I think one of Satan’s greatest strategies to keep people from growing in God’s purposes is to get us to focus on the faults in others. On one occasion, Jesus spoke a parable about a Pharisee and a tax collector that went up to the temple to pray. The Pharisee prayed thanking God that he wasn’t like other men with their offensive sins, and boasted quite highly of himself because of the openly religious life he lived. The tax collector on the other hand, hung his head low recognizing his sin and asking only for mercy. Jesus assured that the latter would be justified- forgiven and accepted by God- not the first, because “everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted”.

We hear that parable and think, What arrogance! Who did that guy think he was? How could he be so proud of his supposed godliness, while at the same time demeaning his fellow man. Well, I think it is all too easy to fall into the same behavior we just don’t realize it. Are we really much different when we look at corrupt politicians or hate crimes (or whatever really sets you off) and think we are pleasing God just because we are not like them? How about when my most common prayer is, Lord, change my husband so we can have a better marriage? I mean, I know I am not perfect but I don’t have near the issues that he does.

Jesus said, Judge not, that you be not judged. For with what  judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you. And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me remove the speck from your eye’; and look, a plank is in your own eye?  Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye. (Matthew 7:1-5)

If Jesus himself said he came not into the world to condemn the world but that the world through him may be saved, where do we get the idea that we are to pass judgment as if we were the prosecuter, judge and jury. When we judge others, we are inviting judgment on ourselves, and you can be sure sooner or later it will come. Not only that, as long as I am focused on my husband’s shortcomings or my friend’s, I am not inviting the Lord to show me mine. The only measure I should be looking at is how I attain to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. And since I have a long way to go, I’d better concentrate on knowing Christ more and practicing his love, kindness and forgiveness to others even as God does toward me. (Eph. 4:13, 29-32)

James commands us to be doers of the word, because if we only hear the word of God and even agree with it BUT we don’t live according to that which we hear, we can be likened to a person that sees himself in a mirror and forgets what he saw. Like the guy that walks past a mirror and realizes he needs to comb down that cowlick, or a girl that sees she needs to wash a smudge off her cheek, but when they walk away they forgot what they saw and wonder why everyone looks at them funny.

The word of God is truth- absolute, non-negotiable truth- the same for you as for me as for every other person on the planet. So if the Bible says my gossiping or anger or unforgiveness is sin, it is no less sin than is lying, stealing or committing adultery. Of course, some sins do greater damage to relationships and have irreversible consequences, but God’s truth is sin is sin and the penalty for all sin is death and separation from God. But God loved us so much that while were yet sinners he sent Christ to die for our sins that we may be reconciled with him. Now, every time that I come to him and confess my sin (MY SIN, not that of someone else) He is faithful and just to forgive me my sin and cleanse me from all unrighteousness. That’s a great invitation and guarantee.

I remember one night driving home late and a car in front of me started swerving into the next lane and then back and then over and again. In my concern for safety, I got so focused on watching that car that I almost turned into a car that came up beside me. Thanks to God and my little blind-spot mirror I saw it in time. I think the worst distraction we face in this area is with those closest to us, because not only do we not ourselves grow in grace and knowledge, usually we become quite the stumbling block for our loved one as we point the finger at them and stand in God’s way trying to do the work of the Holy Spirit. Believe me, it just does not work but backfires every time. One of these days I’ll learn.

Don’t be blindsided by your blindspots. Let’s look closely at the Word of God and examine ourselves (thoughts, words, attitudes and actions) by it, not by what others are doing. Humble yourself today and ask God to work in you to will and do of his good pleasure (Phil. 2:13). And I assure you he will in his abundant grace and patience.

¿Alguna vez has estado bien perdido en tu pensamiento cuando alguien te interrumpe y te pregunta, “En qué estabas pensando”? Tal vez estabas en un recuerdo lejano o imaginándote en ese auto nuevo que te gustaría o salivando con unos deliciosos tacos o soñando con unas horas fuera, lejos de la casa y los niños. Eso es si tuvieras una cara feliz. Si no, tal vez estaba pensando en un montón de deudas o simplemente que nunca llegas al plan de pintar la sala. Puedes pensar en muchas cosas en un sueño fugaz. Pero, ¿qué pasa con tu vida cotidiana de pensamiento?

Pensar es algo que todos hacemos. Bueno, hay personas que parecen hacer y decir mucho sin pensar primero. (¡No le señales a nadie!) Pero la realidad es que todos pensamos mucho, consciente, inconsciente y subconscientemente. Puedes pensar conscientemente, tengo que levantarme a las 7:00 para llegar al trabajo o clase a tiempo. Puede pensar inconscientemente, cuando subo a mi coche, me llevará a donde quiero ir. Y puedes pensar subconscientemente, probablemente llegaré tarde como de costumbre. Todo pasó por tu mente.

Los pensamientos no son todos iguales en naturaleza o efecto. Hay pensamientos fugaces o de paso. Estas son oportunidades para bien o para mal. Se crean invenciones, nacen organizaciones y se transforman vidas, porque se aprovechó un momento de inspiración. Pero de la misma manera, las familias son destruidas, los fraudes se diseñan y los crímenes más terribles los cometen a veces personas que siguen un pensamiento repentino y espontáneo.

Los patrones de pensamiento son como andar en bicicleta por caminos bien transitados. Es fácil caer en el surco y seguirlo, pero no tan fácil salir.

