Who are We Thanking for our “Misfortunes”?

 

I guess that might sound a little odd, because in this world of ours where we have set our own standards, nobody wants to feel “stupid” enough as to thank someone for misfortunes. But it so happens that the ONE who designed us smart, despite our bad behavior of disobeying the best way to survive in a fallen world, knows that we can think and discern what goes on around us, but we should be thankful for ALL.  Of course, a “misfortune” could be something we can’t fix, and again as Jesus said we can move mountains if we wanted to, though not everyone is able to do it. We’ve got to have something that not everyone has, and that is called Faith. When we have faith in GOD, of course, we know we can do it, but we also know that His will is best for all of us, despite what we might think is the best, and whatever He decides is going to be most convenient to destabilize a bigger evil. We might not know it, but He does, and He’s trying to protect us. “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,” declares the LORD. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts.”(Isaiah 55.8-9)  And if we are smart we are going to trust Him for being in control, and be content with whichever outcome. It is hard and certainly not easy, but we must be alert at all times. All “misfortunes” the Lord consents to for our lives have the purpose of making us better, wiser, good fighters and making us change for a better purpose, if it doesn’t, and on the contrary we get angry, complain and accuse God or anyone else for giving us misery, we might not be the ones who submit to his will, and only the ones who do, will feel good in everything. (read  Romans 8.28)  Others will succumb to misery forever, even when it does not seem like it.

There are myriad of testimonies to that respect, even in the Bible, like for instance the life of Joseph, son of Jacob who was sold as a slave by his own brothers (Genesis chapter 37 to 48) and like him, many others. Also, of people  you may know, like my own case as I mentioned in “my story”; my youngest daughter’s  as I wrote on my previous blog but didn’t finish, my oldest one who trusted in the power of prayer; and many more that I constantly listen to.  In the case of my daughter, a HS teacher for over 20 years, a single mother of five who did not have time for herself and all those tumors appeared at once, came out shouting of joy for she survived the brain operation a month ago, and hasn’t stopped thanking the Lord for it and making a commotion with everyone around for the way everyone who knows her has responded supporting and praying for her.  She knows God is in control of her life because He has a purpose for her as for all those who have overcome their “Misfortunes” thanking God. My Dad cried when I went through mine, but he was happy to see me flourish as I prospered in a humble way, just like I will with my children and thank God for they are in His ways and are touching other lives.

That is the greatness of living a Christian life that you will always be happy no matter how “bad” things seem to be because we know God has justified us. Therefore having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God. And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us. (Romans 5. 1-5)

And that is the reason we celebrate the birth of Jesus every year, for without it we wouldn’t have obtained that grace that heals us. Despite the Corona Virus we have learned to overcome, we wish you a

      MERRY CHRISTMAS !!!

Who are you gonna call . . .Ghost Boosters?

 

No, I did not make a spelling mistake because that’s exactly what I meant. Whenever we feel to have some problem we tend to call on someone who’s going to help us solve it. Someone professional, perhaps, a doctor if the problem is of a health nature, a lawyer if it has to do with the Law, a priest if it is a spiritual one, a financial expert if it is a money issue, or anyone who is a friend and we can trust to give us advice on who we should call, like the famous movie/ song: Ghost Busters, or like I said Ghost Boosters.

I’ve seen movies in which people get into trouble because of bad choices in their situation and I think immediately, that would not happen to me, because I’m always ready to call on the right person, and when I do, my “problem” is not going to go away, but I’m going to be calm and act wisely and accordingly with my principles, and I have the promise Paul, apostle told us: And we know that 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)  So, the problem will become a challenge, and whatever God allows is going to make me a winner, because I love Him. And the fact might stay a reality, but “the problem” will not beat me.

Some people get angry at God when things do not go their way. They get so angry that get into a fighting stage with Him. And do not want to talk to him, or even try to do things they know God does not like and end up hurting themselves. That’s when they call the Ghost Boosters and fall in their trap and many times they do not realize it and get lost forever, because they get indebted to them so much that they go down into the abyss of no way out. That happens every so often and that’s when they fall into drugs or alcohol or anything else God despises, and become rejected by many around them.  I once had a death, and injury of health experience which made me feel angry at God and I cried not understanding why it had happened to me if I was a good working person who went to Church every Sunday and even helped out with the music. When I saw myself on a wheel chair I felt so beaten that I wanted to leave my surroundings to try to find “new and fresh” experiences away from what I had known before.  I thought I was doing OK with a great job, house, family when “God took that away” I went very sad and very doubtful of His love and promises. Nevertheless I had a great family, not only my blood one, but my spiritual one too; my church (the people) here in the US and even in Cuba stood up in prayer for me and in that moment I decided not appeal to the ghost booster’s thoughts that were haunting me, but I fell on my knees and thanked God for that great family I had who prayed for my well being; and asked God for guidance to make the right choices. I thought of my Dad who had always taught me to do the correct things, of my baby daughters who had no saying and would be, then, victim of my awful decision and  probably would have hated me for the rest of their lives, of my friends whom I would let down with the weak move if I had always given a good impression, and of God who loved me so much that sent His only Son to rescue me from perishing and had great plans for me. So I became a warrior against all ghost boosters.

