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The Complete Man!

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Lately, a dear friend wrote a quote saying, “If it is true that the male is made up of boys and men, however it is a boy by birth but man by decision!”

There are two types of men: there is the natural man and the spiritual man. I will incorporate another word to help explain my point. When I use the word “complete” man I mean the person who adds the spiritual dimension to his natural life. First a man is a boy by birth; he then becomes a man with time. However, the mature man must also become a complete man. The complete man is the one who adds the spiritual dimension to his life.

Nicodemus was a mature and religious man; but he was not a spiritual man. One day by night he came to Jesus. Remember that Jesus was one the only man to be a complete man from the beginning. Why did he come from heaven to us? He came to tell us how to become complete men.  We read in John 3:6 Jesus explaining to Nicodemus that “Flesh and blood gives birth to flesh and blood, but the Spirit gives birth to things that are spiritual.” The complete man is a person in whom the Spirit of God gives birth to his spiritual dimension. The spiritual dimension was lost when Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit in the Garden of Eden.  Jesus, the man from heaven, came to show to the natural man how to become a spiritual man.

The complete man, not surprisingly, wants to become a disciple of Jesus. A disciple’s desire is to dedicate his life to the Savior. Romans 12:1 explain how to avoid conformity and to choose transformation instead. There must be that once-and-for-all dedication of the person and his body to the Lord. That means letting him deny himself and taking up his cross daily.

Arnold G. Fruchtenbaum wrote, “The dedication of a man’s body has two elements; a negative one and a positive one. Negatively, the commitment is: denying himself. That means, “Saying ‘no’ to himself,” and that is what happens when a man dedicates himself and his body to the Lord. Then the positive of the commitment is: taking up his cross daily. To “take up the cross” means to identify with the Messiah, more specifically with His rejection.”[1]

The complete man concept does apply to woman as well.

[1] Arnod G. Fruchtenbaum, The Messianic Bible Study Collection, vol. 140 (Tustin, CA: Ariel Ministries, 1983), 9

The price of freedom

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I try to be as positive and optimistic as possible, yet the Creator also teaches us to be cautious and alert. Alertness is exercising my physical and spiritual senses to recognize the dangers that could diminish the resources entrusted to me. Thomas Jefferson said, “The price of freedom is eternal vigilance”. Apostle Paul under the leading of the Holy Spirit gave us a very serious warning in 2 Timothy 3:5 “Avoid these people!” Whose people was he describing in in those first five verses? I find that the author H.A. Ironside summarize it very accurately. “In 2 Timothy 3 the Holy Spirit is describing conditions in the professing church in the last days! There are twenty-one outstanding features in this prophecy of church conditions in the last days. Paul challenge you to look about you and see if these are not the conditions that characterize a great part of Christendom today—no reality, no power, yet much profession. The Church which began as “the pillar and ground of the truth,” is, in this twenty first century of its existence, “seeking” the truth, thereby acknowledging they never yet have found it!”[1]

In His Sermon on the mountain, Jesus said that a <Tree is identified by its fruit>. “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves.” Matthew 7:15 Remember Jefferson advice “The price of freedom is eternal vigilance”. How to keep your freedom?

Two simple questions will help you;

Do you guard your daily time with the Lord and His Word?

Do you ask God for daily guidance and find His will?

Let me rephrase them, “Do you pray and read the Bible daily?”

[1] H.A. Ironside, Timothy, Titus, and Philemon (Neptune, NJ: Loizeaux Brothers, 1947), 220

Gratitude is the Believers’ Emblem!

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Christmas is the time of the year where most people become enthusiastic; very busy cooking, decorating the house and shopping for the perfect gifts. Unfortunately few people stop to find out the true meaning of the season. Imagine the joy of giving a very exclusive gift to a loved one. Regrettably that person does not even bother to show any gratitude; worst, she even pays no attention to the gift. How would you feel? Wouldn’t your emotions be disturbed? Of course they would. Ingratitude is a terrible disease, it reveals egotism.  Two thousand years ago God gave the most extraordinary gift possible, a gift that cost Him a lot. We read “For God loved the world in this way: He gave His One and Only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life”. (John 3:16) But regrettably people don’t even care about the gift. Christmas is more than parties, family getting together, riding snow machines, exchanging gifts, etc. The real Christmas story is the story of God becoming a human being in the Person of Jesus Christ.

Why was Christmas necessary? Simply because we needed a Savior!                                                                                                       Why do we celebrate Christmas each year?                                                                                                                                                  Out of gratitude for what God did for us! He provided a way—the only Way—for us to spend eternity with Him. He provided a gift, His only Son to take our punishment for our sins. “But God demonstrated His own love for us in this: while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). Some folks ask Jesus “What does God want us to do?” Jesus responded, “God wants to do something for you so that you believe in the one whom he has sent.” (John 6:28–29) The best gift you could give God is to believe that Christ was sent by God for you. This Christmas will you pay attention to the gift God send you?

