2 Kings 15:1-16:20 Acts 19:13-41 Psalm 147:1-20 Proverbs 18:4-5
Demons and deliverance--there is a recent Hollywood movie called "The Rite" that is based in part on the experience of a priest who exorcised demons. Several weeks ago, my missionary friend, Solomon, told a most compelling story of an experience with "exorcism" that he had in a small town in the Ukraine. In short, he very reluctantly helped cast demons out of a woman. In doing so, he spoke in English and the demon spoke back to him in English. He used the name of Jesus and the young woman was set free following a violent and prolonged time of prayer and struggle. Most remarkably, following her deliverance, the humble Ukrainian lady understood and spoke no English. This past week, another friend, Andrew, told how the New Testament book of Acts came to life for him on his first ever mission trip. Similarly, he ended up the reluctant participant in restraining and praying for a woman in the name of English that she too be set free from demonic possession. Again, the name of Jesus, this time in Spanish, was the key to her successful deliverance.
Today's passage from Acts 19:13-20 tells of a demon-possessed man who beat up his would-be Jewish deliverers. They were using Jesus' name and that of Paul, but they were not followers of Jesus. Before he beat them up, the man queried, "I know Jesus, and I know Paul, but who are you?" (Acts 19:15) It's a story that many people today might dismiss as fiction or at best a misunderstanding of an encounter with a mentally ill person. However, as Solomon and Andrew and many others I have heard and read tell, the story in Acts is as true today as it was 2,000 years ago. For Andrew at least, as for the people in today's reading from Acts, that experience with demons and the name of Jesus brought him and others to a life-changing understanding of the power of Jesus. Andrew now works for "I Am Second" taking people on mission trips and spreading the Good News OF JESUS here in the U.S.
Jesus' power to set me free, to set you free, to set anyone free, is Good News. Perhaps contemporary movies like "The Rite" will help people believe that. Perhaps mission trips and testimonies by missionaries like Solomon and Andrew will make the truth of Acts more credible in a modern society that wants to attribute natural causes to everything. For me, and I hope for you, these contemporary experiences will help us see the truth in today's readings. May we then apply it when we have the opportunity, here or in another country. May we help people be free, and have eternal life, by believing in and making Jesus Lord and Savior! May it be for us as it was in Acts 19:17-18 where "The story of what happened spread quickly all through Ephesus, to Jews and Greeks alike. A solemn fear descended on the city, and the name of the Lord Jesus was greatly honored. Many who became believers confessed their sinful practices." That's deliverance--turning from sin to belief and freedom, from denying Jesus to honoring His name with fear and reverence, from being controlled by the powers of evil, to living in the Holy Spirit power that only Jesus can provide!
Blessings,
Pastor Paul
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Friday, June 24, 2011
2kings 8:1-9:13;acts 16:16-40;psalm 143:1-12;proverbs 17:26
Psalm 143:8 & 10
CAUSE me to hear Your lovingkindness in the morning, for in You do I trust; CAUSE me to know the way in which I shall walk, for I lift up my soul to You...TEACH me to do Your will, for You are my God; Your Spirit is good. LEAD me in the land of uprightness.
Can't you just hear David's utter dependence on God? Cause me to hear. Cause me to know. I lift up my soul. I trust You. I surrender. I give You me. Intimacy. David knew the Father heart of God. And he so longed to please Him and be right with Him. May we seek to know and please our Heavenly Father as David did. May this be our prayer each day!
Blessings,
Rolanda Green, Children's Minister
Psalm 143:8 & 10
CAUSE me to hear Your lovingkindness in the morning, for in You do I trust; CAUSE me to know the way in which I shall walk, for I lift up my soul to You...TEACH me to do Your will, for You are my God; Your Spirit is good. LEAD me in the land of uprightness.
Can't you just hear David's utter dependence on God? Cause me to hear. Cause me to know. I lift up my soul. I trust You. I surrender. I give You me. Intimacy. David knew the Father heart of God. And he so longed to please Him and be right with Him. May we seek to know and please our Heavenly Father as David did. May this be our prayer each day!
Blessings,
Rolanda Green, Children's Minister
June 24
Have your cookie and eat it too!
Today’s Old Testament portion of scripture reminded me of that cookie story. Sometimes we can be so close to what God has for us. In this Bible story we see the children of Israel were under attack, cut off from all supplies and desperate for answers. The King of Israel had lost his faith in the word of the Lord and decided to kill the man of God, Elisha. As the King faces the prophet, Elisha delivers the message that tomorrow God will deliver the city. They hear that in 24 hours the battle will be over and their lives will be set free, but some will not believe. One of the men denies that this word can be true. Unfortunately for him he is told, “You will see it with your own eyes,” answered Elisha, “but you will not eat any of it!” Isn’t that the worst thing to hear? Like our friend desperate for his last cookie he could see it, but could not have it.
Maybe your life situation is under siege? Or someone you know has been waiting on God to provide a breakthrough. If God speaks a word of freedom to you will you be able to hold on to His word. Would you be able to hold on one more day? You know what we call that, faith. “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” Heb. 11:1 If God has given you freedom then reach out by faith. You can have your cookie and eat it too.
Blessings,
Pastor David
An elderly man lay dying in his bed. In death's agony, he suddenly smelled the aroma of his favorite chocolate chip cookies wafting up the stairs. He gathered his remaining strength, and lifted himself from his bed. Leaning against the wall, he slowly made his way out of his bedroom, and with even greater effort forced himself down the stairs, gripping the railing with both hands. With labored breath, he leaned against the door frame, gazing into the kitchen.
Were it not for death's agony, he would have thought himself already in Heaven: there, spread out on newspapers on the kitchen table were literally hundreds of his favorite chocolate chip cookies. Was it Heaven? Or, was it one final act of heroic love from his devoted wife, seeing to it that he left this world a happy man?
Mustering one great final effort, he threw himself toward the table, landing on his knees in a rumpled posture. His parched lips parted; the wonderous taste of the cookie was already in his mouth, seemingly bringing him back to life. The aged, withered and shaking hand made its way to a cookie at the edge of the table, when it was suddenly smacked with a spatula by his wife. "Stay out of those", she said, "they're for the funeral."
Today’s Old Testament portion of scripture reminded me of that cookie story. Sometimes we can be so close to what God has for us. In this Bible story we see the children of Israel were under attack, cut off from all supplies and desperate for answers. The King of Israel had lost his faith in the word of the Lord and decided to kill the man of God, Elisha. As the King faces the prophet, Elisha delivers the message that tomorrow God will deliver the city. They hear that in 24 hours the battle will be over and their lives will be set free, but some will not believe. One of the men denies that this word can be true. Unfortunately for him he is told, “You will see it with your own eyes,” answered Elisha, “but you will not eat any of it!” Isn’t that the worst thing to hear? Like our friend desperate for his last cookie he could see it, but could not have it.
Maybe your life situation is under siege? Or someone you know has been waiting on God to provide a breakthrough. If God speaks a word of freedom to you will you be able to hold on to His word. Would you be able to hold on one more day? You know what we call that, faith. “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” Heb. 11:1 If God has given you freedom then reach out by faith. You can have your cookie and eat it too.
Blessings,
Pastor David
Sunday, June 19, 2011
June 19
I Kings 20:1-21, 29, Acts 12:24-13, 15, Psalm 137:1-9
We Can Have A Visit From God, If We Want It!
It’s exciting to know that the Bible is a book that never goes out of style, it never gets old, and it never gets left in the past. The Bible is truly full of life, full of power, full of spiritual authority and when the Bible focuses on the subject of the church of the New Testament, it seems like the spiritual fire will never cease. It seems like there is a passion that doesn’t end and it seems like those pages of Acts are telling us, “God wants to visit your church, God wants to visit my church, God wants to visit us!”
A few years ago, between 1995 and 1998 to be exact, a group pastors from the Metroplex would meet one Thursday a month to pray and seek Gods direction for His will here in Dallas. In those meetings we had Hispanic pastors, American pastors and African-American pastors. God started to bring a fresh word telling us, among other things, that He would visit the city of Dallas, that there would be a revival that would come out of Dallas to the nations. Those were meetings where the Holy Spirit made us see that the church is a victorious church, a church that is triumphant and will defeat every opposition from the enemy. Those meetings we had at Pastor Robert Summer’s church in Duncanville were truly like experiencing the meetings from the book of Acts. There was teaching, there was prophetic word, there was instruction and above all there was a presence of God that gave us pastors strength.
I personally started to see some churches being to experience revival, other ministries moved to Dallas and something began to happen from God.
It was during that time that I had a spiritual experience where I saw in a vision how the Lord Jesus Christ was walking through the buildings in Downtown Dallas and He said, “This city is mine,” that excited my heart, to know that God has plans with this city.
Why do I tell this story? Because Acts 12:24 says, “But the word of God continue to spread and flourish.” I honestly believe that the Word of God always brings growth to the church, it always brings faith, it always brings victory and it always brings revival!
Hillcrest is a church that is in Gods agenda, in His plans and God is going to visit us and one of these days God is going to blow His Presence, His irresistible presence that transforms and a powerful revival will be ignited and we will never be the same.
I pray that those promises given by God over this city will make in us a church where the Word of God always flourishes and multiplies and where the Holy Spirit governs with total sovereignty in our lives.
I will finish with this: A revival truly depends more on us than on God for it to happen, because the plan of God is for His church to grow and be powerful, but do we want it to be that way? Do we, as leaders really want God to visit us and to totally alter our lives? Friends and family of Hillcrest Church, every Sunday is an opportunity to see the Word grow and flourish and then the devil will finally realize that he cannot defeat a church that is filled with the Holy Spirit!
Happy father’s day to all the dads! May that day when we have to open up our building doors 2 hours early because of the crowd outside come soon! We will see that day!
