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Teach The World His Grace

By on August 19, 2014

When Jesus was asked to name the greatest commandment, He said; “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind” (Matthew 22:37). Jesus clearly said the most important thing we can do in this life is to love God with absolutely every part of our being. But Jesus immediately added, “the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:39).

After our love for God, we are called to love others with a love which flows from the love of Christ. At the end of His ministry, on the night before He was crucified, Jesus set a new standard for our love.

John 13:34
“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.”

Love for others had always been important, but Jesus called the command “new” and changed the standard from the way we love ourselves to the way He loved us. Why is this significant?

Jesus came into the world with the single purpose of dying for the forgiveness of our sin so we could be restored to a right relationship with God – this is true love; “God so loved the world that He gave his one and only Son…” (John 3:16). We didn’t do ANYTHING to deserve this love. While we were completely lost in a world of sin, God looked down on us, and loved: “God demonstrated His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8).

This degree of love, poured out for those who are utterly undeserving, is the definition of God’s grace. Peter said we are saved by this undeserved love; “it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved” (Acts 15:11). Paul said the same in many different ways: “{We} are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus” (Romans 3:24), and, “it is by grace you have been saved, through faith” (Ephesians 2:8). God’s love is demonstrated through grace!

The concept of grace is essential in beginning our relationship with God as well as continuing with every step of our journey along His path. But, try as we might, we can never adequately convey the meaning of God’s grace with words. We must continue to proclaim His truth through spoken and written words, but in this important area of God’s grace, we are given a “new command” to teach through our actions – to teach through our love.

We have been given an incredible gift! We are given a gift we can never repay, but a gift we must share. The world is in great need! It is lost and desperate to know the grace of our Lord and Savior. Let’s pour out love to those around us in the same manner it was poured out on us – undeserved and without restraint! Let’s live out Jesus’ new command and, through love, teach the world His grace.

Have a Christ Centered Day!

Steve Troxel
God’s Daily Word Ministries

**** Reading Plan ****

Aug 19 Esther 4:1-7:10; 1 Corinthians 12:1-26; Psalm 36:1-12; Proverbs 21:21-22

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Enseñemos al Mundo Su Gracia

By on August 19, 2014

Cuando le pidieron a Jesús que mencionara el mandamiento más importante, El dijo; “Áma al Señor tu Dios con todo tu corazón, con toda tu alma y con toda tu mente” (Mateo 22:37). Jesús claramente dijo lo más importante que podemos hacer en esta vida es amar a Dios con cada parte de nuestro ser. Pero inmediatamente agregó; “El segundo se parece a éste: Áma a tu prójimo como a ti mismo” (Mateo 22:39).

Después de nuestro amor a Dios, somos llamados a amar a los demás. Pero al final de su ministerio, la noche antes de ser crucificado, Jesús estableció un nuevo estándar para nuestro amor.

Juan 13:34
“Este mandamiento nuevo les doy: que se amen los unos a los otros. Así como yo los he amado, también ustedes deben amarse los unos a los otros.”

El amor por los demás siempre ha sido importante, pero ahora Jesús llamó “nuevo” a este mandamiento y cambió el estándar de la forma en que nos amamos a nosotros mismos por la forma en que El nos amó. ¿Por que es esto tan significativo?

Jesús vino al mundo con el único propósito de morir por el perdón de nuestros pecados para que tuviéramos la oportunidad de regresar a nuestra relación con Dios – este es el verdadero amor; “Porque tanto amó Dios al mundo, que dio a su Hijo unigénito…” (Juan 3:16). Nosotros no hicimos NADA para merecer este amor. Estábamos completamente perdidos en un mundo de pecado y Dios nos miraba y nos amaba: “Pero Dios demuestra su amor por nosotros en esto: en que cuando todavía éramos pecadores, Cristo murió por nosotros” (Romanos 5:8).

Este grado de amor, derramado para aquellos quienes son totalmente inmerecedores es la definición de la gracia de Dios. Pedro dijo que fuimos salvos por este amor inmerecido; “creemos que somos salvos por la gracia de nuestro Señor Jesús” (Hechos 15:11). Pablo dijo lo mismo en muchas diferentes maneras: “pero por su gracia son justificados gratuitamente mediante la redención que Cristo Jesús efectuó” (Romanos 3:24), y, “Porque por gracia ustedes han sido salvados mediante la fe” (Efesios 2:8). El amor de Dios se demuestra a través de la gracia.

