Mitchell and Debbie Martinez

07/28/2024

Self-destructive Thoughts that can Kill

It was a family funeral that prompted this writing. I believe in God, I also believe there is a devil intent on hurting God by hurting mankind. By hurting us. Jesus said (of the devil), "The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life and that they may have it more abundantly." John 10:10
The devil would like to get into our minds with thoughts that can lead to our hurting ourselves and in turn others. I want to expose some destructive lies the devil wants you to believe. Peter warned, "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he can devour." (i Peter 5:8)

What follows are five lies or self destructive thoughts the Devil is using to kill people.

1. The devil whispers, you are of no importance to anyone. No one will miss you. No one really cares if you live or die. But Jesus is with you, and He always cares! The funeral home where I shared was filled to capacity with those who cared for this young man (over 300 people). They were family, friends, co-workers, and schoolmates that were there. Some traveled from far away. What a terrible lie of the devil! No matter how low you get in life please don’t ever forget those who care for you. Reach out to them when you are feeling depressed, don't carry the load by yourself, seek out family, or a friend. Reach out to Jesus. There are always those that care for you.

2. The devil says you have done too many bad things in your life, why live any longer? There is no forgiveness for you. Your guilt feels unbearable. You say you’ve tried to change and are tired of trying. Yet, Christ offers you forgiveness and the power to change. Guilt should bring you to Christ seeking forgiveness and not to a place of hating your life. A life verse to memorize. I John 1:9. “If we freely admit that we have sinned and confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. All is a big word. All!!
You want to change your life but feel powerless to change. You’ve tried and given up. The devil whispers, you will never change. He is setting you up. Jesus can change you. A day before I invited Christ into my life, I shot myself up with He**in. (Fortunately for me, I was ripped off, it didn’t work). Jesus changed my life, and he will change yours if you let him. So will you let Christ help you. His forgiveness is a first step, but inviting him to transform your heart is the important next step. It is never too late to open your heart to Christ. Look at The movie, “I Can Only Imagine” (playing on Netflix right now) it portrays the true story of the transformation of an older man, an abusive and alcoholic father. If you haven’t seen it, it is a good one.

A third deception:
3. Teens struggle more with this one. You are ugly, you are too skinny. You are too fat. No matter what you do no one will ever love you. Yet God created each one of us special and unique, and for a purpose. You are precious to God. Don’t listen to the bullies in life. Classmates, or even family members may put you down. It is sad how many take their lives because of what others say or think about them. Really, behind them there is a manipulative devil trying to kill you, or make you feel bad about yourself. Stay away from them. God is no accepter of persons, he gave a unique gift blend to everyone. You are perfect the way you are. Stop trying to measure up to a Hollywood idol. What is inside us is what is most important. God created you and he does not create junk. David wrote in Psalm 139:14, “I am wonderfully and fearfully made”. If only you could see your value and potential before God. Hardly a month goes by that we don’t hear in the news of someone hurting themselves because of bullying. Hurtful words that can go deep inside a sensitive heart. David writes in the Psalms, I am wonderfully and fearfully made. Psalm 139:14 Can you confess that right now, "I am wonderfully and fearfully made".
4. A fourth destructive lie. Things are never gonna get better. You have lost your job, your business failed, your marriage has failed, debts are too much, just end it all. You’re ashamed and can’t bear to face anyone. You’ve tried it your way and things have gone to pot. Now is the time to call on Jesus! He can turn your life around if you will allow Him. Jesus, in His sermon on the mount, looked at the thousands in the crowd. He focused on what the main problem was in their lives. All that worry: what to eat, what to wear, all those material needs, but he gave a solution with a sure promise for everyone. He said, “seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things will be added unto you.” Seek a relationship with God first, and seek to incorporate His "kingdom principles for living" into your life. He promises to make your life better. No matter how dark things look, Jesus can turn your situation around. But it means giving your heart and life to Him. Everything will fall into place if you will truly seek the Lord and begin following his kingdom principles in your life. But we chase the other things first, but they don’t really bring us the satisfaction we seek, because only in Christ can we find that inner peace.
You may have hit bottom, and it may be really painful there but focus on Jesus and he will pull you up. He knows all the responsibilities you have. The things that are crushing you down and he says come place your load on him for he cares. Mt.11:28-30

5. Satan says, "this world is a horrible place to live in." I heard a young married man say he would never bring up a child in this world. He didn’t want any children. No matter how bad this world looks, Jesus cares, and he is there for you. People will let you down, but not Jesus. On the news last week someone set themselves on fire objecting to a political situation of this world. He is not the first. But there is too much good still to be done, to take ourselves out of the battle. God has good plans for your life if you will just seek him.

