Category: Eyes on Others

https://www.topteny.com/top-10-expensive-pearls-world/

REFERENCES:

https://pearls.com/pages/how-pearls-are-formed

September 7, 2019September 6, 2019

Sundays: Don’t Politicize, Criticize, Compromise or Chastise — But Liberlize Thru Christ

Is posting political posts and debates serving our community? Especially when family members or friends who are unbelievers are watching us on what’s supposed to be one of our Holy Days? ….

First off, as Christians, we have a duty to be involved in all aspects of life. This includes having a political view. I am a firm believer that we, as Christians, should gIve back to the community in everything and by individual callings God has placed in each person’s heart. If this means being the best doctor or lawyer or political leader, you do it to the fullest. Because God gives all of us different gifts and directions to journey through in life.

Secondly, if you have to work on Sunday’s because of the industry you’re in, keep doing your work cheerfully until the LORD brings you out of this period. Be an example to all who see your work. Let those who don’t know the grace and peace of Christ, glorify His name and want to have what you have.

Now to the thing I have noticed— Sunday Posts:

I see more and more political posts on Facebook. Even Christians are getting to the political arena or into things that may not be what we should be talking about on Sundays.

Sunday is the Lord’s day. This is when Christ rose. And this is where we, as Christians, observe our faith in God’s miraculous mighty power of defeating death and bringing people back to a personal relationship with Him.

Of course every day should be the Lords day. But on Sunday it’s a special thing. Some of our brothers and sisters in Christ believe that we need to keep the Sabbath Holy. Yes, this is God’s command to all humanity. It is not a Jewish thing to do. But remember what Paul said in Romans:

…4 Who are you to judge someone else’s servant? To his own master he stands or falls. And he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand. 5 One man regards a certain day above the others, while someone else considers every day alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind. 6 He who observes a special day does so to the Lord; he who eats does so to the Lord, for he gives thanks to God; and he who abstains does so to the Lord and gives thanks to God.… Romans 14.

I personally have a Friday Night study that has been going on for years. I did not start it as a Sabbath Study or to keep the Sabbath, but because I wanted my kids and their friends to have a safe place to be on Fridays. I just kept teaching on that certain day and the blessing of seeing the Orthodox Jewish folks pass by and hear me speak about Jesus and his prophetic Jewishness, is a blessing to know that they are being witnessed to as they pass by our house and the windows are wide open for all to hear.

Now the reason why Sunday’s are crucial to observe and why we call it the LORD’s Day is because of Jesus’ resurrection, and the most important implications for us as Christians. You see, without Jesus rising from the dead, there would be no faith in our own resurrection through Christ’s work on the cross and in the grave. We tend to forget this essential and highly critical second part of His work.

Which brings me to what we as as Christians should be doing for our community. Sundays are too important to get caught up in political debates which sometimes get heated. Because politics will never ever save anyone, or ever change a person’s heart.

The only way that we will change this country is not by going at each other politically. Yes, there are times when we have to say something to refute the fake news or dangerous political views being glamorized on TV or schools, but…

We have six days to do this. On Sundays, I’m going to start first by sharing what God has done for me.
I will post of His promises and of His love for people without comprimising my tenets:

—That God became human as He was born to a Judean virgin named Mary.

—That Jesus grew up with every human weakness we all face in our lives.

—That God brought His promises from prophecies of old.

—That these promises of old, became real and were fulfilled in Jesus.

—That Jesus died on the cross, was buried and rose again.

—That Jesus ascended into heaven and promises us to come back for His sheep.

—That if He rose from the grave, He has conquered death and we also have conquered death through His power of salvation through God’s grace, which is given freely for the repentance of our sins.

—That we as Christians, need to become His actions here on earth, and reach the community with the Gospel.

—That we share the gospel so intensely with our actions and love, that we will not have to preach it with our mouths. Because non-Christians will see Christ in us through our actions and the way we live.

—That we go out into our communities and make disciples of all nations! Literally here in Souther California, there are hundreds of languages being spoken. We are the crossroads to the Asian Continent. We don’t need to fly thousands of miles to reach the world for Christ. We can, and should start in our community first, this is our Jerusalem.

