One Song ... One Gospel... One Opportuninty

Just recently, I headed back to the track to resume my holiday running schedule. After thanksgiving, run twenty miles; after Christmas ten miles; after new years, another twenty miles. So far so good! I'm still on pace to hit twenty miles by December 25 if I run at least 2.5 miles every other day.

So this week, after dragging myself to the track in spite of the cold weather and rain, I just wanted to get back to running. I'm no longer a sports car when it comes to running I have to admit. I'm more like a sedan. After all, when you are in your teens, you are a racing sports car. When you are in your twenties, you are a coupe with lots or torque. When you are in your thirties, you become like a family car or sedan. You still look decent, but not as fast as in your twenties and teens. When you are in your forties, you become more like a mini-van. You can get to places but don't impress to much with your speed or power. In your fifties and beyond, you are a classic car. In other words, drive with much caution!

I have to stretch before and after I run. Otherwise, I won't be able to walk the next day or will feel too sore the next day. So there I am stretching, taking my time, minding my own business. "One Mississippi, Two Mississippi, etc." Then I heard it. Across the street in the parking lot I heard what appeared to be a song I had  heard only once before in my entire life. I have to admit it is a unique and catchy song. While mentoring a young boy whose parents where going to court a few years back, he told me: "My grandma is a Christian like you. Her favorite song is "Song of the Spirit"." I looked it up! It wasn't my style per say, but I said, "Thanks for sharing that with me."

The security guard across the street was listening to his i-pod, and i guess I must have been closer than I thought I was because I could hear the song from where I was. God spoke. I just listened. I could hear the Holy Spirit impressing me with the thought, "Go over and witness to that young man. He needs to know that I care about him." Excuses immediately, sprung up in my mind. "Let me run first Lord, and if he is still there when I get back, I'll do it."

I finished my run. He was still there. I opened my car, and got a GLOW track that said, "Bible studies every Wednesday at 7:30pm" with my phone number. Then I reached and picked up the book Great Controversy. I said, "Okay Lord. I'll do it."

I walked across the street and said, "Hi, I couldn't help but overhear one of the songs you were listening earlier. Was it "Song of the Spirit?"

He answered, "Yes it was."

"Are you a believer? Are you a Christian?" I asked.

"Yes I am. I work every day, and I go to church on the weekends." He replied.

After a a few more words, I offered him the tract and the book. He gladly accepted them.

In fact, he said "I'll start reading it right now."

My last words to him were, "Brother, in case I don't see you again. Read this book along with your Bible. It will deepen your relationship with Jesus."

We shook hands, and that was it. I don't know if I will ever see that young man again. However, I am glad to know that God can and does use us his imperfect and flawed earth children in any place and circumstance to encourage, guide, lead, and direct his other Heaven bound children to Himself. I'm just glad I was able to be a part of it that morning.

One song ... One Gospel ... One opportunity! Be ready to be used by God to encourage someone else today. If you will ask, He will use you!

~ S.A. Garcia

SALVATION 101: Is it Easier to be Saved or to be Lost?

Salvation 101. "What must I do be saved?"

Seeker 1: "Hey man! I need your help.
Seeker 2: "What up? What seems to be the problem?

Seeker 1: "I have a guilty conscience. I can't sleep at night. I don't have any peace in my life. I'm a big mess. I really need God in my life. Evolution, Atheism, and Secularism has not given me any hope or peace. I need to try God or something. Can you help me?
Seeker 2: "I can't help you. But I know someone who can.

Seeker 1: "Who?
Seeker 2: "Jesus Christ."

Seeker 1: "Where do I find him? How do I make an appointment with Him?
Seeker 2; "You can find Him any moment of the day. He is always available to receive you and to forgive you and give you eternal life. Go to Him.

Seeker 1: "Don't I need to do something first? What must I do to be forgiven and to receive eternal life?"
Seeker 2: "Believe in Jesus Christ, that He died as your Substitute and then accept Him as your Savior and Lord.

