Jesus & Jerusalem |Passion Week Wednesday

A2A9551F-5761-4996-99E8-C8FAB3D618E4 2.png

Lament over Jerusalem
36 Truly I tell you, all these things will come upon this generation. 37 O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those sent to her, how often I have longed to gather yourchildren together,as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were unwilling! 38 Look, your house is left to you desolate.…Jesus in Matthew 23

  • Jesus Lamented over Jerusalem because of the coming devastation the Romans would inflict on His city
  • Some of the ruling Council members of the Sanhedrin were at war with Him
  • He knew most of the High Council had at this point rejected His authority
  • The principal members would soon vote to put Jesus to death
  • Without proper representation
  • Without the proper witnesses against Him
  • Yet, Jesus laments to the point of sadness over His city. The City of Peace or Peaceful CIty
  • Jesus was, even until His death, loving His ungrateful children.
  • Thursday would be a turn of events that Jesus would begin His Via Dolorosa of pain…

  • If you are still fighting Jesus in your life, don’t be like those in the High Council, don’t reject Jesus

  • Call on Him & ask Him to forgive you about everything you have done that is contrary to His commands, love, and peace
  • Get to know Jesus and have Him save you from your own destruction…

 

How Can I know God

Steps to Peace With God

Know God

 

oscarlikes2writeLeave a comment

The Passionate Jesus —Get to Know Him Personally This Passionate Week |Passion Week Series

527C096C-18E2-4D62-A231-7E8465DE5BFE.jpeg

  • The Roman Road leads to the edge of the cliff and into the bottomless pit unless you confess Jesus as your personal LORD & Savior

  • That cliff will always keep you separated eternally from God until you choose His Son, who has paid the death contract for you.

  • We all carry the death contract from the day we are born and it gets heavier the older we get.

—This Sunday will start the beginning of a great and awesome week. Where God did a wondrous work of sacrifice though His Son Jesus the Savior for those who out their trust in Him.

—Passion Week starts with Palm Sunday( Matthew 21) and ends on Resurrection Sunday. But it doesn’t end there. You see, the story starts with Jesus, the Second Person of the Trinity. Who is the Creator of this universe. He spoke and the Big cosmological Bang happened.

—From the beginning of time, Jesus knew what was going to happen when He breathed life into humans.

—Yet, with all His omnipotent knowledge, He still obediently humiliated Himself by leaving His throne and coming down to earth as a human baby. That is unimaginable to me.

—That God would become flesh & bones(John 1:14; Hebrews 2:14 ). With the same carnal needs. With all of the weakness of a human body (Hebrews 2:17) which starts decaying the minute we are born.

—He was 100% human—100% God. I won’t try to explain this in 1-3 sentences because theologians have tried answering this wonderful and mysterious truth in volumes of books.

Slideshare.com.jpg
By Pete Rose 

  • Just know that the chances of 1 person fulfilling a few prophecies or predictions are astronomical. Jesus has fulfilled over 350. Yes, 350. If I was a Vegas man, I would place my bets on Jesus. I would take what He said and the predictions or prophecies He fulfilled as facts.

  • Now comes the most extraordinary 3 facts to take away from this:

— Jesus was tortured & died on the cross (Matthew 27)

— Jesus was buried  (Matthew 27:56-66)

— Jesus resurrected from death 3 days later (Matthew 28:1-15)

  • If this was not true, the greatest Empire and military in history, would have:
  • —Made a ridicule out of Jesus by displaying His body
  • — And/or killing off Jesus’ disciples for lying.
  • —Solving the mystery of where the body was hidden.

But neither of those things happened, why?

— There were too many witnesses who saw Jesus after His death. (Acts 5:32)

—The story was never fully disputed & the disciples continued preaching in the same city Jesus was buried. The Sanhedrin could not shut them up! ( Acts 5:32; Acts 23:24)

—The rest of what happened to His followers as they multiplied has been chronicled in the Bible and in other historical chronicles. (1 Corinthians 15:2-4)

  • Jesus disciples were:

—Beaten to stop having them share the Gospel of Jesus.

—Tortured to deny Jesus as the Messiah—Savior of Israel and the world.

—Killed for not recanting. It was the other way around, people like Paul of Tarsus chained up to his jailers converted many of them until he was put to death for His Lord and Savior, Jesus. 

  • Yet, His disciple remained faithful to the story of:

— Jesus,

—His teachings,

—His miracles,

—His crucifixion,

—His death

—His resurrection.

  • All this along with changing the mightiest empire that ever was through:

—Person to person sharing of the Gospel of Jesus.

— One on one disciplining on how to be followers of Christ.(2 Thessalonians 2:15)

—Continued fellowship of the church of Jesus who were called people of the Way.(Acts 2:46)

  • Yet still there are:

—Doubters to Jesus being who He said He was.

—Almost two thousand years later, Jesus is still controversial.

—People are still coming to know Him personally.

—Others are still scoffing at the stories they hear.

  • No other person in history has been:

— Loved & hated.

—Admired & Despised

—Worshipped & ridiculed….

  • Jesus remains a central figure in modern history.

—Countries have come and gone.

—Scoffers have said that Christianity is dead countless times.

—They have vowed to make Christians disappear.

—Yet, Jesus’ followers remain strong as always.

— The Bible remains the most read book in History because it’s His Story!

  • All this, due to a humble Carpenter who:

—Was born in Bethlehem

—Raised in Nazareth

—Taught scriptures to the masses by His Authority

—Said that He was God

—Fulfilled over 250 prophecies written centuries before His birth

—Healed the sick and lame

—Raised people from the grave

—Walked on water

—Gave sight to the blind

—Gave grace, mercy & peace to this sinner!

  • May you get to know Jesus the Messiah—Savior of this world during this most Holy of Weeks.

