Tag Archives: love

¿Cuáles son las 7 Marcas de un Buen Mentor?

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“Timoteo, hijo mío, te encargo este mandamiento para que, conforme a las profecías que antes se hicieron acerca de ti, presentes por ellas la buena batalla y mantengas la fe y la buena conciencia, que por desecharlas algunos naufragaron en cuanto a la fe,”

1 Timoteo 1: 18-19 RVC 

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En 1 Timoteo 1, tenemos un ilustración de la relación entre el apóstol Pablo y Timoteo. Pablo llama a Timoteo hijo. Timoteo no era el hijo biológico de Pablo, pero Pablo lo vio como un hijo. Y, Timoteo vio a Pablo como un padre y un mentor espiritual. ¿Qué es un mentor (mentor espiritual)? “Un mentor es alguien que le pasa las verdades a su estudiante. En este siglo apresurado, nos inclinamos a olvidar esto. Necesitamos la ayuda de un mentor con nuestra lectura, pensamiento y nuestro trabajo. Necesitamos a alguien que nos ayude a ver el panorama completo. Alguien, que a través de su experiencia transmitirá el conocimiento y la sabiduría a sus alumnos de una manera que ellos entenderán. Como Jesús enseñó a Sus discípulos. “(Solly Ozrovech, A Season of Hope, p. 24 de marzo) ¿Tiene alguien así en su vida? Si es así, ¿qué te hizo creer que esta persona podría ser su mentor? Creo que un buen mentor se distingue por un determinado conjunto de características/ cualidades.

Un buen mentor es:

Un Ejemplo.   

Al buscar un mentor, querrás encontrar a alguien a quien deseas imitar. Su vida debe estar llena de las frutas de El Espíritu Santo. Mateo 7:16 RVR 1960 dice, “Por sus frutos los conoceréis. ¿Acaso se recogen uvas de los espinos, o higos de los abrojos?“¿Esta persona es alguien, que es fuerte y maduro en su fe? “Acuérdense de sus pastores, que les dieron a conocer la palabra de Dios. Piensen en los resultados de su conducta, e imiten su fe.”– Hebreos 13: 7 RVC  

Sabio

Un buen mentor tendrá mucha sabiduría, conocimiento y consejos experimentados para ofrecerle. Proverbios 13:20 RVR 1960 dice: “El que anda con sabios, sabio será;Mas el que se junta con necios será quebrantado.” Sin embargo, como estudiante, debes estar dispuesto a aceptar no solo el consejo de tu mentor, sino también sus reproches. No reprendas al cínico, para que no te aborrezca; Corrige al sabio, y te amará.Da al sabio, y será más sabio;Enseña al justo, y aumentará su saber. “-Proverbios 9: 8-9 RVR 1977 “El camino del necio es derecho en su opinión;Mas el que obedece al consejo es sabio.”(Proverbios 12:15 RVR1960)

Confiable

Cuando buscando un mentor, debes buscar a alguien que conozcas en quien puedas confiar. 1 Corintios 4: 2 RVC dice: “Ahora bien, de los administradores se espera que demuestren ser dignos de confianza.” ¿Esta persona es alguien en la que puedes confiar?

Un Vencedor

Un buen mentor es alguien que ha experimentado un fracaso. Buenos mentores han cometido errores y tienen remordimientos. Esta persona es alguien que se ha caído, pero se ha fortalecido. Miqueas 7: 8 RVR1960 dice, “… aunque caí, me levantaré; aunque more en tinieblas, Jehová será mi luz.” Esta persona te dirá dónde están las trampas en tu camino.”¿Quién de vosotros oirá esto? ¿Quién atenderá y escuchará respecto al porvenir?” -Isaías 42:23 RVR 1960 Como alumno, debes estar completamente abierto y dispuesto a aprender de las fallas de tu mentor.

Un Visionario

A un buen mentor es un visionario. Esta persona es alguien que tiene la capacidad de ver tu potencial. Esta persona puede ver más allá de el exterior. En 1 Timoteo 1:18 NVI, Pablo le recuerda a Timoteo las profecías hechas acerca de su futuro y anima una persona a continuar en el buen trabajo del Señor. De manera similar, un visionario ve todo lo que eres capaz de hacer, cree en ti y te anima a seguir luchando.

