Life is Short - Do Foolish Things!

Have you ever thought about the brevity of life? I read up on what's going on in our world only to realize once more how everything that man is pursuing will one day be gone.

It's when someone suddenly stops in their journey of life that people briefly give their own lives a "once over" but yet continue with what they were doing. It seems like many people are numb to mortality and life just doesn't mean much to them; a paycheck, acquiring some stuff and looking good in front of a virtual world that doesn't really care.

How beautiful the cross! A symbol that represents condemnation and death was used as a tool for payment - Jesus was nailed to it, along with everything that disabled my relationship with God. He wasn't concerned about how He looked to the world but rather how He looked to the Father on behalf of the world.

Sometimes we get so caught up on what's important to the world that we forget that we serve an audience of One and what's important to Him. Life is short, remember to live for God and His glory, regardless of what the world thinks.

Remember..."For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God." - 1 Corinthians 1:18

The Parasite and the Puppy

My family was recently blessed with a little puppy. Her name is Lucy and she loves to play. She has boundless energy and is a joy to have around the house.

The other day I noticed she was acting different and realized she was sick. I had her tested and the vet informed us she had parasites. These worms were depriving her of necessary nourishment and she was even getting dehydrated.

The vet prescribed a medicine to get rid of these parasites; a medicine that would immediately cleanse her of them, and if taken regularly, would prevent them from infecting her again.

Lucy is feeling better, her appetite is back and she’s bouncing around all over the place!

Sin is the parasite that sucks the life out of people and if left untreated, will make you sick and eventually kill you.
Jesus is the ONLY medicine that gets rid of this lethal parasite.

Not only will Jesus cleanse you of all your unrighteousness the moment you allow Him to abide in you by confessing your sins, repenting of them and asking Him to be your Lord and Savior, but He also serves as a preventative measure from sin infecting you and making you a sick Christian…all you have to do is take His Word in daily and let Jesus change every area of your life.

“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” ~ 1 John 1:9

“Your word have I hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You, O Lord!” ~ Psalm 119:11

Uncovered

Uncovered

My youngest son, Isaiah, loves to make tents in his room. He arranges furniture so he can hang blankets and hide underneath.
He’ll make one room for items that he wants to hide, and makes another room to use as a look out for intruders. It’s a fun game that he plays by using his imagination; thinking he can hide beneath these covers and keep secret through the thin blankets and sheets the things that he says.

Little does he know that I can hear everything and I can pull all of these blankets and sheets from what he was covering up.

Jesus tells us that there will be a day when God will do likewise with our lives. What we thought we were keeping a secret will be known. There’s nothing that won’t be revealed.

“For there is nothing covered that will not be revealed, nor hidden that will not be known. Therefore whatever you have spoken in the dark will be heard in the light, and what you have spoken in the ear in inner rooms will be proclaimed on the housetops.” (Luke 12:2-3)

Is there anything you’d like to change about today? God doesn’t only hear what you say, but will one day lay open for all to see. Live for His glory today!

Living for the Weekend

Are you living for Fridays? Knowing the contents of the week, we can start the week eagerly desiring the days go faster.

We’re not promised another Friday, but we do have today and God tells us to redeem the time; to make the most of it.

To do so, we need right thinking! Jesus said, “…do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” (Matt. 6:34)

Instead we need to meditate on the goodness of God and how much He loves us. Prepare for tomorrow, but live in today. Pray, read the Bible and ask God to renew your mind!

See Phil. 4:8 for a list of things to think about. Meditate on these things and you too can “rejoice in the Lord always.” (Phil. 4:4)

Thank God for today, making the most of it and Friday will be a joy too.

Pastor Raul

Looking Forward and Moving Forward...

How much of 2009 would you want to hold on to? There are some years that are stellar and we don’t want them to end. But there are other years we are eager to put behind to start another one fresh.

Personally, 2009 wasn’t a year I would want to repeat, but I do understand that God allows situations to take place for reasons that are beyond our comprehension…He is still sovereign and good. You could have had a rough year with family, finances, health or your faith. Whatever the situation is please understand that God wants the glory.

