Category Archives: Faith

Will You Step onto the Bridge?

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Imagine standing at the edge a riverbank. The sound of the whitewater rapids crashing fills the air. You really can’t see what lies on the other side of the river. The fog is dense preventing you from seeing more than two feet ahead of you. This tumultuous river is the only thing separating you from the other side. You need to get to the other side. This river seems to be the only thing that is separating you from the answer to what you’ve been hoping and praying for.

Bridge fogYou have been praying for sometime when you see it. A narrow makeshift bridge swaying a couple feet above the rushing rapids comes into view. You have two choices. Either you will remain at the edge of the riverbank or you step onto the bridge. What will you do?

“Faith is taking the first step even when you don’t see the whole staircase.”   

-Martin Luther King Jr.

Deep down, you know your prayers have led you here. A million thoughts race through your mind. How could this be a rational decision? The bridge looks old and flimsy. Who knows if it doesn’t have holes and the ropes you hold onto with your hands aren’t broken? You know very well you could slip through a hole at any moment or lose your balance and fall into the raging waters below. What will you do?  Will you wait for the mist to clear or will muster the courage to take a step of faith onto that bridge?

This seems to be where God brought you. You trusted Him to bring you this far. Will you trust Him to take you to the next destination? What will you do? Will you remain crippled by the fear of the unknown or will you step out in faith?

Psalm 16:8 NIV says, “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Sometimes we are going to face scary situations. Sometimes we will feel like God is leading us to step onto a debilitated makeshift bridge, but we don’t have to be afraid to take that step because we know that He will hold us up with His “righteous right hand.” Proverbs 3:5-7 NKJV says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding;  In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.” If we trust completely in God and surrender our lives to Him, we can be confident that He will direct us into the path He wants us to take.

“In a real sense faith is total surrender to God .”

— Martin Luther King Jr.   

We don’t always understand why God is leading us where He is leading us, but we can rest assured knowing that He is with us and He knows what He is doing. We can’t see through the mist, but He can. Maybe God brought you to the fog, so you would grow in faith by walking through the fog? Maybe God brought you to the dilapidated bridge, so you wouldn’t rely on the strength of the bridge, but instead on His strength.

  “… for we walk by faith, not by sight.” 

 -2 Corinthians 5:7 NKJV

Where has God led you? Has He led you to a place where you can’t see what lies ahead? Has He led you to an old dilapidated bridge? What will you do? The choice is up to you. Will you wait for the fog to clear or will you step out in faith?

Dear Lord Jesus, thank You for always being with us. Thank You for Your guidance. Please help us to know when you want us to take the next step. And, when You want us to take action, please give us the strength to take the first step in faith. Amen.

When You Are Waiting for an Answer?

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“I live by faith, and not by sight

Sometimes miracles take time

While I wait, I will worship

Lord, I’ll worship Your name

While I wait, I will trust You

Lord, I’ll trust You all the same

You’re faithful every day”  

( lyrics to “While I Wait” by Lincoln Brewster)

Do you know what it’s like to hope for something with all of your heart? Do you know this feeling? Have you cried out to God asking for a request? In Psalm 27:7 NIV, the psalmist cries out to God, “Hear my voice when I call, Lord; be merciful to me and answer me.” What can we learn from the Psalmist? If you read the entire chapter of Psalm 27, you learn that the Psalmist faces many of the same enemies we face today. He faces fear and uncertainty. He knows that he could be harmed, abandoned, or take the wrong path. Instead of becoming overwhelmed and giving up, he chooses to focus on worshipping God. Psalm 27:4 says, “One thing I ask from the Lord, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple.” Psalm 27:6 says, “Then my head will be exalted above the enemies who surround me; at his sacred tent I will sacrifice with shouts of joy; I will sing and make music to the Lord.” In the midst of uncertainty, the Psalmist found the faith necessary to trust in God and His promises. Psalm 27: 13-14 NIV says, “I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.” – Psalm 27:13-14 NIV  In the same way, we can be confident in God’s faithfulness knowing that God is with us and God is guiding us even when we can’t see where we are walking. We can be confident that God is working in the midst of our worship.

“Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about 

what we do not see.”   

– Hebrews 11:1 NIV

Dear Lord Jesus, thank You for Your great faithfulness. Please help us to worship You as we wait for Your answers. Please help us to place our confidence in You and You alone. Amen.