Sincerely,
Oscar Camacho O.
Pastor Iglesia Hispana Hillcrest
1 Reyes 20:1-21, 29, Hechos 12:24-13, 15, Salmo 137:1-9
Podemos Tener Una Visitación de Dos, ¡Si Queremos!
Es emocionante saber que la Biblia es un libro que no pasa de moda, que no se hace viejo, que no se queda atrás en la historia. En realidad la Biblia es un libro lleno de vida, lleno de poder, lleno de autoridad espiritual y cuando la Biblia se enfoca en el tema de la iglesia del Nuevo Testamento, parece que hay un fuego espiritual que no se acaba. Parece que hay una pasión que no se termina y parece que esas paginas de Hechos de los Apóstoles nos están diciendo, “Dios quiere visitar tu iglesia, Dios quiere visitar nuestra Iglesia, ¡Dios quiere visitarnos!”
Fue hace unos años, precisamente entre 1995 a 1998 que varios pastores del Metroplex nos reuníamos un jueves cada mes para orar y buscar dirección de Dios en cuanto a Su Voluntad para la Iglesia aquí en Dallas. En aquellas reuniones había pastores hispanos, americanos y afroamericanos. Dios empezó a traer una palabra fresca diciéndonos entre otras cosas que El visitaría la ciudad de Dallas, que de Dallas saldría un avivamiento hacia otras naciones. Eran reuniones donde el Espíritu Santo nos hacia ver que la iglesia es una iglesia que es victoriosa, que es triunfante y que vencerá toda oposición del enemigo. En realidad las reuniones que teníamos en la Iglesia del pastor Robert Summer en Duncanville eran como ver en vivo las reuniones de los Hechos de los Apóstoles. Había palabra de enseñanza, había palabra profética, había instrucción y sobre todo había presencia de Dios que fortalecía el animo de los pastores.
Yo personalmente empecé a ver que algunas iglesias empezaron a avivarse, otros ministerios se trasladaron a Dallas y algo comenzó a pasar de parte de Dios.
En ese tiempo tuve una experiencia espiritual donde en visión vi como el Señor Jesucristo caminaba por entre los grandes edificios del centro de Dallas y dijo “Esta ciudad es mía”, eso me emociono el corazón para saber que Dios tiene planes con esta ciudad.
¿Porque todo este relato? Porque Hechos 12:24 dice: “Pero la palabra del Señor crecía y se multiplicaba.” Y honestamente yo creo que la Palabra del Señor siempre trae crecimiento a la iglesia, siempre trae fe, siempre trae retos de conquista, ¡siempre trae aviamiento!
Hillcrest es una iglesia que esta en la agenda de Dios, en los planes de Dios, y Dios va a visitarnos y Dios uno de estos días soplara Su Presencia, su Irresistible Presencia Transformadora y un Poderoso avivamiento se encenderá y nunca mas seremos los mismos.
Oro que todas esas promesas dadas por Dios sobre esta ciudad hagan de nosotros una iglesia donde siempre la Palabra de Dios crezca y se multiplique y donde el Espíritu Santo gobierne con total soberanía nuestras vidas.
Termino diciendo esto: En realidad un avivamiento depende mas de nosotros que de Dios para que suceda, porque el plan de Dios es que su iglesia crezca y sea poderosa, pero nosotros como miembros ¿queremos que así sea? ¿Nosotros los lideres queremos que en verdad Dios nos visite y nos altere totalmente nuestras vidas? De verdad amigos y familia Hillcrest, cada domingo es una oportunidad de ver que la Palabra crezca y se multiplique y entonces por fin el diablo se de cuenta que ¡No podrá vencer a una Iglesia llena del Espíritu Santo!
¡Feliz día de los padres para todos los papas! Y que pronto llegue el día que tengamos que abrir las puertas de Hillcrest dos horas antes de lo normal a causa de la multitud... ¡Ese día llegara!
Con el amor de siempre,
Oscar Camacho O.
Pastor Iglesia Hispana Hillcrest
We Can Have A Visit From God, If We Want It!
It’s exciting to know that the Bible is a book that never goes out of style, it never gets old, and it never gets left in the past. The Bible is truly full of life, full of power, full of spiritual authority and when the Bible focuses on the subject of the church of the New Testament, it seems like the spiritual fire will never cease. It seems like there is a passion that doesn’t end and it seems like those pages of Acts are telling us, “God wants to visit your church, God wants to visit my church, God wants to visit us!”
A few years ago, between 1995 and 1998 to be exact, a group pastors from the Metroplex would meet one Thursday a month to pray and seek Gods direction for His will here in Dallas. In those meetings we had Hispanic pastors, American pastors and African-American pastors. God started to bring a fresh word telling us, among other things, that He would visit the city of Dallas, that there would be a revival that would come out of Dallas to the nations. Those were meetings where the Holy Spirit made us see that the church is a victorious church, a church that is triumphant and will defeat every opposition from the enemy. Those meetings we had at Pastor Robert Summer’s church in Duncanville were truly like experiencing the meetings from the book of Acts. There was teaching, there was prophetic word, there was instruction and above all there was a presence of God that gave us pastors strength.
I personally started to see some churches being to experience revival, other ministries moved to Dallas and something began to happen from God.
It was during that time that I had a spiritual experience where I saw in a vision how the Lord Jesus Christ was walking through the buildings in Downtown Dallas and He said, “This city is mine,” that excited my heart, to know that God has plans with this city.
Why do I tell this story? Because Acts 12:24 says, “But the word of God continue to spread and flourish.” I honestly believe that the Word of God always brings growth to the church, it always brings faith, it always brings victory and it always brings revival!
Hillcrest is a church that is in Gods agenda, in His plans and God is going to visit us and one of these days God is going to blow His Presence, His irresistible presence that transforms and a powerful revival will be ignited and we will never be the same.
I pray that those promises given by God over this city will make in us a church where the Word of God always flourishes and multiplies and where the Holy Spirit governs with total sovereignty in our lives.
I will finish with this: A revival truly depends more on us than on God for it to happen, because the plan of God is for His church to grow and be powerful, but do we want it to be that way? Do we, as leaders really want God to visit us and to totally alter our lives? Friends and family of Hillcrest Church, every Sunday is an opportunity to see the Word grow and flourish and then the devil will finally realize that he cannot defeat a church that is filled with the Holy Spirit!
Happy father’s day to all the dads! May that day when we have to open up our building doors 2 hours early because of the crowd outside come soon! We will see that day!
Sincerely,
Oscar Camacho O.
Pastor Iglesia Hispana Hillcrest
1 Reyes 20:1-21, 29, Hechos 12:24-13, 15, Salmo 137:1-9
Podemos Tener Una Visitación de Dos, ¡Si Queremos!
Es emocionante saber que la Biblia es un libro que no pasa de moda, que no se hace viejo, que no se queda atrás en la historia. En realidad la Biblia es un libro lleno de vida, lleno de poder, lleno de autoridad espiritual y cuando la Biblia se enfoca en el tema de la iglesia del Nuevo Testamento, parece que hay un fuego espiritual que no se acaba. Parece que hay una pasión que no se termina y parece que esas paginas de Hechos de los Apóstoles nos están diciendo, “Dios quiere visitar tu iglesia, Dios quiere visitar nuestra Iglesia, ¡Dios quiere visitarnos!”
Fue hace unos años, precisamente entre 1995 a 1998 que varios pastores del Metroplex nos reuníamos un jueves cada mes para orar y buscar dirección de Dios en cuanto a Su Voluntad para la Iglesia aquí en Dallas. En aquellas reuniones había pastores hispanos, americanos y afroamericanos. Dios empezó a traer una palabra fresca diciéndonos entre otras cosas que El visitaría la ciudad de Dallas, que de Dallas saldría un avivamiento hacia otras naciones. Eran reuniones donde el Espíritu Santo nos hacia ver que la iglesia es una iglesia que es victoriosa, que es triunfante y que vencerá toda oposición del enemigo. En realidad las reuniones que teníamos en la Iglesia del pastor Robert Summer en Duncanville eran como ver en vivo las reuniones de los Hechos de los Apóstoles. Había palabra de enseñanza, había palabra profética, había instrucción y sobre todo había presencia de Dios que fortalecía el animo de los pastores.
Yo personalmente empecé a ver que algunas iglesias empezaron a avivarse, otros ministerios se trasladaron a Dallas y algo comenzó a pasar de parte de Dios.
En ese tiempo tuve una experiencia espiritual donde en visión vi como el Señor Jesucristo caminaba por entre los grandes edificios del centro de Dallas y dijo “Esta ciudad es mía”, eso me emociono el corazón para saber que Dios tiene planes con esta ciudad.
¿Porque todo este relato? Porque Hechos 12:24 dice: “Pero la palabra del Señor crecía y se multiplicaba.” Y honestamente yo creo que la Palabra del Señor siempre trae crecimiento a la iglesia, siempre trae fe, siempre trae retos de conquista, ¡siempre trae aviamiento!
Hillcrest es una iglesia que esta en la agenda de Dios, en los planes de Dios, y Dios va a visitarnos y Dios uno de estos días soplara Su Presencia, su Irresistible Presencia Transformadora y un Poderoso avivamiento se encenderá y nunca mas seremos los mismos.
Oro que todas esas promesas dadas por Dios sobre esta ciudad hagan de nosotros una iglesia donde siempre la Palabra de Dios crezca y se multiplique y donde el Espíritu Santo gobierne con total soberanía nuestras vidas.
