Back Off

This guy never gives up! What is it going to take to get him off my back? Does he really think all his sweet talk is going to make me turn away from my convictions? He is like a telephone solicitor with their practiced dialogue. 

“Listen, I said. You know where I stand in my beliefs. You and I are just going down two separate roads.” 

Bam! Then it hit me. The narrow road and the wide road. I invited him to church and said we will see what happens after that.

Unfortunately, nothing changed and he was still just as obnoxious as ever or even more so. It was then that I finally had to get tough. I told him in front of everyone to back off. I realized that satan was using him and no way was I going to take it anymore. “Get ye behind me satan.” (See Matthew 16:23)

He went completely silent and then I heard clapping. I gather others were tired of his attitude too. They just wouldn’t stand up to him. I’m thankful God gave me the power within to do so.

This story is completely made up, but I felt to write it. We need to be strong in our convictions and our heart. We cannot let ourselves be bullied in any form of the word.

Life is Good

Life is good. With everything going on in this world you wonder how I can even state that thought. I can say that because I know who my redeemer is and He reigns supreme. It doesn’t matter how bleak things may look because God already knew what was going to happen. All I have to do is pray and trust Him to take care of the rest.

I’m not saying it is always easy because it is not, especially when a loved one is involved or a health issue. Right now my lower back is out, but I choose not to dwell on it and to remember who my redeemer is. 

How often have you worried about something and it amounted to nothing? What about a situation where you know there is just nothing you can do about it? Is dwelling on it going to solve anything? No, of course, not. Then give it over to God.

Only God can truly resolve situations that seemingly have no solutions. If these issues weren’t around then there would be no reason to call upon Our Redeemer. I for one am glad when these situations arise because it makes me acknowledge that I need to depend on Him. I cannot do everything on my own strength. I need My Redeemer.

“Let the redeemed of the Lord tell their story-

those he redeemed from the hand of the foe,” (Psalm 107:2 NIV)

“But when the right time came, God sent his Son, born of a woman, subject to the law.

God sent him to buy freedom for us who were slaves to the law, so that he could adopt us as his very own children.” (Galatians 4:4-5 NLT)

“Thus says the Lord, your Redeemer who formed you from the womb: “I am the LORD, who has made all things, who alone stretched out the heavens, who by Myself spread out the earth,” (Isaiah 44:24 ESV)

Thank you Lord, that you redeemed me from sin and hell. Thank you that I can always depend on You to have my back. When I am weak then You are strong. You are a mighty fortress. You are my peace in the midst of a battle. You are My Redeemer!

[I wrote this for the Faithwriters challenge and many wished me well for my back. Thankfully it is better, but my intention for this piece was to focus in on God’s redemptive power. It is my hope that those who read this will receive just that point. Amen.]

The promises of God or forever and true. When He said something He means it. He does not go back on his word. He cannot lie!

If we find ourselves in a never ending cycle maybe it is because we are not truly practicing our trust in God and therefore relying on ourselves rather than his promises.

Then there are the times like Jonah that we don’t want to follow God’s instructions. We rather run in the opposite direction. Jonah learned the hard way, but he also remembered the word of God and so he prayed. (See Jonah chapter 2)

Jonah was a man who was real before God and had no issue with showing discontent or anger. Like a little child God would basically take Jonah by the hand and pose questions in order to set him straight.(Jonah chapter 4)

God likes it when we are real with Him. We just cannot allow our stubbornness or staunch behavior to interfere with our walk of Faith. 

REMEMBER:

“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.” (Hebrews 1:1 NASB)

Amen

Love

Love

 

We are so loved! We are loved! Yes, we are! It is such a great way to start the day, just knowing this.

 

Okay, so you are wondering what the heck I am talking about right?

I just look around and see all the beauty that surrounds me and say, “WOW”! You see He is amazing and truly loves me and you.

 

“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.” (Gen.1:1 NLT)

 

My friends He loves us so much that He gave us a way to have life everlasting. How? It isn’t a secret. It has been told for over 2000 years. You just have to have ears to hear. Are you ready? I mean really ready?

