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  

Everything I Do

 “In Nineteen Ninety One a version of Robin Hood came out that was fitting for the time period of Eighties style movies, yet made no sense of the lead actor. Now I love Kevin Costner as an Actor in “Dances with Wolves”, “Silverado” , “Untouchables”, “Open Range” and probably my favorite, “For the Love of the Game.” You probably thought I was going to say “Field of Dreams” and although that’s a good movie, I think it’s overrated. Now back to “Robin Hood, Prince of Thieves” I like the movie, but you can’t have a British hero and not have a British accent as the actor. It’s one of those things that makes it unbelievable and almost comical and hard to watch all at once. One of the great things about that movie though is the Bryan Adams song, “Everything I Do, I Do It For You” The chorus is so neat and the guitar playing on it just really makes the song resonate with the scratch in Bryan’s voice. “Don't tell me it's not worth tryin' for; You can't tell me it's not worth dyin' for; You know it's true; Everything I do; I do it for you.” 

I can only imagine what Jesus was thinking,; as He staggered thru Jerusalem beaten and bloodied carrying a cross, knowing that everything He was doing, He was doing it, for you and me. John Three Sixteen the most known scripture in the world reminds us of that and so much more. Now if you have a red letter Bible, the words are read, meaning Jesus spoke the words, but some scholars believe, that John actually starts his commentary from verse sixteen on, regardless let’s study these beautiful words.

“God SO LOVED the world, that HE GAVE!”  (ESV) (Emphasis added)

The NET versions says it like this,

“For this is the way God loved the world: HE GAVE HIS ONE AND ONLY SON.” (NET)

Wow that blows my mind, He gave, not because He had to, not, I guess I’ll do it, NO! He freely gave. Isaiah predicts this back in chapter nine six,

“For TO US A CHILD IS BORN, to US A SON IS GIVEN; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” (ESV) (Emphasis added)

God’s love is so great, so beautiful, so eternal, that He loves and cares so much for each human, because we are created in His image, that He gives us His Son to die a death we couldn’t, to be with Him forever.

John also says in First John Four, 

“There is no FEAR IN LOVE, but PERFECT LOVE CASTS OUT FEAR. For FEAR HAS TO DO with punishment, and WHOEVER FEARS HAS NOT BEEN perfected in love. We LOVE BECAUSE HE FIRST LOVED US.” ‬ ‭(ESV‬‬) 

Even more wow, we don’t need to fear, for God is perfecting us in His love, as He FIRST loved us! There is a healthy fear of God which is a reverence or humbling, and the fear John is talking about is a fear of shame and not a full commitment, because we would rather stay in our sin.

The story behind Robin Hood was that the government was overtaxing people and most of them were living in seclusion and poverty. So Robin Hood would take from the “rich” or government and give it to the poor. Jesus is not fake or a made up story for us to “believe” that all our problems will be saved with His monetary giving. 

The movies portray Jesus as an English speaking, good looking Man, with long brown flowing hair from a shampoo commercial. He looked nothing like the statues, pictures, or any movie portrayal of Him. He was ordinary looking Man who was  of Jewish descent, and really nothing to look at according to Isaiah Fifty Three, verse  two says,

“He sprouted up like a twig before God, like a root out of parched soil; HE HAD NO STATELY FORM OR MAJESTY that MIGHT CATCH OUR ATTENTION, NO SPECIAL APPEARANCE THAT WE SHOULD WANT TO FOLLOW HIM.” (NET) (Emphasis added)

Jesus isn’t “worldly” beautiful, or appealing, and so many choose to not follow Him and His word, because it is too difficult or boring, or constraining. The allure of sin is better and better to look at, but it leaves us dry and patched, broken and wanting more that many die from never being satisfied from it. Jesus had to be betrayed with a kiss to identify Him when He was arrested, because He had no special appearance to want to follow  Him.

The bridge of the song says, “Don't tell me it's not worth fightin' for; I can't help it, there's nothin' I want more; You know it's true; Everything I do; I do it for you!” 