Termino diciendo esto: En realidad un avivamiento depende mas de nosotros que de Dios para que suceda, porque el plan de Dios es que su iglesia crezca y sea poderosa, pero nosotros como miembros ¿queremos que así sea? ¿Nosotros los lideres queremos que en verdad Dios nos visite y nos altere totalmente nuestras vidas? De verdad amigos y familia Hillcrest, cada domingo es una oportunidad de ver que la Palabra crezca y se multiplique y entonces por fin el diablo se de cuenta que ¡No podrá vencer a una Iglesia llena del Espíritu Santo!
¡Feliz día de los padres para todos los papas! Y que pronto llegue el día que tengamos que abrir las puertas de Hillcrest dos horas antes de lo normal a causa de la multitud... ¡Ese día llegara!
Con el amor de siempre,
Oscar Camacho O.
Pastor Iglesia Hispana Hillcrest
Saturday, June 18, 2011
June 18
1kings 19:1-21;acts 12:1-23;psalm 136:1-26;proverbs 17:14-15
Good morning!
“Who remembered us in our lowly state, for His mercy endures forever; and rescued us from our enemies, for His mercy endures forever.” ~Psalm 136:23 & 24
“Oh, give thanks to the God of heaven! For His mercy endures forever.” ~Psalm 136:26
You know, I can’t help but think that God is so much bigger and so much greater and so much more loving that we can even fathom! His mercy endures forever. There are two definitions for mercy according to Merriam-Webster’s that catch my attention. Mercy – compassion or forebearance shown especially to an offender or to one’s subject of one’s power / a blessing that is an act of “divine” favor or compassion. As subjects of a holy God, we certainly do offensive things from time to time. That’s a part of life. Think about the last time you offended God. Serious stuff and yet we take it so lightly sometimes and mutter our “I’m sorry’s” and keep on going. Despite our lowly state, God in His compassion reached down and rescued us from our enemies. Though we don’t have Jezebel’s and Herod’s chasing us down to kill us physically, we definitely have enemies pursuing us. Unseen enemies like anger & strife, lust & discontentment, pride & self-centeredness. The list goes on. Yet God grants us mercy not once, not twice, not 70x7. HIS mercy ENDURES forever. Endures means to undergo (as a hardship) especially without giving in or to remain firm under suffering or misfortune without yielding. Just as Jesus suffered on the cross once and for all and paid the price for our lives – our salvation, our healing, our peace – God’s mercy still endures to us each day. Despite our daily offences, God refuses to give in or give up on us. He refuses to yield to the sins in our lives and let them win! Instead He extends His amazing compassion & mercy to forgive us and draw us back close to Him. Oh, give thanks to the God of heaven!
Blessings,
Rolanda Green, Children's Minister
Good morning!
“Who remembered us in our lowly state, for His mercy endures forever; and rescued us from our enemies, for His mercy endures forever.” ~Psalm 136:23 & 24
“Oh, give thanks to the God of heaven! For His mercy endures forever.” ~Psalm 136:26
You know, I can’t help but think that God is so much bigger and so much greater and so much more loving that we can even fathom! His mercy endures forever. There are two definitions for mercy according to Merriam-Webster’s that catch my attention. Mercy – compassion or forebearance shown especially to an offender or to one’s subject of one’s power / a blessing that is an act of “divine” favor or compassion. As subjects of a holy God, we certainly do offensive things from time to time. That’s a part of life. Think about the last time you offended God. Serious stuff and yet we take it so lightly sometimes and mutter our “I’m sorry’s” and keep on going. Despite our lowly state, God in His compassion reached down and rescued us from our enemies. Though we don’t have Jezebel’s and Herod’s chasing us down to kill us physically, we definitely have enemies pursuing us. Unseen enemies like anger & strife, lust & discontentment, pride & self-centeredness. The list goes on. Yet God grants us mercy not once, not twice, not 70x7. HIS mercy ENDURES forever. Endures means to undergo (as a hardship) especially without giving in or to remain firm under suffering or misfortune without yielding. Just as Jesus suffered on the cross once and for all and paid the price for our lives – our salvation, our healing, our peace – God’s mercy still endures to us each day. Despite our daily offences, God refuses to give in or give up on us. He refuses to yield to the sins in our lives and let them win! Instead He extends His amazing compassion & mercy to forgive us and draw us back close to Him. Oh, give thanks to the God of heaven!
Blessings,
Rolanda Green, Children's Minister
Friday, June 17, 2011
June 17
1kings 18:1-46;acts 11:1-30;psalm 135:1-21;proverbs 17:12-13
"The Sound of Heavy Rain"
Are you waiting on God? Maybe you have been praying, talking, shouting or even crying to the Lord for some kind of sign? You may be wondering when or how God is going to show up in your life this time? Have you ever heard "the sound of heavy rain" coming your way? Has God ever spoken a word of insight, wisdom or even correction to you before the real miracle happens?
In today's Old Testament passage we read about the prophet Elijah and the King of Israel Ahab:
In this story Elijah knew God would answer his prayers. He "heard the sound of rain" first. As he continued to pray and seek the Lord, God continued to give Elijah a sign that his miracle was on the way. Elijah's servant was the witness of the miracle as the rain cloud started the size of a man's hand in to a mighty storm over the country. It took seven times of seeking the Lord for answers before the rain poured down.
Have you heard "the sound of Heavy Rain" in your life? Will you allow God to send your miracle the way He wants to send it? We know the Lord answers the prayers of those you seek him. It could be that today you see a God's hand rising in your life to bring an abundance of whatever is lacking your life. My prayer for you is,"Let it rain?"
Blessings,
Pastor David
"The Sound of Heavy Rain"
Are you waiting on God? Maybe you have been praying, talking, shouting or even crying to the Lord for some kind of sign? You may be wondering when or how God is going to show up in your life this time? Have you ever heard "the sound of heavy rain" coming your way? Has God ever spoken a word of insight, wisdom or even correction to you before the real miracle happens?
In today's Old Testament passage we read about the prophet Elijah and the King of Israel Ahab:
41 And Elijah said to Ahab, “Go, eat and drink, for there is the sound of a heavy rain.” 42 So Ahab went off to eat and drink, but Elijah climbed to the top of Carmel, bent down to the ground and put his face between his knees.
43 “Go and look toward the sea,” he told his servant. And he went up and looked.
“There is nothing there,” he said.
Seven times Elijah said, “Go back.”
44 The seventh time the servant reported, “A cloud as small as a man’s hand is rising from the sea.”
So Elijah said, “Go and tell Ahab, ‘Hitch up your chariot and go down before the rain stops you.’”
45 Meanwhile, the sky grew black with clouds, the wind rose, a heavy rain started falling and Ahab rode off to Jezreel. 46 The power of the LORD came on Elijah and, tucking his cloak into his belt, he ran ahead of Ahab all the way to Jezreel.
In this story Elijah knew God would answer his prayers. He "heard the sound of rain" first. As he continued to pray and seek the Lord, God continued to give Elijah a sign that his miracle was on the way. Elijah's servant was the witness of the miracle as the rain cloud started the size of a man's hand in to a mighty storm over the country. It took seven times of seeking the Lord for answers before the rain poured down.
Have you heard "the sound of Heavy Rain" in your life? Will you allow God to send your miracle the way He wants to send it? We know the Lord answers the prayers of those you seek him. It could be that today you see a God's hand rising in your life to bring an abundance of whatever is lacking your life. My prayer for you is,"Let it rain?"
Blessings,
Pastor David
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
June 15--Unity
1 Kings 14:1-15:24 Acts 10:1-23 Psalm 133:1-3 Proverbs 17:7-8
Go Mavs! Anita and I joined the family, including all 9 grandkids, for swimming, barbecue and a LOUD Mavericks basketball watch party on Sunday afternoon. It was a joyous occasion! Having watched or listened to at least portions of nearly every Mavericks game this season, I was thrilled to watch the Dallas Mavericks win the NBA Championship. They did so with the kind of self-less teamwork they have shown all year. Unlike rival teams that seemed to sport one, two or three superstars, the Mavericks won game after game with team efforts. While Dirk Nowitzki was clearly the team leader, each win was a show of unity with players taking turns being the top or second-best scorers. At least six players scored well for each victory. God must have smiled with us at the unity represented by this team, and the glory given to Him by the MVP of the final game, Jason Terry.
Our Psalm for today is a beautiful tribute to the kind of unity exemplified by this Mavericks team. Psalm 133:1 reads, "How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity." Here's a four-point analysis of that unity--1) shared goals, 2) shared values, 3) clear individual roles, and 4) mutual respect. Each member of the team was clear about the goals--the score board kept that clear. They were united by values including unity, hard work, trust, and belief in each other. They each new their respective territory--what position to play, who and where to defend, where to be to catch the passes and make the shots. Finally, they respected each other--from respect for the coach, to respect for the point guard (Jason Kidd) calling the plays, to respect for each players ability to score.
1 Corinthians 1:10 has this plea: "I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought." Our life in Christ is of eternal significance, far more important than a basketball championship, yet too often we lack unity. Divisions tear us apart. Galatians 5:19 puts a lack of unity on the sin list: "The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like." So, as we strive to build the Kingdom of God, as we grow our church, as we serve our families, our places of employment, our schools, our cities, states, nation and world, may we exemplify unity. May we receive that unity through the power of the Holy Spirit!
If we keep our goals clear, are united by the values of Jesus, and if we identify clear roles and areas for each of us to serve, and if we tie it all together with mutual respect and love for one another, you and I can, as it says in Philippians 1:27 "stand firm in one spirit, contending as one man for the faith of the gospel without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you." Go Brothers and Sisters in Christ!!