So remember the answer to these five destructive thoughts.
1. Don’t be selfish or blind to those who care for you. There are people who love you all around.
2. The best response to guilt is to receive God's forgiveness. Jesus offers you forgiveness and the power to change.
3. Look at yourself through God’s eyes. You are beautiful, and God created only one of you in this world.
4. If you hit bottom, Jesus will meet you where you are and pick you up if you’ll just get back on track with Him.
5. A better world is made one step at a time. You can help make a better world. Take Jesus with you.

Sometimes we get off track spiritually. God is put in a corner and forgotten.

In closing, will you repeat a simple prayer with me and get back on track with Jesus today.

If so, say. “Jesus I need you every day. Forgive me and come into my heart today. You are able to see past my shortcomings and faults and still love me. I need your transformation power in my life today. Thank you!”

05/15/2024

Self-destructive Thoughts that can Kill

It was a family funeral that prompted this writing. I believe in God, I also believe there is a devil intent on hurting God by hurting mankind. By hurting us. Jesus said (of the devil), "The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life and that they may have it more abundantly." John 10:10
The devil would like to get into our minds with thoughts that can lead to hurting ourselves and in turn others. I want to expose some destructive lies the devil would have you to believe. Peter warned, "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he can devour." (i Peter 5:8)

What follows are five self destructive thoughts the Devil is using to convince people to take their own lives.
1. The devil whispers,You are of no importance to anyone. No one will miss you. No one really cares if you live or die. But Jesus is there and He always cares! The funeral home was filled to capacity with those who cared for this young man (over 300 people). His family, friends, co-workers, and schoolmates were all in attendance. Some traveled in from very far away. Loneliness and depression are behind this terrible lie of the devil. No matter how low you get in life please don’t ever forget those who care for you. Reach out to them when you are feeling depressed, don't carry the load by yourself, seek out a friend. There are always those that care for you.

2. The devil says you have done too many bad things in your life, why live any longer? There is no forgiveness for you. Maybe your guilt feels unbearable. You say you’ve tried to change and are tired of trying. Yet, Christ offers you forgiveness and the power to change. Guilt should bring you to Christ to seek forgiveness and not to a place of hating your life. A life verse to memorize. I John 1:9. “If we freely admit that we have sinned and confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. All is a big word. All!!
You want to change your life but feel powerless to change. You’ve tried and given up. The devil whispers, you will never change. He is setting you up. Jesus can change you. A day before I invited Christ into my life, I shot myself up with He**in. (Fortunately, it didn’t work). Jesus changed my life, and he will change yours if you let him. So will you let Christ help you. His forgiveness is a first step, but inviting him to transform your heart is the important next step. It is never too late to open your heart to Christ. Look at The movie, “I Can Only Imagine” (playing on Netflix right now) it portrays the true story of the transformation of an older man, an abusive and alcoholic father. If you haven’t seen it, it is a good one.

A third deception:
3. A third deception many teens struggle more with. You are ugly, you are too skinny, you are too fat. No matter what you do no one will ever love you. Yet God created each one of us special and unique, and for a purpose. You are precious to God. Don’t listen to the bullies in life. Classmates, or even family members may put you down. It is sad how many take their lives because of what others say or think about them. Really, behind them there is a manipulative devil trying to kill you, or make you feel bad about yourself. Stay away from them. God is no accepter of persons, he gave a unique gifts to every individual. You are perfect the way you are. Stop trying to measure up to a Hollywood idol. What is inside us is the most important. God created you and he does not create junk. David wrote in Psalm 139:14, “I am wonderfully and fearfully made”. If only you could see your value and potential before God. Hardly a month goes by that we don’t hear in the news of someone hurting themselves because of bullying. Hurtful words that can go deep inside a sensitive heart. David writes in the psalms, I am wonderfully and fearfully made. Psalm 139:14

4. Fourthly, the idea that things are never gonna get better. You have lost your job, your business failed, your marriage has failed, debts are too much, just end it all. You're ashamed and can’t bear to face anyone. You’ve tried it your way and things seem to be spiraling downward. Now is the time to call on Jesus! He can turn your life around if you will allow Him. Jesus, in His sermon on the mount, looked at the thousands in the crowd. He focused on what the main problem was in their lives. All that worry: what to eat, what to wear, all those material needs, but he gave a solution with a sure promise for everyone. He said, “seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things will be added unto you.” Seek a relationship with God first, and seek to incorporate His kingdom principles for living into your life and He promises to make your life better. No matter how dark things look, Jesus can turn your situation around. But it means giving your heart and life to Him. Everything will fall into place if you will truly seek the Lord and begin incorporating his kingdom principles into your life. But we chase the other things first, and they don’t really bring us the satisfaction we seek, because only in Christ can we find that inner peace.
You may have hit bottom, and it may be really painful there but focus on Jesus and he will pull you up. He knows all the responsibilities you have. The things that are crushing you down and he asks you to place your load on him for he cares. Mt.11:28-30

