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Desires of Our Heart

By on July 5, 2021

Desires_of_Our_Heart

We often talk about the gift of Salvation as a transformation of the heart. Jesus came to give us eternal life through faith in Him and His sacrifice on the cross. His death established a new covenant for all who would come to Him in faith; “This is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sin” (Matthew 26:28).

When we enter into this covenant we are transformed; “I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh” (Ezekiel 36:26). This is the same transformation referred to by Paul: “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” (2 Corinthians 5:17). It is also referred to as the “circumcision of the heart, by the Spirit” (Romans 2:29).

As we continue our walk with God – as we continue our journey with a new and transformed heart – we begin a process of being “conformed to the likeness of His Son” (Romans 8:29). This transformation, which begins in our heart, continues for all the rest of our days. We may call this process growth or maturity, but the result is a heart which is becoming more and more like Jesus.

Psalm 37:4
“Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart.”

This verse is sometimes misinterpreted to say that God has promised to fulfill all our current desires. There are people all over the world thinking that if they “pursue” God, they will receive an increase in their financial status – a better job, a nicer car, or a bigger home. This is a sad misapplication of scripture! When we are far from God, our heart is full of worldly desires. Apart from God, we will spend a lifetime trying to fulfill these desires only to find we are never satisfied or content.

But God says we need not spend our life chasing these unfulfilling desires. As we are diligent to draw close to God, learn of His ways, and become obedient to His commands, He gives us new desires. As we love the Lord with all our heart, our current desires are replaced with something infinitely better, the desires of Christ. The single desire of Jesus was to glorify His Father by completing the work He was given to do (John 17:4). Jesus was content beyond our comprehension because He was truly one with His Heavenly Father!

The wonderful blessing from God is that as we delight in Him, He transforms our desires and also gives us the ability to fulfill these desires. This is the only way we will ever find true contentment and peace. Let’s learn to live each moment delighting in our Lord. Let’s allow Him to continue the transformation by giving us, and then teaching us how to satisfy, the desires of our heart.

Have a Christ Centered Day!

Steve Troxel
God’s Daily Word Ministries

**** Reading Plan ****

Jul 5 1 Chronicles 1:1-2:17; Acts 23:11-35; Psalm 3:1-8; Proverbs 18:14-15

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Prevent The Sparks

By on July 1, 2021

Prevent_The_Sparks

Every year, sparks from hot campfires or careless matches start fires which consume millions of trees in beautiful forests. Once begun, these fires move unrelentingly through hills and valleys – nothing is safe from the fury of the flames.

Every year, sparks from hot tempers or careless words start fires which consume millions of lives in beautiful relationships. Once begun, these fires move unrelentingly through self-esteem and trust – nothing is safe from the fury of the tongue.

James 3:5-6
“Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body.”

Our tongue has incredible power to build up and encourage, as well as tear down and destroy. And though our sins are eternally forgiven when we place our trust in Jesus, the day will come when our careless words are revealed and we see the full extent of the damage we have done; “men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken” (Matthew 12:36).

I confess I often dread the day when I must account for every careless word; there are indeed many. Perhaps the purpose of that day is to permanently etch in our soul a full appreciation for God’s love. Even with all my careless words, He loves me and wants to spend eternity with me in fellowship. Amazing! But how I long for better control.

David prayed that God would “set a guard over my mouth and keep watch over the door of my lips” (Psalms 141:3). While this is a wise prayer, our lips must be seen as an absolute last line of defense – once our words escape they can almost never be fully recovered. We must strive to control the sparks at the true source; “out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks” (Matthew 12:34).

If our heart is filled with the ways of the world, our mouth will naturally speak the world’s wisdom which is “foolishness in God’s sight” (1 Corinthians 3:19). Rather, we must fill our heart with the ways of God and allow our mouth to overflow with His love; “I have hidden Your word in my heart that I might not sin against You” (Psalms 119:11).

Have we been the cause of some raging fires or smoldering embers? If so, we must pray for healing and believe that “with God all things are possible” (Matthew 19:26). We must fill our heart with the power of His Word and “not let any unwholesome talk come out of our mouths” (Ephesians 4:29). Let’s stop the destructive fires. Let’s begin today to fill our heart with His Word and prevent the sparks.

Have a Christ Centered Day!