Therefore, we need to change people’s hearts and minds through the power of salvation , regeneration and transformation into each person’s life.

We as Christians need to be a community united in one accord in prayer, discipleship, and outreach to our communities. This is the only way that we will be effective and change the direction we are seeing all over the United States and the world. Join me in sharing the Gospel in some way on Sundays. Leave everything else behind. May we concentrate sharing and discipling the Grace of Christ and His commands with our families, our neighbors and our friends on Sundays. Sports, politics and entertainment can wait until Monday…

August 20, 2019

Hospitality Anyone? |Christian Basics Series

The secret to the early church was something to behold. The original twelve disciples and their families learned from our Lord Himself. They in turn passed it on to the seventy which in turn continued to pass on once the original twelve disciples were gone. But what made this incredible early church successful. One of the things was being hospitable to all who came to hear the Good News of Christ.

First off, the love of Jesus. Without this Agape love, they would not have had the success they did. When our Lord laid down His life for His disciples, there would be no way for the original twelve to go back to the way things were. Jesus had become our living sacrifice, wholly acceptable to the Father. He humbly and obediently went to the cross and exalted Himself above all names and therefore opened the way for the rest of humanity to follow. This kind of love is not natural, and Has disciples would follow Him obediently to their deaths. Because Jesus made an example of Himself as the Good Shepherd laying down His life for His sheep.

Secondly, the disciples had the very first powerful and incredible filling of the Holy Spirit, without this, the early church would not have had the success it did. Remember the original twelve cowering in the upper room while Jesus was being sacrificed on the cross for our sins? What was the turning point for these men and the rest of the disciples? It was the power of the Holy Spirit.

“Not by might nor by power but by My Spirit , says the LORD.“

It is during the Pentecost after the crucifixion and ascension of our Lord, that the disciples became who they should have always been. The gospel sharing and hospitable men and women of God that would by the love, Spirit and hospitality, change the known world at the time. Without the Spirit, they would have no supernatural love. Without the love, they could not be hospitable.

Thirdly, they then had unity of spirit that would transcend anything the Romans and Jews had. They formed communities from the start which helped the early church withstand the persecution which came later.

Fourthly, they were led to pick men who would lead the next generations of Christians into eternity. They had sense enough to know to pick elders and deacons who showed the original love and the core values which Christ taught. Part of that love was to open up ypur home to share the gospel and pray.

Fifthly, without the power of the Spirit to be hospitable, Christians can do nothing on their own. The only way to get this fine tuning is through prayer. The only way to show true Christian hospitality is to have time with God. It is not something that you can do on your own. Specially when you are exhausted or going through some personal trials. This is when you need to be prayed up in order to be filled up!

Prayer that seems to be lacking nowadays in churches because modern services have placed an emphasis on worship, sermon and small prayer. Instead of Big prayer time, Worship and small sermons. So goes our prayer time, so goes our hospitality time. There is no way that we can be humble and sincere hosts, without being prayed up and filled by God’s Spirit.

So be prayed up, filled up, in order to love all those who come into your homes. Humbly host people, be in one accord in unity of the Holy Spirit. Also be loving enough for people to want to follow Christ . Make disciples of all who come to your homes by showing them the Christ-like hospitality, having people leave your home glorifying God for you…

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If you want this pwerful kind of love and hospitality, get know God. He will do the rest:

Know God

August 10, 2019

http://www.fox5ny.com/news/videos-nypd-cops-doused-with-water#/

I hate That Foul Mouthed @#$@# Jerk! |Character & Integrity Series

The above quote was from someone I heard while waiting in line at a restaurant. This person actually cussed while complaining about our President.

—I also just watched a video of a couple of NYPD cops get doused with water and disrespected in front of everyone while the crowd went crazy.

—Additionally, I’ve seen what politicians are doing with their mouths lately, from both sides of the aisle. Especially the Democrats.

—We have a President who is a businessman and not a Statesman. He has done what he has promised, for that, I am grateful. Yet, I hear or read some of the things he says and cringe. Even then, I respect his office. We have to respect the title, not the man. But as Christians, we cannot excuse the most powerful human on earth to get away with this way of communication.

