To My Jacksonville Nephews and Nieces

I realize that 20 years ago I started teaching Martial Arts. It was during the summer of 1995, a little after becoming a First Degree Black Belt, that I started teaching at the Arlington Police Athletic League in Jacksonville, Florida. It was a Saturday thing, but it was so much fun. Perhaps I enjoyed teaching you guys more than anybody else because you guys were family.

At the end of the summer, Nanette presented me with this glass cup on behave of the group. I had this cup for twenty years now; it was a little damage on my move to Alaska, but it still with me. It is that special!

I also remember an October night in 1997 when I took several of you to The Judgment House presentation at First Coast Christian Center. After the presentation I remember holding hands in a big circle, praying for you guys and leading you guys into receiving Jesus. I don’t know if it was real or no, but I remember seen several of you guys in tears and being touch by God.

I have been away for a long time, but I will always treasure the summer of 1995 and that October of 1997 night.

Much has happen since! Ileana died, I moved a couple times, went through a divorce, family issues, remarry, failures, mistakes, sins and here I am in Fairbanks, Alaska. Much has happened in you all lives also; good and not so good…that’s life! But I just want to write this small note just to let each one of you know that I love you much, that I find myself thinking about you guys often and that I desire the best for you all. Know that if you ever need me, and if I am able to help, I am here for you.

A Shameful Hour For The United States

I want everybody to know that this is just the beginning; this is not even close to being enough. Watch! The same people that call themselves fighting for freedom will come after the church and attempt to take away your freedom.

They will demand to be marry in our churches (Already doing that), they will demand to be given an opportunity to be a part of the church staff, they will run ministries, “Christians” organizations, etc. while they openly declare their support for the homosexual agenda. Many recognize names, pastor of mega churches will turn away from the truth on this mattern to gain money, power and fame. This is happening already, but it will get worst. Many churches will continue to support this agenda and totally ignore Scripture in the name of “Love” and tolerance.

I am not one to judge the world; that is God’s job; but we, as God’s people need to be ready to defend the truth in our local congregations. Don’t waste your energy going against what the world is doing; Matthew 24 is very clear that these horrible things will take place.

Understand that people can believe whatever they want to believe; in America you have the right to go to hell if you want to. However, don’t let them bring those lies to our local congregations. When they walk into our local churches with their anti-Christ ideas and false teachings we will not be silent; we will not go with the flow of their political correctness and we will confront them face to face in the name of Jesus.

Still think this nation was founded in Christians principles? Yes, we have some of those principles, but the star of the constitution is not Christ, but rather our freedom to do what ever we want, as long as we don’t hurt others. However, it will be politically and socially acceptable to hurt us as Christians. That is why I always say, the Constitution can and will be amended to accommodate sin, but God’s Word never changes. If you placed your hope on a conservative ideology, know that some are also honoring this hour in the name of freedom.

I knew of the reality of this day coming. It was indeed a matter of time. I am surprise that this day is here already! I conclude with this; comparing this movement with the Civil Right movement is insulting, offensive, ignorant and stupid. Let me also add that, after slavery, this is the United State of America’s most shameful hour.

It is Time (Video)

Exclusives Target of Evil

The idea that we can come up with some program, some ministry, follow the steps of some book, send money to this or that other TV Evangelist, vote for some politician, defend this or that aspect of the constitution or follow a specific political ideology as ways to stop our racial divisions and violence against the church and each other is a lie from hell itself. You can arm every responsible American with multiple weapons to defend their families or you can eliminate weapons all together; evil will always find its way. Matthew 24:6 tells us,

6 And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. (NKJV)

I saw a video on Facebook yesterday of this famous televangelist speaking as if these kinds of evil events can be prevented all together; evidently he is not aware of Matthew 24. Most disturbing is how he uses this tragedy to promote a book he wrote concerning racial issue in America. The Bible, not this fool, tells us, for all these things must come to pass. Matthew 24:7-8 describes what is not only an American issue, but a worldwide issue,

