Tag: Disciples

Vive Un Poco

Eclesiastés 2:24-26

La vida es corta, y el tiempo con el que estamos bendecidos en la tierra es finito, así que en lugar de cargar con una cadena de errores y errores del pasado, deberíamos intentar vivir un poco antes de seguir adelante. de la muerte a la vida. Dios nos da fuerza para trabajar y ganarnos la vida honestamente, y aunque estamos destinados a estar atados a algún tipo de factura o gasto, deberíamos tratar de usar algunas de nuestras ganancias para disfrutar de este hermoso planeta que Dios creó. Nunca he sido de los que viven lujosamente o gastan demasiado para pasar un “buen rato”, pero hay cosas que hacer que no requieren mucho dinero. Por ejemplo, un gran lugar para disfrutar a cualquier hora del día (prefiero las noches) es la playa. Sentarse en la arena mientras disfruta del sonido de las olas batiendo en la playa es una experiencia impresionante. Otros lugares que aún no he visitado son los zoológicos, para ver todos los animales asombrosos que Dios creó, y los parques nacionales, donde las familias pueden ir a disfrutar de reuniones y buena comida. El tiempo en el que vivimos hoy está lejos de ser color de rosa. De hecho, se están gestando muchas cosas que pronto se manifestarán y cambiarán la forma en que vivimos para siempre. Pero, hasta que llegue ese momento, hagamos todo lo posible para amar a Dios, amar a los demás y encontrar algo en esta vida para disfrutar y estar agradecido.

Live A Little

Ecclesiastes 2:24-26

Life is short, and the time we’re blessed with on the earth is finite, so rather than carry a ball-n-chain of errors and mistakes of the past, we should instead, try to live a little, before we pass on from death, to life. God gives us strength to work and earn an honest living, and while we’re bound to be tied to some type of bill or expense, we should try to use some of our earnings to enjoy some of this beautiful planet God created.

I’ve never been one to live lavish, or spend too much in order to have a “good time”, but there are things to do, that don’t require much money at all. For instance, a great place to enjoy, any time of day (I prefer nights) is, the beach. Sitting on the sand while enjoying the sound of waves beating upon the beach, is a breathtaking experience. Other places I’ve yet to visit are zoos, to see all the amazing animals God created, and national parks, where families can go to enjoy reunions and great food.

The time we are living in today is far from peachy. In fact, there are many things brewing that will soon be manifested, and will change the way we live forever. But, until that time comes, let’s do all we can to love God, love others, and find something in this life to enjoy, and be thankful for.

Vergonha Cega

Jeremiah 3:1-5

O pecado traz consequências drásticas, uma vez que ganha um ponto de apoio em nossas vidas. Mentiras levam a mais mentiras e o ódio a mais ódio. Apesar de seu grande pecado, o povo de Israel continuou a falar como se fosse filho de Deus. A única maneira de fazer isso era minimizar seus pecados. Quando sabemos que fizemos algo errado, queremos minimizar o erro e aliviar um pouco da culpa que sentimos. À medida que minimizamos nossa pecaminosidade, naturalmente evitamos fazer mudanças e, portanto, continuamos pecando. Mas se virmos cada atitude e ação errada como uma ofensa séria contra Deus, começaremos a entender o que significa viver para Deus. Existe algum pecado em sua vida que você considerou pequeno demais para se preocupar? Deus diz que devemos confessar e abandonar todo pecado. (Trecho da Bíblia de Estudo de Aplicação à Vida)

Blind Shame

Jeremiah 3:1-5

Sin brings drastic consequences once it gains a foothold in our lives. Lies lead to more lies, and hatred to more hatred. In spite of their great sin, the people of Israel continued to talk like they were God’s children. The only way they could do this was to minimize their sin. When we know we’ve done something wrong, we want to downplay the error and relieve some of the guilt we feel. As we minimize our sinfulness, we naturally shy away from making changes, and so we keep on sinning. But if we view every wrong attitude and action as a serious offense against God, we will begin to understand what living for God is all about. Is there any sin in your life that you’ve written off as too small to worry about? God says that we must confess and turn from every sin. (Excerpt from the Life Application Study Bible)

Altered Image

Genesis 1:26-31

In the beginning, man was made in God’s own image, after His likeness. In the beginning, God gave man dominion over the fish of the sea, fowl of the air, cattle, and all the earth, including every creeping thing upon the earth. In the beginning, God blessed man and woman, and told them to fill the earth with offspring. In the beginning, man ate only herbs, fruit, and seed. In the beginning, things were radically different from today.

