Sed agradecidos

 “Alaben a Dios porque es bueno, porque para siempre es su misericordia” (Salmo 136:1). Hoy en los Estados Unidos y en muchos otros países se celebra el Día de Acción de Gracias. Es un día separado para dar gracias a Dios por todo lo que ha hecho en nuestras vidas. Como creyentes en Cristo, no necesitamos un día especial para dar gracias a Dios. La razón es que, como hijos de Dios, debemos vivir una vida en constante agradecimiento por todo lo que Dios hace en nuestras vidas.  El salmista vive con esta actitud. El escribe que debemos dar gracias a Dios porque Éll es bueno. La siguiente frase expresa el motivo de este agradecimiento; porque su misericordia, su bondad es para siempre. Este tema se repite otras 36 veces a lo largo de este salmo. Pensemos cuántas veces le hemos fallado a Dios. Sin embargo, Él nos permite volver a la Presencia de Él. El profeta Jeremías escribe; "Por la misericordia del Señor no somos destruidos. Grande es tu fidelidad" (Lamentaciones 3:22). En este día, demos gracias a Dios por su amor y fidelidad hacia nuestras vidas. Demos gracias a Dios porque aún en medio de los problemas y situaciones que enfrentamos cada día, nunca nos deja ni nos abandona. Demos gracias a Dios por el hermoso regalo de la salvación a través de su Hijo, Jesucristo. Damos gracias a Dios por nuestra familia. Demos gracias a Dios por nuestra familia espiritual y por nuestras amistades. En fin, demos gracias a Dios por todo lo que sucede en nuestra vida, porque su misericordia es para siempre. Que tengan un feliz Día de Acción de Gracias en agradecimiento a Dios. Que el Señor te bendiga y te guarde siempre.

Be Thankful

"Praise God for he is good. For his mercy endures forever" (Psalm 136:1). Today in the United States and many other countries we celebrate Thanksgiving. It is a day separate to give thanks to God for all that he has done in our lives. As believers in Christ, we don't need a specific day to give thanks to God. The reason is that as children of God, we must live a life in constant gratitude for everything that God does for
us. The psalmist lives with this attitude. He writes that we should give thanks to God because He is good. The following sentence expresses the reason for this attitude; because of his mercy, his goodness endures forever. This theme is repeated another thirty-six times throughout this psalm. Let us think how many times we have failed God. However, every time we fail, He allows us to return to the Presence. The prophet Jeremiah writes, "By the Lord's mercy we are not destroyed. Great is your faithfulness" (Lamentations 3:22). On this day, let us be thankful to God for his love, mercy, and fidelity towards our lives. Let us be grateful to God because even during the problems and situations we face every day, He never leaves us nor forsakes us. Let us thank God for the beautiful gift of salvation through his Son, Jesus Christ. Let us be thankful to God for our families. Let us thank God for our spiritual family and for our friendships. In short, let us be grateful to God for everything that happens in our lives because his mercy is forever. Have a happy Thanksgiving. May God bless you and keep you always.

Pastor Dimas

Nuestro Potencial

 

“Pero tú, Belén Efrata, pequeña entre las familias de Judá, de ti saldrá el que será Señor en Israel; y sus obras son desde el principio, desde los días de la eternidad” (Miqueas 5:2) ). Este pasaje bíblico, utilizado principalmente durante la temporada navideña, es muy familiar para muchos de nosotros. Si estudiamos y examinamos cuidadosamente este pasaje, nos daremos cuenta de una excelente enseñanza para todos nosotros. Belén era un pequeño pueblo de Israel. Sin embargo, Dios escogió este pequeño lugar para que naciera su hijo, Jesucristo. Dios podría haber elegido a Jerusalén. Era una ciudad grande; el templo estaba allí. Era el centro religioso y político de Israel. Dios podría haber elegido el palacio. Sin embargo, eligió un establo en Belén. El paralelo de este pasaje para nuestras vidas es que a menudo creemos que somos insignificantes ante Dios. Pensamos que no podemos hacer algo para el Señor porque no tenemos la preparación académica o la madurez necesaria para hacerlo. Sin embargo, Dios no te mira por lo que eres sino por tu potencial. Para Dios, tus perspectivas son ilimitadas. Cuando Él te llame a hacer algo, ten la seguridad de que Él te dará lo que necesitas para completar la obra (Filipenses 1:6). Dios nos recuerda que tienes el potencial para la grandeza a sus ojos. Es hora de que confíes en Dios y dejes que Él obre a través de ti. Que el Señor te bendiga y te guarde siempre.

