can find comfort, encouragement, growth and even sometimes a warm meal. While people make mistakes, and Lord knows we do all the time in the local church, it is a place to find forgiveness and healing from a broken world.

There was once a sign out in front of a church which read: "Ch ch". What's missing? U R. Kind of corny, but appropriate for young people who are looking for an alternative to church but not realizing that they are the church.

You can watch the video here.

Clothing Matters: What We Wear to Church | Christianity Today | A Magazine of Evangelical Conviction

2012-01-12T08:50:00.000-08:00

Clothing Matters: What We Wear to Church | Christianity Today | A Magazine of Evangelical Conviction

Making the Most of Christmas -

2011-12-13T07:49:00.000-08:00

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

2011-08-24T06:57:00.000-07:00

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

2011-08-04T06:16:00.000-07:00

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

2011-07-28T04:51:00.000-07:00

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

2011-07-24T14:52:00.000-07:00

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

2011-07-21T07:05:00.000-07:00

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

2011-07-20T04:28:00.000-07:00

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

2011-07-19T09:34:00.000-07:00

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

2011-07-11T14:17:00.000-07:00

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"

2011-07-07T22:02:00.000-07:00

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

2011-07-06T21:57:00.000-07:00

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."

2011-07-05T21:14:00.000-07:00

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

2011-07-05T07:09:00.000-07:00

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.

2011-06-25T13:59:00.000-07:00

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

2011-06-18T11:37:00.000-07:00

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

2011-06-06T12:51:00.000-07:00

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"

2011-05-31T06:36:00.000-07:00

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".

2011-05-21T04:36:00.000-07:00

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

2011-05-18T05:06:00.000-07:00

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!

2011-03-14T13:55:00.000-07:00

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

2011-02-24T21:09:00.000-08:00

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

2011-01-25T11:04:00.000-08:00

"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.
Video

Trash City - Imagine the Un-Imaginable

2010-12-13T20:58:00.000-08:00

"Trash City" is a city dump in the middle of Cairo, Egypt which is where the largest gathering of Coptic Christians live. It is a city within a city where people live to dig through trash to sort and gather the different types of recyclable materials. In a Muslim country where Islam rules, and Christianity is frowned upon, this area becomes the place where Muslims dare not go. Our guide said that it is one of the few places where you can buy and eat pork, because it is considered unclean. (Personally speaking, I think everything in "Trash City" is unclean, but we did not stay long enough to find out).
Coptic Christians are the oldest group of Christians around. "Coptic" simply means "Egyptian". They can trace their roots back to the days when Jesus, Mary and Joseph fled Bethlehem to Egypt to flee persecution by Herod. They have lived and stayed in Egypt. Their practices are similar to "Catholic" practices, having many relics and reciting an ancient from of the "Mass" in Arabic. They have a priestly order, but are totally independent of the Roman Catholic Pope and priesthood. In their view they have a closer relationship to Christ because they followed him since he was a baby, not as an adult when John the Baptist revealed him to mankind. They do not do a good job of relating to the outside world of Christianity. They know nothing of Martin Luther's reformation, are not interested in hearing what Evangelicals have to say about anything. Still, I could not help to be appreciative of their knowledge of the biblical narrative or Jesus and reverence for His Son. Anything having to do with Jesus was a site for sore eyes for me.
Deep in the bowels of "Trash City", the Coptic Christians built a twenty thousand seat auditorium for their followers to gather and hear their mass. the artwork carved into the walls was breathtaking and quite a testimony to what Christianity stands for in the Middle East. The message of the Gospel paints the story of a redemptive religion, where God himself comes down to live with and serve the poorest of the poor. Surely, Christ wouldn't associate himself which such unclean people who live in a "Trash City", but surely He does! Islam (and Judaism for that matter) by contrast teaches a religion which must separate itself from everything that is unclean and unfortunately, that means most of the human population. Jesus spoke often about declaring that which was unclean to be clean. I think that it is quite a challenge for us as Christians to not reject the people whom are unclean.
It was beautiful to see the story of Christ carved in stone. However, the beauty of this place was hidden from the majority of the Muslim world who would never venture into such a place. "Christ", if you look for Him, is certainly revealed in this place. One of my favorite images carved in the stone was the resurrection scene with the Angel sitting on the stone and declaring to the women that "He is not here, He is arisen."

A drive through the streets of "Trash City"

Unfortunately, the Coptic Christians I spoke with did not fully understand what Christianity was about. They had fashioned a system of works to tie itself to a failed system because it tied itself to the goodness of man, rather than the grace of God. "Saved" and "Salvation" were not words which the Coptic Christians used nor understood. It was a joy to freely share the message with them, although I could tell that they were very ignorant of the what the Bible teaches, although they knew the stories of Jesus quite well. We were well received by them as friends, however, they really did not accept us as pastors or spiritual leaders. I was not really quite sure what they thought of the band of Hispanic Pastors from the United States who came to visit them. But the visit was quite a blessing for me to experience.
We owe a debt of gratitude to ancient Egypt for the preservation of the scriptures. The oldest known manuscripts of the New Testament were preserved in the desserts of Egypt. The dry climate and the abundance of Papyri (from which we get our word 'paper') allowed the early Christians to copy and preserve the Bible for centuries to come. Many of these ancient Christian monasteries are still present outside of Alexandria, named after the great Roman Emperor "Alexander". I could not help but feel like we were in a scene from "Planet of the Apes", where modern people come back to find that their world had changed and new people were in charge. Sadly, a country once over run with Christians has now been reduced to the descendants of the Christian people, now living in the worst of conditions because they had lost track of their original calling, "to go unto all the world (Matthew 28:19)".

Our Visit with Safwat Nageeb El-Baiady, President of Protestant Churches of Egypt

2010-12-10T07:26:00.000-08:00

During our recent trip to Egypt, we had an opportunity to learn more about how we can continue to minister in the Middle East After our trip ends and we return to the United States. In this Video, Dr. Albert Reyes explains about our trip and introduces us to the man through whom all Evangelical church work must be done through before the Egyptian government. Because of the strict control of Government over Christian activities, there must be one person who knows what is going on in the country and who is accountable to the Muslim favored Government. That man would be: " Safwat Nageeb El-Baiady", President of Protestant Churches of Egypt.

His office was a blessing to see, well decorated and functional for meetings and conferences. His hospitality was superb! If Hispanics are to have an impact there in future work, it would be through Buckner International networking it's connections there, and also through President El-Baiady. This meeting between the two men was a great privilege for me to witness. As an outcome of this meeting, we determined that education was the best way for us to help as the greatest witness right now to this closed culture was to help educate the educational system of Egypt. President El-Baiady suggested that we send teachers, or provide teacher training seminars. The Egyptian government would smile better upon our efforts if we could help them in a tangible way as assisting in their educational system. So, who wants to go to Egypt as a teacher out there?

The Presidents Remarks

New Shoes for Our Egyptian Young Men

2010-11-14T21:32:00.000-08:00

The view from the bus ride left us asking: "Now where exactly do these boys live?" We searched for the location and found a great group of eager boys waiting our arrival. Shoes for Orphan Souls is a great program that Buckner International does to open doors for the Gospel all over the world. It is hard to imagine how a child feels to have a stranger from another part of the world travel to their land just to put a pair of shoes on their little feet. That was our experience in Cairo, Egypt. It really puts meaning into the phrase: "It is better to give than to receive." As we placed the feet on these little guys feet, we felt like we were 300 ft. tall. Below you can see a video of us doing this to our little friends in a Boys home during our visit.
As we played soccer with the boys and listened to their stories, we were told that the national policy of Egypt is that adoption, especially international adoption is not an option. This teaching goes way back to the days of Islamic law to Mohammed's day, where adoption is frowned upon by society. So, children without parents are usually passed from family to family, or else they hit the street. These boys have an opportunity to receive love and attention until the time they are released into society. So while these are with them, the directors have an opportunity to teach the message of Christ in the Bible until the day they decide to go on their own. The staff were wonderful people and really had a heart for the Lord. While we were not their very long, the memories we made will last a lifetime.

