Love Through Encouragement

by Robin Wiley (poem by Delmer Korf)

Delmer was my stepdad who passed away about six years ago. He wrote many poems and short stories in his lifetime; none ever published as far I knew; however, he generously shared them with others including myself. I recently came across one that touched on a commandment the youth studied in Sunday School this past week.

Nelda Garcia, their teacher, covered the #9 Commandment – ‘Do not bear false witness against your neighbor,’ which in essence means do not lie. Instead speak truth from a place of love and encouragement. It is easy to fall into the trap of gossiping or speaking ill of someone. Words are powerful and can either heal or hurt others. Our words are a product of our hearts, so if our hearts are in the right place, our words will follow. 

The more we turn to God’s Word and soak it in – it speaks to our heart and then we in turn, speak His language.

Dive into:

• James 3:4-12 which is about ‘taming the tongue’ and controlling our words

• John 8:44-47 is about being mindful of the “father of lies” and instead seek God’s truth

• Ephesians 4:1-16 is about speaking truth in love and being in unity with others

May your words bring light and life, through Christ, to those around you this week. May you become encouragers as you honor God through His commandments.

A Prayer

By Delmer Korf

Lord, help me to be humble and not with pride to walk,

Don’t let my tongue, then, stumble when I, with others talk.

Let no malicious thoughts arise to lead my tongue amiss,

Help me to win the ultimate prize is my prayer, only this.

If I should lead some soul astray and thus, he would be lost, could you, then, my sins allay or be in outer darkness tossed?

We plead for others every day, for those scorn your love.

We hope this day, that they all may repent, and meet ‘up above.’

So now we pray to you dear Lord we know our prayers you’ll heed.

Help us to study your Holy Word and give us the daily bread we need.

Our daily bread comes from your Book - it was written so long ago.

If in your Book we’d daily look we’d know, of course, it’s so

We thank you Lord as our prayer we close with all thanksgiving, then,

You’ll hear us be it poem or prose as we close with a fervent, AMEN!

I Won’t Do That: Will We Forgive As We Have Been Forgiven? Matthew 6:9-15

         Pray then like this:

“Our Father in heaven,

hallowed be your name.

Your kingdom come,

your will be done,

on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread,

and forgive us our debts,

as we also have forgiven our debtors.

And lead us not into temptation,

but deliver us from evil.

For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. (Matthew 6:9-15)

I Won’t Do That: Will We Forgive As We Have Been Forgiven?

Matthew 6:9-15 

●      Why is God’s forgiveness such a primary concept in our life of faith?  What thoughts / feelings come to mind when you imagine the Father running to meet the wayward child?  What does that image teach us about God and God’s forgiveness?

●      The other half of this phrase can be a little harder to pray: as we have forgiven others.  Why does that part of the prayer have a tendency to stick in our throats?  How are our forgiveness of others and God’s forgiveness of us linked?  What are some dangers of failing to forgive others?  How can we begin to move beyond those dangers and dwell in the fullness of the Father’s forgiveness ourselves?

Picture someone whom you’ve held a grudge against.  Forgive that person as you pray, “Father, forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors.”

Sharing Tacos Finding Jesus

2 Timothy 4

1 In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and

in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge:

2 Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and

encourage--with great patience and careful instruction.

3 For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit

their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what

their itching ears want to hear.

4 They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.

5 But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an

evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.

In the year 2004 I meet Jorge who became a good friend, and little did I knew that his friendship would change my life forever, my friend and his family became impactful in my life, and as our friendship grew it led to many conversations about Jesus. We would meet for tacos after school at a little meat market around the corner from hour High School, as we meet every Tuesday for many weeks our conversations would always lead to Jesus and salvation, and after a long season of meeting for tacos, finally one day he invited me to his house to a cell group to have bible study, and to be honest I don’t believe I would have accepted the invitation if it wasn’t for the friendship we had developed over the months thanks to tacos.

This reminds me of the words “To be ready to share the Gospel in season and out of season” The apostle Paul reminds Timothy to always be ready, How does this apply to us today? What is to be in season or out of season? For many the belief is that in order to share the gospel, there must be a set-up, like a bible study or at church, but we must always be ready to share, maybe the way we will start the conversations about the salvation of Jesus to our friends, may be as simple as sharing tacos in a little meat market. So next time we meet an acquaintance or a friend for a meal, lets take the opportunity for it may be the day that will lead to the conversations about Jesus, but if we are not ready to share because we find ourselves out of season and we are not ready to share, we will miss a great opportunity to share the gospel. My life was changed for ever, and my journey with Jesus started with a simple question “Do you want to get tacos with me?” And because I said yes to that invitation to share tacos it led me to finding Jesus the savior of my soul.

May we take every opportunity to share the gospel even when it seems minimal or simple, for God uses the simple to show his glory and you may be surprised that it can be as simple as sharing tacos. “But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry” Amen.

Pastor Luis

Focusing on the One

Matthew 6:24 “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.

Luke 10:38-42 Now as they went on their way, Jesus[a] entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. 39 And she had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord's feet and listened to his teaching. 40 But Martha was distracted with much serving. And she went up to him and said, “Lord, do you not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Tell her then to help me.” 41 But the Lord answered her, “Martha, Martha, you are anxious and troubled about many things,42 but one thing is necessary.[b] Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.”

