The Dark Deception by Oscar Roca |oscarrocawriter.com

Please take a moment to check out my Book. I will never ask for money or donations for this blog & believe what Jesus said,”…Freely you have received; freely give….” 

I have written a Christian Thriller Novel and in the editing stages of 4 more. You can click on links below to buy my book. Appreciate the time you take reading my blog & whether you buy my book or not, may the Lord bless you and bring you His peace. 

— Oscar Roca / oscarrocawriter.com

The Dark Deception by Oscar Roca

The Dark Deception.png

ISBN-10: 1498456790
ISBN-13: 978-1498456791

Amazon

Barnes&Noble

oscarlikes2writeLeave a comment

Despised & Rejected—My Sins My Savior Did Take |Christian Poems

Despised NRejected.png
Scripture links: Isaiah 52 & 53

If you don’t know who Jesus is, and what He did for you. These verses above are just a few predictions which came true. Jesus fulfilled these and many more.  Click on the links below to get to know Him personally…

Despised & Rejected

Despised and rejected,
My Savior my Lord
Abused and neglected
Suffered such sorrow
Afflicted, mistreated for me
My sins my Savior did take

Was struck down, tormented
My Savior my Lord
Afflicted, dejected,
Was wounded and punished
His cheek He would turn
My sins my Savior did take

Despised and rejected,
My Savior my Lord
Abused and neglected
Suffered such sorrow
Afflicted, mistreated for me
My sins my Savior did take

My Powerful Savior
Submissive and Humble
His cheek He would turn
Disfigured and bloody
My Powerful Savior endured
My sins my Savior did take

Despised and rejected,
My Savior my Lord
Abused and neglected
Suffered such sorrow
Afflicted, mistreated for me
My sins my Savior did take

Cutoff and shutoff,
My Savior my Lord
Endured the torture
His cheek He would turn
He silently suffered
My sins my Savior did take

Despised and rejected,
My Savior my Lord
Abused and neglected
Suffered such sorrow
Afflicted, mistreated for me
My sins my Savior did take

Surrendered His Spirit
My Savior My Lord
Buried so deeply
Death couldn’t hold Him
Triumphantly Risen
Death’s sting no longer
My sins my Savior did take

By Oscar Roca

 

Wrote this during one of my many restless nights…

Thursday, March 29, 2018 at 2:02 AM

Don’t wait, get to know who Jesus truly is. These were not just claims by His followers who were making things up to make Jesus look good. But indisputable truths that Jesus’ enemies would have been able to disprove during and right after His resurrection. Over 150 Prophecies about Him which were fulfilled by Him. What do you have to lose?

How Can I know God

Steps to Peace With God

Know God

oscarlikes2writeLeave a comment

Offend Them to Life |Salvation

Be Bold with the Good News!.png
Matthew 10:22

FOR THE CHRISTIAN WHO IS AFRAID OF SHARING THE GOSPEL BECAUSE IT WILL OFFEND OTHERS:

— As Christians, we don’t offend anyone on purpose. At least we try not to. As Christians, we are to be the salt and light of the world. Jesus tells us to be the good flavor and the light to those that have sour mouths and are blind  & lost due to the world’s depravities.

— Yet somehow, some of us have become a bunch of whiny and afraid Christians who don’t want to hurt anyone’s feelings. Even if it means not offending them into hell.  (See Luke chapter 16:19-31)

Gent Club inoffensive.pngEternity is a long time for those offended lost souls to think of forgiving us for not trying hard enough to reach them. It is not our job to be inoffensive. It is our job to present the unbelievers with the word of God. It is our job to preach the gospel to the ends of the earth and make disciples of all nations. It is not our job to count on a list those offended or not offended by what the Gospel says.

— Jesus told us the world would hate us because they hated Him. Or did we think that the-lollypop-don’t-offend-anyone-today culture is going to save anyone?

— I wish we could talk to those people who are in hell right now. I wish they could give us a ringy-ding-ding and tell us how much they appreciate us not offending them by not telling them about Christ.

Drug Expo Inoffensive.png— So instead of everyone getting angry at those who are blinded by the god of this age, why don’t we, including me, start praying and fasting for those that got offended by a billboard of a pastor who was holding a Bible?

— Why don’t we just not pay attention to those poor lost souls acting like 2-year-olds trying to get their way? And start preaching even more….
— Don’t wait for those people who are offended to be forever away from our Lord and Savior’s presence because we went into a corner pouting about the fact that some non-Christians got offended by the Bible and the message of sin.

Romans chapter 1.jpeg
Romans Chapter 1

— Instead of Christians getting mad or retreating into our communities, this is a critical and important time in our country, for Christians to boldly proclaim that it is only through Jesus the Savior of the world, that people could be saved. He is the only Way, the Only Truth and the only Life for those that are lost.
— It is up to us to tell those offended by the Billboards here in Southern California and throughout the world, that we are not ashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Because it has the power for salvation to everyone that puts their faith in Jesus our Lord and Savior…

FOR THOSE WHO DON’T KNOW JESUS IN A PERSONAL WAY:

— I will never stop sharing the gospel. This is what I am called to do and this is who I am. If you don’t know God, and if the Bible offends you, please take the time to really know what is offending you about it.

