Christ Un-barred - Sunday Service - Our Story is His Story Part 5

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Let everything that has rest. Come on, shout it out! Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord! Let everything that has rest. Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord! Let everything that has rest. Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord! Hallelujah! Let's shout out His name, Jesus! Good morning, good morning, House of Rest. Boy, it is fire in here this morning. Praise God. Really quickly, we're going to hang on to the kiddos a little bit longer today, so please wait for an official release. And then, welcome. If this is your first time, we're going to jump right back into worship. We're going to have a word. We've got a little bit of something special going on today, so stay tuned. Hallelujah. Thank you, precious Lord. I need you now to do the same thing for me, for me, for me. My God, my God, I need you. Oh God, my God, I need you now. How I need you now. Oh rock, oh rock of ages, I'm standing on your faithfulness. On your faithfulness. Thank you, Lord.

I'm calling on the God of Mary. Whose favor rests upon the Lord. I know with you all things are possible. I'm calling on the God of David. Who made a shepherd boy courageous. I may not face Goliath, but I got my own giant. Oh God, my God, I need you. Oh God, my God, I need you now. How I need you now. Oh rock, oh rock of ages, I'm standing on your faithfulness. On your faithfulness. Oh God, my God, I need you. Oh God, my God, I need you now. How I need you now. Oh rock, oh rock of ages, I'm standing on your faithfulness. On your faithfulness. Yes. I'm standing on your faithfulness, Lord. You heard your children then. You hear your children now. You are the same God. You are the same God. You answered prayers back then. And you will answer now. You are the same God. You are the same God. You were providing then. You are providing now. You are the same God. You are the same God.

You moved in power then. God moved in power now. You are the same God. You are the same God. You were a healer then. You are a healer now. You are the same God. You are the same God. You were a Savior then. You are a Savior now. You are the same God. You are the same God. Oh God, my God, I need You. Oh God, my God, I need You now. Now I need You now. Oh rock, oh rock of ages, I'm standing on Your faithfulness. On Your faithfulness. Oh God, my God, I need You. Oh God, my God, I need You now. Now I need You now. Oh rock, oh rock of ages, I'm standing on Your faithfulness. On Your faithfulness. I'm standing on Your faithfulness, Lord. Thank You, Lord. We're standing on Your faithfulness, Lord. Yes, Lord. Thank You, Lord. On Your faithfulness, Lord. Yes, Lord. We stand on You, Lord. You're our rock, Lord. Yes, our cornerstone. Our cornerstone. You freed the captives then. You're freeing hearts right now. You are the same God. You are the same God. You touched the leopards then. I feel Your touch right now. You are the same God. You are the same God. You're the same God. Yesterday, today, and forevermore. You're the same God. You're the same God. Thank You, Lord. I'm calling on the Holy Spirit. Almighty River, come and fill me again. Come and fill me again. Come and fill me again. Come and fill me again. Thank You, Lord. We trust in You, precious Lord. We put our trust in You, Heavenly Father. We trust in You, Lord. Blessed assurance. Jesus is mine. He's been my warm man in the fire time after time. Born of His Spirit, washed in His blood. And what He did for me on Calvary is more than enough. I trust in God, my Savior, the one who will never fail. He will never fail. I trust in God, my Savior, the one who will never fail. If you're the one, who will never fail, he will never fail. Perfect submission, all is at rest. I know the author of tomorrow, Lord at my step. So this is my story, this is my song. Praising my risen King and Savior all the day long. I trust in God, my Savior, the one who will never fail. He will never fail. I trust in God, my Savior, the one who will never fail. He will never fail. He will never fail, Lord. Yes, Lord.

You'll never fail us, Lord. Thank you, Lord. I sought the Lord and He heard and He answered. That's why I trust Him. I sought the Lord and He heard and He answered. That's why I trust Him. I sought the Lord and He heard and He answered. That's why I trust Him. I sought the Lord and He heard and He answered. That's why I trust Him. That's why I trust in God, my Savior, the one who will never fail. He will never fail. I trust in God, my Savior, the one who will never fail. He will never fail. I sought the Lord and He heard and He answered. That's why I trust Him. That's why I trust Him. I sought the Lord and He heard and He answered. That's why I trust Him. That's why I trust in God, my Savior, the one who will never fail. He will never fail. I trust in God, my Savior, the one who will never fail. ♪ We will never fail, we will never fail ♪ ♪ My trusting God, my Savior, the one who will never fail ♪ ♪ We will never fail, I trust in you, my Savior, the one who will never fail ♪ ♪ My trusting God, my Savior, the one who will never fail ♪ ♪ We will never fail, I trust in you, my Savior, the one who will never fail ♪ I pray that that was your prayer this morning. That you place all your trust in Him. Hallelujah, thank you.

The service, everyone stand up, shake it off. We got 30 seconds to say hello to your neighbor. Shake the hand of someone. We got a lot of visitors in the house today, so meet someone you don't know. Pando, Edovo, welcome. We're so glad that you're part of the family. And everyone tuning in online, we're glad you're here. Hi. Hi. Amen. For those that are watching through their screen, those on Facebook, on YouTube, Pando and Edovo, you could be anywhere else, but you're here with us. Thank you so much. Amen. Amen. Good morning. God bless each and every one of you. Thank you for coming. Welcome to the House of Rest Church. We like to say, before we're a church, we are a family. God bless you. You are the word at the beginning One with God, the Lord Most High Your hidden glory in creation Now revealed in you, Most High What a beautiful name it is What a beautiful name it is The name of Jesus Christ our King

What a beautiful name it is Nothing compares to this What a beautiful name it is The name of Jesus You didn't want heaven without us So Jesus, you brought heaven down Your sin was great, your love was greater What can separate us now What a beautiful name it is What a wonderful name it is The name of Jesus Christ my King What a wonderful name it is Nothing compares to this What a wonderful name it is The name of Jesus The name of Jesus ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪

♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ ♪ The Bible is a revelation, chapter 12. We are still in our sermon series. Of our story is his story. I started this off with my testimony. Angel, Pastor Angel and Diana shared theirs. Sharon shared hers. Armando shared his, our Spanish pastor. And we're going to continue. But I want to show you this verse in Revelation chapter 12. Verse 11. Revelation chapter 12 is the last book of the Bible, if you don't know. Revelation 12, 11 says this, it says, and they have conquered him, talking about Satan. So if anything's going to let us know how to conquer Satan, we want to keep our eyes open and know how. And they conquered him by the blood of the Lamb, talking about Jesus, and by the word of their testimony. For they loved not their lives even unto death. Now a lot of times we take our testimony as if this is talking about our testimony, as

if our testimony is going to defeat Satan. No. Let's read it in context. That's why it's titled Our Story is His Story. We're not here to glorify ourselves on how crazy we were, how bad we were. This is his testimony. Because if you go down, since you're already there, I want you to go down to this verse I want to show you in verse 17. Right there. Revelation 12, 17, and it gives us context. It says, then the dragon, talking about Satan, became furious with a woman and went off to make war on the rest of her offspring. Look at this. On those who keep the commandments of God, right, so if we hold to the commandments of the Lord, and hold to the testimony of, what does it say, Jesus. So when we share our testimony, it's never about you, it's never about me, it's about the testimony of him. So when we share our story, when we share our life, it is never to glorify ourselves, it is never to shine a light on ourselves. It's about sharing our story, because it's his story. And that's what's so important for us to understand. In these last few weeks, many people have shared up here, it's always been certain things, like for instance, Pastor Angel and Diana, when they shared, it was about a crumbling marriage and how God was able to come in. So each one pertains to something that somebody here needs to hear. And I want to say this, is that I think a lot of times, we don't know what somebody has been through or gone through. We have no idea. And we see them here at church, and we, you know, we shake their hand or say hi, or maybe you ignore them, I don't know, but we don't know, just the same way many of us don't know

your story on what you have gone through. But I felt that this one was powerful, because this one needs to be heard. And this is not even about, oh, whoever comes and shares a testimony, they're just walking perfect. I don't think, I don't, I don't, I don't walk on water, I tried in Monterey, it didn't work. None of us are perfect. That's why we testify about the one that is perfect. But I love the fact of what God is doing in the lives of the people here. And today, I want to call up Joseph, Brother Joseph. And I want him to share, because I think there's stuff about his life that maybe you don't know that I pray affects you and stirs you. So with that, Joseph, are you ready? Amen. Good morning, church. I'm going to do my best to try to deliver this message that the Lord has put on my heart today. Pastor David and Sharon, I'm truly honored, and it's a privilege to be up here on a Sunday service. There is a seriousness that, and a heaviness to speaking up here on a Sunday service, not just announcements, but today I'm responsible for the service. So bear with me, guys. Amen. Amen. Amen. So let me open in prayer, guys. Lord, we thank you for this day, Lord. I thank you for this opportunity to share to your people, God. I have the message that you've given me, God, and I just pray that it's delivered the way that you need it to be delivered, and it touches the heart that you need to touch today, Lord. I thank you for your promise that where two or more are gathered, that you are here in

the midst, God. We thank you for your presence in this building, and ask, God, that you just move and begin to touch every heart and mind in this building, God. We thank you in the mighty name of Jesus, amen. I'm going to start off with reading the book of Acts, chapter 7, verse 54. And it says, now when they heard these things, they were enraged, and they ground their teeth at him. But he, full of the Holy Spirit ... gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. And he said, behold, I see the heavens open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God. But they cried out with loud voices and stopped their ears and rushed together at him. Then they cast him out of the city and stoned him. And the witnesses laid their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul. And as they were stoning Stephen, he called out, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. And falling to his knees, he cried out with a loud voice, Lord, do not hold their sins against them. And when he said that, he fell asleep. Just a little backstory on this. After the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus, the church really began to grow and a complaint had come up that the Hellenistic Jews' widows were being overlooked in the distribution. And so what the apostles did is they got together

with the men of the church and they said, hey, listen, pick seven men from among yourselves who you trust and you know to be full of the spirit of God and we're gonna have them take care of this ministry, right? Because it makes no sense for the apostles to stop preaching the word of God, to stop praying for the people to go and wait tables. That'd be like saying, Pastor David, you're not gonna preach on Sunday because we need you to go help out with the coffee. So, amongst those men was a man named Stephen. And opposition, the Bible says that Stephen, he was a man full of faith, full of God's grace. He was doing wonders in front of the people. And eventually, opposition came against Stephen. He was innocently accused of blasphemy of the Holy Spirit, innocently accused, saying that this Jesus of Nazareth was gonna come and destroy everything that Moses had given them. And he was brought before the court. And when he was asked, what do you have to say about these accusations being brought before you? He started to give an account of everything from Abraham to Joseph to Moses. And one of the things he pointed out was that from the very beginning, your fathers rejected the prophet of God. They rejected the Holy Spirit of God. And here you are today, just like your fathers, rejecting the Holy Spirit,

so much so that you killed the one that the prophet spoke of. And we find the situation where Stephen is being stoned. And when I first read this story, I remember being so amazed that a man being innocently accused, being innocently murdered, looked up to heaven, and he sees Jesus, and he didn't ask for help. He didn't seek revenge. He cried out for the forgiveness of their sins and asked the Lord not to hold it against them. And I try to put myself in that situation, right? If I was in that situation and I look up, I'm being murdered, and I see Jesus staring, I would've took a completely different route. I would've asked for help. I would've said, Lord, you see what's going on down here? Strike all these dudes down, right? If you can't send me an angel, send me Israel and his daughters. They'll just beat them all up. Right? But Stephen, he called out for their forgiveness. You know, all of us, we all get dealt different hands in life. We get thrown crazy curve balls. And some of our lives are a lot worse than others as kids, as adults. And for me, I feel like my childhood was pretty normal.

I think some people, like in today's generation, might call it child abuse, but for me, it was normal. I didn't see nothing wrong with it, right? I, growing up, I was in one out of three places. I was either at home with my mom, I was at my grandma's house, or I was with my dad. And at my mom's house, you know, she worked. She was a single mom, four kids. She was always gone. So it was just me and my siblings at home. You know, we had a lot of good times where we had fun. We had times where we were fighting and we tore the whole house up and things were getting thrown everywhere. But 30 minutes before mom got off work, we started cleaning to act like nothing ever happened. I don't know if you guys ever had those situations, right? No, no, no, never. Never. But my siblings, we were close. We loved each other. We had each other's backs. You know, they'd pick on me all the time because I was the youngest. So every time they had a bad day, I had a bad day, right? But nonetheless, we loved each other. And if I wasn't at my mom's house, I was with my grandma. I was very, very close with my grandma Nana growing up. Every chance I got, I go to her house and every chance my mom got, she dropped me off at her house

sometimes for a month at a time. But you know, my grandma, as sweet as she was, I remember I'd be sitting on her couch, watching cartoons, and she gets knocked at the door all day long. She'd get up and go to the door, and it'd be her friends, and they always said the same thing. Hey, Nana, I need some more. I need some more. They'd come in, go in the room. I don't know what they did, right? I'm just watching cartoons. I don't even care. A few minutes, they'd come out talking. Her friend would sit down on the couch. The next thing you know, made a conversation. They're falling asleep. I'm like, man, that dude is tired. I didn't know at the time, but my grandma was dealing heroin out of her house, and she would sit down on the couch. The next thing you know, made a conversation. They're falling asleep. I'm like, man, that dude is tired. I didn't know at the time, but my grandma was dealing heroin out of her house, and but it was never exposed to me, right? I'd be at my grandma's house, and there'd be ammunition behind the counters, and I just knew not to touch that, right? Nobody had to tell me not to touch the guns that were there. Nobody had to tell me, hey, when you're outside playing, this is too far. I just knew, right? But nonetheless, my grandma loved me, and she never exposed those things to me, and

I would be at her house as often as I could. There was kids out there, and it was the 90s growing up, so playing outside was normal, right? Playing tag, riding bikes, jumping ramps, throwing rocks at the cars on the freeway. Normal kid stuff, you know? Normal kid stuff. That was me. I'm sorry. But that was every chance I got, I'd be with my grandma, and if I wasn't home, I wasn't with my grandma, I was with my dad, and I can tell you right now that my dad loved me so much. I say that with confidence. I could say so much as he loved me more than anybody in the world, and he showed that, right? But as much as he loved me, he had an alcohol problem, and when he got drunk, he was the most annoying person in the world. No matter where we were, at his house, at a family party, he'd be like, come here, and he'd just start scolding me for nothing. Why are you running around like that? Why blah, blah, blah? And then he'd start to tell me about his problems and my mom's problems, and he'd tell me, you're nothing like me. You ain't nothing like me. You're just like your mom. You're just like your mom's side of the family. You're a Moran. You're not a Rodriguez. And it got annoying, right, to the point where I didn't want to be around him anymore, right? Weekends come around, and he'd call if I wanted to come over, and I'd be like, no, I'm good.

