"ARE YOU THANKS-LINVING?"

Ortega's at the pyramids in Giza

I often get frustrated listening to our Office Administrator deal kindly with people coming in from the streets asking for help.  As I listen to the conversation, I quickly pickup on what I call an “entitlement attitude”. Too often, people feel they are entitled to whatever we can give them. It is not uncommon for Emily to provide them with what they have asked for without getting as much as a thank you. I know that you have observed the same across our city.
     

As Christ-followers, we should make a focused effort each and every day, not just one day a year, to appreciate ALL the blessings God has blessed us with. Our lives should be filled daily with a spirit of “Thanks-living”. Psalm 92:1 reads, “It is good to praise the Lord and make music to His name to proclaim his love in the morning and his faithfulness in the night.” Did you catch what the verse said? Day and night we are to praise God and thank Him!  The apostle Paul wrote in Colossians 2:7 that our lives are to abound in thanksgiving. Colossians 4:2 reads that we are to be devoted to giving thanks. Philippians 4:6 says we are to do everything with prayer and thanksgiving. In Psalm 116, we read that we are to make our lives a thanksgiving offering before the Lord. The book of Hebrews says we are to serve the Lord with thanksgiving. And our lives as Christ followers are to be filled with a spirit of thanksgiving and gratitude towards the Lord for all He has done.
     

In Luke 17:11-19 [NLT], we read of ten lepers who stood at a distance and cried out to Jesus as He was traveling along the border of Samaria and Galilee. These diseased lepers cried out, “Jesus, Master, have pity on us.” Jesus heard them and said promptly, “Go show yourselves to the priest.” And Luke 17:14 says, “And as the lepers went, they were cleansed. One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. He threw himself at Jesus' feet and thanked him.” And v. 17 records the response of Jesus to the one leper who returned. “Were not all ten healed? he said. Where are the other nine? Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?”
     

Jesus' emotional response to the ingratitude of the other nine lepers gives us a look into the heart of God. Obviously Jesus was disappointed that only one person cared enough to express any gratitude. William Barclay writes, “No story in all the gospels so poignantly shows man's ingratitude like the lepers in Luke 17. The lepers came to Jesus with desperate longing. He cured them and only one came back to give thanks. So often once a man has got what he wants, he never returns.” Doesn't that sound just like us? We take God's goodness for granted as these nine lepers did. We’re blessed beyond what we deserve and yet, rarely do we go back and give God our gratitude and thanksgiving, recognizing the very source of our blessings.  Psalms 103:2 reads, “Blessed be the Lord, O my soul and forget not all his blessings.”

So, how can we develop an attitude of gratitude;

an attitude of thanksgiving?

1st: Remember that gratitude please God.

“... and it was the duty of the trumpeters and singers to make themselves heard in unison in praise and thanksgiving to the LORD, and when the song was raised, with trumpets and cymbals and other musical instruments, in praise to the LORD, “For he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever,” the house, the house of the LORD, was filled with a cloud, so that the priests could not stand to minister because of the cloud, for the glory of the LORD filled the house of God.” (2 Chronicles 5:13-14)

2nd: Avoid complaining – at all cost!

“Do all things without grumbling and faultfinding and complaining [against God] and questioning and doubting [among yourselves]”

(Philippians 2:14) [AMP]

3rd: Make a personal choice to rejoice!

“Thank [God] in everything [no matter what the circumstances may be, be thankful and give thanks], for this is the will of God for you [who are] in Christ Jesus [the Revealer and Mediator of that will].”

 (1 Thessalonians 5:18 [AMP] 

4th: Decide to live thankfully everyday!

We read in Daniel 6 that Daniel got down on his knees three times everyday and prayed- giving thanks to his God.

Regardless of how small or large your blessing is, learn to search out the positive amidst the negative and give thanks for what you do have!