5.This world is a horrible place to live in. I heard a young married man say he would never bring up a child in this world. He didn’t want any children. No matter how bad this world looks, Jesus cares, and he is there for you. People will let you down, but not Jesus. On the news last week someone set themselves on fire objecting to a political situation of this world. He is not the first. But there is too much good still to be done, to take ourselves out of the battle. You are needed to make this world a better place.

So remember the answers to these five destructive thoughts.
1. Don’t be selfish or blind to those who care for you. There are people who love you all around. Look at your neighbor and say I care.
2. The best response to guilt is change. Jesus offers you forgiveness and the power to change.
3. Look at yourself through God’s eyes. You are beautiful, and God created only one of you in this world. Look at your neighbor and say “you are beautiful”.
4. If you hit bottom, Jesus will meet you where you are and pick you up if you’ll just get back on track with Him.
5. A better world is made one step at a time. You can help make a better world. Take Jesus with you.

Sometimes we get off track spiritually. In our mind, God is put in a corner and forgotten. But that is another lie. He is only a prayer away. Will you invite him closer today?

In closing, will you repeat a simple prayer with me and get back on track with Jesus today.

If so, say, “Jesus I need you every day. Forgive me and come into my heart today. You see past my shortcomings and faults and still you love me and have wonderful plans for my life. I need your transformation power in my life today. Thank you!”

04/11/2024

How is your self-image doing?
If we are unhappy with ourselves, there is a good chance that our self-image has been strongly wounded. One way we hurt our self-image is when we sin. Add to this a feeling that we are powerless to change our lives, and depression can follow. But there are other sources besides sin that can strongly affect our self-image. Family, “friends”, schoolmates, co-workers, with their criticisms or put-downs can all negatively impact us. Over time we may have been bullied to a place where we no longer feel special or unique or wanted before God or others. But Jesus loves us and desires to builds us up. We can’t count on others for our self-esteem, we need to confidently look to God. He is willing to forgive, and he is willing to work from the inside out on the habits, and character traits that need changing. Invite Him into to your heart.
You have a place in the family of God! God’s arms are reaching out to you today. Yes, the past may have scarred you badly, but Jesus is in the restoration business. He loves you and sees your full potential and a beautiful future for you.
I confess, I struggled with my self-image for a long time, but Jesus worked in my heart and changed the feelings I had for myself. I don’t really have the words to express my appreciation for all He has given me. A positive self-image is just one benefit. Will you let him take control of your life? It’s a simple heartfelt prayer, Jesus, I need you, come in to my heart today.

King David wrote: “I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.”(Psalm 139:14). I don’t care what others say or think about you. I don’t care how many times you may feel you have failed God. His arms are wide open to receive you today and give you a new life. He sees you as a precious valuable jewel. Do you?

04/03/2024

The message of Christ helps us to accept our condition and look to him for a solution.
It takes into account every man’s spiritual condition. We are marred by our sins and failings, yet God is willing to overlook these (to forgive) and to give us a new life through faith in Jesus and what he accomplished on the Cross.
“Our righteousness is as filthy rags.” Isa. 64:6
“For all have sinned and fallen short.” Romans 3:22-24
If I wasn’t convinced that Christ’s death on the cross won my forgiveness before God, I would be miserable. Do you know why? Because I had done some terrible things, things that I didn’t like living with. God’s forgiveness towards me has had the greatest impact in my life! His forgiveness is free, and it can cover any sin or failing. I Jn. 1:8,9, reads “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” I don’t care if you were a drunk driver and killed someone, I don’t care if your anger led you to hurt someone fatally, or if you have committed sexual sins, or have been filling your days with po*******hy or drugs. Jesus arms are extended wide today to forgive, but better than this He is willing to truly transform and change your life”.
After sharing a message on forgiveness, a former Mexican policeman approached me. He confessed to almost killing a prisoner. He asked me, is there forgiveness for me?
Yes, there is forgiveness in Christ, but even greater than this, there is power to overcome sin in Christ. He can break the power of sin in man’s heart. He has the power to change us profoundly; our personality, our character, our direction in life. How many here can say that Christ changed your life? Having our sins forgiven is wonderful but only part of what Christ offers us. Sins (plural) are the evidence of a problem deeper in the heart of man called “sin”(singular). Jesus breaking the power of “sin” within is even more powerful than having our sins forgiven. Breaking sin’s hold on our lives is the greater victory. Without this deliverance we will continue to hurt ourselves and others. Destroying the source of the problem is what we want. Doctor’s who only treat the symptoms, are poor doctors. The good doctor treats the cause of the malady. You will never truly have peace until the sin problem is destroyed. Sin is not a popular term in a permissive society. But sin exists and affects our lives negatively. But Jesus has offered us forgiveness and a new power in our life. He said “You shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you free” John 8:3. It is a process that starts when you invite Christ into your heart. Will you do it today?