— You will find that most people don’t really understand the Jesus of the Bible. They have only heard about crazy Christians offending other by pushing their faith on them. I don’t push my faith on anyone.

— But I do share what God has done in my life and why I am thankful to Him for giving me the life changing peace I now have. That peace won’t change my life circumstances. But this peace of knowing what will ultimately be my home does.

— I want you to have the peace and knowledge that there is something far better in this life and the next for you. I would challenge you to research and see if this Christian Faith is truly offensive or just a fallacy made up from those who don’t want to change their bad habits…

Take the next steps to truly knowing God:

Steps to Peace With God

How Can I know God

Know God

 

 

oscarlikes2writeLeave a comment

Go Take On Mountains & Get Rid of the Giants! |Get Motivated by God

One of my favorite chapters in the Bible is in Joshua. Where we see Caleb at 85 years of age telling everyone that he will go take on the mountain by climbing it and defeating the giants in the land. These are the same giants (Anakim) the Israelites half Caleb’s age are cowering behind Joshua’s robe and being triggered with fear.

Never stop getting better.png

Not Caleb, he tells Joshua and the rest of the Israelites, “Let me go at ’em! The Lord promised me this a whole lot of years back. It’s time, I’m only 85 years young but the Lord is my strength (my commentary view), I can take ’em all!”

I think that Caleb remembered Moses words, which gave him hope to take on his giants. Even after all those decades had passed.

Cliff Notes version: 

Caleb remembers Moses’ words that God was his strength. Caleb gets his land and takes no prisoners. He then retires and lives in peace for the rest of his life. 

So…what’s your excuse today? Start changing the I can’t to, “The Lord is my strength! He is my Salvation! I can take on that mountain and get rid of the giants! With God anything is possible!”

 

 

oscarlikes2writeLeave a comment

Declare Yourself Free! |4th of July

4th of July Freedom.png
By Oscar Roca

“32 Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.””- Jesus in John 8:32

“36 So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.”- John 8:36

“1 It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not be encumbered once more by a yoke of slavery.” – Galatians 5:1

“16 Live in freedom, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as servants of God.17 Treat everyone with high regard:..”-1 Peter 2:16-17a

“”6 Jesus answered, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”” – Jesus in John 14:6

Go ahead, ask Jesus to set you free spiritually!

Get started:

Read your bible:

 

oscarlikes2writeLeave a comment

The 2 Greatest Commandments |Greatest Commandments

2 commandments.png

 

I want to caution my fellow Christians to always make sure we are:

 

  1. Loving God- in everything we say and do. Specially with this Immigration ordeal. I’m finding some very good people turning into something that is not really them. I am reading some very cruel things from both sides. We MUST remember that we are representing Christ before any political party. 
  2. We must also make sure that we don’t say things to others that would jeopardize someone else’s reputation without the person even knowing that they have been thrown under the bus.
  3. When all else fails, we will all disagree with one another from time to time but the way we handle our debates in a healthy and glorifying manner will be the way we will win over those that don’t know about the Good News of Christ. Not by stirring the pot more and letting out hatred. Because whatever comes out of our mouth is coming from our hearts.
  4. I have seen some very solid Christians reply to posts with sharp words, this includes myself. We need to take a step back and ask if this is going to edify, glorify or encourage others, leading them to Christ’s peace. If it doesn’t, maybe we need to set it in the back burner for a few days before making the decision to post it. 

I have learned not to reply to any negatives or “corrections” on social media. Unless the reply is directly affecting someone else, then I with all the might of the Word, will reply. This is the only time I will speak up. I don’t care about my reputation, I care about those who are close enough to know my character.

I also care about every one of you to send a personal reply when I see that you have crossed the line. I hope that we can all do this instead of hanging someone else’s dirty laundry out there. Because if we truly love God and our neighbor, we will never on purpose, let our hearts, which are still wicked sometimes, air out what we should not…

May we the Christian community, be a beacon of hope to all who enter our gates. May we treat all those who are in more need than us, how God would want us and would treat them, with love and compassion and not contempt….

All Scripture from:

biblehub.com

http://berean.bible

oscarlikes2writeLeave a comment

The Alien the Widow & The Orphan |Immigration

Two things I will be addressing here. Please read to the end before making up your mind about this suddenly hot topic which has been brought to the political forefront and IS NOTpolitical and should never be politicized.

LEVITICUS 19_The Alien, Widow & Orphan.png

Leviticus chapter 19 verses 33-34

Everyone is talking about what’s going on with the immigration problem that we have.
Scriptures tell us from the beginning that God tells the Israelites they are not to take advantage of three groups of people.

God doesn’t make a distinction of ethnicity or color or how wealthy one is in order to take care of the person.

God’s only provision is this:
Do not forget:
1. The Aliens
2. The Orphans
3. The Widows

DEUt 24_The Alien, Widow & Orphan.png

Deuteronomy chapter 24 verses 19-22 

I. What I am saying and what we must do as Christians:

— All of the above groups are to be taken care of.

— It is shameful that political leaders and news media are using this horrible and imperfect law to push their agendas.

— I don’t care much for politicians and news media outlets. They have dug their own graves with the public because they are no longer viable sources who speak the truth.

