Devotional Archive
by Pastor Lopez
Hunger
We often view hunger in a negative light. It is something to be avoided as we equate it with poverty and famine. No one wants to go through life continually filled with hunger pains that are never satisfied. No one wants to live with an impoverished life wherein a basic need like food is not available.
While we all agree that natural hunger is not to be desired, yet the Bible presents a different view of spiritual hunger:
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled (Matthew 5:6)
Jesus stated that those who hunger for matters of righteousness are blessed. Furthermore, because of this hunger, they are promised to be filled with the very thing they seek. This righteous hunger pleases God and brings His blessing into an individual’s life.
My wife has this philosophy concerning food: the more you have of a particular food, the more you’ll want it. In other words, the more fattening sweets you eat, the more sweets you will want to eat. Conversely, the more healthy vegetables you eat, the more vegetables you will want to eat. It’s her opinion that our habits shape our desires which in turn shape our habits. Somewhere, you have to jump into the cycle and change your habits in order to change your desires in order to reinforce your good habits.
I have found the same to be true of God. The more I read the Bible, the more I desire to read it. The more I pray, the more I long for God’s presence. The more church I attend, the more I look forward to coming back to the house of God. Unfortunately, if I neglect any of these matters, my desire for them wanes and diminishes as well.
As we enter the summer months, it is easy for us to become distracted with all manner of activities and recreations. Make it a point to be faithful to daily prayer and Bible devotion and to make church attendance a priority. If do you these, your spiritual hunger will remain strong and healthy… exactly the way God wants it.
Keeping Our Focus
The great wise man Solomon wrote about “the little foxes that spoil the vines.” In other words, it is often the small unsuspecting culprit that causes us the most problems. As Christians, we are well aware of the danger of “major” sins. All of us have an internal list of actions we would never commit because we know that these sins would break our commitment to Christ and would cause great damage to our lives.
Yet, it is so often the seemingly innocent matters that cause the greatest amount of damage. Many laws have been enacted in an attempt to keep drivers from losing their focus while one the road. All it takes is a moment’s lapse of attention, and a tragedy can ensue. So it is on the Christian journey. Many of the things that trip us up are not the major sins, but rather the sneaky little distractions that reach for us every day.
The writer of the Book of Hebrews offered this directive:
Let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith… (Hebrews 12:1b-2a)
The Apostle Paul recognized his own ability to lose focus in spite of all that he had done for God with his life:
But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified. (1 Corinthians 9:27)
Even Jesus told of the end result of a life that was distracted by earthly things:
Now the ones that fell among thorns are those who, when they have heard, go out and are choked with cares, riches, and pleasures of life, and bring no fruit to maturity. (Luke 8:14)
It has been rightly said that the Christian journey is not a sprint but rather a marathon. Since we are in this for the long-haul, our primary concern is to keep our focus right where it should be: on God, in His word, and following His will.
Clean Hands and Pure Hearts
Your desires often reveal your priorities. In other words, the things which mean the most to you will often occupy the majority of your time and resources. For Christians, there should be one desire above all others: to be close to God. But how do we accomplish such a lofty goal? The writer of the 24th Psalm encounters such a dilemma.
Psalms 24:3-5
3 Who may ascend into the hill of the LORD?
Or who may stand in His holy place?
4 He who has clean hands and a pure heart,
Who has not lifted up his soul to an idol,
Nor sworn deceitfully.
5 He shall receive blessing from the LORD,
And righteousness from the God of his salvation.
David first asks the question: “Who will be allowed to enter God’s holy place? Who will be permitted to get close to God?” He then gives us a simple and succinct answer: those with “clean hands and a pure heart” who had not worshipped false gods or given themselves over to lies. These are the types of men and women who will receive God’s blessings and be imparted God’s righteousness.
Though it has been many years since David first penned these words, this truth still stands. In order to draw close to God in relationship, we must wash our hands and cleanse our hearts. We must make sure our outward lifestyle is in line with God’s word and will. We must be diligent to ensure that our inward heart is in line with God’s character and nature. Without this level of purity, a person will be restricted to swimming in the shallow end of the pool, never enjoying the rich blessings found in the great depths of God’s presence.
It has been said that cleanliness is next to godliness. While this maxim may not be exactly true, in God’s eyes, purity of heart and lifestyle is of great value. The magnificence of God’s glory is radiated through the prism of purity, a purity that will be found in all those who seek to draw close to Him.
Truth
In a recent survey done of ministry leaders in a mainline protestant denomination, over half of the ministers revealed that they did not believe the Bible was the inspired Word of God. When I read about this survey, my heart was filled with profound sadness. How can these leaders guide others when they themselves have nothing definite to guide them? It’s no wonder that many segments of Christianity no longer have any resemblance to the New Testament church found in the Book of Acts. These apostate leaders are trying to direct others with a broken compass; they have no sense of direction and can offer no purpose to their followers.
At Christian Life Center, we unashamedly proclaim that the Bible is the inspired Word of God. The Lord guided the minds and hands of the ancient prophets and apostles who penned the words that now order our steps.
For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost (2 Peter 1:21).
All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness (2 Timothy 3:16).
What is contained in the Bible is bread for the soul, light for the path, comfort in the struggle, strength in the battle, and direction for the journey. The Word is likened unto a sharp sword that discerns thoughts, a mirror that shows our true selves, and a hammer that breaks the rock into pieces. By the Word of God, creation came into being with the vast cosmos finding order in the midst of total darkness. By the Word of God, that which is impossible becomes a reality. By the Word of God, mankind finds the path that leads to Calvary and to the door that opens into God’s presence.
