Drawing Near

 In the book of James, chapter 4, verse 8 we see these words:

 

“Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded.”

 

During this time of turmoil, we find a lot of things that are taking our focus. In addition to that, in this overwhelming time of social media, there are a lot of people that have found themselves more socially isolated than ever before. That business, and this isolation, starts to fade away in the closeness of God. I identify with the things James has said to do that will bring us near to God and ultimately to others.

 

First James talks about drawing “near to God'' with the idea that He will then draw near to you. This is not the physical act of God coming closer, because God is everywhere, which means He’s already there. What James is talking about is the recognition of God’s presence; the inclusion of God in your day. Maybe it's reading the Bible. Maybe it's prayer. Or maybe it’s simply declaring that God is there and He loves you. When we realize He is near, our demeanor changes, outlooks change and even attitudes adjust. We realize we are not alone and not the center of the universe.

 

Next James discusses the cleansing of hands and purifying of your heart. We know that we aren’t perfect. Through the blood of Christ we are not held down by that sin any longer. This “cleansing” and “purifying” is again about recognition. We need to recognize the work of God through Christ. When we acknowledge God, we know He is near. When we embrace Christ, we are cleansed and pure.

 

BUT, the last part, the “double mindedness”, this is the one that really gets me. When we are so busy yet so alone, we have a habit of turning to the indulgences of life. These are escapes and addictions that release chemicals in our brain. So, our “double mindedness” is the choices of habit and instant gratification - or peace and fulfillment in the nearness of God. These are not always easy choices, but we need to remember they are conscious ones. These are things we can do to combat the chaotic schedule or the lonely life. 

 

When I have chosen to draw near and accept purification, my life finds its peace and I realize I was never alone to begin with. Draw near to God. He loves you and has great things for your life.

  

Rene Solis

Director of Koinonia School of Ministry

Don't Be Afraid Of The Work

I recently asked my father to help me with a few “honey do’s” that I was given (or should I say, my wife and I agreed upon). One of these items was to inspect the air duct system underneath our house. I kept putting this item off for several reasons: 1. I don’t like spiders, 2. We have a crawl space underneath our very old home, so I would need to get on my elbows and knees and army crawl the entire time, and 3. I REALLY don’t like spiders. 

The day had come and - needless to say - I’m glad that we took the time to do this task. What my father and I discovered was a hole in a drainage pipe that had been leaking for what seemed like weeks. There was mud around that area and it didn’t smell very pleasant. After a quick trip to Home Depot, the problem was permanently fixed.

 

A few weeks ago, I read the book of Nehemiah and was reminded of that leak underneath our house. Nehemiah felt that he was called to leave his position as the cupbearer to the king and lead God’s people back to Jerusalem. There, they would rebuild the gates that had been destroyed in a previous siege. Nehemiah led God’s people in doing a work that needed to be complete; the gates lay in ruins.

 

I find that God calls us out of our comfort zone in order to do a work in us, as well as through us. Nehemiah had a great job. He had a position where he was taken care of. But upon hearing that the gates of Jerusalem needed to be rebuilt, he asked God for favor and strength. He decided to leave his comfort and certainty in order to complete a job he knew had to be done.

 

Believe me when I say that – if you follow Jesus Christ and try your best to live His way – He will take you down roads you may not be so enthusiastic to travel. Jesus is interested in molding you and shaping you into the person you were created to be. Of course, you are accepted and loved just the way you are right now, but Jesus has better things and plans for you; plans that you may not be ready for yet. 

 

What is God calling you to work on? Maybe it’s establishing a routine so you can spend more time with your family. Maybe it’s taking initiative at work on tasks you know you have insight on. Maybe it’s talking to a family member that you’ve been ignoring for several years, bridging the gap, and making amends. It could be waking up early in order to spend time with your Creator.

 

As you begin to do the work, you may find that there’s more work to be done. Just like Nehemiah, you may face opposition or resistance you didn’t foresee. You may find that something else needs to be done, like looking deep inside and questioning your old beliefs. But don’t be afraid to do the work and don’t be discouraged while doing it.

 

I love how Nehemiah begins his prayer in chapter 1 verse 5: “O Lord God of heaven, the great and awesome God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandment…” – ESV

 

The prayer goes on, and I encourage you to read it, as Nehemiah prays to the God who “keeps the covenant”. If God has called you to do something and you stopped, He hasn’t forgotten about you. He is still there, ready to show us the work that needs to be done within us, around us, and the work He wants to do through us.