Get to know Him, here is how:

How Can I know God

Steps to Peace With God

Know God

oscarlikes2write1 Comment

Run the Race to Win |Friendships

AtacamValley.jpg
Photo Credit: Smcmurtrey

Atacam Valley

1 Cor 9_24.png

HER STORY:

“In the last few weeks events in my life have opened my eyes to see life and so many things through a different set of lenses. It’s allowed me to see what really matters, who truly cares for me and who really doesn’t. They say difficult times reveal true friends and in what I’ve been through I’ve found that to be absolutely true. People whom I didn’t think cared much for me have shown me that they do and have demonstrated so much kindness and vice versa. There are friends who I thought cared but who really don’t,…it’s totally ok because I believe God allows us to go through things to reveal things to us, to speak to us, to open our eyes and to recognize certain things. …. As much as I don’t like the life-changing event I’ve been through I’ll admit I’m thankful that through all this God has brought the right people in my life, some…I had just met weeks before this happened and for that, I’m very blessed and thankful. God is so good in that he knows just who and what we need in every season of our lives…I don’t say, “why me? Rather…” why not me?”
You can’t expect a flower to grow without pruning …pruning is painful, it’s all for good for growth. …I’m okay with it (the pruning) …(I know it’s) is for a season and I do believe I’ll bloom again and grow through (this).”

  • This Facebook post is from a sister in Christ. I rarely quote anyone, but I must tell you, what she went through was pretty rough. She had been training to run a marathon & the day was fast approaching but personal tragedy struck.

 

  • She, like most runners, set a goal to run a the 26.22 miles. So you can be clear on what this feat is, try running roughly 110,637 to 110,859 steps. That’s how long a marathon is.

  • Now what this young lady never says in her post, is how disappointed she was in not making the marathon. I believe she has to be disappointed in not running that race. But, you did not hear this in her post, and I believe that her blessing will be even more significant because of her attitude towards her personal challenge.

 

—YOUR PERSONAL STORY:

 

  • As Christians, we don’t ask God, “why me?” We ask God, “why not me!?”
    Because our faith doesn’t come with a “get out of jail card.”
  • It comes with only one promise, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.“

 

  • This young lady has it right. We all are running the race in life, and our journey doesn’t end here. It ends in our true home. One where we reach because of the race that we have run on earth.

 

  • Just like this sister in Christ, it is through adversity that we show our true selves and our true faith. Some leave the faith when they don’t get their way with God. Some quit because they think it’s too hard being a Christian.
  • Some, like her, stay and ask God, what do you have for me, LORD?

2 Timothy 4_7.png

 

—MY PERSONAL STORY:

  • When I God closed doors in places and relationships my wife and I were content in, He closed them so hard, that we knew it was time to move on. Some we left and cherished, some places we dusted our feet and moved on. In all circumstances, after incredible prayer and introspect, I would smile and say, “Okay LORD, what ‘s next for us now!?”

—THE  ULTIMATE GOAL FOR ALL OF US

  • For this sister in Christ, I would tell her and her husband to ask the LORD and see if there is anything super new and awesome that He wants from both of them. Because God does not give great challenges unless He is guiding His people to extraordinary blessings…
  • Run your race not only to finish, but to win it! Like this sister in Christ said, go and ask God–Why not me LORD!? But, I warn you, be ready to have Him use you mightily so one day you also can say that you have fought the good fight & have finished the race. May you find friends that will come to your aid when a life challenge comes your way… and may be the type of friends who will carry you if need be…

—IF YOU DON”T KNOW GOD PERSONALLY:

  • Your goal is to be on this journey is to run this race with God on your side. If you don;t know God and would like to, here are links to some of the questions you may have:

Steps to Peace With God

Know God

How Can I know God

 

Photo Credit: Smcmurtrey

Verses from :

1 Corinthians 9:24

2 Timothy 4:7

oscarlikes2writeLeave a comment

New Birthday Tradition |Friendships

If you are taking the time to read this, I want to thank you for it, even if I don’t know you. I hope that you find this helpful in your lives. This is something I will start this year. It was an idea that flashed through my mind a day before my birthday last week. 

Pro 17_17.png

— I’m beginning a new tradition. Every year on my birthday I will be sending a thank you message to all those that have affected my life. I always make sure that I remember those that helped me in my life in one way or another.

  • I wish I could tell the people who were there for me in whom I have lost touch with, what I feel about having encountered them the life stages where they came into the scene.
  • Every person I have ever met has taught me a lesson in life. Some, have given me priceless and precious moments. A few, have taught me that not all people we come across are looking out for you, even at churches.

— I have and do know people who are not Christians that hold to a more reputable friendship than a few who profess to be Christ followers.

  • I have learned to learn from and move on from  toxic people; it is quite rare that I have done this, but one must choose life and those who encourage it. 
  • While getting rid of those relationships which will ultimately chip away the pavement on the road you’re traveling on your journey.
  • These types of relationships, you must learn from even more but keep as far away as possible.

— The Bible speaks of friendships that sharpen you spiritually and mentally. 

Pro 27_17.png

— In Proverbs chapter 27 verse 17, it explains those friends who encourage and keep their friends accountable and close. This is what I look a for when speaking to people. Some shy away from this responsibility, and some thrive on helping and being there for you — both sets of friends needed in your life.

  • The shy ones, will when given a chance, surprise the daylights out of you!
  • The straightforward friends are the ones that you need even closer.  They are the ones who will keep you in check sometimes, with tough love.
  • These two types of friends are hard to come by. Just like looking for a valuable treasure at the beach, it takes hours and hours of investment, but when you find these true friends, you give glory to God for their relationship.

—Some friends we may not see in a long while, yet when you sit with them, it’s like you never lost contact. Those are also the friendships I don’t take for granted. I enjoy catching up with them and knowing about their lives.

— All this to say, I am truly blessed to know and have shared time with everyone I have come across. I have learned, cherished and kept all of what people have taught me through knowing them for a short, or long time.

  • So from now on, every birthday the Lord gives me will be a thank you to them. It’s a better present to give to others than for others to give to me…

 

oscarlikes2writeLeave a comment

April Fools —Fools For Christ |April Fools

“10 We are fools for Christ, but you are wise in Christ. We are weak, but you are strong. You are honored, but we are dishonored.”  — Paul in 1 Corinthian 4:10

When Paul was writing this, the Church in Corinth was going through some extremely critical growing pains. There was division among the members of the church in Corinth. There was also division in the ranks morally.

