Connection Church

01/23/2026

Malice: The Silent Poison of the Heart (And God’s Way to Freedom)

Introduction
We live in a world filled with offense, injustice, betrayal, and emotional wounds. Many people carry hidden anger, resentment, and unresolved pain. Society often tells us that holding grudges is a strength and that revenge is justice. But the Bible reveals something radically different: malice destroys the soul before it ever harms the other person.
Malice is not always loud. Sometimes it hides behind silence, sarcasm, gossip, passive aggression, or secret bitterness. Yet Scripture exposes it clearly and lovingly:
“Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.”
— Ephesians 4:31
God’s desire is not to shame us—but to free us.

Biblical Meaning and Theological Implications
Biblically, malice is the settled intention of the heart to harm, resent, or retaliate. It flows from the fallen nature of humanity (James 1:14–15) and reveals the brokenness of the human heart apart from God’s grace.
Theologically, malice is serious because:
1. It contradicts the character of God
God is slow to anger, rich in mercy, and abundant in grace (Exodus 34:6). When believers walk in malice, we misrepresent the nature of the God we claim to serve.
2. It opposes the work of the Holy Spirit
The Spirit produces love, peace, patience, kindness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22–23). Malice is evidence of flesh-driven living rather than Spirit-led transformation.
3. It blocks spiritual growth
Peter commands believers to put away malice so they can grow spiritually (1 Peter 2:1–2). A bitter heart cannot mature in faith.
4. It separates people from experiencing God’s peace
Unforgiveness and malice create spiritual distance—not because God abandons us, but because hardened hearts resist His healing presence.
For non-believers, this reveals humanity’s deepest need: not self-improvement, but spiritual rebirth. For believers, it calls us to daily repentance and renewal.

Practical Application (First Steps for New Believers & Life Change for All)
Here are biblical steps anyone can begin today:
1. Examine your heart honestly
Ask yourself:
– Am I holding resentment?
– Do I replay offenses in my mind?
– Do I speak negatively about others?
Jesus taught that the heart is the source of our words and actions (Matthew 15:18).
2. Confess, don’t justify
Healing begins when we stop defending our bitterness and start surrendering it to God (1 John 1:9).
3. Choose forgiveness — even when it’s difficult
Forgiveness is not saying what happened was okay. It is releasing the right to revenge and trusting God with justice (Romans 12:19).
4. Replace malice with intentional love
Scripture commands us not just to remove evil, but to replace it with good (Romans 12:21).
– Pray for those who hurt you
– Speak life, not death
– Practice kindness intentionally
5. Stay connected to God’s Word and community
Growth happens when we remain rooted in Scripture, prayer, and healthy Christian fellowship.

Conclusion: A Call to Transformation
Malice chains the heart. Grace sets it free.
Jesus did not respond to hatred with hatred. On the cross, while being mocked and wounded, He prayed:
“Father, forgive them.” — Luke 23:34
That same grace is available today.
If you are far from God, this is your invitation: Christ came not only to forgive sins but to heal hearts and restore lives.
If you are new in the faith, this is your foundation: following Jesus means daily transformation.
If you are a mature believer, this is your reminder: we never outgrow repentance and humility.
Let us be a church that chooses forgiveness over offense, healing over bitterness, love over malice, and Christ over self.

Prayer:
Lord, search our hearts. Remove every root of malice, bitterness, and resentment. Create in us clean hearts and renew our minds. Teach us to love as You love. Heal what is broken inside us and make us instruments of Your peace. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

If you like to learn what the Bible says about many topics and how to improve your spiritual life, please visit us on Sundays at 11:00 am

Connection Church.
905 Chaparro St.
Las Cruces, NM 88001

01/11/2026

As another week comes to an end, many of us are carrying more than we let others see. Some are ending this season with gratitude, others with questions, and some with hearts that feel tired from the weight of life. In moments like these, we are reminded that faith is not about having everything figured out—it is about knowing where to turn.

This Sunday, we begin a new journey through the book of Colossians, starting with a powerful reminder from Colossians 1:1–2: our identity is found in Christ, and the life God calls us to is rooted in grace and peace. Before God asks us to do anything, He meets us with who we are and what we need most—His grace to sustain us and His peace to steady our hearts.