Thank you, though. And so I'd be at my grandma's house as much as I could, but eventually her house got old. A water pipe busted. It was leaking longer than anybody realized, and they had to knock the house down, and my grandma came to live with us. Not a complaint, but that just eliminated one place I had to go, and I didn't want to be at home. He didn't pick them. So not wanting to be around my dad, I started hanging around my cousins a lot more, right? He lived in southeast Stockton in the Sierra Vista Housing Projects, and around there, those kids were a little more rowdy. You know, they were kind of, got into a lot of fights out there. We would just run around, and you know, the thing about his house that I like so much is that nobody was going to get drunk and yell at us, because his mom was a heroin addict, so she'd just nod off, and we'd do whatever we want, you know, nobody would bother us. But we grew up close. Me, my siblings, my cousins, he had brothers and sisters, and we all grew up close. You know, didn't really, I had friends at school, but like, outside of school, we didn't have friends, because we had family. We had our siblings, and we were our friends. We were our best friends. Growing up, like, I always remember just being with my cousins and my siblings, and, sorry. I'm going to set a timer on this iPad. But we grew up close, and eventually, one day, I remember it was the year 2000, my mom moved us all the way to North Stockton. We grew up on the east side and the south side of Stockton, and so, moving out there was like moving to a whole other city, right? I always throw shade and say, they had everything out there. They had golf land, they had bowling alleys, and theaters, and skating rinks, and I was like, why do these dudes ever gang bang?

Like, North Stockton had everything. Shots fired. But we moved out there, and it was a little hard for me just moving out there. The kids were just different. They were kids. They weren't out there acting dumb like we were growing up. But eventually, I don't remember where I met this guy, but I remember I had a red belt on, and this guy sees it, and we start talking, and we were talking about gang stuff, 10 years old, talking about gang stuff. I don't know why, but, you know, that's how we clicked, and we bonded, and we became friends, and I remember being at his house, and he said, hey, you ever heard the G.U.N. CD? And I was like, oh, yeah, it's old, right? But we would hang out every day at these apartment complexes. His apartment was just like an eye shot from mine, so every morning, we go, we hang out, we walk around, and one day, he introduced me to his cousin by the name of Chris, and Chris was an older guy who was maybe late teens. I was 10, and we spent that day just kind of hanging out at his apartment, talking, getting to know him, and when we left that day, he said, you know... H come over whenever you guys want. I'm always here, you know, and so we did we got to know Chris really well Whenever Ricky wasn't home there'd be times where I just go hang out with Chris, you know I don't know why this older guy was hanging out with the ten-year-old smoking weed, but you know, hey Me and Chris we ended up being pretty cool and and after some time he ended up meeting my sister my oldest sister Mona and they started to date and And I was really cool with that because Chris was like he was a cool dude like we hung out a lot So I was okay with Chris, you know dating my sister and time went by and their relationship built years went by You know, and she started bringing him around the family. We all got to know him. They had a daughter in the year 2003 I think it was Um Their their relationship just begin to grow and we get we got really got to know Chris

And as time went on, you know me and Chris we got we got so much closer Like I would ride around with him throughout the day all the time, you know, we'd be smoking weed. He'd be selling drugs He'd there'd be guns in the car and he's just over time He started to show me how to like weigh out the drugs how to bag it up how much it's worth and all these things He was teaching me and at the same time he talked to me about life Right go to school. Why do you want to be out here getting in trouble? You're teaching me But um But he talked to me about those kind of things like, you know, like like just go to school graduate, dude Like what's wrong with you? Go go meet girls. Go make friends. Like I'll have fun like there's nothing out here And he became kind of like a mentor he became a best friend somebody who like I bonded with daily And there was a time we were we were driving around and he got pulled over. We had just got done smoking and He was scared like I Got all this money. He had just made a sale. He had all this money and I was like here give it to me Like I'll just I'll say it's mine. I'll take the blame. Don't worry about it He just had my knees. So I was my mind was like, okay, you need to be here taking care of his daughter The cops pulled us over searched the car and they found all this money on me, right and they're like Where'd you get his money from? And I was like, it's my birthday money. I just had a birthday. My family gave it to me He's like birthday money. I had like four thousand dollars in my pocket. It's like birthday money. Seriously, right and from that day I don't know what it was that maybe Chris saw my loyalty towards him, but we got so much closer, right? He would like I've always had like new clothes after that matching clothes. I never had matching clothes growing up, right? I had one pair of shoes a year and whatever I had at home to that matched with it automatically didn't matter but That bond that we had, you know, he I was closer with him more than I was with my own brother And so My sister buys a house in North Orange doesn't buy how she rents a house in North Stockton Since 2004 early 2004 summer comes around she starts to invite me over more often And it was it It didn't seem strange to me at the time, right? Hey, I'll come over. I'll come hang out Can I bring my cousins? Yeah, bring them all like five or six of us hanging out eating our food My grandma lived there as well

so like we were also able to like hang out with her and like spend time with her and It was just a really like really good time in life things just seemed like perfect And then July 17 2004 Woke up that day got ready normal day. My mom got a phone call And it's my cousin and she's saying hey, like, you know, my brother-in-law's here from Southern, California Like they go to the movies or something and so we did and again like I'm so close with my cousins and I Invited him but he was gonna be late. So me and this guy we meet and I had no clue at the time, but He was a surreno And so we look at each other like what's up? I'm like, you know, and then I was like, hey, listen We'll just establish this right here like And so we look at each other like what's up like, you know, and then I was like, hey listen We'll just establish this right here like Something happens. I got your back bro. I know your sister-in-law your brother I really respect him and we'll just just have fun. And if something happens it happens. Oh, well, you know So we went in and we watched the movie snuck into another one. Finally, my cousin calls while we're in the middle of this movie And he says I answered him. I'm gonna tell him what theater we're in He says hey, did you hear about Mona? You know what? She did Mona's my oldest sister. That's dating Chris And I was like, no, it's what happened. He said she hung herself And I Remember sitting there for a minute shocked in this movie theater It didn't make sense, right? I've been spending all this time with my sister, and not one time did she give any kind of signal of being suicidal or anything. It didn't make sense. So I sit there for a minute, and I get up, and I walk out the movie theater, and I see my cousin that had dropped us off, and we make eye contact. She's looking for us already, and I walk towards her. And I asked her, is what they're saying about my sister true? She said, yes, I think it is.

We go out, get in her car, and we start to drive north, and I'm thinking we're going to my sister's house. And as we get towards my sister's, we go a different direction, and we end up at the apartment complexes that we lived at as kids. Chris's mom still lived there. And I walk up. I see all my family out in front of his mom's apartment crying, my mom screaming. That was the worst sound I've ever heard in my life is my mother crying, and I imagine any mother crying for her child that has passed away. But I remember my being there, and my brother wrapped his arm around me, and we started to walk. I didn't know where we were going. I was just walking. One of my cousins walks up next to us, and we head out to the parking lot, and I see Chris sitting in the back of a cop car. And immediately, I'm just like sad, like, oh, there's Chris, like, he's probably sad. I wonder how he's feeling. I wonder, you know. And we walk up to the side of the cop car, and this cop starts freaking out, like, get back. Like, you guys, get out of here. Go, go. And I was confused, right? I was waiting for Chris to look up at me. I was waiting for him to get out of the car, and they never, he never looked up. He just stayed with his head down, facing his lap. And I looked up at my brother. I was confused, and he looked at me, and he's like, he killed her. And in that instant, my best friend became, like, my worst enemy. I didn't understand it.

It didn't make sense. But as the days went by, and the stories started to come out more, witnesses said that, you know, about 4 a.m., they started to hear a woman screaming for help. They started hearing things get banged around and broken, and they could hear somebody trying to open a door, and then the door being shut right behind them while this person was screaming for help. Somebody help me, please. One of the witnesses, you know, he says, I'm sorry. I just thought they were fighting, but I banged on the wall, and I told him to shut up, because I got to go to work, and I had no idea, like, that something like this was actually happening. You know, it's Stockton people. Drama. They fight all the time, right? But my sister was dead. My mom, you know, she says that she had been trying to get a hold of my sister that whole day because they had plans, and my sister wasn't answering, and her job was trying to find her. She hadn't shown up for work. About 4, 30 p.m., Chris's mom answers the phone and says, hey, Mary, I think you need to come over here. Something's happened. He started fighting at 4 a.m., and nobody let my mom know or answered the phone or called the police until 4, 30 p.m. I remember after the days after my sister had died, you know, detectives were coming to the house, and people who did the autopsy were coming to the house, and they were saying, you know, all these things, and the detective. I was there in the house when he said, listen, I'm going to be honest with you. I know he killed her. All the evidence, the bruising, she had bruising on her arms, she had bruising on her face, she had bruising on her forehead.

The bruising was so bad on her body that they had to put so much makeup on her to try to hide it, and they couldn't hide it, and a net was placed over her casket so nobody could reach in and touch it because there was just so much makeup. And he says, I know he killed her, but I'm going to be honest. It's going to be hard to prove in court because this is his address, and the item that was used to hang her, his fingerprints are all over it, but it's his house. It's his address. We can't hold that against him. The bruising, the damage to her body that the autopsy's showing. It shows a lot, but it's his word against whose. She's not here to speak up for herself. She's not here to defend herself and say, he did this to me. I can book him, but he's going to get away. He could plead to something like domestic violence, assault, anything, and as soon as he was released, two days later, he could come out and say, I murdered her, and we won't be able to do a thing about it. And that alone caused so much anger, so much hate. You know, custody battles went on for the next few months. When my grandma was living there with them at that house, and when she woke up that morning, she found my niece by herself in the room, and the door was wide open. She don't know what happened. She didn't know where my sister was. She couldn't get a hold of her. And so after everything, my mom had my niece, and Chris was trying so hard to get her. I just want my daughter. I want to come pick her up. That's all I want. He never said, hey, I'm sorry for the loss of your daughter. I'm sorry this happened. It was, hey, I just want my daughter.

Big old custody battle. Detectives always come in, and I remember at this time, my mom was so paranoid of losing my niece. She always said, do not touch Chris. She told my cousin, I had a cousin from L.A., and he came, and he's like, let me handle it. She's like, no, don't, because I do not want to lose my granddaughter. My niece was one years old when her mom was murdered by her dad. She grew up without her mom, and just my mom was just so paranoid of losing her, and it was to the point, this custody battle and all these things where every time somebody saw Chris, what he did is he would go to the police station, and he would make a report and say, hey, you know, this family, they're threatening to kill me, right? They're threatening my life. They're looking for me. They're threatening to harm me, and I can't go anywhere, because I feel threatened everywhere I go. He's making police reports. So it was always, don't touch him. One day, my mom's lawyer called, and she said, hey, what's going on? She said, Chris's lawyer's saying that your son's pulled a gun out on Chris, and I remember I was 13, 14 years old, and I said, I promise you, the day I pull a gun out on Chris, he's not going to be able to tell you about it. But that was the thing. He was making things so difficult. You know, when the person you love commits suicide, you don't go and make life difficult, make reports on their family just for custody of your daughter. So much didn't add up where, it just didn't add up, and in the end, you know, he got away with the murder, just because, you know, there's just not enough solid evidence to book him in a court of law. My grandma lived with this.

And about a year and a half after my sister passed, my grandma found out she had stage four cancer. She died within two weeks, and before she died, I remember sitting at her bed and having conversations about my sister, you know, the stories, laughs, things that upset her, the things that she talked about for her future. My grandma passed away. I remember feeling really, really alone. My sister was gone. Chris was like an enemy now, I hated him. My grandma was gone. And it just caused a lot of pain and hurt, anger. I remember one day I went to school, and I was, I got in trouble, I don't remember what I did, it was my fault, got myself in trouble, but I realized that it was gonna be my last day in school because they've had enough of me. I remember going, I was walking down Charter Way, headed home, and I sat in this Burger King, and I remember just sitting there thinking about life, thinking about my sister, thinking about my grandma. I just started to cry. You know, the hurt and the pain that I was feeling, I had nobody to talk to about it. I don't even think I would have wanted to talk to anybody about it other than my grandma. So I just held it all in. After leaving that place, I held it all in, and it became anger. It became like a rage. You know, my mom, all her focus was on my niece, and I don't blame her at all, you know? It's like, almost kind of like if she... Not in a purposely, but like she forgot she had other kids that needed her still. You know? But I never held that against her because I understand. Never held that against my niece because I love her more than anything in the world. But I started hanging out in the streets more, right?