Pilgrimage

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A pilgrim is a traveler who is on a journey to a holy place. Usually, this is a physical journeying (often on foot) to some place of special meaning to the believer of a particular religious belief system. The great Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca (now in Saudi Arabia), is obligatory for every able Muslim. In the spiritual literature of Christianity, the concept of pilgrim and pilgrimage may refer to the experience of life in the world (considered as a period of exile).  Wesley Granberg- Michaeson describe it well, “Pilgrimage is as much about the journey as the destination. The point is not simply to get somewhere, but to expect that the process itself will reveal unexpected discoveries (serendipity), test and nurture spiritual strength, build new relationship along the way, and strengthen our exercise of faith. The pilgrimage of Christianity in the world today requires attentiveness to whom we meet,  openness to new understandings, unwavering trust that the Holy Spirit continues to prepare the way, guiding us into all truth.”[1]

[1] From Time Squares to Timbuktu, Wesley Granberg- Michaelson, Ed. Eerdmans, 2013. P.6

 

 

 

Growing Friendship

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Yesterday morning I ask my twelve years old son how many eggs he wanted to eat, his answer caught me of guard when he said three eggs dad. He is presently growing up rapidly. Spiritually we also need to grow up. After we receive Jesus in our hearts, we are faced with a decision–will we grow and mature in this new life or not? Physically, there is no choice–we continue to grow larger and taller. At about the age twelve, we begin to enter adult life. The decisions made during this time affect our lives in many ways- the most important being: will we grow according to the ways of the world or will we seek friendship with God and grow according to His ways? Real friendship with anyone involves a growing, loving relationship. And to be a friend requires a decision to love that person whether human or divine. In our spiritual teen age, we need to decide to love God with all our heart, soul, and might. The question is “am I presently growing spiritually?” 

Beware of despairing about yourself. You are commanded to put your trust in God, and not in yourself. —St. Augustine

What is “Café Gospel Ministry”?

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Cup of coffeewww.Cafégosple.me

What is “Café Gospel Ministry”?

The idea of “Café Gospel” begins during my first mission trip to Costa Rica in 2013. We were living at El Jardin in the beautiful Central Valley. One evening, as I was writing in my daily Journal, the idea crossed my mind to start a Blog relating to this trip. But what name should I give that new blog? Honestly, I had no idea. So I asked God to help me and He did. Right away two words came to mind “Café” and “Gospel”. Let me explain, the main industry in the location where we were living consists in growing coffee, and the main focus of my ministry in Costa Rica was presenting the gospel. That’s how “cafégospel.me” was born.

What is the goal of “Café Gospel ministry?”

The goal of “Café Gospel” ministry is rather simple; it consists of inspiring believers to enjoy God’s presence daily. Like two friends sipping together a coffee appreciating each other.

Description of “Café Gospel Ministry”

The Bible teaches that when a person puts his faith in the person and finished work of Jesus, that individual becomes a new person. “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, ⌊he is⌋ a new creation; old things have passed away, and look, new things have come” 2 Corinthians 5:17.

But one question is raised: how does a person live that new life in Christ? The new creation is like a new born baby, he has everything to learn. Here’s where “Café Gospel Ministry” comes along to help; it is to encourage the new believer to feed himself daily with the milk of God’s Word. “I fed you with milk, not solid food, for you were not ready for it.” 1 Corinthians 3:2)

As a new born Christian feeds on the milk (basic doctrines) of the Word of God, he learns to cultivate a relationship with God himself. God has the same quality that a human being has; He enjoys having relations with people. Before the fall of Adam and Eve, God delighted in having special time each day with them (Gen 3:8). Likewise, God desires to have special time with each one of His children on a daily basis.  We see a great visual picture in Revelation 3:20 of Jesus knocking at the door expecting that someone will hear, open, and invite him to share a meal. God wants to cultivate a relationship with each one of his children, old or new believers. After a meal, friends frequently enjoy a good cup of coffee together. I personally believe that coffee is not meant to drink alone, coffee is a social drink. Friends like to get together at a café to catch up. God also likes to catch up with his children. That’s why we need that time alone. God has ample things to share with us. In John 16:12-13 Jesus foretold what role the Holy Spirit would have, “There is so much more I want to tell you, but you can’t bear it now”. When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own but will tell you what he has heard. He will tell you about the future.” What takes place during those times alone with God? He uses those precious minutes to guide his children. He helps them understand what the purpose of life is and how to live a life agreeing to His will.

A touching story from the New Testament serves as an illustration. One day Jesus was walking through the town of Jericho. In that town was a man that really wanted to see what Jesus looked like. Because of his small height, he decided to climb up a tree to have a better view. When Jesus walked near the tree, he looked up at the man and called him by his name. “Zacchaeus! Quick, come down! For I must be a guest in your home today.”  That man could have given many excuses to decline Jesus’s self-invitation; but instead he rapidly came down the tree and brought Jesus into his house. Rather than half-heartedly obeying, he took Jesus into his house in great excitement and joy (Luke 19:5, 6). In Rev. 3:20, John was writing to a church that had the reputation of being lukewarm. The Laodicea church was a backsliding congregation that in many aspects represent today’s church also. The question is how can a new believer survive and grow in a lukewarm church? The answer is found in that verse. Jesus stands today at the door of an unspiritual church, knocking and hoping that some believers will invite Him for a time of closeness. “If you hear me calling and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal (and coffee) as friends” (Re. 3: 20). A lukewarm church is more interested in entertainment than having memorable time with Jesus. He is calling you and me now to enjoy his presence; like friends partaking of a good coffee together, delighting in each other.

