Unexpectedly

 Every-time someone famous dies, or for that matter anyone; especially at a young age, the word unexpectedly is used to describe their untimely death. There was another mass shooting in Texas, and I don’t care about the politics side of things, but the deaths of all those involved were unexpected. I was sent some messages that Ray Liotta had passed away in his hotel room, unexpectedly. Later, the same day I heard that Andy Fletcher, one of the members of my favorite secular bands, Depeche Mode, also unexpectedly passed away. Mr. Liotta was Sixty Seven, and Mr. Fletcher was Sixty. The children killed were in elementary school. The word unexpectedly as Webster defines it says, “In a way that was not expected or regarded as likely.” The sad truth is that as humans; we believe that of every person that dies, when in reality we are all going to experience the same fate one day. It can be considered unexpected in the manner that people die, but in reality, should it be? 

Jesus in Luke Thirteen reminds us of a few things. It says, 

There were some present at that very time who told Him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. And He answered them, “Do you think that these Galileans WERE WORSE SINNERS THAN ALL OF THE OTHER Galileans, because they suffered in this way? NO, I tell you; BUT UNLESS YOU REPENT, you will ALL LIKEWISE PERISH. Or those eighteen on WHOM THE TOWER IN SILOAM FELL AND KILLED THEM: do you think that THEY WERE WORSE OFFENDERS THAN ALL THE OTHERS who lived in Jerusalem? NO, I tell you; BUT UNLESS YOU REPENT, you will all LIKEWISE PERISH.” (ESV) (Emphasis added)

Now most people will read this and claim heartless emotions of the “unexpected” or tragic deaths mentioned above, but if we PERISH without Jesus, then it’s a finality. There is no barometer to kinds of death, or different levels of what is considered normal and not normal death. The human mind likes to categorize the death or the people involved in the death, by how it happened or what kind of life one lived, but Jesus is telling us differently. What I mean by that, is that though death happens daily, there isn’t anything different from one person to another, only if you believe in Jesus as your Lord and Savior. We must repent as Jesus says, not just thinking that the things that happened are because of guns, disease, or evil people, but because we all are going to die in one form or another, and that should be expected. 

Jesus says that the people weren’t more evil, so we can’t add to the statement to fit our belief or agenda, but again have we repented? Jesus said that because that tower fell; and we can add shootings, tornados, hurricanes, earthquakes, wars, disease, or other, that unless we have repented, we too will perish! There is a death that can happen before we die and that is being away from God. Remember what the serpent told Eve and by the way Adam was right there next to her, in Genesis three, 

“but God said, ‘You shall not eat of the fruit of the tree that is in the midst of the garden, neither shall you touch it, LEST YOU DIE.’” But the serpent said to the woman, “YOU WILL NOT SURELY DIE. For God knows that when you eat of it your EYES WILL BE OPENED, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” So when the woman SAW that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate, and she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate.” (ESV) (Emphasis Added)

Adam and Eve didn’t physically die, but yet their fellowship with God was broken, they had to leave Eden, not because God was mean, but because they chose the lie of dying, for self gratification, and self away from God. Notice that the word says that Eve saw, after the serpents lies, but what she saw was what sin is, a delight for the eyes and desire to be wise in their own eyes and minds, and not what God instructed or wanted from them. God atoned for them by sacrificing an animal and covering them, and He can do the same for you and me, if we repent. Paul reminds us in Romans six, 

“But what FRUIT were you getting at that time from the things of which you are now ashamed? For the END OF THOSE THINGS IS DEATH. But now that you have been set free from sin and have become bond servants of God, the fruit you get leads to sanctification and its end, eternal life. For the WAGES OF SIN IS DEATH, BUT THE FREE GIFT OF GOD is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (ESV) (Emphasis added)

We all are sinners whether you believe that or not, and the message of the gospel is simple and clear, repent and be forgiven, because without forgiveness, our deaths, expected or unexpectedly will happen. The fruit of sin only looks good and may feel good, but it leaves us shameful, broken, alone, and ultimately we will perish, apart from God without His free gift of love. 

I loved Ray Liotta’s movies and thought he was a great actor, but that doesn’t matter without repentance. Andy Fletcher was on every Depeche Mode studio album and contributed to so many songs that I grew up listening to and still do today, but if he didn’t repent, it doesn’t matter. 

Depeche Mode has a song called Blasphemous Rumors, where the chorus says, “I don’t want to start any blasphemous rumors but I think that God’s got a sick sense of humor and when I die, I expect to find him laughing.” That is the mindset of many who don’t believe in Jesus and His atoning death, that we will laugh at God or give Him our two cents. We think that He doesn’t exist, because what kind of God allows this, but those are just the lies of the “fruit” that leads to death. The writer of Hebrews reminds us in chapter nine,

“And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment, so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for Him.” (ESV)

We are appointed, not unexpectedly, because God knows every hair on your head, all your shortcomings and the words you speak as the Psalmist tells us in Psalm One Thirty Nine, and He knows our every breath. When you stand before Him, will He know you, because you repented it will you be cast away because of your unbelief? We will all meet our maker, but will we be ready? Have you repented, have you asked Jesus to be your Lord and Savior, not with a little prayer at a conference or church, but truly in your heart, mind and soul, that was life changing? Remember Jesus reminds us in Mark eight,

“And calling the crowd to Him with His disciples, He said to them, “If anyone would come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel’s will save it. For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul? For what can a man give in return for his soul? For whoever is ashamed of Me and of My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of Him will the Son of Man also be ashamed when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels.” (ESV)

The world is full of hate and pain, sadness and bitterness, and death. What are you willing to lose your soul for? Don’t put your hope in anything or anyone, for they will all fail and fall, but only Jesus can save you! It’s coming, that appointed time when we will all leave this earth, but will you be ready? Tomorrow is not promised, today is the day of salvation, today is the day to come to Jesus!“

Jose Barajas

Fallen Faith

 “Pastor Brian Houston, founder of Hillsong church resigned the other day, amidst complaints and allegations. I have been guilty of condemning churches like Hillsongs, because of their pastors being heretical, money loving, music centered ministries, and involved in sexual misconduct. The issue for me was though a lot of their songs are wonderful worship songs, their ministry was a mess, and not accountable for their leaders. Looking from the outside in, it was easy for me to throw stones from my glass house, and make myself feel holier than thou. The issue as I’ve come to realize is that when we are busy casting stones, we don’t realize, those same hands are sin filled weapons, that we ourselves just used for abominations. In my past, I too have sinned and been a laughing stock to my family, and former partners in ministry, but mostly of making a mockery of my walk and faith. It is  easy to forget the paths we have traveled,  and not offer the same forgiveness to anyone who is struggling and or have fallen, like was shown to us. We become like the cults that excommunicate their fallen leaders and believers, rather than to offer discipleship, prayer, and restoration.

