People We Need

In the Bible, there is a story of a man named Paul. He was called to be a great man, traveling the world and doing the work of God. Through that, he eternally changed the life of people. He needed different people to be successful in his calling.  He gave us a model to help us have a greater chance of success, by understanding those who we want to be in our lives.

People Fill Us

Paul spent years studying and being taught before he ever made his way into the world to
speak to others about Jesus. Even as he went, there were always people speaking into his life.
If you want to be successful, you need to continue to be a student and continue to be filled up. In today’s world, with books and documentaries, YouTube and podcasts, or even just conversations, there is no reason to stop learning and be poured into. It’s not always fun being the student, but it is always profitable if we are open to change.

People to Stand By

When Paul began traveling throughout the Mediterranean, he knew help was needed. It was key to have someone who could share the load of work. First, he employed a man named Barnabas. He was a great friend and leader. Later he traveled with Silas, a man of integrity and faith. These friends were not people who always agreed with him. They were men who would encourage, challenge, and stand by him through it all. We need someone to walk through our journey with us, good or bad. Identifying this person can sometimes be tough, but make sure you do not settle; contend for the right person. This person could impact your life or your future. Surround yourself with Godly people.

People to Impart To

Someone is always watching you. Does that sound too weird? It’s true whether it’s your
own kids or kids on the street, they are watching. Even your friends or people older than you,
are watching. They want to judge you and I don’t blame them. We watch people to see what they have to offer. Paul knew this, so he leaned into it. Paul was always thinking about the legacy of what he was doing. He was always trying to invest in someone else. Maybe he was just trying to give back. That’s noble but that’s not enough. We don’t just do things because we owe something. He knew that this world needed more than himself. Paul found a young man named Timothy and helped coach and mentor him into a person that could contribute in all the ways the world would need. Paul did tell Timothy what was needed, but maybe even more than that, he showed him how to live as a man of integrity.

In this world we need to make sure there are people to fill us with inspiration and knowledge to keep us moving. We need someone to stand by us, and work with us to accomplish our goal. Finally, we need to always be aware that we are pouring into others. Whether intentionally or not, you are always imparting something to others.

Rene Solis is Director of Koinonia School of Ministry. He can be reached at ksm@kcfchurch.org or by calling 559-582-1528. 

Authority in Christ

Who are you? We usually answer that question with our name. Then comes the next question, “Who are you, really?” You might respond with, “What do you mean?” 

What I’m trying to get at here is, as Christians, our identity is intimately intertwined with Christ. When we are spending time with Him in prayer and scripture study, we get to know Him more and more and we become more like Him (Ephesians 4:22-24). The next step in our identify in Christ is our authority as believers. We have been given power through the Holy Spirit that I’m pretty sure that many of us don’t tap into on most days. I have seen people adrift on the waves of their daily challenges and they don’t realize that they have the power and authority to overcome.

In the Gospels, Peter had an experience with this in Matthew 14:28-32. He saw Jesus walking on the water in the middle of a storm and said…

“Lord, if it’s really you, tell me to come to you, walking on the water.” “Yes, come,” Jesus said. So Peter went over the side of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus. But when he saw the strong wind and the waves, he was terrified and began to sink. “Save me, Lord!” he shouted. Jesus immediately reached out and grabbed him.”

For a few moments, Peter walked in the authority of Christ because he believed that he could walk on water. Then, he got distracted. The wind and waves were ferocious and, even though Peter was a fisherman, he might not have known how to swim!

Some might say that Peter failed because he let fear confuse his faith. I like to think that Peter learned a very important lesson that day and the story has taught us a lesson ever since. 

Acknowledging your authority in Christ requires focus on Jesus. When you’re focused on Him you can accomplish anything (Philippians 4:13).

You have a special authority

What is authority? It is delegated. Jesus has given you the authority to accomplish things in his name. In Acts 3:1-8, Peter and John encountered a lame man and said, “In the name of Jesus, rise up and walk.” It wasn’t their own power that caused the man to walk again. It was the authority given them through Jesus.

You have strength

You can stand against Satan and all his strategies against you! (Ephesians 6:11) When you put on the armor of God, you step into the authority you’ve been given. You can withstand whatever the enemy would try to throw at you!

You have wisdom

1 Corinthians 1:24 says, “But to those called by God to salvation, both Jews and Gentiles, Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God.” You will be given wisdom along with authority in Christ. As a result, you will be able to have discernment and know through the Holy Spirit, what God is calling you to do in every circumstance.

When I was first studying the Bible, I highlighted passages using multicolored highlighters. For instance, purple indicated God’s divinity and holiness, yellow was for the Holy Spirit, pink was for God’s love, and I used green to highlight passages that required some action on my part. After I’d studied the bible for a few years, I was surprised by how much I’d highlighted in green (action)! 

We know that our salvation is a gift that we can’t achieve for ourselves; it comes from God through Jesus. But there are certain actions we must take as believers. The first of those actions is to acknowledge our sinful nature, repent and ask Jesus to save us! The next actions we must take are to read scripture and let God teach us and transform us. Then he will send us out to share the Gospel and walk in the authority of Jesus Christ!

