Robert A. Perales
Devotional Archives
Looking for some of my older posts? Look no further!
Free Puppies - Week of September 30th, 2013
It’s a sign that nearly every one of us has seen more than a few times. We’ll read it and think, “I wonder if I can help by taking one; after all, they’re free.” And then we realize that while the initial cost of a “free puppy” might have no monetary consequence, in the long run, it’s definitely not free. If it were to stay free, the puppy would get no food, no baths, no medicine, no collar, no vet visits… if the cost of this puppy were really to stay “free,” the puppy would die.Our Christian faith is a lot like this “free puppy.” The initial cost of faith, for us, is free. But, if we neglect the responsibilities that come with accepting the identity of a Christian, that faith will likewise wither away and die. Without tending to the needs of our faith, such as reading scripture, praying, worshipping, fellowshipping, works of mission and justice, and witnessing, we neglect the responsibilities that come with accepting “free grace.”In the Letter of James, we are told that faith, without works, is dead. Let us remember that that when we call ourselves Christian.
Robert A. Perales
The Big Test - Week of September 23rd, 2013
Last week, I had my first major test in over a year… and, it was for Greek. Yes, the language. While I have studied several languages before, Greek is definitely the most complex language I’ve tried to learn and this test had me, along with the rest of my class, studying like our lives depended on it!
While studying, I realized that I was spending far more time and energy to master the grammar and vocabulary than I had the last few weeks of class. Because of this test, every single student in my class worked harder to know what we were called to know.
This got me thinking… what if Christians had to take a test on what we’re all called to know and how we’re all called to live? How would getting a grade and going through a benchmark rearrange how we strive to follow Jesus as his disciples? For some of us, I imagine, it wouldn’t change at all. But, for many more of us, I imagine the looming approach of a Jesus-test would kick us into high gear. Thankfully, Jesus is not teacher that quizzes… but last I checked, he is a teacher.
Robert A. Perales
Like a Hole in the Ground - Week of September 16th, 2013
When I was still living with my parents, I spent several years practicing martial arts. One of the many things I did to practice my strikes was build a makiwara board—essentially, a tarp covered fence post, sticking out of the ground.
While in high school I snapped it, and had to remove the stump from the ground… and do my best to fill the hole. But we all know how that can go. The dirt sinks in too much and the grass never grows back quite the same way. In essence, the hole leaves a scar on the ground.
In the Christian life, this is how many of us view sin—it’s something that can be forgiven, but not forgotten; like an eternal scar on our soul. Yet, that is not what scripture tells us. We read that our sin is blotted out and separated from us, as far as the east is from the west. So, why is it that so many of us spend our time dwelling on what God has already forgiven?
When we were home recently, I went to find that scar in the backyard, and even though I knew where it should be, I never could find it.
Robert A. Perales
The Wrong Way - Week of September 9th, 2013
As most may know, Tanya and I went down to the Rio Grande Valley last weekend. We had a great time visiting family, meeting the church I’ll begin serving next year, and basking in the sun and palm trees of south Texas. That said, our trip got off to an interesting start.
We left from SMU around 6:30pm last Thursday night, and seemed to be making pretty good time, especially given the traffic of Dallas at that time of day. While we were driving I suddenly noticed a sign that didn’t belong on I-35… but thought to myself I must be wrong because I’ve made this drive more times than I can count, and would never go the wrong way. Well, eventually I got confirmation of this sign’s placement when I saw another sing, informing me we were headed west on I-30.
Sometimes, we think we are headed the right direction In our lives, even when God gives us signs that tell us otherwise. What signs have you had in your life that you have dismissed because of your own certainty, and what signs have let you know that you need to take the next loop?
Robert A. Perales
Beginning Afire - Week of September 2nd, 2013
School has started for many in our communities, including yours truly, and one of the many things I’ve noticed is that so many students, regardless of their usual behavior in school, are busying themselves with studying, homework, and readings. Yet, as is usually the case, this burning desire for success wanes after a few weeks and only those truly committed will continue with their demanding schedules.