Pastor Dimas

God uses insignificant things to do remarkable things

 

"But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times."" (Micah 5:2). This biblical passage, primarily used during Christmas, is remarkably familiar to many of us. If we carefully study and examine this passage, we realize excellent teaching for all of us. Bethlehem was a small village in Israel. However, God chose this small place for his son, Jesus Christ, to be born. God could have chosen Jerusalem. It was a big city; the temple was there. It was the religious and political center of Israel. God could have chosen the palace. However, he chose a stable in Bethlehem. The parallel for our lives is that we often believe we are insignificant before God. We think we cannot do something for the Lord because we do not have the academic preparation or maturity necessary to do it. However, God looks at you not for who you are but for your potential. To God, your prospects are limitless. When He calls you to do something, rest assured that He will give you what you need to complete the work (Philippians 1:6). God reminds us that you have the potential for greatness in his eyes. It's time you trust God and let Him work through you. May the Lord bless you and keep you always.

Pastor Dimas

Praying with Confidence

 

"Praying at all times with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being vigilant to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints" (Ephesians 6:18). The life of the Apostle Paul was full of inspiration for all those who knew him. His life was one full of suffering, persecution, and imprisonment for the simple fact of fulfilling the commission that the Lord Jesus entrusted to him. But despite all those negative things, he was always motivated and never stopped fulfilling his assignment. In this passage, Paul encourages his readers to stand firm in all prayer and supplication, all the time, with all perseverance, for all the saints. Paul presents us with a model of prayer that will help us face the spiritual battles we encounter daily. Paul writes this verse in the context of his description of the armor that every believer must wear to meet the enemy's attacks. But this armor is useless if we don't spend time in prayer. Unfortunately, many Christians have a weak prayer life. Their prayer life is sporadic, or they use prayer like the 911 system in emergencies. Nevertheless, Paul encourages us always to keep an attitude of prayer and not give up. God hears our prayers and wants to answer. Prayer is the battlefield of every believer. Perhaps it is time that we put more emphasis on our prayer life so that we can defeat our enemy. May God bless you and keep you always.

Pastor Dimas

Lord, what do you want me to do?

 

"He, trembling and fearful, said: Lord, what do you want me to do? And the Lord said to him, "Get up and go into the city, and you will be told what to do" (Acts 9:6). As Christians, we often ask the same question as the Apostle Paul when we come to an encounter with the Lord: "Lord, what do you want me to do?" As children of God, each of us wants to do the will of the Lord. We want to respond positively when the Lord calls us to do something for Him. However, to find and do God's will in our lives, we must be obedient to God. We notice that in the verse's second part, Jesus gave Paul an order: "Get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do." Paul obeyed that order. We often want to do God's will, but at our convenience. When the Lord asks us to do something outside our comfort zone, we complain or fail to do it. We are disobedient to what God wants us to do. If God shows you and asks you to do something for his Kingdom, rest assured that He will equip you with the necessary tools to complete the job. We must
trust and have the required faith in God. Remember that He never leaves you alone and will be with you every step of the way until you complete the work. May God bless you and keep you always.

