difficulties

Do Your Best and Forget the Rest

“As Scripture says, ‘Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame.’ ” – Romans 10:11 Today I want to talk about the importance of not allowing the feeling of shame into your spiritual life. Shame is not from the Lord, and it’s destructive to our psyche. No matter how many scriptures we read or how many hymns we sing about God taking away our shame, many of us still look in the mirror and blame ourselves incessantly when we’ve messed up. We beat ourselves up mentally by saying, “I’m not patient enough, I’m not strong enough, I’m not compassionate enough.” Yes, it’s important to become self-aware when we mess up, as in we own it, we repent, and we take responsibility for it, but wallowing in shame is not God’s plan and not God’s best for your life. He did not give up His only beloved Son

August 18, 2022 No Comments

A Transformed Mind = A Transformed Life

“And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.” – Romans 12:2 In Spain, there’s a man named Justo Gallego Martinez, who lived to be 96 years old. Justo was a Trappist monk during the Spanish Civil War, a time in which he saw many of his friends murdered and his own life was also in grave danger. Even worse, after the war, he contracted tuberculosis causing him to leave the monastery and he could no longer be a monk. Refusing to lose hope, he thought to himself, “Lord, if you heal me of this disease, I’ll build a cathedral for you.” The Lord healed him — the problem was, he had no money or resources to carry out his vow to God.

June 16, 2022 No Comments

God Has an Idea

“And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 4:19 I remember when Shepherd’s Grove was located in St. Callistus in Garden Grove, California. We were looking for a way out of our lease, which was very expensive and crushing our ministry. We could not afford it and had no place to go. As we attempted to buy the building, our landlord had already sold it but didn’t inform us. Because our landlord contract gave us the first right of refusal, we could have easily pursued legal action, but we chose not to. We didn’t think that was a good or wise use of our time or money. I took the landlord’s actions as a sign that maybe God had something else in store. Pastor Russ had been in conversation with the former pastor of Irvine Presbyterian Church and

May 19, 2022 2 Comments

Faith of Desperation

“Why do I put myself in jeopardy and take my life in my hands? Though he slay me, yet will I hope in him; I will surely defend my ways to his face. Indeed, this will turn out for my deliverance, for no godless person would dare come before him!” – Job 13:14-16 Yesterday, we talked about the faith of propriety and how it operates in the lives of believers, especially those who are new to the faith. Today, we are going to look at another kind of faith we often see working in our walk with God — the faith of desperation. Have you ever heard of the saying that there are no atheists in a foxhole? This pretty much sums up the faith of desperation. Even if you haven’t been to church in a long time and haven’t opened your Bible for years, when the bottom falls out

March 8, 2022 No Comments

Winter Creates Willpower

“It was you who set all the boundaries of the earth; you made both summer and winter.” – Psalm 74:17 It’s January, and many of us are in the midst of the cold season. I recall moving from Southern California to Oklahoma for school; I hadn’t really appreciated the benefits of California weather until then. When I went outside one day, the temperature was probably no more than three degrees, with a windchill of minus one million (just kidding). As I neared my car, there was a thick coating of ice on the windshield, and as I tried to get it off, I sliced my knuckle on a portion of the car and collapsed to my knees in agony. “Why am I here?” I remember exclaiming at the time. I believe that our life’s winters can be similar. Perhaps you’re unemployed, suffering from a persistent illness, or going through a

January 7, 2022 No Comments

Claiming Victory

“For everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world? Only the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.” – 1 John 3:4,5 The Bible is not ignorant of the world’s suffering. When you study the Jewish Scriptures, especially the Old Testament, you’ll see that the authors grappled with this question: why do good people suffer? Job, one of the first books of the Bible, is devoted entirely to the subject. Moreover, the majority of the minor prophets and the Psalms are lamentations: Oh Lord, how long will you forget the poor?, How long will you forget the downcast, oh Lord?, How long must we sing this song? In fact, Jesus Christ’s words on the cross, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” are a Psalms quote. The

December 18, 2021 No Comments

Spiritual Dexterity

“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.” – Matthew 5:43-45 There are a few practical things you can do in your daily life and in the Kingdom of God to become more robust and strengthen your anti-fragility. First, you must take some hits. If you’ve been playing it safe for a while, you should put yourself in a position to be stretched, even if it hurts. Taking a few punches in the name of growth can and should become part of your daily rhythm and habit. However, don’t forget to rest throughout these developing seasons; you need at

December 7, 2021 No Comments

How to be Anti-Fragile

“For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love, and self-discipline.” – 2 Timothy 1:7 You’re not easily broken! The enemy’s primary goal in your life is to keep you comfortable. Don’t get me wrong: relaxation and decent food are important, but you must understand that it is the trials and tribulations of life that make you more like Jesus. “Fire feeds on difficulties,” as Marcus Aurelius famously stated, and so does a believer! Let’s say you buy a box of fine champagne glasses to send across the nation to a friend. I guarantee that when you package them, you’ll take extra precautions to ensure that they don’t break during shipping. You will probably place them in a box, perhaps surrounded by bubble wrap and some styrofoam popcorn, and then tape it up. After that, you’ll make sure the box is labeled “fragile”

December 4, 2021 No Comments

Sent Into the Storm

“Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble, and he brought them out of their distress. He stilled the storm to a whisper; the waves of the sea were hushed. They were glad when it grew calm, and he guided them to their desired haven. Let them give thanks to the Lord for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for mankind.” – Psalm 107:28-31 Did you know that sometimes God intentionally sends us into a storm? He is our Heavenly Father, and now and then, He will do what any good father would do and lead us through a difficult situation to teach us how to face our fears. I remember having a fear of water as a child that lasted for many years. This is not ideal for a toddler living in Southern California, as we are close to the ocean and my family would frequently visit.

November 26, 2021 1 Comment

Storms Lead to Reason to Rest

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” – Matthew 11:28-30 I want to inform you that you can be a peaceful person right now! Even if you’re busy preparing the Thanksgiving turkey or getting your home ready for guests, your soul needs to relax. Amid a storm, you may have peace of mind while still growing smarter, sharper, and closer to your friends and family — the key is knowing that you will get through! Today, I want to argue that it’s the storms of life that will lead you to serenity. The more time you spend with God, the more faith and confidence you gain in

November 23, 2021 No Comments

Do Your Best and Forget the Rest

A Transformed Mind = A Transformed Life

God Has an Idea

Faith of Desperation

Winter Creates Willpower

Claiming Victory

Spiritual Dexterity

How to be Anti-Fragile

Sent Into the Storm

Storms Lead to Reason to Rest

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