The Christian Corner Ministries

Broken Focus

Turn not to the right hand nor to the left: remove thy foot from evil. ( Prov 4:27 )

In today’s post, we are going to focus on direction. In order to gain direction and guidance from the Holy Spirit, we need to be focused. Recently, I spent some time in Puerto Rico and was helping my mom. She celebrated her 90th birthday and I am amazed at her strength. God ministered to me through her.

A I look at her life, I find some amazing details. She lost the love of her life. My father and her were married for 69 years. Last year, he died at 95 years old. I thought that his death would be the end of her but she bounced back. I am especially amazed at her mind. Dare I say that she has a better memory than me. (Smile)

Getting back to the beginning.

While I was in Puerto Rico, helping to care for my mom, God brought a prophetic word from the past. About 20 years ago, I went to the front for prayer during a church service. Pastor Castellanos laid hands on me and prophesied that I would write praise and worship songs for the Lord. After a while, I forgot about that prophetic word.

During my stay in Puerto Rico, God opened a door. With the help of Ai, I received the gift of songwriting from God. What followed was about 100 songs that I wrote for the Lord. A few days ago, I created a musical podcast called The Christian Musical Journey and it has been well received. Here are some of the songs on today’s podcast.

Writing on the Wall – Inspired by Daniel 5, this song tells the story of a king who spent a wild night partying and disrespecting God. The Lord had enough and sent a message to the king. This serves as a reminder that friends and circumstances can sometimes distract us from hearing God’s voice. Learn from the king’s mistake and take heed. God doesn’t want us to head toward destruction. Take some time to self-examine yourself.

2- I, welcome you, Holy Spirit–The Holy Spirit is our friend. Make him feel at home in your body.

3- El Jardin de tu vida–Your life is a garden. Protect your mind and thoughts. You will reap what you sow. (Spanish Praise.)

4- Mr. Zero–My personal testimony. Backslid from the Lord. Experienced heartbreaks and obstacles. Joined the Navy to escape, trying to drown my sorrows with alcohol. Amid my pain, God brought a wonderful woman into my life. Through a series of changes, I came back to the Lord and am serving him. Praise God!

I have enclosed a link to my podcast as well as the message that I gave on Facebook Live on Wednesday. If you like our Musical podcast, please feel free to share it with friends and family. God bless.

Links–

1- https://bit.ly/4eCauzN

2- Wednesday Bible Study-

Prophetic Word Unveiled: John 21:18 Explained

Verily, verily, I say unto thee, When thou wast young, thou girdest thyself, and walkedst whither thou wouldest: but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and carry thee whither thou wouldest not. ( John 21:18)

Curious about your future, destiny, and how you might die? These questions linger in everyone’s mind. While AI technology attempts to predict life spans and destinies, the Bible remains the most reliable source of prophecy. When the Holy Spirit reveals your calling and destiny, you can trust it will come to pass.

Consider Peter’s story. Jesus gave him a prophetic word in John 21:18, promising him a long life. Contrary to the saying that we aren’t promised tomorrow, this verse shows that the Apostle Peter was indeed promised longevity. Lets look at some key points—

(1) The Lord highlighted different phases of Peter’s life—his youth and old age—symbolizing spiritual growth. As one matures in faith, they learn to trust in the Lord’s guidance. Peter underwent a transformation, overcoming his fear of men.

(2) John 21:19 reveals how the prophetic word unfolded for Peter and the church, even detailing his death. Tradition holds that Peter was crucified upside down.

(3) Prophetic words aren’t always about blessings; they include warnings and tribulations. We live in a fallen world and life won’t always be pleasant.

(4) When Peter was arrested and sentenced to die, he remained calm, as recorded in Acts 12. He knew it wasn’t his time; he still had work to do.

(5) Similarly, Apostle Paul knew his departure was near but asked God to extend his life, which He did (Phil 1:23). Paul went beyond the call of duty out of love for God and the church. Today, seek God’s guidance for your life. He has a plan, purpose, and destiny for you. Stay faithful.

For more on this study, please check out our video on our Facebook page–The Christian Corner Podcast page 56. God bless.

Understanding The Biblical Significance Of Grace And Peace

Grace be to you and peace from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ. ( 2 Cor 1:2 )

Let’s dive into the topic of Grace and Peace. The Apostle Paul often included the words Grace and Peace in his letters to the church. What does this imply? Let’s explore some important points:

( 1 ) Grace comes from the Greek word Charis. Among its many meanings, it implies bounty, benefits, joy, and pleasure. It revolves around unmerited favor and was used in Biblical times as a greeting among the people.

