5. October 2011 by Annette Colon-Alvarenga.

I wanted to share this very personal article for those who find themselves at what appears to be the end of their marriage. I have a very dear friend who has always said, “God is still God and He is still on the throne.”  And because that is the case, there is always hope, for His grace is always sufficient to remedy even what appears hopeless.

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” 2 Corinthians 12:9

On October 10^th my husband and I will be celebrating our 13 year wedding anniversary. I know, it’s not a silver or gold or platinum; but to me each anniversary is a time of celebration because I have come to understand that it is only by the sufficiency of God’s grace that we have come to the place where we now stand.

Equally yoked. We met in a nightclub. We dated almost two years before getting married.  Most of our weekends included some kind of get together with friends, which naturally included drinking, dancing, etc. We married in Las Vegas. Oh what fun! And we continued the fun for several years into our marriage. During those first years of our marriage, each time I spoke with an old bachelor friend of mine, he would ask me, “how’s married life” and I would respond without hesitation, “marriage is bliss!”  And it was, for the most part.  

Something changed. In October 2003, just two weeks after celebrating our 5 year wedding anniversary, I had a personal encounter with God.  In that moment everything changed. I changed. I surrendered my life to the Lord Jesus and I could never go back to being the person I had been. It was very easy for me.  Partying, drinking, clubbing and everything and everyone involved with that way of life was no longer what I desired. The foul talk and off-colored jokes became offensive. There was no doubt that God was transforming my heart and my desires.

Much to my dismay, my husband was not well pleased with the change. In fact, my new found faith became a point of contention between us. Each time we came into disagreement about my giving time to the work of the ministry, or really just anything at all, my husband would state, “I’m still the same. It’s you that has changed.” He was right. And from my conversion forward, that familiar phrase I shared with my old friend, “marriage is bliss” quickly became “marriage is hell.”  And it was. There is no doubt that a spiritual battle had begun in my home.

From bad to worse.  Finding a balance between my new found passion and love for the Lord and my unbelieving husband was extremely difficult.  The more I gave of myself to the work of the ministry, the more estranged my husband and I became. I prayed desperately for his salvation, to no avail. I almost felt as if God was simply turning a deaf ear to my prayers for my husband. The more I prayed, the worse things became between us.  Each time he brought up the issue of separation (he couldn’t live out the rest of his life married to a Christian), I would simply say “fine.” After all, I had read 1 Corinthians 7:13-15. If he left, I was free.  As far as I was concerned, I was right and he was wrong.  He just didn’t get it; I was made righteous through my faith in Christ and he. . .well, he was the heathen!

God’s perspective.  One morning, in 2005, I was doing my daily Bible study. I was reading through Exodus. Most of you know the story. Moses and his brother Aaron go before Pharaoh numerous times and plead, “Let me people go.”  In Exodus 7:13 and 23 we read that Pharaoh’s heart was heartened.  In Exodus 8:15 and 32, Pharaoh hardened his heart. Later, in Exodus 9:7 and 10:20 we read that God heartened Pharaoh’s heart. Then it happened, at verse 10:20, God spoke to me through His Spirit: “In the same manner, I have hardened your husband’s heart.” 

I’m not quite sure how it happened but I went from a seated position on my chair to prostrate on the floor as the Holy Spirit revealed to me that there were some serious changes God wanted to see in me before He could give me a godly husband.  I realized that morning that I had been the major stumbling block to the change I wanted to see in my husband. God was requiring that I first learn to submit fully to Him which meant that I submit to my husband.

The truth is I had never submitted to my husband. The idea of  becoming “one flesh” just never sat very well with me. I had always considered myself independent. I pretty much ignored all of the “wives, submit to your husband” verses of scripture. But God’s words came through very clear to me that morning. I had to make a definitive decision and so I did. As I began to trust that God would not allow my husband to make any serious mistakes in judgment that would negatively impact our family, I finally eased into submission.

The storm before the calm.  Even as I became more obedient to what God required of me, things got much worse. After an argument one Christmas day, my husband set a definite move out date. I remained quiet as I continued to trust God, whatever God willed. And when the move out date came, God’s benevolent grace shone through. Instead of the planned separation, we spoke from our hearts for the very first time in our marriage and made a new pact, a pact that the words “separation” and “divorce” would not be spoken again as it related to our marriage; that we would work through anything and everything that might tend to tear us apart. And we have. And all of the glory belongs to God.

Several years have passed since then. One of the most important lessons I have learned is that submitting to my husband, as difficult as it may seem at times, equates to completely trusting God, allowing His grace to pour out over both of us.  Surprisingly, as I trust my husband (that is what submission implies), I am able to see the incredibly wonderful husband and father that he is. In turn, he is not so resistant to my passion for the Lord and things I desire to do in His ministry.

By the grace of God I am celebrating another year with my beloved and I am back to “marriage is bliss!”

“I am my beloved’s and my beloved is mine.”  Song of Solomon 6:3.

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8. March 2011 by Annette Colon-Alvarenga.

²⁵ And behold, a lawyer stood up to put him to the test, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” ²⁶He said to him, “What is written in the Law? How do you read it?” ²⁷And he answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.” ²⁸And he said to him, “You have answered correctly; do this, and you will live.”  ²⁹But he, desiring to justify himself, said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”

³⁰Jesus replied, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell among robbers, who stripped him and beat him and departed, leaving him half dead. ³¹Now by chance a priest was going down that road, and when he saw him he passed by on the other side. ³²So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. ³³But a Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to where he was, and when he saw him, he had compassion. ³⁴He went to him and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he set him on his own animal and brought him to an inn and took care of him. ³⁵And the next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper, saying, ‘Take care of him, and whatever more you spend, I will repay you when I come back.’

