February 08: Fortress Against Adversity

Word:

Great are the troubles of the upright: but the Lord takes him safely out of them all. (Psalms 34:19)

His presence of adversity in our lives does not mean the absence of God. On the contrary, it is in the trials where the Lord works in the maturation of our faith, in the strengthening of our character, in the consolidation of our confidence in his plans for good.

Do not waste your adversities. Reflect in times of difficulty and remember, that the Lord can never a difficulty, which does not ultimately lead us to his purpose of good. Allow each of them to bring the good fruit, which through these circumstances God has sought for us.

Prayer:

Lord, fill me with strength in the face of every difficulty, knowing that each one of them is a means to mature in my character and in my faith. I know that every adversity carries a fruit that you have procured for me, in that purpose of good that you keep for each of your children. Amen

February 07: Meeting the challenge

Word:

So if any man is in Christ, he is in a new world: the old things have come to an end; they have truly become new. (2 Corinthians 5:17)

When we decide to respond to God's call to walk with Him, we must be aware that this call includes a challenge: to be willing to change.

But what does that change mean? Reflect on what we are, about those things that in the light of the word, away from the Lord and those things that come to Him. To respond to the call is to become more caring, generous, kind; is to begin to undertake in our work and word, the actions that reflect the love of God in our heart.

We all have different personalities and each person advances at his own speed to become that new creature in image and likeness, which the Lord expects of us. However, one thing is certain: God continues to support you in that work, continue every day working on you. Your new creation!

Prayer:

Lord, make me wise to distinguish well from evil, in each of my steps, so that I can walk away without hesitation, those things that can separate me from your presence. Make me also humble and obedient to allow you to work in me and bring me to change that will make me into that new creation, a reflection of you. Amen.

February 06: Positive Relationships

Word:

For where two or three are come together in my name, there am I among them. (Matthew 18:20)

A famed basketball coach in the world-famous league, NBA said "Two work better than one, if those two come together and act as one."

Teams in general achieve their best performance when there is no selfish desire in them. This philosophy could be applied to our reality as Christians. If a congregation falls under the negative effect of the individual ambitions of one or more members, it will not prosper. 

But if, on the contrary, each member leans on others and also supports the new ones to seek and expand the Kingdom of the Lord, the congregation, as a leafy tree, will bear fruit and flourish.

God endowed us with nature to relate to others, because relationships give meaning to purpose, meaning and identity to our lives. If we cultivate unhealthy relationships, they will affect who we are and where we want to go.

Allow the Lord to guide your relationships, trust him to let the past fulfill its mission of being history and approach prayer by asking for the patience and wisdom to carry difficult relationships that may arise in your life.

Decide today to build new relationships and make those you possess are healthy and give glory to the Lord. Have Faith in Him, when His hand works, there is nothing impossible.

Prayer:

Lord, lead me to open the doors of my life so that others may enter and approach me, just as I approach you every day. Give me the wisdom to build relationships that will allow me to glorify you by loving others as you love me. Amen.

February 05: More than to receive, give.

Word:

Not so shall it be among you: but whosoever would become great among you shall be your minister; and whosoever would be first among you shall be your servant: even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many. (Matthew 20:26-28)

One of the main causes of the great conflicts in the world has been having enough. Fearful of not having what they need, desperately try to make a difference by forcibly removing what others have gained. Then they try to accumulate more and more material wealth, making the world an unequal place.

Let us now see in the light of the scriptures in 1 Kings 17 that true wealth consists. Imagine the great risk taken by that widow who received Elijah, a stranger to her, but entrusted by Jesus to get home (1 Kings 17: 15-16). What a great sacrifice in the name of the Lord, to give him his last provisions of food and how wonderful, in turn, the transforming power of God in making these provisions last for days and were sufficient to keep them both.

The scriptures repeatedly show us that there is more than enough for everyone and that it is more important to offer than to accumulate. There is the example of Jesus who never had material wealth and even had no home in his adulthood. However, the legacy that left us through God, I am sure has made us all as richer Christians, than the first millionaire on the planet.

Take some time now, to consider all the blessings that have come into your life, when you decided to become a child of God. Do you now see the great riches you have reaped?

Undoubtedly the Lord never abandons us.

Prayer:

Lord, grant me peace and serenity to find the fullness of my life in the works to which you have called me. Guide me to help you in those who need it most, understanding that in sharing the blessings you have given me, I am more worthy of your love and companionship. Amen.

February 04: Light of the world

Word:

You are the light of the world. A town put on a hill may be seen by all. And a burning light is not put under a vessel, but on its table; so that its rays may be shining on all who are in the house. Even so let your light be shining before men, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.  (Matthew 5:14-16)

Rome, the capital of Italy, has the darkest night in the whole earth. However the inhabitants of the city say that even before that darkness, a single star is enough to be recognized, regardless of height or distance. It is thus, that the smallest light can make in the deepest darkness, a great difference.

Today's scriptures remind us of this important truth. Many times we can feel, that there is not much that we can offer. It seems that our light went out, or that on the other hand, we are not letting it shine as it really can. Suddenly we overlook that no matter how intense the brightness of our light or how big it is, what is important is that it shines so that it illuminates our walking and also the walking of others around us.

In a world of injustice and hatred, shine your light of peace and dignity. In a world of rejection and pain, let acceptance and care shine. Wherever you are, make those around you recognize the light of hope in you.

Do not hide your light; God has created us in a call and purpose for our lives. We have been given gifts that we must share with the world. We can be agents of change for others, we can positively impact their lives and in that way follow the Lord's call.

Today we can. May Christ, let our light not shine.

Prayer:

Lord, thank you for granting me your light at every dawn. Help me to reflect your brightness in the lives of my brothers. Give me the courage to change those things that can extinguish the radiance of your presence in my life. Shine on me today Lord. Amen.

February 02: Food in His Word

Word: "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path" (Psalm 119:105)

Many people, of course, give greater importance to physical needs, because they are the ones we can recognize more easily. However there are spiritual needs that are as or more important than the physical ones and that we sometimes forget to satisfy.

In chapter 8 of the book of Nehemiah, the Israelites who returned from exile in Babylon, despite not suffering among them, from hunger or disease, felt their spirit empty, recognizing themselves away from the ways of God. Because of this, Master Nehemiah organized a Bible seminar where Ezra was the teacher.

Ezra read from the book of the law of Moses from dawn until noon, to feed the people with the truth of God (Nehemiah 8: 3), and they all listened attentively. Such was the experience, that his appetite for the Word of God was awakened, to the extent that the authorities, priests and Levites, arranged to meet with Ezra the next day to study the law and to understand it better. (Nehemiah 8:13)

When we recognize our spiritual needs and find that on the basis of them we find ourselves weak, we can, like the Israelites, find the food that restores us in the Word of God. As the scriptures dictate: "As newborn babies, desire unadulterated spiritual milk, so that through it you may grow to salvation" (1 Peter 2: 2). Ask the Lord to renew your desire to have fellowship with Him, and begin to nourish your heart, soul and mind in His Word.

Prayer:

Lord, give me the wisdom to recognize when my spirit is weakened, so that I can return to Your word and find in it the peace and joy that my soul needs. If I turn from your ways, grant me the discernment to return to Him, knowing that only with You can I walk with joy and strength. Amen.