Proverbs 25:25 says: "Like cold water to a weary soul is good news from a distant land. " What a great opportunity to bear the good news of Christ love across the globe!
Some of the Pastors had an opportunity to play soccer with these young men. Most played in their bare feet. Even Pastor Rolando Rodriguez who was wearing dress shoes at the time, took off his shoes to play with them. They nick-named him "Reynaldo" after the famous Brazilian player, but he didn't bother to correct them. I think "Renaldo" told his congregation that he now does international soccer exhibitions for Christ (Oh brother!). Nevertheless, the boys wanted a rematch once they had their new tennis shoes. But, unfortunately it was time to go. I couldn't help but feel that our lack of communication skills in Arabic, was superseded by the love and encouragement we brought in Christ to these young men.

Transforming Egypt through Micro-economics

2010-11-14T16:46:00.000-08:00

Along our trip through Egypt we had an opportunity to encourage a small Christian economic ministry called
"Shepherds Community Ministry". This ministry provides job education and job skills development to women who are unskilled and are in need of economic opportunity. The women in this organization receive computer training, and other opportunities for economic advancement. Some learn crafts, others software and others learn to set up their own store. The thing which impacted me was that you saw Muslim women, Coptic Christian women and extreme Muslim women who only expose their eyes all working together. This never happens in open society. Their testimony was that this center was more than a training center, it was like "church", because they studied the Bible, prayed and brought their needs to the group together. Below is a video of the testimonies of two women being assisted through a translator. It was amazing to see Christ being shared under the radar of the culture directly to points of need. I was are reminded of the scripture in 1 Peter 2:9 "But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light." God's light indeed show down upon that place. We had the privilege of handing out diplomas of completion for the first graduating class of those who received their training. We also handed them an envelope with a little bit of cash to start their new business. I think that we were more excited than the students were to be part of the celebration and excitement of their new endeavor into micro-economics.
Pastor Jesse Rincones also shared some thoughts about his visit to the Shepherds center.

There are a lot of things that we can learn from a trip like this. For one, a center like this is highly unlikely in light of all the obstacles Christians face in Egypt. However, it did challenge me to think how we could do something similar to this ministry here in the states where we do not have the obstacles which these brethren face in their country. Wow, that gives us something to think about doesn't it?

My First Day in Egypt - When Muslims call Mexicans "Cousins".

2010-11-12T04:56:00.000-08:00

I was sharing with a friend of mine about my trip to Egypt and he said, "you know, it is going to take you a while to mentally process everything, the more you talk about it, the more you will be able to digest everything the Lord was showing you during that trip." Indeed, that was good advice. And so, I am going to try and write down some major impressions about the people places and experiences I had, not just to write a blog, but to really go through and re-live some of the experiences I had there. I hope that you enjoy reading, as I enjoy recalling some events that were really quite impactful on my life. I want to thank my brother Frank, who said that he had something for me for my trip. Actually, it was a small hand held flip video camera that help up to four hours of video. I was able to capture some awesome moments that I think will bless you and also give you a deeper perspective on what the Lord was showing us during our trip. Thanks to the miracle of modern technology, I can share some of these moments with you.
Upon our arrival in Egypt, we were greeted by a former Egyptian Ambassador to the United States. A born again believer, now living in the states. Being raised in Cairo, and still maintaining an apartment there, he travels between the two countries helping and serving wherever he can. He was a fascinating man to get to know and his experience and expertise was invaluable as we moved in and around the city. As we arrived in the Cairo airport, he greeted us, prayed with us, and thank God for our safe arrival.
The trip was organized by Dr. Albert Reyes, President of Buckner International and his assistant Aracely Perez. Also on the trip was Pastor Carlos Alcina of Primera Austin, Ed Alvarado of Hispanic Texas Baptist Men, Pastor Rueben Elizondo of New Life Robstown, Pastor Jesse Rincones of Alianza Lubbock, Pastor Rolando Rodriguez, Director of Hispanic Ministries for the Baptists of Texas, Pastor Rueben and Gail Ortega of Sierra Vista Community Church of New Mexico, and Pastor Jose Gamez of Primera Alfa, Dallas, Texas. This is the group of men God used to help us grow together and experience first hand what the Lord is doing in Muslim countries and how in particular how he is still not done with one of the most famous countries in Biblical history. Here is a short video of our arrival. More will follow, but let me share with you this verse as we get started: "You must not do as they do in Egypt, where you used to live, and you must not do as they do in the land of Canaan, where I am bringing you. Do not follow their practices." Leviticus 18:3. Little did we know God was calling to observe, be thankful and appreciate the good old US of A, and learn how we can be a blessing to this Land. Egypt is by far the United States greatest Ali next to Israel in the middle east, but even still, we needed to be cautious. Being Hispanic, we were eagerly accepted and welcomed in this country. When we were introduced to the Arab people, they saw our faces and said "Where are you from?". We responded we are Hispanic Americans. "Hispanic Americans?" We replied: "Yes, you know, Mexicans." "Mexicans? Then you must be our cousins." And so, our middle east experience began. Stay tuned for more, and enjoy the video.

Faith, Hope and Love - Foundations for a strong church

2010-09-21T11:08:00.000-07:00

While studying for my new sermon series I discovered that Faith, Hope and Love are essential to a healthy vibrant church that is tuned in to meeting the needs of its congregation. If you looking for a church home that is built upon these principles I pray that you would consider joining our church. We would love to be your family and build into your faith, with hope and in the love of Christ. Visit us this Sunday morning as we continue to explore these concepts together. May God richly bless you as you press on to the mark we have in heaven in Christ Jesus.

Pastor Vince Gonzales

Starting Over Again - A Study in the Gospel of John

2010-07-20T12:28:00.000-07:00

"In the beginning was the Word..." so starts the book of the Gospel Of John. Are you feeling like you need to start your career over again? Your family over again? Your life over again? The good news is that God allows you to start all over again when you are in the midst of difficult circumstances. Through this study we are seeing how God has given us a new opportunity to start over again by:

A new prophet - "John the Baptist"
A new party - "The wedding at Cana"
A new religion - "Overturning the Temple marketplace"
A new birth - "The Visit of Nicodemas"

Newness is the thought as we explore how God wants to come in a change every element of our relationship to Him and to each other. Joining us this Sunday morning as we engage the author of Life as He re-writes our life story again with Christ in the middle of it.

We look forward to seeing you this Sunday.

We are ready for VBS!

2010-05-31T21:01:00.000-07:00

VBS (Vacation Bible School) has long been a tradition of our church as a time to generate excitement for the Lord and make new friends in the process. Years ago, when we met at Northway Baptist Church, we spent a lot of time and money to make VBS a success. When Northway asked us to vacate their property, we tried our best to make VBS work at Northwest Bible Church when we met there temporarily. It was difficult to do so because of space. Over this past year because of having to move to two different locations within a 12 month time, we lost some members and also our finances dwindled. We continued to pray and would not cease to believe that God has called us to the community we were planted in, which was North Dallas.As we begin our fourth month of meeting in our new location: "Royal Haven Baptist Church", we are excited about this years vacation Bible school. Having a few less people and a little less budget, God has provided everything that we need to reach a new community of bilingual people in our new neighborhood. To date, we have received the following items for VBS:

A freezer full of pork, chicken and beef for tacos from Chipotle restaurant.
A case of Jalapenos, tomatoes and onions from Super Plaza supermarket.
Pizzas from Pizza Hut
Sweet breads from Starbucks
Tortillas and chips from Rudys Tortillas
$ 780.00 from Royal Haven Baptist Church
$ 275.00 from Twin Media.
A 100 man tent from FBC Dallas.
A snow cone machine from Village Church Northway.