“Café Gospel Ministry” is a gift from God to help Christians enjoying God’s presence at a new level of intimacy. As Zacchaeus responded to Jesus invitation by opening his house (heart), in a similar way you are invited to deepen your relationship with Jesus.  You will never regret it. At whatever time Jesus comes to the side of your bed, telling you that the coffee is ready, get up and go to Him.  Remember, after that initial encounter with Jesus, Zacchaeus never was the same man. From being a stingy, he became a generous man. Instead of living a lonely life, he lived a happy one. Why not start tomorrow morning, have coffee time with a True Friend. Let it become your number ONE priority in life.  I promise you will never be the same. Jesus will tell you things in your heart that will blow your mind. You will learn to know God like never before. You will learn how God works today! Then you will start focusing your interests in life to match His interests. Things will start to make sense and work.

Hunting Season

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Some people we might know are doing well in hunting, they are better than most of the other guys. They know were, went, and how to do. But in other area of life, they do not do as well. Other does very well with computer and software programing, but they might not do very well on how to do basic maintenance of their house.

One legendary classic hero was Alexander the Great; by the age of twenty he was proclaimed king by the Greek nobles and his army. He conquers vast Empire such as the Persian Empire. After he conquer the town of Babylon, he took on the title “King of kings”, a title still to this day reserved only to the Lord Jesus Christ. Alexander did many things well, but not everything. In his early thirty, his health decline rapidly because of heavy drinking and possibly cause by an overdose of medication. Alex did many things well, but not everything well.

Only one person in world history did everything well, his name is the Lord Jesus Christ. We read in Mark 7:37 that “He has done everything well!” Not some things but in everything. In his child years, he did everything well. In his teen years, he did everything well. In his young adult years, he did everything well. In his mature years, he was already gone.  Alexander the Great died with no purpose; but the Lord Jesus died with a purpose. In Mark 10:45 we read “That is what the Son of Man has done: He came to serve, not to be served—and then to give away his life in exchange for many who are held hostage.”

During His life people gave a powerful testimony of His life among them, listen, “He has done everything well! In other words they said that we could trust Him.  “But to all who believed (trust) him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God” (John 1:12). Since the day I trusted Him as my personal Savior, He made everything well in my life. The benefits are exceptionally precious.

Risking

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Risktakerby taking bold decision. Examples from the pass will help reflect on where motivation comes from.  Why people avoid as much as possible risk? Because taking some risk imply some exposures. Nobody likes to show their vulnerability. Risk occurs when we put our reputation, beliefs, financial security, personal well-being, or even our lives on the line. Some do so simply for the thrill, or in the hopes of achieving some higher goal.

What motivate two men from the pass to take some great risk? Ezekiel was a prophet that lived about 600 years before Jesus; John was an apostle who lived during Jesus lives. Both of these men saw with greater clarity what was coming, they saw what others could not see.

Without risk takers, life would be even more dangerous. Politicians, doctors, and scientists throughout history who were willing to take well-calculated risks have benefited us all. A medical example will help us to understand how civilization did benefit from a courageous man who risk.

“Smallpox was the menace of mankind in 1717 when Zabdiel Boylston developed an effective but hazardous method of protection. He called it innoculation. He injected a small amount of infected material directly from smallpox patients into uninfected patients.”[1]

Avoiding danger is no safer in the long run than outright exposure. Life is either a daring adventure or nothing.–Helen Keller

Because these men saw with greater clarity what was coming, because they saw what others could not see, they took risk because they knew that doing nothing would bring destruction of many lives.

Security is the mother of danger and the grandmother of destruction.–Thomas Fuller

Even though the Bible never uses the word risk, story after story tells of risks taken, risks that end in flaming disasters or inspiring victories.  Did the shepherd left the ninety and nine in the safety of the fold and went out to search for the one lost sheep? No, the ninety-nine were left not in the safety of the fold but in the wilderness. “Only God, exhibiting his risky, careless love, would leave the ninety-nine in the wilderness to look for the one who is lost.”

The risks taken with the goal of presenting the gospel to those who have not heard are high-priority risks indeed. Ezekiel, John, Zabdiel are all men who saw what others could not see. They knew that risk was inescapable; they cross the security line and sailed off shore into deep water. They expose themselves for the well-being of others; putting their reputation, financial security, personal well-being, or even our lives on the line. For a Christian there is a risk when confronting a fallen world with the gospel’s radical message. The question a Christian has to answer, are we willing to use our gifts and risk for the kingdom’s greatest advantage? A similar question need to be answer by anyone who see what others cannot see, are you willing to take a risk that will benefit others?

[1] Terry C. Muck, When to Take a risk, vol. 9, Carol Stream, IL; Waco, TX: Christianity Today, Inc.; Word Books, 1987), 32.