I AM the Bread of Life

"Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty."

     Ah the Firehouse dinner table. So many stories shared. All of the world's problems solved. Many snowflakes offended. Relationships forged. And, Some of the best meals in town served. Magic happens as men and women "break bread" together around that table. Our time around the table is just as important to us as our time spent training and on the fire ground. We return to it time and time again because it is sacred to us.
     The term breaking bread is a Biblical one. It has its roots embedded in the practices of the early Christian Church in which they shared not only meals together, but "the" meal together: the body(bread) and blood(wine) of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Jesus Himself said that He is the Bread of Life. Just as a good firehouse meal and fellowship nourish us, so too does communion with Him. It provides us with nourishment, life, and satisfaction to our weary souls.
     When you find yourself distant from God and life seems devoid of joy, purpose, and meaning, it is time for you to go to the Bread of Life. He can be found in the Words of that Bible that is collecting dust on your end table, at the church in your neighborhood that you've been absent from, with your friends who are believers that you haven't made time for, or in that simple conversation(prayer) with Him that you've been avoiding. Spending time with Him is more important than the time we spend around the firehouse table. I guarantee you won't regret it.

 May the LORD Bless You and Keep You,

Bobby

Photo Credit: IG @delgadokustoms

Smooth Bump Bump

"Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;

in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight." -Proverbs 3:5-6

Smokey, low visibility, high chaos situations can leave any firefighter disoriented in any type of building. When you need to evacuate in a hurry, you stay calm and trust your training. If you are an engine company, you are told to stay on the line and follow it out. This is easier said than done. When seconds count, finding a hoseline and knowing how to get out is of utmost importance. The mnemonic "smooth bump bump to the pump" or "smooth way out" can help you identify by feeling the couplings, your path to safety.   

Oftentimes, the paths we are to take in life, are hard to decipher. Our lives can be full of life-altering major decisions: what to do after high school, which career path to take, who to date/marry, which neighborhood to build in, which church to join, whether or not to take that promotional exam, to stay at your current job or not, when is the right time to retire... The uncertainty of the future can bring unwanted stress and anxiety. Maybe our lives are plagued by bad decisions. These bad decisions lead to indecision, and we feel stuck. Even when you can't trust yourself, you can trust in Him. Trusting and submitting to Him and His plan for your life is all you need to get back on the right path. He will never let you down, and He will never steer you wrong. More than you can trust yourself and your training, you can trust Jesus. 

Blessings,

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

My Redeemer Lives

"I know that my redeemer lives, and that in the end He will stand on the earth." -Job 19:25

In the oldest book of the Bible, we find the story of Job. He was a man of great wealth, honor, and integrity. He worshipped God and took care of those less fortunate. Even though it appears he did everything right, he still lost everything near and dear to him: his children, wealth, and health. The scriptures tell us that in all of his pain and suffering he did not curse God. He questioned God, reasoned with God, and cried out to Him, but he did not curse Him.

Job faced accusations, indifference, and isolation from those closest to him. In the midst of great physical and mental anguish, Job chose to trust God. His statement, "I know that my redeemer lives, and that in the end He will stand on the earth," is one of great faith. It is sometimes hard to believe God exists and cares for us when life is hard. It is in those times that we have to dig in and lean on Who and what we know. The only way you can say God is alive, He is near, and He will one day make all of this right either in this life or the next, is by knowing Him. We cannot know God if we don't know His Word(Bible). We can't know God if we stay away from His people(The Church). And we cannot know God if we don' talk to Him(pray).

Like Job, firefighters and first responders are generally considered "good" people. We are the protectors of society who took an oath to protect lives and property. We go to work every day willing to risk our lives to save others. Our acts of service and heroism while noble, don't make us immune to pain and suffering, neither do praying and going to church. 

On the fire ground and in life, we are defined by how we respond to adversity. Our first response should always be to trust in Christ. Choose to believe even when you can't see or feel God working. Choose to believe when doubt creeps in. When you know God, the easier it is to trust Him and His plan. May we be able to proclaim in every situation, "I know my Redeemer lives!"

May the LORD Bless You and Keep You!

Bobby

The First Zombies?

"The tombs also were opened. And many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised" - Matthew 27:52

Ok. They probably weren't actually zombies, but why doesn't anyone ever mention this verse in conjunction with the Crucifixion? Dead people resurrected in the tombs is a major deal! Jesus has just breathed His last breath. The earth shook and the veil in the temple was torn in two. This let's us know that Jesus' death gives us direct access to God. There are no more barriers or needs for religious ceremonies and sacrifices. Jesus said, "It is finished." Matthew and only Matthew then mentions that the dead woke up!