And also, many neighborhood businesses have allowed us to place posters in their store windows. Stores such as:
Big D Barbers
Donut Palace
Family Dollar
Chihuahua Party Supply
Cristina's restaurant
Access Dental
A plus uniform
Jack in the Box
CiCi's pizza
Starbucks and others.

So we have our teachers, food, materials and supplies ready for this years vbs. We are excited to put it on for you and we hope that you are making plans to attend. June 7-11th, 2010 6:30 pm to 8:30 pm every night. There is something for everyone of all ages.

Thank you Lord for your faithfulness and provision.
Thanks you North Dallas Family for believing that God has great things for us to do.

We will see you there!

Pastor Vince Gonzales
North Dallas Family Church

Starting over - Begining Again!

2010-05-17T18:55:00.000-07:00

We have begun our new series on the gospel of John: "Starting Over - Beginning Again". Many people want to start their life over in one way or another. The new chapters of our lives encourage us to start over. Have you ever wiped out in life and wanted to start over again? The Gospel of John encourages us over again, but to start again from the beginning. Not where we are, but back to the beginning. John says that "In the beginning was the Word..." That is where we are to start, in the beginning, with the Word. The word is communication from God, it is getting back on track with God and His word. So understand that to start again, we have to go back to the beginning. There is no compromise there, it was our way of thinking that got us into trouble in the first place. We need to change the way we think about the former things and not carry them into the future that we are wanting to achieve. As we study this book, we find that Christ is inviting us to think differently about how we thought before. He challenges the Bridegroom to re-think what a real party is going to be. He challenges Nicodemus to re-think what it is to be "born again". He challenges the woman at the well to re-think her relationship with God and men. Quite an interesting perspective. So make plans to be with us this summer as we start all over again.

Men's Retreat 2010

2010-03-08T12:45:00.000-08:00

The Men's retreat was a great blessing to us all! It was the first time that our men had a specific time to themselves. We went to Lakeview Camp in Waxahachie which gave us an opportunity to enjoy fishing, basketball, volleyball and great food. Pastor Amado Lozano, missions staff from Northwest Bible Church brought a great message to us friday night challenging us to be men who were aware that we are living in the times of great opportunity to serve Christ in a real way. We then enjoyed a bonfire in which we worshipped and Marcos Dean brought us a challenge on helping pastor serve the church. The next morning, brother Jeremy Strauss brought the devotion on God's amazing grace. We look forward to the next time that we will be together. See you then.
You may see more pictures from the retreat here.

Song of Solomon

2010-02-17T07:39:00.000-08:00

I hope you have been enjoying the Series "Song of Solomon - what everybody needs to know". It has been a joy sharing this remarkable book with you. I have been receiving great testimonies about how the book has caused some couples to speak to each other on whole new levels as they learn what true intimacy is all about.
If you are hurting in your marriage, do not be discouraged. If ever you have had a thorn or splinter in your finger you remember how much it hurt to try to dislodge it. It often hurt tremendously but afterwords it was quite healing. What a joy to have your feelings back and working. We find that marital conflict is often painful but once you dislodge what is hurting, only then can the healing begin.
The book covers everything from dating, courting, romance, sex and even what to do when the honeymoon is over. I pray that you will put into practice the principles we uncover from God's gift to us, "The book of Romance".

Libro de Jonas

2010-01-27T04:53:00.000-08:00

Cada miercoles a las siete en la tarde tendremos nuevo serie de sermones para nuestro adoracion del medio semana. Vamos a aprender de estar en la voluntad de Dios por medio del libro de Jonas. Jonas no solo es una historia de un pescado grande, es una historia de a la maravillosa gracia de Dios. Ven y estar con nosotros a las siete en la tarde cada Miercoles. Nos Vemos!

El Corazón de un Atleta

2009-10-28T21:03:00.000-07:00

"Si no hay lucha, no hay progreso," fueron las palabras de Fredrick Douglas. ¿Qué hay que hacer para ser un atleta? Hay una diferencia entre una persona que juega un deporte y a un atleta que es dedicado. El corazón de un atleta asombra.

Para ser un atleta uno debe que ser físicamente y mentalmente fuerte. Cuándo usted tiene un juego duro, y quizá lo pierde no puede mostrar una actitud. Usted tiene que ser mentalmente fuerte y sacudirlo. Físicamente usted tiene que estar fuerte y en forma. Si el equipo o el entrenador te necesitan para jugar un juego sin una interrupción, y tu no estas físicamente en forma, usted no es un atleta verdadero.

La resistencia de un atleta es increíble. Usted tiene que estar totalmente en el deporte. Cada oportunidad que un atleta consigue para trabajar en su juego que ellos lo hacen." Cada vez que yo estoy en el gimnasio, y pienso en mi futuro, baloncesto colegial. Quiero esforzarme por alcanzar ese objetivo, y trabajo duro". Estas fueron las palabras de un atleta verdadero, Krista Wagstrom. La ética del trabajo de una persona que juega el deporte es normal, pero la ética del trabajo de un atleta es constante, ellos siempre dan su mejor esfuerzo.

"Si no hay dolor, no hay ganancia". ¿Tiene usted el corazón, la resistencia, la parte mental y física que necesita para ser un atleta? Si usted quiere jugar un deporte, está bien, pero para ser un atleta es un desafío grande.

Obstáculos para perder el corazón de un corredor: “No Leer la escritura” Romanos 15:4

4 De hecho, todo lo que se escribió en el pasado se escribió para enseñarnos, a fin de que, alentados por las Escrituras, perseveremos en mantener nuestra esperanza.

Muchas veces lo que impide aun corredor es no ver el camino delante de el. Es como un ciego buscando a donde caminar. Para nosotros, Dios nos ha dado un mapa para guiarnos en nuestro viaje. En Romanos 15:4 la escritura nos dice que “todo lo que se escribió en el pasado se escribió para enseñarnos, a fin de que, alentados por las Escrituras, perseveremos en mantener nuestra esperanza.” Entonces, no hay excusas cuando nos perdiéremos del camino del Señor. Los cosas que estamos experimentando en nuestras vidas han sido caminadas por muchas personas antes de nosotros. Es nuestra tarea de escudriñar la palabra par ver como triunfar como los testigos del pasado.

Lea lo como:

un mapa para navegar nuestra vida
una historia de los victoriosos en la batalla
una lectura en como vivir con éxito
una promesa para esperar
un retrato del gran plan de Dios.

Para aprender la importancia de saber el nuevo testamento piénsalo así:

Lo que pasó, lo que es, y lo que vendrá.

Lo que paso es la historia de Jesús, su vida y sus hechos, hay cuatro libros: “Mateo, Marcos, Lucas y Juan, y el libro de los hechos de los apóstoles.”

Lo que es son las cartas a las iglesias, que no son las iglesias antiguas del otro país. Son la información instructiva para la iglesia hoy en día. Es doctrina para nosotros hoy en día. Pablo escribió a siete iglesias, “Corintios, Romanos, Galatas, Efesios, Filipenses, Colosenses, y Tesalonicenses.” Dos Pastores “Timoteo y Tito”, y un hombre de negocio “Filemón”. Hay otros Apóstoles que escribieron también: “Hebreos, Santiago, Pedro Juan y Judas.” El último es el único que es para el futuro. No es historia porque son cosas que no ha pasado. Se llama “Apocalipsis”. Entonces, El Señor nos ha dado veinte siete libros para enseñarnos lo que paso, lo que es, y lo que vendrá.

Cada libro tiene su propósito, Los evangelios, para enseñar la historia de Cristo y hechos, la historia de su iglesia. Las cartas, para enseñar y capacitar su iglesia y Apocalipsis para prepara su iglesia para el futuro.