³⁶Which of these three, do you think, proved to be a neighbor to the man who fell among the robbers?” ³⁷He said, “The one who showed him mercy.” And Jesus said to him, “You go, and do likewise.”

Luke 10:25-37 is quite possibly one of the most well-known parables of Jesus. So well known, in fact, that laws have been enacted under the name most have come to know the parable by, The Good Samaritan. The story comes about when Jesus is challenged by a lawyer, a man skilled in the law, regarding who it is exactly that he is required to love as his neighbor. While he expects Jesus to answer the question for him, the final answer is eventually given by the lawyer himself; an answer which would have been unacceptable to those gathered within hearing distance. Jesus’ parable reveals the true nature of God’s expectancy of our love toward others - a love without boundaries or prejudice.

Historical and Literary Context

Of most importance is an understanding of the relationship between the Jews and the Samaritans at the time of Jesus. The Jews despised the Samaritans and would have nothing to do with them.

The conflict between the two groups started at about the time of the Assyrian captivity of the northern kingdom. Samaria was originally occupied by the tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh. However, when the northern kingdom fell to Assyria, the king of Assyria replaced the Israelites that had been deported with foreigners.  These foreigners intermarried with the Israelites that remained in the land taking on the name “Samaritans”. While the Samaritans integrated with the Jews and adopted, in part, the Jewish traditions, they continued with idol worship. (2 Kings 17:24-40).

They remained in the land and when the Jews returned from captivity, the Samaritans offered Zerubbabel assistance in rebuilding the Temple. The Jews refused their assistance and so began the enmity between the two as the Samaritans then attempted to prevent them from rebuilding. This enmity grew as Jews who married the foreigners during the time of captivity were instructed to divorce their spouses. The conflict between the two groups climaxed when the Samaritans built a temple at Mt. Gerizim.

Luke places the parable at about the mid-way point in the Gospel of Luke.  It comes just after the return of the 70 disciples that had been sent out by Jesus and just before the story of Mary and Martha. Luke, more than any other gospel writer provides insight into God’s plan of salvation to Samaritans and gentiles.  

Form, Structure, Movement

The parable begins with an ongoing exchange between Jesus and the lawyer. A question is asked initially by the lawyer, “What shall I do to inherit eternal life?” (v.25), which Jesus responds with a question. Ultimately, the lawyer answers his own question. With the second question by the lawyer, “Who is my neighbor?” Jesus responds with a parable that exemplifies the love commands found in Deuteronomy 6:5 and Leviticus 19:18. Finally, Jesus asks a question which requires the lawyer to answer his own question once again, albeit, his answer is was one which would not have been acceptable to him or any of the Jews at the time.  The answer to the question, “Who is my neighbor?” does not prove to be an exclusionary answer which is what appears the lawyer sought; rather, the answer provides for an inclusion of all, a love for enemy.

Detailed Analysis

The lawyer asks two questions of Jesus. The first question was clearly necessary to lead into the teaching of God’s intended meaning of His love  command found in the Mosaic Law at Deuteronomy 6:5 and Leviticus 19:18.

Of significance are the characters involved in this discussion: Jesus, who has been called Rabbi and Teacher and the lawyer, who at the end in v. 37 we are told is “the expert in the law.” The lawyer tests Jesus in his questioning, first, in questioning Him regarding how he could inherit eternal life (v. 25). But Jesus puts him to the test instead asking the lawyer to recite the Mosaic Law. In answering, the lawyer correctly recites the law as it relates to love for God and love for one’s neighbor (v. 27).

The Pharisees and scribes of the time were of the opinion that their “neighbors” consisted of the righteous alone. They believed that the gentiles and Samaritan’s, especially, were rightly despised as they were enemies of God. The lawyer’s subsequent question to Jesus, “Who is my neighbor?” (v. 29), reveals his self-righteous character and belief that the obligation to love was somehow limited to loving those such as he saw himself, the “righteous.” 

In verses 30-35 Jesus offers a story to define “neighbor.” It begins with a“certain man” who is attacked and left for dead while traveling down the road from Jerusalem to Jericho, a road which was known in the day as dangerous with thieves and robbers along the road attacking travelers. (cf. David’s Psalm 23; the Valley of the shadow of death actually refers to this dangerous stretch of road between Jerusalem and Jericho.)

The story continues with the first passerby to encounter the man, a certain priest.  The priest does not stop to assist the man but rather passing him by on the other side.  Next passerby, a Levite, sees the man and also passes him by on the other side. It would seem that Jesus uses the example of the priest and the Levite to challenge the religiousness of the two. Their adherence to purity laws (contact with a possibly dead body would have rendered them ritually unclean) prevented from fulfilling the law as it relates to Leviticus 19:18.

But the third man, a Samaritan, a man that is thought to be without morality, a religious heretic, an enemy of Israel, stops and assists the man because he felt compassion for him.  He applies first aid, takes the man to a nearby inn, and assures payment for him to stay at the inn until he is healed.