Reflections on the Advent and Looking towards 2019

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HOPE:

Before the birth of Christ Jesus, hope was found in the Old Testament prophecies of the Messiah, that would come to save the world. Today we find our hope in that same Savior, Jesus Christ.

“ And in another place Isaiah said, “The heir to David’s throne will come, and he will rule over the Gentiles. They will place their hope on him.” I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.”

 – Romans 15: 12-13 NLT

LOVE:
Love came down from heaven and dwelt among us. Jesus Christ, our King and Savior, gave up His throne to come to earth to bridge the gap between us and God by His death on the cross and resurrection.

“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” John 1:14 ESV  
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” – John 3:16 NIV

JOY:

The magi, also known as the wise men, were seeking the promised Messiah. They traveled many miles from the east in search of a Savior. When they found the Jesus, they were filled with joy and worshipped Him. Today, we find our joy in that same Savior.

“When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.”

– Matthew 2:10-11 NIV

Side Note: To read more about the Magi and their pursuit of the Messiah, read “Searching.”

PEACE:

We find true peace in knowing Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace.

“For to us a child is born,
to us a son is given,
and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” – Isaiah 9:6 NIV

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” – John 14:27 NIV

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IMMANUEL: God is with us.

All right then, the Lord himself will give you the sign. Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son and will call him Immanuel (which means ‘God is with us’).

-Isaiah 7:14 NLT

“Look! The virgin will conceive a child!
She will give birth to a son,
and they will call him Immanuel,
which means ‘God is with us.’”

 – Matthew 1:23

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2019: As we look towards 2019, may we remember the great sacrifice of love Jesus Christ made for us through His birth, life, death, and resurrection. May we strive to know Jesus Christ, our Savior, more with each day that comes.

“I want to know Him. I want to have the same power in my life that raised Jesus from the dead. I want to understand and have a share in His sufferings and be like Christ in His death. Then I may be raised up from among the dead. I do not say that I have received this or have already become perfect. But I keep going on to make that life my own as Christ Jesus made me His own. No, Christian brothers, I do not have that life yet. But I do one thing. I forget everything that is behind me and look forward to that which is ahead of me. My eyes are on the crown. I want to win the race and get the crown of God’s call from heaven through Christ Jesus.” 

-Philippians 3:10-14 NLV

Dear Lord Jesus, thank You for loving us so much that you were coming to earth and pay the ultimate price to save us. Thank You for all of the blessings You have bestowed upon us in 2018. As we start 2019, please help us to leave our past mistakes and failures behind us. Instead, please help us to keep our eyes set on the goal before us. Please help us to seek to know You more and become more like You every day. Thank You for the hope that we have in You. Please fill our new year with Your infinite love, joy, and peace. Amen.

Searching?

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Have you been searching for something? Have you been looking for something? Have you been hoping for something? Have you been yearning for something? How far would you go to find it?

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“After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. When he had called together all the people’s chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Messiah was to be born. “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written:

“‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,  are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.’ ”

Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him.” After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.”

 -Matthew 2:1-12 NIV

The magi, also known as wise men, were educated men from the east. They traveled many miles from the east in search of a King. They could have easily given up and turned back half way there, but they didn’t. Perhaps, they persevered because they had spent many years studying and had never given up searching for answers.  Perhaps, they had read the prophecy of the Old Testament, “I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near. A star will come out of Jacob; a scepter will rise out of Israel…” – Numbers 24:17 They just had to find the Messiah. They just had to find the King, who would save the world. One of the most valuable and unanticipated results of many years of study is perseverance. It is something that is not usually sought after, but comes unexpectedly when in the pursuit of something else (e.g. knowledge or wealth). Similarly, when the wise men arrived at the home simple people they may have been confused and wondered: How could this infant King we searched for, for so long belong to parents of such humble origin? Where’s his crown and scepter?  They could have turned back when they got there, but they didn’t.

“Follow the star to a place unexpected 

Would you believe, after all we’ve projected,

A child in a manger?

Lowly and small, the weakest of all

Unlikeliest hero, wrapped in his mother’s shawl 

Just a child 

Is this who we’ve waited for? 

‘Cause how many kings step down from their thrones

How many lords have abandoned their homes?

How many greats have become the least for me?