Es la responsabilidad de cada Cristiano de leer y entender la palabra y aplicarlo par sabiduría. 1 Timoteo 3:16 dice: “2 Timoteo 3:16 “Toda la Escritura es inspirada por Dios y útil para enseñar, para reprender, para corregir y para instruir en la justicia,” Si tu eres padre, es el libro para enseñarle como ser padre con éxito. Si tú eres un maestro, provee las enseñanzas para educar a nuestros hijos. Si tú eres pastor, es el manual para dar alimento a las ovejas.

Obstáculos para perder el corazón de un corredor: No Orar Juntos Como pareja y familia.

La oración es el pálpito del corazón de Dios. Tenemos acceso directamente al Padre cuando clamamos al Señor. La oración es el arma más fuerte que tenemos en nuestro arsenal espiritual contra el enemigo de nuestras almas. Pero la realidad es el arma menos usada contra los ataques contra nuestra familia y unidad. Usualmente pensamos que podemos orar aparte. Pero la realidad el cimiento entre dos vidas es la oración juntos. Mira este versículo en Mateo 18:19: “Además les digo que si dos de ustedes en la tierra se ponen de acuerdo sobre cualquier cosa que pidan, les será concedida por mi Padre que está en el cielo.” Los problemas en la familia mas grandes son la falta de comunicación. Cuando no hay tiempo de comunicación, los valores de la familia no se estan comunicado y mucha confusión puede entrar en la situación. Cada relación debe tener metas. Y las metas nunca seran cumplidas cuando no hay claramente un compromiso mutuo entre la familia. Cuando tomas la mano de tu marido, y tus hijos, inclina tu rostro delante de el Señor, la organización de la familia esta en su lugar. El Padre celestial, el Papa y esposo, luego la mama y sus hijos, todos están en directo acceso para recibir del Señor. El Señor no puede bendecir desorden. El Señor no puede contestar peticiones conflictos. El Señor no se puede mover cuando no hay reglas para guardar la bendición que El deposita en nuestro hogar. También, el Señor no puede bendicir cuando hay pecado, pleitos y maldiciones. Oye este versículo: 1 Pedro 3:7 “De igual manera, ustedes esposos, sean comprensivos en su vida conyugal, tratando cada uno a su esposa con respeto, ya que como mujer es más delicada, y ambos son herederos del grato don de la vida. Así nada estorbará las oraciones de ustedes. Si no es tu practica normal de tener tiempo de oración juntos vas a encontrar problemas económicos, rebeldía, y desarmonia en el matrimonio. No hay otro remedio, el único es para ver el poder de la oración vivo y eficaz en tu matrimonio.

Obstáculos para perder el corazón de un corredor: Compartir finanzas

Una marca del creyente es de ser un donador. Alguien que comparte y apoya su iglesia local. Somos un equipo y nuestra victoria depende en la obediencia a cada miembro del cuerpo del Señor. El Señor ve el corazón de un dador. La realidad es que gastamos nuestro dinero en donde queremos gastar lo. Lo más importante en nuestra vida recibe la mayor cantidad de dinero. Mateo 6:21 dice: “Porque donde esté tu tesoro, allí estará también tu corazón.” Si tu prioridad no es de honrad al Señor con tu dinero vas a honrad y servir a si mismo. Si este es el caso, no puede llegar a la madurez. La madurez es cuando una persona esta libre del amor del dinero. Hebreos 13:5: “5 Manténganse libres del amor al dinero, y conténtense con lo que tienen, porque Dios ha dicho: ‘Nunca te dejaré; jamás te abandonaré’” El corazón del creyente esta fijo en lo que el Señor proveyó para nosotros. Cuando uno se enfoca en la ganancia, es cuando su vida empieza deshacer. 1 Timoteo 6:10 dice: “Porque el amor al dinero es la raíz de toda clase de males. Por codiciarlo, algunos se han desviado de la fe y se han causado muchísimos sinsabores.” El estado del creyente sobre el dinero es uno de “mayordomía”. Un creyente de madurez entiende que lo que tengo es lo que yo guardo para el uso del Señor y su reino. Parte de mi mayor dormía es proveer por mi familia, otro es para proveer para la familia de Dios, y también, hay que guardar para el futuro. No es fácil, pero cuando uno pone al Señor primero en el plan de negociar tus financias, todo lo demás ya es santo. Y cuando piensas que todo tu dinero pertenece al Señor, y todo es santo, su perspectiva cambia. Uno puede compartir y apoya la iglesia cuando uno toma esa responsabilidad. Si uno no toma su responsabilidad, uno no es maduro. Y para su bien, hay que entender a como compartir. 1 Corintios 16: 1-3 dice: “En cuanto a la colecta para los creyentes, sigan las instrucciones que di a las iglesias de Galicia. El primer día de la semana, cada uno de ustedes aparte y guarde algún dinero conforme a sus ingresos, para que no se tengan que hacer colectas cuando yo vaya. Luego, cuando llegue, daré cartas de presentación a los que ustedes hayan aprobado y los enviaré a Jerusalén con los donativos que hayan recogido.” El apóstol Pablo nos mando a preparar para dar, y ser listo para compartir. Es una marca que dice, “si soy miembro, soy responsable, yo amo al Señor, y su Iglesia.” En el antiguo testamento, el pueblo de Israel edificó su propio templo. Al tomar esa responsabilidad todos se envoluncraron en el proyecto: Nehemias 10: 37: “Convinimos en llevar a los almacenes del templo de nuestro Dios las primicias de nuestra molienda, de nuestras ofrendas, del fruto de nuestros árboles, de nuestro vino nuevo y de nuestro aceite, para los sacerdotes que ministran en el templo de nuestro Dios. Convinimos también en dar la décima parte de nuestras cosechas a los levitas, pues son ellos quienes recolectan todo esto en los pueblos donde trabajamos.” Dios quiere que cada miembro trabaje juntos para edificar su pueblo. Y dar diez porciento es un buen empiezo al honrar al Señor. Esto es cuando uno puede sentir que si soy parte de los que están trabajando por el Señor.

Conclusión:

Cuando uno empieza a correr, los obstáculos van a venir y luego mas rápido. Cuando uno esta caminando parece que no hay obstáculos. Parece que todo esta tranquilo y fácil, pero la realidad es que cuando uno dice, “yo quiero correr”, es cuando empieza el entrenamiento. Los que quieren correr van han ver muchos mas obstáculos. Mucho mas cosas para impedir y parar su entrenamiento. Hermanos, esto es bueno. Uno no puede quedar en primera base por toda su vida. Cuando tú empiezas a correr vas a pasar muchas personas que han estado en el Señor por muchos anos. No todos los que están en la familia de Dios están corriendo. Por eso, el Señor nos dice que no miremos a los que están a nuestro lado, nuestra meta es el Señor. Dice Filipenses 3:14 “sigo avanzando hacia la meta para ganar el premio que Dios ofrece mediante su llamamiento celestial en Cristo Jesús”. Y también cuando Pedro estaba bien preocupado por su compañero Juan, pero Cristo dijo que el no debe de ver aquellos acreedor, sino obedecer la palabra del Señor. Juan 21:21 Al verlo, Pedro preguntó: —Señor, ¿y éste, qué? —Si quiero que él permanezca vivo hasta que yo vuelva, ¿a ti qué? Tú sígueme. Parte de nuestro llamado es de seguir al Señor y no a sus ovejas. Hermanos es tiempo de tomar tu parte, de ser obediente y de crecer has el tamaño que Dios quiere de nosotros. Es tiempo de tomar el riesgo de correr y no volver atrás. Es tiempo de ser obedientes y no mira atrás, solo al levantado, el autor de nuestra fe. Hebreos 12:1-3 dice: “Por tanto, también nosotros, que estamos rodeados de una multitud tan grande de testigos, despojémonos del lastre que nos estorba, en especial del pecado que nos asedia, y corramos con perseverancia la carrera que tenemos por delante. Fijemos la mirada en Jesús, el iniciador y perfeccionador de nuestra fe, quien por el gozo que le esperaba, soportó la cruz, menospreciando la vergüenza que ella significaba, y ahora está sentado a la derecha del trono de Dios. Así, pues, consideren a aquel que perseveró frente a tanta oposición por parte de los pecadores, para que no se cansen ni pierdan el ánimo”. Dios habla claramente lo que El quiere de nosotros, ahora es tiempo de hacer esa decisión para el Señor. De correr sin cadenas, pena y vergüenza has el premio que El es para nosotros. Hermanos, les exhorto que estas cualidades sean en ustedes y que sea tu meta personal para cumplirlos para su gloria.