Pastor Paul
Go Mavs! Anita and I joined the family, including all 9 grandkids, for swimming, barbecue and a LOUD Mavericks basketball watch party on Sunday afternoon. It was a joyous occasion! Having watched or listened to at least portions of nearly every Mavericks game this season, I was thrilled to watch the Dallas Mavericks win the NBA Championship. They did so with the kind of self-less teamwork they have shown all year. Unlike rival teams that seemed to sport one, two or three superstars, the Mavericks won game after game with team efforts. While Dirk Nowitzki was clearly the team leader, each win was a show of unity with players taking turns being the top or second-best scorers. At least six players scored well for each victory. God must have smiled with us at the unity represented by this team, and the glory given to Him by the MVP of the final game, Jason Terry.
Our Psalm for today is a beautiful tribute to the kind of unity exemplified by this Mavericks team. Psalm 133:1 reads, "How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity." Here's a four-point analysis of that unity--1) shared goals, 2) shared values, 3) clear individual roles, and 4) mutual respect. Each member of the team was clear about the goals--the score board kept that clear. They were united by values including unity, hard work, trust, and belief in each other. They each new their respective territory--what position to play, who and where to defend, where to be to catch the passes and make the shots. Finally, they respected each other--from respect for the coach, to respect for the point guard (Jason Kidd) calling the plays, to respect for each players ability to score.
1 Corinthians 1:10 has this plea: "I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought." Our life in Christ is of eternal significance, far more important than a basketball championship, yet too often we lack unity. Divisions tear us apart. Galatians 5:19 puts a lack of unity on the sin list: "The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like." So, as we strive to build the Kingdom of God, as we grow our church, as we serve our families, our places of employment, our schools, our cities, states, nation and world, may we exemplify unity. May we receive that unity through the power of the Holy Spirit!
If we keep our goals clear, are united by the values of Jesus, and if we identify clear roles and areas for each of us to serve, and if we tie it all together with mutual respect and love for one another, you and I can, as it says in Philippians 1:27 "stand firm in one spirit, contending as one man for the faith of the gospel without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you." Go Brothers and Sisters in Christ!!
Pastor Paul
Sunday, June 12, 2011
Not Turning From The Lord
Perhaps no one on earth was ever as blessed as Solomon was. The Lord had visited him twice and Solomon’s genuine heart’s desire was to serve the Lord in faithfulness with a heart as his father David’s heart. The Lord was so greatly pleased at this request that He gave Solomon everything that he asked for and didn’t ask for. Solomon did not ask for the life of his enemies, long life for himself, riches, or fame…but God gave them to him anyways. Yet sin so subtly creeps into our hearts and distracts us from God’s intention for our lives. Many times it comes when we no longer adhere to His Word as we did before. The Bible says in our reading for today that Solomon loved many foreign women—however God’s Word said that the Israelites were not to marry foreign women so that their hearts would not be turned away from the Lord.
Why would Solomon marry one thousand women, many of them foreign? Were there not enough women in Israel? Were 900 not enough? Likely the reason was political: if Solomon married these women, then some sort of alliance would be formed with the countries from which they came, thus ensuring peace. The strategy of this is alluring, but deadly for Solomon for a few different reasons. First, sin often puts on a pretty face! If sin were ugly, then no one would ever go near it! The temptation is the mask that sin wears to seduce you into its grasp. Falling into any kind of sin is not forced…it is a seduction to covet something that you have become convinced you either want or need that God won’t provide for you. It is nothing more than a trap that leads farther and farther away from Him. Second, God was to be their peace and their protector, not political alliances with peoples who did not share the same values as God’s people. We cannot be people who put our future, financial freedom, family, health or personal lives in the trust of humanity. At the end of the day humanity is powerless to help us. If you were to count the verses in the Bible and pick the verse that is in the exact center, you would find Psalm 118:8 which says, “It is better to put confidence in the Lord than to trust in man.” It is no accident that this is at the center—it is the ultimate theme of the Bible: trust God for your provision, life, salvation, and future—not any one or thing else. Third, such alliances were made also because Solomon was grasping for things that God had not given to him. Since when did God ever promise anything outside of the boarders of Israel to Solomon or any other Israelite king? This was the same fatal mistake that Adam and Eve made in the Garden. They became convinced that God was withholding everything that was good from them—so they took it for themselves in rebellion to God. What are the things that we hold too dear to let go? What are the things that we covet with the conviction that God is withholding it from us? What are the things that we tend to grasp for that God has never put in the scope of our life’s calling? We cannot be a people to allow such things to seduce us away from following the Lord with all of our heart, soul, and strength.
Pastor Kyle Bauer
June 12
1 Kings 9:1-10, 29, Acts 8:14-40, Psalm 130:1-8, Proverbs 17:2-3
Living in harmony with God guarantees you Divine support
When I read 1 Kings 9:1-10, 29 I’m amazed at how much God supported Solomon in the different things he did and I ask myself, living in harmony with God’s will, guarantees his support and nothing is impossible to accomplish.
Solomon enjoyed a very valuable spiritual heritage, which came from his father King David. From these experiences, Solomon fed his life the knowledge that God is a God when he sees a man in harmony with Him, God will back him up.
Solomon received from God financial support, support from other people, support in ideas, support in motivation and that support was very noticeable because the things that Solomon started, he finished them with success.
I like to think that God is very interested in giving us His support in the projects that as His children we want to embark on. I’ve come to the conclusion that we must take advantage of His goodness and make great plans where God is glorified and where other people will have to say like queen Sheba, “Praise be to the LORD your God, who has delighted in you and placed you on the throne of Israel. Because of the LORD’s eternal love for Israel, he has made you king...”
Let’s harmonize our plans and our dreams with God’s will and surely we will receive His support to make them come to pass.
May you have a great Sunday and may the coming days bring from God that same support that was given to Solomon; that is my prayer for you!
Sincerely,
Pastor Oscar Camacho O.
Iglesia Hispana Hillcrest
1 Reyes 9:1-10:29, Hechos 8:14-40, Salmo 130:1-8, Proverbios 17:2-3
Vivir en Armonía con Dios es una garantía de respaldo Divino.
Cuando leo esta parte de 1 Reyes 9:1-10, 29 me asombro de cuanto Dios respaldó a Salomón en las cosas que emprendió y me digo a mi mismo, realmente vivir en armonía con los propósitos de Dios garantiza su respaldo y nada se hace imposible realizar.
Salomón disfruto de una herencia espiritual muy valiosa como lo es la vida de su padre David. De esas experiencias, Salomón se alimento para saber que Dios es un Dios que cuando ve que el hombre armoniza con El, Dios da respaldo.
Salomón recibió de Dios respaldo financiero, respaldo de personas, respaldo en cuanto a ideas, respaldo en cuanto a motivación y ese respaldo se hizo muy notable porque las cosas que Salomón emprendió las termino con éxito.
Me gusta pensar que Dios esta muy interesado en darnos Su respaldo en los proyectos que como sus hijos queremos emprender. Entonces llego a la conclusión de que debemos aprovechar esa bondad del Señor y hacer grandes planes donde Dios se glorifique y donde las demás gentes tengan que decir como dijo la reina de Saba “Jehová tu Dios sea bendito, que se agrado de ti para ponerte en el trono de Israel; porque Jehová a amado siempre a Israel. Te ha puesto por rey...” (10:9).
Armonicemos nuestros planes y nuestros sueños con la voluntad de Dios y de seguro que recibiremos Su apoyo para que estos se cumplan.
Que pasen un buen domingo y que estos días que vienen traigan de parte de Dios respaldo como le fue dado a Salomón, ¡esa es mi oración para ustedes!
Atentamente,
Pastor Oscar Camacho O.
Iglesia Hispana Hillcrest
Living in harmony with God guarantees you Divine support
When I read 1 Kings 9:1-10, 29 I’m amazed at how much God supported Solomon in the different things he did and I ask myself, living in harmony with God’s will, guarantees his support and nothing is impossible to accomplish.
Solomon enjoyed a very valuable spiritual heritage, which came from his father King David. From these experiences, Solomon fed his life the knowledge that God is a God when he sees a man in harmony with Him, God will back him up.
Solomon received from God financial support, support from other people, support in ideas, support in motivation and that support was very noticeable because the things that Solomon started, he finished them with success.
I like to think that God is very interested in giving us His support in the projects that as His children we want to embark on. I’ve come to the conclusion that we must take advantage of His goodness and make great plans where God is glorified and where other people will have to say like queen Sheba, “Praise be to the LORD your God, who has delighted in you and placed you on the throne of Israel. Because of the LORD’s eternal love for Israel, he has made you king...”
Let’s harmonize our plans and our dreams with God’s will and surely we will receive His support to make them come to pass.
May you have a great Sunday and may the coming days bring from God that same support that was given to Solomon; that is my prayer for you!
Sincerely,
Pastor Oscar Camacho O.
Iglesia Hispana Hillcrest
1 Reyes 9:1-10:29, Hechos 8:14-40, Salmo 130:1-8, Proverbios 17:2-3
Vivir en Armonía con Dios es una garantía de respaldo Divino.
Cuando leo esta parte de 1 Reyes 9:1-10, 29 me asombro de cuanto Dios respaldó a Salomón en las cosas que emprendió y me digo a mi mismo, realmente vivir en armonía con los propósitos de Dios garantiza su respaldo y nada se hace imposible realizar.
Salomón disfruto de una herencia espiritual muy valiosa como lo es la vida de su padre David. De esas experiencias, Salomón se alimento para saber que Dios es un Dios que cuando ve que el hombre armoniza con El, Dios da respaldo.
Salomón recibió de Dios respaldo financiero, respaldo de personas, respaldo en cuanto a ideas, respaldo en cuanto a motivación y ese respaldo se hizo muy notable porque las cosas que Salomón emprendió las termino con éxito.
Me gusta pensar que Dios esta muy interesado en darnos Su respaldo en los proyectos que como sus hijos queremos emprender. Entonces llego a la conclusión de que debemos aprovechar esa bondad del Señor y hacer grandes planes donde Dios se glorifique y donde las demás gentes tengan que decir como dijo la reina de Saba “Jehová tu Dios sea bendito, que se agrado de ti para ponerte en el trono de Israel; porque Jehová a amado siempre a Israel. Te ha puesto por rey...” (10:9).