We invite you to worship with us at Connection Church this Sunday at 11:00 AM. Whether you have been part of our church family for years or you are simply searching for hope, healing, or a fresh start, there is a place for you here.

Join us at 905 S. Chaparro St., Las Cruces, NM 88001, and let us begin this new season together—rooted in Christ, grounded in grace, and walking in peace.

We would be honored to worship with you.

01/02/2026

A few years ago, a small congregation closed its doors—not because of persecution, not because of lack of resources, but because trust slowly died.

The pastor preached Scripture with passion. He prayed publicly. He used God’s name often.
But behind the scenes, promises were broken, people were manipulated, and power was used to protect an image rather than shepherd souls. When the truth surfaced, the damage was not only emotional—it was spiritual. Several members walked away not just from the church, but from God Himself.

Later, one woman said something haunting:
“I didn’t stop believing in God. I just couldn’t tell the difference between God and the people who claimed to speak for Him.”

That is when the Third Commandment becomes painfully relevant.

“You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain…” (Exodus 20:7, NASB 1995)

This commandment is not only about profanity. It is about bearing God’s name lightly while carrying authority heavily. It is about invoking God to justify control, silence, abuse, greed, or ego. It is about using holy language to wage unholy battles.
God holds the person accountable who takes His name in vain. The Third Commandment contains a warning: "You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not leave him unpunished who takes his name in vain" (Exodus 20:7, NASB 1995). Vain means empty, worthless, devoid of meaning. God is saying, Do not claim to be one of My people and then live your life in such a way that you render My name worthless. Do not behave in such a way that being a Christian is devoid of meaning. Just so you know- I will need accountability from whoever does that.
In spiritual warfare, one of the enemy’s most effective strategies is not attacking God directly—but distorting His name through His representatives.

Every time a leader uses God’s name to manipulate instead of serve, to dominate instead of love, to hide instead of repent, the name of the Lord is emptied of its weight—and people pay the price.

This is not a message of condemnation.
It is a call to reverence.
To humility.
To fear the Lord again—not with terror, but with trembling integrity.

Because how we carry God’s name may either lead people toward healing…
or quietly push them away from Him.

He wants us to know that grace is not a license to sin. Mercy is not a permission slip to take His holy name and smear it in the mud. God's patience is beyond our imagination, but none should deceive themselves into thinking sin offers no consequences.

The Third Commandment asks a dangerous question: Are we honoring God’s name with our lips—or emptying it with our lives?

Sincerely,
George Orozco, Senior Pastor
Connection Church.

12/31/2025

END-OF-YEAR REFLECTION – CONNECTION CHURCH
Looking Back with Gratitude. Moving Forward with Hope.
As this year comes to a close, we pause—not because everything is finished, but because remembering is holy work.

2025 was not an easy year.
It was not a perfect year.
But it was a faithful year.

For some, it was marked by joy—new beginnings, baptisms, restored relationships, moments when God’s presence felt close and undeniable.
For others, it carried sorrow—losses that still ache, prayers that felt unanswered, seasons of waiting, confusion, or quiet endurance.
And for many, it was a mixture of both—light and shadow walking side by side.
Yet through it all, one truth remained steady:
God was the reason.

For Our Church Family
To those who have walked with Connection Church this year—serving, giving, praying, showing up even when life felt heavy—this year tells a story of faithfulness under pressure.
We gathered not because circumstances were ideal, but because Christ was worthy.
We worshiped not because storms disappeared, but because God met us in the storm.
We served our community not to be seen, but because the love of Christ compelled us.
Some Sundays were full of celebration.
Other Sundays were quiet, tear-filled, and raw.
But every moment mattered.
Every prayer prayed.
Every meal shared.
Every tear wiped.
Every conversation held in faith.
None of it was wasted.
God was forming something deeper than numbers, louder than applause, stronger than circumstances—a people rooted in Him.

