Do You have a Critical Spirit?

By Dr. Dale A. Robbins

Romans 14:10 "Why do you criticize and pass judgment on your brother? Or you, why do you look down upon or despise your brother? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of God.
(12) And so each of us shall give an account of himself - give an answer in reference to judgment - to God.
(13) Then let us no more criticize and blame and pass judgment on one another, but rather decide and endeavor never to put a stumbling block or an obstacle or a hindrance in the way of a brother." (The Amplified Bible)

The Merriam Webster Dictionary defines criticism as "an act of criticizing; to judge as a critic; to find fault; to blame or condemn."

As we have read, the scriptures tell us not to tear down our brethren through criticism or judgment, as this can pose a serious stumbling-block and cause irreparable damage to their faith.

Among God's warnings to us in scripture, there are none more somber or serious than His warning to not become a stumbling block to His followers. "...whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were drowned in the depth of the sea" (Matt. 18:6).

There's an old saying that "We tend to judge others by their actions, and we judge ourselves by our intentions." The truth is, we cannot rightly judge anyone else, because we do not know the contents of their heart. We should be content to judge only ourselves and seek to bring our own lives in alignment with God's Word (1 Cor. 11:31).

What Exactly is a Critical Spirit?

A "critical spirit," is an obsessive attitude of criticism and fault-finding, which seeks to tear others down — not the same thing as what is sometimes called "constructive criticism." The only criticism that is ever constructive is that which is expressed in love to "build up," not to tear down — it is always expressed face-to-face, never behind their back. 

The person with a critical spirit usually dwells on the negative, seeks for flaws rather than good. They're a complainer, usually always upset, and generally have a problem or a complaint about something. They often have little control over their tongue, their temper, and have tendencies for gossip and slander, which Paul said were sins "worthy of death" (Rom. 1:29-32).

What Causes a Critical Spirit?

1. Negativeness - A bad attitude and a negative view of life. A person may have unconfessed sin in their life (Rom. 2:1), or may harbor unforgiveness or bitterness toward someone who may have offended them (Heb. 12:15).

2. Insecurity - Criticism is often a subconscious means to "elevate one's own self image." By putting others down, they are inwardly trying to feel more important or that "they know more." Jealousy toward the spiritual victories of others is often the cause of criticism and belittling comments. Popular ministers of the Gospel are often the target of such tactics.

3. Immaturity - Believers must always keep their focus upon Christ and His Word, not man, who will often fail (Heb. 12:2). The young or immature believer who has not progressed very far in their own faith, remain overly dependent upon the faith of those within the body of Christ. Unfortunately, when they begin to notice the flaws in their brethren, subconsciously, this becomes a threat to their own sense of victory. Criticism becomes a reaction of disappointment, because their expectations in others have been crushed.

4. An Unrenewed Mind - Put-downs, making-fun-of, criticism, sarcasm are the world's ways of reacting to the faults of people. However, as Christians we don't behave this way. Our thinking and attitude should be renewed by the Word of God, which teaches us to bear the infirmities of the weak, to love, and show compassion and encouragement (Rom. 12:2).

5. The Devil - As we may realize, the Devil specializes in influencing obsessive behavior. He may use any or all of the above channels, or other techniques, to influence a complaining or critical attitude to stir up turmoil and strife within the body of Christ (Eph. 6:12). We must be on guard that none of us would be used as a tool of the Devil to bring harassment or discouragement upon our brothers or sisters through continual criticism, as the Bible warns us not to "give place" to the Devil (Eph. 4:27). Remember that Satan is specifically called "the accuser of the brethren" (Rev. 12:10). Are you an accuser of the brethren?

The Bible says that the reason that we are to come together as a church is, not to criticize, but to "exhort" (encourage) one another (Hebrews 10:25). "Cursing the darkness" won't change anything, but we must light a candle and "expose the light" of God's Word. By sharing the truth of God's Word, and encouraging people to live in its truth, people will change. Love and encouragement is a "motivational force." 

If we ever hope to bring improvement in others, we need to become people of encouragement. This is the only attitude that will change people, and our actions and words must be devoted to encouraging the spiritual progress of our brethren. 

