God’s Restoration through Jesus Christ - Isaiah 62

Based on Isaiah 62 (New King James Version)

“For Zion’s sake I will not hold My peace, and for Jerusalem’s sake I will not rest, until her righteousness goes forth as brightness, and her salvation as a lamp that burns. The Gentiles shall see your righteousness, and all kings your glory. You shall be called by a new name, which the mouth of the Lord will name. You shall also be a crown of glory in the hand of the Lord, and a royal diadem in the hand of your God. You shall no longer be termed Forsaken, nor shall your land any more be termed Desolate; but you shall be called Hephzibah, and your land Beulah; for the Lord delights in you, and your land shall be married. For as a young man marries a virgin, so shall your sons marry you; and as the bridegroom rejoices over the bride, so shall your God rejoice over you. I have set watchmen on your walls, o Jerusalem; they shall never hold their peace day or night. You who make mention of the Lord, do not keep silent, and give Him no rest till He establishes and till He makes Jerusalem a praise in the earth. The Lord has sworn by His right hand and by the arm of His strength: ‘Surely I will no longer give your grain as food for your enemies; and the sons of the foreigner shall not drink your new wine, for which you have labored. But those who have gathered it shall eat it, and praise the Lord; those who have brought it together shall drink it in My holy courts.’ Go through, go through the gates! Prepare the way for the people; build up, build up the highway! Take out the stones, lift up a banner for the peoples! Indeed the Lord has proclaimed to the end of the world: ‘Say to the daughter of Zion, ‘Surely your salvation is coming; behold, His reward is with Him, and His work before Him.’’ And they shall call them The Holy People, the Redeemed of the Lord; and you shall be called Sought Out, a City Not Forsaken.

God truly loves His people. There is no doubt. And He promises to do great things with them. There is no doubting that either. That has always been His plan, His desire. It is not necessarily God’s will to punish the wicked, but also, punishment needs to come because God is not only a God of love, but also, a Holy God. He is both things because otherwise, He would not be perfect, and undoubtedly, God is perfect. And if a person thinks otherwise, then they have no hope. Nothing can be obtained from God if this concept that God is perfect does not exist because much, the most important part, rests on the person of God. To be able to understand this better, it is necessary to go deeper, because precisely on the person of God is that this beautiful hope and promise we have in Him rests on.

The first thing we need to understand is the person of God. God is God. He has always existed. There was no one before Him, and there will be none greater after Him. He always is, just as He revealed it to Moses, as it is written: And God said to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM.” And He said, “Thus you shall say to the children of Israel, ‘I AM has sent me to you.’” Exodus 3:14. And nothing has changed since then, for it is also written: “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” Hebrews 13:8. Now, someone may ask, “Is Jesus Christ God?” and the answer is, “Yes.” He is the same Lord that existed before, the One that was with Abraham, with Isaac, with Jacob, and even with this Moses. Jesus is the I AM. We see the following in the Word: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made.” John 1:1-3. “For there are three that bear witness in heaven: the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit; and these three are one.” 1 John 5:7. “For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist.” Colossians 1:16-17. And here is where we see where He mentions Himself as the I AM and what happened when He did: “They answered Him, ‘Jesus of Nazareth.’ Jesus said to them, ‘I am He.’ And Judas, who betrayed Him, also stood with them. Now when He said to them, ‘I am He,’ they drew back and fell to the ground.” John 18:5-6. So then, since Jesus is God, and since He was from before, the One that gave this promise through Isaiah, as the Great, Fearful, and Almighty God, then we can establish that we can count on Him that such a promise could be fulfilled. Since God is God, He can assure us that all of this can happen, what depends on Him. He has the power and the way to make possible anything He promises.

Now then, does absolutely everything depend on God? If we are referring to the establishing of the parameters so this can happen, of course. Just as He did with creation, He is the One that establishes the parameters for everything. But, the issue is that within the parameters He established, there is a place for man’s decision, and that He chooses not to control everything within that because He established that men should choose their own way. And here enters this famous free will. Some take God’s perfection as something that gives place for men not to have any responsibility for their actions, and that God is the One that resolves everything, even man’s rebellion, and things do not work like that. From the moment that God inserts the word “love” in the relationship between Him and us, like loving Him with our whole being, He has then left a place for decision, because not even God forces love. That is the whole matter. God allowed for sin to exist so there could be an option for either following Him or not, to see if a person really loves Him or not. We see this, for example, in two places in the Word: “But the word is very near you, in your mouth and in your heart, that you may do it. See, I have set before you today life and good, death and evil, in that I command you today to love the Lord your God, to walk in His ways, and to keep His commandments, His statutes, and His judgments, that you may live and multiply; and the Lord your God will bless you in the land which you go to possess.” Deuteronomy 30:14-16. And also: “He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.” John 3:36. It is clear in both passages that choice—free will exists. Love means decision and choice, and man has the capacity to choose, which is one of the great likenesses we have with the Most High as created beings.

So then, how can we attain the promise that God gives us in Isaiah? It is necessary to do our part, with what God has established as the part that corresponds to what man needs to do to obtain what God offers. The Bible gives us this counsel on God’s behalf: “Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord.” Acts 3:19. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9. Nothing divine or eternal can be obtained with sin: “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 6:23. No matter what our condition is and the sins we may have committed, if we repent with all our heart, and we turn completely to God, there is forgiveness, redemption, and promises that can be found through Christ. The Lord is the One that makes it all possible, if we convert to Him and we love Him, just as His Word tells us to do, for our own good. So then, have you done your part so you can experience in your own life God’s restoration through Jesus Christ? Lord bless! John

God’s Punishment and Restoration - Ezra 6:11-22

Based on Ezra 6:11-22 (New King James Version)

“Also I issue a decree that whoever alters this edict, let a timber be pulled from his house and erected, and let him be hanged on it; and let his house be made a refuse heap because of this. And may the God who causes His name to dwell there destroy any king or people who put their hand to alter it, or to destroy this house of God which is in Jerusalem. I Darius issue a decree; let it be done diligently. Then Tattenai, governor of the region beyond the River, Shethar-Boznai, and their companions diligently did according to what King Darius had sent. So the elders of the Jews built, and they prospered through the prophesying of Haggai the prophet and Zechariah the son of Iddo. And they built and finished it, according to the commandment of the God of Israel, and according to the command of Cyrus, Darius, and Artaxerxes king of Persia. Now the temple was finished on the third day of the month of Adar, which was in the sixth year of the reign of King Darius. Then the children of Israel, the priests and the Levites and the rest of the descendants of the captivity, celebrated the dedication of this house of God with joy. And they offered sacrifices at the dedication of this house of God, one hundred bulls, two hundred rams, four hundred lambs, and as a sin offering for all Israel twelve male goats, according to the number of the tribes of Israel. They assigned the priests to their divisions and the Levites to their divisions, over the service of God in Jerusalem, as it is written in the Book of Moses. And the descendants of the captivity kept the Passover on the fourteenth day of the first month. For the priests and the Levites had purified themselves; all of them were ritually clean. And they slaughtered the Passover lambs for all the descendants of the captivity, for their brethren the priests, and for themselves. Then the children of Israel who had returned from the captivity ate together with all who had separated themselves from the filth of the nations of the land in order to seek the Lord God of Israel. And they kept the Feast of Unleavened Bread seven days with joy; for the Lord made them joyful, and turned the heart of the king of Assyria toward them, to strengthen their hands in the work of the house of God, the God of Israel.”

Many believers like to cling on to God’s promises and to the triumphs that can be read in the Scriptures, and they feel that they can claim all of that so they can achieve similar results in their own lives. And yes, in a certain way, of course you can do that, but of course, while fulfilling God’s will. Everything in the Bible, from Genesis to Revelation is conditional, even God’s salvation that can only be acquired through the Lord’s grace (just like the Word says: “…not by works…”). But salvation can only be acquired by doing what the Scriptures say regarding this, that there needs to be complete repentance and conversion to the Lord, and that there needs to be an acceptance, a confession, and effectively making Jesus the Lord of your life so such salvation can be received. And to be able to retain such salvation, there needs to be an abiding in Christ, that a person needs to follow and do the things that God commands. Everything in the Lord is conditional.

To be able to see the entire panorama with regards to the rebuilding of God’s Temple (what we read today), we should ask ourselves, “Why did God allow for the temple to be destroyed in the first place?” This is what the Word says regarding this: “Thus Solomon finished the house of the Lord and the king’s house; and Solomon successfully accomplished all that came into his heart to make in the house of the Lord and in his own house. Then the Lord appeared to Solomon by night, and said to him: “I have heard your prayer, and have chosen this place for Myself as a house of sacrifice. When I shut up heaven and there is no rain, or command the locusts to devour the land, or send pestilence among My people, if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land. Now My eyes will be open and My ears attentive to prayer made in this place. For now I have chosen and sanctified this house, that My name may be there forever; and My eyes and My heart will be there perpetually. As for you, if you walk before Me as your father David walked, and do according to all that I have commanded you, and if you keep My statutes and My judgments, then I will establish the throne of your kingdom, as I covenanted with David your father, saying, ‘You shall not fail to have a man as ruler in Israel.’ ‘But if you turn away and forsake My statutes and My commandments which I have set before you, and go and serve other gods, and worship them, then I will uproot them from My land which I have given them; and this house which I have sanctified for My name I will cast out of My sight, and will make it a proverb and a byword among all peoples. ‘And as for this house, which is exalted, everyone who passes by it will be astonished and say, ‘Why has the Lord done thus to this land and this house?’ Then they will answer, ‘Because they forsook the Lord God of their fathers, who brought them out of the land of Egypt, and embraced other gods, and worshiped them and served them; therefore He has brought all this calamity on them.’” 2 Chronicles 7:11-22. The first temple was destroyed because Israel sinned, and they sinned for a long time before God. And God, although He is slow to anger and great in mercy, could not suffer it any longer, and He Himself allowed for the temple to be destroyed by the gentiles to be able to deal with His people’s sin that they had committed for so many years. The Word was fulfilled exactly.

The issue is that, in this life, nothing will be perfect, and together with that, we need to make certain clarifications. Just because a person has problems does not necessarily mean that they are experimenting God’s punishment, and also, just because everything goes will for a person does not mean that they are being rewarded for their good deeds. Only God knows why things happen. The only thing that the Word of God teaches is that we need to live in such a way that it pleases God because based on that is that we will be judged in the end. And, if we go through tough times here, that we should live through them because we are doing God’s will, as it is written: “But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you are blessed. ‘And do not be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled.’ But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear; having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed. For it is better, if it is the will of God, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.” 1 Peter 3:14-17. This is what in all reality what we need to always keep present while we are here: “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’” Matthew 7:21-23. What we should worry about the most is doing the Father’s will, because the here and now does not matter as much as God’s future judgment. Let us not deceive ourselves. There is punishment and restoration, and everything will happen according to what God’s Word says. So then, how will God’s Word be fulfilled in your life, for eternal punishment or for restoration and eternal life? Lord bless! John

Idolatry and Harmful Relationships - 1 Kings 14:21-31

Based on 1 Kings 14:21-31 (New King James Version)

“And Rehoboam the son of Solomon reigned in Judah. Rehoboam was forty-one years old when he became king. He reigned seventeen years in Jerusalem, the city which the Lord had chosen out of all the tribes of Israel, to put His name there. His mother’s name was Naamah, an Ammonitess. Now Judah did evil in the sight of the Lord, and they provoked Him to jealousy with their sins which they committed, more than all that their fathers had done. For they also built for themselves high places, sacred pillars, and wooden images on every high hill and under every green tree. And there were also perverted persons in the land. They did according to all the abominations of the nations which the Lord had cast out before the children of Israel. It happened in the fifth year of King Rehoboam that Shishak king of Egypt came up against Jerusalem. And he took away the treasures of the house of the Lord and the treasures of the king’s house; he took away everything. He also took away all the gold shields which Solomon had made. Then King Rehoboam made bronze shields in their place, and committed them to the hands of the captains of the guard, who guarded the doorway of the king’s house. And whenever the king entered the house of the Lord, the guards carried them, then brought them back into the guardroom. Now the rest of the acts of Rehoboam, and all that he did, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah? And there was war between Rehoboam and Jeroboam all their days. So Rehoboam rested with his fathers, and was buried with his fathers in the City of David. His mother’s name was Naamah, an Ammonitess. Then Abijam his son reigned in his place.”