David is called a man after God’s own heart, but many don’t realize or remember, that he was an adulterer and a murderer. David’s fall from grace didn’t just happen overnight, as many may think, because we can see signs of his compromises that ultimately led him to these sins. David as a boy, with the power of the Holy Spirit, killed Goliath with a pebble from a sling. We see David killing thousands upon thousands, as the top forty hit of his day referenced. But then we see the confidence of a man chosen by God, and being the line of where Jesus would ultimately be from, begin to be compromised and shaken. Second Samuel six says, 

“David again gathered all the chosen men of Israel, thirty thousand. And David arose and went with all the people who were with him from Baale-judah to bring up from there the ark of God, which is called by the Name of the Lord of hosts who sits enthroned on the cherubim. And they CARRIED THE ARK of God on a NEW CART and brought it out of the house of Abinadab, which was on the hill. And Uzzah and Ahio, the sons of Abinadab, were driving the new cart, with the ark of God, and Ahio went before the ark. And David and all the house of Israel were celebrating before the Lord, with songs and lyres and harps and tambourines and castanets and cymbals.” (ESV) (Emphasis added)

I love good worship music as much as the next person, but just because the music and the people are singing and dancing for the Lord, does not mean it’s being obedient to God. David was carrying the ark on a new cart, instead of how God had instructed His people to do so, using poles and having the Levites carrying it. Worship isn’t about what we want it to be, and how big of a concert we can create, about how many “sacrifices” or people we have in our church. God is desiring that we are obedient, to Him and not to idolatry of self. Samuel says this to Saul when Saul did not kill everything as commanded by God, as we read in First Samuel fifteen,

“Then Samuel said, “Does the Lord take pleasure in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as he does in obedience? Certainly, obedience is better than sacrifice; paying attention is better than the fat of rams. For rebellion is like the sin of divination, and presumption is like the evil of idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the Lord, he has rejected you as king.”” (NET)

David had not obeyed the Lord, regardless of the procession before him and the dancing and “worship. As a result of David’s disobedience, Uzzah died for touching the ark as it fell, and David grew bitter towards God, instead of repenting for his incorrect worship. When our ministry isn’t successful, or people walk away due to circumstances that they felt God allowed, we become bitter, angry, and then blame God, when in reality it was our sin and disobedience!

Before this; David had started to gather more wife’s and not just love Michal. God call us all of us to love one wife or one husband, but according to Second Samuel Three David had many wives who names were, Ahinoam the Yizre'elite; Abigail, the wife of Nabal the Carmelite; Maacah, the daughter of Talmay, king of Geshur; Haggith; Abital; and Eglah. 

I will not make excuses, but being a man, I struggle with sexual desires; partly because of my circumstances from my youth, but I have to take it constantly to God to help me deal with it. Paul writes in Romans seven, and this is not an excuse to be okay with sin or to practice sin, because that is not what Paul was writing. 

“For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. Now if I do what I do not want, I agree with the law, that it is good. So now it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me. For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing. Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me.” (ESV)

Paul was sharing his struggles and how easy it is for anyone, even someone like Paul, or David to fall to temptation and into sin, if we allow the flesh to overtake us and not walk in the Spirit. If we read Paul’s writings we see that that was what he constantly wrote. David finally made the biggest mistake that led him to fall into Adultery, although technically, he had already committed this sin. This time he committed murder to try and hide him getting Bathsheba pregnant. In Second Samuel Eleven it says,

“In the spring of the year, the time when kings go out to battle, David sent Joab, and his servants with him, and all Israel. And they ravaged the Ammonites and besieged Rabbah. But David remained at Jerusalem. It happened, late one afternoon, when David arose from his couch and was walking on the roof of the king’s house, that he saw from the roof a woman bathing; and the woman was very beautiful. And David sent and inquired about the woman. And one said, “Is not this Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite?”” (ESV)

David, a man of war and great at it, stayed home instead of being with his troops and men as he usually was. When he saw Bathsheba and inquired of her, he ignored one of his servants, saying isn’t this the wife of Uriah? David, unlike Paul, allowed the temptation to overtake him, as I have done, as Pastor Brian did, as many people have constantly done in their rebellion and want of sin, over walking away and walking in the Spirit. Paul writes in First Corinthians ten, 

“No TEMPTATION HAS OVERTAKEN YOU that is NOT COMMON to man. God is faithful, and He will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation He will ALSO PROVIDE THE WAY OF ESCAPE, that you may be able to endure it. Therefore, my beloved, FLEE FROM IDOLATRY.” (ESV) (Emphasis added)

There are temptations everywhere and when Paul wrote this, he wrote it to the Corinthians who were allowing sexual sin and turning an eye from it, ultimately leading to many of them to walk away from their faith. Paul was saying that God gives us a way out, but notice what he says at the end? To flee from idolatry. 

I believe that ALL SINS are adultery to God because we make them our idols that we carve to satisfy our desires. The idols of self, pride, sex, drugs, alcohol, money, work, and even ministry’s, take us away from The Lord. Anything we put above God, and yes this includes ministry, because when we overlook sin, teach false doctrine, or do worship wrong like David, or any other churches, or even us, it is adultery and idol worship against God. 