Here are a few questions to help you personalize this study:

1. Who do you know that expresses gratitude to God for everything?
2. Why do you think Jesus sent the lepers to the priests rather than healing them instantly?
3. Why do you think all but one of the lepers failed to come back and thank Jesus?
4. What was significant about the man who returned back to thank Jesus?
5. Who do you need to thank for something they have done for you?
6. How has Jesus healed or “cleansed” you in the past? How do you need healing or “cleansing” now?

Ortega's with "Old Jersualem" and "Dome of the Rock" in the background

May you’re Thanksgiving be filled with blessings and gratitude!

~Pastor Ruben and Gayla and staff

"CELEBRATING MISSIONS"

A warm welcome in Kathmandu

As we conclude this series on missions, preparing for this week’s sermon has caused me to stop and reflect on past mission trips we have taken. Never in my wildest dreams did I ever think the Lord would use us and Sierra Vista in the way that He has by sending us to places that previously we hadn't even heard of!
     

I thought back to one of those very places: Nepal. God brought a Nepali family, Jit and Tara Baral, to NMSU and into our lives. A deep friendship was formed and they accepted Christ and became a part of our church family. They invited us, as their American family, to join them for a trip “back home” to meet their Nepali family. After much prayer, God made a way for us to go in 2007. Of course, Gayla and I were excited to meet their family.  However, God had already impressed upon our hearts to go to Nepal with open eyes to see how we could have Sierra Vista partner in reaching that part of the world for Christ that we had already grown to love through the Barals and several other Nepali friends.
     

We arrived in Kathmandu for our month long visit, warmly greeted by Jit and Tara’s family and friends as they placed wreaths of fresh marigolds and silk scarfs around our necks while bowing and saying “namaskar”. The following day, Tara's brother took us to the world’s most famous Buddest temple at Swayanabath (“Monkey Temple”) and to the Nepal National Museum to share with us the history, the culture and the religion of Nepal. This is an ancient culture, steeped in much war and conflict and religion! As we glanced in all directions, we saw religious icons permeating everywhere!  Gayla and I soon began to experience sensory overload and sadness.
     

This is exactly how Paul must have felt when he walked into Athens, (Acts 17:16) [ESV] “Now while Paul was waiting for them at Athens, his spirit was provoked within him as he saw that the city was full of idols.” This is exactly what we were feeling!  The Holy Spirit was telling us to pray that the one true God, Jesus Christ, would be made known to these people who worship either Budda or the 330 million Hindu gods.
     

Paul also made another statement that hits home with us in Acts 17:22-23 [ESV] “So Paul, standing in the midst of the Areopagus, said to them “Men of Athens, I perceive that in every way you are very religious. For as I passed along and observed the objects of your worship, I found also an altar with this inscription: 'To the unknown god.'”   

That’s also describing the Nepali Hindu's who, in their effort to find “the one true God”, worship many gods eliminating the possibility of leaving one out. We also learned these people are actually not opposed to “adding” one more god to their deity list...just in case!  But, this poses a problem!
     

Paul addressed this same dilemma with the Athenians in (Acts 17:23-28) “... this I proclaim to you: The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man, nor is He served by human hands, as though He needed anything, since He himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything. And He made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place, that they should seek God, in the hope that they might feel their way toward him and find him. Yet He is actually not far from each one of us, for 'In Him we live and move and have our being'; as even some of your own poets have said, 'For we are indeed His offspring.'”
     

From reading the scriptures above, we can learn from Paul’s example:

1. Be tactful. (v. 22)
2. Build a case for the one true God, by using examples and language they understand. (v. 23)
3. Establish common ground by emphasizing what you do agree on about God. (vv. 24-29)
4. Move them toward a decision about Jesus (vv. 30-31) Offer them a chance to respond.

Here are some questions to stimulate your own personal growth:

• What distresses you spiritually about the area in which you live? What specific needs do you see? What do you feel God is personally calling you to do about it?
• Who do you know who has very little, or no background, in the Gospel? Could you share the Gospel with someone without quoting Bible verses? Why or why not?
• Paul uses culture, history and religion in the form of idols and poetry as points of contact  with these people. What could you use as a point of contact and commonality with people  in your circle of influence in efforts to relate the Gospel with them today?

