“Run To Win” Thursday, May 20 2010

Well it’s been a while since you have heard from me last. So I thought it was about time to share with you all a little bit of what God has been dealing with me about. A  few weeks ago I was reading my Bible and I felt God speaking so very clear to me.

Have you ever felt in your life or walk with God like you just don’t know why your doing it anymore? Or maybe it seems as life and Ministry has just become routine? Well that’s how I was feeling… A little frustrated and aggrevated, no drive or motivation. I felt like I was in a slump. So I did what any young man would do… I sat around for 2 days doing nothing but watch ESPN and the History Channel. I would look at my Bible and it seemed as if it was calling me but I refused to pick it up. Finally after 2 days of Sportcenter and Hitler’s regime on the History channel I decided to pick it up.

I started to read and came across these scriptures:

1 Corinthians 9:24-27

24. Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win! 25. All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize. 26. So I run with purpose in every step. I am not just shadowboxing. 27. I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified.

When I began to read this I could Feel God Dealing with me so strong and speak so clear. So here is a few things that I feel helped me and maybe can help you.

In these scriptures the Author is using the metaphor of running in a race. 

Just the same we are all running many different races in our life. Life is like a relay race.

 One big race made up af many different smaller races such as…

•  Family and Friends – Marriage, Children, Relatives and Co-laborers in the Ministry
• Ministry – Leadership, Ministry Responsibilities and Church Schedules Disciples
• Careers – Jobs, Bosses, Co-workers, Performance Demands, School and Schedule
• Relationship with God – Out of all of these, this is the most important

 It is all of these races that make up the race of Life, and out of all of these there is none more important than your relationship with God! The problem is that many times as we run these races, we feel like we are running with the Bulls!!

In the city of Pamplona Spain, every year they have the festival of San Fermin and the annual “Running of the Bulls”. It is here that they have this eight day festival where on each of the eight days they release six bulls and six steers to run through the streets to the Arena while about 1,800 people run for their lives. (Why they do this? I have no idea)

This is a race that is filled with many challenges, opportunities and just as many dangers. Just the same as this race, the race of life and our walk with God is also filled with many challenges and dangers, but yet at the same time it is filled with so many opportunities!

But I believe that if we are going to be successful in this race, then we need to be a people that have the attitude and mentality that says…

“If I’m going to run this race, then I’m going to run to win!”

I have found five things that I believe we are going to need in order to be successful in this race.

      1.    Run with Disciplined Preparation – In order to win in any race or competition, there is always a time of training and preparation for that race or competition.

• The word prepare means – to make ready, train, practice, equip with necessary tools, to take the necessary action, to put something into a state where it is fit for use or ready for action for a particular event or purpose.
• To put somebody or yourself into a suitable physical and mental state to do or experience something!
• In any competition it is always just as much if not more, about mental preparation, as it is physical preparation.

    2.      Run with the right Coaching staff – It is with and only with the right coaching staff, that we will be able to have the                right Disciplined preparation and training, that we need in order to compete and be successful in this race.

•  It is your coaching staff that will provide you with the right motivation and inspiration for the race that is ahead. (Jesus and The Holy Spirit)
• It is also your coaching staff that will provide for you the necessary tools that you need in order to train. (Pastor and Church Leadership)
• It is your coaching staff that will provide for you the game plan for the competition ahead. (God and His Word)

God has already put the gameplan together for us. All we have to do is follow it!

The problem many times is we have surrounded ourselves with the wrong coaching staff, or we have failed to follow our gameplan and read our playbook! (Bible)

    3.    Run with a Purpose – If you have no purpose, then why are you running?

•  There’re a lot of people today who are in this race, and yet they have no idea what they are doing there.
• There are those that are running because everyone else is running. These are the ones that are always getting in the way and at times can become distractions to those that are really running with a purpose.
• Then there are those who are running because they feel that they have to run. These are the ones that are always complaining… these are the ones that are always asking why “Why do I have to do this?” and “Why do I have to do that?” and “How come they don’t do that?” and say things like “Well I’m just here because I have to be.”

They do this not realizing that God has a purpose for them, and if they would just take the time to go back to #1 they just might find out that God has something really special for them!! They would find out that God has a Divine plan and purpose for their life… A life full of excitement, satisfaction and fulfillment! And yes times of ups and downs, good times and hard times, but they would be able to have the understanding, privilege and peace of mind knowing that they are in the perfect will of God and that their God is pleased with them!

     4.    Run with the Right Attitude – You have to run with the attitude that you are going to win!

•  Whenever you are going to compete, you have to go into that competition in the right frame of mind. Remember we said earlier that in any competition, it is always just as much a mental competition as it is a physical competition.
• You can’t go compete with a negative attitude. If you have a negative attitude, not only will you hinder yourself, but everyone else around you.
• You can’t compete with a defeated attitude either. Not only can you not compete, but you definitely can’t win with that type of attitude… and most likely you probably won’t even finish the race with that type of attitude.