El concepto de la gracia es esencial al iniciar nuestra relación con Dios, tanto como continuar con cada paso de nuestro viaje a lo largo de su camino. Pero, tratando en nuestras fuerzas, nunca podremos adecuadamente trasladar el significado de la gracia de Dios con palabras. Debemos continuar proclamando Su verdad a través de palabras habladas y escritas, pero en esta importante área de la gracia de Dios, se nos ha dado un “nuevo mandamiento” el de instruir por medio de nuestras acciones – de instruir por medio de nuestro amor.

Se nos ha dado un increíble regalo! Se nos ha dado un regalo que nunca podremos reembolsar, pero que debemos compartir. El mundo tiene gran necesidad! Está perdido y desesperado por conocer la gracia de nuestro Señor y Salvador. Derramemos nuestro amor para aquellos que nos rodean en la misma forma que fue derramado en nosotros – inmerecido y sin restricción! Vivamos el nuevo mandamiento y, a través del amor, enseñemos al mundo Su gracia.

Tenga un Dia Centrado en Cristo!

Steve Troxel
Ministerios La Palabra Diaria de Dios

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An Unsearchable Love

By on August 18, 2014

As I look back through the Scriptural account of history, I can see how God sent His Son to be born in a manger, grow and live among us, and die for our sins upon a cross. I can clearly see how the sacrifice of Jesus allows us, through faith, to enter into God’s presence. I can even see the purpose of His humble birth as an example of humility and service. But what I don’t think I will ever fully understand is why. Oh, sure, I know the reason is love; “For God so loved the world that He gave…” (John 3:16), but I seriously doubt I will ever understand the amount of love required to sacrifice so much – the amount of love He had (and has)…for me!

Paul wrote to the Romans with the intent of setting foundational beliefs for the church. In this letter, Paul presented the greatest amount of teaching found anywhere in the Bible. Under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, Paul wrote on topics ranging from sin and judgment, to faith and Salvation; from the purpose of the Law and life through the Spirit, to the sovereignty of God and the future of Israel. But toward the end of the letter, Paul paused and wrote a short prayer of praise and glory.

Romans 11:33-36
“Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable His judgments, and His paths beyond tracing out! Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been His counselor? Who has ever given to God, that God should repay Him? For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever! Amen.”

We get the feeling that Paul reviewed the first portion of his letter and just couldn’t continue without praising the Lord. Paul had wrestled through many difficult issues and learned a valuable lesson: God is God, and sometimes this simple truth defies understanding.

God has a perfect plan where every piece fits neatly together, but there are many connections my finite mind fails to comprehend. I can’t always see the purpose of my trials or the lessons I need to learn, and I get frustrated with His timing (I want to know His plan, now!). But I know His love gave everything; “He humbled Himself and became obedient to death – even death on a cross!” (Philippians 2:8). I may not fully understand this love, but the little I know is enough to create a desire to live a life of devotion and faith. One day, all His mysteries will be perfectly revealed. Until then I will simply continue to worship and trust.

We may never fully understand, but I pray we are all drawn a little closer today. If you have never experienced His love, I pray you will release your heart into His care. If you’re feeling unloved by the world, I pray you will look to Him and see a Father who gave His Son so He could hold you for all eternity. He is an unsearchable God who is glorified by pouring out, for you, an unsearchable love.

Have a Christ Centered Day!

Steve Troxel
God’s Daily Word Ministries

**** Reading Plan ****

Aug 18 Esther 1:1-3:15; 1 Corinthians 11:17-34; Psalm 35:17-28; Proverbs 21:19-20

1473.44 Run Miles in 2014 : Goal 1510 miles (and qualify for Boston)
669.77 Bike Miles in 2014: Goal 3020 miles

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Un Amor Indescifrable

By on August 18, 2014

De la manera que veo hacia atrás, puedo ver como Dios mandó a Su Hijo a nacer en un establo, a vivir entre nosotros y a morir por nuestros pecados en la cruz. Puedo ver claramente como el sacrificio de Jesús nos permite, a través de la fe, entrar a la presencia de Dios. Y aun puedo ver el propósito de Su humilde nacimiento como una manera de darnos un ejemplo permanente de humildad y servicio. Pero lo que creo que nunca voy a entender completamente es el porque. Ah, claro, yo se que la razón es amor; “Porque tanto amó Dios al mundo…” (John 3:16), pero seriamente dudo que algun dia voy a entender la cantidad de amor requerida para sacrificarse tanto – la cantidad de amor que EL tuvo (y tiene)…por mi!