Someone once said, “Getting over a painful experience is much like crossing monkey bars. You have to let go at some point in order to move forward.”

If you’ve experienced difficult situations with family – God wants you to glorify Him by how you represent Him.
If you’ve experienced difficult situations with finances – God wants you to glorify Him by how you manage any future money He entrusts you with.
If you’ve been lukewarm in your trust in God – God wants you to glorify Him by committing wholly to serving Him alone, today!

The Bible tells us to redeem the time that God gives us because the days we live in our evil (Eph. 5:16). In order to do that we need to believe that God loves us (John 3:16) and with Him our future is hopeful and bright (Jer. 29:11). We need to “seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness” and He will provide what we need (Matt. 6:33).

My challenge to you is to remove your hand from the rung of 2009 and grasp firmly the rung of 2010. Allow God to move you forward this year in His plans that He has for you. God said that His mercies are new every morning (Lam. 3:23) and He wants to continue to work in, and through you, a work that will bring Him glory!

Are you up to the challenge? Let’s resolve to live committed, with undivided hearts for Jesus and see what He can do with people that are all about Him!

May the Lord bless you richly in 2010! Happy New Year!!!

Your Brother in Christ…Sincerely,
Pastor Raul Montano

Heavenly Origin, Earthly Display

Matthew 5:4-6, “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled.”

As a Christian you should despise sin and mourn over it. You should exercise godliness and see sin for what it is.

In other words, sin should bring about a holy anger because you know that it always separates you from our heavenly Father. You should hate it to the point where it makes you spiritually sick, allowing the Holy Spirit to convict you of your sin.

Secondly, when sin is seen in others, it should bring us to our knees in prayer that they may see it and turn away from their sins. But, when the Lord points it out in your own life, your attitude should be one of mourning within your very souls. The Bible says that “Godly sorrow produces repentance…” 2Cor. 7:10

And, Thirdly, you are to exercise godliness that pleases God and see sin for what it is. Your pursuit and continued, habitual obedience to the Word of God will strengthen your sensitivity to the leading of the Holy Spirit in Holy living. Like a muscle that is strengthened through exercise, you could say that your “obedience muscle” will be strengthened as you submit to God and exercise His Word in obedience.

You need to have the right attitude toward your sins – It is necessary to hate sin, be under control in your behavior, and have an insatiable appetite for God’s righteousness that sin may be something that is always in proper perspective to holiness in our lives.

What is your attitude toward sin? Happy is the man that mourns over his sin, has good self-control, and hungers and thirst for righteousness.

May your happiness be one that is heavenly in origin and earthly in display!

Image

The world teaches that IMAGE is more important than character. We have Public Relations people, Image Consultants, and Marketing gurus that can make your company, or you, sound and look like anything you want!

But as followers of Christ, Jesus talks to us in the Beatitudes, drawing us a picture of what WE are to be. Here Jesus described Christian character that flowed from the Spirit – from within! It wasn’t some gimmick that He was selling, but rather a divine list of godly attributes we should live by.

The scene at the beginning of Matthew 5 is Jesus coming to a hill with a trail of people, including His disciples. He had just traveled throughout Galilee teaching, preaching, and healing; His fame spread quickly and great multitudes followed Him.

The crowd was inseparable from Jesus and their eyes and ears were fixed on Him!

“What is He going to say next?” “What is He going to DO now?”

Jesus climbed the hill, sat down, His disciples drawing near and as He prepared to speak, I can just imagine the hush that came over the crowd...

Jesus said, “Blessed are the…” and the people were blown away!

You see the word “blessed” Jesus used meant “divine joy and perfect happiness” but it wasn’t normally used for humans. It was a word that described the kind of joy that was only experienced by gods and the dead!

It was a powerful word and the people must have had perplexed looks on their faces and maybe even questioned these first few statements because the people knew exactly what this word meant.

