100 DEVOTIONALS

1: WHO IS LIKE OUR GOD?

I will meditate on all your works, and I will talk about your deeds. Oh God,
Holy is your way; what god is as great as our God? You
"You are the God who performs wonders..." (Psalms 77: 12-14a)

Man often places his trust in many other things

that keep them away from God and prevent the Lord, the Just God, from pouring out the
blessings that He has prepared for all humanity.
That is why it is essential that we think about the works and the
great deeds of our God, for there is no one like Him.
In antiquity and even in our days, men have honored and
they honor gods that have no power because they have neither
at least life...
But the true God, who revealed Himself to Israel and became incarnate in
Jesus Christ is the only one who performs wonders... Only in Him must we
trust if we want our life to be full of His blessings.
I reflect on the works and deeds of our God and I
Do I recognize you as the only one who performs wonders?

THE GRACE OF KNOWING THE TRUE GOD

Thus saith the Lord: let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, nor in his
Let the brave be praised for their bravery, nor let the rich praise themselves in their riches.
But let the one who boasts boast in this: that he understands me and
know me, that I am Jehovah, that I do mercy, judgment and
justice on earth...” (Jeremiah 9: 23-24)

True wisdom is not about accumulating in our minds.

a large amount of knowledge... This is not even
intelligence. Many take pride in what they have become
within the society they live in; many take pride in
their own efforts and rely on their own strength... But the
the prophet tells us something else, according to the thoughts of
God...
For the Lord, it is worthy of praise that man who understands the
all-powerful and loving characteristics of our God and may
to get to know him in his own life... Because knowing God does not
it results from understanding it not only with the mind, but also from
to experience it in the depths of our soul.
The man who knows God intimately is worthy of being
praised...
Do I intimately know the power and love of God?
A CALL TO LIFE
And they mocked Him knowing that she was dead. But He,
taking her by the hand, he cried out saying: Girl, get up.
Then his spirit returned, and immediately he rose up; and He
"He ordered that she be given something to eat." (S. Luke 8: 53-55)

True believers believe that Jesus Christ has the power to

to bring the dead back to life... And this is so because we recognize
that Jesus Christ, being God, is the Author of life.
On this occasion, the Lord, moved by the pain that death
a young girl had provoked, in response to a demand
of faith in Him, and despite the taunts of the unbelieving Jews, He resurrected to
this girl.
He can also bring life to those who have lost it by living.
after sin; just wait for those who recognize that their lives
they make no sense and sink deeper into anguish each day
pain, turn to Him with enough faith so that the Lord can
give them new life.
Do I perhaps need the Lord to renew my life...?

4: THE EMPIRE OF THE MESSIAH

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government
upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor,
Strong God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. The vastness of His
the empire and peace will have no limit, upon the throne of David and upon
his kingdom, arranging it and confirming it in judgment and in justice from
now and forever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will accomplish this.
(Isaiah 9:6-7)

Sometimes we think that the kingdom of Christ is confined to countries.

that have already known the message of the Bible, where the Gospel
It has already been preached, and where there are already believers in Christ. But
long before Jesus was born, through the prophet, God gives
a clear message about the reach of the Messiah's empire: it will not have
limits...
That's why Jesus, when ascending to heaven, commanded us to
we would preach the Gospel "until the end of the world"; that is, that the
The Lord wants no corner of the planet (and the universe to remain
if necessary) where its message has not been preached.
This is a task that we must undertake as believers and as
Church for the prophecy to come true. If we want to
Christ may be the King of the whole world and may His peace be with everyone.
Men, there should be no place where Christ is not announced.
Am I willing to preach Christ wherever I may be? I pray for
those who are far away preaching the Gospel?

5: THE MERCY OF GOD WITH THE NEEDY

He lifts the poor from the dust, and raises the needy from the ash heap,
to make them sit with the princes, with the princes of their
town. He makes the barren live in family, who enjoys being
mother of children. Hallelujah." (Psalms 113: 7-9)

The world we inhabit is undergoing a political and economic process that

it deepens more and more the differences between the rich and the poor...
Some accumulate wealth, join companies several times
millionaires and seem to never be satisfied. Others wander
through the streets checking the trash cans looking for something to
eating... We can see this in any city of our country.
God is watching all of this: He has already taken sides...
The position is with those in need.
The rich will never be able to sit with the heavenly princes but
God reserves this grace for the poor...
Whoever recognizes themselves as a Christian can only be and act
how God is and acts: many needy people wait for the
Christians should have an attitude of respect, love, dignity… Being a child of
God is to give that answer.
As a child of God, I lend a hand to those in need...

6: FORGIVENESS IS OF GOD
It is from the Lord our God to have mercy and to forgive,
although we have rebelled against Him, and did not obey the voice of
Jehovah our God, to walk in His laws that He set before
from us through His servants the prophets.” (Daniel 9: 9-10)

Daniel is part of a people who, having forgotten about God,

of her great feats and her countless blessings, now she
anguish in exile in Babylon, a pagan country… But he
first recognizes the sins of his people, the
disobedience of the Israelites to the voice of God that announced the
prophets; but also recognizes that mercy and forgiveness
they are part of the very essence of the Lord, and thus proclaims it.
Believers in Christ know that God is love, and that, as
such, mercy and forgiveness are part of his own being. We have
meaning in our lives the day we met Jesus and
we accept as our Savior...
Daniel lived in accordance with this merciful and forgiving God;
we must also live our life with dignity before
God.
Is God for me a merciful and forgiving Being? Do I live
dignified before Him?

7: SERVANTS OF ALL
Then He sat down and called the twelve, and said to them: If anyone wants
to be the first will be the last of all and the servant of all. And
he took a child and placed him in the midst of them; and taking him in his arms
arms, he said to them: Whoever receives a child like this in my name,
he receives me; and whoever receives me, does not receive me but the
"who sent me." (Mark 9: 35-37)

The disciples yearned for places of privilege... This is something very

common in humans. But within the conception
Christian, the matter is reversed and then it turns out that, for God,
the most important is the one who considers others as more
more important than himself, and that's why he is willing to serve them.
Jesus takes a child in his arms and illustrates his teaching: the child
turns out to be the most important of all and for that reason Jesus encourages his
disciples to receive it, because in this seemingly little being
the same Lord, and even the Father, are received.
There is a tacit and sublime teaching: a good Christian must see in
the neighbor who needs Christ.
Am I willing to serve, feeling that serving is a privilege?

8: WITHOUT ANY CONDEMNATION

Now, therefore, there is no condemnation for those who are in
Christ Jesus, those who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to
to the Spirit. Because the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set me free
delivered from the law of sin and of death.” (Romans 8: 1-2)

It is really wonderful to think that by believing in Jesus Christ and

make Him our Lord and Savior, no condemnation can
come upon us. And this is not something we can earn by
our own merits, but rather it is a gift from God.
That is why the Christian life must be a life without shadows and without
fears. When we are afraid and live dull lives, we are not
worthy of this wonderful promise that the Word of God
contains. The life of a Christian must reflect the security that Christ
He gives... That is why Paul states that we do not live according to the flesh, with
their fears, anguish, and anxieties, but according to the Spirit of
Christ, who wants precious and victorious lives for us.
Is my life worthy of the Spirit of Christ that dwells in me?

9: THE GOOD TESTIMONY

Beloved, do not imitate what is bad, but what is good. The one who does good is
of God; but he who does evil has not seen God. Everyone gives
testimony of Demetrius, and even the truth itself; and we too
we bear witness, and you know that our testimony is
true." (3 John 1: 11-12)

In the world there are plenty of bad examples... And this is so tremendous
contemporary reality, that if someone does what they should do, it is
featured news.
The world needs, perhaps now more than ever, in these times in
that moral values have been lost, to see something different, distinct
in the Christians.
Demetrio was a Christian whose behavior influenced others.
they will be praised for their works and placed as an example by the same
apostle John, now elderly.
Just as they spoke of Demetrius, it is necessary that others
talk about the Christians of our time... A Christian must be
light in front of all those around her...
What do others say about me...?

10: THE FOOLISHNESS OF MEN

Every man has become infatuated, and he has no knowledge; he is ashamed.
every craftsman of his sculpture, because his idol is a lie, has no
spirit. Vanity is, a work worthy of mockery; in the time of punishment
they will perish.” (Jeremiah 51: 17-18)

The prophet is referring to the inhabitants of pride and

Babel pagan… But its statement is still valid for the
man of our days.
So the pagans worshipped idols made by their
own hands... They were gods without power, without life. Today man
continues to create its own idols: money, fame, pleasure... And
so many more! And think that if he can achieve his ambitions, he will be happy
and it will be safe. But day by day we hear about wealthy people,
famous, successful, according to the world's standards, who takes her own life,
depressed, lives without hope... This is the result of the
vanity actions of men. It was then in the
Sinner Babylon, and it is also among us.
Only the God of Israel, incarnate in Jesus Christ, is true and
powerful, to change the lives of men and bring them happiness
longed for.
Do I only trust in God or do I cling to modern idols like money,
fame, pleasure…?

11: THE REIGN OF THE MESSIAH

...And the nursing child shall play over the hole of the asp, and the newborn
destetado will extend its hand over the cave of the snake. No
they will do no wrong nor cause harm in all my holy mountain; for the land will be
filled with the knowledge of Jehovah, as the waters cover the sea
(Isaiah 11: 8-9)

Man is always trying to improve his life, to make it better.

comfortable, to enjoy greater comfort... But the result of so much
effort has led us to live a life full of conflicts and
insecurities. The man has not achieved his purpose and despite
the technological advances and the progress of the sciences, lives poorly,
because he lives with fears... As a sad result, the illnesses
of the mind and the soul are becoming increasingly common, and the
humanity is losing all hope.
However, the prophet Isaiah, long ago, gave us this
message full of optimism and hope: that when the Son of
God, the Messiah, reigns over all the earth and in all
hearts, man will finally live in peace with everyone and
With God... As Christians, we must never lose this
hope.
I live with the assurance that this promise of God will be my
reality?

12: THE FEAR OF NOT LOOKING AT THE LORD

But when he saw the strong wind, he was afraid; and beginning to ...
sank, cried out, saying: Lord, save me! At that moment Jesus,
extending his hand, he took hold of him, and said: O you of little faith! Why
What did you doubt?

The story is pathetic. The disciples are in the middle of the sea.
Galilee facing a difficult storm; Jesus, who had
stayed on land to pray, comes towards them walking on the
waters... When they see him, they fear, but Peter, always
impulsive, asks Jesus to walk on the waters too. Jesus tells him
he grants his request, but shortly after starting, Pedro feels fear,
because he turns his gaze away from Jesus and looks at the sea and feels the strong
wind. Then he is afraid and begins to sink...
This happens with many Christians: we want to be like Jesus and
do what He does, but shortly after starting we look towards others
parts (the difficulties, the criticisms, etc.) and we started to have
fear; then we begin to sink because we lack faith.
Christ does not want this from us. He longs for us to be men and
women of great faith.
Am I able to walk on the stormy sea without fear looking
to Jesus?