I have learned to trust in God, Jesus my Lord and Savior; regardless of what is going on and happening. I won’t fight it willfully, and I know I’m not worth it because I’m a sinner, but God continually demonstrates His never ending love for me. So my question is, are you looking for hope and security in a cheap imitation of Jesus and false prophets, false government security, or false healings and medicines? When you can come and have peace, and true love from the Only One who can give it to you? Imagine Jesus singing “Everything I do, I do it for you! He has because that is what the whole Bible is about! God’s love story for all would come and repent before Him in reverence with humility. Paul reminds us in Romans Five beginning in verse six,

“For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die— but God SHOWS His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (ESV) (Emphasis added)

That is truly giving to the poor!” Jose Barajas

Foolish Amateurs

 “I have always been a fan of amateur sports; from watching my kids to now grandkids, and even high school and college sports. The raw and competitive talent is priceless to watch and enjoy at its core. The word amateur derives from the Latin or the French; which was, amare or to love. It’s neat to think about doing something because you love it, not because you’re being forced or paid to be doing it. The sad thing with any profession like athletics, and even preaching, is that a lot of people do it for money, and only for that reason. I know people need to make a living, but the absurdity of people playing sports and making millions of dollars, while police, firefighters, teachers, and military make peanuts, is just crazy to me. The fact that you also have preachers out there taking advantage of the flocks with big mansions, rolls royces, and fancy clothes is a mockery to God’s word. 

I have never been to seminary, but I did take two classes thru APU, and I’ve listened to many pastors, some good, bad, and way off the deep end. I read and study the Bible daily, and also read many books, and study history, other religions. When I read the Bible daily or I listen to someone speak, I look at what the Bible says. Amos Seven says,

 “Then Amos answered and said to Amaziah, "I was no prophet, nor a prophet's son, but I was a herdsman and a dresser of sycamore figs. But the Lord took me from following the flock, and the Lord said to me, 'Go, prophesy to my people Israel.' Now therefore hear the word of the Lord. "You say, 'Do not prophesy against Israel, and do not preach against the house of Isaac.'” ‭(ESV‬‬)

 God’s prophets in the Bible; and the apostles were ordinary men who were called, and most of them followed. We can think of Moses who though was a great man of God, disobeyed God when he struck the Rock twice at Meribah. We see Jonah who ran from God when he was instructed to go to Nineveh, because he thought the people were too wicked to save. We see one Judge after another disobey God after giving them victory against their enemies. 

Now I know many good pastors who studied and went to seminary, but they are also humble, and know that what they do, they do it for love. I write and study because I love God and I’m an amateur at heart and nothing compared to many learned folks, but like Amos and all the other prophets, I’m led by the Spirit of God. King Amaziah wanted Amos to go away because he didn’t want to hear the Lord and it’s no different today. People don’t want to hear the truth and they would rather have God’s people leave and or be quiet. 

The sad part is that many churches and people have compromised their ministry, and have sold out for money, or to not be “inconsiderate” but God is clear, we share or He will find someone else who will. Remember what Paul’s says in First Corinthians one beginning in verse twenty seven,

“But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God.” (ESV)

God has used pagans like King Nebuchadnezzer, a donkey, a prostitute, and all of creations shouts of His glory and truth! Psalm Nineteen one reminds us,

“The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims His handiwork.” (ESV)

Psalm ninety six beginning in verse five says,

“For all the gods of the peoples are worthless idols, but the Lord made the heavens. Splendor and majesty are before Him; strength and beauty are in His sanctuary. Ascribe to the Lord, O families of the peoples, ascribe to the Lord glory and strength! Ascribe to the Lord the glory due His Name; bring an offering, and come into His courts! Worship the Lord in the splendor of holiness; tremble before Him, all the earth!” (ESV)

Salvation is free and so is God’s word, you just need to be willing to accept it , and spend time reading it so that you can come closer to God, because that is His desire. Are you an amateur, that everything you do is for a genuine and pure love for God? Are you willing to not chase the world and all that leaves you broken in the end? So my question is what do you love, I pray it is God, and that you desire to draw near to Him.” Jose Barajas

Science Says!?

 I do not believe in science, really! If science was real, then why would it allow disease and viruses to exist and ruin people lives. I mean if scientist were real, couldn’t they find a cure for all that ails the world? We wouldn’t have cancer, AIDS, the flu, heart disease, diabetes or even the common cold. Science is a scam! It is man made, a crutch, a money making machine, and I just refuse to believe in it! Scientists just “mask” themselves behind their sorcery and false findings and if it were true, why don’t all scientists agree?