In verse 36 Jesus turns the question around for the lawyer. Rather than asking “who is my neighbor”, the question becomes “who was a neighbor to him who fell among the thieves?” The issue was no longer who can be my neighbor but, rather, who can I be a neighbor to (or who can I show mercy to). The lawyer is forced to answer this question himself and, unable perhaps to utter “the Samaritan,” he answers with “the one who had mercy on him.”  Jesus’ follow up command, “go and do likewise”, do as the Samaritan did, would have been insulting given their view of the “breed.”

Conclusion   

The actions of the Samaritan exemplify the command of God to love your neighbor as yourself.  While the religious people of His day were shortsighted as to God’s demand of Israel to be light for all people, the Samaritan, who would have been despised by the man he helped (and who would have been left to die had the shoe been on the other foot), didn’t think twice about coming to the aid of his apparent enemy. His compassion compelled him to act.

This is exactly what Jesus does: despite our depravity, His love for the Father and God’s love for humanity compelled Jesus to act, to take His place on the Cross to bring healing to God’s creation.
 

Bibliography 

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17. January 2011 by Annette Colon-Alvarenga.

Recently it seems that every time I raise the matter of spiritual maturity in my women’s group, 2 or 3 of the women take a defensive posture, I get cut off and they shut down to anything I have to say in this regard. Without any qualifications, they state emphatically, “we are all in progress.”

This last week, when the word “maturity” came out of my mouth in a discussion on the Holy Spirit and the church today, it resulted in a drama like I have not experienced before. There was even crying involved! It was truly a show that bordered on the ridiculous as far as I was concerned. And I was actually told (not asked) to stop talking.

I’ve had time to think about what brings on this reaction from these women every time I get into a discussion on spiritual maturity (our absolute need to get there!) and I have come to this conclusion: even though the women who oppose the subject have been Christian for at least three years (one since childhood), the idea of maturity is unspeakable. It requires a discussion on obedience and conformity to God’s commandments, which in turn requires a discussion on complete surrender. And, as it appears within my group, that would make a few other women perhaps a bit uncomfortable and maybe, just maybe, they would be taken out of their comfort zone and not return. (Apparently, I can’t call sin “sin” within our group without being termed judgmental, but that’s an issue for an article to be written on another day.)

Based on these recent happenings, I decided to do the following short study on the matter of spiritual maturity.
_______________________________

The story is told of a little boy who fell out of bed. Asked what happened, he said, “I guess I just stayed too close to the gettin’-in place.” That is exactly why many people fall away from God or don’t reach a point of maturity after their conversion - they stay too close to the “gettin’-in” place.

It is no shame to be an infant, if you were born a few months ago. But if a person has been a child of God for several years and has not grown, he or she has a problem

**arrested [spiritual] development - an abnormal state in which development has stopped prematurely; fixation; infantile fixation; regression

What the Bible says about spiritual maturity:

The Bible tells us that we are to grow; and it begins with a command. 2 Peter 3:18 says, “But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ….” That’s a command. You either say yes, or no.

Spiritual growth is a commitment to living to the glory of God. As you glorify God in your life, the Holy Spirit energizes the process of spiritual maturity so that you become more like Jesus Christ. You go from spiritual infancy to maturity; you grow in grace, and you grow up into Christlikeness. Spiritual growth is a process; it is not instantaneous. But it is a continual process to progression. We have to commit ourselves to glorify God in order to grow. That is another way of saying that we need to walk in the Spirit, obey the Word of God, let the Word of Christ dwell in us richly, conform to His will, and yield our bodies as instruments of righteousness.

The problem with the church at Corinth: The failure to reach maturity

“I could not talk to you as spiritual men but as to nonspiritual, or as to mere infants in the new life in our Messiah. I fed you with milk not meat, for you were not yet strong enough and even now you are not strong enough for you are still of the flesh and under the control of carnal impulses” (1 Corinthians 3:1)

Prolonged spiritual childhood is carnality, and it is often mentioned in the scriptures. Being carnal had reduced the Corinthian people to the status of spiritual infants. There was no distinction between carnality and spiritual infancy, because carnal people act childishly. If a person doesn’t grow as they should in Christian character, then they are immature infants. Growing up as a Christian does not mean being able to quote many scriptures; it means to produce fruit or good Christian character.

Hebrews 5:7-14 :  During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with fervent cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission.⁸ Son though he was, he learned obedience from what he suffered ⁹and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him ¹⁰and was designated by God to be high priest in the order of Melchizedek. ¹¹We have much to say about this, but it is hard to make it clear to you because you no longer try to understand. ¹² In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God’s word all over again. You need milk, not solid food! ¹³ Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. ¹⁴ But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.

** This requires effort by each individual. It will not come if teachers/leaders foster codependency.

Colossians 4:12 : Epaphras, who is one of you and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends greetings. He is always wrestling in prayer for you, that you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature and fully assured.

**Only when one is in the will of God can they experience growth and maturity; therefore, maintaining a life lived in the flesh (sinful) guarantees spiritual infancy.

Ephesians 4:11-15 : So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, ¹² to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up ¹³ until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. ¹⁴ Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. ¹⁵ Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ.

** This requires intentional effort on the part of every believer. Maturity is not a thing to be put off but to be sought daily

2 Peter 3:17-18 : Therefore, dear friends, since you have been forewarned, be on your guard so that you may not be carried away by the error of the lawless and fall from your secure position. ¹⁸ But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

** Paul tells us “grow”. This takes time. It requires an intentional pursuit. It is not automatic, it is not quick and there are no shortcuts

1 Timothy 4:7 : Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives’ tales; rather, train yourself to be godly.

**Again, this denotes active, intentional work on the believer’s part.

Luke 9:23 : Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.”