—Some were allowing the culture to influence their thinking.

—Some were allowing sin amongst the believing ranks to get to the point of being rebuked by Paul.

1 Cor 9-11 .png

—Some did not care what Paul was trying to teach them.

—Others thought that Paul was foolish, hence, his rebuke of telling some of the leadership that they considered themselves wise, strong and honored.

—On this April Fools Day, may we remember that Christ reigns in our hearts and minds. That whatever the world has to offer, it’s all a great big April Fools joke. Because the world’s promises all lead to death. The world is perverted; it calls out to people to stay away from real wisdom.

—The true wisdom which tells us that Jesus is LORD and Savior of all those who call upon His name. 

—The world thinks this is foolish. If you don’t believe me, look at our universities. They are filled with people who love hearing themselves speak and teach their personal philosophical worldly wisdom.

—They make fun of those that are Christ followers. Again, if you don’t believe me, do your own research. If you are still in College, stand up and tell your professor that you are a Christian and believe in the Christian principles, see what happens.

—Even throughout all this, Jesus and His followers have remained strong and faithful. The Bible is the most read book in history. Not Shakespeare or Socrates or Homer. Not the great classical works of World Literature.

—You have to ask yourself:

—Why is the Bible, the most read book of all time and also the most hated book of all time?

—Why does the Bible offend so many, yet, make so many people free of this world’s bondage?

—That is because what the world thinks wise, Jesus came to make it foolish. People’s desire for wealth and power are only passing fancies when we speak eternally.

  • One hundred years from now, you will not care and remember the people you thought were powerful.
  • Five hundred years from now, you will not care who was the richest man in the world.
  • Eight hundred years from now, you won’t care who the smartest person ever to live was.
  • One thousand years from now, the only thing you’ll be thinking is where you are in eternity.
  • From the very moment you take your last breath and close your eyes for the last time, only two things will matter:

2 quwtions.png

—These two questions can be answered today.

John 14_6.png

—On this April Fools Day, fool the world.

  • For those that are believers, stay humble, keep being fools for Christ.
  • For those that have questions whether God exists or not—Get to know God through His Son Jesus.
  • Here’s how:

 

Want to know God?

How Can I know God

Steps to Peace With God

Know God

 

 

 

 

 

oscarlikes2writeLeave a comment

The Sound of Silence |Persecuted Christians Series-Nigeria

The Sound of Silence

His people are completely silent

While brethren are slaughtered

In dark mass graves

The world seems so cold

No one cares or dares

To tell the chilling truth

 

The sound of silence

In distant far away lands

Demons show their heavy hands

The Faithful die by thousands

While the world turns its head

Thousands slaughtered and abused

Thousands laying side by side

The sound of silence

 

Screams heard around Nigeria

People filled with hate running

Screaming loud, stabbing all infidels

Mothers, babies screaming’n crying

Terrorists caring less for their pleading

Jesus help us not to deny our faith!

The sound of silence

 

I call all Christians to arms and armor

Not the kind used by these lunatics

The only kind that will defeat the darkness

Salvation’s Helmet, Righteous Chest Cover

Belt of truth to show the world

The Sword of His Spirit to pierce all hearts

Silence no more dear Christians!

Silence no more!

Where’s the outcry from the media?

Do they hate Christians this much?

One mosque & there’s hysteria

While thousands of innocents die

Thousands  upon thousands

in Nigeria!

Mums the word thru the news

No posts from the social media!

The Sound of Silence in Nigeria…

Oscar Roca

oscarlikes2writeLeave a comment

Non-Viable, Impossible & Miracle! |Nothing is Impossible With God!

“”27Jesus looked at them and said, “With manthis is impossible, but not with God. For all things are possible with God.”“

Mark 10:27.png

Mary and I just met an exceedingly joyful family. I’ve changed their names to be respectful of their personal information.

We came to eat breakfast and sat next to a couple who had a  two-year-old boy. He was playing in the kids’ corner of the place, and Helen was with her son inside the kids’ playroom. Her husband, Ted, was sitting trying to enjoy his breakfast. I said hello, and he answered back with a genuine smile.

Within a few minutes of talking to him, we found out the wonderfully active and handsome toddler’s name was Eggy, who was born 23 years after his sister.

—Now here’s where the story gets incredibly inspiring and amazing.

Ted nearly died of a brain aneurysm about five to six years ago. His family almost pulled the plug because he was not expected to survive. I am thankful to say, they did not, and his wife is the main reason why he is still here, enjoying all of Eggy’s antics.

—Now back to this incredible and real-life story…

Watching this family made Mary, and I smile.

—It is a story of God-given miracles in each of their lives.

Helen came out of the playing area, and it was dad’s turn for him to get back in the cage with his son!

I imagine Ted looking at everybody and saying, “I’m going in! Dial 911 if you don’t hear from me in a few minutes!”

Little Eggy had this great big smile when daddy came in. I thought I saw a slight, here comes the next victim smile, but maybe it was my subjective mind imagining this from the stories Ted had been telling us.

Mom sat down, and there wasn’t a look of dread or fear or relief. It was a genuine and satisfied look of a job being well done.

We spoke with her for a bit, and this is when we found out about her life journey.

She and Ted have been together for about 24 years. She can write a book called— Non-Viable, Impossible & Miracle

  • You see, her oldest daughter who is in Graduate school should not be here.
  • The doctors told Hellen that she would be Non-Viable and that they couldn’t guarantee a productive and viable life for their daughter.
  • Yet, 23 years later, the young lady is thriving, dreaming and achieving what God has called her to be.

—Here comes the Impossible part:

  • The gap as of 23 years for their second child, was an impossibility due to all of the previous problems with their daughter.
  • I imagine that eventual morning where Helen had to tell Ted that she was Pregnant:
  • Ted (with a deer in headlights look):
  • Are you sure?
  • How did this happen?
  • Why did this happen?!
  • Helen: Yes.
  • You know how!
  • I don’t know; it should be impossible!
  • Then they both go through the five stages of grief in five minutes as they sit in bed contemplating that their empty nest lives is coming to an abrupt end.

