La Felicidad y Prosperidad de este mundo
Current mood: sleepy
Category: Religion and Philosophy
(ENGLISH VERSION SOON)
Saquen sus biblias y traten de entender lo que he aprendido ultimamente.
Este Salmo me pone las cosas en perspectivas. Cuantas veces no pienso yo en lo material... y simplemente en lo material. Tengo la idea y nocion que la prosperidad y bondad de Dios tienen que ser de forma material. Tienen que ser bendiciones. Tiene que ser lo que ma haga sentirme bien. Pero la realidad es que muchos cristianos no viven en esas condiciones de "prosperidad." Pensaba en la gente de Lluvias de Gracia o la cantidad de personas que he conocido en Guatemala trabajando con Hermann que viven con poco (nada), pero dan todo por alabar a Dios.
Este salmista (que no es David) habla con la verdad y con la realidad. Los malvados son los que tienen "prosperidad". No se preocupan. Y siempre decimos que por dentro no estan felices, pero dejandonos de muladas no creo que sean poco felices manejando los carros que manejan y sin preocupaciones de pagos de renta y bancos, etc. Asaf muestra su frustracion y lo injusto que es, pero es la verdad. Lee el versiculo 4 y 5. (Incluso Job tiene el mismo argumento en los capitulos 20 y 21) Y el verdadero corazon y la frustracion de Asaf se reflejan en los versiculos 13 y 14. Y a veces yo me siento asi. Tanto esfuerzo para a veces quedarme sin nada.
Lo importante del Salmo empieza en el versiculo 17. Me gusta el versiculo 22... porque asi me senti al leer esto. Igual el versiculo 23 es tan cierto. Los versiculos 25 y 26 son tan ciertos y no hay razon para explicarlos porque lo hacen solos. El versiculo 28 (la primer frase) es la ensenianza de este pasaje. "Para mi el bien es estar cerca de Dios." Mi prosperidad no es dinero, ni trabajo, ni novia, ni nada de lo que me pueda ofrecer este mundo. Mi prosperidad no es ser igual a los impios y malvados. Mi prosperidad no es vivir comodamente. Mi prosperidad no es el famoso "evangelio de la prosperidad." Mi prosperidad es la bondad de Dios. Y la bodad de Dios es estar cerca de El. Punto. La vida no puede ser color de rosa siempre, pero se que la eternidad si lo va a ser. Ahi voy a poner mis ojos.
Y lo vuelvo a repetir: Mi prosperidad es la bondad de Dios. Y la bodad de Dios es estar cerca de El.
God teaches in the most amazing ways!
Current mood: accomplished
Category: Religion and Philosophy
God is good. I was supposed to go on a missions trip to Peru, leading a team of PBA students. I put months of effort and time into this thing, wanting to serve God with everything that I had. I flew to Peru with the team, got to the immigration lines and I wasn't allowed into the country. I'm gonna make the story short 'cause it is unimportant... I ended up back in Colombia trying to figure out paperwork, and finally after not figuring much out to try and get back into Peru, I flew back to Miami. It was a hard time for me, very hard time... the most painful time I've had ever experienced. It was the most lonely time. But it was a time that God used to stretch me and show me more about his character and who he wants me to be, please take the time to read what I wrote below, I wrote this to a friend trying to explain what God had been doing in my life since friday... be blessed.
It's a lot, it's scattered brained, it has a mixture of bible verses (which reading my bible kept me from completely falling apart), Hillsong United lyrics, and random conversations I had with people, and things God would remind me of... let's start with the Bible Verses:
The first book I opened my bible to was James, I know what James is about, but didn't think of it at the moment. The second verse I read hit me right in the face, like a brick going through a window. I then moved to 1 Peter and that was mind-blowing too. It took me almost 2 hours to get through those 2 small books, mostly because God was speaking so much, and because the tears kept making things a little blurry...
James 1:2-4 Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
James 5:13a Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray.
James 5:17-18 Elijah was a man just like us. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops.
1 Peter 1:6 In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
1 Peter 2:9 But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.
1 Peter 2:13a (This one is a little ironic, given the visa situation.) Submit yourselves for the Lord's sake to every authority instituted among men...
