Category: CLI

Preaching In The Pulpit Is… |Sermons & Studies Series

Teaching the Word of God is one of the most honorable things one can do. But when we are preparing the study or sermon, we must be very cautious as to what will be said and taught.

We must be prayed up, studied up and most importantly, be serious of who we are representing.

Sometimes, I hear of pastors who are constantly trashing the people. Or some others constantly joking in the pulpit. Others, using language that is far from the Holiness of the pulpit. What we must be extremely conscious of:

Picture Courtesy of ridgefieldbaptist.org

The pulpit is to preach:

The Father’s Love, Interjection & Correction

About Christ’s power of Redemption 

& Transformation

About the Spirit’s constant 

Sanctification & Instruction

The pulpit is about:

Sin’s Seriousness & Grievousness

Damnation to Salvation

Man’s Fall & Separation

God’s Forgiveness & Eternal Plan

Of Action

About Christ’s Obedience

About man’s Connection Correction

Picture Courtesy of ridgefieldbaptist.org

It’s about God’s:

Holiness

Praise-worthiness

Awesomeness

Righteousness

Fearfulness

Greatness

FOR Praying for God’s: 

Intervention, Edification

Supplication, Acclamation

Intercession, Cessation

& Confession

Picture Courtesy of ridgefieldbaptist.org

The Pulpit is not for self:

Edification, Elation, 

Inflation, Narration

Reputation, or 

Accolades

The Pulpit is definitely not for:

Being funny all the time,

Crowd-Pleasing 

Vulgarity, 

or crowd Elating

Not for self Agendas,

Or Selling yourself

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The Quiet, Unsung Heroes |Real Christlike Service

|” “Whatever you do, work at it wholeheartedly as though you were doing it for the Lord and not merely for people.” —Colossians 3:23(ISV)|

There are people who you’ll never hear from and will never be famous’ Christians. They won’t be household names, and that’s how they want to be remembered. We had one of the best babysitters in the world. She was older and a devout Christian woman who loved our kids as her own.

As soon as I finally go home at the end of this journey, she will be one of the first ones I will look for to thank.

I also know two women, not sure if they are both home with the LORD. I know he of them is. They, too, will be on y list of living examples to thank. These two ladies were selfless and incredibly faithful to Christ.
Their long term after school Bible study program for kids in the inner city of Long Beach has planted more seeds of the Love and grace of Christ, then all the best sermons by pastor’s in the pulpits around Los Angeles ever will. I include myself in that pulpit sermon example.
You see, Christ calls very few to teach, and very few do it well. But Christ calls all of us to make disciples of all nations. This includes our country. We don’t have to go to the ends of the earth to find disciples — especially the little ones who love hearing about Jesus and all the stories in His Bible.
These unsung heroes of Christianity doing their service without any special recognition from any leadership or church. Their crowns are waiting for them in heaven, where they will be escorted like royalty throughout the halls of the Great Throne room, where Christ himself will crown them in front of all to see! At least that is how I imagine it will take place.

happy cleaning GIF
Happy Cleaning GIF

So here’s to all the unsung heroes who serve day in and day out, throughout their lives. There are Sunday school teachers who are never noticed by anyone for a job well done. Or servants who clean the toilets at home and church. You are doing what God is asking of you. To the housewives out there, who decided to stay home to homeschool your kids, and to those wives that have to work to make ends meet; know that you are highly appreciated where it counts, in heaven.

bored spongebob squarepants GIF
How it is teaching kids
Courtesy of #spongebob squarepants

To the single moms or dads out there who can’t serve in their church, but help your children and their friends with the ultimate Christ-like manner and love at home.To the unsung heroes who are out there feeding the homeless, widows, and orphans.

Whether you are doing it here or in faraway lands, and you may be struggling to make ends meet. Remember, there is a reward in heaven with your name in it. Your compensation will be given to you by Christ.

To all those who don’t get the coffee served or pastries given for your service, don’t look at what others are getting for serving Christ. Their reward has already been given here on earth.
Yours is accumulating and expanding in heavenly tokens, which will be melted down into the biggest crown you’ll ever see! It will be so heavy that a neck brace will come with your crowns!
Lastly, to the servants who never complain or want accolades—keep doing what God has intended for you. Keep fighting the good fight.

