THERE IS NO MYSTERY IN GOD'S PLAN FOR YOU

 By Irving Serrano

It`s really not a secret that God, has a place for His chosen. For those who believe, and carry on through life trusting in His will. Under any and all circumstances. He said; " I go prepare a place for you. That where I am, you may be there also". We should not have to pray and ask God about where, or when do we go to this place. It is God`s job to prepare the place. It is our job to prepare ourselves, so that we may be able to enter the place that God has prepared for us. Particularly those of us whom have gone through tormented times. Abuse, hardship, recklessness, and abandonment. You owe it to yourself to see what the fight was all about. You see, there was a fight for you. There was war-ing going on in the heavens. There were discussions in heaven over you. The enemy had sent his choice demons, to destroy you. You owe it to yourself, to find out what this fight is all about. You must be someone significant. Otherwise you wouldn`t have so much opposition in your life. God has a plan for you! Question? Have you ever thought of your past, and asked yourself? Why, or How ? am I still living? THIS IS WHY. GOD, is the master mind, totally intelligent, composed with a sovereign resolve. GOD, has settled your "in", since the beginning. GOD, has set you up. You will be in the place He wants you to be in. He already has bragged in heaven, and said; These shall be mine, when I make up my jewels.... GOD HAS A PLAN! And GOD, has not forgotten you. Your Boss, may have forgotten you. Your Parents, may have forgotten you, your spouse, your Children, your friends, you might think opportunity has forgotten you. But GOD say`s; " I have written their names in my hand". GOD, has seen the the end, from the beginning....He said; "I have engraved your name in my hand, I have not forgotten you". Every good deed, every act, every accomplishment, every prayer, every request-- GOD says; "I am very careful about you. I have collected your every tear-drop. Those tears that dry up on your face, as you just go on about your business, as if no one cared. GOD says; "Your tears are before me". Always know; GOD made you a person, in His own image. He created things for you. GOD created purpose for you. He created ministries for you. GOD created things for  you to do that call for the specific talents that you have. GOD gave you everything you need, so that you can enter that special place He prepared for you. When that time comes, your personality will fit the place, your gift heartiness, will fit the place, your attitude will fit the place He has prepared for you. Someone reading this right now, might not like what their reading?....But that's because one of us is out of place! I urge you, to acknowledge Jesus Christ, as your Lord and Savior. Let Him direct your paths in life. God has a strategy. The strategy is not just for when you get in the place. The process is part of the strategy. GOD is moving people places and things. There is a reason why there is turbulence going on in your life. It is His Divine strategy, when GOD starts strategizing your life, He orders the yes`s and the no`s to help them push you into the place He would want you to be in. And everything that happens in your life, is working towards a crescendo. (Romans 8:28) For we know not fate, not hope, nor wish." For we know that all things work for the good for them that Love the Lord. Who are then called according to His purpose". This means, when they say yes.... its good. And when they say no....its still good. If you get the job, its good.... if you don`t get hired, its still good. Just know that in what ever circumstance you find yourself, Praise God, and be joyful, because you may be in the process of His Divine strategy. In preparation for the place He has for you. Say to yourself: If God didn`t let me have this, its only because that is going to be so much better. Because Thine is the Kingdom, and the Power, and The Glory. Amen. 

May God bless you. Love always, Irving Serrano Sr. 

WHAT GOD HAS IN STORE FOR YOU

Whenever we think about God, it seems inevitable that we'll ask him (or others) what in the world he really wants from us.

However, we run into an internal conflict right away when we ponder who God is compared to who we are. God is perfect. He does not sin or do evil things. He is perfect and totally just in all his ways. This is what is meant when God says he is holy. The "problem" is when we realize that this perfection is also what God requires of us. He states quite clearly in the Bible, "Be holy as I am holy."

We actually need God to be perfect. If not, then what would our lives be like if, whenever God spoke to his creation, all his decrees would now be open for revision and updates? All his commandments would be reduced to nothing more than really good advice.

Here's our problem:

If God really is good, then he has no option but to exercise his wrath and judgement of our sin. Remember, if God is holy and pure then he cannot stand to be in the presence of evil or anything that falls short from his standard of true perfection.