The Christian's tongue should never be used for anything but good. "Let no foul or polluting language, nor evil word, nor unwholesome or worthless talk (ever) come out of your mouth; but only such speech as is good and beneficial to the spiritual progress of others, as is fitting to the need and the occasion, that it may be a blessing and give grace (God's favor) to those who hear it" (Eph. 4:29 The Amplified Bible). 

Prescription For a Healthy Mind

A number of years ago, Dr. David H. Fink, a psychiatrist for the veterans administration, wrote an article for Coronet Magazine, entitled, "Release from Nervous Tension." In his article, he outlined his research into the causes of mental and emotional disturbances. 

From over 10,000 case studies, he discovered that there was a common trait with all his patients who suffered from severe tension. They were habitual fault-finders, constant critics of people and things around them. Those who were free from tension, were the least critical. His conclusions were that the habit of fault-finding is a prelude or mark of the nervous, or the mentally unbalanced. Those who wish to retain good emotional and mental health, should learn to free themselves from a negative and critical attitude. 

Remember this, the Bible doesn't promise peace to those who dwell on the faults of others! It says that the Lord will keep them in perfect peace, whose minds are stayed on Him! (Isaiah 26:3).

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This article (VL-106) is copyrighted © by Dale A. Robbins, 1990, and is a publication of Victorious Publications, Grass Valley, CA 95949. Unless otherwise stated, all scripture references were taken from The New King James Bible, © Thomas Nelson Inc., 1982. You may download this article for personal use as long as you retain credit to the author. Obtain permission before reproducing copies for any reason, by filling out our simple permission form. This writing is also available as an attractive tri-fold pamphlet, which can be downloaded for reproduction from our Online Catalog. For media reproduction rights, or to obtain quantities of this title in other formats, email us. 

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Israel and Gaza

For Israel, a truce is the worst of all worlds: Tied hands, Hamas unbowed

http://www.debka.com/article/22546/For-Israel-a-truce-is-the-worst-of-all-worlds-Tied-hands-Hamas-unbowed

Great Quotes

"You Christians look after a document containing enough dynamite to blow all civilization to pieces, turn the world upside down, and bring peace to a battle-torn planet. But you treat it as though it is nothing more than a piece of literature." - Mahatma Ghandi

"It is impossible to enslave mentally or socially a Bible-reading people. The principles of the Bible are the groundwork of human freedom." - Horace Greeley (1811-1872), American newspaper editor.

"It is impossible to rightly govern the world without God and the Bible." -  George Washington (1732-1799), the first US President

"The New Testament is the very best book that ever was or ever will be known in the world." - Charles Dickens

The Preacher's Conclusion to Life

King Solomon was the wisest man that has walked this earth (1 Kings 3:10-14) and after all was said and done this is what he had to say:

"I the Preacher have been king over Israel in Jerusalem. And I applied my heart to seek and to search out by wisdom all that is done under heaven. It is an unhappy business that God has given to the children of man to be busy with. I have seen everything that is done under the sun, and behold, all is vanity and a striving after the wind." - Ecclesiastes 1:12-14

Today if I came across the sayings of the wisest man on earth, I may just listen to what he says and take it to heart.  Maybe there are people who think they are smarter than Solomon and are trying to prove him wrong?

In the end it is all void of any eternal value, but in Jesus there is fullness of joy and it only gets better in eternity.

"The end of the matter, all has been heard. Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil." - Ecclesiastes 12:13-14

Doing it your way?

Isaiah 50:11 - "Behold, all you who kindle a fire, who equip yourselves with burning torches! Walk by the light of your fire, and by the torches that you have kindled! This you have form My hand: you shall lie down in torment."

Wow! is right. Pretty straight forward.  Do things on your own and you will reap nothing but sorrow - God is not with you because you did not GO with Him where He is.

The Lord calls us to follow Him and not the other way around.

Luke 9:23 - "And He [Jesus Christ] said to all, 'If anyone would come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow Me.'"

Do life God's way and you won't go wrong; you'll be right with the Lord, and filled with His peace, possess a clear conscience and can have certain hope of God's glory.

