A CLOSER WALK WITH THEE

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  By Irving Serrano Sr.
  
  

  People often say; "I'm going to start eating healthy", or " I'm going to get more sleep". It`s often we hear someone say how they intend to change, or do some thing to better their life......It`s very common to hear people talk this way on New Years Eve. They make all sorts of resolutions, and in many cases, these good intentions are later forgotten. Christians, also make resolutions, and like creatures of habit, they also can fall short in following through with similar claims. How often do you hear someone say; " I'm going to get closer to God". When is the last time some one said to you; " I feel guilty, I left in such a hurry, I forgot to pray". Most Christians will say they want to get closer to God. However, it is all to important to understand, that the want alone is not enough. As Christians we draw closer to God in prayer, in worship, and in His word the Bible, we are encouraged, because He loves us. ( Jeremiah 31:3) The Lord appeared to us in the past, saying; " I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving kindness". Could you imagine an athlete, showing up to the" big game", but didn't take the time to train, or practise? How about a pro-boxer, stepping into a ring for a match......fully admitting, he laid around like a couch potato for the past six weeks. As Christians, we step into a new game every day. We take on a fight, for our salvation, and the ability to stand against the enemy at all times. Walking with Christ, on a daily basis, we must strive to seek God`s involvement in everything we do. Our speech is different not because of our education, but because of the Holy spirit, who leads us. (Psalm 55:17) Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and He shall hear my voice. Jesus modeled prayer, and He taught His followers to pray. Paul spoke often of his continued prayers. The Apostles in Jerusalem "gave themselves to prayer" (Acts 6:4), Today is up to us Christians...to continue a solid relation with God, through prayer. Drawing closer with each prayer. (James 4:7 & 8) Submit yourselves, then to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God, and He will draw to you. May God bless you. Love always, Irving Serrano Sr.

  
  

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CAN WE ALL GET TO HEAVEN

By Irving Serrano

It is so unfortunate that families get to visit, and get together under sad, and difficult situations. Often times we have family, that live in a different state, so we miss spending time with them. Then suddenly you get called, and a member of your family has passed away. This is hard for anyone, to cope with. Prayers are said, and you get to hear people talk about God, and heaven. As for the true believer, we feel the pain, we feel the lost, we even hold a little bit of selfishness, in the sense that we wanted our love one to stay with us. But we find solace in Christ. We are content with the reality that this apparent lost, is merely a validation. The confirmation of going to be with the Lord. Alot of people don`t understand the truth about Heaven, or the Kingdom of God. Yet, it is the central theme of the Bible, and truly the best news the World can hear. Almost 2,000 years ago, a prophet came bringing a vital message for the world.(Mark 1:14) That prophet was Jesus Christ, and his message was the Gospel. (meaning good news). As true believers, we need to cling to Gods word, not just because it sounds good, but because it is real. (John 14:1-3) "Do not let your hearts be troubled, trust in God. Trust also in me. In my Fathers house are many rooms, if this were not so, I would have told you so. I go to prepare a place for you, so where ever I am, you also will be where I am". All throughout the Bible, we read about people dying. We also read of the miracles performed. In the story of Lazarus, He was brought back to life. Of course this was all part of Gods Divine plan. I am convinced that God also has a plan for you. If you are alive, and on this planet, you are very important to God. The wonderful reality is that you don`t even have to be an American citizen. The gospel of Christ, is for any Man, or Woman on this earth. The words salvation and heaven, go hand and hand. The believer is aware that at some point in their life we will die. Our bodies will return to the ground, and our spirit will go back to God. Solomon confirms this in (Ecclesiastes 12:7). When God first made Adam, Adam had a brain, but couldn't think. He had lungs, yet could not breath. He had muscles and could not move, until God breathed the breath of life into him.(Genises3:19) Just as He gives us life, in every new day we awake. We have the ability to" fear No evil", we walk through the shadow of death (Psalm 23). Yet at times we loose ourselves in the blessings He gives us, and forget Him, all together. We get to busy with our own what to do`s, we forget to pray. But God loves you unconditionally. Just as we love our own Children. He is ready to forgive you, for any transgressions. And He has a place for you in heaven, once your time on this earth is done. (Romans 14:8) If we live, we live to the Lord. If we die, we die to the Lord. So whether we live, or die. We belong to the Lord. When we all get to heaven, what a glory`est day it will be. May God bless you. Love always, Irving Serrano 

