Tag Archives: suffering

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

Compassion

04 Monday Jan 2016

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Compassion of Jesus
Today’s Reading: Matthew 28:20 Version CEV
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+28%3A20&version=CEV

When suffering knocks at our door, enthusiasm and joy of living go out the window. This is how thousands of people live. But this does not have to happen to those who know Jesus through an experience of personal salvation.

With Jesus, suffering faces hope and certainty. Without Jesus and without hope life is nothing more than fatigue and afflictions; and any small problem becomes a mountain of difficulties. Daily, Jesus places himself at our side. He knows our steps and guides us to the safe path. Jesus clears up our ideas and leads us with a firm hand.

If any one of our children screams for help, we leave everything and run to his rescue. It is no different with Jesus, who gave his life for us. His presence at our side is guaranteed. He said: “And lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.”

Life can be much more than a sea of tears. Jesus is our source of joy and peace.

Ildefonso Torres

Messiah

29 Tuesday Dec 2015

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Jesus the Messiah
Today’s Reading: Matthew 22:41-46 Version=CEV
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew+22%3A41-46&version=CEV

Christ, the name given to Jesus, always reminds us of his suffering and death. However, the word Christ does not mean victim, but speaks of the mission of Jesus. Christ means Messiah. On the other hand, we always think of the Messiah as an individual who appears and is ready to be the Savior of the fatherland!

Jesus, the Son of the living God, is neither Messiah nor Christ in the popular sense of the words. In fact, Christ is the translation of the Greek word Messiah, which means “anointed”, the one who receives the anointing with oil, which means the descent of the Spirit of God upon his life for a special task.

The task was to lead the people to return back to God, rule over them and free them from their oppressors, their troubles and their sufferings. Jesus is the Messiah, in the real sense of the word. He takes us back to the arms of God, rules with justice on our lives and constantly released us from the miseries of life. He is not an empty promises Messiah. He came, conquered the world and death, inaugurating a new era.

Eternal life has begun for us with the coming of the “Messiah”!

Ildefonso Torres

Our Trespasses

11 Wednesday Nov 2015

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Father forgive
Today’s Reading: Matthew 6:12 Matthew 6:12 Version – NIV
There is a saying: “Remembering the past is suffering twice.” Nobody likes to remember past mistakes and sufferings. Memories of the past can become a heavy load; weighing in our conscience and our heart.

We complain about things we should have done and didn’t. We suffer for having done or said something. Oh, if people could fix past mistakes or made different choices!

Our mistakes, our failures, our disappointments all are in the past. All this come back to mind and affects the way we live today, generating nightmares and anxieties.

But let me tell you some good news: you do not need to suffer or bear the burden of your sin. Jesus taught us to pray and ask, “Father … forgive us our trespasses …”

With faith in your heart, and with the humility of those who need help and comfort, turn to Jesus. Receive from Him forgiveness and the way to start a new life. Jesus’ forgiveness removes from your life the burden of the past and restores the joy and peace that you need today.

Ildefonso Torres

It’s Worth Living

21 Wednesday Oct 2015

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Intimate Denial
Today’s Reading: Romans 5:1-11 Version – ESV
Many people hate themselves for not having enough money, or for being disqualified in a contest, or for having done something wrong in their lives. There are people who hate themselves for having missed an opportunity to succeed in life. There are others who hate their physical appearance, the texture of their hair or the color of their skin.

Nothing in the world should be cause for you to be upset with yourself and spend your life suffering. The problem is that we live in a world where values ​​are twisted. Therefore it is generally believed that the welfare and happiness comes from exterior beauty or the assets a person owns. This is a big mistake!

You are worth what you are. What counts is not to have but to be. If others do not think this way, remember this: God thinks this way. He created you to live a useful and happy life.

No matter how much money you have, the failures you’ve had in life and how you are. God loves you. God accepts and understands your misfortunes.

With the experience of God’s love in Christ Jesus, you will see that, Yes it is worth living!

Ildefonso Torres

Weep

14 Wednesday Oct 2015

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Weep
Today’s Reading: Romans 12:15 Romans 12:15 – ESV
Men don’t cry, that’s for women! This expression though very common, is not correct. We all weep and sometimes it’s good to weep. We weep outside and we weep inside. It’s better when the sobs and tears well up in our chest and our eyes, this way we find some relief.

We weep for our anxieties and for the sorrows of others, because the Bible teaches us: “Weep with those who weep.”

“Weep with those who weep” is an attitude of love; is when the pain and suffering of another person becomes my pain and suffering.

