“Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.”. Romans 12:2 (NLT)​

There are a couple of key ideas in these verses they can be summarized by the difference between conformed and transformed. We are not to be conformed to the world but live as people who are transformed by our Lord Jesus Christ through the working of the Holy Spirit.​

Think of some of the beliefs and priorities in the world today that run counter to the Word of God,

This Life is all there is. A large part of the world doesn’t believe in an afterlife or the eternal. They certainly don’t believe in any kind of judgment. They conclude any loving God would never judge someone and consign them to Hell. They believe most people are “good.” As believers, we renew our mind by living in light of eternity and the truth that Jesus rose from the dead and will someday return and judge the earth. This leads us to witness and work to live according to God’s eternal principles.

Experience is the measure of Truth. You hear people all the time say, “Well, it works for me!”  Truth is whatever we want to be true. What matters to the world is not whether or not something is true but whether or not it fulfills my desires. There is a psychological truth called confirmation bias which is when you only seek information that confirms what you want to be true. We see this all the time in what we choose to watch, listen to, and believe. As believers, we measure truth by the Word of God and seek to align our lives to His Word. We must not be swept up by popular opinion

 Images are Valued more than Words.  Social scientists say we are no longer linear thinkers.  In other words, our society doesn’t wrestle with arguments and logic anymore.  People get more of their beliefs from television, movies, podcasts, and YouTube “influencers” than from books. We believe what people say without evaluating what we are being told.  The world around us is much more impacted by sound bites than rational discussion. If you watch a political debate the goal is not to explain your view of issues, it is to get your soundbite front and center! As believers we are to be people who listen and think. We must be willing for our ideas to be challenged and draw our values from the Word of God. We are to study to show ourselves to be approved, and we check out what we are told is true.

 The goal is less effort for more reward. There has been a lot said about an increase in people who want to be paid a great deal of money to do less. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing. We should always try to be more efficient in our work. However, this isn’t about efficiency…it is laziness. And this attitude doesn’t work with our spiritual growth just like it doesn’t work in many other things. The Lord wants ALL of us not just one hour a week from us. We must resist this tendency.

 New is always seen as better than old. The world is into novelty. New technology is often embraced without thinking. People get a new spouse because it is more “exciting” than putting in the hard work to maintain your current relationship. There is little thought today about where the new ways are taking us. Just think about our devices. They have pulled us away from personal contact. They have a benefit but also a danger.

We could say the same about worship. There are some extremes when we think about worshipping the new. First, we can become people who reject anything that is new. Someone has rightly said, the seven last words of a church are “we never did it that way before.” The assumption is that anything new is bad. But that isn’t true. As a church we have embraced technology. We send out e-mails and use a screen to project lyrics. We use computers instead of typewriters. As Pastors we use a Bible program that enables us to research things faster and more thoroughly. Just because something is new does not make it bad.​

However, the other extreme is also true. We can become so fascinated with anything new that we embrace it enthusiastically. We embrace new theologies, new music, new styles of worship, new social morals and beliefs, and new interpretations of familiar passages because these things are new and popular, and we are arrogant enough to think people of the past were not nearly as enlightened as we are. We must be discerning! Anything that moves us away from God is bad no matter how shiny and new it is. As believers, we know our faith is built on the historical truth of the Christian message.

​The apostle Paul ends with, “Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.”

​There is no question that seems to come up among Christians more often than “how can I know God’s will for my life?’ Anyone who wants to serve the Lord has likely asked that question at one time or another. Paul says the best way to know God’s will is to do these things: give your whole self to the Lord and take every thought captive to the Word of God (meaning, trust the Bible as your authority rather than the whims of men). As we begin to live God’s way, His way becomes even clearer.​

As we surrender ourselves to the Lord, we become open to the leading of the Lord through the Word, through others, and even at times through our circumstances. The will of God is generally not the same as public opinion, current fads, the interpretations of celebrity Pastors, or even our own desires. Finding God’s will, comes when we learn to seek Him in all things. As we become aware of what God’s heart desires for us, according to Scripture, we will find it much easier to navigate the loads of choices in life.  Not only that, as we do what God clearly tells us to do, we will discover that God’s way is far superior to the ways of the world around us.​

As you live out the Christian faith you will find people interested in why you live such a “different” life and yet seem so happy and content. You can gladly tell them.