What happened with Rehoboam that not only he sinned, but that even all of Judah did what was evil in the sight of the Lord? His father Solomon committed great errors before his birth, and those errors continued in him. This is what the Word Itself says about Solomon’s acts: “But King Solomon loved many foreign women, as well as the daughter of Pharaoh: women of the Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Sidonians, and Hittites—from the nations of whom the Lord had said to the children of Israel, ‘You shall not intermarry with them, nor they with you. Surely they will turn away your hearts after their gods.’ Solomon clung to these in love. And he had seven hundred wives, princesses, and three hundred concubines; and his wives turned away his heart. For it was so, when Solomon was old, that his wives turned his heart after other gods; and his heart was not loyal to the Lord his God, as was the heart of his father David. For Solomon went after Ashtoreth the goddess of the Sidonians, and after Milcom the abomination of the Ammonites. Solomon did evil in the sight of the Lord, and did not fully follow the Lord, as did his father David.” 1 Kings 11:1-6. This was the great evil that occurred before and during Rehoboam’s life, the sin of idolatry and of being unequally yoked. This was the environment and the raising that Rehoboam was given, because Rehoboam had a pagan mother (an ammonite, the one that is named twice in the same passage so we can be clear).

Now then, to be able to understand Rehoboam’s evil, we must first understand what happened with Solomon since he was supposedly such a wise person. The problem with Solomon started with idolatry, and then came the issue of being unequally yoked. How can this be said with such certainty? Because idolatry does not just consist of worshipping other deities, but also, it consists of putting something or someone ahead of God. This is the foundation of idolatry—when other things are put ahead of God. And when that starts, the deviation is taking its course. That is why we must be so careful in keeping God in first place, because this is the greatest evil that man commits. This is what the Scriptures say: “He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me.” Matthew 10:37-38. Through this teaching is that we can see that even our loved ones, the ones who we owe love and care the most cannot take under any circumstances God’s place. They cannot take first place. That’s why the first and greatest commandment of all is, just as the Lord reiterated: “Jesus answered him, ‘The first of all the commandments is: ‘Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ This is the first commandment.” Mark 12:29-30. It is even more important to love God then to honor mother and father, which is found in the ten commandments. So then, the beginning of the fall in Solomon started with idolatry, with something that was given more priority, but clearly, God did not have first place in Solomon’s heart.

And then Solomon continued with other sins, to further his deviation, like having friendship with the world which consists of having intimacy with those that do not care about God and being unequally yoked. And this is what the Word says regarding this: “Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.” James 4:4. This does not mean that we cannot have contact with the world (like some believers think which is also an error), because then, how will the world know about the Gospel if no one draws near to them and speaks to them about the Lord and His salvation? The issue is that there should not be any intimacy with someone that is under the control of this world, and we also need to take into account that this affects other believers, that although they may profess being in the Lord, but if their lives are in disorder by practicing sin, we should not have any intimacy with them either (see 1 Corinthians 5:9-11). And we also see what God says about being unequally yoked as follows: “Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever? And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said: ‘I will dwell in them and walk among them. I will be their God, and they shall be My people.’ Therefore ‘Come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, and I will receive you.’ ‘I will be a Father to you, and you shall be My sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty.’” 2 Corinthians 6:14-18. These were Solomon’s evils that influenced and affected Rehoboam, and unfortunately, Rehoboam followed his father’s footsteps (that was his choice).

God’s will, which is what God looked for through His Son’s sacrifice is this: “You are My friends if you do whatever I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you.” John 15:14-15. The Lord desires for us to become His friends, that He be first. Solomon and Rehoboam were not like David, the one that did become God’s friend, because David not only found grace before the Most High, but God also constituted him to be the father of the Messiah (because the Messiah was to be called Son of David). So then, there are two paths here, and you need to decide. Do you desire to put other things before God and start (or continue) with your deviation? Or do you desire to give God His rightful place in your life, and keep the course that leads to eternity and towards everything that God has for those that love Him? Lord bless! John

Doing God’s Will - John 21:15-25

Based on John 21:15-25 (New King James Version)

“So when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, ‘Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me more than these?’ He said to Him, ‘Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.’ He said to him, ‘Feed My lambs.’ He said to him again a second time, ‘Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?’ He said to Him, ‘Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.’ He said to him, ‘Tend My sheep.’ He said to him the third time, ‘Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?’ Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, ‘Do you love Me?’ And he said to Him, ‘Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Feed My sheep. Most assuredly, I say to you, when you were younger, you girded yourself and walked where you wished; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will gird you and carry you where you do not wish.’ This He spoke, signifying by what death he would glorify God. And when He had spoken this, He said to him, ‘Follow Me.’ Then Peter, turning around, saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following, who also had leaned on His breast at the supper, and said, ‘Lord, who is the one who betrays You?’ Peter, seeing him, said to Jesus, ‘But Lord, what about this man?’ Jesus said to him, ‘If I will that he remain till I come, what is that to you? You follow Me.’ Then this saying went out among the brethren that this disciple would not die. Yet Jesus did not say to him that he would not die, but, ‘If I will that he remain till I come, what is that to you?’ This is the disciple who testifies of these things, and wrote these things; and we know that his testimony is true. And there are also many other things that Jesus did, which if they were written one by one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that would be written. Amen.”

In this passage, we see quite clearly the complete will of God. We see for starters that the Lord asked Peter if he loved him, and He does it three times. What was the Lord after? Well, if we remember the story, Peter denied the Lord three times after He was arrested, and quite possibly, wanted to make sure that those three times he had denied Him, that He had in all reality repented from that. The Lord didn’t need for Peter to tell Him, because as God, He knows everything, even our deepest thoughts, but rather, He wanted to hear a new confession from Peter. Nonetheless, each time the Lord asked him if he loved Him, He would demand something, a service, a product, per se, as proof of that love that he confessed he felt for Him (as we read). So then, what does this show?

The first point is that loving the Lord implies doing something for Him. Our relationship with Him does not consist merely of feelings, or nice words, or of singing songs and hymns that are well composed, with pretty music, or of raising hands, or of jumping and dancing. That within itself does not show love to God. Those things on their own are not proof that a person loves the Lord, as He sees them. This is what the Lord Himself taught: “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’” Matthew 7:21-23. The Lord continued clearing up this subject in the following manner: “He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him.” John 14:21.

So, what is the Father’s true will? The Word offers us this following account where the subject is made clearer: “Now as He was going out on the road, one came running, knelt before Him, and asked Him, ‘Good Teacher, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?’ So Jesus said to him, ‘Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God. You know the commandments: ‘Do not commit adultery,’ ‘Do not murder,’ ‘Do not steal,’ ‘Do not bear false witness,’ ‘Do not defraud,’ ‘Honor your father and your mother.’’ And he answered and said to Him, ‘Teacher, all these things I have kept from my youth.’ Then Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, ‘One thing you lack: Go your way, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, take up the cross, and follow Me.’ But he was sad at this word, and went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions. Then Jesus looked around and said to His disciples, ‘How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God!’” Mark 10:17-23. So then, even though the Ten Commandments are very important, they are not the all of God’s will, but only part of it, because the Lord Himself said that something was missing. This implies that if this rich person died at that moment, that he would not inherit eternal life. This is what finally settles things, as it is written: “Then one of the scribes came, and having heard them reasoning together, perceiving that He had answered them well, asked Him, ‘Which is the first commandment of all?’ Jesus answered him, ‘The first of all the commandments is: ‘Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ This is the first commandment. And the second, like it, is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” Mark 12:28-31. This is the same thing the Lord was dealing with Peter, of helping him see that if he really loved Him, that he had to love his neighbor. In other words, the foundation, the reason, and the motive for everything that is done in life should be because you love God. If you say that love God and you don’t do anything for your neighbor, then that means that such love does not exist. And if you love your neighbor because you choose to love them and God is not the reason for why you do it, then that is useless. And, if you do all kinds of things that seem good, but the motives are not based on loving God, then that also will not work. These are all examples of actions that will take you to hell, just like the Lord Himself said: “…‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’” Everything that is not centered on love for the Lord is evil. That’s how exact things need to be. He must be first, before all things, and the reason for why all things are done, as it is also written: “He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me.” Matthew 10:37-38. And finally, the Apostle Paul also declared this: “If anyone does not love the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be accursed. O Lord, come!” 1 Corinthians 16:22.

There is no great mystery really, but rather, it is very easy to know God’s will, because it consists of treating Him like the Lord, as the root of that love we should have for Him. And finally, this is our example: “Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ.” 1 Corinthians 11:1. What we must simply do is imitate Christ. Christ came to fulfill the Father’s will because He loved him, which consisted of putting His desires first, which involved His neighbor, to the point that the very Son of God came to give His life in obedience to God, and for the salvation of all humanity. And the Lord also healed the sick, freed the prisoner, fed the hungry, and even raised the dead. He never tended to Himself, nor did He take advantage of people. And if He lived that way, we should do the same. So then, are you doing God’s true will? Lord bless! John

God-honoring Conduct - 1 Thessalonians 4:1-12

Based on 1 Thessalonians 4:1-12 (New King James Version)

“Finally then, brethren, we urge and exhort in the Lord Jesus that you should abound more and more, just as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God; for you know what commandments we gave you through the Lord Jesus. For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you should abstain from sexual immorality; that each of you should know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor, not in passion of lust, like the Gentiles who do not know God; that no one should take advantage of and defraud his brother in this matter, because the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also forewarned you and testified. For God did not call us to uncleanness, but in holiness. Therefore he who rejects this does not reject man, but God, who has also given us His Holy Spirit. But concerning brotherly love you have no need that I should write to you, for you yourselves are taught by God to love one another; and indeed you do so toward all the brethren who are in all Macedonia. But we urge you, brethren, that you increase more and more; that you also aspire to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you, that you may walk properly toward those who are outside, and that you may lack nothing.”

The Word of God is not very complex because being able to understand God’s will is very simple, so simple that even a child can understand it. You don’t need a great education or university degrees. As a matter of fact, God Himself said that it is necessary for us to become like children, as it is written: “Then Jesus called a little child to Him, set him in the midst of them, and said, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.’” Matthew 18:2-4. So then, not only is it necessary to become like children to enter the kingdom of heaven, but also, that if we humble ourselves like children, that we would be the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. So, what is it then that makes it so difficult, because the state of things makes it seem like it is very difficult, not only by everything that can be seen that is wrong with the world, but even more so, by how wrong everything is with the things that involves Christianity?

I think we can define this issue generally with one word: foolishness. When something so simple that even a child can understand is turned into something so difficult and complex, it’s because foolishness is reigning. There is no other explanation. Let us put things in regular daily terms, so we can understand. Is there any sense in paying for something $100 when it could be easily bought for $5? Is there any sense in delaying something for 2 hours when it should only take 5 minutes? Is there any sense in hiring 4 employees for a job that 1 employee should be able to handle? If these things don’t make sense, and there is no justification for them, then what good is it to complicate the things of God, things that a child not only can understand, but even also fulfill? Do you understand the foolishness? And do you understand even the greater foolishness that if God’s things are not fulfilled as God commands that there will be no eternal life nor rewards in heaven?

In today’s passage, we read very simple instructions, that we should, for our own good, look to please God, look for sanctification, that we should abstain from sexual immorality (what has to do with having intimate relations without being married, or with people outside of the marriage), that we should treat rightly our wife or husband, that we should not harm our brother or sister in Christ, that we should not dedicate ourselves to uncleanness, that we should love each other, that we should look to lead a quiet life, to mind our own business or tend to our responsibilities, to not be lazy but rather hardworking, and finally, to conduct ourselves properly. Nothing of this is difficult to understand. In the end, it is so easy to understand that a person would almost be unprofitable or useless if they were not able to because it is simply about following instructions. For it is also written: “Does he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded him? I think not. So likewise you, when you have done all those things which you are commanded, say, ‘We are unprofitable servants. We have done what was our duty to do.’” Luke 17:9-10.