Our neighbor suffers and feels anxiety when he loses a loved one; He suffers when passing through a family financial crisis. Our neighbor also suffers when he engages in lack of moral order. In a situation like this it is easier to blame than to support. It is easier to abandon the person than to identify with them.

We must support at all times; but our tendency is to leave the person to their own misfortune.

“Weep with those who weep” is to identify with the feelings of suffering. This makes us brothers. The Bible tells us to love our friends at all times and that we should be like brothers in times of distress.

Ildefonso Torres

Presence

12 Monday Oct 2015

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Feel His presence
Today’s Reading:Romans 5:1-2
In contemplating the injustices and hardships of life, we think, “God abandon me!” “If God cares about his children,” people ask, “Why am I suffering?” But let me tell you, God cares; God loves you; God does not forget you. The problem arises from the idea we have of God. We think about God as a loving father, always ready to protect the lives of His children, to give them everything they ask without demanding anything in return.

Before asking: “Could it be that God abandoned me?” we should think a about this. Maybe it was not God who left us, but we who abandon and forgot God.

In Jesus, God came to meet us. In that encounter with Jesus, God made man, our selfishness, our evil, our materialistic and useless life is left behind. Our encounter with God marks a new direction. He forgives and forgets our sin and gives us the opportunity to begin a new life with Him.

God is more interested on you than you think. Seek God with sincerity and certainly you will find Him.

Ildefonso Torres

How Do We Bear This Suffering?

18 Friday Sep 2015

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Suffering
Today’s Reading: Luke 22:42
How should we face suffering? Many complain, others are poorly prepared, and still others gnash their teeth.

It is always best to be prepared for the difficult hours of life. For example, when someone leaves the safety and comfort of his home to venture into a storm, he or she must wear appropriate clothing to better resist the ravages of wind and rain.

We must also be prepared to face the suffering. The first temptation we have, in the hour of suffering, is having doubts about the wisdom, power and love of God. The love of God enfolds us in the most difficult hours and fills us with strength, courage and understanding. His love makes us steadfast and invincible.

Christ is an example for us. He faced suffering with humility and determination. He said, “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.”

By following the example of Jesus, we will not flee from suffering, but we will face it with faith, serenity and perseverance.

In the hour of suffering we must say: “Lord, in this hour of suffering, give us courage and faith, serenity and confidence, to comfort those who suffer around us; certainty and understanding, to see in suffering an opportunity to grow and fellowship with you, in Jesus name. Amen.”

Ildefonso Torres

The Man and His Pain

11 Friday Sep 2015

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man with pain 2
Today’s Reading: Luke 17:1-4
An experienced elderly father, at the news of the tragic death of his son, said: “It is better to know that he was the victim not the aggressor, he was shot, not the one who pulled the trigger.”

If anyone has caused your suffering, don’t bear a grudge; do not let hatred take over your heart; do not pay evil with evil. Learn from Jesus to pray for those who cause harm, and forgive those who offend. Put everything in God’s hands. All your problems, big or small, can be solved only by the grace of God. Jesus, who suffered so much pain, knows your sufferings, sorrows and anxieties. Jesus invites you to share with him your burdens and pains.

It is better to suffer than to make others suffer. It is not easy to live with a broken and dejected heart, but it is much worse to live with a guilt-ridden conscience. Think for a moment how it would be to spend the rest of our lives thinking about the evil that we did to other people, the ruin that we have caused in their lives.

Love is the forgiveness of Christ, which besides healing our inner ailments, also restores our lives and gives us strength to love and forgive, even our enemies.

Ildefonso Torres

The Good Neighbor

30 Sunday Aug 2015

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Neighbors
Today’s Reading: Mark 12:28-31
Tokyo city is divided into districts, each with a neighborhood association that deals with social services, street cleaning, appointment of security officers and other things.

Our world is moving very fast towards individualism. Nobody knows nobody; people do not care for each other and even the residents of an apartment building don’t talk to each other. An individual may be attacked in public and no one will help. Nobody wants to get involved.

On many occasions, we are like the priest and the Levite in the parable of Jesus, who passed by when they saw the man who was in problems. This parable teaches us to recognize our neighbors and also how we treat them. As Christians, we have to care about our neighbors and must try to understand their suffering and pain. It’s not enough to grieve at the sight of those who are dying of hunger and misery; we must reach out. It’s not enough to know the name of your neighbor.

Jesus wants his followers to develop the art of good neighborliness, and He will help us, if we do so.

Ildefonso Torres