Does Your Heart Ooze Thankfulness?

My wife and I flew to Raleigh through a short layover in Detroit this morning. Now go ahead, ask me how my flight went? That is where this problem and great grace begin.

Living in New York is full of complexity, as such a common and favorite conversation topic is to gripe to fellow New Yorkers, acquainted or not, about life’s hiccups. “How was your weekend?” Great, restful and got my errands done. I just wish I hadn't been stuck for an hour on the Costco check-out line. Oh yeah? That's the worse, I”…. And you know the rest. It's a never ending cycle of complaining. Even in the best light, it is an attempt to find common ground, but in reality, a fist shake at God.

Whoa Tom, whoa. Just because I share my mishaps doesn't mean I am complaining. No, not necessarily, but if you examine your speaking pattern, what do you observe? Is it a heart of thankfulness (Eph. 5:20), or murmuring (Mal. 3:14)?

I write this because the Lord illuminated this sin area in my life the last time we were in North Carolina. Last month my family was blessed to spend a week with godly saints. An elder and his wife of 42 years. God convicted me by observing their conduct, specifically their speech, not only was it seasoned with grace but strikingly, thanksgiving.

I'm thankful Tom! I know the Lord saved me out of His good pleasure, for His glory. I am grateful for that, for my family, life and home church. Great! But does it ooze out? Is it a defining characteristic of your speech, your demeanor? If a group of people close to you were asked to describe your bent, would they say you are a complainer or full of thanksgiving?

Let's couch this in theology. God is the author of everything, He either causes or permits everything you and others say, do, think and feel. He controls and has ordained all things and circumstances. With that in mind, go back to the hour wait on the Costco line. What was the point? Where is your heart, where is your mind during these situations? Probably not stayed on Him.

Two minutes from landing I am reflecting on the things as we go to be picked up by this same godly couple. What will I say when asked, how was your flight?

Pray for Your Child's Spouse

Weekday schedules can be difficult for spending quality time with your family - especially if you have younger kids. I often get to enjoy my daughter in the morning for an hour or so before heading out to work and oftentimes she is in bed or being put down to sleep by the time I get home. My son on the other hand is two years older and I get to do bath and bedtime with him most nights.

Monday however, was very special. A few ladies from my church decided to organize a book club at a local coffee spot. I then made sure my schedule was arranged so that my wife could attend. While the husband is tasked by God to lead his wife, I know that strong friendships within our church family would not only bless her, but she can also be a blessing to others.

So Monday afternoon rolls around and I leave work early and I get the kids for the evening. It was much easier than it sounds though - my parents providentially live in our apartment building. Even more providentially, they live right across the hallway. Most of the evening before bedtime was spent there. An hour past their normal bedtime, I was finally ready to put them down.

First up for bed is my ten month year old girl. Formula was heated up, she's tucked into the nook of my arm and I am just staring at her, thanking God for giving me a daughter. I began praying for her - that she would be saved young, that she would serve the Lord with all her heart, that He would take care of her for me. Then, I began to pray for her husband. Whether he is born or not, that he would be a godly, mature man - an Exemplary Husband, who loves Jesus and continually seeks to look more like Him. That he would sacrificially love my daughter and water her with word, pointing her always to God. I prayed that Christ would be precious to him, that he would know his fallen-ness and be ever dependent on His grace and mercy.

Then, I began to pray that my daughter would be pleasing to him, a help meet suitable. A submissive, fellow heir of salvation that would honor her God by her devotion and love to her husband and children. Finally, I had to pray for my wife and me - that by God's grace we would be able to raise our daughter to be an Excellent Wife.

Why pray for something so distant?

Simple, because God answers prayer. 1 John 5 says that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. He also seeks people to worship Him in spirit and in truth, so in confidence I petitioned our Creator for His blessing.

Are your kids already married? Engaged? In their teens? Still in diapers? Or not yet born? Pray for them and for their spouse. God not only wants to hear your heart, but He also can and will do more abundantly for us that we can imagine. 

Yours In Christ,
Tom Vazquez

Repent or Perish (Revised)

Wikimedia Commons: Brooklyn Museum - The Tower of Siloam

Let us imagine that Jesus hadn't come in the flesh during the first century but tarried and was born during our time. He is fulfilling His earthly ministry in 2017 and some ask Him about the rash of powerful storms and earthquakes recently affecting the world. How would He respond?

The gospels very often describe Jesus' great mercy during His time on earth. He raised the dead, fed multitudes and healed the ailing. By His works, we can easily conclude that our God truly loves His image bearers and sympathizes with our afflictions. His condescension to His people is further expounded in Hebrews 2:17; He is our merciful and faithful High Priest.