People who used to ridicule you (or may currently do so) will turn to YOU in the time of crisis when they need something substantial in their life (failed married, rebellious child, a devastating loss) because they will know that the cliches of the world no longer have any value, they need something deeper. They need hope. And they see that in you.

Your children will be much more likely to embrace your faith when they see that faith lived out in your daily living one decision at a time.

You will face the times of crisis much less afraid in life because you will know for certain that your life is in His hands.​

This doesn’t mean we will necessarily know which job to take or what person we should marry or if we should invest in the stock market, invest in a new business opportunity, or invest in a person who is in need. But we will have principles that make it easier to know the mind of God. Sometimes when we don’t know what we should do, the answer is really to do nothing and wait on the Lord. He may be doing something that will make things much clearer.​

This text, I hope, raises some questions we need to ask ourselves,

1. Am I a Christian only in terms of my associations or knowledge? Have I given my life to the Lord as a living sacrifice? Or am I just lying to myself? Am I willing to follow Him with my whole being and not just my checkbook or attendance? In other words, do I serve the Lord wherever I am and in whatever I am doing.

2. Have you ever asked the question: Do I adequately appreciate what God has done for me? Do I merely say that I appreciate what God has done, or do I show my appreciation in the way I live my life, budget my time, give of my resources, prioritize time, and defer to Him in the decisions of my life?

3. Have I been discerning in what I listen to and believe? Do I evaluate what I am hearing through the grid of the Word of God, or am I merely absorbing whatever the world and its proponents tell me is true?

4. Are there areas of my life where I am being conformed to the world rather than transforming it?

As you see, Paul does not ease into these applications of the truth. He is direct and to the point. It is our job to heed these words so Christ can be magnified in our lives.

May God bless you and keep you and may these words help you renew your faith.

Pastor Dimas

"The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer. My God is my rock, in whom I take refuge; My shield and the horn of my salvation, my high refuge" (Psalm 18:2).

There are many people today who are anxious and worried about the different situations that are occurring in this country and around the world. Terrorism, the economy, unemployment, education, lack of economic resources, and the safety of our families are some of the things that cause anxiety and worry in the lives of many. Many believers also go through moments of anxiety and worry.

When we read these words written by King David, it should fill us with hope to know that despite all the problems David was going through at that time in his life, he put his trust and hope in God. The hope that comes from God is the anchor of our lives. The hope that comes from our Lord Jesus Christ resides deep in our hearts. This hope never leaves us because the Bible says that God never leaves us nor forsakes us (Hebrews 13:5). This hope is something that comes into our lives when we let go of our worries and anxieties and trust in God each day. This hope is what keeps us strong and does not give up when everything around us falls apart. God, our Heavenly Father is the essence of our hope.

Today, the Holy Spirit resides in the heart of every believer assuring us of a living hope. His presence in our lives is the key to keeping us strong and having the strength to face the challenges of life. As we embrace that hope that only God can provide through our faith in Him, we can survive the storms that life presents to us. Hope is the anchor to our soul and the door to the peace and rest that only Christ can offer.

May the Lord bless you and keep you and may these words help you renew your spirit.

Pastor Dimas

Arise and shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD has risen upon you. For behold, darkness will cover the earth, and gross darkness the nations; but the LORD will rise upon you” (Isaiah 60:1-2)

In my Hispanic tradition, today, we celebrate Three Kings Day. This day brings back beautiful memories of my childhood, as my siblings and I prepared little boxes with grass and water for the camels, placing them under the bed in anticipation of the morning to see what the kings had brought us.

However, this day has another very important meaning; it is also known as the Day of the Epiphany. What is Epiphany, many will ask? The simple definition is manifestation or revelation. Today we celebrate the manifestation or revelation of the Son of God, Jesus Christ, to some wise men who came from the East to worship him.