TO LOVE WITH PURPOSE

By Irving Serrano Sr

There once were two youngsters, being brothers that they were. They gathered their loose change and went to the neighborhood candy store. As they leave the store, the older of the two opens the wrapper of a candy bar they purchased to share. When he breaks it in half, he measures the two pieces. As he see`s one piece is larger, he then bites it to make both pieces the same. The younger brother accepts his share, as if everything is fine. This weeks theme reminds me of my own childhood, being surrounded by my brothers, and sisters. Along with two parents that showed an unconditional love towards all of us. The message is found in (Ruth 2:14 & 15) "When She arose to glean, Boaz commanded the servants saying; let her glean even among the sheaves". ( Regarding the word "glean"; means to pick-up, or gather.) This was more generous than the command in (Lev 19:9 & 10) because Boaz added the qualifier "among" the effect being to allow Ruth greater access than one could by trailing along after the workers (Ruth 2:7). In harvesting, the reapers would first cut the barley stalks by the handful. They were followed by others who bound 8-10 of these handfuls into sheaves. Only after the sheaves were carted off, were the poor permitted to pass over the field. But now Boaz permits Ruth to glean among his harvesters, and instructs them not to bind every handful, but to even leave some loose for her. (Ruth) These actions of Boaz, clearly indicates he taking more than just a passing interest in Ruth. The fellowship that Ruth had found at Boaz`s table does not cause her to forget her task. On the contrary, she draws new strength from it for fresh activity with more abundant and more blessed results than ever before. In order to be effective our work must flow from what we have achieved for ourselves and it will be all the richer in results the greater the measure in which we have personally enjoyed the Lords presence. A heart nourished and refreshed by Christ can never be selfish. It is written: "Out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water" (John 7:38) Ruth thinks of Naomi, ( her sister) and when she returns, she brings her the remainder of her meal, and that which she had gleaned. Likewise, the believer devotes the fruit of prosperity. How few Christians there are who realize these things. What importance does the prosperity of  Christ`s church have for those who prefer their own church, or their own people and their own God? God`s poor, afflicted people do not appear to be worth caring for to these indifferent hearts. They may perhaps insist on the work of the Gospel before the world, but a heart that is in fellowship with the Lord does not sacrifice one for the other. The Apostle Paul, was just as much a minister of the assembly as he was a minister of the Gospel. He loved the church which Christ in his love had purchased with his own blood. It was far from Paul to love a sect or a church of his own invention; He knew only Christ`s assembly, and he was jealous as to her with a jealousy which was of God, so that he might present her to the Lord as a chaste virgin. ( speaking of Ruth) Ruth found a husband where she only expected to find a handful of barley. So in prayer for others, God may give us such mercies that we will be astounded at them, since we expect but little. This is an important message, found in Ruth, for godly husbands as well. Paul striving in ( Colossians 1:29) and note; ultimately his power source - to emulate - enabled by the spirit and grace. ( Philippians 2:13) I urge you to please take the time to meditate upon this. It will help you understand how you are to carry out your role as a covenant defender of your own covenant partner, in the covenant of marriage. May God bless you. Love always, Irving Serrano Sr.

PAUL SAID IT BEST

By Irving Serrano Sr.

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us for adoption to son ship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will to praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the one he loves. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of Gods grace that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and understanding, he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment. To bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ. In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, in order that we, who were the first to put our hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are Gods possession- to the praise of his glory. For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus, and your love for all Gods people, I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.(Ephesians 1). May God bless you. Love always, Irving Serrano Sr.

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