Rejoice in the Lord Always

Rejoice in the Lord Always

Christianity was never designed to be a religion of sadness. The words joy and rejoice are found more than 400 times in the Bible. How could any relationship with God be anything other than the most marvelous experience one could have on this earth? When Paul described the fruit of the Spirit working in our lives, the second word he used was joy. Life with Him can never be a life of despair and gloom.

Rejoice in the Lord!  The joy that comes from His Authority!

Rejoice in the Lord! The joy that comes from His Authority!

There is joy associated for those who teach others. There is great joy for those who teach. When Jesus told His disciples that the fields were ready to be reaped, He said that both those who sow and those who reap shall rejoice together (John 4:36). The psalmist said that those who sow shall without doubt come rejoicing (Psa. 126:5-6).

There is joy for those who are taught about Jesus. On the day of Pentecost, there were 3,000 who received the word with joy (Acts 2:41). When Philip preached in Samaria, “There was great joy in that city” (Acts 8:8). The Ethiopian “…went on his way rejoicing” (Acts 8:39). The man who found the treasure of the kingdom “…for joy over it goes and sells all he had and buys the field” (Matt. 13:44). Think about your own experience. Has there ever been any day surpassing the day your sins were forgiven?

There is joy in the midst of trials as a Christian. When adversity comes into our lives God tell us to “….count it all joy when you fall into various trials” (Jas. 1:3). How can this be? God gives the answer in the verses that follow. It is the trials in our lives which make us “…perfect and complete lacking in nothing.” Notice also that God said count it all joy! We must not focus on the trials of adversity but on the results of them.

Jesus used some amazing words to describe our response when we are hated by others for His sake. “Rejoice in that day and leap for joy” (Luke 6:23). He does not see such times of adversity as a time to weep but as a time to rejoice. But, even more than  just a time for joy—a time to leap for joy!

There is immeasurable joy awaiting us at the end of our lives. As Paul journeyed to Jerusalem for the final time he passed through many cities. In every one of them there were prophets who foretold the chains and tribulations which he would face when he arrived. Such did not deter his resolve for he longed to “…finish my race with joy” (Acts 20:24). It was this same joy which Jesus spoke of when His disciples were rejoicing that they had the power to cast out demons. He said, “Do not rejoice in this … but rather rejoice because your names are written in heaven” (Luke 10:20).

“Rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say rejoice.”

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preguntas para un testigo de Jehova

algunas preguntas para un testigo de Jehova

PARA INICIAR….

testigos de Jehová

testigos de Jehová

algunas preguntas para un testigo de Jehova

Primero que todo, su inicio no fue como testigos de Jehová, sino como “estudiantes de la Biblia”, luego pasaron a ser los de la Biblia verde y por último Testigos de Jehová. El fundador, el señor Carlos T. Russell, inició fundando la torre del vigía para 1880 y así es como surge este movimiento. ¿Se ha detenido usted en algún momento en Mateo 16:18 cuando Cristo mismo promete establecer su Iglesia? ¿ Ha leído usted con detenimiento lo que dice Marcos 9:1, donde habían algunos ahí presentes que no gustarían la muerte hasta que vieran el reino establecerse con Poder?, lamento mucho informarle pero con estos dos versículos, categóricamente, Cristo sí edificó su Iglesia, y es de la que leemos a lo largo del nuevo testamento. Amigo testigo, si usted está en desacuerdo y planea dejar de leer este tratado, ¡no lo haga! si así lo decide, entonces no es un verdadero testigo de Jehová. Jehová mismo estará muy decepcionado que sus testigos NO pudieron responder a un par de preguntas, ni explicar algunos versículos Bíblicos. Si Pablo, Pedro, y todos los demás Cristianos eran miembros de la Iglesia que Cristo compró con su sangre (Hech.20:28), la pregunta es ¿de cual Iglesia eran miembros? Los testigos de Jehová iniciaron en el 1880, no pudo haber sido esa iglesia porque ni siquiera son Iglesia sino “la organización de los testigos de Jehová”. El vocablo griego es εκκλησιαν (Ekklesia) Que debe ser traducido correctamente Iglesia en pasajes como: Hech. 2:47, 1Tim. 3:15, Hech. 11:22, Efe. 5:23 etc… Los apóstoles y los primeros cristianos eran parte de la Iglesia de Cristo (Rom. 16:16) La que Cristo había prometido edificar y que de hecho lo hizo (Hech. 2:47)

¡LA ORGANIZACION MIENTE!