13: HEIRS OF GOD, COHEIRS WITH CHRIST

The Spirit itself bears witness to our spirit, that we are
children of God. And if children, then heirs; heirs of God and
coheirs with Christ, if we suffer together with him,
that we may be glorified together with him” (Romans 8: 16-
17)

God has prepared for the Christian nothing less than His own
heavenly glory. For Him we are His children, and therefore we are His
heirs. The son inherits, takes ownership of what belongs to the father... From the
in the same way, believers, as children of God and his heirs,
we will take as our own the properties of the Heavenly Father. No
It is presumptuous to imagine this reality: it is that God Himself so wishes.
he wants because that is why he made man.
The Father rejoices in giving to Jesus Christ, his faithful Son, all that is his; and in
his immeasurable love wants all believers to be
co-heirs of Christ.
Perhaps it may seem too much to us, but God will never give us.
If not the best. Someone might tell me: 'I'm satisfied with a lot.'
less”; but God wants to give us all His, because He loves us and
this makes her happy.
The condition is that we are faithful as Jesus was...
What do I expect from my God in heavenly glory?

14: WISDOM IN SPEAKING

Accumulating treasures with a lying tongue is a fleeting breath of
those who seek death... He who guards his mouth and his tongue,
his soul keeps from anxieties” (Proverbs 21:6 and 23)

The Bible also tells us that 'out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks.'
the mouth"... That is why we must think that a heart afflicted by
complexes, out of resentment, envy, and pride, will make their owner
He spoke lies and sought to harm others with his tongue.
I have often suffered from lies and infamy; always, despite the
The pain they have caused me, I have thought about how much they must be suffering.
the one who harms me with his words... And I do not wish for revenge
because I know that he already has enough of his own. Proverbs says
exactly the same: keeping the mouth and the tongue is keeping the
soul of anguish. Those who are not prudent already carry upon themselves the
anguish and has the punishment within itself.
Many suffer immensely because they did not know how to restrain their mouth from
to tell lies, which when exposed, embarrass others
they have lost important beings in their lives because they have left
that resentment, pride, vanity surface through their words... Everyone
those who use their mouth against the will of God accumulate
anguish about their lives. God does not want this for His children, because
We also cause him pain if we act that way.
Do I wisely care for my words?

15: THINKING ABOUT THOSE IN NEED

Blessed is he who thinks of the poor; in the evil day he will deliver him.
Jehovah.
The Lord will keep him and give him a long life; he will be blessed in the
land, and he will not deliver it to the will of his enemies." (Psalms 41:
1-2

It is not very common for a person to think of those who have

greater needs: generally we are all lamenting
for ours. And this is often a good excuse when we
we face someone who has a greater need than the
I can't, maybe another day, I have my own problems...
etc., are usually the most common phrases.
But there is something very true in the reflection that urges us to help
those who are worse off than us: when we see their needs,
then we understand that ours have little value.
God urges His children to care for the poor, He promises them good.
adventure, protection and long life... From there it follows that if we make the
Well to someone, God will be doing it in our favor.
Am I willing to think about the needs of those who have
less than me...?

16: SEEING THE LORD IN HIS COMING

Then you will see the Son of Man coming in the clouds with
great power and glory. And then he will send his angels, and gather his
chosen from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to
the ends of the sky." (S. Mark 13: 26-27)

The day when the Lord returns to the earth as King of kings and
Lord of lords is the day that every believer must await. The
he will come, we will all see him coming, and his angels will gather from all
the corners of the universe to its chosen ones... If I am a Christian
I will be his chosen one. That day will be the Great Day. God will fulfill all
his promises, and the Lord will come to find me to take me with
The...
Why then the afflictions and despair of the present?
Everything will change when the Lord comes: there will be no more crying or pain.
no death threats... He will bring joy and eternal happiness.
This is the end of the precious story that began on a Christmas and
I will affirm on a Cross... I must live with hope placed in
that glorious morning.
In light of the Lord's Coming: how do I live my present?

17: SEEKING THE GOOD OF OTHERS

Everything is permissible for me, but not everything is beneficial; everything is permissible for me, but not
Everything builds.
None seeks their own good, but the good of the other.
24)

There are many things that the Bible does not forbid doing... In reality, the
The Bible is not a book of religious prohibitions but rather God in His
The word rather indicates what He expects us to do.
There are many things we can do and we will not miss out on the
God's commandments... But there is one commandment that is above all:
To love God and to love your neighbor.
If this is the case, then it turns out that although I can do
freely many things, if my actions hurt others, it is
I better abstain, for love of him.
Seeking the good of others is to imitate Jesus: his life was a life of
continuous personal renunciation that culminates in his surrender
volunteer at the Cross of Calvary... He thought of me there and that's why
he died. He expects me to be worthy of Him and do the same for my
neighbors.
I remember having refrained from a lawful action to avoid hurting.
to my neighbor?

18: FREE IN FAITH AND LOVE

Stand firm, then, in the freedom with which Christ has made us free, and
do not again be subject to the yoke of slavery... Because in Christ
Neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything, but only faith that
work through love." (Galatians 5:1, 6)

Freedom is one of the most precious goods of man...

Some argue that life has no meaning if it's not lived in
freedom. Jesus promised his disciples that the Holy Spirit would
he would guide to be free. God fully respects the condition of being free.
with which he endowed man... But it seems that for some it is very
difficult to live in freedom, because the exercise of our freedom is
also a commitment.
The Jews clung to a religion that practically served them
enslaved with its rites and traditions; it also happens in many of
our churches that boast of liberating man, but fill him
of burdens and afflictions.
When Christ came, he fulfilled in himself all the Law of God; for
that life he proposes to the one who believes in Him is a free life to
show that faith in Jesus through works of love... Then yes, freedom
it transforms into a treasured asset.
If I am free in Christ: What do I do with that freedom that Christ gives me?
god?

19: THE MISSION OF THE MESSIAH

Here is my servant, I will uphold him; my chosen one, in whom my soul
he has contentment; I have put my Spirit upon him; he will bring
justice to the nations.
He will not shout, nor raise his voice, nor make it heard in the streets.
He will not break the bruised reed, nor will he extinguish the smoldering wick;
through the truth he will bring justice.” (Isaiah 42: 1-3)

How different is the way of acting of the Messiah, according to the prophet,
regarding many who proclaim themselves Christians!
God would exalt Christ and place His joy upon Him in a way
manifested at the time of his baptism and on the mountain of the
Transfiguration, in front of Peter, John, and James... Without a doubt that
that Jesus was the Messiah.
His Truth therefore is the Justice promised by God. But the
the truth of Jesus is that which He taught on the streets of Palestine,
without extravagance, without tumult, without sterile discussions... With
patience, with tenderness, with sweetness, with immense love towards
those ignorant Jews trapped in superstitions and traditions.
In my humble understanding, this is the way in which the Gospel
It must be a predicate; as Jesus did: loving the other.
person, sweetly announcing to him the wonderful love of God,
testifying firmly but tenderly to the Truth of Jesus Christ.
When I talk to someone about Jesus, I feel love for that person.
Do I act as Jesus acted?

20: THE WONDERS OF GOD IN FAVOR OF HIS CHILDREN

Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless His holy name.
Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not any of his
benefits. He is the one who forgives all your iniquities, the one who heals
all your diseases...

Blessing the Lord should be understood as the action of declaring to Him

blessed in all the universe... The psalmist speaks with his soul and tells it
insta to bless the Lord. But there is a powerful reason to
to do it: the wonderful benefits that the Lord bestows… And
then he will proclaim a series of God's blessings for your life.
But instructs his soul not to forget any of those blessings...
Believers know that all good comes from the Lord, but
We often forget that it is He who gives it to us. Many times
we are so interested in the blessing we long for, that
When we receive it, we forget the giver.
So, even though we praise God with songs and hymns and Him
let us exalt in long sentences, we will not be declaring him blessed,
because we forget each of its benefits...
Do I remember all that I owe to the Lord? Is my soul prepared?
to declare him blessed?

21: GOD, SHELTER, AND GUIDE

Deliver me from my enemies, O Lord; in you I take refuge. Teach me
to do your will, for you are my God; your good spirit me
guide me to the land of righteousness.

In this statement, the psalmist acknowledges that God is his refuge,

but he discovers the need to do his will and let his
Spirit guide you to act correctly.
There is a great lesson in these verses: God is our
shelter, but only if we are willing to obey him,
letting ourselves be guided by His Spirit.
I cannot ask the Lord to deliver me from those who act.
against me and seek my harm if I am not willing to seek their
will and do what I know He considers best.
Many believers cry out to the Lord to refuge them from
situations they have reached because of their sins... The
we must bear the consequences of our sins, even still
after repentance. God will give us refuge when
let us walk in straight paths before Him.
I feel that the Lord is my refuge because I act rightly.
in front of him?

22: THE BREAD OF HEAVEN

And Jesus said to them: Truly, truly, I say to you: Moses did not give you the
bread from heaven, but my Father gives you the true bread from heaven.
For the bread of God is that which came down from heaven and gives life to the
world.
They said to him: Sir, give us this bread always.
Jesus said to them: I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me will never
he will hunger; and he who believes in me will never thirst.” (St. John
6: 32-36

The Israelites, like many in our days, were interested

in material things and that is why they remembered when the
ancestors, in the desert, ate the manna, attributing this
signal to Moses.
Jesus warns them that it was God who gave that manna and points to the
spiritual needs that they had and that would only be
satisfied by Jesus Christ, the Son of God. When they ask for "the bread"
"from heaven" were actually not recognizing their needs
materials... But Jesus knows that even material needs
they are a consequence of spiritual needs. That's why
promises to satisfy these so that they "never" go hungry again.
The work of Christ in a person is a work of transformation.
complete and definitive, which originates from the spiritual and encompasses all
person.
Do I feel that the Lord fulfills all my needs? Am I
grateful?

23: A UNIQUE AND COMPLETE SACRIFICE

And in the way that is established for men to die
once, and after this the judgment, so also Christ was
offered once to bear the sins of many; and
will appear a second time, unrelated to sin, to save
to those who are waiting for him." (Hebrews 9: 27-28)
There is a lot of doctrine in this passage, but primarily, the
the writer of Hebrews argues that Christ's sacrifice on the Cross is
unique, unrepeatable and sufficient to save all those who are in Him
they create.
In certain religious festivities, there is such an emphasis on the idea that
Christ has died, which, in practice, they hang him back up from the
Cruz... Some believe that they themselves must sacrifice to
achieve to merit salvation.
None of these things are true. If I believe in Jesus died for me
in Calvary and I repent of my sins, I just have to wait
that He comes a second time, as King and Lord, to do
reality my salvation… That's why the life of the believer must be a
life of joy and hope in Christ.
Does my life reflect the certainty of my salvation?

