Supernatural

Matt. 21:18-19 

"18 Early in the morning, as he was on his way back to the city, he was hungry. 19 Seeing a fig tree by the road, he went up to it but found nothing on it except leaves. Then he said to it,  "May you never bear fruit again!" Immediately the tree withered.

This story is actually repeated several times in Scripture which should tell us a little something about it's importance. Not only is what is said important, but also what is not said is just as important. The text gives us the rationalization for his approaching the fig tree in the first place. Namely, "he was hungry." We then see him approach the tree with the presumed expectation that there would be fruit available produced by the tree to satisfy his condition. When he does not find the fruit, he then curses the "unproductive" tree.

Mark expands a little on the facts of this case. In his account, we read:

Mark 11:13

"Seeing in the distance a fig tree in leaf, he went to find out if it had any fruit. When he reached it, he found nothing but leaves, because it was not the season for figs."

So it appears that there was a perfectly rational explanation for the absence of figs on this poor tree! The reason? It wasn't the season for figs. Nature itself conspired against the Lord's wishes. And so, the parable begs the question, "Why would the Lord curse a tree that merely did, or in this case, did not do, just as it was programmed by nature to respond to it's environment?" It behaved as expected, and this somehow caused Jesus to curse it, rather than accept or ignore it.

You see, the lesson is less about fruitfulness or the lack thereof, than it is about expecting the supernatural. A believer should live in the expectation of the supernatural to meet his earthly needs. Jesus makes the point even clearer as the story continues in the Matthew account:

Matt. 21:20-22

"20 When the disciples saw this, they were amazed.  "How did the fig tree wither so quickly?" they asked. 21 Jesus replied,  "I tell you the truth, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, but also you can say to this mountain,  'Go, throw yourself into the sea,' and it will be done. 22 If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer." 

You see, Jesus does not say, "If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask in prayer so long as your request is rational." This entire story is about obtaining supernatural results from natural things. Jesus expected the tree to behave supernaturally in order to meet His requirements of it. That's the very same thing he expects from every one of us. If we are to please a supernatural God, we must behave like the supernatural people he has made us to be. Learn to expect the supernatural in your family, finances, & friendships. Put Him first in all things, then brace yourself for HIS supernatural intervention on your behalf.

Love ya,

Pastors Mario

A Believable God Doing Unbelievable Things

"Look at the nations and watch — and be utterly amazed. For I am going to do something in your days that you would not believe, even if you were told." Hab. 1:5

What a year this has been! Words simply cannot describe the joy we have had this last year seeing so many of you maturing beautifully in the Lord. Your influence in our immediate community, as well as in our regional community of faith has been steadily increasing and the blessings just keep coming in. So many people are interested in what we have to offer on so many levels that we are finding ourselves hard-pressed to be able to meet the demand.

God promised Abraham many years ago in Gen. 12:2 -

"I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing."

God has truly begun to make our name great and to mold us into channels of blessing to all those around us. That was the good news. The great news is that the BEST IS YET TO COME! 

2011 will be a year where many of us will finally step up to the plate and begin to fulfill the calling that God has placed on our lives. It will be a year where God will help you to fulfill your divine destiny in Him. It will be a year of breakthrough and deliverance. He has already begun to pour out His Spirit on us and many are already working in their giftings at a new level of anointing. He said that the time would come when we would not believe what we were told. Well, the time is now, and you have been told. Believe it.

Luv ya,

Pastor Mario

I Surrender All?

It's very interesting to note how Scripture deals with the issue of personal sacrifice.  Jesus once had a conversation with one man that specifically addressed the issue.

Matt. 19:16-24  "Now a man came up to Jesus and asked,  "Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?" 17.  "Why do you ask me about what is good?" Jesus replied.  "There is only One who is good. If you want to enter life, obey the commandments." 18.  "Which ones?" the man inquired. ¶ Jesus replied, "'Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, 19. Honor your father and mother,' and 'love your neighbor as yourself.'" 20.  "All these I have kept," the young man said.  "What do I still lack?" 21. Jesus answered,  "If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me." 22. When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth. 23. Then Jesus said to his disciples,  "I tell you the truth, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. 24. Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God."