I’m not asking for a saint, but I am asking for him to set the example. To go above the sewage being thrown around in DC and show everyone that we can be civil to one another.

——I have watched the new Democratic rookies coming in, using language that they are criticizing POTUS for using. They criticize POTUS because of his tweets and his sharp tongue during press conferences. Yet they themselves, along with most of the Hollywood crowd, use offensive words to debase those whom they disagree with politically.

—Is it any wonder why the NYPD officers were treated in the most disrespectful of ways? Why our country is going through the Antifascists fascist groups phase?

—Christians, we have to beware of becoming like the world. We must be lights to this world. We must point people to Christ so that the change is from the inside of a person.

— The country needs to come back to God. The country has to restore itself spiritually. The only way this will be done is if we have another unfortunate tragedy like 9/11, or a great revival like the one which started in Azusa Street.

—But the time to act is now. We can’t be the-laid-back-Kumbaya-singing-peace-loving Christians who turn the other cheek and allow people to step on us. Yes, there is a time for love. There is also a time for work and war. And believe me, this is a period of some of the toughest spiritual and physical conflict the world has seen.

“Oh come on Oscar! You are exaggerating this to oblivion! The world isn’t that bad!”

Ahhh… yeah, it is. The blatant disrespect for authority is staggering. I have not ever seen this in my lifetime. Frankly, I don’t think there’s ever been a time where so many people hate what this government stands for. The way of life for all of us in the West is in danger of breaking apart.

—At its foundation is the lack of character and integrity. No one cares to respect people anymore. We all want our way. Just look at the freeways or streets as people drive. Everyone wants to out-do the other person in front of or next to them. The lack of courtesy is appalling. Kids flipping people off just because they feel like the other has cut them off or somehow offended them.

—Which brings me to the reason I want you joining me in prayer for this country, its leadership, all authority figures. Pray that we begin to respect all first responders like we used to. Pray for our President, so that he shows integrity in all he does, not just bringing the country economically back.

—Pray for our Congress. They are in desperate shape. They need extra anointing by God. The division and discord caused by Party lines need to stop. Congress has to act as one. Not as a fragmented House and Senate ready to duke it out with their enemies across the aisle.

—Pray for our Schools; this is where the second most important place for our children is.

—Pray for our homes, where men and women will show what character and integrity are to their children so that the next generation will carry the torch of true freedom. Only with integrity and character will freedom flourish.

—And pray for Spiritual awakening in our homes, places of work, government institutions and in the highest leadership. Pray that The Capitol be united. That all members come to know the True Policy Maker, our LORD, and Savior Jesus. Then and only then, will the bad-mouthing off and disrespect that is rampant, will give way to courtesy, respect, and integrity of character.

Is it just a dream? Then if it is, I have a dream…

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Tweets by NYCPBA

https://nypost.com/2018/08/27/another-video-of-nypd-cops-being-harassed-surfaces-online/

July 25, 2019July 25, 2019

But I Am Only One LORD! |Discipleship Series

I complained that I touched so few people for his Kingdom.
As I prayed, I asked, “Lord, why do so many people hear the call but do not listen to be Your disciples?”

God said— One disciple at a time is sufficient for you, my son.

As I sat and pondered, I heard His still small peaceful voice say, “I had called many, but only one person at a critical moment in time has listened.
I called many to come to Me, Noah was the only one who accepted my invitation.
Then I spoke to many more, but only Abraham listened. So I sent him to a land flowing with milk and honey. Where one day, his descendants would multiply and be the envy of the world.
Then there were many sons of Abraham, but only Joseph listened to Me.
I had to wait hundreds of years for one to listen to Me again. His name was Moses; he heard my invitation and saved My people.

I have called people far and wide, but it’s only one person at a time that the few are called and heed the invitation.

