Pastor's Blog

This week’s Pastor to Person is written by Pastor Caleb Beller.

[Rom 3:23 NIV] for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
When I hit headfirst into the shore; I knew something wasn’t right. The radiating pain, shortness of breath, this was more than just a wipe out. The x-rays and CT scan finally revealed the extent of the injury. Vertebral compression fracture T1 – T5. When the doctor arrived, he calmly stated I have good news and bad news, the bad news is you broke your back, the good news is it wasn’t your neck. Having the proper diagnoses was the first step in my recovery. I was then able to ask, “what do we do next?”
Paul, like a good doctor, is revealing the extent of our condition. Three things I see that help us as we consider the weight of Paul’s diagnosis.
“Unity,” Paul says, “all” have sinned, this means the one thing I have in common with all mankind, is my sin. Regardless of how this sin manifests in me or you, we all share the same condition. This brings a certain equality and unity. I am no better or worse than anyone else, my symptoms might be, but we are “all” suffering from the same condition.
“Clarity,” the key word in the diagnosis is “sin”, which Paul explains as “falling short of the glory of God.” Here we begin to move past the symptoms (how sin manifests) and deal with the root causes of where it begins. Ultimately, we sin because we are sinners, we are not sinners because we have sinned. This revelation about my heart and the brokenness of my condition helps me understand that trying harder is not going to fix it.
Lastly, we see this brings “humility.” The declaration of falling short of the glory of God, implies that there is a God, and I am not it. This requires a reorienting of my position from the center of my universe to the cure in v.24.
As we consider Paul’s diagnosis, how does this impact you today? First it makes me grateful for how far I have come. Second it helps me see myself in others from what I was, to what they could be. It also reminds me of the importance of the gospel for the root issues in the world today, we are sinners in need of a Savior.

-Pastor Caleb

This week’s Pastor to Person is written by Pastor Franklin Garcia.

Genesis 29:25-28 “What is this you have done to me? I served you for Rachel, didn’t I? Why have you deceived me?” Laban replied, “It is not our custom here to give the younger daughter in marriage before the older one. Finish this daughter’s bridal week; then we will give you the younger one also, in return for another seven years of work.” And Jacob did so…”

Often, we want to hide and forget about wrongdoings to others. This is the case with Jacob who escaped to a distant land after he usurped the oldest brother’s inheritance by deceiving his father.

Things started to go well for Jacob, so much so that the deception to his father was a thing of the past. Jacob fell in love and worked seven years to marry Rachel, but great was his surprise when he realized that he was deceived. Laban’s words; “We don’t do something for the youngest one before the oldest one” reminded Jacob of what he did to his father.

There was an area of sin in Jacob’s life that needed it to be dealt with, before he experienced God’s blessings. God used this difficult episode in Jacob’s life to confront him with his sin against his father.

Like Jacob, God will use difficult situations to confront us with hidden sins. The recognition of our sins should lead us to repent, so the broken areas of our lives can be fixed. Facing our wrongdoings will lead us to God’s blessings.

-Pastor Franklin

This week’s Pastor to Person is written by Pastor Franklin Garcia.

I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. Eph.3:16-17
Paul is writing to the church in Ephesus, he has been telling them about who they are in Christ and the riches that they possess, Paul told them they are one people now, one family, there is no difference between Jews and Gentiles. God has revealed his mystery, that mystery that was hidden in the past now it has been revealed and the church is the core of the mystery. God wants to manifest himself to the world through the church, the church that now is formed by people from all the nations, but for the church to accomplish this task one thing in common is necessary: love within his people. 
If we want to display the power of God, we must love the way he loves us. We can love others by allowing Jesus to make his residence in our hearts, so he can make our lives rooted in his love. If we allow Jesus to take full control of our lives, he will make his residence upon our hearts, and we are going to be empowered by God, so we can start loving like Christ, as we submit every area of our lives, we will understand his love for us, and we will love like Jesus.

-Pastor Franklin

This week’s Pastor to Person is written by Caleb Beller.