03/18/2024

To be an atheist or not to be? That is the question.

I will admit to you that I am not an atheist. I do not believe that life consists of only chemicals and physical material substances. This materialist philosophy leaves an empty and often a nihilist or negative perspective on life. With that kind of a view of life, we are in the final analysis simply animals who will return to the dust when life is over, or we will be changed to some other form of emotionless energy. Love, compassion, appreciation of beauty, emotions are all simply chemical influences they would say. In this materialistic outlook, laws are simply to regulate animal behavior and we are answerable only to man. There is no higher authority than man and so man decides what is right and what is wrong. The rule of the majority, to some, is the highest authority on earth. A personal God with moral absolutes has no place in this worldview.
It’s interesting to realize that there is a prediction that the “theory” of Evolution (which supports the atheist or naturalistic worldview) will be gone from our textbooks in less than 20 years. Intelligent design supporters, and not necessarily creationists (those who believe God created the world), are even now breaking through with published reports that make it unfeasible to hold to the Darwinian viewpoint of Evolution as the answer to life.
Biologists have discovered that the smallest one celled animal in existence is a marvel of various intricate machines, irreducible and extremely complex. The human body upon close inspection reveals almost miraculous functions and intricacies in it’s makeup. The truth is that evolution is being stumped to day by Biologists who are saying the intricate design they see in nature reflects a designer. Some wildly suggest it could be extra-terrestrials who seeded the earth. Life is not a series of random accidents covering a brief 7 billion years as evolutionists believe (recently there was an internet news article proclaiming the thought that the earth was a billion years younger). The chances of an intricate one-celled creature being formed through random accidents stretches the ability “of bio-chemists to calculate it. The best they can do is set a lowest possible figure which surpasses by untold trillions of trillions of times the universal probability, to 1 chance in 10 to the 150th . That is ten with 150 zeros behind it.” I am quoting here from the book Intelligent Design Uncensored by William A Dembski and Jonathan Witt.
It seems that little by little scientists are returning to this option of “intelligent design”. So, who is the intelligent designer?
Paul writes, in Romans 1:20, For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities – his eternal power and divine nature – have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.” This, for not believing in Him. So what is the excuse? Why doesn’t man acknowledge God? Why prefer to keep God out of his thinking? Jesus seemed to have this question in mind when he said, “And this is the judgement: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed.” John 3:19-20. Man does not want to be accountable to a moral creator. He wants to cover up his shortcomings. In fact, he approves of everything he does and justifies himself. He prefers the darkness. I preferred the darkness until one day I cried out to God, and he touched me. He is there, and willing to touch you too. I am no better than you. I acknowledged my failure, and faults to Him, and also my need for Him in my life. How about you? Will you let Christ in? He is the light.

03/05/2024

Interesting statistics:
Current population of the U.S. nearly 350,000,000.
Current population of Israel is just over 9,500,000.
Amount killed in the World Trade attack: 2977 victims.
Amount killed in Hamas attack was 1139 victims.
The US population is 38.8 times larger than Israel. If we multiply the victims of the Hamas attack by 38.8, we would see that for Israel to lose 1139 citizens is the same as the US losing 43,282 citizens. What was the US reaction to the World Trade Center disaster? Why are we surprised with Israel’s reaction to their disaster? Why didn’t the world court hold the US to a cease fire after September 11?
Just something to think about.
Jesus said, why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, and overlook the log in yours. Mt. 7:3-5

12/08/2023

FINAL PUSH TO HELP THE CHILDREN'S OUTREACH!

08/02/2023

I have to brag on my son-in-law. This is his heart to worship the Lord!

Aaron RiosWorship Artist and PastorIN YOU By Aaron Rios from "Heart of Worship EP"Produced by Elder Perez & Aaron RiosMixed by Franc CastijosMusicians:Elder ...