For Those Who Are Just Connecting with Us
If you are reading this and you are new—new to Connection Church, new to faith, or simply searching—we want you to know something important:
Everything we did in 2025 had a purpose.
We didn’t gather just to fill a calendar.
We didn’t serve to build a name.
We didn’t preach to impress.
We gathered because people matter to God.
We served because hope must be visible.
We preached because Christ changes lives.
We believe church is not a place where perfect people pretend—but a place where real people encounter a real God.
If you’ve experienced loss, confusion, exhaustion, or disappointment this year—you are not alone.
If you’ve questioned God, faith, or your future—you are welcome here.
This is a church where grace is not theory—it is practiced.

God in the Middle of the Storm
This year reminded us that storms do not mean God is absent.
Some of our prayers were answered quickly.
Others required patience.
Some are still waiting.
We walked with families through grief.
We listened to stories of brokenness and healing.
We saw God bring peace—not by removing every storm, but by standing with us in the middle of them.
Hope did not always come as a sudden miracle.
Sometimes it came quietly—in endurance, in community, in worship, in one more step forward.
And that is still God at work.

Looking Ahead to 2026
As we step into a new year, we do so with humility and confidence—not in ourselves, but in Christ above all.
We are entering 2026 with a clear focus:
👉 Jesus Christ at the center of everything
A new year.
A new journey through the book of Colossians.
A renewed call to grow deeper, love stronger, and live faithfully.
We don’t know everything the new year will bring.
But we know Who holds it.

A Personal Invitation
Whether you have been with us from the beginning or are just discovering Connection Church—we invite you to begin 2026 with us.
📖 Join us for our first service of the year
As we open God’s Word, worship together, and set our hearts on Christ above all.
Come as you are.
Come with your questions.
Come with your hopes.
Come with your burdens.
There is room for you.

Because in every season—
God was the reason.
Christ is our anchor.
And hope is still alive.

Connection Church
905 S. Chaparro St.
Las Cruces, NM 88001
📞 575-463-3401
Dr. George Orozco
Senior Pastor

12/28/2025

As this year comes to an end, many of us pause and wonder what the next season will bring. Christmas has reminded us that God stepped into our world, but the question now is: what do we do after encountering Christ?

This Sunday, we invite you to join us for a special year-end worship service titled “Do Not Return the Same Way” (Matthew 2:12). It’s a message about reflection, renewal, and choosing a different path as we step into a new year. Come for meaningful worship, prayer, and a message of hope that speaks to real life and real change.

🕊 Sunday • 10:30 AM
📍 905 S. Chaparro St., Las Cruces, NM 88001
🌎 All are welcome

An encounter with Jesus changes everything.

12/24/2025

Christmas When the Heart Is Heavy

For many, December is filled with lights, music, and celebration.
But for others, Christmas arrives quietly… carrying memories, empty chairs, unanswered questions, and tears that no one sees.

Some smile on the outside while grieving deeply on the inside.
Some sing carols while remembering voices that are no longer here.
If that is you, know this: your tears are not a lack of faith, and your sorrow does not disqualify you from hope.

The first Christmas was not born out of comfort, wealth, or ease.
It was born in darkness.
Into uncertainty.
Into a broken world.

Scripture tells us, “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light” (Isaiah 9:2).

Jesus did not come to deny pain — He came to enter it.
At Christmas, God did not shout from heaven.
He came near.
He wrapped Himself in flesh.
He stepped into human grief, loss, fear, and suffering.

Christ came as Emmanuel — God with us.
With us in our sorrow.
With us in our loneliness.
With us in our questions.
With us in our tears.

The peace Jesus brings is not the absence of pain, but the presence of God in the middle of it.
The hope He offers is not shallow optimism, but a living promise that death does not have the final word.

Because Christ lives:
Love is stronger than loss
Light is stronger than darkness
Resurrection is stronger than the grave

If this Christmas feels heavy, you are not forgotten.
If your heart aches, God is near.
If you feel weak, Christ is your strength.

“The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit” (Psalm 34:18).

This Christmas, may you experience:
Hope that anchors your soul
Peace that guards your heart
Comfort that reminds you that you are not alone

At Connection Church, we walk together — not pretending the pain isn’t real, but trusting that Jesus is still present, still faithful, and still bringing light into our darkness.