Steve Troxel
God’s Daily Word Ministries

**** Reading Plan ****

Jul 1 2 Kings 18:13-19:37; Acts 21:1-17; Psalm 149:1-9; Proverbs 18:8
Jul 2 2 Kings 20:1-22:2; Acts 21:18-36; Psalm 150:1-6; Proverbs 18:9-10
Jul 3 2 Kings 22:3-23:30; Acts 21:37-22:16; Psalm 1:1-6; Proverbs 18:11-12
Jul 4 2 Kings 23:31-25:30; Acts 22:17-23:10; Psalm 2:1-12; Proverbs 18:13

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Hear The Call

By on April 27, 2021

Hear_The_Call

In the last two messages, we’ve considered Peter as he responded to Jesus’ call: “Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus” (Matthew 14:29). We saw that Peter needed great faith to step out of the boat, even though his faith quickly faded “when he saw the wind” (Matthew 14:30). But we also saw that before Peter could even get out of the boat, he first needed to hear and recognize the clear call of God; “Lord, if it is You, tell me to come to You on the water” (Matthew 14:28).

It wasn’t faith alone which allowed Peter to walk on the water; he had to apply his faith to the call of Christ. It was Jesus who provided a firm foundation under Peter’s feet as he stepped. Peter wasn’t specially gifted at water walking – he simply heard the call and obeyed in faith.

If Peter would have sailed to the exact same spot the following day and stepped out of the boat without being called, he would have sunk like a heavy stone – guaranteed! Peter could not have commanded the water to hold nor “claimed” a solid foundation for His feet, no matter how loudly or sincerely he made his claim! His faith would not have kept him on top of the water for even a fraction of a second. His “success” on the water was not due as much to the magnitude of his faith as it was to properly hearing and then applying his faith to the call of Jesus.

John 10:27
“My sheep listen to My voice; I know them, and they follow Me.”

We seem to spend much of our life wandering without direction, but it is God’s desire that we follow closely after His Son; “He goes on ahead of them, and His sheep follow Him because they know His voice” (John 10:4). Do we really know His voice? How often do we set aside time to listen? If we only occasionally listen to the voice of our Lord, how will we even recognize His call? We live in a world so filled with distractions that we must not wait until the crisis of a storm. If we haven’t learned to filter out the competing noises of the world, God’s call will be lost in the crashing waves.

We must spend time away from the “noise” where we can be alone with God and learn to recognize His voice. We must establish times of quiet to read His Word and talk with Him in prayer; “Sanctify them by the truth; Your Word is truth” (John 17:17). As we meditate on the truth of His Word and pray for understanding, our spiritual filter will become tuned. Then, when we enter a storm, the noise may still surround us, but our filter will only allow a single voice to enter.

Let’s develop the discipline of listening along with the spiritual ability to filter and recognize the voice of God. Our faith will be strong enough to respond – strong enough to step – but we must first be able to hear the call.

Have a Christ Centered Day!

Steve Troxel
God’s Daily Word Ministries

**** Reading Plan ****

Apr 27 Judges 7:1-8:16; Luke 23:11-43; Psalm 97:1-98:9; Proverbs 14:7-8

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Escuchar Su Llamado

By on April 27, 2021

Hear_The_Call

En los últimos dos mensajes, hemos considerado la forma en que Pedro respondió al llamado de Jesús: “Y descendiendo Pedro de la barca, andaba sobre las aguas para ir a Jesús” (Mateo 14:29). Vimos como Pedro necesitaba de gran fe para salir del bote, aunque su fe rapidamente se desvanecia “al ver el fuerte viento” (Mateo 14:30). Pero también vimos que antes que pudiera salir Pedro de la barca, el necesitaba primero escuchar y reconocer el claro llamado de Dios; “Señor, si eres tú, manda que yo vaya a ti sobre las aguas” (Mateo 14:28).

No fue solamente fe que permitió a Pedro caminar sobre el agua, sino tuvo que aplicar su fe al llamado de Jesús. Era Jesús quien proveyó una firme fundación debajo de los pies de Pedro mientras caminaba. Pedro no tuvo un don especial para caminar sobre agua – él simplemente oyó el llamado y obedeció en fe.

Si Pedro hubiera navegado en ese mismo lugar al día siguiente y hubiera salido de la barca sin ser llamado, se hubiera hundido como una piedra – garantizado! Pedro no hubiera podido mandar al agua que lo sostuviera ni “reclamar” una sólida fundación para Sus pies. Su fe no lo hubiera mantenido sobre el agua ni por una fracción de segundo. Su “éxito” en el agua no se debió tanto a la magnitud de su fe como lo fue el escuchar apropiadamente y después aplicar su fe al llamado de Jesús.