 We have to go into this race with right attitude… with the attitude of “I can finish this race” and not only am I gonna finish this race but

 “I’m gonna win this race”

And the reason why is because I have disciplined myself, I have prepared and trained for this race, I understand that God has a purpose for my life, He has called, He has equipped me and He has given me everything that I need to be successful in this Race! So not only do I run this Race… and not only I will finish this race

 But I Run To Win!!!

     5.    Run within the Boundaries and Rules of the race – If we do not run within the boundaries of the course and the rules of the race, we take the chance of being penalized or even disqualified from the race.

• We must Run with Intgrity
• We must Run with Character

 There’s a Proverb that says…

“He who walks in Integrity walks Securely”

The great thing about this race is that all you have to do is just finish in order to win!

So Run To WIN!!

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“Let Go Of The Past… Pursue In The Present… Advance In The Future!” Pt.1 Tuesday, Jan 5 2010

Recently I put up a comment on “Twitter” that said “Let Go of The Past… Pursue In The Present… Advance In The Future!” I got so much feedback and retweets on this comment that it made me realize how many people may have needed to hear that comment. Some maybe  just as a reminder that they are on the right track, and some maybe who might have really been struggling with letting go of the past. So then I decided to ask the question… What does the Past mean to you? I asked this on Facebook and Twitter, then I really got alot of feedback! And alot of good feedback too. I was able to see how the “Past” represents so many different things to different people.

To some the past represented a time of learning experiences and growing up, to others it represented the “Glory Days” and past victories. Then there was those that the past was something to forget, a time of heartache, trouble and past hurts. It’s funny because I was able to tell by thier answers who was still living in the past and also which ones had moved on with thier lives.

After reading all of these comments I begin to ask myself… WhatDoes the past represent to me? I came to the realization that the past represented all of these things to me, and that my life compared to alot of other people seemed alot more complicated, yet at the same time not so bad compared to alot people either! I’m not sure if that makes any sense… but that’s how I felt.

You see for me, in my past there were alot of good times! Alot of opportunities that came my way, But for some reason or another I always seemed to find myself making the wrong decisions. And bad choices always lead to tough consequences! I remember finding myself far from God  and out of His will. Feeling like I would never be able to be used by God again. The sad thing was is that I stayed like this for years! Feeling sorry for myself and having my own pity party! And I allowed all of these things from the past to dictate who I was in the present, and who I was going to be in the future. Not realizing that at any given time I had the ability and the power to change my situation if I really wanted to. But the problem, whether I realized it or not, is that I had become comfortable with my situation. I began to settle for where I was at and the life that I was living. And it wasn’t until I got tired of where I was at, and stopped making excuses and blaming others for my situation that I was able to pull myself out of the condition that I was in.

You see there are so many people that are allowing thier past mistakes and failures to keep them from experiencing the life that God intended for them, because they are continuing to let the past to keep them down. They have allowed  themselves to settle for the condition that they are in. Another thing that they do is make excuses, and they always seem to blame other people for thier situation, never taking responsiblity for thier own actions. I know cause I been there.

Then there are those who continue to rely on thier past victories and success. They always refer to the past and how when they were young they did this and they did that. They always talk about how this is how we used to do it  and they use all these back in the day phrases. Not realizing that yesteday is gone! And the only thing that really matters is what you are  doing today! Thats what it all comes down to, The Now! Today! The present! If your kids need new shoes, you can’t tell them… I bought you shoes two years ago! Why? Because most likely they probably have grown out of them by now. Just the same, you can’t rely on your past victories methods and  ways of doing things to work today, because most likely times have changed! In order for you to succeed today you have to have a New Elevated Mentality with Revolutionary Methods for todays world.

You see for both types of people they have to learn to Let Go of The Past! The past is a powerful thing. It can either be something that helps you grow, or it can be soemthing that keeps you bound. The key is to always remember the past… but at he same time be able to let it go. You have to learn to use the past for your benefit, and not let it work against you. If You are able to grab a hold of this concept, it will allow you to have the freedom to pursue everything that God has for you in the present… and give you the tools, experience, know how and drive to Advance in the future!

Check back in a couple of days for Pt.2 of “Let Go of The Past… Pursue in The Present… Advance in The Future!”

Building New E.R.A. Leaders For A New Era!

Rick Alanis Jr.

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Faith – The Substance Of Things Hoped For… The Evidence Of Things Unseen Wednesday, Dec 23 2009

What is Faith?