Hay pensamientos que caen en patrones en nuestra mente. Son como andar en bicicleta por caminos bien transitados. Es fácil entrar en el surco y seguirlo, pero no tan fácil salir. Un patrón comienza cuando tienes un pensamiento en reacción a una experiencia y decides que el pensamiento es para ti, por supuesto, probablemente de manera muy inconsciente. Pero está alojado en tu subconsciente. Entonces, cuando tienes una experiencia similar, el pensamiento sale a la superficie y, a menos que lo detengas diciendo que no es así, afirmas que es así y reaccionas de la misma manera que antes. Y así se repite, cada vez que haces lo mismo, el camino se marca un poco más y se establece un patrón que ni te das cuenta de estarlo siguiendo. Pero lo haces.

Y aun otro tipo de pensamiento es la meditación. Cuando digo meditación, no estoy hablando de yoga o de entrar en trance ni nada por el estilo. Estoy hablando de cuando un pensamiento te viene a la mente y le das vueltas y vueltas en tu mente por un rato. Y luego tal vez te concentres en otra cosa, pero después de un tiempo, te encuentras pensando en ello una y otra vez. Como cuando tu cónyuge te dejó con un mal sabor en la boca por la mañana, y cuando sale por la puerta estás pensando: ¿cómo pudo haberme dicho eso? Estás molesto y pensando en todas las razones por las que él estaba tan equivocado, y tú tienes la razón en sentirte como lo haces. Te ocupas con el trabajo, los niños o la casa y, por lo tanto, te distraes, pero al rato cuando doblas la ropa y llegas a los calcetines de tu cónyuge, empiezas a pensar de nuevo en tu ofensa. Luego, andas a la carrera con los pendientes, la preparación de la cena y la tarea de los hijos, pero en el momento en que ves a tu esposo entrar, o estás furiosa o esperando una disculpa. Pero nueve de cada diez veces, entra con solo un beso en la mejilla, totalmente ajeno a que algo anda mal. ¿Verdadero o falso?

La meditación se ha comparado con una vaca rumiando. Para aquellos de ustedes que no estén familiarizados con el término, permítanme explicarles. Una vaca toma hierba, la mastica durante un rato y se la traga. Pero lo interesante es que las vacas tienen dos estómagos y su comida pasa por ambos para una digestión completa. Entonces, la hierba masticada baja al primer estómago y comienza a descomponerse, pero después de un tiempo, vuelve a subir a la boca en una forma todavía gruesa, que es el bolo alimenticio, que la vaca mastica de nuevo antes de enviarlo al segundo estómago para terminar la digestión. Suena bastante desagradable por decir lo menos, ¿no? Pero, ¿cuántos de tus pensamientos “vuelves a masticar” una y otra vez?

No toda la meditación es mala. Básicamente, hay dos tipos de meditación. La forma negativa da muchas vueltas a los asuntos mientras la positiva te edifica. La meditación positiva aligera tu carga y te ayuda a concentrarte en crecer y brillar, pero la negativa es como una tormenta en ciernes. Aquellos que dejan salir el vapor a menudo pueden simplemente crear lluvias dispersas, pero otros lo retienen hasta que un tornado F5 estalla con destrucción masiva. ¿Tu meditación crea más tornados o arcoíris?

Cuando las palabras parecen salirse por sí solas, es probable que se deba a que tiene una gran cantidad de pensamientos al respecto.

Entonces, así está el asunto. Tus pensamientos te llevan al éxito o al fracaso. Jesús dijo en Lucas 6:45, de la abundancia del corazón habla la boca. Entonces, cuando las palabras parecen salirse por sí solas, probablemente sea porque tienes una gran cantidad de pensamientos al respecto. La Biblia dice que tal como un hombre piensa en su corazón, así es él. Los pensamientos producen actitudes, palabras y acciones. Con más pensamiento, estos producen hábitos y patrones, y con el tiempo, su carácter y estilo de vida. Nuestra tendencia es culpar a los demás por muchos de nuestros problemas y nuestro sufrimiento diario, cuando en realidad, generalmente somos nuestro peor enemigo, y más de lo que nos damos cuenta o queremos admitir es auto-infligido por nuestra propia vida de pensamiento. Pero no tiene por qué ser así.

En el capítulo ciento treinta y nueve, el salmista describe cuán amorosamente Dios nos creó a ti y a mí en el vientre de nuestra madre con cuidado de cada detalle, y preparó todos nuestros días aquí en la tierra; está todo escrito. Dice: ¡Cuán preciosos me son, oh Dios, tus pensamientos! ¡Cuán grande es la suma de ellos! Si los enumerara, serían más que la arena. Despierto, y aún estoy contigo. (v.17-18) ¡Sí, leíste bien! Dios piensa en ti todo el tiempo y siempre está cerca esperando tu llamada.

Tal vez hayas pensado que Dios te acecha, o al menos, a él realmente no le importas dada la forma en que has vivido. Pero nada podría estar más lejos de la verdad. Él dice: Porque yo sé los pensamientos que tengo de ustedes, dice el Señor, pensamientos de paz y no de mal, para darte un futuro y una esperanza (Jeremías 29:11).

