Have you ever felt overwhelmed by decisions, anxious thoughts, or confusion? It’s easy to believe we’re left to figure things out on our own—but this verse reminds us of a powerful truth: we have the mind of Christ.

When you accepted Jesus, the Holy Spirit took up residence in you—and with Him came access to God’s wisdom, discernment, and perspective. You are no longer limited to human understanding. The same Spirit that guided Jesus in every word, every step, and every response is at work in you.

Having the mind of Christ means you can think differently. You can live above fear, anxiety, and doubt. You can see situations through a lens of peace, purpose, and spiritual clarity. It doesn’t mean you’ll always have every answer, but it does mean you have divine guidance—a still, steady voice reminding you who you are and whose you are.

Lets pray: Jesus, thank You for giving me access to Your mind and wisdom. When I’m confused, anxious, or afraid, remind me that I can pause, pray, and receive Your clarity. Help me take every thought captive and think in a way that honors You. I want to live with a renewed mind that reflects Your love, peace, and power. Amen.

✨ What is one area of your life where you’ve been relying only on your own thoughts? Invite Jesus into that space today. What might it look like to respond with His mind instead of your own?

💗 Speak this out loud today: “I have the mind of Christ. I see clearly, think clearly, and I walk in peace.”

Say it every time anxiety tries to enter.

🧠 You have the mind of Christ. Think like it. Live like it. 🌺

This week we continue meditating on our identity in Jesus. To fully be immerse in Who We Are in Christ. The reality is that it's easy to feel unworthy—like we’re not good enough, holy enough, or “put-together” enough to approach God.

But in 2 Corinthians 5:21 God reminds us of an unshakable truth: Jesus, who was completely sinless, took on the weight of our sins so we could stand in God’s presence righteous and restored.

This wasn’t just a symbolic act—it was a divine exchange. Jesus stepped into our brokenness so we could step into His wholeness. He became what we were (sin), so we could become what He is (righteous). Not by effort. Not by perfection. But by grace.

You no longer have to wear shame, guilt, or the old identity of who you used to be. In Christ, you’re made new. God sees you clothed in the righteousness of His Son.

Today, ask yourself: Where have I still been trying to “earn” God's love or approval? Write a letter to Jesus giving Him those efforts, and receive His gift of righteousness in return.

Jesus, thank You for taking my place and carrying the weight of my sin. I receive the gift of Your righteousness today—not because I deserve it, but because You love me that much. Help me to live confidently in this truth, letting go of shame and stepping fully into who I am in You. Amen.

He took your sin and gave you His righteousness. What a trade.

Have a wonderful week. Rest in Him. It is done!

He is Risen!!

I hope all of you are reflecting today on the significance of the Risen Jesus.

I have been reflecting this morning

as we await our flight to the mainland for my last and final surgery on Monday on the below scriptures.

I started in Matthew 28:6, which recounts the angel's proclamation to the women at the tomb:

“He is not here; he has risen, just as he said."

This verse simply and profoundly signifies Jesus' resurrection and the fulfillment of his prophecy.

I was then led to the below passage from John that tells of Mary’s encounter with the angel and their subsequent report to the disciples, highlighting the disbelief and eventual joy surrounding the resurrection.

“Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the entrance. So she came running to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one Jesus loved, and said, “They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we don’t know where they have put him!” So Peter and the other disciple started for the tomb. Both were running, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. He bent over and looked in at the strips of linen lying there but did not go in. Then Simon Peter came along behind him and went straight into the tomb. He saw the strips of linen lying there, as well as the cloth that had been wrapped around Jesus’ head. The cloth was still lying in its place, separate from the linen. Finally the other disciple, who had reached the tomb first, also went inside. He saw and believed. (They still did not understand from Scripture that Jesus had to rise from the dead.) Then the disciples went back to where they were staying. Now Mary stood outside the tomb crying. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb and saw two angels in white, seated where Jesus’ body had been, one at the head and the other at the foot. They asked her, “Woman, why are you crying?” “They have taken my Lord away,” she said, “and I don’t know where they have put him.” He asked her, “Woman, why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?” Thinking he was the gardener, she said, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him.” Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means “Teacher”). Jesus said, “Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’ ” Mary Magdalene went to the disciples with the news: “I have seen the Lord!” And she told them that he had said these things to her.”