I started to realize my mom didn't really care what it was I was doing. My dad, I still didn't like being around him. So I would hang out with my cousins, and we'd be in the streets, and one day, a friend of ours, we're hanging out, and he says, you guys want to go rob somebody? And I'd never done nothing like that before, but you know, knucklehead kid, I was like, let's go. Let's do it. He says, easy, man. We're going to go to Charter Way. He's going to walk out the bar. We're going to knock him out, take his money, and just get out of here. Disappear in the night, right? There's an alley right here. We'll run right across. And we did it, and it became my new addiction in life, right? I'm not trying to make myself sound cool when I say this, but there was something about the look in somebody's eye, the fear of them not knowing if they're going to live or going to die that fired me up, right? And I started chasing that. It wasn't even really about the money no more. It was just about punching somebody, about robbing somebody, burning somebody in the face with a cigarette. But eventually that caught up to us, got arrested, ended up in CYA, walking around with big dudes like Matt walking around. I was like, oh, man, here we go. But I got lucky. I ended up in fire camp for most of my time there. Yeah, I fired aggressively. Got out. It was just a hot knucklehead.

Ended up going right back. This time I got sentenced to a prison term. And my time in county jail, I remember meeting these older guys. They've been to like Pelican Bay, the SHU. They've been to all these big prisons. You know, they had... I'm going to talk about stuff that some people might not like, and I know this is going into the prison system. And I'm just going to talk about it, right? Scott's story. Your problem's not with me, it's with him. And he goes before me like a raging fire, so if you want to try it, try him. But these dudes, they were like guys of status. And I remember being in prison with these guys, and I remember one day Scott was like, hey, bro, I like you, bro. You're cool. I want to teach you how to hold this position. You know, it's nothing like... I was a nobody, right? Don't get me wrong. I'm not trying to... I wasn't nobody, but I was learning things, right? How to hold positions in county jail, and how to run a COC, a security, a learning education to teach the guys. And so whenever there was somebody who didn't have status on our building, I was eligible to take care of things on that building until they came. But I remember this guy pulled me to the side one day, and he looked at me all crazy. He's like, hey, bro, come here. Let me talk to you for a minute. I was like, uh-oh.

What'd I do? We were walking to the yard, and I was just going through everything like, all right, never... I haven't done nothing wrong. I'm good. Nothing's going to happen, right? I'm looking around for bombers to see if somebody's going to beat me up, and I'm not looking. And I was good. And he just stood up against the wall, and he looked at me, and he says, what do you know about our people's history? What do you know about our cause, our struggle? You know weaponry? And from that moment, every day, this guy pulled me to the side, and he started to pour this lifestyle into my mind, right? I was just soaking it all up like a sponge, right? I was learning prison history, bonds, formats. I was learning weaponry. Like I said, I was learning how to run a yard, you know? And this lifestyle became so real to me, right? I was a believer of it, and it's like I started to readjust my focus to this lifestyle, and it's all I cared about. You know, when things would happen, I was like, bro, I'll do it, bro. I'll go send me, right? But jail is a revolving door, and so the ones who are going to be around a while, they wanted to keep. But he looked at me, and he's like, look, bro, stop being a hothead, right? We're not going to cut the head off of our own horse, because if you cut the head off the horse, the body falls. And so I stuck around, eventually went to prison, and just meeting more guys, and this lifestyle, becoming a believer of this lifestyle.

I remember my first day in DVI. At this time, there was a war going on between the blacks and the northerners, and so they had to tell me, you're going to be on lockdown, dude. You're going to be in that cell all day, take as many books as you can. The limit was five. So I looked for five. Five of the thickest books I could find, right? We get to R&R. They give me a bag with all my stuff, blankets, clothes, and all my property. And I have these five heavy books. And we're getting ready to walk to West Hall, which is all the way at the end of this long hallway. And then they put shackles on me, right? So I'm walking like this with this heavy book. And I want to cry because this stuff is so heavy, right? But I just kind of tough it out. Get there. I get to my cell. The guy in the cell next to me kind of skipped a part. But when I got to West Hall, right, I started to walk in. And as you walk in, the moment I took a step into the building, I started to hear this guy yelling, right? He starts yelling, new arrivals, West Hall! New arrivals, West Hall! And three tiers on this side, three tiers on that side. They go, I think, 30 doors down. But everybody in that place is just yelling, new arrivals, West Hall! And so I'm walking up to the third tier to my cell.

And as I'm walking up, I start to see familiar faces in the doors, right? I'm like, oh, what's up, bro? And I'm hearing people call my name from across the tier, like, hey, bro. I'm getting excited because I'm seeing familiar faces. And I get to my cell. And I remember feeling respected. That was, dude, I knew a heck of people here. That was tight. But it made me think that, oh, yeah, this lifestyle is for me, right? I feel respected here. But the guy in the cell next to me, there was this little hole in between our cells, right? There was a desk there. At least, I hope that's what that hole is for. And so he starts to talk to me. He's like, hey, bro, how you doing? I'm going to shoot you some information. Go ahead, fill it out. Read it in this paper. I get it. I read it. And it's saying, due to the circumstances of our current situation, we're allowing new arrivals to hold weaponry. And he asked me, hey, bro, do you want to hold weaponry? And I was like, yeah, shoot it. He's like, we got a knife over here that was just made.

Send it. And he's like, cool, I'm going to send you some instructions on how to secure it, right? I was like, that doesn't mean secure it. Yeah. So five minutes later, he's like, hey, bro. And then he shoots this paper through the door. I start to unroll it. And it's instructions on how to stick a knife up your butt. And I'm like, look, bro, Satan might be gay, but I'm not. I sent that thing back. I was like, I'll take a razor, bro. I'm good. I'm not. Keep that for yourself. But I got through prison. Another 2 and 1⁄2 years wasted. Come out all big-headed, because I know all these people. And I have all this brand new education. And I know things that are going on. I'm still a nobody. I just want to say that. I'm a nobody at all whatsoever. Held no position or no status or anything like that. But I got this job. And at this job, there was a lot of felons that were working there. Because this woman, I'm going to put her on blast. She got fired anyways. She was charging felons, hey, I could get you a job.

Pay me $300, and I'll do the paperwork for you, and we'll let you go in. She eventually got caught. But while I was at this job, I seen an old friend. And we started talking, and he knew I was gone. And he's like, man, bro, that's cool, bro. And I told him, I was in Arizona with one of your homies from your hood, bro. And he's like, oh, yeah, that's cool. And he starts asking about people. And we're just doing that this person, that person conversation, right? You know him, you know her. And then he says, yeah, bro, do you know the big homie? Said his nickname. I was like, no, I don't know that dude, bro. He's like, you sure, bro? I was like, I'm pretty positive. I never even heard of that dude. Like, I don't know his name. He's like, yeah, bro, he's a big homie. He just got out, bro. He's doing a lot of things right now for the homies. We're making money and blah, blah, blah, blah, blah. And I was like, really? I never even heard of him. That's weird. He's like, yeah, bro, you know him. I was like, no, I don't know him, bro. He's like, you have to, bro.

You just like, you know? And then I was like, I don't know him. And he's like, oh, OK. His name's Chris whatever, you know? And I was like, shock. He said the name of the guy that killed my sister. Shock because, one, he said his name, but two, because this guy is now operating at a high level in the lifestyle that I believed in so much. And knowing the history of this guy and making police reports and snitching on my family, I was like, how? Like, how is that possible? How can this guy be of such high status? Did they not do like a proper background check and blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, right? And so I tell him like, no way, bro. And he's like, yeah. So I kind of dummy roll it, right? I'm like, OK, yeah, no, I haven't met him. You know, I didn't tell him nothing. And I reach out to some of my friends in prison. And I tell them the situation. And I tell them, I got paperwork on this, dude, bro. Like, I have it. He's like, all right, listen, I'm going to text you a number or name, send it to this name, and I'll take care of it from here, bro, like, I got you. I was like, all right, bro. He's like, don't trip, bro, like, you're good, bro, I got you. So I sent it over.

A couple of days later, he calls me back, and he says, hey, I went ahead, I took care of that for you, bro. It's in the process, bro. I'll let you know if I hear anything or as soon as I hear something. And I want to let you know that the homie right here is next to me, a guy that I did time with, the guy that had pulled me to the side in the prison yard, or the county jail yard. And he's right here next to me, bro, he says, what's up, he sends his love, he's going to be in contact, okay. He calls me a couple of days later, he got a cell phone, and he says, hey, bro, like, you know, just wanted to update you, you know, I talked to so-and-so out there, and it's getting taken care of, you know, it's a due process, so just hang tight, you know, don't worry about nothing, I got you, I gave him my opinion on how to handle this situation, it's in your favor, don't worry about it, bro, you're good. And then we start talking, he's like, hey, can you get me in contact with this person out there? You know, he's of this status, and I got him in contact that same day, and he's like, hey, I want you to meet him. So I go out there and meet him, let him know everything, you know, in full detail about your guys' situation, and he'll take it from here, bro, it's all right. I got to talk to this guy myself, and we met up at a parking lot, we start talking, and he's like, this is crazy, bro, like, you know, this guy's been out here for so long, and, you know, we never knew anything like this, you know, a lot of stuff that don't matter we talked about, but we had a long conversation, we stayed in contact after that, and one day I get a phone call from a friend, and he says, hey, what'd you do, bro? I was like, what do you mean? He said, what'd you do? I was like, nothing, what are you talking about? He's like, bro, dude that murdered your sister walked into the bar, and he went to shake all the homies' hands, and they all ignored him, like, every single one of them, he got

put on freeze, and from that moment, I was like, oh, it's on now, like, you know, like, they're going to get him, and I'm sure they're going to ask me to do it, and I was excited, because that was my mind at that time, right? I was like, I can't wait, I want this dude to die, like, I cannot wait, I was excited. Time passed, I talked to this guy again, we met, and he said, listen, like, yeah, he's on freeze, and blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, the day, you know, we told him to come out where we were fishing, and he goes, how you doing, bro, you know, started talking to him normal, and I said, hey, man, what's up with this guy, you know, he just got out, he's saying, you got paperwork on you, and Chris is saying, like, nah, he's just trying to smut me up, dude, they're lying, he's like, oh, really, okay, what's this, he said, Chris started crying, you know, he got nervous, because he knows the lifestyle that he's in. He says, I hear there's more, the guy started crying more, and he said, listen, you know, it's a due process, you know, we don't just do things just because, you know, everybody gets their opportunity to speak for themselves, and he had his, a couple weeks later, I get a phone call again to come meet this guy, we talk, he's like, hey, listen, bro, I gotta tell you something, you know, this guy's, his removal got sanctioned, and he knew, and he was refusing to come around, you know, we tell him, hey, let's go hang out, and he was, oh, no, I'm busy, I'm busy, I got this to do, but the guy who made the initial call to go ahead and take care of that, he went bad, he's like, and now somebody else gets to overlook the situation, and because of that, he cleared him, he's good, he's like, what do you mean, like, he's a snitch, he's like, yeah, but listen, man, he's making a lot of money right now, making a lot of money right now, and so, you know, we're just gonna, we're just gonna just, you know, hang tight, bro, just let things play out, and I was like, what do you mean, bro, like, this isn't what I was taught, like, this isn't nothing, like, you know, like, you're choosing money over morals right now, and I remember the look he shot me, I thought I was gonna die right there, and he's like, what, it's like, no, like, you're tripping, bro, like, don't ever say that again, bro, like, that's not what this is, there's more to it than you understand, and he just, like, flashed on me, and I thought I was dead, but I knew at that point I shouldn't argue anymore, I kept my mouth shut, we kept in contact, he would call me, and he, and I, when I walked away from that conversation,

though, I felt betrayed, right, I felt like all this is fake, you know, I remember being in prison, and we were in situations where, like, literally, we could have died, literally, and I chose to stick it out. I chose to stay with the people that I was with. I chose because I believed in it. I would rather die than be known as somebody who locked it up because I was scared. Nothing against anybody who's done that. You made a choice for your life, and that was a great choice. But for me at that time and my stupid mindset that I had, that wasn't for me. And so I grew real bitter towards the gang, grew really bitter towards everybody. And I remember I would walk around Stockton wearing blue on purpose. I hope one of these dudes say something to me. I hope I want this so bad. And I would get calls from this guy. And one time he called me and said, hey, we got into it with these people. And if you see them, you know what time it is. And I think he heard it in my voice. He heard it in my voice that I was clocked out, right? I wasn't interested. That was the last call I got from that guy. You know, years later, like a year or two later, I see the guy that I met at work, the one who originally told me about Chris. And I think it was COVID at that time, right? My dad had just had a stroke, and he was in the hospital.

And we all had stupid masks on outside. And we had to wait to get into the hospital. And I seen him, and I was like, hey, bro, what's up? I took my mask off so he could see me. And he looked at me. He's like, oh, what's up, bro? Everything about his interaction, I didn't like it, right? I was like, this dude's up to something. Look, he gave me the tone of his voice. He's like, how you been, bro? Like, hey, what's up with that paperwork, bro? You still got it on you right now? And I was like, yeah, I still got it. He's like, I got somebody that wants to see it, bro. And I'm like, oh, this dude's trying to set me up. Everything inside me in that moment was like, dude, bomb on this dude right now, right? And I didn't do it, right? Like I said, my dad had just had a stroke. He was in the hospital. And he reached out to my aunt. For some reason, he didn't have a phone in his hospital room that time. And he had told my aunt, like, you know, tell Joseph he needs to come and see me. So I'm pretty sure I'm going to die. Like, I can feel it. Like, something's wrong. But tell him he needs to come and talk to me. And so that's where my mind was, right?