7 For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places. 8 All these are the beginning of sorrows. (NKJV)

The word “nation” in this verse is the word ethnos. It is where we get the word ethnic. This white vs. black thing was prophesied in the Bible way before America was made known to the rest of the world. But also notice that this fight between ethnic groups and natural disasters is just, the beginning of sorrows. Moreover we see the list of evil increasing,

9 “Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name’s sake. 10 And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another. 11 Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many. Matthew 24:9-11 (NKJV)

Check this list out of things that will happen to us just because we made up our minds to follow Christ:

We will be persecuted like never before in the history of the world.
We will get killed.
The devil will use offense as a great tool to move people away from fulfilling the mandate of coming together in true fellowship. I see so many people using past experiences as excuses today for not doing what God says to do. At the end, is not what was done to them in the church; it is their own desire to do what ever they want to do apart from God.
That offense will grow and become hatred to one another; this is, in our own congregations.
This offense and hatred will be an open door for false prophets and false teacher to enter our churches. 2 Timothy 4:3-4 tells us,

3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; 4 and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. (NKJV)

Beloved, we as Christians are not immune to pain, violence, injustice, rape, torture, terrorism, etc. I have news for you; as we approach the end of this age we will, exclusively, be the target of such hate.

I don’t know the nine brothers and sisters that were killed by twenty-one year old Dylann Roof at Emmanuel AME Church in Charleston, South Carolina. But I know they were Godly. Through church history, if you want to identify the true believers from the ones with a form of Godliness, pay attention to who is being persecuted. Roof told police that he “almost didn’t go through with it because everyone was so nice to him,” sources told NBC News — but he decided he had to “go through with his mission.” I know they were Godly by the reaction of their family and friends. No Al Sharpton, no instigating more hate, but a reaction of love and forgiveness in the mix of such indescribable pain.

The Killer

Even as Matthew 24 describes a very scary scenario, it also gives us what our focus should be. The greatest demonic attack of all is not the things I have described here, but cold hearts towards God. Matthew 24:12 tells us,

12 And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. (NKJV)

It is so easy, with all the mess we see today’s days, to be angry, to be discouraged and to focus so much in what the world is doing and coming against it, that we forget about God. We get frustrated even with God for allowing these things and, not doing something about it quick enough for us.

So we most focus on nurturing our love for God and pursuing the realization of the first commandment in our hearts. That is the focus, in the mix of all…that is the focus! A cold heart will always lead us to more sin. The Bible encourages us to persevere until the end. On the other hand, what should be the focus of our ministries? Matthew 24:14 tells us,

14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come. (NKJV)

The expansion of God’s Kingdom, that is, winning souls for Christ and bringing them into the family of God should be the focus of all ministries. The Gospel is relevant and the only hope in this world. Beloved, the Lord asked me a couple of months ago if I was willing to die for the vision He has giving me. I don’t want to get killed and I want neither my family, friends, brothers nor sisters to get killed. However, know, that we will increasingly be the exclusive targets of evil.

So may the Lord get me ready and may the Lord get you ready for the honor of dying for the sake of the name that is above every name, the name of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

God…Really?

In everything God tells us to do there will always be a moment that we will asked ourselves, “Did He really?”.

From taking on a new job, a promotion, a new business, moving to a new town and yes, even with our own spouse, at one point or another, we will ask ourselves that same question, “God…did you… Did you really?”

That is because God’s will will always be challenge by the devil, by our weak flesh, by our minds and by the worldly logic that is loud and bold in declaring what makes and what makes no sense. But the reality is that God’s ways are not our ways (Isaiah 55:8-9).

From Adam and Eve, from the Biblical history of the Jewish people to John the Baptist, to all of our great heroes of the faith and all the way to you and me, the devil comes to ride in our moments when our faith is weak to challenge the will of our Father.