Armonicemos nuestros planes y nuestros sueños con la voluntad de Dios y de seguro que recibiremos Su apoyo para que estos se cumplan.
Que pasen un buen domingo y que estos días que vienen traigan de parte de Dios respaldo como le fue dado a Salomón, ¡esa es mi oración para ustedes!
Atentamente,
Pastor Oscar Camacho O.
Iglesia Hispana Hillcrest
Saturday, June 11, 2011
June 11
1kings 8:1-66;acts 7:51-8:13;psalm 129:1-8;proverbs 17:1
May the Lord our God be with us...may He not leave us or forsake us, that He may incline our hearts to Him, to walk in all His ways and to keep His commandments, His statutes, and His precepts...that all the earth's people may know that the Lord is God and that there is no other. Let your hearts therefore be blameless and wholly true to the Lord our God...
I love the Word of the Lord. There's so much richness in these words. First of all, our God is huge. But for His grace, His love, we would not incline our hearts unto Him nor would we walk in His ways. I think often of the line a friend used to say, "But for the grace of God there go I." In other words, know that it's the Lord who keeps your heart close to His instead of allowing your feet to go astray in any particular area of your life. One of my daughters loves many worldly things. I pray for her heart to be inclined unto God's, and I watch God answer and do just that as the song of the Lord takes over her mind and mouth. It's beautiful to hear and watch. He ever so gently and lovingly draws her attention to Him. We are wholly dependent on Him and not capable of walking in His ways without His help. Second of all, our God is huge! He isn't just after your heart and mine. He's after the world. And it's our job, our privilege, to walk with the Lord in a manner that makes the world take notice that we serve a Mighty God who is Great and Loving and like no other. Again as we yield to Him, He makes that possible in our lives. We never accomplish such tasks on our own accord.
Because God is huge and because He is great and loving and because He's after a world of lost people living in darkness, He compells us to maintain blameless, loyal, wholly devoted hearts to Him. I'm reminded of one of my favorite Scriptures to read to my kids - Phillipians 2:14-16. Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life... If we are to walk blameless and pure before the Lord and the world, we must know the Word and speak it out instead of our own vain ideas and complaints. God's Word is life! We must take our eyes off ourselves and our circumstances and put them on Him all the while He is helping us to do so.
May the Lord God incline our hearts to His heart today, and may He lead us to walk in His ways and to speak His Truth and hold out the Word of Life that others may see and hear and know that the Lord is God and there is NO other. Amen.
Blessings,
Rolanda
May the Lord our God be with us...may He not leave us or forsake us, that He may incline our hearts to Him, to walk in all His ways and to keep His commandments, His statutes, and His precepts...that all the earth's people may know that the Lord is God and that there is no other. Let your hearts therefore be blameless and wholly true to the Lord our God...
I love the Word of the Lord. There's so much richness in these words. First of all, our God is huge. But for His grace, His love, we would not incline our hearts unto Him nor would we walk in His ways. I think often of the line a friend used to say, "But for the grace of God there go I." In other words, know that it's the Lord who keeps your heart close to His instead of allowing your feet to go astray in any particular area of your life. One of my daughters loves many worldly things. I pray for her heart to be inclined unto God's, and I watch God answer and do just that as the song of the Lord takes over her mind and mouth. It's beautiful to hear and watch. He ever so gently and lovingly draws her attention to Him. We are wholly dependent on Him and not capable of walking in His ways without His help. Second of all, our God is huge! He isn't just after your heart and mine. He's after the world. And it's our job, our privilege, to walk with the Lord in a manner that makes the world take notice that we serve a Mighty God who is Great and Loving and like no other. Again as we yield to Him, He makes that possible in our lives. We never accomplish such tasks on our own accord.
Because God is huge and because He is great and loving and because He's after a world of lost people living in darkness, He compells us to maintain blameless, loyal, wholly devoted hearts to Him. I'm reminded of one of my favorite Scriptures to read to my kids - Phillipians 2:14-16. Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life... If we are to walk blameless and pure before the Lord and the world, we must know the Word and speak it out instead of our own vain ideas and complaints. God's Word is life! We must take our eyes off ourselves and our circumstances and put them on Him all the while He is helping us to do so.
May the Lord God incline our hearts to His heart today, and may He lead us to walk in His ways and to speak His Truth and hold out the Word of Life that others may see and hear and know that the Lord is God and there is NO other. Amen.
Blessings,
Rolanda
Thursday, June 9, 2011
June 9
1kings 5:1-6:38;acts 7:1-29;psalm 127:1-5;proverbs 16:28-30
Psalm 127:1-2, "Unless the Lord builds the house, the work of the builders is wasted. Unless the Lord protects a city, it's watchmen guarding it will do no good. It is useless for you to work so hard from early morning until late at night, anxiously working for food to eat. For God gives rest to the ones He loves."
Dear Reader,
I'm not sure how familiar you are with what it takes to construct a home or even how handy you are when it comes to it's upkeep. Some gentlemen reading this may consider themselves to be a real "pro" when it comes to fixing the garbage disposal or garage door, although some of your wives may disagree! A few of you may even have an actual degree in architecture. I personally, do not know a single thing connected to the construction of a home and I wouldn't even attempt to fix our garbage disposal!
Regardless of your level of understanding in the field of architecture, we all have a "master's degree" in the field of worry and anxiety. This may sound comical, but it's really not far from the truth. Think about it...
This passage is not referring to the construction of a home, rather it is referring to the construction of a person's life. These verses paint a vivid picture of man and his frequent tendency to exhaust himself in an attempt to be "successful" or fulfill God's call on his life. Verse 2 says, "It is useless for man to work so hard from early morning until late at night, anxiously working for food to eat." Of course, God is not stating that it is not necessary to be a hard worker! But, he is revealing a profound truth: Anxiety will drive us to exhaustion and profit us nothing. We can compare the exhausting work of the man in verse 2 to what many of us will do on any given day: devote our thoughts and attention to our fears and worries. From sun up to sun down, we are occupied and working diligently to "build" our dreams and "fix" our lives. Often times, the enemy will successfully trick you and I to believe that by overcompensating in our flesh (aka, worrying, doubting, strategizing), we will somehow bring about what we cannot see in the Spirit (aka, the promise of God). I love the way the Message puts it, "If God doesn't build the house, the builders only build shacks. If God doesn't guard the city, the watchmen might as well nap! It is useless to get up early and go to bed late, working your worried fingers to the bone. Don't you know that God enjoys giving rest to the ones He loves?" In other words: When you have obeyed God regarding His call on your life, the next step is to rest in the promise He gave you! Engaging your mind in anxiety and worry instead of choosing to rest in God's promise is as foolish as denying your physical body rest in order to build a great mansion. When you do this, you actually decrease your own productivity and at the end of the day, you are left with a shack!
Beloved, know that you are God's masterpiece and every detail of your life is constructed perfectly. When GOD builds the house, the end result is never a shack!
I pray that faith will rise in your hearts and that you will look ahead confidently to the fulfillment of God's promise for your life!
Warmly,
Lauryn Everett (Guest devotion writer and wife of Tyler Everett Hillcrest Worship leader)
Psalm 127:1-2, "Unless the Lord builds the house, the work of the builders is wasted. Unless the Lord protects a city, it's watchmen guarding it will do no good. It is useless for you to work so hard from early morning until late at night, anxiously working for food to eat. For God gives rest to the ones He loves."
Dear Reader,
I'm not sure how familiar you are with what it takes to construct a home or even how handy you are when it comes to it's upkeep. Some gentlemen reading this may consider themselves to be a real "pro" when it comes to fixing the garbage disposal or garage door, although some of your wives may disagree! A few of you may even have an actual degree in architecture. I personally, do not know a single thing connected to the construction of a home and I wouldn't even attempt to fix our garbage disposal!
Regardless of your level of understanding in the field of architecture, we all have a "master's degree" in the field of worry and anxiety. This may sound comical, but it's really not far from the truth. Think about it...
This passage is not referring to the construction of a home, rather it is referring to the construction of a person's life. These verses paint a vivid picture of man and his frequent tendency to exhaust himself in an attempt to be "successful" or fulfill God's call on his life. Verse 2 says, "It is useless for man to work so hard from early morning until late at night, anxiously working for food to eat." Of course, God is not stating that it is not necessary to be a hard worker! But, he is revealing a profound truth: Anxiety will drive us to exhaustion and profit us nothing. We can compare the exhausting work of the man in verse 2 to what many of us will do on any given day: devote our thoughts and attention to our fears and worries. From sun up to sun down, we are occupied and working diligently to "build" our dreams and "fix" our lives. Often times, the enemy will successfully trick you and I to believe that by overcompensating in our flesh (aka, worrying, doubting, strategizing), we will somehow bring about what we cannot see in the Spirit (aka, the promise of God). I love the way the Message puts it, "If God doesn't build the house, the builders only build shacks. If God doesn't guard the city, the watchmen might as well nap! It is useless to get up early and go to bed late, working your worried fingers to the bone. Don't you know that God enjoys giving rest to the ones He loves?" In other words: When you have obeyed God regarding His call on your life, the next step is to rest in the promise He gave you! Engaging your mind in anxiety and worry instead of choosing to rest in God's promise is as foolish as denying your physical body rest in order to build a great mansion. When you do this, you actually decrease your own productivity and at the end of the day, you are left with a shack!
Beloved, know that you are God's masterpiece and every detail of your life is constructed perfectly. When GOD builds the house, the end result is never a shack!
I pray that faith will rise in your hearts and that you will look ahead confidently to the fulfillment of God's promise for your life!