—God had a different thing for them. A wonderful, satisfying, run the race kind of thing.

You see, from what I gather, and where the Miracle Stage of their lives comes in:

—Ted as I said earlier, almost died. His journey would have ended without knowing little Eggy. Helen would not have had her husband or son.

—Had Ted passed on, they would most likely not be sitting here, and we would not be smiling at this fantastic bundle of joy and epic energy.

—Thye may or may not know this, but God has His hand in all of the extraordinary people in this family. I just hope that God will reveal His plans to all of them so that this wonderful story of impossibilities can continue…

Got God?

How Can I know God

Steps to Peace With God

Know God

oscarlikes2writeLeave a comment

Marriage—Kids—Divorce—Marriage—Kids—Left Behind |Mariage & Divorce Series

Deuteronomy 21-15.png

Deuteronomy 21:15 KJV

I recently had a conversation with a couple who are older and their kids have not visited them for a while.

  • At first, I was disappointed in their kids because no one should go through life lonely & not visited.
  • I did not say anything to this couple, and they kept telling me how the kids were ingrates and unloving towards this person and the spouse.
  • Then as they kept talking, I picked up that both of these people were married a few times each.

  • This is where my mouth didn’t let my Christian sense catch up.

  • I went into my subconscious sales mode of probing for more information that had been dormant a few years since leaving all sales jobs behind.
  • The more questions I asked, the more they explained their true ordeal.
  • Both had left their kids behind from their previous marriages each time they had met the “one” they would live happily ever after. The combined total of kids was five kids left behind.
  • Then I asked (what most people who leave a trail of mental and spiritual blood and pain behind) the question that very few kids from such marriages ask their     parents, or should I say the parent that leaves —
  • “Did you see your kids when they were young?
  • “Did you go and see them regularly?”
  • “Or talk to them during the week by phone or in person regularly?”
  • “Did you make it a point to communicate with them always no matter what?”

  • Their response— “No, blah, blah, blah, poor excuses, woes me, nobody cares about me!”….was the usual answer to me.

The way we communicate.png

  • Now, here comes the shocking part, both professed to have a relationship with Christ as their Personal Lord and Savior. They both are physical and verbal decision to follow Jesus and ask Him to forgive them of all the things they had ever done.
  • I then asked them, yes I know, my mouth was faster than my Christian sense again, “How’s your walk with Christ?”
  • Now for those that don’t know what this walking with Christ is, it means that you communicate with God in a way that you would with your spouse, kids, grandkids, good friends, but with an incredibly more profound fashion.

  • Walking with God takes your whole being! You just don’t sit and pray and say, ”Thank you, how do You do and goodbye.”

  • This walk with Christ is a thing that happens with constant and consistent communication and obedience to what God has in your life.
  • It is where you sit long enough not to literally throw up all your spiritual and physical needs. It is not a one-way conversation.

  • Believe me, I have had many of these types of conversations with God. But the ones that give me a more genuine sense of grace, mercy, peace, and joy no matter the situations, are the ones when I just sit, being tired of the way things have been going when I don’t listen to God’s guiding Spirit.

  • I explained this to the couple, and both were highly surprised at all my questions. They closed up and said that no one could judge them but God. I told them they were 100% correct. But I did not stop there…I know…I know…but again, the words were screaming to come out of my mouth, “You are 100% correct. God is the only One that will judge all of us. I see that you love each other and that love needs to be taken to your kids that were least behind.
  • Some people take a few decades to get things right with their kids after such a terrible ordeal of breaking up as a family. I understand that.
  • But what God says in his word is that for me as a man, Deuteronomy 21:15 tells me to love my kids and also my first wife.
  • Had I been remarried, I would make sure that my unloved or as the King James puts it: “The beloved, and another hated, and they(wives) have born him children, both the beloved and the hated; and if the firstborn son be hers that was hated, then it shall be…that he may not make the son of the beloved firstborn(second, third, fourth marriages) before the son of the hated(first marriage), which is indeed the same of the firstborn….giving him(first marriage) double portions.”— Deuteronomy 21:15 KJV
  • I explained what that meant. That all kids in their order were to have their parents’ full attention, money and time. I thought they were going to explode, but the husband looked at me, tears welling up. Realizing that he had not invested time into his kids or even thought of giving alimony cheerfully.

Kids that make no effort to see.png

  • The wife had a hardened heart. She looked at me and said, “See what you did! You are judging us!”

  • I ignored her… looked at him and said, there’s still time left to mend your kids. —””They need an apology. They need their dad to say, “I’m sorry for everything I caused you. It wasn’t your fault what happened between mom and I. Please forgive me for not being there and for leaving you. I want to be in your life and want to make so much better effort to hear you out on everything.””

  • The wife started leaving, walking to her car. He stayed, and I heard the best thing he could have said…”Will you pray with me to give me the strength to face my kids?”

  • And there it was! It was his shame that had kept him away from his kids. Guilt and fear are horrible burdens to carry around for so long.

  • I smiled and told him that the Lord had heard his tears and petitions already and started praying with him, in public, not caring who saw us.

  • That day, this man’s walk became real. He had listened to what God had been nudging him to do.

Nvere too late.png

  • I saw him a few months later, he was alone.
  • The wife was not able to handle sharing him with others. Specifically, his own children, who are adults now and with their own kids.

  • She never apologized to her kids nor did she ever ask God for forgiveness. How do I know? The man told me he pleaded with her to no avail.

  • All this to say, may your walk be filed with the grace, mercy, and peace that Christ can give you daily, hourly, and by the minute. May you be humble to ask Him to help you by cleansing your wrongs and guiding your rights. May He fill you with the strength to withstand a little humble pie (humiliation) when asking for forgiveness from all those you have left behind who call you dad, mom, uncle, aunt, poppa, nana…

  • Go and make things right for those firstborn, second born, third born kids and the unloved spouses left behind.

