The Encounter

RECOGNIZING THE FORGOTTEN

You tried the world, had “fun” in hopes to fill the void in your heart, to fill the part of you that wanted to be validated by somebody. Yet when it came to needing to depend on someone, depend on so called “friends”, you are forgotten and lonely once again. There was one, one who remembered us in our lowly condition, one who’s lovingkindness endures forever! Tune in to hear about the one who is Jesus Christ who so gracefully showed us everlasting kindness.

GOSSIP: WHISPERS

The words that come out of our mouth show the abundance of our heart. The words we speak have the ability to hurt or uplift someone. Gossiping brings the person down. The story might have truth to it but it mostly contains lies to keep the other people engaged. Like Miriam and Aaron they spoke bad about their brother Moses and got punished (Numbers 12). Gossiping never brings anything good; in the moment it can be entertaining but in the long run it brings hate and bitterness

GOSSIP: NOSEY

Be careful ears what you hear. Listening is good for learning. But learning about someone’s privacy isn’t. We can fall into a cycle of talking bad about people, but also listening can contaminate us too.

Heart Of a Follower - Spiritually

It’s easy to fall into spiritual laziness, not being able to find the motivation to open up the Bible or even say a prayer. Caught up in the troubles of life we forget about the most important part of our lives: making sure our spirit is fed. Just as our body needs to be fed, so does our spirit!

Heart of a Follower: Mentally Pt. 2

There are 2 types of thought in today's age, the mentality of the world and the mentality of those who follow God. It’s really difficult to maintain that constant reminder of how a follower of Christ is supposed to think and to differentiate ourselves from the thoughts of the world. Hence, it’s important we go back to our fundamentals to keep in remembrance of how we should always go back to where we started. How can we train ourselves to replace our mentality with one like Christ?

Heart of a Follower: Mentally

There are 2 types of thought in today's age, the mentality of the world and the mentality of those who follow God. It’s really difficult to maintain that constant reminder of how a follower of Christ is supposed to think and to differentiate ourselves from the thoughts of the world. Hence, it’s important we go back to our fundamentals to keep in remembrance of how we should always go back to where we started. How can we train ourselves to replace our mentality with one like Christ?

Heart of a Follower: Physically

“I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.” As followers of Christ we can think the only part of ourselves that we are supposed to take care of is our spirit. Although it can be true we should remember that taking care of ourselves physically is important as well. Paul also tells us that our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit and we should aim to treat it as such. Many ...

Formed - Anciano Daniel Ponce

Formed - Anciano Daniel Ponce

Holy Fire - Anciano Daniel Ponce

Holy Fire - Anciano Daniel Ponce

Spoiled Children

We often criticize the Israelites for not appreciating God for all that He did for them. A pillar of fire, a moving cloud, bread that fell from the sky, every little thing possible to keep them safe and sound. Regardless of what God gave them they worshiped idols and turned their back on Him. Yet aren’t we the same? Only loving what God can give us but never really loving Him. Loving the creation more than the creator Himself.

Will of God

Jeremiah 29:11 tells us the Lord has plans for us which will lead to prosperity not harm, so how can we learn to trust in something we could never fully grasp? The will of God works in supernatural ways that we couldn’t possibly begin to understand. The Bible shows us that the Lord’s ways and thoughts are infinitely higher than our own, which is why disappointment comes when often we make decisions based on what we see fit for ourselves. How can we discern the path of the Lord for our life and l...

True Disciple

Occupying a seat every Sunday at church will surely lead to my salvation… right? Truth be told, being a genuine disciple is not about following a routine or being part of a religion. Judas was a follower of Jesus, spent time with Him, listened to His teachings, etc. yet his heart wasn’t in the right place. He then denied Jesus and sold Him which eventually led to his death. True disciples know and love God to the point that they would give their life and be a martyr just as Stephen was. Are you ...

Knower of Hearts - Daniel Ponce - #Youthcon

Knower of Hearts - Daniel Ponce - #Youthcon

Expectations vs. Reality

Easy, smooth, and problem free — that is what a life with Christ ought to be. Instead we are hit with the realization that it’s an impossible uphill climb, being in a constant competition with the world’s perspective on how life should be in order to achieve happiness. That is until we understand that being a disciple of Christ means: temptations, trials, and tribulations, but His promise is joy through it all. With Jesus nothing is impossible there is no mountain He cannot climb, or valley He c...

Triangle of Liberty

“Keep my commands and follow them” says The Lord, but there’s a fine line between being a follower of Jesus Christ and a religious Pharisee. Either you become too religious and set rules or you become too liberal and start accepting the ways of this world. Romans 12:9 says, Your love must be real. Hate what is evil. Do only what is good. What is the balance of between extreme and liberal? Where do we stand and how do we follow Jesus correctly?