Juan 10:27
“Mis ovejas oyen Mi voz, y yo las conozco, y Me siguen.”

Parece que pasamos mucho de nuestra vida vagando sin dirección, pero es el deseo de Dios que sigamos de cerca a Su Hijo; “va delante de ellas; y las ovejas le siguen, porque conocen su voz” (Juan 10:4). ¿Realmente conocemos su voz? ¿Con cuanta frecuencia apartamos tiempo para escuchar? Si solo ocasionalmente escuchamos la voz de nuestro Señor, como vamos a reconocer Su llamado? Vivimos en un mundo tan lleno de distracciones que no debemos esperar hasta la crisis de una tormenta. Si no hemos aprendido a filtrar los ruidos del mundo, el llamado de Dios se perderá entre las olas que chocan.

Debemos de pasar tiempo alejados del “ruido” donde podamos estar solos con Dios y aprender a reconocer Su voz. Debemos establecer tiempos de quietud para leer Su Palabra y hablar con El en oración; “Santifícalos en tu verdad; tu palabra es verdad” (Juan 17:17). Mientras meditamos en la verdad de Su Palabra y oramos por entendimiento, nuestro filtro Espiritual se va a sintonizar. Luego, cuando entramos a la tormenta, el ruido todavía podrá rodearnos, pero nuestro filtro permitirá la entrada de una sola voz.

Desarrollemos la disciplina de escuchar con la habilidad Espiritual de filtrar y reconocer la voz de Dios. Nuestra fe va a ser suficiente para responder – suficientemente fuerte para caminar – pero primero debemos ser capaces de escuchar su llamado.

Tenga un Dia Centrado en Cristo!

Steve Troxel
Ministerios La Palabra Diaria de Dios

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Focused On Jesus

By on April 26, 2021

Focused_On_Jesus

I’ve always been impulsive. I was one of the first to follow Jesus. I didn’t even know who He was, but when He said “Come, follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men” (Matthew 4:19), though I didn’t know what He meant, I dropped my fishing nets and followed. After three years, I foolishly told Jesus I was “ready to go with You to prison and to death” (Luke 22:33), but that same night I denied I even knew Him…three times! And in the garden, when the soldiers came to take Him away, I drew my sword “and struck the high priest’s servant, cutting off his right ear” (John 18:10).

But the most impulsive thing I ever did was that night in the boat. The waves were rough and we had “rowed three or three and a half miles” (John 6:19), when I saw Jesus walking on the water. I told Him I would come if He called, and the next thing I knew I was jumping out of the boat! And I didn’t sink!! I just kept my eyes on Jesus. I knew in my heart He was “the Christ, the Son of the living God” (Matthew 16:16), but the wind was blowing so hard and the waves kept crashing against my legs.

Matthew 14:30
“But when he {Peter} saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, ‘Lord, save me!'”

Jesus said Peter began to sink because he doubted and had little faith (Matthew 14:31). But let’s not be too hard on Peter. Remember, no one else even left the boat! Peter stepped out of the boat and took several steps on top of the water!! But then he lost his focus.

Peter was in the middle of an awesome display of God’s power, and yet he “saw the wind,” or at least the effects of the wind. Peter began to look at the turbulence of the world and not at the One who created the world; “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith” (Hebrews 12:2).

There are times when we clearly see God’s hand at work. Our eyes become focused on Jesus, His peace fills our life, and the foundation under our feet feels solid and secure. However, it’s usually not long before the wind begins to blow, the waves rise up, and we experience that sinking feeling. When this happens (and it will) we must not despair, for this is also part of God’s wonderful plan. As we are sinking, He always reaches out His hand as an invitation to draw near and know Him better – to know He will always be there when we cry out “Lord, save me!”

The walk of faith cannot be accomplished in our own strength. With each step we must “put to death whatever belongs to your earthly nature” (Colossians 3:5), and “clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 13:14). Every day we must take our eyes off our own ability and the pulls of the world – take our eyes off the wind – and commit to trusting and keeping our eyes focused on Jesus.

Have a Christ Centered Day!