*(Romans 1:16) “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.” “Gospel” is the English word used to translate the Greek word for “good news.” We, as Christians, use the word to designate the message and story of God's saving activity through the life, ministry, death & resurrection of God's son, Jesus.

The "Monkey Temple"

A resident from the Temple.

“REACHING PEOPLE CROSS-CULTURALLY”

Egyptian Women at the Community Training Center

Scripture(s):
(Matthew 28:19-20) [NASB] “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” 




(Acts 1:8) [NASB] “... you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth.” & (John 4:1-26)

Open: 

What type of group of people make you most uncomfortable? Xenophobia is defined as an intense or irrational dislike or fear of people from other countries or of people who are different than you are. Would you consider yourself as xenophobic? Be honest!

Personal comments: 

As you may already know, Gayla and I spent ten days in a part of the world that we had never been before. We were put in situations where all our prejudices and biases would be put to the test.
     

We visited several orphanages: a boys, one for disabled kids and finally an all girls one. We also got to visit a Community Training Center that is a Buckner International supported ministry. This was an awesome experience. However, I was put to the test. I was in an unfamiliar place, looking into the eyes of people who spoke an unfamiliar language and who the majority of worshipped an unfamiliar deity.
     

The food was different. I’m sure you heard already that I spent a day and a half in bed with terrible diarrhea due to a “wonderful” dish, according to the locals, that I ate.
     

The sounds were different and the smells were definitely different.
     

Yet, in the midst of all the differences in Egypt, Israel and Palestine, I found myself strangely comfortable with these people who looked so much like me. There were even times when I would hear a word that I recognized and sounded like Spanish to me. You see, there are a couple of thousand Spanish words that are the exact word in Arabic and another several thousand Spanish words that have Arabic roots. No wonder I felt comfortable. In fact the day I started feeling a little better we were ordering lunch and I asked the waiter if they could make me a cheese sandwich. I had a grilled cheese in mind thinking my selection would not upset my stomach. As the waiter approached the table another Hispanic pastor from Texas and I started laughing as we looked at my plate. Simultaneously we both said, “Quesadilla.”
     

Oddly enough, as we were a world apart from what we know as familiar, we found ourselves understanding, connecting and relating to these people better as we learned about their culture, their history and their religion. Our bridge to sharing the gospel with our Muslim friends through this priceless experience has now been shortened.

Back ground comments: 

In John 4 when Jesus approached the Samaritan woman there was a lot at stake for Him. You see no Jewish man would ever have anything to do with a woman in public who was not his wife and especially a sinful Samaritan woman.
     

Instead of avoiding Samaria as Jews often did, Jesus intentionally passed through this area that Jews considered inhabited by spiritual and ethnic mestizos (half-breeds). Not only that, but Jesus stopped to talk to a woman of questionable reputation.
     

This woman tried to distract the real issue by trying to take Jesus off track. She wanted to discuss her culture, she wanted to discuss her history and she wanted to discuss religion. Yet, Jesus in His all knowing wisdom redirected her to the real issue. Her need for “living water”. You see, we need to learn from the Master. Don’t be afraid of people who are from other countries or are different than you. Jesus said, “Go and make disciples of all the nations!” Are you?

Explore:
How would you translate the word Samaritan in Acts 1:8 and the verse into your own contemporary paraphrase? Write it down.

Get it:
How would you describe the Samaritan woman’s response for most of her conversation with Jesus? What most convinced her to believe that the man she was talking to was the Messiah? What convinced you?

Apply:
Jesus overcame social and cultural differences to reach this woman. How can you overcome those same barriers? Would you take a moment and pray that Jesus Christ the Savior of the world be made known to all nations?

It speaks for itself!