I was like, I got to go see my dad. But before I got in there, my dad, he ended up having like a massive stroke. If you guys met him now, you see him. He walks around. He's blind sometimes when he wants to be. But he has short-term memory, right? So that's where my mind was at that time. Called my brother, let him know everything that was happening in case something did happen. And things happened after that, but it's not worth talking. But eventually, I ended up in Modesto full time. I found a job and came to be out here with my wife now. And my life started to build out here in Modesto, right? I go to Stockton every chance I got. But one, I didn't feel safe. I was too busy, right? And eventually, I got this job doing HVAC. I rode with my partner for about a year. He was training me in this field. I got to a point where I could be out on my own. So they gave me a work van. And I went to this work van. And I'm commuting from Modesto to the Bay Area every day. And there's two hours of drive time. And I was listening to music, and comedy, and podcasts, and all these things. And none of it could catch my attention long enough, right? I remember I saw this podcast a few weeks ago. And it was the Tony A show.

And he had this rapper on there that I used to listen to named Serdino. And Serdino had mentioned, hey, I have this church now. And me and my wife, we do daily devotionals. And in that moment, I remembered. And I tuned in. I was like, this stuff's boring. So I got onto his podcast. And immediately, just something about them, the videos that they were doing, the way they broke down scripture and talked about their daily life, it just caught my attention. And I was hooked on the first video. Every morning, I would wake up. First thing, I'd start. I'd get in the car. I'd just turn on that video. Because they would do one Monday through Friday. It was daily devotionals, relevant Bible talk. If you guys got time, look them up. They're still there. They are amazing. But they were talking about things. And it was things that actually started to apply to my life. At this time, I hated homeless people. I had to deal with them for about a year. And not just dealing with them personally for work, but my family members were just like that. They're dope fiends that kind of shared how my aunt was a heroin addict. You know, in my family, personally, they were out there by choice.

They had nice homes. They had good families. And so I never really had sympathy for like them. But anyways, they did this devotional one day, and it was on the day when the Lord separates the sheep from the goat, and the goat cried out and say, Lord, Lord, like, you know, why have you forgotten the scripture? I'm sorry. But the Lord says to them, right? They're crying out to the Lord as to why they're being separated, and the Lord says, you know, what you did unto the least of my people, you did unto me. You know, when I was hungry, you didn't feed me. When I was in jail, you didn't visit me. When I was thirsty, you didn't give me drink. And that hit me in my heart, because I was like, ooh, that sounds like me, dealing with these homeless people, right? And I ignored it, right? A couple days later, I see this homeless guy sleeping by our house, and I'm driving by, and I roll down my window, and I grab this Gatorade bottle, and I go to throw it at him. And at that very moment is when I encountered Jesus for the first time, because, like, an image of that daily devotional just popped, like, not in my mind, but, like, in my spirit. Like, I just seen it. That's all I saw, was them giving this daily devotional. And I put the bottle down, and I was like, what was that? Okay, Jesus, I'm listening. I'm listening. And I started opening my heart more to the word, and I started applying things to my life, and eventually I lied to my wife, and I told her one morning, I'm going to go to Home Depot really quick. And I came to church. That was my first.

I came to House of Risks Church, and I've been here ever since, right? Thank you. And about four months, you know, coming to church and experiencing Christ, you know, we were in a different building at the time, but I remember every time I walked into that building, there was, like, a feeling of just, like, peace, and, like, a weight lifted off of me. I was relaxed, and I just, like, I wanted that feeling. I know now that it was the presence of God in that church, just like it is here, right? And I gave my life to the Lord four months after coming to House of Risks, and a few months after that, you know, I started joining the evangelism team, and I had this fire lit inside of me, right, for evangelism, and we would go out to I-9th Street, and eventually that led to, you know, going to Stockton and Lodi and Tracy, and we went to San Francisco, Tenderloins, LA, San Diego, the TJ border. We're just all over preaching the gospel, right? I couldn't get enough of it, you know, and it was so much that, like, my wife started to get bitter, right? I'll come home from work. She's like, where are you going? I want to hang out. I got to go evangelize. I'll be back, you know, and I'm out, right, and I think I caused her to really dislike church. I'm lucky she's here today. Gotcha. No, I'm just kidding. But in the middle of all of that fire, right, in the middle of just being on fire for Christ and evangelizing, a situation had happened, you know, some situation had happened, and it started to bring back a lot of those old feelings, right? I don't want to get into detail on the situation, but I really started to feel that hate, right? So when I was baptized, I remember everything inside of me was fighting, like, no, don't

do it. You're going to look stupid. You're going to be on YouTube, right? Everybody's going to laugh at you. Don't do it, and so Pastor Sharon saw me in the lobby, and she's like, you want to sign up? Come on. Sign up. I'll put your name down, and I was like, all right, fine. I'll do it. The day came, and again, those voices came back, like, no, you're stupid. Don't go get baptized on YouTube. You know, all your family's going to see it, and I remember still, again, Pastor Sharon was out there in the lobby. She's like, you're going, right? You're going to be there. Come on. Hurry. Make sure you go, and I was like, all right. Yeah, I'll be there, and I went. I went home, and I didn't tell my wife that either, right? I'm not going to tell my wife I'm getting baptized. These voices were teasing me. Your wife's going to think you're stupid. You already got it sprinkled on your forehead when you were a baby. Why do you need to do it again? But I went home, and I grabbed some clothes, and I was like, no, I'm not going to go. It's dumb, but I did, right? Something inside me kept pushing me to go, so I did, and I got to the parking lot, and I was trying to get out of the car, and I couldn't get out of the car because those

voices were just getting louder and louder, like, don't do it. Don't do it. You're going to look stupid. You ain't even like them, right? Don't try to act like you're all holy now, you know? And it took everything inside of me, but somehow, I got out of that car, and I walked over to the picnic. where everybody was, and even as I was walking up, like, if you don't know none of them, like, they don't know you, like, why are you over here with them for? Like, go home. But I pushed through it. They called my name for baptism, and even all the way down, like, oh, you look so stupid right now. They're gonna laugh at you. You're so fat, da, da, da. No, I'm just kidding. Just kidding on the last part. But I got in the water, and I remember Pastor David and Pastor Al were there, Pastor Sharon and Lydia, and Pastor David asked me, is there anything that you want to leave inside this water? I said, I want to leave hate and anger. Okay, brother. Put me in the water. I died with Christ in that moment. They pulled me out of the water.

I rose with Christ. And everything felt strange after, right? I remember just sitting there like, it's weird, right? It felt strange, but it felt good. Next morning, I get in my car to go to work, and I'm driving down the 132, and I hear this voice in my head. Yeah, but what about Chris? What about the guys that want to kill you? What about this? What about that? And so, I didn't know, right? I remember like, I don't know. But then, that's when all the evangelizing and all these things came, and this fire, and this situation came up, and I started to get really angry. That hate and anger started to come back in the middle of ministry, right? So, don't ever think that just because somebody's in ministry, a pastor, worship, a greeter, whoever it is, it's like I was talking about earlier. You cut the head off the horse, and the rest of the body falls. The Satan operates in the same way. You take, remove the pastors, remove the leaders, guess what, the rest of this church falls. So, we need to constantly keep our pastors in prayer, our leaders in prayer, because if you think we don't get tempted, we do.

You know, coming to Christ doesn't make men gay. You know, we see these women out here, they walk around half naked. You don't think the enemy's tempting us to look? Every single day is an opportunity for the enemy to tempt you into falling into sin, but remember, every single day is an opportunity to worship Jesus with your obedience. Every day. So, I reached out to, there was a brother who was coming here, it was Brother Eli, for those of you that know him. You know, he was leading the evangelism team at the time, and I remember I reached out to him, and I was telling him the situation, and we're talking, and he looked at me, he said, Joseph, look, the word that the Lord is giving me for you right now is that you need to come to a place of forgiveness. He's trying to elevate you to the man of God that he's calling you to be, but you need to come to that place of forgiveness. I took that, I listened, thought about it, went out my head. One day, it was a Saturday, we're getting ready to go evangelize, and at this time, the whole evangelism team, we had Jesus magnets all over our cars, right? All over, there was not a space on our car that didn't have a Jesus magnet on it,

and so I pull up to the gas station, and there's this man, I'm pumping gas, he says, Jesus, the name above all names, I like that, what's your name? We started talking, and I was trying to recruit him to House of Wraths, but you know. You know, we had a good conversation, and he asked to pray for me, and I've never been one of those Christians where like, I don't let just anybody lay hands on me because a demon's gonna get on me. Like, sorry, Christ is inside of me. There's no way a demon is gonna jump on me because he is inside me, right? And so I let him pray for me, and he prayed, and after he was done praying, he looked up at me. He said, Joseph, somebody's done something to you. And you need to find it in your heart to forgive them and bless them in the name of Jesus. It's like the closer you get with God, the more the devil is gonna try to use people and things to knock you down, and you need to stand firm on the word of God. And I remember being shocked and feeling the love of Christ because even in a moment where I'm feeling hate and anger, in the middle of everything I was doing for the church, I still felt that, but yet God still found a way to speak to me twice, right? He still found a way to let me know that he was still with me.

Sunday morning came, I was just at the altar praying. about everything. A sister comes up to me and she starts to pray. She starts to speak in tongues. She says, brother, you're holding onto so much and the Lord's saying, just let it go. Release it. Stop holding onto these things. And I started to cry up there, right? I started to cry because God was continuously speaking to me over and over and over. But yeah, I was still holding onto these things, right? The next few days, I remember just, it was just eating me up inside. Not that God was talking to me, but just the situation, right? I hate this guy. I hate his kid that he had after my sister was born, or my sister died. I hate his mom. I hate everything about him. I hope somebody kills him. I hope I get a chance to kill him. I hope he dies in a fire. All these feelings, right? But I reached a point where like, it hurt. But I reached a point where like, it hurt. It was like the buildup inside of me was just like so, I can't even explain it, it sucked. And one night, I was just tired of it. I went in the room, I mean, I went in the bathroom.

I didn't tell my wife how I was feeling. I don't know, I'm probably always moody, so she didn't think nothing of it. But I went in the bathroom and I closed the door. And I remember I started to cry. And I was trying to cry as quiet as I possibly could, because I didn't want nobody to hear me. But I got on my knees and I said, God, why am I feeling this? When I was baptized, I asked you, God, to take this away from me. But here I am, I'm feeling it right now. And it wasn't enough, right? So I fell on my face and I just started to cry out to God. And I was like, okay, God, I'm sorry. I do hate this guy, God. I do hate him. I do want to see him dead. I want to see his kids dead, God. I want to see his family dead. I hate him, God. I want to kill him, God. I just, that's all I want is for him to be dead. I'm sorry, but that's just who it is. And I don't know how to let that go. I don't know how to release that to you. God, if you could take it away, God, then take it away. Because I don't know how to take it away. I don't know how to let it go. And I just started to cry.

And in the middle of crying, I remember feeling his peace and his love come over me. It was something that changed inside. And I remember, I said, I'm sorry, Lord. I'm sorry, I'm sorry, but God. I forgive him, God. I forgive him. As hard as it sounds, I forgive him. And forgiving doesn't mean that you forget what happened to you. Forgiving doesn't mean that you're going to invite this person over to a family party. It means you let go and you're letting God. You're letting go and you're letting God. And I was able to do that. I'm going to finish with this, guys. Stephen was a man the Bible describes as a person full of faith, full of God's grace. And I'm not sharing his story in the scriptures to say that I'm that person, right? Because I'm not, I'm nowhere close to it. I fall short all the time. All the time, the brothers and sisters here that met me out of church, they'll tell you. I know I could probably be a little annoying sometimes. But Stephen is my perfect example of a man of God. He's so perfect that in the middle of being murdered, he looked up to heaven and he saw Jesus. And the thing about him seeing Jesus is that Jesus was no longer sitting at the right hand of the Father,

but he was standing at the right hand of the Father. And when he was standing, I imagine he was standing in approval of this man of God, not seeking revenge, not seeking the world, but seeking the salvation of souls. God, don't hold their sin against them. I know a lot of you guys in this place, I'm sure you've had bad things happen to you, mistreated in life, some of you have been raped, abused, beaten, rejected, and you hold onto so much. But all we have in life that we're gonna be able to present to the Lord when we die is our heart. And you have to ask yourself, what are you holding onto in your heart? What are you gonna take with you to eternity? I imagine all the time, when it's my time to be judged, that I'm walking up to the Lord, I have my heart in my hand and I'm telling him, Lord, listen, I walked in the house of Res Church of June of 2021. Four months later, I gave my life to you. Two months after that, I started evangelizing. We were feeding the homeless, God. We were praying for people. I prayed for a man and I saw you heal him, God. I help out at the church, God. I do announcements, God. I teach the kids once a month, God. I'll help out with the ushers and greeters, God. We still evangelize to this day. God, I loved you so much, God.

And I know there's a little bit of hate in there, God. I know there's a little bit of anger and unforgiveness and bitterness, God. But I'm sure you understand, right? He killed my sister. How can I ever forgive him for killing my sister, God? Imagine the Lord looking at me with a face of sadness and disappointment, telling me, I understand that he killed your sister, I do. But do you not understand that I died for you? I was innocently arrested. They punched me in the face. They spit on me. They beat me. They pulled my hair. Nailed a crown of thorns to the top of my head. Beat me till I was unbeatable. Tied me to the whipping post. 39 lashes to my back, and I did it for you. And even after that, I carried my cross. I was nailed to it, punctured by the sword. I died for you so that you wouldn't have to hold onto this, that you wouldn't have to present this to me right here before me, that you could let it all go and give it to me. But because you're here presenting me this heart full of hate, this heart full of unforgiveness, this heart full of bitterness, I have to tell you, I can't allow you to infest my kingdom with your sin, your bitterness, your anger.