And how many gods have poured out their hearts

To romance a world that is torn all apart

How many fathers gave up their sons for me?” (lyrics by Downhere)  

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

– John 3:16 NIV

God gave the magi the wisdom to know that they had found what they been seeking for all of their lives. They had finally found what there hearts had been yearning for.  

They bowed down and worshipped the King.

The wise men had found the King who loved them so much He would die on a cross to satisfy their longing, heal their broken hearts, liberate them from the chains of sin, and give them the gift of eternal life. 

Dear Lord Jesus, thank you for loving us so much you that You were willing to step down from Your throne in heaven to take the form a human, dwell among us, die on a cross for our sins, be separated from God, and ultimately be raised again. We worship and adore You alone. Please give us perseverance not to give up in our pursuit of You and Your will for our lives. Please give us the wisdom to know when gifts are from You (even when they  come as unexpected blessings in disguise). Amen.

 

 

Searching?

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Have you been searching for something? Have you been looking for something? Have you been hoping for something? Have you been yearning for something? How far would you go to find it?

 

“After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” When King Herod heard this he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him. When he had called together all the people’s chief priests and teachers of the law, he asked them where the Messiah was to be born. “In Bethlehem in Judea,” they replied, “for this is what the prophet has written:

“‘But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,  are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.’ ”

Then Herod called the Magi secretly and found out from them the exact time the star had appeared. He sent them to Bethlehem and said, “Go and search carefully for the child. As soon as you find him, report to me, so that I too may go and worship him.” After they had heard the king, they went on their way, and the star they had seen when it rose went ahead of them until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw the star, they were overjoyed. On coming to the house, they saw the child with his mother Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him. Then they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to go back to Herod, they returned to their country by another route.”

 -Matthew 2:1-12 NIV

The magi, also known as wise men, were educated men from the east. They traveled many miles from the east in search of a King. They could have easily given up and turned back half way there, but they didn’t. Perhaps, they persevered because they had spent many years studying and had never given up searching for answers.  Perhaps, they had read the prophecy of the Old Testament, “I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near. A star will come out of Jacob; a scepter will rise out of Israel…” – Numbers 24:17 They just had to find the Messiah. They just had to find the King, who would save the world. One of the most valuable and unanticipated results of many years of study is perseverance. It is something that is not usually sought after, but comes unexpectedly when in the pursuit of something else (e.g. knowledge or wealth). Similarly, when the wise men arrived at the home simple people they may have been confused and wondered: How could this infant King we searched for, for so long belong to parents of such humble origin? Where’s his crown and scepter?  They could have turned back when they got there, but they didn’t.

“Follow the star to a place unexpected

Would you believe, after all we’ve projected,

A child in a manger?

Lowly and small, the weakest of all

Unlikeliest hero, wrapped in his mother’s shawl

Just a child

Is this who we’ve waited for?

‘Cause how many kings step down from their thrones

How many lords have abandoned their homes?

How many greats have become the least for me?

And how many gods have poured out their hearts

To romance a world that is torn all apart

How many fathers gave up their sons for me?” (lyrics by Downhere)  

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

– John 3:16 NIV

God gave the magi the wisdom to know that they had found what they been seeking for all of their lives. They had finally found what there hearts had been yearning for.  

They bowed down and worshipped the King.

The wise men had found the King who loved them so much He would die on a cross to satisfy their longing, heal their broken hearts, liberate them from the chains of sin, and give them the gift of eternal life.

Dear Lord Jesus, thank you for loving us so much you that You were willing to step down from Your throne in heaven to take the form a human, dwell among us, die on a cross for our sins, be separated from God, and ultimately be raised again. We worship and adore You alone. Please give us perseverance not to give up in our pursuit of You and Your will for our lives. Please give us the wisdom to know when gifts are from You (even when they  come as unexpected blessings in disguise). Amen.

 

 

 

 

 

Is There Something Missing?

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Do you feel like your life is missing something? Are you happy? Do you feel satisfied? Or, are you looking for something? Do you feel empty? Do you feel sad? Do you feel anxious? Do you feel worried about the future? 

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With world news at the tips of our fingers, it is easy to become anxious and/or depressed about all of the negative things happening in the world around us. Recently, we have seen so many people undergo the tragic loss of their loved ones and/or homes. It is natural to feel very sad and concerned about all that has/is happening around us. Needless to say, we don’t live in a perfect world where nothing bad ever happens and everything always goes as planned. Sometimes, we try to fill our broken hearts and restless minds with things that don’t heal or satisfy.