The most significant portion of this discourse is about what you don't read.  When outlining the Ten Commandments, Jesus leaves four out.  Specifically, commandments 1, 2, 3, and 4 dealing with "No other Gods," "Graven images (idols)",  "Taking His name in vain," and the "Sabbath".  Essentially, he intentionally excluded all the commandments that dealt with man's attitude toward God. 

Notice his response regarding the one's that dealt with man's relationship toward man, "I've always done that!" But had he, really? Jesus puts his feigned compassion to the test. The truth is that many of us can "keep the rules" so long as it doesn't really cost us much. We're willing to cooperate so long as our cooperation doesn't expose enough of us for others to be able to comment on our lives. We so dislike others "meddling" in our affairs. As a result, many of our relationships are superficial; they don't require real intimacy and so they don't ever require "real" sacrifice by default.

Keeping the rules is not about sacrificing. It is simply about attaining the minimum standard acceptable. It does not require an emotional investment, let alone passion.  It also doesn't require vulnerability. Many of us cannot establish meaningful relationships with others because we are afraid of being vulnerable. Unfortunately, this is also true of our relationship with the Lord. 

How does Jesus deal with this man's question regarding salvation?  It is important to realize that he's not asking about sainthood here. He just wants to know what he needs to do to be saved. Jesus answers by asking this man to do something that almost seems impossible. "If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me."

Notice how Jesus equates the state of perfection with the state of salvation in responding to this inquiry. Wow! The cost of discipleship is heavy.  The Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke all record the cost of discipleship.  Luke 9:23 puts it this way,

Luke 9:23 Then he said to them all:  "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me."

The problem is that we do not know the extent to which we must deny ourselves.  Jesus clarifies this later in the Gospel of Luke.

33. In the same way, any of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be my disciple. 34. "Salt is good, but if it loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? 35. It is fit neither for the soil nor for the manure pile; it is thrown out. "He who has ears to hear, let him hear."

God's demands are all encompassing and absolute.  With God, it's all or nothing. We can't hold anything back. There is no such thing as "privacy" when it comes to God. Like the song says, we must surrender all, not most.

Just how vulnerable are you willing to be in your life? The extent to which you are vulnerable to God will determine the extent to which he will be intimate with you. Please don't make the mistake of walking away sad, like this young man did. Whatever you might be holding on to is nothing in comparison with what He has prepared for you if you simply, and genuinely, surrender all to Him.

Love ya,

Pastor Mario

On Public Correction of False Teachers -- A Thought

Paul told his spiritual son Timothy in 2 Timothy 3:16, "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works." 

"Unsanctified mercy," is just that-unsanctified. The Bible teaches us that loving someone often requires correcting them. Intuitively, we know this as parents. Unfortunately, we often don't understand this in terms of its spiritual application. As was established in the Garden of Eden, we are our "brothers keeper." As such, we must come to the realization that at times, correction must be done publicly -- 1 Tim. 5:20, 1 Cor. 5:3-12, 2 Tim. 2:14-19, Gal. 2:11-14. Paul himself warned Timothy of teachers whose false teaching would spread "like gangrene" (Paul's words - 2 Timothy 2:15-18) In doing so, he actually calls the false teachers out BY NAME for posterity.

We cannot refrain from applying the recommendations of God's word simply because the person giving the teaching is himelf imperfect. We are ourselves at times also at fault. On this basis we would never be able to correct our own children for doing the very things we did (wrongly) as children. Hopefully we learn from our mistakes and can, as such, teach others. And that is the whole point.

Luv u. Pastor Mario

by Mario Gonzalez on Saturday, January 1, 2011 at 6:35pm

Senda Antigua - Ancient Path

As I prepared to preach my sermon, "Growing Down," I was reminded of a song (below) that Sam dedicated to me at my mother's funeral. As a kid that met Jesus at the age of 8, these lyrics take me back to a time when my life was less complicated and my connection to God was much purer. God seemed so big to me when I was small.