La necesidad de ir a la Segunda base Hebreos 6:1

2009-10-19T12:39:00.000-07:00

The Need to get to second base (Hebrews 6:1)

Para nosotros, no hay mas grande gozo que el de ser salvo. De regocijar en las grandes planes que el Señor tiene por nosotros. Dios nos salvo de la pena de nuestro pecado, el poder del pecado y algo día, la presencia del pecado. Para nosotros no hay grande paz que nos podemos sentir en nuestro corazón. ¿Pero sabes que? El Señor tiene mas para nosotros. La Biblia nos promete que hay aun mas grande gozo para nosotros si continuaremos en la fe y empezaremos a caminar con El. Y mas que un privilegio, es un mandamiento que tenemos que continuar al próxima paso. Es como nos podemos ver en los deportes hoy en día. No queremos pagar dinero para ver nuestro equipo favorito a perder. Queremos ver ganadores y equipos victoriosos! También Dios que ver nosotros correr para ganar, caminar para vencer y alcanzar lo que el tiene reservado para nosotros. Mira este versículo: Hebreos 6:1 “Por eso, dejando a un lado las enseñanzas elementales acerca de Cristo, avancemos hacia la madurez. No volvamos a poner los fundamentos, tales como el arrepentimiento de las obras que conducen a la muerte, la fe en Dios...”.

En este pasaje nos podemos ver que Dios quiere que dejemos las cosas de la primera base y continúe hasta la próxima base. No es la intención de Dios que quedamos solo en la primera base. Hay algunos que cree que Dios les ame y esta contentísimo que ellos están en la primera base. Eso no es bueno ni justo. Si Dios siempre nos ame y eso no cambie, pero hay una manera para contentar el Señor mucha mas. Y también nos da mas gozo cuando veamos crecimiento real en nuestras vidas. Así es en nuestras vidas también. Todas nuestras mamas nos aman. Pero no todos son contentos. El amor no va a cambien pero hay una manera de ama y a la misma vez, no sentir contento.

Es como esperar por un autobús. Tenemos que entrar para salir a un nuevo sitio. Es una aburrida de estar en el mismo lugar para siempre. Dios dice: “hay que seguir adelante”, Dios manda “Hay que seguir adelante”. Parte de ese proceso es de involúcrate mas en la iglesia. La iglesia es el lugar donde Dios ha proveído su nueva familia. Es la función de la familia de:

Ayudarte en madurar más en todo aspecto.
Recibir disciplina.

¿Recuerdas los días cuando estabas en el primero grado? En el fin del verano su mama siempre paraba usted para el segundo grado. Aunque no queremos ir a la segunda grado, ella proveo todo lo que necesitaba para regresar y hacer bien en sus estudios. Así es nuestra iglesia. Que bueno que aceptaste Cristo como tu salvador, pero ahora es tiempo de regresar a la escuela. Queremos que cada miembro decida en su corazón de seguir en el plan que Dios tiene para ellos para crecer. La salvación es como aprender a leer. Gloria a Dios que puedes leer pero sabes que? Los estudiantes de segundo y tercer grado puedo leer, es tiempo para entrar la segundaría, y luego de ir al colegio espiritual. La diferencia es lo que estas leído. En el primer grado lees historias, pero ahora es tiempo de leer, aprender y solucionar problemas. Hay algunos cristianos que no quiere avanzar porque es mucho trabajo. Hay mucho en la vida que requiere disciplina y no tiene buena sabor, pero la realidad es que la vida será más fácil. Cuando uno empieza a caminar en el Señor, vas a encontrad mucho problemas en su persona. Males hábitos, falta de conocimiento, y fracasos. En eso, uno puede decir que la vida cristiana es más dificil que la vida antes de conocer a Cristo. Si, uno puede decir esto pero hay que recordar que la vida esta llena de trampas. La realidad es que el mundo no ha entrenado en que hacer con las trampas. La vida cristiana si. Mira este versículo: Hebreos 5:13-14: “El que sólo se alimenta de leche es inexperto en el mensaje de justicia; es como un niño de pecho. En cambio, el alimento sólido es para los adultos, para los que tienen la capacidad de distinguir entre lo bueno y lo malo, pues han ejercitado su facultad de percepción espiritual.” En otros palabras, si estas entrenado a como descubrir las trampas del mundo, y no batallar contra ellos, vas a perder. Si entiendes lo que es bueno y justo, no vas a tener problemas en este mundo. Salvación es el primera paso, y luego aprender a comer carne. Porque cuando uno es maduro, uno puede distinguir entre bueno y malo y evitar problemas.

Recientemente, David Letterman confeso que el tenia un in etiqueta con varios mujeres que trabaja por el. El dijo que fue un mal decisión en su parte. El trato de hacer una chiste para resolucionar el problema. La realidad es que después de muchos anos y ganar mucho dinero, el tenia problema de no entender bueno y malo. El no vio nada mal de lo que el estaba haciendo. Y ahora el tiene muchos problemas con muchos personas y todos las vidas que el destruyo por medio de sus mentiras. Hermanos si quieres evitar muchos problemas en tu vida hay que seguir a la segundo base en tu vida espiritual.

Un estrategia para ganar Segundo Timoteo 3:14-17

A strategy to win (1 Timothy 3:14-17)

Al dejar las cosas elementales como dice la escritura, es aprender las disciplinas esenciales de la vida cristiana. Son: “Leer la escritura, orar juntos, asistir estudio bíblico, compartir financialmente y ser bautizado”. Como ustedes pueden ver, estos son acciones que no son automáticos. Requieren dedicación y cuestan tiempo y sacrificio. Como llegar al primer base requiere decisión, compromiso y algo verbal, también requiere ese tipo de acción con nuestra propio decisión. Pero cuando lo hacemos, estamos en rumbo para la segunda base. Mira la exhortación que Pablo dio a Timoteo, su discípulo en la fe: “¹⁴ Pero tú, permanece firme en lo que has aprendido y de lo cual estás convencido, pues sabes de quiénes lo aprendiste.¹⁵ Desde tu niñez conoces las Sagradas Escrituras, que pueden darte la sabiduría necesaria para la salvación mediante la fe en Cristo Jesús.¹⁶ Toda la Escritura es inspirada por Dios y útil para enseñar, para reprender, para corregir y para instruir en la justicia,¹⁷ a fin de que el siervo de Dios esté enteramente capacitado para toda buena obra.” (2 Timoteo 14-17). Timoteo entendió desde Pablo que la vida victoriosa requiere una decisión de ser sumiso a la enseñaza y la disciplina que viene de el. Por eso, Timoteo recibió enseñanza y la fortaleza de tener éxito en su propia vida y ministerio.

Corriendo, no caminado, porque podamos (1 Corintios 9:24)

Runing, not Walking because we can (1 Corinthians 9:24)

1 Corintias 9:24 ¿No saben que en una carrera todos los corredores compiten, pero sólo uno obtiene el premio? Corran, pues, de tal modo que lo obtengan.