EGYPT-ISRAEL-PALESTINE

Hi Everyone,

Since Gayla and I will be out of the country for 10 days I will not be updating my "Refresco" for two weeks.

I have included our schedule so that you can use it as a prayer guide while we travel.

 

Middle East Mission Trip

Daily Prayer Guide

Pray for Pastor Ruben and Gayla to experience God’s constant presence, protection, provision, peace and power as ambassadors of Jesus Christ.

Monday, October 18

• Traveling to Dallas; Dallas to London

Tuesday, October 19

• Traveling from London to Cairo, Egypt

Wednesday, October 20

• Acclimating to time & culture changes
• Orientation and overview
• Local sightseeing/prayer walks

Thursday, October 21

• Meet with local pastors
• Ministering at Shams El Birr (Orphanage for disabled children)

Friday, October 22 (=Islamic Holy Day)

• “Coptic Cairo”-oldest inhabited Christian area & church in Egypt. (Al-Muallaqa)
• Ministering at boy’s orphanage

Saturday, October 23

• Ministering at “Garbage City”
• Meet w/President of Protestant Churches of Egypt and the President of the Middle East Council of Christian Churches
• Ministering at girl’s orphanage

Sunday, October 24

• Traveling to Amman, Jordan; Amman, Jordan to Tel Aviv, Israel
• Attend local Worship service

Monday, October 25

• Loocal sightseeing/prayer walks
• Meet w/Jewish & Christian leaders

Tuesday, October 26

• Ministering to local pastors
• Ministering to displaced war victim

Wednesday, October 27

• Visit historical and religious sites
• Attend local Worship service

Thursday, October 28

• Traveling Tel Avia, Israel to London; London to Dallas; Dallas to El Paso

Scripture(s):
“Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”
(Hebrews 4:16) [NASB] Read vs. 14-16

“... my house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples.” (Isaiah 56:7b) [ESV]


Open:
What images/memories come to your mind when you hear the word pray? Why?

Back ground comments:

(Hebrews 4:14-16)

    

(v. 14) Christ is superior to any priest, and his priesthood is superior to their priesthood. To the Jews, the high priest was the highest religious authority in the land. He alone entered in the Holy of Holies in the temple once a year to make atonement for the sins of the whole nation. See (Leviticus 16) Like the high priest, Jesus mediates between God and us. As humanity’s representative, He intercedes for us before God. As God’s representative, he assures us of God’s forgiveness. Jesus has more authority than the Jewish high priests because he is truly God and truly man. Unlike the high priest who could go before God only once a year, Christ is always at God’s right hand, interceding for us. He is always available to hear us when we pray.
     

(v. 15) Jesus is like us because He experienced a full range of temptations throughout His life as a human being. We can be comforted knowing that Jesus faced temptation - He can sympathize with us. We can be encouraged knowing that Jesus faced temptation without giving in to sin. He shows us that we do not have to sin when facing the seductive lure of temptation. Jesus is the only perfect human being who has ever lived.
     

(v. 16) Prayer is our approach to God, and we are to come “with confidence.” Some Christians approach God meekly with heads hung low, afraid to ask him to meet their needs. Other pray flippantly, giving little thought to what they say. Come with reverence because He is your King. But also come with bold assurance because He is your Friend and Counselor.

(Isaiah 56:7)

     

Jesus quoted from this verse when he threw the money changers out of the temple: (Mark 11:15-17) [NASB] “Then they came to Jerusalem. And He entered the temple and began to drive out those who were buying and selling in the temple, and overturned the tables of the money changers and the seats of those who were selling doves; and He would not permit anyone to carry merchandise through the temple. And He began to teach and say to them, "Is it not written, 'MY HOUSE SHALL BE CALLED A HOUSE OF PRAYER FOR ALL THE NATIONS'? But you have made it a ROBBERS' DEN.”

(Mark 11:15-17)

     

Jesus became angry, but he did not sin. There is a place for righteous indignation. Christians are right to be upset about sin and injustice and should take a stand against them. Unfortunately, believers are often passive about these important issues and instead get angry over personal insults and petty irritations. Make sure your anger is directed toward the right issues.
    