Luke 13:1-5 describes a discussion between Jesus and others regarding Galileans whom Pontius Pilate had killed while they worshiped and offered sacrifices. Their question was essentially, why do bad things happen to good people? Why would this be allowed to happen to people who were in the process of worship; in the process of honoring God? I'm certain Jesus' answer was as controversial then as it would be now. He said, "Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans, because they suffered this way? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish." But He doesn't stop there - He continues, "Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them: do you think that they were worse offenders than all the others who lived in Jerusalem? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish."

Jesus' pithy response gets to the heart of the issue. Eternity matters and in light of death there are no innocents. Adam and Eve were told in Genesis that the result of sin would be death (Genesis 2:17). As a result of Adam's sin, we are sinners by nature and choice (Romans 3:10, Romans 3:23).

Back to the modern-day, I slightly revised the text in Luke 13 to reflect our current context:

1 There were some present at that very time who told him about the Rohingya whose blood Myanmar's military shed. 2 And he answered them, “Do you think that these Rohingyans were worse sinners than all the other Rohingyans, because they suffered in this way? 3 No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish. 4 Or those whom the floodwaters of Harvey killed: do you think that they were worse offenders than all the others who lived in Houston? 5 No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.”

So what lesson should we take away from the tragedies on the nightly news - repent. Benjamin Franklin's common refrain is true, nothing in this world is certain except death and taxes. One day, you will die. One day you will have to deal with your Maker, Hebrews 9:27 and Hebrews 10:31 give stern warnings to the unforgiven.

What is repentance?

Repentance is to change one's mind. More specifically, it is a change of mind that leads to a change of action. With regards to Jesus and your sin, true repentance will result in a change of mind of who Jesus is and an understanding that our sins, really are sinful. This then results in someone turning from their sin, to the only one who can forgive them. The individual then puts their trust in Jesus Christ alone for their salvation.

What if you are a Christian?

Repent. The lifestyle of a Christian is one of constant repentance. In John 13:10, Jesus said that those who have bathed are already clean, we only need our feet washed. Our steps will sometimes be within sin, we must repent (turn from that sin) and continue to mature in our walk with God.

What do we do with this information?

We are ambassadors on behalf of Christ (2 Corinthians 5:20) tasked with the ministry of reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5:18), thus we have answers to those who are fretting. The recent destructive events are gospel opportunities. Lovingly use them to your advantage for the cause of Christ.

Yours in Christ,

Tom Vazquez

Repent or Likewise Perish

Wikimedia Commons: Brooklyn Museum - The Tower of Siloam

Let us imagine that Jesus hadn't come in the flesh during the first century but tarried and was born during our time. He is fulfilling His earthly ministry in 2017 and some ask Him about the rash of powerful storms and earthquakes recently affecting the world. How would He respond?

The gospels very often describe Jesus' great mercy during His time on earth. He raised the dead, fed multitudes and healed the ailing. By His works, we can easily conclude that our God truly loves His image bearers and sympathizes with our afflictions. His condescension to His people is further expounded in Hebrews 2:17; He is our merciful and faithful High Priest.

Luke 13:1-5 describes a discussion between Jesus and others regarding Galileans whom Pontius Pilate had killed while they worshiped and offered sacrifices. Their question was essentially, why do bad things happen to good people? Why would this be allowed to happen to people who were in the process of worship; in the process of honoring God? I'm certain Jesus' answer was as controversial then as it would be now. He said, "Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans, because they suffered this way? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish." But He doesn't stop there - He continues, "Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them: do you think that they were worse offenders than all the others who lived in Jerusalem? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish."

Jesus' pithy response gets to the heart of the issue. Eternity matters and in light of death there are no innocents. Adam and Eve were told in Genesis that the result of sin would be death (Genesis 2:17). As a result of Adam's sin, we are sinners by nature and choice (Romans 3:10, Romans 3:23).

Back to the modern-day, I slightly revised the text in Luke 13 to reflect our current context:

1 There were some present at that very time who told him about the Rohingya whose blood Myanmar's military shed. 2 And he answered them, “Do you think that these Rohingyans were worse sinners than all the other Rohingyans, because they suffered in this way? 3 No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish. 4 Or those whom the floodwaters of Harvey killed: do you think that they were worse offenders than all the others who lived in Houston? 5 No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.”

So what lesson should we take away from the tragedies on the nightly news - repent. Benjamin Franklin's common refrain is true, nothing in this world is certain except death and taxes. One day, you will die. One day you will have to deal with your Maker, Hebrews 9:27 and Hebrews 10:31 give stern warnings to the unforgiven.

What is repentance?

Repentance is to change one's mind. More specifically, it is a change of mind that leads to a change of action. With regards to Jesus and your sin, true repentance will result in a change of mind of who Jesus is and an understanding that our sins, really are sinful. This then results in someone turning from their sin, to the only one who can forgive them. The individual then puts their trust in Jesus Christ alone for their salvation.

What if you are a Christian?

