I AM the Door

"So Jesus again said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep."

Nine times out of ten, we are rushing through the front door to fight fire. We know doors. We know how to breach them, chock them, and control them depending on the situation. Almost all of us have an uncanny need to notice all points of entry and egress in almost any room or building. We look for exit signs that will lead us to unseen doors of egress in case of an emergency. When things get hairy, visibility is at zero, and the heat is rising, a door of egress is a wonderful welcomed find. 

Jesus says that He is the "door "to the sheep pen. As His sheep, we go through Him to find safety, salvation, protection, and rest. In the same way, we go out through Him to pasture where sheep graze for food and water. Throughout our lives and in our careers we will walk through many doors in hopes of finding all the things that can be found in Jesus. Often, we search door after door seeking meaning and purpose. 

In order for us to have true peace, purpose, provision, protection, and rest(which we all so desperately need), we must go through Him. He is the God who provides all of our needs. Some of us need a door out of the mess, hurts, and pains of our lives. That way is also through Jesus, the One who loved you enough to die for you. He is the doorway to life. 

May the LORD Bless You and Keep You,

Bobby

I Can Do All Things

"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." - Philippians 4:13

Philippians 4:13 is one of the most memorized and misunderstood scriptures of all time. Steph has it on his shoes, and many have it tattooed on their bodies. Who doesn't want to believe that God will give us the ability to dunk a basketball, bench 500 pounds, be the baddest firefighter to walk the planet, or break any other barrier out there? It's easy to take this verse alone and believe we can accomplish any feat. After all, it says I can do all things, and all things means all things, doesn't it?

If we're not careful, we can all fall into the trap of taking one verse, making it stand alone, and assigning meaning to it. It is the Holy Scriptures that give us and life meaning, not the other way around. When reading scripture, context is everything. The funny thing about Biblical context is that it is never set in present day western society, and it is never solely about us. It might be for us, but if we want to understand God and His Word, then we must know the historical and literary context.

Paul wrote this letter to a church he founded in Philippi from jail while awaiting trial with execution looming over his head. In the verses leading up to 4:13, Paul says, "I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want." He then says, "I can do all things..."

The "all things" Paul is referring to is really about being content. Contentment is being satisfied with your life no matter your circumstances. Its focus is a state of mind, not a physical ability. It is wanting and being grateful for what you have. The trap of this world is to want more and/or think your life would be better if only... Paul is able to be content in jail, where he doesn't have the freedom, people, and things he is accustomed to. He knows that knowing Jesus is the most important thing in the world, and that is enough for Him. Knowing he is loved and forgiven by the God of the Universe has allowed him to be free from the discontentment and restlessness that plagues so many of us. He is able to be grateful for God's amazing grace and mercy. When we focus on God and His goodness, He can give us the power to have joy and peace of mind in every situation, even if the world is falling apart around us. 

May the LORD bless you and keep you!

Bobby

Trust in Him

"You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you." -Isaiah 26:3

We've endured a complete change of life due to COVID-19 and the aftermath from the death of George Floyd. It feels like life as we know it may never be the same. It is certainly certain that no one is certain about anything. Experts in religion, science, medicine, government policy, public opinion, social media, and the economy don't seem to agree on anything. There is strife and division everywhere we look. Opinions on how to move forward together as a country seem to be ever changing and evolving. Even change for the better is met with resistance. With the constant change we are facing, it is easy to be stressed, depressed, angry, pessimistic, and anxious about our future.

What we all need is assurance. We all need that rock to hold onto. God promises His "perfect peace" to us if we just hold on to and trust in Him. He is immovable, unshakable, immortal, perfect, and constant. He is the only One we can count on. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever(Hebrews 13:8). He never promised us this life would be easy, predictable, or comfortable. He does promise to always be with us and give us His peace and strength to endure. It is evident to me that if I put my trust in Him, I will have peace, no matter what is going on around me. Faith in anything but Him has and will lead to disappointment. May we trust Him, and may He grant us His perfect peace.

 

May the LORD bless you and keep you!

Senior Captain Bobby Delgado

HFD Chaplain

Blessed Are the Meek

"Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth." - Matthew 5:5

Most firefighters I know can relate to the above picture. Many of them have had to keep their shoulders back, eyes forward, and mouths shut while being berated, I mean molded, by their drill sergeant. While it was in their best interest to do so, they were getting a true exercise in meekness. Every fiber in their being wanted to smart off or fight back, but they chose not to. We always have a choice.

We often equate meekness with weakness. In reality, the opposite is true. To be meek is to have the ability or right to do something, and refraining for the greater good. Being meek takes a great deal of inner strength and restraint. It is choosing to keep your mouth shut when you want to let someone have it. It is walking away from the mouthy and belligerent antagonist. It is allowing your inner strength to trump your physical and verbal might. Let us imitate Christ who as God had the power to destroy His earthly enemies, yet kept his mouth shut, and endured extreme physical pain for the sake of the world.

Just because we can doesn't mean we should. May we have the wisdom to know when and how to display our strength. Oh that we would value inner strength and restraint over reckless might. May we keep unity and peace at the forefront of our minds. May we choose the way of Christ over all else. May we rule over our emotions. May we be meek and in turn be blessed.

May the LORD bless you and keep you!

Senior Captain Bobby Delgado

HFD Chaplain