** Jesus calls us to discipleship and He pretty much tells that we are to do whatever it takes (“deny themselves and take up their crosses daily”).

If “believers” are not willing to do as Jesus commands, if they will not surrender all, this is the consequence:

Luke 14:27 : And whoever does not carry their cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.

Philippians 3:12-14 : Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. ¹³ Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, ¹⁴ I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

**Spiritual maturity does not mean you’ve arrived at perfection. What Paul tells us is that we are to leave behind past works and present measures of grace. Focusing on the past or even in the present will cause us to become stagnant in our walk or growth in the Lord. We have to continually “press on”.

Press on: The Greek word επεκτεινομενος points out the strong exertions made in the race; every muscle and nerve is exerted, and he puts forth every particle of his strength in running.

The benefits of spiritual maturity:

James 1:4 : Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

James 1:22-25 - ²² Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. ²³ Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror ²⁴ and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. ²⁵ But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.

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14. August 2010 by Annette Colon-Alvarenga.

Not to be morbid, but have you ever wondered about the testimony people would give about you and your life when you are gone from this world? Would they simply state kind words of remembrance or would there be a true legacy backing up the testimony they would give?

I attended a memorial service Friday evening for a local pastor, Danny Santana. It was an incredible turnout, standing room only. It was a celebration of a life well lived. As each person got up to speak, it became clear that this servant of God had impacted many, many lives. Although I had only met him briefly, it is evident from the testimonies I heard and comments made by others around me that this individual fulfilled the purpose God had for his life and his death was not as I would originally have defined it, untimely.

I have been feeling a bit uneasy the last few weeks; as if I have fallen away from God’s purpose for my life. As a matter of fact, I began writing an article last week (which I could not finish) and the opening scripture verse was Revelations 2:4 – “Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken your first love.” I think you can get an idea of where that article was headed.

The fact is that I seem to have lost my focus over the last few years, and it would be so easy to make excuses as to why this happened. For example: We are definitely living in difficult times. Families are concerned about the economy, businesses closing their doors, massive job losses, homes being lost to foreclosure, etc. etc. But the truth of the matter is that especially in these difficult times believers must not lose focus. Especially in these difficult times we (and I do mean “I”) need to step up to the plate. This is a time when a world that is driven by its own strength but cannot continue in that strength will be more receptive to hear about the hope we have in Christ Jesus. This is the time to step things up; to step out of our comfort zone and outside of our church walls to serve our God.

There is no doubt that Pastor Danny leaves behind an incredible legacy. He persevered and was met by his Creator with the crown of life. (James 1:12; Revelations 2:10) I left the memorial service with a hundred thoughts running through my mind. What an amazing life his was that even in his death, he impacts and influences others.

I determined something last night while I was waiting in line to give my sincerest emphatic concern to his widow. See, I keep thinking that the ministry God has prepared for my life is something I am supposed to wait on for Him to say “go”. That I need to wait on His instruction and direction; that I need to wait until God reveals this incredible plan about what I should be doing and where He wants me. But I realized something last night: all of His instruction and direction is there in His Word. His plan and purpose for my life (and your life) is set out in that passage I know so well, the Great Commission: 

Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. ¹⁹Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ²⁰and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. – Matthew 28:16-20

There is no waiting period stated. Jesus doesn’t tell them “hold off until I show you how to do it, when I want you to do it, where I want you to start.” There is none of that in this passage. He states that the authority has already been given us, “[t]herefore, go. . .” I don’t have to wait on some grand vision or message to get on with the work of Jesus’s ministry. I simply have to determine to do it.

By the time I left the sanctuary I could feel that fire burning, my mind filled with incredible ideas, my heart racing like it hasn’t in a long time, and my soul filled with an incredible peace about what is about to be birthed. Perhaps that is the assurance Jesus wanted to give His discipes in the last part of Matthew 28:20, “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age”; that when we determine to fulfill this commandment, His presence in the midst of our service will give us an incredible peace.

Pastor Danny was ready to meet his Creator when he parted this world last Sunday. I am not. But I am ready to forge ahead so that when I reach the end of my life my Lord will say to me those words I long to hear, “Annette was in the world my good and faithful servant.”

p.s. Ministerios de Dos en Dos (Two by Two Ministries) is not a new idea. Rather, my friend Dolores and I talked about this several years ago. Up until yesterday, it was merely an idea with no real substance. Beginning now the idea takes form and takes action. For the thousands that read this blog-site each month, I ask for your ardent prayers as we begin to reach out to help women restore their lives through God’s grace and mercy and the power of the Holy Spirit, and empower them through the Word of God, that all we do bring glory to Him.

May the journey that we are about to embark on be met at the end with: ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! . . . Come and share in your Master’s happiness!’ – Matthew 25:23.

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14. July 2010 by Annette Colon-Alvarenga.

The integrity of the upright guides them, but the unfaithful are destroyed by their duplicity. Proverbs 11:3

Integrity: Steadfast adherence to a strict moral or ethical code; the quality or state of being complete; unbroken condition; wholeness; entirety.

