Category Archives: Grace

Faith in the Fog?

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Have you ever been afraid to trust in God or have faith in Him? Do you have faith in His promise of Salvation and eternal life with Him in Heaven? Do you truly believe God keeps all of His promises written in the Bible? Do you have faith that God will never leave you or forsake you? Or does having faith seem difficult? Have you felt let down in life? Do you feel alone and hopeless? Do you believe the promises of the Bible are not for you? Do you find it challenging to have faith in your daily life?

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“He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit.”

– Galatians 3:14 NIV

Just as God promised Abraham that he and his descendants would be heirs to the promised land (and hope in the Savior that was to come), God has promised us that we will be heirs to the kingdom of Heaven. Galatians 3:7-14 NIV says, “Understand, then, that those who have faith are children of Abraham. Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, and announced the gospel in advance to Abraham: “All nations will be blessed through you.” So those who rely on faith are blessed along with Abraham, the man of faith. For all who rely on the works of the law are under a curse, as it is written: “Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law.” Clearly no one who relies on the law is justified before God, because “the righteous will live by faith.” The law is not based on faith; on the contrary, it says, “The person who does these things will live by them.” Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a pole.” He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit. –Galatians 3:7‭-‬14 NIV God sent Jesus Christ, His perfect only Son to pay the penalty we needed to pay for under the law. It is by God’s grace and love that we are given the promise of Salvation and so many other promises.

“And this is what he promised us—eternal life. ”

–1 John 2:25 NIV

“For no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ. And so through him the “Amen” is spoken by us to the glory of God. Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.” -2 Corinthians 1:20‭-‬22 NIV Jesus sent the Comforter, the Holy Spirit as a guarantee of our salvation and the promise of eternal life with Him in heaven. Romans 8:16-18 says, “The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory. I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.” Abraham didn’t know where God was leading Him, but He had faith in God and obeyed Him. “By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going. “-Hebrews 11:8 NIV No matter how hard things get, we can have faith in God and His plans for us. “The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” – Deuteronomy 31:8 NIV

Dear Lord Jesus, thank You for all of Your promises. Please help us to have faith like Abraham. Amen.

 

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Publicado en Español el

Previously published on March 1, 2018

¿Fe en la Niebla?

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¿Alguna vez ha temido confiar en Dios o tener fe en Él? ¿Tienes fe en su promesa de salvación y vida eterna con Él en el cielo? ¿Crees verdaderamente que Dios mantiene todas sus promesas escritas en la Biblia? ¿Tienes fe en que Dios nunca te dejará o te abandonará? ¿O es difícil tener fe? ¿Te has sentido decepcionado en la vida? ¿Te sientes solo y sin esperanza? ¿Crees que las promesas de la Biblia no son para ti? ¿Te resulta difícil tener fe en tu vida diaria?

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“para que en Cristo Jesús la bendición de Abraham alcanzase a los gentiles, a fin de que por la fe recibiésemos la promesa del Espíritu.”

-Gálatas 3:14 RVR 1960

Tal como Dios le prometió a Abraham que él y los descendientes serían herederos de la tierra prometida (y la esperanza en el Salvador que vendría), Dios nos ha prometido que seremos herederos del reino de los cielos. Gálatas 3: 7-14 NVI dice: “Sabed, por tanto, que los que son de fe, éstos son hijos de Abraham. Y la Escritura, previendo que Dios había de justificar por la fe a los gentiles, dio de antemano la buena nueva a Abraham, diciendo: En ti serán benditas todas las naciones. De modo que los de la fe son bendecidos con el creyente Abraham. Porque todos los que dependen de las obras de la ley están bajo maldición, pues escrito está: Maldito todo aquel que no permaneciere en todas las cosas escritas en el libro de la ley, para hacerlas. Y que por la ley ninguno se justifica para con Dios, es evidente, porque: El justo por la fe vivirá; y la ley no es de fe, sino que dice: El que hiciere estas cosas vivirá por ellas. Cristo nos redimió de la maldición de la ley, hecho por nosotros maldición (porque está escrito: Maldito todo el que es colgado en un madero, para que en Cristo Jesús la bendición de Abraham alcanzase a los gentiles, a fin de que por la fe recibiésemos la promesa del Espíritu.”–Galatians 3: 7-14 RVR 1960 Dios envió a Jesucristo, su único y perfecto Hijo para pagar la pena que debíamos pagar conforme a la ley. Es por la gracia y el amor de Dios que recibimos la promesa de Salvación y tantas otras promesas.