This may be because we live in a world of instant gratification. Entertainment is available at the touch of a button or at the command of Siri. Fast food is available within minutes. If we feel sad, anxious, or dissatisfied, we might find ourselves turning our eyes to physical possessions or human relationships. But, are holiday foods, black friday deals, a new car, new designer bags, new friends, a new significant other, or a new career the answer to this dilemma? Or are they just a futile attempt to fill an empty space?

“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!  Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”   

-Philippians 4:4-7 NIV

Philippians 4:4-7 provides the answer to this dilemma. First, it reminds us that our joy is found in the Lord. Our joy is not found in our circumstances or what we have. If we look anywhere else, we will turn up empty and dissatisfied. No physical possessions, foods, or relationships can fill the God shaped hole within us. This scripture also reminds us not to allow the situations around us to make us anxious, but instead pray. But, how do we pray? “Our prayers must express gratitude. It is good to be watchful and to pray, but if our prayers are only lists of requests in which we pray for favors, our approach is wrong. We have so much to be thankful for that we won’t have much time for other topics once we start giving thanks.” ((Solly Ozrovech, A Season of Hope, p. June 14) And, thankfulness gives us confidence to present our request to God because it reminds us of what He has already done for us. Lastly, this scripture reminds us that we can only find the peace we desperately need in an intimate relationship with Jesus Christ.  

“Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.”

– Colossians 4:2 NIV

Dear Lord Jesus, please help us to devote ourselves to prayer so that we can develop a closer relationship with You. Please help us to share your love with those who are broken and in need. When life seems difficult, please remind us of Your unconditional love and fill our hearts with gratitude. Amen.

I invite you to start practicing thankfulness daily with the 21 Days of Thanksgiving. If you haven’t already started this challenge, it’s not too late! You can do it on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or via text message. Don’t miss out on the fun!

En Descanso… Nuevas Viajes… Publicaciones de Blog Regresan en Noviembre

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Al entrar en la temporada de otoño, pienso en Ecclesiastes 3: 1 NIV que dice: “Todo tiene su tiempo, y todo lo que se quiere debajo del cielo tiene su hora.”

En cuatro días, mi mejor amiga (y prima) entra en una nueva etapa de su vida. Ella va tomar los votos del matrimonio. Espero poder compartir con ella en esta hermosa temporada de alegría. También entiendo que con cada temporada que ingresamos, debemos dejar atrás la temporada pasada. Con tristeza y alegría, dejamos una temporada de nuestras vidas atrás y entramos en una nueva temporada de nuestras vidas.  

“Todo tiene su tiempo, y todo lo que se quiere debajo del cielo tiene su hora…  tiempo de llorar, y tiempo de reír; tiempo de endechar, y tiempo de bailar;”  

-Eclesiastés 3: 1,4 GNT

  Las nuevas temporadas son emocionantes, pero tambien traen nuevas responsabilidades y nuevos desafíos. Los desafíos pueden ser beneficiosos porque nos empujan a crecer de nuevas maneras (espiritual, emocional e intelectualmente). Al entrar en nuevas estaciones, debemos tener fe en Dios y en sus planes para nuestras vidas. También debemos permitir que Dios nos guíe y nos transforme en individuos más parecidos a Cristo. Podemos estar seguros de que no importa a qué estación nos enfrentemos, Dios está con nosotros y su amor por nosotros sigue siendo el mismo.  

“Jesucristo es el mismo ayer, hoy y por los siglos.”

 -Hebrews 13: 8

 Tomaré un descanso de He Knows Your Name para viajar al sur para servir como dama de honor en la boda de mi mejor amiga y para viajar al otro lado del país para mirar nuevos lugares.

Con la voluntad del Dios, planeo reanudar las publicaciones del blog en Noviembre. Por favor, manténganme a mí y a mi familia en sus oraciones, ya que viajemos mucho este mes.  

Querido Señor Jesucristo, gracias por amarnos siempre de la misma manera sin importar en qué estación de nuestra vida estemos. Por favor, bendice y guie a mi mejor amiga y a su futuro esposo cuando entren a esta nueva temporada de sus vidas juntos. Por favor manténganme a mí ya mi familia seguros mientras viajamos. Por favor, rodeé a los lectores de He Knows Your Name con Tu amor infinito. Amén.