Isn’t that what people say about God, and His people and His word? They can’t believe in Him because of all the pain and suffering in the world,  and hate and pain that rules the headlines, and news feeds across society? God can’t be real if He allows all this; as He hasn’t shown His love and power, and He is non existent in a world who needs love more than ever.

Job had been listening to the counsel of his friends who were telling him, c’mon Job, God isn’t there, turn your back on Him, He’s not real. I am paraphrasing of course but go read Job in case you haven’t, I promise you won’t be disappointed. So in Job Thirty Eight God answers Job, 

“Then the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind and said: "Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge? Dress for action like a man; I will question you, and you make it known to me. "Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell me, if you have understanding. Who determined its measurements—surely you know! Or who stretched the line upon it?” ‭(ESV‬‬) 

God continues, 

“"Have you entered the storehouses of the snow, or have you seen the storehouses of the hail, which I have reserved for the time of trouble, for the day of battle and war? "Can you bind the chains of the Pleiades or loose the cords of Orion? Can you send forth lightnings, that they may go and say to you, 'Here we are'? Who has put wisdom in the inward parts or given understanding to the mind? Who provides for the raven its prey, when its young ones cry to God for help, and wander about for lack of food?” “Can you number the months that they fulfill, and do you know the time when they give birth,” (ESV‬‬) (emphasis added) 

and God ends with, 

“"Shall a faultfinder contend with the Almighty? He who argues with God, let him answer it."” (‭ESV‬‬) 

I will believe in God with every breath I have and though I’ve seen pain and experienced heartache and caused a lot of it, it does not deter me what “people” like Job’s friend will say. The Bible is clear; people will hate God and turn their back on Him! They will believe the Bible is full of fairy tales because like science; according to them, is proven, although most scientific data are theories. Science means knowledge and with each day, it actually is proving that there is a creator. DNA is so complex and yet has so much information, that for it to be made random like “evolution” claims makes no sense. Archeological sights and digs are proving places and people;  that were only found in the Bible previous to their digs, actually existed. The evidence is clear and yet people would rather believe in man’s ways rather that what is true. So this brings me back full circle to say; all these events happening now and coming to a city near you, are in the Bible, and yet the world still won’t believe. Paul writes in Romans one beginning in verse twenty,

“For His invisible attributes, namely, His eternal power and divine nature, have been CLEARLY PERCEIVED, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So THEY ARE WITHOUT EXCUSE. For although THEY KNEW GOD, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks to Him, but they became FUTILE in their thinking, and THEIR FOOLISH HEARTS WERE DARKENED. CLAIMING TO BE WISE, they BECAME FOOLS, and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things.” (ESV) (Emphasis added)

You can believe in what you think is true and because everyone else thinks it is true, doesn’t make it true! You can deny God and the Bible, and believe man wrote it for their own edification and self pity. But what if you’re wrong? What if Jesus is real and His death on a cross and His resurrection is real? Even though many call it foolish, what will you do when you die and you are standing before Him? Paul states it pretty clear, that NONE WILL BE WITHOUT EXCUSE! Am I narrow minded for thinking this, or am I being loving because I also wish none to perish?

So my question is, what do you believe? You are free to believe in what you want, but my prayer is you get “woke” before you have to stand before God and be silent like Job was! For when God speaks your words will be like Job’s in chapter forty-two beginning in verse two,  

“I had heard of You by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees You; therefore I despise myself, and repent in dust and ashes."” ‬(ESV‬‬)

Although if you don’t accept Him now, you won’t be able to answer Him like Job. Regardless of what people think and say like, “when I stand before God, I will give Him a piece of my mind!” I want to be like Job and said in chapter one verse twenty-one, 

"Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked shall I return. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord."” ‭(ESV‬‬) 

Can you bless the Lord in your circumstances? A pastor I used to listen to said, “I asked a man once, how are you doing? And he said, I guess okay under the circumstances!” And I said, well what are you doing under there? Repent and let Jesus take care of all of that!”  Won’t you do the same?” Jose Barajas

Writing on His Hands

 “Everyday when I sit down to write, I have been praying or listening to my studies, and God speaks to me thru this and allows me the privilege to share my story. Sometimes I reference my life and the things God has changed me from, and sometimes I reference how people and work has influenced me. Sometimes I reference movies and songs and how they spoke thru me, but no matter what I reference, I use Gods word and how it relates to the experiences I have shared. I have never ever purposely tried to hurt or say something that is not true. I have mainly focused on my sin and shortcomings, and how God’s grace and peace and love continually change and reconcile me to His family. It is different daily and that is what I love about my Jesus. 