Warmly,
Lauryn Everett (Guest devotion writer and wife of Tyler Everett Hillcrest Worship leader)
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Find Your Passion
1 Kings 3:1-4:34 Acts 6:1-15 Psalm 126:1-6 Proverbs 16:26-27
“There is no passion to be found playing small—in settling for a life that is less than the one you are capable of living.” Nelson Mandela said that. From 27-year prisoner to president of South Africa, he never settled for a lesser life than the one God created him for. In our reading for today, we have the record of another national leader who, by God’s power, pursued with passion the fulfillment of the capabilities God had given him. Perhaps President Mandela was influenced by today’s story of King Solomon. I see in today’s reading four key steps laid out for us: glorify God, believe in your capabilities, recognize your limitations, ask and receive from God what you need to find your passion and excel for Him in serving others.
When I first met personally with Pastor Mark Brand at Hillcrest Church-- after his arrival and before I even pursued pastoral ministry here-- his advice and prayer for me that day was that I, like King Solomon, would ask of God whatever I wanted and that God would answer the desire of my heart. How’s that for great advice and prayer? I went home that day and re-read 1 Kings Chapter 3. It has been of pivotal importance to me ever since. Let me elaborate on the four steps I see in this reading.
Step one: Glorify God and live your life to do that. Give it all to Him in worship, in sacrifice, in prayer. We see in 1 Kings 3 that Solomon “loved the Lord” and showed that love by “walking according to the instructions given him by his father David” and that he “sacrificed 1,000 burnt offerings.” In that context of adoration, God spoke to Solomon and asked him what he desired. What do we do, first of all to be born again and give our lives to Christ, and then daily, what do we do, to pick up our cross and follow Him, to sacrifice it all for God?
Step two: Believe in your capabilities to serve. As new creations in Christ Jesus, our capabilities to serve people are off the chart. We need to believe that with passion. Like Solomon, we need to recognize our positions, our roles, the things God has given us to do in life and each day for the people we serve. Note Solomon’s words, “Your servant is here among the people you have chosen, a great people, too numerous to count.” What are our unique God-given capacities to serve today? What do we do best and what is it that only we can do?
Step three: Recognize your limitations. Solomon said, “I am only a little child and do not know how to carry out my duties.” In humility, once with passion we have identified our capabilities, we must identify the gaps—what it takes for us to maximize our capabilities and find our passion. How do we spot weaknesses within our areas of strength and work on them?
Step four: Ask and Receive. God is waiting for us to ask the right question and to receive His answer. He wants to add his super to our natural. God wants us to find our passion, what it is He has for us. God really does want to hear what we want to do for Him to serve others! As God told Solomon, “I will do what you have asked. I will give you a wise and discerning heart, so that there will never have been anyone like you, nor will there ever be. Moreover, I will give you what you have not asked for—both wealth and honor—so that in your lifetime you will have no equal among kings” (1 Kings 3:12-13).
Ask God and Receive! Find your passion!
Blessings,
Pastor Paul
“There is no passion to be found playing small—in settling for a life that is less than the one you are capable of living.” Nelson Mandela said that. From 27-year prisoner to president of South Africa, he never settled for a lesser life than the one God created him for. In our reading for today, we have the record of another national leader who, by God’s power, pursued with passion the fulfillment of the capabilities God had given him. Perhaps President Mandela was influenced by today’s story of King Solomon. I see in today’s reading four key steps laid out for us: glorify God, believe in your capabilities, recognize your limitations, ask and receive from God what you need to find your passion and excel for Him in serving others.
When I first met personally with Pastor Mark Brand at Hillcrest Church-- after his arrival and before I even pursued pastoral ministry here-- his advice and prayer for me that day was that I, like King Solomon, would ask of God whatever I wanted and that God would answer the desire of my heart. How’s that for great advice and prayer? I went home that day and re-read 1 Kings Chapter 3. It has been of pivotal importance to me ever since. Let me elaborate on the four steps I see in this reading.
Step one: Glorify God and live your life to do that. Give it all to Him in worship, in sacrifice, in prayer. We see in 1 Kings 3 that Solomon “loved the Lord” and showed that love by “walking according to the instructions given him by his father David” and that he “sacrificed 1,000 burnt offerings.” In that context of adoration, God spoke to Solomon and asked him what he desired. What do we do, first of all to be born again and give our lives to Christ, and then daily, what do we do, to pick up our cross and follow Him, to sacrifice it all for God?
Step two: Believe in your capabilities to serve. As new creations in Christ Jesus, our capabilities to serve people are off the chart. We need to believe that with passion. Like Solomon, we need to recognize our positions, our roles, the things God has given us to do in life and each day for the people we serve. Note Solomon’s words, “Your servant is here among the people you have chosen, a great people, too numerous to count.” What are our unique God-given capacities to serve today? What do we do best and what is it that only we can do?
Step three: Recognize your limitations. Solomon said, “I am only a little child and do not know how to carry out my duties.” In humility, once with passion we have identified our capabilities, we must identify the gaps—what it takes for us to maximize our capabilities and find our passion. How do we spot weaknesses within our areas of strength and work on them?
Step four: Ask and Receive. God is waiting for us to ask the right question and to receive His answer. He wants to add his super to our natural. God wants us to find our passion, what it is He has for us. God really does want to hear what we want to do for Him to serve others! As God told Solomon, “I will do what you have asked. I will give you a wise and discerning heart, so that there will never have been anyone like you, nor will there ever be. Moreover, I will give you what you have not asked for—both wealth and honor—so that in your lifetime you will have no equal among kings” (1 Kings 3:12-13).
Ask God and Receive! Find your passion!
Blessings,
Pastor Paul
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
June 7
1kings 2:1-3:2;acts 5:1-42;psalm 125:1-5;proverbs 16:25
Where are you on this journey of life? Are you running for joy, embracing a new season? Are you enjoying a time of rest near quiet streams?
Perhaps you are squinting your eyes and looking far into the distance, wondering where God is? If this is the season you find yourself in, I hope to encourage you.
When I arrive at that place of unknown and I’m asking God, “What is going on here?”;it is easy to start relying on what I can see with my eyes and know from past experiences. All the sudden, I become the expert. During these times, I can begin to trust and build on my own strengths and gifts. Other times, it may be my education, income, or even my husband. Slowly, but surely, these things become my fortress.
The enemy’s desire is that we trust in the material, earthly and fading things. This way, we will be broken down and defenseless in times of trouble.
We may not realize it, but all of our “building” is really an expression of our lack of trust in God. A God who is an everlasting Shield and Defense. He is as the majestic mountains of Jerusalem. They surrounded the city-shielding it’s inhabitants from the hand of those who wished to destroy them.
Psalm 125:1-2 says, “ Those who trust in the Lord are as secure as Mt. Zion, they will not be defeated but will endure forever. Just as the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds his people, both now and forever. “
When you feel alone, remember you are surrounded. When you feel vunerable and weak, remember you will endure forever.
I pray that you will know and sense the surrounding presence of God. I pray that you will feel the Lord walk beside you and that you find rest under His shade. I pray that you will hear the song that He is singing over you. He calls you victorious. He sees you triumphant!
Moving Forward,
Lauryn Everett (Guest devotion writer and Wife of Tyler Everett, Hillcrest worship minister)
Where are you on this journey of life? Are you running for joy, embracing a new season? Are you enjoying a time of rest near quiet streams?
Perhaps you are squinting your eyes and looking far into the distance, wondering where God is? If this is the season you find yourself in, I hope to encourage you.
When I arrive at that place of unknown and I’m asking God, “What is going on here?”;it is easy to start relying on what I can see with my eyes and know from past experiences. All the sudden, I become the expert. During these times, I can begin to trust and build on my own strengths and gifts. Other times, it may be my education, income, or even my husband. Slowly, but surely, these things become my fortress.
The enemy’s desire is that we trust in the material, earthly and fading things. This way, we will be broken down and defenseless in times of trouble.
We may not realize it, but all of our “building” is really an expression of our lack of trust in God. A God who is an everlasting Shield and Defense. He is as the majestic mountains of Jerusalem. They surrounded the city-shielding it’s inhabitants from the hand of those who wished to destroy them.
Psalm 125:1-2 says, “ Those who trust in the Lord are as secure as Mt. Zion, they will not be defeated but will endure forever. Just as the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds his people, both now and forever. “
When you feel alone, remember you are surrounded. When you feel vunerable and weak, remember you will endure forever.
I pray that you will know and sense the surrounding presence of God. I pray that you will feel the Lord walk beside you and that you find rest under His shade. I pray that you will hear the song that He is singing over you. He calls you victorious. He sees you triumphant!
Moving Forward,
Lauryn Everett (Guest devotion writer and Wife of Tyler Everett, Hillcrest worship minister)
Monday, June 6, 2011
The Man Who Would Be King
When you come to the root of any sin, it comes down to one or a combination of three things: selfishness, pride, and/or fear. In the first chapter of 1 Kings, we read the story of a man who would exalt himself to be king. Every person, in one way or another, is tempted to take things for ourselves so that our will is accomplished. Every one of us struggles with the pride of my will and my glory, the selfishness of taking things for myself on my own terms, and the fear of not having or losing the things that we strive for which causes us to act in a way that is utterly self-serving so that our best interests will be protected. What a horrible way to live.
David’s son Adonijah followed his brother Absalom’s lead in rebellion and self-aggrandizement. David is now advanced in years and the time has come for him to name a successor. He has already promise the throne to Solomon, but Adonijah sees things differently—he thinks that he should be king, and he is going to see to it that this happens. He sways the hearts of some of the most prominent people in David’s administration (ie. the captain of David’s army, etc) to follow him as he announces himself king without David’s knowing. Interestingly enough, none of the spiritual leaders of David’s kingdom were invited to this self-coronation. There are a few things I would like to point out in this story that point to the sinful nature in all of us and the tendencies that we have to live life on our own terms. I want to ask that you read this next section with an open heart before the Lord asking Him if there is any trace of this in your life.