Repent. The lifestyle of a Christian is one of constant repentance. In John 13:10, Jesus said that those who have bathed are already clean, we only need our feet washed. Our steps will sometimes be within sin, we must repent (turn from that sin) and continue to mature in our walk with God.

What do we do with this information?

We are ambassadors on behalf of Christ (2 Corinthians 5:20) tasked with the ministry of reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5:18), thus we have answers to those who are fretting. The recent destructive events are gospel opportunities. Lovingly use them to your advantage for the cause of Christ.

Yours In Christ,
Tom Vazquez

A Pinch of Salt and a Little Light: Transgenderism

Transgenderism has been a topic heavily covered by much brighter Christians than I. There was nothing that I could add to the subject until the other day. My family and I were shopping at the local Toys R Us. She was picking out some items for the little girl we hoped to welcome into the world later that week, while I was on daddy-duty following around my son as he ran into the motorized car aisle excitedly yelling, "Beep! Beep! Beep!" (I write this while sitting across from my sleeping wife in the Labor & Delivery room - baby Elena is not here yet)

There were a mixture of jeeps, SUVs and convertibles to pick from - some for boys others for girls. When we first entered the aisle, he ran straight to a pink SUV. I opened the door for him and he climbed right in, and began hitting the horn and turning the wheel. A couple of minutes later, he was off to another car (a boy's car this time) and then to another (a girl's car). I didn't and don't care one bit that he was playing in a girl's car. More importantly, he only cared that it was a BEEP!

After some time, I whisked him away to look around the rest of the store. By popular demand we were back in the car aisle 10 minutes later. He immediately ran over to the car he first entered, the pink SUV. But something went through my head this time. It was because there were other people in the aisle - what would they think if they saw me letting my son play with a girl's car? I let the thought go for a minute but it crept back in.

I began to ponder, if someone comments or asks why my son is in a girl's car - what would the Christian response, especially in light of the transgender movement? We cannot deny that certain parents would see this behavior in their own children and question their sexuality. Maybe it wasn't just liking girly cars for their boy; maybe their boy likes putting on pink dresses and playing with dolls. The parents then wrongly conclude that he must be identifying as a female and instead of correcting, teaching and redirecting their son or daughter, they ultimately encourage the behavior.

Back to my predicament, what would be my response? Let's assume the question is direct, "Sir, it looks like your son may actually be identifying as a girl. Do you see how he is attracted to girl's cars. You have a special little one there, encourage this behavior though it might be uncomfortable."

My Christian response: "Thank you, I appreciate your concern. My family and I are actually Christians, we believe that gender is a gift from God. He made my son a boy and my wife and I plan to honor God by raising our son to be a man. We will teach him about His Creator and how he should strive to live out the roles, enjoy the rights and fulfill the responsibilities he will have as a man. I know our culture and the news place so much emphasis on transgenderism, but I encourage you to read about the God of the bible and learn about His ways. More importantly, I hope you learn about His Son, Jesus (The conversation can go anywhere from here - hopefully to the gospel. Remember, law first, then the good news ;-). 


How would you respond to such a question? Let me know what you think in the comments.


Yours In Christ,
Tom Vazquez

ACTS: (S)upplication

Welcome to the final installment of a four part series on the ACTS prayer model. We have made our way through Adoration, Confession and Thanksgiving. Today we will discuss Supplication.

Supplication means to plead humbly. Christians have been granted an amazing blessing and privilege which is seldom used to its potential - you can have an audience with the King. The Creator of the universe has so condescended to His beloved people that His ear is available to you at all times. Not only is He passively interested in hearing from you, but His very nature and character desires to have communion with His children. In His word, Almighty God calls you to come boldly to the throne of grace (Hebrews 4:16). He cares about you and wants you to lay your troubles at His feet (Philippians 4:6). Prayer is so important to God that Jesus instructed us on how to go about praying (Matthew 6:9-13).

Supplication connotes the idea of entreating the assistance of one who has the power to answer. We are encouraged to pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17) with all prayer and supplication (Ephesians 6:18). God also wants us also to know that He answers prayers (Matthew 21:22). 


What should you supplications be about?


Good question: for yourself (Matthew 26:41), other saints (James 5:16), your enemies (Luke 6:27-28), our leaders (1 Timothy 2:1-4).

What pitfalls should I watch out for?

Another good question. Be careful of praying for prayer's sake - don't be a hypocrite (Matthew 6:5-8).

Supplication follows the trajectory the previous parts of the ACTS model and is the logical extension of someone's communication with their Creator. If you have worshiped, confessed your sins and thoroughly thanked Him, the believer can plead that God be glorified and that His (perfect) will be done. Anything touched upon during the time of confession can be petitioned for. The Father, through His Holy Spirit out of honor for Christ can and will transform and conform a believer into the image of His Son. Time spent in thanksgiving highlights some of the most important areas of a Christian's life, plead for those things during your time of supplication.

