Category Archives: Reflection

Devotionals, Mission's, Passages of the Bible, Reflection, Travel

Paul’s Travels

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Acts 20:16 (NKJV) “For Paul had decided to sail past Ephesus, so that he would not have to spend time in Asia; for he was hurrying to be at Jerusalem, if possible, on the Day of Pentecost.”
 

Did you know that Paul the Apostle traveled over 10,000 miles in his 3 missionary journeys and voyage to Rome? This is all before, trains, planes, and automobiles. Not a simple safari by any means, keep in mind back then the roads were bumpy, and the oceans were wild (still are)!
 
Did you know that this would be a minimum of 281 travel days? (And I thought a 14-hour flight to Cambodia was a lot!)
 
Paul’s journeys would cost at least 1,731 denarii (a denarii was a day’s wages). When you do the math (include 1 day off each week), this would be the equivalent of what a working man would earn in 5.5 years, somewhere around $302,500 in the year 2024. 
 
If you’re interested in an article on this, shoot me an email; all this is according to a study conducted by Harvard University. (manny@calvarychapelelmonte.com)
 
Why would Paul go so far? Why would he risk his life, time and time again? So many days, weeks, and months in hazardous conditions. Most of us can only handle a short vacation, much less long missions. We want to enjoy the creature comforts and familiarly of home. 

And so much money! Think of the fancy clothes, gold bling, choice chariots, or even the mansion Paul could have secured in Tarsus or Rome with that amount of money!
 
The answer to all these questions of why, is primarily Who? Jesus!
 
Jesus led Paul…all the days of his life. Jesus really was His Lord, for Paul had embraced Him – loved Him as Savior. 

In our text for today, we read that Paul had decided to sail past Ephesus. It would have been much easier to stay in Ephesus, rest a while, he had plenty of friends there. But Jesus wanted him to keep the feast in Jerusalem. So, he kept it. I’ve definitely discovered over the years that obedience and inconvenience are often siamese twins. (Selah)
 
Let’s learn from Paul, the bondservant of Jesus Christ. Let’s be willing to surrender time and treasure, to sacrifice comfort when He calls, and pleasure to please Him. As we are dispatched at times to sail past our own personal desires, to do His will, I promise you, so many will be blessed…even you.
 
Safe travels my friend!
 
Your brother in Christ,
– Manny

Coronilla Clan, Friends, Fun, Instagram Post, Music, Reflection

Back in the Day…

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Sorry – – had to share this. My friend Adam (he was an amazing singer, still is), posted it the other day…from back in “the days.” 

I had so much fun with the boys and our toys, in this case an Aria Pro guitar and Carvin Stack while I was in the band THACKERY. 

Maybe one day I’ll pick up the guitar again. As my friend Anthony Ramos used to say, “Jam for the Lamb!”

2 Kings 3:15 (NKJV) “But now bring me a musician.” Then it happened, when the musician played, that the hand of the LORD came upon him.

Film, Friends, Life, Reflection, Testimony, Trials

Matthew Perry

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On Matthew Perry

I’m by no means an expert in all that happened in the life of Matthew Perry, but after seeing his interview with Diane Sawyer, I am convinced that he genuinely wanted to help people…he was reaching out to anyone struggling with addiction or mental illness.

At the time of my post, we don’t yet know the exact cause of death, but his passing compels me to think deeply, search my heart, and learn from his life.

Matthew Perry spent close to 9 million dollars and 25 years fighting the addiction. He revealed in his 2022 autobiography, “Friends, Lovers and the Big Terrible Thing: A Memoir,” that he attended 6,000 Alcoholics Anonymous meetings and entered rehab 15 times. Perry wrote of the loneliness he experienced during his cycles of substance abuse and recovery.

It’s heartbreaking to think that a person with so much “success” could live such a life. I’m praying for his family, fans, and friends. I hope, like Matthew, we all have a heart to help people who are struggling. 

As a pastor I would simply point you to Jesus. Not the religious one, the real One. On August 20, 1989 the real Jesus set me free from 9 years of drug and alcohol addiction, He literally healed my broken heart.

If you’re out there and you need help, please – don’t hesitate to call upon the name of the Lord, you can do that now. Then reach out to a Christian Church or friend…as Matthew said in the interview, none of us can do this alone. Feel free to message me, we’re here to help (Galatians 6:1-2).

Your brother in Christ,

Manny

“I started to cry. I mean, I really started to cry – that shoulder-shaking kind of uncontrollable weeping. I wasn’t crying because I was sad. I was crying because, for the first time in my life, I felt OK. I felt safe, taken care of. Decades of struggling with God, and wrestling with life, and sadness, all was being washed away, like a river of pain gone into oblivion.”

– Matthew Perry
Passages of the Bible, Questions, Reflection

What if we Gave it ALL to God?

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I’ve been pondering and meditating on what it would look like if I completely rendered my life to God?

Among other things it would include, surrendering all my thoughts, 100% of my eyes, everything that goes into my ears, the taming of my tongue (words), all “my” time, talents, treasures – all my decisions…myself would “die” to self.

And what would happen if I did that, gave it ALL to God?

I want to find out.

This is the life of obedience that the Lord deserves. I am created in His image, and I am therefore to give Him all that I am.