So, God's perfection and his ensuing expectation of perfection in us does three things:

First, it tells us what God is like and that we can actually trust God to even greater degrees because we know he will always act consistently and truthfully with us.

Second, God's standard of perfection actually benefits all of us, for without rules and order in the world, we would probably self-destruct in a short amount of time. Total anarchy and chaos would reign. God's laws written on our hearts compel us to at least want to do the right thing even though we may not even acknowledge God at times. "

Third, God is the only one who can provide a solution for the problem of our falling short of God's perfect standard. Remember, we can't take a shortcut by asking God to lower his standard either.

What does God want from us? Answer: he wants us to quit trying to "fix" ourselves.

Our sin and its destructive consequences hurts and damages people. But we don't really understand the impact of sin until we recognize that it hurts God most of all. In fact, the Bible describes God as grieving over his lost and sinful creation. Not just in general either, but for each and every time one of us turns his or her back on him.

Once we fully grasp what God has saved us from, the attitude of thankfulness and service to God will be a natural outflowing. We don't have to work at thanking folks for things they do for us, we simply open our mouths and the words come; we see a need, and our hands and feet go into motion. We don't have to think about it or plan for it or psych ourselves up to do it. This same thing happens with our relationship with God.

What does God want from me?

God offers us a purpose and a plan for our lives, and never quits initiating with us even when we have turned our backs on him or have just plain forgotten about his love

He wants us to simply open our hand and receive what we somehow knew all along we needed -- forgiveness.

What does God want from us? Answer: receive what he has already done to solve the problem of our imperfection, and then thank him for it. Specifically, we need to acknowledge that Jesus Christ died on the cross in our place to pay the penalty for our sins.

Now we can understand those initial answers to the question of what God wants from us. He desires perfection because He himself is perfect. And since we are made in God's image we too can understand moral rights and wrongs, and choose between what is perfect and what is imperfect. God also desires perfection because it is the best way for us to live.

However, we all fail in this endeavour. Even our good works to our sinful natures, thinking we can help God forgive or accept us more. We cannot earn God's approval. This brings us to utter despair and gloom, which is exactly where God wants us in order to fully understand and appreciate all of what he did on his part to restore our broken relationship with him.

All we need do is humbly receive what God has already done through Jesus' sacrificial death on the cross, paying the penalty for our sin. As a result, we freely show our gratitude through word and deed back to God and his world.

As you begin to more fully embrace what it is that God has already done for you, can you see that the original question of "What does God want from me?" becomes "What do I get to do for God?"

As you live out the answers to that question, you will be thrilled to know that God has something far better in store than what you could have ever imagined.

PRAISING GOD: A LEARNED BEHAVIOR

By Irving Serrano

We often hear Kid`s, say the darnest things. I recently heard about a two year old little girl. Being born and raised in this present day, where most are surrounded by computers, and all kinds of electrical gadgetries. To most of us, its merely the way we operate in the western World, and often enough, we take things for granted. Well apparently this Child, had been around an Ipod tablet. Stories were read to her, pictures were shown to her through this device. Then one day while the Child sat by a living room table, She reached and grabbed a magazine. As she starts to realize, how she can manually turn the pages, she yelled out;" Hey this one is broken". As time goes by there are many things that become items that are not used, or only spoken about as a thing of the past. Many of us have had the honor to be raised by Christian Parents, allowing us to have a real introduction to God's Word. Whether we choose to follow and keep Christ, in our lives as adults, can still be something to contemplate. There are many, who have not had the opportunity to be acquainted with God's Word, nor His Love for us. And like then, since the beginning of time. His Word is everlasting. To some, it`s an old thing that we may remember, but we do not put in our daily walk of life. In (2 Corinthians 2:15)  it tells us that all believers in Christ Jesus are like a sweet perfume, a sweet smell of Christ, whose fragrance, others, both saved and un-saved, cannot help noticing. This fragrance, however , effects people differently by those being saved and those perishing. For those who are being saved, the believer is a sweet smell, a life giving perfume that leads to a better life in Christ. For to be in Christ is life, and not death. (John 6:47) "Verily, Verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on Him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed on from death unto life.'' For those who are perishing, that believer has a bad smell, a fearful smell of death and doom that leads to a horrible death. They perceive the message of the cross as foolishness. (1 Corinthians 1:18-19) "for the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent". As Humans, we have a natural ability to get excited about the things that are important to us. Let me encourage you, to choose to have the joy of the Lord and learn to praise God better. Realize that little Child, only have their beliefs in what they were accustomed to. God, has been your joy, your confidence, and your hope. It comes from the Lord. Praise Him through the storms in your life, and God will be there to help give you peace and comfort. His plan for us is bigger than we realize. Praising Him gives us confidence. (1Timothy 4:12) "Be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit,and in purity. Great is our Lord, and greatly to be praised. Lets praise Him, for all He has done in our lives...and all He has yet to do. May God bless you.

