Tag Archives: Peace

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

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

Transformation

11 Thursday Feb 2016

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Tolerance of Jesus Final
Today’s Reading: Colossians 3:12 Version ESV

If you are accustomed to say, “I cannot stand that person!” maybe you are suffering from an intolerance disorder. Be careful, because the feeling of intolerance is the result of a lack of love and ability to forgive.

When we begin to judge others, we risk losing the sense of justice, peace and joy. Assuming false attitudes of love and forgiveness, does not solve the problem. To disguise our tendency for intrigues and confusions will only sprout roots of bitterness and develop trees of dullness and weariness.

Every day we find ourselves in a number of situations that require patience and understanding. As Christians, our attitudes should transpire kindness, humility, patience and gentleness.

Every day we must face evil with good. However, doing good, when we are paid with evil, always brings about criticism and humiliation in a society where profits and compensations are thought of as the norm.

It is good to remember that the only profit or advantage that we should seek is a peaceful heart, a clear conscience, the joy of doing the will of God. With Jesus we learn the way of tolerance and transform the difficulties and aggression of life into opportunities to live, to forgive and to love our fellow man.

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

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

Food

01 Monday Feb 2016

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Jesus Brea of Life Final
Today’s Reading: John 6:27 Version NIV
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+6%3A27&version=NIV

“Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life.”

How should we interpret these words of our Lord Jesus Christ? If Jesus were with the people every day, multiplying loaves of bread and fish, then no one will need to worry, or work. There is something we know very well: Jesus always worked and did not send anyone to sit back and wait for the bread to fall from the sky.

To work is one thing and to remain anxiously fighting for bread every day as if life were hardly a material thing is quite another. Jesus was right. You cannot work only to feed the body, we must also nourish our spirits and regenerate our spiritual energies. You need to think about a life that is divided between love, kindness, joy and then extends for all eternity.

Jesus is the bread of life; however, there are many people living in a real spiritual poverty, a meaningless, useless, sad and selfish life.

Jesus is our food, because food means life. With him we will overcome our most difficult trials. With him we will develop spiritual maturity. With Jesus and in Jesus, we have the strength to spread love, peace, joy, kindness.

That bread is worth fighting for!

Ildefonso Torres

The Bible

29 Friday Jan 2016

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Read the Bible Final
Today’s Reading: 2 Timothy 3:16-17
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Timothy+3%3A16-17

There is something that makes this message different from others. We’re not trying to sell you anything; we just want to open doors. Yes, doors of forgiveness, happiness, salvation, life and love. The problem is that we don’t have a lot of space or time to bring to you a complete message.

It would be nice to elaborate more about this subject. Life is precious when we live in harmony with the laws established by our Creator. We like to spend our time talking about the only way we have for happiness. This is the way; a personal relationship with the One who has given us life.

We do not have much space and time for this short message, but you can find in the Bible the answer to the most important issues of your life. The Bible opens the door to happiness, security, salvation, life and love.

Perhaps you have already been tempted to read the Bible and found it very complicated. Try again. However, before you read, pray to God. It is very simple. For example you can say something like, “Lord, open my heart to understand your Holy Word!” Do it! The relief, the peace, the joy, the forgiveness that you need is at your disposition now.

Read the Bible!

Commandment

28 Thursday Jan 2016

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The Great Commandment Final
Today’s Reading: Mark 12:30-31 Version NIV
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark+12%3A30-31&version=NIV

The word commandment always brings the idea of obedience, discipline and a search for the right behavior. However, speaking of “commandments” Jesus refers to the beginning of life and makes an invitation to heed his advice, finding in them joy, peace and personal satisfaction. This is the law of love; not to oppress anyone, on the contrary, it generates life, understanding and happiness.

Love your neighbor as yourself; it is the commandment of Jesus. It is an invitation that challenges us to abandon our individualism to participate in the lives of others through acts of kindness, love and tenderness.

We must pay attention to the people around us, because many need our help. We need more than ever to stop being self-centered, only worrying about our stuff.

It’s time to change. It is necessary to pay more attention to the events around us, because sometimes, we are bearers of the only solution to the problems of other people. Love is not just a feeling but also action. Jesus invites us to act!

Ildefonso Torres

Seek, Find

26 Tuesday Jan 2016

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The Search
Today’s Reading: 1 Peter 3:10-12 Version KJV
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1+Peter+3%3A10-12&version=KJV

We all know what is to appreciate life and to live better days. So often we look for different things to fill our lives, things that give us satisfaction and pleasure.

In any major city in the world, you find drugs, crime, prostitution and almost all kinds of evil. If you want to, you will find the most dreadful people in the world.

However, you can go to the same places and find the most loving, attentive, polite and hospitable people on earth. You will always find what you want to find!

You can select the best man or best woman, the best father or the best mother, son or daughter, the best executive or operator, and find defects and faults in all of them. You can select simple and humble people, observe them carefully and found many positive features. It all depends on what you are looking for.

For sure you will always find what you are looking for! What are you looking for? A Bible writer said the following words: “For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile: Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it.”

Everyone who seeks finds, seek the Lord Jesus Christ and you will find him. Look for him today!

Ildefonso Torres

We Shall Not Want!

11 Monday Jan 2016

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Shepherding of Jesus Final
Today’s Reading: Philippians 4:13, Psalm 23:1 Version KJV https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Philippians+4%3A13%2C+Psalm+23%3A1&version=KJV

The moments of difficulties and sadness make us forget the hours of joy. If we stop to think, we could easily see the times of joy in our lives.

We must not forget the times of joy, satisfaction and peace. But to tell the truth, the undesirable friend of sorrow, insist on staying and joining us.

If you think we are abandoned, take heart. In this day of realities and feelings, there is a very important person who joins us with much interest and care: Jesus Christ! He is always at our side. Jesus gave his life for us and now is present in us. His presence fills us with the confidence we need to overcome obstacles. You can face anything with the strength that Christ gives.

When suffering overwhelms us, Jesus accompanies us with love and understanding. He knows all things and knows our suffering. In obedience, we received approval; in sickness, his care; in rebellion, his reproach; in experience, his instruction.

Jesus is our Shepherd, and “we shall not want!”

Ildefonso Torres