 

¿Cuando te Sientes Roto?

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“El sana a los quebrantados de corazón, Y venda sus heridas.”

-Salmo 147: 3 RVR 1960 

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¿Alguna vez te has sentido demasiado roto o te has caído demasiadas veces? ¿Te has sentido demasiado roto para Dios? En Isaías 57: 18-19, el Señor dice que Él sanará a los israelitas, a pesar de sus caminos. “He visto sus caminos; pero le sanaré, y le pastorearé, y le daré consuelo a él y a sus enlutados; produciré fruto de labios: Paz, paz al que está lejos y al cercano, dijo Jehová; y lo sanaré.” Isaías 57: 18-19 RVR 1960  Proverbios 24:16 RVR 1960 dice, “Porque siete veces cae el justo, y vuelve a levantarse…” Tal vez, sientes como los dolores de este mundo han sido demasiado pesados ​​para soportar solo. Solo recuerda que no estás solo. Dios no te ha abandonado. Romanos 8 nos recuerda que nada nos puede separar del amor de Dios. “Por lo cual estoy seguro de que ni la muerte, ni la vida, ni ángeles, ni principados, ni potestades, ni lo presente, ni lo por venir, ni lo alto, ni lo profundo, ni ninguna otra cosa creada nos podrá separar del amor de Dios, que es en Cristo Jesús Señor nuestro.”-Romanos 8: 38-39 RVR 1960 Pero, ¿tal vez sientes que alguien te ha lastimado o te ha roto al punto, donde ya no puedes ser reparado? Tal vez, esta persona te ha lastimado tanto, ¿que sientes que no puedes perdonarlo? Y, puedes sentir que no merecen tu perdón. Tal vez, has elegido castigarlos al no perdonarlos. Desafortunadamente, al no perdonarlos, les está permitiendo que ellos to continuamente lastimen en perpetum. Al no perdonarlos, te estás alejando del proceso de curación. Varias veces en la Biblia, se nos instruye a perdonar a los demás, así como Dios nos perdonó (Lea: Colosenses 3:13, Mateo 6: 14-15, Efesios 4: 31-32, Marcos 11:25). Incluso si ya no puedes hablar con la persona, quien te hizo daño, igual puedes perdonarlo/la. Hoy, te animo a soltar las heridas del pasado y seguir adelante sabiendo que el Dios del perdón está allí para consolarte, sanarte, enmendarte y darte paz. La palabra de Dios nos dice que, “Cercano está Jehová a los quebrantados de corazón;Y salva a los contritos de espíritu.”-Salmo 34: 18 RVR 1960 La canción llamada Mended (abajo), de Matthew West, describe cómo Dios nos ve, incluso cuando nos vemos como demasiados heridos, rotos o demasiado dañados para ser reparados.     

“Cuando ves roto más allá de la reparación, veo la curación más allá de la creencia. Cuando ves demasiado lejos, veo un paso fuera de casa.

¿Cuántas veces puede un corazón romperse?

Nunca se suponía que fuera así.

Mírate en el espejo, pero encuentras a alguien que nunca pensaste que serías.

Oh, pero aún puedo reconocer.

Aquel a quien amo en tus ojos manchados de lágrimas,

sé que es posible que no lo veas ahora, así que levanta tus ojos hacia mí …

Ves tu peor error

Pero veo el precio que pagué

Y no hay nada que puedas hacer, perder lo que la gracia ha ganado

Así que espera, no es el final

No, aquí es donde comienza el trabajo del amor Estoy haciendo todas las cosas nuevas

Y Haré un milagro de ti …

Veo a mi hijo, mi amado

La nueva creación en la que te estás convirtiendo Tú ves las cicatrices de cuando te caíste Pero veo las historias que dirán

Que ves que no valen nada, no veo valor. Ves dolor, pero Veo un propósito que ves indigno, inmerecedor Pero te veo a través de los ojos de misericordia

Cuando ves roto más allá de la reparación Veo curación más allá de la creencia No estás muy lejos Estás a un paso de tu hogar

Cuando ves nada más que bienes dañados Veo algo bueno en la fabricación Aún no he terminado, no

Cuando ves herido, veo reparado

Ooh, Veo arreglado

Woah, oh veo arreglado

No he terminado todavía

Cuando ves herido, veo remendado “

Querido Señor Jesucristo, por favor, ayúdanos a recordar que cuando nos sentimos rotos estás siempre allí para recoger las piezas y enmendarnos. Amén.