Heaven, Questions, Reflection, Salvation, Survey

A Heavy question about Heaven

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Warren Wiersbe said, “Heaven is not just a destination, it’s a motivation.” It’s good to think about heaven, it helps us to know that earth is not our home, it also moves us to reach out.

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Bible Chapter Summaries, Passages of the Bible, Reflection

Reflection – Exodus 34

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(Suggested reading – Exodus 34)

As Moses was called to be ready in the morning, to go up the mountain to meet with God, I’ve always seen this as God’s invitation to wake up and “come up” to spend time with Him. Back then God wrote on the tablets of stone, today He writes on the tablets of our hearts (2 Corinthians 3:3).

Moses was allowed to see the afterglow of God Who revealed Himself with a description of mercy, grace, and long-suffering with toward us and our sins and at the same time, God is revealed as holy and just, by no means clearing the guilty. This Biblical balance of the revelation of God in His own words is critical to remember. God is willing to forgive our sins, but can only do so in Christ.

The LORD renewed His covenant with Israel and was about to do marvels unparalleled. The Canaanites would be defeated and expelled from the land. Israel was not to make any covenants with them, just as we are not to do so with the world.

This section reminds me that commandments need to be repeated; some are more personal to me, for some reason God’s commandment not to appear before Him empty-handed has always struck a chord within (give to God what belongs to God). And how important it is for the men to gather (Exodus 34:23).

Moses fasted supernaturally for 40 days and 40 nights…can you imagine the fellowship he experienced with God?

In reference to the shining face of Moses there’s a deeper lesson in all this. Moses’ face glowed as he spent time with God intimately, and personally. We stand in awe of such an experience don’t we? And yet we who are under the New Covenant have even more than Moses had! Moses was compelled to wear a veil so that the people would not see the fading glory, but we in Christ can not only meet with God face to face, but we can have a glory that never fades as we are transformed into the image of Jesus.

Bible Chapter Summaries, Passages of the Bible, Reflection

Reflection – Exodus 33

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(Suggested reading – Exodus 33)

Initially the LORD would not have gone with the people in His special presence, this is what they deserved, but Moses pleaded with the LORD on their behalf.

Moses would meet with the LORD in the Tabernacle of Meeting outside the camp, and those who sought the LORD joined him (in one sense). It’s here we read those amazing words that Moses spoke to God, “Face to face.” What a privilege! And then to think that in the New Covenant all Christians can meet with God in an even more intimate way (2 Corinthians 3:12-18).

As Moses pleaded with God for His special presence, God graciously answered in the affirmative and Moses would be blessed to see the “afterglow” of God. Wow!

Bible Chapter Summaries, Reflection

Reflections – Exodus 32

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(Suggested reading – Exodus 32)

Tragically 40 days was too long for these impatient people to wait for Moses and God. Aaron completely lacked all aspects of Spiritual Leadership and rather than lead, he followed the people.

After all that the LORD had done for them, they turned away so quickly. In Exodus 32:6 the word “play” is in reference to perversity. God saw everything, so He sent Moses down while disowning the people (in one sense, Exodus 32:7). Moses interceded, mentioning to the LORD that they were in all reality HIS people (Exodus 32:11).

In His justice God could have consumed Israel, but in His grace and by the intercession of Moses, God spared them. Moses prayed for God’s glory and He prayed God’s Word. The tablets were broken because the people had broken the Law. Moses teaches us/me the importance of leadership in that Aaron was to blame for not restraining the people (Exodus 32:25). Aaron even lied in how the idols were fashioned. Moses ground the idols to powder and made the people drink shameful shakes illustrating the consequences of forgiven sin (Galatians 6:7). Moses would stand in the gap…once again.

Bible Chapter Summaries, Passages of the Bible, Reflection

Reflection – Exodus 30

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(Suggested reading Exodus 30)

The Altar of Incense symbolized prayer (see Revelation 5:8; Revelation 8:3-4). Can you visualize the prayers rising as incense before the Lord? Here we read of special prayers every morning and twilight, as well as perpetual prayers going on constantly. I couldn’t help but think of 1 Thessalonians 5:17.

O Lord, please grant me victory in my prayer life.

As the people are preparing to construct and maintain the tabernacle a tax of “Ransom Money” is established. Here it is half a shekel of silver for every man 20 years and above. In Jesus’ day it would be one-third of a shekel.

O Lord, please help me to give my part towards Your “house” and “work.”

The Bronze Laver provided the place and water for the priests to wash their hands and feet before entering in to serve the Lord. This brings to mind (John 13:5-10 and Ephesians 5:26).

O Lord, please create in me a clean heart. Please forgive me, wash me, allow me to serve You with clean hands and clean feet.

The Holy Anointing Oil is symbolic of the Holy Spirit. This anointing must be pure as prescribed in God’s Word and not manufactured by men.

O Lord, please anoint me, anoint us with the personal presence and power of Your Holy Spirit.

The Incense (prayer) must be pure as well, may it be Spirit led and from the heart. Twice in this chapter we read those words in the NKJV, “Where I will meet with you.” How beautiful is that? But it makes sense doesn’t it, for 141 times we read of the “Tabernacle of Meeting.”