 Love always, Irving Serrano Sr.   

WISDOM

By Irving Serrano Sr

Each of us have some insights, knowledge and wisdom, but the scope is usually fairly narrow and limited to our sphere of influence and knowledge---our world. We are good at what we do and have gained wisdom and foresight regarding our special interest and experience. But if we were suddenly placed in a new, unfamiliar position or found ourselves in a foreign city unable to speak the language, not knowing how to find a bathroom, we quickly become aware of our limitations. Our knowledge and experience will not help us. We except the reality that we need someone to help us. When we consider the six billion people in the world...each, having wisdom about life in their world. We realize how little wisdom each of us as individuals possess. Compared to God`s wisdom? Next to zero. Let`s think about the wisdom of God. He knows everything and is all wise. Even if we compiled all the wisdom of everyone in the world, and measured it against God`s wisdom, it would still be almost nothing. (1st Corinthians 3:19) " for the wisdom of this world is foolishness to God". Honestly; when we realize that everything we know and everything we have comes from God, we cannot think ourselves as wise, but only be humbled before Him. If we read (Job 38-41) we are reminded of the "wise advice" given to Job, by his friends when he lost everything. Job himself questioned God, about why this disaster happened to him? But God was not impressed by any of them "friends", nor their "wise advice". When we begin to recognize that our life is about God, not about us... that is the beginning of wisdom. (Proverbs 1:7) " The fear of God is the beginning of wisdom". God gives us wisdom. We simply need to ask. (James 1:5-7) " If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him". Know God by reading His word,obey the insights and directions He gives you. My prayer; God, build in us a healthy fear and reverence for you. Cause us to soak up the wisdom of your word--the only perfect words. Help us to be humble. Amen.   

Love always, Irving Serrano Sr

AN OUTFIT YOU NEED TO HAVE

By Irving Serrano

As most Christians know, we are instructed to put on" The Whole Armor Of God" to withstand the attacks of God`s enemies, Satan and his fallen angels. For those who do not know what it means, or just how to do this in real life, you will see here how to apply God`s protective armor in your life. Following Ephesians 6:11, through 6:17, we read; Put on the whole Armor of God. That ye may be Able to stand against the wiles of the Devil. For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers,against the world-rulers of this darkness, against the spiritual host of wickedness in the heavenly places. Wherefore take up the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all. Stand therefore, having girded your loins with faith, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; withal taking up the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the evil one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the spirit, which is the word of God. A piece of armor is a Strong belt, used for truth; Satan fights with lies, and sometimes his lies sound like truth; but only believers have God`s truth which can defeat Satan's lies. The breastplate, would be God`s approval. Satan often attacks our heart, the seat of our emotions, self-worth, and trust. God`s approval is the breastplate that protects our hearts. He approves of us because He loves us and sent His Son to die for our sins. The shoes, are our readiness to" spread the good news". Satan wants us to think that telling others the good news is a worthless and hopeless task. The size of the task is too big and the negative responses are too much to handle. But the" Shoes" God gives us are the motivation to continue to proclaim the true peace which is available in God...news everyone needs to hear. Our Shield, is our faith; what we see are Satan's attacks in form of insults, setbacks, and temptations. But the shield of faith protects us from satans flaming arrows. With God`s perspective we can see beyond our circumstances and know that ultimately, victory is ours. Our Helmet, confirming our salvation; Satan wants to make us doupt God, Jesus and our salvation. The helmet protects our minds from doubting God`s saving work for us. Then finally we have our Sword; the spirit, the word of God; the word is the only weapon of offense in this list of armor. There are times when we need to take the offensive against satan. When we are tempted, we need to trust in the truth of God`s word. There are many examples throughout our daily lives where we see the need, and the use for all this armor. A sportsmen puts on protective gear, when they enter their game. However this life we encounter every day, as Christians, true believers, should be equipped with" The full Armor of God".