We struggle daily, some more than others, and it’s easy to want to kick people when they're down, but we should pray, encourage and minister to them. I pray for Mr. Houston, because that is what we are called to do. The Holy Spirit will deal with his heart and if he repents, what a blessing, but if he doesn’t, it doesn’t change the positive messages and songs that came from his church. 

Paul reminds us of the grace of God, by sharing his own struggles, he writes in Romans chapter eight,

“There is THEREFORE NOW NO CONDEMNATION FOR THOSE WHO ARE IN CHRIST JESUS. For the law of the Spirit of life has SET YOU FREE in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death.” (ESV) (Emphasis added)

Someone said to me once during a show, “the enemy is good at isolating us from the pack” and when we think about our sins that we commit, we notice how true that really is. We can blame others, our upbringing, even Satan, but ultimately it is us running to those things that we feel are good, instead of fleeing idolatry. I’ve mentioned this before, but I feel it is appropriate for this post; that one of my favorite songs to sing and play is by Hillsongs, named, “All I Need Is You.” The lyrics say,

(Verse 1) Left my fear by the side of the road, Hear You speak, Won't let go, Fall to my knees as I lift my hands to pray, Got every reason to be here again, Father's heart that pulls me in, And all my eyes want to see is a glimpse of You!” (Chorus) All I need is You, All I need is You Lord, Is you Lord (Verse 2) One more day and it's not the same, Your spirit calls my heart to sing, Drawn to the voice of my Savior once again, Where would my soul be without Your Son, Gave His life to save the earth, Rest in the thought that You're watching over me!”

All we should need is Jesus, because we should rest in the thought that He is watching over us, and that all our fears should be left. So my question is, what small compromises and things are we allowing, thinking it is okay to overlook, be okay with, or think we can handle alone? Are you being isolated, walking towards the darkness, or looking back to the “fun” of sins? Paul ends chapter eight with words that we should all hold onto, it says,

“For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor heavenly rulers, nor things that are present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in creation will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (NET) 

Nothing but ourselves will keep us from Jesus, nothing but our idolatry and adultery to God. David lost the son born from the idolatry, but God heard David’s cry of repentance and gave Him Solomon, and eventually Jesus was born through his lineage. David cried in Psalm fifty one, which is one of my favorite chapter in all the Bible, 

““You are the only one I HAVE SINNED AGAINST; I have done what you say is wrong.”

“You are RIGHT when you speak and FAIR when you judge. Take away my sin, and I will be clean. Wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. Make me hear sounds of joy and gladness; let the bones you crushed be happy again. Turn your face from my sins and wipe out all my guilt. CREATE IN ME a pure heart, God, and make my spirit right again. Do not send me away from you or take your Holy Spirit away from me. Give me back the joy of your salvation. Keep me strong by giving me a willing spirit.” (NCV) (Emphasis added)

There is nothing too difficult, sinful, wrong, that we have done, or are doing that God won’t forgive or restore. We just have to be willing to repent and turn back to Jesus and cry out like David. He will create in us a clean heart and renew a right spirit in us, but we need to cry out, “all I need is You, Lord, all I need is You!” Repent and live!

Jose Barajas

Choking Faith

 “I met John Bruetsch back in Two Thousand Nine when I first went to Harrisburg PA. He was the master user of Roadnet, which was one of the Routing systems I was looking to implement for our company. John is a big man that stands above Six Feet and a good weight over Two Hundred or more pounds. He also at the time worked as a firefighter, as most of the firemen in those areas are volunteers. Me and John hit it off immediately, and over the next Four years we spent a lot of time together. One night we went to dinner with his wife Julie,  and the customer service manager at John's favorite steakhouse, and it was so good! We were all sitting talking, and I looked across at John and he looked like he was choking, I asked him if everything was OK and he put his hands to his throat shaking his bead, No! I immediately jumped up and went around and tried to wrap my arms around his stomach; I used the chair as leverage as I could, and finally got a good grip to perform the Heimlich maneuver on him. A piece of steak got dislodged and he started breathing normally again. It was the longest 30 seconds I could remember, which we laughed at afterwards, more of me being awkward trying to save him.

John Chapter Three has so many nuggets to ponder on, and I'm not talking the cheap McDonald's kind. It is filled with so much love and so much grace and has the verse that sums up the whole Gospel of God, John Three Sixteen. First Jesus is talking to Nicodemus a ruler of the Jews and a Pharisee. It begins with us needing to be born again in Christ. It continues with God loving us so much, He gave his only begotten Son for our salvation. It says, in verse seventeen, 

"Jesus didn't come to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through Him." (ESV) 

Did you catch that? MIGHT! Wait what? When I saw John choking, I didn't hesitate to jump up and attempt to help, I didn't stop and pray and hope all would be good. (Please don't misinterpret this for not praying as if you've been reading what I have been writing, you know my thoughts on prayer.) I acted and saw a friend in need of saving and I took action. 

Jesus did the same for us; where He saw a world in hurt, and in need of salvation, that He died because of His love for me and you. Salvation is there for all who chose to follow Jesus, and who ask Him to be re-born in their heart,  so that we are filled in His Spirit, to a new life. He will pull us out of our darkness, but we can't hope or think it MIGHT happen. We need to ask and come boldly to the throne of grace. Paul writes in Romans Ten,

“But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith that we proclaim); because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in Him will not be put to shame.”” (ESV)

The writer of Hebrews writes in chapter four,

“For we do not have a High priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” (ESV)

John gets to celebrate another Birthday; and although we don't talk as much as we used to, I know I love him as a brother and am thankful to still have him here as a friend. As awkward as it was for me to try and save his life, and knowing how awkward it is to share the real gospel with people, how much more awkward will it be standing before Jesus saying I never knew you, because we chose death over life? We chose to play being a “Christian,” and not really abiding and walking in Him.

So my question is what are you choking on in life that is causing you pain, grief, fear, panic, doubt, and on the verge of breathing your last breath? Jesus desires to give you the “Heimlich” to save you, but you have to choose to follow and accept Him as your Lord and Savior. He already breathed His last breath to die on a cross so that you might be saved, but you have to repent and be saved under the Might of His grace." Jose Barajas

P.S. A year later, I saved John’s life again from choking, and though we have laughed about it many times since, salvation is not a laughing matter!