Steve Troxel
God’s Daily Word Ministries

**** Reading Plan ****

Apr 26 Judges 6:1-40; Luke 22:55-23:10; Psalm 95:1-96:13; Proverbs 14:5-6

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Enfocados en Jesús

By on April 26, 2021

Focused_On_Jesus

Yo he sido siempre un poco impulsivo. Fuí uno de los primeros discípulos en seguir a Jesús. Yo ni siquiera sabía quien era El, y cuando El dijo “Venid en pos de mí, y os haré pescadores de hombres” (Mateo 4:19), yo ni siquiera sabía lo que El quería decir, pero dejé mis redes y lo seguí. Después de tres años, tontamente le dije a Jesús “dispuesto estoy a ir contigo no sólo a la cárcel, sino también a la muerte” (Lucas 22:33), pero más tarde esa misma noche negué siquiera conocerlo – tres veces! Y, en el jardín, cuando los soldados vinieron a llevarselo, saqué mi espada “y herí al siervo del sumo sacerdote, y le corte la oreja derecha” (Juan 18:10).

Pero lo más impulsivo que he hecho fue aquella noche en el bote. Las olas eran fuertes y habíamos “remado como veinticinco o treinta estadios” (Juan 6:19), cuando vi a Jesús caminando sobre el agua. Yo le dije que iría si El me llamaba y la próxima cosa que vi fue que estaba saliendo del bote! Y no me hundí!! Yo mantuve mis ojos en Jesús, yo sabía en mi corazón que El era “el Cristo, el Hijo del Dios viviente” (Mateo 16:16), pero el viento estaba soplando tan fuerte y las olas se mantenían chocando contra mis piernas.

Mateo 14:30
“Pero al ver el fuerte viento, tuvo miedo; y comenzando a hundirse, dio voces, diciendo: !!Señor, sálvame!”

Jesús dijo que Pedro comenzó a undirse porque el dudó y tenía poca fe (Mateo 14:31), pero no seamos tan duros con Pedro – recordemos, nadie más ni siquiera salieron del bote! Pedro salió del bote y dio varios pasos sobre el agua!! Pero después perdió su enfoque.

Pedro estaba enmedio de una maravillosa manifestación del poder de Dios y aún así el “vio el viento” o al menos sus efectos. Pedro comenzó a ver la turbulencia del mundo y no a Quien creó el mundo; “puestos los ojos en Jesús, el autor y consumador de la fe” (Hebreos 12:2).

Hay tiempos en que claramente vemos la mano de Dios obrando. Nuestros ojos se enfocan en Jesús, Su paz llena nuestra vida, y la fundación abajo de nuestros pies se siente sólida y segura. Sin embargo, es usualmente no mucho antes que el viento comience a soplar, las olas se levantan, y tenemos esa sensación de estar undiendonos. Cuando esto suceda (y esto sucederá) no debemos desesperarnos, porque esto es también parte del maravilloso plan de Dios. Mientras nos estamos undiendo, El nos alcanza con Su mano como una invitación a acercarnos y conocerle mejor – para saber que El siempre estará allí cuando clamemos “Señor, salvame!”

El camino de la fe no puede ser logrado en nuestras propias fuerzas. Con cada paso debemos “Haced morir, pues, lo terrenal en vosotros” (Colosenses 3:5), y “vestíos del Señor Jesucristo” (Romanos 13:14). Cada día debemos quitar nuestros ojos de nuestra propia habilidad y las atracciones del mundo – quitemos nuestros ojos del viento – y comprometámonos a confiar y mantener nuestros ojos enfocados en Jesús.

Tenga un Dia Centrado en Cristo!

Steve Troxel
Ministerios La Palabra Diaria de Dios

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Step of Faith

By on April 22, 2021

Step_of_Faith

Today was a busy day! Early this morning we heard that King Herod killed John the Baptist. Jesus seemed to take this news pretty hard; “When Jesus heard what had happened, He withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place” (Matthew 14:13). I knew He wanted to be alone, but the crowds kept following Him. Soon there were “about five thousand men, besides women and children” (Matthew 14:21). When it started to get late we tried to send the people home, but Jesus had everyone sit down and He fed them with “five loaves of bread and two fish” (Matthew 14:17). What a day!!

Finally, Jesus sent us across the Sea of Galilee; “After leaving them, He went up on a mountain to pray” (Mark 6:46). I’m glad Jesus is getting some time alone, but I wish He was here right now. It’s dark and the waves are so high. Wait, there’s something out there; something, or someone, walking on the water; “It’s a ghost, they said, and cried out in fear” (Matthew 6:26). No, I think it’s Jesus!