So if you find yourself asking, “God…did you… Did you really?” There is big possibility that He did.

Como Se Llena el Mar de las Aguas de los Ríos

Llena mi Corazón Jehová como se llena el mar de las aguas de los ríos, como se cubren los montes altos de nieve, como la vegetación cubre la tierra, como cubre la lluvia los suelos… llena mi corazón.

Nada deseo más que tu presencia. No hay esposa, no hay hijos, no hay trabajo, no hay ministerio, no hay ni padre ni madre, no hay aún sueño personal, ni nada en esta tierra que se compare a tu preciosa presencia manifestada.

Tengo hambre y sed de ti. Mi alma está sedienta y cansada de tanta mediocridad y de tanta frialdad. Tú mereces más de mi; Tú lo mereces todo. Tan siquiera sé como rendirme, pero me rindo, tan siquiera sé como alabarte, pero te alabo, tan siquiera sé como adorarte, pero te adoro. Tan siquiera sé como arrepentirme, pero me arrepiento.

Arranca la putrefacción de mi corazón, quema mis pecados con Tú sangre. No soy digno, te he fallado muchas veces, pero hoy me agarro de Tú misericordia, ayúdame a perdonarme, arranca la vergüenza de mis tantas faltas. Sin ti no puedo Jehová, sin ti no puedo Espíritu Santo y sin ti no puedo Jesús, mi Cristo, mi Salvador y mi Señor.

Mátame, ahora mismo si no te puedo experimentar más de lo que te he experimentado hasta este día. Toma mi vida, mi corazón, mis pensamientos insensatos, mi hipocresía, lo que soy, lo bueno que me has dado, lo malo que he aprendido y no suelto, mi mal-agradecimiento, mi orgullo, tómalo todo y purifícame Jehová. No me abandones, ni apartes de mi tu Espíritu.

La Mediocridad en la Música Cristiana

Quizás este artículo resulte ofensivo para muchos, pero espero que puedan entender y escuchar mi corazón. Cuando estaba en el mundo fui un amante de la música romántica. José José fue mi cantante favorito; me crié en Puerto Rico cantando sus canciones, cantando las canciones de Camilo Sesto y aún José Feliciano. Me encantaba la salsa vieja, El Gran Combo, La Sonora Ponceña, Tito Puente, Santana y La Fania y otros.

Al convertirme en Cristiano comencé a notar la mediocridad de la música en las Iglesias. ¿Dónde está la pasión? Le cantamos a una mujer con la pasión de Mark Anthony, pero le cantamos a Dios con frialdad. Música mal tocada, cantantes desafinados, músicos sin talento y peor aún, música sin unción. ¿Por qué? ¿Es que no hay talento en el pueblo Cristiano? Nos hemos convertidos en perezosos imitadores del mundo. El Salmo 32:7 nos dice:

“Tú eres mi escondedero; de la angustia me preservarás;

con cánticos de liberación me rodearás. (Selah)” (LBLA)

La música Cristiana está llamada a ser más que una entretención, está llamada a ser un instrumento de liberación. ¿Sabías tú que muchas de las profecías en la Biblia fueron cantadas por profetas? Sí, profecías cantadas que hoy son Palabra de Dios. El profeta llamaba al músico antes de profetizar. Hoy conocemos del profeta, pero no hablamos del músico que tocó las notas ungidas que inspiraron el alma del profeta. Segunda de Reyes 3:15 nos dice,

Mas traedme ahora un tañedor (Un músico). Y sucedió que mientras el tañedor tocaba, la mano del Señor vino sobre Eliseo. (LBLA)

La música Cristiana está llamada a tocarse bien y con excelencia. Si no eres cantante, no cantes, si eres músico, dedícate a ser músico; practica, edúcate y supérate en oración, en conocimiento Bíblico y en conocimiento musical.