Money changers and merchants did big business during Passover. Those who came from foreign countries had to have their money changed into temple currency because this was the only money accepted for the temple tax and for the purchase of sacrificial animals. Often the inflated exchange rate enriched the money changers, and the exorbitant prices of animals made the merchants wealthy.

Explore:
Do you approach God with confidence/boldness or with timidity when you pray? Why?
In your opinion, have are our modern day churches “houses of prayer” or houses of “other things”? What are the “other things”?
How does it make you feel and mean to you to know that you have a mediator in Jesus?

Get it:
When was the last time you spent quality time talking to God in prayer?
If Christ is our friend and counselor why is it that we don’t treat the relationship as such?

Apply:
In what way have our modern day churches become like the temple referred to in Mark 11?
If we truly believe that prayer is talking to God, why then do we spend so little time praying?
How can you strengthen your prayer life?

Background comments excerpted from: Life Application Study Bible, NIV, Tyndale House Publishers Inc.

Blessings, Pastor Ruben

"LIVING OUT MY BIBLICAL WORLDVIEW"

Scripture(s): "Anyone who says he’s a Christian should live as Christ did." (1 John 2:6) [LB] Read (1 John 2:1-10)

Open:
Who, as a person do you most admire? What character qualities do they have that are worth emulating?

 

Back ground comments:
(2:1) John uses the address “dear children” in a warm fatherly way. He is not talking down to his readers but is showing affection for them. At this writing, John was a very old man. He had spent almost all his life in ministry, and many of his readers were without a doubt his spiritual children.

(2:2) To people who are feeling guilty and condemned, John offers reassurance. They know they have sinned, and Satan, (called) “the accuser” in (Rev. 12:10), is demanding the death penalty. When you feel this way, don't give up hope – the best defense attorney in the universe is pleading your case. Jesus Christ, your advocate, your defender, is the Judge's Son. He has already suffered your penalty in your place. You can't be tried for a case that is no longer on the docket. United with Christ, you are as safe as He is. Don't be afraid to ask Christ to plead your case – he has already won it (see Romans 8:33; Hebrews 7:24, 25).

Jesus Christ is the atoning sacrifice for our sins (see also 4:10). He is our defense attorney. He can stand before God as our mediator because His death satisfied the wrath of God against sin and paid the death penalty for our sin. Thus Christ both satisfies God's requirement and removes sin. In Him, we are forgiven and purified.

Sometimes it's difficult to forgive those who wrong us. Imagine how hard it would be to forgive all people, no matter what they had done! This is what God has done in Jesus. No one, no matter what sin has been committed, is beyond forgiveness. All a person has to do is turn from sin, receive Christ's forgiveness, and commit his or her life to Christ.

(2:3-5) How can you be sure that you belong to Christ? This passage gives two ways to know: if you do what Christ says and live as Christ wants. What does Christ tell us to do? John answers in 3:23: “to believe in the name of His Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another.” True Christian faith results in loving behavior; that is why John says that the way we act can give us assurance that we belong to Christ.

(2:6) To “walk as Jesus did” doesn't mean choosing 12 disciples, performing great miracles, and being crucified. We cannot copy Christ’s life – much of what Jesus did had to do with His identity as God's Son, the fulfillment of His special role in dying for sin, and the cultural context of the first century Roman world. To walk today as Christ did, we must obey His teachings and follow His example of complete obedience to God in loving service to people.

Excerpted from Life Application Study Bible, New International Version, Tyndale House Publishers Inc.

Explore:   
What does it mean “to live as Christ”?
What are the things we look for to gauge if we are succeeding?

Get it:
How does it make you feel to know that Jesus speaks to God in our defense? (v. 1)
What is the relationship between God's love and our obedience?

Apply:
What are the two tests given in this passage for determining whether one really knows God (2:3, 10)?
How are you doing in each of these areas? What changes need to take place?

