Proper Perspective

James 4:3

I pray for wisdom, but I ignore it. I ask for strength, but I don’t use it. I seek peace, but from all the wrong places. I strive to do good, but give up before the journey begins. I choose my words wisely, but always when it’s too late. I ask, and nothing’s given. I seek, but can’t find. I knock, but no doors open. Then, I change my perspective. I pray for wisdom, then walk according to it. I ask for strength, then face life with boldness. I seek peace, and pursue it. I strive to do good, and diligently commit to it. I choose my words wisely, and use them to build up and edify. I ask, then I receive what I need. I seek, and find the answers to my concerns. I knock, and walk through doors that lead to the path of righteousness.

From Galilee To Jordan

Matthew 3

Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to an exciting episode of, “From Galilee To Jordan” starring, John the Baptist, and Jesus! I’m your host, “holyell”, and I’ll be bringing you all the details of tonight’s most fascinating scenes!

John the Baptist: Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!

(Crowds of people from Jerusalem, Judea, and all the regions of Jordan begin to come and hear John speak.)

John the Baptist: Hear me, and let my words penetrate into your hearts. Confess your sins before the Lord, and be baptized.

(Countless men and women confessed their sins, and were baptized. Note, baptism was an outward sign of inward confession. Although the water didn’t save men, the act showed others that a person made an honest confession to follow God.)

(John’s quick popularity caught the attention of the Pharisees and Saducees; the religious groups who held themselves to a higher standard than what God set in place.)

John the Baptist: Ahhhh, look who’s here. Oh generation of vipers! You must have heard about the coming wrath upon all who oppose righteousness. Make sure your acts are righteous, and that your works are good, because if you have bad thoughts and evil intentions, you will be cut down and destroyed.

(This message obviously didn’t rest well in the hearts of those wicked ones.)

John the Baptist: Surely, I baptize you with water unto repentance, but there’s someone coming after me, who is mightier than I am, and I’m not worthy to even carry his shoes. He shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire.

(The crowds of people wonder in amazement of who this other person could be.)

(“Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him.”)

John the Baptist: It’s you! But, I cannot baptize you. I forbid it! You are…

Jesus: It’s alright. Do it now, because we have a responsibility to fulfill all righteousness.

(“And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: And lo a voice from heaven saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” I wish I could have witnessed this in person.)

In times when you feel as though you’re unworthy to serve God, remember, you were made to bring glory to His name. So, in all you do, do it as unto the Lord, and He will reward you for all the good fruit you produce in the earth.

This concludes the exciting episode of, “From Galilee To Jordan”. Thanks for tuning in, and have a fantabulous journey!

Deeply Rooted

Ephesians 3

When God created the world, He planted a great variety of trees, plants, and flowers all over the earth. Many tress and other types of flora are good for food, and offer a variety of other beneficial uses, but the most important part of any tree or plant is, it’s roots. According to easytogrowbulbs.com, the roots of a plant have several important functions. The roots anchor the plant in place, resisting the forces of wind and running water or mud flow. The root system takes in oxygen, water and nutrients from the soil, to move them up through the plant to the stems, leaves and blooms.  Roots often store the energies created by the plant through photosynthesis, to make them available to the plant as it is needed. Plant roots also stimulate and support microorganisms in the soil that benefit plant life.

Roots are vital to the survival and overall wellbeing of plant life, but what the roots are planted in, is the major benefactor in what it can bring forth. Jesus spoke a parable in Matthew 13 that reads, “Behold, a sower went forth to sow; And when he sowed, some seeds fell by the way side, and the fowls came and devoured them up: Some fell upon stony places, where they had not much earth: and forthwith they sprung up, because they had no deepness of earth: And when the sun was up, they were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away. And some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprung up, and choked them: But other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some an hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold.”

When roots are planted in good ground, the probability of the tree bringing forth fruit is extremely high, but when tress are planted in unfavorable areas, they’ll bring forth little to no increase. When those who claim to be sons and daughters of God have their hearts rooted and grounded in love, they’ll undoubtedly bring forth much fruit for the kingdom of God. But, to those who have set their affections on things below, including money, power, wealth, careers, cars, or celebrity, they’ll never be fit for God’s kingdom. Although many aren’t rooted in God’s love, they have been blessed with limited time to get their hearts right with the Father. Are you deeply rooted in love, or are you planted in unfavorable, and unprofitable ground?

Antigo vs. Novo

Hebreus 10: 1-18

VELHO ——- Porque a lei, tendo sombra das coisas boas que virão, e não a própria imagem das coisas, nunca pode, com aqueles sacrifícios que eles ofereceram ano após ano, aperfeiçoar continuamente os que chegam a eles. Pois então eles não teriam deixado de ser oferecidos? porque os adoradores, uma vez purificados, não teriam mais consciência dos pecados. Mas nesses sacrifícios há uma lembrança feita dos pecados novamente a cada ano. Pois não é possível que o sangue de touros e de bodes tire os pecados.