  

Mauricio Paredes

Junior High Pastor

Stay In Perfect Peace

It seems like everywhere we look these days something else is taking our attention. We have been battling a pandemic for quite some time and it shows no signs of going anywhere any time soon. Political events are happening and earthquakes and persecutions are taking place in other countries. We also deal with our own personal stuff - unruly children, rocky marriages, divorce, health issues and death. This alone is enough to rock us to our core. And when it does, what next? When we’re gripped with fear, anxiety and panic, where do we turn?

 God knew the trials we would go through and the sorrows that would be in the world. After all, He has the bird's eye view. We only see day to day, minute by minute. We panic and are fearful but when Jesus left this earth, He left us something He knew we would need - His peace. 

 

I have personally felt all of this. In the past, and more recently, my heart has been so heavy and nearly grieved with all that has been going on in the world. Sometimes I find myself so consumed, I get caught up in the whirlwind of it all and I literally don’t know where to turn. Have you ever seen someone going through it? Their world, from the outside looking in, is completely crumbling. We would expect or assume that person would be crumbling as well. Instead they are shining bright, joyful, and still finding a way to encourage those around them. That is a peace only the Lord can give. That is standing in the middle of a storm and not being shaken. That is a knowledge that, because God reigns, there is hope. That is knowing even though my doctor’s report comes back negative, God is the great Physician and He has the final say. God has overcome all of that. He has overcome the world!

 

“I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth, you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world” -John 16:33 (NLT)

What a sweet reminder! That when we go through trials or see that we live in a broken world, we have the peace of God accessible to us. 

 

We are not alone in our struggles and sorrows; God is with us. He told us that in Deuteronomy 31:8. “He will be with us, never leaving us nor abandoning us.” That verse alone is enough to make me stay in peace. The good news is that peace is available to us all. When we accept Jesus to come into our lives, the Holy Spirit is deposited into us, and with the Spirit, comes peace. It's a matter of whether I am going to let this situation take me out or I am going to stay in perfect peace. 

 

There is, and will always be, brokenness around us but I pray you rest in the peace of God. There is a song by Hillsong Young and Free called “Peace” and my favorite verse in the whole song says, “My anxiety bows in the presence of Jesus, the keeper of Peace.” Remember that. The fear, worry, anxiety and uneasiness we feel in the middle of the storm and all that goes on in our lives bows in the presence of Jesus. Bring Jesus into your situations and stay in perfect peace. 

 

Vanessa Ausbie

Staff at Koinonia Church

Joseph Style

 There are moments in life when you feel like you are in the pits. I’m not sure what it takes for you to get there but, a lot of the time, it’s unsuspected things that make me feel down, disregarded, or just generally questioning all the things. Like, when a good friend or close family member moves away. Or when faced with something at work that I feel unqualified for or I simply don’t enjoy doing. When I get into a disagreement with my husband, realizing later that I was the reason that issue was so complicated to begin with, into the pit I go! But I tell you, nothing gets me feeling low like the fruit of unforgiveness. 

 

There have been several expanses of time when it didn’t take much effort to hold a grudge. I’ve held onto offense for things that in my earthly mind, seemed worthy. I must admit I’ve held onto offense for things that, in hindsight, now that the heat is turned back down, I find pretty silly. I sometimes find myself mad because someone else is mad at me! They didn’t do anything, but the sheer presence of their emotion results in a feeling of distrust, or frustration, or the need to either fight or separate. 

 

Today, I woke up and imagined Joseph, the one with the coat of many colors, down in the pit. He didn’t find himself in a pit of despair, frustration, or just regular blues. He found himself in a literal hole in the ground. He was dropped down into the earth and literally left to die by his brothers. His. Own. Brothers. What in the world?! I can’t imagine what would be going through his mind. He was probably terrified. He was probably rethinking sharing and trusting them with his dream. He was probably kicking himself for his lack of humility. He was probably super offended. Then, after who knows how long in the pit, the story found in Genesis 37 tells us that the brothers return! What a feeling of relief he must have felt! “Praise the Lord, I’ll get a second chance, and we can make all these issues go away.” But no. They didn’t come to rescue him or reconcile with him. They came to sell him into slavery. Now they were profiting off of his suffering. The ride in that caravan must have housed some complicated thoughts. 