You should have let it go. I have to tell you, depart from me. I never knew you. Church, I have to ask you guys today, it's my responsibility that if you were to die in this moment, you were to pull out of this parking lot, get hit by a car and die, would you be prepared to stand before the king of kings? Would you be prepared to stand before the Lord and present your heart to him? Because he's looking for a lamb without blemish, bride without blemish. Ask yourself, is there anything in this life that you're holding onto? I know it's hard and we don't know how to do it, but I'm telling you right now, God can take it away. God can teach you to forgive, he can teach you to heal. And he's here today, church. And I want to ask if that's you, if you would just come up, this is your opportunity to just lay it all at his feet, guys. I pray that you were blessed by today's service. I pray that the Lord touched your heart. I pray that you learn to trust God. Amen. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. You have made my every wish come true. And I pray for you every day and every night, just like today. I pray for you every night and every night, just like today. I pray for you. I pray for you every night and every night. ... 1...2... I want to read something, If we can stand to our feet, Matthew chapter 6. This is Jesus. This is Jesus. ... He says, And when you pray, Do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, For they think that they will be heard for their many words. Do not be like them, For your Father knows what you need before you ask Him. Pray then like this, Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be your name, Your kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread,

And forgive us our debts, As we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, But deliver us from evil. For if you forgive others their trespasses, Your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their trespasses, Neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. There's so many, There's so many of us that are here today. You're watching online, you're here in person. And you're going through a cycle and you don't know, Maybe you've been living for God for some period of time. to time and it just can't make sense of how to get out of that rut, that hole, that mental dungeon. I want to challenge you, brother Joseph's story. How many of you are here that you need to let go? How many of you are here that you need to to give God what it is that you need to give him and you've been holding on to it way too long? You know, some people the scripture says are influenced by the demonic, others hold on to it. If you've been holding on to the thing that has gotten you trapped, I want you to come, come. Please, let's fill this altar space. If you raise your hand, I see hands all over. Somebody hurts you, somebody left you, somebody did something to you. Maybe they're still here, maybe they, maybe you can't, even if you wanted to say I forgive you, maybe they're not here. I want to share a quick story with you as you're still coming, a friend of mine who pastors, he was adopted from another country, brought over, father was and mother was very influential in the church in which they were at. Came to the United States. When he came, his father who was a deacon in the church molested him for many years. All the way until he was elementary school, high school, was able to fight back.

He left the house and all of this was going on for years. He left and he ends up, he ends up coming to Christ later on towards the end of his high school. Stays away from his family and everything that's going on. Now he's married, he has kids and one day the Holy Spirit tells him, forgive your dad. He goes and he takes, he surprises his father, they have a conversation, he invites him out to dinner. On his way home, pass around, they're sitting in the car because he picked him up, he's dropping him off at home. He's an adult now, he's a father, he's in ministry. And his dad's about to get out of the, walk out into the car and he reaches over and he said, dad, I know we hadn't seen each other, but I want to share something with you. He said, yes. He said, I forgive you. And his father pulls his arm away, passed around, says, I didn't ask you for your forgiveness. And he walked out. My friend said he drove off just weeping and crying. And Joseph, it was in that moment that the Holy Spirit showed up and said, I didn't ask you to forgive him for him. I asked you to forgive him for you. And it was in that moment that he got freedom. So I want us to pray. This is not about the other person. This is about you. Church, if you're back there, can you extend your hands to everybody here? Because if you've ever had to hold on to something for so long, it is hard for all of you that are here that said, I need to let go. Can you just close your eyes for a minute? I don't want you. I want to pray for you before you pray. So can you not pray for a second for a few minutes? I just want you to just close your eyes and just tell the Holy Spirit, Holy Spirit, and just tell the Holy Spirit, Holy Spirit, I'm going to receive what Pastor Angel is going to pray over me. I'm going to receive it. I'm not going to pray. I'm just going to receive it. Once I'm done praying, this is what I want you to do. I just want you to just open your heart to God and the words that come out of your mouth. Just speak to your father. I'm going to pray. I want you to receive when I'm done praying. I want you to pray. And as a church, we're going to pray with you. So let me pray first father right now in the name of Jesus. Lord, I just speak blessings and peace and life over everyone that is that is here right now.

Lord God, battling and struggling father with pain and hurt and history. Father, I just speak, Lord God, a new life over them right now. Every bondage, every mindset, every word that they Hear Lord God when they're alone at night when they hear it and it's the words of the enemy I shut that now right now in the name of Jesus. I shut those lies down enemy No more Right now by the blood of Jesus and by the name of Jesus we speak freedom over everyone that is here right now We speak blessings and restoration and peace in their home In their mind and in their life right here right now Devil you have no authority over the blood of Jesus and we speak freedom Over everyone that is here looking for freedom Peace Peace Peace in their storm Father we thank you We speak blessings in life right now in Jesus name Now talk to your father Church across this building. Let's just let's just lift our voice for a few minutes Father right now in the name of Jesus. We just bless your name. We thank you Father clear our heart Lord God our conscience. We thank you Lord God that we can trust you We thank you Lord God that you're a good God We thank you Lord God that you're a faithful God What do you need to release to him what do you want to give to him Give it to him Stop caring The scripture says cast your cares upon him because he cares for you Give it to me Give it to him sister Give it to a brother Right now And if you don't know Jesus

You say I don't know. I want to get this. I want to take this off I want to I don't know what to do with it then ask him said Lord I need you to come into my life. I need you to come into my heart Right now in the name of Jesus. I need it. I don't know how to do this, but I need you. I Don't know how to let go but I need you. I Have all this built up and I need you Make me a new person Jesus Clear my heart right now Jesus Heal my family Jesus I've tried everything else I need something new in my life and those of you that are watching online right now Make that car an altar space Make your living room an altar space Make your bedroom an altar space Right there right now where you're at. He wants to meet you right where you're at right now In that cell make it an altar space In the kitchen make it an altar space God, I need you God I need you God I need you I forgive them Father right now in Jesus name In Jesus name Father we thank you for your life We thank you for peace. We thank you for blessing We thank you lord god for healing. We thank you for restoration We thank you lord god for a redeemed life, we thank you for a new future we thank you for hope for our kids We thank you lord god for peace in our marriage. We thank you lord god for healing in our body No more hate no more anger no more spirit of torment No more nightmares No more rage

But peace but love but joy Father we thank you Set us free Father we thank you Jesus Yes Make me Can we do this from everyone in the, just where you're at, if you're with your family, can you reach over and grab your family, if you're with a friend, if it is appropriate? Just grab someone next to you. Can we pray across this building? Can we find some groups in the back? Can we pray together? Grab your wife, grab your children, grab your kids. If somebody invited you, grab them. Father, right now, let's just pray for one another. Jesus said my house will be called a house of prayer. Just pray one another right now. Father, we thank you. Father, I thank you and I bless my neighbor right now. Father, I bless this person that's standing right next to me. I bless this person, Lord God. I may not even know them, but Lord, I just ask you to bless them. I don't know what they're going through, Lord God, but bless them. I don't know what they're facing, Lord God, but bless them. Strength and life and health, Father, I thank you. If they're sick in body, we command healing in their body. If there's troubles in their marriage or relationships or as a parent,

Father, right now, we just speak blessings and healing and restoration over their homes. Father, if they need a job, Father, I just pray for finances and a door of opportunity to be open, Lord God. Restore our family, restore our people, restore it, Lord God. The enemy is a liar and a thief, but our God is a living God, a loving God, a multiplying God, a healing God, a restoring God, a salvation God, and I just speak that over everyone here right now. Father, we thank you. Father, I just bless my neighbor. I bless them. Just bless them, church, just bless them. Just bless them. Father, I thank you. Father, I thank you. Thank you, Lord. Thank you, Lord. Thank you, Lord. Thank you, Lord. Thank you, Jesus. Thank you, Jesus. Thank you, Jesus. Tell them, thank you, Jesus. Church, come on, let's say his name. Let's say his name. Let's say his name. Let's say his name. Hate can't hold back the name of Jesus. Cells can't hold back the name of Jesus. Concrete can't hold back the name of Jesus. Fear can't hold back the name of Jesus. Anxiety can't hold back the name of Jesus. Depression can't hold back the name of Jesus.

Anger can't hold back the name of Jesus. We were given a name that is above every name. We were given a name that is above every name. We were given a name that is above every name. We were given a name that is above every name. And His name is Jesus. His name sets people free. His name unbounds the ones that were bounded. And the name of Jesus sets you free. Heals the sick. Raises the dead. Casts out devils. Moves out anxiety and fear. Pushes in hope and faith. That at the name of Jesus every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. To the glory of God the Father. Thank you Jesus. Thank you Jesus. Thank you Jesus. Jesus bring new wine out of me. Jesus bring new wine out of me. Jesus bring new wine. out of me. Thank you, Jesus. Thank you, Jesus. Why don't you look to your right and your left. Slap two, three people. High five. Not slap them. I said slap them. High five. And say there's no other name greater than Jesus's name. Thank you, brother Joseph. Thank you for sharing your story. We love you. Lord bless you. Wednesdays. We love you, Lord. Wednesdays, Bible study. And don't forget the taco trucks that brother Matt had shared with us, five different meals from this morning. But go out there and be blessed and bless this local business. And we also have discipleship class starting in 15 minutes. Lord bless you. In the PLBS room, be blessed in Jesus' name.

Gracias. ¡Vamos! Yo soy perdido, mas en tu reino estoy, era un esclavo, ahora libre soy. Soy perdonado, tu hijo, tu gracia en mi, que la casa del Señor hoy cante. Yo soy perdido, mas en tu reino estoy, era un esclavo, ahora libre soy. Soy perdonado, tu hijo, tu gracia en mi, que la casa del Señor hoy cante. Ay, gozo en la casa de Dios, ay, gozo en la casa de mi Señor, no puedo callarlo, teclado en su poder. Ay, gozo en la casa de Dios, Él está presente aquí, no puedo callarlo, teclado en su poder. Ay, gozo en la casa de Dios, ay, gozo en la casa de mi Señor, no puedo callarlo, teclado en su poder. Ay, gozo en la casa de Dios, Él está presente aquí, no puedo callarlo, teclado en su poder. Teclado en su poder, teclado en su poder, teclado en su poder. Estaba perdido, mas en tu reino estoy. Era un esclavo, ahora libre soy. Soy perdonado, tu hijo, tu gracia en mi. Que la casa del Señor hoy cante. A Dios gracias y besos. Paz, dame de tu paz. Comentas te será a unir. A tu lamar, a paz en la adversidad. Las bolas camaras tu poder alajarán. Cristo, Cristo, la oscuridad temblante. Cristo, Cristo, no temeré. Cristo, Cristo, la oscuridad temblante. Cristo, Cristo, hoy sopla bien por ti. Que le adore a ti, otra vez cantaré. Cristo, Cristo, la oscuridad temblante. Cristo, Cristo, no temeré. Cristo, Cristo, la oscuridad temblante. Cristo, Cristo. Cristo, Cristo, la oscuridad temblante.

Cristo, Cristo, no temeré. Cristo, Cristo, la oscuridad temblante. Cristo, Cristo. Tu poder, las piñeras siempre vencerás. No hay otro nombre igual. Y tú estás exaltado en majestad. No hay otro nombre igual. Cristo, Cristo, la oscuridad temblante. Cristo, Cristo, no temeré. Cristo, Cristo, la oscuridad temblante. Cristo, Cristo. Cristo, Cristo. Cristo, Cristo. Porque no hay otro nombre bajo el cielo por el cual podamos ser salvos, no solamente en Jesucristo. Cristo, Cristo Tu poder, las tinieblas, siempre vencerás No hay otro nombre igual Vivo estás, exaltado en majestad No hay otro nombre igual Tu poder, las tinieblas, siempre vencerás No hay otro nombre igual Vivo estás, exaltado en majestad No hay otro nombre igual Cristo, Cristo La oscuridad te atrae Cristo, Cristo No te veré Cristo, Cristo La oscuridad te atrae Cristo, Cristo

Cristo, Cristo Cristo, Cristo Tu poder, las tinieblas, siempre vencerás No hay otro nombre igual Vivo estás, exaltado en majestad No hay otro nombre igual Gracias Señor Gracias Señor Gracias Señor Gracias Señor Gracias Señor La tal certeza Jesús mío es Me ha protegido en el fuego Una y otra vez Su sangre pudo Mi alma limpiar Y lo que hizo en el Calvario Me bastará Confío en Dios Mi Salvador Que no fallará Nunca fallará Confío en Dios Mi Salvador Que no fallará Nunca fallará Siempre he vencido A su voluntad Sé que el amor de mi mañana

Ya comenzará Esta es mi gloria Y es mi canción Gloria a Jesús mi Rey eterno Mi Salvador Confío en Dios Mi Salvador Que no fallará Nunca fallará Confío en Dios Mi Salvador He will never fail You know that when you look for the Lord, and you think that He is not there, He is there to hear you. He heard David, and He heard many others. He hears you. Look for the Lord, He heard me, and He answered me. That is why I trust in You. Look for the Lord, He heard me, and He answered me. Look for the Lord, He heard me, and He answered me. That is why I trust in You. Look for the Lord, He heard me, and He answered me. That is why I trust in You. My Savior, who does not fail, He will never fail. My Savior, who does not fail, He will never fail. Look for the Lord, He heard me, and He answered me. That is why I trust in You. Look for the Lord, He heard me, and He answered me. That is why I trust in You. My Savior, who does not fail, He will never fail. My Savior, who does not fail, He will never fail. My Savior, who does not fail, He will never fail.

