“My soul takes boast in the LORD; let the humble hear and be glad”

As a native New Yorker it’s tough seeing others get the glory or recognition that you would like to be getting.  Humility is not the cup we often, if at all, drink.  If we are entirely honest, we’d admit that we want as many “likes” on our statuses as the next person.  We want as many following up on us and we want as many re-tweeting our self – proclaimed clever and witty statements on Twitter.

How difficult, then, is it to truly and altogether be glad for another’s success and accomplishments?  Not merely being glad, but to rejoice and celebrate someone else and their glory?  If you sit and think, it’s quite difficult.

This is the challenge of humility.  This is the challenge the Bible sets before us.  In fact, Biblical humility challenges us to actually boast in Jesus and his accomplishment on the cross.  You know, it’s interesting to hear this word boast used in this way simply because it’s a word that is only used in relation to oneself and one’s own accomplishments.  And so, in order to boast in an accomplishment realized by someone other than oneself is to identify yourself with the one realizing the accomplishment.  This might be what a guy named Paul was referring to in Galatians 2:20, “ I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” To subject yourself and the greatest of your accomplishments under Jesus and his one accomplishment on the cross.  To find the essence of your joy and your boasting in someone not yourself, but in Jesus.  Counting another as more significant.  This is humility!

This is also very difficult.  But where is the encouragement, yet, where is the strength to live it?  Philippians 2: 5 – 8 gives us the answer.  Jesus.  Be encouraged that God does not command us to this kind of radical humility with an utter and personal disconnect to how it looks and how it feels but He is the same God that first demonstrated it to us.  Jesus is everything yet became nothing that others may be made children of God.  This is humility!

What's up guys!

My family and I have been really excited because for the last couple of months several opportunities have opened up for us to share the good news of Jesus in both intimate as well as public settings.  For several months now myself along with my wife, some good friends and tons of other partnerships have begun what's commonly known as a church planting work.  I'm sure many have already been following us and God's work with Christ Crucified Fellowship (the church name) via the social mediums, Twitter, Facebook, etc. However, we want to extend our resources a bit more.  Here's a Calendar of Events for CCF that extends from now to December.  Come Join us!  Our hope is that many more would join us in knowing Jesus more fully, loving Him more deeply and make Him known wider.

In his letter so far, Mark has been describing the counter-cultural, scandalous and controversial messages and works of Jesus.  Jesus has been restoring sight to those that have been blind for years, even from birth.  He’s exercised his divine power to stop the 12 year hemorrhaging of a woman with a mere command, whereas other doctors would only worsen her situation.  He has even brought a young girl back to life from having been dead a couple of hours.  But not only this, Jesus has also been making statements that have caused much controversy and attention.  Statement like these: “The Son of Man [referring to Himself] has authority on earth to forgive sins”; “The Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath” (meaning He is over all) and “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me” (a call to suffering).

Mark, along with the other Gospel writers (Matthew, Luke and John) are making a valiant effort to make their readers aware of three major elements to our faith: Who is Jesus? What is He saying? And are we truly listening to Him?

This brings us to Mark 9:7 where Jesus brings his 3 closest boys, Peter, James and John, to receive a glimpse to a promise.  As if it weren’t enough to be at the top of a mountain, watching something heavenly happen to the physical Jesus, all while conversing with two guys that died thousands of year before  this moment, Peter, James and John hear a thunderous voice from the heavens say, “This is my beloved Son; listen to him.”  When it comes to life and all it encompasses, this statement is monumental.

Who is Jesus? What is He saying? Are we truly listening to Him?

You know, many now in this post post christian era write us off as mythical, spiritual fanatics who leverage their lives on a whimsical faith; but the reality is that we hinge our faith utterly on the life, actions, sacrifice, power and words of a historical figure.  The truth is Jesus of Nazareth really lived, really healed people of diseases, really said He was the Son of God, really predicted His own death, (among fulfilling every prophecy of Him, including his birth); was really crucified, really died and according to the testimony of many, really resurrected.  We cannot deny His existence, history does not allow for that.  We are only left with the responsibility to seek out the truth and even then we fall short.  But in his goodness, God pursues us through His Son Jesus, in the power of His Spirit, to see us in a fruitful relationship with Him.