As you can see from the definition, integrity has much to do with one’s personal moral or ethical code. It has nothing to do with any particular religion. It has nothing to do with any particular culture. Nor does it have to do with any particular style of government. Rather it’s acting in accordance with your convictions, with what you personally believe to be right. So, depending on your moral or ethical believes and standards, as long as you act accordingly, you are a person of integrity.

For Christians, integrity then means that what we say, think and do corresponds with the truth as it has been revealed by God in His Word; speaking, thinking and doing in a Christ-like manner. While we generally get the big decisions right, it’s those small decisions we make at times that will determine whether we are persons of Christian integrity. Do you make decisions based on your core Christian beliefs or do you simply move about depending on your present circumstances or who your sphere of influence is at the moment?

I will admit that I have not always had a sense of integrity. It wasn’t until I committed my life to Christ that I found myself having to strictly define my moral and ethical standards and to commit to following them no matter how the wind was blowing. God’s Word warns us as believers that we are not to conform to the pattern of the world; rather we are to renew our minds so that we may be transformed to Christ-likeness. (Romans 12:2) When we fail to conform to the Christian world view and to live our lives accordingly with Christ-like integrity, we become guilty of duplicity (deceit, hypocrisy, dishonesty, falsehood,) and, as Proverbs 11:3 makes clear, that will eventually lead to destruction.

Recently I have been placed in a position where I have had to make an uncomfortable decision. It’s not a big decision, but it is one that tests my heart; not because it’s a difficult decision to make but, rather, because it has the potential of jeopardizing a friendship. Most people, even committed Christians, would not consider it a matter of importance. In fact, most wouldn’t even consider it a matter that requires any thought whatsoever. But it is important to me and I do feel that if I do not take this stance, I would compromise my convictions; it would create a “broken condition” in me. Perhaps I take things a little too seriously (I have been told that I tend to do that). Perhaps I’m overzealous and take God’s Word to heart a little too intensely. Or perhaps it’s the necessity I feel to live in a way that causes God to rejoice in me (1 Chronicles 29:17). I’ve also been accused of being fanatical. Whatever it is, it is what compels me to maintain my integrity.

Every day we wake up and we are faced with choices – what we will do and how we will live out our lives. Those daily decisions, whether big or small reflect our commitment to the Lord we proclaim. If we say we maintain Christian integrity, then our daily decisions should be quite predictable to those around us. John Maxwell wrote:

“Integrity is the factor that determines which one will prevail. We struggle daily with situations that demand decisions between what we want to do and what we ought to do. Integrity establishes the ground rules for resolving these tensions. It determines who we are and how we will respond before the conflict even appears. Integrity welds what we say, think, and do, into a whole person so that permission is never granted for one of these to be out of sync.”

Question: How would those who know you describe you? Are you predictable or unpredictable?

[M]y lips will not speak wickedness, and my tongue will utter no deceit. I will never admit you are in the right; till I die, I will not deny my integrity. I will maintain my righteousness and never let go of it; my conscience will not reproach me as long as I live. Job 27:4-6

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4. June 2010 by Annette Colon-Alvarenga.

I origninally posted this article more than one year ago. Since it’s original posting, it has been the most read and printed of my articles on this blog.  So once again, as Father’s Day draws near, I wanted to republish the article as a reminder that, no matter what your experience is or may have been with your earthly father, we have a most loving Father who longs to hear us cry out to Him, “Abba, Abba Father…”

Abba Father, let me be
Yours and Yours alone.
May my will for ever be
Evermore Your own.
Never let my heart grow cold,
Never let me go.
Abba Father, let me be
Yours and Yours alone.
 
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“. . . because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.”   The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.” Romans 8:14-16

I have read this verse of Scripture over and over and over again during the last 11 years. And while it is an incredible promise, I had never really been able to make it quite mine – until now.

Last month my father, who lives in Arizona, announced that he was coming by for a visit. While a normal reaction after not seeing him for more than two years should have been excitement and joy, I immediately felt my anxiety level begin to rise. As his date of arrival approached, my mood changed dramatically. I became angry and frustrated.

My father and I have had a difficult relationship. My parents divorced when I was about 8 years old. Living with him was very difficult as he was the by-product of a very strict upbringing and he wanted to exert the same type of dictatorship in our home. While my mother and brother suffered at his actions and words, I mainly suffered watching how they were affected. My main role was always to be as good as possible, always walking on egg shells, so as not to cause any negative reaction from him. Their divorce was, as far as I was concerned, a great relief.

Some years after the divorce, my father would move out of state. I was sure to call him as often as I could; to send him his cards for Father’s Day, his birthday and Christmas. I would make efforts to visit him out of state. I tried very hard to please him. Notwithstanding all of the hurt he had caused, I very much wanted to be “daddy’s girl.” Eventually I would feel that, despite my best efforts, none of what I did was ever good enough. As the years have passed, the phone calls and visits have been much less frequent and initiated by him rather than me.

My relationship with my heavenly Father has been somewhat frustrating as well. I have always understood the concept of God as my heavenly Father. The problem has been separating Him from what I have known as “father.” Yes, even after hearing sermon after sermon relating to this, I have been walking on egg shells for about the last 5 years trying to please God. And each time I mess things up or fall short of my own expectations, I end up frustrated for not being “good enough.” And the idea of seeing God as “Abba” (Daddy) and truly capturing the essence of what that means in my relationship to Him has been somewhat incomprehensible. I remember sitting in a bible study and listening attentively as a friend of mine described her relationship with her father . She would describe how when he was at work, she would smell his shirts and “feel” his presence and the impact that has had in her relationship with God; her ability to come into His presence; to come that close to God so as to touch His cloak. I’ve always envied that about her because as hard as I’ve tried, I’ve never been able to feel that I can come that close to Him.