Today, men have taken on the image and likeness of carnality. Rather than desire the things of God, they yearn for worldly pleasures and lusts of the flesh. Today, men are afraid of nearly every animal in the animal kingdom that has not been thoroughly domesticated, including mice and cockroaches. Today, having multiple children is shunned by the modern self-centered society. In the past, large families were deemed a blessing from the Lord, but those days seem to be long gone. Today, men will eat anything that moves (or doesn’t move). While we have been granted permission by God to consume meat (according to Genesis 9:3, and Matthew 15:11), many around the globe enjoy some very unusual delicacies.

From the beginning of time until now, the world has become nearly unrecognizable from God’s original creation. But, in a moment, all will be restored from chaos and wickedness, to unity and perpetual holiness.

David’s Song

2 Samuel 22

1 And David spake unto the Lord the words of this song in the day that the Lord had delivered him out of the hand of all his enemies, and out of the hand of Saul:
2 And he said, The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer;
3 The God of my rock; in him will I trust: he is my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my high tower, and my refuge, my saviour; thou savest me from violence.
4 I will call on the Lord, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies.
5 When the waves of death compassed me, the floods of ungodly men made me afraid;
6 The sorrows of hell compassed me about; the snares of death prevented me;
7 In my distress I called upon the Lord, and cried to my God: and he did hear my voice out of his temple, and my cry did enter into his ears.
8 Then the earth shook and trembled; the foundations of heaven moved and shook, because he was wroth.
9 There went up a smoke out of his nostrils, and fire out of his mouth devoured: coals were kindled by it.
10 He bowed the heavens also, and came down; and darkness was under his feet.
11 And he rode upon a cherub, and did fly: and he was seen upon the wings of the wind.
12 And he made darkness pavilions round about him, dark waters, and thick clouds of the skies.
13 Through the brightness before him were coals of fire kindled.
14 The Lord thundered from heaven, and the most High uttered his voice.
15 And he sent out arrows, and scattered them; lightning, and discomfited them.
16 And the channels of the sea appeared, the foundations of the world were discovered, at the rebuking of the Lord, at the blast of the breath of his nostrils.
17 He sent from above, he took me; he drew me out of many waters;
18 He delivered me from my strong enemy, and from them that hated me: for they were too strong for me.
19 They prevented me in the day of my calamity: but the Lord was my stay.
20 He brought me forth also into a large place: he delivered me, because he delighted in me.
21 The Lord rewarded me according to my righteousness: according to the cleanness of my hands hath he recompensed me.
22 For I have kept the ways of the Lord, and have not wickedly departed from my God.
23 For all his judgments were before me: and as for his statutes, I did not depart from them.
24 I was also upright before him, and have kept myself from mine iniquity.
25 Therefore the Lord hath recompensed me according to my righteousness; according to my cleanness in his eye sight.
26 With the merciful thou wilt shew thyself merciful, and with the upright man thou wilt shew thyself upright.
27 With the pure thou wilt shew thyself pure; and with the froward thou wilt shew thyself unsavoury.
28 And the afflicted people thou wilt save: but thine eyes are upon the haughty, that thou mayest bring them down.
29 For thou art my lamp, O Lord: and the Lord will lighten my darkness.
30 For by thee I have run through a troop: by my God have I leaped over a wall.
31 As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the Lord is tried: he is a buckler to all them that trust in him.
32 For who is God, save the Lord? and who is a rock, save our God?
33 God is my strength and power: and he maketh my way perfect.
34 He maketh my feet like hinds’ feet: and setteth me upon my high places.
35 He teacheth my hands to war; so that a bow of steel is broken by mine arms.
36 Thou hast also given me the shield of thy salvation: and thy gentleness hath made me great.
37 Thou hast enlarged my steps under me; so that my feet did not slip.
38 I have pursued mine enemies, and destroyed them; and turned not again until I had consumed them.
39 And I have consumed them, and wounded them, that they could not arise: yea, they are fallen under my feet.
40 For thou hast girded me with strength to battle: them that rose up against me hast thou subdued under me.
41 Thou hast also given me the necks of mine enemies, that I might destroy them that hate me.
42 They looked, but there was none to save; even unto the Lord, but he answered them not.
43 Then did I beat them as small as the dust of the earth, I did stamp them as the mire of the street, and did spread them abroad.
44 Thou also hast delivered me from the strivings of my people, thou hast kept me to be head of the heathen: a people which I knew not shall serve me.
45 Strangers shall submit themselves unto me: as soon as they hear, they shall be obedient unto me.
46 Strangers shall fade away, and they shall be afraid out of their close places.
47 The Lord liveth; and blessed be my rock; and exalted be the God of the rock of my salvation.
48 It is God that avengeth me, and that bringeth down the people under me.
49 And that bringeth me forth from mine enemies: thou also hast lifted me up on high above them that rose up against me: thou hast delivered me from the violent man.
50 Therefore I will give thanks unto thee, O Lord, among the heathen, and I will sing praises unto thy name.
51 He is the tower of salvation for his king: and sheweth mercy to his anointed, unto David, and to his seed for evermore.

