Manny's Weblog

Why was Jesus Baptized?

This is an amazing photo of a Brazilian Christian getting baptized in the Jordan River. The caption noted that this was the same river where Jesus was baptized.

Hmmm. Do you ever wonder why Jesus was baptized? We know He did it, in part, to fulfill all righteousness (Matthew 3:15); Jesus, being our perfect example, set a pattern for us all to follow -baptism being a "part" of that pattern. But theologians also tell us that Jesus was baptized in order to identify with the ministry of John the Baptist. Just as we identify with Christ when we're baptized, Jesus identified with the message of this great messenger, who was sent to "prepare the way" (Isaiah 40:3; Mark 1:3). 

So...what was John's message to the people, in order to "prepare the way" for the coming Messiah? "Repent, for the Kingdom of God is at hand." Sounds like a very good message for me today, as well - how 'bout you? No wonder Jesus identified with John in such a dramatic fashion. The King is coming...let us repent, and let us be ready!

A Lesson re-told through Jeremy Lin

(Click on the Jeremy Lin photo). I was really blessed to read these words attributed to Jeremy Lin. They're not necessarily words that are new, but they definitely are - words that are true. Paul penned relatable words in Galatians 1:10 “For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I still pleased men, I would not be a bondservant of Christ.” 

All of us have to make that choice and stick to our guns. Who will we live to please? Will it be he, will it be she, will it be me? It can be so overwhelmingly difficult to overcome the temptation to please others, especially when you attempt to please all others. But I've learned that I shouldn't try to please ANY other than God. As a matter of fact, if I try to please any other person above God, I will inevitably fail in pleasing the Lord - for no man can have 2 masters (Mark 6:24). Proverbs 29:25 reveals that “The fear of man brings a snare...” Be so careful you don't get trapped - or even tripped up in trying to please man. When that becomes your aim - you will be the most frustrated failure you can be. Blessed are those who understand that God calls us to the freedom of pleasing Him, and Him alone. Chances are, when you please the Lord, there will be others who are blessed along with you, others who claim the same aim.

In closing, I encourage you to work hard, practice day in and day out; and always, always, in all ways keep in mind the audience of One is more than sufficient.

 

P.s. - just in case you're interested, the song, "Please Only You," by Steven Curtis Chapman is a great reinforcement. The song is 'different' but the lyrics are perfect, download it from iTunes :-)

2012 Rose Parade - "God's Promise for All"

For the first time in our history, the Coronilla clan was blessed to attend the Rose Parade as a family. Some kind friends of ours, actually gave us tickets where we could see and enjoy the parade up-close and personal - it was sooo cool! I discovered that it's completely different when you're acutally there - in person - as opposed to watching it on television. I especially enjoyed the marching bands, when they're playing and passing by you can "feel" the music - the drums, the horns, the wind instruments - a great experience.

Of course my favorite part was just being with my family, I thank God for opporutunities to be togther and to make memories. A close second for me was the float called, "God's Promise for All" (photo above). This float was such an awesome witness for the world to see, for millions to ponder the promise of God, that if they would only place their faith in Jesus Christ, turning from their sin, and trusting in God's Son, then they will be saved. In the end, this is what it's all about, and this should be the point of every parade!

I'm so grateful to God for His Son and for His people, willing to penetrate every sliver of society and tell of Jesus - the Lord and Savior of the world. Keep it up Christians, be creative, be consistent, pray and think outside of the box, how can we be the salt of the earth and lights in this world? How can we reach the lost with the message of God's love? Pray about it...really pray...the Lord will show you your part of His plan - and the people He wants you to somehow speak "Jesus" to.

After the parade we stumbled upon a restaurant called "Roscoes Chicken and Waffles." You gotta try it, take your friends, take your family, make a memory :-)

(John 3:16; Matthew 5:13-16; Proverbs 11:30)

The Night Before Christmas

 

Luke 15:11-32

Wow, what a blessing to study the parable of the Forgiving Father! May you believe, behave and bask in God's grace. 

Any questions or comments? Feel free to post!