My father’s visit was cut short. He decided to return home sooner than expected as he has not been well. After saying our good-byes, I had to come to terms with the fact that I still held some serious resentment towards my father, as well as feelings of rejection and inadequacy that resulted from our relationship. I realized that my constant struggle with striving for perfection (and the constant disappointment in never achieving it) has been a direct result of my apparent need of his acceptance. And then I realized how my relationship with him and all of the resulting feelings have had a tremendous impact on my own personal relationship with God as my Father.

I have also had time to reflect on the tremendous amount of love, mercy and grace my heavenly Father has showered me with over the years. He has covered me and protected me. He has shown me an incredible amount of favor, especially when I have not deserved it. He has set me apart and has placed His seal upon me authenticating me as His child (2 Cor. 1:21-22). He has accepted me as His daughter just as I am. I am good enough for Him, not because of anything I could do or who I am, but because of who He is. I can with all confidence draw near to him and call him “Abba.” And I am, by all definitions, Daddy’s girl.

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24. May 2010 by Annette Colon-Alvarenga.

Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. ”Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.” At once they left their nets and followed him.

Going on from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John. They were in a boat with their father Zebedee, preparing their nets. Jesus called them, and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him. - Matthew 4:18-22

These passages of scripture remind me of one of my favorite old hymns, I Surrender All. It goes like this: All to Jesus I surrender; all to him I freely give; I will ever love and trust him, in his presence daily live. I surrender all, I surrender all, all to thee, my blessed Savior, I surrender all.  That’s exactly what these disciples did. It was a complete surrender. They didn’t think twice; they didn’t ask Jesus where they were going, what were they to do or how long the journey would be; they didn’t know what lay before them. Jesus said, “Come” and they simply followed.

The idea of total surrender can be daunting even to the most ardent Christian. The idea that God’s will for your life may be completely different from the plans you have made is a notion that is not easy to reconcile. Yet, if you are to “love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength” it will require that Jesus be the center of your life; that nothing else take first place in your life. It requires a complete surrender of your entire life, dying to yourself so that you can truly live in God’s will.One of my favorite passages of scripture (and I have many “favorites”) is Philippians 3:7-9:

But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith.

In this passage, Paul describes a spiritual transaction that took place when Christ redeemed him. He has a ledger wherein he lists all of his worldly gains: disciple of Gamaliel, expert in the law, social status, he was as he called himself, “a Pharisee of Pharisees” and he had material wealth by the standards of that time. But when Paul saw the glory of Christ he realized that nothing else could possibly stand in comparison. All that he thought of as gain or important in his life, he now saw as of no importance or value in his life outside of Christ.

What if we were to do that today? What if we took a piece of paper and drew a line down the middle. If we listed on one side all of those “things,” whether they be material items or whether they be our family, our businesses, our personal goals and dreams; and then on the other side of the line simply write down the name of Christ. What side of that paper would you contemplate? And what if Jesus was to say to you, “I know how hard you have worked for all of this; I know that you have longed for this specific thing; and I know your desires as it relates to this thing. But I ask that you come and follow me. I ask that you give up everything and simply follow me to where I will lead you.”  My question to you today is, would you?  Would you be able to walk away from it all in order to follow Jesus?

Sin is a given – you have to give it up if in fact you are a new creation. But what of the things in our lives that are not sin? Many times it seems that we ask for God to reveal His will for our lives, and we can’t seem to understand why He is silent. I believe that the reason God remains silent is because we have already planned out our lives, our will, and in reality what we seek is that God come alongside our plans and conform His will to ours. I also believe that God will reveal these things to us when our hearts are submitted to Him; when we have completely surrendered all to Him.

Some years ago I learned a lesson in surrender. See, I longed to have a third child. I had two boys already but wanted one more child. Although at the time I would go to church every Sunday, I couldn’t really call myself a Christian given the way I lived my life outside of that hour I was at Church on Sunday. But in late 2003 I had a personal encounter with God and I surrendered my life to Christ, although I will admit that I did not count the cost at the time. I would pray, “Lord I want what you want for my life” and within a few months I became pregnant. I believed God had answered my prayer, but I had a miscarriage just 9 weeks later. Needless to say, I was devastated and dumbfounded. Had I not asked for what He wanted for my life?

We were told that we would have to wait several months before trying to become pregnant again and so my husband and I did. When the time came, I went to the Lord in prayer. While I was seeking His guidance, it was really a matter of the heart for me – I couldn’t go through another miscarriage and wanted a straight answer from God. While I still longed to have another child, I would not risk going against God’s will and risk losing another child. And so on a specific Saturday morning I went face down before the Lord and He answered me, “No. No more children.” I did not understand at the time but I made a decision that day that when God says “no” I would not circumvent His direction for my life. I did not argue with God; I did not ask Him again; I did not try to find a reason or explanation for what I deemed at the time to be unreasonable. I simply surrendered that desire in my life to Him. Have I looked back and thought “what if. . .” Of course I have. But upon surrendering to God that part of my life, He has over time placed an incredible peace and hope in me that can only come from living in obedience to God’s will. And later, when I was ready, He would in fact reveal to me the specific purpose for His answer. But that revelation came only after I made the decision to follow Him.