Let us explore even more the foolishness. If the Word of God says: “For the wages of sin is death…” (Romans 6:23a), and, “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith,” (Galatians 6:7-10), then, how could we think that nothing bad will happen or that everything will be fine if we dedicate ourselves to sinning and to sowing in the flesh, or if we grow weary while doing good? What are we thinking? Did God make a mistake in what He said? Or, if God tells us to do certain things, that He in reality is just not going to pay attention? How can you think something different, or justify something, if we are being told very clearly what we should or should not do? God says with good reason that we should look for His truth, so we can be able to know what we should do or not do. It is something as simple as following instructions.

Let us try to make things even more simple, just as the Lord did: “Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.” Matthew 7:12. Now, let us use this very simple concept to put the things we read today into perspective. Sin not only hurts you, but it also offends God, because God is life (the opposite of death). Do you like being offended? Do you like the idea of you being completely in love with another person, and that this other person just uses you, like a tool, like an object that you pick up or lay down when they feel like it? Do you like being grieved, especially if you have done no wrong to the person that grieves you, or even worse, that the person that grieves you is someone you have concentrated in only doing good to them? If you have worked hard in cleaning something, would you like for someone to making it filthy again, and that they make fun of your efforts in trying to keep it clean? Do you like being hated, or mistreated, or for someone to return evil for good? Do you like for others to get into your business just to make things more chaotic, for them to get into things they neither understand nor care about? Do you like for others to live well, without even trying to work, and for them to live off of your effort and hard work? Do you like for people to steal from you, to lie to you, or to deceive you? We can see all of these things in this passage, and possibly even more, if we see them through the lens (per se) of the law and the prophets, of doing to others as you would like for others to do to you.

So then, and in summary, we were created in the image and likeness of God. And as such, we have very similar feelings. So, the law and the prophets should not only be fulfilled with your generation, but moreover, they should be fulfilled firstly with God. Treat God the way you want to be treated. Having said that, does your conduct honor God and benefit your neighbor? Lord bless! John

The Faith that Produces Action - Romans 4:1-16

Based on Romans 4:1-16 (New King James Version)

“What then shall we say that Abraham our father has found according to the flesh? For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. For what does the Scripture say? ‘Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.’ Now to him who works, the wages are not counted as grace but as debt. But to him who does not work but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness, just as David also describes the blessedness of the man to whom God imputes righteousness apart from works: ‘Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, and whose sins are covered; blessed is the man to whom the Lord shall not impute sin.’ Does this blessedness then come upon the circumcised only, or upon the uncircumcised also? For we say that faith was accounted to Abraham for righteousness. How then was it accounted? While he was circumcised, or uncircumcised? Not while circumcised, but while uncircumcised. And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had while still uncircumcised, that he might be the father of all those who believe, though they are uncircumcised, that righteousness might be imputed to them also, and the father of circumcision to those who not only are of the circumcision, but who also walk in the steps of the faith which our father Abraham had while still uncircumcised. For the promise that he would be the heir of the world was not to Abraham or to his seed through the law, but through the righteousness of faith. For if those who are of the law are heirs, faith is made void and the promise made of no effect, because the law brings about wrath; for where there is no law there is no transgression. Therefore it is of faith that it might be according to grace, so that the promise might be sure to all the seed, not only to those who are of the law, but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all.”

There is much confusion regarding what faith in Christ is about and for many reasons. There are people that think that faith is just about believing in Christ and that there is nothing else that needs to happen. There are people that think that faith is to be used to get what you want. And there are those also that think that faith in Christ is just a religion, and that you need to fulfill certain norms and rules, keep certain traditions, etc. There are all kinds of ideas, and the great majority of people subject faith in Christ to whatever they desire it to be, that it is all subject to what they think; in summary, that faith is defined by them, and by what they want to do with it. Having said all of that, what should faith in Christ be like?

The Bible defines faith as such: “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” Hebrews 11:1. What is then the substance of things hope for, and the evidence of things not seen? The first thing we should see, per se, is through what could be inferred through Abraham’s and David’s lives. And what is that? That Abraham’s and David’s faith was not on something, not even on their own desires or wills, but rather, on Someone. That is the first thing that should be in faith, if you really want to reap what you need to or better yet, what is worth reaping: forgiveness of sins, eternal life, and the rewards that can be received in eternity. And to be able to receive all of those things, we need to focus on the Person of God.

Now, who is God? Well, both Abraham and David understood that God was what was most important, the One that surpasses everything else that exists. In other words, they believe (because they are still alive in eternity because of their faith) that God is Someone worthy to be seen as and followed as such, of submitting to Him, because they truly believe in Who God is. And when you truly believe in God, there is an obedience, an acknowledgment of Him being superior, Someone that is supreme. In summary, faith produced something in their lives. When God told Abram (before he became Abraham) to leave his land and family, he did obey which took him to the unknown. Things back then were not like now where you could go to another country and have a good idea of what you are going to find, the possibilities there are, and that it is a civilized place, etc. Back then, there were many unknowns, and so, it was something crazy (humanly speaking) what Abraham did. David did the same. His faith in God took him to face lions and bears when he was very young, because he trusted that God was with him, the same way he trusted that God would be with him when he faced Goliath the giant. Humanly speaking, it was madness. But in the end, their faith not only took them to believe in God, but also, to submit themselves to Him as such, and to trust in what God would tell them, despite the fact they could not see Him, but only hear His voice. So then, what do we see? Their faith produced works, and this is what the Word says: “For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.” James 2:26. So, faith in Christ is not about what you think, but rather, in seeing God as such, and following Him and obeying Him, and submitting to Him as Who He is: God.

So then, when there is true faith in God, there are works as a product of that faith, but not the works that we want to do, but rather, the works that God tells us to do, as it is also written: “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2:8-10. Therefore, salvation can only be acquired through God’s grace, and through faith in Christ, but true faith in God must produce something that is real. It is not just believing. This is what the Word says: “I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned.” John 15:1-6. When we abide in Christ, when our faith is real, then fruit will be seen, works will be seen, the ones that glorify God and not man. But, if there is no abiding in that faith, if there is no fruit, then sooner or later, they will be cast out as a branch and will become withered and thrown into the fire. This is what the Word says regarding this also: “Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves Him who begot also loves him who is begotten of Him. By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and keep His commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome. For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.” 1 John 5:1-4. In the end, true faith in Christ takes us to submit to His lordship, and to learn how to be like Him, to do things and live like He did. Having said all of this, what kind of fruit is your faith producing? Lord bless! John

Eternal Faith - Hebrews 11:8-16

Based on Hebrews 11:8-16 (New King James Version)

“By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. By faith he dwelt in the land of promise as in a foreign country, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise; for he waited for the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God. By faith Sarah herself also received strength to conceive seed, and she bore a child when she was past the age, because she judged Him faithful who had promised. Therefore from one man, and him as good as dead, were born as many as the stars of the sky in multitude—innumerable as the sand which is by the seashore. These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. For those who say such things declare plainly that they seek a homeland. And truly if they had called to mind that country from which they had come out, they would have had opportunity to return. But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them.”

Faith is the greatest thing that can exist for us. Faith is what can open the door to incredible and unimaginable things. This is the greatest capacity a human being could ever have, given by God Himself who created us. Faith is the only bridge that can take us to reach the impossible, because faith is what ultimately feeds love and hope. There can be no love or hope in a person if there is no faith. Faith is something God created for man because God Himself does not need faith for anything. He knows how everything will be, what will be the results to everything, because He established everything that exists, like its structure and its parameters, from the smallest and invisible, to the greatest and most expansive, so much that He established the expanses of space and everything in it, to the physical and the spiritual. God sees and knows all. This is what defines the devil’s great foolishness as well as all those that cling on to lying vanities, because neither the devil, nor far less, no human, will ever be able to have or change any of God’s aspects. God and what He established is immovable. Rebelling against God is pure and unlimited foolishness. So then, in summary, faith was made for man’s use.

Therefore, something as holy and great like faith must be used wisely, and here is where many fail and many deviations come into play. Faith is the most magnificent thing a human could ever have, but many, unfortunately, the great majority of people decide to use it on things that really do not matter. To give you an idea, it is like using very expensive computers for a building’s exterior walls, each of which costs a lot of money, yet they have no characteristics that are good for construction within themselves. And in all reality, faith is worth much more than a computer, and it can be used for things that transcend this world, and that extend towards the eternal and the infinite. Nonetheless, many use faith wrongly, and even worse, many false prophets, and teachers, and ministers of the Word teach how to use faith for things with limited value, with the goal to take advantage of the foolishness of the simple, those that are content with the crumbs of this age.

You need to be very careful with what you use faith for because you might possibly get what you want with it. As it is written: “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.” Matthew 7:7-8. This Word is fulfilled in every aspect, for good or for evil, depending on what you ask for, seek for, and knock for. If you ask for temporary things, you may get them. If you seek earthly things, those are what you will get. And of course, if you knock for things that are not good, they will be opened for you. This is the other way the Word puts things, as it is written: “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.” Galatians 6:7-9. That’s why we need to be careful with what we use faith for, because you might get exactly what you want.

In the end, what should we use faith for? Or more clearly, what is more convenient to use faith for? Let’s see the following passage: “And seeing the multitudes, He went up on a mountain, and when He was seated His disciples came to Him. Then He opened His mouth and taught them, saying: ‘Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” Matthew 5:1-12. Did you see anything there that had to do with temporary or earthly rewards? No. This is what the Word teaches: “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Matthew 6:19-21.

Faith should be used for the eternal, in summary, for God, so we can precisely attain the things for why God gave faith to begin with, to be able to reach the impossible and the unimaginable, the eternal things of God. Paul felt this way: “Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Therefore let us, as many as are mature, have this mind; and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal even this to you.” Philippians 3:12-15. This was for what those that preceded us fought for, starting with Abraham, the father of faith. Surrendering our lives to Christ is just the beginning of a long road that must be followed until our time here on earth is complete. We will come to have everything God desires for us to have through faith in Christ, that which really matters, if we abide in that eternal faith, in the faith that overcomes this world and every circumstance that might occur. So then, what are you choosing to use your faith for, for temporary and superficial things, or for the eternal and infinite? Lord bless! John

We Owe Everything to the Lord - Psalm 106:1-22

Based on Psalm 106:1-22 (New King James Version)

“Praise the Lord! Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever. Who can utter the mighty acts of the Lord? Who can declare all His praise? Blessed are those who keep justice, and he who does righteousness at all times! Remember me, O Lord, with the favor You have toward Your people. Oh, visit me with Your salvation, that I may see the benefit of Your chosen ones, that I may rejoice in the gladness of Your nation, that I may glory with Your inheritance. We have sinned with our fathers, we have committed iniquity, we have done wickedly. Our fathers in Egypt did not understand Your wonders; they did not remember the multitude of Your mercies, but rebelled by the sea—the Red Sea. Nevertheless He saved them for His name’s sake, that He might make His mighty power known. He rebuked the Red Sea also, and it dried up; so He led them through the depths, as through the wilderness. He saved them from the hand of him who hated them, and redeemed them from the hand of the enemy. The waters covered their enemies; there was not one of them left. Then they believed His words; they sang His praise. They soon forgot His works; they did not wait for His counsel, but lusted exceedingly in the wilderness, and tested God in the desert. And He gave them their request, but sent leanness into their soul. When they envied Moses in the camp, and Aaron the saint of the Lord, the earth opened up and swallowed Dathan, and covered the faction of Abiram. A fire was kindled in their company; the flame burned up the wicked. They made a calf in Horeb, and worshiped the molded image. Thus they changed their glory into the image of an ox that eats grass. They forgot God their Savior, Who had done great things in Egypt, wondrous works in the land of Ham, awesome things by the Red Sea.”

It is truly incredible all the things God does! It is not possible for us to be able to count everything the Lord does, from the smallest and the invisible to the greatest and cosmic. If we tried to meditate on them, we would not have enough time or the ability to be able to count the things we can understand. There are things that we know, but there is too much that we ignore as well. How should we be able to know God and what He does? By His works. All of them surround us and we are also benefitted by all of them individually and intimately. As it is written: “Because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse.” Romans 1:19-20.