Publicado en Ingles el 12 de julio de 2017

Published in English on July 12, 2017

¿Cómo Orar Cuando la Vida no Tiene Sentido? (Parte 2)

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“Y sabemos que a los que aman a Dios, todas las cosas les ayudan a bien, esto es, a los que conforme a su propósito son llamados.”  

-Romanos 8:28 RVR 1960   

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Si elegimos y oramos para vivir en la voluntad de Dios , debemos entender que a veces Dios nos permite luchar y sufrir no solo para cambiarnos, sino también para prepararnos para sus planes futuros. En Mateo 26: 36-42 (Refiérase a la Parte 1 de Cómo orar cuando la vida no tiene sentido [Parte 1]), Jesucristo fue con sus discípulos al Getsemaní a orar. Jesucristo sabía que era la voluntad de Dios dar su vida para pagar la deuda por nuestros pecados. Jesús oro “… Padre mío, si es posible, pase de mí esta copa; pero no sea como yo quiero, sino como tú.” -Mateo 26:39 RVR 1960 Cuando Jesucristo oró esta oración, esperó el mayor dolor y sufrimiento que jamás haya existido, la crucifixión (el sacrificio máximo para la humanidad). Dos veces, Jesús oró por la voluntad de Dios y no por su propia voluntad. De la misma manera, debemos orar. Las letras de una canción cantada por Hillary Scott son las siguientes: “Estoy tan confundida que sé que te escuché fuerte y claro / Entonces, la seguí / De alguna manera terminé aquí No quiero pensar / Quizás nunca lo entiendo / Que mi corazón roto es parte de tu plan / Cuando trato de orar / Todo lo que tengo se lastima y estas cuatro palabras / Hágase tu voluntad… ” Cuando oramos por la voluntad de Dios, debemos tener la actitud correcta. “Podríamos orar esta oración en una actitud de derrota. No lo dices porque lo quieres, sino porque Dios es más fuerte que tú. También puedes decirlo con amargo resentimiento y en ardiente ira hacia Dios. Sin embargo, Dios quiere que lo recemos en completo amor y confianza porque sabemos que Dios solo tiene nuestros mejores intereses en el corazón … Antes de que podamos estar en perfecta armonía con la voluntad de Dios …, debemos estar sintonizados con Su perfecta voluntad en amorosa sumisión (Solly Ozrovech, A Season of Hope, p. 14 de mayo).” 

“Justificados, pues, por la fe, tenemos paz para con Dios por medio de nuestro Señor Jesucristo; por quien también tenemos entrada por la fe a esta gracia en la cual estamos firmes, y nos gloriamos en la esperanza de la gloria de Dios. Y no sólo esto, sino que también nos gloriamos en las tribulaciones, sabiendo que la tribulación produce paciencia; y la paciencia, prueba; y la prueba, esperanza; y la esperanza no averg:uenza; porque el amor de Dios ha sido derramado en nuestros corazones por el Espíritu Santo que nos fue dado.” -Romanos 5:1-5 RVR 1960

 Romanos 5:1-5 nos recuerda que hay un propósito para el sufrimiento. El sufrimiento no solo nos da corazones más compasivos para la gente que nos rodean, sino que nos enseña a confiar más en Dios y a recordarnos la esperanza de la vida eterna que nos tenemos en Jesucristo. Así como Dios permite que la oruga lucha por sí misma para salir del capullo una mariposa, también nos permite soportar las dificultades para transformarnos en la gente, que Él predestinó a convertirnos. 

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“Las dificultades muchas veces preparan personas ordinarias para un destino extraordinario.”  

 

– C. S. Lewis

“La gente muchas veces elabora su propia agenda para Jesús y luego no esperan nada más de Él. Su trabajo se extiende mucho más allá de lo que cualquiera de nosotros podría pensar o soñar “.(Solly Ozrovech, A Season of Hope, p. 14 de mayo) Pero, tenemos que estar dispuestos a permitir que Dios nos quite nuestros planes simples y nos suplanta a los Sus planes divinos, incluso si significa sacrificar nuestros sueños y / o tomar un camino más difícil. Aquí hay más de la letra de Thy Will cantada por Hillary Scott: “Sé que eres buena / Pero esto no se siente bien en este momento / Y sé que piensas / De cosas que nunca podría pensar / Es difícil contar todo es alegría / distraído por el ruido / estoy tratando de encontrar sentido / De todas tus promesas / A veces tengo que parar / Recuerdo que eres Dios / Y no lo soy / Así / Tu se hará … Sé que me ves / Sé que me oyes, Señor / Tus planes son para mí / La bondad que tienes almacenada. Como un niño de rodillas, todo lo que viene a mí es / Hágase tu voluntad … ”

Querido Señor Jesucristo, por favor darnos corazones que son siempre dispuestos a someterse a Tu voluntad. Amén.   