El Nombre de Dios. Exodo 3:14 dice: “Yo soy el que soy, este es mi nombre para siempre”. Note lo que afirman los pasados testigos: “Ningún humano hoy puede estar seguro de cómo se pronunciaba originalmente en hebreo” ( Razonamiento a partir de las escrituras de los testigos de Jehová, Pg 202, 1985.) ¿Porqué entonces hoy se empeñan en el nombre Jehová? Hechos 4:12 dice: no hay otro nombre debajo del cielo en el cual podamos ser salvos”. Ese nombre sin duda alguna es el nombre de Jesús(v10 y V.18) por eso dice que NO HAY OTRO NOMBRE. La organización miente porque hasta 1925 comienzan a Utilizar el nombre de Jehová, después de una convención en Columbus Ohio. Entonces esto implica que Russell y todos los demás miembros de esta organización no se salvaron, porque no usaban este nombre ni pensaban que era importante. Exodo 6:3 Abraham no conoció el nombre de Jehová, ¿entonces él no se salvo? Sin embargo la Biblia enseña que Abraham Si estaba salvo (Lucas 16:19-30). 

Mateo 25:31 enseña con Claridad que el hijo del hombre vendrá en las nubes del cielo con todos los ángeles. Amigo testigo, la sociedad torre del vigía se empeña en decir que Cristo era un ángel en el cielo entonces ¿como va a regresar con todos los ángeles? ¿ Va regresar con el mismo? Juan 1:1 enseña con Claridad en texto griego que Cristo era Dios (kai Teos en jo logos) traducción literal del griego es “y Dios era el verbo” y no “un dios” como lo coloca erradamente la Traducción del Nuevo mundo. Los testigos se empeñan a enseñar también que Cristo murió en un poste transversal. Juan 20:25 dice “Si no veo en sus manos la señal de los clavos” indicando que había más de un clavo para las manos, y dejando en evidencia que esta organización miente. ¿Si solamente 144000 van a ir al cielo, entonces como pueden tener un registro de todos los cristianos del primer siglo si Hechos 5:28 enseña que toda Jerusalem estaba llena de esta doctrina y que había iglesias por todo el mundo conocido (Col.1:23)? Le animamos a presentarnos respuestas concretas y Bíblicas para cada uno de estos cuestionamientos.

 La organización a mentido desde siempre. El sucesor de Russell, J.F. Rutherford en su libro “Millones que ahora viven Jamás morirán” alienta a sus lectores con una serie de profecías incluyendo el regreso de Cristo para 1914 (Pag. 17), lo cual por supuesto jamás ocurrió. En 1930 se edifica una casa “La casa de los príncipes”. Para 1953 se forma un alboroto porque esperaban en regresara en persona, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob y los demás como esto no ocurrió el señor Rutherford se va a vivir ahí como un millonario más.¿De verdad cree usted amigo lector, que esta organización es la iglesia verdadera de la Biblia con tantas mentiras, engaños, fraudes?… yo lo dudo.

La Biblia enseña que debemos probar los espíritus si son de Dios (1Juan 4:1) únicamente la verdad es la que pude liberta al ser humano (Juan 8:32). Le rogamos considere y analice cada uno los aspectos antes mencionados y analizados. Realmente necesitamos con toda honestidad aceptar los cambios en nuestra vida que haya que hacer para poder agradar a Dios (Heb. 11:6). La desonestidad y la mentira son condenadas en la Biblia (1Cor. 6:9-11) Nuestras almas están muy por encima de cualquier organización ¿No le gustaría a usted encontrar una Iglesia donde lo que les interese no sea su dinero sino su salvación solamente?, donde se predique de la Biblia nada más y el predicador no sustentará un titulo de “pastor” sino predicador únicamente y que él sea visto como un hermano en Cristo, igual que el resto. Una Iglesia donde no haya ese desorden, ni engaños, ni donde hayan cambiado la Biblia para su propio interés, sino donde se respete la Biblia y en donde todo lo que se hace hay libro, capitulo y versículo para ello, ¿No le gustaría a usted ser llamado CRISTIANO nada más sin nombre ni apellidos añadidos, como cristiano católico, o cristiano evangélico y demás?. Bien, usted puede hoy ser libre todo esto y comprar su ficha para la salvación y pertenecer a esa iglesia de Cristo. Para comprarla debe de hacer 5 Cosas que Dios establecido