Pablo escribió su carta a los Romanos con el intento de establecer creencias fundacionales para la iglesia. En su carta, Pablo presentó la mayor cantidad de enseñanza que se encuentra en cualquier parte de la Biblia. Bajo la guianza del Espiritu Santo, Pablo escibió de temas que varían de pecado y juicio, a fe y salvación, del propósito de la Ley y vida a través del Espiritu, a la soberanía de Dios y el futuro de Israel. Pero hacia el final de la carta, Pablo se detuvo y escribió una oración corta de alabanza y gloria.

Romanos 11:33-36
“¡Qué profundas son las riquezas de la sabiduría y del conocimiento de Dios! ¡Qué indescifrables sus juicios e impenetrables sus caminos! ¿Quién ha conocido la mente del Señor? ¿O quién ha sido su consejero? ¿Quién le ha dado primero a Dios, para que luego Dios le pague? Porque todas las cosas proceden de él, y existen por él y para él. ¡A él sea la gloria por siempre! Amén.”

Casi tenemos la sensación que Pablo revisó la primera porción de su carta y simplemente no pudo sequir escribiendo sin alabar al Señor. Quizas Pablo no entendió completamente todo lo que escribió, pero había aprendido una lección muy valiosa – Dios es Dios, y a veces esa verdad escapa de nuestro entendimiento.

Dios tiene un plan perfecto donde cada pieza encaja perfectamente, pero hay muchas conexiones que nuestras mentes fallan en comprender. Yo no puedo ver siempre el propósito de mis pruebas o las lecciones que El quiere que aprenda: me pongo impaciente y frustado con Su tiempo (Quiero saber Su plan, ahora!). Pero se que en Su amor por mi dió todo; “se humilló a sí mismo y se hizo obediente hasta la muerte, ¡y muerte de cruz!” (Filipenses 2:8). Quizas no entiendo completamente este amor, pero lo poco que se es suficiente para crear un deseo de vivir una vida de devoción y fe. Algún día, me pararé ante Su trono y todo Sus misterios seran perfectamente revelados. Hasta entonces Yo simplemente continuaré alabando y confiando.

Quizas nunca entenderemos completamente, pero oro para que tu seas atraído un poco mas cerca ahora. Si nunca has experimentado Su amor, oro para que sueltes tu corazón a Su cuidado. Si te sientes no amado por el mundo, oro para que lo busques a El y veas un Padre que dio a Su Hijo para que pudiera abrazarte por toda la eternidad. El es un Dios indecifrable que derramó, por ti, un amor indecifrable.

Tenga un Dia Centrado en Cristo!

Steve Troxel
Ministerios La Palabra Diaria de Dios

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Urban Ministry – Final

By on August 14, 2014

A few weeks ago I was away on a bike ride for the American Cancer Society and I sent out messages from my daughter, Sarah, which she wrote as she worked throughout the summer with an urban ministry in Memphis, TN. Sarah has a unique ability to write in a way that lets us see the world through her eyes, eyes that view her surroundings through a wonderfully close relationship with God and a consuming faith in Jesus. I, for one, believe the result is beautiful! The four messages I sent out can be found on our web site at:
http://gdwm.org/index.php/category/sarah-urbanministry-2014/

Sarah is back home and will begin college in a few days. She has written two more messages, from the final two weeks of ministry. Both of these message are included below. I pray they will be a blessing.
Week 9

What cheer?!

I was going to try to categorize this, but it must come as a string of choppy rambling.

Remember my fear of failing to love from last week? Well, I prayed desperately at the beginning of this week that God would pour some of his overwhelming sea of love through my tiny eyedropper self. He taught me through my prized possession, the Jesus Storybook Bible, that the greatest lie this world has ever known, that which whispers to every human heart, is this: God does not love me. He taught me through Luke 14 that he longs to gather up his children as a hen gathers chicks under her wings. I longed to gather my kids up and tell them, “The lie is not true! God loves you forever and always, no matter what!”