Stale Faith

 

“Febreze, the air freshener product, runs commercials that ask the question, “are you nose blind.” It refers to living in your house or apartment, and becoming insensitive to the smells around you. Whether it is dirty socks, dogs, filth, or any other bad smells, our noses become blind to the smells around us, after some time. We have a dog so we know how easily you can become nose blind to the smells, because our noses adapt from that initial “UGH” smell, to just ignoring it. It’s probably more noticeable when you go to a friends house or family members house, and walk in and you try to not make a face.

We all find ourselves doing the same in our faith, or non belief of God; because we become “nose” blind to our sins, and rebellion to God. We, like Lot in Sodom and Gomorrah, the Israelites in the wilderness, and in the promise land, and David with Bathsheba, become comfortable with our surroundings,  that though we’re  being blessed; turn away from God. We start worshipping the gods of self, similar to how Israelites followed the gods of the people around them. They fell into abominable, sexual, unclean worship, and  ran to other gods, building aseroth poles, and bowed to them. In Deuteronomy Eleven, Moses reminds the people and  it says, 

“Take care lest your heart be deceived, and you turn aside and serve other gods and worship them;”  ‭(ESV‬‬) 

God knew that men were wicked and that we would be easily deceived like Adam and Eve, and we would turn and serve other gods. Man has done it from the beginning and even today because there is nothing new under the sun. We want what we want, and we will kick, scream, fight, and do everything to get it. The sad part of that eventually God will give us over to that thing that we so badly desire, as Paul writes in Romans one, beginning in verse twenty four,

“Therefore God GAVE THEM UP in the lusts of THEIR HEARTS to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves, because they EXCHANGED THE TRUTH about God for A LIE and WORSHIPED and SERVED the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen.” (ESV) (Emphasis added)

The longer we stay in something, the easier it becomes to just accept it as okay or normal, when in reality it is hardening our hearts and ultimately away from God. God becomes nonexistent; because He’s too mean, His rules are boring, wrong, out of date, no longer relevant, and narrow minded. I have been there; where I like the prodigal son was sleeping, and eating with the “swine,” and being nose blind to the blessing God had given me. 

But for the grace of God go I. My question is, are you “nose” blind and staying, straying, or you don’t know God? Come to Jesus, come back to Jesus; like I did when He called me home again, and be filled with the Spirit and renewed.  Jesus sacrifice is one of the many fulfillments and promises as Isaiah One says, 

““Come now, let us reason together, says the Lord: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool.” (ESV)

He cleanses us from all of our iniquity regardless of where we’ve been, what we’ve done, and all you have to do is come to Jesus and repent.” Jose Barajas

Don’t Switch Your Life in God

 

"There is a song by Switchfoot that is called "This is Your Life" that came out in Two Thousand Three. They are a crossover band; which refers to a band that plays a certain style of music, and a song or album of theirs makes an impact in other genres. They are a "Christian" band that were accepted into the Alternative music scene, as their lyrics reference God, but not in an in your face way? I guess it could be categorized as "Spiritual."  The lyrics say, "Yesterday is a wrinkle on your forehead; yesterday is a promise that you've broken; don't close your eyes, don't close your eyes, This is your life; and today is all you've got now; and today is all you'll ever have; don't close your eyes." "Yesterday is a kid in a corner, Yesterday is dead and over" and the chorus says, "This is your life, are you who you want to be, this is your life, is it everything you've dreamed, that it would be when the world was younger, and you had everything to lose?" 

 

Matthew Six records The Beatitudes or The Sermon on the Mount, from where we get many updated words from what the law was, and how Jesus was changing things about faith and living. It says, 

“Therefore do not be anxious, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” (‭ESV‬‬)  

God is here for us even when it may seem like He is not, and us worrying or thinking back on things like the Israelites did after they left Egypt is never good. They lived in the "how good we had it" mentality, and we do the same thing. We think, "in our younger days," or how good our life was before Jesus and even after coming to Jesus, the “so called” tribulations aren’t that bad. It is easy to sugarcoat our experiences or find excuses as to why we are who we are, and we can hide there forever. 

But God is saying; seek Me, and all these other things you think you should have and or be, are not important in the whole scheme of things. Life is short and we need to enjoy the life we have, and the people around us. If we have learned anything over the last few years is, nothing is certain, and only God is constant and loving. We can live in fear or look back to the good old days, but really how good was throwing up, being hungover, or doing the walk of shame and feeling worthless and used? How good was it to cheat on a test, a spouse, a friend and not feel less of a person, because when we are alone in the dark, those memories are truly not good; if we are honest with ourselves. Peter reminds us in Second Peter as he quotes Proverbs Twenty six eleven, beginning in verse twenty, 

“For if, after they have ESCAPED THE DEFILEMENTS of the world THROUGH the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are AGAIN ENTANGLED in them and overcome, the last state has become worse for them than the first. For it would have been better for them NEVER TO HAVE KNOWN the way of righteousness than after knowing it to TURN BACK FROM THE HOLY commandment delivered to them. What the true proverb says has happened to them: “The dog returns to its own vomit, and the sow, after washing herself, returns to wallow in the mire.”” (ESV) (Emphasis added)

Peter was talking about staying clear of false prophets who bring destructive teachings in the name of God and water down the message. He references the rebellion and sin of the Israelites at Beor, which was Balaam who couldn’t curse the people, so instead enticed them with sensuality and led them astray. Peter says that it’s better to have never known the word and truth, than to be a pig or a dog who return to filth and vomit respectfully. I know because I have done that myself thinking, “ This is it?” This Jesus isn’t “blessing” me” knowing I was choosing vomit over faith.

