Terminators - Surviving with Christ

Yesterday, my wife and kids and I went to a special Good Friday service at our church - El Buen Samaritano Christian Church. At first my youngest son was a little cranky because he wanted to take a nap. But since we didn't have a babysitter, we had to suck it up and make the best out of it. The service was staged as sort of like a play or presentation, showing us Jesus dying on the cross and certain key people (Mary - Jesus' mother, the Romans, etc.) talking about that day and what was on their mind. There was great praise music and emotional performances from the dancers. It was such an inspirational service. It touched my heart.

Here's why it was emotional for me: During the service, I see what God had planned. Jesus' purpose was to die to save all of us. So then I started thinking what is my purpose in this life? I've been praying and asking what am I supposed to do or what do you want from me. I have yet to get a response. But as we're sitting there watching this presentation, I look at my oldest son. His eyes were glued to the stage. He would say Jesus' name whenever it was mentioned. This is my purpose! I believe, as my wife and I have been told several times by many leaders in the church, that our sons will be blessed by God because of the steps we're taking now. They will be heavily favored in the future because of what my wife and I are doing in the present. My purpose is to prepare my kids to be a voice in the next generation of leaders to spread the message of God and bring people to Christ.

Feeling this message, the first thing that came to mind was the movie, The Terminator. For those that don't know the movie: Machines had taken over the planet in the future. Skynet was the central nerve that controlled all the machines. One day, a man named John Conner leads the resistance of humans who were tired of running and being slaves. They go to war with the machines. The humans win! The machines got destroyed! Skynet knew he wasn't strong enough to beat John Conner. So, it devises a plan to send a Terminator back in time to kill John's mother, Sara Conner. Kill her - John Conner will never exist. However, John sends a protector back in time to keep his mother safe. That's exactly how I feel my life is going right now!

Satan knows what the future holds. He knows he's going to lose and God will banish him forever. So he's relentlessly attacking us now so that our offsprings will continue the routine of being slaves to the world and never strive for freedom. I feel the enemy attacking me everyday, now more than ever because I'm more aware of what's going on around us. He wants me to revert back to my sinful ways so that I'll never let my kids know the truth that God is alive and will always be with us, as long as we allow him to be. I'm not going back! No matter how hard the devil attacks me I'm going to stay in faith and give my life - my days - myself to Christ and spread the message of hope the best way I know how.

I ask you: how many of you are dealing with Terminators? What in your life is pushing you to the brink of your own destruction? What is it that's troubling you to the point that all hope is lost? Let me tell you something: all hope is NOT lost! You can't just hide in the corner and hope for things to get better. Christ wants to help you. He wants to heal you, bless you with a better life and protect you from the evils in this world, but you need to take action. Open up your hearts and allow Jesus Christ to come it. Give your life to him and you will see things in a whole different way.

I know us believers live a hard life and that's because the enemy doesn't want you to do good without following his rules. He'll let you live a good life, but only under his terms. He'll give you riches, but you have to do what he says, when he says and how he wants it done. What does that sound like: Slavery! I want to live a free abundant life. And I know when life for me ends on this planet, my Spiritual being will transcend to the Kingdom of Heaven, where I'll live a grand life for all eternity. 

Of course I can't show you what Heaven is - it's all about faith. Read the words of the Bible and put God to the test. That's the only way you're going to find out for yourself. But read my words and realize that this just isn't words spewed out from a talented writer because I thought it sounded good. This is real life. My life. I'm proud to say that I believe in Jesus - that I've completely surrendered my life to him and, whether good or bad, he'll always be there with me for the rest of my days. You need to make up your own mind. Whatever you decide, I just pray that you are always happy in life and may you and your family always be safe.

In Jesus mighty name. Amen.

Testimony - 3/26/15

Another late one - this is a post I had written on the 26th of March. But I didn't forget to post it this time - at least not right away. By the time my wife and I got home from picking the kids up from Nana's house, we had to get them ready for bed and prepare for the next day: shower, clothes, bag for kids, etc. Then after a few days, I forgot, lol. So, here is a small testimony that I'd like to share on a day when I was at my angriest. Hope this helps you in some way or give you encouragement it you ever get down to this level one day. Rise Up. Stay faithful. Enjoy!

3/26/2015

Every morning before we leave the house I pray with my wife and kids for the day we have ahead. We get in a circle and all hold hands, thanking God for blessing us with a beautiful morning, even when its grey and rainy. Also for helping us get through the tough waters and may our actions and thoughts always reflect on his image. It's so adorable to hear my two baby boys say "Amen" when we're done.

Anyway, after I dropped my off at the train this morning, I had to drive to Red Hook to drop the kids off at Nana's house. Not even a few blocks through the neighborhood, I'm stuck in traffic because of cars moving slowly or double-parked cars blocking off most of the street. Already I was getting annoyed, but I brushed it off and stayed focus on the task at hand. Halfway through this trip, the Traction Control in my SUV suddenly decided to shut off! Now my car is going 20 mph in rush hour traffic! Luckily, I wasn't on the highway yet, but I was still getting plenty mad at this point. Just as I was about to ram my fist through the dashboard, I remember Joel Osteen talking about passing the test and not letting the stress of life interfere with your walk with God. 

So then, I stopped at a red light, shut the car off and quietly prayed. My kids were in the back playing with their LeapPads, so they weren't aware of what I was doing. I prayed for God to repair my car and for his strength to help me suppress my anger. The light turned green...Traction Control was turned back on. I was so relieved. But the story doesn't stop there. 