Some people think on themselves only and when they receive “bad news,” they go to a bar, get drunk and stumble out causing accidents to others and even deaths; and if not that, they drug themselves thinking their problem would go away. But the truth is that NO problem would cease if you do not plead to God in the name of Jesus. And the worst problem is that all those who do not believe, will NOT inherit the Kingdom of Heaven, and will always be unsatisfied with their reality; most probably call on the ghost boosters who will give false hopes based on fraud. But if we depend on God’s truth, it will make us FREE, and we become warriors in the name of the truth. No one can blame us for Fighting for the TRUTH, except the ones who are at fault.

This has been an awful year for the ones who love transparency, but many have been bought with the advice of the Ghost boosters to eliminate the peace in the whole world. But as a song says: “He’s got the Whole world in His hands,” and He hasn’t spoken yet.

I finished the previous paragraph two days ago when my daughter called me with a terrible headache and neck pain that no medicine could take away. I had to take her to the hospital where they found out about two tumors in the brain and one in the lung. We all praised God to let us know soon enough to have a solution, and asked Him to be in control. I know that when we call on Him, we have good results.

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will NOT fear, though the earth should change and though the mountains slip into the heart of the sea; though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains quake at its swelling pride. (Psalm 46.1-3) He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the almighty. (Psalm 91.1)

Are we still undecided?

If we are, there must be something that is interfering to strike our credibility, because we have had enough time demonstrating the successes and there are still people who doubt. What should happen? The end of the world where there won’t be time to repent? Because there will be a time in which many will say: “I wish I had heard the ones who were trying to warn me;” but at that time it will be too late. And there will not be anyone to intercede for us because the time when we are allowed an intercessor would have already passed, and that time is now. Do not keep on waiting to reach the truth and to let everyone know you made the right choice. To me it’s very easy.  All I have to think is who has promised to comply with the goodness, and already has or have, despite all the horrors than the ones who take advantage of the situations, put him/them through.  And those who are hiding the truth, with the help of their friends, are capable of Anything to prove they are right. And many think they are right because they do not know. . . or do not want to know.

I am not talking politics even when it might sound like it, and I intend to love everyone, even if they think different than me, because the great and foremost commandment Jesus said when He was put to the test when asked: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. The second is like it, You  shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depends the whole Law and the prophets. ” (Matthew 22.37-39)

 Jesus, the son of God who did not sin, came to this world to pay for our sin inheritance to deliver us and make us part of His family. He freed many of their sicknesses , some from their blindness or even sudden death. He taught us how to cope with sins’ consequences to be free of any guilt and live forever. And what did we do? We called him a fraud, a liar, we spat on Him, lashed and killed him, and then made His few followers’ life impossible, killing anyone who dared to talk about or give Him glory. What happened then? He sent the gift of the Holy Spirit to live within all the believers, who multiplied despite being fed to the lions, burned at the stake, and all the horror people have done to the Christians who love one another, turn the other cheek and walk the extra mile to be called “deplorable” for wanting the goodness for everyone. Hated by the ones who have really something to hide and destroy their evidence or pay to entertain the people with an “alibi” show so they do not find out the truth.  But it doesn’t matter.  Everything done with rage against God’s children will be reversed, for whatever is done against the family of God is like doing it to Him: Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me. (Matthew 25.40) That is why I cry because people are still doubting and doing the bad things on account of “free choice” but on the context of liberalism, and that’s sinful.  No matter whose agenda we are trying to fulfill, if God’s will is not taken into consideration, we are not doing it right.  God does not have to conform to a man made law; it’s the other way around. It is men who have to play to conform to God’s will and obey for He’s our Creator, and therefore sovereign over all His creation, no matter how much it tries to win. For the world is Mine and all it contains. (Psalm 50.12b)