What should we also understand? That everything that exists and even our own person would not be able to subsist without the Lord. For example, He makes it rain over the just and the unjust. But, even much more than rain, we see the following: “For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist.” Colossians 1:16-17. Let us think for a little bit what God has done. God made everything. Everything that exists is not a product of an accident as so-called science teaches today. The infinite of the universe and everything that is in it exists because God has made it and allows for it to continue being so. And if we see what God did for His people Israel, we will see that God did miracles to free them from the hands of Pharaoh, great and incredible works. But what did Israel do? In response to the Lord’s grace, Israel soon forgot His works, and did not wait for His counsel. They lusted exceedingly in the wilderness and tested God in the desert. And not only that, but they also made for themselves a calf, and they bowed down and worshipped this molded image. They changed their glory for an image of an ox that eats grass. In summary, they forgot about God. After being freed from 400 years of slavery, of abuse, and of death, that’s how they rewarded God for His great works and the grace He showed them. They were not ready for God neither during those 400 years, nor after. What a shame, no?

Now, we can try to judge Israel for the evil they did back then, but today, we do the same or even worse with God. How so? We were created and made the same way God made them. We have also repaid the good that God has done for all of humanity with evil, because God has done much more for us than the great works He did to free His people. This is what God did: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” John 3:16. Who else has done what God has done for us? Let us weigh things. Was it Israel’s excessive lusts what freed them from the hand of Pharaoh? No, it was God. So, why did they give themselves over to them like if they owed them something? Is it our sinful desires that came down from heaven for us? No. It was the Son of God. So then, why do we give ourselves over to these desires in such a way like if our lives depended on them? Was it the golden calf that freed the Israel from Pharaoh’s army? No, it was the hand of God Almighty. Why then worship it as if it were that that did the work? Now, was money, or our power, or our degrees and successes, or even our loved ones that died for us on the cross so that we could have forgiveness of sins and eternal life? No, it was God who gave His only begotten Son, Jesus, so that He could die on the cross for all our sins. So then, why does all of that have more value before our eyes and we dedicate ourselves more to that than to God, to the One we owe everything to? Are you starting to understand?

Let us put ourselves for a moment in God’s position, if it were possible. How would you feel if you did everything possible for a person, immeasurable things, and that this person even depends daily on you, and this person not only doesn’t pay attention to you, but also, they ignore and doubt everything you do, and even worse, that this person gives more credit to someone or something else that has nothing to do with anything, and even more, they prefer to look and honor something or someone that only looks to do evil to them? That is what Israel did and that is what we do today. People look for, and honor, and worship, and dedicate themselves more to things or people that have nothing to do with their physical wellbeing, and even far less, with their spiritual wellbeing. Everything God has done (and continues doing daily), is either doubted, or despised, or ignored, and we look more for things or beings that are far more inferior or even bad for us. Does this have any logic? Sin will never be logical, nor just. That is why all injustice is sin, and God is dealt a lot of injustice, both the unbeliever as well as those that say that follow Him treat God very unjustly.

So then, what will you do with all of this? Will you come to understand that you owe God everything good and eternal, and start treating more justly, or will you continue being part of the large group of people that treat God unjustly? Lord bless! John

God’s Word and Testimonies - Psalm 119:161-168

Based on Psalm 119:161-168 (New King James Version)

“Princes persecute me without a cause, but my heart stands in awe of Your word. I rejoice at Your word as one who finds great treasure. I hate and abhor lying, but I love Your law. Seven times a day I praise You, because of Your righteous judgments. Great peace have those who love Your law, and nothing causes them to stumble. Lord, I hope for Your salvation, and I do Your commandments. My soul keeps Your testimonies, and I love them exceedingly. I keep Your precepts and Your testimonies, for all my ways are before You.”

There are two things that are fundamental for every person that confesses to be a Christ follower, and these are: loving God’s Word and remembering God’s testimonies. There is nothing else that can strengthen us more than these two things, especially if we desire to have an immovable faith. These things in all reality should be the base of everything in our lives because they are immovable and irrefutable.

If we see the first point, loving God’s Word, it is necessary to understand key things about this. The Word of God is the foundation for everything that exists. We must remember that everything was created through the Word of God. If we read the beginning of the book of Genesis, we see there that God spoke or used His Word to create everything. As it is written: “Then God said, ‘Let there be light’; and there was light.” Genesis 1:3. “Then God said, ‘Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters.’” Genesis 1:6. “Then God said, ‘Let the waters under the heavens be gathered together into one place, and let the dry land appear’; and it was so.” Genesis 1:9. “Then God said, ‘Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb that yields seed, and the fruit tree that yields fruit according to its kind, whose seed is in itself, on the earth’; and it was so.” Genesis 1:11. “Then God said, ‘Let there be lights in the firmament of the heavens to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs and seasons, and for days and years; and let them be for lights in the firmament of the heavens to give light on the earth’; and it was so.” Genesis 1:14-15. We could continue citing more Scripture, but you will notice that God “said”, “spoke”, pronounced words that came out of His mouth, and the incredible was produced, because God is the only Being in all of the universe that can create, or make something out of nothing. Man cannot create anything; only manipulate what already exists.

We see those that were able to attain great things because they also understood the simple fact that by God just saying something, or pronouncing Himself somehow, that miracles would happen. We see this in the following story, as it was also left written: “Now when Jesus had entered Capernaum, a centurion came to Him, pleading with Him, saying, ‘Lord, my servant is lying at home paralyzed, dreadfully tormented.’ And Jesus said to him, ‘I will come and heal him.’ The centurion answered and said, ‘Lord, I am not worthy that You should come under my roof. But only speak a word, and my servant will be healed. For I also am a man under authority, having soldiers under me. And I say to this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes; and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.’ When Jesus heard it, He marveled, and said to those who followed, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel! And I say to you that many will come from east and west, and sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven. But the sons of the kingdom will be cast out into outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ Then Jesus said to the centurion, ‘Go your way; and as you have believed, so let it be done for you.’ And his servant was healed that same hour.” Matthew 8:5-13.

The Word of God is vital to everything in this life and in eternity. As the Lord Himself said it: “‘…It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.’’” Luke 4:4. Everything depends on the Word of God. Everything was created through the Word of God. Everything has life because of the Word of God. The great miracles and acts of God are possible through His Word. The knowledge of God and of all things are in the Word of God. In summary, the Word of God is everything, and in Him are all things, the past, the present, and the future. From Genesis to Revelation, we find God’s complete counsel to man. That is why His Word are not mere words printed in a book or as we have them today, as information on a screen. Whatever form the Word has, whether it is printed, whether if its through a screen, or even if it is mentioned by another human being, the Word of God is precisely that: The Word of God. And what makes it so special, so powerful, is that the Word of God is God Himself, His Person, the person of Christ, as it is also written: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men.” John 1:1-4. And through this is that we also know that the person of Christ is what makes everything exist and consist possible, as it is written: “For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist.” Colossians 1:16-17. This is the power and Person of the Word of God. That is why His Word is so important and must be foundational in our lives.

Now then, and in conjunction with what has been said, are His testimonies. What are His testimonies? The things God has done, His actions, His works. Through this is that we know that God is God, and that everything is possible for Him. Through His acts are that we know that He is Who He is because there is no one that can do the things He has done. God created everything (as we saw earlier) through His Word. God was the God of Abraham, of Isaac, of Jacob, of Moses, of Elijah, of David, of the prophets, and He did different things for them. His acts speak of Who He is. We see this also in the Word: “Because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse.” Romans 1:19-20. Everything that was created speaks of His greatness, of His acts, they give testimony of Who He is and of what He is capable of. The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows His handiwork. Psalm 19:1. Every time we see the sun, the moon and the stars, that we see the mountains, the valleys, the waters, the animals, and even when we look in the mirror, it all speaks of Him. And of course, the greatest testimony of His love for us is when He gave His only begotten Son, Jesus, so that He could die for all of humanity’s sins, for your sin and my sin. Nothing compares to the testimonies of my God. Great are His testimonies!

Loving God’s Word and remembering His testimonies are what finally help us understand Who He is and how to come to love Him, and that is man’s all, because: “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one! You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.” Deuteronomy 6:4-5. So then, what place does God’s Word and His testimonies have in your life? Lord bless! John

God’s Sovereignty - Deuteronomy 2:26-36

Based on Deuteronomy 2:26-36 (New King James Version)

“And I sent messengers from the Wilderness of Kedemoth to Sihon king of Heshbon, with words of peace, saying, ‘Let me pass through your land; I will keep strictly to the road, and I will turn neither to the right nor to the left. You shall sell me food for money, that I may eat, and give me water for money, that I may drink; only let me pass through on foot, just as the descendants of Esau who dwell in Seir and the Moabites who dwell in Ar did for me, until I cross the Jordan to the land which the Lord our God is giving us.’ ‘But Sihon king of Heshbon would not let us pass through, for the Lord your God hardened his spirit and made his heart obstinate, that He might deliver him into your hand, as it is this day. ‘And the Lord said to me, ‘See, I have begun to give Sihon and his land over to you. Begin to possess it, that you may inherit his land.’ Then Sihon and all his people came out against us to fight at Jahaz. And the Lord our God delivered him over to us; so we defeated him, his sons, and all his people. We took all his cities at that time, and we utterly destroyed the men, women, and little ones of every city; we left none remaining. We took only the livestock as plunder for ourselves, with the spoil of the cities which we took. From Aroer, which is on the bank of the River Arnon, and from the city that is in the ravine, as far as Gilead, there was not one city too strong for us; the Lord our God delivered all to us.”

There is something that is not understood very well nowadays, and what makes it even more difficult to understand is that many people in the world are choosing to lose their concept of authority. There is this feeling of rebellion that is getting worse and worse. Many people are subscribing to the idea that the structure needs to be broken, from the simplest and most fundamental like the family unit, to the governmental and national. And well, every person is free to do whatever they want to because that is the great power that God Himself has given us, the power to have free will. But, everything that is done has consequences. Now then, one thing is rebelling against man and against what is established on earth (which goes against God’s principles), but another thing is rebelling directly against God Almighty, and from there is where this feeling of rebellion emanates from. Maybe many people are not necessarily burning businesses down or destroying statues, but they have within themselves this feeling of rebellion against God, and they think they can treat God like a man. And even more so, they take God’s mercy and goodness as a sign of weakness, or that He simply does not exist. Many think like this today: “If God doesn’t pronounce Himself (at least to their liking), then He must not exist, right?” But whether they want to believe it or not, or accept it or not, God does exist, and He is real, and He is capable of great love, but He is also sovereign, and nothing of what man chooses to do will change that.

When we saw today’s passage, we read that God hardened Sihon’s spirit, and made his heart obstinate to bring upon him his destruction. Anyone that ignores the Scriptures and God’s way of doing things would say: “That seems very unfair on God’s part. How can a God that says that is love and good can come to do that, and even more so, allow the complete destruction of a people with men, women, and even little ones?” And the answer is in His Word. God never does things without a good reason, not that He needs one. Each person either had made their decisions or were carrying within themselves things that only God and they know. No one should judge God for what He does because they neither know, nor even have an idea of what is happening in the background or within every human being. One thing we do know, and that is that God gives opportunities day after day to every human being to know Him. Every day the sun rises and sets, God gives diverse and innumerable opportunities to know Who He is and that He should be sought after. The problem is that many are so engrossed and focused on their own things, that they choose to ignore the world and everything that surrounds them, and everything that exists and subsists around them, even their own person. God’s greatness can be seen everywhere, from the great and immeasurable like the planets and the stars, and space, and everything that is in them, to the smallest that cannot even be seen with the naked eye. Everything speaks about God. And this is what the Word says regarding this: “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools, and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man—and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things. Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen. For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due. And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful; who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them.” Romans 1:18-32.