My Savior, who does not fail, He will never fail. My Savior, who does not fail, He will never fail. Cuántos trajeron su Biblia hoy? Veo que una persona trajo su Biblia. ¿Nadie más? Dos personas trajeron. Tres, cuatro personas. Okay. Gloria a Dios. ¿Dónde está la Biblia, hermano? Bueno, hemos estado declarando una declaración cada domingo y en esta mañana vamos a seguir declarando. Toma tu Biblia en tu mano y mira a la pantalla que está atrás de mí y declara conmigo. Esta es la Biblia. Es la palabra de Dios para mí. Mi guía. Mi fortaleza. La traigo. ¿Y qué dice más? ¿Lista para aprender? La abro con fe en Jesús. La vivo con valentía. Sin ella me debilito. Con ella soy fuerte. Hoy la traigo, la creo y la obedezco en el nombre de Jesús. ¿Amén? La palabra de Dios. Por medio de la palabra de Dios, Dios pudo alcanzarte y Dios pudo transformarte. Y la semana pasada en el servicio de inglés compartía de cómo Dios cambió mi vida. Yo quiero que sepas algo, que si no fuera por la palabra de Dios que fue predicada en ese día cuando entregué mi vida al Señor, entonces yo todavía estuviera perdido. Tal vez a lo mejor ni estuviera presente, pero gracias a Dios por su palabra. ¿Amén? Y los animamos a que traigan la Biblia al servicio. Vamos a lo siguiente. ¿Están listos? Nomás un amén aquí y por acá. Hoy, el tema de hoy, vamos a hablar Setitutila. ¿Si lo estoy diciendo bien? Setitula, la ayuda de Dios en medio de las circunstancias de la vida. La ayuda de Dios en medio de las circunstancias de la vida. Salmos capítulo 46, versículo 1 dice, Dios es nuestro amparo y fortaleza, nuestro pronto auxilio en las tribulaciones. Todos enfrentamos circunstancias difíciles en la vida y algunos se enfrentan mucho más circunstancias que otros, pero hay momentos cuando sentimos que las fuerzas se terminan, las puertas se cierran, y las respuestas no llegan. ¿A cuánto les está hablando? ¿A mí me estoy hablando yo mismo? Bueno, algunos de ustedes han enfrentado enfermedades, problemas económicos, conflictos familiares, adicciones pérdidas o momentos de profunda soledad y angustia. Yo creo con todo mi corazón que yo no soy el único que he pasado por luchas, por pruebas, por tentaciones en la vida. Porque sabes, todos nosotros enfrentaremos todo eso. ¿Verdad que sí hermano Luis? Enfrentaremos luchas, enfrentaremos tentaciones, a veces nos van a perseguir, a veces van a levantarse en contra de nuestra fe en Jesús, pero sabes, Dios es nuestra ayuda en medio de la circunstancia. A pesar de todo lo que has pasado, tú que estás aquí, tú que estás mirando en Pantone Doble, ahí en esa celda, Dios nunca te ha dejado y Dios nunca te dejará.

Porque el claramente dice en su palabra que el nunca nos dejará ni nunca nos desamparará. Tu amigo te dejará, tu familiar te dejará, pero Dios nunca te dejará. Tu amigo te fallará, tu familia a veces te va a fallar, pero Dios nunca te va a fallar. Amén? Y algo que quiero decirles es que muchos creen que la ayuda de Dios significa que nunca tendremos problemas. Y yo sé que lo he repetido, ¿verdad? Y lo he repetido, lo sigo repitiendo. La vida de un cristiano no es una vida fácil. A veces va a ser fácil, pero mucha de nuestra vida a veces es difícil. ¿Por qué? Porque nos estamos, ¿qué? Guardando de la sociedad del mundo. Nos estamos guardando en obedecer a Dios y sujetarnos al Espíritu Santo de Dios que mora en nosotros, que Dios ha puesto en nosotros para que nos guíe a toda verdad y a toda justicia. El Espíritu Santo de Dios es la tercera persona en la Trinidad y aunque no encuentres la palabra Trinidad en las escrituras tú puedes ver que a través de las escrituras el Padre, el Padre es obra, el Hijo obra y el Espíritu Santo obra. No vayamos muy lejos, en el libro de Juan capítulo 14 dice claramente, habla de los tres, habla de los tres. Tenemos la ayuda de Dios en medio de la circunstancia que estemos pasando. Dios nos ayudará una y otra vez, pero a veces no nos va a ayudar. Déjalo digo otra vez, Dios nos ayuda una y otra vez, pero a veces Dios no nos va a ayudar. Dios nos va a dejar que pasemos por ese tiempo y a través de ese tiempo nos va a enseñar cosas y nos va a ayudar a disciplinar nuestra vida. Y no porque tú pases por enfermedad has hecho algo malo, no porque tú pases por tribulación has hecho malo, no. A veces es para que la gloria de Dios se manifieste en tu vida o en mi vida. Una promesa de Dios es de que Él nunca me dará a mí o te dará a ti o ustedes que están mirando tras una pantalla, nunca nos dará más de lo que podamos llevar. Dios conoce cada límite de cada persona que Él ha creado, porque nosotros sí tenemos límites ¿verdad? ¿verdad que sí Roberto? pero Dios no tiene límites, Él sabe la capacidad que nosotros estamos dispuestos a llevar o a enfrentar. Jesús dijo en Juan capítulo 16 versículo 33 en el mundo tendrán aflicción pero confíen yo he vencido al mundo ¿qué hizo Jesús? venció al mundo y a veces nosotros

tenemos dificultad de vencer el mundo pero confiemos en Dios porque Él nos ayudará a poder vencer al mundo ¿por qué dice vencer al mundo? porque en el mundo dice que hay muchas cosas pasando que nos pueden distraer, que nos pueden alejar, que nos pueden desviar ¿verdad que sí? de las cosas de Dios pero Dios te dice hoy cobra ánimo, cobra ánimo a pesar de las luchas inevitables que deberían enfrentar los discípulos y que vamos a enfrentar nosotros hoy en día como cristianos Jesús nos promete que no estaremos solos en el los últimos versículos de Mateo capítulo 28 cuando Jesús dijo todo poder me es dado del Padre en el cielo y en la tierra Él dijo que dijo vayan y hagan discípulos en todas las naciones bautizándolos en el nombre del Padre del Hijo del Espíritu Santo enseñándoles que guarden todas las cosas que yo les he mandado y dice que he aquí yo estoy con ustedes hasta el fin del mundo Él lo dice y lo que Él dice lo cumple amén cuando tú te sientas muy apretado Dios está allí para ayudarte y alivianarte de esa dura carga amén la pregunta no es si tendremos dificultades sino donde buscaremos ayuda cuando lleguen las circunstancias difíciles a nuestra vida porque van a llegar y muchas ya han llegado verdad que si Rosa muchas ya han llegado número uno toma notas Dios ayuda a sus hijos en los momentos de desesperación y vamos a una historia bíblica donde elías el Elías siendo un gran profeta de Dios, fíjate, Elías estaba junto al arroyo de Kerit, vamos a primera de reyes capítulo 17 primera de reyes capítulo 17 vamos a leer del versículo 1 al 6 Dice, entonces Elías Tizbita que era de los moradores de Galaad, dijo a Aqab, el rey Aqab en ese tiempo, dice vive Jehová Dios de Israel en cuya presencia estoy que no Habrá lluvia ni rocío en estos años sino por mi palabra, por la palabra de ¿Quién? por Dios, no la palabra de Elíseo ¿verdad? por la palabra de Dios dice y vino A él, a quien? a Elíseo, palabra de Jehová diciendo apártate de aquí y vuélvete al Oriente y escóndete en el arroyo de Kerit que está frente al Jordán, beberás del Arroyo y yo he mandado a los cuervos que te den ahí de comer, ¿ustedes conocen los Cuervos? ¿no conocen los cuervos? hermano Luis dice que sí, mi mamá dice que sí, los

Cuervos son un tipo de pájaro pero está grande, ¿entiendes? está grande, ¿verdad que sí? Si Dios puede mandar a esos cuervos para que le lleven comida a una persona ¿Quién no podrá ser Dios? ¿amén? dice y él fue ¿quién? Elíseo fue y hizo conforme a la Palabra de Jehová pues se fue y vivió junto al arroyo de Kerit que está frente al Jordán y los cuervos le traían pan y carne por la mañana y pan y carne por la tarde y bebía del arroyo que glorioso en ese tiempo Israel estaba atravesando una gran sequía no había lluvia no había comida y el pueblo sufría pero en medio de esas temporadas y circunstancias Dios llevó a Elías al arroyo de Kerit le dijo ve ese arroyo y ahí te voy a sostener y ahí lo sustentó milagrosamente por medio de unos cuervos lo interesante es que Dios no eliminó la sequía ¿verdad? no la eliminó más bien es lo que hizo es proveerle a su siervo el alimento y la bebida ¿verdad que sí? a veces vamos a pasar por sequías donde Dios va a proveer en nuestra vida y tú miras a los demás que no tienen está bien no es porque tú seas más especial que otro sino porque tú estás sirviendo a Dios y a veces Dios que se encarga de los suyos ¿si o no? si se encarga de los suyos vemos tanta hambre tanta sed o sea tantas tanta necesidad en África en India en Rusia en diferentes lugares del mundo en China y nos ponemos a pensar ¿por qué pasarán por esas cosas? ¿sabes? a veces Dios hace cosas en diferentes lugares para que las personas miren hacia arriba y busquen a Dios y se entreguen a Dios ¿sabes? mi corazón se me quebranta cuando yo veo a niños niños con hambre teniendo su plato así chiquito que van y van y van y les dan de comer hay programas que verá como feed the children y diferentes programas que hay que ayudan esas necesidades y es Dios el que les está llevando esa comida no es feed the children no es la persona que está tiene el recurso es Dios mismo el que les está proveyendo a esas personas bueno lo importante es que Dios no eliminó la sequía en ese tiempo de sequía sino que primero cuida él cuida de que cuida de sus siervos como les he dicho y les voy a decir una historia es real dice un hombre perdió su empleo ¿cuántos de ustedes han perdido su empleo? yo una vez si yulia aquí no hay empleo aquí hay trabajo si quieres trabajar I'll tell you a real story. A man lost his job after working 20 years for a company. He had a wife, he had kids, and didn't know how to pay the bills, and for us the bills are the bills.

For months he was looking for jobs without any success. Every morning he would pray this prayer, and he would say, Lord, I don't understand what you are doing, but I trust in you. How hard it is to trust in God sometimes when we are going through something difficult, right? But he says, trust in me. We have to trust in God, all the time. Now, how many of you have prayed like this? Sometimes we pray the opposite, right? Lord, why is this happening to me? Lord, please give me this, give me the other. Instead of saying, Lord, I don't understand what I'm going through right now. This difficult circumstance that has come into my life, I can't stand it, but I trust in you. I trust in you. Amen? He says, and he continues this story, he says, this man, a week before he lost his house, found a job that was better paid than the previous one. Years later he said, I thought that God had abandoned me, but in reality I was preparing something better. You know, sometimes God is preparing something better for us. We simply have to do as the scripture says, what? That we wait in him. Amen? As the singer Jesus Adrian Romero says, wait in you. It's difficult, I know it is. My mind says no. And my heart, what? What? He says, yes. You know, our heart has to be attached to God's heart. So that when difficult things come into our lives, we can face them. Face them in the name of Jesus and go to God and say, God, I trust in you, even though I don't know why this is happening. Many times God is working behind the scenes, and many times we don't realize it. But even when we think that God is not there, he is there. He is there. Perhaps today your crop, or my crop, seems to dry up, or perhaps your marriage is in crisis. Or perhaps a child is very far from God. Trust in God. Trust in God. Remember that God is still your provider. He continues to provide. How many of you have been short of food? How many of you have been short of clothing? Nobody, right? Look, go with me to Matthew chapter 6. Matthew chapter 6. And Jesus speaks about the concerns of the world, that we should not worry about anything.