— I am only speaking to those who profess to be Christians. If you call yourself a Christian, then you must, and I repeat this, m.u.s.t., follow God’s commands over any law that will contradict His statutes.

— Taking care of the alien(foreigner), the widow and the orphan is a statute to all mankind and not just what you think is right or wrong.
— We have a problem in making aliens orphans. And we know what God says to do to those two groups.

— It’s time as Christians, not whether you lean Left or Right, to come together and take care of the unborn, the kids of incarcerated parents, the alien kids and the rest of the orphans. And this should not be a question in our minds.

— Why? Because just like the Israelites, all of us including the native Americans, which I have native blood running through my veins, migrated at some point to this beautiful land we call home.

II. Now what I am not saying:
— I am not assuming for our country to keep allowing people just to get here. If we do this, we will soon be financially ruined.
— I am not saying to allow the continued infiltration of criminals who want to cause harm to our society.
— I do not want people from any other country who want to escape their awful situation and try to change the laws and Constitution of my United States.
— If you come here, don’t expect a permanent handout. But assume that if you work hard, you will reap the rewards afforded to any citizen who wants to work hard and live in peace with others.
— Do expect to help someone in need without wanting and forcing the government to help out.
Because the Bible tells us we are to work hard with our hands, be in peace with others, help the alien, widow and the orphan.
Right now, there are thousands of foster kids, alien kids and unborn kids that need our help.

It is neither a Democratic or Republican problem but a Christian problem.
Go out and do what is right, just and will glorify our Lord and Savior.

oscarlikes2writeLeave a comment

HAPPY FATHER’S DAY |Father’s Day 2018

Here’s to the men who have stepped up to lead their families Spiritually! To all those that are still leading their kids and grandkids! 

There are some that are playing the dad role in your grandchildren’s lives. I commend you. You know who you are.

Here’s to my son who’s taking care of his son and passing on the torch of Christ! 

Here’s to my dad, who brings me much joy to debate things about scripture! 

Happy and Blessed Father’s Day!

So here’s to the Dad’s that are or will be sticking to their godly role as their leader in our households.png

oscarlikes2writeLeave a comment

The God Given Right |Go Vote

1 It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not be encumbered once more by a yoke of slavery. 2 Take notice:…                         

Paul’s Letter to the Galatian Church Chapter 5 verse 1 & 2a Berean Study Bible

 

“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” — The Founding Father’s Declaration

Voting is God Given.png

oscarlikes2writeLeave a comment

What are your Giants? Go Slay Them- The Lord is with you!

“”…..10 I am eighty-five years old today. 11″I am still as strong today as I was in the day Moses sent me; as my strength was then, so my strength is now, for war and for going out and coming in. 12″Now then, give me this hill country about which the LORD spoke on that day, for you heard on that day that Anakim (Giants) were there, with great fortified cities; perhaps the LORD will be with me, and I will drive them out as the LORD has spoken.”…””

Joshua 15.png

What are your Giants?

Go slay them! The Lord is with you!

oscarlikes2writeLeave a comment

Trials Come & Go~ Eternity is Forever |Monday Prayer

 

Mark 11_24.png

 

…Lord, my prayer is for me to be entirely healed from the lungs, heart and stomach area. I believe this because you say it to be true.
Not because I am anything but because you are everything. Not because I am worthy or sinless but because You are righteous and merciful. Not because of anything I have done for you but because of your everlasting love and compassion for me. You are worthy oh Lord, You are all-powerful, all-knowing and eternal. Lord, I lift my prayers up to You because You are the only one that can answer them. Jesus, Your Son is the Great Healer, and Your Spirit comforts me. What else do I need but to praise and thank you for everything that You have done in my life.
Healer and Redeemer, thank you for allowing me to commune with You. To walk and listen to You. Help me to hear what You say and truly listen to You. To be guided by You and to be filled by You so that I too can be on the same page as Your Spirit when He is hearkening to me to do something…

The above prayer was from my journal a few years ago. I wrote it so that I would be reminded of God’s unending love for us. I also wrote it as a prayer of hope and encouragement. Time and time again, God tells us to trust Him unconditionally. Because He protects us unconditionally. He is above every problem we face and is the ultimate solutions for everything natural and supernatural.

Today, if you feel that your health is failing, or that the circumstances in life are overwhelming your total being, trust in the Lord with all your hearts and do not lean on your own understanding.

He will take care of your health, finances or emotional problems happening in your life. It may not happen instantly or all at once, but in His perfect timing.
All He asks is for you to commit yourself to His Son Jesus and to ask Him to forgive you of your sins. It doesn’t matter what you have done unto until this very moment. What matters is that you put your trust in Jesus who has paid the ultimate price for you by dying on the cross almost 2,000 years ago.
What matters is right now, not the past, and what you do from this point on. Don’t wait, Jesus is there for you. Ask Him to forgive you for all the wrong things that you have done, no matter how horrible you think they are.
Ask Jesus to heal you of all the things that people have to you, no matter how vile they may be. You will see that His love for you is impossible to understand because Jesus will give you peace beyond what you could fathom.