[2Ki 23:25 NIV] 25 Neither before nor after Josiah was there a king like him who turned to the LORD as he did–with all his heart and with all his soul and with all his strength, in accordance with all the Law of Moses.
Josiah was 8 years old when he became King! So many amazing things we could be inspired about from this kid! 2 Chron 34:3 tells us that when he was 16, he began to seek the Lord! Two years later he unleashed one of the greatest reformations in Judah’s history! I am praying for the Josiah’s in our day!!
When we look at his family history things get a little more complicated. His great, Grandfather, Hezekiah, was one of Judah’s best kings (2 Kings 18:5). However, his grandfather Manasseh was considered one of the most wicked! (2 Kings 21:10-16). Scripture tells us (2 Kings 21:20-22) His dad Amon was also evil and was assassinated 2 years after becoming king.
A few lessons we can take from this as we approach Father’s Day this weekend. Godly parents can’t guarantee good kids, and good kids can still have bad parents. Regardless of the example of your parents we all have a choice to make with the grace of God. Josiah chose to turn away from his father’s example and turn to God. Josiah’s legacy began with that choice. 
Another lesson is to never give up even on the most prodigal kids! Manasseh, the worst king, had a breakthrough late in life (2 Chron 33:12-13). Manasseh lived a horrible, destructive life, but his last chapter was one of repentance. His repentance wasn’t enough to change the trajectory of his son’s life, but is it possible that young Josiah was influenced by the change in grandpa’s life?
As you consider your feelings this Father’s Day let’s remember that your biology will not determine your eternity. Your Dad may influence your walk with God, but we are all responsible for what we do with the gospel.  Lastly no matter how far you may have walked away or fallen like Manasseh it’s never too late to turn back to God. Who knows what 8-year-old might be watching, and the power it could unleash. 

– Pastor Caleb

This week’s Pastor to Person is written by Pastor Franklin Garcia.

“A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse; from his roots a Branch will bear fruit. The Spirit of the LORD will rest on him the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding, the Spirit of counsel and of might, the Spirit of the knowledge and fear of the LORD.” ISAIAH 11:1-2

The kingdom of Israel will look like an abandoned kingdom. The people will look at the situation of their nation and will seem hopeless, but it will be in such circumstances that the descendant of David, the Messiah, our Lord Jesus will appear to establish a perfect kingdom promised by God. God’s promised kingdom will appear in a hopeless time. This promised kingdom will have a promised government, with a perfect leader, that will bring a worldwide peace and will fill the earth with the knowledge of the Lord. Everything might seem hopeless, but we must remember that the perfect is yet to come; a perfect government is coming. We will have a perfect leader, and worldwide peace. We must long for His kingdom to come. We must not lose hope and live in godliness knowing that the perfect is yet to come. One day there will be no evil, no more division, no more injustice; instead we are going to live in a perfect government, under a perfect leader and will have absolute peace. All good things will never come to an end as His people give praise and honor to God and enjoy Him forever.

Pastor Franklin

This week’s Pastor to Person is written by Pastor Caleb Beller.

[1Ki 17:9 NIV] 9 “Go at once to Zarephath in the region of Sidon and stay there. I have directed a widow there to supply you with food.”
“Pashtunwali” is an ancient code of conduct practiced by Pashtun tribes in Afghanistan & Pakistan. This ancient honor code has become famous over the centuries for their commitment to hospitality even when it is inconvenient or dangerous. The movie “Lone Survivor” highlights the heroic lengths that a tribe went to protect a US Soldier from the Taliban. Generosity and hospitality can be easier when you feel you have an abundance, but what do you do when you feel you don’t even have enough for yourself?
Amid the drought God had brought on Israel He sent Elijah to an unexpected place for provision. More than being sent to a gentile city Elijah is dispatched to the home of a struggling widow. As unusual as this story is, it highlights a beautiful principle about giving and faith.
Initially it seems cruel that God would ask the prophet to seek provision from this widow who was facing starvation for herself and son (v12). However, verse 13-14 shows us that God didn’t want to take something from her, but rather He wanted to do something for her and through her faith and hospitality.
Elijah asks her to give out of her lack and trust that not only will God supply enough for her and her son, but that would supply continually throughout the drought. Imagine how hard that would be for her deciding between the starvation of her son or a miracle from the God of Elijah. Had she chosen fear, maybe she could have gone 1-2 more days, instead her faith in God’s promise provided for the remainder of the drought.
During these tough times have you struggled with trusting God with your finances? The principle of giving is not about God taking something from us but giving us an opportunity to bless us as we bless others and walk in obedience. As we pray about our generosity and hospitality let me close with this promise from Malachi 3:10
Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, That there may be food in My house, And try Me now in this,” Says the LORD of hosts, “If I will not open for you the windows of heaven And pour out for you [such] blessing That [there will] not [be room] enough [to receive it].