1 Peter 3:17 It is better, if it is God's will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.
1 Peter 4:12-13 Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.
1 Peter 4:19 So then, those who suffer according to God's will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.
1 Peter5:10-11 And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.
Powerful, huh? I then moved on to listen to my iPod. I instinctively looked for Hillson United, you know to praise God with songs in the middle of all this mess... here are some phrases that kept me going, that injected faith into everything I did, and that spoke truth and peace into my heart when I most needed it.
"Rid me of myself, I belong to You."
"To Your heart. Lead me to Your heart."
" As I look upon Your face, circumstances fade away. Now your Glory steals my heart, for You are Holy."
" I found the place, caught in open arms. Where love's embrace mends the broken heart. Here I will stay for all my days. Draw me closer."
" I see a near revival, starting as we pray and seek. We're on our knees, we're on our knees."
" Heal my heart and make it clean. Open up my eyes to the things unseen. Show me how to love like You have loved me. Break my heart for what break Yours; everything I have for Your Kingdom's cause, as I walk from earth into eternity."
" It is not too far a cry, too much to try, to help the least of these. Politics cannot decide if we should rise and be Your hands and feet." (Another phrase that was kinda ironic.)
" You're love is all we need."
" Only You can mend the broken heart and cause the blind to see. Erase complete the sinner's past and let the captives free. Only You can take the widow's cry and cause her heart to sing. Be the Father to the fatherless, our Savior and our King."
" In the shadows, my spirit weak, Love poked through the darkness and lifted me. I know, You'll never let me go. In the storm, in the raging sea, Love conquered the fear and delivered me. I know, You'll never let me go."
"And now the weak, say 'I have strength', by the Spirit of Power that raised Christ from the dead. And now the poor stand and confess that 'my portion is Him, and I'm more than blessed'."
Powerful again huh?
I talked to my dad like at 1 in the morning in Colombia, when I finally got a hold of a phone and he said something amazing...
"It was not your time to see the fruit, you just planted the seeds."
You see, God designed it that way. My reward is not being in Peru working hard to see the fruit of all my effort. My reward is... i dunno, and frankly, I don't care. All I know is that I did everything with an attitude to serve God and to honor him, and whatever comes after that is not my call, is His call. I just trust God, that He is in control and planning what is best for me. Paul himself did not see the fruits of his work. He even mentions how people are meant to plant seeds, others to water them, and only God to make that grow. Each one of them has served their purpose.
1 Corinthians 3:6-8 I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. The man who plants and the man who waters have one purpose, and each will be rewarded according to his own labor.
INSERT (March 9) I talked to Neil Best today for a little bit and he shared something amazing with me, sharing God's truth.
He first mentioned how King David always prayed and wanted to built a Temple for the Lord in Jerusalem. David wanted to do this for God, but since David had been a warrior, it wasn't allowed for him to do so. He must have planted that seed in Solomon, his son, because Solomon built a magnificent monument for the Glory of God. David never got to see it.
1 Kings 5:3-5 (Solomon speaking) "You know that because of the wars waged against my father David from all sides, he could not build a temple for the Name of the LORD his God until the LORD put his enemies under his feet. But now the LORD my God has given me rest on every side, and there is no adversary or disaster. I intend, therefore, to build a temple for the Name of the LORD my God, as the LORD told my father David, when he said, 'Your son whom I will put on the throne in your place will build the temple for my Name.'..."
He then mentioned Moses, he led the people of Israel for 40 years and put up with their crap, only to never set foot on the promised land. Incredible! He prepared this people to that exactly, but he did not taste it.
Deuteronomy 32:52 (God speaking to Moses) "Therefore, you will see the land only from a distance; you will not enter the land I am giving to the people of Israel."
These great leaders did not see their fruit, but prepared others to harvest it and see it and enjoy it. A great encouragement for my situation. END INSERT
And finally God reminded me of a passage where Paul talks about trying to go somewhere and preach and God not allowing him to... and even trying to get into another town with a weird middle eastern biblical name, but the Spirit would not let them do that either.
Acts 16:6-7 Paul and his companions traveled throughout the region of Phrygia and Galatia, having been kept by the Holy Spirit from preaching the word in the province of Asia. When they came to the border of Mysia, they tried to enter Bithynia, but the Spirit of Jesus would not allow them to.