‭‭✝️John‬ ‭20‬:‭1‬-‭18

I love reading and chewing on Paul’s first letter to the Corinthian church as it emphasize that Christ's death and resurrection are the foundation of Christian hope and salvation.

“For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, and then to the Twelve. After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers and sisters at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles, and last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born. For I am the least of the apostles and do not even deserve to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect. No, I worked harder than all of them—yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me. Whether, then, it is I or they, this is what we preach, and this is what you believed. But if it is preached that Christ has been raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith. More than that, we are then found to be false witnesses about God, for we have testified about God that he raised Christ from the dead. But he did not raise him if in fact the dead are not raised. For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised either. And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Christ are lost. If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are of all people most to be pitied. But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.”

‭‭✝️1 Corinthians‬ ‭15‬:‭3‬-‭20‬ ‭NIV‬‬

Let me close this message by highlighting Psalm 118:

"This is the day that the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it!"

We love you all and so missed not being together this morning. Thank you for the love and grace.

See you Sunday, May 4th at El Tule.

God bless you,

Pastor Rick and Paloma

You are not the labels others gave you. In Christ, you are called a saint. That means set apart, holy, and loved. Not because of what you do, but because of who Jesus is in you. Let that truth heal your identity.

Prayer:
Jesus, thank You for calling me holy even when I feel messy. Help me believe what You say about me is true. Amen.

Journaling Prompt:
What old labels are you ready to surrender so you can walk as the saint God says you are?

Joy to Action:
Send an encouraging message to a friend today reminding them of who they are in Christ.

In Christ, you’re not just saved—you’re royalty. You have access to heaven’s inheritance: peace, purpose, love, and eternity. You don’t need to fight for your worth. You’ve already been given more than you could imagine.

Prayer:
God, thank You that I am Your heir. Help me live from abundance, not lack. I claim the promises You’ve written over my life. Amen.

Journaling Prompt:
What part of your spiritual inheritance do you want to start walking in today?

Joy to Action:
Treat yourself like royalty today—not with pride, but with gratitude for who you belong to.

Your salvation wasn’t a one-time event—it’s an ongoing miracle. Jesus didn’t just die for you, He lives for you. Every day, His life is working in you, shaping you, sustaining you. You are held by grace, not performance.

Jesus, thank You for being alive and active in my life. I surrender my striving and rest in the truth that You’re still saving me today. Amen.

Where have you seen Jesus actively working in your life recently?

Smile today knowing you're not doing life alone—Jesus is alive in you. Share that joy with someone else.

🔥 He didn’t stop at the cross. He lives for you. And that changes everything. 🌊

You are not an accident, a mistake, or a coincidence. You are chosen and reborn into a family that will never leave you. Being a child of God means you belong—even when you feel like you don’t. Your past no longer defines you. Your Father in heaven does.

Abba, thank You for calling me Your child. Help me to live like I’m loved, accepted, and part of Your eternal family. Remind me that I’m never alone. Amen.

What does it mean to you to be God’s child? Where in your life do you need to remember this truth?

Take a walk by the beach or look at the sky today and thank God for being your Father. Breathe it in: You are His.

In the quiet, hidden places of waiting or suffering, it’s easy to feel invisible—to wonder if God sees you, hears you, or remembers the prayers you’ve whispered through tears. But this verse gives us one of the most beautiful reassurances in Scripture: God will not forget you.