 May God bless you.

 Love always, Irving Serrano.

JESUS!..AN EXCLUSIVE CHOICE!

By Irving Serrano

Those who had come to know the teacher of Nazareth, proclaimed it shamelessly. They spoke of a Jesus, "who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant,being made in human likeness" (Philippians 2:6). Somehow, crammed into this fully human package was the infinite nature of God, in all his awesome attributes. Right before their naked eyes was a sight never seen before; " He is the image of the invisible God....God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him" (Collossians 1:15-19). This man was precisely like God. He was as inseparable from God as light radiating from the sun, is inseparable from its brightness. "The Son is the radiance of God`s glory and the exact representation of his being" ( Hebrews 1:2). Jesus` very closest friend during those few years in the spot light summed up his convictions about Jesus, in three short phrases. "In the beginning was the word, and the word was with God, and the word was God" (John 1:1). Jesus didn`t just teach about God, or try to show an example of God, or promise to lead someone to God. Jesus was God. SHOCKING WORDS, Yet those were the very words used by this Man who knew Jesus so well and who had walked so closely with him all those years. This Man from Galilee, in referring to himself, He spoke simply and clearly. "anyone who has seen me has seen the Father" ( John 14:9). No mere human teacher has ever claimed such a thing, or would dare. But Jesus spoke to them; "Look at me, and you can say you have seen God". In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the Prophets, at many times and in various ways, but in these last days He has spoken to us by His Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe(Hebrews 1:1). The person whom we know as Jesus is our creator. "Through Him all things were made, without Him nothing was made that has been made" (John 1:3).   Their are many who don`t want to accept that the continuing existence of our universe depends on Jesus sustaining it! " The Son is the radiance of God`s glory and the exact representation of his being sustaining all things by His powerful word" (Hebrews 1:2). No matter how self-sufficient we act or self-reliant we feel, our next breath and heartbeat depend on Him. With out Jesus everything would fall apart. " He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together" (Colossians 1:17). Jesus lived, loved, taught, and healed for three years. Jealous, ambitious religious leaders played on the paranoia of the civil authorities to get Jesus killed. They executed him as a common criminal with a cruel torture. On the third day, however, His companions found an empty tomb. Over a period of six weeks, Jesus began to visit them individually and in groups-- around 500 people saw him, and talked with him first hand during that period. So far , we in the realm of the familiar. Hollywood blockbusters and Easter TV specials have repeated " the greatest story ever told" often enough that most people in the western world know these basic facts. But there is more! Jesus` companions also proclaim to us what happened to him after the Resurrection. " He humbled himself and became obedient to death-- even death on the cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him a name that is above every name" (Philippians 2:9). According to their testimonies, Jesus at this very moment occupies the highest place in the created or uncreated realms. His name carries greater weight,honor, and authority than any other. No scholar,thinker,or teacher or leader on earth, nor angel or demon or force in the spirit world, can challenge the supremacy of Jesus Christ.....Now and forever! Jesus said; "I tell you the truth, I am the gate for the sheep. All who ever came before were thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen. I am the gate; who ever enters through me will be saved' (john 10:7-9). Jesus never miss-spoke. In John 14: 6, He said;" I am the way the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me". The creator God decided to become one of us. He wanted to provide us a way to know him by becoming the way. He is reining now, His authority increasing each moment. Along with everyone who has ever known him, I urge you to bow your knee to him. Get to know him, come to love him. His rein will soon be complete. So center your lives around a loving devotion to Jesus. Build on the rock of putting into practice His word. Take action today to change for Jesus. Don`t just think about it, act on it. Jesus said;" This action " is building on the rock". May God bless you. Love always, Irving Serrano

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