Conclusion (cause it's about time and you're probably bored or not even reading this anymore... :-)...):
I don't know how to conclude except that being all alone in a foreign country or flying over one was interesting. Those 24 hrs spent alone have been the best 24 hrs of my Christian walk. My faith was put to the test, and I think I came out alright. Even more than that, God has taught me so much. I've learned to trust in Him. I've learned to turn to Him. To wait patiently in Him. That he grants peace of mind. That he cares about me. That he has to stretch me in order to grow. That I am being made more like Christ. That he loves me with a passion, even though I commit the vilest of sins all the time. Overall, God is good, and I will never cease to give him the glory and the honor.
So I saw this video on youtube the other night. I was so moved and touched by God's grace and mercy. I had just done something stupid and sinful, and saw this and God revealed to me the depth of how much He loves me. I don't deserve any of it, but that's the beauty of it. Enjoy, I wept.
I now it has been a while my friends. I have been busy and neglecting things. I am deeply sorry if it seems like I have forgotten about people. I haven't. I just can only do so much in 24 hours.
But this blog is a little different than the other ones. I have been blessed with the opportunity to go on a mission's trip to Recife, Brazil. We will be digging wells and bringing fresh and clean water to people living in villages in the dessert area of Brazil. Anyways, to make things short, this is a video I made with a friend to raise some support. Please, keep me and 13 other people going on the trip in your prayers. We do not leave until march of 2008, but we are preparing and waiting for what God will do through us in Brazil. Pray that the hearts of people would be readily open to hear what God has to tell them through us. Also, if you would like to help financially, let me know. We do need to raise some money to go.
Currently
listening
:
Albertine
By
Brooke Fraser
Release date: 09 April, 2007
At around 6:30-ish in the morning I was at the beach (yes, be jealous) watching the sun rise. And I was reminded of God's greatness... and today I was reminded of this verse...
Hebrews 11:3 "By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God's command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible."
All the beautiful things that I saw this morning (water, sun, clouds, etc) were created from nothing... brought about by God's spoken word. It wasn't there, but God's power brought it about. By Faith, I believe it!
I was just recently put in a very vulnerable place. I was just told to grab a blanket and a Bible. I was then walked into a room that was mostly empty except for some wooden furniture. I was told to spend the night there. As soon as I walked in the room I knew God was there, waiting for me. I had never felt so naked, so scared, so unworthy. My life is not the best example of a holy life, of a life that is filled with obedience, of a life that is pure. How could I be alone in the presence of such Holiness, such pureness, such whiteness. I felt dirty, full of spots, opposite from God. And since then I have understood the Grace of God.
There was nowhere to hide. It was me and God, who knows everything about me. He knows my sins, my thoughts, my plans, and the number of hairs in my head. And when I realized where and with who's presence I was standing, I just got on my knees and asked or forgiveness, for strength, and for mercy. I asked to be cleaned, for like the billionth time, and just rested in that cold and somber room.
To me it seemed like a very unlikely place to find God, but He was there and broke every barrier that caused a lack of communication with Him. My prayer was very similar to Psalms 51, which I ended up reading that night.
Psalms 51:1-17
Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions.
Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin.
For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me.
Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you are proved right when you speak and justified when you judge.
Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me.
Surely you desire truth in the inner parts; you teach me wisdom in the inmost place.
Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.
Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones you have crushed rejoice.
Hide your face from my sins and blot out all my iniquity.
Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me.
Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.
Then I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners will turn back to you.
Save me from bloodguilt, O God, the God who saves me, and my tongue will sing of your righteousness.
O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will declare your praise.
You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings.
The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.
The last few lines hit the inmost part of my soul. I know I was broken that night, and God did not despise me.
Hebrews 4:14-16
"Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need."
Jesus offers to intercede for us, to talk to God in our favor, because he understands what we went through. He is pleads for mercy to be poured over us. The last sentence of that passage is amazing. I should have not been scared walking into that room because God would have offered me His grace. It was one of my weakest moments ever, and one where I needed him the most, and He poured His grace over me. Confidently come to Him; God will give you grace and forgive you. The worst thing you can do is hide or try to run away. God is waiting for you, maybe not in an empty room, but somewhere where you least expect it. Sooner or later you will have to face him, and you will experience His abounding Grace.