Seeker 1: "No really, what must I do? How much do I need to give? Give me something hands on and practical.
Seeker 2: "I already gave you the answer. You can't do anything to be forgiven and receive eternal life. All you can do is believe and receive it by faith like a free gift.

Seeker 1: "Don't I need to be good in order to be saved first?"
Seeker 2: "You don't need to be good in order to be saved; but you do need to be saved in order to be good. That comes after. First come to Jesus as you are.

Seeker 1: "I have a lot of problems man. I smoke, i drink, i live in adultery. I think I need to clean up my life then I will come. God helps those who help themselves, right?
Seeker 2: "Wrong. God does not help those who help themselves when it come to salvation and eternal life. GOD HELPS THOSE WHO CANNOT HELP THEMSELVES! Just go to Jesus. It's that simple. Really!

Seeker 1: "I'm still not convinced. It can't be that easy. If it was, everyone would accept Jesus and go to Heaven. There has to be a catch somewhere. It sounds to be good to be true!
Seeker 2: "Hey man, if you want to believe the Devil's lie and try to work your way to Heaven, be my guest. But like every other poor soul before you who has walked down the path of righteousness by works, you will end up defeated and discouraged. You can't do it on your own. Try God's way instead. The Way of the Cross. The path of faith.



Seeker 1: "So you are saying I don't need to any good work in order to be saved from my sins? How about after I come to Jesus? I'm sure after I come to Jesus, God is going to be expecting me to live like a saint. I'm sure God is going to be judging me based on my performance and obedience after I come to Jesus, right?
Seeker 2: "Wrong again. The Bible says, nothing you ever do now or in the future will merit God's forgiveness or Eternal life. Your works are never the root of salvation. They are always the fruit of Salvation. Just go to Jesus and receive Him as your Savior, Lord, and friend!

Seeker 1: "You almost convince me. But I still think it is too good to be true. Most religions have a path you must take in order to be saved. Buddhism has the 8 fold path, Judaism has the Law, Islam has Submission. How about Christianity? Don't I have to do something first in order to be saved?
Seeker 2: "No you don't. When Jesus died, it was God dying on the Cross for your sins and in your place. If you believe in Him as Your Substitute and Surety, then God sees you as He sees Jesus. 

Seeker 1: "You mean even with all my sins and messed up life, if I come to Jesus I will be forgiven? God won't see my sinful life, but instead the perfect life of Jesus?
Seeker 2: "Exactly! If you come in repentance to Jesus, God no longer sees your sinful life (past and present). Instead, He sees the perfect and spotless life of Jesus.

Seeker 1: "Well I guess I'm all in. I can't pass up an offer that Good. I guess it's worth giving up my sins in order to receive God's forgiveness and peace. I really need that.
Seeker 2: "Never forget: All that God requires of you for time and Eternity, has already been accomplished by Jesus Christ. When you are in Christ, God sees you as Perfect, Righteous, and sinless as Jesus! Just Go to Jesus and Stay with Him every moment of the day. If you fall away. Get back up and go to Him again. He loves you and will never let you Go!

Seeker 1: "Can you pray with me so that I can accept Jesus right now?
Seeker 2: "Yes. I will lead you in the sinner's prayer. Just repeat it after me."

"Dear Jesus,

I am a sinner. I can not save myself. Thank you for dying in my place and for my sins. I accept you as my Savior and Lord. Please come into my heart and into my life today. Amen."

~ Written and Adapted by Pr. Salvador Garcia

Run to Jesus: Don't Stop at Any Time

I love running, thanks to Coach Bob Paulson at Pacific Union College. Some days, I don't have someone to play flag football, or soccer, or basketball, or baseball with. No problem. I just lace up my running shoes and hit the track. I am forever indebted to Coach Paulson and the Pacific Union College Cross Country Team for instilling in me a passion for running.

I love running. Running with friends, or running on my own. Running in the blazing heat, or running in the torrential downpour of rain. I even once ran in the snow. LOL! Running may not be for everybody though, but if you have good knees and a decent back, put in a few miles a week, and you will see great benefits in your life.