He knows our need before we ask for it, but he tells us here in Matthew chapter 6. Let's read there, Matthew chapter 6, verse 25. He says, Are you not worth much more than they are? And who among you, even though he may be weary, can add to his stature an elbow? Verse 28. And for the garment? Why are you weary? Why do you worry? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow, and do not work or wilt. But I say to you, not even Solomon, with all his glory, was dressed like one of them. And if the grass of the field, which is today, is thrown into the oven tomorrow, God will dress it. así? no hará mucho más a ustedes hombres de poca fe? no se afanen pues diciendo ¿qué comeremos o qué beberemos o qué vestiremos? porque los gentiles tú y yo buscan todas estas cosas pero su padre celestial sabe que tienen necesidad de todas estas cosas versículo 33 dígalo conmigo más buscar primeramente el reino de dios y su justicia y todas estas cosas o serán añadidas versículo 34 dice así que no se afanen por el día de mañana porque el día de mañana traerá su afán basta cada día su propio mal Jesús dijo eso le vamos a creer a Jesús de que no debemos preocuparnos porque comer que vestir o que tomar no lo debemos hacer pero a veces como seres humanos nos preocupamos a ver nos preocupamos pero no tenemos que preocuparnos recuerda que Dios sigue siendo tu proveedor en proveedios capítulo 4 versículo 19 dice mi dios pues suplirá todo lo que nos falta conforme a sus riquezas en gloria en cristo jesús en quien en cristo jesús el proveerá número 2 dios ayuda cuando todo parece imposible hermano eduardo a veces te la has visto imposible si verdad yo también a veces me la veo imposible bueno vamos a leer una historia bíblica sobre el mar rojo yo sé que muchos ya la

leyeron pero vamos a leerla otra vez porque dios nos acuerda que él es nuestra ayuda amen éxodo capítulo 14 cuando el pueblo de israel estaba en servidumbre y eran esclavos en la tierra de egipto dios envió a una persona a un hombre llamado moisés a ir a rescatarlos y sacarlos de esa de esa opresión de esa esclavitud y dice la escritura en números perdón éxodo capítulo 14 versículo vamos a leer del 13 vamos al 13 y dice y moisés dijo al pueblo no teman que dijo no teman están están firmes y vean la salvación que jehová hará hoy con ustedes porque los egipcios que hoy han visto nunca más para siempre los verán que dice versículo 14 jehová peleará por ustedes y vosotros estarán que ustedes estarán que tranquilos si dice así dice entonces jehová dijo a moisés porque clamas a mí di a los hijos de israel que marchen hacia adelante que marchen dios está diciendo sigue adelante sigue adelante sigue adelante dice versículo 21 vamos a bueno vamos al 16 y tu alza tu vara le dijo a moisés y extiende tu mano sobre el mar y divídelo y en y entran los hijos de israel por el medio del mar en seco ustedes se podían imaginar dos paredes de agua y el mar seco que glorioso sería no dios lo hizo dios dividió las aguas cuando moisés puso su vara sobre el mar se dividió el mar los hijos de israel pasaron por seco miraron de lejos miraron a los egipcios que venían y le corrieron más y salieron al otro lado los egipcios estaban entrando al mar dividido y qué pasó dios le dijo a moisés extiende la vara otra vez la extendió y se cerraron esas esas paredes de agua y mató a los egipcios Dios cuando promete algo, él lo hace. Cuando él dice marcha hacia adelante, hay que marchar hacia adelante. No le hace lo que esté pasando

alrededor de nosotros. Tú marcha hacia adelante, hacia la meta que Dios te ha dado en tu vida. Israel estaba tan atrapado. Delante tenían el mar, detrás venía el ejército del faraón y no había salida humana. Entonces Moisés declaró, Jehová peleará por ustedes, o más bien por nosotros y por ustedes. Estén tranquilos, estemos tranquilos, hermano Adán. Porque Dios está con nosotros. Él nos ayudará a cruzar ese mar rojo que está enfrente de nosotros estorbando para llegar al otro lado de nuestro destino. Dios permite situaciones donde nuestras fuerzas no son suficientes para que aprendamos a depender de él, para que aprendamos a depender de él. Sabes, si todo fuera fácil, Dios dame esto y Dios te lo da. Dios ayúdame esto y Dios te ayuda. O sea, qué bueno sería, pero no es así. A veces tenemos que cruzar el mar rojo y poner nuestra fe en acción para llegar al otro lado. No le hace quien venga detrás de ti, lo que importa es donde tú vas a ir hacia adelante con Dios. Amén? Porque los que están atrás se van a quedar atrás. Los que te han dañado, los que te han golpeado, los que te han hecho mal a tu vida, eso queda atrás. Amén? Eso queda atrás y Dios se encargará de esas personas. Muchas veces queremos controlar todo. Mi esposa, sabe algo de eso o no? No estoy diciendo que ella quiere controlar todo. No, no estoy diciendo eso. A veces queremos controlar todo, especialmente nosotros los hombres. A veces queremos controlar todo. ¿Sí o no, Luis? ¿Sí o no? A veces queremos controlar todo, pero llega un momento cuando debemos reconocer que no lo podemos hacer solos. ¿Verdad? No lo podemos hacer solos, especialmente nosotros que tenemos hijos. Ustedes que están mirando detrás de una pantalla, si tienen hijos también saben lo que estoy diciendo. A veces hay lucha, ¿verdad? Hay lucha. Hay que tenemos que estar, ¿qué? Guerreando, peleando, esforzándonos y haciendo lo que debemos hacer como padres para poder llevar a nuestros hijos hacia adelante en la vida. ¿Verdad que sí? Algo que tenemos que entender es que vivimos en un mundo

donde hay espíritus inmundos, hay demonios que se mueven en el aire que no vemos, pero se manifiestan en las personas, en las personas. Las personas que están sin Cristo, sin esperanza, sin paz en sus corazones, que no han entregado su vida al Señor, que siguen viviendo su vida sin la ayuda de Dios, ellos piensan que todo eso es una locura, pero vaya que equivocación, porque hay demonios que el enemigo pone para atacarnos, van a atacar a nuestros hijos, van a atacar a nuestra esposa, a nuestro esposo, van a atacarnos, pero ten confianza en Dios, confía en Dios porque esos demonios, esos espíritus inmundos no pueden poseerte si tú eres un hijo de Dios, te pueden atacar pero no pueden poseerte porque tú estás, estás que eres propiedad de Jesucristo y ya el Espíritu Santo está en ti y es el que mora en ti, es el que tiene el derecho de tus derechos, en otras palabras, amén, el diablo no tiene derecho de tu vida, cuando tú entregas tu vida a Jesucristo, se va a venir ese diablo en contra de ti, en contra de nuestros hijos, en contra de los familiares y en contra de cualquier persona que nosotros conozcamos, pero sabes que mayor es el que está en ti si eres un hijo de Dios, que el que está en el mundo y nosotros podemos vencer al mundo por medio de Jesucristo, amén, tengamos cuidado, oremos por nuestros hijos, cuando nuestros hijos estén acostados In his bed, pray for them. We have to pray for them. Amen? Because we don't know what they're going to face the next day. Some of them, like my son, is going to summer school. We pray with him when we can in the morning. And we put it in the hands of the Lord so that God covers him. So that He covers him. Did I say it right? So that He covers him. So that He covers him. Amen? And that's what we have to do. If you have a father or a mother who is still alive but is old, and you see that that father and mother can't do much,

pray for that father and mother. Amen? Because even the enemy, that enemy, doesn't care about the age that you have or that I have or that someone has. He attacks anyone. You know, sometimes He attacks with illness. And that's the reality. He attacks with illness. We have to put our spiritual batteries and be able to dominate our lives, our bodies, our health, our families, our relatives. Dominate and be dominant people where we can say, Jesus Christ is with me. I will do what He tells me to do. I am what He says I am. Amen? I am what His word tells me I am. Eres un guerrero. Eres un embajador. Eres más que vencedor. Amen? Todo lo puedes en Cristo, dice la Escritura, que te fortalece. ¿Sí o no? Él te fortalece. Te voy a contar una historia real. Una madre recibió la noticia que su hijo había caído en las drogas y ella intentó ayudarlo por varios años. Casi el caso de mi esposa, ¿verdad? De mi esposa. Lo llevó a programas de relevitación, le dio consejos y lloró por muchas noches y nada funcionaba. Finalmente se rindió delante de Dios y comenzó a interceder diariamente y después de varios años, aquel joven entregó su vida a Cristo y fue completamente transformado y hoy sirve al Señor. Hoy sirve al Señor.

Digo que es algo familiar a mi esposa porque ella estaba orando por mi hijastro varios años, ¿verdad? Y estaba perdido, perdido. Pero, ¿sabes qué? Hay un Dios que se llama Jesús que puede cambiar y transformar la vida de cualquier ser humano. No le hace lo perdido que esté. ¿Amén? No le hace lo perdido que esté. ¿Le dan gloria a Dios? ¿Amén? ¿Amén? Finalmente se rindió delante de Dios esta madre y comenzó a interceder por su hijo y Dios lo cambió, lo transformó. ¿Amén? Lo que ella no pudo hacer, Dios lo hizo por su hijo. ¿Por qué? Porque Dios tiene todo poder y toda autoridad. Él tiene la última palabra sobre tu vida, sobre mi vida, sobre cualquier vida. ¿Amén? Ahora te pregunto, leyendo la escritura del mar rojo, ¿qué mar rojo tienes delante de ti hoy? ¿Qué mar rojo tienes delante de ti hoy? ¿Sabes? A mí la Biblia me enseña que Dios todavía abre caminos donde no hay. Él abre caminos donde no hay. Él hace ríos en el desierto. ¿Verdad que sí?

No podemos decir Diosito a nuestro Dios, porque Dios no es Diosito, Dios es Dios fuerte, omnipotente, omnipresente, omnisciente. ¿Amén? Dios es Jehová de los ejércitos, que nunca ha perdido la batalla y nosotros también no perderemos la batalla, porque la batalla es del Señor, dice la escritura. ¿Amén? A veces la escritura nos dice y nos dice claramente que no es con ejército ni con espada, sino con su Santo Espíritu. ¿Amén? Es el Espíritu Santo de Dios que nos da el poder. ¿Que nos da el poder para qué? Para ser libres, para sanar, para poder ser todo lo que Dios nos manda hacer aquí en este mundo. El Espíritu Santo de Dios, Él es el que toma control de nuestra vida y es a través del Espíritu Santo que nosotros podemos ser mucho para Dios y guardar nuestra vida para Dios. ¿Están de acuerdo? Número tres. Dios ayuda en medio de las pérdidas. ¿Ustedes se acuerdan de Job? ¿Sí? ¿Perdió mucho, Job? ¿Sí? ¿Perdió mucho, verdad? En el capítulo uno y capítulo dos de Job, te vas a dar cuenta de que Dios le dio autoridad al enemigo para poder hacer lo que hizo en la vida de Job. Y Dios lo hizo porque Dios sabía el corazón de Job. Él sabía por qué lo estaba haciendo.

¿Amén? Job, en medio de perder todas sus posesiones, de perder todos sus hijos, no perdió a su esposa, pero aprendemos una lección. Cuando él perdió todo, estaba la esposa, que lo miró en la condición, que cómo se rascaba esas llagas que tenía, y le dijo, mira, ¿por qué no maldices a tu Dios y te mueres ya? ¿Te han dicho algo alguien así? ¿Por qué estás sirviendo a Dios? Mira cómo estás, mira lo que te está pasando. ¿Por qué sirves a Dios? ¿Qué le dijo Job? Mujer, hablas como una mujer fatua, o sea, como una mujer cualquiera, que no confía en Dios. Entiendamos algo, que no porque estemos sirviendo al Señor, estará todo bien a todo tiempo. Yo creo que Roberto ya sabe eso, y yo sé eso también, y muchos de ustedes que han pasado por tiempos difíciles en la vida, sabemos eso. Job perdió riquezas, perdió salud, perdió a sus hijos, perdió casi todo, y sin embargo él pudo decir, Jehová dio, y Jehová quitó. Si al nombre de Jehová, bendito. Así dice.

Jehová es otro nombre para Dios, es otro nombre que se usaba mucho en el Antiguo Testamento, el pueblo israelí lo usaba mucho, y no cualquier persona podía decir Jehová, hoy podemos decirlo así, pero en el Antiguo Testamento, no todos nomás podían decir el nombre de Dios libremente, liberadamente. Hoy lo hacemos mucho, ¿verdad? Pero si estuvieras viviendo en el Antiguo Testamento y te dijeras, oh my God, entonces eso era como algo malo, porque primeramente el nombre de Dios es santo, y cuando dices el nombre de Dios, tiene que ser con reverencia, con reverencia. Job no entendía lo que estaba pasando, pero él decidió confiar en Dios, en medio de su situación, de su circunstancia, y tal vez se quejó un poco, porque ¿cuántos de nosotros no nos quejamos? Un poco a veces, bueno, algunos muchos como yo. ¿Sabes? Tal vez se quejó un poco, y puede leer la Escritura, dice que maldició el día que fue nacido, pero nunca maldició a Dios, él siguió confiando en Dios, sus amigos que iban a visitarlo, lo miraban en la condición y le decían,

pensaban que él había pecado, había hecho algo malo, por eso le vino tal cosa, por eso le vinieron tales cosas, y así muchos piensan que nosotros hemos pecado, ha hecho algo mal, por eso nos están pasando las cosas, pero no es así, Dios tiene un plan para todo y un propósito, él tiene un plan y un propósito para todo, tú solamente levanta tu cabeza en lo alto, y confía en Dios, confía en Dios, como lo hizo Hope. Un hombre llamado Oratio Spafford, era un hombre cristiano de negocios, perdió gran parte de sus bienes, en un inciendio poco tiempo, después, poco tiempo después, envió a su esposa y a sus hijas, en un barco hacia Europa, el barco pasó una tragedia, se deshizo, sus cuatro hijas murieron, And his wife managed to survive, and his wife sent him a message, and that message said, Only I survived. What harsh words, right? For a husband to lose his four daughters. Four daughters, not one, not two, not three, four daughters. It's painful. I don't know what I would do if I lost my two daughters, right? I don't know what I would do. Or if I lost my stepdaughter or my daughters. You know, God was able to heal this man's heart. When Spafford crossed the ocean, where his daughters died, he wrote the famous hymn,

Está Bien Con Mi Alma. Have you heard that in English or Spanish? It is well with my soul. Está bien con mi alma. It's a famous hymn. What kind of faith allowed him to say that? Well, the faith that understands that God is still good, even when we don't understand the circumstances. Some wounds don't disappear quickly, but God walks with us all the time. Psalm 34, verse 18 says, God is near to those who are brokenhearted. God is near to those who are brokenhearted. So God is what? Near. God is not far. Maybe He is far for those who don't love Him, but those who are serving the Lord, those who are devoted to God, He is near. Even when you think He is not, He is doing His perfect will. He is doing His perfect will. Number four. God helps when our strength runs out. The apostle Paul had a stinger in his flesh and he prayed to the Lord to remove that stinger. 2 Corinthians chapter 7. 2 Corinthians chapter 7. Let's go there. Let's go there. Is everyone okay? Yes? Well, it's not chapter 7, it's chapter 12.