It is not easy and the people must undergo much trouble in order to achieve victory, but the ones who want to win must partner with the almighty Creator and not with the adversary creature. Since the beginning, this Adversary has tried to hinder the solution to all our troubles by preventing the coming of our redeemer, Jesus, announced as the solution to our failure thousands of years before it happened; but He was born despite that, at one time, Egypt tried to eliminate all the male Jewish possibilities to make a woman conceive.  Later, after He was born, was tried to be eliminated when King Herod ordered the killing of all the male Jews  from two years of age and down. Later, the Adversary himself tried to make Jesus sin at the wilderness. All the intentions to make the Son of God unable to comply with His mission, failed, and He obeyed and arose from death and we the people who believe in Him are free and will never be left alone. He will always protect us, at all times. Do not DOUBT. Do not be unsure  and  believe in the ones who claim Jesus as their boss. As God protected Him, He will protect us. And the ones who really lie and destroy evidence will fail.

Do not fret because of evildoers; be not envious toward wrongdoers. For they will wither quickly like the grass, and fade like the green herb.  (Psalm 37.1,2)

Are we really conquerors?

 

It all depends in who is affirming or denying it. If it is a negative person, is probably going to say “no.” If he/she is a positive person, will probably say yes to be consistent with the way he/she seems to be, but if it is a real Christian, is going to say “YES, of course!!!” Because a real born again Christian believes everything the Bible; the Scriptures, or the Word of God says, and do not doubt.

 One of the men in the Bible who was a church persecutor, and the people he harassed were afraid of him, Saul of Tarsus, had an encounter with God and changed completely, even his name. Now, the apostle Paul, whom Jesus appointed as His chosen instrument to spread the word to the gentiles, wrote many books but also suffered much affliction for the sake of His name, and that made him wise, truthful, and trusted.  It wasn’t a university diploma that made him worthy, even though he was known to have the finest teachings. It was meeting the right person whom he had been fighting against for many years until he realized how wrong he had acted (thinking he was doing the right thing) and wanted to reverse everything by teaching the truth, no matter what, so he became a winner. At the beginning it wasn’t easy and many people did not believe him knowing what he used to be, but as time passed and they started seeing his sufferings, his imprisonments, listening to his positive reasoning in spite of it, and seeing his “former friends” become his enemies, the people who were his former victims became his followers. And Paul then became a conqueror.

In chapter eight of the letter to the Romans (Paul’s masterpiece according to my pastor) Paul really explains it. It is an invitation to become conquerors; that is if we want to be, of course. And it is not about having the best, but being it. Just like it happened to him, turning a new leaf, and no matter how much the ones that think they do not need God to have a good life hassle us to the point of exhaustion, we can keep firm in our beliefs and be victors in everything: “For your sake we are being put to death all day long; we are being considered as sheep to be slaughtered.” But in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through him who loved us.  (Romans 8. 36-37)

Lately I have been reading in the web many comments, on things that happen, which leave me astonished. Really, I didn’t think there could be so much hate in this world. How can some people be so ignorant that do not realize others are trying to help them, not harm them. I suppose it is the way things are said, or perhaps they think, like Paul did, they are doing the right thing. I feel so sad when I think that so many would get lost at the end for not investigating the truth to be free. (The truth will make you free, says the Lord -John 8.32 b) I feel sorry for them for the ones who don’t care. They are so full of hatred that can’t see the goodness in others. I pray for them, everyday, so they see the light. Jesus said that we should love one another, and there are so many other great teachings too in the Bible. If we use the resource we have as Christians (communication with God) and practice all the good advice we have there, the happy life is guaranteed, in spite of choice testing moments. But our evil intentions, result of our sinful nature, are constantly lurking us to behave harshly toward others “in our own defense,” which most of the times offends. That is why we must stay connected with our Savior, at ease, taking advantage of our spiritual means to act wisely; doing what it suggests like: “whoever slaps you on the right cheek, turn the other to him also.” (Matthew 5.39 b) That might sound a little oddly, but that’s how we become conquerors. If we do, we’ll be overcomers on any situation we might face.

