BY WHAT AUTHORITY

By Irving Serrano Sr.

Everyday in the News, we hear about the tragedies all throughout the world. Families loosing their home`s, Companies shutting down, and many people, out of work. The crime, all throughout the world effects everyone. Whether they are God fearing, or not. I am confident that everyone can relate to the reality that some where in their life, they could use some type of Divine intervention. To put it plainly; "Some Help !" There is an old cliche; which speaks about the greatest trick ever performed by the Devil, "was to convince the World, that He didn't exist". Well you don`t have to be a Bible Scholar, to know that the Devil, truly exist". Everyone is subject to the tragedies of life, But I also know that everyone who believes in God, and excepts Jesus Christ, as their Lord and Saviour is protected by His promises. And is considered a Child of God. Christians, "Gods people". The daily walk of a True Born again Believer, should serve God, because of love. Acknowledging because He first loved us. To the extent that He gave His Son, to die for us. Not simply because we fear the enemy, and the hardship he can introduce to our lives. If that were the case, you would be putting more Faith, in the enemy, than you should be putting in God. The meaning of (Psalm 121:2) "My help cometh from the Lord, the maker of Heaven and Earth". God; who helps His people out of the hands of all their enemies, and out of all their troubles and afflictions, He helps them in the performance of duty, in the exercise of grace, in bearing the cross, in fighting the Lords battles, and in their journey, He helps them to all blessings, temporal and spiritual, to all needful supplies of grace hear, and glory hear after, and this help He gives quick and present, suitable and seasonable, is sufficient, and sometimes with, and sometimes without means, and We ( His people) have great encouragement to expect it from Him, since He is able to give it. Being the maker of Heaven and Earth. Once you have accepted Gods plan of salvation, ask Him for strength and wisdom. He gives you the authority over all living things on this earth. Prayer is Key, don`t wait till you see the enemy attack....The Apostle Peter, said in(1Peter 5:8) " Be sober, and watch; because our adversary, the "Devil", roams around like a lion, to see who He can devourer". And the Apostle Paul, advises; Watch, and be strengthened by the Lord, dressed in His Whole armament, so that you will be able to withstand the enemies attacks. (Ephesians 6:10,11). In your daily walk. Walk with God. There will be challenges ahead, but be confident. Have faith in God. Entrust Him unto all things, being of good courage, never being ashamed of the Gospel of Christ. Rebuke the enemy, his temptations, and any threat you may feel. And walk with the authority He has given you. Knowing, and believing, the joy of Our Lord is our strength. May God Bless you. Love always, Irving Serrano Sr. Titled: "By what Authority"

EMBRACING A PSALM

By Irving Serrano Sr.

Sometimes when we pray, and pray. We feel like we are experiencing the law of diminishing returns....So should this mean we should stop praying? Heavens no! This is what our enemy (Satan) wants us to think. If the enemy could have his way, he would try to convince you, that you was unworthy of prayer. In our Bibles, all throughout the Psalms; we read about the cry for help, the celebration of victory, and the praises to God. The Book of Psalms, gives every Christian a renewed strength. A reassurance of Gods power, and mercy. All through songs of praise, and prayers. King Solomon wrote; "The fervent prayer of a righteous man, availeth much". A great example for us to follow, was Daniel; a young man everyone believes to be a man of great courage and faith. Everyone knows, or has heard of Daniel, being thrown into the lions den. The key issue behind this story is the fact that Daniel testifies to the King. that God shut the mouths of the lions. But Daniel`s true example of courage and faith was shown in the way He lived that got Him thrown into the lions den. His enemies searched and studied Him to find some fault in His life. When they couldn't`t find anything to accuse Him of. They made up a law forbidding prayer to anyone but the King, to get Him arrested, and thrown in. Yet He still prayed. Daniel survived the lions den, because He had integrity and prayed, and communicated with God every day. Like Daniel, we must serve God continually in every aspect of life. Having the courage and faith to live in such a way that God actually has a platform to show His faithfulness from. Daniel refused to take on the ways of Babylon. He stood for Gods truth and God`s law, and eventually He influenced Babylon, rather than Babylon influencing Him. Do we individually take such an uncompromising stance. Even in some of today's Churches, where God`s word sometimes appear to have adopted liberal theology. Remember God`s faithfulness with Daniel, remember the songs of David, (Psalm 13:4) Don`t let my enemies gloat saying," We have defeated Him." Don`t let them rejoice in my downfall. In closing, I will leave you three verses from (Psalms 18: 3,20 & 21). I will call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised, so shall I be saved from mine enemies. (20) The Lord rewarded me according to my righteousness, according to the cleanness of my hands hath He recompensed me. (21) For I have kept the ways of the Lord, and have not wickedly departed from my God. May God bless you. Love always, Irving Serrano Sr.

.

..

.

...