If you run, or have run before, you know that with conditioning comes resistance. Run for 5 minutes today, and tomorrow for 10. The more you do it, the better and faster you become at it. The trick is not to stop for any reason, but to keep your stride as long as you can. 20 minutes, 30 minutes, or more if you can. I don't run with music, I just enjoy the scenery and pray as I run. So you will find it as no surprise to discover that a street sign posted on the side of a running course caught my attention today: "Tow Away. No Stopping at Any Time". No Stopping Any Time? What about a water break, or a bathroom break, or an emergency stop? I knew that sign was placed there to discourage drivers from parking their cars in the area that is meant for walking or running, but how appropriate for us this week who are beginning another week of hustle and bustle, of grinding and fighting, of surviving and thriving. I got the message.

This is a new week full of unlimited possibilities. The sky is the limit. God is with us both on the mountain tops and in the valleys. He is both God when we are above and when we are below. He is with us both when everything is going great and our spiritual life is burning with God's fire, and also when we are at rock-bottom and sense that our spiritual life has crashed and burned out. How appropriate: "Tow Away. No Stopping at Any Time". As for drivers who are tempted to stop and park where they shouldn't, so for Christians who are on the road called life. We are headed home to Heaven. We are homeward bound. It is tempting sometimes, to stop and enjoy the pleasures of this world. The entertainment, the food, the music. Yet, let us not be deceived. We are fellow travelers who need to keep running and moving every day. We can't stop. "Tow Away. No Stopping at Any Time". We may slow down because of age or health or responsibilities, but we must not stop. Keep doing good, keep giving God glory by loving Him and your neighbors more each day. Even if you have to do it slower, keep doing it in the name of Jesus. Don't stop. If you do, there is the risk of being towed away by the driver of this world (Satan), who is happy at towing those who are standing or sitting, into a dark vortex from which it is difficult to escape. But don't despair. If you have slowed down or been towed by that Dark Fallen Angel, there is one called Jesus the Christ who can, in the words of Martin Luther's famous hymn, "fell him with just one word." There is hope. There is a rescue plan in place by God to save those who have stopped living a God life.

So what are you waiting for? Get moving. If you can't run yet, walk. Walk to Jesus. Move quickly. If you do, you will soon discover that you are running towards Him and your heart will beat faster, healthier, and happier every day. Soon you will run into His arms, and Together You will help to make your world a better place to live in.

Blessings!

Pastor Sal Garcia

God opens prison gates and parking gates too

I was scavenging for enough change to complete the $6.00 parking fee at the hospital stay while visiting a sick patient who solicited prayer for healing and strength. I was leaving the hospital having just witnessed God heal this dear brother from a life threatening condition. Praise God! Lightning sometimes strikes once, almost never twice. Right? ...

As I came up to try and pay the parking fee, the man in the parallel lane was fighting with the parking validation machine. He used some explicit language which is not worth repeating. I drove up the the parking meter directly next to it to pay my $6.00 when all of a sudden the gate just opened. I blinked twice to make sure I wasn't dreaming. The gate stayed open in time for me to drive out, and just as soon as I did, it closed again.

I had heard of God opening prison doors and doors of opportunity for others, but never a parking gate for His children. I know, some of you may be saying. Pastor, you didn't pay for the service you received. Trust me, I made sure someone else also received the the same blessing I had. On the way home, I came to a stop light and saw a man without a hand who was offering to clean car windows. I put out my hand and said, "God bless you sir." He smiled and said, "Thank you, you don't know how much I needed this money!" ... I told him, "You don't now how much I need to give you this money", for greater is the blessing in giving that in receiving.

So I guess, we can faithfully and confidently change the Words to the Gospel song, "I Got a River of Life" to the following.

Instead of:

I got a river of life flowing out of me,
Makes the lame to walk and the blind to see,
Opens prison gates sets the captives free,
I got a river of life flowing out of me.

Let us sing:

I got a river of life flowing out of me,

Gives miracles and blessings to share with others indeed, 

Opens Parking Gates and the Hungry Feeds,

I got a river of life flowing out of me.