“Y esta es la promesa que él nos hizo, la vida eterna.”

–1 Juan 2:25 RVR 1960

“porque todas las promesas de Dios son en él Sí, y en él Amén, por medio de nosotros, para la gloria de Dios.Y el que nos confirma con vosotros en Cristo, y el que nos ungió, es Dios, el cual también nos ha sellado, y nos ha dado las arras del Espíritu en nuestros corazones.”-2 Corintios 1: 20-22 RVR 1960 Jesucristo envió al Consolador, al Espíritu Santo como una garantía de nuestra salvación y la promesa de vida eterna con Él en el cielo. Romanos 8: 16-18 RVR 1960 dice:  “El Espíritu mismo da testimonio a nuestro espíritu, de que somos hijos de Dios. Y si hijos, también herederos; herederos de Dios y coherederos con Cristo, si es que padecemos juntamente con él, para que juntamente con él seamos glorificados.Pues tengo por cierto que las aflicciones del tiempo presente no son comparables con la gloria venidera que en nosotros ha de manifestarse.” Abraham no sabía a dónde lo estaba guiando Dios, pero tenía fe en Dios y lo obedecía. “Por la fe Abraham, siendo llamado, obedeció para salir al lugar que había de recibir como herencia; y salió sin saber a dónde iba.”-Hebrews 11: 8 RVR 1960 No importa cuán difíciles sean las cosas, podemos tener fe en Dios y en sus planes para nosotros. “Y Jehová va delante de ti; él estará contigo, no te dejará, ni te desamparará; no temas ni te intimides.” – Deuteronomio 31: 8 RVR 1960

Querido Señor Jesucristo, gracias por todas Tus promesas. Por favor ayúdanos a tener fe como Abraham. Amén.

Publicado en Ingles el 1 de marzo de 2018

Published in English on March 1, 2018

Click on the date to read this post in English.

¿Cómo Murió la Muerte?

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“El fundamento del Cristiano es la paz eterna; es lo que ningún  tiempo, ningún cambio puede destruir. Permanecerá cuando el cuerpo muera; permanecerá cuando las montañas se vayan y las cerros se quitarán, y cuando los cielos se enrollarán como un pergamino. La fuente de su consuelo nunca disminuirá, y la corriente nunca se secará. Su consuelo y alegría es un manantial vivo en el alma, una fuente de agua que brota de la vida eterna.” -Jonathan Edwards

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 “… Sorbida es la muerte en victoria. ¿Dónde está, oh muerte, tu aguijón? ¿Dónde, oh sepulcro, tu victoria?”

– 1 Corintios 15: 54-55 RVR 1960 

¿Alguna vez has pensado en la muerte? Que es la muerte ¿Y por qué se teme? La Biblia nos dice que la muerte es un enemigo, que nos separa eternamente de Dios. [Lea 1 Corintios 15:26 y 2 Tesalonicenses 1: 9] La muerte vino al mundo después de que se cometió el primer pecado.

“Por tanto, como el pecado entró en el mundo por un hombre, y por el pecado la muerte, así la muerte pasó a todos los hombres, por cuanto todos pecaron.” -Romanos 5:12 RVR 1960

La muerte fue el castigo por el pecado. Pero, Dios amó tanto a la humanidad, que creó un camino para que los humanos se reconciliaran con El.