Even if the people closest to you turn away, your Heavenly Father holds you close. His love is deeper than human love. He doesn't lose track of you or overlook your needs. He sees what no one else sees. You are not lost in the unknown—you are held, remembered, and deeply loved.

🙏 Prayer

Father, thank You for seeing me. When I feel overlooked or forgotten, remind me of Your nearness. Let Your love quiet every fear and awaken new confidence in my heart. Amen.

✍️ Journaling

Have you ever felt forgotten by God? Write honestly about that experience, and then speak truth over it: “God sees me, and He has not forgotten me.”

🌞 Joy to Action

Send a message or say a prayer for someone else who might feel unseen today. Let your reminder of God’s love become someone else’s comfort too.

Hope isn’t just a feeling—it’s a decision. In seasons of uncertainty, when it feels like nothing is moving forward, hope becomes a quiet act of defiance against fear. David, the psalmist, didn’t praise God because everything was perfect. He praised Him because He knew God was still good.

When you don’t see answers, when the door remains closed, when the healing hasn’t come—choosing hope says, “I still believe God is with me. I still believe He’s working.” This kind of hope doesn’t ignore pain; it simply refuses to let the pain have the final word.

🙏 Prayer
Lord, even when life feels heavy and unclear, I choose to hope in You. Strengthen my heart and help me worship through the waiting. Let my praise be louder than my doubt. Amen.

✍️ Journaling
What does “hope” look like for you right now? Write down one area of your life where you want to choose hope instead of fear.

🌞 Joy to Action
Put on your favorite worship song and let it become your prayer today. Praise brings light even into the darkest unknowns.

When life feels uncertain, our first instinct is often to hold on tighter—to make a plan, fix the problem, or control the outcome. But control is exhausting. And most of the time, it’s an illusion. God invites us into something better: faith—the kind that hands Him the reins and says, “I trust You more than I trust my plans.”

This verse in Proverbs reminds us that when we commit our work, our desires, and our direction to the Lord, He is the One who establishes our path. Letting go doesn’t mean doing nothing—it means doing our part with open hands and a surrendered heart. Faith isn’t passive; it’s active trust in a faithful God.

🙏 Prayer

God, You know how hard it is for me to let go. I want to trust You more than I trust my own plans. Today, I commit my thoughts, my goals, and my next steps into Your hands. Establish what is meant to be and remove what is not. Amen.

✍️ Journaling

What’s one thing you’re trying to control right now? Write a short prayer asking God to help you release it and trust Him with the outcome.

🌞 Joy Action

Choose one small task today and do it prayerfully—invite God into it. Whether it’s cooking, cleaning, or working, remind yourself: I don’t walk alone. God is establishing my steps.

Facing the unknown can bring anxiety, but God’s promise is clear: He is with you. This verse from Exodus is God’s assurance to Moses, and to us, that His presence is enough. He’s not just sending us out—He’s walking every step beside us, even into what feels uncertain.

Sometimes we try to figure out the future before taking a step forward. But the peace we long for doesn’t come from having a perfect plan—it comes from knowing we’re not alone. God’s presence brings rest to the restless heart and courage to the hesitant soul. He’s already in tomorrow, preparing the way. You just need to walk with Him today.

🙏 Prayer

Lord, thank You for being with me, even when life feels unclear. I choose to walk with You, not ahead of You. Fill me with Your peace and remind me that Your presence is my safe place. Amen.

✍️ Journaling

What’s one situation where you’ve been trying to figure everything out on your own? How would it feel to let go and rest in God’s presence instead?

🌞 Joy Action

Take a quiet moment today—no phone, no distractions. Breathe deeply and imagine Jesus sitting beside you. Thank Him for being with you right here, right now.

One of the hardest things in life is accepting that we won’t always get the answers we want—at least not right away. We want clarity, direction, and assurance that things will work out. But God, in His wisdom, has chosen to keep some things hidden for now. Not to punish us, but to protect us and grow our faith.