 

oscarlikes2writeLeave a comment

Go & Sin No More! |Jesus the Redeemer

…15 So He (Jesus) touched her hand, and the fever left her, and she got up and began to serve them. 16 Whenevening came, many who were demon-possessedwere brought to Jesus, and He drove out thespirits with a word and healed all the sick. 17 This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah: “He took on our infirmities, and carried our diseases.”… 

— Matthew 8:16

Jesus is above all powers.png

“…20 which He exerted in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly realms, 21 far above all rule andauthority, power and dominion, and every namethat is named, not only in this age, but also in the one to come. 22 And God put everything under His feet and made Him head over everything for the church,..”…—Ephesians 1:21 Berean Study Bible

 

Let Jesus Set You Free:

Need God?

How Can I know God

Steps to Peace With God

Know God

oscarlikes2writeLeave a comment

The Name That Shall not Be Named |JESUS IS LORD!

“saying, “By a charge we commanded you not to teach in this name, and behold, you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching, and you intend to bring upon us the blood of this man.”But Peter and the apostles answering said, “It is necessary to obey God rather than men.” — Peter in Acts chapter 5:28-29

Obey God Not Men.png

I was talking to One of the guys in our family who is in full-time ministry along with his wife. He was telling me that the city Council of that city that the church is in, sent a letter telling all Christian churches that they were not to use the name of Jesus anymore in city council prayer meetings..

  • That they would have to generalize the name of God in their prayer. So he said that the senior pastor decided not to go.

  • I disagree 100% with that. As Christians we do not cower because we have the power. As Christians we do not run from fire we run into the fire because like the three young men and the story of Daniel Jesus will hold us and keep us and protect us. We won’t do as the world says — for all to bow down to satanic images and culture; we do not, we cannot.

  • We stand with the name the name that is no longer popular. The name that People want to get rid of. The name that infuriates those that don’t know him personally.
  • What I would’ve done as I would’ve gone in there and said in the name of the Lord of lords, king of kings, the name above all names. In the name that I cannot mention.
  • And his mighty name that I cannot say but one day all will bow down to that Name and that is why I pray in His name.

Screen Shot 2019-01-14 at 4.44.23 PM.png

—It would behoof all of you not to try to hide His Name that is systematically being deleted. It will be in vain! The Roman Empire tried, they failed. All kingdoms have tried but failed. Don’t make the same mistake as they did. Instead embrace and welcome His name into your lives and into society. Jesus has changed societies for the better.

  • I for one will never stop exclaiming Jesus Name. I don’t care what authorities do or say. They are but a small vapor in existence. Jesus is the Creator of this universe and exists outside of time and space. He is forever.
  • Who do you think I will listen to?!

Need God?

How Can I know God

Steps to Peace With God

Know God

oscarlikes2writeLeave a comment

Unto Us A Child Is Born — Unto Us His Son Is Given |Christmas Series 2018 Part VII

Isa 2.png

It is fitting that tonight would be part seven of this series. For to us God’s Son was given. Unto Humanity He would serve. Unto Humanity He would humble Himself. It is no coincidence that Jesus was born in a manger where the main staple of meat for the Jews at that time was lamb.
You see, most people read about a child being born in a manger and he was wrapped in “swaddling cloths“, but no one has ever explained what this means.

An explanation could be:

  • The foreshadowing of Jesus’ birth and also death. 
  • The foreshadowing of Jesus being the Lamb of God who would one day be the Passover Lamb on the cross.

Shepherds who were used by the Temple leadership to tend to the sacrificial lambs would have to pick out the best ones being born to pass inspection. They would check everything in the body so they would not have any blemishes or deformities. Then the shepherds would wrap them up in swaddling cloths to keep them warm.

Isa 3.png

Here is where I think it gets interesting.

  • Why did the Temple shepherds use swaddling cloths?
  • Was it one of the 613 mini-commands that had sprung up from the 10 Commandments over time?
  • Or were they inspired supernaturally so as to foreshadow the specific Silent and Holy Night about two thousand years ago?
  • When the future Lamb of God would be laying in a manger made for sheep to be raised for the slaughter or for the Temple sacrifice.

ISA 4.png

You see, the Lamb of God who took my, and your sins away was born in a little town of Bethlehem, and yes even back then it was a small town. This incredible miracle of God coming down to become one of us is still mind-shattering for me to get my mind around.

  • Yet, Jesus came and fulfilled hundreds of prophecies written , some, thousands of years before His birth. The astounding amount of probability to have One Person be able to plan it to perfection is impossible to do. And yet, Jesus did! 

This Christmas, whatever you are doing, I pray that you are filled with God’s joy and peace. If you don’t know who Jesus truly is, I invite you to get to know this Child, humbly born in a manger made mostly for sheep that would one day be sacrificed for their owners’ physical consumption…some would be sacrificed for the owners’ spiritual purification… Jesus took care of this for us, once and for all.

  • Take advantage of this special gift, on this special giving season. Jesus is the reason for this special Season…

Isa 1.png

Get to know this Special Christmas Child:

How Can I know God

Steps to Peace With God

Know God

Scripture from:

Biblehub.com

 

oscarlikes2writeLeave a comment

Christ is Christmas Part II |Christmas 2018 Series

Christ is Christmas.png
In part one of this series, I wrote about the origins of Christmas and how Jesus was the long-awaited Messiah or Savior which Hebrew prophecies spoke about. I wrote this in order to ensure all those that question their faith to see that our God is a God of order. With this Godly order comes perfect control of mankind’s history. No other faith can be assured of a divine plan for all, through God’s Son Jesus the Prince of Peace.

— In this part, we will see how Jesus is the only One that could fulfill the predictions of being the long-awaited Messiah (Savior of the world).

Prophetic writings scrolled down, some close to a millennia, some hundreds of years before Jesus’ arrival, were signs of a supernatural event which would change the course of history.