Have you ever boiled milk? I’ve learned more than a few times that if you don’t pay attention, that sucker will be boiling over the sides, making your whole house smell like burnt milk in no time flat. That happened to me this morning. Being the great dad that I am, I was trying to make a hot breakfast for my kids on a cold day. I was diligently stirring the milk to make sure it didn’t boil over, but I wasn’t watching what I was doing. I was on my phone. When the mess happened, Alaina said, “Dad, that’s why you shouldn’t be on your phone.” You would think with my history of milk messes I would’ve known this already, but I was so sure I could multi-task, I was going to finish breakfast AND my morning reading at the same time!

I know everyone thinks they are great multi-takers, but studies show that no matter what, if we are not focused on one thing, overall productivity suffers. That’s why texting and driving is SO dangerous; that’s why you can’t serve God AND money; and that’s why Mary chose the better portion.

Focusing on one thing is not always easy. But when we make God the One, we might be able to order everything else in our lives in such a way that our cups run over with God’s providence instead of burnt milk.

Take a few deep breaths and ask God to show you one way you can focus more on him in your life.

Ask God to help you make that a priority today and for the rest of this week.

In Christ,

Ray

Fighting Giant Despair

BY Jason Meyer, as posted on Today’s Turning Point with David Jeremiah

The Lord God of your fathers has spoken to you; do not fear or be discouraged.
Deuteronomy 1:21 

It’s natural to become discouraged, but it’s unhealthy to stay that way. Satan loves to utilize the giant of discouragement to cast down our faith and progress. John Bunyan called it Giant Despair in his timeless classic The Pilgrim’s Progress, and it imprisoned Christian until he found the Key of Promise in his clothing.

If Giant Despair has you in his dungeon today, remember you have the key to escape. It’s inside your Bible, found in one of the hundreds of promises God has given you. For example, you can claim Joshua 1:9, which says, “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go” (NIV).

Discouragement is the temptation to evaluate your momentary circumstances apart from the overarching plan of God for your life. God is a God of encouragement. As soon as you become discouraged, cry out to Him in prayer and ask for His help. God wants to hear your prayers, even when discouraged. He will answer and bring encouragement to your heart.

Discouragement can be defeated only when the full truth of everything that is for us confronts and conquers the half-truth of fear and despair.

Recommended Reading: 2 Peter 1: 1 – 4

Leave The Worry Chair Behind

Written By: Trip Kimball  https://devotableapp.com/user/tkbeyond/

Published On: April 10, 2018

As a young believer, I had to learn how to trust God. It wasn’t natural for me. It isn’t natural for any of us. Just as toddlers exert their free will before they can say it clearly, we like to “do it by our self!” American culture only reinforces this innate self-willed resistance to trusting God.

Trust the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. (Proverbs 3:5-6 GW)

We had a wing-backed, turquoise chair I called my “worry chair.” It was vintage modern furniture from the sixties. My dearest grandmother gave it to us when my wife and I set up our new home and life together.

It was the first piece of furniture I’d see when I walked through the front door. I would sit down and worry about things, sometimes for hours. I got up from the worry chair more burdened than when I sat down—focused on whatever problems I faced at the time.

On the wall facing the chair was a calligraphy of Proverbs 3:5-6. It became God’s way to remind me what to do about worry. Slowly but surely, God taught me how to trust God, leave my worries with Him, rather than wrestle with them in that chair.

Over the years these two verses became my bedrock and guideline for walking by faith. I learned to trust God with childlike faith that sustained me and our family through decades of full-time ministry in the US and overseas.

The first verse says what to do and not do. First, trust in the Lord with your whole heart. This isn’t easy in our distraction-filled lives and risk-averse culture, but it’s essential. The second is don’t try to figure it all out. This requires trust—childlike trust.

This is the very thing Jesus spoke and taught people including His closest followers (Matt 6:25-34). It’s a lesson in faith that requires commitment. The Lord has a way of helping us do this with reinforcing reminders also called trials, testings, and temptations. The next verse helps us see how to trust God and what to expect. This lines up with my favorite description of faith in Hebrews 11:6. Acknowledging God in all our ways simply means to bring Him into our life choices before we try to figure it all out.

God promises to direct us along the way of life, as we walk hand-in-hand with Him like a young child with their father crossing a street or in a crowded area. He won’t let go of us, even when we wriggle our hand out of His to go our own way.

God is faithful and trustworthy even when we aren’t.

REFLECTION

God is trustworthy. We can choose to trust Him in daily life or go it alone in our own strength. Trust is active faith. It requires acknowledging God for who He is and our need for Him. When we become His child, we learn this step by step.

PRAYER FOCUS

Learn to bring your concerns and worries to Jesus on a daily basis. Commit your dreams and plans to Him before launching out to make them happen. Daily read the reminders of God’s faithfulness in His Word to help direct your prayer and to remember throughout the day as you trust in Him.

How to Lead Well When Underqualified

By Ashley Moore, as posted on crosswalk the devotional

“Give me an understanding heart so that I can govern your people well and know the difference between right and wrong. For who by himself is able to govern this great people of yours?” The Lord was pleased that Solomon had asked for wisdom. - 1 Kings 3:9-10, NLT

Have you ever felt underqualified? Maybe you are encountering Imposter Syndrome? You are lacking skills compared to others, and you’re still learning the ropes of a new task. For example, a recent nursing graduate may experience this phenomenon for the first several times she engages with patients at her new job. Or a writer may experience this syndrome when asked to present the material from their book at a conference. 

Whatever the case, imposter syndrome can be debilitating, paralyzing, and sometimes even derail people completely from entering into new ventures prompted by the Lord. New experiences come with steep learning curves and often reveal our weaknesses. When we are accustomed to proficiency, it can feel intimidating to be a beginner again.

