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God’s Presence | Psalm 95:2
The Scriptures tell us that there is fullness of joy in God’s presence. Elijah found encouragement, restoration, direction, and purpose in God’s presence. Isaiah found cleansing from sin and his call. Moses said, “If your presence does not lead us, we do not want to go.” Paul found transformation from being lost and empty to being saved and overflowing with the presence of the Lord God Jesus. May this New Year find us growing in our desire for God’s presence. We pray God’s presence will be evident every time Calvary Chapel Miami meets. (Read Psalm 16:11, 1 Kings 19:13, Isaiah 6:7, Exodus 33:15, and Acts 9:6.)
Razz Vázquez, Senior Pastor
Where God Guides, He Provides | 1 Kings 17:2-6
Have you ever found yourself asking God, “What if?” I know I have, especially when He is guiding me where I don’t want to go. Let us learn from Elijah in 1 Kings 17:2-6. The Lord told him to hide in a cave. Where is he going to get food, water, or a mattress? The Lord had a plan. He used a raven as a caterer. Yes; a bird brought Elijah pita bread and steaks in the mornings and in the evenings. Friends, remember this; where God guides, He provides. He is faithful.
Nilson Hernández, Ministry Assistant
Who is my master? | Matthew 6:24
Primarily, we earn a decent wage for food, clothing and shelter. However, many folks put themselves into deep financial debt by buying lots of stuff they don’t need. They work two or more jobs to pay large credit-card debts. There is no savings, no time for family, friends, church, and God. Therefore, we are serving Master Card instead of Master Christ. We cannot serve both God and money (Matthew 6:24). But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve...But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD (Joshua 24:15).
George Lee, Ministry Assistant
Is Prayer Effective? | Mark 1:35
“In the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out...and there prayed” (Mark 1:35). Jesus had an unfaltering confidence in the effectiveness of prayer. He often slipped away from the hectic demands of ministry to spend time alone with God. That fact alone is probably the highest authentication of prayer’s effectiveness that we have. In James 5:16, it says that the effectual, fervent prayer of a righteous man has many benefits. We can confidently rest in knowing that no matter what our circumstances might be, we can always count on the certainty of God’s promises.
Christopher Rodríguez, Singles’ Pastor
Faithful | Daniel 3
Three men faced a life-and-death decision; bow down to worship the king’s idol or die. They could’ve bowed down but they didn’t. Their uncompromising decision enraged the king, who consequently threw them into a furnace. While in the fire, the king recognized another person in there with them who looked like “the Son of God.” Jesus was with them in the midst of the fire. The men came out without the smell smoke on them! When we make uncompromising decisions for the Lord, He will go through the fire with us. The Lord is faithful to those who are faithful to Him.
Daniel Vázquez, Ministry Assistant
Evil Corrupts Good | 1 Corinthians 15:33
Not all Christians take friendship with the world seriously. Some do not realize the effect friends have on them. In this scripture I see evil company not only referring to people, but anything that we surround ourselves with. It maybe radio, television, books, magazine or the daily newspaper. Many different things can corrupt our character. If we hangout with the world, we will become as the world. If we hangout in the Word and with believers in Christ we shall grow. If we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another.
Alfred Morlote, Assistant Pastor
Filled to Overflowing | 1 John 4:9
“If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink [and] out of his heart will flow rivers of living water" (John 7:37-38). In John 7 Jesus was speaking of the Holy Spirit. I pray each of us would be filled with the Holy Spirit to overflowing on a daily basis; pouring out His love to others. Let us not become dry or stagnant, but rather be an unclogged conduit of His never-ending love. "In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him" (1 John 4:9).
Adrian Caballero, Youth Pastor
Best Search Engine | Psalm 139:23
There are many internet search engines such as Google, Yahoo, Ask Jeeves, etc. When it comes to matters of the heart, mind, and spirit, the best search engine is the Lord. Jeremiah 17:9 tells us that the heart is deceitful and desperately wicked. This is probably why the Lord Himself, in Jeremiah 17:10, reminds us that it’s His job to search the heart. Our job is to search for the Lord with all of our heart. Jeremiah 29:13. Jesus promised that if we seek, we will find. Matthew 7:7. Let us pray: “Search me, O God, and know my heart” (Psalm 139:23).
