Category Archives: Daily Message

Peace

25 Thursday Feb 2016

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Jesus Is Peace
Jesus Is Peace
Today’s Reading: Ephesians 2:13-18 Version NIV
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians+2%3A13-18&version=NIV

If there were no war, there would not be peace. Peace would not exist if there were no discord, hatred, quarrels and separation.

If two people put aside their differences, forget their offenses and are reconciled, we say that they have made peace.

When two countries are at war, they are called by the organization of the United Nations to implement a ceasefire and a peace treaty.

Some think that peace is a state of mind and not a mere absence of conflict. For this, the best illustration is the bird that sings on the branch of a tree that sways in the middle of a storm. Everything around is in a state of confusion and disorderliness, however, peace exists within him. What we find inside the head of this bird is the absence of a sense of danger, threat, concern, so he sings as if everything around was calm, quiet and in peace.

The war, the storm may exist within us. We need peace! Open or veiled conflict, generate a war of nerves, aggression and bitterness. We need peace! Jesus is our peace! He reconciles us with God, appeases our inner being, and restores our harmony with those around us. This peace is so deep and real, that when we reach it, we will never lose it, even though the world is upside down.

Have the peace of Christ in your life!

Ildefonso Torres

Will of God

24 Wednesday Feb 2016

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Jesus os Wisdom final
JESUS IS WISDOM
Today’s Reading: 1 Kings 3:3-15 Version NIV
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Kings+3%3A3-15&version=NIV

If God would let us ask for anything, which he would meet immediately and without restrictions, perhaps we would ask for health, a new house, a home for all who now lack it. This was exactly what God intended when He appointed Solomon as king of Israel instead of King David. God appeared to Solomon and said, “Ask what you want me to give you.” Solomon asked God for wisdom to govern the people. Look at this, Salomon did not ask for riches, wealth or honor, he only asked for wisdom. The wisdom of God is not a lot of knowledge; nor the technical and scientific capacity to unravel the mysteries of science; nor the ability for music, art or be able to do any other work.

All these gifts also come from God; however, the wisdom of God is much more than that. The wisdom of God is the spiritual ability to know how to act according to the will of God in any and all circumstances of life.

If you have the wisdom of God in your life, you are happy! Anyone who wants such wisdom should only ask God as Solomon did.

Simply ask, “I want Jesus to enter into my life.” Jesus is God’s Wisdom.

Ildefonso Torres

Anointed

23 Tuesday Feb 2016

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Jesus Christ Our High Priest
JESUS OUR HIGH PRIEST
Today’s Reading: Ephesians 4:10-12; 1 John 2:27 Version NIV
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians+4%3A10+-12%3B+1+John+2%3A27&version=NIV

Anyone can be impressed with Catholic temples built in many of the historical towns of our continent. These church buildings were built hundreds of years ago and are now landmarks. In a temple like this, the people are separated from the altar, where the priest and his assistants held a ceremony called the mass. The priest administers the sacraments, hear confessions, absolve penitents, intercede for the people and teach. However, how about Protestant and Evangelical churches? Do they represent the priesthood of all believers? The pastor visits the sick, exhorts and consoles, administers the sacraments, make the prayers, and bless the people, while they listen at a distance.

Jesus himself gave the church pastors and teachers. Others call their leaders priests. However, there is only one true priest, Jesus Christ. We do not need any other. The anointing of the Spirit of God is given to all; all are anointed of God’s Spirit. Jesus’ sacrifice is unique. In him the altar, the temple, the human priest and the division between laity and clergy were abolished.

In Christ, all serve and all intercede. That’s it! You are a minister of Christ in the world. Do not give someone else the responsibility and the privilege of serving in the name of Christ! It’s your call!

Ildefonso Torres

Between

22 Monday Feb 2016

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Mediator final 1
Today’s Reading: Psalm 14:1-4 Version NIV
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+14%3A1-4&version=NIV

Many people have chosen to live as if God did not exist. In an attempt to hide or justify human evil, many say, “If God existed; he would not allow the horrible things that happen out there.”

