Tag Archives: God

Wisdom & Grace

08 Tuesday Mar 2016

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Parents & Children Spa
PARENTS AND CHILDREN
Today’s Reading: Deuteronomy+6:6-7; Proverbs 22:6; Ephesians 6:4 Version ESV
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Deuteronomy+6%3A6-7%2CProverbs+22%3A6%2CEphesians+6%3A4&version=ESV

What is the place of children in the family? How do we face them during marital crisis? Some deceive themselves by thinking that, when children come, comprehension and understanding between them will be back. What often happens is that the children take the place of the husband or the wife, and this is a serious problem. The children are temporarily given; they come and then leave. You need to understand this. Our wife must be for us the most important person in the family. On the other hand, we expect to continue to remain number one in her life.

And what should be the position of the parents in relation to the children? It should be a position of authority, not authoritarianism; they must raise and avoid alienating the children.

Raising children requires a commitment to live before them the principles of God, teaching them such principles. In this experience, the husband and wife need to find agreement and cooperation. They must be united in the decisions and cannot remove the authority of the other in front of the children.

The husband and wife need to have the wisdom and grace of Christ to support each other’s lives in the difficult days.

Ildefonso Torres

An Order

08 Tuesday Mar 2016

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Ambition-Eng
OVERCOMING COMPETITION AND AMBITION
Today’s Reading: Romans 13:8; Proverbs 1:19; Hebrews 13:5 Version NIV

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Romans+13%3A8%3B+Proverbs+1%3A19%3B+Hebrews+13%3A5&version=NIV

In general, financial crises help and tend to unite spouses. Someone said: “If you do not know what we will eat tomorrow, maybe my wife will not worry so much with my urges.”

Small disputes and issues without much importance lose value in an acute crisis. However, if the financial crisis becomes a routine, especially for lack of control of expenses of one or both spouses, it will eventually lead to misunderstandings, aggression and even divorce.

In the struggle for higher wages and fully stocked pantries, it is necessary to overcome the competition and ambition. We must be aware of the materialistic and consumeristic society around us. The interest of propaganda is to create in us a strong conviction that we need that 75-inch TV. A common TV would be enough, or perhaps we would be happier without TV. However, because of the propaganda, we need an extra-large TV. Our neighbors already have one, and we think we are lagging behind. We make a loan with payments for twenty-four months leaving aside what God said: “Owe no one anything except to love one another; for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law.”

Besides, the apostle Paul presents a list of the sinful acts of the flesh, including selfish ambition, immorality, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, vengeance, wrath, strife, sedition, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness and orgies.

So are the paths of ambitious people: Their own ambition takes life away!

God tells us: Seek to live in peace, take care of business and work with your own hands, as you have been ordered. “Live without coveting money. Rather, settle for what you now have, because God has said: ‘I will never leave you, nor forsake you.’”

Ildefonso Torres

Improper

06 Sunday Mar 2016

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CONQUERING GREED-1
CONQUERING GREED
Today’s Reading: 1 Timothy 6:9-10; 1 Timothy 6:17 Version CEV
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Timothy+6%3A9-10%2C1+Timothy+6%3A17&version=CEV

As Christians, we are challenged to live a simple lifestyle. This principle applies the same way, to a worker who dreams of having his own house, as to a very successful businessman.

The Bible warns that “You must no longer live as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts.” (Ephesians 4:17-18)

The important thing is not the amount of goods that pass through our hands, but the meaning that those assets have for our lives and the way that we manage them before God.

The Christian enjoys the goods that the Lord has given him. However, he does not put his heart and trust in them. He does not cheat or oppress anyone, or lose sleep over profits and the accumulation of wealth or the loss of these. He does not want to get rich, not dependent on lotteries, gambling or the money earned without honest work.

Finally the Christian pays his taxes to the government, thus fulfilling the mandate of Jesus when he said: “Then give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.” (Luke 20:25)

The Christian knows very well what God says: “Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.” (1Timothy 6:9-10)

A Bible writer clearly tells us, “But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people. (Ephesians 5:3)

Greed must be absent from our homes, because people are much more important than goods; and joy, peace and eternal life cannot be bought with money.

Ildefonso Torres

True Love

01 Tuesday Mar 2016

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The Reaction
THE REACTION
Today’s Reading:1 Corinthians 13:1-10 Version NIV
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Corinthians+13%3A1-10&version=NIV

 Many men and women, after declaring undying love at the wedding, and even during the honeymoon, confront the reality that roars like a lion. It is that some bring their unrealistic expectations to the marriage and disappointment begins to devour marital happiness. The list of expectations is sometimes overwhelming. Among them is that marriage will solve all personal problems, that romance will hold the marriage together forever, that communication will be natural and automatic and that religious differences will be insignificant. All constitute the foundation of a home built over the sand.