For Christians, this word means that there is a satisfaction that is quenched in the Lord and a sufficiency that is eternal in Christ, and this should be seen in the way we live our lives.

The IMAGE, as Christians, we are to portray is a real one that comes from the Holy Spirit living within us as we live in obedience to God!

Like the crowd on that hill, does Jesus have YOUR undivided attention? Do you hang on His every Word? Do you have that “divine joy and perfect happiness” that no person, or circumstance can take away?

What is the IMAGE you are portraying? Is it a list of godly attributes, or your own made up list?

Matthew 5:3-10, “Blessed are the poor in spirit…those who mourn…the meek…those who hunger and thirst for righteousness…the merciful…the pure in heart…the peacemakers…those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

Poor in spirit

Matthew 5:3, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”

As Christians we are to have a proper perspective of SELF! The man that thinks too highly of himself is prideful and brings shame to the Lord BUT so does the man that says, “Woe is me. I can’t do anything. I am nothing and won’t do anything.”

“Poor in spirit” does not mean that you are to be a doormat, spineless, without internal fortitude, or confidence.

Unfortunately, I’ve seen this attitude in too many Christians!

I don’t see this displayed in people that are listed in Hebrews 11, which is known as the “Hall of Faith”.

People like Noah that moved with godly fear; Abraham that when tested, offered up Isaac because of his faith in God’s promise; Moses was a man that refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin (see Hebrews 11:31-34 for more examples).

NO, to be “poor in spirit” means true, godly humility that sees himself as dependent on God, believing Him and acting in all humility, obedience to God, in love and uncompromising in the truth.

This is an attitude of honesty that says we know ourselves, accept ourselves, and try to be ourselves to the glory of God, according to the Word of God, by the Spirit of God. We are personally bankrupt yet rich in Christ!

Are you showing a spirit like this in your life?

Praise Him

God tells us throughout the Bible to praise Him at all times.

We can all say that it has been tough to praise Him or even rejoice at various times in our lives. We all have those seasons and moments that we experience when we just feel like we can’t lift our hands in praise to God, let alone our voices: the kids are rebellious, you lose your job, bills are piling up, you and your spouse are on edge, and you would like for it all to just go away!

I read a story of a mother, tired and weary, entering into the NICU to spend time with her baby that had been born prematurely. Her baby was once again under the blue light to help her get rid of the jaundice. Her eyes were covered to protect them from the light and she was hooked up to many different wires, including a tube to her nose that brought the necessary oxygen to help her live.

This mother bent down to bring her face close to her daughter and she asked God, “why?”

Just at that time a nurse came in and tapped this woman on the shoulder and asked her if she was ok. Her response was “yes”, but then the nurse asked, “Are you sure?” That was all it took for her to burst into tears.

The nurse gently reached over and embraced her and whispered in the mother’s ear, “God is still good. All the time.” Amazing words at just the right time; these words ministered to this mom in a divine way.

The Bible tells us that God’s mercies are new every morning and great is His faithfulness (Lam. 3:23). Even if we can’t see what’s ahead we can count on the fact that He has a future and hope for us (Jer. 29:11), and we can rest in His promises.

Today, may you fix your eyes on Jesus Christ the Author and Completer of our faith and rejoice in His goodness.

I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul shall make its boast in the Lord; the humble shall hear of it and be glad. Oh, magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt His name together. Psalm 34:1-3

Devotion Hebrews 1:1-2 Title: Perfect Communication

There was a time in my life when communication with my parents was frustrating at best. When making noises communicated my essential needs; when laughter by itself was accepted as happiness; when a yawn was perceived as me being tired and ready for a nap; or, when a cry meant I either wanted food or was ready for a diaper change!

But, as I was introduced to language, the spoken word, I was able to express myself in a more accurate manner. My laughter may be a nervous laughter; my yawn may be that I am bored or relaxed (but not ready for a nap); and a cry could be that I am extremely joyful or sad. All these things I could now speak and let others know what exactly I was experiencing.