In Hebrews 11:1 It says that:

“Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things unseen”

Now I don’t know about you, but when I read this I see what it’s saying but it still doesn’t give me the answer of what I’m really looking for. As a matter of fact at first glance and maybe not to all but to those of you like myself, when you read this it almost doesn’t make sense! I mean think about it; Faith is the substance of things hoped for… The evidence of things unseen. I mean when you think of something with substance, you think of something that is tangible right? And when you think of evidence you think of something you can see. That’s why in the court room if there is no evidence (some proof that you can see) than there is no crime.

Now I been asking all my followers on Twitter what that means to them “The substance of things hoped for… The evidence of things unseen” and they all gave some good answers but none that could explain what I was looking for. I mean we all know or have a sense or idea for what it means, and usually because we have been around for awhile and have been taught or told what it means. But have you ever really sat down and thought about it? What is the Substance, the things that are tangible that we can hope in? And what is the evidence of the unseen yet seen?

I been thinking about this alot lately and this what I found. In order to understand that saying  you have to go deeper into what Faith is.

1. Faith is having the Mind and Conviction of the Truth! And not just truth, but Spiritual Truth.

• What do I mean by the Mind and Conviction of Truth? You have to remember that every think starts in the mind, it starts with your way of thinking and your mentality.
• Mind – The intellectual perception and understanding, The capacity for spiritual truth, the faculty of perceiving divine things, of recognizing goodness and hating evil, the power of considering and judging soberly, calmly and impartially.
• You see each and every one of us has been given an understanding and capacity for spiritual truth.
• Not only do we have an understanding and a capacity for spiritual truth, but we also have the ability to recognize it and apply it to our lives.
• That’s what the Conviction of the Truth is. It’s not just believing in it or even recognizing it, But the conviction of the truth is recognizing it and applying it to your life!

     2.   Faith is the conviction and belief of God and divine things.

• It is trusting with conviction that He is God and that He is Divine!
• It is the conviction that God does exist and is the creator and ruler of all things.
• It is belief with conviction and with the predominate idea of trust!
• It is trusting in the Character of God.
• You see sometimes we forget about what God has done for us, and we forget about His attributes and character and we always think that this problem or this situation might be harder for him than the last one. It’s like we forget that God is God. We forget that He is Almighty God!!  That he is Omnipotent, Omniscient, Omnipresent and infallible. He is incapable of making a mistake, he is incapable of failure!
• It is simply being convinced that you can trust in the Character of God.
• God’s Character is one that can be relied upon!

When you begin to look back at all the things that God has done for you, Where He has brought you from and how far you have come. When you look back at all the times that He has provided for you and your family, how He has come through time and time again! And you remember that not only is He Omnipotent, Omnipresent, Omniscient and Infallible, But that He is also Immutable! He never changes! He is the same yesterday today and forever! If He came through for you then… If He provided for you Last year… If He made a way last month, Then He can do it again Today!!

That is your Substance and Your Evidence!!

 When you begin to look at all of his attributes and you begin to add all these things together, then you are able to see The Substance Of Things Hoped For and The Evidence Of Things Unseen!!!

“Building New E.R.A. Leaders For A New Era”

Rick Alanis Jr.

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“Building New E.R.A. Leaders For A New Era” Pt.3 Monday, Nov 16 2009

Over the last few weeks I have shared with you a little bit of who the New E.R.A. Leaders are, and why I believe they are so vital in building our churches. Not only are Young adults key for building churches and ministries but Buisnesses as well. I know in most of my blogs alot of the things I write about are very spiritual, just the same this one will be too; but at the same time many of the principles and ideas are very practical and can be used for many things and can be applied to all walks of life.

So whether you are Pastor,Youth Pastor, Buisnessman or Non-profit program manager, you will see that many of the characteristics that I am going to talk about are things that you want to look for in selecting your team in order to be successful in this New Era!

Now when talking about a New Era You can’t help but to see it all around you. I believe that we are now living in the beginning stages of this New Era!

Things are no longer the way that they used to be. When you look at the world today it’s not the same world that it used to be. Things have changed! The environment has changed. The weather has changed. The people have changed. Everything has changed. Even the peoples beliefs have changed. Their Mentalities, Outlooks and Perspectives have changed.

Especially when it comes to religion and Christianity! We are in a world that is forever changing. And why is that? Well the reason why is because we are in a New Day, A New Time, A New Era!