Riding along the highway, I just remembered that my father-in-law had a doctor's appointment early that morning. He wouldn't be able to hold me a parking space and drive me to the train station like he usually does on the days that I come. Now I had another obstacle to overcome and all this before I got to the office! I stayed focused and asked God to direct my path and help me get a parking space as fast as possible so that I won't be late for work. Shockingly, now only did I find a parking right away, but it was right in front of Nana's building!! I know that was God working in my favor because spaces around there are never open like that for long! Besides, it seemed too coincidental to be considered a coincidence. 

God purposely puts us through diversities to test our faith and to strengthen our Spiritual demeanor. We need to be in total sync with God to receive all of his favor. Whenever there world seems to be getting overwhelming and stress is mounting or your back, like carrying an Evergreen tree uphill, that's when you need to sit back, stay quiet and cast your worries on the Lord, our God. Matthew 7:7 says, ""Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you." If you believe in that enough, then God will show up and bless you with whatever you need. Don't lose faith brothers and sisters. Keep God first place and he'll bring the job back into your life. 

In Jesus  name. Amen.

2 Peter 1:3-7 "Growing in Faith" (written on 3/12/15)

This was actually a post I had written on the 12th of March. Unfortunately, I forgot to publish it. In fact, I have quite a few of these posts that I've been meaning to publish, but I've just been sidetracked on several things hitting me all at once. Well, like they say, "better late than never," right? So, here's my post on what i interpret from reading 2 Peter 1. Enjoy!


3/12/2015

It's funny how I'm reading this verse today, because earlier i was listening to Joel Osteen and he was talking about how we should be a blessing to others. This whole chapter, from what I gathered, are about how we can live grander lives and stay in peace by remembering the promises that God has for us. But I've been reminded twice today on how having love for others benefits us - because it's an emulation of God.

I, personally, feel that I do need to be good to people and show more joy, even when I don't feel like it. The devil loves to see me agitated and confused. But the more I study the word of Christ the most I start to understand it and it feels amazing. It's tough for me to not feel bitterness towards people because they do stupid things and get on my nerves a whole lot. But I feel better knowing that my loved ones are protected under His divine power because of my walk with Christ.

I have to try and be kind to at least one person a day and just let my willingness just grow from there. Not every athlete can decide to be a runner today and race a marathon tomorrow - all long-time goals need practice. It'd going to be hard, but I want God to favor my family more than anything. If this act of good will towards people honors him, then I'll do my best.

Amen.

2 Timothy 1:9 NLT

For God saved us and called us to live a holy life. He did this, not because we deserved it, but because that was his plan from before the beginning of time to show us his grace through Christ Jesus.

1 Chronicles 16:8

Give thanks unto the Lord, call upon his name, make known his deeds among the people.

How strong is your faith?

Hello readers,

I am the first one to admit that there are times in life that get me so frustrated that I start to lose faith in my God. I always question if my faith is strong enough or if being a believer is a waste of time. Afterwards, I start to second guess my doubts and realize that it's just the ways of the world trying to get to denounce God. Today was a close call in making it a reality!

For the past two weeks, both of my kids have been battling sickness that have given them discomfort and pain. One of my kids had a virus that caused him to throw up for hours. My other kid has broken out in hives, not once but twice. It broke my heart seeing my kids suffer for no reason of their own. We take of them the best way that any caring parent would, but they still have to suffer.

So, I started thinking that if God is so powerful and if you'll receive blessings for believing in him and giving him praise, then why would he just let babies suffer when there are far worst people in the world that do terrible things, but have everything they could ever want? Why must the good ones suffer to prove themselves? This is what I was thinking. Makes sense right?

But ironically, I read my devotional yesterday and the topic was about how the devil uses things to turn you away from God. Like in the book of Job, the devil tried telling him that he only praised God was because everything was given to him. It was easy to praise someone who gave you whatever you want. Then I began to realize that times like this that I need to be closer and depend on him more, for he's going to do what we can't, which includes healing the sick. Even during times of diversity, we need to praise and have faith in our God that he will always be there when we need him. For us as followers, these are the times when the wholeheartedly and the fair-weather followers are separated. I guess that scripture was reminded to me yo wake me up in time. Although I may not feel like it, I need to stay in faith and believe that things are going to be okay and God will come when we call on him. I need to keep believing that because this world is a very trying place and it can cause you unlimited amounts of stress. You have a be stronger than ever or else you will lose faith, easily. Hold on brothers and sisters! Believe that God is with you no matter what and if you give your troubles to him that he will make miracles out of your situations. Stay in faith, like I need to as well. We're in this together! Give praise to our lord. Amen.

The devil is a manipulator

These are the end of the days and the devil will start pulling all punches to break your spirit and steal your joy everyday that you're on this planet. He wants you to be stressed and worried and scared, but rest assured that as long as you stay in faith and keep your heart in the purest places, like family & personal goals & worshiping our lord Jesus Christ, then all good blessings will come to you tenfold.

The devil had attacked my wife and I last week with situations that weren't that important, but our momentary weakness allowed to get swallows into the devils feast of lies. It'll happen to all is each day because we're only human. But as long as we recognize theses traps before its too late then the recovery will be much faster. Stay strong my people and remember that the devil is a liar!