Matthew 14:28-29
“‘Lord, if it’s You,’ Peter replied, ‘tell me to come to You on the water.’ ‘Come,’ He said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus.”

When we read these stories in the Bible we often forget that these were ordinary people involved in something very extra-ordinary. When Peter took that first step onto the water, there was nothing within his physical senses which told him the water would hold. The boat was being tossed by the wind and waves, and Peter certainly had many past experiences which told him that heavy objects sink in water, that his step would fail.

But Peter KNEW Jesus. He had spent time with Jesus; he walked with Him, talked with Him, prayed with Him, and witnessed His miracles. Peter knew the face of Jesus and knew His voice. He knew if Jesus said “Come,” He would also provide a way for him to follow. Jesus made the water solid, but only when and where Peter stepped – only after he stepped out in faith and in response to the call.

The step of faith is needed for any situation which requires a solution beyond what our physical senses can understand. “Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see” (Hebrews 11:1). The situation may be related to relationships, finances, jobs, or ministry opportunities. But it may also be related to raising children, challenges at school, the apparent inability to forgive, or anything else which requires us to operate outside the comfort of the boat.

God calls us to a life of faith. We must spend quality time with our Lord so we can recognize His voice, but when God says “Come,” our only response is to step. Our past experiences may scream it’s not possible and that we will fail; we may not see solid ground, but we must trust that the One who called will provide the solid foundation. Let’s trust Him to provide a way beyond what we can see or understand. Let’s fully trust Him with each and every step of faith!

Have a Christ Centered Day!

Steve Troxel
God’s Daily Word Ministries

**** Reading Plan ****

Apr 22 Joshua 24:1-33; Luke 21:1-28; Psalm 89:38-52; Proverbs 13:20-23
Apr 23 Judges 1:1-2:10; Luke 21:29-22:13; Psalm 90:1-91:16; Proverbs 13:24-25
Apr 24 Judges 2:11-3:31; Luke 22:14-34; Psalm 92:1-93:5; Proverbs 14:1-2
Apr 25 Judges 4:1-5:31; Luke 22:35-54; Psalm 94:1-23; Proverbs 14:3-4

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Paso de Fe

By on April 22, 2021

Step_of_Faith

Ahora fue un día ocupado! Temprano esta mañana nos dimos cuenta que el Rey Herodes había dado muerte a Juan el Bautista; “Cuando Jesús recibió la noticia, se retiró él solo en una barca a un lugar solitario” (Mateo 14:13). Yo sabía que El quería estar solo, pero la multitud no paraba de seguirle. Pronto habían “unos cinco mil hombres, sin contar a las mujeres y a los niños” (Mateo 14:21). Cuando comenzó a hacerse tarde tratamos de mandar a las personas a sus casas, pero Jesús sentó a toda la gente y los alimentó con “cinco panes y dos pescados” (Mateo 14:17). Que día!!

Finalmente, Jesús nos mandó a través del Mar de Galilea; “Cuando se despidió, fue a la montaña para orar” (Marcos 6:46). Me alegra que Jesús esté teniendo un tiempo a solas, pero desearía que estuviera aquí ahora. Esta oscuro y las olas se están haciendo grandes. Espera, hay algo allá afuera; algo, o alguien, caminando en el agua; “¡Es un fantasma!, gritaron de miedo” (Mateo 14:26). No, yo creo que es Jesús!

Mateo 14:28-29
“Señor, si eres tú –respondió Pedro–, mándame que vaya a ti sobre el agua. –Ven –dijo Jesús. Pedro bajó de la barca y caminó sobre el agua en dirección a Jesús.”

Cuando Pedro tomó ese primer paso sobre el agua, no había nada dentro de su sentido físico que le dijera que el agua lo iba a sostener. La barca estaba siendo tirada por el viento y las olas – y Pedro ciertamente tenía experiencias pasadas diciendole que objetos pesados se hunden en el agua- diciendole que su paso iba a fracasar.

Pero Pedro CONOCÍA a Jesús. El había pasado tiempo con Jesús – el había caminado con El, hablado con El, orado con El, y fue testigo de sus milagros. Pedro conoció la cara de Jesús y conoció Su voz. El sabía que si Jesús decía “ven,” El iba a proveer la manera para que el le siguiera. Jesús hizo el agua sólida, pero sólo cuando y donde Pedro se paraba – sólo después de que él se paraba en fe y en respuesta de su llamado.