Too often, the Christian faith operates in a similar fashion. Many of us, when we first come to Christ or experience a call to rededication to the faith, we are on fire—we regularly engage scripture, pray, and attend worship. But, as time passes, we wane in our commitments and revert to our former ways.
The issue in both cases rests, ultimately, on one thing: the source of our passion. Only when something is done for greater reasons than newness and excitement, will it find the necessary sustenance to continue the journey, when the fire does not burn as bright. So in our journeys alongside Christ, remember who your source is.
Robert A. Perales
The Pervasive Gospel - Week of August 26th, 2013
As some of you may know, I am a fan of many modern Christian bands.. As such, I occasionally come upon a song or music video that is particularly moving… and that happened earlier this week with the music video from Gungor’s “Wake up Sleeper.”
The music video was shot on-site on the platform of a subway. The place was not reserved or tweaked for recording quality… it was raw and it was in public. During the video, you occasionally hear a car drive on the streets above and once, you even see and hear the subway pass by.
This struck me because so often, many of us are afraid or unsure about how to proclaim the gospel, especially in the public arena; it’s one thing to do “Jesus-talk” in church, but another to do it in public. Scripture tells us that we are called to be Christ’s witnesses to the ends of the earth… and despite our fears, that even includes the subway station.
Robert A. Perales
What's in a Frame - Week of August 19th, 2013
While pumping gas recently, I began looking at a partially constructed apartment complex. In truth, it was not much to look at; just an organized pile of lumber, piping, and dirt. Yet, without this foundation, I realized that the beautiful building that will grow around it, would not last—without a good frame, it would not stand the test of time...
This reminded me of the Christian life… when we tend to look at what our faith is framed around, it’s not the prettiest thing and it’s not the newest thing—the gospel of Christ has been around for about 2000 years and it’s grounded in the wrongful execution of a thirty-something year old man, born from an unwed teenager, who is God-incarnate.
The frame of our faith, around which it all is built, may not be new or pretty, but it is the truth that built and has sustained our faith from its very beginning… and I thank God for it.
Robert A. Perales
Living a Bumpter Sticker Life - Week of August 12th, 2013
Have you ever looked at a bumper-sticker, loudly proclaiming love or hate for a particular person or practice, and wondered what they would say if asked about it face-to-face? As I walked to a bus stop recently, I was struck by the disparity between the passion shown when we don’t have to face another person with our beliefs or opinions; such as with bumper-stickers. It seems that when we don’t have to profess something to another person’s face, we seem all the more exuberant to do so with gusto. Imagine how happy we, as Christians, might be if all we had to do to share our faith was slap a bumper-sticker on our car… And unfortunately, this is all some of us do.
How much good could we do if we were to live a life of bumper stickers with our own words and actions, instead of with pieces of paper on our cars; how many might come to begin a relationship with God if we were as passionate in person as we can be with bumper-stickers? Maybe, the next time you see a bumper-sticker you like, you could try speaking those words of love, face-to-face.
Robert A. Perales
On Time - Week of August 5th, 2013
Time is likely the most important part of our lives. In all honesty, time is really the most valuable thing that we have… it’s takes time to make money, to be happy, to make memories, to eat, to sleep, and any other thing that is important to us. So, as one would assume, this makes time something that we often keep guard over.
Years ago, I received some advice about time that I’ve never forgotten—There is no such thing as not having enough time; when you say you don’t that, what you’re really saying is that whatever you are going to do is more important than what you are choosing not to do.
I have found this advice to be instrumental in my own faith life and ministry—anytime I say I don't’ have time to do something to better my relationship with Jesus, I am saying that it is not the most important part of my life. Now, to be fair, these decisions aren’t always black and white, but when we really live our lives seeking to put God first, looking at how we spend our time may be the most important part of your faith.
Robert A. Perales