Month: April 2021

Ever gotten lost? In general, my wife and I are quite opposites to other couples when it comes to a few things. When I’m driving, I’m the one who prefers to stop and ask for directions while my wife just wants to continue going in circles until we ‘figure it out.’ At least, we’ll know for the next time, she’ll say. I guess that means we’ll get lost again!
And in respect to getting lost, that’s me again! But, getting lost isn’t limited only to driving. My ‘skills’ really shine when watching movies! My wife says I turn a 2-hour movie into 3 hours…maybe she’s being nice! Years ago, we used to have our “Blockbuster Nights’ on Fridays. The kids would tell me nice things such as, “Now don’t get lost, Papi!” and, “No more questions!” But of course, I was helpless. The “nice” things would eventually include, “Don’t let Papi get a hold of the remote!” I remember one time as being the best! The kids slipped the VHS tape into the player and proceeded to warn me. The lights went out, everyone was quiet amidst a few giggles, they held their breaths, and after feeling secured and just before pressing the Play button, I said, “Wait!!!” Our youngest turned around laughing uncontrollably! and said, “Bendito, Papi, the movie hasn’t even started and you’re already lost??!!” I just had a question!! I miss those good times…I’m sure my wife does too, since there’s no one but her to answer me or put me back on track!
Getting lost is a reality to lots of us. Amongst the worst is getting some place early only to learn that we’ve arrived at the wrong place and then scramble out only to arrive late at the right place anyway, ugh!
I’m sure you’ve seen the signs, “Don’t follow me, I’m lost.” Makes sense. God wants us on the right paths. He understands getting lost. He even understands being lost. The former refers to an accident or mistake, or somewhat intentional (to make corrections for future attempts). However, the latter refers to a state or condition. Knowing that humanity was lost as result of sin during the fall of man, God made a Way to put us back on track. Like viewing a maze from a helicopter, God knows where in a maze we are. He knows which paths we’re taking. He knows which will lead us to dead ends as well as which will lead us out.
Even before the fall of man, God had made a way for all of us. He sent His Son Jesus to show us the Way. Jesus is The Way. He’s the Way to the Father (John 14:6). He’s the Way to eternal life. He’s the Way to forgiveness. Jesus can detour you. He can change your life’s course and place you on the road to His heart. He can place you on the path to His house. He will direct you to streets of gold via His GPS (God’s Perfect Spirit).
Whether you get lost on trains, buses, driving, or in movies or following a story, God is the best there is in the realm of Lost and Found. Stop. Take a Right. Ask God for directions. Get on track. The Holy Spirit is your remote; He will guide your steps.
God Bless!
Sam

Many times, riding my bike I found one of my tires to have suffered a slow-leak or a flat. With an empty tire, you can’t get far. Many times, I had to walk miles to get home if my patches didn’t work or something else occurred.
Sometimes, cars run out of gas-leaving one on foot. Or, we can get so exhausted from work that we feel like we’re running on empty. Most of the time empty isn’t a good thing. However, it can be. Jesus emptied Himself to become human like us. It means, He put aside His glory, His riches, His power, His Godly attributes to take on a human nature. Though equal to God, He laid it all aside, temporarily, for us.
All world religions have rites or rituals as well as traditions that set them apart from others. However great they may be, the leader or leaders they represent, are all dead in their graves or will be. Jesus is the only One whose tomb is EMPTY! Empty because after completing His redemptive work-taking upon Himself the sins of the world, He pleased the Father by satisfying the greatest demand of all time-a perfect sacrifice. No animal or animal’s blood could accomplish that because it was tainted.
Only the perfect Lamb of God-Jesus, could shed perfect blood for all mankind, for all time. And so to this day His tomb remains empty. Empty because on the third day He rose to heaven and is seated at the right hand of God for all eternity. Only Jesus can make that claim. Only in Christ can you find forgiveness. Only in Him can you find everlasting life. Only in Christ can you empty yourself and be filled with Him. An empty tomb can translate to an overflowing heart. An empty tomb means there is nothing else to add to the story, or to the Gospel. We’ve heard the saying, “He’s full of himself.” Hence, only when we’re empty of ourselves can God fill us.

Happy Resurrection Day!

God Bless,

Sam

We all generally know from watching movies that someone blamed for a crime or an act of violence is innocent until proven guilty. We tend to want and demand justice. We decry vindication. We want our day in court. When we see justice served, we agree, we applaud, we rejoice. But sometimes, justice isn’t what’s needed. What if the tables were turned? What if we’re guilty until proven innocent? Today, we celebrate what many allude to as Good Friday, though lots of evidence proves it should really be Good Wednesday-but that’ll get discussed another day.
As a little kid growing up, I wondered why my mom would tell us, “Today you can’t make any noise, say any bad words, can’t yell, can’t hammer, etc.” Then I learned it had to do with Jesus’ sufferings on the cross. From as far back as our ancestors go, Adam & Eve, we are all guilty of sin. We’re born into sin. We have no choice. Regardless of what we do, sin is always present. Nothing we do can change that. Only One Person changed our destiny: Jesus. God became man to pay the price for our sins. It was a price no human could pay. He reconciled us to God. People often get sidetracked shifting their focus to unimportant matters such as whether the Jews or Romans got Jesus crucified. The answer is both, and neither. While both groups were involved, neither was needed to accomplish His crucifixion. It was His love for us that held him to the cross. It wasn’t the nails fastening Him to that tree, but His commitment to reconnect us with the Father that spiked Him there until His death.
We have all been guilty of His death. Though unborn at the time, we had a part in it. Our sins took Him there. But you don’t have to carry your burden of guilt! You don’t need to live in chains of depression. Many people today want to end their lives because they’re caught in a cycle of guilt, pain, or remorse. You don’t need to kick yourself for the things you can’t help or control. Your freedom from sin is as close as a breath away. It’s as close as arriving today. In fact, it’s as close as happening right now.
This very instant whether you’re sitting down, happen to be on your knees, or are flat-out on your face, you can cry out to God in sincerity.

1.Tell Him you’re sorry for your sins. Don’t justify yourself.

2. Ask for His forgiveness.

3. Ask Him to remove your sins.

4. Ask Him to come into your heart and take up residence.
Jesus will do just that. He will remove your sins as far as the east is from the west (Psalm 103:12). He will cast them into the sea of forgetfulness (Micah 7:19). That means He will not remember them anymore-and neither should you. He will write your name in the Lamb’s Book of Life (Rev.3:5 and 21:27). You will have eternal life! When you leave this earth, you’ll go to heaven and will meet Him!
You will no longer be under the yoke of sin. You’ll be free! You’ll be proven innocent in God’s court of law due to the blood Jesus shed when crucified at Calvary for your sins.
TAP, TAP, TAP! (Gavel coming down) Verdict: Innocent! Outstanding sin-debt=PAID IN FULL! Conclusion: Free of Sin!

God Bless!

Sam