My prayer today is that He grow larger as I grow smaller in my own heart and mind. Friend, that ancient path which led to that old rugged cross is still the only route we can take to get us there from here. 

Here are the lyrics to the song. I pray they take many of you back to your childhood so that you can once again play in His throne room.

Luv u,

Pastor Mario

Senda Antigua – Ancient Path

Verso 1

Puede venir quien venga [Come whoever may come]

Y salir con algo nuevo [with whatever new invention]

Y decirle, es que estamos [saying that we are]

en tiempos modernos [in modern times]

Puede que muchos se vayan tras otros, [Perhaps many will run after others]

Y dejar lo que una vez creyeron, [and abandon what they once believed]

Pero esta linda senda antigua [but it's this beautiful ancient path]

Es la que sigo yo [that I will follow]

 

Coro

Aquella senda antigua [That beautiful ancient path]

La de aquellos antepasados [the path taken by our forefathers]

Que al poner las manos en los cojos [who placed their hands upon the lame]

Salían corriendo [and they left running]

 

Aquella senda antigua [That ancient path]

La de aquel Daniel y Elías, [Daniel and Elijah's path]

La que Saulo perseguía [the path that Saul followed as he persecuted Jesus]

Es esa linda senda antigua [It's that beautiful ancient path]

La que sigo yo [that I will follow]

 

Verso 2

Muchos me dicen vente [Many tell me, "Come,"]

Total si todo somos hermanos ["We are all brothers!"]

Total si Dios lo que quiere ["All that God desires,"]

Es que le adoren ["is that we worship Him."]

 

A muchos le da pena, [Many feel sorry for these people]

Pero yo francamente les digo [but I honestly tell them]

Que esta linda senda antigua  [this ancient path]

La que sigo yo [is the path that I'll follow]

 

Coro [Chorus repeats – translation above]

Aquella senda antigua

La de aquellos antepasados

Que al poner las manos en los cojos

Salían corriendo

 

Aquella senda antigua

La de aquel Daniel y Elías,

La que Saulo perseguía

Esta linda senda antigua

Es la que sigo yo

Es esta linda senda antigua la que sigo yo

Music and Lyrics by Sam Cintron

(Listen to it on Soundcloud)

Christmas - Standing on One's Head

CHRISTMAS is when we celebrate the unexpected; it is the festival of surprise.

This is the night when shepherds wake to the song of angels; when the earth has a star for a satellite; when wise men go on a fool's errand, bringing gifts to a Prince they have not seen, in a country they do not know.

This is the night when one small donkey, bears on its back, the weight of the world's desire, and an ox plays host to the Lord of heaven. This is the night when we are told to seek our king, not in a palace, but in a stable. 

Although we have stood here, year after year, as our fathers before us, the wonder has not faded; nor will it ever fade; the wonder of that moment when we push open that little door, and enter, and entering find, a mother who is virgin, and a baby who is God.

Chesterton has said it for us all: the only way to view Christmas properly is to stand on one's head. Was there ever a home more topsy-turvy than Christmas, the cave where Christ was born? For here, suddenly, in the very heart of earth, is heaven; down is up, and up is down; the angels look down on the God who made them, and God looks up to the things he made.

There is no room in an Inn for Him who made room and to spare, for the Milky Way, and where God is homeless, all men are at home.

We were promised a savior, but we never dreamed God Himself would come and save us. We know that He loved us, but we never dared to think that he loved us so much as to become one of us.

But that is the way God gives. His gifts are never quite what we expect, but always something better than we hoped for. We can only dream of things too good to be true; God has a habit of giving things too true to be false. That is why our faith is a faith of the unexpected, a religion of surprise.

Now, more than ever, living in times so troubled, facing a future so uncertain, we need such faith. We need it for ourselves, and we need to give it to others.

We must remind the world that if Christmas comes in the depths of winter, it is that there may be an Easter in the spring.

by: Fr. Horacio V. de la Costa, SJ

I want to thank my good friend Choy Arnaldo for sharing this wonderful piece with me and now I'm sharing it with you. Pass it on.