Do it the King's way!

Marriage - One Flesh

"Then the Lord God said, 'It is not good that man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him.' So the Lord caused a deep sleep to fall upon the man, and while he slept took one of his ribs and closed up its place with flesh. And the rib that the Lord God had taken from the man He made into a woman and brought her to the man. Then man said, 'This at last is bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man.' Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh. And the man and his wife were both naked and were not ashamed." - Genesis 2:18, 21-25

We just finished up a marriage series titled "I DO" at The Refuge - The final message on Sunday was concluded with a renewal of marriage vows and it was a GREAT moment for many people.

Can you imagine what it was like when God joined Adam and Eve together - the first wedding ever???  It must have been pretty awesome!

I wish it would have been that Adam and Eve lived happily ever after, but they didn't...SIN entered the human race and we've been warring against the flesh, the world and the devil since then.

I want to remind you that there is NO perfect marriage, but with God all things are possible (Matt. 19:26).

A God-ordained marriage is one between one man and one woman - two people with very different ways of thinking, but God knew what He was doing when He made each one and joined the two together.

It takes hard WORK to build a relationship with your spouse. There will be mountain top experiences as well as seasons in the valleys, but "till death do us part" is what we promised before God.

I pray that you and your spouse are in the Word of God so that you can do the Work of God to His glory in your marriage and be a testimony of His love, grace and mercy through your relationship.

Husbands, remember to hold fast to your wife and love her.

Wives, remember to hold fast to your husband and respect him.

It's all done "as to the Lord" so as to have a God-glorifying marriage and leave a legacy worth following for your children.

One flesh - Shameless Oneness!

Love to Read? (if not, read anyway)

There was a time in my life that I did NOT LIKE to read school books (still don't, but will if I have to). But magazines like NatGeo, Baseball, Diving, Cycling or Motor Sports definitely grab my attention. Why? Because they cover subjects I like and want to know more about.

What I learned I passed along to others and discussed with people that were interested in the same things, and others that didn't know, but listened anyway.  I can still tell you some things I learned from my reading over the years.

Keep that in mind as I apply the subject of reading to Christianity.

Christianity is not a "lifestyle" that leads to good, clean living and makes us good stewards of the community and the things we have - that's NOT what Jesus Christ came to this earth to give us!

Jesus came to restore our RELATIONSHIP with God the Father through His sacrifice on the cross.

That relationship reveals itself in how we live our lives. But HOW do you learn how to live your life to God's glory? Sunday Worship Service? Other's Examples? Thinking about God?

How do you get to know God? Answer: READING the BIBLE

Jesus said, "If you abide in My Word, you are truly My disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." - John 8:31-32

One more thing, the "Centerpiece" of the morning and evening Jewish prayer is the Shema, which is Deuteronomy 6:4-9. (I challenge you to read this everyday for the next week)

Moses was commanded by God to teach God's commandments and rules so that it may go well with the people. Moses said, "HEAR therefore, O Israel, and be careful to DO them..." v.3 (emphasis mine)

What are you hearing and doing? Moses isn't here to read you the Word, so how about reading and doing?

Do you like to READ? That doesn't matter and it isn't even the right question to ask - Do you love God? Do you desire to know Him?

If so, then that will reveal itself in your taking time to READ the Bible, whether you like to or not.

I pray that your dedication to reading the Bible will turn into a passionate pursuit of Knowing God personally and sharing Him with others.

"May it go well with you"!

Pastor Raul

Still Holding a Grudge?

Grudges are not only harmful to one's physical health, but also to one's spiritual health. A grudge is an attitude of unforgiveness, which comes from a belief that the other person is undeserving of being released through YOUR forgiveness (like as if you have that authority).

"They deserve to suffer" is what you say. But in reality, everyone suffers; the person that doesn't forgive, the unforgiven person, and the people who know both parties.

This is what Pastor Greg Laurie of Harvest Christian Fellowship had to say in his book "Discipleship": 

"If you have really been forgiven [by God], and you understand something of that forgiveness, you will be forgiving to other people. If you are not forgiving to other people, I question whether you know any thing of God's forgiveness in your own life. 