Is there something in your life that would prevent you from heeding Jesus’ call to you to “come” and follow Him? If it is sin in your life, there is no question about what you must do. But if it is not sin, is there a sacrifice you deem too great or a matter you have not yet offered up to God? It’s time we take inventory of our hearts and surrender, once and for all, all that needs to be given up.

All to Jesus I surrender
all to him I freely give
I will ever love and trust him,
in his presence daily live.
I surrender all, I surrender all
All to thee, my blessed Savior
I surrender all.

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30. March 2010 by Annette Colon-Alvarenga.

So Joshua said to the Israelites: “How long will you wait before you begin to take possession of the land that the LORD, the God of your fathers, has given you? Joshua 18:3.

In the prior chapter (Ch. 17) we read how the house of Joseph, Ephraim and Manasseh, went to Joshua stating that they were a “great people” and therefore had not been provided enough land. God had promised victory to them to possess all of the land promised to them, which in reality would have been enough, had they followed through in driving out all of the Canaanites. Instead of proclaiming their victory and doing what needed to be done – they did not drive out the Canaanites – they went to Joshua to complain: the land we have just isn’t enough; we need two lots instead of the one you gave us; the Canaanites are just too tough to drive out of the land; they have chariots of iron. Complain, complain, complain.

I peeked into my journal late last night. The scripture cited above was the last entry I made – in January. Yes, it’s been a little while since the last time I wrote in my journal. Which would mean that it’s been a little while since I’ve followed my Bible-in-a-year reading plan. Of course that would also mean that I haven’t been reading God’s Word on a daily basis. The consequence of which is that I have been struggling a bit more spiritually. Which has resulted in my inability to deal “wisely” with certain matters that have come up recently. My reactions and emotional responses have been a little . . . how should I put it . . . all over the map. And, yes, I have gone to God grumbling and complaining about not being where I should be spiritually, emotionally, financially, physically, etc.: Why this? Why that? It’s just not enough! When are things going to change?

I’ve read through the Old Testament time and again and thought to myself, “these are God’s chosen people; He tells them exactly what to do and what not to do; why can’t they get it right?” They were given every incredible promise for living a victorious life. God didn’t only have their backs, He always went ahead of them. Their victories were determined before they ever stepped foot on the battle ground. But there was always that condition: that they actually step onto the battle field and fight. Otherwise, like the people of Ephraim and Manasseh in the book of Joshua, they could not enter into God’s promises.

It is no different for us as Christians. We proclaim to be God’s children (”a great people”). We proclaim to have every spiritual blessing as His children. We say “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Yet, when things start to get a little out of hand for (some of) us, when matters require that we armor up and step onto the battle field and fight, it’s easier (for some of us) to step back and make excuses for not doing what we need to do. C’mon now. I know I’m not the only one.

Matthew Henry states in his commentary in regard to the predicament of the tribesmen in Chapter 17: “Most people’s poverty is the effect of their idleness; would they dig, they need not beg.” God calls us to grab hold of the promises contained is His Word for us. Our victory is assured through Christ Jesus. But that requires that we take action; that we be diligent. God gives us the perfect recipe for possessing the promises: We are instructed not to depart from His Word; we are told to put on the whole armor; we are to pray without ceasing; we are to renew our minds continuously; we are to hold onto to our faith and trust in God in all circumstances; we are to be holy. Yes, there is much more, but I think this is enough to make my point. In whatever area of our lives we may be feeling seemingly impoverished, we need to do what He has instructed us to do. I earnestly believe . . . no, I know, that God will fulfill each and every one of His promises, but I must step onto the battle field and fight. I cannot continue to step back and make excuses for what’s lacking; I have to dig and dig deep, especially when I don’t feel it or when it gets uncomfortable. For me personally, that starts with getting back into His Word daily and journaling. How long will you wait?

⁴³ So the LORD gave Israel all the land he had sworn to give their forefathers, and they took possession of it and settled there. ⁴⁴ The LORD gave them rest on every side, just as he had sworn to their forefathers. Not one of their enemies withstood them; the LORD handed all their enemies over to them. ⁴⁵ Not one of all the LORD’s good promises to the house of Israel failed; every one was fulfilled. Joshua 21:43-45.

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28. March 2010 by Annette Colon-Alvarenga.

¹When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so that they might go to anoint Jesus’ body. ²Very early on the first day of the week, just after sunrise, they were on their way to the tomb ³and they asked each other, “Who will roll the stone away from the entrance of the tomb?”  ⁴But when they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had been rolled away. ⁵As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a white robe sitting on the right side, and they were alarmed. ⁶“Don’t be alarmed,” he said. “You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him. ⁷But go, tell his disciples and Peter, ‘He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.’ “  Mark 16:1-8

I started a study on the resurrection and I will tell you that even though I am not even half way through my study, there are some things that are laying heavy on my heart today.

In my study I read the story of the renowned Methodist preacher named W.E. Sangster. On Easter Sunday 1960 he lay unable to speak and helpless. His daughter was with him that day and because he could not speak, he wrote her a note:  Margaret: ‘It is terrible to wake up on Easter morning and have no voice with which to shout, “He is risen!”  But it would be still more terrible to have a voice and not want to shout.’  A little convicting.