Karl Haspil, Assistant Pastor
Our choice matters | John 15:16
We make many decisions daily. The choices we make will have a negative or positive influence in our lives. Our most important decision is spiritually related. If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself and follow Me (Matthew 16:24). But I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit (John 15:16). The decision is to accept or reject God’s choice, since God personally hand-picked us to be on His team. We have a free will to accept His choice for our lives. Our choice matters because it carries an eternal, spiritual significance.
George Lee, Ministry Assistant
Power of God’s Word | Psalm 29
Psalm 29 is a resounding hymn of praise to God for the glory of His voice; describing in detail the power of God’s Word. In Hebrews 1:3, it says that God upholds all things by the “word of His [Jesus’] power,” or His efficient utterance. He has, in His great love and mercy, chosen to harness the great power of His word with one end in mind: upholding all things. Not only were we created by the spoken Word of God, but we are also held together by the efficiency of that which He has spoken. God is truly great!
Christopher Rodríguez, Singles’ Pastor
There is Hope | Hebrews 4:11-17
Regardless of your circumstances, failures, or struggles, you can go to Jesus for comfort, forgiveness, and strength. It’s quite amazing when you come to think about it. Jesus lived this life and did not sin. He was in all points tempted as we are but didn’t give in – and it doesn’t stop there! Jesus is not only an example to us on how we are to live but He also makes Himself available to us for help in this life. Go boldly before the throne of grace, that you may obtain mercy and find grace in the time of need.
Daniel Vázquez, Ministry Assistant
Your Composition | Psalm 45:1
“My heart is overflowing with a good theme; I recite my composition concerning the King; my tongue is the pen of a ready writer” (Psalm 45:1). Have you ever experienced something so phenomenal you couldn’t wait to tell others? Our lives are a composition being written by God, for all others to see and give glory to the Maker. “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith” (Hebrews 12:2). Jesus is the author and the finisher of our life story. We are just the instruments through which He chooses to continue to write HIStory.
Adrian Caballero, Youth Pastor
No Lip Service Please | Ezekiel 33:31
The Lord alerted Ezekiel that so-called believers were inviting each other to go, sit, and hear the word of the Lord but, unfortunately, they did not obey it. They were offering nothing but lip service to the Lord “for with their mouth they show much love, but their hearts pursue their own gain” (Ezekiel 33:31). Jesus warned the Pharisees and Scribes that they were drawing near to God with their mouth and honoring Him with their lips while their heart was far from Him. Mark 7:6-7. Matthew 15:7-9. “Be doers of the word, and not hearers only” (James 1:22).
Karl Haspil, Assistant Pastor
Tests | Deuteronomy 8:2
During our lifetime, we will undergo tests like mid-terms, finals, certifications, medical, driving, fitness, etc. Tests are necessary to measure against set standards. Remember…God led you all the way in the desert these forty years, to humble you and to test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep his commands (Deuteronomy 8:2). God allows tests, trials, and troubles to humble and test us. He desires for us to draw close and to see His love on the cross. So that we can know, experience, and share this same love with others.
George Lee, Ministry Assistant
Chocolate-Covered Fruit | Genesis 3:6
Eve could not resist the temptation. It was just too easy to sin. The devil is no dummy. He did not add thorns around the tree, making it difficult to get to it. I could see him possibly tempting her by putting chocolate over the fruit to make it more enticing. He tempts all of us with things we like. We must stay clear away from the chocolate (sin) and not draw closer to it. We ought, as Joseph, to run from temptation. If tempted, be compelled to take captive our thoughts and make them obedient to Christ.
Alfred Morlote, Assistant Pastor
God is Awesome | Psalm 66:5
“Come and see the works of God; He is awesome in His doing toward the sons of men” (Psalm 66:5). Wow! What an invitation that is. We are invited to come see the works of God, and when we do, we realize that He is Awesome. We worship an Awesome God. Someone said if you take the Awe out of our Awesome God, we are left with just some God. Are we in awe of God and His works? “Let all the earth fear the LORD; Let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of Him” (Psalm 33:8).