Keep running the race that is set before you, without looking to the left or right.

There are people like yourselves who are quietly praying for you and your loved ones. That in itself is the highest form of love shown….and the greatest weapon for you to be able to go out into the Great Harvest Field, continuing your service to the One who loves and cherishes you…Thank you for doing your thing quietly and faithfully….

O.Roca

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8 DAYS OF GIVING THANKS T-2 DAYS |THANKSGIVING 2019

Thank You LORD for those who serve us

by Oscar Roca
Soldier Coming Home
Bible verse John 15:13

Today I want to thank all those who serve people in any capacity. From the waiters and waitresses at restaurants, or the store employees who work hard to keep the aisles and checkouts clear, to the first responders who selflessly give up their family time to keep all of us safe and in good health.
I especially would like to thank the men and women in the armed forces who will not be with their families this upcoming Holy Day Season.
I pray that all of You make it back home safely and that you are blessed by the LORD tremendously. Your selfless service to this country and the world is noticed and appreciated by all in this family.
LORD, I thank You for all those that will be working to stock the aisles and clear the busy holiday checkouts. I also thank you for the local public servants who are out there keeping our streets safe and doing extraordinary things in emergency services. I ask that You keep them all safe as they take care of this community.
Father, I ask that You bring those that are far away from their families, peace of this season, where Your Son came down from His throne and became a humble infant, only to accomplish Your will—to save humanity from their sins which separated us from You.
May all those serving in the military find Your peace, joy, and love while they are out there putting their lives on the line for all of us. May they also know Father, that we are praying for their safety and the safety of their families left behind without a dad, mom, uncle, aunt, brother or sister. I pray that they will feel the love of their families, communities, and especially the love of Your son Jesus. I pray this in Your name Lord…

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“Nadie tiene un amor mayor que éste: que uno dé su vida por sus amigos.

Juan 15:13 Spanish: La Nueva Biblia de los Hispanos

Hoy quiero agradecer a todos los que sirven a las personas en cualquier capacidad. Desde los meseros y meseras en los restaurantes, o los empleados de la tienda que trabajan duro para mantener los pasillos y las cajas abiertas, hasta los primeros en responder que descuidan el tiempo de su familia para mantenernos a todos seguros y en buen estado de salud.

Me gustaría agradecer especialmente a los hombres y mujeres de las fuerzas armadas que no estarán con sus familias esta próxima temporada de días santos Navideños. Oro para que todos ustedes regresen a casa sanos y salvos. Que el Señor los bendiga tremendamente. Su servicio altruista a este país y al mundo es notado y apreciado por todos en esta familia. SEÑOR, te agradezco por todos los que trabajarán para abastecer los pasillos y despejar las cajas de compras. También te agradezco por los servidores públicos locales que están manteniendo nuestras calles seguras y haciendo cosas extraordinarias en los servicios de emergencia.

Te pido que los mantengas a salvo mientras cuidan de esta comunidad. Padre, te pido que le des a los que están lejos de sus familias, la paz de esta temporada, donde Tu Hijo bajó de Su trono y se convirtió en un Niño humilde, solo para cumplir Tu voluntad, para salvar a la humanidad de los pecados que nos separaron de Ti.

Que todos los que sirven en el ejército encuentren Tu paz, alegría y amor mientras estén lejos de su seres queridos, arriesgando sus vidas por todos nosotros. Que ellos también sepan Padre, que estamos orando por su seguridad.  Además oro por la seguridad de sus familias que se quedaron sin un padre, madre, tío, tía, hermano o hermana en estas temporadas. Oro para que sientan el amor de sus familias, comunidades y especialmente el amor de Tu hijo Jesús. Amen…

How Can I know God

Steps to Peace With God

Know God

Paz Con Dios

Pasos para la Salvación PDF

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8 DAYS OF GIVING THANKS T-3 DAYS |THANKSGIVING 2019

Isaiah 1:18

Thankful for a God who reinvents us!

by Oscar Roca

I just got a sent a picture of a blind farmer who was passing through his land, looking for his turkeys. The funny part was that he was walking right in front of them, and they were making cow sounds. 

I laughed so hard because this time of year, turkeys are the main course on the plate in my country! 