The first is that Adonijah never received correction. David made a grave mistake with his son by never correcting him. Yet at the end of the story, we see that Adonijah is unable to except correction anyways. Even after he is dethroned, he is still scheming and it cost him his life. God corrects us in order to save us from ourselves. When you hear a word of correction from Him, take it! The second is that Adonijah decides to be king on his own. Things never go well when we decide we are ready to be something or someone that God has never called us to be. Usually it involves a place of prominence. When we seek fame, greatness, riches, notoriety, or a place of status, what is the motive with which we do it? Adonijah’s motive was completely prideful and self-serving. The third is that Adonijah refused to invite Solomon and the spiritual leaders of David’s kingdom. Selfish pride never wants God’s opinion, submission to God-given authority, or any sort of rival or accountability. It is all about ME. When it is all about ME, then God’s opinion and God-given authority’s opinion are meaningless. When I decide I am king, then MY word is final. Isn’t that just like our sinful nature? Maybe we would say, “I would never do that,” but the attitude that Adonijah exhibited finds its way into our lives very subtly. Maybe we don’t want to be the king of the world, but maybe the kind of MY world, MY ministry, MY job, etc. In God’s Kingdom, God alone is King and we serve Him. Every area of our lives is submitted to HIS Lordship, and there is nothing that we should count so dear that we must hang on to our own petty little kingdoms in selfishness, pride, and fear. It will end up costing us everything. When God is King, He will end up giving us everything.
Pastor Kyle Bauer
Sunday, June 5, 2011
June 5
2 Samuel 23:24-24:25, Acts 3:1-26, Psalm 123:1-4, Proverbs 16:21-23
To err is human, but the wise recognize their mistakes and change.
One of the fascinating things in the Bible is that it does not hide the mistakes that great men and women of God made. That information is there with the sole purpose of teaching the reader a lesson from those experiences in order to avoid headaches. Those stories of failure by these great men and women of God are not there to embarrass them but rather, as I said a moment ago, with the intent to teach us at this point in time how to avoid those mistakes and not have to experience the pain of failure.
The passage I’d like to comment on is 2 Samuel 24:1-25. Truly, my Hillcrest Church friends, I don’t pretend to appear as a pastor that has an answer to everything but rather establish a friendship through these devotionals and in that way share edifying thoughts. Agreed?
These are my thoughts.
To err is human, but the wise recognize their mistakes and change.
When we make a mistake in something, with someone or in relation to our commitment with God, I learned this from David:
1. Made his opinion prevail by taking advantage of his position of authority. First mistake
2. Took for granted the spiritual wisdom of someone who wanted to save him from a great failure. Second mistake
3. When his heart convicted him of his mistake, he accepted it. First rectification
4. When he assumed all the responsibility for his mistake, he did it without blaming other people. Second rectification
5. When he turned completely towards God declaring that he had made a bad decision, he did it with true repentance. Third rectification
6. When he again listened to wise counsel from Gad, he acted in humility and was forgiven. Fourth rectification
To err is human, but the wise recognize their mistakes and change. Do you know something else my friends? Very frequently, God puts people very close to us that have the capability to see the mistake we’re about to make and they try to warn us. Let us pay attention to these people this week and I assure you that as with David, they will help us to make wise decisions.
Have a great day today with your family, the Hillcrest Family!
Have a great Sunday!
Sincerely,
Dr. Oscar Camacho O.
Pastor Iglesia Hispana Hillcrest
2 Samuel 23:24-24:25, Hechos 3:1-26, Salmo 123:1-4, Proverbios 16:21-23
Es de humanos equivocarse pero es de sabios reconocerlo y cambiar.
Una de las cosas fascinantes de la Biblia es que en sus relatos (los cuales son verídicos ciento por ciento, valga la aclaración) no se oculta la información de las cosas que fueron errores en las vidas de los grandes hombres y mujeres de Dios. Esa información se deja allí con el propósito explicito de que los lectores aprendan de esas experiencias y se eviten dolores de cabeza. Esa información de los fracasos de grandes lideres bíblicos no están allí con el propósito de avergonzarlos sino mas bien como dije hace un momento, con el deseo de Dios que nosotros hoy día o al momento de leer esa historia podamos aprender de los errores de otros para no experimentar en carne propia el dolor del fracaso.
El pasaje que deseo comentar brevemente es el de 2 Samuel 24:1-25. En verdad amigos de esta gran familia Hillcrest Church no pretendo bajo ningún aspecto aparecer como el pastor que a todo le da soluciones sino mas bien pretendo que estos devocionales nos ayuden a ser amigos y así compartir cosas edificantes, ¿de acuerdo?
Bueno estos son mis comentarios.
Es de humanos equivocarse pero es de sabios recocerlo y cambiar.
Cuando nos equivocamos en algo, con alguien o en relación a nuestro compromiso con Dios yo aprendo de David esto:
1. Hizo prevalecer su opinión aprovechando su posición de autoridad. Error #1
2. Desestimo la sabiduría espiritual de quien quería librarle de un fracaso. Error #2
3. Cuando su corazón le hablo profundamente de su equivocación, la acepto. Corrección #1
4. Cuando asumió toda la responsabilidad de su equivocación, lo hizo sin echarle la culpa a alguien mas. Corrección #2
5. Cuando se volvió completamente a Dios declarando que fue una decisión equivocada, lo hizo con verdadero arrepentimiento. Corrección # 3
6. Cuando de nuevo escucho un consejo sabio de parte de Gad, actúo en humildad y fue perdonado. Corrección #4
Es de humanos equivocarse, pero es de sabios salir de la equivocación. ¿Saben una cosa mis amigos? Muy frecuentemente Dios pone gente muy cerca de nosotros que tienen la capacidad de ver el error que vamos a cometer y tratan de advertirnos para evitarnos dolores de cabeza. Estemos atentos a esas personas en esta semana y de seguro que como a David nos ayudaran a ser sabios en la toma de decisiones.
que la pasen bien hoy en familia, la Familia Hilcrest Chuch
¡Buen Domingo para todos!
Atentamente,
Dr. Oscar Camacho O.
Pastor Iglesia Hispana Hillcrest
To err is human, but the wise recognize their mistakes and change.
One of the fascinating things in the Bible is that it does not hide the mistakes that great men and women of God made. That information is there with the sole purpose of teaching the reader a lesson from those experiences in order to avoid headaches. Those stories of failure by these great men and women of God are not there to embarrass them but rather, as I said a moment ago, with the intent to teach us at this point in time how to avoid those mistakes and not have to experience the pain of failure.
The passage I’d like to comment on is 2 Samuel 24:1-25. Truly, my Hillcrest Church friends, I don’t pretend to appear as a pastor that has an answer to everything but rather establish a friendship through these devotionals and in that way share edifying thoughts. Agreed?
These are my thoughts.
To err is human, but the wise recognize their mistakes and change.
When we make a mistake in something, with someone or in relation to our commitment with God, I learned this from David:
1. Made his opinion prevail by taking advantage of his position of authority. First mistake
2. Took for granted the spiritual wisdom of someone who wanted to save him from a great failure. Second mistake
3. When his heart convicted him of his mistake, he accepted it. First rectification
4. When he assumed all the responsibility for his mistake, he did it without blaming other people. Second rectification
5. When he turned completely towards God declaring that he had made a bad decision, he did it with true repentance. Third rectification
6. When he again listened to wise counsel from Gad, he acted in humility and was forgiven. Fourth rectification
To err is human, but the wise recognize their mistakes and change. Do you know something else my friends? Very frequently, God puts people very close to us that have the capability to see the mistake we’re about to make and they try to warn us. Let us pay attention to these people this week and I assure you that as with David, they will help us to make wise decisions.
Have a great day today with your family, the Hillcrest Family!
Have a great Sunday!
Sincerely,
Dr. Oscar Camacho O.
Pastor Iglesia Hispana Hillcrest
2 Samuel 23:24-24:25, Hechos 3:1-26, Salmo 123:1-4, Proverbios 16:21-23
Es de humanos equivocarse pero es de sabios reconocerlo y cambiar.
Una de las cosas fascinantes de la Biblia es que en sus relatos (los cuales son verídicos ciento por ciento, valga la aclaración) no se oculta la información de las cosas que fueron errores en las vidas de los grandes hombres y mujeres de Dios. Esa información se deja allí con el propósito explicito de que los lectores aprendan de esas experiencias y se eviten dolores de cabeza. Esa información de los fracasos de grandes lideres bíblicos no están allí con el propósito de avergonzarlos sino mas bien como dije hace un momento, con el deseo de Dios que nosotros hoy día o al momento de leer esa historia podamos aprender de los errores de otros para no experimentar en carne propia el dolor del fracaso.
El pasaje que deseo comentar brevemente es el de 2 Samuel 24:1-25. En verdad amigos de esta gran familia Hillcrest Church no pretendo bajo ningún aspecto aparecer como el pastor que a todo le da soluciones sino mas bien pretendo que estos devocionales nos ayuden a ser amigos y así compartir cosas edificantes, ¿de acuerdo?
Bueno estos son mis comentarios.
Es de humanos equivocarse pero es de sabios recocerlo y cambiar.