On Monday I felt an inconceivable surge of the Holy Spirit pouring out his love on my kids. Where was all this love coming from? How was I possibly able to speak tenderly to Ezekiel, whom I have yelled at so angrily in past weeks? How was I possibly able to take a hundred-pound violent and angry troublemaker, Christopher, and carry him on my back? How was I possibly able to take sentences like “I want to be a princess when I grow up,” and end with, “God, the King, is your Father and relentlessly loves you.” I know it wasn’t me.

However, I found four new ways to fail.

The first came when I started to feel very upset every time sweet little Tion would run up behind me, roar, and hug my legs. I was upset because I knew I would have to say goodbye soon. I was listening to a song with the lyrics, “Anything my heart cannot let go is an idol. Anything my heart gives all its love is an idol.” God said, “Have you turned these precious gifts into idols? Or do you accept them simply as gifts, willing to give them back into my hands?”

Acts 20 is such an excellent example for Christian ministry. As I prepare to leave my kids I seek to model myself after Paul as he left the Ephesians. I particularly want verse 32 to be my attitude towards my kids. “Now I commit you to God and to the word of his grace, which can build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified.” I wrote, “God, I commit them to your powerfully capable and caring hands. Build up those who know you with your assuring Grace. Pierce with the word those who do not know you. Give them an inheritance and sanctify them.”

My second failure was based on pride. Each week God has attacked a different facet of my pride. This week’s pride came sneakily, in dread that my kids would not be okay after I left. God said, “Do you really think these kids need you? You have nothing to offer them of yourself. You have never had anything to offer them. Do you think they are dependent on you for salvation? Do you think they are dependent on you for love? What a lofty view you have of yourself! Do you even think now that the realization of your own insufficiency is coming from yourself? No! All comes from me! They need me! And I can give myself to them without your help. Only be desperately thankful that I filled up your puny eyedropper and let you drip this summer.”

I say, “I want to see results! Obedience is not enough for me. I want to see 9-year-old Tristen, who is mistreated by her step-dad, who has fought all conversations about Jesus I’ve tried to have with her, come to know You.”

He says, “It is not about you. It is not even about what you get to see me do. It is about me. At the end of all time, I will show you the things I did that you never got to see. And you will say ‘Thou art Power and Love, O Lord.'”

The third was a lack of hope. I can’t decide whether a breaking heart is a good thing. Romans 12:12 says to be joyful in hope. I have been so discouraged. When I see the burn marks on Autistic Lil’ Third’s face, and his swollen, red eyes; when Chunky’s mom hits him right in front of me and says he can’t come to Bible club; when little Hayley shouts at me, “I hate God!”; when I find out Jacqueline’s house is a drug house and she never gets any sleep. I lose hope in the Victory already accomplished. I forget that the Kingdom of God is here, and it doesn’t lose.

Jesus says that the scripture is fulfilled TODAY, the one that says, “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners, and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor” (Luke 4).

Why are you downcast Oh my Soul?! Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God! (Psalm 42).

And then I see 8-year-old Latravious who gave his life to The Lord last month share the Gospel with another kid who thinks God hates him when he messes up. And Latravious says, “You just say, ‘I love you Jesus, because you died for my sins.'”

Ya, God doesn’t need me.

“But [the dragon] was not strong enough, and they lost their place in heaven. The great dragon was hurled down – that ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world astray. He was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him. Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say: ‘Now have come the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Messiah'” (Revelation 12).

God wins!

The Lord’s,
Sarah

Final Report – After The Last Week of Ministry

One last virtual Hello to you all,

It appears that reflection and writing is harder when sitting on a cushy couch, enveloped in silence, and devoid of all stink and sweat. Harder than when sitting on concrete next to raging traffic and smelling like fish armpits. The softer the surface, the harder the venture of writing; interesting.

I began to write the first halves of several stories from the last week of Street Reach, but now I think the best conclusion to this swashbuckling summer is to jot a few thoughts in bullet points.

*Before the week began, our boss told us that we would be so drained this week that our minds would try to divert from what matters to power struggles with the incoming team. “This is not the week for that,” he said, “Just LOVE. Love, love, love.”

*It was by far the hardest week for me, physically and emotionally. When every muscle ached and I cried to God to give me rest, he convicted me of how little I am willing to suffer for his sake. I have always begged for an opportunity to suffer for Christ, but as soon as a tiny smidgin of suffering is allotted to me, I beg him to take it away. I read of Paul’s joyful bearing of crosses in Acts, and I was brought ever so low.