Adrian Caballero, Youth Pastor
Faith And Fate | Genesis 6-8
Noah believed God’s word that a worldwide flood was coming though there had never been one on the earth beforehand. He put his faith into action by preparing an ark and preaching righteousness. Because of his faith and simple obedience, Noah and his household were saved. God’s word tells us that Jesus is returning at any minute like a thief in the night. 1 Thessalonians 5:2. Are we preparing our hearts to meet the Lord in the air (1 Thessalonians 4:17) and are we preaching the word (2 Timothy 4:2)? Like Noah, our faith will determine our ultimate fate.
Karl Haspil, Assistant Pastor
Not My will, but His! | Matthew 6:10
“Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven” (Matthew 6:10). This verse says that you need to pray according to God's will. That means being neutral in your requests. If you’re trying to decide whether you should take a new job in a new town, you need to bring it before the Lord without your feelings attached to it. Sometimes we feel so strongly about something that we can't get past our own will to find His. Remember, we want God's will in our life, not our own! We need to yield to the Lord in everything!
Raul Ries, Senior Pastor
Calvary Chapel Golden Springs, CA
The Father’s Gift | Romans 6:23
We receive many gifts in our lifetime. Some are more precious than others. Generally, we are preoccupied with the gift and forget to acknowledge and show gratitude towards the gift-giver. Our heavenly Father gave us His perfect gift of eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. James 1:17. Romans 6:23. God loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins. 1 John 4:10. Jesus is the way to God. As God offers His perfect gift, He desires for us to have a personal relationship with Him by accepting, believing, and surrendering our hearts to Him.
George Lee, Ministry Assistant
Approach Him Properly | Matthew 23:13-37
How can people, that spend so much time trying to be right, be so wrong? That question seems to keep coming up in regard to the Pharisees. They aspired to the kind of right standing that wasn't genuine and the way they went about it was misguided. They wanted to earn good standing with God and there's really nothing you can do to earn God's favor. God gives his favor out freely, and if we can't humble ourselves enough to take it, we can't access it. God's grace frees us to approach Him properly.
Christopher Rodríguez, Singles’ Pastor
Keeping His Promise | Ezekiel 36:8-9
Our 2007 Israel trip again confirmed that God kept His promise in Ezekiel 36:8-9. Looking from a distance and taking a scan from surrounding nations towards Israel it is clear to see where Israeli territory starts. Israel is green inside which represents growth, life, and productivity. The application shows us that God wants to make any person who accepts Jesus Christ a person of growth, life, and productivity. God in Jesus tells us, “Behold, I am for you, and I will turn unto you, and ye shall be tilled and sown.” We give thanks to God for keeping His promise.
Razz Vázquez, Senior Pastor
Willingness to Serve | 1 Samuel 17
When you’ve been dwelling in the presence in God and are filled with His Spirit, there is no telling what you can do! The Spirit of the Lord was upon young David. When David heard Goliath’s abominable words, David made a commitment to confront this giant. He then searched for the tools for battle. Notice that David made the commitment before possessing the necessary tools and the Lord granted him the victory. God sees those with a willingness to serve and equips them to serve Him. If you sense the Lord calling you, make that commitment and watch Him come through for you.
Daniel Vázquez, Ministry Assistant
On Solid Ground We Stand (1 Corinthians 10:4)
Picture this: You have two characters. One who’s trust is in the Jesus Christ and the other who’s trust is in worldly circumstances. You see a close up of them hanging from a tree off a cliff. The believer is holding on to a flimsy branch about to break and the worldly man has his arms wrapped around a sturdy branch. As you zoom out, the believer has a huge smile and the other man a shocked face. You see, the believer’s feet were standing on solid ground, while the other man was hanging by his own strength. As believers we don’t have to try to make things work on our strength. Our strength comes from standing on solid ground, on the Rock, Jesus Christ. (1 Corinthians 10:4)
Adrian Caballero, Youth Pastor
Need Him? Seek Him!