Dios no quiere que vivas con ansiedad, miedo o desesperación, sino más bien en paz y esperanza. ¿Cómo? Él prosigue: Entonces me invocarán. Vendrán y orarán a mí, y yo los escucharé.  Me buscarán y me hallarán, porque me buscarán con todo su corazón.  Me dejaré hallar de ustedes, dice el SEÑOR, y los restauraré de su cautividad. (v.12-14)

Estés donde estés, vuélvete a Dios hoy, entrégale tu corazón y dolor a él, pídele perdón por hacer las cosas a tu manera, dale tu vida y pídele que te dé una nueva vida de acuerdo con sus pensamientos en lugar de los tuyos. ¿Y sabes qué? ¡LO HARÁ!

Sígueme con mi próxima serie: Renueva tu mente, transforma tu vida, basada en Romanos 12: 2 que dice: No se conformen a este mundo; más bien, transfórmense por la renovación de su entendimiento de modo que comprueben cuál sea la voluntad de Dios, buena, agradable y perfecta. Cuando comiences a reemplazar tus pensamientos con los de Dios, comenzarás a mirar la vida de una perspectiva completamente nueva. Tú y los que te rodean se sorprenderán de tu cambio (transformación) y tu vida llena de propósito. ¡No esperes más, comienza hoy!

What are you thinking about these days?

Has someone ever seen you daydreaming and said, “A penny for your thoughts”. Maybe you were in a faraway memory or picturing yourself in that new car you would like or salivating over some delicious tacos or dreaming of a few hours out, away from the house and kids. That’s if you had a happy face. If not, maybe you were thinking about a pile of bills or about just never getting to painting the living room. You can think of a lot of things in a fleeting daydream. But what about your regular, daily thought life?

Thinking is something we all do. Well, there are those people that seem to do and say an awful lot without thinking first. (No pointing fingers!) But the reality is, we all think a lot- consciously, unconsciously and sub-consciously. You may consciously think, I need to get up at 7:00 to get to work or class on time. You may unconsciously think, when I get in my car, it will get me where I want to go. And you may sub-consciously think, I’ll probably be late as usual. It all went through your mind.

Thoughts are not all alike in nature or effect. There are fleeting or “fly by” thoughts. These are opportunities for good or for bad. Inventions are created, organizations are born, and lives are transformed, because a moment’s inspiration was seized. But likewise, families are destroyed, frauds engineered, and the most terrible crimes committed sometimes by people following a sudden spontaneous thought.

Thought patterns are like riding a bike on well-beaten paths. It’s easy to get into the groove and go along with it but not so easy to get out.

Some thoughts fall into patterns in our mind. These are like riding a bike on well-beaten paths. It’s easy to get into the groove and go along with it but not so easy to get out. A pattern begins when you have a thought in reaction to an experience and decide that the thought is for you, of course, probably very unconsciously. But it is lodged in your sub-conscious. So, when you have a similar experience, the thought pops to the surface, and unless you stop the thought by saying it isn’t so, you affirm it to be so and react the same way as before. And so it goes, every time you do the same, the path is beaten down a little more and a pattern established that you hardly realize you are following. But you are.

Then there is meditation. When I say meditation, I am not talking about yoga or going into a trance or anything like that. I am talking about when a thought comes to mind and you turn it over and over in your mind for awhile. And then maybe you get focused on something else, but after awhile, you find yourself thinking on it again and again. Like when your spouse left you on a sour note in the morning, and as he goes out the door you are thinking- how could he have said that to me? You are upset and thinking of all the reasons why he was so wrong, and you are right to feel as you do. You get busy with work, the children or the house and so are distracted, but as you fold the clothes and get to your spouse’s socks, you start thinking again about your offense. Then errands, dinner prep, and homework have you running, but the minute you see your husband come in, you’re either seething or expecting an apology. But nine times out of ten, he just comes in with a peck on the cheek, totally oblivious that anything is wrong. True or false?

Meditation has been likened to a cow chewing her cud. For those of you not familiar with the term, let me explain. A cow takes in grass, chews on it for awhile, and swallows it. But the interesting thing is that cows have two stomachs, and their food goes through both for full digestion. So chewed grass goes down into the first stomach and begins to be broken down, but after awhile, it comes back up into the mouth in a yet coarse form, which is the cud, that the cow chews on again before sending it to the second stomach from which it works its way out. Sounds rather unpleasant to say the least, doesn’t it? But how many of your thoughts do you rehash time after time?

Not all meditation is bad. Basically there are two kinds of meditation. The negative form is brooding and the positive building. The latter lightens your load and helps you focus on growing and glowing. The first is like a storm in the making. Those that let the steam out often may just create scattered showers, but others hold it in until a F5 tornado bursts out with mass destruction. Does your meditation create more twisters or rainbows?

When words seem to slip out of their own accord, it’s probably because you have quite a stockhold of thoughts on the matter.

So, here’s the deal. Your thoughts pretty much make or break you. Jesus said in Luke 6:45, it is out of the abundance of the heart that the mouth speaks. So, when words seem to slip out of their own accord, it’s probably because you have quite a stockhold of thoughts on the matter. The Bible says, as a man thinks in his heart so is he. Thoughts produce attitudes, words and actions. With more thinking, these produce habits and patterns, and over time, your character and lifestyle. Our tendency is to blame others for so many of our problems and our daily suffering, when in reality, we are usually our own worst enemy, and more than we realize or want to admit is self-inflicted by our own thought life. But it doesn’t have to be that way.