24: THE EFFORT OF THE DISCIPLE OF CHRIST

You, therefore, endure hardships as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.
None who militates gets entangled in the affairs of life, in order to
to please the one who took him as a soldier. And also the one who fights
As an athlete, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules.
2: 3-5

"I die happy; we have defeated the enemy" is the immortal phrase of the
Sergeant Cabral giving his life to save that of the Great Captain...
He had understood the importance of his effort and sacrifice in order to
to achieve victory and freedom.
Thus, the believer must understand that the victory has already been won.
obtained Christ on the Cross, but there is another battle to conquer
and it is to evangelize the world. This is the primary task of the
Church of Christ and of each believer. In pursuit of this goal that
Jesus will draw as He ascends to heaven, believers must be
willing to offer even our own life, as faithful soldiers
of the Lord. When the whole world knows Christ, it will be finished
the mission… But there is still much to do and God is me
waiting...
Can I recognize in my life a faithful soldier of Jesus?

25: THE GOOD TESTIMONY, THE TESTIMONY OF LOVE

I give thanks to my God, always remembering you in my
sentences, because I hear of the love and faith you have towards the Lord
Jesus, and for all the saints...
Well, we have great joy and consolation in your love, because of you, oh
brother, the hearts of the saints have been comforted.
I always thank my God when I remember you in my prayers.

It is truly inspiring the way the apostle Paul refers to

to this younger pastor than him and his disciple... He not only praises his
a good testimony that had transcended his city, but also the
the way in which Philemon's love and faith towards the Lord and towards the
Brothers, they were a stimulus for Pablo himself.
The world today is trapped in individualism... This leads to
man to live in a petty, selfish, vain, distrustful way.
All these feelings are destroying coexistence and
They push people towards loneliness and despair.
The world needs, perhaps now more than ever, testimonies of faith.
and love like that of Philemon, and only believers in Christ can
offer them...
What do others say about me as a Christian? Do I care...?

26: TO BELIEVE WITHOUT SEEING...

Then Thomas answered and said to Him, My Lord and my God!

Jesus said to him: Because you have seen me, Thomas, you have believed; blessed are those
those who did not see, and believed.” (St. John 20: 28-29)

Even today there are many like Thomas and like the Jews,
they ask for signs to believe... But what is the point of believing in what
What can be verified with the senses? Still, from many
pulpits preach the need for people to see signs for
that believe in Jesus.
We should not be surprised by all that the power of God can do.
I believe that He heals the sick and can resurrect the dead;
I believe that He can perform any miracle, but I am not surprised.
that's why I believe he does it. But I also believe that in
Nowhere in the Bible does it state that it is necessary to see miracles to
create... Jesus clearly warned the doubtful Thomas:
"blessed are those who believed without seeing"... And this is the essence of
the faith that Christ expects from us.
How solid is my faith in the Lord? Do I need signs to believe in
The?

GOD LIVES IN THE HUMBLE AND BROKEN

For thus says the High and Exalted One, who inhabits eternity, and whose
My name is the Holy One: I dwell in the heights and in holiness, and with the
broken and humble in spirit, to make the spirit of the
humble, and to revive the hearts of the brokenhearted." (Isaiah
57: 15)

How many who call themselves believers live in vanity,

pride and arrogance, without acknowledging their sins and burdens!
The passage from Isaiah is clear and definitive: no one can pretend that
God dwells in your life only if you welcome him with humility before.
breaks his heart before Him... Then yes, the Spirit of
The Lord will work in that life transforming it, but without losing
never humility and brokenness.
In reality, a true Christian, happy and hopeful in the Lord,
must be willing to always do the Will of God, and for
that, humility and a broken heart are
essentials.
Many churches suffer because pastors and brethren do not stop
his pride, his arrogance, and they confront each other in harsh and vain
discussions... That is why the Lord cannot bless those lives and
those churches.
The divine statement transmitted by the prophet is as relevant as
always.
Do I humbly acknowledge my situation before the Lord?
Did I break my heart so that He could live in me? How...?

28: OUR SHELTER AND STRENGTH

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
tribulations. Therefore, we will not fear, though the earth be
removed, and the mountains are cast into the heart of the sea..." (Psalms
46: 1-2)

We live in an area where many times the land

tremble, and some of these tremors have been so strong that they have
caused a lot of destruction... Did we feel fear when we felt the earth
was it moving? It's no use knowing Bible verses by heart if
we do not have them cherished in our hearts... Maybe everyone
we feel a certain fear in the face of a very strong tremor. But even in those
At times we must trust in God.
The passage says that He is a 'ready' help in times of trouble.
Many times we leave God as the last resort for our
affliction: we talk to a relative, to friends, to the
pastor, with the brothers of the church…And we did not pray to the Lord!
We have a powerful and loving God... Why not turn to Him?
When does sadness come first?
Why not fully trust in "even though the earth is
removed?
Do I really trust in the Lord's care and even in the
Where do I look for the most difficult moments first?

29: TRUST IN THE LORD

Do not be impatient because of the wicked, nor be envious of those
for they do iniquity. For like the grass they will soon be cut down,
and like the green grass, they will wither.
Trust in the Lord and do good; so you will dwell in the land, and you will
You will shepherd the truth. Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will
He will grant the desires of your heart.” (Psalm 37: 1-4)

How many times have we asked ourselves why people who do not...
they should not live in their lives according to the will of the Lord, that neither do they

they agree with God, they have benefits in life that we do

we would like to have!
However, this Psalm is very clear regarding the fate of the
that they do not seek God... And as a counterpoint, David, its author,
exposes the ineffable blessings that believers await in the
Mister.
It's that the unbelievers only have themselves and only aspire to
achieve 'success' in this life because they have no hope for a life
transcendent… The Christian knows that a blessing awaits him
unmatched in their passage through this world and for that reason can take pleasure.
in the Lord; this is something that those who do not believe or hope in God
will be able to achieve.

Do I trust in the Lord and find my happiness in Him?

30: WAIT ON THE LORD

Commit your way to the Lord, and trust in Him; and He will do it.
your justice like the light, and your righteousness like the midday. Keep
silence before the Lord, and wait on Him…” (Psalms 37: 5-6a)

The entire Bible encourages us to trust in God's protection... If

we entrust to Him our daily walk and trust in His
He will always do the best because He loves us and is Almighty.
Therefore, our trust in the Lord must be expressed, at times,
in the silence that waits confidently. The Lord is not going to
he responds better if we shout or make a scene. He has a
great ear to hear the quietest of our claims.
We just need to wait confidently...
Many times He wants us to wait for His work silently, without
desperation or anxieties... And He will always do the best for
our lives.
Do I know how to wait silently on the Lord?

31: HEIRS OF THE LORD

Well, soon the wicked will not exist; you will observe his place, and not
they will be there. But the meek shall inherit the earth, and they shall delight in
abundance of peace.
The wicked machine against the just, and gnashes his teeth at him; The
The Lord will laugh at him, for he sees that his day is coming.” (Psalm 37: 10-13)

It is of no value to have many possessions on earth if life is

short and soon pass and all the material wealth we have
obtained from nothing will be of any use in the hereafter... If we wisely look
around us we can realize that many who
they trusted in earthly riches and power are no longer there. When their
time here has run out, those riches or that power were worth nothing.
Many of these people seek our harm... I don't believe so.
there is nothing worse for an unjust man than a just man, because
with his mere presence he is demonstrating his poor condition. By
he wants to destroy him... But the Lord will laugh at that unjust man
and perverse. And the Lord is our God, who makes us His
heirs. Why despair then...?
I take my time to think about how beautiful it will be to be in the
presence of my God for all eternity?

SHELTERED BY THE LORD

Better is the little of the righteous than the riches of many sinners.
For the arms of the wicked will be broken; but the one who
The Lord supports the righteous.
I was young, and I have grown old, and I have not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his
descendants that beg for bread...” (Psalm 37: 16-17; 25)

Material concerns are part of man's life.

The man worries about what he will eat and what he will...
to dress... But almost always these worries, good and
natural, they become obsessive and are the main cause of the
desperation of man.
Trying to meet these needs and calm their anxiety, the
man strives, tries to accumulate wealth and power, and lives his
life in a crazy race behind these things, not realizing
that in them happiness is not and that God can in a second
"break their arms" and leave them completely helpless due to
his vanity and pride.
The believer only hopes in the Lord... Never even once of
Their promises have ceased to be fulfilled.
Do I rest my material anxieties in the Lord's embrace?

ALWAYS DOING GOOD

Turn away from evil and do good, and you will live forever. Because
The Lord loves righteousness, and does not forsake His saints. Forever.
they will be kept; but the descendants of the wicked will be
destroyed.
The righteous will inherit the earth, and they will live forever on it.
Psalm 37: 27-29

It is striking how confidently David expresses that the

the righteous will live forever... There was none, in those times, yet
teaching about eternal life, but without a doubt the Spirit of
God inspired the psalmist.
Man has two paths on earth: one is to do the
Well; for this, one needs to be guided by God; the other is not to obey.
to God, to stray from His ways which results in doing evil.
Just as there are two paths, there are also two destinations: for the
Good is eternal life because they have obeyed God; for the wicked
the condemnation.
It is important to understand that by doing good we mean acting from
according to the will of God… Many do good things and
very good, but they are only personal efforts, because beyond
of their intentions, they continue to live in sin.
Do I always seek to do what is good in the eyes of God?

A FORTUNATE END
Consider the upright, and observe the just; for there is a happy end.
for the man of peace. But the transgressors will all be together
destroyed...

Psalm 37: 37-38a

It is of no use to live a life full of pleasures if the end is sadness.
and the destruction... By destruction we must understand the separation
the definitive state of man with God, hell. Let us remember that in
In David's time, there was no revelation about these matters and David
write according to your knowledge.
The transgressors of God's Law will be condemned for their
evil and disobedience, but the just, the man of peace, the
obedient to the Lord will have a happy ending, for after this life
Christ waits for the believer in eternity. Always, in the midst of
tests and difficulties, we must remember this promise.
Do I hope for the happy ending that God promises me...?

35: SALVOS FOR THE LORD

But the salvation of the righteous is from the Lord, and He is their strength.
in times of distress. The Lord will help them and deliver them;
He will deliver them from the wicked and will save them, for they have waited on Him.
(Psalm 37: 39-40)

There are two important teachings in this passage:

First of all, we must understand that our Salvation is a work.
of our Lord. Nothing can save us if not his sacrifice in the
Cross and His Spirit in us. And all is His work in our favor.
The only thing I do is believe that He can save me and wait in
Religion, good deeds, sacrifices will not be able to
save me...Only the Lord will do it!
Secondly, we must understand that Salvation is not something
that we will only have to enjoy when the Lord comes: this
The passage tells us that the Lord is already working and saving us from
the anguish and of the wicked. We are already saved! We only await the
Coming of the Lord to live with Him eternally.
Do I live with joy for my Salvation, grateful to the Lord?