Just do it, he will take care of the rest. He may not heal you instantly, He may not fix your circumstances right away, but He will give you peace through the storms of life. He will, in the long run, heal your whole being. Eternity is what matters. Eternity is your ultimate goal.

Resources:

How can I know God?

Know God

Steps to Peace with God

 

 

 

oscarlikes2writeLeave a comment

Banning the Bible-Futile Indeed |First Amendment Threatened

Article [I] (Amendment 1 – Freedom of expression and religion) 13
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

The above is a direct quote of our sacred Constitution. I say scared because these rights are God-given and not man-given. There are men that have tried taking the common man’s rights which has caused great and terrible havoc on humanity.

This month we in California have seen the incredibly ignorant way the governor has been stripping away the right of all the people. In his warped mind he thinks he is helping out the little guys. But he and the rest of the leaders cannot see past their noses. In adding more foolish laws like this California AB2943 and making it sound like it’s a great idea.

Here are the reason why this bill and any other bill like this is wrong:

~ First off– I oppose any addition to any laws that take away rights in order to stop people from their God-given Faith and free speech. Leave it to California to try to do something like this.

~ Secondly, I oppose this type of bullying not just because I am a Christian pastor but as a citizen, husband, father and grandfather. This bill is horribly shortsighted and does nothing for the First Amendment.  Banning the Bible is futile

∼ Thirdly, by trying to stop a group of people from “hurting” another group, Jerry Brown is doing the same exact thing that he is “trying to fix” and that to me is foolish and shortsighted.

~ Fourthly, anytime you start taking away God-given rights, you start on a very slippery slope.

A slope that ends up with Hitler, Lenin, Stalin and Mao types. Just those good “humanitarian” men I’ve just mentioned, are responsible for killing roughly 132 million people.

This is a considerable number killed by men who had great intentions but little by little, took away people’s rights, until they were the all-powerful dictators we know them to be.

To Christians, it is time to wake up from the comfy slumber we are in! What must we do?

  1. Wake up from the slumber!
  2. Pray and fast for California, and our country.
  3. Pray for those lost souls in leadership.
  4. For all to come to the full knowledge of our Lord and Savior.
  5. Do something. Being saved is a verb…it takes action. A call to Christian action! (Click on this link )
  6. Pass the information on to others.

 

oscarlikes2writeLeave a comment

Time to Step Up |Home Missions |StayMissions

“8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”– Book of Acts chapter 1 verse 8. Berean Study Bible

 

This is to all my Christian brethren. I include myself in this. The need is urgent. The time is now:

There are Staycations, now as Christians we must do StayMissions.  Our country is in a mess because we have imploded as a church. We were to go to the ends of the earth to preach the gospel and make disciples of all nations. But we were supposed to start at home, then our city, then our state and country. After this, we were to go all over the world.

Home missions.png

I live in California and this state is a horrible mess spiritually.  I have started praying and fasting for our city and state. I would ask that you lift up your home town and state. Also could you add California to your prayers please?The leadership in charge has become anti-christian. But I know how the story ends and am not worried.

We are to preach the gospel in full. Not just the feel good stuff but the full counsel of God. We, are not to be afraid and we must follow God first and then men. This means that God’s Law supersedes any man-made laws which contradict our faith. This is the reason for my urgency in sharing Christ’s love in my immediate area of residence.

I ask you to prayerfully consider making in home missions or as I am calling it StayMissions in your area. This could be in nursing and convalescent homes, homeless shelters, orphanages in your area jails, hospitals etc. The list is endless and the rewards are worth it…

 

 

oscarlikes2writeLeave a comment

A land flowing with milk but no honey please! |Resurrection Sunday 2017

…9 as unknown, yet well-known; dying, and yet we live on; punished, yet not killed; 10 sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything. 

Paul’s 2nd Letter to the Church in Corinth Berean Study Bible

It is Resurrection Sunday. Today we usually get up early enough to go to the Sunrise service and celebrate Christ’s triumph over death and sin.
I want to talk about what has happened for the last two Resurrection Sunday’s. We have had visitors migrating into our property. They fly in swarms, looking for a place to make their own. Last year we called the beekeeper. And we’ve had to do this again this year. Last year came as a total surprise when our neighbors called to tell us that there was a swarm of bees in our property. This year we knew what to do and called the beekeeper as soon as we saw a few of the scouts buzzing around our yard.