Lord, Have Mercy!

2 Samuel 9

When was the last time you found yourself in need of the Lord’s mercy. As I progress in my walk with Christ, I gain more understanding of God’s mercy. Mercy can be defined as not getting something you deserve. For example, if a man was caught robbing a store, he would be certain to face time behind bars. But, the judge could show mercy to the robber, and wave all charges set against him. If you think long enough, you’ll remember countless times when God could have easily punished you for deliberately disobeying His commands, but His mercy is everlasting, and He, out of love, waved all charges against you.

The mercy of God is unfathomable, and seemingly unfair, yet He extends it to whomever He desires. Knowing this, how do you treat those who have wronged you, and deserve to be taught a lesson? Are you one who imitates the love of God, by showing mercy to even your worst enemies, or do you need a few more life lessons to hone your humility skills? Be certain to always consider the times God had mercy on you, and allow those memories to open your heart, to show mercy to others, despite whether or not they deserve to be made an example of.

Looking From Heaven

Psalm 33:13-22

Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to an exciting episode of, “Looking From Heaven” starring, The Father and The Son! I’m your host, “holyell”, and I’ll be bringing you all the details of tonight’s most fascinating scenes!

(The Father and The Son look down from Heaven, upon the earth, considering man and his ways.)

The Son: Father, is there something on your mind? Is it time for me to return, to gather the Saints?

The Father: No, not yet… but very soon.

The Son: Understood. But, the look on your face tells me, you are pondering something.

The Father: My Son, I am well pleased of the works you did in the earth. You were obedient to my words, and wavered not to the left, nor the right.

The Son: It was an honor to be the right representation of you before mankind. But, there is more on your mind. Please, share your thoughts with me Father.

The Father: As I sit here, looking from Heaven, upon the earth, I marvel at what man has become. He was created in our image and after our likeness, and has done many great works by his hand, but it saddens me, even after I turned my face from you when you took on all man’s sins, they desire more to cling to the world, than to my word.

The Son: Indeed. It is a hard thing to witness man indulging themselves in the lusts of the flesh, the lusts of the eyes, and the pride of life. May I have permission to express myself freely?

The Father: You may.

The Son: When you sent me to the earth, to live among men, to become a man, I saw life through their eyes. Yes, they are frail and function on impulse and emotions, but can you give them a little more time, because I’m certain that with the continual teaching and preaching of your faithful few, many will turn their hearts away from the world, and toward you.

The Father: You are right, my son, but time is of the essence, and you left the ideal example of what I consider holy, yet they willingly ignore the teachings from the men who bring forth my word regularly. I am a God of patience and forgiveness, but I have set in place a standard man must abide by, in order to live in perpetual peace with you and I.

The Son: Yes Father, I understand. Father, how long until you release me to gather those who have remained true to your word, from time past, and present?

The Father: In time, I will give you word to return to the earth, but until then, I’ll continue to honor your intercession on their behalf, as the prayers of the righteous fill this atmosphere with a sweet aroma.

The Son: Yes, I love to hear their sincere petitions, especially when they realize that we are all they really need. Their adversary tries hard to distract them from your will, but it excites me to see them overcome the one who first turned against you!

The Father: Man is our most prized creation, and they are capable of accomplishing great things. Unfortunately, they have fallen away from the faith, and a purging must take place. I see their suffering. I feel their pain. I see the works of the enemy. I watch those who desire only to bring harm. But, I will soon deliver them from their oppressors, as I did in time past, then they will know that I am the God who saves, sets free, and delivers.

The Son: I can’t wait for you to reveal your glory to those who’ve remained faithful to you Father. The place I have prepared for them is beyond glorious, but it will be a great thing to see your mighty hand work wonders for your people, even in this present world.

The Father: Indeed, my Son. Indeed…

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