With a New Era Comes :

• A New Culture – I remember back in the day, when you looked at the inner-city it was just a gang culture and drug culture. Now today there’s a pop culture and a hip-hop culture. Also with a new culture there’s a new style and a new way of doing things. Everything is High-Tech with visuals and media. Another thing is with a new culture comes a new language.
• A New Strategy – I believe that in this New Era, the enemy has come with a new strategy! Before his strategy was Gang Violence an Drug Addiction, and these things are still there, but they have now taken a back seat to Sexual Immorality and Greed.
• A New Generation – This generation is a liberal generation, where they except anything and anything goes. It is also a selfish generation. It’s all about them, they don’t care about anyone else except themselves. It is also a self gratification generation. It doesn’t matter how they make anyone else feel as long as they feel good and it gratifies them. Another thing, (And I feel that this is the worst one)Is that this generation is a self exaltation generation. It’s all about self. It’s the Me and I generation.

There are so many other things but these are just a few that stand out to me, And I believe that if we are going to make a difference and an impact in this new era than we are going to have to develop a new culture and strategy of our own. We are going to have to develop and train a new generation that is unashamed of the Gospel and who is not afraid to stand up for their convictions as well. A generation that understands that they have a calling upon their lives, and that they have been handpicked and chosen by God! Seperated and consecrated for this very time, for this day and for this Era!

I believe that this generation has and is going to experience an attack that no generation has ever experienced, But at the same time they are going to experience the power and anointing and Spirit of God like no other generation has experienced before. They are going to experience a New E-levated R-evolutionary A-nointing!

This is where the New E.R.A. Leaders come in. Now I shared a little bit about who we are but now I want to share a little bit about what we are.

In this New Era, we don’t just want to develop leaders, but New E.R.A. Leaders.

A New E.R.A. Leader is one who understands the times that we are in. One who knows and understands the cultures and sub-cultures of this generation.

A New E.R.A. Leader is one that has experienced this new strategy of the enemy, and not just experienced it, but understands it, knows how to last through it, fight through it, and Conquer it!

He or she also understands and knows this generation. They understands what they go through and how they feel.They know how they think, work and play. They know their mindsets, mentalities, outlooks and perspectives on life, family, God and religion.

They also have an E-levated mentality with R-evolutionary methods filled with the Power and A-nointing of the holy Spirit!

It is this E-levated mentality that we need in order to understand this generation. A mentality of maturity. Not that we think that we are above them, but we are conscious of their beliefs, lifestyles and mentalities so that we can bring the gospel and understanding of the gospel, not to condemn them but to enlighten them.

Our job is not condemn their beliefs and lifestyles but to bring the word of God and understanding of the word of God with R-evolutionary methods. To create an atmosphere where they can experience the life changing power and A-nointing of the Holy Spirit and Revolutionize their way of thinking. And that is the goal, that we would be able to bring about a Spiritual Revolution in the way’s of their thinking. To change their mentalities, ideas and undrstanding of Christianity and the Church. So they too can have a genuine experience and relationship with God, just like you and I.

Check back in a Few days for Pt.4 of

“Building New E.R.A. Leaders For A New Era”

Rick Alanis Jr.

 

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“Building New E.R.A. Leaders For A New Era” Pt2 Thursday, Nov 12 2009

New E.R.A. Leaders

(New E-levated R-evolutionary A-nointed Leaders)

Statement of Purpose

New E.R.A. Leaders of San Bernardino is a Young Adult Ministry

called to Evangelize, Envision, Equip, and Establish this

 New Era Generation of Young Adults upon the Principles and

 Values of Victory Outreach International while Exalting our Lord

and Savior Jesus Christ.

This call involves a commitment to Prepare, Empower and Mature

them Spiritually, Relationally and Economically while Instilling and

 Developing a Culture of Servant Leadership within this Generation

 of Young Adults.

 

New E.R.A. Leaders

Vision

Our Vision is to create an Atmosphere and Culture of Servant Leadership

where Young Adults can feel and be inspired to fulfill their God given

Responsibility to take Their place and Lead their Generation and the Next in

 Life, Ministry and Community.

Our Goal is to become not only Leaders,but New E.R.A. Leaders. 

  Leaders that have an E- levated mentality, with R- evolutionary methods, filled

With the power and A- nointing  of the Holy Spirit. 

The New E.R.A. Leaders will also act as a Bridge from the Youth Ministry

and the Recovery Homes into the Church by being Real, Relevant and

Relational.

We intend to be a Breeding Ground and Pool of leaders, 

Ready to Answer any Call or Challenge that may Arise within     

                  Victory Outreach San Bernardino as well as God’s Anointed Now

Generation and Victory Outreach International.

 We Are The New E.R.A. Leaders

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“Building New E.R.A. Leaders For A New Era” Pt.1 Friday, Nov 6 2009

Over the last few years I have had the opportunity to work with and oversee our Young Adult ministry here at Victory Outreach San Bernerdino. It has been a such a joy and a privilege to work with this group! To be able to see where we were as a group and as individuals just a few years ago, and to see where we are at today, and the process that God has taken us through, is so amazing! 