God said in Hebrews 1:1-2, “God, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these days spoken to us by His Son…”

Although my personal improvement in communication through the years could never reach perfection, God’s communication was and is perfect in the incarnate Word of God, Jesus Christ.

God said that the time when He spoke through prophets is of the past; but now, because of our High Priest, Jesus Christ, and our covering of the shed blood of the unblemished Lamb, we can enter “boldly to the throne of grace”.

People still try and say they’ve received special revelation from God when we are simply to be devoted to living the spoken Word that we may be transformed into the image of Christ and glorify God.

God has communicated clearly and perfectly in the inspired and infallible Word of God and is relevant and applicable to each one of us. (2Timothy 3:16-17; 1Thessalonians 2:13)

When the word of man does not align with the Word of God then the spirit of man is distorting or is blocking communication from the Spirit of God according to the perfect Word of God.

God has spoken perfectly through His inspired and infallible Word. May we not attempt to rely on what God says is of the past and trust wholly in the written Word!

David Brown

Last night was like any other Wednesday night for me in that I went out to service a couple of my accounts, one in Moreno Valley and the other in Perris. It was a little past midnight and I had completed one area, moved to the other when I came around one corner of a building and was startled by the profile silhouette of a man sitting in a chair. He was wearing a beanie on his head, a black navy pea coat and over-sized jeans. I paused for a couple seconds then just said, "hello" to him from a distance. He replied the same and asked if I was needing for him to move to pressure wash where he was sitting - I didn't and he seamlessly returned to his profile position, while pulling up part of his shirt to cover the lower part of his face. I continued with my work, but he was on my mind; I wondered why it was that he was there and what he was doing. Why was he sitting so upright with his site fixed westerly?

I continued about my work, finishing that area; I put all my gear away and was checking the water level in the tank when I saw the man walking out from behind the building, walking by me. He nodded and I did the same. As he continued to walk I was moved to ask if he was ok...why? I don't know. The man immediately stopped, turned around and walked toward me; I in turn jumped down off the pressure washer trailer and walked toward him.

He said that he was ok, but that his legs were cold. He went on to say that he had found the pea coat he was wearing, but seemed to be in need of a blanket for his legs. Unfortunately, I didn't have a blanket in my truck but then I started to ask him about why he was out here on the road; why he was homeless; what was his story?

He was more than willing to tell me his story. He said that he had felt God telling him to "go on the road and just walk". David heeded that call and started to sell things and got the point where he only had his car and rent. He sold his car, walking to work and then ended his apartment lease and stopped working, and started walking.

David said that he's learned much on the road and he's been homeless since November of 2008. He's spent a few weeks in Crestline, some time in Rialto, Redlands and was presently in Moreno Valley. David said that he's met many "street" kids that have rebelled, but done so in the wrong manner. He said that many parents just don't care for them and leave them to fend for themselves while they pursue their own interests in their work and pleasure. David said they have a desire to belong and on the streets is where they find that camaraderie!

What I found particularly interesting was what he told me about how he survived with food and clothing. His clothing came from Christian programs that he has found provide free clothing in Moreno Valley to the homeless and poor families. His food; David said that he never panhandles, but is willing to exchange work for some change. But mostly he said that God provides for him. Let me explain...in the morning he walks across the parking lot of Target and the other retail shops along Canyon Springs Parkway and as he makes his way across he always finds enough change on the ground to get at least a banana and a packet of top ramen or other dried soup at WinCo Foods. (He seemed to be very thankful and excited about this part)

I had to continue making my way out to my next account in Perris, but I did ask David if I could offer him a few dollars. He hesitantly accepted but was sorry that I was finished with my work there or he would have helped me in some way.

Whether he was on a spiritual journey or just didn't want any obligatory ties with society I had to tell him that his journey could have a new beginning in Jesus. He didn't say anything other than "thank you, it was good to talk and I appreciate your gift" and turned and walked...