In chapter one thirty nine, the psalmist describes how lovingly God created you and me in our mother’s womb with care to every detail and prepared all of our days here on the earth; it’s all written. He says, How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God! How great is the sum of them! If I should count them, they would be more in number than the sand; when I awake, I am still with You. (v.17-18) Yes, you read right! God thinks about you all the time and is always close by awaiting your call.

Maybe you have thought God was out to get you, or at least, he really didn’t care about you given the way you have lived. But nothing could be farther from the truth. He says, For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope (Jeremiah 29:11)

God does not want you to live in anxiety, fear or despair, but rather in peace and hope. How? He goes on, Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. and you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart. I will be found by you, says the Lord, and I will bring you back from your captivity. (v.12-14)

Wherever you are, turn to God today, pour out your heart and hurt to hIm, ask him forgiveness for doing things your way, give him your life, and ask him to give you new life according to his thoughts in place of yours. And you know what? HE WILL!

Follow me with the upcoming series: Renew your Mind, Transform your Life, based on Romans 12:2 which says, 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. When you begin to replace your thoughts with God’s, your understanding of life will begin to take on a whole new perspective. You and those around you will be amazed at your extreme makeover (transformation) and purpose filled life. Don’t wait, start today!

There is a saying, When all else fails, go to God in prayer. I think a lot of people live by that motto, whether consciously or unconsciously, going through life working things out on their own until they get to what seems like an impassible bump in the road. Or maybe it’s more like a brick wall. You get a big bill you don’t have the money to pay. You get a diagnosis that sounds hopeless. Your marriage is failing. Your child moves out, and you just can’t handle the empty nest. You’re being laid off, or your business is broke. Or six months on lockdown has you at the end of your rope. Then you pray to God something like Psalm 141:1, “O, Lord, I cry out to you, ‘Come quickly.’ Open your ears to me when I cry out to you.”

Prayer is not about bringing information to God; it’s about getting divine direction. Not that God doesn’t want you to share with Him. On the contrary, He does. If you have put your faith in Him, He is your loving Father.

When the disciples asked Jesus to teach them how to pray, He told them that when they prayed, they should pray as He did. He went on to give them a guide prayer. It wasn’t just words to be repeated, but an illustrated path for speaking with the Father. And who could be better equipped than Jesus to teach us this, since He clearly lived communing with the Father and revealing Him to the world.

As a loving Father, God always has His arms open wide to embrace you and a ready ear. He loves for you to tell Him about your day or week or year. The Father smiles over you when you are happy, blessed and grateful and has compassion on you when you are sad. Like a father who draws his little girl into his lap, the Father wants you to share your heart with Him.

James 4:8 says, Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. This is a promise, but not just a promise. It’s a beautiful declaration that reveals God’s very nature. When you come to Him, He will not reject you or ignore you but rather welcomes you.

If you think you have to come to Him and tell Him your needs in order for Him to take care of you and them, I assure you, you are wrong. He knows all about it way before you tell it to Him. Jesus said in Matthew 5 that you need not worry, because your Father in heaven already knows of all your need for food, clothing, shelter and life in general. And Psalm 139 says that even before the words are on your tongue, He knows them.

So bringing our needs to God is definitely not for Him. He’s not too busy to watch over you. There are no grounds for saying he doesn’t care that you are really struggling to make ends meet. He’s not unaware of your needs and the desires of your heart. He sees into the depth of your heart where you feel so inadequate. He’s not oblivious when you feel hurt or lonely or your heart is breaking over the absence of a loved one. Believe me, He knows, and He cares!

Why do we come to God in prayer? Why tell Him about our needs? Years ago, my uncle worked as a troubleshooter for a chain of convenience stores. His job was to go into a place, find the deficiencies, get to the causes, and bring solutions to the table. Maybe you have seen a program about a famous cook as a troubleshooter to rescue family businesses. Many times he says things people do not WANT to hear but NEED to hear, and if they listen and adhere to his advice, their situation radically turns around. God has a lot more grace in speaking to us, but hey, we need to listen.

Our heavenly Father is the ultimate Troubleshooter, and He has all of the answers. When I come to him with my prayers, I should come expecting answers. Sure, there are times when what we really need is a heart to heart and to cry on His shoulder. And that’s okay, He’s there for us. But. But. (I remember learning that when Jesus would repeat something, like “verily, verily” we should pay attention to what He is emphasizing.) But, then it’s time to sit up, pick up pen and paper, and listen to God’s answer.

Are you hurting today? Bring your pain, pour out your heart, and then receive God’s healing touch. Read Psalm 103 and Isaiah 61:1-3. Are you struggling to make ends meet? Read Matthew 6:25-34. Are you feeling lonely? Hear his heart for you. A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling. God sets the lonely in families, he leads out the prisoners with singing; but the rebellious live in a sun-scorched land. (Psalm 68:5-6)

The first step in prayer is knowing where to turn.

Turn to God. Draw near to your heavenly Father confidently, knowing He hears you and pray, O Lord, I cry out to you, “Come quickly.” Open your ears to me when I cry out to you.

Second, remember you are praying to the Creator of the universe, the Allpowerful and Holy One, and focus on Him and His greatness not on your problems. When you do this, not only is it pleasant to His ears, like a Father whose child looks upon Him with unabashed admiration. But furthermore, you are changed, as you shift your gaze from yourself to praise Him. Things take on a new perspective, as your anxiety lessens and your faith grows. David continued, Let my prayer be accepted as sweet-smelling incense in your presence. Let the lifting up of my hands in prayer be accepted as an evening sacrifice.