Jesus knows everything about you and your heart; and guess what, He still loves you and wants nothing more than to heal you, and give you a life abundantly in Him. Moses who had dealt with the grumbling people for forty years, and himself was not going to enter the promise land, says in Deuteronomy thirty beginning in verse fourteen, which is one of my favorite verses, 

“But the WORD IS VERY NEAR YOU. It is in your mouth and in your heart, so that you can do it. “See, I have set before you today life and good, death and evil. If you obey the commandments of the Lord your God that I command you today, by loving the Lord your God, BY WALKING IN HIS WAYS, and by KEEPING HIS COMMANDMENTS and His statutes and His rules, then you shall live and multiply, and the Lord your God will bless you in the land that you are entering to take possession of it.” (ESV) (Emphasis added)

The beauty of this, is that God was referring to the physical promise land to them, but in Jesus and the New Covenant, the promise is the same to us, but instead of a physical land, we get to experience a heavenly promise land. We can continue in our sorrow, pain, circumstances, and rebel against God because we think we deserve better. We think and believe those same false prophets who promise peace, security, and monetary blessings, but that’s not what Jesus was saying in the sermon on the Mount. Remember, seek FIRST the kingdom of God, everything else is fading, worthless vanity. 

So my question is, This is your life, what are you willing to gain to lose eternity with God? What are you willing to turn away from and run back to that is better than God? He is all I need and all I want, and my prayer is that you turn and seek His kingdom, and the rest will be given unto you, in His will and time. Don’t compromise like so many crossover bands for a temporary earthly crown, but stay the course and follow Jesus." Jose Barajas

Wooden Faith

 “One of the neat things about six grade camp besides being away from my parents and family for the first time, was being in nature, and creating different arts and crafts. At the end of a long week; even though it was only seven days, it felt like an eternity for me, a sixth grader, we had to pick a piece of wood. The more rugged, not perfect, the better because it signified our week, and though we had a tough week, we were gonna use it to get it signed as a remembrance of what we learned. When I found the piece of wood that I thought perfect, I cut it, sanded, and shaped it into what I felt was perfect. I kept it for a while and slowly over time the names on it faded; like my memory of all of the kids who I had joyfully gotten signatures from. 

In the Ten Commandments, the first three are about loving God thru full devotion, humility, with all of our souls, but most importantly, by not putting anything else before Him. Not having other gods, making gods, or saying the Lord’s Name in vain. Jesus, when asked by the religious leaders, said this about the greatest commandment in Matthew twenty-two beginning in verse thirty seven, 

“Jesus answered, “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ This is the first and most important command. And the second command is like the first: ‘Love your neighbor as you love yourself.’ All the law and the writings of the prophets depend on these two commands.”” (NCV)

Jesus said these were commands, but do you know what the first three commandments are that Moses records in Exodus twenty? Well let’s look, beginning in verse one,

“Then God spoke all these words: “I Am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt where you were slaves. “You MUST NOT HAVE ANY OTHER gods except me. “You MUST NOT MAKE FOR YOURSELVES AN IDOL that looks like anything in the sky above or on the earth below or in the water below the land. You MUST NOT WORSHIP OR SERVE ANY IDOL, because I, the Lord your God, Am a jealous God. If you hate Me, I will punish your children, and even your grandchildren and great-grandchildren. But I show kindness to thousands who love Me and obey My commands.” (NCV) (Emphasis added)

Is this one of those arguments that people use to say the Bible is contradictory, not accurate, and not real? Yes, but only for those who are critics, part time Christians and worse, those who only study or use the New Testament. Jesus is saying that the two commandments He mentions are what all the writings of the prophets depend on. Let that sink in for a while! God who wrote all of the Bible, and used prophets and apostles to write His words down, is reminding us that having other gods, to bow, that we carve, or worship as an idol, keeps us from loving the Lord God will all of our heart, mind and soul. He is saying that regardless of what “laws” of religion, self, or hate we live by, anything apart from God is an idol. This includes not love God and in turn, not loving our neighbor.

When I found that piece of wood, I didn’t pray to it, bow down before it, or sing songs to it, for it was just that, a piece of wood. Though there were memories and names written on it, at the end of the day it was a piece of wood. Isaiah tells in chapter forty-four beginning in verse six,

“The Lord, the king of Israel, is the Lord All-Powerful, who saves Israel. This is what He says: “I Am the beginning and the end. I Am the only God. Who is a god like me? That god should come and prove it. Let him tell and explain all that has happened since I set up my ancient people. He should also tell what will happen in the future. Don’t be afraid! Don’t worry! I have always told you what will happen. You are my witnesses. There is no other God but Me. I know of no other Rock; I am the only One.”” (NCV)

How cults and people can deny Jesus is Lord, and that the trinity exists is beyond me; especially when you read verses like this that SHOUT JESUS all through them. The beginning and the end, or as John quotes in Revelation talking about Jesus, the Alpha and Omega. The Rock which is referring to Jesus again, the chief cornerstone, the One whom our faith should be built upon. Isaiah continues in verse nine,

“Some people make idols, but they are worth nothing. People treasure them, but they are useless. Those people are witnesses for the statues, but those people cannot see. They know nothing, so they will be ashamed. Who made these gods? Who made these useless idols? (NCV)

Man makes everything in every form of religion to bow down and worship, from birds, animals, angels, sun, moon, stars, or their version of Jesus. And God is saying through Isaiah, that these people are blind and know nothing. Isaiah continues in verse fourteen,

“He cuts down cedars or cypress or oak trees. Those trees grew by their own power in the forest. Or he plants a pine tree, and the rain makes it grow. Then he burns the tree. He uses some of the wood for a fire to keep himself warm. He also starts a fire to bake his bread. But he uses part of the wood to make a god, and then he worships it! He makes the idol and bows down to it! The man burns half of the wood in the fire. He uses the fire to cook his meat, and he eats the meat until he is full. He also burns the wood to keep himself warm. He says, “Good! Now I am warm. I can see because of the fire’s light.” But he makes a statue from the wood that is left and calls it his god. He bows down to it and worships it. He prays to it and says, “You are my god. Save me!” Those people don’t know what they are doing. They don’t understand! It is as if their eyes are covered so they can’t see. Their minds don’t understand. They have not thought about these things; they don’t understand. They have never thought to themselves, “I burned half of the wood in the fire and used the hot coals to bake my bread. I cooked and ate my meat. And I used the wood that was left to make this hateful thing. I am worshiping a block of wood!” He doesn’t know what he is doing; his confused mind leads him the wrong way. He cannot save himself or say, “This statue I am holding is a false god.”” (NCV)

Growing up Catholic, I have been and seen idols, rosary’s, but I’ve never been comfortable praying to these, let alone bowing down to them. Even before knowing the word, it felt wrong and pointless, and now, even more so to me. I love how God says it, that people cut the wood to keep themselves warm, cook their food, and then make an idol off of the leftovers to worship them. It’s like thanking the wood for the things that God created, blesses with and yet so many blindly do this daily. 