El paso de fe es necesario para cualquier situación que requiera una solución más allá de lo que nuestros sentidos físicos puedan entender. “Ahora bien, la fe es la garantía de lo que se espera, la certeza de lo que no se ve” (Hebreos 11:1). La situación puede estar relacionada a las finanzas, al trabajo, oportunidades en un ministerio. Pero también puede estar relacionada a la crianza de los hijos, desafíos en la escuela, la aparente inhabilidad para perdonar, o cualquier otra cosa que requiere que operemos afuera de la comodidad de la barca.

Dios nos ha llamado a una vida de fe. Debemos pasar calidad de tiempo con nuestro Señor para poder reconocer Su vos, pero cuando Dios dice “venga,” nuestra única respuesta es dar un paso. Nuestras pasadas experiencias nos pueden gritar que no es posible y que probablemente vamos a fracasar. Quizá no veamos tierra sólida, pero debemos creer que El que nos llamó va a proveer una fundación sólida. Creamos que EL va a proveer la manera con cada uno de los pasos de fe.

Tenga un Dia Centrado en Cristo!

Steve Troxel
Ministerios La Palabra Diaria de Dios

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What It Means To Forgive

By on April 21, 2021

What_It_Means_To_Forgive

In the message “Forgive As He Forgave” we saw that our forgiveness of others should be based on recognizing the magnitude of forgiveness we have been given through faith in Jesus. A true understanding of God’s mercy toward us ought to compel us to be merciful to others. But still, forgiveness remains difficult and somewhat hard to define. Some hurts last a long, long time!

There are those today trying to forgive child abusers, murderers, habitually unfaithful spouses, and a whole list of emotional and physical abuses. I have seen many relationships where small hurts have piled up for several years and now there is nothing but a tangled mess of pain. How do we truly forgive when it hurts so much? Where do we even begin? And how do we know when we have properly forgiven?

Ephesians 4:31-32
“Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”

All forgiveness begins with a belief that God desires us to forgive in any situation; “If you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins” (Matthew 6:15). I’m not sure how to fully interpret this verse, but one thing we know…our call to forgive is serious! If we are unable, or unwilling, to forgive we need to spend more time reflecting on the forgiveness of Christ. Do we really understand? Do we really believe? Our ability to forgive identifies our focus: Is our priority on Christ or on our own needs and desires, hurts and pain?

But forgiveness is not simply saying the words “I forgive you.” Rather, forgiveness is canceling the emotional debt. It means we love and earnestly pray for blessings in the other person’s life; “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” (Matthew 5:44). We should be able to think about the other person without bitterness, rage, or anger. We should be able to pray for an increase in their ministry or business, more peace in their family, and a closer relationship with Jesus. It’s amazing how much healing takes place in our own heart when we sincerely pray for those who have caused us pain.

However, forgiveness does not necessarily mean a relationship must continue as if the hurt never occurred. Our heart may be free of all anger and bitterness – we may earnestly pray for the one who caused us pain – and yet, we no longer trust or enjoy their company. My forgiveness of a child abuser does not require me to leave my children in their care. I can love with a Christ-like love and pray without anger and yet guard my physical body and emotional and spiritual heart. We must trust God to guide our steps in this area.

It’s unfortunate, but most of us are carrying some bitterness toward another person today. These burdensome emotions should not continue in the heart of a Child of God, and the only road to release them is through the gate of forgiveness. Let’s ask God to purify our heart. Let’s refocus on the cross and release our burdens to Him. Let’s honor our Father by showing the world what it means to forgive.

Have a Christ Centered Day!

Steve Troxel
God’s Daily Word Ministries

**** Reading Plan ****

Apr 21 Joshua 22:21-23:16; Luke 20:27-47; Psalm 89:14-37; Proverbs 13:17-19

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Lo Que Significa Perdonar

By on April 21, 2021

What_It_Means_To_Forgive

En el mensaje “Perdonar Como El Perdonó” vimos que nuestro perdón para otros debería estar basado en reconocer la magnitud de perdón que se nos ha dado a través de la fe en Jesús. Un verdadero entendimiento de la misericordia de Dios hacia nosotros, nos obliga a ser misericordiosos con los demás. Pero aún, el perdón se mantiene difícil y de alguna forma ambiguo. Algunas heridas duran taaaaanto tiempo!