By leaning on the Word of God, you are putting your trust in something that is eternal and unchanging. Many have chosen the way of relativism with an ever changing set of values and morals. We have chosen the path of truth, which will endure forever.
The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God stands forever (Isaiah 40:8).
Forever, O LORD, Your word is settled in heaven (Psalms 119:89).
Simply put, the Word of God is truth on which you can build your life and set your course for heaven.
One Truth, One God
As the sun began to peak over the eastern mountains, I stood solemnly at the Western Wall situated in the Jewish Quarter of the city of Jerusalem. Here my feet were planted on the location of the birthplace of our ancient faith. Surrounding me was a male chorus of Hasidic Jews reciting from prayer books and uttering devotions from the heart. In their midst I stood, a transplant from another time and place, a mere pilgrim on a journey of discovery.
My tears descended onto cheeks flush with the morning chill. My lips uttered words that decreed the eternal truth: “Shema Yisrael Adonai Eloheinu Adonai Echad.” Over and over, with my limited understanding of the Hebrew language, I repeated the words that separate God’s people from all others. Into my native tongue the words soon poured forth: “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one!”
In that place, at that moment, under the weight of such an encounter, I realized how privileged I am to belong to a lasting heritage. God has always had a people who treasured the truth that there is only one God. In these days, God has entrusted that message to a body of believers, to a family, to a church, to you and me. Even among Christians, many scoff at the notion of the oneness of God’s person . . . but not us. Rather, with fervor we embrace this eternal truth – there is only one God, and He alone is God. How well did Isaiah pen the words of our Lord:
I am the Lord, and there is no other; There is no God besides Me . . .
That they may know from the rising of the sun to its setting
That there is none besides Me. I am the Lord, and there is no other
(Isaiah 45:5-6).
Until the rapture trumpet sounds, let us link arms with those who have gone before and with those who will follow. From history past to the untold future, God’s people will declare the truth that God is one. Shema Yisrael Adonai Eloheinu Adonai Echad.
He Is…
A common slogan found in advertising is, “New and Improved!” Whatever product is being promoted, the goal is to convince consumers that this product is now even better and that your life will benefit from purchasing it. What most people fail to consider is that if a product is “New and Improved” than its previous version must have been of poor quality or ineffective in its purpose. You only improve things that are imperfect and incomplete.
God has never had to roll out an ad slogan labeling Him as “New and Improved!” Just like Rev. J.T. Pugh taught us, God is the best thing going. How can you improve what is perfect? How can you build upon what is already complete? He does not need to increase in holiness – He is holiness. He has no need to become more pure - in Him is no darkness at all. He cannot become more loving – He is the definition of love.
The writer of Hebrews gave us an incredible truth:
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. (Hebrews 13:8)
This absolutely incredible God that we are serving is not only great today, but He will also be great in all our tomorrows. In other words, He will always be everything we need Him to be. There will never be a point in time when we will need to “trade in” our God for a newer model. The One we have now is the One we will keep for all of time and eternity.
When Moses asked the Lord what divine name he should present on God’s behalf to the children of Israel, God responded in this manner:
And God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM.” And He said, “Thus you shall say to the children of Israel, ‘I AM has sent me to you.’” (Exodus 3:14)
In answering Moses, God was not compelled to qualify Himself with lofty adjectives or descriptions. He simply said, “I am who I am.” In other words, God was revealing that in His being is self-sufficiency to be everything we need Him to be. He is… and that’s more than enough.
Upon This Rock
Upheaval, turmoil, and uncertainty – these words define the times in which we are living. The world seeks change, and yet it seems that none of this change makes our collective condition any better. It appears there is nothing in this world into which a person can place his confidence. Businesses fail, corporations falter, markets crash, banks go under, and governments prove inept at fixing any of it. Like a glass vase dropped onto the pavement, confidence has been dashed into a million little pieces, seemingly never to be repaired.
Yet, through it all, the church stands strong. The church, built upon an immovable foundation, weathers the storms and provides a bulwark against the tempest of this hour.
Upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it (Matthew 16:18).
God’s church is built solid and it is built to last. No matter what gets thrown against it, the church will endure. No matter what evil plans are conspired to destroy it, the church will emerge victorious.
There is a reason as to why God has allowed you and me to be a part of His church during these days. That reason can be summed up in one word: trust. God trusts us to remain true to the doctrines of the Bible. God trusts us to maintain a lifestyle of holiness and purity. God trusts us to continue to move in the realm of the Spirit. Against worldly pressure, against religious indifference, and against spiritual apathy, God trusts us to keep the light of the New Testament church burning brightly.
Several thousand years ago a Hebrew young lady named Hadassah was selected to become the queen of Persia. In discussing her role in this kingdom, Hadassah’s uncle offered these words: “Who knows whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” Upon hearing those words, that young lady, whom we now know as Queen Esther, fulfilled her destiny and saved her people from destruction.
The same truth applies to us today . . . we have been brought to God’s kingdom for such a time as this. Why? Simply because God trusts us to get the job done even in the face of upheaval, turmoil, and uncertainty. This church is built on a solid rock. Aren’t you glad you are a part of it?
Love Is . . .
Love is one of those subjects that is hard to quantify. The dictionary might describe love as “tender affection” or “strong liking,” but these seem to fall short of its real meaning. Yes, love might be tender. Yes, love might display affection. Yes, love might have a strong liking for something or someone. Yet, love is still more than all these terms.