The piece of wood that faded and the names that vanished, and eventually the whole thing being lost, or thrown into the trash, is what we should do with anything that isn’t about loving the Lord our God. There should be no excuse other than we don’t love God above these, and that is the whole point of everything being dependent on these words. If we continue to hold onto these carven images, we too will be lost, thrown into the fire, trash, and worse our names will not be written in the Lambs book of life, where our names won’t fade.

So my question is, what is keeping you from being like Peter and his brother when Jesus called them, and dropping what you’re holding to follow Jesus. You can cry all day long to them, say repetitive prayers, and go through the motions of religion. Why should you choose to be dead like the pieces of wood, when you can be alive, in Christ Jesus. Isaiah finishes in verse twenty-one and two with,

““People of Jacob, remember these things! People of Israel, remember you are My servants. I MADE YOU, and you are My servants. So Israel, I will not forget you. I have swept away your sins like a big cloud; I have removed your sins like a cloud that disappears into the air. Come back to Me because I saved you.”” (NCV) (Emphasis added)

We all are God’s creation because He formed us in His image, and our worship should be all for Him and His glory. Isaiah Forty-three says,

“Now this is what the Lord says. He created you, people of Jacob; He formed you, people of Israel. He says, “Don’t be afraid, because I have saved you. I have called you by name, and you are mine.” (NCV)

Are you Jesus’, are you saved? Not because you said a prayer, not because, you were dunked in water, not because you go to church weekly, but because you have repented, and are taking up your cross daily. Because He has your name written on His Hands that held the nails for our redemption.” Jose Barajas

Breakfast Club

 “Another great movie from my high school days is “The Breakfast Club” written by John Hughes, who probably wrote so many of my favorite movies. The movie, if you haven’t seen it, centers around Five different people who come from different backgrounds. One is a rich young girl who is very popular, one is a jock that is also popular. One is a rebel punk rock bully, who gets high and lives in a broken home, and one is a “nerd” who is driven to get straight “A’s” in his class work. The last one is an introvert, who isn’t anything or anyone, other than another body at school. The teacher is also a bully, who just is there to watch the kids, and basically get paid for babysitting on a Saturday. The cool thing about this movie is that; I think most of us can relate to at least one of these characters, whether in high school or even as grownups. We all want or need a sense of belonging, and sometimes it’s easier to hide behind our persona than to actually be who we are supposed to be.

The Apostles were a band of misfits; that in the “religious” world, they were not wanted or not thought of as anyone. In the real world they were men of different backgrounds of different status, and like the movie, would not have been seen with each other outside of “detention.” Now that’s the way the world looks at us as Christians that we are being held by rules and restrictions that make us outcast, and of no value, or that we can’t have fun. We are mocked in movies, lumped into narrow minded, hypocritical, unloving, and zealot nuts. We’re stereo-typed as money grabbing, child pedophiles, and doomsday outcasts, that can’t live in the world and be successful.

The enemy watches us and isn’t really there with us, as most of us are not in the “work” of God. By this I mean, Satan isn’t the reason for all the bad that happens to us on a daily basis, most of it is our own actions of not following God. (I just laugh at all those, “Not today Satan” shirts) We talk the right words and go to the “in” churches, and can help here and there, but our hearts are just not committed. Too many times we allow the way the world looks at us to define who we are and we shy away from who God says we are, His children. 

The kids in the movie were asked to write an essay, and Brian the smart one, writes it and says at the end which I love, “You see us as you want to see us in the simplest terms, in the most convenient definitions!” People see us as they want to, and this also translates to their version of who Jesus is. Peter reminds us that we need to see ourselves in the light of Jesus, in First Peter Two, he writes,

 “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for His own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who CALLED YOU OUT OF DARKNESS into His marvelous light.” ‬ ‭(ESV‬‬) 

I see Peter, when he wrote this remembering when he was denying Jesus, and how secluded and in darkness he must have felt. I have been there, feeling like no one can love me, and that even Jesus wouldn’t and couldn’t love me. The kids entered detention as strangers, but left as friends because they saw their value above what the world or teacher thought of them. Peter saw Jesus look at him with compassion, and he cried bitterly, knowing he was Jesus’, and that he would no longer care what the world thought of him. Darkness can do that to us,  if we stay in our separation from God and not fellowship, we too can deny Jesus and walk away. 

The world will knock you down, and kick you while you’re there, but Jesus knows this and realizes that all you have to do is trust in Him. He knows our hurts and our past, and yet He still loves us. He desires that though we all come from different upbringings and backgrounds, there is nothing He can’t fix you from. 

So my question is, are you a brain, an athlete, a basket case, a princess or a criminal, it doesn’t matter for Jesus doesn’t judge where you are, but desires to change where you are going! I love what Isaiah one says beginning in verse sixteen, 

“Wash yourselves and make yourselves clean. Stop doing the evil things I see you do. Stop doing wrong. Learn to do good. Seek justice. Punish those who hurt others. Help the orphans. Stand up for the rights of widows.” The Lord says, “Come, let us talk about these things. Though your sins are like scarlet, they can be as white as snow. Though your sins are deep red, they can be white like wool.” (NCV)

The stains of our past can be washed and renewed in Jesus, but you have to come in repentance, and talk with Jesus. He knows it anyways, and He won’t judge you here on earth. In the simplest terms, He sees us as we are and He still loves us, because that is why He held the nails for us. Won’t you let go of whatever you’re holding onto, and let God’s light shine on you?” Jose Barajas

Building 429 for God

 “My friend Don Walker who I met in Two Thousand Nine; when he was a consultant that came to work with International Paper, to assist with their Supply Chain and Logistics review, posted a video once. Now Don is one of the smartest men I have ever met, and showed me some really cool things you can do with Excel that I still use today. He is a Christian man and that helped, knowing during our time together, it reminds me that God has His people everywhere. The video was a Christian band “Building 429” who played at his old Condo years ago. I love this band and they were telling their story of when they first started out, they traveled America and played over a Hundred shows. One of the shows they played was for Two people, yes you read that right, two and they said they played the same way they always did, because they loved to do it and wanted to be obedient. 