  1. Oír. Romanos 10:17, La fe viene por el oír pero el oír de la palabra de Dios. Ese es el primer paso, Oír.
  2. Creer. Marcos 16:16, El que creyere y fuere bautizado será salvo. Creer en que Cristo es el hijo del Dios vivo y que solamente El puede salvarle (Hechos 4:12).
  3. Arrepentirse. Hechs 3:19, Arrepentíos y convertíos , para que vengan de la presencia del Señor tiempos, de refrigerio. Debe de efectuarse un cambio en  la persona debe estar decidida a hacer un cambio rotundo en su vida, morir a sí mismo y comenzar a vivir para Dios, (Ga l.2:20)
  4.  Confesar. Romanos 10:9, Si confesares con tu boca que Jesús es el Señor, serás salvo. Esta confección NO es decirle los pecados a alguien más , sino más bien una confección o una declaración de valentía al decir como Pedro “Creo que tú eres el hijo del  Dios vivo”(Mateo 16:16).
  5. Bautismo. 1 Pedro 3:18-21. El bautismo que corresponde a esto ahora NOS salva…Marcos 16:16 , el que creyere y fuere bautizado será salvo. Amigo la salvación es imposible si no hay bautismo de por medio. Extrañamente hay miles que pasan a ser hijos de Dios, con tan solo hacer una “Oración del pecador”, eso es una ficha barata.

    Oro a Dios para que usted mi amigo NO  quede avergonzado frente a Cristo en aquel día. Le animo fervientemente a obtener su ficha al cielo hoy de la manera que Cristo la especifico. 

    “No todo el que me diga Señor, Señor entrará en reino de los cielos, sino el que hace la  Voluntad de mi Padre que está en los cielos” Mateo 7:21

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Battles with Comfortable

Internal Battles

Just how much do we value feeling comfortable? I believe the preaching over the last 15-25 years reveals that modern Christians in the New Testament church want sound preaching, as long as it doesn’t force us out of our comfort zones. We want to be able to sit back and listen to a well-prepared preacher from padded pews or chairs, and then slip right back into our normal walks of life afterwards. The take home message: “Don’t convict me too much and don’t weigh your lesson down with too much application. Because then you’ve gone from preaching to meddlin.”

When comfort zones are jostled, fangs often come out.

When comfort zones are jostled, fangs often come out.

So what happens when a family truly engages in the Culture War? Or what happens when someone begins to really carry out the great commission? Having traveled all across the country I have had the pleasure of meeting individuals who “get it.” I have spoken to Christians who desire more than comfortable Christianity. They understand the gravity of the situation, and they are doing whatever they can to ensure the spiritual well-being of their children/grandchildren, all the while looking for ways to reach out to the lost around them.

The problem is these individuals often make “comfortable” Christians in their own home congregations feel very uncomfortable—and this discomfort often results in an internal battle. Maybe it’s because these zealous Christians desire to study the Bible deeper and spend less time on fluffy topics. Or maybe it’s because they won’t allow their children to participate in certain worldly activities. Or maybe it’s because they are constantly pointing out additional ways the congregation could outreach. Or maybe it’s because they are tired of all the “internal” programs.

Whatever it is, these individuals often stand out—like a fish trying to go upstream against the current, when all the other fish are swimming downstream. Their existence among comfortable Christians causes friction. These zealous Christians honestly desire to be Holy, and so their entire lives focus on how to be more Christ-like and how to share the good news. Yet, they are surrounded by people who are comfortable right where they are—people who believe they have checked all the right boxes, and therefore they don’t want someone constantly reminding them they could be doing more or could be shaping their own lives better.

Many older Christians view these zealous Christians in a critical fashion. Rather than support the quest of those who want to be more Holy, comfortable Christians end up tearing them down and question how they are raising their children. After all, they believe if it was good enough for them, then it ought to be good enough for everyone. (These are the same comfortable Christians who totally ignore the real statistics of how many of our children we are retaining in the church.) And sadly, these zealous Christians wake up and discover one of their toughest battles is actually in their own congregations.