Some might describe love as a positive emotional response. While love does produce feelings, love is much deeper and much broader than human emotions. Emotions are affected by circumstances and situations, whereas love is not subject to the vagaries of life. A person can’t always control his or her feelings. However, a person can always choose to love. That’s why God could command us to love Him . . . because love is always a choice regardless of feelings or emotions.
Just as faith without works is dead, love without actions is not genuine. If you love someone, your actions will bear that truth out in how you interact with that person. If you love God, your lifestyle will demonstrate your love and commitment. Speaking about love is easy. Demonstrating love is another matter altogether.
This is the month when our culture often celebrates love. Reservations are made for expensive dinners, thoughtful gifts are purchased, and cards are shared among friends. This is a time to let those who are special to us become recipients of our love and affection.
During the month of February, we are going to give you an opportunity to express your love for God and His church. Situated around our lobby area will be cards and posters that you can use to jot a short note of appreciation for God, for a brother or sister in the church, for a ministry, for an elder, for a friend, or for a pastor or ministry leader.
By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another (John 13:35).
I love my God, I love my church, and I love my brothers and sisters in Christ. Now it’s my chance to tell you all about it.
A Bright Light
We live in tumultuous times. Our recent national elections signaled a climate of change in our country and in our society. The current global economic downturn has caused a tremendous amount of concern in the lives of many. Anxiety, worry, and pessimism have become the hallmarks of this day and hour.
Yet the church still stands strong. Through turmoil and heartache, through worry and stress, God’s church stands forth as a beacon of stability and hope.
You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. (Matthew 5:14)
Truly, God has set His people as bright lights in the midst of a very dark world. While others grope in the shadows of confusion, the church marches forth in the light of truth and clarity. While the world wallows in self-pity and frustration, the church stands tall with faith and confidence. We know that God is still on the throne and that He will take care of His people.
Now is a wonderful opportunity to shine the light of God’s love and power into the lives of those who don’t know Him. Let your smiles be genuine, let your faith be strong, and let your joy be contagious. Cause people to wonder at your peacefulness in the midst of the storm. Cause people to question how you can be so positive when the rest of the world is so gloomy.
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. (Matthew 5:16)
God’s true church is built on a solid rock. Though the sands of time may shift, the church of the living God will stand the test of time. Yes, it’s pretty dark out there, but the light of the church continues to burn brighter and brighter.
Make sure your light still shines.
A Right Christmas
As a young person growing up in this church I can remember Bishop Kenneth Haney preaching the same message every December. Like clockwork, as soon as we were in the bustle of the holidays, he would step to the pulpit and deliver a familiar refrain titled: I’m Dreaming of a Right Christmas.
I didn’t always understand the importance of this message. However, now that I have grown and matured, it is very apparent to me how easily one can get distracted during this time of the year. Christmas has become overtly commercialized and the entire holiday season has taken a secular bent. Lost in all this noise is the real reason we celebrate Christmas – the birth of humanity’s Savior.
A right Christmas is a Christmas that keeps Christ at the center of all we do. Toys, presents, trees, and lights will have very little lasting impact on our lives. Yet, we invest so much time and money trying to get everything “just right” for the holiday. Sadly, most of this is done at the expense of neglecting the One who is the real reason for this season in the first place.
At Christian Life Center we are committed to having a right Christmas. Our services will still be led by the Spirit, the preaching will still be straight and truthful, and God will be exalted in all we do. It’s not enough to recognize the birth of our King; it’s imperative that this King sits on the throne of our hearts every day of the year.
During this time of year when so many are busy and overwrought, take some time and realize that Christ desires to have your attention in spite of all the commotion. I’m dreaming of a right Christmas . . . I hope you are too.
Eli Lopez
Eternal Fruit
God expects His children to be productive. As we walk in salvation, our lives should produce fruit that demonstrates God’s grace working in and through us.
You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain…” (John 15:16)
The souls we reach for the gospel, the prayers we pray for the kingdom, the sacrifices we make on the altar, the intimate relationship we engender with the Lord – all these are witnesses that we are bearing fruit unto God. As Jesus stated, it was His desire that our fruit should “remain.” In other words, God wants us to bear fruit that will stand the test of time. What we build for God, we are building for eternity.
On the very day that I write these words, I have the privilege of celebrating my father’s 80th birthday. For the past forty years, his life has been lived answering God’s call to ministry. From being a Youth President, to a Prayer Ministry Director, to a Sunday School Teacher, to an Assistant Pastor, and finally to a member of the CLC Prison Ministry, I have witnessed my father produce eternal fruit for God and His kingdom.
I have witnessed the long prayer meetings, the days fasted in consecration, the sleepless nights preparing for lessons, the Bibles worn out from use, the messages preached with unquenchable passion, the suits soaked in perspiration as the anointing fell, the countless healings as his hands were laid on the sick, the souls filled with the Holy Ghost as he gently guided them to Jesus, and the wise life-lessons shared with all who would hear. For all of my life, I have been an eye-witness to a man bearing eternal fruit to God.
And you know what? He’s not done yet. He still talks about seeing souls filled with the Holy Ghost. He still gets excited about hearing the voice of God. Daily he still goes to prayer to spend time with his Creator. Every Friday evening he still drives out to a county jail to share Jesus with the lost. I guess that’s what the Bible means when it says to “run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith.”
Keep running Dad. You’ve set the pace. Now your son is running right behind you.
