On Christmas

I have written every Christmas for several years about what it truly means, where the custom originated, and how I view it as a Christian and Pastor. I won’t go into the history of that pagan Saturnalia origin again this year. What I will say, is that Christ has set us free to choose by our own will what we will to do. If, you want to Honor God, and then know that whenever or in whatever season, Jesus was born is really not the issue. What IS important is to know that God left a part of Himself in the form of Jesus from His Oneness and for our Salvation from evil. God manifested Himself as a man, like us, as the One called Jesus (Or, Emmanuel, God with us,Savior and Prince of Peace) to reconcile us back to Him. He left His High Holy Heaven to offer Himself in the form of a human being (And as God Himself) in a human body as a humble servant and sacrifice for ALL mankind (How incomprehensible to understand by us humans!). Nevertheless, it was done. Bow, all that remains is to see the baby Jesus (And His adult life ministry) as the ONLY way to really Worship God and His amazing Love for all creation by Him. Why would God do that? Basically, because WE can’t! And it was always God’s plan to finish what He started, in spite of our human selves, way back in the beginning of creation of the world. There has never in all human history or stated by any prophet or teacher of any other religion this Truth except by Jesus. The Truth that Jesus is the Son of Man, the Son of God and has been manifested by God to save us. Only the Bible gives record of that. So, go ahead and Worship the Only Son of God and God as God. His death and resurrection is more important than His birth because that is the True Believer’s Hope and Future eternally. As you sit around Family and friends this holiday season try to remember the Great cost and the Love God paid for you! God did not have to do it, He CHOSE to do it, but because He can never be wrong or fail, He did it to show us how much He loves and how much He wants us and how much we need Him. If you do not accept or believe this news, then what hope do you have in this insane and terminal life? All you have is your own way of living out a pointless life going nowhere except the grave. I suggest a better way. Just say a simple and honest cry for help to your Maker God. You will be pleasantly surprised by His Mysterious, but Loving help. He may answer you quickly or slowly, but, He will respect and answer your plea. And, will reveal to you what you must do. Yes, some of you go to a Church Congregation on Christmas Eve. But, do not go IF you are only trying to be right with God. Go because in your HEART you really WANT Him and to Worship Him and not just to be seen by other people there. Take the “Eucharist” (The Bread and Drink”) of Christ Jesus. But, do not take it if you have any resentment toward any other person. Go and ask forgiveness for YOUR wrong attitude and feeling, then you can do anything; even a religious activity with a clean and holy heart and not be sacrilegious. We Christians are called to rise above our own human desires. We all are called to Worship God and to Love one another and all people. Even against our human nature that fights against us. We must love all people regardless of their beliefs or misconceptions in love. We must show them in ACTION, by giving help if they really need help and want help Physically and Spiritually. And, we must always rely on Christ to do the right thing for His right reasons. And not just what we think is morally correct alone. Today is the day to seek and follow Christ. Not on just any customary holiday the world believes in, but EVERY day! All things are allowed if you do them for Christ. Remember, that Christmas day (Or any other day) is not about what YOU can give or get. It is always about what God gave, gives, and lets you receive. so you may learn to Love Him First and love others also. P.S. I suggest that if you have doubts then read in the Bible the Gospel of John (New Testament). Then, read the Psalms of King David in the Old Testament. That will be a very good beginning. In His NAME.