Jesus' life, death, and resurrection is defined by the miraculous. The virgin birth? Miraculous. Water into wine, the blind seeing, the deaf hearing, the lame walking, the dead rising? All miraculous. The power of Sin and Death defeated once and for all? MIRACULOUS!

God promised in Isaiah 26:19 that the "dead will live." As always God is the only one who 100% undeniably keeps His promises. Many of us first responders have seen the power of D50 wake someone in insulin shock. I've always marveled at the power of Narcan to resurrect a person overdosed on heroin. Yet nothing compares to the POWER of the CROSS!

Because Jesus Died and Rose, we can LIVE!!! The living people in the tombs are evidence of the new order of things. Death has lost its victory and its sting! We can walk through the valley of the shadow of death and fear no evil! We take complete comfort and have confidence in Jesus' words- another promise: "For God so loved the world, that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have EVERLASTING LIFE!" This my friend is a big, big, deal and reason to celebrate!

May the LORD Bless You and Keep You,

Bobby

The Rocks Will Cry Out

"Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples! “I tell you,” he replied, “if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.” -Luke 19:39-40

 

We know the day as Palm Sunday. Jesus was on His way into Jerusalem for His last week of life before His crucifixion. He enters town as a humble King riding on a donkey colt. His followers understood this as a fulfilment of messianic prophecy in Zechariah 9:9. Jesus was declaring Himself as the Messiah for whom they have waited generations. They waved palm leaves and in homage placed their cloaks on the ground for the colt to walk on. His followers sang His praises and chanted "Hosanna" which means, "God Save Us!" As the crowd surged with joy at the fulfillment of prophecy, this angered the establishment. 

The Pharisees were outraged. To them this was an act of blasphemy and treason, punishable by death. They beg Jesus to correct His followers and shut them up. Against the backdrop of the Mt of Olives scattered with graves covered in stones(see above picture), he ignores their request and says, "if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out." All of Creation declares the Glory of God! Everywhere and in every person we see the creativity, power, and beauty of God. We as His Followers should declare His praises every chance we get. Jesus makes it clear that whether we give Him the glory He is due or not, creation will. 

The stones on top of those graves already sing His praises because... He created them. He holds the power to resurrect the dead under those stones who would then... sing His praises. Jesus is letting them know that He is God who can make inanimate objects alive. He is worthy of all praise. As we enter Holy Week, let us tell of the Goodness of God. Pray that God would give you opportunities to declare His glory. How could we not shout the praises of the One who created us and loved us enough to die for us?

May the LORD Bless You and Keep You!

Bobby

The LORD Will Provide

"Abraham answered, “God Himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.” And the two of them went on together." -Genesis 22:8

This weekend hunters all over the Great State of Texas are sitting in a tree or deer stand somewhere hoping to harvest a deer. It is such a blessing to have God provide "meat for the freezer," food that can feed a family. As I have seen social media posts of God's provision for my friends and family this weekend, I have been reminded that God is our provider. 

Abraham was tested by God and asked to do the unthinkable- sacrifice a son that he waited 90 years to have. So, he took his son and began to build the altar. Not aware that he was the sacrifice, Isaac asked his father, "Where is the lamb?(Genesis 22:7)" Abraham's response was, "the LORD will provide." Abraham knew the promises of God. He was loyal to the God who called him and completely trusted in Him. Isaac was evidence of the promise that God would bless the entire world through his son. Fast forward a few millennia to one of Isaac's descendants, Jesus, the "lamb of God(John 1:29)" provided to "take away our sins!"

God is always providing for us. Every meal, talent, skill, and relationship are gifts from God. Even more so, He provided His son, Jesus to be a sacrifice on the cross to provide us with His Love, Mercy, Grace, and Forgiveness. His Word, the Holy Scriptures, are full of His promises for us. What is it that you need from God in this moment? Is it healing, wisdom, strength, peace, hope, purpose, direction, a new job, a miracle, or your next meal? Whatever it is, we can be certain and have faith just like Abraham that THE LORD WILL PROVIDE. 

May the LORD bless you and keep you!

Sr Captain Bobby Delgado, HFD Chaplain

Photo Credit: Kelly Parker