The Bible as I’ve been reading and studying thru it, is also very transparent about the lives of all the people God uses to spread His word. It also shows the world that He is God, because His book is filled with truth, spans many generations, and it all aligns with all of it. The beauty of it is that none of the people God used were sinless and constantly faithful, not that that is an excuse to sin, but just shows the full extent of the grace of God. I think of Abraham who is the father of faith; who lied and had a son with his maid servant because he didn’t wait on God’s promise, and yet his seed were the children of promise that we all came thru. The other neat thing is God used different methods with each person as we are all unique and our testimonies reflect that. 

My story can be similar to many and people can relate to the things I share to allow them to see that they are not alone. We don’t want to be like Jonah who ran from God’s plan because he felt the people of Nineveh were too evil and far gone. We need to realize two things; first if God calls us to do something we should probably do it as it’s a privilege. Second, God desires all to be saved, because as John Three sixteen says, 

““For God SO LOVED the world, that HE GAVE HIS ONLY SON, that WHOEVER BELIEVES in Him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send His Son into the world to CONDEMN THE WORLD, but in order that the world MIGHT BE SAVED through Him. Whoever believes in Him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the Name of the only Son of God.” (ESV) (Emphasis added)

If Jesus didn’t come to condemn the first time, what makes us think that we can? I’ve been to churches where the “leaders” didn’t want people worshipping out loud because it was a distraction to the church? I don’t even have words for that! I’ve to churches where a pastor (a great friend and mentor to me) was told not to preach the word verse by verse because the church would t grow like that?! Again, no words! 

 Not everyone will hear and don’t get that confused with the word not being shared the message, but many people don’t want to hear or care about Jesus. Today people would rather trust in man’s, or science answers to solve their problems,  or give them answers to their questions. God is always speaking, even through His creation, and it is a matter of, are we listening, following, and believing? Second Chronicles Seven reminds us, even though the writer was speaking to the Israelites who would shortly be in captivity from their own refusal to obey God,

“When I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or command the locust to devour the land, or send pestilence among my people, if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.”‬ (‭ESV‬‬) 

God will listen, when we humble ourselves and seek Him. Like all who are in the Bible, when they returned to God, He blessed them, not always monetarily, physically, but our reward is heaven bound! We can’t be like those Isaiah talked about and Jesus quoted from Isaiah Twenty-nine beginning in verse twelve, 

“And when they give the book to one who cannot read, saying, “Read this,” he says, “I cannot read.” And the Lord said: “Because this people draw near with their mouth and honor me with their lips, WHILE THEIR HEARTS ARE FAR FROM ME, and THEIR FEAR OF ME IS A COMMANDMENT TAUGHT BY MEN, therefore, behold, I will again do wonderful things with this people, with wonder upon wonder; and the wisdom of their wise men shall perish, and the discernment of their discerning men shall be hidden.”” (ESV) (Emphasis added)

So what is your story and where is your hope? Do you fear God or revere Him and His ways, knowing He wants to save you from Hell? May we humble ourselves and seek God. Your story is important and you matter to God! Don’t let the world and the enemy fool you with false hope! Don’t let the false prophets give you a false sense of faith and hope! The world is perishing and tomorrow is not promised, but Jesus will give you tomorrow, and forever, because He already paid your way, you just need to repent!” Jose Barajas

High Anxiety

 I started a new job a few summers ago, and on the first day of work, I had my first anxiety episode. Yes people, Christians have anxiety too, and it is okay because we are human. I was in orientation class and just felt like I was having trouble breathing, and my left arm was hurting, so I thought I was having a heart attack. We went on a tour of the facility, and my breathing felt like it was beginning to feel constrained. I got back to the conference room and the other people went to lunch, and I fell to the ground, breathing heavy and my heart was pounding in my chest. I called my wife; and my daughter and son came to get me, but before they came, the paramedics had arrived. They ran test on me and said sit up and breath, you’re fine and your numbers look good. I started breathing as instructed and felt better. My son, when I got into the car said, “welcome to the world of anxiety.”

