DO NOT GIVE UP HOPE

For most of us, life has significant value, and many of us will not die for the salvation of others. However, a man died for the salvation of all humanity. Jesus is the GOD-MAN who died and resurrected as he promised. “He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay.” (Matthew 28:6 NIV).

When I first heard of this man who encountered an awful death for the salvation of my soul, my human mind could not conceive such love. I did not understand how anybody would take place on a cross and be crucified for the forgiveness of my sins. But a thought popped into my mind: “only with the power of God or God himself.” We are incapable of carrying out all the sins of every human. Only God Yahweh can send His only Son, Jesus, to pay for our debt. Again, no man on earth would take place on a cross for the salvation of all humans. Only God Himself can handle this load. I started to think more about His immense and unfailing love for us. Although we are unfaithful, God’s love does not give up and does not separate from us; it is unconditional.

God’s love is so great that he came to this earth to die for us and give us freedom through His Son, Jesus. For instance, do you see what is going on in this world? Can you notice that we have so much hate, anger, poverty, unbelief, murder, war, and other evil in our society? We need salvation through Jesus and accepting Him as our God and savior. Salvation will not come from our governments; it will not come from technological advancements. Salvation, joy, and peace come from the Lord of heavens, The God of Israel, Jesus! “While we wait for the blessed hope of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.” (Titus 2:13-14 NIV).

We live in a fallen world and will have difficulties, but do not give up! Believe in His promises. Even though we have afflictions, we pass through the fire without being burned. Jesus holds us, and our job is to worship and believe in Him and pursue His presence through prayer to encounter His incredible peace and joy in the middle of life’s issues. “Jesus told her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die, and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?” (John 11:25 NIV).

I hope you have found joy and refreshment in these words. I pray that you encounter God’s salvation and peace in your life, in Jesus’ name. Amen!

If you need prayer, send me an e-mail, and I will pray for you.

mpayero29@gmail.com

August 25, 2019 0

WHY CHOOSE KINDNESS

How kind are we?

How do we feel when we do good work? Many feel a rush of joy and peace in their hearts when we do kind acts. The ability to be kind and empathize with other human beings is because God, in His goodness, allows us to feel His essence. Psalm 36:5-7 “Your love, Lord, Reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness to the skies. Your righteousness is like the highest mountains, your justice like the great deep. You, Lord, preserve both people and animals. How priceless is your unfailing love, O God! People take refuge in the shadow of your wings.”

This passage shows me God’s great mercy, unfailing love for us, justice, and protection. No matter who we think we are, His love is forever and forms part of everything, and it is for everyone. Sometimes we might take the act of waking up alive each day for granted. The sun that rises every morning without our effort. The Lord shows us His kindness and mercy every day that we wake up ready to continue the race. Each day is a new and new opportunity to reflect on how to know Him better by abiding by prayer and reading His word. Not doing these tasks out of religiosity but out of pursuit, acknowledging that we must read his term of life to know him. “Blessed rather are those who hear and obey the word of God.” Luke 11:28.

These two actions of daily prayer and reading the word of God are essential to our survival as Christians. It is vital to pursue Jesus to know how to show kindness to others. Some people do not know Jesus but are morally correct. But remember, we live to praise and glorify Christ Jesus, and if our daily walk is not showing the fruits of the spirits, we should reexamine our purpose, minds, and focus. Jesus exemplifies love, kindness, joy, perseverance, humility, goodness, peace, tolerance, and self-control. It is beneficial for us to do good and engage in work that positively impacts someone’s life. Drevitch explains that “studying empathy today is like studying polar ice: Each year, we discover more about how valuable it is, just as it recedes all around us.” Having empathy and showing kindness to others feels like something supernatural; it feels good inside the heart, and the soul fills with joy every time we connect with someone. Studies found that “members of Life After Hate, a group of ex-white supremacists, found that exposure to individuals from groups they once tormented changed their opinions not only about those people but also about themselves (Psychology today). God is phenomenal! He works in the lives of those that do not even know Him personally. We hear the phrase, “God works in mysterious ways,” He does turn everything set for evil into good. Their hearts changed, and they started to perceive other people with the eyes of love. because everything good comes from the Lord.” But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things, there is no law.” Galatians 5:22-23.

“And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices, God is pleased.” (Hebrew 13:16). Researchers found that the more people develop the skill of empathy, the more they show acts of kindness towards other individuals. God has proven throughout His word that the more compassionate we are, the more we can contribute to the betterment of this world in connection to human relations. Every good work that we do is because of who God is. If there is still some goodness on this earth is because of God. God is Love. We cannot do anything right unless God puts the desire in our hearts to do good. “Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.” (1 John 4:8). However, first love God, and He will know you. “But whoever loves God is known by God.” (1 Corinthians 8:3). Lord God, touches our hearts to serve the community and reach others with his kindness, to focus on other’s people needs rather than ours. Help us connect with others and see them for whom they are without making judgments. Thank you, Jesus, for the gift of salvation.

In Jesus’ name, Amen

August 15, 2019 1

Battle with Faith

We all have intimidating thoughts about our faith. One morning we are excited and believe that everything is possible with the help of God, and another day, we battle with doubts. We are wrestling with thoughts that invade our minds.

How powerful our mind is. I no longer wonder who created it. God wants us to pursue Him. We suppress thoughts and feelings that drive us to question God, His creation, and his purpose for us. When encountering all these thoughts and questions, I will search for more of Him by studying His word. However, following this fight in our minds, here is the opportunity to look for more of Him and use our logic and reasoning to know Him more. “Knowing that the trying of your faith develops patience” (James 1:3-6). I once heard Billy Graham say that lack of faith is a sin, and Jesus, in his word, says, “But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.” James 1:6. We must believe in his holy sacrifice, his faithfulness, find hope in his word, and develop a relationship with him. Worshiping with our lifestyle, thoughts, and desires. That the center of our lives is Jesus, and without him, I can not do anything, and I am nothing without his mercy and salvation. I was lost and found life in him, my creator, my father.

We all have choices and free will; today, I follow Christ. Put your faith in Jesus; he is your creator and savior; he already came to the world, carried our debt and nothing is like Him. He will restore your peace, hope, and strength.

July 20, 2019 0