Questions Excerpted from NIV Serendipity Bible, Zondervan

Blessings, Pastor Ruben

"SO, WHAT IS THE SOLUTION?"

Scripture: “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9) [ESV]

Open: What’s the best gift you have ever received? What made it so special?


Back ground comments:
Among Christians we throw words around like, redemption, atonement and salvation without giving it any thought of what the words really mean.
    
The last few weeks we have been going through a series titled “Forming Your Biblical Worldview”. I realize that in just six short weeks I cannot teach you what I learned in my theology classes in Bible College and Seminary but I hope that it has helped you begin forming your own biblical worldview. After all, it is highly important that you know what you believe!
    
This weekend we are going to look at how Jesus' death on the cross solved our biggest problem”. Last week we came to understand that our biggest problem is a small three letter word, SIN. That is why we need a Savior.
    
Take a moment and read the following definitions. Get familiar with these as they are part of our biblical worldview.
    
Redemption: The action of saving or being saved from sin, error, or evil: God's plans for the redemption of his world. Dictionary © 2005-2007 Apple Inc. (Theological) The purchase of God's favor by the death and sufferings of Christ; the ransom or deliverance of sinners from the bondage of sin and the penalties of God's violated law by the atonement of Christ. (Atonement: In theology, the expiation of sin made by the obedience and personal sufferings of Christ.) 1828 Websters Dictionary. Salvation: (Theological) The redemption of man from the bondage of sin and liability to eternal death, and the conferring on him of everlasting happiness.

Explore:
“We become Christians or redeemed through God's unmerited grace, not as the result of any effort, ability, intelligent choice, or act of services on our part. However, out of gratitude for this free gift of atonement, we will seek to help and serve others with kindness, love, and gentleness, and not merely to please ourselves. No action or work we do can help us obtain salvation. God's intention is that our salvation will result in acts of service. We are not saved merely for our own benefit but to serve Christ and build up the church. (Ephesians 4:12)”

 Excerpted from: Page 1982, Life Application Study Bible, New International Version, Tyndale House Publishers Inc.

“True redemption comes through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. This is God's solution to sin and His plan for our salvation.
   
We know the world isn't how it should be, and we long for redemption. We know in our hearts that we have sinned; guilt is the one thing all human beings share. And we know the world is broken; we want freedom from deprivation, pain, and suffering. So we seek liberation – forgiveness – and we are driven to find the good life, to find something to release us from oppression and hardship. It's hardwired into us.
    
Unfortunately, people chronically look for answers in the wrong places. Many think that politics is the answer (i.e., to change people change the laws). Other people look to education to solve the problem (i.e., to change people, change what they learn). Others believe that money will buy happiness (i.e., to change people, change what they have). Another supposed route to salvation is through psychology (i.e., to change people, change what they feel).  Others look to social change (i.e., to change people, change how they relate). Some scientists believe that the solution is biological (i.e., to change people, change their bodies). Then there are those who look to religion for the answers (i.e., to change people, change what they believe). The biblical answer is very different from all of these others, because it is the only one that produces the intended results. In other words, only the biblical worldview passes the correspondence test for truth, conforming to the way things really are. It alone correctly identifies the problem as originating in the human heart, and it reaches into the heart not only to deal with guilt, compulsion, and anxiety but also to answer the heart's deepest longings. It is also the only livable worldview. The biblical worldview provides genuine reconciliation between people.”

Excerpted from: The Good Life, by Charles Colson, pages 316 & 317

Get it:
Have you ever been persuaded by any false offers of salvation? Why do you think people resist the truth and seek other alternatives? How do other worldviews handle the problem of guilt? What hope do they offer for the future? What hope would you offer someone for the guilt they may be carrying?

Apply:
Are you facing a difficult situation in which you need to see God’s grace? In what practical ways can you and your group demonstrate Christ’s redemption and reconciliation to others?

Blessings, Pastor Ruben Ortega