FullSizeRender-1.jpg
Swarm of Bees

I was sulking about the fact that for the first time in a very long time, we were unable to go to any service for Resurrection Day. We’ve gone to Sonrise service since our adult kids could remember.
The bee swarm sank all hopes of going to any service. Our get-together was harshly interrupted by the swarm and an emergency in the family. All of us felt an emptiness we could not shake.
The crazy thing about this is, that during our Seder-Marriage Supper of the Lamb Rehearsal (as I am calling what we had in our Bible study) I spoke about the haste in which the Israelites prepared their food during their first Passover.
The Israelites would have to remember the slave to freedom period for all eternity. I correlated this with the sacrifice of our Lord Jesus on the cross and how the times of the Temple sacrifices were precisely done during the same time that Jesus hung on the cross. There are no coincidences in His perfect timing.
I was standing guard outside, making sure people passing by on the sidewalk would stay away from the bee swarm. Alone, and at a low point this year, and I was feeling sorry for myself. You see, like the Israelites, we had to leave the house when we saw a few bees enter the bathroom window.
We had our kids and our grandkids with us. I didn’t want anyone getting stung by the bees. So we left all our food, drinks and festivities in haste! I told my wife and kids to leave the house for safer pastures. I would remain behind to stand guard and make sure people knew there was a bee swarm close to the sidewalk. Now I understand why The Lord had me here on this extraordinary day.
My Jewish neighbors were walking to their synagogues with their families. I had to warn them not to get too close. The day gave me a chance to warmly say, “hello” to them and explain why they had to be careful It gave me an opportunity to tell them that I was unable to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus and I also wished them a blessed Passover.
They were warm and interested in my explanation and what I was having the beekeeper do to relocate the swarm.
This past Sunday was The Lord’s perfect timing. My Orthodox Jewish neighbors walked through like they always do on Friday nights. Sunday just happened to be Easter and Passover. The Lord had me there so I could be a sweet-smelling aroma to those that don’t know the incredible love of Jesus. The sacrifice He made as the Paschal Lamb of God who took in all of humanity’s sins on the cross and nailed them once and for all. Like Passover, God has the cross as a permanent reminder for us to look up at the lifted Savior who gave His life so that we would all one day be Risen after death.
I am share my joy and peace, even when my house is literally swarmed with thousands of enemies that could have made me murmur and complain like the Israelites when they had to leave in haste during that first Passover.

IMG_3697.PNG
End of His perfect Day #Resurrection Day

I did not complain because Christ is in me. He lives in me, and I have to share Him during the good and bad times. As I pass through this wilderness while waiting to finally get to the real land flowing with milk and I have to say it, yes, honey! He has Risen! He is Risen indeed!
P.S. Another blessing in disguise, had we gone to services and then to a family gathering, we would have had the bees all over the house. That would have been a bad Easter stinger!

oscarlikes2writeLeave a comment

Husband Essentials | Men of God Series

…24 The LORD bless you, and keep you; 25 The LORD make His face shine on you, And be gracious to you; 26 The LORD lift up His countenance on you, And give you peace.’…
Numbers chapter 6 verses 24-26 NASB

There are a few essential things that men must do as husbands and dads. The most important thing is to pray for his family.

If a man can’t pray over his wife and children before they go to bed like the above prayer, he has already lost the battle for the next day.
You see, as men, there are things that we must do. The Lord makes this very clear. We are to love our wives and as an extension, our children. As husbands, we are to love them enough to die for them.
One of the most critical and essential things that we must do before any physical or emotional priority is to pray for our wives and our kids.  You see, the enemy has been working overtime these last few decades.

It seems that the family is under attack at an alarming speed. Satan and his minions have systematically dismantled the family structure, and the effects will be long-term. These effects are some of the most severe society has seen in history.

If you don’t believe me, look at civilizations and empires where the family was divided in such a way as our modern Western culture. They did not survive and neither will we if we don’t get back to Biblical essentials, or basics.
The first essential is Prayer. We pray when we commit to Christ. We pray when even before knowing our Lord and Savior. It is a human trait that is ingrained in our spirit even when our faith is not there or is very weak. We must pray for our wives and children for:
~ For Blessings, as in above verse in Numbers 6:24-26
~ For Protection This means that we will pray for our family and have them protected by the most powerful way we know, The Lord’s protection.

https://kcdn.whatchristianswanttoknow.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/psalm-91.jpgPsalm 91 as a whole but specifically verse 15 tells us that we can call upon God and He will answer us and will be with us through our troubles and from the terrors of the night or through what we would call dark times. But the entire Psalm is of God protecting us like a great Eagle protects its young.
~For Strength– We must pray for our wives and kids to be strong in the Lord. That they not tremble or be dismayed by anything that this life sends their way. Why? Because the Lord is with them. There is nothing the enemy can do to them.
~ For knowing the will of God and His desire for their lives.
We have been called according to His purpose, and that in itself is comforting. Because once we know He has our best interests, we can move forward from whatever trench we are stuck in. We may be weak, and we may fail, but He will always come to our rescue.

The last thing is the most important for all of us, especially the men, So goes the father, so goes the family. A weak father makes a weak and divided family. There is nothing greater for a man to give his family than eternal life.

All this is useless if we don’t know who God is. So I invite you to get to know Him as I know Him. Take the first steps to making your family secure their eternal lives. Throw the first lifesaver over into the dark and perilous waters….and grab the first one yourself. Then go and save your family….

COMMITMENT TO GOD:

Steps to having Peace with God

How to Know God

Eagle Picture from: https://www.whatchristianswanttoknow.com/psalm-91-commentary-bible-study-and-summary/

oscarlikes2writeLeave a comment

2 Men 4 Men |As Iron Sharpens Iron Rules

I am starting a new series for men only. But women are not excluded! They are needed. Why? So they can keep their husbands accountable.

In the years I have been in ministry, I have noticed a trend. Men doing their hardest work in ministry but forgetting what God truly wants from them; serving their spouses, kids and working even harder in their jobs.

