Does the Shoe Fit?

There are many religions and different doctrines that lead people who want to learn about our Creator. Some of them are similar and only differ in some “traditions” that might seem unimportant to some who do not mind gathering with them to worship Him. Others think it is not proper to worship with the ones who are different than the “ones who taught me.” I think that is a peculiarity conflict that has to do with one’s character. I like some people and dislike others for whichever reason. We are all different but try to get along with one another because that is what God intended for us. Of course, when we interact, we get to know and learn to like each other which might lead to love, or on the contrary to detest them, but if we are decent, we respect them. That is the world, always. Jesus resembled that in the parables of the Sowing on Matthew 13, at the end, the ones who understand will prevail, no matter what, and the ones who don’t will be like the tares the enemy planted.

I have heard some people, even Pastors, criticize others who, to their understanding, are teaching “the wrong doctrine,” perhaps on TV, or on the radio, or on books.  Also, different denominations might attack others and think they are the only ones who will be saved.  Of course there are things which are essential to the faith. That’s the reason we have the Ten Commandments. What we eat or not is not that important. The way we worship, whether we do it standing, seating or kneeling isn’t either, or our singing. There are many passages in the Word of God that explain these. You go where you feel best, and I have heard many Pastors on the radio, on TV, in books, who have said the smartest thing on the differences is the Respect. I have also heard many good advices that come from the Word, even among the most controversial denominations, that I should consider, as a Christian. Jesus Himself said to his disciples when told what others who were not of their group did: “For he who is not against us is for us.” (Mark 9.40)

What we are, we are going to live so others might see salvation through us. Yet, if someone in authority reproaches something I did, my tendency is to feel bad against him/her, then thinking it over, I could give them the benefit of the doubt and try the “shoe” to see if it fits.

Pursue peace with all men, and the sanctification without which no one will see the Lord. (Hebrews 12.14)

We might all be different but for all of us the Lord sent His Son to incarnate and be born in a manger to deliver us from the curse of sinning. Only Jesus has done that; no one else. That is why this is the most significant time of the year.

       ¡Merry Christmas  and  Happy New Year!

Are We Fulfilling a Prophesy?

Nothing happens by chance. Everything has a purpose in life and for the ones who have put their trust in God, even the worst scenario will contribute to greatness like Paul the apostle said in Romans 8.28; and  the ones who do not believe, in their atrocities, are complying, without knowing it, with a promise made by God because it is shown in the results, despite all the smart ideas, gadgets, talks, or anything prepared to do away with “anyone who doesn’t think like Me.” It all has to do with the intentions, and if they are to destroy, they will not progress, unless God feels them fit for an even greater purpose in the future of his children whi should never be afraid for He promised it: The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him, and rescues them. O taste and see that the LORD is good; how blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him!           (Psalm 34.7,8).

I could talk of many experiences I’ve had along my days where God has shown me His protection in times I was not even doing, perhaps, the best, but I am going to talk about this latest ones. I had two big desires; one was to be able to share the good news of Jesus Christ with people without being afraid. I had heard that in the “latter times,” many would convert from their infidelity and I wanted to be a source. Not the end times for there are many things that should happen before those, although nobody really knows the times of anything. Jesus said  just before ascending to the Father: ”It is not for you to know times or epochs which the Father has fixed by His own authority; but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be my witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria and even to the remotest part of the earth.” (Acts 1.7-8)  And this, my friends, is a promise that concerns me on what I desired. And it was fulfilled when I met the owner of a newspaper who gave me the opportunity to write a column in it because he liked what I wrote. Later, my pastor helped me in opening this blog to reach many more. My second big desire has just been satisfied when God gave me the chance to go to the promised land to his chosen ones: the land flowing with milk and honey (which, by the way it’s not bee’s honey but date’s, which are delicious) I say God gave me the chance because we just had the money for one person and thought it would not be possible when I found an entrance to our bank account of exactly the amount needed, product of money due me that I wasn’t expecting. Isn’t that a promise fulfilled? Scripture says God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. (Romans 8.28) And I know everything I write is according to His purpose because I know the relationship I have with my Lord and Savior that nobody else knows.

I confess that at the beginning of the trip I was a little apprehensive for the differences we could have, until we started knowing each other. We were a wonderful group composed of Christians of different denominations who learned to love one another. Our guide, Gabriel or Gaby, was a Jew whom I call a walking encyclopedia, originally from Argentina, who spoke several languages, was really an angel though he said he wasn’t the one he was named after. The chauffer of the bus that took us around the entire week was an Arab who like many others who live and work there are great people. I gave him the title of the greatest man behind a wheel. No one but us could really appreciate the way they conduct those enormous buses around in such narrow spaces without being hit.  In one of his speeches Gabriel recognized how well they get along there in spite of their differences, something the sensationalist press never gives attention to or announce.

The Trip was fantastic. The Holy Spirit was really being felt. In every place we visited our guide opened his Bible and read not only from the Old Testament, but also from the New one which authenticated the facts and made us feel we were really walking on Jesus path. There were people from all over the world and different languages were heard around. We could communicate with some and learned of their fortunes and misfortunes. One of them was a German who suffered under Communist Germany, like me in my country, and though I spoke to his wife in English, he smiled as if we understood each other. That experience has led me to know there’s a before and after the Israel experience. It was as if we were living in the Kingdom of Heaven on earth, after all we all were there with the same purpose. Nobody complained nor fought over anything. We saw with our eyes that Prophesies that were made in the Old Testament are true today with the passing of the years.  The Lord doesn’t lie and everything in the Bible is true. You just have to read it daily and pray that the He helps you understand it. Jesus said during the Sermon of the Mount and applies to all of it:

Whoever then annuls one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same shall be called least in the kingdom of Heaven; but whoever keeps and teaches them shall be called great in the Kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 5.19)

We can be thankful for start living the Kingdom of heaven right here and now.