Yet, the Lord illuminated through Scripture many accounts of calling His people to new roles and responsibilities for the good of His people and His glory. That’s the context and backdrop leading up to today’s key verse. Solomon, son of the mighty King David, was called from childhood to take over his Dad’s role as King of Israel (1 Kings 3:5-10). I imagine Solomon experienced imposter syndrome as He stepped into his father’s shoes, however, we can learn a thing or two from his response. Here are two takeaways from Solomon’s request for an understanding heart and wisdom.

We Can’t Lead Alone 
Solomon was about to be the King. This was a role with many responsibilities and would require Solomon to make decisions about military matters, economic matters, public disputes, and anything and everything in between. And as if leading people wasn't tough enough, Solomon was called to rule God's chosen people! And he realized rather quickly how impossible the task would be if all the weight of that responsibility rested on him and him alone (1 Kings 3:9). 

But how many times have we taken on tasks and tried to accomplish them with our own strength? Not realizing this is a grave miscalculation of our ability and a missed opportunity to grow the Kingdom of God. Working together in a team has innumerable benefits. As Solomon pointed out, it takes many people to govern. Having a variety of people around you who are equipped with certain giftings and various experiences and connections will only serve you and bless the people you serve. Working as a team with fellow believers has a wonderful way of sanctifying us all into the image of Christ. Like Proverbs 27:17 says, As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another. May we listen to advice and take instruction from others so we may have wisdom for all of our days (Proverbs 19:20).

We Can’t Lead Well Without God’s Help
Solomon understood that, as a human, he was very capable of making the wrong decisions. Still, he desired to lead God’s people well (1 Kings 3:9). He understood it would be impossible to successfully lead the people without God's guidance and direction. God needed to change Solomon's heart to one of understanding, teaching him to fully grasp the difference between right and wrong.

We need that too. Whether we are office admins, ministry leaders, or parents, the people God gives us to steward belong to God. And without His help, we can’t lead them well. We can’t know for sure if we are making good decisions unless we are gaining wisdom and understanding from the One who is all-knowing–God. 

The Bible says even if our own hearts condemn us, we know that God is greater than our hearts and He knows everything (1 John 3:20). We can lead well when we go to the One who knows our hearts and the hearts of everyone we lead. He promises that when we seek Him with all of our hearts, we will find Him (Jeremiah 29:13, James 4:8) And He promises that we can ask for wisdom. He will give it freely without finding fault, just like He did for King Solomon (James 1:5). 

Maybe imposter syndrome is God's way of exposing our lack of wisdom, uncovering the heart posture we need to lead well. The truth is we can’t lead God’s people well by ourselves and certainly not without God’s help. But we can find what we need to lead with a heart of understanding when we turn to God for wisdom.

Intersecting Faith and Life:
How do you react to spiritually stretching seasons? Do you shy away from new challenges because they expose weaknesses, or do you tackle new experiences with grit and sheer willpower? The next time you feel the growing pains of change, say a quick prayer asking God to give you wisdom and understanding to accomplish His purposes for you well. 

Congrso experiance

John 8:1-12

1 but Jesus went to the Mount of Olives.

2 At dawn he appeared again in the temple courts, where all the people gathered around him, and he sat down to teach them. 3 The teachers of the law and the Pharisees brought in a woman caught in adultery. They made her stand before the group 4 and said to Jesus, “Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. 5 In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?” 6 They were using this question as a trap, in order to have a basis for accusing him.

But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger. 7 When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, “Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” 8 Again he stooped down and wrote on the ground.

9 At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there. 10 Jesus straightened up and asked her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?”

11 “No one, sir,” she said.

“Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin.”

12 When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

Tomorrow our church will be hosting an event from the BGCT known as Congreso experience, which this year’s theme is illuminate based of John 8:12. Congreso experience is a smaller setting of the bigger youth conference that is usually hosted on Passover week, Congreso is the longest running Hispanic youth conference in Texas. Congreso is dear to my heart because I enjoyed it thru the years as a youth, and some of my fondest memories with my youth group were made at Congreso, and as a youth pastor I got to continue making wonderful memories with the different generations of youth that got to experience this event with as their pastor.  

Now the focus of Congreso has always been to equip youth to be the “Light” to share the gospel to their peers. Thru the years many have been bless by this conference and it has been a way for many youth to come together and have a time of fellowship and worship, and this weekend we will have the blessing to host this event by which many churches thru the RGV will come together and worship our Lord, for many this will be their first Congreso experience I hope they can be bless by this event and that they may draw closer to God, so that they can illuminate their piers with the Gospel of Jesus.

I pray for the young woman and young men that will be coming to experience this event, that wen they get back to their churches they can share how wonderful the experience and fellowship was, and above all for them to remember that we must share the light in this world that is surrounded by darkness and only thru Jesus can be Illuminated and find salvation thru him. In Jesus name amen.

Pastor Luis.

To Know Him and To Make Him Known

1 Corinthians 12:4-11 and 27-31

4 There are [d]diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. 5 There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. 6 And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works [e]all in all. 7 But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: 8 for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by [f]the same Spirit, 10 to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. 11 But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills.

27 Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually. 28 And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues. 29 Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all workers of miracles? 30 Do all have gifts of healings? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? 31 But earnestly desire the [i]best gifts. And yet I show you a more excellent way.