This verse reminds us that while we don’t get to see the full picture, God gives us what we need for the moment. He’s revealed His love, His promises, and His presence. That’s enough to carry us forward. Instead of obsessing over what we don’t know, we can lean into what we do know: that God is faithful, and He’s already working behind the scenes.

🙏 Father, I admit that I struggle when I don’t understand what You’re doing. Help me let go of the need to have all the answers. Teach me to trust that You are in control and that what You’ve revealed is enough for today. Amen.

✍️ Write down one area in your life where you feel unsure or confused. How can you release control and choose to trust God in that specific situation?

🌞 Enjoy the sunrise today and let it remind you: just like the sun rises without your effort, God is working—faithfully and on time—even when you can’t see how.

What if God wants more for you than just a patched-up version of yourself? Ezekiel 36:26 tells us His promise is deeper than behavior change—it’s heart change.

When we surrender, He replaces the hard places in us with tenderness. He revives what was numb. He gives us not just better habits, but a new spirit that longs for Him.

This is the miracle of salvation and transformation. And it’s not a one-time event—it’s an invitation every day to be made new from the inside out.

Prayer:
Lord, thank You for the new heart You offer me. Take what’s hard and make it soft. Make me responsive to Your Spirit. Teach me to love like You, live like You, and walk in the freedom of a heart fully alive.

Journaling Prompt:
What area of your heart needs renewal today? Ask God to give you a tender, responsive spirit.

Joy Prompt:
List one way your heart has changed since you gave it to Jesus.

God doesn’t wait for perfect conditions—He starts something new right in the middle of the wilderness. Isaiah 43:19 reminds us that even when things feel dry, uncertain, or stagnant, God is already working.

"My child, don’t let what you see convince you I’m not moving. I’ve already begun the breakthrough. Trust Me. The path is forming. The river is coming. New life is ahead."

Hold on to hope today. Don’t let your current view keep you from believing in what’s next.

Prayer: Lord, thank You for the promise of something new. Even when I feel stuck or lost, I trust You are creating pathways and provision. Help me keep my eyes open and my heart ready for what You’re doing next.

Journaling: Where in your life do you need to believe that God is doing something new?

Joy to Action: Write down one area where you’ve seen unexpected signs of new beginnings.

It’s hard to find something in life that stays the same. Seasons shift. People grow and change. Circumstances evolve. And in the middle of it all, our hearts can feel untethered.

That’s why Hebrews 13:8 is such a gift: “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.”

We don’t have to guess where we stand with Him. The same grace He gave yesterday is still available today. The same peace He spoke over storms back then, He still speaks now. His love doesn’t expire. His faithfulness doesn’t run out.

When everything else feels uncertain, He is our steady. Let His constancy bring you courage today. You don’t have to control what changes—you just need to hold on to the One who never does.

🙏 Jesus, thank You for being my anchor. In the middle of a changing world, You remain faithful and true. Help me place my trust in You daily, knowing that You are the same yesterday, today, and forever.

📒 What’s changing in your life right now? How does knowing Jesus never changes bring you peace?

😊 Write down three ways Jesus has shown you His unchanging love.

Freedom isn’t found in getting our way—it’s found in knowing the truth of who Jesus is, and who we are in Him. John 8:32 reminds us that truth isn’t just a concept—it’s a Person.

Jesus doesn’t shame you into change. He sets you free with love and truth.

"My child, I didn’t come to condemn you—I came to free you. Let go of the lies that have chained your heart. My truth speaks life over you: You are forgiven. You are chosen. You are free."

Freedom comes when we believe what God says more than what the world says. Today, live as someone who’s been set free.

🙏 Lord, thank You for truth that sets me free. Help me walk in that freedom today. Silence every lie that tries to pull me back into fear or shame. I choose to believe what You say about me.

📝 What lies have you believed that God’s truth sets you free from?

✨Speak one truth out loud today that reminds you of who you are in Christ.