Existen algunos hoy en dia tratando de perdonar abusadores de niños, asesinos, conyugues infieles, y una lista larga de dolores emocionales y físicos. He visto relaciones que han acumulado con los años pequeñas heridas y ahora sola queda un desastre de dolor. ¿Como perdonamos verdaderamente cuando duele tanto? ¿Donde empezamos? ¿Y como sabemos cuando hemos perdonado correctamente?

Efesios 4:31-32
“Quítense de vosotros toda amargura, enojo, ira, gritería, maledicencia y toda malicia. Antes sed bondadosos unos con otros, misericordiosos, perdonándoos unos a otros, como Dios también os perdonó a vosotros en Cristo.”

Todo perdón comienza con la creencia que Dios desea que perdonemos en toda situación; “pero si no perdonáis sus ofensas a los hombres, tampoco vuestro Padre os perdonará vuestras ofensas” (Mateo 6:15). Si somos incapaces o no tenemos la voluntad de perdonar, tenemos que pasar mas tiempo refleccionando en el perdón de Cristo. ¿Entendemos verdaderamente? ¿Creemos verdaderamente? Nuestra capacidad de perdonar identifica nuestro enfoque: es nuestra prioridad en Cristo o en nuestras propias necesidades y deseos…heridas y dolores?

Pero perdonar no es simplemente decir las palabras “Te perdono.” En vez, perdonar es cancelar la deuda emocional que mantenemos hacia otra persona. Significa que podemos amar y fervientemente orar por bendiciones en la vida de esa persona; “Amad a vuestros enemigos y orad por los que os ultrajan y os persiguen” (Mateo 5:44). Deberíamos ser capaces de pensar acerca de la otra persona sin amargura, rabia o enojo. Deberíamos poder orar por el crecimiento de sus ministerios o negocios, más paz en sus familias y una relación más cercana con Jesús. Es maravilloso cuanta sanidad toma lugar en nuestro corazón cuando oramos por aquellos que nos han causado dolor.

Sin embargo, perdón no necesariamente significa que una relación tiene que continuar como si la herida nunca se hizo. Nuestro corazón debe ser libre de todo enojo y amargura – podríamos orar seriamente por la otra persona quien nos causó dolor – y aún, no confiar o disfrutar más de su compañía. Mi perdón por una persona que ha abusado de menores no implica que yo deba confiar y dejar a mis hijos a su cuidado. Yo puedo amar con el amor de Cristo y orar sin enojo y simultáneamente guardar mi cuerpo físico y mi corazón emocional y espiritual. Debemos confiar en Dios para guiar nuestros pasos en esta area.

Es desafortunado, pero la mayoría de nosotros estamos ahora cargando amarguras hacia otras personas. Estos agobios emocionales no deberían continuar en el corazón de un Hijo de Dios – y el único camino para liberarlos es a través de la puerta del perdón. Pidamosle a Dios que purifique nuestros corazones. Reenfoquemonos en la cruz y liberemos nuestros cargas a El. Honremos nuestro Padre mostrando al mundo lo que significa perdonar.

Tenga un Dia Centrado en Cristo!

Steve Troxel
Ministerios La Palabra Diaria de Dios

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Forgive As He Forgave

By on April 20, 2021

Forgive_As_He_Forgave

It seems like sooner or later everyone gets mistreated and hurt. Many times the actions against us are unintentional, but other times they can be extremely malicious. Suddenly, this hurt begins to invade every other area of our life. We carry a heavy burden which we know we don’t deserve – and which we certainly don’t desire to keep – but it’s a burden we can’t seem to let go.

There is only one true way to relieve the burden of our hurt, and it always begins with forgiveness. True forgiveness can be difficult and require great humility. We want the other person to first ask (maybe even beg) for our forgiveness. We would like them to admit the hurt they caused; and, if we are honest, we probably would prefer them to suffer…just a little. But this is generally not God’s plan.

Colossians 3:13
“Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.”

If we have come to a saving faith in Jesus Christ, we have first come face to face with our sinful nature. Without an understanding that we are full of sin, we will never reach out for a savior. And if we have experienced the true meaning of God’s love, “while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8), we will be compelled to reach out and love others. If we truly understand His forgiveness of us, can we really withhold our forgiveness of those who have caused us pain?

Jesus told a parable of a man who failed to forgive a small debt when his master had just forgiven him a much greater debt: “‘Shouldn’t you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?’ In anger his master turned him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed” (Matthew 18:33-34). Do we really understand how much we have been forgiven, or our inability to repay? Yet our debt has been completely forgiven by grace through faith in Jesus, and we are now commanded to forgive others.