Amen!

Remember, God is not limited by time, space, or natural laws. If he needs to reach us, even by making a parking-gate open accidently, He will. God uses any means to convince us that He exists and will do "Exceedingly, abundantly, above all that we ask or imagine!"

God still answers prayers for the sick

I have to be honest. I believe in miracles, but I don't witness them first-hand too often. When I pray for miracles, it is usually for others instead of for myself. Sometimes,  God who has a great sense of humor, will allow me to experience one, sometimes two miracles back to back. It's his way of reminding me that I need to stay on my knees and stay humble.

Recently, I spent an entire night visiting a church member and friend who went to Urgent Care Center and was told to go "Quickly to the ER. This is serious. Go now!" By the time I arrived, he was already in the ER and had undergone blood tests, a CT Scan, and other tests to determine what his sickness was. I prayed with him and told him, "Your church and family is praying for you. Here is the promise we are claiming for you tonight: "So you shall serve the Lord your God, and He will bless your bread and your water. And I will take sickness away from the midst of you." Exodus 23:25

We prayed for his sickness to be removed by God if that was His will. Otherwise, for God to give him strength and trust to know that "in all things, God works for the good of those who love Him. (Romans 8:28). Ten hours later, the doctors at the ER said to him, "Sir, all tests and exams are negative. You are not sick. You appear to be healthy. You might just have a virus. That's all. You are not in danger. You may leave the hospital. You are ok!" ... 

Praise God for answers to prayers. As Mark Batterson says in the Circle Maker, "Bold prayers honor God. God honors bold prayers." This dear brother was getting ready to go into surgery, but instead he will be giving a powerful testimony at his church and workplace about the mercy of God in healing him.

Final Events of Bible Prophecy / Eventos Finales de la Profecia

Bible Prophecy. Just about everyone is interested these days in knowing what lies ahead in the future. Hollywood does. Think of all of the blockbusters that have hit the big screen in the last decade: Armageddon, Independence Day, 2012, etc. People are interested in knowing what the Bible has to say about the End of the World. There are answers if we look in the right place. The Bible gives us the right answers. And starting on Friday June 6 at 7:30pm and every Friday, join me in studying the the Prophecies of the Bible that deal with the Final Events. You won't be disappionted! Tonight's topic is the "The Final Crisis on Planet Earth" from Daniel 12.

Profecia Biblica. Casi todos estan interessados estos dias en conocer que nos espera en el futuro. En Mundo de Hollywood dice saber. Piensa en todas las peliculas que han llegado a la pantalla grande en le ultima decada: Armagedon, Dia de Independecia, y 2012. La gente hoy dia estan interesados en saber lo que la Biblia dice acerca del fin del mundo. Existen respuestas si buscamos en el lugar corecto. La Biblia nos da las respuestas corectas. Empezando el viernes 6 de junio a las 7:30 de la tarde y cada viernes, acompananos en estudiar las profecias de la Biblia que tratan con los eventos finales. No seras decepciónado. El topico de esta noche es 'La ultima crisis en la tierra" de Daniel 12.

~ Pastor Salvador Garcia 

3 Essentials to Survive an Attack in church: Fight or Flight? The Best antidote for a fledgeling church and antagonistic church members

3 Essentials to Survive an Attack in church: Fight or Flight?

 The Best Antidote for a Fledgeling Church and for Antagonistic Church Members: A God sized Vision and Faith

What's wrong if church members feel endeared to an old time religion preacher who may have had a moral lapse, a financial accountability lapse, or a loss of trust and confidence? After all, isn't there a time and place for restoration and reconciliation in the vineyard of Most High?