Mental Health: Substance Abuse

“Just try it once, just one hit, just drink, you are only young once have fun.” We all think addiction will never reach us, until it's no longer fun and you need your fix to feel normal. Without it, it seems impossible to fend off depression, guilt, anxiety and despair. It doesn’t matter how much you want to stop, it’s too little too late. What at first sets you free from all emotions and worry now becomes a prison even worse than the one it freed you from. Come to Jesus, try Him once and everyt...

Mental Health: Anxiety

Attacked by voices that know all your weaknesses. You can’t breathe nor function, all you can do is worry. You have no idea what you are so afraid of, no rational explanation for the way you feel. Jesus said to cast all our anxieties on Him, but can it really be that easy to just let go?

Mental Health: This too shall pass

Darkness envelops you as the reasons to live become meaningless. You have reached the point of desperation, but suddenly you’re in the eye of the storm and everything grows silent. The God of Elijah, Job, and David reminds you that you’re not alone, and just like He did for them he will do for you. This too shall pass…

Mental Health: Hazardous Beauty

From Instagram models to TikTok influencers, unreal beauty standards are constantly engraved in our head. Forcing our body to go through unnatural processes to be considered “normal” we strive to be as beautiful no matter the cost. With all the attention and appreciation these girls/guys are given we tend to forget the beauty that pleases God, our beauty within. Listen in and be reminded that our true worth and confidence is found in Christ.

No Man's Land

Stand on your Soapbox

Spread the Good News to every ear that will listen! With your voice guide them to the well that never runs dry. Quench their thirst by showing them Jesus. It is so easy to write this especially behind a screen, but when it’s time to stand on our soapbox does our bravery run dry? Find out where to start, where to find the courage to speak the truth inside us bursting at the seams!

Trial vs. Temptation

God does not tempt us, yet when tempted we tend to ask Him why! Temptation is caused by our own desires, so why do we look everywhere except within? Often we confuse temptation with trials, but trials test our faith to produce steadfastness. Listen in so together we learn to discern whether our battles are coming from God, the enemy, or simply within.

Process Before Promise: The Outcast

Have you ever felt neglected or like no matter what you just can’t measure up? Forgotten in the fields and belittled by his own family, David, didn’t take his circumstances at face value. Instead of trusting in the acceptance of man, he waited on the promises of the Lord. Before David could be brought into the spotlight, he had to be molded in the shadows. Will you be patient in God’s promises or try to take them before it’s time?

Process Before Promise: The Slave

From a privledged childhood to being degraded and sold as a slave. Joseph went through difficulties that people assume would destroy him but simply brought him closer to his promise. Instead of falling victim to his trauma, he used his past to dominate his future. In his trauma, he gained the tools to achieve his purpose in becoming a leader. Will you allow your circumstances to hold you back or as a stepping stone to elevate you to your promise?

Process Before Promise: The Liar

From birth, he was burdened by the weight of his name. He was destined to be a liar and a cheat. He did a good job of living up to the negative expectations set upon him yet the Almighty Father had something different in store. Similarly we often find ourselves branded by our past. But, if you’ve ever had a moment where you thought you’re defined by a label, listen to find out how Jacob’s label turned into his promise.

Process Before Promise: The Murderer

Leaders are not born, they are made. From the Prince of Egypt, to the liberator of Israel, Moses started out as a conflicted stuttering man, but through God’s processes, became a faithful servant and leader. Even after the liberation of Israel, the process for Moses continued through trials. We encourage you to see obstacles in your path as stepping stones to your promise.

Revindicated

Many of us leave the path of Christ and when trying to come back we feel a sense of accusation. When trying to come back we grow doubt because we feel like we’ve wasted our life away. There’s a time where we decide to come but we show up empty handed, not knowing what words are correct to say, only for the father to end up being satisfied/happy with just our return. You might be afraid to go back and take what’s yours, but enough rehearsing what to say and just come forward.

Too Far Gone

“It’s too late for me. I’m too far gone.” Sin eats away at our peace, our consciousness, our hope. We feel it’s too late for a second chance. That we don’t deserve one. Yet in the midst of the depravity of our situation, there is one hope. One chance at freedom. When we feel we are too far gone, only one thing can save us from the hell of our own creation.

God's Wrath

Ezequiel 25:17 states, “I will execute great vengeance on them with wrathful rebukes. Then they will know that I am the Lord, when I lay my vengeance upon them”. We all know that God is a God of love, but we avoid the fact he is all consuming fire. Because of Israelites' negligent attitude, God turned away and abandoned them. Like them we count on God’s endless mercy but at what point does God turn away and flood us with his cup of wrath? Does our sense of entitlement lead us to believe we can e...

Nobody's Perfect

In ephesians, Paul tells us we are saved not through works, but by faith; so why put in the effort to “be good” if that’s not what saves us? Even though our salvation comes from his sacrifice, Christ left behind a stature for us to try to reach. Though that stature of perfection is unreachable, listen in to hear why we should persevere in our attempt to reach an impossible objective.