A forgiven person will be a forgiving person. A true disciple will harbor no grudge in his life toward another. The disciple knows it will hinder his prayer life and his walk with God. Let's not forget what Jesus said, "By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another" (John 13:35).

For that reason, no child of God can walk around with bitterness, anger or hostility in his heart toward another person without feeling the conviction of his sin. We must forgive others as we have been forgiven."

See also: Psalm 66:18; 1 John 1:9

Half Way

I've been thinking quite a bit about the story of Abram in Genesis 12 where he finally picked up from Haran and went where God had initially told him to go - the land that God had promised. But it took the death of his father, Terah, to leave Haran.

Eventually Abram, his wife Sarai and everyone that was with them made it into Shechem (v5).

Many of US are Half Way to full obedience. We seem to stop in our own "Haran".

What needs to happen is death to whatever relationship is holding us there, just like the death of Abram's father finally released him to go where he should have been.

No excuse is acceptable, but any excuse will work to stay in your "Haran".

Too Old? - Abram was 75 years old when he finally "got it" and left Haran.

God can't use me? - This was the second time God gave Abram this promise. God gives second chances.

There's nothing that compares with the peace that comes with knowing you're not holding back from living the way God wants you to live and it is pleasing to Him.

Are you in Haran, or in Shechem? Half obedience or full obedience? What are you allowing to hold you back?

Put whatever it is down (dead) and move into a place of full obedience and peace with God.

Marriage and Prayer

Marriage is a divine institution that was ordained and blessed by the Lord. The husband of one wife is to lead, pastor, shepherd his wife and his children in God's ways (according to Scripture). How are we to do this to God's glory without first seeking Him and His wisdom and His glory? Prayer is not seeking God to fulfill our will, but rather it is a time of pleading with God in humility to use us as vessels to fulfill His will - His plan for our lives.

There are many places I can take you as examples of how not to lead your family and many more that point us in the direction of how TO lead our families; but, I will take you to one of those here: "Husbands, love your wives, AS Christ loved the church and GAVE Himself up for her, that He might SANCTIFY her, having cleansed her by the washing of water WITH the Word, so that He might present the church to Himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that SHE might be holy and without blemish." - Ephesians 5:25-27

God's ways are perfect, holy and sanctified. They keep us from going astray in our own idolatrous hearts. To read the Word by the power and understanding the Holy Spirit gives us is to know how to lovingly address our wives in psalms, hymns and spiritual songs; it's how we learn to sing and make melody TO the Lord with our hearts (Ephesians 5:19). It's BY the Word that we learn, as husbands, to submit to one another out of reverence for Christ (Ephesians 5:20).

Therefore, it's praying with our wives, according to Scripture, that we teach and care for our wives by showing them HOW to submit to Christ before we can submit to each other properly in the sight of God. It's on our knees that we demonstrate that we are subject to God for everything and in everything. It's on our knees that we give our wives the comfort of knowing that it's not in our power and authority that we lead but by the power and authority of God, with love and concern for the family with HIS wisdom.

Men, let us be imitators of God, as beloved children; walking in love, AS Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God (Ephesians 5:1). We do this for the sake of glorifying God and leaving a legacy worthy of imitating for generations to come. Take your wife by the hand and fall to your knees before God and show her how YOU are completely surrendered to HIM in word and deed, and He will show you how to further lead your wife and your family to His glory. It's in this manner that your marriage will be presented to God as "holy and without blemish" - Pray without ceasing WITH your wife (1 Thess. 5:17).

Christ the man prayed often, why should we Christian men be any different?

Not by Might Nor by Power

Here's a word of wisdom through a quote by Alan Redpath. This quote is worth remembering and bringing up when you think you're doing a good thing, but that "good" thing may NOT be the RIGHT thing because it's NOT in GOD'S timing.

"…a blow struck in the name of the Lord Jesus and in the power of the Holy Spirit, in His time, is worth a million struck in the power of the flesh." - Alan Redpath

I'd much rather wait until I am doing things in God's will and with His power and Spirit than be exhausted trying to do things in the flesh.

"Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit, says the Lord of hosts." - Zechariah 4:6

Deliberate, Intentional and Focused

Hi Friends and Family!

Here we are...less than 24 hours away from the end of the 2010 year and the beginning of 2011, a year of new beginnings and renewed focus on what's important and glorifying to our Lord. This Sunday we will be reflecting, inspecting, and expecting. In other words, we'll count our blessings of 2010 and praising God for them; asking God to inspect us and reveal anything that needs to change to bring Him more glory; and, looking forward to what's to come in 2011 with hopeful hearts trusting in our faithful God.

I would like to ask of you to take some time and reflect on what's transpired this year and let me know how the Lord speaks to you - what He reminds you of.

I want to thank you for being a wonderful congregation that seeks the Lord, growing in His grace and knowledge - I have been truly blessed as we search and learn God's truth together in Scripture and experience the peace and love that can only come through a relationship with Jesus Christ.

Have a Happy New Year! Be more Deliberate, Intentional and Focused on Jesus Christ this year to serve Him with your lives!

Sincerely...

In Christ,

Pastor Raul

Refuge Christmas Dinner 2010

Here's a quick reminder about our CHRISTMAS Dinner this coming Friday, December 10th at 6:30PM at the Norton Younglove Community Center.

We're having a delicious dinner, fun exchanging gifts, and a whole bunch of fun getting to know each other a little better!

I don't remember who got the WHITE ELEPHANT last year, but I'm sure it'll be among the gifts this year. Mark your calendar, make sure you come out and have some fun during this wonderful Christmas time when we celebrate our Savior's Birth.

Jesus Christ IS the reason for the SEASON! See you this coming FRIDAY.

In Christ,

Pastor Raul

Slaves & Masters

It's amazing how God is interested in all earthly relationships, INCLUDING the ones we have at work. It's every moment of every day that we are to honor our King and serve Him, and witness to others through deed and word.

Scripture refers to bosses and employees with the words "masters" and "slaves". These are NOT outdated titles, but ones that apply to us today. We need to understand that when God inspired these words to be written they were pure and serve HIS purpose. To God, they still ARE pure terms, BUT man has done these positions VERY wrong! Today, we have perverted and abused these terms by inhumanely treating others for personal BENEFIT and PROFIT.

Regardless, we need to understand what God describes as Slaves and Masters, and REVOLUTIONIZE the way we work to God's glory!

Here are some of the principles, as Christians, we need to keep in mind:

* Employees are to be EAGER to do a good job and FEARFUL of displeasing the boss. (Eph. 6:5)

* Employees are to be SINCERE about serving their leaders, and your FIRST consideration should always be your boss's interest and not someone else's or your own. (Eph. 6:5)

* Employees are to have INTEGRITY. Don't ONLY perform well when your boss is looking, but do so because you know that the Lord IS looking all the time! (Eph. 6:6)

* Employees are to ULTIMATELY serve the Lord, and your REWARD is non-perishable if it's stored in heaven! (Eph. 6:7-8; Matt. 6:19-21)

* Bosses are to do ALL of the above, WITHOUT threats, understanding that your RESPONSIBILITY is great before the Lord. Be good stewards of the lives that have been entrusted to YOU! (Eph. 6:9; Col. 4:1)

Employees and Bosses...or for Christians, Slaves and Masters (in the most pure sense, according to Scripture) are to serve the Lord in everything. 1 Corinthians 10:31 says, "Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God."

REVOLUTIONIZE the way you work and SERVE the Lord every moment of every day and joyfully serve HIM as a grateful BONDSERVANT of the MOST HIGH!

Let it Fly By

I'm reading this book by Warren Wiersbe titled, "What to Wear to the War". It's a study of Ephesians chapter 6, where we can find a list of armor we are to put on in order to successfully gain ground from victory in our Christian walks.

One thing that you can be certain of is that the Christian life is NOT a playground (as Wiersbe said), but rather a battleground. And the sooner you realize this the sooner you will live as a successful Christian to God's glory.

I'm at the point in the book where Wiersbe is briefly describing the armor of God found in Ephesians 6 because it's by this that we can better understand Satan's strategies of attack.