Elijah, Daniel & Jeremiah. Hosea, Isaiah, and the rest of my prophets.
My One and Only Son obediently went to the Cross. He only had twelve disciples. Out of those, four were a little ahead of the rest.
Paul, I personally called, and he humbled himself in the desert. He came to me at the Mount. Paul was one, and he changed the world.
So don’t despair when only one becomes My disciple.
Remember that My Son called thousands, and only a few remained after the Cross.
Elijah was alone, and I showed him my seven thousand faithful ones to encourage him
Don’t be discouraged— so many of my chosen few have seemed to think they are but one until I showed them My army!”

Get to know God, you may be the one He chooses to change the world!

Know God

July 12, 2019July 12, 2019

To Perceive, Receive, Hear & Fear… |Christian Short Drills & Basics

Proverbs 1:2--King James Version
"To know wisdom and instruction: to perceive the words of understanding."

“I love Proverbs. It is one of thee books to read. So much insight. So much of God’s wisdom.“

Someone asked me recently why they needed to read the Book of Proverbs. I asked this person if they ever got trained at work or did their company just throw them into an office and hoped for the best. I smiled because I knew the answer. I asked this person if they had ever practiced any sports. I knew the answer to this also. I asked them if they were ever able to play in games without ever going to practice with the team. Of course they smiled because they knew that playing sports, or playing music or getting better at something requires education and commitment to always get better at whatever it is that people want to do.

Then I looked right at them and asked,” When God tells us to be approved workers in His kingdom(2 Timothy 2:15), did He want us to be good at being Christians? Of course I got some chuckles from the person, but it made me think.

“Most of us don’t know where to start. There are 66 books to read. Some are longer than others. Some are incredibly spell binding to read; while others it takes some doing to read such and such person begat this person etc..“

I have a rule of thumb—When someone asks where to start reading the Bible, I suggest the start with 2 books in the Hebrew Scriptures (Old Testament) and 2 books in the Greek Scriptures (New testament).

These are the books I suggest:

In these books, a person just starting on their journey will get the most out of their faith. Yes, I know that there are so many other books like Genesis, Luke, Corinthian Letters, Revelation etc., but these are the ones that will cement someone’s faith.

Books of Psalms and Proverbs. The Gospel of John and Paul’s letter to the Romans.

The second thing I suggest is to pray for guidance and also for explanation to what is being read.

An example of this would be—Proverbs chapter 1, Going through this, these words are what grabbed a hold of my mind this time around:

Proverbs 1:2 KJV
"To know wisdom and instruction; to perceive the words of understanding."

Vv 2–Perceive— to discern understand or consider what we are reading. I like this definition— to observe mark or give heed to. In other words one must pay full attention to and be completely intentional of what one is reading. Then I tell them to read every chapter in one sitting, if possible.

“Because when you read something all at once you see things that you may have missed by reading just a few verses. Then go back and pick important words that stick out as you have read.“

Vv3—Receive—to get, lay hold of, get, marry, take a wife.
We are to receive this wonderful gift of God’s wisdom and grab on to it as if life depended on it, because it does. We are to hold on to this precious gift like a husband does to a wife. This is how much God’s love is, He wants His people to fully grasp the meaning of each word and chew on it or grab on to it so as not to lose it.

Proverbs 1:5 KJV
"A wise man will hear, and will increase learning: and a man of undersatnding shall attain unto wise counsels."

Vv5–Hear— Here’s the cool part. To hear is the same word used in the Shema in Deuteronomy 6, where God’s people are to recite the great verse, “Hear O Israel, the LORD our God, The LORD is One!” (Deuteronomy 6:4)

So this hearing is not just listening intently but shouting it to the ends of the world. To let your whole body, soul and spirit merge into one being and say, “LORD, I know You’re are here. I know you are God, the Creator of all things and everything that is in this universe! I hear You and I Obey!
Because that word also has the meaning to obey.

Proverbs 1:7-KJV
"The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; but fools despise wisdom and instruction."

Vv7—Fear— when we realize who is giving us these words. Words that are not of men but from the source of all understanding and knowledge. This is when our eyes are opened spiritually. This moment of knowing your Maker, is an awesome, fear inspiring and honorable thing.

Because we realized then and only then, how awesome Our God is; and how incredibly loving He is to us, who are sons of rebellion. God is willing to see us through this spirit awakening or arising to the point of unfathomable patience and long suffering on His part. How does He do this?