Currently
listening
:
Dying for a Heart
By
Krystal Meyers
Release date: 19 September, 2006
111. Jack Johnson: On and On 112. Jars of Clay: The Eleventh Hour 113. Jars of Clay: Good Monsters 114. Jars of Clay: Jars of Clay 115. Jars of Clay: Redemption Songs 116. Jeremy Camp: Beyond Measure 117. Jeremy Camp: Carried Me 118. Jeremy Camp: Live Unplugged from Franklin, TN. 119. Jeremy Camp: Restored (Deluxe Gold Edition) 120. Jeremy Camp: Stay
I already talked about Jack Johnson in my last blog... great chill music.
JOC!!!! I love Jars of Clay... my first Christian albums were from Jars. They have tried to maintain their same sound and i love it. It's a mixture of acoustic and folk and other fun sounds. I really like their Redemption Songs album... it has more contemporary versions of old hymns and they sound great, for the most part. Some of them are a little weird, not gonna lie. They are also somewhat of pioneer artists for Christian contemporary music, so props to them for that.
Jeremy Camp has great music. Some of is worship, some other stuff is just straight up rock. His lyrics have always rang a bell in my soul, specially his first album, Stay. I like them all equally the same.
Currently
listening
:
Albatross
By
The Classic Crime
Release date: 23 May, 2006
101. Hillsong United: All of the Above 102. Hillsong United: Look To You 103. Hillsong United: More Than Life 104. Hillsong United: To The Ends Of The Earth 105. Hillsong United: Unidos Permanecemos 106. Hillsong United: United We Stand 107. Israel Houghton: Nueva Generacion 108. Israel and the New Breed: Real 109. Jack Johnson: Bushfire Fairytales 110. Jack Johnson: In Between Dreams
I'm a United freak... as you can see. I personally like To The Ends Of The Earth the most, but the best album musically has to be All Of The Above. Could it be that it's because it was recorded in a studio and not live? anyways... GOOD STUFF!!!
Israel Houghton is very gospel mixed with latin and I love it. The Real album has some amazing tunes. I like the complicated music patterns and various layers of vocal activity throughout the songs...specially the most gospel ones.
Jack Johnson is not a Christian artist, but has amazing albums. He plays the guitar and his music is very chill. He talks about politics, romance, and various things. Also, he has a wide range of music styles, but acoustic being the predominant one. I want to play like him when i grow up!
Currently
listening
:
How To Save A Life
By
The Fray
Release date: 13 September, 2005
2 Peter:1:5-7 "For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness."
I've been thinking a lot about brotherly kindness this week. I have seen it a lot in my life. Everything from a comment from a friend, to a phone call, to a hug, to letting me borrow their car. All of this things and actions can be summarized as acts of kindness from a brother in Christ to another. I think of those people highly and want to be like them. I have been blessed with friends who truly care and take care of me. I want to have the brotherly kindness I have been shown repeatedly.
Romans 12:10 "Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves."
The first step to having that brotherly kindness is to completely let go of your ego. I have thought of myself better than other people before, and that has hampered my relationship with them. I could not brush away my pride, to humble myself, to help them out or give them an encouraging word. When you start thinking of others higher than yourself, you live to serve them. You stop thinking about how jealous you are of that person.
The barrier of pride will hamper you from being able to show brotherly kindness. Jesus stripped himself of all pride and washed the feet of his disciples. Jesus washed 24 feet that were stinky, full of dirt, bruised, etc. It wasn't something pleasant or comfortable to do. Jesus could not have shown that sort of love and kindness if he didn't think of his disciples as higher than himself. He was the Son of God for crying out loud! He did not have to do that, but he chose to do so.
Also, not only doing favors for a friend demonstrate brotherly kindness. I'm a person who gets a lot of affection from physical touch. I rather you give me a hug than write me to tell me that you love and care for me. Other people might be the complete opposite from me. When was the last time you thanked a friend for his friendship alone and hugged him and told him how much you loved him? When was the last time you answered your phone and sat listening to the other person talk about an issue and try to help him as much as you could? When was the last time you walked up to a friend and simply prayed a blessing over him? When was the last time you offered to do something for someone?
Colossians 3:12 "Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience."
To finish this, kindness should be part of our daily attire. The other qualities in this verse should be present too. Note how this verse clumps them together. Combine you kindness with compassion, humility, gentleness, and patience. Kindness is something that people should see in you. Wear it like a necklace or a baseball cap. Wrap yourself in it.