Last night, while we had a wonderful movie night going on for our familia of faith in the Family Life Center, we also had a meeting going on in room 205 above the church office. We called it ”The Ultimate Committee Meeting.” Pastor Parker said, “It’s like Ultimate Frisbee, but way more boring.” The meeting was actually a joy as members of our administrative committees discussed what their roles were, when they would meet, and charted a path forward for the new year. These church members were using their different gifts to serve the church and will continue to do so for however many years are left on their three year rotation. These administrative committees, among other things, help staff our church volunteers, manage our facilities, take care of our church staff, and develop and maintain a budget. They all work together as stewards of all God has given FBCW so the church may continue its mission of Knowing Him and Making Him Known!

Different ministries were going on last night, but we were all part of our familia of faith. Our children watched a beautiful movie about Jesus, the lion of Judah who went like a lamb to the slaughter to save our sins because we couldn’t save ourselves. A large group of middle school kids played football outside while the rest of the youth played board games and enjoyed fellowship in God’s family room. Lively discussions were had as well as times of prayer for families going through difficult times.

Liz and Robin spent a lot of time prepping for this movie night: sending out invites, coordinating food and snacks, and setting up for the movie and snapping photos. These acts of service, in conjunction with the meetings that were held last night, constitute people using the gifts God has given them in service of God’s Kingdom here at First Baptist Church Weslaco.

As we look forward to kicking off our Wednesday Night ministries next week, let’s remember that no matter where we serve, we are all part of the same familia of faith, sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ so that we may Know Him and Make Him Known in all we do!

In Christ,

Pastor Ray

A Prayer for Peace in Unstable Times

By Emily Rose Massey, as posted on crosswalk.com Your Daily Prayer daily devotional

“You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you” (Isaiah 26:3, ESV). 

My husband and I are each the first-born children in our families. Although there isn’t any science behind first-born personalities, psychologists have taken note of the common traits regarding those who have been born first among their siblings. 

In general, firstborn children have been found to be responsible, assertive, task-oriented, perfectionistic, and supporters of authority. With all of those leadership characteristics, a great amount of weight can be placed upon the shoulders of the individuals prone to be the rule-follower and goal chaser. This can often lead to much stress and anxiety if not constantly kept in check. When two firstborns marry each other, they can run together with fervor to achieve dreams and become very productive as a family, but the home also needs peace to reign in it most of all. And not just a “problem-free” type of peace - a peace that passes all understanding regardless of what is happening. Only the Lord Jesus Christ can offer us this kind of perfect peace.

In God’s providence, one of the reasons we named our firstborn child, Isaiah, was because of a very special verse found in the book of Isaiah regarding this kind of perfect peace that my husband and I know that we need every single day. Right in the middle of a prophecy regarding the land of Judah, the prophet Isaiah uttered these beautiful words about the Lord and His peace in chapter 26:

“You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you” (Isaiah 26:3, ESV). 

For many of us, these last few years have felt a bit unstable. We have all experienced some form of worry, stress, and anxiety from the unknown future. From viruses, suddenly losing loved ones, empty store shelves, job losses, rising home prices, and hefty grocery bills week after week - we have all needed to find perfect peace. Our answer is found in fixing our gaze upon the Lord and anchoring our minds to His unwavering truth. No matter what is going on around us, we can find unshakable confidence in the Lord because He is ever-faithful to us. This is why staying in the Word consistently is so important when experiencing stressful or unstable times. Faith comes by hearing the Word of God (Romans 10:17) and the more we are studying the Scriptures, the stronger our trust in God becomes.

The Word of God is so powerful, and the more we study and meditate upon it, the stronger our foundation will be in Christ, and we will continually know how to look to Him any time stress and anxiety try to overtake us. Let us always be quick to ask the Lord for His sustaining grace and help in our time of need, looking to Him always because He cares for us. No matter what is going on around us, even if it seems like everything is falling apart, we must remember that God holds the entire universe in His hands. He is completely sovereign. Nothing passes through His hands by accident. He is in total control and has a great plan regarding all of it; We can trust in Him and rest in His great, perfect peace. Let us set our mind upon Him.

Let’s pray:

Lord, thank You that You want us to set our minds upon You at all times. Thank You that there is nowhere I can go that You are not there with me. Thank You for having a hold of my life, even as I feel like everything is crumbling around me. I confess that I have let stress take a hold of my life rather than You. I have tried to control things in my life, and at the same time, I have let anxiety control my mood, my attitude, and my actions. Lord, I repent of this! 

Please Father, help me see what is stressful or worrisome in my life and hand it over to You. Help me actively think about Your goodness to me. I am so hopeful for my eternity with you, Lord, where the presence of sin and fear will be no more! Help me look back on all the ways You have rescued me from my fearful moments and remember where You have always been faithful to me in the midst of great trials. Help me to rest in the truth of Your goodness and power today. Thank You, Lord, for Your perfect peace.
In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

God’s Love Letter

By Pastor Robin Wiley

Exodus 20: 1-17 (read on your own)

Matthew 5:23-24

Anger

21 “You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be liable to judgment.’ 22 But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment; whoever insults his brother will be liable to the council; and whoever says, ‘You fool!’ will be liable to the hell of fire. 23 So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, 24 leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.

“Can you tell me any of the Ten Commandments?” I asked the students one week during a Wednesday night study. One of the lessons I was covering referred to the commandment about idols. I remember not one person (except our adult leaders) had an answer. I was a little shocked but then realized this was a study we had never specifically covered in the past.

When I asked the kiddos if they thought the commandments were significant or important to know them as a believer – most, if not all, of the students carelessly shrugged and shook their heads no. From that point, I looked for a good series on RightNow Media to use and came upon one by Albert Tate, a pastor, author, and speaker.