Okay then, now listen closely——

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16 NIV)

Do you know the name of that Son? Jesus is His name. That’s right, Jesus. In Hebrew it is Yeshua. It is said that every knee will bow and every tongue will proclaim the name of Jesus. (Philippians 2:10)

 

This should make you stand up and shout for joy at just this realization.

 

Oh, you have a question. What is it? You want to know where He is now. Not an issue. Let me start from the beginning.

 

God brought His son into this world in the form of man to experience what we do. He was born of a virgin, later accused by the Jews to be spreading lies, crucified, and finally raised from the dead. He now sits with the Father in heaven, but not before He sent the Holy Spirit to be our comforter. When you accept what Jesus did for you He then lives within you. That is it in a nutshell.

 

So what do you think? What? You say it cannot be that easy. My friends it is. God is a God of simplicity. All you need to do is trust and believe and ask forgiveness. Do you understand?

 

So now that you understand are you ready to ask Him into your life?

Good. Just speak to Him like you are talking to me and repent of your sins. Give a heartfelt confession. Jesus will hear you and your new life as a new creation will start. Off with the old and on with the new.

 

Well my friends I hope I have set you on a journey that will be full of amazing surprises and miracles. It won’t be a bed of roses, but with Jesus always at your side you will never be alone. Remember to live in the moment and not the past or future, but always keep Jesus in the forefront.

Christmas 2020

Christmas 2020

Christmas may seem different this year because of the pandemic, but we must not let that hinder the blessings.

Family and friends may not be as close, but in our hearts they are still near. There are always ways to keep in contact. Computers, FaceTime...

So don’t sweat the things you cannot change. Live for the moment.

Most importantly. What is this holiday truly about? Is it the decorations, trees, presents? I surely hope not! Yes, those things are nice, but and that is a big BUT the reality is they mean nothing in comparison to the birth of Our Savior Jesus. There wouldn’t be a CHRISTmas if it wasn’t for Him. 

We need to keep things in perspective and rather than looking at the negative be thankful for what you do have and most of all be thankful for Jesus who still lives. He never changes. He loves us. That is the greatest gift of all.

“Then the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people. 11For there is born to you this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12And this will be the sign to you: You will find a Babe wrapped in swaddling cloths, lying in a [d]manger.”

13And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying:

14“Glory to God in the highest,

And on earth peace, goodwill[e] toward men!” (Luke 2:10-14 NKJV)

Navidad 2020

La Navidad puede parecer diferente este año debido a la pandemia, pero no debemos permitir que eso obstaculice las bendiciones.

Puede que la familia y los amigos no sean tan cercanos, pero en nuestro corazón todavía están cerca. Siempre hay formas de mantenerse en contacto. Ordenadores, FaceTime ...

Así que no se preocupe por las cosas que no puede cambiar. Vive por el momento.

Más importante. ¿De qué se trata realmente esta festividad? ¿Son las decoraciones, los árboles, los regalos? ¡Seguro que espero que no! Sí, esas cosas son bonitas, pero y eso es un gran PERO la realidad es que no significan nada en comparación con el nacimiento de Nuestro Salvador Jesús. No habría una NAVIDAD si no fuera por Él.

Necesitamos mantener las cosas en perspectiva y, en lugar de mirar lo negativo, debemos estar agradecidos por lo que tenemos y, sobre todo, estar agradecidos por Jesús que aún vive. Él nunca cambia. Él nos ama. Ese es el mayor regalo de todos.

“Entonces el ángel les dijo:“ No temáis, porque he aquí, os traigo buenas nuevas de gran gozo que serán para todo el mundo. 11Porque os ha nacido hoy en la ciudad de David un Salvador, que es Cristo el Señor. 12Y esto les servirá de señal: hallarán a un niño envuelto en pañales, acostado en un pesebre ”.

13 Y de repente hubo con el ángel una multitud del ejército celestial que alababa a Dios y decía:

14 “Gloria a Dios en las alturas,

¡Y en la tierra paz, buena voluntad [e] para con los hombres! " (Lucas 2: 10-14 NKJV)

May 13, 2019

“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭32:8‬ ‭ESV‬‬

This is what we need Lord. We truly need Your guidance in our daily walk. 