We live in times of instant gratification where personal savings is at an all time low and personal debt is at an all time high. We are misguided by the media to wear the latest fashions, own the latest gadgets, drive luxury cars and live in dream homes. “Buy now and pay later” is the motto because “I” deserve it. Yet God is the One who deserve ALL the praise, honor, and glory because He knows and meets ALL our needs. Philippians 4:19. We must first seek God and His righteousness and everything else will fall into place according to God’s will. Matthew 6:25-33.
George Lee, Ministry Assistant
Barren and Ashamed? | John 15:5
Shame is a feeling of guilt, inadequacy, embarrassment, or fearful reluctance. There are people who call themselves Christians and do not express a feeling of shame, guilt or inadequacy because of their sin. Not being ashamed to share the gospel comes from staying clear of sin or anything that can tempt you to sin. Adequacy is not found when we are with Christ, but in Christ. Being with Christ is good, but being in Christ is better. Jesus made that distinction in John 15:5. He said, “If you want to bear fruit, abide in me.” So abide in Him and you will bear forth fruit.
Alfred Morlote, Assistant Pastor
Visible Worship | Philippians 3:3
In the Old Testament, God chose a very physical way of distinguishing His people from the world around them; but before long, the Jews came to view the very act of circumcision as what made them special. God immediately began explaining how this outward symbol was never intended to mean any more than just that: a symbol of a promise. In Philippians 3:3, Paul says that the true recipients of God’s promises are distinguished, not by their physical appearance, but by the way they worship God. What does your worship say about you to the world in which you live?
Christopher Rodríguez, Singles’ Pastor
The Simple Truth | 1 John 2:3-5
How can you tell is someone knows God? If this person follows God’s word, His commandments, he knows God. Whoever doesn’t follow God’s commandments, simply doesn’t know God. John is very clear in His epistle to inform that just as God is light and in Him there is not darkness at all, he who knows God obeys His commandments. John also reveals to us God’s reason for us to obey Him, which is for the love of God to be perfected in us. Allow God’s love to be perfected in you and obey His word. It’s the simple truth.
Daniel Vázquez, Ministry Assistant
Got The Power | Acts 1:8
Jesus promised us in John 14:16, a helper, the Holy Spirit. In Acts 1:8, Jesus says, “You shall receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you.” In Acts 2:1-4, we see this promise fulfilled in the believers at Jerusalem. This filling or baptism of the Holy Spirit is different from salvation. Jesus wants, even more than what we want, to fill us with the Holy Spirit. Luke 11:13. If we are feeling weak as Christians, then we need to be filled with the power of the Holy Spirit. Pray today to be filled.
Adrian Caballero, Youth Pastor
Contentment | 1 Corinthians 12:9
To all who prayed for my health and healing: “Thank you.” During our Israel 2007 trip my body battled sickness for two weeks. Then four weeks down with “Shingles” and when feeling a bit better my back went out two more weeks. The words of Jesus ("My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.") were more helpful than ever. For me John 13:7 along with Philippians 4:11-14 demonstrate that during tough times God does things we do not understand but will know later. Through these things we learn to be content in all things through Christ.
Razz Vázquez, Senior Pastor
Keep on Praying | Luke 18:1
Prayer is most essential in our relationship with God. It’s exercising our faith, trusting in God, and having intimacy with Him. It’s praising, thanking Him, and interceding for others. We are to never give up praying because God hears and rewards us when we diligently and laboriously seek Him daily. He answers prayers with yes, no, or wait but always according to His will. We are to wait, taste, and see that God is good. He desires daily talks with us. He renews our mind, heart, and spirit with His Spirit as we maintain a personal and intimate relationship with Him.
George Lee, Ministry Assistant
Hang In There | 1 John 5:3-5
Ever feel like throwing in the towel? Ever thought like you just can’t do this “Christian” thing anymore? “It’s just too tough!” you say. We demonstrate our love for God by keeping His Word. His Word isn’t hard to discern or follow. If we abide in Jesus and He abides in us, we have the power of the Holy Spirit to live our lives in obedience to Him. Jesus said, “In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, for I have overcome the world” (John 16:33b). With Jesus’ strength, we can overcome. So hang in there!
Daniel Vázquez, Ministry Assistant
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