No somos victimas, somos vencedores. Es la posición del creyente de siempre mira al frente y no enfocar atrás. Pablo, desde su cárcel escribió: “¹² No es que ya lo haya conseguido todo, o que ya sea perfecto. Sin embargo, sigo adelante esperando alcanzar aquello para lo cual Cristo Jesús me alcanzó a mí.¹³ Hermanos, no pienso que yo mismo lo haya logrado ya. Más bien, una cosa hago: olvidando lo que queda atrás y esforzándome por alcanzar lo que está delante, (Filipenses 3:12-13). Fíjate no más hermanos, Pablo, cuando estaba encarcelado, todavía tenía sus ojos fijos en lo que va suceder. Muchas veces, cuando vienen los problemas, nos vemos como problemas y no oportunidades. Pablo esta en muchos más problemas que nosotros. Parece que tiene una excusa bueno para ser triste, pero el no permite que las circunstancias dirige su atitude. Pero Pablo no tenía excusa,

Welcome Elder Luis Perez

2009-10-13T09:59:00.000-07:00

This past saturday we had the joy of laying hands on a new elder, Brother "Luis Perez". Brother Luis is married to "Mayra" and they have one daughter "Alexis Faith". Luis has been serving the past year and a half as an elder in training and after doing so has agreed to step in to full service as an Elder at North Dallas Family Church. 1 Peter 5:1-4 says: " To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder, a witness of Christ's sufferings and one who also will share in the glory to be revealed: Be shepherds of God's flock that is under your care, serving as overseers—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not greedy for money, but eager to serve;³not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away." Luis job will be to assist the Pastor in fulfilling the great comission by making disciples and watching out over the flock and overseeing the activities of the church. Luis and Mayra have been members of our church for over five years and were with us during the early days when we met at the Holiday Inn Hotel. Luis is employed by Buckner International and serves in the creative art department. He also assists us with all of our graphic art work for our church. Mayra works for Metro PCS and has served in womens ministry for several years at our church. Their daughter "Alexis" is now a member of our childrens choir. We are very proud of the Perez Family, their decision to serve in leadership and to take on the great responsibility of being an Elder at North Dallas Family Church.

La salvación: Haga una marca en tu historia.

2009-10-01T10:17:00.000-07:00

La vida esta llena de muchos anuncios que no podemos olvidar en nuestra viaje de vida. Por ejemplo, la graduación del Instituto. Esa parte de nuestra vida es el principio de una nueva etapa para nosotros. Por algunos es el principio de su carera o por otras es el principio de su estudios en el colegio. O si recuerdas el día de su boda. La boda es el principio de una nueva vida junto con su marido o por otros es el principio de su familia. Todos los eventos grandes en su vida comienzan con una decisión, compromiso y celebración. Píenselo bien, cada curva en la vida, cada momento decisivo tiene un acontecimiento mayor atribuido a ello.

Ahora, quizás que en tu vida espiritual, no sientes nada diferente. Todo sale igual. Vas a la iglesia y no sientes diferente como lo antes. Para ti, no es diferente de los otros días. Despiertes, andas, comas y duermes. Si tu vida es así, es posible que no hayas tenido un encuentro real con el Señor. Que no había ninguna decisión formal en acuerdo de tu vida espiritual. Que no había en tu vida espiritual un inicio, un principio un cambio que puedes decir, “en este tiempo yo hice una decisión que impactó toda mi vida”. Hermanos, el primer paso en la vida cristiana es de hacer una decisión para Cristo. Es la razón porque todos estamos aquí. Y si no haces esa decisión no puedes caminar con el Señor, todavía estas perdido, sin dirección y sin esperanza. Todavía estas en tus pecados. No tienes el perdón pero sientes en tu corazón pena y condenación. Uno no debe vivir así, pero lo que tú debes que hacer es hacer un cambio. Una decisión que dice que ya es tiempo para el señor de tomar control de tu vida. Es como una boda, es oficial, es personal pero a la misma vez es publico y significa algo en tu vida.

Hay un versículo en la Biblia que nos dice en Romanos 10:8-10 “¿Qué afirma entonces? La palabra está cerca de ti; la tienes en la boca y en el corazón. Ésta es la palabra de fe que predicamos: que si confiesas con tu boca que Jesús es el Señor, y crees en tu corazón que Dios lo levantó de entre los muertos, serás salvo. Porque con el corazón se cree para ser justificado, pero con la boca se confiesa para ser salvo.”

Entonces, uno puede ver que la salvación es personal (en tu corazón) y es publico (con la boca). Si tu veas cualquier otro evento en tu vida que cambio drásticamente tu vida, también tenían un aspecto en su interior y en su cuerpo físico. Decidir en tu corazón con tu boca. Cuando tú casas, haz su voto en tu corazón y también con tu boca. En ingles dice “I do”, porque ya has decido en tu corazón que te amas esa persona. Cuando decides en tu corazón, voy a colegio, es una decisión que haces en tu corazón cuando entiendes tu necesidad para más educación. Involucre tu mente, tu corazón y tu compromiso.

Para aceptar Cristo Jesús es el paso más grande en la vida de cada individuo. Cuando tú decides en tu corazón que necesitas Cristo como tu salvador, es una decisión emocional y debes ser hecho por tu boca. Si tu eres un varón y tienes sentimientos para una mujer que sea tu y no dices nada, vas a perder esa mujer para su esposa. Si tu entiendes en tu corazón que quieres cambiar tu vida, empezar de nuevo y empieza con Cristo hay que decidir con toda tu corazón.

Aceptando Cristo Jesús, el primer paso.

Hay mucha dificultad en entended porque Dios es distante de nosotros. Es porque El es santo y nosotros no. En el no hay pecado, pero en nosotros si. Como un doctor necesita todo su salón de operación limpio y disenfectado, también Dios no puede tener peco en su presencia. Es contaminación cuando microbios entre el cuerpo durante una operación porque nuestro interior no puede existir si hay infección. También, el Señor no puede tener pecado en su presencia. Realmente el pecado es rebelión contra Dios. Y la rebeldía resuelve en muerte. Romanos 3:21-23 “Pero ahora, sin la mediación de la ley, se ha manifestado la justicia de Dios, de la que dan testimonio la ley y los profetas. Esta justicia de Dios llega, mediante la fe en Jesucristo, a todos los que creen. De hecho, no hay distinción, pues todos han pecado y están privados de la gloria de Dios.” Este quiere decir que somos pecadores. Cada uno de nosotros necesitamos una Salvador de nuestros pecados. Pero Cristo vino para salvarnos en tres aspectos. El primer aspecto es que el vino de la pena de nuestro pecado. Nuestra conciencia, nuestra memoria y nuestro vida esta llena de la fruta de una vida pecaminosa. Siempre nuestra conciencia nos condena pero Cristo dijo “El ladrón no viene más que a robar, matar y destruir; yo he venido para que tengan vida, y la tengan en abundancia” (Juan 10:10). Si, el enemigo de nuestras almas es Satanás, el diablo que siempre nos recuerda que tenemos mas en común con el que Dios. Pero Dios nos amo tanto que envió su hijo unigénito de los cielos. Cristo, quien es nuestro salvador. El murió para quebrar la pena de nuestros pecados. Y el esta listo para perdonarte de todos tus pecados, límpiate de toda maldad, y pon tus pies en tierra seguro. Pero tú tienes que hacer esta decisión por su propia voluntad. Dios no va a esforzarte en una relación con El. Este solo viene de tu corazón, y de tu deseo.
La segunda razón porque vino el Señor es para librarnos del poder de pecado. Todavía, el pecado es en nosotros. Como dije antes, somos pecadores y no hay ninguna persona perfecta delante de El. Necesitamos a caminar con Cristo cada día para entender lo que es crecer en su poder. Dios tiene algo especial para nosotros los creyentes y se llama “gracia”. Gracia es favor de Dios que no merecemos. Su gracia es amplia, es suficiente, es accesible veinte cuatro horas al día cuando pedimos en su tiempo. Cuando la tentación viene, su gracia es disponible para nosotros para no pecar, si pedimos de el, y confiamos en su capaz para ayudarnos en nuestra tiempo de necesitad. Romanos 6:14: “Así el pecado no tendrá dominio sobre ustedes, porque ya no están bajo la ley sino bajo la gracia.” Y Juan 1:17 dice “pues la ley fue dada por medio de Moisés, mientras que la gracia y la verdad nos han llegado por medio de Jesucristo.” Entonces para caminar en la gracia en el Señor es el objeto de su venida. El quiere que nos podemos caminar en gracia y experimenta toda lo que el quiere para nosotros. Es la vida abundante que todos queremos. Pero no nos podemos realizar si no tenemos su “gracia” en nuestras vidas. Todos tienen vida, pero no todos tienen vida abundante. La diferencia es “la gracia de Dios”. Son bendiciones que el tiene para nosotros. Si tu eres salvo, has recibido la gracia del Señor. La gracia del Señor es como una caja de conversión de su cable sobre su televisión. Si no lo tiene, no puede ver los canales. Todos tienen televisor pero no todos tienen su caja de conversión. Amigos, realmente, todos tienen vida, pero no todos tienen vida abundante porque no tienen la gracia del Señor en su vida. Si usted quiere ver la vida abundante y todo de lo que el Señor tiene para ti, hay que aceptar el Señor Jesucristo como su único y suficiente Salvador.