Through each of his lessons, he effectively communicates the list of laws as a love letter” from God to his people on how to honor him as he has loved us first through the years.[1] For each commandment – Tate gives it a shorter, more loving approach for remembering them.

*God First                                                         *Love through forgiveness

*No substitutes                                                *Love though faithfulness

*Honor His Name                                             *Love through contentment

*Rest & Enjoy                                                   *Love through encouragement

*Love through satisfaction

His way of describing God’s love to us in this letter; is both vertical and horizontal. The first four commandments tell us how God wants us to love Him by putting Him first, having no other substitutes, always honoring His name and fourthly – remembering to rest and enjoy. All this because God. Loved. Us. First. The other six commandments tell us how we can show God’s love in our relationships with others, because God’s commandments are not a threat, but an invitation[2]. He invites us to be part of His story, by showing us His heart with loving words just like a caring father keeping his children safe and protected.

How we treat others reflects how much we honor God with our lives by following his commandments. Love is the driving force behind the final six laws and each one requires an action on our part. We can show God’s “love through honoring” our father and mother or by “loving through forgiveness” and not holding onto anger. This one was an interesting commandment to cover with the kiddos.

Regarding the fifth commandment – “You shall not murder,” Jesus teaches us in Matthew 5:21 that hating someone or holding onto anger for a long time is just like murder. That was an eye- opening thought to the teens. They know how easy it is to stay mad at a sibling or hold grudges against mean girls at school as an example. In our class that particular Sunday, they heard it was better to turn to God and make things right with their sin, and then in-turn, offer grace and forgiveness to others who wrong them.

Jesus is also teaching us in this passage that if our heart is in the wrong place toward his people, it affects our heart’s position to him. He calls us to reconcile with others so we can worship him with a full heart. Reconciliation is a vital part of our Christian faith and here, Jesus gives us a glimpse of what it looks like to live out the gospel in our own backyards. His teaching in Matthew 5 gives us a direct example of how our relationship with God affects our ability to love others and how our relationship with others affects how we love God.

Take time this week to ask God to reveal where you need to extend forgiveness to others. Or perhaps you need healing or forgiveness yourself – remember God has already forgiven you and loves you fully. We can forgive because He first forgave us.

Revisit the commandments in the book of Exodus when you get a moment and read it as if it’s a personal letter from God to you – with all His love!

Prayer: Thank you God, that you are a loving and forgiving God. Help me to see your commandments with fresh eyes on living them out in a way that honors and glorifies You. Bring to mind anyone that I have wronged so I can extend forgiveness, Also, please forgive me of anything I have done negatively that goes against your good plan for me. In Christ’s name I pray, Amen!

[1] Pastor Albert Tate, writer and presenter, “The Ten Commandments,” 10 sessions, RightNow Media, 2022.

[2] Ibid. Session 1 – “God First”

I Wont' Do That -- Will I Make the Best Kind of Investments

Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

The eye is the lamp of the body. So, if your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light, but if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light in you is darkness, how great is the darkness!

No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money. (Matthew 6:19-24)

I Won’t Do That—Will I Make the Best Kind of Investments?

Matthew 6:19-24

Take a few moments and reflect upon these words from Jesus. 

·      What does Jesus teach about His disciples’ appropriate relationship to money and possessions in this passage?

·      What might our handling of our resources communicate about our commitment to God’s kingdom and righteousness?

·      According to Jesus, how can we make the best kinds of investments?  What might that kind of investment strategy look like where we live?

Prayerfully commit your treasure to the God who entrusted it to you.

Jesus the Journeyman of our lives.

2 Timothy 2:1-9

2 You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 2 And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others. 3 Join with me in suffering, like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. 4 No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in civilian affairs, but rather tries to please his commanding officer. 5 Similarly, anyone who competes as an athlete does not receive the victor’s crown except by competing according to the rules. 6 The hardworking farmer should be the first to receive a share of the crops. 7 Reflect on what I am saying, for the Lord will give you insight into all this.8 Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, descended from David. This is my gospel, 9 for which I am suffering even to the point of being chained like a criminal. But God’s word is not chained.

An old saying about mentoring and apprenticeships goes something like this: “I do, you watch; I do, you help; You do, I help; You do, I watch.”

When I started my journey in the electrical field 18 years ago, it started as a humble apprentice. During the four years of my apprenticeship I was doing everything I could to learn from the Journey Electrician that I was assign to and I was reading the electrical code book religiously because I wanted to be the best electrician that I could be, my journeyman was not only my teacher, but through the years he became my mentor, and friend, as we spend many years strengthening our relationship as teacher and apprentice, and I can say I that at the end of the day I am thankful for everything that he taught me, because not only did he teach me how to be an electrician, he game the tools that to succeed, once I became a journeyman electrician and I would be on my new journey teaching others to become electricians. The same Jesus trained his disciples in a way like this, and they passed along to others what they learned from him. An apprentice commits to learning from a master and then becomes experienced and able to teach others.

Paul urges Timothy to remember his training and to pass it along to reliable people who can teach others. By his grace, God wants to be in relationship with us in Christ, to fill us with his Holy Spirit, and to show us how to live fully so that we share all this with others. God wants us to be his apprentices.  One final question remains:

“Will we let the master teach us?”

Dear father let us be taught by you, may you guide us in our journey, may you be the master of our lives, for us to learn from your Holy Spirit, so that when the day comes that we are ready to teach others we are obedient to teach the full counsel of God that has been taught to us. For you to Father to be the journeyman of our lives, and for us to be taught by you as apprentices. Amen.