 Eventually they react and collapse over another reality: “This is not the good looking, pleasant, and understanding wife, I married!” “This is not the cheerful, gentle, kind and romantic man I married!” What can be done? Give the woman back to her family? ¿Give the man back to his mother who with shedding tears left him?

As they fall into the reality of married life, the reaction is not to change, but to transform the person into the husband or wife of their dreams. Then they try to change each other. However, is it possible to change the way people do things and act? Is it fair to think about changing a person with whom we have married, without being willing to change our own way of life?

 The husband and wife are different people and their individuality should be respected. However, those who truly love must be able to respect others without trying to impose a certain way of being. We need the love of Christ Jesus, the love of God, to come into our lives, because true love demands nothing in return.

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

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

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

Pastor of Humans

08 Monday Feb 2016

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Jesus The Good Shepherd Final
Today’s Reading: John 10:11-16 Version ESV
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+10%3A11-16&version=ESV

Do you know a sheep shepherd? You may know some cowboys; however, a sheep shepherd is rare in our countries. In Jesus’ day, there were many shepherds, and He used the example of the shepherd to discuss his care for us. At the time of Jesus, the shepherd tended his flock in the open field. He always was ahead of his flock, leading them to places where the grass was green, and the best. He knew all of his sheep one by one, he knew which one needed more care and carried them over his shoulder if necessary.

To abandon the sheep when a wild animal attacked was never an option. It would be an act of cowardice on the part of the shepherd. He was willing to give his life, if needed, to save his sheep.

Jesus speaks of shepherds; however, he actually refers to pastors of humans. The pastor of humans should be like a shepherd: always ready to lead people to the green fields of the knowledge of God’s will and the clear and refreshing waters that enliven the spirit.

The pastor of the human herd should know each person and be ready to share his life by risking it if necessary even to die for his sheep. Only Jesus, the Good Shepherd, has all these qualities. That is why he is called the good shepherd!

Ildefonso Torres

Believe

04 Thursday Feb 2016

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Authority Jesus Final

Today’s Reading: 1 Corinthians 2:9-11, Matthew 11:27 Version NIV
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Corinthians+2%3A9-11%2C+Matthew+11%3A27&version=NIV

Speaking about the mysteries of God’s revelation to us, theologian, author and American pastor Robert Charles Sproul says: “There are many truths that God reveals to us about Himself that are beyond our capacity to understand. Given the difference between the exalted character of God and our status as created beings, this difficulty should not surprise us. We may come to greater understanding of many of these mysterious truths at some future point in redemptive history. However, even then we may never fully understand some truths.” [Sproul, R. C. (2011). What Is the Trinity? (Vol. 10, pp. 55–56). Orlando, FL: Reformation Trust.]

We do not have an intellectual, moral, or supernatural ability to know God. However, God is revealed to us. He, on his own free will lets us know a little of what He is, who He is and what He wants from us. Still, we do not know God well. Insecurity takes the place of tranquility, distrust the place of faith and despair the place of serenity.

When we learn about God’s authority, we conclude that He directs all things. Nothing escapes his knowledge, and could not be otherwise: the fate of your life is in God’s hands, nothing will happen by chance!

Let uncertainties in the hands of God. He and only He can guarantee peace, tranquility and security. To approach God, we need to take a small step: a step of faith.

Believe and rest! God exists and cares for your life! He will be with you all the way!

The true disciple of Christ lives to serve.

Ildefonso Torres

Delight

03 Wednesday Feb 2016

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Prayer of The Lord English FinalToday’s Reading: Psalm 37:4 Version NIV
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+37%3A4&version=NIV

Every Christian needs to stay in touch with God. Through prayer this contact is made every time we need to. In those instants we dedicate to prayer, when we are in direct communication with God, we must not allow any distraction interrupt our communication with our Lord.

The time of prayer is an encounter with peace, with the sweetness, with rest, with the lightness of spirit, with silence.

It is at the time of the prayer that God speaks to our spirit. We must open our hearts before God. Tell Him all our hopes and visions, joys and dreams. Through prayer we invite God to participate in the intimacy of our lives even though we know that He knows us better than ourselves. The results will become apparent in our way of thinking, acting and speaking. Our spiritual and material victories grow in direct proportion to our communication with God.

In his daily devotional book, British Pastor and author Charles Haddon Spurgeon, known as The Prince of Preachers we read: “The delight in God has a transforming power, and raises man above the weak desires of his imperfect nature. Delight in the Lord is not only sweet in itself, but sweetens the whole soul, until the longings of the heart become such that the Lord promises safe completion. Is it not great that the delight that shapes our desires will become like God’s wishes?”

In Psalm 37:4 King David exhorts us saying “Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart.”

Ildefonso Torres