The Future of the Church

In each generation there are a few brave people who are willing to “Pay it Forward” to the next generation. What do I mean by that? There is enormous information, experience and knowledge still untapped from the older Christians in our world. And, they are all around you. Ever since the beginning of human history of God’s people, God constantly tries to remind the new generation to follow and remember their past and what God does for them. If you feel called to serve the True God, then you MUST have a Mentor(s) from the previous generation. Where would Joshua and Caleb (And others) be able to do with God if they were not willing to submit to Discipleship? Where would the Church of Christ be if the imperfect followers of Jesus were not willing to try and give their all for Him? Today, the Church has become too comfortable. It is much like the religious order during the time Jesus walked the earth. We think we are saved only by our Faith alone and if we follow the majority, and only go to a Church on Sunday without doing and obeying God we fool ourselves and are deceived. But, Faith without Works is Dead (Read James). We must go and find not only Christ, but a senior Mature Mentor Leader to assist us learn to put our Faith into tangible Action for Christ. This is necessary both now and for the future to carry out the Great Commission. If you want to move forward toward the future building and outreach of the Church, then you MUST get uncomfortable, and ask for an older mature believer to help you not to make foolish and unnecessary mistakes. Seek one out. A True Mentor will never take advantage of your pocketbook or your emotions. They will lead you to unify along with and coordinate with any believer in Christ. With the purpose of achieving Salvation for ALL people. Yes, they may seem eccentric or strange, because they have a Heart and Passion for God, even with all their human failings. But, they will always give credit to God and challenge you to move closer to Him. Why try to “Re-invent the wheel”? When God already has done that? You may think that you are a no body, a loser, a failure, and that life has dealt you too many blows of loss and grief. But, you are just the exact kind of a person that God is looking to save and join with in His Family. God does not look for the Pious, or those who think they have it all together or who think they can control their lives without Him. God is after the poor and sick and worthless people of this world to save. They truly want His help and He WILL help them if they sincerely ask Him to. You do NOT have to have “It all together” or be “Perfect’! All you need is a willing and sincere need for Him. God through Jesus will change you. He can help you Focus on what you CAN do and not on what you think or feel you cannot do (Read 2 Cor. 8:12). Because that is how He gets Glory! So, stop arguing, resisting others (And me too) for trying to pour our lives out as a drink offering for God The Father! Of course we and I am not perfect and I often myself must admit it and make apologies and repent. But, God is looking for people to FOLLOW HIM and others who Love Him with all their Heart and Life! Are you one of His? Really, ask yourself IF you are. We at “New Destinies” are totally committed to following Jesus. Are you? I have lost more than most people. I have suffered much! But, I will never give up my God! There just is no other way to exist. I thank MY God for sending me His Holy Spirit and at least one other person to pass the mantle forward to for the future. Do you have one person at least like that? Blessings in His NAME.

About True Peace at Christmas and Always

Many do not understand what real peace is. I must also, along with my many fellow Pastors and partners say, Peace is a Gift that Only God gives to those who believe in Christ Jesus. During these Holiday seasons we tend to focus on only the way we can give to our friends and families some token gift to them that we love them. But, what about the True giving that came when Jesus was born into our evil and wicked world? Do you remember that He is the reason for our celebration and many blessings? I hope so. The true Peace of God is NOT in the material gifts or feelings we have. When we think or do something we believe is morally right, we limit ourselves to a lower standard. We must rise above merely a Morality that we think is correct and reach upward to God’s morality. The peace that Jesus was teaching was an INNER peace which rises above whatever troubles or circumstances we have as humans in this world. It is a peace that knows that God is in control of everything. Yes, we are free to celebrate Christmas or any other holiday. But, we must remember to put Our Lord and Master within it or we are no more than mere Pagans against God. We as humans have a free will. We must exercise that will in cooperation with God’s will or we will suffer the terrible consequences of our own way of thinking and acting. If, we humbly accept and submit our will to His, then we can enjoy any celebration, whether Pagan or not, because we understand that every celebration is a celebration about Christ. God wants us to Love Him First. Then we can be faulty humans struggling to conform our will to His. He understands our weaknesses and allows for them because He sent Jesus, the Perfect One. To save and reconcile us back to The Father God. His Love is far above what we can ever know. But, His Love is above us and for us always If we align our will with His. And then comes His peace which is beyond our understanding! All a person needs to do is simply speak out to God and say, “LORD GOD, Help me!” I can assure you that He will join with your will. And, even if life is different thereafter, you will want to reach out like Jesus did to help the suffering and lost who do not yet know Him. But, it will cost you! You will suffer in a like way as Jesus did! However, you will find Freedom and Joy in the suffering because Christ has overcome the world and taken over your life. He will then use you, even if you think you are not worthy. That is the Miracle of Trust in Him! Just try it and see! God never requires us to be “Perfect” in this life. He only asks that we believe in Him, His sacrifice and His Resurrection from death, demonstrated by Jesus at Calvary. Jesus will come again as The Lord and Ruler of the NEW world later. Until then, we must align our wills with The Father. We are like children, some more grown and some a little grown and some who have not yet learned how to grow. Those of us who have even a little growth in Maturity of Christ are required to share the “Good News” with those who are ignorant. With God’s education the whole world can have a real education. When a person arrives at this point because God has enlightened them, then all life has meaning and purpose, even the trials and sufferings we have glorify Him. What do you have to lose? Try Christ! And watch what He does IN you! God loves to take the most wretched people who ask Him for help and use them for His purposes (Even when that person is still faulty). God can and will help you, in spite of your doubts and fears and faults to do anything He wants. But, He prefers that you align yourself to His will. A great teacher of mine once told me, “When our will aligns with God’s will, Then Miracles happen.” And, it has been my personal experience that it is true. But, he didn’t tell me about the necessary cost to me through suffering! But, the suffering is designed to make you (And me) more like Christ, the NEW Human and God. And. Less of your individual self-centered ways. God corrects us in His LOVE (AGAPE LOVE). And not because He is angry at us. Jesus Christ fixed that problem forever for those who trust and believe Him. I pray you may believe Him! I hope and Pray that you will (If you have not already) just speak out to God that you want and need Him. I promise, He promises, that He will start to change your experience of living and teach you through The Holy Spirit just what Jesus was and is all about and will help you find answers to your present life and your future life. Blessings in His NAME.