NOVO ——– Pela qual vontade somos santificados por meio da oferta do corpo de Jesus Cristo uma vez por todas. E todo sacerdote permanece diariamente ministrando e oferecendo muitas vezes os mesmos sacrifícios, que nunca podem tirar os pecados: Mas este homem, depois de haver oferecido um sacrifício pelos pecados para sempre, sentou-se à destra de Deus; De agora em diante, esperando até que seus inimigos se tornem seu escabelo. Pois com uma só oferta ele aperfeiçoou para sempre os que são santificados. Do qual o Espírito Santo também é uma testemunha para nós: pois depois que ele disse antes, este é o convênio que farei com eles depois daqueles dias, diz o Senhor, eu colocarei minhas leis em seus corações e em suas mentes vou escrevê-los; E de seus pecados e iniqüidades não me lembrarei mais. Agora, onde está a remissão destes, não há mais oferta pelo pecado.

Por causa do sacrifício de Jesus, não há necessidade de nenhum outro substituto para expiar os pecados do homem. A oferta de Jesus foi eficaz para todos os pecados passados, presentes e futuros, mas a salvação é condicional e determinada pela confissão de pecado de um indivíduo e uma vida dedicada de submissão à vontade do Senhor.

Viejo vs. Nuevo

Hebreos 10: 1-18

VIEJO ——- Porque la ley, que tiene una sombra de los bienes venideros, y no la imagen misma de las cosas, nunca podrá, con los sacrificios que ofrecían año tras año, hacer perfectos continuamente a quienes la practican. Entonces, ¿no habrían dejado de ofrecerse? porque los adoradores una vez purgados no deberían haber tenido más conciencia de pecados. Pero en esos sacrificios hay un recuerdo de los pecados cada año. Porque no es posible que la sangre de toros y machos cabríos quite los pecados.

NUEVO ——– Por la cual seremos santificados mediante la ofrenda del cuerpo de Jesucristo hecha una vez para siempre. Y todo sacerdote está cada día ministrando y ofreciendo muchas veces los mismos sacrificios, que nunca pueden quitar los pecados. Pero este, habiendo ofrecido un solo sacrificio por los pecados para siempre, se sentó a la diestra de Dios; De ahora en adelante esperando hasta que sus enemigos sean puestos por estrado de sus pies. Porque con una sola ofrenda hizo perfectos para siempre a los santificados. De lo cual también el Espíritu Santo nos es testigo; porque después de que había dicho antes: Este es el convenio que haré con ellos después de aquellos días, dice el Señor: Pondré mis leyes en sus corazones y en sus mentes. les escribiré; Y nunca más me acordaré de sus pecados e iniquidades. Ahora bien, donde está la remisión de éstos, no hay más ofrenda por el pecado.

Debido al sacrificio de Jesús, no hay necesidad de ningún otro sustituto para expiar los pecados del hombre. La ofrenda de Jesús fue efectiva para todos los pecados pasados, presentes y futuros, pero la salvación está condicionada y determinada por la confesión adecuada del pecado de la persona y una vida dedicada de sumisión a la voluntad del Señor.

Old Vs. New

Hebrews 10:1-18

OLD
——-
For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect. For then would they not have ceased to be offered? because that the worshippers once purged should have had no more conscience of sins. But in those sacrifices there is a remembrance again made of sins every year. For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins.

NEW
——–
By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins: But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God; From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool. For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified. Whereof the Holy Ghost also is a witness to us: for after that he had said before, This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them; And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more. Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin.

Because of Jesus’ sacrifice, there’s no need for any other substitute to atone for man’s sins. Jesus’ offering was effective for all past, present, and future sins, but salvation is conditional, and determined on an individual’s proper confession of sin, and a dedicated life of submission to the will of the Lord.