Your brother in Christ - Manny

Truth & Treat

What a blessing we had at Truth & Treat at CCEM last night! Here is a pic of Nest's mom and me - she's such a beautiful person...I love this photo! I had the privilege of presenting the Cross of Christ as the theme for my trunk. I was soooo blessed in sharing Jesus' cross with all the kids from the church as well as visitors and non believers from the community. I was also blown away at the absolutely amazing labor of love from so many servants at CCEM! Thank You Jesus - we love You!!!

Uploaded from my iPhone

 

Newlyweds

On Sunday, September 18, I was blessed to officiate a wedding at Newport Beach for an awesome young couple - Patrick and Devon Arguello. Please remember them in your prayers! I realize this isn't the best photo, but it's all I have, and you can still see their glow, even through the haze :-)

The Ministry of Reconciliation

"Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of RECONCILIATION..." (2 Corinthians 5:18).

As Christian ministers (that's all of who are saved :-), it's so amazing to contemplate this whole concept of reconciliation. For one, we've been reconciled to God! How amazing is that?  But then secondly, we've been given this ministry of reconciliation. In this "ministry" we see others come to Christ, and we get to see others literally reconciled with others.

I have to share with you a little something that happened this week. There's a young man whose been coming to the fellowship for the past couple of months, who God is drawing out of the gang lifestyle. God had been moving his heart to find his father, but he didn't know where he was. It just so "happened" that he ran into a relative at the Harvest Crusade who was able to give him the information of his father's whereabouts.  This young man then wrote to his father and told him that he had been coming to church sercvices and that God was changing his life, little-by-little. To our amazement the father wrote back and said the same thing, he was now serving the Lord also! Wow! All along God was moving father and son towards Him, and in the process moving them towards eachother.

The other day, this young man's father called here at the church office, and they were able to talk over the phone. Both father and son were so happy and blessed beyond measure, after all, how can you measure the love between a father and son? Afterwards the young man told me he hadn't spoken to his father in 16 months.

Thank You Lord, for the ministry of RECONCILIATION. Please remember them in your prayers.

John 6?

A dear sister sent me this question via Facebook:

"In context, does John chapter 6 have anything to do with communion?"

I gave her a brief response. "No. John 6 deals with salvation, but communion is contemplation. It's important to remember that the Gospel of John is filled with visuals (born again, living water) that the people mistakenly took literally. If one uses John 6 for communion and takes it literally, they make the same mistake today that the people were making back then, and they might end up with a deceptive doctrine such as transubstantiation. John 6 is written that we might believe in Jesus and His work for our salvation (John 6:29); His words were Spiritual and not physical (John 6:63)."

She responded. "Ok good. The Holy Spirit had me on the right track. That's exactly what my Catholic cousin was trying to tell me...the whole eucharist thing. But I told him it was about salvation, etc. and nothing to do with communion." 

May our Lord continue to teach us His Word; my prayer is that all who read this, would believe and receive Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior!

The Message of Job

The true Message of the Job might actually surprise some. Warren Weirsbe in his book, With the Word, wrote this: "It is usually said that the book of Job deals with the question, 'Why do the godly suffer?' Actually, the theme goes deeper than that. Satan accused Job of serving God only because God blessed him. Unfortunately there are people with 'commercial faith' who say to God, 'If you bless me, I will serve You.' Is our God worthy of our worship and service, or must He 'buy' us with His blessings? Satan was not only slandering Job; he was also slandering the Lord! He was saying, 'God would not have any followers if He did not reward them!'"

When I read this, it really made me check my heart. Why do I serve God...and do I really love God? When you love God, you serve Him - not to get from Him, not to be blessed by Him, not motivated by greediness or selfishness, but true love for God will move us to serve Him simply because He is wonderful, and He is worthy (Rev. 5:8); He died for me, and He even lives for me (Hebrews 7:25).

I pray that the satanic accusation in the book of Job would not be true of me. Satan says that the only reason Manny serves the Lord is because the Lord has protected him from the trials, tribulations and tragedies of life; that the only reason Manny serves the Lord is because God has given him family, friends and plenty of finances. May it never, ever, ever be true of me, O Lord. And if/when those hard times hit, in different degrees and in a variety of ways, may I be enabled and empowered to say like Job, "Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him..." - Job 13:15