Cuando nos equivocamos en algo, con alguien o en relación a nuestro compromiso con Dios yo aprendo de David esto:
1. Hizo prevalecer su opinión aprovechando su posición de autoridad. Error #1
2. Desestimo la sabiduría espiritual de quien quería librarle de un fracaso. Error #2
3. Cuando su corazón le hablo profundamente de su equivocación, la acepto. Corrección #1
4. Cuando asumió toda la responsabilidad de su equivocación, lo hizo sin echarle la culpa a alguien mas. Corrección #2
5. Cuando se volvió completamente a Dios declarando que fue una decisión equivocada, lo hizo con verdadero arrepentimiento. Corrección # 3
6. Cuando de nuevo escucho un consejo sabio de parte de Gad, actúo en humildad y fue perdonado. Corrección #4
Es de humanos equivocarse, pero es de sabios salir de la equivocación. ¿Saben una cosa mis amigos? Muy frecuentemente Dios pone gente muy cerca de nosotros que tienen la capacidad de ver el error que vamos a cometer y tratan de advertirnos para evitarnos dolores de cabeza. Estemos atentos a esas personas en esta semana y de seguro que como a David nos ayudaran a ser sabios en la toma de decisiones.
que la pasen bien hoy en familia, la Familia Hilcrest Chuch
¡Buen Domingo para todos!
Atentamente,
Dr. Oscar Camacho O.
Pastor Iglesia Hispana Hillcrest
Saturday, June 4, 2011
June 4
2samuel 22:1-23:23;acts 2:1-47;psalm 122:1-9;proverbs 16:19-20
Acts 2:17 declares, "And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, that I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh; your sons & your daughters shall prophecy, your young men shall see visions, your old men shall dream dreams."
In the last days, God will pour out of His Spirit into our lives. Not just one or two of us, but all of us. He will pour into our children; He will pour into our elderly. Each person plays a unique part in the army of the Lord. Each of these tasks speaks of revelation, of will & purpose. God will give our elderly dreams through His Spirit - strongly desired goals & purposes from His heart. They will imagine the purposes of God. He will give others visions - supernatural revelation. They will see the purposes of God. And He will give our children, our sons & our daughters, prophecies - inspired declarations of His divine will & purpose. They will speak out the purposes of God and call them forth.
Wow. Have you ever heard the expression, "Kids should be seen and not heard?" I'm sure a lot of parents probably thought that came right out of the Bible, but God's Word says here in Acts 2:17 that they will prophecy. They will speak, and He didn't create them not to be heard. My 6 year old son speaks w/excitement & life every time he speaks. When he's happy, it's boisterous & loud. When he's not - well...he might be whiney or mad, but it's still just as loud and ear piercingly so. Kids have a knack of getting their parent's attention. Maybe that's why God assigned them to prophecy and declare His will in these end times in Acts 2:17.
Our elderly will dream God's strong desires and purposes. Others will supernaturally see God's revelation. And our children shall speak forth His intentions and be His mouthpiece. And we will hear them.
I pray today that God raises up a mighty army of children & youth in Hillcrest Church, filled w/His Spirit, who know Him well and that He fills their mouths w/praise unto His holy, holy, holy name and w/prophecies of the divine will & purpose of God for Dallas, for America, and the for our world today.
Blessings,
Rolanda Green
Children's Minister
Acts 2:17 declares, "And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, that I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh; your sons & your daughters shall prophecy, your young men shall see visions, your old men shall dream dreams."
In the last days, God will pour out of His Spirit into our lives. Not just one or two of us, but all of us. He will pour into our children; He will pour into our elderly. Each person plays a unique part in the army of the Lord. Each of these tasks speaks of revelation, of will & purpose. God will give our elderly dreams through His Spirit - strongly desired goals & purposes from His heart. They will imagine the purposes of God. He will give others visions - supernatural revelation. They will see the purposes of God. And He will give our children, our sons & our daughters, prophecies - inspired declarations of His divine will & purpose. They will speak out the purposes of God and call them forth.
Wow. Have you ever heard the expression, "Kids should be seen and not heard?" I'm sure a lot of parents probably thought that came right out of the Bible, but God's Word says here in Acts 2:17 that they will prophecy. They will speak, and He didn't create them not to be heard. My 6 year old son speaks w/excitement & life every time he speaks. When he's happy, it's boisterous & loud. When he's not - well...he might be whiney or mad, but it's still just as loud and ear piercingly so. Kids have a knack of getting their parent's attention. Maybe that's why God assigned them to prophecy and declare His will in these end times in Acts 2:17.
Our elderly will dream God's strong desires and purposes. Others will supernaturally see God's revelation. And our children shall speak forth His intentions and be His mouthpiece. And we will hear them.
I pray today that God raises up a mighty army of children & youth in Hillcrest Church, filled w/His Spirit, who know Him well and that He fills their mouths w/praise unto His holy, holy, holy name and w/prophecies of the divine will & purpose of God for Dallas, for America, and the for our world today.
Blessings,
Rolanda Green
Children's Minister
Friday, June 3, 2011
June 3
2 Samuel 20:14-22:20 - Acts 1:1-26 - Psalms 121:1-8 - Proverbs 16:18
"My Dad's bigger than your Dad!" Have you ever heard two little boys fighting on the playground use this threat? How about the little girl that dreams of a knight in shining armour coming to her rescue? How about a 7 ft german NBA star that makes the last 2 shots to win a championship game (that is for all my fellow Mavs fans :)! Everyone wants a hero to come in the nick of time.
In our Old Testement scripture today we see David and his mighty warriors fight the giants in the land. We even see King David losing a one-on-one battle and about to recieve a final death blow from his enemy. Just in the nick of time a mighty warrior steps in and saves the king's life. Have you ever been losing a battle, maybe even at the point of death? We all face enemies in our lives, some big and some small. We all need a hero. Can I share with you one of the most most beautiful descriptions of a true Savior's heart? This is David's description of God's saving power in his life. 2 Samuel 22:1-20
1David sang this song to the Lord on the day the Lord rescued him from all his enemies and from Saul. 2He sang:“The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my savior; 3my God is my rock, in whom I find protection. He is my shield, the power that saves me, and my place of safety. He is my refuge, my savior, the one who saves me from violence. 4I called on the Lord, who is worthy of praise, and he saved me from my enemies. 5“The waves of death overwhelmed me; floods of destruction swept over me. 6The grave wrapped its ropes around me; death laid a trap in my path. 7But in my distress I cried out to the Lord; yes, I cried to my God for help. He heard me from his sanctuary; my cry reached his ears. 8“Then the earth quaked and trembled. The foundations of the heavens shook; they quaked because of his anger. 9Smoke poured from his nostrils; fierce flames leaped from his mouth. Glowing coals blazed forth from him. 10He opened the heavens and came down; dark storm clouds were beneath his feet. 11Mounted on a mighty angelic being, he flew, soaring on the wings of the wind.12He shrouded himself in darkness, veiling his approach with dense rain clouds. 13A great brightness shone around him, and burning coals blazed forth. 14The Lord thundered from heaven; the voice of the Most High resounded. 15He shot arrows and shattered his enemies; his lightning flashed, and they were confused. 16Then at the command of the Lord, at the blast of his breath, the bottom of the sea could be seen, and the foundations of the earth were laid bare. 17“He reached down from heaven and rescued me; he drew me out of deep waters. 18He rescued me from my powerful enemies, from those who hated me and were too strong for me. 19They attacked me at a moment when I was in distress, but the Lord supported me. 20He led me to a place of safety; he rescued me because he delights in me.
Yes, our God delights in us! Are you looking for a hero?
Blessings,
Pastor David
"My Dad's bigger than your Dad!" Have you ever heard two little boys fighting on the playground use this threat? How about the little girl that dreams of a knight in shining armour coming to her rescue? How about a 7 ft german NBA star that makes the last 2 shots to win a championship game (that is for all my fellow Mavs fans :)! Everyone wants a hero to come in the nick of time.
In our Old Testement scripture today we see David and his mighty warriors fight the giants in the land. We even see King David losing a one-on-one battle and about to recieve a final death blow from his enemy. Just in the nick of time a mighty warrior steps in and saves the king's life. Have you ever been losing a battle, maybe even at the point of death? We all face enemies in our lives, some big and some small. We all need a hero. Can I share with you one of the most most beautiful descriptions of a true Savior's heart? This is David's description of God's saving power in his life. 2 Samuel 22:1-20
1David sang this song to the Lord on the day the Lord rescued him from all his enemies and from Saul. 2He sang:“The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my savior; 3my God is my rock, in whom I find protection. He is my shield, the power that saves me, and my place of safety. He is my refuge, my savior, the one who saves me from violence. 4I called on the Lord, who is worthy of praise, and he saved me from my enemies. 5“The waves of death overwhelmed me; floods of destruction swept over me. 6The grave wrapped its ropes around me; death laid a trap in my path. 7But in my distress I cried out to the Lord; yes, I cried to my God for help. He heard me from his sanctuary; my cry reached his ears. 8“Then the earth quaked and trembled. The foundations of the heavens shook; they quaked because of his anger. 9Smoke poured from his nostrils; fierce flames leaped from his mouth. Glowing coals blazed forth from him. 10He opened the heavens and came down; dark storm clouds were beneath his feet. 11Mounted on a mighty angelic being, he flew, soaring on the wings of the wind.12He shrouded himself in darkness, veiling his approach with dense rain clouds. 13A great brightness shone around him, and burning coals blazed forth. 14The Lord thundered from heaven; the voice of the Most High resounded. 15He shot arrows and shattered his enemies; his lightning flashed, and they were confused. 16Then at the command of the Lord, at the blast of his breath, the bottom of the sea could be seen, and the foundations of the earth were laid bare. 17“He reached down from heaven and rescued me; he drew me out of deep waters. 18He rescued me from my powerful enemies, from those who hated me and were too strong for me. 19They attacked me at a moment when I was in distress, but the Lord supported me. 20He led me to a place of safety; he rescued me because he delights in me.
Yes, our God delights in us! Are you looking for a hero?
Blessings,
Pastor David
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