While the message of the resurrection is heard throughout every Christian church throughout the world on Easter Sunday, it should not be limited to that day. Rather the message of our risen Lord is a message that cannot be left out of our witness to others. Think about this for a minute. If the Easter story ended with the cross, what would have happened to Jesus disciples? Would there even be a church today? The answer to the second question is “no.”  The Easter story is the gospel, the good news because it proclaims Jesus lives! Without the resurrection there is no gospel.  The resurrection of Jesus is at the heart of our Christian faith.

Of course we already know this, but it seems to be missing from our witness, from our message. When we tell others about salvation through Christ Jesus, about the forgiveness of our sins through His sacrifice on the Cross of Calvary and our restored relationship with God, we generally stop there. However, the resurrection is the climax of the gospel message. We must not leave it out. Peter tells us that me must “[a]lways be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.” (1 Peter 3:15).  The resurrection of Jesus, the fact that He is risen, that He lives today, is the reason for the hope.

Everything from Jesus being arrested through His being placed in the tomb had his disciples believing that all had finished.The passage above in Mark of the women going to anoint Jesus’ body at the tomb shows that they also believed all was done. There was no hope until the angel proclaimed, “He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him. ⁷But go, tell his disciples and Peter, ‘He is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him, just as he told you.’ This is the reason for the hope in each and every Christian, that He lives and that He goes before us.  Jesus’ victory over death means that death need not be the end of those who follow Jesus. The resurrection completes the work of Christ on the cross. Only through the resurrection of Jesus are we able to become “a new creation.”

What have I learned from this? I must be intentional to be a witness of the whole gospel. When we preach Christ crucified we must also shout, “He is risen!” The Easter story is not to be preached one day each year. We need to tell the Easter story everyday because all of our hope is in that He lives!

Lyrics from the song Because He Lives:

God sent his son, they called him Jesus;
He came to love, heal and forgive.
He lived and died to buy my pardon;
An empty grave is there to prove my Savior lives.

Because He lives I can face tomorrow
Because He lives All fear is gone
Because I know He holds the future
And life is worth the living
Just because He lives!

How sweet to hold a newborn baby,
And feel the pride and joy he gives;
But greater still the calm assurance
This child can face uncertain days because He lives.

Because He lives I can face tomorrow
Because He lives All fear is gone
Because I know He holds the future
And life is worth the living
Just because He lives!

And then one day I’ll cross the river;
I’ll fight life’s final war with pain.
And then, as death gives way to vict’ry,
I’ll see the lights of glory and I’ll know He reigns.

Because He lives I can face tomorrow
Because He lives All fear is gone
Because I know He holds the future
And life is worth the living
Just because He lives!

(Song by Bill Gaither)

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6. March 2010 by Annette Colon-Alvarenga.

¹¹ As long as Moses held up his hands, the Israelites were winning, but whenever he lowered his hands, the Amalekites were winning. ¹² When Moses’ hands grew tired, they took a stone and put it under him and he sat on it. Aaron and Hur held his hands up—one on one side, one on the other—so that his hands remained steady till sunset. Exodus 17:11-12.

As Israel battled the Amalekites, Moses held up the staff of God and interceded on behalf of Israel. As long as his hands remained up, Israel had success. But when Moses grew weary and tired and his arms lowered, the Amalekites would gain an advantage. It was then that Aaron and Hur came alongside Moses, one on each side of Moses’ holding up his arms until the Amalekites were defeated that day.

I have always been more of a “lone ranger” type; fairly introverted, self-sufficient, believing I can handle things on my own and certainly never asking for help from anyone even in the most difficult of circumstances. For the most part, I can say I faired okay in the past. But this personality trait is something that is not pleasing to God (it does have an air of pride to it) and He has called me out on this over and over again. Unfortunately, I have not come willingly and He has allowed for some difficult trials, I believe, in an attempt to bring me to the place I need to be (and I will admit that I still find myself fighting it.)

God never intended us to do life alone or on our own. He created us specifically for fellowship with Him and with others (1 Corinthians 1:9; 1 John 1:3; Genesis 2:18). God calls us to living life in common. That is what the Greek word kionōnia means – sharing a common experience of God’s grace in Christ. God calls us to serve one another (Galatians 5:13); to bear one another’s burdens (Galatians 6:2); to comfort one another (1 Thessalonians 4:18). As if that were not enough to encourage us to seek each other out in a time of need, Jesus advises us, ¹⁹“Again, I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything you ask for, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. ²⁰For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them.” (Matthew 18:19-20).

The fact of the matter is that we all need an Aaron and a Hur in our lives to hold our arms up when we become weary and tired and feel like we are in defeat. I personally have come to recognize this week that I cannot continue to go it alone. Now, I am blessed to have my own versions of Aaron and Hur in my life. And although I generally won’t call until I am at my wit’s end, I did call on them this week (okay I didn’t call them, but I did email for help – I am working on this). Amazingly, after setting out my case, my heartache began to diminish. Once I was able to release a little of what I was going through, I could breathe easy again. After receiving a word of encouragement, hearing “I found myself asking that same question when . . .,” the tightness in my chest went away and the physical symptoms that accompanied the overwhelming stress created by keeping things to myself, vanished.  I thank God for the patience and mercy He continues to show me. And I especially thank Him for those two persons He has placed in my life that I can count on to lift my arms when I grow weary.

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