The shield of faith is listed in Ephesians 6:16, which is used to "quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one." One of the "fiery darts" the enemy uses is doubt. This is common to everyone, but we can rest in complete assurance that we can trust God, especially when thoughts cross our mind that is contrary to His Word.

Martin Luther said, "I cannot stop the birds from flying around my head, but I can stop them from making a nest in my hair."

Lift up the shield of faith in the "Word of God and in the God of the Word" and let that doubt fly by!

Pastor Raul

Joy Comes in the Morning!

Happy Black Friday!

This is suppose to be the day in which many of the retail stores get out of the red (negative) and into the black (positive) with regards to profits. This may have been a tough year for most retailers, but it seems like there's a buzz today with more people spending their money than last year.

Now, some of you may feel like you're still operating in the red for various reasons; I have times when I feel like this but what's COMFORTING is that we have a High Priest (Jesus Christ) that understands us and INVITES us to come to Him and says we'll find GRACE in times of need (Heb. 4:15-16).

I am so glad that my HOPE lies in Someone (not some thing) that will NEVER leave me nor forget about me.

(There was a "black Friday" in my life many years ago - that was the day I placed my trust and my life in Jesus Christ. That's the day I went from OWING to a day in which I was, and am, RICH with God's eternal abundance.)

My family and I have had a rough couple weeks, but I'm not complaining! (SERIOUSLY) BUT I AM ANGRY that the enemy is hurting, destroying and stealing a few personal things to try and get his way into my family, at me, and distract my focus in serving the Lord.

It AINT gonna happen! I resolve to give more of ME to the Lord and pray harder for my God's will to be done. In fact, I KNOW something GREAT is coming because of the trials!

I will pray more and harder, and I ask that you pray more and harder that God is glorified in our lives. I was comforted and strengthened by what the psalmist wrote: "Sing praise to the Lord, you saints of His, and give thanks at the remembrance of His holy name. For His anger is but for a moment, His favor is for life; weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning." - Psalm 30:4-5

For those that have placed their trust in Jesus Christ there is a PURPOSE that goes beyond this life and you can rest assured that all things work for God's GOOD plan and purpose (Romans 8:28) - NOTHING is wasted.

I will continue to look to my AMAZING God for what He wants me to do next, regardless of the circumstances I find myself in. I CHALLENGE you to do the same. He is truly worthy of our PRAISES!

Remember, "joy comes in the morning!" Don't get down, but GET ANGRY (righteously), and be MOVED to live MORE for Jesus than ever before!!!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Here's a picture of a great Thanksgiving:

¹⁵ Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, ¹⁶ making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. ¹⁷ Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. ¹⁸ And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, ¹⁹ addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, ²⁰ giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, ²¹ submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.

This is Ephesians 5:15-21. I gave a message on this a few weeks ago in our Value Series. I had to read it again and pass it along again because the days we are living in are days we need to make the best use of.

Do not walk without knowledge of Scripture, but READ and be a LEARNED people. This is how you make the BEST use of your time here on earth and KNOW what God's will is (not some mystical revelation that is contrary to the Word).

Don't be filled with alcohol (spirits), but be filled with the Holy Spirit. Yes, you are filled with the Holy Spirit the moment you surrender to Jesus. You have all of Him but does He have all of YOU?

And the last few verses is a beautiful picture of Jesus' church. I pray we are a wise, surrendered church that makes the best use of every moment of every day to bring glory to our AMAZING God!

Happy Thanksgiving! I love you! - PR

Why?

Why is it that we ask "why" all the time? Inquiring minds want to know.

Why is it that we feel like we need an answer for everything? Why not just leave things in the "unknown" section of the mind? Why are we not comfortable with not understanding something we've become aware of?

God is amazing and is the only One that knows everything there is to know. At one time I thought my dad knew everything. Our Father in heaven does and I'm ok with not understand why things happen, or why I don't know many things.

Frustration, and sometimes even anger sets in when we don't understand something. Different people respond to the unknown in different ways - some shut down, act as if it's not true, some ignore the unknown, others never tire of trying to figure it out.