Jesus in His sermon on the mount, talked about a lot of different situations and instructions, and also wrote about being anxious. Matthew  six beginning in verse twenty five said, 

“"Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?” (ESV‬‬) 

At the end of it Jesus concludes with, 

“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)

Paul reminds us in Philippians Four, 

“do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” (‭ESV‬‬) 

I read these and thought, my faith isn’t strong, I must be doing something wrong, but then I remembered that I’m a work in progress and life is tough, and it is okay if we have moments of anxiety. It doesn’t make us frail and or wrong, as I think that Jesus knew we still would worry. He was our example and also gave us these verses to remember how much we need Jesus. David cries out in Psalm Sixty one, one through four,

“HEAR MY CRY, O God, listen to my prayer; from the end of the earth I call to You when MY HEART IS FAINT. LEAD ME TO THE ROCK that is higher than I, for You have been MY REFUGE, A STRONG TOWER AGAINST THE ENEMY. Let me DWELL IN YOUR TENT FOREVER! Let me take refuge under the SHELTER OF YOUR WINGS! Selah” (ESV) (Emphasis added)

We are human and our hearts grow faint, but it’s not that that we grow faint, but where do we turn when we do? Drugs don’t help, alcohol is just as bad, therapists are like mediums, in that they only use key words to try and pry tears from you. The enemy uses lies to make us feel inadequate and lost, just like he did with Adam and Eve, by lying to them that they could be like God. But all it did was leave them outside of Eden after it was all said and done. Perfection isn’t attainable without Jesus as much as we try, and even Jesus dealt with anxiety as we read in Luke Twenty Two beginning in verse forty one, 

“And He withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, and knelt down and prayed, saying, “Father, if You are willing, remove this cup from Me. Nevertheless, NOT MY WILL, BUT YOURS, be done.” And there appeared to Him an angel from heaven, strengthening Him. And BEING IN AGONY HE PRAYED MORE EARNESTLY; and HIS SWEAT BECAME like great drops of blood falling down to the ground.” (ESV) (Emphasis added)

Before you write hate posts, listen to what I am saying. Jesus is God and He was showing us how we should look to God in prayer, in the Spirit and allow God’s will to be done. I grew up memorizing the “Lord’s prayer” as a Catholic during the rosary,  and reciting “Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven,” so why wouldn’t we believe and follow that? Again, it’s okay to doubt, have fear, wonder why, but to also remember that Jesus went through the agony of death on a cross, so that we wouldn’t have to.

Paul was human and dealt with lots of persecution, and he also knew that we would be anxious in a world gone crazy, so it was a reminder for us to not be anxious, but that only really happens in Christ. I’ve learned that it helps me and reminds me to just stop and pray and seek God more in those times. It’s easy to be like Peter and focus on the storms instead of God, but we have to stop and breath and remember that God is our peace. Peace that the world will never understand, and as I’ve grown deeper into God’s word, I’m learning to set my life on Him and not on things of me.  I love what Psalm One Hundred Twenty-one says,

“I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come? He will not let your foot be moved; He who keeps you will not slumber.” (ESV)

I think Psalm Ninety one is deeper in meaning of evil and anxiety, but listen to what the Psalmist says beginning in verse one, 

“He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the Lord, “My Refuge and my Fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” For He will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence. He will cover you with His pinions, and under His wings you will find refuge; His faithfulness is a shield and buckler. You will not fear the terror of the night, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in darkness, nor the destruction that wastes at noonday.” (ESV)

So in those times of anxiety where do you seek help? Where is your refuge and shelter,  and your trust for deliverance? The world is full of chaos and the terror of night is everywhere, but Jesus has overcome it all. It may not seem that God cares or exists, but don’t lose hope, even in your anxiety. Jesus comforts us in some of my favorite verses, Matthew Eleven beginning in verse twenty eight,  