Only “in Christ” can we have full and eternal security and encouragement.  Center your lives, ministry, work, relationship, and everything around Him.  ”Listen to Him”, not for the sake of listening to Him, but for the sake of receiving the full recompense of obedience – full complete joy! (John 15:11). 

It’s easy to follow Jesus if he’s presented with attachments that are appealing.  However, the Bible teaches us differently.  David Platt challenges us this week to take initiative and strip any attachments that we might have on the Jesus we follow.  He challenges us to cling to the revealed Word of God, both written and living (The Bible and Jesus) in order to faithfully (and truly)  follow him.  In doing so, we’ll be constantly made aware of 3 major things about what it means to truly follow Jesus and our salvation in Him:

The sinfulness of our hearts

The severe gap between us and God

God’s loving, passionate and resilient pursuit of our hearts and subsequent transformation

Be sure to check the different links to know more about what’s cooking in Wash Heights and Inwood:

http://www.facebook.com/rich.perez716#!/pages/Christ-Crucified-Fellowship/102775703104035

http://www.chiselseason.blogspot.com/

www.siniswack.com

Grace

1. I say it for the non-christians who think that christians think that we believe we are exempt from a troubled and pain-filled life.  Not true.  In fact, following Jesus and living as he did is so difficult we can only do it through the help of His Spirit. Romans 8:6-11 reminds us that its only through God the Spirit that we can do what the “flesh”, us, can’t otherwise do – submit to Him and live in a loving relationship with him.  Galatians 2:20 also reminds us of this.  That in this life we have the faith that what Jesus has done for us, in our place, has positioned us in right relationship with God.  And that through that faith God sets up shop in us and empowers us to live in a way that not merely acknowledges God but highlights him!  And, please, don’t get me twisted, I’m not saying we’re incapable of anything, BUT, living a Jesus-centered, Father honoring life without the Spirit’s empowering isn’t one of them.
2. I say it for the christians that really do believe that we are exempt from trouble, pain and suffering because that’s only reserved for those who lived opposed to the God of the Bible. WRONG!  It’s bogus to even remotely think this way.  If you think of the process that the Father takes us through – saving us from sin and death, preparing us for the indescribable banquet with Jesus upon his return through sanctification, and then finally, glorifying and perfecting us for eternity; trouble, pain, and suffering are all factors to that final product. (I know, run-on sentence…leave me alone, I was in the zone! lol)  I can sit here and type away the numerous passages of scripture that point to this but I’ll only give you two.  First, Paul, who in speaking about our inheritance as believers in Jesus says this about receiving our inheritance, “if children, then heirs-heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided that we also suffer with him in order that we may be glorified with him.” Keyword: “PROVIDED.”  Second passages comes from the mouth of Jesus himself in Luke 24:26, “was is not necessary that the Christ should suffer these things and enter in his glory?”  If we are to pick up our own crosses and follow Jesus, then surely, in a broader sense, this applies to us.

Anyway, I’ve said more than what I intended.  I’ll be real loose and leave y’all with an email I sent my wife, Anna about a week or so ago during some suffering we were in.  Hopefully it encourages you to see how the Bible isn’t merely a book but a “light to [our] path.”