This concept is very old. David already mentioned it in one of his Psalms: “The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, their deeds are vile; there is no one who does good.”

At the bottom of our hearts, we know of the existence of the eternal God and that is what we desire. From here begins our dilemma: How to get to God, how to escape death? Human beings are ingenious. From this ingenuity arise religions, priests, temples, altars, offerings, and even a kind of fetish. These religious structures create a big gap and generate superstition, deceit and oppression. All of these can and should be eliminated.

God is one and the mediation between God and man is not through things, or special humans. Confused we continue with so many cults, sects and religions. Nevertheless, we can thank God, because his desire is to save all his people through Jesus. Yes, Jesus is the only mediator between God and men.

Ildefonso Torres

Freedom

22 Monday Feb 2016

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Jesus Advocate

Today’s Reading: 1 John 2:1 Version NIV
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+John+2%3A1&version=NIV

When a Christian commits an error, a mistake, a grave sin, there are those who are ready and willing to condemn and ridicule his behavior.

Only a few people remember that Christ forgiveness cleans and purifies our sins; Christ accepts the sinner again and again without restriction.

No one needs to carry that feeling of guilt, head down and ashamed, if it was forgiven and received by Christ. Peter denied his Master, lied, then confessed and pulled out of his chest the rottenness that his act meant. The burning tears streamed down his face, Jesus opened his arms to receive and restore him. That sin was forgiven. Forgiveness is forgiveness!

There are grave sins that destroy our inner being and need to be removed. This problem does not have an easy solution. For the children of God, although freed by Christ, live a life burdened by a thousand rules and precepts. The rituals of religion, worship and everyday life become enslaving and a heavy burden, after all, didn’t Christ set us free from all of these? You say, “I do not know, I’m free but yet, I’m still scared. He is a righteous judge; could we be condemned by our defense counselor, our advocate?

If Jesus does not condemn you, who will? Have confidence in God’s forgiveness. Repent, confess your sins, turn to God and live in peace and enjoy freedom! Jesus is our Advocate!

Ildefonso Torres

The Closest

18 Thursday Feb 2016

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JESUS THE BROTHER
Today’s Reading: Hebrews 2:11-18 Version NIV
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews+2%3A11-18&version=NIV

With the world’s largest population, China almost accomplishes a miracle when they feed so many people. The desire of the rulers of that country is the diminishing of the population not the growth. Therefore, the society cared to instruct everyone in this government’s goal: that the spouses should not have more than one child. But in November 2013, after the Third Plenum Session of the 18th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, they announced the decision to relax the one-child policy. Under the new policy, families could have two children if one parent is an only child. There are entire cities in which a child does not have a brother or sister. In this case, there are no real brothers but brothers of the same race, the same people.

Likewise, people from different countries, that speak different languages, are brothers, as they are identified together by the human nature.

When Jesus took the form of man, he became our brother. He fully identified with us. He did not sin, even though he was tempted and suffered like everyone else. In Jesus, God became our brother. This offended the Jews and seemed crazy to other people. Those who always looked at the sky in search of a God; always attributed the brightness of lightning, the power of thunder, the mysteries of life and the universe, and could not imagine God as our human brother like us.

In your temptations and sufferings, you can count on Jesus. He is the closest of our brothers!

Ildefonso Torres

Fruits

17 Wednesday Feb 2016

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True Vine
Today’s Reading: Luke 6:43-45; John 15:1-5 Version CEV
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+6%3A43-45%3B+John+15%3A1-5&version=CEV

Jesus left us a simple recipe so that we would not be fooled by the demagoguery or the hypocrisy of people: “No good tree bears bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit. Each tree is recognized by its own fruit. People do not pick figs from thorn bushes, or grapes from briers.”