Asleep On The Job
It’s one of those intriguing stories in the Bible that has so many applications for us as Christians. One day Jesus told his disciples that they were going to cross the Sea of Galilee so they could do ministry on the other side. About halfway through the journey, a severe storm arose and began to rock the little boat in which they were riding. This must have been quite a storm, because although many of the disciples were trained professional fishermen, this particular storm frightened them. Water began to fill the boat and the winds tossed it around like a toy on the water.
Feverishly, the disciples worked to control the craft, but their efforts proved futile. In complete desperation, they turned to Jesus for help. However, what they found when they turned to Jesus both confused and bothered them.
And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling. But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him and said to Him, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?” (Mark 4:37-38)
How could Jesus be asleep during the worst storm of their lives? How could He not care about what they were going through in that moment of time? Didn’t their lives mean anything to Him?
Jesus arose from His slumber, surveyed the scene, calmed the storm, then turned and reprimanded the weak faith of His followers. Why did He reprimand them for being afraid in the midst of a storm that could obviously end all their lives? For that matter, how could He sleep at such a time of peril?
Jesus knew something that all of us would do good to learn. His word is more powerful than any force or circumstance that will arise to oppose us. He clearly told the disciples that they were going to go to the other side and nothing could stop the fulfillment of His word. Certainly not this storm, no matter how terrible and frightening it may have been.
The lesson for us is simple. Simply trust God’s word, no matter how adverse our circumstances might become.
So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void, But it shall accomplish what I please, And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it. (Isaiah 55:11)
Why was Jesus asleep on the job? Because even God has enough sense to know that His word cannot fail. Don’t fret, don’t worry, and don’t be anxious. Simply trust. I’ll see you on the other side.
The Wow Factor
One of the greatest joys of being a pastor is the opportunity to watch brand new converts interact with God. The joy and rapture on their faces as they experience the wonderful gift of the Holy Spirit is priceless. Often, tears will come to my eyes as I witness these new “babies” in Christ worship with reckless abandon and zeal. Their passion is a catalyst that affects the atmosphere of the entire church.
The Christian journey is marked by continual growth and maturity. It is God’s plan that we become more like Him the longer we live for Him. Unfortunately, as we mature we also tend to leave behind the simplicity of our early days as Christians when we passionately loved and interacted with God. We become accustomed to the moving of God’s Spirit and no longer respond with excitement at the touch of the Divine. We hear so many sermons that it now takes a truly remarkable message to move us. We sing so many songs that now only the really good ones cause us to enter into genuine praise. Have we really matured? Perhaps we haven’t matured as much as we think. Perhaps we have just left our first love like the Ephesian church did some 2,000 years ago.
Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works. . .(Revelation 2:4-5)
Christ was angry with a church and a people that still professed Christianity but no longer had a passionate love for God. He was upset with them, not because they were living in sin or had abandoned doctrinal truths, but rather because they stopped being wowed by the presence of God. Jesus Christ had become commonplace instead of amazing. The Holy Spirit had become routine instead of exhilarating. The Word had become ordinary instead of inspiring. They went through the motions, but their hearts were no longer stirred by the One who had saved them.
From the newest new convert to the most established pillar in the church, the message is simple and clear: don’t lose the wow factor in your relationship with God. Just as when we were new Christians, make sure that His presence still thrills your soul. Do everything you can to make sure He is still the center of your existence and the love of your life. Don’t leave your first love.
Slow But Steady
One of Aesop’s most well known fables is the story The Tortoise and The Hare. In this fable, a slow tortoise and a fast hare decide to have a race. With much confidence, the hare declares she will win the race with ease. However, once the race begins, the hare is quickly distracted by the sights and sounds around her. Knowing she is much faster than the tortoise, she even decides to take a short nap. Yet, the tortoise, for all of his slowness, just keeps plodding onward. Slow methodical step after slow methodical step, the tortoise inches closer to the finish line. As the hare wakes from her slumber, she sees the tortoise about to cross the finish line. Quickly she sprints towards the goal… but it is too late. Impossibly, the tortoise has won the race.
Slow but steady wins the race. That is the point of the fable. It is better to be consistent than to be fast. It is better to be methodical than to be flashy. Of course the hare should have won the race. She definitely had more ability. Yet the tortoise won the race because he had more focus.
You are I and are involved in the greatest race of all.
Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith… (Hebrews 12:1-2)
If we are not careful worldly distractions will cause us to lose our focus. If we lose our focus, we will not win this race. Rather, with our eyes on Jesus and with consistent methodical steps, we must ever reach toward our prize. Then one day we will be able repeat the words of the Apostle Paul:
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness (2 Timothy 4:7-8)
Slow but steady wins the race.
Your Most Prized Possession
What is your most prized possession? That’s an interesting question that will generate all sorts of different answers. There are family heirlooms that have been passed down from generation to generation. There are aged photographs of memories that could never be replaced. There are articles worth great sums made of such materials as gold, silver, diamonds, or pearls. While all these (and many more) contain much worth, none of these items compare to the precious gift of time.
Time is a possession that is not promised, that offers no guarantees, and that can never be replaced. Every day we live is another gift from God – the gift of time to share with loved ones, to be productive with our lives, and to draw nearer to our Creator. Time moves so swiftly that days turn to years, seemingly in the blink of an eye.
When considering the brevity of life and the unceasing forward march of time, Moses offered this prayer:
The days of our lives are seventy years; and if by reason of strength they are eighty years, yet their boast is only labor and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away . . . So teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom (Psalms 90:10-12).