There is so much going on in this world these days that it is easy to fall prey to the lies that surround us. The media says this and that, what is true, what isn’t? How do we discern the truth?

We can trust You with our guidance, but we also must maintain our stance as true warriors of truth. We must keep our spirit protected. 

“Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God,”

‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭6:14-17‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Our armor protects us and we must remember that we need to use it. Don’t just let it hang on you and not put it to use. God has given it to us and the Holy Spirit will nudge us when to go into action. 

We are never alone because the Lord and His messengers are always with us. He never leaves us to fight single handily. Amen!

“Te instruiré y te enseñaré en el camino que debes seguir; Te aconsejaré con mi ojo sobre ti.

Salmos 32: 8 ESV

Esto es lo que necesitamos Señor. Realmente necesitamos tu guía en nuestra caminata diaria.

En este mundo están sucediendo tantas cosas que es fácil caer en la trampa de las mentiras que nos rodean. Los medios de comunicación dicen esto y aquello, ¿qué es verdad, qué no es? ¿Cómo discernimos la verdad?

Podemos confiarle nuestra guía, pero también debemos mantener nuestra postura como verdaderos guerreros de la verdad. Debemos mantener nuestro espíritu protegido.

“Levántate, pues, sujetándote el cinturón de la verdad, y poniéndote la coraza de la justicia, y, como zapatos para tus pies, poniéndote la disposición dada por el evangelio de la paz. En todas las circunstancias, toma el escudo de la fe, con el que puedes extinguir todos los dardos de fuego del maligno; y toma el casco de la salvación y la espada del Espíritu, que es la palabra de Dios ".

Efesios 6: 14-17 ESV

Nuestra armadura nos protege y debemos recordar que necesitamos usarla. No solo dejes que te cuelgue y no lo utilices. Dios nos lo ha dado y el Espíritu Santo nos empujará cuando entremos en acción.

Nunca estamos solos porque el Señor y sus mensajeros están siempre con nosotros. Él nunca nos deja para luchar solos. ¡Amén!

May 7, 2019

John 14:27 

“Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives, do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful.” (NASB)

What a phenomenal verse! I love this! 

This world may not experience peace, but my spirit definitely can. I can retain peace as long as my vision remains truly focused. My focus must always be on the one who saved me and took me from a crumbling foundation and placed me on sturdy ground.

I don’t need to fear, but if fear tries to knock at my door I will then place it at the feet of Jesus. All my concerns He already knows about so why should I worry. 

You are my Rock and my Fortress and in You I place my trust. Thank You my Lord and King! 

Amen!

Juan 14:27

“La paz os dejo; Te doy mi paz; no como el mundo da, yo te doy. No se turbe vuestro corazón, ni tenga miedo. ”(NASB)

¡Qué verso fenomenal! ¡Me encanta esto!

Este mundo puede no experimentar paz, pero mi espíritu definitivamente puede. Puedo mantener la paz mientras mi visión permanezca verdaderamente enfocada. Mi enfoque siempre debe estar en el que me salvó y me sacó de una base desmoronada y me puso en un terreno firme.

No necesito temer, pero si el miedo trata de llamar a mi puerta, lo pondré a los pies de Jesús. Todas mis preocupaciones, Él ya lo sabe, así que ¿por qué debería preocuparme?

Tú eres mi roca y mi fortaleza y en ti pongo mi confianza. ¡Gracias mi señor y rey!

¡Amén!

March 3, 2019

Good Works

“Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due,

When it is in your power to do it.

Do not say to your neighbor, “Go, and come back, and tomorrow I will give it,”

When you have it with you.

Do not devise harm against your neighbor,

While he lives in security beside you.

Do not contend with a man without cause,

If he has done you no harm.”

(Proverbs 3: 27-30 NASB)

As a Christian I cannot in good conscience not explain that good works are great, but they must be done with purity of heart.

While reading these verses I realized how many people do good works just to make a name for themselves. Or even to feel good about themselves. They don’t understand the full picture. 