His Story has changed millions upon millions of people throughout mankind’s narrative.
In order for Jesus to:

  • Be born of two parents with Messianic lineage (Matthew chapter 1, Luke 1)
  • Be born in Bethlehem move to Egypt (Micah 5:2-4, Hosea 11:1)
  • Come back and live in Nazareth (Isaiah 11:1)
  • Have Magi(Wise men) come from hundreds of miles away to find Him(Matthew 2:1)
  • And then for Jesus to grow up in Nazareth to fulfill yet another prophecy (Isaiah 53:3)
  • Start His ministry and reach thousands of followers in only 3 years or so (Isaiah 9:1)
  • Have Him ultimately be crucified which was predicted a thousand years before (Isaiah 53)
  • Just those predictions above would be astounding odds for one man to fulfill or make them come true.
Odds fulfilled.png
Evidence that Demands a Verdict
  • I‘m not a betting man, but if we were to place bets in Vegas with just one person fulfilling only 8 of the over 300 prophecies, the odds would be so incredible, that it would be easier to fill the whole state of Texas knee-deep with silver dollar coins and blindfold someone, tell the person to go and find the one coin painted in red.
  • That person would have the freedom to walk as far and wide as he or she wanted without looking and pick that painted coin up!*

— Some critics point to mistakes done by these authors. Let’s say the critics are correct in some of their assertions regarding errors made. For the sake of not arguing with the critics, take those predictions away, and you are still left with an immense amount of prophetic events happening in Jesus’ life.

— These prophecies were not fulfilled by Buddha, nor Mohammed, Krishna or anyone else in history. Only Jesus fulfills these predictions which some were written 1,000 years before.

  • I ask you not to take my word for these predictions. Do your own homework, and if you are good at math, figure it out yourself. Read them yourself in the Bible.

— The mathematical odds that One person could fulfill just 8 of these is so far-fetched, yet Jesus fulfilled over 300 of these predictions in Hebrew Prophetic writings.

— Jesus has some predictions yet to realize, but this is for another time. Next Christmas post, how hard would it be to take Jesus to Bethlehem?

REFERENCES:

Scientific Proof of the Accuracy of Prophecy and the Bible
By PETER W. STONER, M.S.
and ROBERT C. NEWMAN, S.T.M., Ph.D.
Moody Press Chicago

V. Summary of Old Testament Predictions Literally Fulfilled in Christ- McDowell, Josh. Evidence That Demands a Verdict (p. 229). Thomas Nelson. Kindle Edition.

oscarlikes2writeLeave a comment

Blind Faith — Unseen & Eternal |Christian Faith

I just met a couple in their mid twenties. Both of them are visually impaired. The young lady was leading her husband. Both were very kind and cheerfully going through their obstacles courageously.
I noticed how slow they were going, and figured that this may have been their first time in this restaurant. The wife was struggling with direction and coming towards me. Looking at them I felt horrible that they were blind with no one to help them. I said “hello” to them, so as not to have her bump into me. She was very cheery in her response, which surprised me a bit. She happily asked if they were going the right way towards the parking lot. I calmly and gently started giving her specific directions, letting her know about different things in front of them within the small fenced in area they had entered into.

She gladly took my directions, and they made it through the gauntlet of tables, chairs, and fencing we who can see, take for granted.

I saw them finally making it to the edge of the sidewalk where they would await their ride and was joyful to have helped them in a small way.
The young couple was waiting a while for their ride and I called out to them if they wanted to join me while waiting, the young wife turned towards my voice with a soft, peaceful smile, thanking me again and said that they liked standing. I know that feeling since I sit behind a desk long periods of times.

I thought to myself how we, who have eyesight, have it pretty made in this world. Yet, I can’t help thinking that the young, joyful blind couple is more blessed than those of us with vision.

You see, these young visually impaired adults, have to have full-on faith the minute they wake up. They can’t see the world,  yet they go out into it every single day with such courage and enthusiasm, ready to take on every obstacle that comes their way.

I can’t help but think that those of us who have the precious gift of eyesight may learn a thing or two from them. At least I have. It made me ponder…

The Light of the world.png

  • Are we going out into the world with our faith, ready to take it on?
  • Or are we wasting our valuable and precious gift of sight squandering the time and wishing how life could be better for us if we just were able to have God do this or that for us?
  • I choose to have that blind faith of the couple I just met. May God use me to go and spread more of the incredible and courageous faith of going into the world and making a difference for Christ….

Need God?

How Can I know God

Steps to Peace With God

Know God

Resources:

Scripture 

oscarlikes2writeLeave a comment

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

Your Character is Louder Than Your Words |Letters to My Kids Series

April 23, 2019—

Dear Kids Letters-Character.jpg

I remember when I was a kid, my sixth-grade teacher was a man of character. When he said something, he meant it. When he promised something, he did it.

He made sure I remembered this. Once, he pulled me to the side and told me that I was destined for something. That not all kids were told this. He saw potential in me. He saw that what I said, I did.

He then told me, “Oscar, your word is your bond. Whatever you promise to do, do it with all your being. Even if it’s the smallest of things, complete the task until it’s done.”

I want to say that I understood, but it took a whole lot of years to understand. I left disappointed friends and family along the way to this journey of having character.

The Word of God tells us to let our ‘yes’, be a ‘yes’ and our ‘no’ be a ‘no'(Matthew 5:37).

Yet I find that even some of the best and well-intentioned Christian men I have known along the way lack this valuable strength.

I have been promised things by men whom the community hold to be pillars. Yet, I have seen them make promises to people and later on redact on their promises.

I don’t let those people hold me back or speak ill of them. This is one lesson that I know God has total control of. They, by breaking a promise, are cheating themselves, their families, and most of all God.  I have my own problems to contend to. But I promise you this, as I promised your Nana decades past:

—Whatever I say, is my word. My word is my bond! If I make a promise to you, I will do everything in my power to keep it. If God gets in the way of any promise, then it was the LORD’s will that I not keep it—

And if God doesn’t want me to do something, this means I did not consult God in the matter, and that, for you, will be the time that you can correct me by asking why I did not keep my promise.

You see kids, my word is what makes me who I am.