When we realize how valuable time is, it would be wise for us to consider the best ways to spend our days here on Earth. The realization of time’s soon passing should constantly cause us to realign our priorities towards what matters most: Loving God, loving our family and friends, sharing God’s salvation with others, and leaving behind a godly heritage that will endure for generations.
In truth, all of humanity’s time is drawing to a conclusion: The Apostle Paul wrote:
And do this, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed (Romans 13:11).
Since the end of this age is so seemingly near, it would be wise for God’s church to make sure our focus is clear and directed. Let’s love God with unhindered love, let’s win souls with reckless abandon, let’s keep our homes pure and holy, and let’s keep fighting for righteousness in our nation.
God has given us today . . . let’s make the most of it.
The Blessings of Spiritual Authority
When the subject of spiritual authority is raised, many people run for cover. We’ve all heard about leaders who use their positions to dominate the lives of others. They lead through the power of control rather than by the influence of love. They use fear to paralyze rather than using trust to liberate. As you can imagine, much harm has been done by such men and women.
However, in its pure, undefiled form, spiritual authority can and should be a blessing. When a pastor shepherds his people in love, then he can exercise biblical spiritual authority without hurting and wounding the precious sheep. According to Matthew 10:42-44, the authority granted to New Testament church leaders was never meant to set them in “lordship over” the church; instead this authority places these leaders as the “servants of all.” In other words, when a church leader has right motives and a pure heart, he will be more concerned with taking care of the church rather than having his own needs and wants fulfilled. He will serve rather than rule.
As a pastor, I am not ashamed of the spiritual authority God has given me. I have a responsibility before God to answer for the souls of men and women. With that responsibility comes the expectation that the people I help pastor will submit to my spiritual guidance and biblical instruction.
“Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you.” (Hebrews 13:17)
To Titus, a fellow minister of the gospel, the Apostle Paul gave this directive: “Speak these things, exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no one despise you.” (Titus 2:15)
Even when people claim to have a direct “revelation” from God about their lives or ministries, God still expects them to submit to the authority He has placed over them. Moses spoke with God at the burning bush and received a command to return to Egypt to liberate the children of Israel. However, before he could do this, Moses had one important task to perform. He returned home and asked for his father-in-law’s permission to go and do God’s will. Amazing! After speaking directly with God Almighty, Moses understood that he was still under the authority of Jethro and sought his blessing before stepping out to accomplish his God-given mission.
From the very beginning, the New Testament church has had to deal with people who rejected authority and submission. In 2 Peter 2:10-13, the apostle Peter spoke of them in these words: “who walk according to the flesh in the lust of uncleanness and despise authority. They are presumptuous, self-willed…they do not understand, and will utterly perish in their own corruption, and will receive the wages of unrighteousness.” Clearly, these people are outside of the realm of God’s favor.
I have learned that submitting to spiritual authority blesses my life in three ways: First, I am in line with God’s word. Second, my spiritual authority provides an umbrella of protection for me and my family. Third, the blessing and anointing that resides on my spiritual authority (Pastor Haney) also flows into my life due to my submission and the honor I afford him.
No, I’m not afraid of spiritual authority. Rather, I’m grateful that God has created a structure that protects me, blesses me, and keeps me in line with His will.
Back to School
As I look over my calendar, I can hardly believe that it’s time for school to start up again. It seemed like a few short days ago our children were heading to summer break and our vacation plans were coming to pass. How quickly a summer can pass us by!
No doubt many of you are in the throes of buying new school clothes, school supplies, and new lunch boxes for your little ones. It’s the dawn of a new school year and it’s imperative that we get things off to a right start. For all of the learning and instruction that our children will soon receive, we want to equip them as best we can from day one.
When I think about our own Christian journey, I realize that we never have a “summer break.” Every day we are alive we are in a school of discipleship. Every day is an opportunity for God to teach us about His character and His ways. Every day is an opportunity to grow deeper in God’s Word and in being led by His Spirit. Every day is a school day for those who are followers of Christ.
As our children head back to school, it would be wise for us to reexamine our commitment to daily devotions. If in the summer months your Bible reading has slacked, your prayer life has dwindled, or if your focus has become distorted, right now is a great time to get back on track. Right now is a great time to get back to school.
Weeds
I once had the privilege of going on a three-week vacation. Very rare are those opportunities in life when a person is able to just get away and relax for an extended period of time. As you can imagine, I returned home very rested and very refreshed.
That is, until I went into my garden. Amazing! How could so many weeds grow in such number and size in such a short period of time? Looking at that flower bed, it suddenly felt like I had been away for three months. Needless to say, the amount of work that went into pulling those weeds made me rue the fact that I had taken such a long absence from my home.
Weeds only need one thing to grow: neglect. They will grow in good soil and they will grow in poor soil. They will grow in wet climates and they will grow in arid conditions. They can cover an entire field or they can grow from the smallest crack in the sidewalk. Truly, weeds can grow virtually anywhere . . . as long as they are left alone. If the gardener’s attention is elsewhere, then weeds have the opportunity to grow and thrive.
Our lives are like gardens that need tending. It takes a lot of effort to develop the necessary fruit that all Christians are to display. Character, integrity, uprightness, morality, virtue, honesty, and purity do not come naturally nor do they come easily. We have to apply the seed of God’s Word, water our hearts with the flow of His Spirit, and be patient to allow God to reveal His nature in us.
Yet, if we allow distractions to creep in, we are in danger of having weeds appear, weeds that will choke out our spiritual lives.
Behold, a sower went out to sow. And as he sowed, some seed . . . fell among thorns, and the thorns sprang up and choked them (Matthew 13:3-7).