Finally, determine to not say things you shouldn’t. Don’t speak negatives. Don’t murmer and complain. Don’t criticize. Don’t prophecy a gloomy future. Instead choose praise, promises and being in the presence of the Allmighty. O Lord, set a guard at my mouth. Keep watch over the door of my lips. (Psalm 141:1-3) (More on this subject in upcoming article, What you say is what you get.)

Make prayer your first resort today, not the last “when all else fails”. Put yourself in God’s capable hands and follow His direction, and be amazed at what He does. For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. (Hebrews 4:15-16)

Do you feel like you are walking around with the weight of the world on your shoulders? Maybe you have some big decisions to be made concerning your work or career and really don’t know which way to go. Maybe one of your children is in a hard place or getting ready to move away, and you so want to hold on but must let them go. Maybe you or someone close has gotten a scary diagnostic and your faith in God is waning. Or maybe you see trouble in your marriage and are losing hope. Whether you relate to one of these or your case is another, the burden you feel is real.

Many carry the burden of “trying to find who they are”. If you’ve ever felt like you just don’t know what you are doing in this world or can’t seem to find your way, that can all change today. Not a single person has come into this world by accident- even if that’s what you heard- that you were a surprise to your parents. You were not a surprise to God, far from it. And God didn’t create us wondrously and then drop us into this world to figure things out on our own. Even as Psalm 139 makes clear, God personally designed each one of us, no two alike- that’s sure true for my six children! He knows our every thought and word even before we pronounce it. And, there is nowhere we can go that he is not there with us. According to Ephesians 2:10, we are God’s work of art and when he created us, he also prepared a blueprint for our life with plans designed specifically for us to walk out. Your family, background, personality, and gifts – with all your quirks and originality- make you uniquely prepared for those plans prepared for you. So, have no doubt, you are special and your identity is not defined by what you’ve done but by whose you are… the God that made you and loves you is ever present with you.

There’s the burden of changing someone- your husband or wife, a child, mother-in-law (Ha!), or a friend. Who hasn’t felt like you should be able to fix them or at least better them? Believe me, it was never intended and just plain is not going to happen, and you probably make matters worse trying. I learned that the hard way. And keep learning. Because there is something in us women that just wants to fix things. Anyway, the best thing I can do for my marriage is to continually grow to be all I should be and pray blessing on my husband on his journey. The best thing I can do for my children, is to teach and train them in the ways of God and let God do his part. And as for the rest around me, I should give life in all I do and bless them. Only God can do the changing, even as I also am still under construction. So love and be patient.

There’s the burden of past hurts and failures. When we are disappointed, rejected, or outright hurt by others, we have a choice, whether we are conscious of it or not. Either we forgive and let go, or we don’t, and we carry it around in a suitcase for the rest of our lives. When our life simply doesn’t look like we thought it would at this time of the game- be it that our prince charming never showed or the one we married turned out to be a frog… the kids came before the career, so you’re still working where you did 20 years ago or you stayed home instead… adversity came and you never moved from the starter home… or you lost someone near and dear way before expected. While we can’t change things that have happened, we can choose how they affect us.

The burden of anxiety can be almost unbearable. What if I lose my job? i may even lose my house. What if I get covid-19? I’m overweight and have diabetes, so I will most likely die. And if its not that, well, my mother died of cancer, so I’m a high risk. What will my children do without me? What if my son that went to basic training gets hurt and I don’t even know? What if my husband’s new secretary is pretty? What if my car breaks down again, and I don’t have the money to fix it? What ifs probably keep you up more nights that you want to admit.

Alright, it’s time to take every one of these burdens off your shoulders. Are you ready? It’s a two step plan. Number one, you have to recognize the burden and that you want to be rid of it. That takes humility. Because as long as I say, I’m fine, I can do it, I am living in pride and all the while, suffering for it. God is not going to snatch the burden from you, he is waiting for you to give it to him. That is the second step. Number two, cast your cares- all your cares, every one- upon him. That means take it off your shoulders, out of your hands, and leave it with him. Careful! Don’t pick them up again. Don’t go back and tell God he’s taking too long or not doing as you would. Give him all and trust. Cast your burden upon the Lord and He will sustain you; He will never allow the righteous to be shaken. (Psalm 55:22)

In the hardest times and greatest storms, remember what God says. When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you. (Isaiah 43:2)

In the ups and downs of raising children, remember who gave them to you and that he loves them even more than you or I can. Children are a heritage from the Lord, offspring a reward from him.(Psalm 127:3)

In every decision, big or small, you don’t have to go it alone. Ask God. James 1:5 says, If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. So, ask, listen and follow.

“Come to me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take up my yoke and learn from me, because I am lowly and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30

There is so much going on in the world today that seriously concerns me. Of course, there are the out of control protests where innocent people have paid dearly with losses they never should have. Political agendas are rampant and it seems the media reports things however they see fit. Even social media is now censoring videos and comments- not on a moral basis, but on whether it aligns with their position. I mean, when I cannot post a video that simply shows the wonder of the development of a baby in his mother’s womb, because it has “inappropriate content” but a video of an explicit sex scene shows up on my phone and I ask for it to be blocked and they tell me it checks out fine… something has definitely gone wrong.