When I first started working with the Young Adults in our church, we were a group that was scattered, frustrated and for many of us barely hanging on to our salvations (including myself). This group was going through some hard times. We were confused, scared and unsure of our calling and what God had for us. At that time I was presented with the opportunity to serve in this ministry. I call it an opportunity because thats exactly what it was. As I mentioned already I was going through those same hard times myself. So when this challenge was presented to me, I knew that it was God bringing me another opportunity. An opportunity that I couldn’t let pass me by, because I didn’t know when or if I would ever get an opportunity like this again.

During that time we were in the beginning stages of raising finances for our new building. My father was sharing on one of our sunday morning services and said “In order for us to move into the new building, than we are going to have to double our strength!” Those were his exact words. He began to share how we were going to have to double our strength in two areas, our finances and in our leadership. I remember hearing this and saying to my self, that’s it! Thats where the Young Adults are going to fit!

You see when looking at building and developing new leaders, the Young Adults are prime candidates. And I say this for a number of reasons.

1. They are young enough, and old enough – You see Young Adults are young enough to stay relevant to their generation and the next, And they are old enough to be relevant and understand the commitments and principles of the previous generation. They are young enough to stay relevant but at the same time old enough and mature enough to make a conscious decision to serve God and commit themselves to the preperation process that is necessary in order for them to help you fulfill the vision and mission that God has given you for your city, church, ministry or buisness.
2. The Young Adults have the potential to be your top tithers –  They are the ones with the new high tech jobs, they have all the new technology.
3. They are your new families –  Not only do they attend your church but so do their families and children. Strong families build strong churches.
4. They think out of the box –  They know how the world works today and how the world thinks in this New Era!
5. They don’t have to answer to momma – I know that there is alot of emphasis on the G.A.N.G.(God’s Anointed Now Generation) and not to take anything away from the G.A.N.G. Please don’t misquote me on this… there is so much put into the High school and Jr.high ministries and many times that Young Adult age group is overlooked, And we forget that The Young Adults are still G.A.N.G. whether they like it or not! I know I am! If any thing in my opinion, the Young Adult age group is really the Now Generation. The reason why I feel like this is because they can actually do it Now!! They can actually go build a church now! They can actually go direct a Recovery Home now! They can actually go be a missionary Now! They can actualy go take a city now! Why because they don’t have to answer to Momma any more… They’re Adults!! 

There are so many examples of Young Adults that are are doing it big right now. One that stands out to me is Pastor Raul Vidal who is pastoring there with his wife Linda in El Salvador. Two Young Adults who went through the UTC, who’s Pastor’s just happen to be Young Adults themselves (Pastor Al and Georgina Valdez) took an interest in them and began to develop them into leaders, and not just leaders but Pastor Leaders. What a great story and example of what God can do with two young adults who have allowed God to have his way in their lives! 

Again , in no way am I trying to take any thing away from youth ministry, or be disrespectful in any way. I myself believe that God’s Anointed Now Generation is one of the biggest pools for leadership in Victory Outreach, and it is a ministry that produces results. What I am saying, is the fact remains that there is only room for one youth leader in each church and there can only be one regional leader in each region. So just because you are not the youth leader or regional leader does not mean that there is nothing left for you in the ministry.

There are so many ministries in the church that you can serve in. To many times when someone goes to the UTC they think, when I go home I’m gonna be the youth leader or regional leader, then they come home and that’s not what happens and they fall apart. Or many times they come home and their pastor tries to make them fit in the youth ministry. But what if that’s not where God wants them? Our Job as Pastor’s and leaders in not to force them into a position  or certain ministry, but help them find their power spot, identify it and develop them into that leader that can help them grow their ministry and the church.

Young Adults are so vital to your church growth. When you look at all the churches that are growing ,they all have a strong representation of Young Adult leaders. So if you want to double your strength, Don’t overlook your Young Adults!

That is why we need to take the time to build these New E.R.A. Leaders For This New Era!!

Be sure to check back next week for Pt.2 

 ”Building New E.R.A. Leaders For A New Era”

Rick Alanis Jr.

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“…And The Two Became One” Pt.2 Monday, Nov 2 2009

For those of you who read Pt.1 I hope it was able to get you to start thinking about your Faith and your Vision! These are two very importatant subjects that are vital to your walk with God! You see we have all been given a vision. Especially those of us that are from Victory Outreach. In Victory Outreach we all know that we have a Global Vision, a Local Vision, and then we have our Personal Vision. Now in order for those Visions to come to pass, it’s going to take Faith!

I know many of you that read Pt.1 thought that this was about Marriage. I know at first it seemed that way, and there was and still is going to be some principles that you can apply to your marriage, but the purpose and the message behind this is Faith!