I'm the one who wasn't okay. 2 Corinthians chapter 12, verse 7 and on, it says the following. And we pray to God that He does no evil, not so that we may appear approved, but so that you may do good, even though we may be reproved. For we cannot do anything against the truth, but for the truth. Amen? Did you hear that? 2 Corinthians chapter 12, verse 7. It says, And so that the greatness of the revelations may not exalt me excessively, a stinger was given to me in my flesh, a messenger from Santa Naz, whom I slandered, so that he may not exalt me excessively. Verse 8. Respecting this, I have prayed three times to the Lord to remove it from me, and he has said to me, Enough of my grace, for my power is perfected in weakness. Therefore, with good will, I will glorify myself in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Amen? Paul asked God three times to remove his stinger, and God's answer was, Enough of my grace, for my power is perfected in weakness. When you feel weak, God is stronger than your weakness. Amen? Dios es más fuerte que tu debilidad. Dios te da las fuerzas para que tú seas fortalecido. Cuando tú tengas una guijona en tu carne, ya sea una ceguedad en tus ojos, una enfermedad en tu

cuerpo, o algo, una dolencia en tu cuerpo, sabes que Dios es tu ayuda. Él te ayudará. Él te dice, basta de mi gracia. Basta de mi gracia. Corrie Ten Boom fue encarcelada por ayudar a judíos durante la Segunda Guerra Mundial. Ella en la prisión sufrió hambre, sed, enfermedades y abusos. Tiempo después escribió lo siguiente. Dice, nunca descubrirás que Cristo es todo lo que necesitas hasta que Cristo sea todo lo que tienes. Amén. Cristo tiene que hacer todo en nuestra vida. Todo. Todo. Ella en medio de la oscuridad encontró la ayuda de Dios y una aplicación que nosotros debemos aplicar es de que debemos aplicar en nuestra vida eso. Que cuando somos débiles, Dios es fuerte. Dios es fuerte. Amén. Isaías capítulo 40, perdón, Isaías capítulo 40 versículo 28 al 31. Isaías capítulo 40, Isaías capítulo 40 versículo 28 al 31. Dice la escritura versículo 28. No has sabido, no has oído que el Dios eterno es Jehová, el cual creó los cofines de la tierra. No desfallece ni se fatiga con cansancio, y su entenimiento no hay quien lo alcance. Él da esfuerzo alcanzado y multiplica las fuerzas al que no tiene ninguna. Los muchachos se fatigan y se cansan, los jóvenes flaquean y caen, pero los que esperan a Jehová tendrán nuevas fuerzas, levantarán alas como las águilas, correrán y no se cansarán, caminarán y no sé qué, fatigarán. Amén. Cuando eres débil, acuérdate que Dios es fuerte. So fortalece, fortalece en las fuerzas del Señor. Amén. Número 5. La mejor ayuda de Dios es Jesucristo. ¿Quién es? Jesucristo. Todas las ayudas que Dios da son importantes, pero la mayor ayuda que Dios nos dio fue enviar a su hijo unigénito, Jesucristo. La humanidad estaba perdida por el pecado y no podíamos salvarnos solos. Fue cuando entonces Dios envió a su hijo Jesús para rescatarnos. Y Romanos capítulo 5, versículo 8, una escritura muy famosa, dice, Más Dios muestra su amor para con nosotros, en que aún siendo, ¿qué? pecadores. Cristo murió por nosotros. Jesús vino a rescatar al perdido, a sanar al quebrantado, a liberar al cautivo y a dar esperanza al desesperado. La cruz donde Jesucristo fue crucificado demuestra que Dios no nos ha abandonado. Él no nos abandonó. Él proveyó el sacrificio para que nosotros, ¿qué? pudiéramos tener vida y vida en abundancia, pudiéramos tener salvación segura de ir al cielo. La tumba vacía demuestra que Dios tiene poder sobre cualquier circunstancia de la vida. Si tú vas a la tumba de Mohamed, ahí vas a hallar los huesos o el polvo. Si tú vas a la tumba de Alá, ahí vas a hallar todo también. Si tú vas a la tumba de otro Dios, de Budá, o de otros estatuas o imágenes que tú adoramas, ahí están todavía, amén. Ahí está la evidencia que todavía están muertas. Jesucristo resucitó y por eso nosotros podemos saber de que nosotros tenemos esperanza, amén.

Tenemos esperanza. Tenemos esperanza. Él tiene todo poder sobre todo. toda circunstancia de nuestra vida, toda. Quizás tú llegaste con una carga muy pesada hoy, no lo sé, o tal vez estás atravesando una batalla que nadie conoce y luchas y luchas y parece que no ganas. Recuerda estas verdades. Dios ayuda en la desesperación. Dios ayuda cuando todo parece imposible. Dios ayuda en medio de las pérdidas. Dios ayuda cuando las fuerzas se terminan. Dios ya mostró su amor, su ayuda, y su ayuda enviando a Jesucristo. Salmos capítulo 121, versículo uno al dos, dice, alzaré mis ojos hacia los montes. ¿De dónde vendrá mi socorro? Mi socorro vendrá de Jehová, que hizo los cielos y la tierra. Amén. ¿De dónde viene nuestro socorro? De Dios, sí o no, ¿verdad? Entonces, ¿por qué no alzar nuestra mirada hacia arriba y pedir ayuda a Dios? Dios es nuestra ayuda en medio de la circunstancia que estemos pasando. Nunca pongas tu confianza en las circunstancias de la vida. Nunca. Pon tu confianza mejor en Dios. Porque el mismo Dios que ayudó a Elías,

que ayudó a Moisés, que ayudó a Isaías, que ayudó a muchos, muchos personajes en la Biblia que sirvieron a Dios, es el mismo Dios que hoy está vivo y está operando en nuestras vidas, ¿amén? Él nunca cambia. Dice la escritura que Jesucristo es el mismo ayer, y hoy, y por los siglos. Y el mismo Dios, el mismo Dios, Espíritu Santo, que levantó a Jesús desde la muerte, está con nosotros, ¿amén? Ese mismo Espíritu Santo es una persona que conoce nuestras debilidades y es una persona que está al tanto de nuestra vida. Cuando tú sientes una convicción en tu vida por lo que estás haciendo, ¿quién crees que pone esa convicción? El Espíritu Santo, ¿amén? El Espíritu Santo es la tercer persona de la Trinidad y es el que necesitamos más y más hoy en día. Hoy en día, no necesitamos al Presidente, no necesitamos políticas, no necesitamos nada de este mundo, necesitamos más la ayuda de Dios que todo lo que hay en este mundo, ¿amén? ¿Sí o no? ¿Están de acuerdo, Víctor? I caught him off guard. Salmos capítulo 23. Pónganse de pie.

Jehová es mi pastor y nada me faltará. En lugares de delicados pastos me hará descansar. Junto a aguas de reposo me pastoreará. Confortará mi alma. Me guiará por sendas de justicia por amor a su nombre. Y aunque ande en valle de sombra de muerte, no temeré mal alguno. Tu vara y tu callado me infundirán aliento y aderezas mesa delante de mí en presencia de mis perseguidores. Habrá algo difícil para Dios? No lo hay. Él es el pastor que nosotros necesitamos, ¿amén? Tú no te, o sea, yo no soy el pastor que tú necesitas, para todo eres Jesucristo, el pastor de pastores que tú necesitas. Yo solamente estoy aquí para poder alimentarte y para poder guiarte y para poder enseñarte, ¿amén? Pero Jesucristo está aquí para transformar y cambiar tu vida y ayudarte en todas circunstancias de tu vida, ¿amén? Ayudarte en todas circunstancias, porque Armando solamente tiene límite, pero Dios nunca tiene límite, ¿amén? Nunca pongas tu mirada en el pastor o en el líder o en nadie más, siempre pon tu mirada en Jesucristo, ¿amén? En Jesucristo. Si hay cosas buenas de mí que tú miras, bueno, tómalo por ejemplo, ¿amén? Por ejemplo, pero el mejor ejemplo que podemos tomar es el ejemplo de Jesucristo, ¿amén? ¿Están conmigo? ¿Sí? Mírense uno al otro.

Mírense uno al otro. Dios es bueno, ¿amén? Dios es bueno. If you are going through a difficult circumstance, come forward. I want to pray for you. Amen. The one who does the work is God. The one who does the work is God. I want to tell you something, that this kid, this kid, right? He does nothing. The one who does everything is God. Amen. Come forward if you are going through a test, if you are going through a struggle, if you are going through a scarcity, if you are going through something difficult in your life, come forward, don't be ashamed, don't be afraid. God is here. Amen. God is here. You who are looking behind a screen, in Pando, in Irobo, if you have a need today, if you are going through a difficult circumstance in your life, God wants to help you. Close your eyes. Father, in the name of Jesus, we thank you because you are our support, you are our strength, you are our help in the tribulation. My God, I thank you, Father, first of all, for those who are looking in Pando, in Irobo, that you, my God, are there with them, Lord Jesus Christ, and that they may know, my God, that in the midst of everything that is happening in their lives today, that you, my God, you continue to be God and that you will never change. You will always help them to move forward, while they seek you, while they come to you. As your word says, let us come to you so that you may come to us, Lord. Never, Lord, will you force us to do anything, but you tell us that we must come to you. And you who are there right now, in this cell, looking, this service, close your eyes. God is with you. If the judge wants to give you a death sentence, God can do something.

If the judge wants to give you a life sentence, God can do something. And maybe you are there for a crime that you committed. God can do something in your life. Stop in the name of Jesus Christ. You are God of mercy and grace. I ask you right now, heavenly Father, that you, my God, help those people who are there in those cells, Father, facing those circumstances of life right now. That you, my God, help them. And that you, my God, Father, teach them that you are God and that you can, my God, help even the most sinful in the world. In the name of Jesus Christ, I ask you, Lord, that you do something in their lives, Lord, where they may give you glory and they may know that you, my God, have all the power to change the circumstances of life that they are facing today. I ask you in the name of Jesus. And also, Father, in the name of Jesus, I ask you, Father, for every family that is here present, I ask you in the name of Jesus Christ, for every person and every family, that you, my God, continue to work in their lives, Lord Jesus Christ. And whatever the circumstances that are happening in their lives today, that they may know that you are there, Lord, in the midst of the circumstances and that you, my God, are there to help them, what they have to do is trust in you. My God, in the name of Jesus, that you restore, that you deliver, that you heal, that you help, and that you give, Lord, what they need on this day, Father. In the mighty name of Jesus Christ, I ask you with all my heart,

and I thank you, my God, for how good you are, because your word says that all who ask, receive, all who seek, find, all who call, be able. And even your word says that everything we ask in your name, Lord Jesus, you will do so that the Father may be glorified in you. And thank you, God, because we can trust in you, Lord, every day, Lord Jesus Christ. Thank you, we give you in the mighty name of Jesus. We love you, we glorify you, we exalt you, and we put you up for ever, blessed God, in the mighty name of Jesus. Glory to you, honor to you, and always in the name of Jesus. Amen. Repeat with me. Let's say this together. Say, Lord, I do not understand everything that is happening. But I trust that you are my help and my strength. Mi refugio, mi fortaleza, sostén mi vida, y dirige mis pasos en el nombre de Jesús. Amén. Todo lo que tenemos, Señor, para que tú seas glorificado y exaltado, Señor, en el nombre poderoso de Jesucristo. Llévalos con bien a sus hogares, Padre, en el nombre de Jesús. Amén. Un fuerte aplauso al Señor. Acuérdense que a las dos y media tenemos la clase de cipulado. Estamos en la lección cinco. Tú puedes empezar hoy, si no has empezado el uno, dos, tres, cuatro. Tú puedes empezar hoy y ya tomar las cinco, las seis, y empezar otra vez el uno, dos, tres, cuatro. Amén. Lo puedes hacer. Y hay esa facilidad. Lo que sí te pido es que, por favor, tomes la clase. Si tú crees que aquí estás siendo alimentado y quieres servir en esta obra que Dios está usando, hazlo. Amén.

Hazlo en obediencia a Dios. No obediencia a nosotros, sino obediencia a Dios. Porque Dios es un Dios de orden. Y no podemos servir, sino primeramente pasar por esa orden que Él tiene. Dios los bendiga. Que el Señor los cuide y los esté protegiendo hoy y siempre. Amén. Amen. If you like this content that we're doing, this is the perfect way to share it with your family, is this same video is on our YouTube channel. Yes. So they can find us. Call your family, call your relatives, your neighbor, whoever it is that you call or write letters to, and let them know that they can find our content on House of Rest Church on YouTube. And also, they can check out our website at www.houseofrestchurch.com. Yeah, let them know, guys, that there's a lot of content for them to look at. We have devotionals, daily devotionals, which are Monday through Friday. And, guys, we have our sermons as well, so much content for them to look at as well. And we have our services, which are 10 o'clock every Sunday morning. And then we have our Bible studies, which are Wednesdays at 7 o'clock. Whatever video we're uploading to you, we're also uploading to the YouTube channel. That way you can tell your friends, your family, that way they can watch exactly what it is that you're watching. So thank you so much, and see you guys later. Bye, guys. ♪♪♪