 

The rest of the story is moment after moment of being in the pit. From a moment appearing to be a reprieve, back into the pit. With God’s obvious hand guiding him along the way, he ends up saving the day for an entire generation, keeping more than an entire nation from starving during a drought. An incredible miracle of God’s goodness happens when he runs into his brothers again, asking for help. They don’t recognize him, they believe him to be long gone, probably dead. He has this moment when all of the moments preceding can manifest themselves in revenge or, at least, a simple rejection. That would make sense. That seems perfectly justified. They literally dropped him into a hole out of jealousy. He could at least deny their request for help. He could even toss them into prison and that would seem right according to my mind’s eye. But he doesn’t. He forgives. Not only does he forgive them, but he restores their relationship. 

 

I want to do things Joseph style, which ultimately is Jesus’ style. When I am low, because of someone else, I want to allow the grace of God FOR me, to result in grace FROM me to them. So, who is your “them.”  Who has frustrated or offended you lately and you still feel it? Who, metaphorically, put you into a pit with their different opinions, their broken behavior, or their response to you? Let’s live Joseph style and decide to love them anyway. Let’s decide to make sure they are good. Let’s make sure they have what they need. Let’s make sure they experience grace and love through us!

 

Candace Cortez

Executive Pastor

Can I Trust The Bible?

As you begin to read scripture, you realize that there are some stories that are hard to believe. I

have a hard time believing a man lived in the belly of a fish for three days or that men walked in

a fiery furnace and lived. These types of stories begin to stir up questions, and even doubt, at

times. There isn’t enough space in this article to convince you that those individual stories are

true or not. 

We have to remember that the Bible is not only a book, but a library of books. It contains 66

different books, with over 27 authors, written over thousands of years. To try to filter this miracle

through our 21 st -century understanding would make a lot of things in the Bible seem weird and

unbelievable. However, we can’t use that as a cop out to not look at it critically. I believe it’s

important to be critical with things that claim something of high importance. How else would we

gain confidence? It’s important that we are confident in the Bible because it is the main resource most people use to develop their faith in God.  

I want to present the way we should go about the criticism. I believe the most important question

and approach to the validity of scripture isn’t whether or not a guy lived in the belly of a fish or

that one of the stories you read confused you. The most important approach is to pick at the

man that the entire library points to - Jesus.  

In my mind, a healthy approach to criticism of the Bible is this: if I can trust the writings about

Jesus, the Gospels, then the rest of scripture is easier to believe.

I believe if we can trust that Jesus said what He said and claimed what He claimed, all the rest of the Bible can be trusted. Because, if I’m ever in doubt, I will just trust the guy that rose from the dead.

The Gospels are accounts written by four different men telling the story about Jesus (Matthew,

Mark, Luke, John). All different in style but all give a detailed account of His life and ministry.

When it comes to proving whether or not history is true, we have to approach it as historians

approach it. So, how do historians approach criticism when it comes to ancient writings?

One main metric used is the distance between the date the book was composed and the

earliest manuscript (copy) we have in our possession. The less time between the original and

the copy, the less likely the original story had been tampered with. It’s important to note that we

measure history differently than we measure science. The main formula in science is to observe

and repeat. And once it has been observed and repeated enough times you can prove it as fact.

Well, there is no way to observe or repeat history unless we have a time machine. That’s why

historians have to approach history the same way the court does. It’s not a matter of possibility

but a matter of probability. Or, as a lawyer would say when proving their case, what is the

probable cause?

Just as in a court, all we can do from a historical standpoint is gather the evidence and begin to

present what probably happened. So, that’s why we can trust certain history books we read in

school. Historians that have gathered enough evidence from enough people to say the likelihood of this story happening the way they said it did is very likely. 

When it comes to the timespan metric, between original copy and first manuscript (copy), the gospels blow a lot of accepted history books out of the water. For example, The Iliad, written by Homer, is a history book we read in school. The span of time between the original and the first copy we have is around 900 years. Compare that to the Gospels (life of Jesus) in the New Testament, the span of time between the original and the first copy we have is 50 years.  

When compared to other ancient works of literature, the existing manuscripts of the New

Testament documents in today’s museums date back further, are of higher quality, and exist in

much greater numbers, than a lot of history we read about in our education system. 

In conclusion, historically speaking, the Gospels are one of the most trustworthy history books

we have. There are no archaeological discrepancies when it comes to the accounts given in the

Gospels. That means when the scriptures talk about a person, place, or thing, it’s supported not

just by the Bible but by other historical books as well.     

At the end of the day, the Gospels can be proven reliable which means the probability of what

Jesus said to be true is high. So, you can trust the rest of the Bible because you can trust the

story, life, and words of Jesus.      

Chad Fagundes Mens’ and Outreach Pastor