He takes us from what Galatians 5 describes our inner being:

“19 The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity, and debauchery; 20 idolatry and sorcery; hatred, discord, jealousy, and rage; rivalries, divisions, factions, 21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.“

And slowly God gives us some of His character in 2 Corinthians 13:–

“…3 If I give all I possess to the poor and exult in the surrender of my body, but have not love, I gain nothing. 4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no account of wrongs. 6 Love takes no pleasure in evil, but rejoices in the truth. 7 It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.8a Love never fails…”

And in Galatians 5 he continues to get rid of the selfishness we have:

“22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law.“

All this change takes place when you put your trust in Christ and humble yourself by asking Jesus to forgive you of all the things you’ve ever done wrong. The very moment you ask Jesus to forgive you, to guide you into your future, and start communicating with Him by praying and reading His Word, you start seeing a transformation that may or may not be immediate. But stick with communicating with God, and people will notice the changes in you.

Here’s how to know Him personally:

July 10, 2019July 10, 2019

Know God

June 28, 2019June 28, 2019

This Agenda, that Agenda! I Worry Not!

Our country is in an identity crisis. We have lost our way. There are too many voices in our country’s head fighting to get their selfish means.
Some of these voices are from a small minority who have planted an agenda that is going to take our country into chaos.

Additional ideologies are creeping into the psyche of our country. Mindsets that 40 years ago would be laughed out of existence have taken root in society.

I am not here to debate hate or division. I am here to try and bring some sanity back. I will use only one ideology whose agenda has gone overboard…

One ideology wants the whole world to know their sexual orientation 24/7/365 day a year. As if sexual orientation is the only thing that people identify themselves as a whole. This agenda has permeated every aspect of our culture to the point that it has lost its meaning, and rightly so.
You see, when I wake up, I don’t get ready to do battle against everyone else who may not be a Hispanic heterosexual Christian male. I don’t walk out and great my neighbors by saying,” Hey neighbor; you know that I am a Hispanic Hetero Christian male! I just want to make sure you know this!”
Alternatively, if I am at a gathering, I don’t wear a Tshirt stating Straight Hispanic Christian Male in the House! Wouldn’t that be absurd?
So why are we being inundated with an agenda that is sweeping the nation and taking over TV programs, News, Shopping centers, and Public Schools? Me being Hispanic does not make me want to tell everyone that I am Hispanic. I think they’ll be able to tell. Me being a straight male will also not make me want to tell everyone I am. This too, will be evident.

This is the most essential point:
Me being a Christian is also one of those things that people should see. If I have to tell that I am a Christian, then I have failed to show them Christ’s love.
We are in a spiritual-mental battle for the next couple of generations. We cannot be divisive, nor can we just stand there not doing anything about it.
We don’t have to scream They vs. us.

What we must do is:
Pray for guidance from the One who created all of us.
Follow what Our Lord and Savior told us:

 "By this, people will know you are my disciples. What is the THIS Jesus was talking to His disciples about?

It was the selfless and unchanging Love of Christ. A kind of love that moves mountains, and tears spiritual strongholds apart. The type of love that destroys division in families. Love that unites instead of tearing apart. Love that serves others instead of taking advantage of them.

Once we have this kind of love, we can then do the third part without having to tell others what we are doing. We need to go into the world and notify them of Christ’s love for them. The undying-selfless-sacrificial love that has withstood invading armies, Coliseum lions, Roman masters, and Ceasers, beheadings, floggings, crucifixions, burning at stakes and power hungry spiritual shepherds who should have known better.

This is what Christ wants form us. He doesn’t want us to go toe to toe with all these agendas. Because here’s the secret:

Agendas come and go. Ideologies come and go. Political pressure comes and goes. Politicians come and go. Tech company fascists come and go; but God is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. His will is going to be done. No person, country, political power, or satanic hordes will ever get in His way. They have tried, and they have failed. These agendas will look influential, but they are already defeated by the Most Holy One of the universe.

We must not waiver; we must stand firm in Him. Not by power or might but by the Spirit of The Living God will He conquer hearts and minds…