Pastor Luis.

Throne Room Worship

Revelation 4:1-8

The Throne in Heaven

4 After this I looked, and there before me was a door standing open in heaven. And the voice I had first heard speaking to me like a trumpet said, “Come up here, and I will show you what must take place after this.” 2 At once I was in the Spirit, and there before me was a throne in heaven with someone sitting on it. 3 And the one who sat there had the appearance of jasper and ruby. A rainbow that shone like an emerald encircled the throne. 4 Surrounding the throne were twenty-four other thrones, and seated on them were twenty-four elders. They were dressed in white and had crowns of gold on their heads. 5 From the throne came flashes of lightning, rumblings and peals of thunder. In front of the throne, seven lamps were blazing. These are the seven spirits[a] of God. 6 Also in front of the throne there was what looked like a sea of glass, clear as crystal.

In the center, around the throne, were four living creatures, and they were covered with eyes, in front and in back. 7 The first living creature was like a lion, the second was like an ox, the third had a face like a man, the fourth was like a flying eagle. 8 Each of the four living creatures had six wings and was covered with eyes all around, even under its wings. Day and night they never stop saying:

“‘Holy, holy, holy

is the Lord God Almighty,’[b]

who was, and is, and is to come.”

I love walking into the FBCW sanctuary. The building’s high ceilings remind us of God’s expansive power and helps us turn our hearts and minds in an upward direction toward God the creator. The handmade cross in our baptistry reminds us of Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross. The dove reminds us of God’s Holy Spirit, present at Jesus’ baptism and present in the hearts of those who have faith in Jesus.

One of my favorite features in our building is the stained glass. It was a later addition to the building and has had to have some serious refurbishment over the years. This rainbow of colors changes the hue of the sunlight streaming through the windows at different times of the day and at different times of the seasons. The stained glass serves as a reminder of God’s throne in heaven that was encircled by a rainbow that shone like an emerald (v. 3).

When the founding members of First Baptist Church Weslaco built this building almost 100 years ago, I don’t think they wondered what worship would be like in 2023. But they prepared a place for us to, like them, join in the great corporate throne-room worship scene each and every Sunday to say, “Holy, Holy, Holy, is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come!”

We’ll see you Sunday for worship, live or online, at 9:30 am (Spanish and GYM) or 11:00 am (English). If you attend the GYM service at 9:30 am, you won’t get to appreciate the architecture, but you do get donuts and coffee!

In Christ,

Ray

Leaving a Legacy of Life-Giving Words

BY: SALLY CLARKSON, as posted on Encouragement for Today daily devotional

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“The soothing tongue is a tree of life, but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit.” Proverbs 15:4 (NIV)

My mother was not a deeply educated theologian, but she had a very simple trust in God.

I still remember one special Christmas when I was about 9 years old. She and I sat by our towering Christmas tree aglow with white lights and colorful, shiny baubles adorning every branch. Sipping our hot chocolates, we sat shoulder to shoulder, taking in the magical moment together.

Out of the blue, she nudged me, looked very solemnly into my eyes, and said, “One thing is important for you to remember the rest of your life.”

I sat up straighter, sensing this was a profound moment.

She said very clearly, “These words from the Bible have carried me my whole life: ‘If God is for us, who can be against us?’ Just remember: God is for you. He is on your side. He loves you just as you are. Say it with me: ‘If God is for me, who can be against me?’” (See Romans 8:31b, NIV.)

And so I did.

She continued, “There is one more of my favorite verses I want you to remember: ‘The LORD is my shepherd …’ You see, even as a shepherd cares for His sheep, feeds them, protects them, so God does with us — and will do for you. You will never be alone. He will be with you every day and watch over you. You can always trust Him to take care of you.” (See Psalm 23:1, NIV.)

We sat beside each other and drank in the beauty of the moment together. And I have never forgotten it.

Even though my mother’s words were simple and I did not understand them fully when I was 9, they planted a tiny seed of faith in my heart that has grown, like a tree, throughout my life. My mother left a small legacy of words that made a deep impression on me. Proverbs 15:4 exemplifies this truth about the power of words: “The soothing tongue is a tree of life, but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit.”

Since then, I have believed that God is on my side. That He is for me, that He will take care of me. Those words have carried me through many a challenge in life. My mother gave me her words, and they have stayed with me my whole life, even as I can see my 70th year just ahead.

How many of us carry in our hearts words that were spoken to us as children — words that still hurt or words that carry God’s love right to our hearts? Words matter. We can leave messages of life and love with those we meet.

Words are like food to our hearts, minds and souls. They have the potential to shape destinies, inspire courage and instill character. Words can express assurance of love, shape our emotional health and lay foundations of truth that hold us fast our whole lives. Our words have the power to pass on a legacy of faith.

Shaping life-giving messages and building a legacy of unconditional love and faith requires intentionality. And it comes about as you give your words of affirmation to those around you as a habit of life.

Dear heavenly Father, thank You for giving me loving and caring words that can hold me close to You for life. Help me realize how much my words can bring life and blessing to those around me. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

10-Second Prayers

By Bob Hostetler, Contributing Editor, GuidePosts Magazine, Oct/Nov 2022

Years ago, my friend Steve introduced me to the practice of offering 10-second prayers. A pastor who has built numerous churches by focusing on outreach. Steve discovered that asking someone – especially a stranger – “May I pray with you?” almost always result in a “No, thank you.” But when he offered a 10-second prayer, a yes was much more common. The promise of a brief prayer seemed to disarm people and assuage their fears of an awkward situation.