Un Retador

Un buen mentor no solo verá tu potencial, sino también verá tus debilidades. Le ayudará a identificar tus puntos débiles y te desafiará a superarlos. Un mentor no tendrá miedo de decirte las cosas tal como son. “Hierro con hierro se aguza; Y así el hombre aguza el rostro de su amigo.” (Proverbios 27:17 RVR 1960). Cuando dos superficies se rozan entre sí mismos, generalmente hay fricción. Como estudiante, debes estar dispuesto a enfrentar los desafíos que su mentor le presente. A un buen mentor lo desafiará a convertirse en tu mejor versión de ti.

Un Nurturer (protector)

Un buen mentor ama y nutre a su alumnos. Hay un cierto desinterés en ellos. Un buen mentor siempre piensa en lo que más le conviene a su estudiante. Esta persona te guiará de una manera suave pero fuerte como lo haría una madre. Pablo escribe: “Antes fuimos tiernos entre vosotros, como la nodriza que cuida con ternura a sus propios hijos. Tan grande es nuestro afecto por vosotros, que hubiéramos querido entregaros no sólo el evangelio de Dios, sino también nuestras propias vidas; porque habéis llegado a sernos muy queridos.”. -1 Tesalonicenses 2: 7-8 RVR1960 Un buen mentor te protegerá de cometer errores del pasado y te animará a ser mejor que ellos.

Querido Señor Jesucristo, ayúdanos a ser buenos mentores y aprendices. Ayúdenos a reflejar su amor como mentores y alumnos. Amén.

Solly Ozrovech, Una Temporada de Esperanza. Vereeniging: arte cristiano, impresión.

Publicado en Ingles el 3 de abril de 2017.

Published in English on April 3, 2017

Please click on April 3, 2017  for the English version

When You Feel Broken?

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“He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.”

 -Psalm 147:3 NIV

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Have you ever felt too broken or like you fell down too many times? Have you felt too messed up for God? In Isaiah 57:18-19, the Lord says that He will heal the Israelites, despite their ways.  “I have seen their ways, but I will heal them; I will guide them and restore comfort to Israel’s mourners,  creating praise on their lips. Peace, peace, to those far and near,” says the Lord. “And I will heal them.” Isaiah 57:18-19 Proverbs 24:16 says, “for though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again, but the wicked stumble when calamity strikes.” Perhaps, you feel like the toils and pains of this world have been too heavy to bear alone. Just remember, you are not alone. God has not abandoned you. Romans 8 reminds us that nothing can separate us from the love of God. “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” -Romans 8:38-39 NIV  But, perhaps you feel like someone else has hurt you or broken you to the point, where you can no longer be repaired? Perhaps, this person has hurt you so much, that you feel that you cannot forgive them? And, you may feel that they don’t deserve your forgiveness. Perhaps, you have chosen to punish them by not forgiving them. Unfortunately, by not forgiving them you are allowing them to continually hurt you in perpetum. By not forgiving them, you are keeping yourself from the healing process. Multiple times in the Bible, we are instructed to forgive others, just as God forgave us (Read: Colossians 3:13, Matthew 6:14-15, Ephesians 4:31-32, Mark 11:25). Even if you can no longer speak to the person, who harmed you, you can still forgive them. Today, I encourage you to let go of the hurts of pasts and press forward knowing that the God of forgiveness is there to comfort you, heal you, mend you, and give you peace. God’s word tells us that, “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” -Psalm 34:18 The song called Mended (below), by Matthew West, describes how God sees us, even when we see ourselves as too wounded, broken, or too damaged to be repaired.     

“When you see broken beyond repair I see healing beyond belief When you see too far gone I see one step away from home

How many times can one heart break?
It was never supposed to be this way
Look in the mirror, but you find someone you never thought you’d be

Oh, but I can still recognize
The one I love in your tear stained eyes
I know you might not see him now, so lift your eyes to me….