On Giving and Receiving

It is unfortunate that so many Christians fail to understand yet Christ’s teaching about Giving and Receiving. Some think that giving is more blessed than receiving and in fact it is. But, “Receiving” is also necessary for that Spiritual Principal to have good effect. I want her and now to focus on the “Receiving” part. In fact, Jesus never said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” It was the Apostle Paul who first said those words (Acts 20:35). But, Paul was stating something he himself was taught by Jesus in revelation. Jesus did many times speak about giving and receiving. Many of Jesus’ parables and stories was pointed directly at First Worshiping God The Father, then that we must put into action our faith by serving the helpless and needy who are lost to the world of Satan. So that, they might learn that Christ rules all. Paul’s was stating that every Believer should follow Jesus’ example for living on earth, and that included giving and receiving what we have been freely imparted with by the Holy Spirit. To receive, or ask for help from God is First. And, to ask to receive help from another believer is the same as being a giver and lover of oneself and God. Why? Because when one asks for help (When it is True help and Not just a want), the receiver actually grants a big blessing on the giver. But, so many fail through their Pride to ask and reach out for help because they still are too independent on their own ability or fear or self-centered ideas. That, on both sides of the giving and receiving equation is directly against God’s Will for us. It hurts US and that hurts Him! Let me ask you a question: How can any believer who is in real need ever Give anything unless at sometime they are in need and ask for help? Also, how can a Giver be blessed, if no one ever asks and allows the giver to give? That is what Christ meant through Paul to teach. If there were no receivers, then givers could not give! And, Jesus came from Heaven and The Father to earth to Give Life because He already HAD everything before and during His earthly ministry always. That is the Primary difference between Christ Jesus and us human beings. Still, we are called to imitate Christ and IF we believe in His Death for us and Resurrection for us then we will not only be saved eternally, but be both givers and receivers in Unity with The Father. I have had more than a few Clients’s who thought that to ask someone for help in any practical sense of human need might inconvenience the other person. And, that is wrong thinking! (Unless only asking for sympathy or for something the person can do for themselves). But if you are in real need, first Pray, then contact a Christian to help you. The persons you ask, if they are true believers and able to, will help you. Christ will make them. And, then both they and you will be blessed. Even ask a non-believer for help, because God in His mysterious and Great Ways and Love of mankind can and does use everyone to give and receive for His Glory. Everyone can be used. Everyone can be Saved! That IS the Will of Our God and always has been. We ourselves cannot save ourselves! Here is a simple solution I suggest. Just put your hands together, bow down on your knees, and then simply say, “God please, I need Your help!” If you are sincere then watch what happens for good in your life. God can, and does, take the most “messed up” people (Like He did with me) and give you help and make you a servant for Him. IF, you accept Jesus as your Savior (John 3:16). Please, Pray, read the Holy Scriptures (The Bible) and seek to keep learning more about His Truth for your life. Blessings in His NAME.

What is that to You, Follow ME!

In the Bible in John 21:15-23, Jesus Spoke to Simon Peter, son of John about what the Love of Christ meant. Peter was asked THREE times by Jesus, “Do you Love Me more than these (The other Apostles and Disciples). Peter replied, “Yes, Master, You know that I Love You.” But, what KIND of LOVE was Peter telling Jesus he had for Him? There are FOUR kinds of Love translated from the original Greek. First, what is translated as “STORCH” Love. That is the kind of Love that a parent has for their child. Second, is “EROS” Love, that is based on Physical Passions. Third, is “Phileo” Love, that is the love someone has for an intimate friend. Lastly, there is “AGAPE” love, and that is the highest committed Love of God to us. So, which kind of Love was Peter telling Jesus that Peter had? (Remember, Peter had denied Jesus Three times prior to Jesus’ crucifixion). Peter knew that he had failed Jesus in a Human way. He could now only say that “I love you” in the “Phileo” way, because he now knew that he was only a mere Human with faults (Sins). So, Jesus told Peter to #1 “FEED My lambs”, and #2, “Shepherd My sheep”, and #3, “FEED My sheep.” And also, Not to ask about other’s working for Him (Christ), but to, “Follow Me.” (Not compare your ministry or yourself with others). Jesus acknowledged Peter’s Humanness; He forgave him THREE times, just as Peter had prior denied Jesus THREE times. But, the amazing thing now was that Jesus knew that Peter had Repented and now could follow Him (Jesus). And, to “Follow Him” meant that like Peter, we must all who Believe in Christ Love Him as a human being, even when we are still faulty and sinners. (The Holy Spirit will Counsel and Guide and Comfort us in His purposes). Each of us can be a “Friend” of Christ, even though we are not yet perfected as humans. And, as my distant relative Chuck Smith of CCO Costa Mesa once told me, "You must follow Christ and build with Him whatever He decides to do with you." At the time, I did not understand him, but after some years passed I now do. I am trying to build upon The Rock, Jesus Christ with Him and not on my own way. Because His ways and His thoughts are Higher than mine (And ours). So, I do this simple ministry of writing and some few outreaches to the lost and needy because I do Love My God deep within. My (Our) work at “New Destinies” is as faulty sinners trying to be a “Friend” of Jesus (Phileo) and hopefully reach the high calling of “Agape” Love that Christ first showed to us through His Words in the Bible and Gospel of “Good News.” I do this as a writer and unifier between the Church mostly, that is my calling, and only as The Holy Spirit Counseling and through me to the Lost any way that I can for Our Father God. Will you join us? We have Much to DO to FEED and Shepherd (FEED translated from Greek means: Both Literally Physically and Spiritually) the Lost sheep in the world. And, remember, what Jesus said in John 15:13, “No one has greater Love than to lay down their life for His friends.” P.S. You may also like reading, “The Four Loves”, by C.S. Lewis. Blessings in His NAME.