-Pastor Caleb

This week’s Pastor to Person is written by Pastor Caleb Beller.

[Psa 57:1 NKJV] 1 “…when he fled from Saul into the cave. Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me! For my soul trusts in You, and in the shadow of Your wings I will make my refuge, Until [these] calamities have passed by.”

One of the earliest uses of the phrase, “No atheist in a foxhole” was published by Warren J. Clear in a 1942, “Readers Digest” article – here is the scene with an unidentified sergeant,
I remember jumping into a hole during a particularly heavy bombing attack. A sergeant crouched lower to make room for me. Then all hell broke loose, and I wasn’t surprised to find myself praying out loud. I heard the sergeant praying, too. When the attack was over, I said: “Sergeant, I noticed you were praying.” “Yes, sir,” he answered, without batting an eye, “there are no atheists in foxholes.”
David is on the run; his King and mentor is trying to kill him, and the future seems bleak. Can you relate? Do you have those moments where you feel alone, afraid, trapped in a dark and difficult situation? What can we learn from David?
First, be honest. I love how Psalms give us insight into all that David was feeling. He tells God about his fear, his enemies, his circumstances. David didn’t hold back his emotions from God. 
Second, David reminded himself over and over who his God was. “God most High,” “God of mercy and truth,” the God who has fulfilled promises, the God whose wings he can take refuge. Even as a mighty warrior David looks up; not in when overwhelmed. He strengthened Himself in the character and promises of His God. 
Last, David finishes the Psalm with shouts of praise. David turned the pit into a place of praise. David’s heart and soul begin to well up with shouts of praise for who God is, for what He will do, for what He has done! 
Has the enemy tried to back you into a deep, dark, pit? How can you turn that pit into a place of praise? Be honest with God, remember what He has done, and worship! See you on Sunday! 

-Pastor Caleb

This week’s Pastor to Person is written by Pastor Franklin Garcia.

“Again the Israelites cried out to the LORD, and he gave them a deliverer Ehud, a left-handed man, the son of Gera the Benjamite.” Judges 3:15

There’s a story in the scriptures of a left-handed man, a man who probably had some of the same frustrations as other left-handed people have had. This story occurs at a time when the people of Israel had turned away from the Lord and had begun to worship the gods of the Canaanite culture, and the Lord had disciplined them for that. God had allowed an enemy to oppress Israel for many years. The invader is, Eglon, the king of Moab, a nation to the East.
One day Ehud, the left-handed man, came face to face with a monument, a reminder of the reality of His God. He thought about that monument, and remembered what it stood for, he made a decision to let God use him. God used his uniqueness in a special way. As he looked at that memorial, and remembered his left hand, Ehud killed the king of Moab and Israel was set free. God used him in a way no right-hander could have been used.
The Lord has given you too something unique, some talent to do something for Him that others cannot do. You have an ability that others do not have, and that God’s people need. God has given you too a special ability, and He calls you to serve His people with it.

-Pastor Franklin

This week’s Pastor to Person is written by Pastor Caleb Beller.

[Psa 30:10 KJV] 10 Hear, O LORD, and have mercy upon me: LORD, be thou my helper.
A quick reaction force (QRF) is an armed military unit capable of rapidly responding to developing situations, usually to assist allied units in need of assistance. They are equipped to respond to any type of emergency within a short time frame.
What comes to mind when you see the use of the word “helper”? Do you think of a child helping a parent? Or maybe a “good Samaritan” helping an elderly friend? Of the 82 times this word is used in the Old Testament, many of those uses are used in a military context where the LORD is intervening to save His people.
As we dig even further into the use of this word, I find it fascinating that it is also the root word used in Genesis to describe “Eve” (Gen 2:18… “I will make him a “help mate”) Often culture has struggled with the term “help mate” as derogatory or implying a lesser status. However, when we look at the broader context of this word we get a much stronger, fuller picture of how God viewed this partnership.
As we prepare to celebrate Mother’s Day this weekend. Take some time to think about how God has been your “helper.” Now zoom out and consider how some of the women in your life have helped model this. How has your mom, wife, sister, friend demonstrated this?
As we celebrate this weekend let’s highlight these God honoring heroes who run into and run alongside our biggest challenges. Who respond with selfless love and sacrificial grace when we need it most. How will you bless the “helper” God has placed in your life?

-Pastor Caleb