Hey, I thought I was more important to cuddle a bit last night, so I didn’t get the chance to share some things…

When u can, take a look through these passages and see where the answer to ur question is:

• Philippians 1:12,13
• 2 Corinthians 1:3-5
• 1 Corinthians 1:6-8
• Romans 3:5-6

I believe this is all a strengthening of our faith.  Taking us through what CCF people are or will be going through in order that we can say to them “yeah, we’ve been through that too.  here’s how we overcame…”

My phone is almost dead, but I wanted to send this b4 it died.  Love u

Rich Perez

www.christcrucifiednyc.org

Sent from my iPhone



I was surrounded by older seasoned leaders who were transparent enough to say, “we don’t know much but here’s what we do know…”. From a young guy like me, that was refreshing. As I shared some request that I wanted to bring before Jesus they were very careful to listen and eager to share wise insight. This time of corporate prayer was refreshing on a number of levels. Here are some of the things I took away:

• I was strengthened in the faith and encouraged to share my faith…Philemon 4-6; Romans 1:9-12
• I confessed area of weakness and sin, serving as a relief and reminder of God’s faithfulness…1 John 1:9; Psalm 32:1,3-5

Get up! Get it in prayer with the rest of the body. If you’re not a christian but know of some, ask them to pray for you. You’ll be amazed by Jesus.

Follow the link below for their latest track teaching us that God cannot be contained by this world and that as his kidz we live in light of that!

http://www.thebreax.com/notofthisworld.mp3

With the baby asleep in the backseat, the car in front of our apartment building, Anna and I looked at each other and took a deep breath.  Anna closes her eyes and began to share some final thoughts.  Here are some of the major points she hit:

1. God is supplying us with His grace for this difficult season – 2 Corinthians 12:8-10
2. This difficult season is preparing us for what’s ahead – Romans 5:3-5
3. God is faithful to us – Romans 5:5; 8:28; 2 Timothy 2:11-13
4. The work He’s preparing us for is near – Ephesians 5:16 (prophetic)

As Anna spoke, I never felt the impulse to respond.  At that moment I knew God had particular words to share to both of us – and He was using Anna to share them.

After speaking the last words, she broke into tears and said, “thank you, Jesus.”

Jesus is a shepherd and he cares for his sheep.  John 10:3 tells us that he “leads them.”  John also tells that the sheep “know his voice”, implying that he speaks.  Of course, he speaks mainly and ultimately through the Scriptures, but also through the Spirit which he’s placed in the believer.  The Spirit “will guide us in all truth…and glorify [Jesus].” (John 16:12,14)

My encouragement: Husbands, love your wives by leading them in reflections of everyday life and aligning it with what God has to say in Scripture.  This allows for your wife to develop and cultivate spiritual maturity and/or whatever gifts God has given them.  Wives, love your husbands by encouraging them.  Your gifts and maturity are a priceless contribution to the team.

These will aide to reflect Jesus and honor the Father.  Continue to grow in the knowledge and love of Jesus!

“The sorrow of those who run after another god will multiply…[but], in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.”

The truth is that the God of the Bible is the only one that gives sincere, complete and permanent joy.  However, experience is the avenue that connects intellectuality to practicality.  In other words, this truth is only best when experienced.

There aren’t many moments when my brother and I are together that result in sadness or are uneventful.  Rather, they are mostly always filled with laughter and refreshment.  In a greater light, being in the presence, moreover, being in union with God; the all-knowing, all-powerful and all good – would logically result in utmost satisfaction over any other company.

In a reference to being with Jesus in the physical, John writes “so that our joy may be complete.”

Speaking on the centrality of who he is and the significance of union in him, Jesus puts it this way, “these things i have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you and that you joy may be full.”

I’ve tried my hand at relationships, popularity and even sports, but as God spoke to Israel while leading them to the promised land, serving other gods outside of the God of the Bible “will surely be a snare to you.”

If you’re a believer fighting for joy, turn to Jesus.  Trust in him.  Feast on the words that lead you directly to him, knowing that he will place his joy in you.  If you’re not a believer and have searched for permanent joy, here he is.  His name is Jesus!

Prayer: God, life is hard and circumstances arise.  Forgive us if we’ve sought satisfaction, relief and/or joy anywhere but in you.  Thank you that you pursue us and wants us to experience your truths.  Put in us your joy, that we may be satisfied in your presence.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.