I understand there might be instances when some people who are not what they claim to be make you uncomfortable when you see them get rich on your account and you lose all faith on them and on what they preach. Not everyone is like that, though. And it is NOT our job to judge them. That is God’s job. I have heard some preachers attacking them as “those who talk on TV are false prophets.”  I think God gives us enough intelligence to be able to discern who’s preaching God’s Word and who’s not. God says you will know them by their “fruit.” If their work is not fruitful, don’t listen or follow. We must study the Holy Scriptures to wise up. All the prophets and men of God in the Bible were selected to preach the truth and most had a very difficult life to be able to use their experience to our knowledge. TV preachers are not all bad; I find meaning in many of them. May God bless the way His word is spreading around the world today. “This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come.” (Matthew 24.14)  I’ve heard some preachers accuse others with rage. I do not know if they have been called by God to “reprehend” the fact because they are endangering the gospel, or if it’s for envy over their “success.” I think God has the power to respond to any phony.  Ezekiel 34. 1-5  reprimands them. Jesus said:  “For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.” (Matthew 12.37) But He also said “For he who’s not against us is for us.” (Mark 9. 40/Luke 9.50) We should help, NOT judge.

We are conquerors during these difficult times of pandemic, or in any other time, because we trust our God to save us and do not have to blame anybody or any government who wants the goodness for us and whoever helps born again Christians who put the “other cheek,” “run the extra mile,” and “love one another,” do not have to fear, not even of death itself because if we believe, we’ll go straight to heaven. We say like Paul wrote:

“For me to live is Christ and to die is gain” (Philippians 1.21)

“Oh death, where is your victory? Oh death where is your sting? The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law; but thanks be to God who gives us the VICTORY through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore my beloved brethren, be steadfast immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord. (I Corinthians 15. 55-58)

What controls our life?

 

For all of those who think “I am my own, nothing controls me” they are wrong because everyone is controlled by something whether is alcohol, drugs, wrath, ignorance, pain, envy, hatred, passion for money, or on the contrary, peace, tranquility, wisdom, goodness for all, love, blessings. These are either good or bad things, depending of our choice; and whatever controls our life will generate a consequent action. Whatever controls us will fill our heart, and in our “User manual” Jesus tells us: “. . . the mouth speaks out of that which fills the heart” (Matthew 12.34b)  Yet, there are some people (some politicians) who due to their God given talent are good speakers, but hypocrite, which is why Jesus called them: “You brood of vipers, how can you being evil speak what is good? . .” (Matthew 12.34a) That is why we should be very careful of who are we going to believe, because if we ignore what controls the life of our leaders we might fall victim of our own lack of knowledge.  Unfortunate!

It is hard, sometimes, to know the truth due to facts that blind people, but Jesus speaks clearly to us when He said: . . The tree is known by its fruit. (Matthew 12.33b)  Whoever has produced more good fruit will be a lot better than the one who has a history of failures. And failures are going to happen to any who does not put God on the first place on everything. There are many who are always attacking the good others do, for envy or other deeds of the flesh which control the people. Usually, those are the ones who do not give the credit to the One who made it all possible, God, but the one who has wanted to destroy it all, the devil who leads them. That’s why, Jesus came to deliver us from bondage and make us free of sin and death Therefore there’s NO CONDEMNATION FOR THOSE WHO ARE IN CHRIST JESUS (Romans 8.1) I cannot say the same for the ones who shelter under the wings of destruction, lies, crime, looting,  which is the  devil’s gospel. That is, of course, if they do not repent. If they do, really, they win the privilege of receiving the crown of everlasting life which is the prize reserved for all those who wait on the Lord for justice and do not take it into their own hands. Isn’t that worth getting? Condemnation should not be an option for those who hunger with justice. . .or is it only a “justification” to do evil to others, or get praised like Satan wanted of Jesus in the desert?

I tell all those who are obeying the voice of the ones who have paid them to destroy this nation, blessed by God, that they have an opportunity to be a part of the goodness whose pay is eternal, and don’t be a part of the evil whose pay is also eternal and is called: Condemnation. They can free themselves by telling the wicked that “they are not the Bait” to justify an aberrant doctrine which does not bring justice to anyone except only to the “members” of their party, and not many can belong to it if not fit.

Jesus came to this earth to save anyone who believes in Him, and not to condemn. The only one who condemns us is the devil who already did it. He made Eve subject to his lie so she could disobey God’s commandment, because that was and still is his job. Jesus came to tell us that not everything is lost but that there is a way out if we want to. He paid for our sin so we wouldn’t have to, and with His grace has reversed everything the wicked have done, and gave us promises:

                 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn for they shall be comforted. Blessed are the gentle for they shall inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied. Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God. Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 5.3-10)

Jesus promises are for real and when we experience them, we feel such an abundant feeling, that no aberrant doctrine can beat it. So Jesus is the only one we should let us control our life. Now it’s a good time to answer Him.

Behold I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me. (Revelation 3.20)