Happy thanksgiving!

Are We Fulfilling a Prophesy?

The Golden Gate

One of the 8^th entrances to the Old city of Jerusalem that was shut down by a Sultan back in 1541 with a Muslim cemetery in front to avoid “the entrance of the Messiah” is an example of the fulfillment of the Prophesy made more .than two thousand years ago in Ezekiel 44.2

Are we living in the last times?

Many people do not think so, but I do.  There are too many evidences according to what the Holy Scriptures say and the times are bad. There are many things going on against God’s bride which is His church and one of these days, without announcing it He will be coming for her and the ones who are ready and expecting it will be taken to not come back, for the moment. The Word of God is full of interpretations of how the kingdom of heaven is getting close and how we should be ready to not be left out (like in Noah’s time). It would be eternally awful, after knocking at a known door to hear Him say: “Truly I say to you, I do not know you.”(Matthew 25.12)  That is what the bridegroom told the virgins who were expecting to enter the feast, but not ready. (Read verses 1-13)  When Jesus comes for us it will be like a thief in the night. (I Thessalonians 5.2)  That is why we should be ready. .. for the Son of Man is coming at an hour when you don’t think He will. (Matthew 24.44)

These times are NOT “the end of the World” as some people think and say, yet Jesus said it: “But all these things are merely the beginning of birth pangs. . .” (Mathew 24.8)

Why do we know it?  Because the Scripture says it and we study it diligently and listen to the experts that specialize in that matter which is called: Eschatology. And if we search in the Web for it and read in the Word of God those who He sent to warn us about it, you’ll be surprised how much it sounds like the times we’re living now-a-days. When did you ever hear that the power of money could control, against all reason, the biggest networks in the world? And conspire to destroy decent people with big lies and make it public? But The Lord of Lords said through His prophet: Woe to those who drag iniquity with the cords of falsehood.  Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; who substitute darkness for light and light for darkness; who substitute bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter! (Isaiah 5.18, 20) If you let yourself be controlled by what is “fashionable” today, you will be in that list of “Woes”, but if you let God control your life and the one of your family, you will be safe, even of perjury.  Many are the sorrows of the wicked, but he who trusts in the Lord, loving kindness shall surround him. (Psalm 32.10)

The ones who want to live according to what’s  “fashionable” in the world today might have to consider if the style is acceptable to God. The Scriptures says clearly: And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. (Romans 12.2)  That means not to follow anybody’s example, no matter who, if I have not consulted if it is in accordance with the will of God which in my dictionary is a synonym of “my best interest.”

We are living in the last times, yes,  for everything that is going on, so, when you see all these things recognize that He’s near, right at the door. Truly I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place. (Matthew 24.33,34 ) Jesus is calling you today to follow Him. Don’t be stubborn and make Him the center of your life.  Do not take the risk of his saying I do not know you, instead, listen to Him say:  “Well done, good and faithful slave. You were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.” (Matthew 25.23)

Are we doing what’s correct?

That is a question that many of us have in our minds, sometimes; especially if we mean good in whatever we are planning. If our intentions are “good,” may be, yet because there is different kinds of people, what seems right for some might seem bad for others, therefore we can’t use the people’s opinion as a thermometer.  In a group where supposedly all the people have the same interests or belief there should not be any differences though sometimes there are agreement problems which could be debated to the light of reality, and even so, “who’s reality?”

That, we have heard even among Christian groups, and one example of that is precisely in Jesus’ disciples who had differences despite all the miracles they witnessed and all the evidences in His speeches to them that were supposed to let them know the truth, yet some who heard Him questioned His authority, and others took advantages according to stingy interests as it happened to Judas Iscariot who betrayed Him for thirty pieces of silver; and others, later, who sheltered in their leadership were “two face” like Peter who behaved one way with Paul and the gentiles and another when among other Jews.(Galatians 2.11-14)  So who and when is someone doing the right thing?

It is awful, but that happens because we are NOT perfect, Jesus was, but the disciples were not. All of us are sinners and no matter how much schooling we have, or how many languages we speak, or how many credentials have, if we are not doing what’s right and someone sets us straight, we should be thankful for it. It’s great, though, Christian groups know how to repent with God’s help; an eternity is a very long time to be wrong.

It might not seem easy to do what’s right, or admit we are wrong, but if we do as the sinless One taught us which for any of us is easier said than done, we will learn to love His word by reading it daily and practicing what it says so we know what is the correct thing to do.

 I had been anguished for many months and suffering for the well being of people I love, who to my knowledge, are not acting right, yet the one who should admonish pretends to justify them. The Lord put in my heart His words and I do not feel guilty anymore. He said:

“Let the one who does wrong still do wrong; and the one who is filthy, still be filthy; and let the one who is righteous still practice righteousness and the one who’s holy, still keep himself  holy. Behold I’m coming quickly and my reward is with me to render to every man according to what he has done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.”  Blessed are those who wash their robes so that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter by the gates into the city. (Revelation 22.11-14)