( 2 ) Peace, in Hebrew, means Shalom. It implies blessings from above, with nothing missing and nothing broken. The greeting was and still is used among the Jewish people.

( 3 ) This greeting calls attention to unity. The Greeks (Gentiles) and the Jews worshipped one God together. It also signifies the merging of the Old and New Testaments into one.

Without the grace of God, we can’t experience His peace. The grace of God teaches us about our identity in Christ. During one of America’s dark historical periods, Africans were shipped as slaves to America. They lost their identity and had to adopt their master’s last name. Similarly, Satan had us enslaved to darkness until Jesus set us free and gave us a new identity. As a result, we received the peace of God in our lives.

( 4 ) Words have power. The Greeks used Charis as a greeting, and the Jews used Shalom which involves blessings. We are no different. We say phrases like- Have a good day and God bless you when someone sneezes.

Final Points to Consider

In reviewing Grace and Peace, I would call them the Power Twins. This is especially true in the context of receiving answers in our prayers from God. We must understand Grace to experience the Peace of God. Paul had a thorn in the flesh. After conversing with God, he was told- My grace is sufficient for you. God provided the tools to endure that test and have the peace of God. Let’s make it a point to meditate on Grace and Peace. As we do so, we will see many answers to prayers. Shalom.

The Power of Jehovah Nissi: Identity, Victory, and Spiritual Warfare

Thou hast given a banner to them that fear thee, that it may be displayed because of the truth. Selah. ( Psalms 60:4 )

Understanding the significance of a Banner.

A banner is identity and unity, often used by nations, armies, and other aspects of life. The term banner first appears in the Bible as Jehovah Nissi, meaning The Lord is my Banner. (Exodus 17:15). This declaration followed Israel’s victory over Amalek, their first battle after leaving Egypt. Moses built a memorial to commemorate this event, calling it Jehovah Nissi.

Flags are everywhere. When I was in Navy Basic Training, we had flags and held it proudly as we marched in cadence. Sports teams, also, have flags. Another area in which we can see a flag is in a car dealership. When you walk into that place, chances are that you will see a flag. It is likely to be in the front of its site.

In this study, the main purpose of this study on flags is one that is used in battle. Let’s look at some main points—

It speaks of Identity. We have to know our Identity. If we don’t know our Identity, our armor will be useless.
It speaks of our righteousness. We are the righteousness of God in Christ. He has justified us in his own blood.
It speaks of being set apart. We have been set apart for him.
Unity in battle.
It speaks of an army. We are the army of the Lord and we are involved in a spiritual war.
It speaks of a nation. We are a holy nation.

Examples Of Victory.

When we confess the Lord as our banner, we are preparing for victory. Spiritually speaking when you plant a banner in the ground, victory is yours. Take for example the war memorial of Iwo Jima. That monument was inspirational and helped turn the tide of battle. When you learn to take ground spiritually, you will experience victory in prayer!

One of my favorite war heroes is Gen Douglas McArthur. He fled the Philippines after the Japanese took some ground there. As he was leaving, he said the words—I shall return. Years later, the tide of battle turned in favor of the Americans. Gen McArthur landed on that same soil. He planted the American flag and the rest is history.

There will be times in which we will experience some setbacks, but remember it’s not over. The comeback can be nice and sweet especially when you take your ground back. Always remember, persistence and determination is key. Refuse to back down.

Remember the words of Gen. McArthur–I shall return. Words are powerful. See yourself victorious and take your ground by planting the Lord’s flag–Jehovah Nissi! Be encouraged and fight the good fight!

Check out these following links below—-

Jehovah Nissi: The Lord Is My Banner {Meaning and Lessons}

What Are the Different Banner Types?

Nurturing God’s Vision: Igniting Your Inner Fire

Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he. ( Proverbs 29:18 )

The Power of Vision

This verse above underscores the importance of having a vision. A vision gives life meaning and can positively influence those around you. In our earlier studies, we emphasized the significance of discovering your calling and gifts. These may not necessarily involve a pulpit ministry. According to Proverbs 9:1, your calling is found within the seven pillars of wisdom. By understanding your calling, you will uncover the gifts needed to fulfill it.

Write the Vision

The Bible instructs Habakkuk to write the vision, a principle that applies to us as well. During my years at Verizon, the company had clear visions, like “best cost,” which involved everyone in cost-cutting efforts. Similarly, businesses often have visions that guide their actions. Employees must align with these visions to stay a part of the team.