36: IN THE THINGS OF THE SPIRIT...

Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in
Christ Jesus, those who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to
to the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set me free
delivered from the law of sin and death... Because those who are of
the flesh think about the things of the flesh; but those who are of the
Spirit, in the things of the Spirit." (Romans 8: 1-2, 5)

For Pablo, there was an absolute difference in living for God, in the
Spirit, and living for the world, in the flesh... There were no terms.
means or points of contact. Someone can say that their position
it is dogmatic, but it agrees with the same teachings of
Jesus, when the Lord said: 'he who does not gather with me scatters.'
Living in the Spirit is to be guided by the Holy Spirit who
it will never lead us to anything other than doing the will of
God; and if we were to fail in anything, the same Spirit will put in
we the regret.
That's why our thoughts and our way of living must
to be fully identified in Christ... For those who live by this
In this way, there is no condemnation.
Does my life always seek the direction of the Holy Spirit?

37: THE SPIRIT THAT DWELLS IN US

But if Christ is in you, the body is truly dead to
the cause of sin, but the spirit lives because of righteousness. And if the
The Spirit of him who raised Christ Jesus from the dead dwells in
you, the one who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will give life
also your mortal bodies through His Spirit that dwells in you
you.

As a result of our faith in Jesus Christ, our life is oriented

towards the hope that their promises have left us. That is why the
believers should not worry more than necessary about the
earthly things, because we know that our body, like
the result of the sin that worked in us is condemned to die,
but our spirit will live forever in eternity with
the Lord, who through his Spirit will give us life in
new, glorious, and eternal bodies… Why should we worry?
then (thinks Pablo) for our sinful body if in
Christ, do we have a new life?
I await the eternal promises of the Lord, feeling His living Spirit.
in me?

Sons of God
For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back again
not in fear, but you have received the spirit of adoption, through the
what do we cry out: 'Abba, Father!'
The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are
children of God. And if children, then heirs; heirs of God and
heirs together with Christ, if we suffer together with him,
so that we may be glorified with him.” (Romans 8: 15-
17)

Pablo warns us that after our conversion he cannot work.

no feeling of slavery in our hearts because the
The Spirit of God has freed us from all bondage by making us children.
of God and consequently his heirs… The son can never
to feel like a slave, but tenderly calls to his father... So
we can call our God, according to Paul: 'Abba, Father' (dad),
and in this sentence summarizes the new condition of the believer regarding
to God.
That is why, when a religion filled with fears is taught
imposed obligations contradict the spirit of the Gospel.
But that freedom comes with a heavy dose of responsibility: we must
be willing to give our lives for the Lord if we long for His glory; and
not as an imposition, but as the most beautiful
demonstration of love for Christ.
Do I feel that the Lord has given me true freedom? Am I
responsible for her?

39: THE COMING GLORY

For I am certain that the sufferings of the present time do not
they are comparable to the glory to come that will be in us
to manifest itself. Because the burning desire of all creation is the
waiting for the manifestation of the sons of God... because also the
creation itself will be freed from the slavery of corruption, to the
glorious freedom of the children of God.” (Romans 8: 18-19, 21)

Continuing with the previous concept, when expressing the commitment

that every believer must be willing to suffer
together with Christ, Paul expresses his absolute certainty that
All that we may suffer for following Jesus cannot
comparing in any way with the glory that we will have with Him
Father... Glory that even creation itself eagerly awaits to be
the perfect and honorable framework of the new life of the children of God.
Imagine how beautiful it will be to live in 'new heavens and a new earth.'
in the very presence of the Lord, it must always drive us to be
willing to suffer for Christ, if necessary, to reign one day
eternally with Him.
Am I willing to suffer for Christ in order to live gloriously with Him?
The?

40: THOSE WHO LOVE GOD

And we know that to those who love God, all things work together for good
to those who are called according to his purpose.
Because those whom he foreknew, he also predestined to be
made in the image of his Son, that he might be the
firstborn among many brethren.” (Romans 8: 28-29)

There are two important themes in this passage: first, Paul

expresses his conviction that if we love God, all things
that can happen in our lives will be for good. And this is
absolutely logical: If God is All-Powerful, if He loves me and I
I love him, he will never allow anything bad to happen in my life.
Secondly, Pablo speaks of predestination... This must be
well understood: it is not that God is the one who predestines those who
they will have to be saved and those who will not. This results from a decision
each person's belief or non-belief in Jesus as Savior
And Lord. But in His omniscience (who knows everything), God knows
who we should believe, and for us it has arranged that
let us be in the image of His Son, as His younger brothers. Therefore
In the previous passage, it calls us co-heirs with Christ.
Do I love God with all my heart? Am I aware that He makes me
equal to Jesus?

41: CHRIST INTERCEDES FOR US

Who will bring any charge against those chosen by God? It is God who justifies.
Who is the one who will condemn? Christ is the one who died; but even more, the
who also resurrected, who is also at the right hand of God,
who also intercedes for us... Who will separate us from love
"of Christ?" (Romans 8:33-35a)

The life that God expects from us, and that His Holy Spirit
living in us proposes to us and makes us capable of living, it is
a triumphant life because God is on our side, we feel it in
our heart and feel the deep love of Christ.
If someone accuses us, God considers us just; if someone us
condemnation, Christ has saved us; if anyone tries to make us
to stumble and even more, if sometimes we stumble and fall, the Lord
intercede for us. This is his love: full, generous, deep and
eternal… Who will separate us from the love of Christ?
I feel the love of the Lord in my life and that's why I live happily in Him.

42: MORE THAN CONQUERORS

For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers,

of the one who loved us. Therefore I am sure that neither death,
neither life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor the present, nor
the future, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing will separate us
can separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord
our own.” (Romans 8: 37-39)

Pablo has previously made a list of things that may come to

to intensely test the life of the Christian... And affirms that in all
we are 'more than conquerors' through Christ. No
Pablo found a word that could perfectly define the
the condition of the triumphant Christian in the Lord; this gives us the idea of
how our triumph in Christ will be. And all is the work of His great
love for us! That's why Paul is sure that nothing can stop us.
separate from your love.
Is my life worthy of such a powerful and loving God?

CHILDREN OF GOD
Look at what love the Father has given us, that we should be called
children of God; for this reason the world does not know us, because it did not know him.
met him. Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not yet been revealed
manifested what we are to be; but we know that when he
We will be like him, for we will see him as he is.
"(1 John 3: 1-2)"

I believe that many times believers do not give importance to this.

wonderful condition that means being considered by God as
his children... He rescued us from sin through Jesus Christ and has
made heirs of his Heavenly Kingdom. The love of God can only
to do this for sinful and disobedient men like us.
Juan knows it and highlights it, warning that the world cannot
to understand these things because they do not know the sublime love of
Father. He also argues that the best has not arrived yet,
because one day we will be "like Him and we will see Him as He is"
That is our hope.
Do I value being considered by God as His child?

44: LIVE LIKE CHRIST

And everyone who has this hope in him purifies himself
the same, as he is pure. Everyone who commits sin,
it also infringes the law; for sin is a transgression of the law. And
you know that he appeared to take away our sins, and there is no
sin in him. Everyone who abides in him does not sin; everyone who
whoever sins has not seen him or known him.” (1 John 3: 3-6)

It is important to note that when Juan states that the believer in

Christ does not sin, is saying (and it would be a better translation of
Greek) that does not live in sin... In reality, many times not
we do the things that God expects from us, but we cannot
tolerate that situation and then we regret it, we confess to the
Lord, our sins and He makes us clean again. The purity
it must be our desire, but it is important to recognize that not
we are capable of achieving it through our own efforts. The
purity is the work of the Spirit of Christ in us: only
we must let him act and He will make us clean.
Do I let the Lord cleanse me every day? Do I long to be pure like Him?
Is it?

THE LOVE FOR THE BROTHER

In this the children of God and the children of the devil are manifest: all
he who does not do justice, and who does not love his brother, is not from
God. Because this is the message that you have heard from the beginning:
that we love one another.” (1 John 3: 10-11)

This passage has no middle terms or difficulties to be

interpreted: if we are children of God and desire to be pure as
Christ, we must love others in the same way that
God has loved us: unconditionally, without looking at our
sins, without asking for anything in return... He who does not love his brother
it is not of God, says the apostle, and he called everyone brother
believers, although we may have to interpret that every neighbor is
our brother, for that is how Jesus taught. We cannot
to pretend to obey the commandments and teachings of Jesus if not
we obey his command to love one another.
I recognize myself as a person capable of loving others.
As the Lord has loved me? Am I trying...?

TRULY LOVING
But he who has goods of this world and sees his brother having
need, and closes her heart against him, how does love dwell in
God in him? My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in
indeed and in truth.” (1 John 3: 17-18)

"Let us not love in word or in tongue" seems to have been written by

Juan, with some concern and sadness, because surely in his
more than ninety years of life had seen many proclaim the
love, even within the heart of the Church of Christ, but not experiencing it
Really. True love is always linked to truth...
Juan wonders how a person can be full of goods and
wealth seeing that others suffer needs, and closes against them
your heart... This is the deepest evil in the history of the
humanity. Only Christians can give the love of God; the
The world is waiting for it... Will we really give it?
How do I express love to others? Also with deeds…?

GOD IS THE ONE WHO JUDGES AND REBUKES

And in this we know that we are of the truth, and we will assure
our hearts before him; for if our heart does not accuse us
God is greater than our heart, and he knows all things.
things.” (1 John 3:19-20)

Sometimes we argue that we do not do certain things that God

wait for us, because we do not feel them, because our
the heart does not lean towards them... Juan clearly observes that
Many times our heart is not the true parameter.
We know that sin has worked in our lives bringing
resentments, pride, bad memories... And sometimes our heart
justifies certain attitudes because old wounds can resurface.
But God, who knows all things, is the one who will
to reproach ourselves when we want to excuse ourselves for not doing it.
Will. He will exhort us and will give us His Spirit so that our
let the heart calm down and we can obey our God.
I acknowledge that sometimes my heart doesn't advise me well and
So do I need the Lord's advice?

OBEY AND WAIT

...And whatever we ask, we will receive from him, because
we keep His commandments, and we do the things that are
pleasant before him. And this is his commandment: That we believe
in the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and we love one another
as he has commanded us." (1 John 3: 22-23)

Believers know that we can ask the Lord for everything.

those things we need. We also know
for He is powerful and loves us intensely, in such a way that
everyone can do it and wants to do the best for us. That's why
he will always answer us with the best... But Juan warns
an essential condition to receive what we expect from
Lord: to keep your commandments, to believe in Jesus Christ and to love one another
one another.
Many want God to give them everything they ask for, but do not.
they please with their works and with their lives... This is simply a
hypocritical and proud attitude; and God cannot be mocked.
Do I hope for the best from the Lord by giving Him the best of me?