I guess it all depends from whose point of view you look at it. I have no problem if church members listen and follow Rick Warren, Joel Olsteen, Robert Schuller, Andy Stanley, or to bring it more close to home, Jose Rojas, Alejandro Bullon, Carlton Byrd, Dwight Nelson, Mark Finley, Ron Clouzet, Shawn Boonstra, etc., since I want church members and laity to be under the Word of God and learning from any Christian preacher who preaches and teaches the Bible faithfully. Oh, don't forget, John McArthur too. Since I don't preach too many borrowed sermons from these celebrity preachers, I don't mind. In fact, if they listen to preachers like T.D. Jakes, the master pulpiteer of our times, then when they listen and see me preaching they will actually start praying for me, so that my level and commitment to preaching will grow. We don't want to stay forever just as we were after the B.S. in Theology, or the Master of Divinity. No, we want to grow as preachers. I welcome suggestions and ideas. Pastor use more PowerPoints, use visual aids, don't just be a talking head, use feed back through text messaging at the end of the sermon, etc. I appreciate those church members who have a passion for excellence in preaching and in the services of the church.

However, when church members and especially leaders are listening to "fanciful theories" and are judging and criticizing your ministry and preaching based on what someone else's hobby horse or pet sermon topic is, especially when the Preacher they listen to is on television, then "Houston, we have a problem!" It's time to do some spring cleaning in the church and in the lives of church members. Remember, dirty Bibles lead to dirty lives. Yet, dirty Bibles (from non-regular use) and sweat stained television and cable tv remote control devices, lead to ignorance and to an affixiation with topics that may not be central or key to Christian salvation, faith, and practice. Watch for people's television and cable tv remote controls, when you visit them. Inspect them with a magnifying glass. Also ask people to show you the Bible they study with on a regular basis. You'll be surprised! (This is a joke, don't actually do it.) It will be the equivalent of the 1960s when pastors in Los Angeles, especially anglo pastors would visit their church members and go into their kitchens and open their pantries to see if there were any coffee containers or coca cola bottles. Imagine how we would fare off today, if that was still the case!

Start to preach powerfully and biblically. Read the book by Derek J. Morris, "Powerful Biblical Preaching" and get on your knees and open your Bible at your study desk. Pray Adventist Sermons. Like E.E. Cleveland, the only Adventist Evangelist that I know who baptized 1,000 people in one tent effort, used to say, "Preach like a Seventh-day Adventist Preacher. How should a Seventh-day Adventist Pastor sound like when he preaches? ... You've got to tell them "the nations are angry, and His wrath has come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged", Revelation 11:18. Maybe your preaching content has veered people away to start hungering and thirsting for the Gospel, and unfortunately they have ended up at the Devil's banquet feast instead! Don't be discouraged. Help is on the way. God wants to make you into a superb preacher, better than Henry Wright or Billy Graham. That is why God has called you! He wants to use you and polish and refine you to be an excellent preacher for His Glory!

However, your preaching may be Adventist and excellent and church members may still be looking for "present truth" in a container filled with poison tainted bread. They are looking for the bread of life, maybe Ezekiel 4:9 Bread, but have ended up finding a counterfeit. Bring them back. Do what you can, but also be willing to recognize that some people are just Devil's Rabbits. They will hop from church to church looking for the latest message discovered secretly from Ellen G. White's writings in Washington D.C., and they will never be happy with any type of preaching. They just want to be scared into the truth. They want to hear that the National Sunday Law is here, it's in Congress, and the Mark of the Beast is already being stamped upon unfaithful Seventh-day Adventists. Do yourself a favor, and just follow Paul's advice to Timothy. "Preach the World, be instant in season, out of season. Reprove, rebuke, exhort will all longsuffering and doctrine", 2 Timothy 4:2. Just keep preaching faithfully!

The Challenge of the Success of Non-Adventist Churches

Dare we say that as pastors, we face a great challenge. We are in the world, yet not of the world. We are a Protestant Christian Church, but not like every other Protestant Christian Church. We have a message to give to the people. It's ok to learn from other ministries and churches. You are a dead man or woman if you don't take notice of what method's and principles help to attract the lost to hear the Gospel story. Yet, as Seventh-day Adventists, we have something worth sharing also. It's tragic that some church members and perhaps pastors feel that "We have nothing to offer the world." I beg to differ. We have something glorious to offer other churches, other Christians, and lost people." It's the Sanctuary Message. A message not just of forgiveness, but of total restoration. That's good news for the thief or adulterer who keeps committing his sin even after baptism. Let him or her know that Help is available in the Sanctuary Message. Jesus is the Light, Jesus is the Bread, He is available to us every single day. Hallelujah!