You can do all the works you want, but they will not open up the gates to heaven if you have not had a circumcision of the heart. What do I mean by that? Have you invited Jesus Christ or Yeshua into your life? 

Man is justified by faith and not works. “For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from works of the Law.” (Romans 8:28 NASV)

It becomes very apparent that when we fall in love with our Lord and Savior that we desire to do good works. It is as natural as light is from dark. It isn’t out of obligation or fear, but pure faith in God. Amen.

I pray that each of my readers will experience the love God has for them if they haven’t already. Please feel free to share this blog.

In Christ,

Cheryl 

Buen trabajo

"No retengáis el bien de aquellos a quienes deben,

Cuando esté en tu poder hacerlo.

No le digas a tu vecino: "Ve, y vuelve, y mañana te lo daré".

Cuando lo tengas contigo.

No hagas daño contra tu prójimo.

Mientras él vive en seguridad a tu lado.

No contiendas con un hombre sin causa,

Si él no te ha hecho daño.

(Proverbios 3: 27-30 NASB)

Como cristiano, no puedo explicar con buena conciencia que las buenas obras son grandes, sino que deben hacerse con pureza de corazón.

Mientras leía estos versículos, me di cuenta de cuánta gente hace buenas obras solo para hacerse un nombre. O incluso para sentirse bien consigo mismos. No entienden el cuadro completo.

Puedes hacer todas las obras que quieras, pero no abrirán las puertas al cielo si no has tenido una circuncisión del corazón. ¿Qué quiero decir con eso? ¿Has invitado a Jesucristo o Yeshua a tu vida?

El hombre es justificado por la fe y no por obras. "Porque mantenemos que un hombre es justificado por la fe aparte de las obras de la Ley". (Romanos 8:28 NASV)

Se vuelve muy evidente que cuando nos enamoramos de nuestro Señor y Salvador, deseamos hacer buenas obras. Es tan natural como la luz es de la oscuridad. No es por obligación o por miedo, sino por pura fe en Dios. Amén.

Oro para que cada uno de mis lectores experimente el amor que Dios tiene para ellos si no lo han hecho ya. Por favor, siéntase libre de compartir este blog.

En Cristo,

Cheryl

Be Alert / Estar Alerta

Be Alert 

“So roll up your sleeves, put your mind in gear, be totally ready to receive the gift that’s coming when Jesus arrives. Don’t lazily slip back into those old grooves of evil, doing just what you feel like doing. You didn’t know any better then; you do now. As obedient children, let yourselves be pulled into a way of life shaped by God’s life, a life energetic and blazing with holiness. God said, “I am holy; you be holy.””

1 Peter 1:13-16 MSG

Estar Alerta

"Así que arremangate, pon tu mente en marcha, prepárate para recibir el regalo que viene cuando Jesús llegue. No se deslice perezosamente en esos viejos surcos del mal, haciendo lo que quiera hacer. Tú no sabías nada mejor entonces; lo haces ahora. Como niños obedientes, permítanse ser arrastrados a un estilo de vida moldeado por la vida de Dios, una vida enérgica y resplandeciente de santidad. Dios dijo: “Yo soy santo; sé santo ".

1 Pedro 1: 13-16 MSG

These verses should be our motto with all that is going on around us these days.

It is so easy to just say is it worth it, but I say right back to you, “is it not”? If we remain stagnant then what kind of soldiers are we in God’s army? We must maintain our vigil and be the lampposts in this darkened world. We need to show that there is hope through Jesus Christ. By love and understanding this can be accomplished. We cannot shove it down ones throat, but we can be there with an listening ear and an encouraging word. 

Allow the Holy Spirit to work through you, one person at a time and one day at a time. Amen.

Estos versos deben ser nuestro lema con todo lo que está sucediendo a nuestro alrededor en estos días.