David is a young man about early to mid twenties and chose his lifestyle (or was obedient to this lifestyle). He relies on God for his provisions and I pray the Lord uses him in his journey. If David hasn't, I pray he receives Christ. I truly enjoyed this encounter and was at peace immediately in his presence; we engaged at once in talk and it was quite the impression on me (my reason for blogging this).

Lonely at the Top?

As I look back on my life, I can say that I've been involved in leadership roles from a very young age. I hear many times the phrase that it is "lonely at the top". Personally, I haven't really experienced that! People repeat phrases they hear without really knowing what they are saying all the time. It depends on your perspective of what the "top" is...when it comes to ministry, the "top" is really the "bottom". In fact Jesus Christ Himself said, "...whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant. And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave - just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many." - Matthew 20:26-28

I believe as a leader it's your responsibility to not only envision goals, but also to assemble a team, equip them and send them out to do the work. But, it doesn't stop there...a leader must be willing to role up his sleeves and work along side them, being an active example of what he's leading them to do.

Serving as a leader involves people (you can't lead nothing), right? Keep in mind the example of the Apostle Paul in Acts 21; his "journeys" included people. Here are some phrases that support that:

Verse 1 - "...when we had departed from them and set sail..."
Verse 3 - "When we had sighted..."
Verse 4 - "...we stayed there..."
Verse 5 - "...we knelt down on the shore and prayed."
Verse 7 - "...when we had finished our voyage..."

Read Acts 21 for yourself and you'll find many more examples of the oneness that Paul experienced with his team of fellow voyagers. As a leader it is your responsibility to show that you don't isolate yourself, but rather that you exemplify that selfless characteristic that is mandated and shown by Christ of extending yourself to others sincerely and sacrificially according to Scripture and the will of God.

Is it really lonely at the top? Only if you believe yourself to be "at the top" and not a servant and slave of all!

Read: Matthew 20:24-28

Diamond in the Rough by John C. Maxwell

Scripture says that every person in the body of Christ has both value and purpose. So how do the people who are often undervalued by society find the hope, direction and encouragement they need to fulfill their God-given destinies?

The answer often comes form leadership. One of the reasons God has put leaders in the Church is to help every person find his or her place. I sometimes think of it as finding and polishing hidden gems. Leaders are meant to help others become the people God created them to be. They are called to discover the hidden, encourage the uncertain, develop the untrained, and empower the powerless. They are gifted to mine gems. Never forget that Jesus looked at an impulsive, uneducated fisherman named Simon and saw a diamond in the rough. Jesus even called him Peter the rock.

Just as Jesus sees potential in you, if you are a leader, He wants you to find and develop that potential in others.

"On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable." - 1Corinthians 12:22 (NIV)

Abiding in Jesus - John 15:1-8

Jesus in this section of Scripture is vividly describing our vital need of abiding in Him. A person discussing their opinion of whether this is true to them will not change the fact that a branch that is not attached to a tree will die and wither; it’s simply fact and law!

The difference between humans and branches is that we have the gift of choice and will. This gift can rob us of life or allow us to receive it freely. Where the branch, once attached, cannot “decide” to leave the vine, we can and many times do, or worse, we never allow the Vinedresser to attach us to the Vine in the first place.

I’ve heard people say that they have no purpose in life but God does have purpose for everyone. In Isaiah 43:7 God tells us that “Everyone who is called by My name, whom I have created for My glory; I have formed him, yes, I have made him.”

Our perfect Creator does not make mistakes, He creates pieces of canvas on which He wants His craftsmanship to show His glory; all He asks is that we remain in Jesus.

To abide in Christ is much more than just existing in a position, but to truly abide means to attach; to draw from; to grow from; and, produce of like kind. Jesus said that the fruit of the Spirit is what we are to produce, what He is… love.

Are you withering in your spirit or are you drawing life from the True Vine, Jesus Christ? Today, pray that God gives you the strength to truly abide in Christ and draw from Him so that you may produce that fruit that brings glory to our Father!

by Raul Montano

2Corinthians 4:10 - Notes to Devotion

As I learn more of God through His Word, prayer and acknowledgment of His involvement in every detail of my life, inclusive to the original moment when I accepted God's gift of eternal inclusion with Him through the sacrifice of His Son Jesus Christ... I surrender my life to Him that much more, knowing that He will provide my needs and never forsake me!