Si en tu lugar secreto le quieres cantar a Dios; El escucha tu corazón y tus desafinaciones no importan. Mas si vas a ministrar al pueblo de Dios usando la música, entonces tienes que hacerlo bien. Nosotros no podemos ver tu corazón; nosotros solo podemos escuchar tu horrible voz y lo malo que tocas el instrumento. Verdaderamente que eres una distracción muy negativa. De seguro que tienes dones; todos tenemos dones, pero la música no es uno de ellos. El Salmo 33:3 nos dice,

Cantadle cántico nuevo; Hacedlo bien, tañendo con júbilo. (Reina Valera-1960)

Dios nos pide nuevas canciones; está cansado de lo mismo. Claramente estamos llamados a tocar bien y con mucho júbilo. El tiempo es ahora; Dios tiene las canciones para nosotros.

Yo sueño con una música Cristiana revolucionaria, con músicos extraordinarios, nuevos ritmos y nuevas melodías. Sueño con músicos que inspirarán el alma de los nuevos salmistas para profetizar la revelación profunda de Dios, descubrir los secretos del corazón del hombre y crear una atmósfera de milagros. Sueño con músicos que animarán al pueblo de Dios a hacer Su voluntad, a adorar a Dios en espíritu y en verdad y a causar que los perdidos reciban la bendición del arrepentimiento y la salvación de sus almas. Con esa música sueño y espero que me alcancen los años para escucharla.

An Enemy Called Formality

A man pushing or resisting (isolated on white)

Today as I was taking a walk during my lunch break at work, I started thinking about one word, “Formality”. “A formality is something that follows traditional rules. Even though you knew your request for time off at work would be approved, you still went through the formality of filling out all the required paperwork. Formality also means to align with customs or etiquette. In this way, a formality is often something that’s more symbolic than necessary.” (vocabulary.com)

Formality requires a group of “experts” on the “proper way of doing things”. In the church today we have many experts on formality, but very little anointing. Formality does not promote, spontaneity, questions or discussions of any kind. Even their “fellowship” becomes filled with formalities.

One of the greatest challenges the church is facing today is indeed “formality.” The Pentecostals have their formalities, the Baptists have theirs, the Presbyterians, the Catholics, the Charismatic Black Church, the Latinos, etc. Formality is everywhere; but we should not pursue formalities; we should be organic in our relationship with God and in our relationship with one another.

For something to be organic it must derived from living organism. Have you noticed that organic foods are usually smaller? However, they are richer in substance and in taste. A formal church is usually boring and the focus becomes the order of service. An organic church is alive because it embraces a lifestyle of listening to God.

When you bring a small group of people and they spontaneously engage in conversations there is no pressure; it may start a little awkward, but if you have a group of true believers; they will always bring up the love of their lives…Jesus Christ! However, as soon as we make it look formal people gets nervous. It becomes a public speaking event.

Jesus did it all; He spoke to large groups, in the Synagogues, to the disciples only and to individuals. But everything was organic and not formal. We never read that Jesus was the guess speaker; He just spoke.

Is amazing to me that the Bible makes reference to listening to our conversations, yet no reference to God listening to our Bible Studies and sermons!

Then those who feared the Lord spoke to one another,

And the Lord listened and heard them;

So a book of remembrance was written before Him

For those who fear the Lord

And who meditate on His name. Malachi 3:16 (NKJV)

Have you ever been in Bible Studies where you have a few that seem to love to listen to themselves and share their great revelations, but when you catch them, “just talking” outside of Bible studies, Jesus is the last topic they chose to talk about it?

It is easy to put a Bible Study together; it is easier to just sit there and punch the clock, but if you want to see somebody’s heart, just listen to his or her conversation; that’s the real deal (Matthew 12:34). As my wife and I open our home for Bible Studies and fellowship, the challenge becomes to bring down traditions of man and enter into a place where we as God’s people can be free.

Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. 2 Corinthians 3:17 (NKJV)

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