Luv u,

Pastor Mario

The Myth of Christmas

A 'card-carrying' atheist is quoted as having told a friend of mine, "A
 myth? What part of 'three kings following a star through a desert to 
bring presents to an immaculately conceived baby-god they dreamt about' 
seems like a myth to you?"

Whenever I hear things like this, I'm reminded of a literary passage that I really think hits the nail on the head when it comes to atheists as a whole. In chapter 30 of his book, Down and Out in Paris and London, George Orwell writes referring to his character ironically named, "Bozo,"

"Clearly the phrase was not the doctor's but Bozo's own. He had a gift 
for phrases. He had managed to keep his brain intact and alert, and so
 nothing could make him succumb to poverty. He might be ragged and cold, or 
even starving, but so long as he could read, think, and watch for meteors, 
he was, as he said, free in his own mind. 

He was an embittered atheist (the sort of atheist who does not so much 
disbelieve in God as personally dislike Him), and took a sort of pleasure 
in thinking that human affairs would never improve."

There is a certain innate arrogance in the heart of an atheist not found in the agnostic; an arrogance born out of a sense of utter displacement that inevitably leads one to an existentialist view of the world. There is a hopelessness; an inner misery if you will, that desperately seeks company. And so, he aggressively seeks to disprove something that can neither be rationally proven nor disproven. The true angst of an atheist is more so the concept of God than his existence. And so the Bible is a perfect target for the avowed divine cynic.

A God who would make man in "his own image?" How arrogant. To bestow something of his divine nature into mere mortals, what could he have been thinking? I mean, a God who would prejudicially and possessively call a certain people "his own," and then proceed to force his will upon them by leading them out of slavery and incessant oppression despite overwhelming opposition from one the most powerful military powers of their time, and then repeatedly deliver them from world power after world power, over and over again throughout human history? What a showoff! I mean really, water from a rock? Bread from heaven? 90+ year old women giving birth? Earthquakes and firestorms at just the right time?  "What's the point?" the atheist asks. Ultimately, atheists fail to see the forest for the trees. They are blinded by their own utter hopelessness.

Behind every miracle of scripture is an illustration of the hope that there is in God, of an everlasting love that a father has for his children. Each miracle speaks to the faith that God ultimately has in you and me. In our decision-making ability, a power placed inside each and every one of us by He himself. It is a power that gives us the ability to choose him, to choose life of our own volition. Every miracle speaks to his commitment to the atheist, agnostic and believer alike. His miracles toward mankind, despite our foolishness and unbelief, prove that he loved us "while we were yet sinners." (Romans 5:8)  

That being said, the miracle of Christmas is more than just a Bible story about a trio of cosmic weirdoes following an ancient prophecy, as noted by our dear atheist friend. It is more than just a story about a pregnant unwed teenager giving birth to a cosmic king. It is a love story.

Christmas is a story that speaks to a passion that begs each of us to look beyond reason, beyond dogmas and stereotypes, and beyond our own rationale limitations. The birth of Christ is the perfect metaphor to demonstrate what God wants to birth in every one of us: hope.

Through all of the events surrounding the Biblical Christmas story, we see that God concocts the most irrational way of expressing his love for us. And that's the whole point. By use of a poverty stricken teenage couple and a manger, we infer that He offers us a humble love meant to affront our materialism, arrogance and imperfections. It speaks to a love that brings forth life and the hope that life represents, both in us and through us. Through this seemingly ridiculous story, God births in us a sense of hope, despite our humble surroundings and/or adverse circumstances. It presents a hope that survives despite powerful, seemingly insurmountable opposition. And it demonstrates a sacrificial love packaged in the concept of "family," whose goal it is to reconcile mankind one with another, and ultimately with God himself in a bond of peace.

"10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.  11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.  12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.  13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, 14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men."

Luke 2:10-14

The only myth in Christmas is to believe that just because you've given up on believing in God, that he's somehow given up on believing in you. And that is the greatest miracle of all.

"Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us."

Matthew 1:23

" [Jesus]…and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen."

Matthew 28:20 

Merry Christmas,

Pastor Mario