God knew Sihon’s and all of the people’s heart, and that they had maintained their decision to hate God for a long time, and the ones that were coming also had this evil engendered within them, because of their parent’s excessive rebellion. There are things that can be inherited, and by virtue of the decision of those that conceived them. This truth is what the Word of God says: “The Lord is gracious and full of compassion, slow to anger and great in mercy. The Lord is good to all, and His tender mercies are over all His works.” Psalm 145:8-9. The Lord is gracious and full of compassion, and very good to all, but He is also sovereign, and just because it says that He is slow to anger does not mean that His anger will never come if a person continues to persist in such evil and sin before Him. No one can do anything against God, because He is ultimately God, and man is simply man, and whether man likes it or not, everything is subject to what God has created, the visible and invisible. And one day, every person will give an account before Him. And so, the question is, “Will you cling on to God’s sovereignty for your own good, or will you choose to defy Him and then find out one day that you have caused your own destruction here on earth, and even far worse, in eternity? Lord bless! John

Living by faith - Acts 24

Based on Acts 24 (New King James Version)

“Now after five days Ananias the high priest came down with the elders and a certain orator named Tertullus. These gave evidence to the governor against Paul. And when he was called upon, Tertullus began his accusation, saying: ‘Seeing that through you we enjoy great peace, and prosperity is being brought to this nation by your foresight, we accept it always and in all places, most noble Felix, with all thankfulness. Nevertheless, not to be tedious to you any further, I beg you to hear, by your courtesy, a few words from us. For we have found this man a plague, a creator of dissension among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes. He even tried to profane the temple, and we seized him, and wanted to judge him according to our law. But the commander Lysias came by and with great violence took him out of our hands, commanding his accusers to come to you. By examining him yourself you may ascertain all these things of which we accuse him.’ And the Jews also assented, maintaining that these things were so. Then Paul, after the governor had nodded to him to speak, answered: ‘Inasmuch as I know that you have been for many years a judge of this nation, I do the more cheerfully answer for myself, because you may ascertain that it is no more than twelve days since I went up to Jerusalem to worship. And they neither found me in the temple disputing with anyone nor inciting the crowd, either in the synagogues or in the city. Nor can they prove the things of which they now accuse me. But this I confess to you, that according to the Way which they call a sect, so I worship the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the Law and in the Prophets. I have hope in God, which they themselves also accept, that there will be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and the unjust. This being so, I myself always strive to have a conscience without offense toward God and men. Now after many years I came to bring alms and offerings to my nation, in the midst of which some Jews from Asia found me purified in the temple, neither with a mob nor with tumult. They ought to have been here before you to object if they had anything against me. Or else let those who are here themselves say if they found any wrongdoing in me while I stood before the council, unless it is for this one statement which I cried out, standing among them, ‘Concerning the resurrection of the dead I am being judged by you this day.’ But when Felix heard these things, having more accurate knowledge of the Way, he adjourned the proceedings and said, ‘When Lysias the commander comes down, I will make a decision on your case.’ So he commanded the centurion to keep Paul and to let him have liberty, and told him not to forbid any of his friends to provide for or visit him. And after some days, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish, he sent for Paul and heard him concerning the faith in Christ. Now as he reasoned about righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and answered, ‘Go away for now; when I have a convenient time I will call for you.’ Meanwhile he also hoped that money would be given him by Paul, that he might release him. Therefore he sent for him more often and conversed with him. But after two years Porcius Festus succeeded Felix; and Felix, wanting to do the Jews a favor, left Paul bound.”

What can we see in today’s passage? In general, we see that those that follow and serve the Lord faithfully will have problems sooner or later, and they will be big problems. Why is this? Because we live in a world that is full of sin, with many people that delight themselves in sin. Knowingly or not, the truth is that they are being led by their flesh’s impulses, by the desires of the sin that dwells within their members. And Unfortunately, even those of us that have come to the Lord and repented from our sins also have a struggle with our own flesh. Sin ruins everything. That is why it causes injustice and finally spiritual death, if you choose to follow it. But the worst problems happen with people that do not desire to change their ways, and they continue at the moment satisfied with their fallen condition. That is what makes the world so difficult, especially for those of us that have made the decision to follow the Lord’s footsteps.

What wrong did Paul do to deserve judgment, and as history teaches us, even die for his actions? After coming to Christ, Paul dedicated himself to sharing the gospel with every person possible. Paul was looking to do the greatest service to everyone he could find, the good of letting them know the way to eternal salvation through Jesus Christ. That was the evil (per se) that Paul committed, because of worrying, struggling, working, losing sleep, and suffering over the eternal state of his neighbor. The irony within this is that before coming to Christ, when he was persecuting the church, and consenting in the death of many Christians, where he would force them to blaspheme, no one would do anything. The religious Jews gave him all the power he needed to fulfill his missions. While Paul was persecuting and harming the followers of Jesus Christ, the whole world was happy what is actions. No one accused him, nor punished him, nor put him in jail, or least of all, threatened his life. Everyone was fine with Paul’s actions.

So then, if we follow the Lord faithfully, could we in any way even put our eyes on what is here and now? This is what the word says: “If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the most pitiable.” 1 Corinthians 15:19. The answer is now. Our hope is not in this world (and here is where many people lose their desire to follow Christ). Christ did not necessarily come, nor least of all, die to turn this fallen world into heaven. Christ did not die on the cross to give us a good financial standing or help us fulfill are temporary and carnal desires. He did not come to make us powerful in this world. He came for much greater things then this temporary world and everything that is in it. And furthermore, this world must pass and everything that is in it so that the eternal and perfect can come. So then, the reward is not here. The reward and goal in Christ is after all of this, when the temporary comes to its end. This is what the Lord taught: “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men. You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:10-14.

If we follow the Lord faithfully, until our physical death, we will have a great prize, a great reward, waiting for us, and it will be eternal. But, if a person dedicates themselves to following the things of the world, to temporary things, they will receive just that, and God’s heaven and eternity is not awaiting them, but rather, eternal death where there is no peace, or joy, or life. I am afraid that it’s that simple. There are no grays. Either you decide to put your faith in Christ and follow His Word the best you can so you can have what He has reserved for those that love Him, or you decide to form part of the larger group that follows Satan’s dark power that now reigns on this earth? Where is your faith? Lord bless! John

How to Best Help Yourself and Each Other - Galatians 6:1-5

Based on Galatians 6:1-5 (New King James Version)

“Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. For if anyone thinks himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. But let each one examine his own work, and then he will have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another. For each one shall bear his own load.”

In today’s passage, we see a clear example of how to fulfill the law of Christ, which consists of loving our neighbor as ourselves. And loving our neighbor consists in helping them in very practical and meaningful ways, with things like true physical needs (not with likes or whims or greed), but even more importantly, with spiritual things. We need to help each other in every way possible, but principally, with our walk in the Lord. This is part of God’s true will. But, how can this be done?

The first point has to do with the matter that if we are in conditions to be able to help. For example, a rescue swimmer (someone that is not spoken of very much, but when you do need one, you need them as quickly as possible) cannot be a good one unless they are first good swimmers, but not only good enough for themselves, but also, strong and sufficiently good of a swimmer to be able to effectively help rescue another person. Otherwise, how can they help rescue someone else if they don’t even have the ability to save their own life? And what also must be considered with a rescue swimmer is that they should have enough training and ability to be able to save someone in a storm and in turbulent waters. A rescuer will not always have the luck of saving someone during calm weather when everything is in peace. Many times, rescue swimmers need to go save people in shipwrecks, in the middle of storms, in very dangerous conditions, between huge waves and large rocks, where they risk their lives to save others. And so, it is not that simple to just go and help someone, especially considering the times we are living in, but it is our duty before God.

So, how can we make sure that we are in conditions to be able to help? We must always go to what is first, to love God with all of our being, the first and greatest commandment. And the way that starts is when we surrender ourselves to the Lord by giving Him our life, because that is the first and most important step of all, for our own good. Because what do we gain in helping others when we don’t even know what we are doing and why we are doing it? We must first be very clear in that we are in a secure place before going on and helping others. The Bible gives us the following key story which explains this concept: “There was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. This man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, ‘Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him.’ Jesus answered and said to him, ‘Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.’ Nicodemus said to Him, ‘How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?’ Jesus answered, ‘Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’” John 3:1-7. So then, we need to be born again in Christ, and this consists of being born of water which refers to John’s baptism, the baptism of repentance, where a person repents from all of their sins; and of the Spirit, where a person gives their heart to the Lord, surrendering themselves completely, without reservations to His Lordship. The Gospel of Mark tells us how the Lord’s public ministry started in the following: “Now after John was put in prison, Jesus came to Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, and saying, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel.’” Mark 1:14-15. So, new birth in Christ is what starts everything in a person, through repentance and faith.

Now then, what happens when a person is born again? God literally comes to dwell in our hearts. The great miracle occurs where God comes to live within temples not made by human hands. This is what the Word continues explaining regarding this: “Judas (not Iscariot) said to Him, ‘Lord, how is it that You will manifest Yourself to us, and not to the world?’ Jesus answered and said to him, ‘If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him. He who does not love Me does not keep My words; and the word which you hear is not Mine but the Father’s who sent Me.’” John 14:22-24. And when God comes into our life, the Helper, the Holy Spirit also comes in, and He is the One that will guide us, as it is also written: “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.” John 14:26. “I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you.” John 16:12-14. So then, the matter of being able to grow and understand things do not necessarily consist of intellect, but rather, the Holy Spirit is who teaches and instructs, but through the Word of God. Because we must also keep something very clear, that neither the Holy Spirit will teach something that goes against the Word of God nor will the Word of God teach something that goes against the Holy Spirit. Both agree perfectly because they have the same source: God. That’s why it is absolutely impossible to believe that there are many paths to God and that all religions take you to the same God. There is only one way to the true God Almighty, and that is Jesus, and the Holy Spirit and the Word of God agree with Him. 

And finally, a person can’t just say that they believe in God and that they want to help someone, but rather, a person must look to do God’s will which consists of following and fulfilling the Word of God in their life. For it is also written: “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’” Matthew 7:21-23. So, if you have been born again in Christ, and you are being guided by the Holy Spirit and the Word of God, looking to fulfill God’s will in your life, not only will you be able to have God’s salvation through Jesus Christ, but also, you will be able to help your neighbor find that same salvation, the one that the whole world needs. This is the best way you can help anyone. And so, do you understand how you can be able to help yourself and all of those around you? Lord bless! John

Who Are You? - Psalm 141

Based on Psalm 141 (New King James Version)

“Lord, I cry out to You; make haste to me! Give ear to my voice when I cry out to You. Let my prayer be set before You as incense, the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice. Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips. Do not incline my heart to any evil thing, to practice wicked works with men who work iniquity; and do not let me eat of their delicacies. Let the righteous strike me; it shall be a kindness. And let him rebuke me; it shall be as excellent oil; let my head not refuse it. For still my prayer is against the deeds of the wicked. Their judges are overthrown by the sides of the cliff, and they hear my words, for they are sweet. Our bones are scattered at the mouth of the grave, as when one plows and breaks up the earth. But my eyes are upon You, O God the Lord; in You I take refuge; do not leave my soul destitute. Keep me from the snares they have laid for me, and from the traps of the workers of iniquity. Let the wicked fall into their own nets, while I escape safely.

Who are you? To be able to answer that question correctly, the best advice I could give you is to not let yourself be guided by your own opinion, and don’t answer too quickly, or else, you will not arrive to the right answer. To be able to answer this question, you need silence, solitude, time, sincerity, and the light of the Word of God. It’s not good to use your own light, per se. When we use our own light to see things, especially what we do, you can never see things that clearly. The Word of God teaches us this principle: “You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles? Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Therefore by their fruits you will know them.” Matthew 7:16-20. So then, if you wish to know who you really are, you need to see your works, the things you have done, your fruits, your actions. This is also something the Word says: “Then the word of the Lord came by Haggai the prophet, saying, ‘Is it time for you yourselves to dwell in your paneled houses, and this temple to lie in ruins?’ Now therefore, thus says the Lord of hosts: ‘Consider your ways! You have sown much, and bring in little; you eat, but do not have enough; you drink, but you are not filled with drink; you clothe yourselves, but no one is warm; and he who earns wages, earns wages to put into a bag with holes.’ Thus says the Lord of hosts: ‘Consider your ways!’” Haggai 1:3-7. Do not commit the mistake of thinking that God is interested in manmade buildings, because the ones that He has always been interested in are the temples of our hearts. So, observe your fruits and consider your ways. What have you done?