I can’t afford to be careless with my heart and my attention. Doing so would leave me in a vulnerable condition.
Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life (Proverbs 4:23 NIV).
How easy it is to allow ungodly attitudes, desires, behaviors, and thought patterns into our lives. All we have to do is let down our guard and these evil weeds seem to show up overnight. And once the weeds appear, it will take a good amount of effort on our part to restore this garden to what it should be. Honestly, it is so much better to keep the weeds from growing in the first place.
No matter how busy life becomes, or how many responsibilities we have to bear, no one can take the spiritual condition of his or her heart for granted. No, if my heart is going to remain pure, then I am going to have to keep my attention right where it should be: on God and in His Word. This is one garden where weeds are definitely not welcome.
All I Need…Is A Hammer
Really, that’s all I need. No matter what situation I find myself in, just give me a hammer. No matter how complex the problem might be, just hand me a hammer. No matter how big the dilemma, all I really need is a hammer.
Well, let me be more specific. Not just any hammer will do. With most hammers, I’ll just create more problems than I already have. With an ordinary hammer, I would probably end up damaging things, hurting other people, and possibly injuring myself as well. No, the hammer I need is different from what is found in our natural tool-boxes.
“Is not My word like a fire?” says the LORD, “And like a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces?” (Jeremiah 23:29)
Recently, a friend and I were discussing a difficult situation with which we both found ourselves involved. As we were confessing our faith that God would bring us through the situation, I made a remark to him that I have found to be truthful in all areas of life. I simply said, “If I can get God’s word into my situation, I know everything will be all right.” I know it sounds too simple to be true, but it really does work.
By His word, God created all that we see and know. By His word, creation continues to exist. By His word, the affairs of men are ordered and arranged. The Bible even declares that the word is exalted above His name.
For You have magnified Your word above all Your name. (Psalms 138:2)
Wow! If God values His word even above His own name, how much value should I place on God’s word? How much trust and confidence should I have in what the word of God declares? The answer: complete trust and complete confidence.
So, if I’m in a tight spot and don’t know what to do…I grab a hammer and start pounding away. It doesn’t matter how large the boulder that rests in front of me; I have a hammer that has the power to destroy every obstacle. It doesn’t matter how heavy the chains of the oppressor are; I have a hammer that brings liberty. It doesn’t matter how hopeless the plight: I have a hammer that breaks through hopelessness and brings light and victory to even the darkest night.
Is there a good hammer in your toolbox?
The Fight of Faith
The Apostle Paul, in 1 Timothy 6:12, penned words that forever challenge every believer when he wrote that we should, “Fight the good fight of faith…” Faith is the foundation of all that we are and all that we do. If you were to remove faith from our lives, we would cease to have any confidence in God or His word. As a result, we would be estranged from any of God’s promises or blessings.
The statement, “The just shall live by faith” is found four times in the Bible. Every time it is used it conveys the simple truth that a believer’s continued spiritual existence is based on his or her ability to continue to believe in God and in God’s word. We have the ability to live as Christians because of our faith that God is real and that His word is true.
Since faith is so important, no wonder the devil makes it a point to attack us so often in this area. When Jesus told Peter of satan’s plan to destroy him and of Peter’s impending failure and denial of the Christ, He also spoke words of comfort to Peter when He said, “But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren.” Notice that the main concern of Jesus was not that Peter would deny Him but rather His concern was for Peter’s faith. Jesus prayed that Peter’s faith would not fail even though Peter certainly would. As a result of His confidence in Peter’s faith, He told Peter to strengthen the brethren when, not if, he returned to his place of commitment.
Faith will carry you through the darkest valleys, past the tallest mountains, and across the largest seas. Faith will keep you when you have failed and feel like giving up. Faith will encourage you when you are in your worst trial and you are wondering if God still cares about you. Faith will strengthen you when you have reached the end of your natural ability and you have nowhere to turn and no one to turn to for help.
If God has ever given you a promise, fight the good fight of faith to see that promise become a reality. If the word of God declares victory for you in your situation, fight the good fight of faith until the victory is yours. Anyone can give up and quit; that’s easy to do. But a good soldier will keep on fighting and fighting and fighting the good fight of faith.
Joseph
Joseph is one of the most intriguing characters of the Bible. When we study his life, we learn so much about honesty, integrity, forgiveness, the value of a right spirit, and God’s incredible faithfulness.
Joseph was the son of the patriarch Jacob and was the second youngest in son in the family. He was Jacob’s favorite son and was given a place of prestige over his much older brothers. Of course, this did not earn him any goodwill with those brothers.
As a young man, Joseph dreamed two vivid and exciting dreams. In his youthful ignorance, he shared his dreams with his family only to be rebuked and reviled all the more. You see, his dreams, if understood correctly, meant that Joseph would one day rule over his own family.
After several frustrating turns in life, Joseph finds himself locked up in an Egyptian prison for a crime he did not commit. While in prison, he correctly interprets dreams for two fellow prisoners. Later, he correctly interprets two dreams for the Egyptian Pharaoh and is elevated to the second-in-command position in his government.
As a young man, it does not appear that Joseph had a good ability to interpret dreams. Had he understood what his dreams meant, he probably would not have been so willing and eager to share his dreams with his family. No, he dreamed dreams that he himself didn’t fully comprehend.
However, when we meet Joseph later in life, he is very confident and skilled in understanding and interpreting dreams. Where and when did he acquire this ability?