*If you have never heard of the Jesus Storybook Bible, it is one the greatest inventions since podcast sermons. It applies every story to God’s love and the Gospel of Jesus; not to mention its fantabulous pictures. Kids dig it because they can actually understand the stories, why they are fascinating, and why they are applicable to life. There is a phrase for God’s love which is used in every story. It is His “Never Stopping, Never Giving up, Unbreaking, Always and Forever Love.” Beautiful… I used the book a lot these past two weeks, and I ended up giving three copies (only after much investigation, consideration, and prayer as to the specific kids).

*After some good conversations and reading practice, I cautiously gave a Jesus Storybook Bible to James, the ten year-old who gave his life to Jesus a month ago. He took it very seriously, and we continued to practice reading it together.

*As I left, I was very confident that God is passing the neighborhood on to other missionaries. There are kid missionaries on every street. A few twelve year-olds can teach Bible story, giving a powerful sermon about the “crook” next to Jesus on the cross. A ten year-old begged me for grace for her friend throwing a tantrum, saying “God gave me Grace; please give her grace!” And seven year-old Tasheana will take over where I left off with the kids on my route.

*Tasheana loves Jesus! She would tell me the traumas of several of her neighbors who stopped coming to Bible club, saying how she would try to share Jesus’ love with them. She loved to bring the conversation back to Jesus (When kids talked about scary movies, she said, “when I get scared at night I ask Jesus to help me.”) She told me I should give my Spanish Jesus Storybook Bible to a specific hispanic family, and after a little research, it ended up being a great idea. Tasheana was instrumental in the life change of her neighbor, Trysten, whose story is to come.

*God hears my prayers. From healing Emily’s head, to purging Elton’s rebellion, to working great change in Trysten’s life, God answers.

*Trysten is the nine year-old from a beautiful Lakota family of eleven kids. When they moved to my route from South Dakota halfway through the summer, they were nervous about my knocking on their door every day. It brought me so much joy when they started coming to Bible club. Trysten was a closed-off, negative girl. Every day she would complain about the sweat, the walk, or her sisters. She would start to whine and howl when I said I wanted to pray about something. She would slam the door in my face when I asked for a goodbye hug. And she would roll her eyes and say, “Not Jesus again!” when I would talk about Him. I honestly don’t know why she kept coming, but she was in my prayers most often.

On the last week I begged God to do some miracle in her heart the next day, and He did. She asked if she could try to read, “That Jesus Book,” my Storybook Bible. She was an excellent reader. Suddenly she asked, “How will I keep learning about Jesus after you leave?” I looked at her surprisedly and asked, “Since when have you been interested in learning about Jesus, Trysten?” “Uh, uh, I don’t know.” “What have you already learned this summer?” “Hmm, that’s too hard. What have you learned?” That lead to a perfect opportunity to share Gospel truths and aspects of my testimony. She actually asked a few questions, and was particularly interested in what a “relationship” means and why God would want to have one with her.

The next few days other small life changes started appearing. She stopped complaining about the walk and instead wanted to be dropped off last in order to spend more time with us. She offered to carry my backpack. She would spend the walks literally engrossed in the Storybook Bible, walking into trees and poles and such. And she finally hugged me. When talking with Tasheana about what it means to be a missionary, Trysten interjected, “and you can teach people how to pray because God wants to hear you all the time.” I left her with a Storybook Bible and much confidence that God will continue to change her life.

*God continued to drill into my head that THE WORK IS NOT ABOUT ME, and I am so unnecessary. He even pointed out a little language detail to Gaby and I. At Street Reach it is normal for each staffer to take pride in their own Bible club site, and it is normal to call the site “my site” and the kids “my kids.” But Gaby and I had to acknowledge that “our kids” are not really our kids. They are God’s kids. I wrote about this last week, but I was reminded again and again that God’s kids don’t need Sarah Troxel. They need God who cares for them so much more than I do. I had to remind every kid who had a hard time saying goodbye, “Jesus is going to be with you just the same after I leave.” It was to this that Tasheana responded with some of the sweetest words that have ever been spoken to me: “You been Jesus to me, Mih’Sarah, you my Jesus.” And Jesus will continue to manifest himself to his kids through others without me. I am eternally grateful that even one little girl was able to acknowledge that what she experienced was not me, but Jesus loving her through me.