As a child, I loved comic books, especially the Fantastic Four. Stan Lee, the creator, labeled it “The world’s greatest comic book.” It became one of the best-selling comics. It later evolved into a cartoon and a successful movie in the 90s.

Birthing a Vision

Spending time in God’s word and worship helps birth a vision. Our ministry’s vision, “You Have the Mind of Christ,” aims to help people understand their identity in Christ. This vision emerged from years of meditating on God’s word and worshipping Him. Revelation 19:10 revealed to me that God desires intimacy with us. As we worship and meditate on His word, His vision will be birthed in our spirits. We will gain favor with God, just like Mary.

Mary received a word from God. She nurtured it for nine months. This resulted in the birth of the Messiah (Luke 1:30-38). Let us reflect on this example and ask ourselves the following questions listed below —

How is my love life with the Lord?
Do I know my calling and gifts?
Do I have a vision for my life and others?

Understanding these aspects will keep you from becoming lukewarm. God wants us to be passionate for Him. Spend time in His word, worship God, and witness how the prophetic word can transform your life. Stay encouraged and God bless.

Summary

Having a vision gives life meaning and can positively impact those around you. Discover your calling and gifts. It does not have to be in a pulpit ministry. This can be achieved by entering the house of wisdom (Proverbs 9:1). Understand the seven pillars of wisdom. Writing down your vision, as instructed in Habakkuk, is essential.

Companies often have visions to guide their actions, and individuals should do the same. Spending time in God’s word and worship can help birth a vision. The ministry’s vision, “You Have the Mind of Christ,” aims to help people understand their identity in Christ. Like Mary, who nurtured her vision from God, believers should cultivate their vision through faith and worship. Be encouraged and know that you have the mind of Christ.

How Is Your Garden?

But I am like a green olive tree in the house of God: I trust in the mercy of God for ever and ever. ( Ps 52: 8)

In the photo above, we see a tree bearing olives, a valued item in some Middle Eastern countries. In Psalm 52:8, David calls himself an Olive Tree in the House of God. He refers to the garden of the Lord.

You are a garden. Scripture teaches us that what a man sows is what he will reap. Be careful what you are sowing in your garden. Your life is a garden, and every day we face decisions. David had a revelation from the Holy Spirit. He realized that to produce good fruit, he had to compare himself to an Olive tree.

Identity

David compares himself to an Olive tree. It is symbolic of the Holy Spirit, who lives inside us as our friend and comforter. Knowing who you are in Christ positions you to live in victory. Inside you is the power of God to help change you into a new creation. This power lets you think like Christ. It helps you put your flesh under control and allows the Spirit to guide your life. The Spirit will reveal your calling and purpose.

Purpose of the Green Olive Tree

Cooking: Olive oil, symbolic of the Holy Spirit, nourishes our spirit as we study God’s word.
Light: Olive oil was used to light lamps, symbolizing the light God’s word brings to our paths.
Anointing: Olive oil was used to anoint kings, symbolizing our anointing and calling in Christ. Proverbs 9:1 speaks of Wisdom’s seven pillars, representing various callings in society. Not all callings are pulpit ministry, some be in the area of Gov/Politics and other fields. Discovering your gift will help you stand out and impact the world for Christ (Proverbs 18:16).

Closing Thoughts

Let us learn from David, walking in our identity and allowing the Lord to change us from glory to glory. Find your calling and gift, and ask God how you can impact your generation for His glory. Pray for unity in the body of Christ. These are the last days, and we must work together to see revival. God has called us to occupy until He comes. Let us work with that mindset, winning the lost and dying world for Christ. Pray like never before; time waits for no one.

Please listen to this video below. I elaborate more in detail. God bless and enjoy…

Understanding Our Spiritual Rank In Heaven.

Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. ( Matt 5:19 )

In this study, I encourage you have an open mind, setting aside preconceived notions. We are about to delve into profound teachings. The above verse says it all. It is clear that there will be individuals in heaven who have broken God’s commandments. Yet, they will not be considered great. What does this mean?

Beloved, as you study the Word, you will discover the concept of Carnal Christians. The church of Corinth serves as a prime example. These individuals know enough to keep their salvation but live in a carnal state. An interesting point is the scripture refers to them as the Least in Heaven. The Greek defines this as a lower rank ( In a military sense ) in Heaven.

Promotion in God’s Kingdom.