But then, I started pondering on the fact that those turkeys in that cartoon are so incredibly wise! Yes, I know it’ s just a funny cartoon mem, but think about it, when was the last time you reinvented yourself? 

We all must take this journey called life. I invite you to reinvent yourself today; don’t wait until New Year’s Day to write a list of things you want to reinvent in your life. Start today. 

—What is your physical goal?

—What is your mental goal?

—What is your job goal?

—Most importantly, what is your spiritual purpose?

I don’t have a clue on the first three since I most likely don’t know you personally. But, I do have an answer to the last one. Get to know God personally before this Thanksgiving holiday. I promise you with God’s help; you will be able to accomplish anything in life. I also know that God will reinvent you. 

Wherever you are in life, whatever your past mistakes or regrets, stop holding on to them.

Start fresh on this special Holiday Season. Finish Christmas with the Peace of The Christ Child, who can take all your past away and make you a new person.

I thank God for fresh starts. I know, because He gave me one when I asked Jesus into my life and committed myself to Him. 

Here are some links if you want to reinvent yourself spiritually… 

How Can I know God

Steps to Peace With God

Know God

Paz Con Dios

Pasos para la Salvación PDF

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8 DAYS OF GIVING THANKS T-4 DAYS |THANKSGIVING 2019

animation space GIF
Via Giphy.com

Dysfunctional Symphony

by Oscar Roca
Isaiah 61:3a

LORD, I’m thankful for making this time of year one of my favorites by changing dysfunction to order.
It wasn’t like this when my family was broken up into chaos, and people were calling our family disfunction. You don’t believe in labels, and neither do I.
I had to see this season how You saw it in order for me to be the first one in my family who would take disfunction and turn it into harmony through You.

This is the reason why over the years, Mary and I have made Thanksgiving & Christmas joyful & functional to all who enter our lives.
LORD, this joyful order is all You, and I thank you for making it a perfect synchronization in You!

Isaiah 61:3b

For those who are stuck in your pasts, it’s time to move in and enter into God’s peaceful functioning order.

How Can I know God

Steps to Peace With God

Know God

Paz Con Dios

Pasos para la Salvación PDF

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8 Days of Giving Thanks T-5 Days |Thanksgiving 2019

From TMP.org

Today I want to thank God for the children and grandchildren I’ve been blessed with. They make my life joyful. Without them, my wife and I’s lives would be different.

Even more so today, since I’m getting ready to go to a USC-UCLA with one of my daughters who got me the tickets for Father’s Day… and those moments are priceless & extremely thankful memories.

Thank You LORD for this gift.

P.S. Fight On!

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8 DAYS OF GIVING THANKS T-6 DAYS |THANKSGIVING 2019

Proverbs 18:22

Today, I’d like to thank God for the wife of my youth. She has been with me through thick and thin, in darkness and light. She has seen my worst and has been the reason for my best. 

During this time of reflection, I thank God for this priceless gift, which was wrapped before the foundations of the world. God knew exactly what kind of wife I needed, so He breathed life into this precious baby who would later on, marry a cocky and mischievous nineteen-year-old. Most people who know us whether Christian or not, will look at her and ask me, “how does she put up with the hurricane that is you!”

I smile and think to myself:

She has learned to stand still and move with the hurricane! Always keeping herself inside in the eye of the storm!…

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Proverbios 18:22

Hoy quisiera agradecer a Dios por la esposa de mi juventud. Ella ha estado conmigo contra viento y marea, en la oscuridad y la luz. Ella ha visto lo peor y ha sido la razón de lo mejor de mi vida.

Durante este tiempo de reflexión, doy gracias a Dios por este regalo invaluable que fue envuelto antes de los cimientos del mundo. Dios sabía exactamente qué tipo de esposa necesitaba, así que dio vida a este precioso bebé que más tarde se casaría con un engreído y travieso de solamente diecinueve años de edad. La mayoría de las personas que nos conocen sean cristianos o no, la miran y me preguntarán,”¡¿cómo soporta ella, el huracán que eres tú?”!

Solo sonrío y pienso: ¡ella ha aprendido a quedarse quieta y moverse con el huracán! ¡Siempre manteniéndose adentro en el ojo de la tormenta!

Y por este regalo, siempre te estaré agradecido Señor …

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