Jonah One says, 

“Now the word of the Lord came to Jonah the son of Amittai, saying, "Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and call out against it, for their evil has come up before me." But Jonah ROSE TO FLEE to Tarshish FROM the presence of the Lord. He went down to Joppa and found a ship going to Tarshish. So he paid the fare and went down into it, to go with them to Tarshish, away from the presence of the Lord.” ‭(ESV‬‬) (Emphasis added)

Jonah heard God, got up, and was obedient, NO! It says that he rose to flee. I find it interesting that it says to flee from the presence of the Lord, which is impossible. Jonah one continues, 

“But the Lord hurled a great wind upon the sea, and there was a mighty tempest on the sea, so that the ship threatened to break up. Then the mariners were afraid, and each CRIED OUT TO HIS god. And they hurled the cargo that was in the ship into the sea to lighten it for them. But Jonah had gone down into the inner part of the ship and had lain down and WAS FAST ASLEEP.” (ESV‬‬) (Emphasis added)

God sends a storm and the people on the boat cried out to their small “g” god, but Jonah was fast asleep, what? When we run from God it doesn’t matter what is going on around us, we sleep like a baby in the midst of our sin. We don’t care how it affects or drives people away from God, because we choose to not be obedient. I know, I have been there. People who don’t believe in God, think we just evolved or appeared out of “goo,” but when storms of life come; all of a sudden, pray to their version of a god who really isn’t there, it’s just they have nothing else to turn to. I love what Isaiah says in chapter Forty-nine beginning in verse nine,

“Some people make idols, but THEY ARE WOTH NOTHING. People treasure them, but THEY ARE USELESS. Those people are witnesses for the statues, but those people cannot see. They know nothing, so they will be ashamed. Who made these gods? Who made these useless idols?” (NCV) (Emphasis added)

Psalm  Ninety-six four, five says,

“because the Lord is great; He should be praised at all times. He should be honored more than all the gods, because ALL THE GODS OF THE NATIONS ARE ONLY IDOLS, but the Lord made the heavens.” (NCV) (Emphasis added)

“Building 429” could have told those two people; sorry this is a waste of our time to play for you tonight, we’re leaving, but they played because they loved doing this to share God and their faith. God wants to use us, and by listening, we get to bless people, and be blessed ourselves in the listening. 

When the storms of life hit, we may sleep like a baby because we are ignoring God, but I would rather sleep like a baby because God is our peace, who has broken down every wall. Jonah learned the hard way and reluctantly went after a few more experiences, and when Nineveh repented, he didn’t experience the joy, he tried to justify his running. 

Too many Christians; and churches out there are ready to condemn people whom they deem unreachable, and run from God, rather than to share the gospel with these people He loves. By us being disobedient, instead of leading them to repentance, we actually turn more people away from God than to God. 

So what is God calling you to do today, to play for Two people, to share with one person, to share with your family or friends? Will you run like Jonah or will you listen and be blessed, today more than ever we need more “Building 429” people and less Jonah’s Paul’s reminds us in Romans Ten fifteen

“But before people can ask the Lord for help, they must believe in Him; and before they can believe in Him, THEY MUST HEAR ABOUT HIM; and for them to hear about the Lord, SOMEONE MUST TELL THEM; and before someone can go and tell them, that person must be sent. It is written, “How beautiful is the person who comes to bring good news.” (NCV) (Emphasis added)

We are all sent but not all accept the call to go! Maybe the crowds are too resistant, mean, unloveable, or too small, but it’s not our job to turn ones heart, that all belongs to God. We just be willing to go to Nineveh!” Jose Barajas  

Game of Thorns!

“I flew in airplanes for over ten years and for about six of those it was weekly for most of those years. Thousands upon thousands of miles in various cities and various people. I took red eye flights, first one out, sat in coach, first class and ate and drank food from the airport or on the plane. I sat next to different people groups, kids, grownups, men and women and had the same flight attendants every once in a while. I always washed my hands prior to boarding, if I used the bathroom on the plane, I washed my hands, and always washed my hands when I got off the plane. I never used hand sanitizer on planes or carried any with me. I took the Greyhound weekly for 7 months from Los Angeles to Phoenix and the same, washed my hands before and after. In all those years and most of my adult life, I rarely get sick, and I mean rarely. I get a cold, maybe once a year, a fever every few years and usually only lasts for a day or less. I drink lots of water and coffee and quit drinking diet soda and before that quit regular soda for over 10 years. I have grandkids that get sick from school and I hug, and hold them and still I don’t get sick as I wash my hands regularly. I also know I’m not immune to disease and sickness as I am not stupid, but just sharing facts.

Paul wrote in Second Corinthians Twelve, beginning in verse five, 

“On behalf of this man I will boast, but on my own behalf I will not boast, except of my weaknesses— though if I should wish to boast, I would not be a fool, for I would be speaking the truth; but I refrain from it, so that no one may think more of me than he sees in me or hears from me. So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”  ‭(ESV‬‬) 

I, like Paul dont boast about my life, and what I do because I know I can get cancer, like two of my pastors did and passed away from it. There are people in my church and friends who have lost loved ones to every form of illness out there. We’ve seen random shootings, car accidents, freak accidents, and even thinking about the people who died with Kobe in a helicopter ride going to a basketball game. 