You see your worst mistake
But I see the price I paid
And there’s nothing you could ever do, to lose what grace has won

So hold on, it’s not the end
No, this is where love’s work begins I’m making all things new
And I will make a miracle of you…

I see my child, my beloved
The new creation you’re becoming You see the scars from when you fell But I see the stories they will tell

You see worthless, I see priceless You see pain, but I see a purpose You see unworthy, undeserving But I see you through eyes of mercy

When you see broken beyond repair I see healing beyond belief You’re not too far gone You’re one step away from home

When you see nothing but damaged goods I see something good in the making I’m not finished yet, no
When you see wounded, I see mended

Ooh, I see mended
Woah, oh I see mended
I’m not finished yet
When you see wounded, I see mended”

Dear Lord Jesus, please help us to remember that when we feel broken You are always there to pick up the pieces and mend us. Amen.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

How to Pray When Life Doesn’t Make Sense? (Part 2)

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“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”

 -Romans 8:28 NIV   

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If we choose and pray to live in God’s will, we must understand that sometimes God allows us to struggle and suffer not only to change us, but also to prepare us for His future plans.  In Matthew 26: 36-42 (Refer to Part 1 of How to Pray When Life Doesn’t Make Sense [Part 1]), Jesus went with his disciples to the Gethsemane to pray. Jesus knew it was God’s will for Him to lay down His life to pay the debt for our sins. Jesus “… prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.”  -Matthew 26:39 NIV When Jesus prayed this prayer, He awaited the greatest pain and suffering to ever exists, the crucifixion (the ultimate sacrifice for humankind). Twice, Jesus prayed for God’s will to be done and not His own will. In the same way, we are to pray. The lyrics to a song sang by Hillary Scott are as follows: “I’m so confused I know I heard you loud and clear/ So, I followed through/ Somehow I ended up here I don’t wanna think/ I may never understand/ That my broken heart is a part of your plan/ When I try to pray/ All I’ve got is hurt and these four words/ Thy will be done…” When we pray for God’s will, we must have the right attitude.  “We could pray this prayer in an attitude of defeat. You don’t say it because you want to but because God is stronger than you. You can also say it with bitter resentment and in smoldering rage towards God. However, God wants us to pray it in complete love and trust because we know God only has our best interests at heart…. Before we can be in perfect harmony with God’s will…, we must be tuned to His perfect will in loving submission.” ((Solly Ozrovech, A Season of Hope, p. May 14)

“Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God.  Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance;  perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.” -Romans 5:1-5 NIV 

Romans 5:1-5 reminds us that there is purpose in suffering. Suffering not only gives us more compassionate hearts for those around us, but teaches us to trust God more and remind us of the hope of eternal life we have in Jesus Christ. Just as God allows the caterpillar struggle on it’s own to emerge from the cocoon a butterfly, He also allows us to endure hardships to emerge the people, that He predestined us to become. 

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“Hardships often prepare ordinary people for an extraordinary destiny.” -C.S. Lewis

“People often draw up their own agenda for Jesus and then expect nothing more from Him. His work extends far beyond what any one of us could think or dream of.” -season of Hope  But, we need to be willing to allow God to take away our simple plans and supplant His divine plans, even if means sacrificing our dreams and/or taking a more difficult path.

Here are more of the lyrics to Thy will sang by Hillary Scott: “I know you’re good/ But this don’t feel good right now/ And I know you think/ Of things I could never think about/ It’s hard to count it all joy/ Distracted by the noise/ Just trying to make sense/Of all your promises/ Sometimes I gotta stop/ Remember that you’re God/ And I am not/ So/ Thy will be done… I know you see me/ I know you hear me, Lord/ Your plans are for me/ Goodness you have in store..Like a child on my knees all that comes to me is/ Thy will be done…”

Dear Lord Jesus, please give us hearts that are always willing to submit to Your will. Amen. 

 

Solly Ozrovech, A Season of Hope. Vereeniging: Christian Art, Print.

Will 2017 Be Your Best Year Yet?

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“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.”