Do you remember the closing statements of Pt.1? It said…

“Unless your Vision is Married to your Faith, It will never be able to Reproduce and give Birth to seeing that Vision become a Reality!!”

Your Vision must be married to your faith!! And it must be a Healthy Marriage.

 Your Vision is like the Egg that is produced from a Women’s Ovaries. Unless it is Inseminated by faith, it will Die off and just become a forgotten Dream!

 “The Two must become One”

Just like when me and my wife were married. We were two individuals who now became one. We then were able to reproduce these two beautiful little girls you see in the picture. I couldn’t have done it alone, and neither could she. The same way your Vision and Faith must be joined together in order to reproduce and give birth to seeing it become a reality!

Remember I shared in Pt.1 that a Healthy Marriage consist of three things.

A Healthy Marriage is

1.  Consensual – The word Marriage means – The state of being voluntarily and consensually joined for life.

• Consensual means a Law or Agreement not bound by a written document but by Mutual Consent!
• In other words you are making a conscious decision to commit yourself to this relationship for life!
• When you marry someone you are making a conscious decision to forsake all others.
• Just the same, by your Vision agreeing to Marrying your Faith, You are Choosing to Forsake all Negative reports of the doctor, all Lies from the enemy, You are choosing to forsake all spirits of Fear that the enemy would try to bring your way to distract you from giving birth to that Vision and seeing it become a Reality!

Faith is a Choice!!

You have to choose to believe!!

2. Covenantal – When Jesus said Therefore what God has Joined Together Let No Man Separate, he pointed out that this decree stands over the two who are joined under it. In other words, This makes marriage a Covenant Union.

• In the Bible a covenant is a word or declaration that binds two parties together, and this word is held by God! The bond by the covenantal word is Sacred.
• In order for your Vision and faith to have a healthy Marriage, it must be a Covenant Union!
• It must be held as Sacred.
• You see you made a Covenant with God and your partner  to Love, Trust, be Loyal and Faithful.
• And when you Don’t show Love and you Break that Trust, when you’re Not Loyal and Faithful, We are Violating and Breaking our Covenant.

You see when your Vision is breaking Trust with your faith, and being Disloyal and Unfaithful to your Faith, You are Violating and Breaking that Sacred Covenant that you made with God!

The Problem many times is that instead of being Faithful to our Faith, Our Vision is Flirting with Fear!!!

What’s Crazy is that there are so many cheaters in the Church!

And We wonder why Our Children are not Saved, And We wonder why our Bank account is Empty, And we wonder why Our Vision hasn’t Given Birth to Reality…

 It’s because our vision is having An Affair with Fear!!!

Sad to say there are so many who have been having an affair with fear, and they have allowed their Vision to divorce their faith.

And because of this they have aborted their Vision.

We need to stay faithful to our Faith. Remember, we made a Concious decision to forsake all lies of the enemy. We also made a Sacred Covenant with God that we would believe that this Vision that He gave us would come to pass!

Once we began to believe, we need to start working that Vision. Remember a Healthy Marriage takes Hard-Work, and Faith without works is Dead!

When this happens you are able to have a Climactic Marriage between your Vision and Your Faith!

1.  Climactic – When you have a healthy Marriage between your Faith and your Vision, its full of Excitement, Joy and Happiness.

• Its full of Surprises
• Your Satisfied and Fulfilled
• There is Purpose to your life, And it has meaning.

Then you are able to Reproduce and Give Birth To Seeing that Vision become a Reality!

Remember…

“Unless your Vision is Married to your Faith, It will never be able to Reproduce and give Birth to seeing that Vision become a Reality!!”

Your Vision must be married to your faith!! And it must be a Healthy Marriage.

 Your Vision is like the Egg that is produced from a Women’s Ovaries. Unless it is Inseminated by faith, it will Die off and just become a forgotten Dream!

 “The Two must become One”

 

“Buiding New E.R.A. Leaders For A New Era”

Rick Alanis Jr.

 

 

 

 

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“…AndThe Two Became One” Pt. 1 Monday, Oct 26 2009

In Mark 10:8-9  it says “…And the two shall become one ; so they are no longer two but one. Therfore what God has joined together, let no man seperate.”

 ”…And The Two Became One”

When you hear this phrase, what usually comes to mind? For me, just like most of us, the first thing that comes to mind is Marriage.

When I hear that phrase I think about Marriage, and everything that it represents!

Now there are two types of Marriage. The “Healthy Marraige”, and the “Unhealthy Marriage”.

1. The Healthy Marriage represents – Love, Happiness, Trust, Loyalty, Faithfulness, Comfort, Security, Responsibility,          Hard-Work and Reproduction of New Life. To many it gives them a sense of feeling Complete.
2. The Unhealthy Marriage represents – No Love, No Happiness, No Trust, Disloyalty, Unfaithfulness, Coldness, Insecurity, Irresponsibility, instead of Hard-Work, they have stopped working at it. Which in no way brings a sense of feeling complete.

