Author: Cisco Baez

Words from the Pastor
I know that we talk a lot about peace. And we have the greatest faith ever, because God promises peace in all of our circumstances. All we have to do is reach out and take hold of that peace and trust that God has everything under control. But what about peace in our church family? What happens to your peace when you think someone in your church family offends you? What do you do then? Do you hold on to that grudge and ruin the fellowship? Do you dwell on it until it festers and becomes a cancer in the Body of Christ (Because remember, each one of us is the Body of Christ.)? What are the actions that you take when you feel someone has wronged you? Do you hit your knees and seek God’s guidance or do you lash out, thinking that you’re right no matter what?
I read something the other day that said, “Actions always prove why words mean nothing.” What are my actions? Do my actions speak louder than my words? Am I showing a Christ like love no matter what happens to me or what people say about me? I would like to think that I am somewhat like Christ. Remember in the Gospels when the Pharisees and the Roman leaders all spoke vicious lies about Jesus and even paid people to lie about Him? And the Scripture says that Jesus didn’t say anything in His defense (Mark 15:1-5) Is that how I would be? Would I be able to keep my mouth shut and let them tell lies, or would I get upset with them and lash out in anger?
I have been studying Matthew 18:15-17. What a great study it is. It tells us how to deal with a sinning brother or sister in the church. This is what it says: Moreover, if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he hears you, you have gained your brother. But if he will not hear, take with you one or two more, that by the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. And if he refuses to hear them, tell it to the church. But if he refuses to hear even the church, let him be to you like a heathen or a tax collector (NKJV). As I studied this it referenced me to a verse of Scripture in Leviticus 19:17 & 18: “Do not hate a fellow Israelite in your heart. Rebuke your neighbor frankly so you will not share in their quilt. Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against anyone among your people, but love your neighbor as yourself (NIV).” So, we have instances in both the Old and New Testament of how we should handle a situation when we feel that someone has wronged us. But I really need to ask myself, “Is this really something that I need to be concerned with, or should I treat this in such a way that I prove that I really do love my neighbor as myself?” Jesus tells us in (Luke 6:41-42) that we need to take the plank out of our own eye before we try to remove the splinter out of our neighbors’ eye. Am I looking inside myself to see if it’s me that needs to change before I reprove my Brother or Sister?
Galatians 6:1 & 2 tells us, “Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted. Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ (NIV).” Isn’t that what it’s all about? Trying to fulfill the law of Christ which is to love our brothers and sisters like we love ourselves? I do hope I can do this and show the world that I am truly a follower of Jesus Christ. I pray that I will be able to look beyond myself and my own flesh and put on Christ and be what a Christian should be.
Please let me know if you need anything. You pray for me and I’ll pray for you. Naomi and I love you all. -Pastor Steve

Words from the Pastor
Who do you think of when you read the Scripture verse, “And again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God (Matthew 19:24)?” My mind always goes to the very wealthy living right here in the Good Ole U.S. of A! You know, Bezos, Gates, Buffet and blah, blah, blah. But then someone reminded me the other day that in most countries and people of the world, you and I would be considered the very rich. We would be considered that rich man that would have trouble getting into Heaven because of our riches. Now I have never- ever considered myself rich by any stretch of the imagination. Well, spiritually I am rich, my marriage is a rich blessing as are my friends. And I am rich that I have the most amazing job on the planet as pastor here at Canelo Cowboy Church! But as far as monetary wealth, not so much. But, as I stated, in other countries, I am a wealthy man! With that being said, do you feel a desire to get ahead in this life? Or are you willing to give up what you have here for the Kingdom of God?
If you look at the heroes in the Bible, a great many of them didn’t have a thing in this world. Even Jesus said that, “Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head (Matthew 18:20).” All of us have a place to come home to at night, so we could be considered rich. And please, don’t get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with having riches. There is nothing wrong with having this world goods. We have worked for them and we are blessed to be born in America, the land of opportunity. But what are we doing with them? Are we making them our identity? Are we satisfied with what we have or are we always wanting more?
Paul writes to Timothy in I Timothy 6:10, “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.” It isn’t money that causes the break down in our faith, it is the love of money. That word translated love in this Scripture means avarice, or not being content with what God has given you. Wanting more riches and always striving to get ahead by obtaining this world’s goods. As Paul writes, some people have wandered from the faith and are a sad lot because of it. So, the lesson here, at least for me, is to be content with what God has given me. Be content with my everyday life. Be content with myself and allow God to show me where and how to use what I do have.
Where are you at? Has God been dealing with you to maybe step out on faith and allow Him to use your contentment with your finances? What are you doing with your riches that shows God that He is the most important thing in your life? Are you storing up treasures on earth where moths and vermin can destroy them, or are you storing up treasures in heaven where they are there for eternity (Matthew 7:19-21)? Because where yours and my treasure is that is where our heart is going to be also. I want to challenge you to think about it. And remember, if you know Jesus, you are a rich, rich person! Now let’s go share the wealth.
Please let me know if you need anything. You pray for me and I’ll pray for you. Naomi and I love you all. -Pastor Steve

Words from the Pastor
Here it is, the last week of September. I just turned 61 years old two days ago. As someone once said, “Youth is wasted on the young!” my daddy always says, “After 40 it’s patch, patch, patch!” I am starting to agree with him. But by God’s grace I just keep moving forward trying to do what He gives me to do on a daily basis. Someone said that living this long is better than the alternative, but I know it’s not! What is the alternative? Well if you’re a Christian it’s spending eternity in Heaven with Him! So please, don’t threaten me with death. Although the thought of getting dead sometimes isn’t so pleasant. When I die, I want to go like my grandfather did, peacefully his sleep. Not yelling and screaming like the rest of the people in his car.
But what if it doesn’t happen that way? What if God decides that I need to suffer for a while? What if I have a debilitating disease that causes me to suffer before I die. I was visiting with a man who has been battling cancer for 15 years. Before he got cancer, he was very active and talented. But for the last 15 years he has been pretty much tied to his home. I thought, “What if this were me? What would I do?” I would like to think I would start searching my heart for what God wanted to show me. I hope I would be humble enough to know to listen to what God was trying to tell me. And, even though I was sick, I hope I would still be sharing His love with the world.
In the 2nd epistle to Timothy the Apostle Paul wrote his swan song. In the 4th chapter the 6th through the 8th verses Paul writes, “For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time for my departure is near. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award me on that day-and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for His appearing.” I want to live that kind of life. I want to be used by God to touch everyone that comes around me. I want to lay down my life and put His life on. I want to be able to say, “Lord, whatever you need to do to work out your will in my life, please do it.” Can you pray that? Can I pray that? I hope I can pray that prayer and really mean it. That way, when we get to the end of this life we can truly say, like the Apostle Paul, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” A poet once penned these words, “Only one life, will soon be past, only what’s done for Christ will last.” How is your faith? Paul penned these words from a prison cell not to long before Nero had him executed by decapitation. Would I be able to keep the faith if I knew that I was going to lose my life anytime for my belief in Jesus? I hope so.
So please take heart brothers and sisters knowing that no matter what you are going through God is right there. Jesus understands your pain because He has been there and done that. Hebrews tells us that He isn’t a high priest that can’t understand our pain. He has lived it and wants to walk beside us no matter what it is. Only trust Him, He’s a wonderful Savior.
Please let me know if you need anything. You pray for me and I’ll pray for you. Naomi and I love you all. -Pastor Steve