Santificado Seja O Teu Nome …

Salmo 33: 4-8

O Senhor nosso Deus, o criador do céu e da terra, é digno de todo o louvor e glória dos homens e anjos! O texto nos diz: “Pela palavra do Senhor foram feitos os céus, e todo o exército deles pelo sopro de sua boca” (v. 6). Deus falou literalmente e o mundo passou a existir! Que Deus poderoso nós servimos! Os anjos se prostram diante dele, o céu e a terra O adoram, mas você tem reverência e respeito pelo Senhor, como deveria? Quantas vezes durante o dia, você simplesmente reconhece a própria presença de Deus? Quando você reserva um tempo para orar, suas palavras estão mais centradas em seus problemas ou na graça e misericórdia que Deus nos dá diariamente? Para que você está vivendo? O que te motiva a sair da cama todos os dias? Deus fez com que todos fossem especiais e os carregou de benefícios, mas, muitas vezes, não damos valor ao quão bom o Senhor tem sido para nós. Deus é bom e Sua misericórdia dura para sempre, mas milhões estão andando pelas ruas nesta mesma noite, vestidos com fantasias, honrando um dia que foi reservado para propósitos malignos. Em vez de nos concentrarmos em carregar cestas com doces e guloseimas, devemos tornar o nome do Senhor grande hoje! Eu entendo que o homem estabeleceu dias e horários específicos para comemorar, mas todos os dias deve ser centrado em dar reverência e honra ao nome do Senhor.

Santificado Sea Tu Nombre…

Salmo 33: 4-8

El Señor nuestro Dios, creador del cielo y de la tierra, es digno de toda alabanza y gloria de hombres y ángeles. El texto nos dice: “Por la palabra de Jehová fueron hechos los cielos, y todo el ejército de ellos por el espíritu de su boca” (vs. 6). Dios literalmente habló, ¡y el mundo llegó a existir! ¡Qué poderoso Dios al que servimos! Los ángeles se postran ante Él, el cielo y la tierra lo adoran, pero ¿reverencia y muestra respeto al Señor, como debe ser? ¿Con qué frecuencia durante el día, simplemente reconoce la presencia misma de Dios? Cuando te tomas un tiempo para orar, ¿tus palabras se centran más en tus problemas o en la gracia y la misericordia que Dios nos da a diario? ¿Para qué estas viviendo? ¿Qué te motiva a levantarte de la cama todos los días? Dios hizo a todos especiales y los colmó de beneficios, pero muchas veces damos por sentado lo bueno que el Señor ha sido con nosotros. Dios es bueno, y Su misericordia perdura para siempre, sin embargo, millones están caminando por las calles esta misma noche, vestidos con disfraces, honrando un día que fue reservado para propósitos malvados. En lugar de concentrarnos en cargar canastas con dulces y golosinas, ¡deberíamos hacer grande el nombre del Señor hoy! Entiendo que el hombre ha establecido días y momentos específicos para celebrar, pero todos los días deben centrarse en dar reverencia y honor al nombre del Señor.

Hallowed Be Thy Name…

Psalm 33:4-8

The Lord our God, the creator of heaven and earth, is worthy of all praise and glory of men and angels! The text tells us, “By the word of the LORD were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth” (vs. 6). God literally spoke, and the world came into existence! What a mighty God we serve! Angels bow before Him, Heaven and earth adore Him, but do you give reverence and show respect for the Lord, as you should? How often during the day, do you simply acknowledge the very presence of God? When you take time to pray, are your words centered more on your problems, or the grace and mercy God gives us daily? What are you living for? What motivates you to get out of bed everyday? God made everyone special, and loaded them with benefits, but oftentimes, we take for granted, how good the Lord has been to us. God is good, and His mercy endures forever, yet millions are walking the streets this very evening, dressed in costumes, honoring a day that was set aside for evil purposes (many unknowingly). Rather than focus on loading baskets with candy and treats, we should make the name of the Lord great today! I understand that man has set specific days and times to celebrate, but everyday should be centered on giving reverence and honor to the name of the Lord.

Viva Um Pouco

Eclesiastes 2:24-26

A vida é curta, e o tempo com o qual somos abençoados na terra é finito, então, ao invés de carregar uma cadeia de erros e erros do passado, devemos, em vez disso, tentar viver um pouco, antes de passarmos da morte para a vida. Deus nos dá força para trabalhar e ganhar uma vida honesta e, embora estejamos presos a algum tipo de conta ou despesa, devemos tentar usar parte de nossos ganhos para desfrutar um pouco deste belo planeta que Deus criou. Nunca fui de viver extravagantemente ou gastar muito para me divertir, mas há coisas para fazer que não requerem muito dinheiro. Por exemplo, um ótimo lugar para curtir, a qualquer hora do dia (prefiro à noite), é a praia. Sentar na areia enquanto desfruta do som das ondas batendo na praia é uma experiência de tirar o fôlego. Outros lugares que ainda não visitei são os zoológicos, para ver todos os animais incríveis que Deus criou, e os parques nacionais, onde as famílias podem ir para desfrutar de reuniões e boa comida. O tempo que vivemos hoje está longe de ser agradável. Na verdade, há muitas coisas sendo preparadas que logo se manifestarão e mudarão a maneira como vivemos para sempre. Mas, até que chegue esse momento, vamos fazer tudo o que pudermos para amar a Deus, amar os outros e encontrar algo nesta vida para desfrutar e ser gratos.