THE NOBILITY OF THE GALA AWARDS

By Noel Serrano

The Gala Awards  Program  is the crowning component of all the efforts of our Fraternal Institution. There was a great need and a strategic  purpose for its historic inception. It was birthed from tragedies and sorrow but has been redeemed through the long years of observing and celebrating the "Giants' that have graced us and embodied the very best virtues that only a dedicated and exemplary life can ever achieve.  Since 1983, we have recognized a member of our massive family for a certain set of examples or attributes that captures the imagination of the Foundation's collective spirit. It is and will continue to be a true labor of Love for our combined families. when the Gala Awards are presented to an individual, they are not presented out of sheer whim, because careful consideration is given to all recipients of this beloved distinction. We take this responsibility very seriously and  have always selected an individual that has demonstrated many admirable traits that have always been inherent in the long history of our Organization and the many families that it serves. The Gala Awards was created to recognize the many "Pillars" from our past generation, who shaped and molded our lives with their examples and dedication. It was also designed to  inspire Future Leaders to pick up the "Torch" and continue  the spirit of Nobility and devotion to others, through their examples and their devoted lives to a positive and constructive way of living. When a Gala Award is given to an individual, it is as if Felicita, Nieves, Lucas and Hilda are all there along with many a "Cloud of great Witnesses" that are cheering us on to keep looking towards the "Prize" and to keep running the Race!

the great cloud of witnesses are all those people who have lived before us — whether famous or not – who have lived lives of faith, following God, worshipping Jesus, leaving for us a rich spiritual legacy. 

Thinking about their lives, how they lived, what they lived for, and how they died, is an inspiration.  Their example shows us how to have that kind of faith and how to live it.And how many of those do we know by name?  We know the famous ones, and then we know the ones who came from our own families and neighborhoods.  I think the great cloud of witnesses is like that.  That’s why we  keep our  own Roll of Honor to honor those whose names are not so well known. 

This Beloved Award will continue to recognize that individual that creates that great ripple in the stream of their lives and makes an impact in that circle of influence. The Gala Awards is an example of what godly people can forge and accomplish when we learn to serve others and recognize the subliminal messages and examples of those who lived their lives in such a noble manner and could not help but, light up their corner of the world. Their examples paved the way for future generations. we seek to recognize the very best of our nature and the mutual celebration of all the components that bring us all closer to the life that God has ordained for us all. When a Gala  Award is presented , we all join in celebrating the examples and the dedication that was demonstrated in the life of that individual. we all live in a fallen world where there is rare time for pausing to reflect or observe on  the noble ideals of those who marched ahead of us and lighted a  path for us. The Award is a token of esteem and appreciation for their contribution to their circle of influence. It is an enduring and noble concept to think of others and celebrate their lives and accomplishments and provide the proper platform and decorum for all the world to witness. And so, The future of the Gala Awards program will continue to  flourish, change and endure because it encourages and celebrates its recipients who live and persevere for that Glorious  Heavenly Prize that we all  long for, after the "Race" is won! 

TO GET HYPED

 By Irving Serrano

Everybody seems to be looking for a miracle healing in their life these days. People are searching through books, audio tapes, TV channels,sports arenas, etc. The potential for a miracle healing drives all sorts of people to all sorts of crazy places. But what about the miracle healing recorded in the Bible? Why do many people seem to look everywhere but there? Many people today doubt the very existence of God and His power. For a Christian, it`s evident that Christ miracles are supernatural occurrence ordained by God the Father, who empowered the Son to complete them for His glory. (John 14:10-13) " Don`t you believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me"? " The words that I say are not just my own". Rather, it is the Father living in me who is doing His work". Or at least believe on the evidence of the miracles themselves. As true believers of Gods word, we must live a Christ like life, never being ashamed of the gospel. Allow the Holy spirit to guide you, in all things, and confronting the enemy at all times. When you feel tempted, rebuke the Devil. When your sick, claim the healing through Gods promises. And when you walk in the midst of sinners, represent a joy, and a strength only a born again Christian, can possess. (1 Corinthians 9:24) Says; Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one get`s the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. (Hebrews 12:1) Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. May God bless you.

 Love always, Irving Serrano Sr.

FOLLOW AND LIVE!

By Irving Serrano Sr

There is no doubt that children imitate their parents. In most cases, it`s the humorous things that stand out. As we grow older we tend to show gratitude for the good up-bringing we`v had. Especially, when we have had Christian parents. We learned to honor our Mothers, and Fathers. In our Bibles, we read about Paul, of Tarsus. An Apostle who sought Christ, both in private and in public, and more especially in his ministerial service, to do all things to the glory of God, and not for his own popular applause, in which he imitated Christ, whom sought not His own glory, but the glory of He who sent him. In (1 Corinthians 4:16) Paul, actually urges us to imitate him, as he imitated Christ, (1 Corinthians 11:1) a man with a courteous behaviour, and a humble deportment sought to please and gratify all with whom He conversed with. Ultimately, as Christians, we are Children of God, therefore we should always strive to imitate our Heavenly Father. May God bless you.

 Love always, Irving Serrano Sr.

.