—If I start acting like most politicians, making promises I intend to break, then my character can’t be trusted. 

—If my character can’t be trusted, then I can’t tell you how great God is.

—If I can’t tell you about God, then I have failed in life.

—You see, the only reason why we are here is to make sure you make a personal commitment to Jesus, as your LORD and Savior.

—But if by me breaking your trust in God’s saving grace through Jesus the Messiah, this will be my greatest failure in life.

—And this will be because you did not find me to have great character.

— I want you to look at you Poppa and see a man who trusts wholly in God’s character and strength.

—God’s character will never fail you but I will. Yet this will not be an excuse for you to wonder if your Poppa can be trusted.

So the first lesson in your tiny and young lives is this—

Always say what you’ll do by just doing what you were going to say. Let your actions speak louder than the words that were going to be said. And let your actions forge the character that people will see in you.—

I know many a people who have a great reputation, but very few who have a great character that can be trusted…

I guess what I am trying to say is this—

Don’t listen to what people say, listen to their actions. They’ll tell you how much you can trust them—

This includes your Poppa…

oscarlikes2writeLeave a comment

He is Not Here…! |Passion Week-Resurrection Sunday

This is a very special Blog Post for a very special Holy Week. Culminating today when our LORD and Savior Jesus the Christ, played a joke on Death’s sting (1 Corinthians 15:55 )! I usually don;t do a post on Sunday’s but for this, I will make an exception…

00F188C9-EFA2-44C2-973A-7A5ED806B59E.pngPlease click on links to get the full text:

The Death of Jesus
“45 From the sixth hour until the ninth hour darkness came over all the land. 46 About the ninth hour, Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” which means, “My God, My God, why have you forsaken Me?”…..50 When Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, He yielded up His spirit. 51 At that moment the veil of the temple was  torn in two from top to bottom. 

The earth quaked and the rocks were split.52 The tombs broke open, and the bodies of many saints who had fallen asleep were raised.…”- Matthew 27:51

E04FA4FA-DAEB-4C53-9283-B9F92A12A58F 2.png…5 As the women bowed their faces to the ground in terror, the two men asked them, “Why do you look for the living among the dead? 6 He is not here; He has risen! Remember how He told you while He was still in Galilee: 7 ‘The Son of Man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and on the third day rise again. 8 Then they remembered His words. 9 And when they returned from the tomb, they reported all these things to the eleven and to all the others. .. 11 But their words seemed like nonsense to them, and they did not believe the women.’”… Luke 24:5-11

84771EB4-42AB-49FC-9AD4-FEE26599C164.png

 

  • Jesus had completed the once for all sacrifice. His body had been tortured and killed.
  • As Jesus gave up His spirit, His body dying., the Curtains of the Temple  ripped from the top to the bottom. It is said in Jewish writings, that the veil or huge curtain was as thick as a man’s hand. So roughly 4-6 inches thick.
  • In order for the veil or curtain to rip, it would take a supernatural event to make it happen.
  • This incredible statement found in Matthew’s Gospel gives us the finished work of Jesus the Messiah or Christ or Savior of the world.
  • Once He obediently became the blood sacrifice for the world, there was no need to have a Temple here on earth since His death on the cross was sufficient enough for taking (Hebrews 9:26) our sins away forever.
  • After they had buried Jesus, they sealed the tomb with a Roman Seal. No one was to break the seal, If they did, whoever was responsible would have the full might of the Roman forces against him.
  • Yet, with the most powerful army known to man, Jesus showed them who was more powerful. The tomb was rolled away by The LORD Himself!
  • The Roman soldiers saw everything but knew what their punishment would be for letting a dead person escape from the tomb they were guarding (Matthew 28:12)….yes, my attempt at humor….so the Chief Council in Jerusalem helped them out.
  • Why because the death and resurrection of Jesus put them in a fantastic bind. This non-graduate from their Rabbinic prestigious schools had, for three years or so, made fools of the wisest of learned men in Judea.
  • Jesus knew the scriptures, and spoke them with authority ( Mark 1:22). The authority of being the Messiah of Israel.
  • John called him The Word who became flesh ( John 1:-5 ).
  • Jesus had to die in order for humanity to once again come into a holy communion or relationship with God.
  • This is why Jesus came to be born of a virgin ( Isaiah 7:14 ).
  • Preach His Good News of salvation through Him and just Him (Isaiah 61:1 , Luke 4:18 , John 14:6 )
  • Be arrested, tortured and die ( Matthew 16:21 ) at the hands of the Council of Judea.
  • He also told His followers that he would die and come back to life ( see above link Matthew 16:21).
  • So today, Resurrection Sunday (Easter Sunday), we celebrate our freedom. Just as Jesus beat Death’ sting and rose to life, we one day when our bodies give up, will also rise up from Death’s door and live again ( Romans 6:5 , 2 Corinthians 4:14 )!
  • May you have a blessed Sunday and may you get to know Jesus in a personal and saving way.

He is risen! He is risen indeed!

 

If you want to get to know God:

Know God

Steps to Peace With God

How Can I know God

oscarlikes2writeLeave a comment

The Passover LAMB of God |Passion Week- Last Passover

Matt 26_26.jpg

“26 While they were eating, Jesus took bread, spoke a blessing and broke it, and gave it to the disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is My body.” 27Then He took the cup, gave thanksand gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. 28This is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.…” Jesus in Gospel Matthew 26:26-29 Berean Bible Study

  • We take time today to commemorate Jesus’ Last earthly Passover before He became the Pesach Lamb of God
  • He is the reason why the Israelites celebrated and practiced this yearly Feast
  • On Passover:
  • The Israelites would take the 1-year-old male lamb which they had chosen 4 day earlier
  • Fed this little lamb for 4 days
  • Kept this little lamb with them
  • And on the 14th day
  • They would sacrifice its life
  • Use hyssop to mark the door posts as sign
  • For the LORD to pass over and cover their sins
  • Thus saving them from
  • The “Angel of Death”
  • What would this look like?