The Goodness of God

  

 The world we live in is a mess. It’s fallen, cursed, and sinful. Our enemy, Satan, wreaks havoc. Injustice seems to prevail, and innocent people suffer, but God. The story of humanity is not over yet. God’s plan is perfect. He intends to rescue us all along. Though we rebel and the world is sin-cursed, He reigns in sovereign control. To follow Christ is to gain everlasting hope and eternal life with God in heaven. At some time or another, every Christian is bound to have asked it: What is God doing in my life? 
    Joseph certainly was that person. From the human point of view, he had every entitlement to ask that question. Because, as you remember from the beginning of the story, God seemed to have worked in his life strangely. His very early years were difficult. But, perhaps, given him an early indication that God intended to do something excellent and marvelous with him, he was intended in some sense for a kind of greatness.   He couldn’t cope with that moment of illumination, and from the human point of view, he badly messed up his own life. And yet, as on this very moving, tender, heartbreaking occasion, his brothers come to him with their father’s last message, and he speaks these beautiful and remarkable words.  Looking at the whole of his own life, especially the series of disasters that seemed to transpire him. He says, “As far as you were concerned, you meant things for evil, to harm me; but God meant it for good. (Genesis 50:20)”  
    "But God." This phrase is mentioned over  40 times in the Bible. Every verse in which this phrase is used brings an element of hope to a desperate situation. “But God” signifies a redirection in what we can accomplish, in contrast to the power and works of God. It yields to God’s power, sovereignty, and majesty. God is perfectly just, merciful, and forgiving. His grace and love are unmatched.
    We make choices; we are responsible for and will account for our choices, BUT God is above all our choices and uses them to bring about and accomplish His purposes. We can do it the easy way or the hard way, but His will WILL be accomplished. You can work with Him or against Him, but His will WILL be done.  God is at work in and through the freely chosen actions of people and will, through those actions, bring about His perfect and eternal will.
    We need to understand that God is faithful even though we are not. One of the ideas you notice from the Bible is how these Bible characters of the faith made some big mistakes along the way. They are sinful people just like us. Yet, despite that fact, God never forgot His promise. He never turned away from His plan. God was faithful even when we, his servants, were not. 
    We need to remember that decisions have consequences. Throughout the Bible, we have seen this repeatedly. Bad choices create hardship and lead people away from God.
NOTHING is outside God's control (that does not mean God sends everything). Sinful actions bring tragedy and pain. However, God works out His purposes even in pain.) If you hold on to three simple truths, you will be able to keep moving even when life doesn't make any sense. God is in Control. He Loves Me. He Never Makes a Mistake. These principles will not take away the pain. It will not make bad situations something we can understand. But it will help us hang on until we can see more clearly. 
    Thanks be to God that life is not left to the mere whims of chance. Thank God that God does not leave us to work things out ourselves. He is there to help us. And even though we may not know how to get through a difficult time, we learn from these truths that we WILL get through it. And when we understand, we will be grateful.
May God bless you and keep you always.
Pastor Dimas

Reflections of my Doctoral Journey

 

Reflection on my Doctoral Journey

           After three years of rigorous schoolwork, I started conducting my research and finished writing my doctoral dissertation. I was physically and mentally exhausted when I started the final leg of my doctoral journey. I held a full-time job as a Senior Pastor, which required many responsibilities on my part, from pastoral visitations to sermon preparation and many other things. However, despite this unimaginable weariness, I felt empowered and motivated because now I could see the fruits of my labor and dedication. Finally, the end was near, and I saw the completion of something I had worked so hard to accomplish.

           It took me ten months to complete my dissertation. The Institutional Review Board (IRB) rejected the first dissertation proposal that I submitted. After that setback, I was given the option of submitting a new proposal for approval. This new option would require presenting a new topic, a new research design, and rewriting the first three chapters of the dissertation. I was given 12 weeks to do all that. My other option was to quit and receive an ABD (All But Dissertation). This setback was devastating to me. I found myself asking God for guidance and direction. At the same time, negative thoughts and the un-motivation to continue were present every day. Finally, after talking to several individuals and listening to their advice, I decided to move on and submit a new proposal.