In the Gospel of Matthew 2:1-2, we read: "Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the East to Jerusalem, saying, 'Where is he that is born King of the Jews? For we have seen his star in the East and have come to worship him.'" The revelation of God to these wise men represents the revelation of God to the Gentiles (any person who was not Jewish was considered a Gentile).

When we read the words of the prophet Isaiah, we can conclude that the meaning of this day of celebration is that Christ manifested His Light to a world that lives spiritually in darkness. The birth of Jesus represents a bright sunrise in a very dark place. When the sun rises in the morning, its light dispels the darkness. When the Son of God enters the heart of a person, He dispels the darkness of sin, and that life shines before God.

We all need an Epiphany. We are all sinners, and like these wise men who came from the East, we all need to come and see the glory of God that is revealed through the light of the Spirit and the person of Jesus Christ. Just as the sun rises every morning in every nation, in every person, regardless of nationality or skin color, in the same way, Jesus Christ reveals Himself and illuminates our lives. His grace, His forgiveness, and His salvation rise and illuminate the life of every person on this earth.

Every person is invited to believe in Jesus, to worship and glorify His name, and to seek salvation in Him. It does not matter who you are; He can take you out of the darkness and lead you to the light. May the Lord bless you and keep you, and may these words help you renew your spirit.

Pastor Dimas

Pleasing God or Pleasing Man

“Do I now seek the favor of men, or of God? Or do I try to please men? For if I still please men, would I not be a servant of Christ?” Galatians 1:10

What is most important in your life? To please God or to please men? In Galatians 1:10, the Apostle Paul poses a profound question: "Do I now seek the favor of men, or of God? Or do I try to please men? For if I still pleased men, would I not be a servant of Christ?" This verse challenges all of us to examine our motivations and priorities in life, particularly in our spiritual journey. It invites a deeper reflection on whom we aim to please in our daily actions and decisions—humans or the divine.

At its core, this verse emphasizes the conflict between seeking human approval and dedicating oneself to God's will. Paul, who once sought the approval of men as a zealous Pharisee, experienced a dramatic transformation upon encountering Christ on the road to Damascus. This transformation shifted his focus from human accolades to divine purpose. Paul highlights that true servitude to Christ requires forsaking the pursuit of human validation. It is a call to prioritize God's approval over social acceptance.

The pursuit of human approval is a common struggle. Society often imposes expectations and standards that can lead individuals to compromise their values and beliefs to fit in or be liked. This is evident in various aspects of life, from social media influence to workplace dynamics. The desire for acceptance can drive people to conform to behaviors and attitudes that may not align with their true selves or spiritual convictions.

Paul's question serves as a reminder that the favor of God should be the ultimate goal for believers. Pleasing God involves living following His teachings and commandments, even when it means standing in opposition to popular opinion or facing criticism. It requires courage, integrity, and a steadfast commitment to faith. The Apostle Paul himself endured persecution and hardship for his unwavering dedication to Christ, yet he found comfort and purpose in serving God rather than seeking human approval.

Furthermore, this verse encourages reflection and self-assessment. It prompts all of us as believers to evaluate our actions and intentions. Are they driven by a genuine desire to honor God, or are they motivated by the need to gain recognition and acceptance from others? This self-examination is vital for spiritual growth and authenticity. It allows us to align our lives more closely with our faith and values, fostering a deeper connection with God.

The challenge to prioritize God's approval over human applause is as pertinent today as it was in the first century. Believers are called to be counter-cultural, to rise above the noise of societal pressures, and to anchor their identities in their relationship with God. Galatians 1:10 serves as a powerful reminder that being a servant of Christ means seeking to please God above all else. It is an invitation to live a life marked by integrity, faithfulness, and a deep commitment to divine principles.

Do you ever feel like you struggle to change? I wanted you to remember that the same God that transformed the life of Paul, is the same God that can transform yours. He wants to help you. He wants you to surrender to Him those areas of your life where you are struggling to change. How do you do that? By submitting everything to Him in prayer. He is waiting for you.

May the Lord bless you and keep you and may these words help you renew your spirit.

Pastor Dimas