*On Sunday, after goodbyes, mourning, and celebration, we set off one last time to our Bible Club sites. Each site partnership brought a wooden cross created by our boss. Gaby and I wrote our final prayers on our cross, walked in prayer around the site, and staked the cross in the center as the concluding claim for the kingdom of God. It was glorious! Here is my prayer:

“Dear God, my good, good Daddy,
You aren’t just my Daddy. You’re the Daddy of every single kid You brought to the park this summer. Thank You for loving them with Your Never Stopping, Never Giving up, Unbreaking, Always and Forever Love. Thank You for rescuing them with Your Cross. I now commit them into Your gentle, caring hands. Please make them brave to be lights in dark places. Please give them words to speak of Your Love. Please fill their hearts with love for every person, making them kind and gentle. Please help them follow Jesus and love You more than anything else in the world. I love You Daddy.

Love,
Sarah.”

The Lord’s,
Sarah

Have a Christ Centered Day!

Steve Troxel
God’s Daily Word Ministries

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Live in His Presence

By on August 13, 2014

In the message “Enter His Sanctuary” we saw how the seemingly complex and confusing portions of our life are most often made clear as we open the door of our heart and enter His sanctuary. His ways are much higher than ours, “as the heavens are higher than the earth” (Isaiah 55:9), and His true purpose cannot be understood without a heart dedicated to glorifying Him in worship.

We are called to a life of worship; and though we use the phrase “enter His sanctuary,” I pray it comes as no surprise that the presence of God is not confined within the walls of our church buildings. We do not call Him “down” to join us as we sing our songs, and He is not any closer because of the outward expression of our worship.

Matthew 28:20
“And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

One of the last promises Jesus made was, though He was returning to the Father, He would always remain with us…to the very end! The presence of God is with us right now! He is as near in our most decorated centers of worship as He is when we are on the bus or alone in our car; “never will I leave you” (Hebrews 13:5).

One of the great blessings most believers miss today is that our Heavenly Father is much closer than we realize: “If I go up to the heavens, You are there; if I make my bed in the depths, You are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there Your hand will guide me, Your right hand will hold me fast” (Psalm 139:8-10). He is VERY near, and His great desire is that we would join Him in an intimate and worshipful fellowship in whatever circumstances our day may bring.

We fellowship with our Creator by continually communing with Him throughout the day, whether in deep prayer or simple conversation. We must present EVERY thought, word, and deed at His feet as our absolute best offering of love. When impure thoughts or our deceitful tongue pulls us away, we should immediately turn, ask His forgiveness, and return to His presence. As impossible as this may seem, this is the worship God desires – and the worship He deserves. We ought to adopt this as our lifestyle today and continue until He takes us home.

His presence is available to every believer! Some jobs or home environments may pose a challenge, but He has promised to be with those who desire to walk with Him, regardless of the circumstances. Let’s be determined to bring Him glory and honor, and love Him through ALL we do, say, and think. Let’s be determined that for all our remaining days we will worship and live in His presence.

Have a Christ Centered Day!

Steve Troxel
God’s Daily Word Ministries

**** Reading Plan ****

Aug 13 Nehemiah 5:14-7:60; 1 Corinthians 8:1-13; Psalm 33:1-11; Proverbs 21:8-10

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Vivir en Su Presencia

By on August 13, 2014

En el mensaje “Entra en Su Santuario” vimos como las aparentemente complejas y confusas partes de nuestra vida con frecuencia se aclaran cuando abrimos las puertas de nuestro corazón y entramos en Su santuario. Sus caminos son mucho más altos que los nuestros, “más altos que los cielos sobre la tierra” (Isaías 55:9), y Su verdadero propósito no puede ser comprendido sin un corazón dedicado a glorificar a El en adoración.

Somos llamados a una vida de adoración y aunque usamos la frase “entrar en Su santuario,” Yo oro para que no venga como una sorpresa que la presencia de Dios no está limitada dentro de las paredes de nuestra iglesia. No le llamamos a “bajar” y unirse a nosotros cuando cantamos nuestras canciones, y El no esta más cerca como resultado de la expresión externa de nuestra adoración.

Mateo 28:20
“Y les aseguro que estaré con ustedes siempre, hasta el fin del mundo.”