God established the standard for forgiveness. We are not called to forgive because someone deserves or has earned our forgiveness, we are called to forgive simply because God first forgave us. When we forgive, we must strive to make the forgiveness complete; “For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more” (Hebrews 8:12). Though we may carry a healthy level of new caution as the relationship continues, we must never place conditions on maintaining our forgiveness.

There WILL be times when we are burdened with hurt. But let’s not seek revenge or try to withdraw and hide our pain. Let’s follow the commands of God’s Word and be set free! Let’s grow closer to our Heavenly Father and see through His eyes. Let’s share His love and forgive as He forgave.

Have a Christ Centered Day!

Steve Troxel
God’s Daily Word Ministries

**** Reading Plan ****

Apr 20 Joshua 21:1-22:20; Luke 20:1-26; Psalm 89:1-13; Proverbs 13:15-16

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Perdonemos Como El Perdonó

By on April 20, 2021

Forgive_As_He_Forgave

Parece que tarde o temprano todos somos maltratados y heridos. En muchas ocasiones las acciones en contra nuestra no son intencionales, pero en otras ocasiones pueden ser extremadamente maliciosas. Repentinamente este daño comienza a invadir cada area de nuestra vida. Llevamos una carga pesada que estamos concientes que no deseamos – y que ciertamente no deseamos mantener – pero es una carga que no parece que podemos dejar.

Solo hay una forma verdadera de liberar las cargas de nuestro dolor, y siempre comienza con el perdón. El verdadero perdón puede ser difícil y requiere de gran humildad. Nosotros queremos que la otra persona pida (o aún suplique) primero nuestro perdón. Nos gustaría que los demás admitieran el dolor que nos han causado; y si somos honestos, quizá preferiríamos que ellos sufrieran…solo un poco. Pero generalmente ninguno de estos es el plan de Dios.

Colosenses 3:13
“De modo que se toleren unos a otros y se perdonen si alguno tiene queja contra otro. Así como el Señor los perdonó, perdonen también ustedes.”

Si nosotros hemos llegado a una fe salvadora en Cristo Jesús, en primer lugar nos enfrentamos cara a cara con nuestra naturaleza pecaminosa. Sin el entendimiento de que estamos llenos de pecado, nunca saldremos en busca de un salvador. Y si hemos experimentado el verdadero significado del Amor de Dios, “en que siendo aún pecadores, Cristo murió por nosotros” (Romanos 5:8), nosotros seremos obligados a perdonar a otros. Cuando realmente entendemos Su perdón de nosotros, es posible que podemos retener nuestro perdón para aquellos que nos han causado dolor?!

Jesús contó la parábola de un hombre que no pudo perdonar una pequeña deuda cuando su maestro le había perdonado a él una deuda mucho mayor; “¿No debías tú también tener misericordia de tu consiervo, como yo tuve misericordia de ti? Entonces su señor, enojado, lo entregó a los verdugos hasta que pagara todo lo que le debía” (Mateo 18:33-34). ¿Entendemos realmente cuanto se nos ha perdonado?, ¿o nuestra inhabilidad para corresponder ese perdón? Aún así, nuestra deuda ha sido completamente perdonada por gracia a través de la fe en Jesús y ahora hemos sido llamados a perdonar a otros.

Dios estableció el estándar del perdón. Somos llamados a perdonar no porque alguien merezca o haya ganado nuestro perdón, somos llamados a perdonar simplemente porque Dios nos perdonó primero. Cuando perdonamos debemos perdonar en forma completa; “porque seré propicio a sus injusticias, y nunca más me acordaré de sus pecados ni de sus maldades” (Hebreos 8:12). Aunque podríamos llevar un nivel saludable de precaución mientras continua la relación, no debemos poner condiciones en mantener nuestro perdón.

Habrán tiempos en que estaremos cargados de dolor. Pero no busquemos revancha o intentemos cubrir o ignorar nuestros dolores. ¡Sigamos los mandamientos de la palabra de Dios y seamos libres! Crezcamos cerca de nuestro Padre Celestial y veamos a través de Sus ojos. Compartamos Su amor y perdonemos como El perdonó.

Tenga un Dia Centrado en Cristo!

Steve Troxel
Ministerios La Palabra Diaria de Dios

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