            Encouraged by Steve’s example, I tried it. It worked. I can’t boast a 100 percent success rate, but I did discover that people welcome and appreciate a short prayer, even in public settings.

            On one occasion, my church was giving a concert in a park, ad people stopped to listen. I noticed a woman standing alone by a lamppost, tears streaming down her face. I approached and asked if there was anything I could help her with. She shook her head and started to turn away. I asked if she’d like me to pray a 10-second prayer for her.

            “What’s that?” she asked.

            “It’s just a short prayer for God to bless you.”

            The woman nodded and told me a bit about her situation, not that I would need to know her health struggles and financial needs to pray for her. I listened, and then asked if she would be more comfortable if we kept our eyes open while I prayer. She nodded.

            I said, “God, you heard everything she just told me. I know you love her. Please help her and bless her, amen.”

            It was the only time I saw that woman. I don’t think she ever came to my church. But I believe that our 10-second prayer together had some effect. Maybe it lightened her load that day. Maybe it brought her a ray of hope. Maybe that short prayer was answered in amazing ways.

I’ve prayed many ore 10-second prayers since then. With a pair of hikers who’d lost their way on a trail. With a recovering addict who had invited his girlfriend to church and was hoping she would show up. With an aspiring writer who was feeling overwhelmed and insecure at a conference.

   Over the years, I’ve been surprised at how readily people consent to 10-second prayers – and how even people with no religious affiliation (or even interest) agree to them. The offer has been accepted more often than it has not. And even when my offer is declined, the other person usually seems appreciative.

            Why not try it yourself? If you see someone who’s hurting or who seems lonely, offer them a 10-second prayer. If the person is a stranger, say something like, “I know you don’t know me, but may I pray a 10-second prayer for you?” If they agree, make sure to stick to your promise and keep the prayer short.

 I hope your 10-second prayers open many doors – and hearts.

Prayer: Father – please give me the boldness in my life to show who Christ is through praying with others – with anyone, anywhere. Because where “two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven.” Amen and thank you Jesus!

In Everyday Life, Are You Martha or Mary?

BY: RICK HAMLIN as posted on guideposts.org

The next time you are distracted with worry, turn to this Bible verse and these five key questions gleaned from Scripture.

It’s a classic story that plays out in our everyday lives. Martha invites Jesus into her home and quickly busies herself as the hostess, while her sister Mary sits at Jesus’s feet, listening to His every word. To Martha’s increasing annoyance. Here she is, getting together a meal, cooking, cleaning, making the place pleasant, and her sister Mary isn’t lifting a finger. Finally, she complains to the Lord, “Do you not care that my sister has left me to do all the work by myself? Tell her to help me.” And how does Jesus respond? “Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things; there is need of only one thing. Mary has chosen the better part, which will not be taken away from her.” (Luke 10:41-42). Whenever I hear it, I identify with Martha. After all, doesn’t somebody need to do the work? How would anything get done without us Marthas? But then I have to listen closer to what Jesus is saying.

Where does your mind go when you’re doing all the work? Maybe it’s not just the busy work Martha is doing, it’s what she’s thinking. She’s distracted. She’s worrying. She could overhear Jesus while she’s working, but she’s not because her head is in another place. She is full of judgmental thoughts—I do this all the time—and no doubt, self-congratulation.

What do you say to God about it? We’ve got to give Martha a lot of credit or else this story wouldn’t be in the Bible. What does she do? She doesn’t simply fume. She speaks up. She tells God how she feels. This is what prayer is for. To be frank with God. To open up. To say what’s on our minds.

Can you listen to God’s response? Jesus hears her concerns. Jesus understands. Jesus listens. And he goes one step further, he offers insights into Martha’s quandary. It’s not about the work. It’s about what’s going on in her head. Her worries, her distracted mind. Martha could have heard Jesus while she worked. But her busy mind wouldn’t let her.

What is “the better part?” How often do we get an opportunity like this? To hear Jesus talking in our own home. How do we know how to listen? We have to let go of our Martha side for a moment and hold on to that Mary side. Stop, let go, give up our self-identification and listen.

What lasts forever? It’s not our worries that last. After all, one worry will be displaced by another worry and another and another. There is no end to them. That devilish cycle. But being silent in God’s presence. That’s the chance of a lifetime. And lasts your whole life long. As you do it, again and again and again, every day in prayer. That’s why the Psalmist said, “Even silence is praise.”

A new year.

New year’s resolutions are interesting, especially when I hear family and friends say, new year new me. As if by saying these words everything will magically be different, but the reality is that it takes a lot of work to make significant changes in our lives. As a matter of fact, it takes great discipline to achieve those changes. This are the days when gyms are packed, people are going out for walks, or trying to do some kind of activity to better themselves physically, but after a few weeks the wheels will fall off for some, and a great majority will stop, and then next year they will commit to the same resolution and start all over again. But there is no magical formula to get instant results, it takes hard work and commitment, it’s a journey, it’s a lifestyle, in the same way our Christian life is a journey, it’s a lifestyle that is in constant grow,  some of us may have made the resolution of reading the entire Bible this year, or to spend more time with God, and we may have a strong few weeks, but as the days and weeks go by, we may fall off from the plan, because it is hard to maintain that discipline, especially as we return to our regular routine from the holidays, and in many cases  we lack the discipline to see it through.

This reminds me of the words of the Apostol Paul in 1 Corinthians 9:24-27:

24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. 25 Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. 26 Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air.27 No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.