When our earthly journey ends and we stand before the Lord, our rank will be revealed. This rank is determined by our service on Earth. Brethren, it is crucial to discern God’s calling for your life. It doesn’t necessarily mean a pulpit ministry. Here are 7 vital points to consider serving God.

Education
Religion
Family
Business
Gov/Military
Arts and Entertainment
Media

Reflecting on my time in the US Navy, my superiors always encouraged me to advance in rank. Serving in the Lord’s army is no different. When you discover your gift, you will excel and attract the attention of those in high places (Proverbs 18:16). The Lord has placed His body on earth to impact society. He has given us a charge: Occupy until I come. Will you answer His call on your life?

Work Out Your Salvation?

Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. ( Phil 2:12 )

Today, we are going to delve deeply into the Word of God. Our focus will be on Salvation and its significance in our lives. Ephesians 2:8-9 teaches us that Salvation is a gift from God, not something earned through works. So, why strive for Salvation if it is freely given by God?

First, let’s define Salvation. The term “Salvation” comes from the Greek word “Soteria,” which encompasses both spiritual and physical deliverance. When Jesus died on the cross, He secured physical healing for us, but we must actively work it out. One way to do this is by praying for the sick (James 5:15). Another way is by receiving His Word (Psalm 107:20).

Salvation also means protection from harm. There are exceptions, like martyrdom. Many of our beloved brothers and sisters are now imprisoned or killed for their faith in Christ. The Apostle Paul was prepared to be executed for his faith (Psalm 107:20, 2 Timothy 4:5-7). Please pray for our persecuted brethren overseas.

Salvation includes financial deliverance. Poverty and lack are part of the curse. (Luke 19:8-9, Deuteronomy 28:17). Salvation is like planting a seed. Though it is free, it is not cheap. We must regard our gift as special and sacred. (Matthew 13). When you accept Christ as your Lord and Savior, He plants the seed of Salvation in your heart. Your responsibility is to water that seed and help it grow.

God knows that nurturing this seed is challenging, so He sends the Holy Spirit to help you. As you grow spiritually, you will experience different stages of growth. Consider a seed in the natural world. When you buy seeds from a store, the package in the front shows the end result. For example, a cucumber seed packet displays a fully grown cucumber. Upon opening the package, you only see seeds. You do not see the final product.

To harvest the cucumber, you must sow the seeds into good soil and nurture them. After some time, you will enjoy the fruits of your labor. God’s Word says, Taste and see that the Lord is good. His seed of Salvation is good and brings great benefits and rewards.

Scripture teaches us that we are in the army of the Lord. In an army, there are different ranks, and as you grow, there are various benefits and responsibilities. Colossians 2:5 says that the Lord beholds our order, which translates to military rank in Greek.

In our next lesson, we will expand on this, God willing. In conclusion, we don’t work to be saved; we work out our Salvation because we are saved! Remember, by their fruits, they shall be known. Guard your Salvation and work it out so that the Lord will be pleased by our labors. Shalom.

Prayer– Heavenly Father, thank you for your word. Forgive me when I have taken you and this precious gift for granted. Help me to work out my Salvation in all it’s aspects. Help me to be a vessel unto honor. Change me, Lord, so I can bring others to enjoy your precious gift. In Jesus name–Amen!

Your Armor–Use It Or Lose It.

In this study, we will explore the armor of God. As believers, we have been equipped with this armor, ready for use. Knowledge is crucial because ignorance can be harmful. Understanding your identity in Christ and recognizing what belongs to you is vital for your survival. Living in this fallen world is not a playground; it is a battlefield.

The Origin Of The Armor of God.

When a strong man armed keepeth his palace, his goods are in peace: But when a stronger than he shall come upon him, and overcome him, he taketh from him all his armour wherein he trusted, and divideth his spoils. ( Luke 11:21-22 )

Upon reading Luke 11:21-22, we see Jesus and what He accomplished through His death on the cross. Scriptures call Jesus the second and last Adam. Why? Because He came to undo what Adam did when he sinned in the garden. The Word teaches that Adam was crowned with glory, which I believe was the armor of God. Upon this, the Lord gave Adam charge over the earth. He did this when He created him (Ps 8:4-6, Ps 115:16, I Cor 15:45).

Adam gave place to the devil when he sinned in the garden. He was stripped of his armor. As a consequence, the Enemy gained authority over him and all mankind. He took Adam’s armor (authority) and used it against him and his descendants. Let me submit to you the spoils that Satan took from Adam:

Fellowship with God: Peace became hard to achieve, replaced by stress, fear, and torment.
Health: Mankind would have to deal with all kinds of sickness due to a fallen world.
Prosperity: Adam had the best real estate there was; in a sense, he was the richest man on earth.