 – 2 Corinthians 5:17 ESV

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As we approach 2017, we may be finding ourselves reflecting on 2016 and thinking about how to make 2017 better. Maybe you hated 2016 or maybe 2016 was an awesome year for you? Regardless if you had a great 2016 and now find yourself in your best spot yet, there’s still always room for improvement.
As followers of Christ, we always need to be willing to allow God to transform us into the people that He wants us to become. Romans 12:1-2NLT says, “And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.” Acts 1:19 refers to Apostle Paul as a “chosen vessel.” On the day of our Salvation by Jesus Christ, we became vessels of the Holy Spirit, who came to dwell in us as our comforter and guide. As His vessels, God will continually transform us, as long as we are willing to allow God to use us. As we approach 2017, what are some ways we can become better vessels for Jesus Christ? Perhaps, we could strive to read the Bible and pray more to enrich our spiritual lives and draw closer to the Lord? Maybe we need to be more open with our faith and share God’s Word with more people? We could resolve to live holier lives, that are more set apart for God? We could resolve to spend more of our physical energies in service work to those in need? We could resolve to become better stewards of our vessels (bodies) by eating healthier and exercising more? After all, we need our bodies (vessels) to do God’s work. May we take this time to consider all of the ways we can become better vessels for Jesus Christ in 2017.

“And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.”  -Philippians 1:6 NLT

Dear Lord Jesus, thank you for all of the wonderful blessings, that You have bestowed upon us in 2016. As 2017 approaches, please give us hearts and minds that are willing to follow Your lead. Please continue to transform us and make us in the people You want us to become. Please help us to use 2017 to not only please You, but to bring you glory with our lives. Also, Lord Jesus please fill 2017 with Your amazing love, joy, peace, guidance, wisdom, protection, and blessings. Amen.

Can a hurt be transformed into something good?

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“You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.”

 –Genesis 50:20 

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Genesis 37-50 tells the story of Joseph, son of Israel (previously known as Jacob). But, Joseph wasn’t just any son. He was Israel’s favorite son out of twelve sons. His brothers envied him. One day when he was away from his father’s protection, they stripped teenage Joseph of his coat of many colors (later they covered his coat in goat’s blood to deceive their father into believing he was killed by a wild beast) and threw him into a pit. Then, they sold him into slavery. As a slave he was promoted, but ended up in prison for obeying God. Twenty years had passed since he had been sold and Joseph had gone from being a prisoner to becoming an administrator of Pharaoh, one of the most powerful men in Egypt. But, God had blessed Joseph with a talent, which would save many lives during the great famine.

Whether the person (who hurt us) intended to harm us or not does not matter. Maybe they slipped up and unintentionally hurt us or perhaps they intentionally plotted to hurt us (as an act of jealousy, revenge or malice). It doesn’t matter. God may use it to bring about good. Elizabeth Elliot wrote “His will that I should be burned? Here we must tread softly. His will governs all. In a wrong-filled world, we suffer (and cause) many a wrong. God is here to heal and comfort and forgive. He who brought blessing to many out of the jealous brothers against Joseph means this hurt for ultimate blessing and, I think for an increase of love between me and the one that hurt me.” When Joseph’s brothers journeyed to Egypt in pursuit of food during the famine, Joseph could have withheld his forgiveness from them and denied them the opportunity to buy food. But, instead he chose to bestow love upon them, restoring his relationship with them. Matthew 6:14-15 says, “For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” God has forgiven us for the inexcusable. We must be willing to do the same for those who hurt us. We don’t want to be like the unmerciful servant in the parable of Matthew 18:21-35. After he had been forgiven for so much by the King, he was unwilling to forgive his fellow servant for little. May God grant us the patience and selflessness to confront every situation (no matter how hurtful it may be) with peace and love for those around us. “… for love covers a multitude of sins.” -1 Peter 4:8  Reflecting on these words, I look back to a situation, which I did not handle with the peace and love I should have had. I am grateful to those, who forgave me. And, I realize that seeing them forgive me strengthened the bond of love between them and I. In the end, the act of forgiveness and the acceptance of forgiveness give us a greater capacity to love others. Whether you have hurt someone unintentionally or have been hurt, God may use the hurt for good. Amen.