When all seemed lost and he felt completely forgotten by God and his family, Joseph had two dreams that he could go back to over and over again. No doubt, many nights he laid awake and pondered the meaning of those dreams. No doubt, many times he prayed for God to give him understanding of the significance of those dreams. And in seeking to understand what God was trying to do in his own life, he gained the ability to see what God was trying to do in the lives of others.
As Christians, we need to become aware of what God is trying to accomplish personally in all of us. When I begin to recognize God’s plan and working in my own life, I now gain the ability to help minister in the lives of others. If I never develop my own relationship with God, I will never be able to aid others in their walk with the Lord. Jesus summed it up best when he stated, “first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye.”
As we all strive to be ministers, let us first strive to be Christians. “God, first do Your work in me…then I will be able to be used by You to help others.” Just like Joseph.
Finding God
As Job was enduring a time of suffering and anguish, he uttered a most profound and telling statement.
Oh, that I knew where I might find Him… (Job 23:3)
At times in our walk with the Lord, we have all felt just like Job. As we searched for God, it seemed like we couldn’t find Him anywhere.
Look, I go forward, but He is not there, and backward, but I cannot perceive Him; When He works on the left hand, I cannot behold Him; When He turns to the right hand, I cannot see Him. (Job 23:8-9)
During these times, it seems that even our prayers are ineffective in reaching God’s ears. How many times has it seemed like our words didn’t even get past the ceiling, let alone into God’s presence?
Yet, it is during these time of seeming aloneness that we must come back to the truth that we are never alone.
I am with you always, even to the end of the age. (Matthew 28:20)
During those times when it seems that God cannot be found, take rest in the knowledge that He is still right by your side. He will not abandon you in your turmoil, nor will He forsake you in your trial. Rather, He will be an unfailing comfort and strength as you walk through your dark nights and long days.
I have set the Lord always before me;
Because He is at my right hand I shall not be moved.
Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoices;
My flesh also will rest in hope. (Psalms 16:8-9)
Where do you find God when it seems like He can’t be found? Right where He said He would be: at your side, holding your hand, guiding your steps, as he brings you through every circumstance and situation. Though we can’t always recognize Him, He is always with us as a faithful Father and Friend.
The Danger of Distractions
As a pastor, I have spent a lot of time studying the dangers that face our Christian walk. Since it is my responsibility to help people make it to heaven, I have made it a priority to discover what things take people off course in their walk with God. What exactly causes us to lose our zeal, to become cold-hearted, and to walk away from God’s love and grace?
There are many habits and lifestyles that I could point to as potential dangers. I could warn you about many desires and lusts. Yes, there are many jagged rocks ready to tear up the bottom of our spiritual ships. Yet, all of these hazards have one thing in common – they creep up when we lose our focus, when we become distracted.
Paul used the analogy of a soldier in combat to discuss how we should keep our lives uncluttered and unhindered.
No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier. (2 Timothy 2:4)
Jesus conveyed the same thought when speaking the parable of the sower to His disciples.
Now these are the ones sown among thorns; they are the ones who hear the word, and the cares of this world, the deceitfulness of riches, and the desires for other things entering in choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful. (Mark 4:18-19)
Distractions may not always be willful acts of sin, love for the world, or consuming greed. In fact, a distraction may be something that is seemingly innocent and harmless. However, anything that takes our attention off of Christ will bring us great harm in the long run. Allowing “the desires for other things” to creep into our hearts will soon cause us to let go of the One for whom we are supposed to live every day.
The writer of Hebrews gave us the remedy for distractions:
Let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith… (Hebrews 12:1-2)
Christian Life Center is continuing to move forward in an extended time of prayer and fasting. While our minds and bodies may be growing a little weary, it is important that we continue to push aside distractions. God is doing a great work in our midst – we can’t afford to lose our focus now. Instead, with renewed passion and love, let’s look unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith.
For God So Loves…
Why? Why would a great, big, powerful, mighty, and majestic God leave the comfort of heaven for the harshness of earth? Why would this Almighty God limit Himself to the frailty of humanity? Why would this holy God delve into a world filled with wickedness and unrighteous? Why would God go through all the trouble and effort of manifesting Himself in the person of Christ Jesus? Why? The answer is simple: love.
For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. (John 3:16-17)
God’s love for fallen humanity caused Him to do the unthinkable – to humble Himself and become one of us in order to save us.
Who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. (Philippians 2:6-8)
The Bible makes it clear that Jesus had one main goal in mind as He came to earth – the salvation of human beings like you and me.
For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost. (Luke 19:10)
God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself… (2 Corinthians 5:19)
At Christian Life Center, we have been in an extended time of prayer and fasting. Under the leadership of our pastor, we have set our faces towards God. We have drawn close to God and as a result we have also grown close to His heart. That is why so many of are feeling a burden to reach out to lost souls. That is why so many of us have begun praying for a great harvest in 2008. That is why so many of us feel the responsibility of seeing God’s kingdom grow. We have drawn close to God’s heart, and He is sharing with us His love and concern for the world.
The prophet Amos asked, “Can two walk together, unless they are agreed?” As we walk with the Lord, it impossible to not be in agreement with Him that souls need to be saved. Why should we love the people of this world? Because God loves them, that’s why. For God so loves the world…
Eli Lopez
Hungry and Thirsty
In the second and third chapters of the book of Revelation Jesus addressed the seven churches of Asia Minor. As he spoke to each church, he was very honest and frank in His estimation of their spiritual condition. While he rebuked five of the seven churches for various offences, he saved his harshest criticism for the church of the Laodiceans.