I have seen it all over—people who earnestly desire focus their entire lives on Christ who have been basically ostracized by those who have grown comfortable in the pew. Some of these “comfortable” Christians describe themselves as pillars in the congregation, and yet they stopped growing spiritually years ago. For those of you who are zealous and looking for more ways to follow after Christ, let this be an encouragement to you. Do not grow weary in well doing (Galatians 6:9). Keep on teaching your children His ways. Keep on distancing yourself from the darkness of the world. Keep on looking for ways to tell people about Christ. Don’t be satisfied with the “norm.”

For those who are comfortable—might I suggest you consider your ways (Haggai 1:5,7) and examine yourselves (2 Corinthians 13:5)? Have you ever considered what your discouragement is ultimately doing to His kingdom? Might I suggest that comfortable preaching has duped you into thinking you are a pretty good person. And maybe you are when compared to the world. But you are not so “good” when compared to a holy God (Isaiah 64:6). Stop using the world as your standard. Repent from trying to dim the light of those who seek to serve Him more faithfully. Tame your tongue and look at the fruit (Matthew 7) that a comfortable life produces, versus one who is truly committed to Christ. Stop trying to silence those in your congregation who desire a closer relationship with Him and look for ways to relight your own fire. Stop warring against brothers and sisters in Christ and go after the real adversary! The reality is we are on the same team—isn’t it time we started acting like it?!

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Fighting Against God

Fighting Against God

Throughout Scripture we find mankind striving against God’s will. In Numbers 21–25 we read of several instances of this futile human versus Divine interaction. While the children of Israel are in the wilderness following the exodus from Egypt they have defeat snatched from the hands of victory. They call on God to deliver them from their enemy and then turn around and murmur against Him. Balaam has to have a discussion with his donkey to hear God and he was a prophet. Balak keeps saying “Let’s try over here.” “No?” “Let’s try over here…”

God wants you fighting... against sin... not Him.

God wants you fighting… against sin… not Him.

Is it really that hard to hear the Lord and do what He says? We certainly can be, and have been, hard on these fickle and unfaithful biblical characters, but do we not often act in the same way? Do we strive against God’s will in our own lives? If our interactions with God were recorded for future generations how might they view us? Foolish or faithful?

When faced with the reality of sin, death and eternity do we strive against God’s will for us to be saved, receive grace and mercy, and enjoy an eternal reward? When confronted with sinful behavior do we repent with godly sorrow or do we stubbornly and with prideful arrogance continue to walk in darkness believing we are in the light?

God is true. God is faithful. God is righteous. Do you really think you can fight against the will of God and live? Look to Jesus, humble yourself, and submit to His will today. One day you will bow your knee to Him. Better to do it now than to be forced to do it then. Be faithful!

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The Word – John 1:1-3

The Word – John 1:1-3

I love the way the Gospel of John opens.  John talks about Jesus without referring to him by that name, instead referring to him as “the Word” (John 1:14).  This should remind us that there is no difference between God’s Word and Jesus Christ.  It is through Jesus that God speaks to us today (Heb. 1:1-2), and Jesus speaks to us through his Word, which will also judge us in the end (John 12:48).  So when the publishers of your Bible say that the words of Christ are “in red,” they should consistently print the entire Bible in red ink.

It is interesting how John writes that Jesus, the Word, was in the beginning with God, and in fact was God.  This reminds me of Gen. 1:1, in which “God” is taken from the plural Hebrew word “Elohim.”  From the beginning, the Bible spoke of God as being plural in nature, and John reiterates that notion by speaking of the Word as Deity existing alongside of Deity at the beginning of the world.  God is made up of the Father, the Son or the Word, and the Holy Spirit (2 Cor. 13:14).  Jesus, the Word, was at the beginning, and in fact made this universe, a fact both John and Paul speak of (Col. 1:16).

John also writes of how life, the light of men, is found in Jesus, the Word.  That light shines in the darkness, but the darkness doesn’t appreciate it.  Jesus would later say that humanity loves the darkness rather than the light, mainly because the light exposes their actions to be truly evil (John 3:19-20).  Those who love Jesus love the light, and come freely to him (John 3:21).  As 2013 begins, may we make it our goal as Christians to not hate the light of the Word of God when it shows our deeds to be evil, but instead to humbly and faithfully embrace the light through our penitent obedience!

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