My desire is to seek God's will in everything and to have an ear to hear when He speaks to me, and to have the strength and wisdom to act immediately when I'm called to do so.

Personal Notes to "The Habit of Enjoying Adversity" - Oswald Chambers, My Utmost for His Highest Devotional, "May 14"

Who's the Greatest?

Muhammad Ali said, “I am the greatest… I said that before I even knew I was.”

Then there’s the never-ending debate on whether Jack Nicklaus or Tiger Woods is the all time greatest Golf Player, or if it’s Mick Jagger or the guy on the “Massive Mouth” video on YouTube that sports the greatest mouth to stuff smores into! We even have a book that is dedicated to recording and publishing the greatest at everything, The Guinness Book of World Records.

Man has something to say about this subject, and that’s all debatable and subjective; but, what’s more important is to hear what the Bible says about this question.

Jesus was asked by His disciples in Matthew 18, “Who then is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” Then Jesus called a little child to Him set him in the midst of them, and said, “Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.”

There are two conditions Jesus gave to the disciples in answering their question: 1) Conversion and 2) Become as a little child; in other words, you need to turn from your sins and receive Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, AND, by faith, with all humility, live your life surrendered to God (which would be a natural desire if true repentance took place).

James quoted from the Old Testament, “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”

The greatest is the person that has the proper, humble perspective of self in light of a great and awesome God.

The question is not who is the greatest on earth; rather, the important question to answer is Who is the Greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven and the Bible emphatically answers that the greatest in God’s eyes is the person that has been humbled before Christ and born of the Spirit…

Heartache

The Days of Innocence were not the days of ignorance as some may declare in this postmodern world.

A time when kids were kids and adults were worth following and emulating;

A time when integrity was the norm and courtesy was not hurried.

A time when you set yourself apart and kids were not irritating;

A time when shame brought repentance and religion was not buried.

How long will we ignore the cries of our land?

Why do we turn to the works of our hands?

Our founding fathers with God took a stand,

Yet today we ignore them and declare a disband!

My heart aches and longs for a change;

God hears, equips and prepares me for battle.

God moves those who are willing;

Those clothed in His armor rather than a rattle.

Growing in God's grace and knowledge I commit;

Reverence to God and belief in His Word.

Move me to Your glory oh God I submit;

I recognize Your heavenly righteousness and eternity of worth!

My heart aches for the Days of Innocence Lord…

Hear our cries, have mercy, forgive us and move us according to Your Word!

Men's Ministry Christmas Dinner '07

Journal Entry - This was the first Christmas Dinner that was hosted by the Men's Bible Fellowship with the purpose of reaching out to those that do not attend the study; do not fellowship at The Brook; and, those that are not fellowshipping anywhere, let alone are believers.

The Lord blessed the evening with a message of Grace by Pastor Clark Van Wick (CCBF Temecula), music by The Trade, John Squires (testimony), Mike Montoya (testimony) and about 30% of those in attendance were guests invited by brothers that fellowship at The Brook!

Approximately 100 men attended the dinner, with food being provided by Patty Navaro (caterer) and serving the men were Betina Montano, Linda Saenz and Anna Leon.

Doors opened at 6, Dinner was served at 6:30 PM, Music at 7 PM, Message at 7:30 PM, Men's Ministry Leadership (including testimonials) 8 PM to 8:40 PM, and Pastor Rick Doucette closed the evening.

Sex - Great Link on Preaching on the Subject

http://blog.preachingtoday.com/2007/06/preaching_on_sex.html

Ordination - Minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ

I was ordained as a Pastor by Pastor Rick Doucette on Sunday, April 22, 2007 at Calvary the Brook in Grand Terrace, California.

Humbling experience and priviledged duty; a bondservant of the Lord Jesus Christ.