Go out into your circle of friends, your youth group, your church, your family and show them kindness. Show them how much you appreciate them and throw a hug in there for me! ;)
1. 12 Stones: 12 Stones 2. 12 Stones: Potter's Field 3. 38th Parallel: Turn The Tides 4. Aaron Shust: Anything Worth Saying 5. Aaron Sprinkle: The Kindest Days 6. Aaron Sprinkle: Moontraveler 7. Across The Sky: Across The Sky 8. Adie: Don't Wait 9. Anberlin: Blue Prints For The Black Market 10. Anberlin: Cities 11. Anberlin: Never Take Friendship Personal 12. Andy Hunter: Exodous 13. Andy Hunter: Life 14. Andy Otto: [Overflow] 15. Andy Otto: Fully Known 16. Astrud Gilberto: The Best of Astrud Gilberto 17. Audio Adrenaline: Lift 18. Audio Adrenaline: Underdog 19. Audio Adrenaline: Until My Heart Caves In 20. Audio Adrenaline: Worldwide 21. Barlow Girl: Another Journal Entry 22. The Beatles: Love 23. Bethany Dillon: Bethany Dillon 24. Big Daddy Weave: One And Only 25. Big Daddy Weave: What I Was Made For 26. Big Dismal: Believe 27. Blindside: Silence 28. Brentwood Jazz Quartet: Secret Signature 29. Building 429: Glory Defined Limited Edition 30. Building 429: Rise 31. Casting Crowns: Casting Crowns 32. Casting Crowns: Lifesong 33. Charlie Hall: Flying Into Daybreak 34. Chris Tomlin: Arriving 35. Chris Tomlin: See The Morning (Special Edition) 36. The Classic Crime: Albatross 37. Coldplay: A Rush Of Blood To The Head 38. Coldplay: Parachutes 39. Coldplay: X & Y 40. Contagious: Contagious 41. Contagious: Es Real 42. Contagious: Siempre Contigo 43. Cool Hand Luke: The Fires of Life 44. Creed: Human Clay 45. Creed: Weathered 46. Dave Lubben: A Place Called Surrender 47. David Crowder Band: A Collision or (3+4=7) 48. David Crowder Band: B Collision 49. David Crowder Band: Can You Hear Us? 50. David Crowder Band: Illuminate 51. Day of Fire: Cut and Move [Pre-Release] 52. Day of Fire: Day of Fire 53. dcTalk: Freak Show 54. dcTalk: Intermissions: The Greatest Hits 55. dcTalk: Jesus Freak 56. dcTalk: Supernatural 57. Decyfer Down: End of Grey 58. Delirious?: Deeper (Disc 2) 59. Delirious?: Glo 60. Delirious?: Touch 61. Delirious?: World Service 62. Denison Marrs: Denison Marrs 63. Diana Krall: Live in Paris 64. Disciple: Disciple 65. Distronica: Electric Hymns 66. Downhere: Wide-Eyed and Mysitfied 67. Earl Klugh Trio: The Earl Klugh Trio, Vol. 1 68. Emery: The Question 69. Emery: The Question (Presale Exclusive Acoustic EP) 70. Estates: Be Fair - EP 71. Everyday Sunday: Anthems for the Imperfect 72. Everyday Sunday: Stand Up 73. Exit East: Exit East 74. Fair: The Best Worst Case Scenario 75. Falling Up: Crashings 76. Falling Up: Dawn Escapes 77. Family Force 5: Business Up Front, Party in the Back 78. Fermin IV: Boomerang 79. Fighting Instinct: Fighting Instinct 80. Fireflight: Glam-Rok 81. Fireflight: The Healing of Harms 82. Five O'Clock People: The Nothing Venture 83. Flyleaf: Flyleaf 84. FM Static: What Are You Waiting For? 85. The Fold: This Too Shall Pass 86. Forerunner Music: I Can't Wait 87. The Fray: How To Save A Life 88. Funky: En Vivo Desde Costa Rica 89. Further Seems Forever: Hide Nothing 90. Fusebox: Once Again 91. Guardian: Dime 92. Guardian: Live 93. Guardian: Nunca Te Dire Adios 94. Guardian: Promesa 95. Hawk Nelson: Letters To The President 96. Hawk Nelson: Smile, It's The End Of The World 97. High School Musical: High School Musical 98. Hillsong: Acoustic 99. Hillsong London: Jesus Is 100. Hillsong London: Shout God's Fame
sleepy
accomplished
mellow