Many times this type of Unhealthy Marriage ends in divorce! When there is divorce there is no more reproduction. In fact many times instead of reproduction there is abortion.

One thing we must understand is that God never intended Marriage to end in divorce!

The Bible says that Marriage is Sacred and Holy. Not only is Marriage Sacred and Holy, but as I was studying I read that Marriage was Covenantal.

 Now another thing that I read, is that Marriage was the Climax of God’s Creation of Man!

 The word Marriage means – The state of being voluntarily and consensually joined for life.

So After going over this, I believe that a Healthy Marriage consist of these three things:

1. A healthy Marriage is Consensual
2. A Healthy Marriage is Covenantal
3. A Healthy Marriage is Climactic

I know what your thinking… What is this young 25, 26 year old guy know about Marriage? Well I know I look young but Im not 25 or 26, I’m 32! Which is still pretty young, but keep reading and you’ll see where I’m going with this.

In Proverbs 29:18 it says “Where There Is No Vision, The People Perish…”

 Now in the last few weeks we been hearing my Father speak on “The Power of Vision” And he began to share with us how Powerful Vision is, and how vital it is to our walk with God.

He began to share how it is Vision that gives us Purpose! It gives us Direction, and how it keeps us Focused on the Mission and Task that God has for us in the Future!

“Vision is what Leads us and Guides us into our Destiny!!”

And then not to long before that he was teaching and sharing on the subject of

 “Confronting The Fears And Challenges Of Today.” 

 In Hebrews 11:1  It says “Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen…”  He was sharing with us how people today are facing so many challenges and fears. And how these fears and challenges have become so overwhelming that it has began to cause so much Pressure and Stress on their marriages and family. Because of the Economic Crisis and so many other things that are taking place in the world today, we fail to remember the faithfulness of God, and at times are tempted to just give up!

He then began to share that “the only way that we can Confront and Conquer our Fears is by Faith!”

Now here is something to think about, Just like a Man and a Woman, in order for them to Reproduce, “The Two must become One!!”  A Man cannot reproduce on his own, and neither can a Woman. Unless they are Married and the Two become One.Just the same, Your Vision can never Give Birth to Reality until it is Married to your Faith!

 “The Two must become One!!”

 Unless your Vision is Married to your Faith, It will never be able to Reproduce and give Birth to seeing that Vision become a Reality!!

 “The Two must become One!!”

Your Vision must be married to your faith!! And it must be a Healthy Marriage.

 Your Vision is like the Egg that is produced from a Women’s Ovaries. Unless it is Inseminated by faith, it will Die off and just become a forgotten Dream!

 “The Two must become One”

 

“Buiding New E.R.A. Leaders For A New Era”

Rick Alanis Jr.

Make sure you check back Later on this week for Part 2 of “…And The Two Became One”

 

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The “PK” (Pastor’s Kid) Friday, Oct 23 2009

There was a time in Rick’s life when he felt lost and empty. A young man without purpose or direction. Growing up in church being known as a “PK” or (Pastor’s Kid). Not realizing or understanding the call that was upon his life, he felt the need to escape this profile of being known as the Pastor’s son. “I began to try and create a whole other life for myself outside of the church… I felt trapped and sheltered.” During this time he found himself seperated from his family, the church and God. “I remember just graduating from High School that summer and coming to the realization that I was addicted to Crystal Meth. I remember looking in the mirror, not recognizing myself and thinking… ‘Who are you? And what are you doing?’”

Shortly after this self evaluation, he began to go back to his roots. “ I remember going back to my father’s church (Victory Outreach San Bernardino), not knowing if I was really ready to give it all up, but I new that I needed to change.” From there he learned about the Victory Outreach Urban Training Center in Bridgeport, Ct.  Also known as the U.T.C.

“It was there in the U.T.C. that I had my first genuine experience and relationship with God. It was there in the U.T.C where  found my reason for living and purpose in life!” He goes on to share… “I Remember sitting on the stoop of the house reading the Mission Statement, and it wasn’t the first time I read it, But this time it was different. It liked jumped out at me. It became real to me!  It said…

Victory Outreach is an International, church-oriented Christian ministry, called to the task of Evangelizing and Discipling the hurting people of the world, with the message of hope and plan of Jesus Christ…

 And it was then that I found my purpose in life and reason for living! From that day on my life has never been the same! There was even a time a few years later when I fell away from the church and God, But I couldn’t stay away because I knew that God had called me. I knew that I would never be satisfied unless I was serving God.”