Over the years, I have had wives complain about their husbands to me. One time I had a wife and the kids watching the dad cleaning the church restrooms.

  • The wife looked right at me and said,”I wish he would do that at home. I can’t get him to lift a finger inside the house. He takes care of us, but he does not do any of the stuff he does for the church.”

I wish I could say that I was stunned or at least surprised. But, more and more, I see people, specifically men, who will go out of their way to be respected at church but not care what their wives and children think of them. The story below is about a man who was not yet married to this woman, yet he served her from the start of their relationship. You will have to read all the story of Ruth but it is a wonderful story of a man who works hard, and yet has time to serve his future wife. We see a story of a man who redeemed this woman to him. He loved her enough to take care of her even before the two-way relationship and benefits were in full view.

“”…Then Boaz said, “Do not let it be known that a woman came to the threshing floor.” 15 And he told her, “Bring the shawl you are wearing and hold it out.” When she did so, he shoveled six measures of barley into her shawl. Then he went into the city. 16 When Ruth returned to her mother-in-law, Naomi asked her, “How did it go, my daughter?” Then Ruth told her all that Boaz had done for her.…”” Ruth chapter 3 verses 14b-16 Berean Study Bible

Men, when was the last time you washed dishes just because? Or did the laundry so your wives would not have to? These chores are not just for women.

Serve at home 1st.png

  • These chores are an extension of loving your wives when you see that they are tired and need a little help. More importantly, these little things that you do in serving your wives, redeems them to have a deeper love and respect for you.

The redeeming rewards will be your children seeing how the husband loves his wife. Your kids in turn will love and respect their mom and have a profound love for the way they see you treating and redeeming their mom!

  • Serve at home before you go and try to at church. That should be your motto. Serve here before there!

You will find the blessings that come from serving your family and you will be fulfilling the qualifications of a true leader or Elder. These qualifications are in short supply and are highly needed in the modern church.

  • There are too many men who want to be respected at church but are failing miserably where it’s most needed, in their homes…

More on this next post in this series.

 

oscarlikes2writeLeave a comment

Jesus=Jehovah Is Salvation |Day of Atonement

Day of Atonement.png

The Day of Atonement

“”26 Again the LORD said to Moses, 27 “ The tenth day of this seventh month is the Day of Atonement. You are to hold a sacred assembly and humble your souls and present an offering made by fire to the LORD. 28 On this day you are not to do any work, for it is the Day of Atonement, when atonement is made for you before the LORD your God.”” Leviticus 23:27- Berean Study Bible

“”13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law by becoming a curse for us. For it is written: “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree.””… Galatians 3:13- Berean Study Bible

As Christians, we don’t really see the importance of the Jewish Feasts. This is because we think that they were instituted by the Israelites (Ancient Jewish people) but nothing could be further from the truth.

At the beginning of Leviticus chapter 23, we see that God calls these Holy Convocations His feasts.

Feasts of the LORD
1 Then the LORD said to Moses, 2 “Speak to the Israelites and say to them, ‘These are My appointed feasts, the feasts of the LORD that you will proclaim as sacred assemblies.…Leviticus 23:1-2- Berean Study Bible.

This means we as Christians need to be observing these days. They are for all those that call Jesus their Savior.  We are not to go to the extremes of becoming so caught up in the acts that we forget the meaning behind The Feasts. These are to dress rehearsals for the real thing. That real thing is Jesus, Yeshua, Yehoshua. These dress rehearsals were appointed times for us to know the exact time Jesus would come. Yet, His people, the ones that had the oracles of God, the ones that kept every scroll written in almost perfect form, missed the appointed time.

But before you start judging the Jewish people, Christians have also missed out on this. Let me explain, we have and will always have the Greek Scriptures in the New Testament. Yet, when I speak to people of the importance of chapter 23 of Leviticus, the person usually says that all the Old Testament (Hebrew Scriptures of the Bible) is for the Jewish folks and that we need to focus on Jesus’ writings.

I usually smile and tell them if Jesus is the Word, that The Word was from the beginning and since Jesus is The Word, His writings are from Genesis to Revelation. Then I see their reaction…a blank stare into the endlessness of the universe.

You see, everything in the Bible points to Jesus (Yeshua- Jehovah is Salvation). The scriptures point in only one direction, Jesus’ direction. The Feasts all point to Him. They were practices for us to know the time of His arrival. Yet most people missed Jesus’ first coming. He kept telling the Jewish people He was the One that scriptures spoke about. He also kept telling them that His hour had not come yet. Until that specific time Jesus rode in on that donkey and allowed Himself to be worshipped as the Messiah of the world.

This brings a new meaning for us Christians when Jesus says:

“”2 You know that the Passover begins in two days, and the Son of Man will be handed over to be crucified.””- Matthew 26:2 Berean Study Bible

Preparing the Passover
17 On the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Where do you want us to prepare for You to eat the Passover?” 18 He answered, “Go into the city to a certain man and tell him that the Teacher says, ‘My time is near. I will keep the Passover with My disciples” at your house.’ 19 So the disciples did as Jesus had directed them and prepared the Passover.… Matthew 26:17-19 Berean Study Bible

You see, Jesus has fulfilled all the Spring and summer Feasts or Appointed Times. There are Three Appointed Feats left. These are Fall Feasts and the Day of Atonement is one of these. I will be explaining each of these separately.

