God in His wisdom, talks to His church so the church doesn’t lose hope in difficult
moments; for they have as their leader Christ. God loves the world, for He send His son to
teach us obedience, humility, and faith that pleases God and with it we’ll be victorious in
a world without love, patience, and compassion. His ministry began with the people who
disobeyed the prophets, let’s read: “He came to his own creation, yet his own people did
not receive him. However, to all who received him, those believing in his name, he gave
authority to become God’s children”(Jn 1:11-12). Without an understanding and zeal,
Saul of Tarsus persecuted the church when he hear, “Why are you persecuting me? He
asked, ‘Who are you, Lord?’ The voice said, ‘I’m Jesus, whom you are persecuting. You
will be told what you are to do’… the Lord told him, ‘Go, because he’s my chosen
instrument to carry my name to unbelievers, to their kings, and to the descendants of Israel.
Since I’m going to show him how much he must suffer for my name’s sake.'”(Acts 9:4-16).
Thanks to the Lord, that the salvation was pass down to us. Let’s not forget that Christ
suffered, Paul suffered, and thus anyone who is called and chosen, for the purpose of
reaching the God’s presence. If we believe in Him!
Jesus told his disciples, and to us, that, “If anyone wants to follow me, he must deny
himself, pick up his cross, and follow me continuously. Whoever wants to save his life will
lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it “(Mat 16:24-25). What gospel are
you living, my brother/sister in faith? What examples are your pastors giving to you? God
communicated to His people, through Moses, “I am the Lord your God, who brought you
out of the land of Egypt”, for us this means the world, and continue saying that He shows
“gracious love to the thousands of those who love me and keep my commandments.”(Ex
20: 2, 6). Jesus said, “These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from
me. Their worship of me is empty, because they teach human rules as doctrines” (Mat
15:8-9). This leads us to ask God for the presence of the Holy Spirit, who guides us to the
truth.
Let’s remember that John baptized in the Jordan to all of those who confessed their sins
by saying, “I am baptizing you with water as evidence of repentance, but the one who is
coming after me is stronger than I am, and I am not worthy to carry his sandals. It is he who
will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire”(Mat 3:11). Lord, help us get through the
turbulence, so we may remain in the correct path serving and await for your return.
God permits temptations, just like Jesus was tempted by Satan when he came out of his
fast: “‘Since you are the Son of God… tell these stones to become loaves of bread’ But he
answered, ‘It is written, ‘One must not live on bread alone, but on every word coming out
of the mouth of God'”(Mat.4:3-4). The Devil not giving up, took the Lord to the high
mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world with its glory and said, “I will
give you all these things if you will bow down and worship me!”, but the Lord responded,
“Go away, Satan! Because it is written, ‘You must worship the Lord your God and serve
only him” (v 8-10). Lord help us please, to serve and do your will. The enemy doesn’t
sleep, he’s always roaring, seeking someone to devour, because of this one must be vigilant
and not “ever worry by saying, ‘What are we going to eat?’ or ‘What are we going to
drink?’ or ‘What are we going to wear?’ because it is the unbelievers who are eager for all
those things. Surely your heavenly Father knows that you need all of them! But first be
concerned about God’s kingdom and his righteousness, and all of these things will be
provided for you as well. So never worry about tomorrow, because tomorrow will worry
about itself.” (Mat.6:31-34). “As it is written, ‘For your sake we are being put to death all
day long. We are thought of as sheep headed for slaughter.’ In all these things we are
triumphantly victorious due to the one who loved us. For I am convinced that neither
death, nor life, nor angels, not rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers,
nor anything above, nor anything below, nor anything else in all creation can separate us
from the love of God that is ours in union with the Messiah Jesus, our Lord”(Rom
8:36-39). Thank you God, despite us being slaves to sins, we were freed through
obedience of the doctrine. Thank you God because your word cleanses us and leads us to
eternal life: “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in union
with the Messiah Jesus our Lord.” (Rom 6:23). Let’s read: “you have been raised with the
Messiah, keep focusing on the things that are above, where the Messiah is seated at the
right hand of God. Keep your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on the
earth. For you have died”(Col 3:1-3). Thank you Lord, for we have risen with Christ,
seeking heavenly things not terrestrial; we have died and our lives are hidden with God.
Now that we have died, new creature we are: “Therefore, if anyone is in the Messiah, he is
a new creation. Old things have disappeared, and—look!—all things have become new!”
(2Cor 5:17). Help us Lord! To love you justice, living in true holiness. Amen