I have to say that as the universal church of God, we have severe problems. And if you don’t believe it, just look around you, look at your own lives, your families, everything that surrounds you. We all have something that is wrong. The Word says this to bring even more clarity to the issue: “Set the trumpet to your mouth! He shall come like an eagle against the house of the Lord, because they have transgressed My covenant and rebelled against My law. Israel will cry to Me, ‘My God, we know You!’ Israel has rejected the good; the enemy will pursue him. They set up kings, but not by Me; they made princes, but I did not acknowledge them. From their silver and gold they made idols for themselves—that they might be cut off. Your calf is rejected, O Samaria! My anger is aroused against them—how long until they attain to innocence? For from Israel is even this: a workman made it, and it is not God; but the calf of Samaria shall be broken to pieces. They sow the wind, and reap the whirlwind. The stalk has no bud; it shall never produce meal. If it should produce, aliens would swallow it up. Israel is swallowed up; now they are among the Gentiles like a vessel in which is no pleasure. For they have gone up to Assyria, like a wild donkey alone by itself; Ephraim has hired lovers. Yes, though they have hired among the nations, now I will gather them; and they shall sorrow a little, because of the burden of the king of princes. Because Ephraim has made many altars for sin, they have become for him altars for sinning. I have written for him the great things of My law, but they were considered a strange thing. For the sacrifices of My offerings they sacrifice flesh and eat it, but the Lord does not accept them. Now He will remember their iniquity and punish their sins. They shall return to Egypt. For Israel has forgotten his Maker, and has built temples; Judah also has multiplied fortified cities; but I will send fire upon his cities, and it shall devour his palaces.” Hosea 8. Of what can be observed, as believers, we have dedicated ourselves more to building and supporting things that should be either secondary to God or quite simply should not even be in our lives. For example, what can be idols in a person’s life? Everything that takes the place of God. God’s blessings can even be turned into an idol when something or someone is given preference over God. An idol can be your family, your career or job, your wealth, your hobbies, your pleasures, etc. They can be good things, but when they are put ahead of God, a blessing is being turned into something evil and sinful. And of course, the greatest problem of all is when God is not retained in their knowledge or taken into consideration, when not consulting Him, when dismissing His will and ignoring His Word. What good can come out of a person that does not consider God? This is what the Word says that happens when God is not considered: “And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful; who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them.” Romans 1:28-32. It seems like the world is full of madness and disorder, even within God’s so-called people, right? This passage clears it all up. If God is not considered, God will then give them over to a debased mind. And you might say, “I am not ignoring God.” But, if you approve of those that do, even though you don’t do it yourself, I’m afraid that you are also part of the problem, because the one that approves evil is just as guilty as the one that commits evil. This is what God says.

How can all of this come about by reading today’s passage? Simple, because it is necessary to understand and comprehend what your true position is so that you can know how to come to God and ask for His help. Are you like this David that loved God? Are you like the righteous that David is speaking of? Or are you of those that practice wicked works, those that commit iniquity, evil judges, those that lay snares and traps, those that approve evil? The will of God is not to destroy the sinner, but rather, that the sinner repent. Here is His mercy and love, as it is written: “When Jesus had raised Himself up and saw no one but the woman, He said to her, ‘Woman, where are those accusers of yours? Has no one condemned you?’ She said, ‘No one, Lord.’ And Jesus said to her, ‘Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more.’” John 8:10-11. God desires everyone’s wellbeing, and He can forgive everything. But, come to God truthfully, repent, and sin no more. Who do you finally choose to be? Lord bless! John

Faith and Circumstances - Acts 28:1-10

Based on Acts 28:1-10 (New King James Version)

“Now when they had escaped, they then found out that the island was called Malta. And the natives showed us unusual kindness; for they kindled a fire and made us all welcome, because of the rain that was falling and because of the cold. But when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and laid them on the fire, a viper came out because of the heat, and fastened on his hand. So when the natives saw the creature hanging from his hand, they said to one another, ‘No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he has escaped the sea, yet justice does not allow to live.’ But he shook off the creature into the fire and suffered no harm. However, they were expecting that he would swell up or suddenly fall down dead. But after they had looked for a long time and saw no harm come to him, they changed their minds and said that he was a god. In that region there was an estate of the leading citizen of the island, whose name was Publius, who received us and entertained us courteously for three days. And it happened that the father of Publius lay sick of a fever and dysentery. Paul went in to him and prayed, and he laid his hands on him and healed him. So when this was done, the rest of those on the island who had diseases also came and were healed. They also honored us in many ways; and when we departed, they provided such things as were necessary.

Life is full of circumstances, of good and bad circumstances. But what ultimately defines circumstances as being good or bad? Everything depends on not only how we decide to look at them, but rather, where our sight is set on. That is not only what determines how we see circumstances, but even more importantly, how we decide to react to them. As we can see in today’s passage, we cannot let our circumstances dictate the way we choose to live life, especially if we say that we believe and follow Christ. The most important thing is to keep in mind where our faith is set, and to let that determine how we see and react to circumstances (it’s easier said then done, but everything is possible if you really love Christ).

To start, if we see the whole story, we would have known that Paul had just survived a shipwreck and that his trip to Rome had been interrupted almost in a deadly kind of way. And this voyage that Paul had set on was not one of pleasure, but rather, he was being transported as a prisoner, so he could stand before Caesar because he had been preaching the Gospel. Paul had done nothing wrong. Paul’s great evil (ironically speaking) was to have been concerned with his neighbor’s eternal wellbeing and providing the greatest service he could give his fellow man—the opportunity of having eternal salvation through Jesus Christ. That was his crime. So then, with just that issue, if Paul would have let himself be guided by instincts of human self-preservation, he would have stopped sharing the Gospel. Because after all, what logic (humanly speaking) is there in risking your freedom, your life, for something like that, right? At the very least, that’s how many people thought before and think today as well. There are many that are ashamed or do not follow the things of God for many reasons. Nonetheless, Paul understood what real faith was about, that it was more important to please God then men, and that loving God rendered greater rewards. So, we can then see that Paul’s faith made him do many things that were not humanly logical, and even more so, he would see these supposedly bad circumstances as opportunities, as he wrote himself inspired by the Holy Spirit: “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28.

Let’s see even more Paul’s thoughts: “But I want you to know, brethren, that the things which happened to me have actually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel, so that it has become evident to the whole palace guard, and to all the rest, that my chains are in Christ.” Philippians 1:12-13. So then, he saw his imprisonment as opportunities for the gospel, that being locked up was an advantage for the furtherance of the gospel. How can this be? Because God knows what He is doing and why He allows for things to happen (and that would be another very long message, but let’s stay focused on today’s discussion). So, how was Paul able to react in that manner to something so unpleasant? Let’s continue seeing this that Paul wrote: “Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:11-13. Paul found his strength in Christ, the ability to withstand any kind of situation.

Now then, Paul, in no way was he governed by his circumstances, but rather, he was governed by something else that was much greater. What was that? For it is written just as he said it himself: For we walk by faith, not by sight. 2 Corinthians 5:7. His faith in Christ was what would lead him to do things that transcended human logic, to put his carnal needs and goals as secondary, and to be willing to suffer different circumstances so he could be able to reach greater and more valuable things, eternal things. What is faith? “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” Hebrews 11:1. Faith is being able to see beyond, the ability of being able to cling on to something or Someone that will be seen later. So, it was not just faith alone, but also, where or on Who he had decided to put his faith on, as it is also written: “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” Hebrews 11:6. Faith goes hand-in-hand with hope, and this is what is written regarding hope in God: “For we were saved in this hope, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one still hope for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance.” Romans 8:24-25.

And finally, this was Paul’s view, and also the view of those that have put, and are putting carnal things in second place, to be able to gain something far more superior that this temporary world, and to be found worthy through Jesus Christ to receive the following as it is also written: “These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. For those who say such things declare plainly that they seek a homeland. And truly if they had called to mind that country from which they had come out, they would have had opportunity to return. But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them.” Hebrews 11:13-16. Neither Paul, nor any of us that have decided to follow Christ, no matter what happens, want for God to be ashamed of us. That should be the reason for everything we do, including suffering and even coming to die, if necessary, for the Gospel, so that God’s will is fulfilled in us, because we love Him above all things. So then, what is governing your life? Is it your love and faith in God, or letting yourself be dominated and subdued by your circumstances? Lord bless! John

When We Ignore God’s Warnings - Acts 27:1-20

Based on Acts 27:1-20 (New King James Version)

“And when it was decided that we should sail to Italy, they delivered Paul and some other prisoners to one named Julius, a centurion of the Augustan Regiment. So, entering a ship of Adramyttium, we put to sea, meaning to sail along the coasts of Asia. Aristarchus, a Macedonian of Thessalonica, was with us. And the next day we landed at Sidon. And Julius treated Paul kindly and gave him liberty to go to his friends and receive care. When we had put to sea from there, we sailed under the shelter of Cyprus, because the winds were contrary. And when we had sailed over the sea which is off Cilicia and Pamphylia, we came to Myra, a city of Lycia. There the centurion found an Alexandrian ship sailing to Italy, and he put us on board. When we had sailed slowly many days, and arrived with difficulty off Cnidus, the wind not permitting us to proceed, we sailed under the shelter of Crete off Salmone. Passing it with difficulty, we came to a place called Fair Havens, near the city of Lasea. Now when much time had been spent, and sailing was now dangerous because the Fast was already over, Paul advised them, saying, ‘Men, I perceive that this voyage will end with disaster and much loss, not only of the cargo and ship, but also our lives.’ Nevertheless the centurion was more persuaded by the helmsman and the owner of the ship than by the things spoken by Paul. And because the harbor was not suitable to winter in, the majority advised to set sail from there also, if by any means they could reach Phoenix, a harbor of Crete opening toward the southwest and northwest, and winter there. When the south wind blew softly, supposing that they had obtained their desire, putting out to sea, they sailed close by Crete. But not long after, a tempestuous head wind arose, called Euroclydon. So when the ship was caught, and could not head into the wind, we let her drive. And running under the shelter of an island called Clauda, we secured the skiff with difficulty. When they had taken it on board, they used cables to undergird the ship; and fearing lest they should run aground on the Syrtis Sands, they struck sail and so were driven. And because we were exceedingly tempest-tossed, the next day they lightened the ship. On the third day we threw the ship’s tackle overboard with our own hands. Now when neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and no small tempest beat on us, all hope that we would be saved was finally given up.

In today’s passage, there are many things that should be taken into account that have great value, things that can save you from much pain and even from the risk of losing your physical life, and your soul, which is what is most valuable to man. If I could list them, I would propose the following: it is not a good idea to ignore good counsel, you should consider the people that are giving you counsel, you should consider the source from where their counsel comes from, you should keep in mind that the knowledge of God will always be superior to human knowledge, you should be humble, and that your bad decisions can affect you and everyone around you.

Let’s start with the first one, that it is not a good idea to ignore good counsel. The Bible teaches us this: “The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but he who heeds counsel is wise.” Proverbs 12:15. It is never a good idea to be guided by our own opinion, because it is not realistic to think that we know everything. That’s the first thing. The other issue is that the majority of the time, we cannot see the whole panorama clearly, no matter how attentive or intelligent we think we are. And the other very important reason that we should not cling too much to our own opinion is because reality is not subject to our opinion. For example, no matter how much I think that I may have the ability to fly like a bird, if I jump off a very tall building to put this to the test, it is not going to go very well for me. Everything will be fine until I arrive to the reality of how hard the surface can be, and the reality of the effects of the law of gravity. Gravity does not care about my opinion.

The other point is that we should consider the people that are counseling us, or quite simply, we cannot listen to everyone. We need to be careful with who we listen to, and for many reasons, because it is good to listen to advice, but the source must be considered. The Word teaches us this: “You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles? Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Therefore by their fruits you will know them.” Matthew 7:16-20. We should carefully consider the person from where the advice is coming from. Not everyone desires your wellbeing. Not everyone has good intentions. Not everyone will have the necessary experience they need to be able to give you good advice. We see that Paul, because of his faith, was a righteous person, just, with an impeccable life, that even the centurion was treating him kindly because he knew that he was being accused unjustly. Paul was an example of a person, both socially, and even more so, seeing him for the Christian he was.