Today it’s the Feast of Atonement. The Day where Jesus the Messiah of the world, will make His people clean and unblemished from their sins. May today be the start of your new clean life. I ask you to get to know Jesus, the Messiah or Savior of the world.

~ If you know and have a relationship with Jesus, may today be a joyful and somber day. One that brings you to His throne room and right at the feet of Jesus who gave Himself to be a sacrifice for us all. May you praise His name and ask Him to make you clean by wiping away the uncleanliness in your lives.

~ If you do not know Jesus. I ask you to make today the day that you ask Him into your life.  Also, ask Jesus to wash you clean and make you right in the sight of God. The Bible says that he will make you a new creation.

“”7 Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away. Behold, the new has come! 18 All this is from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation:…”” – 2 Corinthians 5:17-18 Berean Study Bible

Do not wait, ask Jesus into your life. Make a commitment to walk away from the things that are loading you up with bad things. Things that you have done yourself that you want gone. Ask him to change you from the inside out. Make this day a day you will remember as the day Jesus Atoned for your sins…

Steps to get started with Jesus:

How Can I know God

Steps to Peace With God

Know God

 

 

oscarlikes2writeLeave a comment

Don’t Wear Christian Stuff If Your Tongue Can’t Handle It! |Power of Words- God & Bad

“”1 Be imitators of God, therefore, as beloved children, 2 and walk in love, just as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us as a fragrant sacrificial offering to God.””

Eph 5:1-2 Berean Study Bible

I was running behind on time all day yesterday. Now I understand why…

I went to get some lunch at a local restaurant. While waiting for my food, I noticed an argument starting. The conversation started between a middle aged woman and an young lady that couldn’t be more than 20 years old, who had just walked in a few seconds before her. They started talking; first in low tones and as the conversation went on, the older woman started raising her voice. Everyone in the restaurant turned towards them, including myself.

Words2018-09-13 at 5.04.20 AM.png

  • The young lady seemed quiet and composed as she was getting a verbal tongue lashing.

She kept stating that the small alley way into the restaurant’s parking lot was a two way direction. The older lady started calling her names and saying that she was wrong. All of a sudden, because the older lady didn’t get her way, she grabbed the young lady’s phone and threw it in the trash!
That’s when I stepped in and yelled out at the lady to leave the young one alone.
She started walking out with her kids who were waiting for her sitting outside.
A few minutes before, I noticed the same young teen boys were both acting aggressively towards one another and wondered why the parents allow for those actions to escalate into hatred towards each other…Then I saw the mom and got my answer.
I told the hostile mom to apologize to the young lady, and she made every excuse why she wouldn’t. I let her know that she was the mature one and the kid was just a teenager and immature. That she was the older and wiser one… I told her that she was setting a bad example for her sons and then I noticed her hat….. This is what really got me!
On her red and pink cap, she had a Christian saying. In the back of her cap was a cross!
I explained that she was shaming Jesus’ name to the non-Christians and that she should be ashamed of herself and in front of her kids and everyone else.
That kind of bullying, I will not tolerate; even worse, coming from a Christian person.
I thought of Romans 2:

“As it is written: “God’s name is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you.”

She stumbled over her words after what I told her, and she grabbed her kids and walked away.
At that point, I decided to just eat there so I could speak to the young lady who was searching through the trash, looking for her phone. I started praying… praying first for myself, and then for the lady who should have known better. For the young girl not to stumble in the future if she is not a Christian, when somebody shares the gospel with her. Spoke to the employees of the restaurant and the young lady came over to thank me. I apologized on behalf of my faith for that lady. Everything seemed to calm down and get back to normal.

Something amazing happened after I prayed. A few minutes later, the Lord sent others to encourage me…

An old man who was strolling in with a walker and all his belongings came in to order. He was homeless, and his hygiene was non-existent. He ordered, got coffee and started walking outside to sit in one of the tables. As he passed the door’s threshold, he began to struggle.
I thought of getting up to help but would have been in the way since one of the employees came in behind him trying to assist him.
At this point, I see a very humble looking couple that was eating outside come to his rescue. The guy looked like an ex-gangbanger, and the woman’s appearance was very homely.
They both had tattoos and looked rough. Not a single Christian logo. They quickly helped the poor man with his walker and belongs. Both smiling and chatting with the poor old man. After helping him to his seat, they went back to their table and continued their conversation. I smiled because I knew their heart was right. They both looked at peace and in harmony. I would not be surprised if they knew the Lord, I would be surprised that the lady was really walking with the Lord. I am not judging, but the fruit of her spirit was lacking…

Be sure to be a refreshing aroma to all you come across.
Sometimes Christians wearing logos make themselves to be a stench instead of a sweet smelling aroma to others.
Please don’t be that Christian. Imitate Christ and let the world smell your sweet sacrifice…

oscarlikes2writeLeave a comment

God’s Pebbles on the Road |My Story

Isa 40_11.png
Isaiah 40:11 Berean Study Bible

A young man was so eager to leave his parents that he started on a journey with just the bare necessities on his backpack.