The pandemic measures, while claiming to make things better by saving lives, have affected economies, stirred up ill feelings in those that don’t agree on face masks and such, distanced families, isolated people, and subjected many to increased loneliness and futility. Where before we went out to breathe fresh air, now I struggle to breathe behind the mask. I often turn to smile at someone, just to remember they can’t see my smile. Even friends that tend to be loners are feeling the lack of interaction and facial expressions to light up the day. We were not created to live alone but in relationship with God and others.

Although these and many other things concern me, I refuse to worry about them. Does that sound like a contradiction? Well, in reality it isn’t. But I think today more than ever, we need to know the difference between concern and worry and the roots of each one.

Are you under financial stress because of the lockdown and worry about the future? Have you believed that if you love your child, then you should worry about him? Or you think that worry over a loved one’s safety is justified and even proof of your love for that person? Many moms think it is practically their duty to worry about their children. But is it?

Concern is the proper mindset for caring about important issues, decisions, events or conditions. When an issue gets a persons attention as a potential danger or problem, they focus on taking the necessary action to prevent or resolve it. Worry on the other hand is thinking, thinking, and thinking again about the issue with all the possible what ifs and negative outcomes. Concern is more fact based and focused on problem solving. While worry is fear based, anticipating and suffering time and time again the worst scenarios that usually never materialize.

Here are a few examples. When the lockdown began, concerned citizens went to buy their normal two weeks of toilet paper, but many didn’t find much or any because those worried by heresay that it would run out, hoarded buying large quantities- then it did run out. A concerned mom looks at the clock and thinks her son is half hour late, he must have gotten held up at work or in traffic. A worried mom may already be thinking he’s had an accident. A concerned mom sees her daughter with the wrong crowd and talks to her and does what’s necessary to protect her, while a worried mom may rant and rave and not sleep at night, sure she is going to end up on drugs. When your son enlists and goes to basic training, as a concerned mom you send him as well prepared as possible and trust he will come through fine, while the worried mom thinks all day about him getting Covid, how he gets yelled at, not having food he likes, and all the ways he can get hurt.

Jesus said, “Do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?” (Matthew 6:25-26 NKJV)

Once you have put your trust in God, and he has become your heavenly Father, there is no longer a thing in the world that should worry you. He knows you, loves you, promises to never leave you, has made every provision for you, and will work all things together for good in your life. Worrying won’t change a single thing, except stealing your peace and enjoyment today, and maybe even your health. So, rest in him.

How can we keep concern from turning into worry?  First, put your trust in God, giving him your whole life and every expectation. Read his plan for you and his many promises in the Bible. And pray, pray, and pray again. Every time you have a concern that begins to make circles in your head, pray and give it to God. If your child has not returned home at the expected time and you are concerned.  Pray.  Maybe you are concerned that your job may be in jeopardy.  Pray. God will provide. Prayer brings peace in knowing that God has everything under control.  Regardless of the outcome, He has it covered.

Do not be anxious or worried about anything, but in everything [every circumstance and situation] by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, continue to make your [specific] requests known to God.And the peace of God [that peace which reassures the heart, that peace] which transcends all understanding, [that peace which] stands guard over your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus [is yours]. (Philippians 4:6-7 AMP)

¿Qué haces cuando no ves contestada tu oración? ¿Te enojas? ¿Te desesperas? ¿Te deprimes? ¿Sientes que Dios se ha olvidado de ti? ¿Buscas culpables- tu esposa porque no se somete, tu esposo porque está fuera de orden, tus hijos porque te hacen enojar, el presidente porque no hace lo que crees debe,  la vida porque te tocó mala suerte, tú mismo porque no cambias…? ¿Le reclamas a Dios?

                El apóstol Pablo fue uno de los más grandes mensajeros de Dios, quien viajó por todo el mundo conocido predicando el evangelio y escribió gran parte de la Biblia como la conocemos, así que no cabe duda que él anduvo en la voluntad de Dios. Sin embargo, en  2 Corintios 12 leemos que dice tener un aguijón en la carne, un mensajero de Satanás que le abofetee y le pide a Dios tres veces que le fuera quitado pero no lo hizo. ¿Por qué no? Dios le dice, Bástate mi gracia; porque mi poder se perfecciona en la debilidad.

Bástate mi gracia; porque mi poder se perfecciona en la debilidad.

                Dios no está enfocado en nuestra comodidad ni que no batallemos ni suframos. Ese es el mensaje plasmado por el mundo en que vivimos que nos dice que debemos hacer lo que nos hace sentir bien, seguir nuestro corazón y disfrutar la vida porque solo la viviremos una vez. Hay un problema fundamental con este mensaje- ¡no es bíblico! Desde Génesis a Apocalipsis  vemos que el pueblo que sigue a Dios será atacado por Satanás, aborrecido por el mundo, afligido por muchas situaciones y probado en todo para ver que hay en su corazón y si seguirán fieles a Dios y sus propósitos a pesar de todo.

El mundo de hoy nos ha condicionado a pensar que los símbolos de una buena vida son la comodidad y la felicidad. El plan de Dios no es nuestra comodidad. Nuestra tendencia natural es orar pidiéndole a Dios que cese nuestro problema- que pare el sufrimiento, que dejen de oprimirnos, que se acabe la prueba…  Pero estas son oraciones miopes, enfocadas al corto plazo, y actúan como un corto-circuito del plan perfecto de Dios. 