Paula Aiton is a member of Koinonia Church and a freelance writer, musician and artist. Her blog, God’s Glory Girl, can be found at godsglorygirl.com

The Hill I'm Willing To Die On

I love old sayings. I love to say them when they apply to a particular situation. Some of my favorites are:

• There are no atheists in foxholes.

• Actions speak louder than words.

• Absence makes the heart grow fonder.

• Idle hands are the devil’s workshop.

• A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.

• Don’t borrow trouble.

But the one I use the most is . . . “Is this the hill I’m willing to die on?” I ask myself this question whether I am having a conversation with my kids or am part of a controversial discussion. And let’s face it – there are a lot of those happening lately. Basically, it means is this where I am going to take a stand no matter who it hurts or separates me from. It means that I will literally die for this. I can only think of a few things that are that important to me – family, country, God.

As I see public debate and upheaval rearing its ugly head again, I knew that I needed to do some work to remind myself of my identity in Christ. Why, you may ask? Because I am human, with strong beliefs and opinions of my own. If I am not careful, my humanness will leak out and spill all over the place in ‘not so pretty’ ways. I need to make sure that I am, first and foremost, reflecting Jesus in my life.

I prayed. Then, I Googled (my favorite Bible search tool) verses that reminded me of who I truly am and how that identity should determine my thoughts, words and actions. From there, I kept being drawn to several verses in Colossians, chapter 3. I abandoned my search and went to biblegateway.com and looked at several different Bible translations of that chapter in Colossians. It was just what I needed to read and the reminder I needed of who I am. So, since I was leading our church staff devotions the next day, that is what we all spent time doing – reading Colossians 3 and reminding ourselves of who we are and Who we represent in all situations.  

The next day, while driving and listening to a Christian radio talk show, a pastor began talking about 1 Peter 4 which teaches about prayer, love and gifts of grace. From years of experience, I know that this is how the Holy Spirit works. He guides me and directs me and gives me just what I need in the moment. It is not in just a single way but in a series of ways that helps me connect the dots and see that He is speaking directly to me. This is something that eluded me for years as a new Christian . . . how a two-way relationship with God happens! To me, this is where Christianity gets very exciting! 

1 Peter 4 gave me more reminders of how to think, speak and behave. I was particularly drawn to the humbling verse that states, “Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins.” (verse 4:8 ESV) 

There it was! “Cover” one another. Don’t judge or condemn. Instead, forgive and forebear; give grace where and when it is undeserved. Even if you are right. This is how I am to represent The One who doesn’t judge nor condemn me. This is how I am to emulate Jesus, who forgives and is patient with me. This is how I can share in His work of giving grace generously to those who don’t deserve it – just like me.

So, I will remind myself, again and again, that the issues of today are not the hills I am willing to die on because Jesus died on a hill for my shortcomings and sin. 

Sylvia Gaston
Family Ministry Pastor

Contentment

I do all of the general maintenance on our vehicles. I wouldn’t say I’m a car guy, but over the years I’ve learned a few things. For example, I learned to no longer buy blinker fluid.

 

My first car was a 1997 VW Jetta. It was old, not everything worked, and the paint was chipping in certain areas, but – and this is the most important part – it was mine. It was on this car that I learned how to do general maintenance. I still miss that white, 5-speed stick shift clunk of German engineering to this day. I had friends and family at the time who had newer cars that had functional AC and all of their hubcaps, but I was content with my car. I would even say I was happy! 

 

Content simply means “in a state of peaceful happiness”. Contentment is something that we really don’t see nowadays. There’s always the new phone, the new TV, the new and improved blender, the cars that park themselves, and so many other gadgets and gizmos that are constantly grabbing our attention. It’s no wonder that the Bible has something to say on this matter:

 

“A tranquil heart gives life to the flesh, but envy makes the bones rot.” -Proverbs 14:30 ESV

 

I understand that this may seem like an odd verse, especially with our “always stay hungry” and “never be satisfied” culture. Don’t get me wrong, I do admire that ambition, but there’s something to be said about taking a moment to pause, reflect, and be satisfied with where you are and the work that you’ve accomplished. If we’re to follow God‘s example, on the seventh day of creation, He rested! Not because He needed to rest, but maybe He was trying to show us an example of resting, of taking inventory of our lives, looking at the work of our hands, and taking time for appreciation. 

 

I used to always want the newest gadget, the shiniest toy, or the latest feature on the newest phones. But the problem with stuff is that there’s always new stuff coming out. It’s foolish to think that we can try to keep up with the latest trends, fashions, or with the Joneses. Yet, we continue to do so, rarely taking the time to appreciate what God has taken us through and where He’s placed us. 

 

Being content doesn’t only have to deal with things. How many of us are telling ourselves, “I’ll be happy as soon as I get that job”, or something similar? Being content is also finding peace where you currently are. Your happiness is not defined by a future action, you can find joy where you are today. Don’t believe me? Read Psalms 23.

 

Ask yourself, are you content where you are? Or with what you have? God has shown me at a very young age that seasons come and go, that everything can change in one instant. It’s for this reason that I thank Him every day for where I am, fully acknowledging that it’s His will and timing. Since God has placed me in my position, I will not envy the work of others, but I will be content and effective where I am.

 

I encourage you to take a moment to pause, reflect on what God has brought you through, ask for His peace for your current situation, and trust that a new season is soon approaching.

 

Mauricio Paredes

Youth Pastor