On This Christmas

We at “New Destinies” want to tell all our readers that, as many have said before is, that we Pray you all remember the true Spirit of Christmas. As you relax with your Families and friends, please keep in mind that “Christmas”, (Although a Pagan custom), is for us Christians really about the birth of Jesus, and “The Golden Rule”. To Love God, His Son Jesus Christ as our Savior, His death and Resurrection from the Cross for us so we may live forever. We should remember and act with all our being and hearts to everyday do everything possible to Love God and the suffering all around us in our community who have so little of the physical comforts we shall enjoy this Holiday season. Our missions and hope is that while you rest in God’s Salvation and blessings, that you DO something to Show that you are a Representative of Christ. Even if you must experience some discomfort by giving a little extra for the Church and the Lost and Hopeless within our neighborhoods. Just to give a little more, as Our Lord said, “If anyone gives even a cup of water to one of mine, then you do so for ME.” We at “New Destinies” take that command seriously. But, we are too few and also need your cooperation from the Heart for Christ. And, remember also, while you are well fed and warm that MANY are NOT! They have not even heard the Truth of Christ. At least you can tell them that. We will always Pray for you all and ask Our Father God to make you more sensitive toward our suffering neighbors. Even one person with GOD is an Army! And, to Give is MORE blessed than to receive. May The LORD Bless your commitment to Him and your compassion for our suffering people. In His NAME.

Part of My Soldier Story

I remember many years ago when I was still a Soldier in the Military of America when our Battalion was out on combat maneuvers a very special event that has remained with me all my life till now. I would like to share that with you my Christian friends. One day one of my fellow Soldiers and I were sitting under and Oak tree waiting for our Company Commander to call us off our break time. My friend and I were talking about why God allows us Soldiers to suffer so much. Suddenly we both looked up and there was a Chaplain of Rank Major standing beside our tree. We were shocked and immediately stood up and saluted. He very kindly told us to relax. We asked him how he found us way out in the “Boonies” (Far away from everyone in the field). And, he said he had an intuition to just walk out where we were. So, after our shock, we asked him what he wanted. He simply said, “I am here because God told me that there were some Troops who needed some guidance.” I asked him what he meant. He replied, “Sergeant, you will one day be a man that God will use to help suffering Soldiers and others.” I replied, “But, I am just a no body! I’m not even sure that I believe as you do.” He replied, “Be patient! The time will come when you will learn what Christ wants.” At that time I was a Squad leader and I did not know how to comfort and encourage my fighting troops with the right words beyond the usual Vietnam war Clichés, like “Suck it up!” and such sayings. I needed REAL answers to tell my men that God Loved and Cared for them and that they were doing the right thing for the right reason. Now, after talking with the Chaplain, I had some answers! That was a great turning point for me and my men. I began to lead them as if God was protecting and leading us. He did! It has taken me over five decades to now understand what that experience meant to me. And, with all my imperfections as a human being, I KNOW what that Chaplain meant way back then. It has been my privilege to be a servant of my God since that time. And, although I have suffered terribly through several wars and conflicts after that, I would not have chosen any other way as both Soldier and Pastor for Jesus. In fact, I did NOT choose it. I had to be forced into it! But, it has all been worth it! My men survived! And, I survive to Glorify Christ! Well, that is only one part of my life story that I will never forget. I have other stories too! But, that’s for later. Blessings in His NAME.