The other thing that made Paul someone worthy to be listened to was that Paul had God as a source. Paul did not give counsel based on his own opinion, or on his aptitudes and knowledge. God was guiding Paul through the Holy Spirit. And what must be considered is that no one knows more than God. God’s knowledge will always surpass all other knowledge, and we see this throughout the Bible and even in what is created. For example, if someone would have read the following in Isaiah 40:22: “It is He who sits above the circle of the earth…”, something written more than 700 years before Christ, we would not have had the absurd idea as humans for so many centuries after that the world was flat, and that all who dared sail beyond the horizon would fall off somehow. So then, if God says something, it’s because it is that way, because He created everything, and all of man’s knowledge and the advancement of technology will never change the reality that God is God, and that He will always be superior in every kind of way. I myself have been able to witness the power of God in my own life and that it surpassed science’s capabilities.

And as an end, we must always be humble before the Lord, and always be attentive to what He says, be ready for His Word, obeying His principles, His commandments, knowing how to listen to Him through those people that do love Him, fear Him, and look for Him. Paul, even though he was an extremely educated person, he was not a sailor, nor a meteorologist, but he was a person that loved, feared, and followed the Supreme God of the Universe, and this Almighty God would speak to him and would use him greatly, whose work we see even until this day, nearly two thousand years after his death. And if we are not humble and obedient to God and His Word, we could pay dearly, and affect everyone that surrounds us dearly as well, because everything we do not only affects us personally, but it also affects everyone around us like our family, our loved ones, the people we work with, etc. So then, is it wise to ignore God’s warnings, upon which not only depends our physical wellbeing, but even more importantly, the wellbeing of our soul for all eternity? Lord bless! John

How to be Ready for the Lord’s Coming - Revelation 22:6-15

Based on Revelation 22:6-15 (New King James Version)

“Then he said to me, ‘These words are faithful and true.’ And the Lord God of the holy prophets sent His angel to show His servants the things which must shortly take place. ‘Behold, I am coming quickly! Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book.’ Now I, John, saw and heard these things. And when I heard and saw, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel who showed me these things. Then he said to me, ‘See that you do not do that. For I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren the prophets, and of those who keep the words of this book. Worship God.’ And he said to me, ‘Do not seal the words of the prophecy of this book, for the time is at hand. He who is unjust, let him be unjust still; he who is filthy, let him be filthy still; he who is righteous, let him be righteous still; he who is holy, let him be holy still.’ ‘And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last.’ Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city. But outside are dogs and sorcerers and sexually immoral and murderers and idolaters, and whoever loves and practices a lie.”

This is an irrefutable truth, especially when we see the world we live in today: Christ is coming soon. Everything that was foretold by the holy prophets of God and by the Lord Himself is being fulfilled and continues to be fulfilled daily throughout the world, as it is written: “Then Jesus went out and departed from the temple, and His disciples came up to show Him the buildings of the temple. And Jesus said to them, ‘Do you not see all these things? Assuredly, I say to you, not one stone shall be left here upon another, that shall not be thrown down.’ Now as He sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, ‘Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?’ And Jesus answered and said to them: ‘Take heed that no one deceives you. For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many. And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places.” Matthew 24:1-7. The wars that have happened in the rest of history cannot compare to the wars in the last two centuries. Pestilences that are affecting all men throughout the world like they have been lately and continue happening now has not occurred in history, where millions in the world die because of different diseases. And we see now this coronavirus that has caused the death of more than a million people in a matter of months; and people can try to point the finger at the authorities, but the issue is that no one could have seen this coming, nor have been prepared for something like this, and so, not even be able to know what to do (and we still don’t know well enough). There is hunger throughout the world, even in developed countries, because of poverty and lack of resources. According to the World Health Organization, in a study they published in 2018, more than 820 million people in the world do not have enough food to eat, more than 10% of the world population. Earthquakes, what can we say? The earth has shaken a lot and very hard, and in different places. And how can we forget Israel, the world’s clock, where one of the most extraordinary prophecies was fulfilled when Israel was brought back to its land and established by the world as a sovereign state once again in 1948, something that was seen as being impossible before. Everything is being fulfilled. Nothing will stop the fulfillment of God’s Word, as it is written: “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away.” Matthew 24:35. So then, a wise person should think like this, “How can I be ready for the coming of the Lord?” And I can only answer with God’s counsel through His very own Word.

The first thing should be our focus on God through Jesus Christ, and we see this when John thought of worshiping the angel that was revealing God’s mysteries to him, and the angel told him not to do it, but to only worship God. We can neither worship, nor give any adoration to anyone or anything outside of Jesus Christ, because God’s saints themselves never allowed it. They pointed to Jesus Christ. We see Mary, for instance, in the following: “His mother said to the servants, ‘Whatever He says to you, do it.’” Juan 2:5. The Apostle Peter also said this: “But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you. To Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.” 1 Peter 5:10-11. The Apostle Paul also wrote this about the Lord Jesus, inspired by the Holy Spirit: “For of Him and through Him and to Him are all things, to whom be glory forever. Amen.” Romans 11:36. Everything and everyone point to the Lord, for it is written: “For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus.” 1 Timothy 2:5. So then, we cannot put our eyes on a person, no matter how special they may be. This was the error that the Jews committed when God the Son (Jesus) was before them. They were not able to see the Messiah, and they even killed Him, because they were more focused on Abraham, on Moses, and even on their own persons and desires rather than on the Most High and Sovereign God of the universe. Our goal, all of our focus and priority should be the Lord, for it is written: “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one! You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength. ‘And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. You shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.’” Deuteronomy 6:4-9.

The other thing we see in this passage is that we will be judged for our work, and that we should do righteousness, sanctify ourselves, and do His commandments. So then, God is greatly interested in what we do with our lives, especially after coming to the knowledge of the Truth, because we are saved for a purpose, not just because. The Bible teaches us this: “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2:8-10. What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? James 2:14. “Therefore we make it our aim, whether present or absent, to be well pleasing to Him. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.” 2 Corinthians 5:9-10. Everything we do after receiving the knowledge of the Truth counts, for good or for evil, depending on what we decide to do with God’s Truth, whether we decide to live for Christ or for something or someone else.

The day is drawing near for the world and for every human being. There is no way to avoid it, and to know when it will happen. So then, will the Lord find you ready when He comes for His true church, or when He comes for you individually? Lord bless! John

Suffering for the Gospel - Revelation 2:8-11

Based on Revelation 2:8-11 (New King James Version)

“And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write, ‘These things says the First and the Last, who was dead, and came to life: ‘I know your works, tribulation, and poverty (but you are rich); and I know the blasphemy of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life. ‘He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. He who overcomes shall not be hurt by the second death.’”

Everything has a price, and we are not necessarily talking about money. And whoever says contrary does not understand reality. For example, to be able to be a professional or reach goals that go beyond others, sacrifices must be made. A person that desires to be a great professional must work hard during their formative school years to learn what is necessary. After that, they need to go to a university and complete many years of study and pay a lot of money, and their effort only starts there because they need to continue gaining experience, they need to continue studying, they need to continue sacrificing time, money, and even personal relationships to be able to continue excelling in their profession. When a person fights for good things, a price is paid. When a person makes mistakes or does stupid things, a price is also paid. Nothing is free.

As a supreme example, the gift of salvation, what God did through Christ is free for us, but the price that God paid is incalculable. God the Father gave His only begotten Son as a sacrifice for all mankind, what was most precious to Him. The Lord Jesus paid the price of leaving His kingdom, His sublime and holy position, to take on our humble form, to live in poverty, and suffer the unthinkable when He died in the most horrible way a human being could die. And not only that, but also in order to complete His work, to be able to triumph over death, He had to descend to the lowest depths of the earth, to Abraham’s bosom, to Sheol, to raise those that were worthy from there, and also, as a testimony to those who were facing their eternal perdition; and from there be resurrected. I still do not comprehend why They would do such things for such insignificant beings like us, but that speaks even more of their greatness, goodness, and love.      

Now then, salvation, the power to be born again in Christ is by grace, but within itself, it also bears a price. We do have to pay something costly, and if it were just about money (not that salvation can be purchased), it would be something simple. We are talking about greater and more important things than what is material when we talk about the price that could be paid for the Gospel of Christ, and this is of what we read today. It is very probable that many that are reading this will either suffer persecution, or already are suffering some form of persecution for their faith in Christ, especially considering all of the people in different countries in the world that see this ministry. This is what the Lord says in His Word: “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” John 16:33. People suffering legitimately for the Gospel (and I say “legitimately” because suffering for the Gospel has nothing to do with a person being a jerk, or obnoxious, or inappropriate, or not wise, and far less, suffering for errors and sins committed), are going through bad moments because of demonstrating the characteristics of Christ in their life, because of being faithful to the teachings in the Word; and finally, because they love God above everyone and everything else. When you suffer for the Lord, that does not make you less of a Christian, or that you have faith problems, or anything like that, but quite the contrary. That is why the Lord forewarned us, that we would have affliction in the world, because of faithfully following Him. This is what the Scriptures also say: “…Others were tortured, not accepting deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection. Still others had trial of mockings and scourgings, yes, and of chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, were tempted, were slain with the sword. They wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, tormented—of whom the world was not worthy. They wandered in deserts and mountains, in dens and caves of the earth. And all these, having obtained a good testimony through faith, did not receive the promise, God having provided something better for us, that they should not be made perfect apart from us.” Hebrews 11:35b-40. As followers of Christ, we will suffer persecution in the last times, the times we are living through today, as it is also written: “Now as He sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, ‘Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?’ And Jesus answered and said to them: ‘Take heed that no one deceives you. For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many. And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of sorrows. ‘Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name’s sake. And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another. Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many. And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. But he who endures to the end shall be saved.’” Matthew 24:3-13. So then, we will have affliction. We will suffer persecution. And we will live through tribulation. There is no doubt. But, we need to persevere until the end in order to get to the goal. The race must be finished. We must remain faithful to the Lord until we breathe our last, no matter what happens, and at any cost. We need to be willing to suffer for the Gospel.

Now, you may be asking yourself, who are these of the synagogue of Satan? To be able to answer, we see this: “From that time Jesus began to show to His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised the third day. Then Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him, saying, ‘Far be it from You, Lord; this shall not happen to You!’ But He turned and said to Peter, ‘Get behind Me, Satan! You are an offense to Me, for you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men.’ Then Jesus said to His disciples, ‘If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.’” Matthew 16:21-24. Peter had a very bad moment, but for his own good, he repented and abandoned that evil path, and he was able to be faithful to the Lord until his death. But every person that supports the things of the flesh, and especially teaches things that put the flesh and the things of the world as a priority over God are of the synagogue of Satan. So then, you need to think very carefully with what you are exposing yourself to, and above all, what you are following and supporting because you may be very far away from the truth, even though it may seem good, positive, inspiring, etc. So, you should ask yourself this question, “Are you of the synagogue of Satan or are you truly fighting for, suffering for, and paying the price for the Gospel of Christ to be able to get to the eternal reward?” Lord bless! John

Transformation - Ephesians 4:17-24

Based on Ephesians 4:17-24 (New King James Version)

“This I say, therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you should no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles walk, in the futility of their mind, having their understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart; who, being past feeling, have given themselves over to lewdness, to work all uncleanness with greediness. But you have not so learned Christ, if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus: that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.”

What does faith in Christ truly consist of? Is it just about believing? I have to say according to the complete counsel of God through His Word that believing in the Lord is only part of the matter, and that there is much more to consider and do, especially if there is a true faith. True faith consists of actions, those that are generated as a result of a genuine faith in Christ, so it’s not just about simple belief. This is what the Word counsels us: “But someone will say, ‘You have faith, and I have works.’ Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble! But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead?” James 2:18-20. So then, if demons believe and even tremble, what should there be in us? What work should we do to be able to go beyond simple belief?