There are endless topics that relate to prayer and praying, but I hope that this series has been helpful to you and that God will use it to encourage you to pray more.

Until next time, yours In Christ,
Tom Vazquez

ACTS: (T)hanksgiving

Welcome to Part Three of a four part series on the ACTS prayer model. So far we have discussed Adoration (worship) and Confession, today we will be taking a look at Thanksgiving.

Adoration of God causes the Christian to rightfully see themselves as fallen before His perfect ways. Confession of sin follows; scripture says "a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise" (Psalm 51:17). What then? Does the believer confess their sin and remain in guilt? This would be the case if it were not for the good news of the Gospel. If Christ had not been raised from the dead our faith would be in vain (1 Corinthians 15:14). But our Great, gracious God, in His mercy and grace sent Jesus at the right time (Galatians 4:4). Jesus came to save sinners, so rejoice and thank your God for the gift of salvation.

This understanding of redemption should anchor the Christian's gratitude. Sure you can thank Him for your daily bread and for keeping you safe but, He does these same things for unbelievers. We have a greater, deeper reason for giving thanks. You can (and should) thank Him even for the hard things He allows. James tells us to count it joy when we meet various trials (James 1:2-3) because these tests will help produce steadfastness.

Thank Him, thank Him; for every breath, for the morning cup of coffee, for your job. For your boss, your Pastor, and for your fellow brothers and sister in the Lord. Thank Him because we are dependent, we need Him and He sustains us.

Thank God, thank Him often. Praise Him saints!



Yours In Christ,
Tom Vazquez

ACTS: (C)onfession

We are now in Part Two of a four part series on the ACTS prayer model. Yesterday we discussed Adoration, today we will take a look at Confession.

Adoration or worship of God during prayer wells great admiration in the believer's heart. It leads us to contemplate the greatness of the Almighty. Extolling His attributes and characteristics though inevitably causes the believer to consider one's own heart. When compared to to the holiness of God, the believer along with Paul knows that we are the chief of sinners. Confession during prayer admits to God that we do not come close to keeping the command: "You shall be holy, for I am holy" (1 Peter 1:16). This right understanding allows one to rightly declare to God, "Nothing in my hands I bring, only to the cross I cling."

As with Adoration, the believer's maturity and understanding of their God drives confession. The one with greater knowledge will weep and lament the most. My encouragement is to grow, understand the cesspool in which He found you and tell Him how evil your flesh still is. But don't stay there, as wretched as we are we know the good news. Let your mourning be turned to joy, tomorrow we will take a look at Thanksgiving.


So tell me friends:

Do you have a right understanding of your depravity?


Yours In Christ,
Tom Vazquez

ACTS: (A)doration

Since recently attending Sermon Audio's Foundations Conference in my hometown, New York City; I have been praying more. Godly, faithful men, preached on the centrality of prayer and the proclamation of the word. At some point, one of the speakers mentioned using the ACTS model of prayer; Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving and Supplication. I had probably heard of this model before, but God used their teaching to invigorate my prayer life. ACTS stands for: Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving and Supplication.

The ACTS model is not specifically found in the bible, nor should it be the only way in which a believer communicates with God, but it is a good guide for a believer to use during prayer. 

Adoration is worship. Worship involves the glorification and exaltation of God, this is achieved in the mind through contemplation upon God. Proper worship of God results from knowledge. One can proclaim His character, attributes and works to Him in prayer. A new Christian may only know God as Savior (1 John 4:14), they are still in awe that a holy, righteous God would die to redeem an undeserving rebel such as them-self. A more mature Christian will have a deeper understanding and relationship with God, they will acknowledge Him as Creator (Gen 1:1), as Judge (Hebrews 9:27), Healer (1 Peter 2:24).

Many of my prayers begin with, "Heavenly Father, Creator God, Maker of heaven and earth. You are holy, perfect and just." Bible studies, reading and devotions will expose the believer to more and more of God. Overtime, your adoration will grow deeper as you learn more about your King.


Do you use a system or guide to organize your prayer time?

What attributes or characteristics of God do you enjoy proclaiming to Him in prayer?

Let me know in the comments below.


Yours In Christ,
Tom Vazquez

B - Believing Heart

A Believing heart is one of the ingredients which James tells us is important when going through trials. James 1:6-8:

6 But let him ask in faith,with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. 7 For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man,unstable in all his ways.

Double-minded in verse 8 means two souled. A person with two mindsets, two affections, lacks a believing heart. This person needs needs to repent of their doubt and wholly trust in God.

Possessing a believing heart allows a Christian to endure trials because he understands that God is sovereign and will lovingly allow a believer's faith to be tested in order to be conformed into the image of His Son, Jesus.


Yours In Christ,
Tom Vazquez