 These words are fitting to us in this setting, that we also need to be like the athletes that run in the games, to train hard and have that discipline, though they work hard to win a crown that will not last, we are running for a crown that is imperishable.

This new year let’s run with purpose and not aimlessly, for us to make a commitment that will be significant, one that will bring transformation to our spiritual lives. To have the discipline to dominate our bodies, to do that which I don’t want to do, but I must do to strengthen my relationship with God. To run to win the crown that is imperishable.

May God bless this new year, the many resolutions we have made this year, and that if we start to drift from them, may we be reminded by these words from the Apostol Paul, to stay discipline, to train hard, to dominate our bodies, and to maintain our eyes on Jesus, least after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.

Pastor Luis.

Pray With Confidence by Charles Stanley

From In Touch ministries, January 11, 2023

1 John 5:14-15

Prayer is the Christian’s most powerful God-given means for effecting change. Yet we’re often unsure whether the Lord will answer our appeals. Today’s verses assure us that He hears and grants our petitions when they’re in accordance with His will. But knowing God’s will can seem perplexing—we aren’t always sure whether our requests fit that condition. 

Here’s what we do know: Anything that God commands us in the Scriptures is His will. This includes everything pertaining to our sanctification, holiness, and spiritual growth (1 Thessalonians 4:3-8). And there are other attitudes and behaviors God forbids in His Word. For example, we can’t expect Him to answer any request motivated by pride, jealousy, selfish ambition, or sinful desires (James 4:3-5). As for insignificant matters (like what to wear or eat) or issues of conscience, such things are left to our discretion (Romans 14:1-23). 

But what about petitions that don’t fit these categories? When we’re uncertain whether our request is according to God’s will, we must submit it Him, release our grip on the outcome we want, and trust the Lord to answer rightly. Remember, our confidence is not in the answer we want, but in the God whose knowledge, wisdom, and power are perfect, infinite, and eternal.

We can trust God to answer with what is best, even when it's not what we requested.

Prayer is the Christian’s most powerful God-given means for effecting change. Yet we’re often unsure whether the Lord will answer our appeals. Today’s verses assure us that He hears and grants our petitions when they’re in accordance with His will. But knowing God’s will can seem perplexing—we aren’t always sure whether our requests fit that condition. 

Here’s what we do know: Anything that God commands us in the Scriptures is His will. This includes everything pertaining to our sanctification, holiness, and spiritual growth (1 Thessalonians 4:3-8). And there are other attitudes and behaviors God forbids in His Word. For example, we can’t expect Him to answer any request motivated by pride, jealousy, selfish ambition, or sinful desires (James 4:3-5). As for insignificant matters (like what to wear or eat) or issues of conscience, such things are left to our discretion (Romans 14:1-23). 

But what about petitions that don’t fit these categories? When we’re uncertain whether our request is according to God’s will, we must submit it Him, release our grip on the outcome we want, and trust the Lord to answer rightly. Remember, our confidence is not in the answer we want, but in the God whose knowledge, wisdom, and power are perfect, infinite, and eternal.

Divine Fingerprints Everywhere

SHAUNA NIEQUIST, as posted on Encouragement for Today daily devotional

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“Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast. If I say, ‘Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me,’ even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you.” Psalm 139:7-12 (NIV)

Last fall, our younger son, William, started middle school, and that meant I needed to walk him to school and from school every day, about a 30-minute walk each way. It’s a good thing, really — it’s great one-on-one time, and it’s good exercise. But for the first month, getting used to it was embarrassingly hard — after more than two years of William walking with friends to his school just one block over, this new schedule felt like a lot … I was always late and dressed wrong for the weather, and my legs were mortifyingly sore, as though I were training for a marathon, not just walking to the West Village.

Something shifted, though, about six weeks into this new routine: I found that I’d started to look forward to it. My legs weren’t constantly tired anymore, and the part of the walk I did alone — after dropping him off or on the way to meet him in the afternoons — started to become one of my favorite times of the day. I started what I call “delight hunting,” being on the lookout for beautiful, interesting or funny things: an ivy-covered building; the sun glinting off the Hudson River; a dog in a backpack, his front paw slung over his owner’s shoulder in such a human way that I still giggle when I think about it. I found a little secret garden near the school and sometimes left home early to sit there in the quiet. The walk became a source of delight, and I began to see God’s divine fingerprints everywhere. The psalmist of Psalm 139 seems to have felt the same way:

“Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast. If I say, ‘Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me,’ even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you” (Psalm 139:7-12).

We see what we’re looking for. You know the phenomenon: You buy a Jeep Wrangler, and all of a sudden it seems like every third car on the road is a Wrangler. When you get a puppy, everywhere you go, there are puppies! Were there always this many puppies? The opposite is true, too, of course. When you wonder if a friend is mad at you, every text from that friend supports your sneaking suspicion. After a series of delayed or canceled flights, when you look at the “arrivals and departures” board, all you see are the delays. We see what we’re looking for, and what I’m looking for these days is delight. Beauty. Evidence of God’s sacred presence all around us and within us, in the face of every person on the sidewalk, in the intricacy of the flowers in that secret garden, in the sky as the sun rises and sets everything ablaze.

Theologian Eugene Peterson has said that “to eyes that see, every bush is a burning bush.”

That’s how I want to live: a witness to the glory of God all around us. Even — especially — on the school-pickup walk, on plain old streets and sidewalks, in the daily moments of life.

Dear heavenly Father, thank You for the beauty and vibrancy of the world You created. Please give me eyes to see what’s beautiful all around me and a heart that bends toward delight. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.