This emphasis on outcomes accompanied the preaching and life of Jesus. He put an end to the formal, empty and lifeless religion. Love and service to God is measured by the love and service we provide to our brothers. However, what human being, born in sin can put aside selfishness, to live supporting and helping his neighbor selflessly?

There is also another side to the coin. If the fruits are good, they will show the quality of the tree.

We know that a person received from God a new nature and has His Spirit, not from the rituals he practices in his religion, but by the way he acts every day. If we are united to Jesus, our life will show it. He correct our shortcomings, clarifies our distortions, and gives new direction to our values, even the results will be better. Jesus is the true vine!

Ildefonso Torres

Joined Together

16 Tuesday Feb 2016

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File Feb 16, 10 41 21 PM
Today’s Reading: Ephesians 5:28-33; Matthew 19:6 Version ESV
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians+5%3A28-33%3B+Matthew+19%3A6&version=ESV

Marriage is consummated, is completed in the sexual union. However, marriage goes beyond physical union. Marriage includes all other areas of life: social, mental and spiritual.

They are married! From now on, even though they are two different persons, it is as if they were one person, one flesh.

To love your wife is like loving your own body, says the Bible. There are no straight words like these to describe the union between a man and a woman, and that is done through marriage. They describe the union and leave a warning: The body needs warmth, tenderness and resents abuse!

There is a lot of sexual depravity and depravity of character in our society; this generates anxiety, emptiness, and loneliness. Unfortunately, there is selfishness, fights and separations between spouses; they always leave behind a trail of suffering and distress. However, nothing can destroy or obscure the union between a man and a woman who was made before God and with his blessing. Such a union brings life, joy, sincerity, comfort and is the basis of society. What God has joined together, no human being will be able to destroy.

Ildefonso Torres

Fulfilling

15 Monday Feb 2016

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IMG_2605
Today’s Reading: Psalm 139:1-4; Matthew 12:36-37 Version CEV
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+139%3A1-4%2C+Matthew+12%3A36-37&version=CEV

What is the basis for a stable marriage? Is it love or romance? Or is it, perhaps, economic security? Will this stability be based on cultural instruction?

Marriage is based on a serious, voluntary and personal commitment. Generally, this commitment is made public in the presence of relatives, friends and witnesses. The man and woman promise to love, honor and be faithful to each other until death. These promises are traditionally made before the Church and before God.

The eternal God knows every word spoken and all commitments made. Therefore, we need to take seriously and not to break the commitment carried out with the person with whom we have married and promised love and loyalty forever.

When a man and a woman are able to say to each other: “Despite all the crises, I have promised to love, honor and be faithful, and I keep my word.” It is as if a door opened to solve the most difficult problems and, if necessary, restore the joy and understanding between spouses.

The commitment of love between spouses is subject to the instability of human feelings and is God himself who helps us fulfill these commitments.

Ildefonso Torres

Transformation

14 Sunday Feb 2016

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Jesus Light 1a
Today’s Reading: John 9:1-5 Version CEV
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+9%3A1-5&version=CEV

Ignorance can be represented by darkness, by blindness. A person without knowledge of the human body cannot do surgery; he would be lost, not knowing what to do, from one place to another, as if in a dark house.

Another reality represented by darkness and blindness are our works, such as corruption, theft, lying, adultery. These are things we do in secret, without other people knowing or being aware of them. Those who practice these things don’t want to be exposed, caught and therefore want to give others the idea of possessing a real character, an honest and righteous life.

A man born blind was seen by the disciples of Jesus. In this case, blindness by itself did not make this man an ignorant or a bad person.

The disciples, on the other hand, showed their ignorance by asking if anyone was to blame for the man’s birth blindness. Our world, full of people with physical and character deficiencies, is a place filled with opportunities, opportunities to bring them the light. Jesus transforms the darkness of life into the knowledge of God and salvation. He reveals the hidden works and thoughts. Jesus is the light of the world!

Ildefonso Torres