49: THE SPIRIT THAT HE HAS GIVEN US

And he who keeps His commandments abides in God, and God in him.
he. In this we know that he remains in us, by the Spirit
what he has given us." (1 John 3: 24)
It seems very difficult for us to be able to fulfill the commandments.
of the Lord... Sometimes we really encounter people who
It is very difficult for us to be able to love. The Lord knows it:
knows our limitations and imperfections; He, better than anyone,
he knows the consequences that sin has left in us, and
better than anyone, understands them. That's why He has given us His Spirit
Holy... And it is the Holy Spirit of God who works in us, in
our wishes and in our actions. To fulfill the
commands of the Lord, we must let His Spirit guide our
will. Then what seems very difficult becomes possible, for
the glory of God.
I quietly let the Holy Spirit work in my heart and in
my actions?

50: THE JUDGMENT OF GOD

Therefore, wait for me, says the Lord, until the day I rise up
to judge you; because my determination is to gather the nations,
to gather the kingdoms, to pour out my anger upon them, all the fervor
of my wrath; by the fire of my jealousy the whole earth will be consumed.
At that time I will restore purity of lips to the peoples, so that
that all invoke the name of Jehovah, so that they may serve him.
common consent." (Zephaniah 3: 8-9)

This is a message from God to the people of Israel… However

as the new people of God, these words of the Lord are
also for us.
The world lives far from divine designs; men do not
they agree on God; sin has taken control of humanity:
that is why the history of humanity is rife with wars,
injustices, cruelty... And God can feel nothing but anger and
it will go for so much sinfulness. Although the heart of God may ache,
as a just God must punish such evil...
However, there is a message of hope: from the punishment so
mighty God will raise a people from among all the peoples to
that they invoke His Name and serve Him.
Do I feel that I am part of the people of God? Why?

A humble and poor town

On that day you will not be ashamed of any of the works with
that you rebelled against me; because then I will remove from the midst of
to those who rejoice in your arrogance, and you will never be arrogant again.
in my holy mountain. And I will leave in your midst a humble people and
poor, who will trust in the name of the Lord...” (Zephaniah 3:11-
12)

God will cleanse humanity of pride and vanity... His

the town will be a 'humble and poor' town. It doesn't seem very
Attractive: however, we must understand well what God is
telling us and the following passages in which we will have to
Meditating on the coming days will confirm the will of God.
The Lord longs for a humble people, willing to follow and serve Him.
in mutual love, and a poor people of earthly vanities, that of
that way be worthy of receiving the great blessings that God
prepare for your own. Let us remember the words of Jesus:
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom
from the heavens"... He refers to those who recognize their situation in front
to the Lord and trustfully surrender to Him.
Am I worthy of the great blessings that God has prepared for
me?

52: CONTENT AND HAPPY

The remnant of Israel will not do injustice nor speak lies, nor in the mouth
there will be deceitful tongue among them; because they will be
they will graze, and they will sleep, and there will be no one to frighten them. Sing, oh
daughter of Zion; give voices of joy, oh Israel; rejoice and be glad
All hearts, daughter of Jerusalem.” (Zephaniah 3: 13-14)

The people of God is a people that rejoices in the truth and in the
justice, which does not seek deception nor harbors fear, because it knows
that, by doing the will of God, He shepherds him like a Good
Pastor... That is why God hopes that His people will be a happy people!
through the prophet encourages his people to praise, to joy,
to joy, to rejoicing.
Feeling part of the people of God, living rightly before Him.
presence, feeling her hand of encouragement and comfort, sleeping without fear,
it is something that only those who have believed in Jesus can experience. The
True happiness is in Jesus Christ...
I rejoice in the Lord feeling cared for by Him like a child.
obedient?

53: WITHOUT FEARS OR WEAKNESSES

The Lord has set aside your judgments, has cast out your enemies;
The Lord is King of Israel in your midst; you will never see evil again.
At that time it will be said to Jerusalem: Do not fear; Zion, do not be weak.
your hands.” (Zephaniah 3: 15-16)
Fear is one of the most common feelings in man.
our time; we can summarize his situation by saying that the
man lives feeling fear not only of death, but also of the
life, because it does not know what is to come, and that uncertainty
produces anguish and despair... Fear weakens him and,
Paradoxically, although he fears death, he feels that he no longer has the strength.
to live.
The people of God feel differently: God urges us not to fear and not to
feeling weak, because He is our King and promises to set us apart
about the bad in us. With that certainty, believers live without
fears and we feel strong in the Lord.
Do I live trusting in the Lord and feel that He is truly my King?

54: THE LORD IS IN THE MIDST OF YOU...

The Lord is in the midst of you, mighty; he will save; he will rejoice over you.
with joy, He will quiet you with love, He will rejoice over you with singing.
(Zephaniah 3:17)

This is one of the most beautiful verses in the Bible. Its mere
Reading is already an incentive for us to live a full life in communion
with our God.
The Lord is in the midst of His people, and He is powerful; for this reason He
he is the Savior of his people... But not only this: his people are for
The reason for joy. The Lord rejoices when He dwells in the midst of
his people, among the believers.
Even though we are not perfect and He has a lot to reproach us for,
he will be silent from love for us like the loving Father remains silent before the
failure of his son... And not only does he remain silent, but also the Lord
joyful display, manifesting that joy with songs about his
village.
Only a God of love can do this for us!
I rejoice to know that the Lord rejoices over me as part of His
town?

FOR THE TESTIMONY OF ALL THE EARTH...

Behold, at that time I will distress all your oppressors; and
I will save the one who limps, and I will gather the wayward; and I will set you...
praise and for renown throughout the land.
Zephaniah 3:19

Israel, because of disobedience, had been and would be oppressed by

pagan towns… But, despite the stubbornness of the Israelites,
God does not cease in His love, and promises His people to save them from the
oppression, heal their wounds and put it as a sign of his love and his
power over all nations...
This is reality in today's Israel, beyond the disbelief of
many Jews. Humanity and history know how remarkable it is
love of God for Israel and how great is the power of the God of
Israel.
If God has been faithful to His promise with a still rebellious people,
how much more will it be with those of us who are his people in Jesus and
Do we follow him with loyalty?
I am waiting for God's promise for His people by living my life with
fidelity to my Lord?

I WILL GATHER YOU

At that time I will bring you, at that time I will gather you;
I will set you for renown and for praise among all the peoples.
from the earth, when I lift your captivity before your
eyes, says the Lord." (Zephaniah 3: 20)

Although the promise given by God through Zephaniah is for

Israel, at a certain point in its history as a people, in
this verse affirms the universality of his promise: God
will gather his people from all latitudes to bring them to the
freedom...
We who are part of the people of God because we have believed.
in Jesus Christ, one day we will be gathered by God for testimony of
all the nations of the earth, to enjoy perfect freedom
what we shall have before His presence, in the Kingdom
Heavenly, where we will dwell for all eternity (it would be very
well, to conclude this reflection by reading Revelation 21: 1-7
I await the day when the Lord gathers His people for eternity,
living a life full of hope and joy?

FOR ALL THOSE WHO ARE THIRSTY

To all you who are thirsty: come to the waters; and you who have no
money, come, buy and eat. Come, buy without money and without
price, wine and milk.
Why do you spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on
what does not satisfy? Listen to me carefully, and eat of the good, and be
He will delight your soul with richness. Incline your ear and come to
Listen, and your soul will live; and I will make with you an eternal covenant,
mercies firm to David...” (Isaiah 55: 1-3)
God's fundamental reflection through the prophet is to instill in
their people the need to differentiate between the transcendent things and the
life with those who are not really that important and
finally, they provide nothing for spiritual well-being...
The man dedicates a lot of effort to those things that never
they will have to satisfy their spiritual needs nor will they bring happiness
constant to your soul. In our days we live in a society that
He placed his hopes on material well-being and it seems that the
being able to consume everything that modernity offers would be reason to
to be happy... However, man is more alone and sad than ever.
God, just like yesterday, continues to call us to hear his voice.
and let us do good. That is true joy. It was for the
rebellious Israel and it is for the man of our time…
What things do I seek joy in?

58: SEEK THE LORD EARLY

Seek the Lord while He may be found, call upon Him while He is near.
let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his
thoughts, and return to Jehovah, who will have mercy on him
mercy, and to our God, who will be abundant in forgiving.
(Isaiah 55: 6-7)

Man often seeks God in difficult moments, in the

most critical moments of his life... But many times he seeks out
God after having tried to solve his problems by himself
the same or through other ways. Often man calls upon God
but he does not stop acting with evil...
It is usually late then. God withdraws from those who are proud.
he persists in his evil ways... But in his ineffable love, there is
willing to forgive those who repent from the heart.
So yes, God approaches the sinner with mercy and generosity.
to forgive.
We must not let God drift away from us; we must call on Him.
meanwhile it's close.
Do I always seek the Lord first?

59: THE WAYS OF THE LORD

For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor
your paths are my paths, said the Lord. As they are higher
the heavens that the earth, thus are my ways higher than yours
paths, and my thoughts more than your thoughts.
(Isaiah 55: 8-9)
How vain is the attitude of the man who pretends to understand and
explain the things that pertain to our God!
He tells us through his servant that his thoughts and
His paths are for us as the sky is for the earth:
immensely taller.
Perhaps the wisest attitude a human can have is to accept.
for your ways and thoughts are not my ways and
thoughts of the Lord. This is the first step for man
understand that God's ways are the perfect ways, and
that nothing can be of greater benefit to him than to follow those
roads...
Do I walk the paths that the Lord has laid out for me?

60: THE WORD OF THE LORD AND HIS WORK

For as the rain and the snow descend from the heavens, and do not
returns there, but waters the earth, and makes it germinate and produce, and
to the seed sower, and bread to the eater, so shall my word be
that comes out of my mouth; it will not return to me empty, but it will do what I
I want, and it will prosper in that for which I sent it.” (Isaiah 55:
10-11)

The Bible tells us that by the Word of God the

heavens and the earth... The Word of God is powerful because God,
who issues it is Almighty. For that reason, it is His Word
there will always be a need to fulfill the Divine will and do the work that God
wants me to do.
The believer has one of their greatest treasures in the Word of
God... The Bible is full of wonderful promises for the
faithful Christian. And whoever believes in God must believe God; from this
the life of the believer is affirmed in the powerful Word of
God. Commitment is not just waiting for her, but also
proclaim it so that the Name of Jesus Christ is known throughout the world
be glorified.
I rest in the promises of the Lord and proclaim His powerful
Word?