  • “Porque la paga del pecado es muerte, mas la dádiva de Dios es vida eterna en Cristo Jesús Señor nuestro.” -Romanos 6:23 RVR 1960
  • “para que así como el pecado reinó para muerte, así también la gracia reine por la justicia para vida eterna mediante Jesucristo, Señor nuestro.”-Romanos 5:21 RVR 1960
  • “Porque de tal manera amó Dios al mundo, que ha dado a su Hijo unigénito, para que todo aquel que en él cree, no se pierda, mas tenga vida eterna.” -Juan 3:16 RVR 1960
  • “Jesús le dijo: Yo soy el camino, y la verdad, y la vida; nadie viene al Padre, sino por mí.”-Juan 14: 6 RVR 1960
  • “De cierto, de cierto os digo: El que oye mi palabra, y cree al que me envió, tiene vida eterna; y no vendrá a condenación, mas ha pasado de muerte a vida.”-Juan 5: 24 RVR 1960

Pero, no podríamos tener victoria sobre la muerte sin la muerte y resurrección de Cristo. “Porque si no hay resurrección de muertos, tampoco Cristo resucitó. Y si Cristo no resucitó, vana es entonces nuestra predicación, vana es también vuestra fe. Y somos hallados falsos testigos de Dios; porque hemos testificado de Dios que él resucitó a Cristo, al cual no resucitó, si en verdad los muertos no resucitan. Porque si los muertos no resucitan, tampoco Cristo resucitó; y si Cristo no resucitó, vuestra fe es vana; aún estáis en vuestros pecados. Entonces también los que durmieron en Cristo perecieron. Si en esta vida solamente esperamos en Cristo, somos los más dignos de conmiseración de todos los hombres. Mas ahora Cristo ha resucitado de los muertos; primicias de los que durmieron es hecho. Porque por cuanto la muerte entró por un hombre, también por un hombre la resurrección de los muertos. Porque así como en Adán todos mueren, también en Cristo todos serán vivificados.” -1 Corintios 15: 13-22 RVR 1960 Solo por el sacrificio de un Salvador (sin pecado y) inmortal, estamos vestidos de justicia e inmortalidad. Es solo por la resurrección de Cristo, que tenemos la victoria sobre la muerte. 1 Corintios 15: 50-57 RVR 1960 dice: “Pero esto digo, hermanos: que la carne y la sangre no pueden heredar el reino de Dios, ni la corrupción hereda la incorrupción. He aquí, os digo un misterio: No todos dormiremos; pero todos seremos transformados, en un momento, en un abrir y cerrar de ojos, a la final trompeta; porque se tocará la trompeta, y los muertos serán resucitados incorruptibles, y nosotros seremos transformados. Porque es necesario que esto corruptible se vista de incorrupción, y esto mortal se vista de inmortalidad. Y cuando esto corruptible se haya vestido de incorrupción, y esto mortal se haya vestido de inmortalidad, entonces se cumplirá la palabra que está escrita: Sorbida es la muerte en victoria. ¿Dónde está, oh muerte, tu aguijón? ¿Dónde, oh sepulcro, tu victoria? ya que el aguijón de la muerte es el pecado, y el poder del pecado, la ley.  Mas gracias sean dadas a Dios, que nos da la victoria por medio de nuestro Señor Jesucristo.”

Querido Señor Jesucristo, gracias por hacer el sumo sacrificio en la cruz y resucitar de la muerte para que podamos tener victoria en Ti sobre el pecado y la muerte. Amén.

 

Referencia: Kurtbubna.com | http://kurtbubna.com/wpcontent/uploads/2015/03/Cross-Empty-Tomb.jpg

Publicado en Ingles el  16 de abril de 2017

Old Version Published in English on  April 16, 2017

Click on the date to read this post in English.

 

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.

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.

 

 

 

 

 

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