           There were many struggles along the path of this journey. In September of 2018, Hurricane Florence devastated Eastern North Carolina, where I live. As a result, many families within our church family required assistance to get their lives back in order. It was a busy time. Due to this catastrophic event, I had to drop out of school. I needed to be able to concentrate on the aftermath of this atmospheric phenomenon. At the same time, I was moving into a new job, becoming the Senior Pastor of the church I presently lead.

 I got back to school the following term in January of 2019. However, things were not improving on the personal side of my life. In February of 2019, my mother suffered a stroke. I flew to Puerto Rico and stayed there for about one month, helping my sister take care of my mom. My mother eventually went to be with her Savior later that year. Dealing with her death made me temporarily lose my motivation. Nevertheless, with the help of my family and godly friends, I was able to get back on track.

My journey seeking a better life started over three decades ago when I left my hometown of Mayaguez, Puerto Rico, and came to the United States. I grew up with no luxuries, just a godly mother who taught me to love God and serve Him above everything else. Remembering my humble beginnings is essential to me. My mother's upbringing, love, dedication, and sacrifice made me the person I am today.

My mother was a single mother raising four children. She never graduated from college. As a matter of fact, she completed high school going to night school. However, she understood the value of education. To my mother, our only responsibility was to go to school, have good grades, and eventually attend college and obtain a college degree. Getting this doctorate was my most significant tribute to my mother's sacrifices for her children's education. I know from heaven that she cheered me up and motivated me to complete my dissertation. I love you, and I missed you, Mom. Thank you for everything you did for me.

Completing a doctoral degree is not easy, even for the most talented individuals. At the beginning of my doctoral program, I was highly excited. However, I felt intensely intimated and inferior to my classmates during my first course. They all seemed more thoughtful and better educated than me. Moreover, with English as my second language, academic writing did not come easy. However, I found support from my friends and my boss, Dr. Joe Capper. He took me on under his wing, provided me with counsel and prayer, and helped me with my writing. I still remember my first course and how intimidating it was. I remember submitting my first paper to Dr. Capper for editing. It was ten pages long. When I got it back a few days later, it was fifteen pages because of all the corrections and comments he made. I realized that it would be a long and challenging journey.

My insecurities and self-doubts were the driving forces that made me work harder. I studied twice as hard and wrote twice as long as everyone else. I worked harder and longer to compensate for my shortcomings. I self-imposed deadlines on all my papers because I needed to submit my draft to Dr. Capper for editing. This task put tremendous pressure on me with long hours of research, writing, and rewriting.

My will and determination helped me to overcome my fear of failing. Writing my dissertation has been the most demanding, exhausting, yet enriching endeavor in my life. It was a long and arduous journey not just for me but also for my wife, who had supported me throughout the process. From my experience, it is easy to get lost along the way, procrastinate, and give in to distractions. But with perseverance and hard work, the finish line is attainable.

Today is graduation day. I am walking on the stage, being hooded, and conferred my doctoral degree. This moment is a life-fulfilling moment for me—an accomplishment of a lifetime for which I am proud and grateful. This doctoral journey was a transformative process for me. It was a self-discovery experience of how much I could persevere to accomplish something I consider worthwhile.

I am thankful to my Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave me the strength, endurance, and health to complete this journey. To my lovely wife, Nora, who cheered me and supported me through many ups and downs in the last four years. To my children, Dee, and Jonathan, for their support. To my church family, Living Hope Community Church, for their constant prayers and encouragement. Lastly, to my friend and brother in Christ, Dr. Joe Capper. You never gave up on me. And even after I left the job at the Association, you were there for me. Your constant words of encouragement, prayers, and support were crucial for me to complete this journey. I do not have words to express my gratitude to you. God bless you.

My graduation was a life-fulfilling moment: an accomplishment of a lifetime for which I am proud and grateful. The experience made me realize that I am more than I ever thought. It changed me. I came out stronger and better. Because I overcame my fears and shortcomings, I became more hopeful about the future.