THE LIFE OF ONE WHO TRUSTS IN THE LORD

For you will go out with joy, and be led forth with peace; the mountains and
the hills will raise a song before you, and all the
field trees will clap their hands.
Instead of the bramble, the cypress will grow, and instead of the nettle, it will grow
myrtle; and it will be to the Lord for a name, for an everlasting sign that never
it will be torn.
Life, for many, is a succession of sad circumstances,
long moments of solitude, of difficult decisions, of resentments
uncontrollable... All these things cause many people to
taking refuge in vices or actions that dull their senses, because for
For them, life is not worth it...
For the believer in Christ who fully trusts in their God, everything
it is different: even in the deepest sorrows, God is with him, and
the presence of the Divine Being strengthens you and transforms sadness into
joy, because God places hope in the hearts of his children...
They are the sign of the Lord on earth.
Does my life reflect the blessing that the Lord promises to His children?

62: PROMISES FOR THE TRUE BELIEVER

The Lord will always shepherd you, and in droughts He will satisfy your soul, and
will give strength to your bones; and you will be like a watered garden, and like
spring of waters, whose waters never run dry. And yours
they will rebuild the ancient ruins; the foundations of generations and
you will raise a generation, and you will be called the repairer of breaches,
restorer of roads for living...
Isaiah 58:11-12

The blessing of the Lord is not just for the believer but
also for all his own... The faithful believer is blessed by
God, but at the same time, he is the means of divine blessing for his
beloved beings.
When as believers we feel that the Lord shepherds us and
we put our lives in their hands, we are not just
working in our favor, but also in favor of those we love.
That's why we must also feel responsible: if I eat
christiano does not fully rest in the Lord I will only afflict my
life but I will act as an obstacle to God's blessing
for others that I love...
I feel that I am a blessing for my loved ones because
rest in my God?

63: THE POWER OF THE SPIRIT OF GOD

And they will fear the name of the Lord from the west, and from the
birth of the sun its glory; because the enemy will come like a river,
but the Spirit of the Lord will raise a banner against him. And he will come the
Redeemer will come to Zion...
Much is said about the powerful Spirit of God in the meetings of
believers… But do we live our lives entrusted to that power?
Isaiah states that when the enemy comes trying to
destroy us, the Spirit of God "will raise a standard against him", it is
to say that he will have to defend us.
Surprisingly, Isaiah mentions the Redeemer, and in this statement
holds the entire Trinity, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, working to
favor of the believers.
In the face of such an extraordinary and remarkable truth, our lives
they must affirm themselves every day and at every moment in such a God
Mighty and Faithful...
I make these words of the prophet my own and live my life secure in the
Sir?

64: LIFE WITHOUT CHRIST

Therefore, I say and urge you in the Lord: that you no longer walk as the
other Gentiles, who walk in the vanity of their minds, having the
darkened understanding, strangers to the life of God due to the
ignorance that is in them, because of the hardness of their heart; the
which, after losing all sensitivity, surrendered to the
"lascivia to commit greedily all kinds of impurity." (Ephesians)
4: 17-19

Pablo is writing to a church located in a very city

corrupted by worldly matters and with much confusion
religious... However, and despite so much spiritual lightness, the
Ephesians seemed to have been people full of conflicts and sadness.
In these verses, Paul reminds those who had
converted, how his life had been without Christ, so that they
they will worry about not going back.
This serves as advice to us; many times we forget it.
sad was our life before we met Jesus and we tried
do things we used to do, neglecting our lives
Present. Without Christ, life only has a destiny of affliction and death.
I value my life in the Lord and do not try to go back, no matter what happens.
pass?

65: THE MASTER JESUS

But you have not learned Christ in this way, if indeed you have heard him
you have heard, and you have been taught by Him, according to the truth
"that is in Jesus." (Ephesians 4: 20-21)
But the new life that the believer in Christ has in their Lord does not
one learns with personal effort, not by imitating other good people
believers, nor studying the Bible zealously... All these things
they help us to shape the Christian life and they are good, but no one
Can you live the Christian life if Jesus is not your Master... This is what
what Paul says to the Ephesians: he does not claim to be the master nor the
final example, but rather mentions Christ.
Every believer must imitate Jesus; in His Word are His
teachings and it is important to pause and pay attention to them. But
also in His Word is reflected the life of Jesus so that the
let's take it as a model.
Is Jesus my Teacher? Do I want my life to be like His life?

Dressed Like a New Man

As for your former way of life, put off the old
man, who is corrupted according to deceitful desires, and
be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and put on the new
man, created according to God in righteousness and holiness of truth.
Ephesians 4:22-25

For Paul, it is essential that the believer adopts in their life

the new life that Christ proposes to you… But for this to be
possible, the first step is "to shed the old man", that is,
leave those things that defined our life before knowing
Jesus...
No one can build a new house on the ruins of a house.
old... To be a new man in Christ, I must leave those behind
things that he dislikes so that Christ can build up
a new life worthy of Him. The new garments are holiness.
in the truth of God and justice; a believer must carry them in their
life as a sign of the new life in Christ.
Does my life reflect that it has been renewed in the Lord?

67: WITHOUT LIES AND WITHOUT ANGER

Therefore, abandoning the lie, speak the truth each one with his
neighbor; because we are members of one another... Angry,
but do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, nor give
"place for the devil." (Ephesians 4: 25-26)

How much harm and damage does lying cause to humanity!

because of her, man no longer trusts others; many win
its livelihood by developing trades that emerged in the world to
cause of man's distrust towards other men… The
lie harms the interior of the human being because it leads him to the
insecurity and shame, but it also harms society as a whole.
because it causes men to coexist in distrust.
Anger and rage also cause tremendous damage in life.
man and of the community. Anger leads me to act without thinking.
looking to hurt the one who is the reason for my anger and drives them away from me
peace. Anger leads the world to war and destruction… Such
things are not worthy of the children of God.
Do I drive away anger and lies from my life?

WITHOUT HURTING AND WITHOUT CURSING

He who stole, do not steal anymore, but rather work, doing with his
hands what is good, so that I have something to share with the one
suffers need... No corrupt word shall come out of your
mouth, but one that is good for the necessary building, in order to
"to give thanks to the listeners." (Ephesians 4:28-29)

God has wanted in his infinite love for every man to have what
necessary to live and earned honestly with your work.
so that if someone is in need for some reason, the others
they can help with your livelihood. But in our society it is not
like this: not only is the one who steals brazenly a thief, but also
he who profits selfishly by condemning others to the
necessity. There are many rich people in our days who have built
their wealth due to the inequalities on which our is based
society… If they do not share those riches with the most
those in need also violate this maxim. A believer does not
should never be like them...
Likewise, our mouth must cast off offensive words...
Not only the 'bad words' but also all those that
hurt others, because a believer must experience the love of
God...
Do I take care of my speech? Do I earn my livelihood honestly...?

SEALED FOR REDEMPTION

And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were
sealed for redemption.” (Ephesians 4:30)

This is a very important passage because in it Paul

definitely holds two important points that we cannot
to be unaware of
First of all, it tells us that the Spirit of God has feelings;
therefore it is a person… And our actions hurt him and he
They make suffer if they are those that do not please God.
Secondly, this is a great verse to support that
that believer who has salvation could never lose it, because
the Spirit of God has sealed him for the day when the Lord comes
again to take the saved with Him.
As believers, then, we must be careful not to hurt.
to the Holy Spirit with our sins, but we must also live
our life trusting that we are already saved by Christ and nothing nor
no one will be able to take that salvation away from us.

Should I worry about offending the Holy Spirit of God?

70: FORGIVING AS GOD HAS FORGIVEN US

Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, brawling and
slander, and all malice. Rather be kind to one another,
merciful, forgiving one another, just as God also forgave you
forgave you in Christ.” (Ephesians 4: 31-32)

One of the most beautiful garments of the new life of the believer in
Christ is his ability to forgive... And this is so because he
the believer has felt in "their own flesh" the wonder of forgiveness of
God.
Jesus said that if we do not forgive men their offenses
neither will the Heavenly Father forgive our offenses... In fact
that if the Father has forgiven our offenses, the natural attitude
The believer's duty is to forgive others their offenses.
The ability to forgive is a sign of the believer towards the.
world...
Do I forgive my neighbor as the Lord has forgiven me?

71: GOD, OUR REFUGE

Lord, you have been our refuge from generation to generation. Before
that the mountains were born and the earth and the world were formed, since the
from century to century, you are God.” (Psalm 90: 1-2)

It is Moses who writes this psalm; this reason alone makes it special.
The mission that Moses received from God gave rise to the liberating epic.
most notable in history. The patriarch knew very well how God
it had been a refuge for its people 'from generation to generation'
because if it had not been for God's protection, Israel would not have
survived the consequences of his own sins. But the
God of Israel was the true and only God. Moses knew it very well.
well; he knew his power like no one else, and he manifests it.
Likewise, the believers that we have known in our own
Life the redeeming power of the Lord we know that He is the refuge
eternal. That is why we must care that those who we
happen, our children, also know him and make him their refuge.
I acknowledge that my God, the Creator of Heaven and Earth, is my
refuge?

GOD'S TIME, TIME TO CALL US

You bring man to be broken, and you say: Convert yourselves,
sons of men. For a thousand years in your sight are like
yesterday, what happened, and like one of the vigils of the night.
Psalm 90: 3-4

God is All-Powerful and man will never be able to understand Him.

greatness... Thus time cannot condition our God
because He is eternal. Thus a day is like a thousand years to Him and a thousand years
like a day. We find it hard to understand this, because we cannot
understand God. In the same way, we cannot understand
how He acts to call us to repentance with so much love,
so much patience, so much tenderness.
Those who know of the greatness of God do not doubt the greatness of
his love and that is why they respond to his call by turning from their
sins, returning to be in friendship with the Lord.
Do I value the greatness of God's love for me?

73: THE FLEETING NATURE OF OUR LIFE…

You take them away as with a torrent of waters; they are like a dream, like
the grass that grows in the morning. In the morning it blooms and grows;
the afternoon is cut short, and it dries up. Because with your fury we are
consumed, and with your anger we are troubled. You have placed our
evil deeds before you, our errors in the light of your face." (Psalm
90: 5-8)

Man is so small, so insignificant in front of God that his

life passes as fleetingly as the grass in the field, although to
Sometimes man does not understand it this way and even believes himself to be immortal...
But time passes and passes very quickly because man ages.
and is rapidly approaching death.
Likewise, a man without God has no solution for his life. His
wickedness condemns them to eternal separation from God, because God
can only condemn the man who does not repent of his
sins. Moses compares the greatness of God and the smallness of
man. Only if we feel small before God
We must seek Him to avoid suffering the punishment of a Just God.
Am I aware of how small my life is in front of
God...?

74: THE DIFFICULTY OF LIFE ON EARTH

Because all our days decline because of your anger; we end up
our years as a thought. The days of our age are
seventy years; and if the most robust live to eighty years, still,
Its strength is annoyance and work, because soon they pass, and we fly.
(Psalm 90: 9-10)

No one is unaware of how difficult life is. Someone said that life is
a succession of sorrows and difficulties, than the happy moments
they are fleeting and temporary, and that the constant of human life
it is the worry and the pain... This is very true for man
without God.
Although we live many years, we know that old age arrives with
pains and discomfort, and arrives soon, almost by surprise… Many
Sometimes man in his pride does not accept his weaknesses, he believes
owner of time and leaves to later settle his accounts with God.
The life of the believer, even with the same difficulties, is different,
because the believer in God lives with the hope of His promises
eternal.
Do I overcome the difficulties of life holding the Lord's hand?

