Tag Archives: Love

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

The Word

03 Thursday Mar 2016

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Instrument Blessing
INSTRUMENT OF BLESSING OR CURSE?
Today’s Reading: Hebrews 4:12 Version NIV
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Hebrews+4%3A12&version=NIV

A harsh word can be worse than a face slap. Many people, who found that physical aggression within the family is something absurd, assault with harsh and cruel words, his wife and children.

The word may also be, like a sharp knife. Murmuring that become slander and slowly kill innocent people.

The word is constantly falsified and lies become ordinary. This happens at all levels of society, from the government to the rich, and to the poorest people of the city.

God gave us the word to bless and not to curse. It is with the word that we comfort those who suffer. We teach the truth; we value those who are desperate and convey our love to them.

Jesus is the Word of God in human form; He is the means of communication of God; the distribution of his love, forgiveness and life for all human beings. You must ask God: “Lord, do not let my voice say harsh words; slander and lies. Open my mouth to utter words of comfort, purpose, value and to tell others of your love and your grace”.

We must use words as instruments to bless others and never to curse them.

Ildefonso Torres

Happy Forever?

02 Wednesday Mar 2016

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Shelter Final
THE SHELTER
Today’s Reading: Psalm 46:1-7 Version NIV
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+46%3A1-7&version=NIV

At weddings, we hear this phrase, “Happy forever!” Later, however, the reality of every day upsurge; and with them, attempts to change the other person. As you cannot change a person, without destroying their personality or willpower, it only remains to sigh: “Ah, it was good when I was single!”

Given the problems of life, marital or of any other nature, it does not make any sense to say: “If I had not married!” “If my husband or wife was someone else”!

The woman or man you married is what he or she is. Unless he or she dies, unless there is a separation, you will continue next to each other. You need to do something, react and strive to understand and love this person as she or he is.

If after so much discord and so many fights in your marriage not even a little bit of love is left, have the humility to ask God for forgiveness and grace to start all over again.

God is more interested in your life and the stability of your marriage, than you think. He is the source of love, joy and life. God is your shelter and strength.

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

Love

29 Monday Feb 2016

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THE REALITY
THE REALITY
Today’s Reading: Ephesians 3:14-19 Version NIV
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians+3%3A14-19&version=NIV

They married! Now they are living in the same house; now they show each other as they really are. Before marriage, they were careful on how they dressed, well combed hair, face makeup; everything was said and done with courtesy, attention and affection. Love and romance flowed everywhere!

Now they are married, however, not always well dressed, or well groomed. Now they do not always show a smile on their lips, they show their ailments, signs of ageing, love and romance disappear as if by magic.

The reality of marriage places us face to face with the loved one, as he or she is not as we had thought it was. This is where love is tested. We need true love, able to defeat our selfishness and make us think about the person we have on our side. True love is the one we receive from Jesus Christ. He showed us his love, giving his own life for us. With the love of Christ in our hearts we can defeat personal interests and begin to consider the interests of the other person, desiring their welfare, and happiness. That’s the reality.

Ildefonso Torres

Commitment

28 Sunday Feb 2016

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Dream or Reality
DREAM OR REALITY
Today’s Reading: Ephesians 5:22-33 Version NIV
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians+5%3A22-33&version=NIV

Anyone who have been married for a month, or for ten years, knows very well that the “happily ever after” phrase does not become a reality in front of the problems and conflicts that are lived in marriage. Although surrounded by dreams and passions, marriage must be addressed within everyday reality, problems in human relationships, lack of patience and incomprehension, financial difficulties, lack of information, resentment in the sexual area, and countless other misunderstandings.

Antonio and Margarita have completed fifty years of marriage, the golden wedding anniversary. Anyone who sees them with their white hair, walking from one place to another, imagines the small and large problems they had in their relationship during these long years. The struggles and experiences made them understand that the reality of life should not kill their dreams. However, we cannot live of dreams but of commitments.

We have heard: “I promise to love, honor, be faithful until death do us part!” If the commitment of love and loyalty remains in marriage, the reality of life will not destroy it.  By the way, this commitment of love and loyalty overcomes any barrier and transforms marriage into a sweet reality.

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

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

Comfort

09 Tuesday Feb 2016

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Consolation of Jesus Final
Today’s Reading: Psalm 27:1 Version ESV
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+27%3A1&version=ESV

In general, people are very afraid of dying and try to forget the existence of death.

The sudden loss of a loved one or relative brings to our heart pain, loneliness, suffering and emptiness. In the meantime God, in His providence, has already taken account of these issues, ensuring peace, tranquility and comfort in Jesus. The consolation of Jesus takes place when we rest in His promises. When we understand this reality: “The Lord is my light and my salvation; of whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid”.

When our hearts are firmly planted in Jesus, nothing can abate us. Each time, God keeps us in the midst of difficult and tragic events of our lives, He calms our hearts and gives us courage to endure the trials and overcome.

What tragedy are you facing in your life? What enormous evil can assault you? Nothing and no one in this world can separate you from the love of Jesus Christ! Not even death itself!

Ildefonso Torres

Priceless

07 Sunday Feb 2016

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The Freind Jesus ENG
Today’s Reading: John 15:9-17 Version ESV
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+15%3A9-17&version=ESV

How many friends do you have? But real friends. Do you know that to have friends is directly related to love? True love.

But, who do you really love? Friends are not those who love you, but those that you love. This love is always reciprocated, or at least it should be. It is that there is no friendship without love.

After all, a friend is the one who willingly shares his life with others. The number of friends that you have has its limits, the limits set by the capacity to love. Love has limits, limits as to the amount and as to the quality. We cannot love all people and those that we love we do not love with the same intensity. There are friends that we love most, like those closest to us and in some cases, they become almost like brothers or sisters.

Of all our friends, the one who showed greater love was Jesus. He gave his life for us. Such debt of love is priceless. So, voluntarily we become a slave to this friend. Now I follow his orders. What He command us is simple, however, it is very difficult. “That you love one another as I have loved you!” For that love, he gave his life.

Ildefonso Torres