To be able to understand this even more clearly, we need to understand first what God did through the sacrifice of His Son on the cross. What was God’s true purpose through His sacrifice? The Bible teaches us this: “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” 2 Corinthians 5:17. God’s purpose is to transform and renew what is fallen, that which has been affected by sin. God desires that for those things are not good in our lives to end so that the new can start, the eternal, making us thereby through Christ a new creation. This is a very popular verse in our Christian community, but it is many times not applied correctly. The application of this principle has to do with the fact that a person must live a new life, leaving behind what they used to be, being transformed, and not to be used as a cut off (per se) so that they are not bothered with their past. But rather, quite the contrary, we should always remember what we were before Christ. We should remember where the Lord brought us out from and be able to compare that to the present, to be able to see if in fact we have been transformed, or if we are simply just trying to adopt a new religion or something superficial, because following Christ goes beyond morality and doing what is right.

Now then, when we convert to the Lord, by repenting from all our sins and making Him the Lord of our lives, is there anything else left to be done? And the answer is, “Yes.” Everything is left ahead of that. When we are born again in Christ, that is only the beginning. That’s why the Lord explained it as a birth, as a new beginning, it is the start of a long journey that must be traveled to be able to get to the end. That’s why the Word urges us to not walk like the rest of the Gentiles, not to walk in a futile mind, not to have a blinded heart, not to lose sensitivity, and not to give ourselves over to lewdness. We are urged to leave behind the old man which implies a process. When we start to follow Christ, we are entering a process of transformation. When we first come to the Lord, through our genuine conversion, a radical change should happen at the beginning or at least a very significant change in thinking. But that doesn’t mean that we are made perfect instantly, speaking from a practical standpoint. There is a process that is left that involves continual change, of being transformed, while we follow the Lord, because true faith in Christ consists in following the Lord, and not just saying that we believe only. The Word continues telling us this: “I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish.” Galatians 5:16-17. “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” Romans 12:1-2.

So then, how should this transformation in Christ continue? What is most important is that the all for the transformation, or the reason for why it should happen should be because we love the Lord, and nothing else. This is not about personal improvement or about attaining human goals, or a lifestyle change. Following Christ and letting yourself be transformed by Him through the work of the Holy Spirit always should be based on our love for Him. When that is the foundation, then you can continue moving forward just like the Word says: “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish.” Ephesians 5:25-27. The Word of God is what washes and purifies us, which is what should be part of our daily walk with the Lord. God through Christ in our life looks for a relationship, not a religion, and not even necessarily morality. And like the relationship He looks for, He uses His Word to speak to us, to be able to tell us what needs to happen in our lives. That is why, again, the reason for why everything is done should be because of our love for God, and nothing more. So then the Word is the key, for it says this: “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17.

So, transformation in Christ has a great purpose for man, because it is about deepening our relationship with God and like that, being made useful for His work, because He wants for us to be a part of what He wants to do on earth and also in eternity, because this world is not even a shadow of things to come. That’s why we are urged as follows in His Word: “Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:1-2. So then, are you living a transformed life in Christ, because of your love for the Lord, for your own good, and for the good of others? Lord bless! John

God Gives Everyone an Opportunity - 1 Samuel 9:1-19

Based on 1 Samuel 9:1-19 (New King James Version)

“There was a man of Benjamin whose name was Kish the son of Abiel, the son of Zeror, the son of Bechorath, the son of Aphiah, a Benjamite, a mighty man of power. And he had a choice and handsome son whose name was Saul. There was not a more handsome person than he among the children of Israel. From his shoulders upward he was taller than any of the people. Now the donkeys of Kish, Saul’s father, were lost. And Kish said to his son Saul, ‘Please take one of the servants with you, and arise, go and look for the donkeys.’ So he passed through the mountains of Ephraim and through the land of Shalisha, but they did not find them. Then they passed through the land of Shaalim, and they were not there. Then he passed through the land of the Benjamites, but they did not find them. When they had come to the land of Zuph, Saul said to his servant who was with him, ‘Come, let us return, lest my father cease caring about the donkeys and become worried about us.’ And he said to him, ‘Look now, there is in this city a man of God, and he is an honorable man; all that he says surely comes to pass. So let us go there; perhaps he can show us the way that we should go.’ Then Saul said to his servant, ‘But look, if we go, what shall we bring the man? For the bread in our vessels is all gone, and there is no present to bring to the man of God. What do we have?’ And the servant answered Saul again and said, ‘Look, I have here at hand one-fourth of a shekel of silver. I will give that to the man of God, to tell us our way.’ (Formerly in Israel, when a man went to inquire of God, he spoke thus: ‘Come, let us go to the seer’; for he who is now called a prophet was formerly called a seer.) Then Saul said to his servant, ‘Well said; come, let us go.’ So they went to the city where the man of God was. As they went up the hill to the city, they met some young women going out to draw water, and said to them, ‘Is the seer here?’ And they answered them and said, ‘Yes, there he is, just ahead of you. Hurry now; for today he came to this city, because there is a sacrifice of the people today on the high place. As soon as you come into the city, you will surely find him before he goes up to the high place to eat. For the people will not eat until he comes, because he must bless the sacrifice; afterward those who are invited will eat. Now therefore, go up, for about this time you will find him.’ So they went up to the city. As they were coming into the city, there was Samuel, coming out toward them on his way up to the high place. Now the Lord had told Samuel in his ear the day before Saul came, saying, ‘Tomorrow about this time I will send you a man from the land of Benjamin, and you shall anoint him commander over My people Israel, that he may save My people from the hand of the Philistines; for I have looked upon My people, because their cry has come to Me.’ So when Samuel saw Saul, the Lord said to him, ‘There he is, the man of whom I spoke to you. This one shall reign over My people.’ Then Saul drew near to Samuel in the gate, and said, ‘Please tell me, where is the seer’s house?’ Samuel answered Saul and said, ‘I am the seer. Go up before me to the high place, for you shall eat with me today; and tomorrow I will let you go and will tell you all that is in your heart.”

If we understand this passage, we can see the great opportunities that God gives, and very unexpectedly. We see this Saul that simply went looking for some donkeys his father lost (back then, animals had great material value). So then, this Saul went out by obeying his father in helping him recover part of his wealth—something unanticipated happened, a need, and something was happening that neither Saul nor Kish had any idea of, something in the background, and these lost animals were only something that would open the door (per se) to something else. This same event should open our eyes and help us understand that we have no idea what is happening around us, and why it is happening, and that we have no control over anything, because the great majority of things are invisible or unknown to us.

Now then, some might say, and because of this same ignorance: “I never received such an opportunity to be something so important.” But the truth is that you have in fact received such opportunities, and many times, and in different ways. You may reply, “How, when, where…?” And of course, the answer is in the Word of God. To start looking at this, God presents Himself personally to every human being through many different ways and manners, as it is written: “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened.” Romans 1:18-21. Everything that was created speaks of God, of His magnificence, of His power, of His person. The problem is that everything that was created is taken very lightly because some prefer to believe that the creation is either a cosmic accident or simply, it just is and nothing more than that, and so, it is taken for granted. And since no one can neither control nor do anything with all of that, then it is taken as something common and ordinary (incredible, isn’t it?). Things like the sunrise that He allows to happen, like the air that He allows our lungs breathe, like the beating of our hearts He allows to occur, like the gravity of this planet that He sustains with His presence that keeps us from flying off into space, and so on, are seen as unimportant. As it is written: “For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist.” Colossians 1:16-17.    

Maybe this issue of questioning further the value of God’s call continues, which within itself bears its own punishment, because we are not talking about a human being’s invitation, we are talking about God’s invitation. To answer this, the Word teaches us the following, which is God’s purpose for all mankind, as it is written: “And they sang a new song, saying: ‘You are worthy to take the scroll, and to open its seals; for You were slain, and have redeemed us to God by Your blood out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation, and have made us kings and priests to our God; and we shall reign on the earth.” Revelation 5:9-10. When God calls us to follow Him, He is really inviting us to be His kings and priests, to be beings of great standing in a place that surpasses this temporary world, in eternity. God is always looking for people to acknowledge Him and to convert to Him so they can be transformed into these kings and priests, and He allows for these unexpected situations to occur that interrupt daily life so His invitation can be made even stronger, going even beyond the daily greatness that He uses to speak to us. In the end, what are your lost donkeys, the things that are affecting you somehow? Will you be able to understand God’s call when the unexpected happens, and will you be able to pay attention to Him so you can follow Him to greater things? Or, will you just continue being focused on your lost donkeys and lose the opportunity for eternal greatness? Lord bless! John

Love is Everything - Revelation 2:1-7

Based on Revelation 2:1-7 (New King James Version)

“To the angel of the church of Ephesus write, ‘These things says He who holds the seven stars in His right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden lampstands: ‘I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars; and you have persevered and have patience, and have labored for My name’s sake and have not become weary. Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place—unless you repent. But this you have, that you hate the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. ‘He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God.’’”

How can God tell a church that is doing good things, a church that has done everything they have done for the sake of God’s name, that they should repent because they have fallen? How can they be wrong when they are doing so many good and admirable things? The issue that God has with the church, or more exactly, with the people individually (because a church does not consist of a building before God, but rather, of people) is that they have forgotten what is essential, the foundation of everything: love. You might say: “But, how can this be if the Word itself is saying that they have done everything for the sake of God’s name?” To be able to explain this issue, we need to go deeper.

The first thing we need to establish is that true love (not the world’s love, because that is useless) is something that must emanate from a person. And the only way that this love can flow or emanate from a person is when a person has been born of God, by knowing God. This is what the Scriptures teach us: “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. He who does not love does not know God, for God is love.” 1 John 4:7-8. So, this goes beyond actions. It consists of something much deeper and divine. The Bible teaches us also that a being can be capable of incredible things, but yet, be missing the most important thing of all, and it also teaches us what this divine love truly is, as it is written: “Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing. Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away. When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things. For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known. And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.” 1 Corinthians 13. Can you see that the love of which the Bible speaks of is very different to what the world says is love? Quite simply, God’s true love can never support sin, because there are no contradictions in God. Fornication is not love. Adultery is not love. Sexual deviations are not love. Calling evil good and good evil is not love. The love that comes from God is something that will always align itself with Biblical principles, and it surpasses all of the limits, even the unthinkable. How could have the Jews ever imagined that the same Being that did all of the great miracles He did through Moses and Elijah would be the same Being that would take on our very humble human form and let Himself be crucified so that all of humanity could have the hope of their sins being forgiven and the promise of eternal life? Never! This does not fit our logic! And this same love is the one that should emanate and flow through those that have been born again in Christ. We should take on those same characteristics and intentions.

Now then, the second point. The love that should flow from the born again does not consist of feelings, but rather, of a decision and a direction. In other words, it is not just about having this love in your life, but more so, the way its genuineness can be seen is through the direction in which it is focused on. This is what the Word teaches us: “Then one of the scribes came, and having heard them reasoning together, perceiving that He had answered them well, asked Him, ‘Which is the first commandment of all?’ Jesus answered him, ‘The first of all the commandments is: ‘Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ This is the first commandment. And the second, like it, is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.’ So the scribe said to Him, ‘Well said,  Teacher. You have spoken the truth, for there is one God, and there is no other but He. And to love Him with all the heart, with all the understanding, with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love one’s neighbor as oneself, is more than all the whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.’ Now when Jesus saw that he answered wisely, He said to him, ‘You are not far from the kingdom of God.’ But after that no one dared question Him.” Mark 12:28-34. Love must be directed towards God, and when that happens, then everything else starts falling into place, in the order that God teaches. If I love God, then I will do as He commands, whether I understand it or not yet, and the first thing I must do when loving God is to love my neighbor. My love for God must be the reason for why I do everything in life, for why I look to fulfill what He commands me to do. How does this love start? It starts by acknowledging and appreciating what the Almighty has done for us, and what He did without any kind of obligation. God chose to love man. God did not have to suffer, and far less, die for humanity. We must weigh and value what He did for such insignificant and evil people (because that is what we all are). God died for you and for me. It is written: “For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.” Romans 5:10.

So then, and finally, God is most interested in the reason, in the motive, in what is very deep within every human being, as it is written: “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; who can know it? I, the Lord, search the heart, I test the mind, even to give every man according to his ways, according to the fruit of his doings.” Jeremiah 17:9-10. This is what God sees and matters to Him most: if He is the direct reason for why we do things. So then, can God see the intention of your heart, that the reason for why you do everything in life is because you love Him with your whole being? Lord bless! John