Referencia: Solly Ozrovech, Una temporada de esperanza. Vereeniging: arte cristiano, impresión.

Publicado en Ingles el 31 de mayo de 2017

Published in English on  May 31, 2017

Please click on the date to read this post in English.

 

¿Cómo Orar Cuando la Vida no Tiene Sentido? (Parte 1)

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“Y sabemos que a los que aman a Dios, todas las cosas les ayudan a bien, esto es, a los que conforme a su propósito son llamados.”  

– Romanos 8:28 RVR1960 

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“Entonces llegó Jesús con ellos a un lugar que se llama Getsemaní, y dijo a sus discípulos: Sentaos aquí, entre tanto que voy allí y oro… Entonces Jesús les dijo: Mi alma está muy triste, hasta la muerte; quedaos aquí, y velad conmigo. Yendo un poco adelante, se postró sobre su rostro, orando y diciendo: Padre mío, si es posible, pase de mí esta copa; pero no sea como yo quiero, sino como tú. Vino luego a sus discípulos, y los halló durmiendo, y dijo a Pedro: ¿Así que no habéis podido velar conmigo una hora? Velad y orad, para que no entréis en tentación; el espíritu a la verdad está dispuesto, pero la carne es débil. Otra vez fue, y oró por segunda vez, diciendo: Padre mío, si no puede pasar de mí esta copa sin que yo la beba, hágase tu voluntad.”

-Mateo 26:36, 38-42 RVR 1960

En Mateo 6, Jesús instruye a Sus seguidores sobre cómo orar. Dentro de las dos primeras líneas de la oración del Señor, Él nos instruye a orar por la voluntad de Dios. “Vosotros, pues, oraréis así: Padre nuestro que estás en los cielos, santificado sea tu nombre. Venga tu reino. Hágase tu voluntad, como en el cielo, así también en la tierra.” Mateo 6:9-10 RVR1960

En Mateo 26: 36-42, Jesús establece el ejemplo perfecto para nosotros de lo que significa orar por la voluntad de Dios y someter nuestra voluntad a la voluntad de Dios. Pero, no siempre es fácil orar por la voluntad de Dios. Teólogo y erudito, CS Lewis escribió: “No estamos necesariamente dudando de que Dios hará lo mejor para nosotros; nos preguntamos cuán doloroso será lo mejor “. -CS Lewis Como CS Lewis, a veces tememos la voluntad de Dios. Tal vez, tememos que para vivir la voluntad de Dios en nuestras vidas, es posible que tengamos que sufrir. Es posible que tengamos que sacrificar nuestros sueños, ir a lugares lejanos, pasar por tiempos difíciles, perder seres queridos, ser roto y finalmente cambiado. Pero, experimentar dolor y quebrantamiento nos cambia. El compositor cristiano, Jason Gray, escribió: “Nadie desea esto. Nadie está buscando un dolor de corazón. Pero sé que a veces es así. No pedí por el camino fácil tampoco. Pero supongo que es lo que pensaste que más necesitaba Si mi vida nunca se hubiera roto Entonces mis manos nunca se habrían abierto. ” El dolor y el sufrimiento nos cambian al abrir los ojos a los daños del mundo que nos rodea y al abrir nuestras manos para ayudar a los necesitados . El dolor y el sufrimiento pueden ser usados ​​por Dios para darnos corazones más compasivos y un mayor sentido de empatía hacia los demás. Solo Dios le permite a la oruga luchar contra su capullo para transformarlo en una hermosa mariposa. También nos permite soportar el dolor y el sufrimiento para transformar nuestros corazones en corazones con una mayor capacidad de amar.

Querido Señor Jesuscristo, por favor darnos corazones que siempre están dispuestos a someterte a Tu voluntad. Amén.