Y el tercer razón porque el viene de esto mundo es para salvarnos ultímate de la presencia del pecado. Dice la palabra de Dios que este mundo, Jesús va a regresar para su pueblo. En el último día de la historia del mundo El va a venir para destruir una vez y para siempre todo pecado y toda maldad. El va a echar al infierno el enemigo Satanás y todos sus seguidores. En su último acto de justicia, Jesús va a condenar todo los impíos y establecer su reino para siempre. Y tu y yo, los redimidos va a estar en su presencia con el para la eternidad. Este es la esperanza de los cielos. Y este es la esperanza que Dios tiene para cada persona que pone tu fe en El para la salvación.

Y ahora la pregunta es para ustedes. ¿Has aceptado Jesús cristo como tu salvador? ¿Estas listo para entrar en una relación con El para siempre? ¿Estas listo para hacer una decisión que va a cambiar tu vida para siempre? ¿Estas listo para experimentar todo lo que el Señor tiene para ustedes?

El Amor de Dinero

2009-09-28T20:36:00.000-07:00

Estamos viviendo en tiempos dificultosos en nuestra economía. Parece que los bancos prestaron dinero a personas que no puede repagar. Cuando compraron casas, compraron con el entendimiento que los dos partes esta mintiendo. Los bancos no tienen dinero pero lo prestan, las personas no pueden repagar pero acepten la responsabilidad. Lo hacer para hacer negocio, lo hacen para hacer una venta. Todo por el amor del dinero. Gente puede hacer muchas cosas locas por el amor del dinero.

El amor de dinero puede causar personas de hacer cosas que antes nunca puede imaginar. Ahora estamos en un tiempo de nuestro sistema económica que esta en crisis por el amor del dinero. Muchas compañías que estaba haciendo mucho negocio ya esta en punto de morir. Muchos perdieron trabajo por medio del amor del dinero. Familias esta sufriendo por medio del amor del dinero que ya esta afectando los hogares. Ahora matrimonios esta sufriendo por medio de este amor por dinero también. Los corazones que han sido íntimas ya están alejadas por medio del otro amor. Y es el amor del dinero.

El amor del dinero tiene una voz y esa voz esta llamando nos cada día. Y si no estamos seguros, algún día va destruir nosotros también. Y no solo están llamando nosotros afuera de nuestra sensibilidad en aspecto de nuestro negocio, y de nuestro matrimonio, pero también a nuestra fe.

1 Timoteo 6:10: "Porque el amor al dinero es la raíz de toda clase de males. Por codiciarlo, algunos se han desviado de la fe y se han causado muchísimos sinsabores. "

La solución para nuestra economía – el amor de Dios (v. 11) Vea este vesiculo:

Tú, en cambio, hombre de Dios, huye de todo eso, y esmérate en seguir la justicia, la piedad, la fe, el amor, la constancia y la humildad.

El primer remedio es de huir de ese llamamiento del amor del dinero. Quiere decir no permanecer en lugares donde puede escuchar esas voces que esta llamando nosotros afuera de la voluntad del Señor.

La justicia – se refiere a nuestra posición con nuestra comunidad. Va a venir oportunidades que se ve bueno pero no son. ¿Podamos hacer mucho dinero, pero a que costo?

La piedad – se refiere a nuestra relación con Dios. Va afectar nuestro corazón delante el Señor? Entonces no vale pena de ganar dinero y no usarlo para la gloria de Dios.

La Fe – nuestra relación con nuestra iglesia.

El Amor – nuestra relación con nuestra familia y amistades.

La constancia – quiere decir “paciencia”. Que no hay impulsos que empuje nosotros a comprar y mal gastar nuestro dinero.

La humildad – el atitude de nuestro corazón. Proverbios 22:4 4 Recompensa de la humildad y del temor del Señor son las riquezas, la honra y la vida.

La batalla para nuestra economía – la llamada de Dios (v. 12)

Entonces hay dos llamadas en nuestra vida, uno que es del mundo, y el otro que es de Dios. Y en medio, hay una batalla que debemos que ganar.

1 Timoteo 6:11: "Pelea la buena batalla de la fe; haz tuya la vida eterna, a la que fuiste llamado y por la cual hiciste aquella admirable declaración de fe delante de muchos testigos."

Con estos versiculos claves uno puede mantener una buena relacion con el Senor y tambien con su dinero. Que Dios les bendiga.

Stepping up and Stepping out!

2009-09-18T07:43:00.000-07:00

3 John 1:3 "It gave me great joy to have some brothers come and tell about your faithfulness to the truth and how you continue to walk in the truth."

The Christian life is all about walking with Christ and that means walking together. We are never walking alone. When you become a Christian, one of the most important things to learn is the need to have Christian friends and surround yourself with them so as not to grow weak. In this verse we see that others saw how fellow Christians were walking, and they commented to John about how well they were doing in their Christian Walk.

There are three Questions to ask yourself considering your walk with Christ.

Who are three people who are walking closely with you in Christ?
What would they say about you and your walk with Christ?
What would your life be like without those three people?
What are the dangers of walking life alone?

It is easy to see how desperately we need each other. Life is too short to go it alone. As we travel through life it is the quality of the company we keep that makes life rich, meaningful and enjoyable. Also, relationships in Christ bring great joy. There is too much gloom, doom and negativity in the world to get us down. Only Christ and the relationships He brings to us can give us great joy. It is beautiful to see what Christ is doing in peoples lives as a way of changing the landscape of our world. Dig deeper, go further, get to know your Christian brothers better and you will see how God has truly designed us to live. When the weekend rolls around, my family and I cannot wait to go to church and see our friends and find out how their week went, and what God is doing in their lives. It is great to have this support in our lives. Our prayer is that you find this support too in your local church.