The PassOver Sacrificial Lamb.jpg

  • Like the above drawing…
  • Eerily familiar to this:

 

After Jesus was taken down.jpg

  • On that Passover day, Nisan 14… The blood of the Lamb of God was placed on the wooden beams
  • The cross would be outside of the city
  • All the 1-3 million Jews coming into Jerusalem for the Passover would have witnessed Jesus’  Via Dolorosa through the streets of Jerusalem.
  • Most would have heard of this Miracle Worker
  • Most would wonder why He did not save Himself
  • He would not save Himself for our sake
  • He would die for our transgression and sins
  • By His stripes we are saved and healed
  • By His death & resurrection we are saved from spiritual death

Thank You Jesus for being the Lamb of God who took my sins away. You were telling your disciples and us to celebrate today and as many times as we can, Your willing sacrifice. By taken the bread and drinking the wine, we are commemorating the Passover Feast, and remembering what You did for us.

Happy Passover weekend everyone!

If you don’t know God personally and want to know the One who died for you and me. For our sins. Get to know Him:

Know God

Steps to Peace With God

How Can I know God

oscarlikes2writeLeave a comment

Entrance Fit For A King! |Palm Sunday

Zech 9_9.png
Zechariah 9:9

Palm Sunday marks the beginning of a beautiful culmination of promises (Prophecies) set by God to His people, the Israelites and to the rest of the world.

Imagine being a captured Jewish teenager, living in Babylon, and serving the King who destroyed and enslaved your people.

Now imagine being older and becoming an important political figure in the same kingdom and for the same king who destroyed and took most of your countrymen and women captive into his service.

  • Daniel is such a man. He is found to be highly beloved by God. There have only been a few people loved by God who are mentioned in the Bible, and Daniel is one of them.

Now here’s where the story gets to be incredibly and magnificently miraculous.

Daniel is seen in chapter 9 of his book, praying and asking for God’s guidance on when the Jews would be returned to Israel and to their city Jerusalem. As he is praying the most remarkable of prayers, Gabriel the Archangel comes to deliver a heartwarming message for Daniel and his people.

Gabriel gives Daniel the hope he has been praying for. You see 3 things we can learn from Daniel:

—Daniel is a serious student of the Word. He knows scripture. He knows the time is drawing close for God to restore His people.

— Daniel discerend the time of the Jews to be delivered was coming upon them; since the 70 years of captivity were closing in. Jeremiah the prophet wrote about their captivity and explained how many years they would be gone from Israel and for what reason in Jeremiah 29:10-11.

— He is a prayer warrior. I don’t care if people think I can write, teach and preach the word. What I want them to remember that none of those things are any good without being a fervent prayer warrior. This is where all of us gain in strength, courage, patience and endurance.

Without Daniel’s fervent and faithful prayers, he would never have found favor with Nebuchadnezzar and more imperative, would never have had such a favorable position with God.

In Daniel 9:20, Daniel  prays, God answers. He sends Gabriel to explain what will happen:

—Comes to give Daniel insight & understanding vv 22

—70 weeks are decreed or commanded for Daniel and the Jews.

    a. To stop the sins of Israel vv 24— Through Jesus The Messiah or Savior

b. Put an end to sin vv 24—Through Jesus The Messiah or Savior

c. To make atonement for their evil sins— Through Jesus sacrificing Himself on the cross for all our sins

d. To bring in everlasting Righteousness— The King of righteousness Jesus

e. To seal up vision and prophecy— Jesus came to fulfill and complete prophecy. More prophecies still to be fulfilled in His Second Coming

f. To anoint the Most Holy Place.— Still to come on Second Coming

Daniel 9:25:

— From the command to rebuild Jerusalem— King Artaxerxes in Nehemiah 2:1-8, gave approval to rebuild Jerusalem and thus, the whole country.

—Until Messiah the Prince, there will be 7 weeks and 62 weeks. A total of 69 weeks.

Now keep in mind that a week here would be like us saying 5 decades. To the Jews 7 weeks could mean 49 years. I will not bore you with the days and numbers. If you want to look at the different formulas, check JV MaGee’s commentary on Daniel and Sir Robert Anderson’s work in his Book—The Coming Prince.

Of course there are always skeptics within the church and I will cover this in a different post. But, I give you these numbers because if we believe that God is omnipotent, and outside of time and space, then He could bring about timelines to the exact day and time for His Son to stroll into the Gates on a donkey and be proclaimed King of the Jews.

Again I will stop on the day today roughly almost 2,000 years ago. When a humble Servant King allowed the people of Israel to shout Hosanna! Hosanna! While using Palm branches to make a royal procession for Jesus, while riding on a donkey and thus fulfilling the 69th Week of Daniel’s Prophecy in chapter 9. And also fulfilling Zechariah’s prophecy.

All this to the exact time and day Jesus was fulfilled to come in riding on a foal of a donkey…to the day!

Here is the shortcut version of this post:

Daniels 70 weekDaniel's 70 Weeks WATWRLG.jpg

Our Messiah King came in in the exact time as people were singing Psalm 118 for Him. I give you an excerpt but please click on the link below for all of this beautiful and prophetic Psalm.

Last Part of Psalm 118:

19Open to me the gates of righteousness;

I will enter and give thanks to the LORD.

20This is the gate of the LORD;

the righteous shall enter through it.

21I will give You thanks, for You have answered me,

and You have become my salvation.

22The stone the builders rejected

has become the cornerstone.

23This is from the LORD,

and it is marvelous in our eyes.

24This is the day that the LORD has made;

we will rejoice and be glad in it.

25O LORD, save us (hosanna), we pray.

We beseech You, O LORD, cause us to prosper!

26Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD.

From the house of the LORD we bless you.

27The LORD is God

and has made His light shine upon us.

Bind the festival sacrifice with cords

to the horns of the altar.

28You are my God, and I will give You thanks.

You are my God, and I will exalt You.

29Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good;

His loving devotion endures forever.

  • Next up, the Passover-Last Supper of Jesus.

 

External Links:

JV MaGee free material resources

Sir Robert Anderson–The Coming Prince

Bible Hub

Berean Study Bible

 

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