Paul prayed and it wasn’t taken from him, and skeptics will say, see God isn’t real! False prophets will say that we don’t have enough faith, or that we didn’t give enough, or believe enough.  I’ve seen social media burst out with mocking God for all the pain and suffering. I’ve seen His people afraid and cancelling events, and not going to “church” because governments said so. The writer of Hebrews reminds us in chapter ten, beginning in verse twenty three, 

“Let us HOLD FAST the CONFESSION  of OUR HOPE WITHOUT WAVERING, for HE who promised is FAITHFUL. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, NOT NEGLECTING TO MEET TOGETHER, as is the HABIT OF SOME, but ENCOURAGING one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” (ESV) (Emphasis added)

The disciples met knowing the religious leaders were looking to kill them, because they understood that regardless of what was going on in the world, The Ancient of Days is still in control. The people of God have always been under tribulations and persecution, and they suffered and many died, but the gospel and word of God kept being preached.  The writer of Hebrews reminds us in Hebrews eleven, the hall of faith chapter in verse 

“And all these, though commended through their faith, did not receive what was promised, since God had provided something better for us, that apart from us they should not be made perfect.”  ‭(ESV‬‬) 

My faith is my faith and God will get me thru everything, regardless of what the outcome is here on earth. I hurt and deal with normal things as does everyone, but God never promised us painless, no suffering, everything will be okay. He promised us salvation and peace and a life abundantly in Him, but that word abundantly isn’t material necessarily, it’s abundant in His grace and love. I hear many quote Paul’s verse from Philippians four thirteen, 

“I CAN DO ALL THINGS through HIM who strengthens me.” (ESV) (Emphasis added)

But deny Him with their actions, their knowledge, their music, their words, and their love for one another. I know because I did the same thing! Jesus would not be allowed in too many of “America’s” churches. The thorn in Paul’s side, though inconvenient, only made him more humble, more faithful, and more bold, to continue the work he joyfully did for Jesus.

So my question is as the world gets crazier, and this is nothing compared to what is still to come, where do you put your trust? Man’s solutions will pass and not bring answers, and hiding our head in the sand won’t make things better. Drugs, Alcohol, and other escapes only make things worse. False prophets lie of peace and security, because  only God can truly save and give us peace! His security is for eternity and not necessarily for this world, His peace surpasses all understanding, and His love and salvation are free. His grace is sufficient for those who choose to trust fully in Him, for those who repent and are “healed” in His forgiveness. Let go and let God!” Jose Barajas

Promises, Promises

“When the kids were little they would ask us if they could go to Disneyland or to a store at the mall and our answer would always be, we will see. My wife always made it clear to not promise the kids because they would always and continually say, but you promised. You think nothing of it when doing it and because kids are so young we think they won’t remember, but their minds never forget anything especially when it comes to going places they want to go. When I was little my parents just flat out said no as there was no gray area or anyway to come back and tell them but you promised. They either did it or they didn’t do it and I think that is probably the best way to parent.

God’s word is filled with so many promises, He promised Abraham that through his seed, his descendants would be more than all the stars in the sky and the sand on the shore. He promised Moses that He would be with him when he led the people out of Egypt, and though the people were rebellious and ungrateful they continually complained, and still God kept his promise. Jesus made the ultimate promise by saying that He would never leave us nor forsake us, and that He would be with us until the end of the age. The problem is we choose to not believe that God isn't real, or we are like Peter who got out of the boat, but looked away from Jesus and sank. Mathew says in chapter Fourteen, 

“He said, "Come." So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, "Lord, save me." Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, "O you of little faith, why did you doubt? ‭(ESV‬‬) 

Remember right before this, the disciples had partaken in feeding Five Thousand, with just a few fish and loaves of bread. Peter, as Jesus told him, had little faith. There are so many waves and storms going on in the world and in people's lives, and instead of keeping our eyes on Jesus, we’re walking on our own, and not by faith. Paul quotes Habakkuk multiple times about walking by faith. Second Corinthians five seven days,

“FOR WE LIVE BY FAITH, NOT BY SIGHT.” (ESV) (Emphasis added) 

He also says in Romans one seventeen, 

“For I AM NOT ASHAMED OF THE GOSPEL, for it is God’s power FOR SALVATION TO EVERYONE WHO BELIEVES, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For the righteousness of God is revealed in the gospel from faith to faith, just as it is written, “The righteous BY FAITH WILL LIVE.”” (NET) (Emphasis added)

HABAKKUK two, two through four says,

“The Lord responded: “Write down this message! Record it legibly on tablets, so the one who announces it may read it easily. For the message is a witness to what is decreed; it gives reliable testimony about how matters will turn out. Even if the message is not fulfilled right away, wait patiently; for it will certainly come to pass – it will not arrive late. Look, the one whose desires are not upright will faint from exhaustion, but the person of integrity will live because of his faithfulness.” (NET)

We can find ourselves thinking God promises us riches and healings, but not all were healed and not all were saved as faith is more than just walking with Jesus. Habakkuk says that the message is easy to read, and though it may not happen right away, to wait patiently. We can keep trying to walk on “water,” going to church, reading our bibles, but if our desires are not upright, we will faint from exhaustion. Jesus said many will fall away before He comes because they were led away, and tired of waiting on His return, or for His  promises to be fulfilled. Judas walked with Jesus for Three and a half years, and hung himself. The world makes so many promises, and constantly fails and makes people lose faith and drown in their sin. Luke eighteen eight says,

“I tell you, he will give them justice speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, WILL HE FIND FAITH ON EARTH?”” (NET) 

We need to believe and be in constant communion and fellowship, not just when the waves come crashing. The feel good gospels are okay for new believers, but Jesus is looking for broken and contrite, humbled faith. So my question is, do you trust God’s promises? Are you only seeking Him when life isn’t fair, and not daily and in every moment. He like my parent’s, is very straightforward with His yes and no. Revelation three says, 

“‘I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either cold or hot! So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I am going to vomit you out of my mouth!” (NET)

Jesus wants all to come to repentance and be on fire in our faith for Him, or He will vomit us out. He will guide us and our faith can make us walk in the truth of Word, and we won’t drown in our circumstances, if we will only keep our eyes on Him. The waves are not ever going to be calm, but only He can calm the storms! That is a promise that will never be broken!” Jose Barajas