You say, ‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’ — and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked…
(Revelation 3:17)
Jesus was aggravated by their false belief that they were fine they way they were. They felt that they didn’t need anything else to be a successful church. In other words, they had arrived.
You say, ‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing.’
At Christian Life Center, we reject any view or belief that says that we’ve arrived or that we don’t need anything else. We reject the concept of complacency and the feeling of self-satisfaction. Rather, we embrace a hunger and thirst for more of God, for more of His presence in our midst, and for a greater working of His Spirit in our lives.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, For they shall be filled. (Matthew 5:6)
We don’t ever want to get to a place where we are satisfied with where we’re at and what we’ve accomplished. Yes, God has blessed us with tremendous growth and with many wonderful miracles. But, according to the word of God, there is still more that God wants to do in these last days.
And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, That I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh. (Acts 2:17)
We are hungry to see God do exactly what He wants to do: pour out His Spirit on unsaved souls without measure.
As we continue with our month of prayer and fasting, help us pray for God to give Christian Life Center the type of harvest He desires to give us – a bountiful harvest that crosses all social, racial, and economic boundaries. Let’s hunger and thirst together for God to do His will in us and through us.
Eli Lopez
Catching the Blessing
Learning how to play catch with a ball may seem like an easy thing to do. As young children, we began throwing things to each other as soon as we had the ability to do so. Often, if we did not catch what was thrown, we ended up with a black eye, a swollen lip or a busted tooth. Through the pain of that experience, we learned how important it was to catch whatever was thrown our way.
The dynamics involved in catching a ball are amazing. The human mind, with the help of the eyes, has to determine the trajectory and speed of the ball. The mind then tells the body how to move in order to intercept the ball before it hits the ground. As the electrical impulses from our brain order our body into action, our muscles respond and begin to move almost instantaneously with the brain’s orders. If all goes well, we will simply reach out and catch the ball.
God is throwing something special towards Christian Life Center. The Head is sending a message to the body to move into action. If all goes well, we will position ourselves to catch what God is desirous to give to us. However, if we are disconnected from the Head, then we will miss out on our opportunity to be recipients of God’s great blessings.
“He is the Head of the body made up of His people-that is, His Church…” Colossians 1:18 (TLB)
It is imperative that we stay connected to our Head. If we will listen, He will give us, the body of Christ, the direction we need to be in the right place to receive a great outpouring of His Spirit. If we will be sensitive to His voice, we will be in the right position for the healings, blessings, and anointing that He has promised us.
As we move into a month of prayer and fasting, help us move with God’s Spirit as we position ourselves to catch what God is sending our way. Let it not be said of us as what was said of Jerusalem by our Lord: “You did not know the time of your visitation.” Rather, with great expectation and desire, we recognize that God is doing a great work in our midst. With great faith we reach out to grab a hold of every good gift that is from Him.
Eli Lopez
Another Happy New Year | Jan 2008
As we move into a brand new year, some things never change. It will take us about a month to stop writing “2007” on our checks. We will make resolutions to do the things that we should have been doing all along. Some of us will start diets, purchase gym memberships, and will swear off desserts (for about a week). We will examine ourselves and commit to fixing the flaws that we see. Why? Because a new year brings new hope for a better future for all of us.
During this time of reflection and resolution, let us not forget the most important aspect of our lives. Getting in shape physically is good. Getting in shape spiritually is great.
For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come. (1 Timothy 4:8)
If there is one area of life that all of us should focus on in 2008, it is our spiritual walk with God. This is a great time of year to recommit to daily prayer and Bible reading. It is a great time of year to reestablish faithfulness to the house of God. It is a great time of year to reconnect with other believers in one of our many Small Group meetings. It is a great time of year to reach out to friends, coworkers, and neighbors who do not know Christ. It is a great time of year to refocus our attention on eternity and the life God wants us to live here on Earth.
So teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom. (Psalms 90:12)
Before we know it, 2008 will be coming to an end. We will stand around and wonder where the time went and how a year could pass so quickly. If you’re going to make the best of this year, don’t delay one moment longer. Start today to again make God and His word the center of your life. Start right now by recommitting, refocusing, and resolving to be the Christian God wants you to be in ’08 and for the rest of your days.
Eli Lopez
Senior Associate Pastor
A Right Christmas | Dec 2007
As a young person growing up in this church I can remember Bishop Kenneth Haney preaching the same message every December. Like clockwork, as soon as we were in the bustle of the holidays, he would step to the pulpit and deliver a familiar refrain titled: I’m Dreaming of a Right Christmas.
I didn’t always understand the importance of this message. However, now that I have a family to watch over, it is very apparent to me how easily one can get distracted during this time of the year. Christmas has become overtly commercialized and the entire holiday season has taken a secular bent. Lost in all this noise is the real reason we celebrate Christmas – the birth of humanity’s Savior.
A right Christmas is a Christmas that keeps Christ as the center of all we do. In the long run, toys, presents, trees, and lights will have very little impact on our lives. Yet, we invest so much time and money trying to get everything just right for the holiday while neglecting the One who is the source of all our blessings in the first place.
At Christian Life Center we are committed to having a right Christmas. Our services will still be led by the Spirit, the preaching will still be straight and truthful, and God will be exalted in all we do. It’s not enough to recognize the birth of our King; it’s imperative that this King sits on the throne of our hearts every day of the year.
During this time of year when so many are busy and overwrought, take some time and realize that Christ desires to have your attention in spite of all the commotion. I’m dreaming of a right Christmas . . . I hope you are too.
Eli Lopez