Is there something in your life that you don't understand? There's plenty in mine! And, that's ok.

The Bible tells us to "be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." - Phil. 4:6-7

Earlier in Philippians (2:5) we are told: "Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus..." And Jesus submitted to the will of the Father, humbling Himself to the point of death, "even the death of the cross." (v.8)

Can I say something simple to you without a debate? Let God be God and submit to His will like Scripture tells us to. I guarantee you will live a happier and more fulfilled life that is focused on what you do have control over and not what you don't. You won't be frustrated or anxious, but will basically "roll" with however God wants you to roll.

Can I give you some Scripture to put you at ease and give you some peace about anything you're pulling your hair out about and cannot seem to figure out or understand "WHY" it is what it is?

"For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways," says the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts." - Isaiah 54:8-9

One more thought for comfort and joy: "For I know the thoughts I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope." - Jeremiah 29:11

Let's praise God through thick and thin and understand that He is truly on our side and only allows things because He understands and sees the "whole picture" and not just a portion of it.

Instead of asking "why, God?" ask "what, God?" and follow what He wants to do through you in all circumstances. In other words, understand what you are to do instead of demanding an answer for everything while crossing your arms to our heavenly Father.

What do you want to us to next Lord? (See Romans 12:1)

The Refuge One Year Anniversary!

I can't believe it's already been one year since we started meeting in my living room studying the Word of God!

It was a time of healing, as well as a time of ministering to each other. Our church continues to this day to do just that, but has also been reaching out people in the community, families, friends, co-workers and strangers showing the love of Christ to everyone who will listen and open their hearts to the gospel.

We have been blessed by the showering of God's love, grace and the strength, things that we continue to faithfully find in Him. Our church is called The Refuge because we know that the Lord is Whom we take refuge IN and Jesus Christ is on Whom we stand - we are immovable, strong and courageous disciples of Jesus Christ!

My desire is to see God grow people into passionate disciples of Jesus Christ, and it has certainly been exciting as I see Him doing this!

This Sunday we are having a potluck lunch, some cake and great fellowship as we celebrate what God has done and is doing at The Refuge. The message this Sunday is very fitting as I will focus our attention on being Thankful for the many promises of God, Jesus being central to them all!

I am SO excited about this Sunday and I am also looking forward with great expectation to 2011 as to what God will do with our church!!!

Yours in Christ,

Pastor Raul

Barren Hill of Sacrifice - Breath-taking Views

Last Sunday I gave a message on Israel's victory over Ai (second time around). The last five verses were about how the Israelites fulfilled God's command to proclaim Blessings and Curses from Mount Ebal and Mount Gerizim (Deut. 27 & 28), as soon as they entered the Promise Land.

They were also to build an altar of natural stones (without being altered by anyone) on which they were to offer burnt offerings and sacrifice peace offerings. This altar was to be built on Mount Ebal from which the curses were proclaimed from - sin, and the Israelites had to proclaim these curses personally.

Here lies a very powerful object lesson, if we allow God to speak to us:

In order for us to live victoriously in the land the Lord has given to us in this life and have a victorious one in eternity, we need to arrive and acknowledge our mountain of sin where sacrifice needs to happen and you need to understand that you can add nothing of value to that sacrifice.

In other words, you need to arrive at a place in your life where you understand that your sin is to be handed over to Jesus Christ, our High Priest, through confession to Him; and, that there's nothing that you can do to make that process better on your part, or on your behalf.

The good news is that Jesus Christ is not only our High Priest, but also the Sacrifice that atoned for our sins once and for all! All we have to do is believe that and receive that removal and cleansing of our sin by God's grace through faith! (Eph. 2:8-9)

The meaning of the names of those hills that the Israelites came to is "barren" and that's indeed how it feels when you come to that place yourself. But God promises that once you place your sins and your very life in Christ, you will lose the old life and gain a vision of the Promise Land that is absolutely BREATH-TAKING!

From those barren hills God's people could see the whole land He had given to them to possess; and, from the barren hill where Christ was crucified we too can see the promises of God and receive them as our own, including eternity with our Lord.