Christ has come.
Christ is with us.
And Christ will come again.

This is our hope.
This is our peace.
This is Christmas.

Have a wonderful and blessed Christmas.
Sincerely,

Dr. George Orozco, Senior Pastor
Connection Church.

12/24/2025

Christmas When the Heart Is Heavy

For many, December is filled with lights, music, and celebration.
But for others, Christmas arrives quietly… carrying memories, empty chairs, unanswered questions, and tears that no one sees.

Some smile on the outside while grieving deeply on the inside.
Some sing carols while remembering voices that are no longer here.
If that is you, know this: your tears are not a lack of faith, and your sorrow does not disqualify you from hope.

The first Christmas was not born out of comfort, wealth, or ease.
It was born in darkness.
Into uncertainty.
Into a broken world.
Scripture tells us, “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light” (Isaiah 9:2).

Jesus did not come to deny pain — He came to enter it.

At Christmas, God did not shout from heaven.
He came near.
He wrapped Himself in flesh.
He stepped into human grief, loss, fear, and suffering.

Christ came as Emmanuel — God with us.
With us in our sorrow.
With us in our loneliness.
With us in our questions.
With us in our tears.

The peace Jesus brings is not the absence of pain, but the presence of God in the middle of it.
The hope He offers is not shallow optimism, but a living promise that death does not have the final word.

Because Christ lives:

Love is stronger than loss
Light is stronger than darkness
Resurrection is stronger than the grave

If this Christmas feels heavy, you are not forgotten.
If your heart aches, God is near.
If you feel weak, Christ is your strength.

“The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit” (Psalm 34:18).

This Christmas, may you experience:

Hope that anchors your soul
Peace that guards your heart
Comfort that reminds you that you are not alone

At Connection Church, we walk together — not pretending the pain isn’t real, but trusting that Jesus is still present, still faithful, and still bringing light into our darkness.

Christ has come.
Christ is with us.
And Christ will come again.

This is our hope.
This is our peace.
This is Christmas.

Sincerely,
Dr. George Orozco, senior pastor

12/17/2025

At Christmas, we don’t just celebrate a baby in a manger—we celebrate a love that came close enough to change lives.

This Sunday, we gather for a special Advent and Christmas service focused on LOVE—a love that saves, a love that makes all things new, and a love that invites us to remember what Christ has done for us. We will celebrate baptism, share in the Lord’s Supper, and worship together as a church family.

If you’ve been searching for hope, healing, or a fresh beginning, this Sunday is for you.

🕊 This Sunday • 11:00 AM
📍 Connection Church
905 Chaparro St., Las Cruces, NM 88001
🌎 Bilingual Service

Come and experience the love that came for you.

12/14/2025

In a world where happiness often feels fragile and depends on circumstances, many people are discovering that smiles fade when life becomes overwhelming. We celebrate when things go well, but what happens when they don’t? Advent reminds us that real joy is not shallow happiness—it is a deep confidence rooted in God’s presence.

This Sunday at 11:00 AM, we continue our Advent series with Week 3: JOY — “Joy Is More Than Happiness.” Together, we will discover how Christ brings a joy that remains steady even in uncertainty, sorrow, and waiting. Join us for a bilingual worship service, meaningful music, and a message that speaks to the heart.

📍 Connection Church
905 Chaparro St., Las Cruces, NM 88001
✨ There is joy to be found—and it begins with Jesus.

11/27/2025

11/26/2025

Many people today are living overwhelmed, exhausted, and searching for something real. Our society is filled with anxiety, loneliness, and uncertainty — and without hope, life can feel heavy. But the message of Advent reminds us that darkness does not get the final word.

This Sunday at 11:00 AM, we begin our Advent series with Hope in the Darkness, based on Isaiah 9:2. If you’ve been longing for clarity, peace, or a fresh start, this service is for you.

Join us for powerful worship, an encouraging message, and a warm, loving community where every person matters. We would be honored to welcome you and your family.

Connection Church
905 Chaparro St., Las Cruces, NM 88001