                 La primera carta de Pedro a la iglesia prácticamente empieza y termina con este tema: el sufrimiento y las pruebas son algo que debemos esperar y aun agradecer como de Dios para un propósito.

                1 Pedro 1:6-7  En lo cual vosotros os alegráis, aunque ahora por un poco de tiempo, si es necesario, tengáis que ser afligidos en diversas pruebas, para que sometida a prueba vuestra fe, mucho más preciosa que el oro, el cual aunque perecedero se prueba con fuego, sea hallada en alabanza, gloria y honra cuando sea manifestado Jesucristo.

                1 Pedro 5: 6-9 Humillaos, pues, bajo la poderosa mano de Dios, para que él os exalte cuando fuere tiempo; echando toda vuestra ansiedad sobre él, porque él tiene cuidado de vosotros. Sed sobrios, y velad; porque vuestro adversario el diablo, como león rugiente, anda alrededor buscando a quien devorar; al cual resistid firmes en la fe, sabiendo que los mismos padecimientos se van cumpliendo en vuestros hermanos en todo el mundo.

En cada situación, en cada prueba, hay una lección que debemos aprender. Y si no aprendemos la lección, vendrá otra situación similar, y otra y otra, hasta que aprendamos y pasemos la prueba. En cada situación, Dios está mirando para ver  más del carácter de Cristo reflejado en nosotros, porque esa es la meta para establecer más de su reino en la tierra y prepararnos para su reino eterno.

What made the disciples and Christ followers shut themselves in the upper room before Pentecost?

Imagine what they had been through. First, they were living in a dry spiritual time, not having heard from the Lord through the prophets for some 500 years. I see people get depressed over not hearing from him for 500 hours. The religious leaders of the day made it their business to show the people their inadequacies before God, adding to God’s law even more rules according to their own self-righteousness, suppressing any hope. And as if that were not enough, Israel lived oppressed by the Roman Empire, forced to pay taxes and homage to a faraway ruler. Oppressed, depressed, suppressed… they certainly were not free. Then, along came Jesus!

Jesus showed up declaring, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, Because He has anointed Me To preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives And recovery of sight to the blind, To set at liberty those who are oppressed; To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord.” (Luke 4:18-19)

Jesus didn’t just talk love, acceptance and forgiveness, he modeled it everywhere he went and in all he did. He preached a love that bridges every difference, whether racial, positional or experiential. He was not afraid to touch the unclean or contagious, sup in the home of men of ill reputation, call the outcast his neighbor, cast out evil spirits to free a life, ignore man-made regulation of spiritual activity, or confront apparently upright people with their religiosity and hypocrisy.  While he was the Prince of Peace, he did not bring peace everywhere he went, but sometimes quite the opposite, because his message and his life was so contrary to the norm and the comfortable.

While he was not a violent reformer, he definitely was about reform, and the people seeking light and truth found it in him. Faith grew in them as they heard his words (Ro.10:17). Hope sprouted in their hearts, as they saw prophecy being fulfilled before their eyes (Ro.15:13).  And total unconditional love was poured out before them and in them, as they witnessed Christ’s death on the cross and then his victorious life after resurrection (Ro.5:5).  There was no way they could be the same, and they didn’t want to be.

Those first followers of Christ went into the upper room for 10 days of prayer and fasting to be invested with the power and unction from the Holy Spirit- not to hide away from coming trouble but to be ready to become the biggest troublemakers the world had known. Yes, the first Christians were big-time troublemakers who went against the norm of darkness in the world, publicly speaking the truth not cowering before persecution, snatching captives from the lies and powers of Satan, and teaching a living gospel that transforms lives spirit, soul and body.

Abraham encountered a God he didn’t know, but when given a great promise, he met the challenge to get up, go out into the unknown and walk with God. Joseph had a great dream but then suffered the worst betrayal and unfair treatment over and over again, but yet held onto his faith in God and, against seemingly impossible odds, God brought it to pass. Moses had a life-changing encounter at the burning bush, but he didn’t stay there, but got up, went out, and became the liberator of the people.

The first believers went into the upper room to be equipped to be witnesses at home and abroad. Yes, they were taught the gospel of the kingdom and the apostles’ doctrine, but being witnesses is much more. The word comes from [martus] which is martyrs. Did they want to be mocked, ostracized, be beaten in public squares, be wrenched away from their families, face lions, or die horrific deaths? Of course not! They were just as human as we are. But after the tremendous outpouring of the Spirit on Pentecost, the first believers did not camp there but went out willing to live, preach and even die for the light and love that they knew the whole world needed… even unto you and I today.

Have you like I been asking God to use you in the great harvest that is coming? I pray God pours out his Spirit on us anew, that the routine and ordinary would not suffice, but we would yearn for the life of love and power that can rescue from eternal damnation those around us and transform our world for his kingdom.

Debemos asegurarnos que el Dios que les presentamos a nuestros hijos es el Dios de la Biblia, porque de eso depende su fe y su caminar.