What should we do if Hugo Gambetta or any other non-SDA Pastor is having success in reaching people? Should we envy them? Should we emulate them? Should we stop and see what they are doing that is being successful and try to implement that same principle in our ministry? I believe we can. Maybe, we need to take our ministry to the next level. Pray, pray, and after you have prayed, pray some more. Never do ministry alone, and always take the Holy Spirit with you! Ask God for a God-given and God-annointed Vision and depend upon him completely. Keep pushing the boundaries of your ministry, for God definitely wants to enlarge your ministry and territory.

For me, I am not the least concerned about Hugo Gambetta's ministry. If anything, I pray that people will be lead to faith relationship in Jesus through his ministry, El Evangelio Eterno (The Everlasting Gospel). The problem is when a ex-church leader claims to still be Adventist, yet personally attacks the church organization, hierarchy, and proclaims to be the sole possessor of truth. They claim to be God's modern day Prophet, and the only ones with special inside knowledge of last day events. Beware! Don't fall into that form of beastly preaching! Preach a balanced diet to your flock. May your preaching be entertaining, but not entertainment. Keep your audience on the edge of their seats because you are passionate about your subject.

Yet we can learn that successful television ministries take advantage of air time. Maybe it is time that you sharpen your sword and sermons and hit the air waves with a creative, engaging, and attractive radio or television program. Talk about families, Health, Prophecy, Biblical Archaeology. Step up your outreach just a little bit more. Don't worry about the success or other ministries. Worry about whether your vision is too small, and whether you need to ask God to "Super Size your Faith!" ... Cry out, "Lord, Super Size my Faith, My Vision, and My Ministry! Give me all that I can handle and even more!"

Practical Steps to Surviving threats in the church

Here are a few to conclude this blog:

1. Confront pessimists, naysayers, and enemies of the church in a timely manner. Tell these people that it is not permitted in church to speak negatively or pessimistically or in a threatening manner. If they are leaders, take it to your board of elders, church board, and have such people disciplined from participating in church leadership for 3 months.

2. Have an emergency plan in case of a expected catastrophe in your church. A shooting, a child gone missing, an earthquake, a fire. Have someone who will dial 911, and someone who is willing to take a bullet for you if necessary.

3. Win your foes and enemies into your friends. Use the Pastor Bullon Method. I got this one from Hawaii just less than a month ago: When you have enemies in the church, especially elders who are Patriachs and feel they own the church. Visit them, and tell them.

"Brother so and so ... I am here to apologize for what happened the other day in our board meeting or at church. I was wrong. I am a young pastor, and I never grew up with a Christian Father. I wish I had someone like you who could be a mentor and a spiritual father to me. Someone to help me because I don't have a lot of experience. I would like you to accept my apology and to please pray for me. Would you also consider being my mentor and spiritual father in the faith?" ... The elder will then possibly pray. "Dear God, thank you that pastor Garcia recognizes that he is wrong. Please help him to grow and to learn from his mistakes. Amen!"

That elder or enemy may become your best friend and defend you tooth and nail till the end.  Be sincere. Be willing to say you are sorry and admit your mistakes (even if you feel you may be right). For Pastor Alejandro Bullon, this old elder of his first church assignment as a youthful pastor went on to be his best supporter and defender. It helped that the elder was a person of influence and means in the church. He supported Pr. Bullon financially with any project and defended him as his very own son. Years later, when Pr. Bullon become an international author and speaker, the old elder would tell others. "You know that Alejandro Bullon? I helped to make him what he is today!" ...
Pray for your enemies and foes, and they will become your friends and greatest supporters.

4. Report real or perceived threats to your Conference Leadership and to the Authorities. It is better to be safe and out of a job, sorry and in a coffin six feet underground!

~ Salvador Garcia