Conversations with Ray Martinez

What does it mean to let the peace of Christ rule in YOUR hearts.  I think it’s interesting when the scripture is talking directly to me, personally, when IT says YOU or YOUR heart. When I see the word you or your, it’s a personal direct communication specifically for me. Today the Scriptures are talking about peace directly at me or you--it’s not speaking about them or they, or those people. This is about my interpersonal relationships, skills, and life practices. It’s hitting the core of my life from the heart. 

Have you ever caught yourself giving someone a tongue lashing, or have you been on the receiving end of a yeller?  James has some poignant suggestions for us today. We see this every day amongst strangers, friends, siblings, and, worst of all, among husbands and wives, the very people who, next to their love for the Lord Jesus, should have the most love for each other. What can we do to tame the tongue?  If God has declared that “no one” can tame the tongue, how can we even begin to do so?  While many people have quit smoking or drinking by the power of the human will, the problem of the heart and tongue cannot be solved by human will power.  In today's podcast, we will have some very candid options and examples.

In our passage today, there is so much to unpack with this message. Faith without works or action is even a bigger message. However, the one thing is for sure that we will focus on today is sharing, giving, a good deed, benevolence and helping others. This isn’t about sharing what others have, but sharing what I have. Do I have plenty?  If so, then shouldn’t I share what I have. It’s easy for me to be a busy-body about what others don’t give of themselves, but have I looked at myself lately? Why do I find it difficult to give of myself or of my things? Am I being stingy?, hoarding, selfish, judgmental, greedy, or am I worried that I may not have enough for myself?  Our genuine faith should bleed with compassion.  In this podcast, I feel like I am preaching to myself.  

Fear in and of itself is not sin. Fear is a normal response to threat. Like pain, it is a gift of God intended to keep us safe. Feeling guilty for feeling fear in a situation of threat is like feeling guilty for feeling hungry when you haven't eaten. It's something your body does, not your will. The challenge is to respond appropriately.  We will understand today how to take a stand in the love of Jesus, which casts out all fears.  I encourage you to listen to the song first before listening to this podcast.  The song by Josh Baldwin is called, "Stand In Your Love".  Fear is not the opposite of faith.  Unbelief is in fact the opposite of faith.  The bible talks about several kinds of fear as you will hear today.  But the fear of God is the "reverence" of God...there is a big difference.

King Hezikiah has a big problem.  He is faced with war with the King of Assyria, which he knows is not winnable by his own army.  The King of Assyria sends threatening messengers and later on an insulting letter with threats, insulting God.  In today's story, we will learn how King Hezikiah reacts.  He isn't afraid to lay his problem before the Lord.  He took the threatening letter to the Temple and placed it before God and basically said, this is yours...I need help.  God speaks to the King through Isaiah and tells of His plan against the King of Assyria.  We have some great take-aways for you today.

Today's study is about the healing of a deaf man with a speech impediment.  How does Jesus manage the situation and what does he want from us?  While touching the man’s tongue, Jesus looks up, and he sighs, saying “be opened!” Jesus cares enough about us to die.  He wants to hear our voice. Jesus wants to have that conversation. I think Jesus sighs, when we don’t turn to Him. And I think Jesus sighs, when we call out to him…he feels for us….and He has mercy on us… Sighing is very Godly.  It’s nothing to laugh about, but it stirs up the spirit of communication and love. Will you sigh with Jesus today?

This is one of those amazing stories in my life while growing up in Fort Collins, CO.  My first venture into the water by myself, resulted in me almost drowning. Join me in hearing my near death experience at age 7, when someone out of nowhere rescued me.  Was it an angel?  How did my cousin, Linda Jean, hear me yell for help, when no one else could hear me?

It’s important that we recognize who our source of power comes from, not only for us to know, but also how to serve Him and how to serve others. As a police officer, if I don’t recognize the authority that I have, how can I protect the people?  I do this in “the name of the law”. In England, the Bobby’s used to enforce the law in the “name of the Queen”. We as Christians do things “in the name of Jesus”.  Regardless, we all should know where our source of power or authority comes from. It's important that we learn to help others, and bring others to the word. In this podcast we learn about what "they" did for the people who were sick--carrying them to meet Jesus.

King Jehoshaphat was faced with a huge dilemma in his reign.  War was declared against Israel by the armies of the Moebites, Ammonites, and some of the Meunites. There were messengers that told the king about the troops that were on the move to attack. This was considered a vast army from Edom and they were not far away. Naturally, Jehoshaphat was terrified by the news. I love what Sir Winston Churchill said, ‘The pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; the optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.’  The King knew that if they sought God, they could be rescued.  Let's listen to how King Jehoshaphat sought the Lord and obeyed his directions, even though they seemed frightening.