Pastor Vince Gonzales

Taking Time with the Kids in Family Prayer and Bible Study

2009-09-17T10:35:00.000-07:00

Do you have regular time of Bible study or devotion with your children? When I encounter friends with serious discipline issues with their children I have only one question: "Do you ever read the Bible and pray together with your kids?" I can tell the answer before they tell me. I can usually read it in their eyes.
Praying together and reading the Bible together is the best way to find out what is going on with your kids, and the best way for them to know what is going on with you. It promotes harmony, unity and love. There are several excuses for families not spending time together in the Word of God. I would like to address a few:

No Time- This is excuse number one, but yet when you really think about it, it really is not an excuse at all. The reality is that we make time for what is important, and if we work at it, we can find all kinds of time at our disposal. We find time for whatever is important to us. We need to see the time together in the word as important to the survival of our marriage and our home. Otherwise, it will never happen. I guarantee it, once you start, you will begin to look forward to it.
I don't know how to lead a Bible study - Have you ever been to a Bible study? Then you know how to lead one. If you have not attended one, take the time to attend one and learn how to lead one yourself. You don't need to know profound things. Bible study is a time of joint study and discovery together. Still afraid of leading a Bible study? Then just spend time praying together and for each other. You could also ask your kids to lead a study, that would be great fun.
My kids don't want to do it - Excuse me? Who is in charge here? If we don't tell our kids what is good for them then who will tell them? Part of parenting is establishing control and respect. In the long run, your kids will look back at the times you spent together as some of the most precious times together as a family. They will honor you for it in the future.
How do I pray? Just pray sentence prayers, close your eyes and talk to God. Begin to pray for each other, your church and your neighbors. It doesn't have to be long at first, but the Lord must be invited to spend time with you in your home.
What else can I do? - Sing songs, draw pictures, call grandma and tell her that you are praying for her as a family, act out Bible stories (my kids loved that one), for laughs, imitate people from church and try to guess who they are. The list is unending....

I hope these ideas can spark the creative juices going and get your family back on track with the Holy Spirit. Stay with it, don't give up and watch God make a great change in your family.

God bless you!

Pastor Vince Gonzales

Todays Centurian

2009-09-14T08:37:00.000-07:00

This past Saturday night we looked at the great faith of the Centurion who asked Jesus to heal his servant. His faith was great because he risked his stature of being over 100 trained assassins to come to the feet of Jesus. He risked his reputation and even his life to ask Jesus of this one thing, to heal a servant who was very dear to him. Not only did Jesus heal his servant but He elevated this centurion to the table of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. What a blessing and on top of that, he went home to find his servant healed. Do you have that kind of faith today? Are you ready to risk your reputation as a fence sitter to one of a grace receiver?
That kind of faith involves great risks, but that is the kind of risks God asks of us. He does not want to be second, but our first choice in problem solutions.
This week we will be boldly approaching the throne of grace ask we ask God to take us to the next level of our building fund. We are also asking God to prepare our hearts and our families hearts as we seek him earnestly in prayer. What a beautiful thing it is to pray together with the hermanos!
We are looking for some hall of fame believers to join us for prayer this week as wee seek God together in prayer.

The Power of Believing

2009-09-02T09:20:00.000-07:00

John 20:31 : "But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name."

The distance between preferred outcome and actual outcome is equal to the power of believing. But the purpose of believing is that we might have life "with His name on it."

All of our activities, dreams and desires should be linked to our new life in Christ. In Him we find purpose and meaning. All of our trophy's, education, accolades and victorys are the result living the life He has purposed for us to live.

Isn't it awesome to say "Praise God" after the impossible has been realized? Isn't it freeing to know that God has all of our problems resolved and that we just have to "believe it" through? Is your tomorrow greater than your yesterday? It should be. Your today should be living in light of the great expectation that greater things are still to be done in Jesus name.

But look at our reference point for life in verse 31: "These thing have been written..". The Bible gives us a written record of how God intervened on our behalf by sending us His Son Jesus. The record states clearly the promises, power and awesomeness of what God can do in the lives of ordinary people like ourselves.

Don't walk in defeat, walk in victory today! Stay true to the Word of God and read it, stand on it and believe it for God's greater glory.

Pastor Vince

The Audacity of True Worship

2009-08-31T20:42:00.000-07:00

Daniel 3:18
But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up."

Worship is a freeing thing. It frees us up from the call of false gods and the idolatry of the world. Perhaps why the world can't stand our worship is because of our freedom from the the things of this world.

Worship takes my eyes off of me.
Worship frees me to live for Christ.
Worship helps me to see things in Christ's perspective.
Worship liberates me to love people the way Christ loves me.
Worship keeps me humble before a Holy God.

Who can make a graven image of God? Who on earth even knows what He looks like? What kind of artist could even capture the awesome unattainable power of His Holiness? It is the height of pride to think that we ever could. All of our thoughts fall short of capturing His all encompassing love for us.

Wouldn't you want to give up all of the pleasures of this world just to have one brief moment in His presence? Daniel and his friends understood exactly what was being asked of them. They knew that bowing before anything else would be the ultimate insult against the God that they knew to be true. They would prefer death rather than dishonor his name. They were willing to enduring a moment of pain rather than suffer an eternity in shame. This kind of commitment only comes from understanding the God whom they worshiped.

I hope that you are pursuing knowing Christ and the power of His resurrection today. There is no greater feeling than escaping the orbit of this world and following the One True God whom we worship.

Go for it!

Pastor Vince Gonzales

Saturday Night Service

2009-08-29T08:47:00.000-07:00

Tonight we will be talking about praying for fruitfulness. Real prayer produces real fruit. And we have seen the Gospel change the landscape of communities, families and churches. In the same way, prayer not only changes other peoples lives for the better, it changes ours for the better. Come join us every Saturday night at 6:00 pm in the theatre of Northwest Bible Church and see how God can change your prayer life for the better.

God bless you!

Pastor Vince

Looking forward and not looking back

2009-08-26T07:50:00.000-07:00

It is a great blessing to live the Christian life. One of the best things about being a Christian is to know that the best is yet to come. There are many great wonders, joys and blessings in going through life. To get married, have kids, watch them grow and serve the Lord is awesome. However, we know that the best is yet to come. Even in Church, for as awesome as our worship can be, I know that it pales in comparison to the glories, joys and blessing that await us in heaven. This should encourage us as we struggle in our day to day activities.

Paul writes in Philipians 3:13-14: "Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus."

The challenge for us today is not be content with our accomplishments, or lament that we are getting older and weaker, but to know that THE BEST IS YET TO COME! Hallelujah!

An unexpected blessing!

2009-08-25T16:25:00.000-07:00

I received a call from a friend asking me if I would perform his grand daughters quincenera. I said sure, when and where? He said that it would be on a cruise ship and that he would like for my wife and I to preside over the ceremony. I thought "cool" but I am not into cruise ships. We had never done such a thing and were a little skeptical. But being a good friend we agreed. Our friend blessed us with the cost of the trip but also other friends having heard about the trip blessed us with some spending money. The Lord provided everything we needed. It was our first vacation without our kids and the Lord spoke to us deeply over the trip.
We attended Lakewood church in Houston the Sunday before our cruise, and also their Spanish service. An old friend of ours sang a solo in the choir, how cool is that? Then we spent the night in a Bed and Breakfast a few blocks from the beach in Galveston and took long walks with my wife. We had a lot to talk about, the entire trip was extremely theuraputic. The cruise itself was very worldly. There was a lot of promotion of drinking and gambling, but we managed to ignore that and spend some quality time with our Christian friends, sharing what the Lord is doing in our lives. My wife and I had an awesome time of prayer and sharing and together we cast all of our cares into the deep blue ocean. Knowing that God is even greater and He holds us in the palm of His hand.
I realized that I was carrying a lot of stress and found a great way to get rid of it. Both on the sea and also making some mental, physical and spiritual changes as well. I had no idea that I needed a vacation, but the Lord had everything worked out. Now I am back and refreshed and ready to face what the Lord is bringing our way. Halleluya! Thank you Jesus and thanks to all of our special friends who heard from the Lord to send us on that trip!