Tag Archives: Pastor Dennis Morales

They Saw A Star

By Pastor Dennis Morales

Pastor Dennis Morales Calvary Chapel CrossBridge

Pastor Dennis Morales

Matthew 2:10 – “When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy.”

How do you respond to Christmas? For some, Christmas sparks fond memory, some exuberance, and for others it’s shopping.

Unfortunately, Christmas has lost its meaning in our modern culture. More are mindful of a tree than the manger. I am all about the festivities and family traditions. I love opening gifts and sharing stories with family. But the true message of Christmas doesn’t lie in gift wrap.

The heart of Christmas is that God gave us the best gift ever in His Son Jesus Christ. We see several responses in the Bible to the birth of our Savior. Creation’s response was a star to tell the world a King had been born (Numbers 24:17). The angels responded with worship (Luke 2:13-14). Magi (wise men) responded with gifts of worship, whom were also guided by the Star (Matthew 2:2). The Shepherds responded by running to see Jesus, then telling everyone about what they saw (Luke 2:17). The Bethlehem Star signified God’s response to the world’s greatest need. That was to be saved from sin and be given hope of Heaven (John 3:16).

The wonder and beauty of Christmas is that Jesus took His place in a manger so that we might have a home in Heaven. Our Savior was wrapped in nothing more than common rags. The Star rested over an ordinary manger, which held the greatest gift in the simplest of wrapping (Luke 2:7).

Calvary Chapel Eastvale meets Sundays, 10:30 a.m., at Clara Barton Elementary (7437 Corona Valley Ave, Eastvale). Visit their website at http://www.CalvaryEastvale.org.

Know His Peace

BY PASTOR DENNIS MORALES

After a long day, it’s always my joy to hear my sons yell, “Papa!” when I walk through the door. It’s music to my ears.

One day, their greeting was a bit serious. They jumped up on my lap and said, “Papa, we were playing in our room and we crashed the lamp and it exploded to pieces. But we said sorry.”

I couldn’t help but pick them up in my arms and give them the biggest hugs and kisses.

I believe God teaches us through our children in many ways. It pleases God when His children pray and seek forgiveness. If you have failed God, confess to Him in prayer and move forward in the promises that He has for you. Don’t allow condemnation to keep you from moving forward.

The Bible says, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness,” (1 John 1:9). Know that God is eager to forgive.

I can’t help but think that God looks at me the same way I look at my two young boys when I pray and seek forgiveness. There was peace in my little boys’ hearts when they realized that I forgave them and hugged them. Soon after they were laughing, playing, and enjoying time with their father.

God desires that you know His peace. The Bible says God’s peace “surpasses understanding,” (Philippians 4:7). God’s peace goes beyond any type of peace that anything or anyone else can offer you.

“God gives strength to His people and blesses them with peace,” (Psalm 29:11).

Calvary Chapel Eastvale meets Sundays, 10:30 a.m., at Clara Barton Elementary (7437 Corona Valley Ave, Eastvale). Visit their website at http://www.CalvaryEastvale.org.

 

 

 

 

Florescent Faith

By Pastor Dennis Morales

 

Pastor Dennis Morales Calvary Chapel CrossBridge

Pastor Dennis Morales

“Be on guard. Stand firm in the faith. Be courageous. Be strong,” (1 Corinthians 16:13).

My 3-year old gave us a huge scare one day when he got lost in Downtown Disney. So we quickly scrambled into action going in his last direction, which was toward a stuffed bear workshop. My wife called out his name, looked around the store, and instinctively ran upstairs to where a birthday party was in progress.

To our surprise, and relief, there was our 3-year old engaged in the party. Within minutes he was wearing a birthday hat, had supplies in hand to build his own bear, had a piece of cake, and was mingling. Our little party crasher innocently blended right in with the little partygoers.

It’s no doubt we live in an “everything but Jesus” culture. I have seen faith-filled friends compromise and buckle to ungodly trends. Trends are enticing, but short-lived. The devil’s tactic is to get you to compromise your personal borders, blend in, and lead you down a path of obscurity and destruction.

It takes courage to faithfully “persevere” in today’s culture. Your strength to stand out in faith in the midst of pressure and difficulty is found in Christ (Philippians 4:13). God is calling you to set the standard and allow people see that Jesus reigns in your life. A spiritual battle ensues, but be courageous and stand firm in faith. The Lord is your shield (Proverbs 30:5).

Calvary Chapel Eastvale meets Sundays, 10:30 a.m., at Clara Barton Elementary (7437 Corona Valley Ave, Eastvale). Visit their website at http://www.CalvaryEastvale.org.

 

 

Your Platform

BY PASTOR DENNIS MORALES

Pastor Dennis Morales Calvary Chapel CrossBridge

Pastor Dennis Morales

“And I told them of the hand of my God which had been good upon me,” (Nehemiah 2:18).

You have a platform. It’s essentially something that enables you to be heard. Speakers often stand upon a “soapbox” or a “stage” to be heard and make plain their message to their hearers. Whether it is adversity, struggle, or triumph, it is a platform for faith.

Nehemiah was in captivity and was the king’s cupbearer. He used his seemingly ill position as a platform for faith and to bring awareness of God’s plan. As a result, Nehemiah was given favor with the king and necessary resources to fulfill God’s plan and rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. Nehemiah’s opposition was ever present and men sought to discourage his faithful plan, but Nehemiah had faith and trusted in God. Nehemiah knew God was for him and God turned the enemy’s plot to nothing (Nehemiah 4:14-16). The people rallied and completed the walls in record time. God is faithful in adversity.