Rick Alanis Jr. now serves under his father Pastor Rick Alanis who is the Senior Pastor of Victory Outreach San Bernardino and is also one of the Elders of Victory Outreach International. He (Rick Jr.) is the overseer of the New E.R.A. Leaders (Young Adult Ministry) there in VOSB. He also travels and ministers across the country in many of the churches in Victory Outreach. He is a Motivational Speaker at many of the High Schools and Jr.High’s in the San Bernardino Co. as well as many local Community Events.

He is happily married to his beautiful wife Valerie who serves along side of him in the ministry. Together they have four children; Serena 7, Angelina 4, Rick James (Papa Bear) 3, and Jaelle 1.

If you are a PK or Church Kid that grew up in church or the ministry, understand that you have been chosen and set apart by God.  The Bible says that you are the “Apple Of His Eye!” What that means is that you are His First pick, His choice selection! His eyes and favor are always upon you. Know that no matter what you have done or where you have been, there is nothing that can seperate you from the love of Christ!

 “Building New E.R.A. Leaders For A New Era”

Rick Alanis Jr.

 

 

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“When The Thrill Is Gone” Thursday, Oct 22 2009

“When The Thrill Is Gone” Have you you ever heard that phrase before? It means when the excitement is gone, the rush is over, when your high has gone away, when it’s not fun any more. It is a phrase that can be used for many different analogies. A very popular phrase. So popular that people have even written and sing songs about it. Artist like B.B. King, Chet Baker, and even new artist like Baby Bash and Drake.

It is a feeling that everyone experiences at one time or another in their life. That feeling of “The Come Down.” It’s when the party is over and all your friends are gone. Theres no more laughter or music, but all that’s left is you and your thoughts. Those thoughts of “Man, I knew I shouldn’t have drank tonight” or “man, I did it again.” or what about this one? “If I would have just went home.” That one usally comes when your sitting in a jail cell. Well at least thats how that one was for me.

As I am writing this, I can’t help but to think of all the young people who are going through exactly what I have been describing, and how depressing it all sounds. What is strange though is that so many people have these feelings or know someone that does, but they never do anything about it. They just continue to go through life day after day, year after year feeling depressed and frustrated with life. Many of them have even come to a place where they feel… “Well that’s life, and that’s just the way it is” but thats not life, and that’s not the way it is, and that’s not the way that God intended it to be!

The other thing that is sad, is that there are so many Christians that are just living their life not doing anything to help them. I guess some of them don’t realize that they are suppossed to do anything, or maybe some of them just don’t care to do anything! Either way, as Christians we must understand that it is our God given responsibility to care!

Over the last year or so, I have been priviledged to travel with a group of young people from my local church Victory Outreach San bernardino, who have been putting on this live production called… “When The Thrill is Gone” It is a live theatrical play created by our local youth ministry called the G.A.N.G. which is an acronym for God’s Anointed Now Generation. It was created by the Now Generation for the Now Generation! Just a few weeks ago we had the priviledge to partner with one of the fastest growing churches in Victory Outreach there in Oxnard, Ca. with Pastor Fernie Franco. Now when he said he was doing it big he meant it! They advertised on billbaords, buses and bus stop benches and T.V as well. We were able to do two showings at the Oxnard Performing Arts Theater, where over 3,000 people were in attendance! We later found out that they had over 250 fisrt time visitors over the next weekend as a result of this production. Check out the commercial that Victory Outreach Oxnard made for T.V http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RGzb4UH3dLo

More recently we just came back from Phoenix Arizona where we were able to do four different showings there at the Victory Outreach church. We did two on Friday night and two on Saturday night. We had about 2,000 people come and see this Drama live on Stage! After the drama there were so many young people that came to the alter to accept Jesus Christ into their hearts and make a change in their life! I found out today they had 280 young people show up to their youth service as a result of this Production. They said they average about 100 youth a week, so that means there were 180 first time visitors at their youth service on Wednesday night!

It has been such an honor to work with these young people and see how God is using them. My whole family is a part of it as well. My Brother Tim Alanis is the director and my other Brother Joey Alanis and Sister Gina Alanis are the main actors in the drama. There are about Fifty young people who are involved, from the cast to sound and video tech, stage managers and stage hands. Would you help me pray for all those that are involved in this production? Please pray for all of the young people who have come to see this production as well. Pray that God would continue to use us and do a work in all of those who have come to the Lord as a result of this Drama.

In a day where so many view this phrase “When The Thrill Is Gone” as depressing, hopeless and negative. God has used these young people to use this Phrase to Bring Hope, Life, and Purpose!

Here is another promo video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3fwj23orqec

New E.R.A.

Rick Alanis Jr.

If you have seen “When The Thrill Is Gone” and would like to share how God ministered to you or how he used this Drama in Your city, please feel free to leave a Comment or a Response!

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