1. No le des a tu hijo un “Diosito”.– Entiendo que esto es algo muy cultural y de buena intención, ya que se usa “ito” para mostrar cariño y confianza (hijito, mi hermanito, mi casita, mi perrito). Y así muchas mamás hablan a sus pequeños de Diosito, que es bueno, les ama y estará con ellos cuando quieran orar. Pero hay un problema fundamental con esto. Las palabras muchas veces llevan un mensaje directo y otro implícito. Dios nunca ha sido “Diosito” y nunca lo será. Usar “ito/ita” es diminutivo, denota pequeño, y aunque lo digamos con mucho cariño, sigue siendo la descripción que le damos. Y es todo lo contrario del Dios de la Biblia. 1 Crónicas 29:11 dice, Tuyos son, Señor, la grandeza y el poder, la gloria, la victoria y la majestad. Tuyo es todo cuanto hay en el cielo y en la tierra. Tuyo también es el reino, y tú estás por encima de todo.

2. No le des a tu hijo un “niño Dios”, como suelen decir muchos, en especial en la época de Navidad. Enseñamos a los niños que los bebés son inocentes e indefensos y necesitan que uno cuide de ellos, obviamente para que tengan cuidado y no los lastimen. Pero entonces, si ven a Dios como un bebé, precioso sí, pero un bebé, ¿cómo quieres que en verdad esperen que les ayude en algo? Nunca fue “el niño Dios” en el pesebre de Belén, sino “el niño Jesús”, quien nació, vivió y murió como hombre quien se despojó de su naturaleza divina mientras en cuerpo humano, para que nos identificáramos con él en todo y podría ser nuestra salvación. Al final de su vida en la tierra, después de levantarse de la muerte y justo antes de ascender a estar para siempre en el trono a la diestra de Dios Padre, Jesús dijo: “Toda autoridad me ha sido dada en el cielo y en la tierra… Y he aquí, yo estoy con ustedes todos los días, hasta el fin del mundo”.(Mateo 28:18-20)

3. No le des a tu hijo un Dios lejano o muy ocupado. He oído a una mamá querer consolar a su hijo que no había visto la respuesta a su petición, “Sabes que Dios está muy ocupado viendo por gente en todo el mundo, así que ten paciencia”. O un papá que dice, “No le molestes a Dios con pequeñeces, ora cuando realmente es importante”. Es verdad que Dios ve por todo el mundo, pero es tan completamente omnipresente que está en todos partes a la vez, y no está como muchas veces estamos nosotros, “presentes pero sin poner atención”.

El Dios de la Biblia es un Dios presente, atento y nada se le escapa. Los profetas de Baal se burlaban de Elías diciéndole que su Dios estaba muy ocupado o dormido, pero Elías conocía a su Dios y tenía plena confianza en él y Dios lo respaldó en todo cuanto le mandó. El rey David conocía a Dios como quiero que mis hijos lo conozcan, como dice en el Salmo 139: Tú conoces cuando me siento y cuando me levanto; desde lejos entiendes mi pensamiento. Mi caminar y mi acostarme has considerado; todos mis caminos te son conocidos. Pues aún no está la palabra en mi lengua, y tú, oh SEÑOR, ya la sabes toda. Detrás y delante me rodeas, y sobre mí pones tu mano. Tal conocimiento me es maravilloso; tan alto que no lo puedo alcanzar.

4. No le des a tu hijo un Cristo colgado en la cruz- si aun está allí sufriendo, ¿cómo voy a confiar realmente que me puede ayudar a mí? Sí, murió en la cruz y esto es central al mensaje del evangelio, las buenas nuevas de salvación que debes enseñar a tu hijo. Pero no se quedó allí, sino venció el pecado, la muerte y el mismo infierno y resucitó y vive hoy para socorrerme en cada necesidad y darnos la victoria. La cruz es historia vital, pero es historia. Más el hecho que hoy Cristo está sentado en el trono celestial reinando y nos da a nosotros, todo el que cree en él y entra a su reino, poder y autoridad sobre los cielos y la tierra- ¡eso es algo que inspira fe y confianza!

Dale a tu hijo el Dios de Hebreos 4:14-16 y dile, Acerquémonos, pues, confiadamente al trono de la gracia, para alcanzar misericordia y hallar gracia para el oportuno socorro. Y el de Romanos 8:31-39 … Si Dios es por nosotros, ¿quién contra nosotros?… Cristo es el que murió; más aún, es el que también resucitó; quien, además, está a la diestra de Dios, y quien también intercede por nosotros… somos más que vencedores por medio de aquel que nos amó…

NO QUIERAS BAJAR A DIOS AL NIVEL DE TU HIJO, ANTES BIEN PRESÉNTALE AL DIOS ASOMBROSO Y TODOPODEROSO QUE OFRECE SUBIRNOS A SU NIVEL.

Pero Dios, quien es rico en misericordia, a causa de su gran amor con que nos amó, aun estando nosotros muertos en delitos, nos dio vida juntamente con Cristo. ¡Por gracia son salvos! Y juntamente con Cristo Jesús, nos resucitó y nos hizo sentar en los lugares celestiales para mostrar en las edades venideras las superabundantes riquezas de su gracia, por su bondad hacia nosotros en Cristo Jesús. Porque por gracia son salvos por medio de la fe; y esto no de ustedes pues es don de Dios. No es por obras, para que nadie se gloríe. Porque somos hechura de Dios, creados en Cristo Jesús para hacer las buenas obras que Dios preparó de antemano para que anduviésemos en ellas. (Efesios 2:4-10)

ESE ES MI DIOS Y EL DIOS QUE LES DOY A MIS HIJOS. ¿Y tú? Empieza hoy.