75: LIVE WITH THE WISDOM OF GOD

Who knows the power of your anger, and your indignation according to what you must
to be feared? Teach us to count our days in such a way that
“Let us bring wisdom to the heart.” (Psalm 90: 11-12)

Man must acknowledge that God is Just and firm in His

judgments... Many times we emphasize God's love so much that
we usually forget His justice. That's why we must fear Him, not because He
act as a severe and intolerant God, but because being Just and
Saint cannot tolerate our sins and demands our
regret...
The man must then ask God for wisdom to live his days.
learning from every experience. Every encounter should help the
man to understand his need for God and to be "with
good with the Lord... Then each day will be precious in life
of man. But for this, he must humbly ask for wisdom from the
Sir.
I live each of my days seeking the wisdom that comes from
Sir?

A NECESSARY OUTCRY TO THE LORD

Turn back, oh Lord; how long? And be merciful to your
servants. In the morning satisfy us with your mercy, and we will sing and
we will rejoice all our days. Make us glad according to the
days that you afflicted us, and the years in which we saw evil. Let it appear in
Your servants your work, and your glory upon your children.” (Psalm 90: 13-16)

Moses recognizes the sadness of his people due to so many sins.

that they made God angry, and they know that when there are sins among the
men and God things are not going well... But he also knows the
love of God, His infinite patience and mercy. That is why He cries out
so that God may appease his wrath and pour mercy upon them;
You know that only in this way can joyful and happy days come...
In the same way, man must recognize that the true
Joy is in the heart of one who knows the forgiveness of God.
Am I happy living knowing that the Lord has forgiven my sins?

77: THE LIGHT OF GOD UPON US AS APPROVAL

May the light of the Lord our God be upon us, and the work of
our hands confirm about us; yes, the work of our
hands confirm.

Moses knows that Israel is in the hands of God; he knows that without the
the protection and blessing of the Lord, Israel would not have survived.
his own sins, and knows that he would not survive in the future… For
that calls for the light of the Lord to be upon His people, because
Only the Lord can guide you along paths of blessing.
Then call upon the Lord to approve all the works of his
village... But this claim comes from a heart that longs
obey the Lord.
Every believer should always seek the Lord's guidance in their life.
as the only and valid light, eager to obey God and to feel
his approval every day in everything he does.
I feel that the Lord approves of my actions because they are obedient to
The?

THE MASTER AND THE HUMBLE

"Seeing the crowd, he went up the mountain; and sitting down, his disciples came to him."
disciples. And opening his mouth, he taught them, saying:
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom.
from the heavens." (Matthew 5:1-3)

Jesus once again finds himself surrounded by an uncountable number of

people... It wasn't his preferred style; the Bible tells us that He
he favored individual face-to-face meetings. But upon seeing the
the crowd was moved and began to teach about the Kingdom of the
Heavens. This was an important part of their mission. The world does not
I could understand his sacrifice on the cross if he did not teach the
principles of the Kingdom.
The word Blessed means "happy, fortunate"... Jesus
define the 'poor in spirit' this way, the humble, discarding
indirectly to the proud, haughty, and vain. They are the ones of the
Kingdom of Heaven... Of the humble! Thus he establishes a condition.
essential for having Eternal Life: humility.
Do I recognize Jesus as 'my' Teacher? Do I long for humility...?

79: THOSE WHO MOURN AND THE MEEK

Blessed are those who mourn, for they will receive
consolation... Blessed are the meek, for they shall receive
the earth for inheritance." (Matthew 5: 4-5)

Jesus now stops at those who cry and at the meek... In

Many lived in truly conflicting situations.
family and economic matters, as a result of strong oppression
They longed to be free. Jesus does not promise them freedom.
politics but does urge them to have faith that they will receive comfort. The
comfort is not a political change: the comfort promised by Jesus
it is one that comes from God and is born within man.
Many Jews, fervent patriots, were willing to fight.
to the empire with violence (it had already happened years before with the
Maccabees); but Jesus highlights the meek, those who endure
stoically the adverse conditions. Jesus promises them the land
by inheritance, referring to the fact that the meek will be
heirs of the Kingdom of Heaven.
Do I wait for the comfort of the Lord with meekness and hope?

80: THOSE WHO LONG FOR JUSTICE AND THE MERCIFUL

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for justice, for
they will be satisfied. Blessed are the merciful, for
they will obtain mercy." (Matthew 5: 6-7)
In our days, people are selfish and petty, and if they don't feel
directly affected by social situations, tends to close the
eyes to them. For a long time we were even taught that the
Christians should not raise our voices denouncing the
injustices of the world in which we live. Jesus says exactly the same
opposite and calls "blessed" everyone who opens their eyes and
his heart to the injustices that exist around him even though it doesn't
directly affect... This is one of the clearest
manifestations of a merciful heart. Jesus promises that
those who hunger for justice will be satisfied and the merciful will
they will make themselves worthy of divine mercy.
Do I lift my eyes and suffer from the injustice that surrounds me? Do I experience the
mercy of God?

81: THE PURE OF HEART AND THE PEACEMAKERS

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called
children of God.” (St. Matthew 5: 8-9)

Those with a clean heart are those whom the world sometimes
catalogs them as naive and inexperienced... But in reality Jesus
highlight those who have nobility in their hearts and are not
given to bad thinking. It doesn't happen like that in the world: people always
think badly, judge and condemn… Only those with a pure heart will see
God, not those who fill their minds with dirty thoughts.
It will also happen with those who make peace; those who prefer the
calm, forgiveness, tolerance, to disputes and anger. They will be
called children of God, because the Father loves humanity and
he desires peace for all men.
How is my heart? Do I long for us all to live in peace?

Those who are persecuted for just causes

Blessed are those who are persecuted for the sake of the
justice, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” (S. Matthew 5: 10)

In the world we live in, the motto seems to be 'save yourself.'

quien pueda” y el sabio para el mundo es aquel que se preocupa
only for their own, not caring about others. However the
the most beautiful history of humanity has been written by those
who defended just causes beyond the hardships that their
commitment could bring to their lives...
Jesus is the sublime example, and the Christians of the early years
they followed that example of the Master.
Today, the world also needs committed Christians.
just causes, willing to show the love and justice of Christ,
for "the kingdom of heaven belongs to them."
How far does my commitment to Christ go?

OUR AWARD IN THE HEAVENS

Blessed are you when they revile you for my sake and you
they will persecute you and say all kinds of evil against you, lying.
Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in the
heaven; for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you
You.

In our days, a "easy gospel" is preached; we hear it said

from the pulpits that if we follow Jesus everything will be fine, no
there will be no diseases or problems. However, the Lord in this
the passage is saying just the opposite: Blessed is he who
is willing to pay the price of being faithful to Christ. In the first
century many of the followers of Jesus sowed with their blood
the path of salvation for all humanity... The commitment is
the same although in some societies like ours it is more
accepted being Christian... in many parts of the world being Christian
it involves risking losing one's life... The prophets and the
apostles gave their lives to proclaim the Truth of God. If
We long for their award; we must risk ourselves the same.
way.
How much have I suffered for following the Lord...?

84: SAL AND LIGHT OF THE EARTH

You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt has lost its flavor, how
what will be salty? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out
outside and trampled by men.
You are the light of the world; a city set on a
A mountain cannot be hidden...

Jesus clearly defines the importance of his followers.

they would have for humanity... Salt and light are essential
so that life is well lived and the path of men can
be the correct one. Jesus demands his own to be salt and light of the
earth. This commitment implies, first of all, to preach with
I dare to proclaim the Truth of the Gospel; this would be the Light that the world ...
needs for man to walk on divine paths. In
second place this commitment implies living the life that the
The Gospel proposes; this is the Salt that the world needs for
to know that there is a life worthy of being lived: the life that only
Christ can offer.
For this reason, the believer should never cease to proclaim the Gospel nor
live the Christian life in front of others so that they can too
they create.
Am I Salt...? Am I Light...?

85: CHRIST IS OUR ADVOCATE

My little children, I write these things to you so that you do not sin; and if
if anyone has sinned, we have an advocate with the Father, to
Jesus Christ the Just.
And He is the propitiation for our sins; and not only for the
our, but also for the whole world.” (1 John 2: 1-2)

God's desire is that man does not sin... For the

Christians, the demand is stronger because believers have
the knowledge of the Lord and the power of His Spirit to deliver us from
the temptation. John writes to the believers... However, the same
the apostle acknowledges that sometimes the believer sins, but
immediately remember that Christ is our advocate and that
we must come to Him in a spirit of repentance, because He is the
the price that God paid for our sins and for the sins of
all the inhabitants of the world... However, it is clear that Christ
He is the lawyer only of those who believe in Him as Savior.
and Lord.
Do I feel that Jesus Christ is my advocate before the Father?

KEEPING HIS WORD

And in this we know that we know him, if we keep his
commandments. He who says: I know Him, and does not keep His
commandments, such a one is a liar, and the truth is not in him; but the
who keeps his word, in this truly the love of God is
has perfected; for this we know that we are in Him." (1 John 2:
3-5)

Keeping the commandments of the Lord is the distinction of the true.

Cristiano, even when we sometimes fall into sin, the
repentance will work immediately in such a way that
to reconcile ourselves with the Lord. Therefore, no one can say that it is
Cristiano, who knows Christ, if he does not long to obey Him. And this is
thus for two reasons: first because to know Christ
it involves knowing and feeling the love of God, hence the love of God
he perfects himself in obedience; secondly, a perfect
knowledge of Christ is only possible if the Holy Spirit has
revealed and lives in the believer... When the Spirit of God lives in
A believer gives the strength to overcome temptation.
Does my life show that I truly know Jesus?

WALKING LIKE HIM

Whoever claims to abide in Him must walk as He walked.
(1 John 2:6)

This is a maxim of the apostle John that is more than a comment,

because no one can dispute its accuracy and clarity, it deserves a
analysis of our behavior, of our daily actions, of
our way of living...
I cannot say that I remain in Christ if I do not walk in His
I walk and imitate their example. When I speak, my words are the
words of the Lord?; when I express my feelings towards the
other people, do I reflect the love of Jesus?; when I feel the pain
Do I grieve for my peers as the Lord did?…
A true believer should always be asking themselves this kind of question.
of questions...
Is my path the path of the Lord...? Do I follow in His footsteps?

