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

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)

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.

How Joshua 5 encouraged me...

God rolled away what no man could roll away - reproach, condemnation and raised up Joshua and God's people.
God rolled away what no man could roll away - The stone from the tomb of Jesus and resurrected Him and us to new life because we are in Him.

Our hearts are circumcised, our reproach has been removed and we are to walk in the newness of life - In the resurrected Spirit and the promise of a glorious future. We are encouraged because the Commander of the army of the Lord is with us and cannot be defeated.

This was a great encouragement in that whatever we face, being obedient, God can breath new life in us and place us on holy ground once more in His presence - Thank you Jesus for your grace!