Es tan fácil decir que vale la pena, pero le respondo: "¿no es así?" Si nos quedamos estancados, ¿qué clase de soldados estamos en el ejército de Dios? Debemos mantener nuestra vigilia y ser las farolas en este mundo oscuro. Necesitamos mostrar que hay esperanza por medio de Jesucristo. Por amor y comprensión esto se puede lograr. No podemos empujarlo por la garganta, pero podemos estar allí con un oído atento y una palabra de aliento.

Permita que el Espíritu Santo trabaje a través de usted, una persona a la vez y un día a la vez. Amén. 

February 15, 2019

Remembering the Joy of My Salvation

“Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will take joy in the God of my salvation.”

Habakkuk 3:17-18 ESV

It doesn’t matter what I or you go through in life as long as we keep our eyes on the one whom made us. If we remember that Our Lord stands with us then in the end it will all work out. Heaven is our destination and that will be glorious! Things of earth will eventually pass away, but the principles of Jesus will live on forever.

“Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.” 

(Luke 21:33 ESV)

“Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. 2 And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be his people, and God himself will be with them as their God. 4 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”

(Revelation 21:1-4 ESV)

It is inevitable that we will go through hard times. We live in a fallen world, but we have so much to look forward to. Yes, there will be suffering, but remember what Peter said, “Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you; but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation. If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.”

(1 Peter 4:12-14 NASB)

I love the last line of that verse. Just knowing that the Spirit of glory and of God is upon me motivates me to keep going. We are His children! Hallelujah!

My prayer for you all is that you will endure to the end. No matter what you will pick up your sword and fight. You will not be defeated because you have a mighty God and your Lord is always with you. You are overcomers! Amen.

Recordando la alegría de mi salvation

"Aunque la higuera no debe florecer, ni hay frutos en las vides, el producto de la aceituna falla y los campos no producen alimento, el rebaño se corta del rebaño y no hay manada en los puestos, pero me regocijaré". en el señor Me gozaré en el Dios de mi salvación ".

Habacuc 3: 17-18 ESV

No importa lo que yo o nosotros pasemos en la vida mientras mantengamos nuestros ojos en la persona que nos hizo. Si recordamos que Nuestro Señor está con nosotros, al final todo se resolverá. ¡El cielo es nuestro destino y eso será glorioso! Las cosas de la tierra eventualmente pasarán, pero los principios de Jesús vivirán para siempre.

"El cielo y la tierra pasarán, pero mis palabras no pasarán".

(Lucas 21:33 ESV)

“Entonces vi un cielo nuevo y una tierra nueva, porque el primer cielo y la primera tierra pasaron, y el mar ya no existía. 2 Y vi la ciudad santa, la nueva Jerusalén, que descendía del cielo de Dios, preparada como una novia adornada para su esposo. 3 Y oí una gran voz desde el trono que decía: He aquí, la morada de Dios está con el hombre. Él morará con ellos, y ellos serán su pueblo, y Dios mismo estará con ellos como su Dios. 4 El borrará todas las lágrimas de sus ojos, y la muerte no será más, ni habrá luto, ni llanto, ni dolor, porque las cosas pasaron.

(Apocalipsis 21: 1-4 ESV)

Es inevitable que pasemos por tiempos difíciles. Vivimos en un mundo caído, pero tenemos mucho que esperar. Sí, habrá sufrimiento, pero recuerda lo que Pedro dijo: “Amado, no te sorprendas con la ardiente prueba que hay en ti, que te viene a la prueba, como si te estuviese pasando algo extraño; pero en la medida en que compartan los sufrimientos de Cristo, continúen regocijándose, para que también en la revelación de Su gloria puedan regocijarse con exultación. Si eres vilipendiado por el nombre de Cristo, eres bendecido, porque el Espíritu de gloria y de Dios descansa sobre ti ".

(1 Pedro 4: 12-14 NASB)

Me encanta la última línea de ese verso. El solo hecho de saber que el Espíritu de gloria y de Dios está sobre mí me motiva a seguir adelante. ¡Somos sus hijos! ¡Aleluya!

Mi oración para todos ustedes es que perseveren hasta el final. No importa lo que recogerás tu espada y lucharás. No serás derrotado porque tienes un Dios poderoso y tu Señor siempre está contigo. Ustedes son vencedores! Amén.