“Come to Me, all who LABOR AND ARE HEAVY LADEN, and I will GIVE YOU REST. Take my yoke upon you, and LEARN FROM ME, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you WILL FIND REST FOR YIUR SOULS. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”” (ESV)

Jesus doesn’t say that you will find rest in your bodies, in your workload, in your burdens or life, but He says, you will find rest in your souls! The solution is so simple that so many think us crazy for how Jesus can save us, and the world still struggles and tries all the solutions out there, but the choice is yours! Do you repent and come into Jesus rest, or do you stay anxious? When in reality, it truly is nothing, and it leaves us restless!.” Jose Barajas

Steadfast Love

 “My mom being over ninety years old, and still going strong thru her difficult circumstances, and by those I mean, she uses a walker, has diabetes,  and still doesn’t let that weigh her down. She has a memory in that me and my brother play the Psalms for her and she memorizes them after Three times listening to them. She tells stories from her youth and throughout her lifetime, and I’m amazed of what she remembers. The other thing is that her love for each of her kids, Ten of us, is steadfast and constant, regardless of what we’ve said or done in our past. I am sure that she remembers everything we’ve done, but never brings it up to us. She may not agree with all of our ways and beliefs, but her love never changes and her prayers are always filled for each of her children. 

Lamentations Three, written by Jeremiah, references or foretells of Jesus on the cross, and prophesied  the things He will endure and have happen. The beauty of this chapter reminds us,  

“Remember my affliction and my wanderings, the wormwood and the gall! My soul continually remembers it and is bowed down within me. But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: The STEADFAST LOVE of the Lord NEVER CEASES; HIS MERCIES NEVER come to an end; they are NEW WVERY MORNING; great is your faithfulness. "The Lord is my portion," says my soul, "therefore I will HOPE IN HIM."” ‭(ESV‬‬) 

My mom always tells me that God knows her afflictions and still her faith never wavers. I know God has known my wanderings, even when I have willfully wandered from Him, and still His mercies have been renewed every morning. This isn’t a license to keep sinning or to keep wandering in the mire of our selfish pride, but daily we should be putting our hope in Him. 

The bitterness and hardship my mom has endured to provided and love for each of us and our dad, could be said of any loving parent. My mom remembers the things that have happened in her life, and through it all she humbled her heart daily to God, knowing He was leading her through it. David writes in Psalm One Hundred and Three, and the whole Psalm is a beautiful remembrance of God’s steadfast love, says beginning in verse eight,

“The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and ABOUNDING IN STEADFAST LOVE. He will not always chide, nor will he keep his anger forever. He DOES NOT DEAL WITH US ACCORDING TO OUR SINS, nor repay us according to our iniquities. For AS HIGH as the heavens are above the earth, so GREAT IS HIS steadfast love toward those who fear him; as FAR as the east is from the west, so far does HE REMOVE OUR transgressions from us.”  (ESV) (Emphasis added)

When we repent, God erases our past of rebellion of Him, and reminds us each morning, that as High as the heavens are, so is His steadfast love. The love that came to die for each person ever to have walked, is walking, and will walk on this earth, for anyone who will receive it, the choice is yours to make. Your body can ache and your mind may be a mess, but Jeremiah writes, that his SOUL says, “The Lord is his portion!” 

I am learning to be like that, and calling to mind all the times God has blessed us, when it seemed there was no hope, but my soul was at peace. I know that like my mom; God’s love is steadfast, and as much as my mom does love us, it doesn’t compare to God’s eternal and steadfast love. The beauty is that regardless of what we’ve done and felt the day before, He renews our soul daily, and it never comes to an end. It reminds me of what David says in Psalm four verse eight,

“In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for You alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.” (ESV)

Can you say that? Can you lie down to sleep in peace? Only in Jesus can we find true rest and peace, the problems won’t disappear, but we can DWELL in His safety. We all one day will come to an end, so my questions is, where will you put your hope? I love my mom with all my breath, but my true love and hope is in Jesus, and in God the Father, that thru His Holy Spirit, will save me and never leave me, even after my end here on earth. My prayer is that you also come  and see the goodness of the Lord before the end. I pray Jesus is your portion, and that it may also be “well” within your soul.” Jose Barajas