Seven Times?

"Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?” Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times."

Forgiving is not something that comes naturally. Most of us want it after we've really messed up, but rarely want to extend it to others. Peter knowing that Jesus has called us to a higher standard, thinks he is making a grand gesture by suggesting we forgive "seven times." After all, the rabbis taught that forgiving a person three times was sufficient for morality. 

We cannot beat God's standards on a technicality. Quantifying our good works is ridiculous. They will never measure up the to the glory of God's mercy and grace. He forgives us lavishly. He loves us so much that He sent His son to live a life that we could not live(perfect and sinless) to die the death that we deserve to pay a debt we couldn't pay.

For those who have experienced and understand the richness and beauty of his mercy and forgiveness, we should want to forgive as He forgives us. Forgiving others ensures our own forgiveness. It is an extension of God's grace in a world that desperately needs it. Over and over again is how often He forgives us. May we forgive the same way to everyone who wrongs us, seventy seven times aka infinitely. 

Be Blessed!

Senior Captain Bobby Delgado

HFD Chaplain

Adopted by God

"...the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by Him we cry, Abba, Father." -Romans 

Adoption holds a special place in my heart. I always knew I wanted to adopt. I believe the Good Lord in His infinite wisdom and purpose was preparing me to be married to an adoptee who had several first cousins who are also adopted. Their family refers to them as "the chosen ones." I love that title, it says so much. The vast majority of us don't get to choose our families. To be chosen is to be wanted. The chosen have been found to have inherent worth and value that they don't have to earn. Once adoptions are legally finalized, all the rights of children are immediately granted to the adopted.

Being the father to two adopted boys, I understand the beauty of God's plan of salvation a little better these days. Believing in Jesus grants us adoption into the family of God. The God of the Universe made a way for us to be part of His family by dying on the cross for us. Take some time to let that marinate and sink in. We are so loved and valued to be chosen by God. It is a huge blessing to be part of His family. Our inheritance is eternal life with Him. He allows us to have a personal relationship with Him where we can call Him Father. As father, He is always there for us. What is His is ours. He is always guiding, protecting, and providing. As sinners, we did nothing to earn it, and we can't do anything to change it. Thank you Father that your heart for us leads to adoption into Your family. 

Be blessed,

Senior Captain Bobby Delgado

HFD Chaplain

Think About It

"Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things."

As your thought life goes, so goes your day, so goes your life. Henry Ford said, "Whether you think you can or think you can't, you're right." Your mind is a battlefield and the antagonist and villain is yourself. As the late Kimbo Slice once said, "the enemy is the inner me."

We have control over the thoughts that get to stay in our heads. Dwelling on the negative increases our stress and anxiety levels, which in turn affect our overall health and trickle down to every aspect of our lives. It makes our problems greater than our God. It steals our hope, peace, and joy. Positive thinking rooted in Faith in Christ, gives us hope, focuses on solutions, and trusts that God will see us through any situation. Hopkins Medicine reports, "People with a family history of heart disease who also had a positive outlook were one-third less likely to have a heart attack or other cardiovascular event within five to 25 years than those with a more negative outlook."

God wants the best for us. His Word, the Holy Scriptures, are for our benefit. If He tells us to think about whatever is "true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, or praiseworthy," then we should take heed, because He has our best interest at heart. Christ is all of those things. Think about Him. Fill your head and heart with Bible verses and see the difference that is made in your outlook, attitude, and health. 

-Be Blessed,

Sr Captain Bobby Delgado

HFD Chaplain

He is Faithful

"Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful." - Hebrews 10:23

If your 2019 was anything like mine, it was full of the good and the bad, highs and lows, smiles and tears, worries and fears. I can promise you that 2020 will bring more of the same. With each year that passes, I am reminded that there is only one being that I am fully able to trust, and that is God. Just like Apollos stated: "He is faithful."

My children will test my patience. My wife and I won't see eye to eye on everything and some days anything. My health and that of my loved ones will be tested. The safety and security of our nation will be challenged. Politicians will continue to speak out of both sides of their mouths. The world will continue to change without my approval. But. God. Is. Faithful.

He is the only sure, constant thing in my life. He is more constant and steady than the rising and setting sun. So in 2020 and hopefully for the rest of this life, I will cling to him with every ounce of my being, because He is faithful. I pray that you would do the same.

-Be Blessed,

Sr Captain Bobby Delgado

HFD Chaplain

photo credit: Nicky Jernigan