I am reminded of Bethany Hamilton, who entrusted herself to her faithful Creator. She didn’t quit living when she lost her arm. She gave her life to God. She deposited her life for safekeeping into His hands; and now, God has given her an international platform from which to share her story and bring Him glory.

What is your platform today? Trust God to give you strength and lead you today (Proverbs 3:5-6).

Calvary Chapel Eastvale meets Sundays at 10:30 a.m., at Clara Barton Elementary. Visit calvaryeastvale.org for more information.

 

It’s a Good Day

BY PASTOR DENNIS MORALES

“This is the day the LORD has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.” (Psalm 118:24)

Pastor Dennis Morales Calvary Chapel CrossBridge

Pastor Dennis Morales

How was your day today? For some, today was a good day. When I get to spend quality time with my wife and boys, I consider it a great day. Or, maybe a great day is the start of a vacation.

Some days are challenges. I don’t have to share that these are some challenging days we live in. There is drought, doubt, debt, division, and distress all around us. I can even have a tendency to bring stress on my own day. I can be standing in the line that says “15 items or less,” and there I’ll be, counting everyone’s items in front of me, and heaping stress upon my day.

Psalm 118 assures us that God is with us and He is for us despite what the day may hold. God made today for you to experience Him. This is a day to know that God is with you in the midst of challenge (118:5), that He is your strength (118:14); and most importantly, that God is your salvation (118:14).

The people sang and rejoiced as Jesus entered into Jerusalem. They were rejoicing because they thought Jesus would rule an earthly kingdom, which wasn’t the case. He would be crucified shortly thereafter. What Jesus desires is to reign in people’s hearts. If Jesus is in your heart today, whatever today would hold, you can rejoice.

Calvary Chapel Eastvale meets Sundays, 10:30 a.m., at Clara Barton Elementary (7437 Corona Valley Ave, Eastvale). Visit their website at http://www.CalvaryEastvale.org.

Eastvale: Good Company

BY PASTOR DENNIS MORALES

Pastor Dennis Morales Calvary Chapel CrossBridge

Pastor Dennis Morales

“And everyone who was in distress, everyone who was in debt, and everyone who was discontented gathered to him. So he became captain over them. And there were about four hundred men with him,” (1 Samuel 22:2).

David takes a few men, not perfect men, not model citizens, but men who are stressed, in debt, and have issues. Notice they are distressed, bankrupt, and discontented or literally “bitter of soul.” They were looking for something different in their lives, something better. So God led these 400 men to David. The pressures of life caused these men to seek refuge with David. These men came to David in distress, but they didn’t stay that way. David made them into the kind of men described in 1 Chronicles 12:8: “Mighty men of valor, men trained for battle, who could handle the shield and spear, whose faces were like the faces of lions, and were as swift as gazelles on the mountains.”

David eventually trains these 400 men into a well-oiled fighting force of great discipline and bravery. Jesus said, “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest,” (Matthew 11:28). David dealt with the physical, but Jesus heals the spiritual. When you give your life to Christ, He goes to the heart of the problem, which is the heart (Jeremiah17:9). Jesus doesn’t focus on what brings you to Him, but on what He brings to you. He brings forgiveness, peace, and true change. “…Anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun,” (2 Corinthians 5:17).

Calvary Chapel Eastvale meets Sundays, 10:30 am, at Clara Barton Elementary (7437 Corona Valley Ave, in Eastvale). Visit their website at http://www.CalvaryEastvale.org.

Eastvale: Happiness Is…

BY PASTOR DENNIS MORALES

Pastor Dennis Morales Calvary Chapel CrossBridge

Pastor Dennis Morales

You fill in the blank. Happiness is what so many are trying to determine in life.  Some may ponder “what is happiness?”

Believe it or not, but my two boys love when I do yard work or clean out the garage.  Why? You say.  They love it because they have an opportunity to help me and it gives them a chance to hold a broom.  Yes, hold a broom.  I have a photo of my son Noah holding a push broom the day of his first birthday with such intrigue and joy.  It actually brought him joy and fulfillment to help his dad.  This was another glimpse of the Lord teaching me through my son.

In the Upper Room, Jesus took a towel and wrapped it around His waist.  He then took a basin and began to do the work of a servant as he washed the disciple’s feet (John 13).  Jesus then said “if you know these things, blessed are you if you do them” (John 13:17).  The word “blessed” here is translated “happy.”  Jesus shares with us the source of real happiness in this scene.  Jesus essentially shows us that happiness cannot be defined by prestige or power, only in terms of knowing and doing God’s will for our lives.  To my son, pushing a broom may not be the most exhilarating experience in itself, but when it’s connected to blessing his dad, it makes him happy.

Life without God is empty, shallow, and lacks purpose. When you allow Christ in your life, He makes it worth living.  Serving the Lord and others in His name adds a dimension of happiness.  “Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, and whose hope is the LORD” (Jer 17:7).

Calvary Chapel Eastvale meets Sundays 11:30 am at Clara Barton Elementary 7437 Corona Valley Ave, Eastvale. www.CalvaryEastvale.org.