88: THE MANDATE TO LOVE ONE ANOTHER AS HE LOVED US

"Brothers, I am not writing to you a new commandment, but the
ancient commandment that you have had from the beginning; this
ancient commandment is the word that you have heard since the
principle... However, I write to you a new commandment, which is
true in him and in you, because the darkness is passing away, and
the true light is already shining.” (1John 2: 7-8)

The Word of God endures through the ages... God does not
it can contradict itself, because if it were so He would not be the Truth. For
So Juan warns the believers of the late first century that he does not
he is not going to write anything different from what is already written.
But John mentions 'a new commandment' that is reflected in the
the life of Christ 'for the darkness is passing away, and the true light'
it shines”… This light is Christ himself and the new commandment is
love one another as Christ loved us. Before life
of Jesus we had no example to imitate; now, think
Juan, he is that example (let's re-read verse 6).
Do I strive to love with the love of the Lord?
IN THE LIGHT OF LOVE FOR THE BROTHER
He who says he is in the light and hates his brother is in darkness.
still in darkness. He who loves his brother remains in the
light, and in him there is no stumbling. But he who hates his brother is
in darkness, and walks in darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the
darkness has blinded their eyes.” (1 John 2: 9-11)

Resentment is one of the most painful feelings for the being.

human... Being unable to love another person is one of the
greater shortages. That's why for Juan, the one who does not have this
ability is in darkness and their eyes are blind, but the one who is
he who is capable of loving his neighbor remains in the light and does not stumble...
We can all remember a time when we have let ourselves go.
to be carried away by resentments and anger; surely in those moments not
we thought very carefully about what we did and said and we
we're mistaken. Yes, on the contrary, beyond the circumstances
we can love our neighbors, there will be no stumbling in our
path.
Only a true Christian, filled with the love of the Lord, can love.
with this capability.
What was the last act of love I had towards my neighbor?

90: COMPLETE IN CHRIST

Beware that no one deceives you through philosophies and empty
subtleties, according to the traditions of men, in accordance with the
rudiments of the world, and not according to Christ. Because in him dwells
bodily the fullness of Deity, and you are
complete in him, who is the head of all principality and power.
(Colossians 2: 8-10)

The intention of the apostle Paul is to make it very clear to the

believers in Colossae that the sacrifice of Jesus Christ was sufficient
for the salvation of all men of the world who are in Him
they would have to believe. To add rules, sacrifices, or rituals as if
were necessary for salvation is, for Paul, a 'deception' that
results from 'philosophies and hollow subtleties' according to the
customs of the world and against the teachings of it
Mister.
That is why, as believers, if the Spirit of God truly lives in
we, our deeds will be pleasing to God because they will be born in
we spontaneously and not by imposed obligations...
We are complete in Christ, and we must live accordingly.
with it, in the fullness of His Grace.
I feel that the sacrifice of Jesus is enough for me and Him
I obey and serve with joy?

BURIED WITH HIM AND RAISED WITH HIM

In him you were also circumcised with a circumcision not made by hand.
man, by casting out the sinful carnal body from you, in the
circumcision of Christ; buried with him in baptism, in which
you were also raised with him, through faith in the power of
God who raised him from the dead.

Circumcision was a mark of the Jewish Law... Many Jews

converted to Christianity could not rid themselves of their legalism and
That's why they were discussing about the Grace of God. But salvation
given by God to men is a gift that, for that reason, does not
it can be paid in no way. It is accepted or not... And then it
live. To this life dedicated to Christ, Paul calls it 'uncircumcision not
"made by hands" because when we accept Jesus, we cut off sin from
our lives.
That is why Paul speaks of being buried with Christ… Baptism is
a symbol of our dying with Christ. This is the necessary step
to live with Him "through faith in the power of God who raised him up
of the dead.
Have I given my life to the Lord to live with Him forever?

92: ALL OUR SINS FORGIVEN ON THE CROSS

And you, being dead in sins and in the uncircumcision of
your flesh, gave you life together with him, forgiving you all
the sins, nullifying the record of the decrees that were against
we, who was against us, removing it from the midst and
nailing it to the cross… triumphing over them at the cross.
(Colossians 2: 13-15)

This passage is in itself a compendium of the total work that the

the cross of Christ works for our salvation. In it, when Jesus died,
all the sins we have committed are paid for and that
we will have to commit, if we have truly placed our trust in Jesus
faith and we have received Him into our hearts as Savior and Lord
of our lives. Jesus' triumph over the cross is the guarantee of
his power to pay for our sins and to annul the decree of
death that weighed upon us because of them... Nothing else
it remains to be done, just accept Jesus Christ and consider his
and in this sentence summarizes the new condition of the believer regarding
to God.
That is why, when a religion filled with fears is taught
imposed obligations contradict the spirit of the Gospel.
But that freedom comes with a heavy dose of responsibility: we must
be willing to give our lives for the Lord if we long for His glory; and
not as an imposition, but as the most beautiful
demonstration of love for Christ.
Do I feel that the Lord has given me true freedom? Am I
responsible for her?

39: THE COMING GLORY

For I am certain that the sufferings of the present time do not
they are comparable to the glory to come that will be in us
to manifest itself. Because the burning desire of all creation is the
waiting for the manifestation of the sons of God... because also the
creation itself will be freed from the slavery of corruption, to the
glorious freedom of the children of God.” (Romans 8: 18-19, 21)

Continuing with the previous concept, when expressing the commitment

that every believer must be willing to suffer
together with Christ, Paul expresses his absolute certainty that
All that we may suffer for following Jesus cannot
comparing in any way with the glory that we will have with Him
Father... Glory that even creation itself eagerly awaits to be
the perfect and honorable framework of the new life of the children of God.
Imagine how beautiful it will be to live in 'new heavens and a new earth.'
in the very presence of the Lord, it must always drive us to be
willing to suffer for Christ, if necessary, to reign one day
eternally with Him.
Am I willing to suffer for Christ in order to live gloriously with Him?
The?

40: THOSE WHO LOVE GOD

And we know that to those who love God, all things work together for good
to those who are called according to his purpose.
Because those whom he foreknew, he also predestined to be
made in the image of his Son, that he might be the
firstborn among many brethren.” (Romans 8: 28-29)

There are two important themes in this passage: first, Paul

expresses his conviction that if we love God, all things
that can happen in our lives will be for good. And this is
believer is one who acts in the life of each person to lead them to
fulfill the will of God. That's why no other rules are needed.
that faith in Jesus Christ as support, and love as behavior towards
God and the neighbor.
The rules that men establish pass with usage, they change.
with the customs and they are for those who are of the world... But the
Believers belong to the Kingdom of God and live under His grace.
Have I freed myself from the 'elements of the world'?

95: USELESS EFFORTS

Such things have a certain reputation for wisdom in truth
voluntary worship, in humility and in harsh treatment of the body; but not
they have no value against the appetites of the flesh.” (Colossians 2:
23)

This teaching is really important because often a

a poor understanding of what God wants from us leads us to
to live unproductive and disappointing religious lives... Perhaps
someone can resolve to assume certain behaviors that are
considered good for your body or for your relationships with the
others, but in no way will any sacrifice serve to
to extinguish 'the appetites of the flesh.' Only the Spirit of God
can give man the power to overcome temptations... Without it
power of the Spirit, no matter how much we sacrifice and strive,
we will be able to overcome the evil that assails us.
Do I let the work in my life be done by the Spirit of God?

THE THINGS ABOVE

If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above,
where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your gaze on the
things above, not on the things of the earth." (Colossians 3: 1-2)

The believer must set their gaze on the things of the Lord;
these are the things "above", the heavenly matters... Many
sometimes things that are not necessarily bad occupy our mind with a
obsessively and divert our gaze from the things that
they please the Lord and in which He wants us to be engaged.
When Paul says 'set your mind on things above,' he also
it refers to the expectations we have in our lives, to the
hopes and longings... Our expectations, hopes and
longings must be directed toward the Lord, toward His purposes and to the
Eternal Life that He is preparing for those who remain
faithful seek the things above…
Where do I direct my gaze...?

WAITING FOR GLORY WITH CHRIST

For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in
God. When Christ, your life, is manifested, then you
you will also be revealed with him in glory.” (Colossians 3: 3-4)

Many times we hear people say "this is not a life that

I am living
his unresolved anguish, his afflictions, his illnesses...
Some also say that Christians do not live because of our faith.
"life" because we do not succumb to the easy pleasures that it
the world proposes to us. When Pablo says that our life is
"hidden with Christ in God" encourages us to confidently await His
coming to make our entire glory of Eternal Life. This does not
it means that our life will only be worth something when the Lord comes...
It's worth it now and a true believer knows it very well! So,
when the Lord comes, that valuable life we have already lived in Christ
It will manifest so that everyone can see it. That is the promise.
Do I expect the manifestation of a victorious life in Christ, mine?

98: THE THINGS THAT ANGER GOD

Therefore, put to death the earthly things in you: fornication, impurity,
disordered passions, bad desires, and greed, which is idolatry;
things for which the wrath of God comes upon the children of
disobedience, in which you once walked
when you lived in them.” (Colossians 3:5-7)

"To make die" means to abandon, leave behind forever those.

behaviors that are not worthy of a life dedicated to the Lord.
So that when Christ comes, our life may be manifested in glory,
it is necessary that, through the work of the Holy Spirit in our life,
let's abandon the things that anger God and make Him
punished severely... The Colossians had lived in these
conditions before meeting Jesus, but after having
having manifested his faith in Christ, it was impossible to continue living in those
conditions. This must happen with all believers: we must
reflect on those things that displease the Lord and
to set them apart from our lives if we truly follow Him.
Can I recognize the things that have changed in my life for
Christ?
99: THINGS WE MUST LEAVE BEHIND TO DRESS LIKE
NEW MEN
But now you must also put away all these things: anger, wrath,
malice, blasphemy, dishonest words from your mouth… No
you lie to one another, having stripped off the old man
with its deeds, and clothed in the new one, which is according to the image
from the one who created it is renewed until full knowledge...
(Colossians 3: 8-10)

Pablo insists on making a list of those things we must do.

let Christ live in us. It is very important that each
believer can make a list of those characteristics of their
personality that recognizes as opposing to the Will of God
for his life, and place in his heart and mind the desire to
to leave them, with the help of the Holy Spirit.
Only by shedding these "old garments" can we
to dress ourselves in the new man who, according to Paul, must reflect the
image of the Creator... Surely the apostle is thinking of
Christ.
Does my new life reflect Jesus Christ?

100: CHRIST: THE ALL IN ALL

...where there is no Greek or Jew, circumcision or uncircumcision,
barbarian nor Scythian, servant nor free, but Christ is all, and in
everyone." (Colossians 3: 11)

For God, there is no difference between people... Paul emphasizes this because
many Jews, even those who had converted to Christianity, believed that they
They were a town that enjoyed special privileges and prerogatives.
exceptional divinities. In reality, God formed a people to be able to
to raise from that town the Savior of the world… That is to whom
He would be the Savior of all men and not just of some.
privileged. God's desire is for Christ to be all in all
the men of the world; that is to say, that all men feel
full and complete in Jesus. This universal vision is making
a lot of lack among believers in our days...