He had all the essentials to survive since his parents had taught him how to survive well enough for him to endure the long road ahead of him. This young man started his journey and soon found a partner along the path he was traveling in. Both travelers were going in the same direction and found that they enjoyed each other’s company, so they decided to hike together.

Along the way, they encountered rough patches, and in the dark hours of the night, they would unexpectedly stumble over small rocks and pebbles on the road. They would have to stop and check their shoes and feet often. Sometimes one would have to be helped out in carrying their loaded backpacks or with other nuisances along the way. Yet, this couple kept traveling.

They met a very loving and wise man along the way who was walking with his flock of sheep. The man seemed to know everything about life and the dangers of being out here without the proper equipment.

He told them that he was going their way and would light their steps at night with his lamp as long and as far as they allowed him to travel with them. The young travelers loved the stories the wise man told. He was a shepherd and would wander near and far with his flocks. He knew all the roads and also the ones less traveled.
The shepherd told them stories of his flock and of the many times he would fend off wild animals and thieves who came at night to hurt his sheep. His lamp and staff were always by his side. The more they traveled with the Shepherd, the more they stopped noticing the rough patches on the road. One night the young man felt a horrible pain in his foot. He had not been watching his steps and hurt his ankle so bad that he told his fellow travelers that he would have to stop. The young man was about to quit his journey and tell his partner and the wise man to continue without him.

As soon as he said this, he felt the strong arms of the shepherd carrying him. He also saw his partner as she picked up all the baggage he had been collecting along their journey. They carried him and his equipment a long distance until he was able to heal.

The young man was forever grateful to both his friends as he was able to continue his travels with them. When his partner needed help, the young man was there to help her.
The couple didn’t realize that the wise man was always there for them and never seemed too tired of helping them. Even with the sheep he had to take care of, he never complained. Instead, he patiently walked with them to their destination.
The wise shepherd promised they would like their new home and sure enough, the place was incredible. Enough pastures for their own little flock they had picked up along the way. The land had a running river with the best water the couple had ever tasted. Their little flock would finally be safe. They decided to stop walking and settle in this perfect piece of land. They were even more joyful to find out that the shepherd owned all of this and was giving it to the couple and their little sheep. The shepherd would always be nearby in case they needed him.

They told him that they would regularly place an extra setting on their table for him to come and dine with them. He smiled and said to them that he would always have time to eat and talk with them. The young couple was finally ready to live their life together.

This journey I am in, has been such a wonderful blessing to me. I was able to do what I have been called to do, and that is to tell stories about God’s love, grace, and mercy. I started with short skits at church and went on to write plays while serving full-time.

I am a storyteller in a world which needs the Greatest Story to be told in a way that opens people’s hearts to its saving grace.

I am reminiscing about the promise I made to God for His incredible and loving gesture of allowing me to live after being diagnosed with kidney cancer. I am living in extra innings so I can continue on life’s journey until I finish what I have to for Him.
The doctors told me I was one of those people lucky enough to have survived this type of cancer because there are no symptoms or signs of the sickness until it is too late.

I told them like I let everyone who is willing to lend an ear that I am not lucky. Luck had nothing to do with! It was the miracle of knowing Christ as my personal Lord and Savior. God tells us that Christ bore my sins, He took my sickness upon Himself and healed me.

After being diagnosed with the hated ‘C’ word, my journey took a different turn. My world was turned upside down, and everything I thought I needed to do was changed in an instant.

Yet, for those that have struggled with some type of illness or loss, I can tell you that God is faithful. He is a God of refreshing. God never promises us a safe and pain-free life but gives us enough pebbles on the road to step on, so that we develop into what He has called us to be on our personal journey.

May you be like that young man who started walking on his journey with only one thing on his mind. To touch as many lives as possible, pointing them to the Shepherd that always walks along with us with His lamp to light the way…

oscarlikes2writeLeave a comment

I Need Your Light |Poems of Worship

IMG_3854Sunrise after darkness by Oscar Roca.jpg

 

I Need Your Light

Please click on these- Job 30:17, Psalm 16:7, Psalm 22:2, 

 

I stand before You every night
Humbly asking and pleading
For You to hear my plight
Lord I know You are there leading
I’ve never doubted or lost sight

Lord the night is here
Too dark to steer
I need Your Light
Throughout this night
Please make things right

Lord with a heart of sorrow
I come before Your graceful Throne
Lord I know there is tomorrow
Please hear my cries and all my groans

Lord the night is here
Too dark to steer
I need Your Light
Throughout this night
Please make things right

I can hear Your still voice
Through the thunderous noise
I can see Your Light
What a beautiful sight

Lord the night is here
Too dark to steer
I need Your Light
Throughout this night
Please make things right

You are my mighty guide
I will not run I will not hide
Your peaceful whisper to abide
Makes the darkness all subside

Lord the night is here
Too dark to steer
I need Your Light
Throughout this night
Please make things right

My Lord the Mighty One
My enemies retreat and run
With Your forceful voice
They scatter and I rejoice

Lord the day is here
Your Light I cheer
Throughout this night
You’ve kept me tight

oscarlikes2writeLeave a comment
Create a website or blog at WordPress.com