God had to devise a plan. He could not force His way into the earth because He gave it to a man. When Adam sinned, the earth was given to Satan, who became the god of this world (2 Cor 4:4). The word “god” here is translated as delegated authority.

Faced with this, the Lord devised a system. He needed to come to earth as a man so that salvation be available to you and me. Jesus came and did not sin while He was on earth. He was obedient unto death. Through the cross, He took back His armor and gave it back to the church. The Lord also added some extra bonuses, giving us back the spoils that rightfully belonged to us. Praise God.

Give no place.

Neither give place to the devil. ( Eph 4:27 )

Given all these benefits, some wonder why we still face stress, sickness, and poverty. One key point to consider is that God has given us the armor to fight the good fight of faith. It takes faith to claim what belongs to us. Consider the example of the Jews in the desert.

Time and again, God told His people that they had the land of milk and honey (Exodus 3, 33:3). It was their inheritance (Deut 4:21). but the giants who occupied the land were a fearful sight. The Jews relied on what they saw, hardened their hearts, and perished in the wilderness. Only their descendants possessed the land. Joshua and Caleb also possessed it because they dared to believe and act on God’s promises. Doubting God’s word is never wise (Heb 3:8, 15).

Beloved, you must renew your mind and train yourself in this fallen world to claim what belongs to you. A crucial point to remember is to guard against the enemy. Ephesians 4:27 advises us not to give place to the enemy. When you sin, don’t run from God in shame and embarrassment. Run to Him, confess your sins, and He will forgive and restore you.

There are other ways to lose your authority, like unbelief and not guarding your tongue. In your devotional prayers, yield yourself to the Lord. Pray the prayers of Ephesians ( Eph 1:17-23, Eph 3:14-21) and Colossians (Col 1:9-11) before your Bible study. The Holy Spirit will give you light.

The Army Of The Lord-Part 2

Your old sin-loving nature was buried with him by baptism when he died; and when God the Father, with glorious power, brought him back to life again, you were given his wonderful new life to enjoy. ( Romans 6:4 ) (The Living Bible)

In our earlier study, we discussed what it means to be in the Army of the Lord. We also covered the spiritual tools necessary to navigate your spiritual boot camp. These tools help you become a soldier for Christ. In this second part of our study, we will explore the concepts of circumcision and covenant. When you accept Jesus as the Lord of your life, you enter into a covenant with Him. This is like when I joined the Navy. I signed various contracts that promised food, income, and shelter in exchange for my service to the country. The covenant with Jesus is no different.

Many believers want to please God but struggle with a sin consciousness. They are often very hard on themselves and turn away from their commitment due to frustration. They feel they constantly fall short and eventually give up but there is good news! Victory is possible!

Romans 6:4 holds the key. My favorite Bible translation ( The Living Bible ) reads– ” Your sin-loving nature was buried with him by baptism.” Many Christians want to hate sin and that is a noble desire. The fact of the matter is that you have already buried your sin-loving nature in the waters of baptism. A rule of thumb would be to make the confession listed below as many times as possible during the day. Learn to speak aloud the word of God and you will start seeing change—

“I love righteousness and hate iniqutity. ”

Friend, if you are a Christian but have not gotten baptized in water, don’t waste any time. Get baptized as soon as possible. Don’t carry your dead body around because you will start to stink spiritually before God. Remember a dead corpse after a while decays and stinks. So, seek a good spirit-filled church and get baptized in water. It’s time to bury your old sin-loving nature.

If you are having trouble breaking bad habits, here are two things to remember–

1-Go back to the waters of baptism and remember how you buried the old man. That sin-loving nature is buried. You are a new creation ready for service to the Lord.

2- There is a saying- “Rome was not built in a day.” You are going to have struggles in the flesh. Many will say that you are not saved, but I got good news for you. Consider the next scripture below–

For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief. ( Prov 24:16 )

Notice God calls the man who falls seven times –Just. Why? Because he sees the heart. The believer is determined to get up and put his/her hand on the plow. If you are Born-Again, you are the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus. You are the just person that’s being talked about. Beloved never stay down and give up. Decide that you will do better. His mercy endures forever and the Holy Spirit will help you get up and win!

In my next post, I will discuss how you can move up in rank in the Army of the Lord. Remember with promotion comes blessings but also, tremendous responsibilities. When you have rank, you can have influence with God and find out your true calling in life. God bless.