Una de las últimas promesas que Jesús hizo fue, que aunque El estaba regresando al Padre, siempre permanecería con nosotros – hasta el fin! La presencia de Dios está con nosotros ahora mismo! El está tan cerca como en nuestro mejor decorado centro de adoración, como esta cerca cuando viajamos en el bus o cuando estamos solos en el auto; “Nunca te dejaré; jamás te abandonaré” (Hebreos 13:5).

Una de las grandes bendiciones que la mayoría de creyentes nos perdemos hoy en día es el saber que nuestro Padre Celestial está mucho más cerca de lo que nos damos cuenta: “Si subiera al cielo, allí estás tú; si tendiera mi lecho en el fondo del abismo, también estás allí. Si me elevara sobre las alas del alba, o me estableciera en los extremos del mar, aun allí tu mano me guiaría, ¡me sostendría tu mano derecha!” (Salmo 139:8-10). El está MUY cerca, y Su gran deseo es que nos unamos a El en un intimo compañerismo para adorarle en cualquier circunstancia que enfrentemos en nuestros días.

Nos reunimos con nuestro Creador si estamos en continua comunión con El, ya sea en profunda adoración o en simple conversación, a lo largo del día. Debemos presentarle TODO pensamiento, palabra y obra a Sus pies como nuestra absoluta mejor ofrenda de amor. Cuando nuestros pensamientos impuros o nuestra engañosa lengua nos desvía, debemos inmediatamente reprenderlos, pedir a El perdón y regresar a Su presencia. Tan imposible como esto puede parecer, esta es la adoración que Dios desea – y la adoración que el merece. Debemos adoptar esto como nuestro estilo de vida ahora y continuar hasta que El nos lleve a casa.

Su presencia esta disponible para cada creyente! Algunos trabajos o ambientes de hogar pueden ser un desafío para esto, pero El ha prometido estar con aquellos que desean caminar con El, sin importar las circunstancias. Tengamos la determinación de darle gloria y honor a El y amarlo a través de TODO lo que hacemos, decimos y pensamos. Tengamos la determinación para el resto de nuestros días de adorar y vivir en Su presencia.

Tenga un Dia Centrado en Cristo!

Steve Troxel
Ministerios La Palabra Diaria de Dios

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Enter His Sanctuary

By on August 12, 2014

In the last several messages we have considered the importance of seeking God and loving Him with ALL our heart. This is an important issue with regard to our Salvation and the eternally restored relationship to which we are called. But it’s also critical to how we view the world around us and function in our day to day activities.

The author of Psalm 73 wrote with words of frustration about the things he saw in the world. He could not understand how the wicked could be so carefree and yet so successful; “For I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked” (Psalm 73:3). He felt he may have even wasted his time in maintaining Godly values; “Surely in vain have I kept my heart pure; in vain have I washed my hands in innocence” (Psalm 73:13). He kept searching for answers, but found none until he returned to worship in the presence of God.

Psalm 73:16-17
“When I tried to understand all this, it was oppressive to me – till I entered the sanctuary of God; then I understood.”

Many issues in our life simply cannot be resolved through our human understanding and reasoning. We often try to make sense of events in the world, or in our particular situation, only to discover there are no easy answers or solutions. But no matter how confusing our life may become, we must always remember we are a child of God – a child of the Creator of the Universe! “By the word of the Lord were the heavens made, their starry host by the breath of His mouth” (Psalm 36:6).

Our Heavenly Father does not function according to a set of human rules. He is not confined by our understanding of time or space, and He is certainly not guided by our set of values; “as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways” (Isaiah 55:9). We must give God all of our mind as we seek to understand Him through His Word and study how He has moved throughout history; but we must also give Him all of our heart as we worship Him despite what we see, think, or feel. Only in the sanctuary of worship will we begin to truly understand.

We must come to our Heavenly Father with a heart-felt belief that being in His presence is more important than anything else in the world; “Whom have I in Heaven but You? And earth has nothing I desire besides You” (Psalm 73:25). This type of passion allows us to draw near and begin to see the disconnected pieces of our life fit neatly into God’s perfect plan.

Let’s return to the place where He is everything we desire and all we really need. Let’s worship Him with all our heart and begin to understand His wonderful plan for our life. Let’s once and for all open the door and enter His sanctuary!

Have a Christ Centered Day!

Steve Troxel
God’s Daily Word Ministries

**** Reading Plan ****

Aug 12 Nehemiah 3:15-5:13; 1 Corinthians 7:20-40; Psalm 32:1-11; Proverbs 21:5-7

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Entremos en Su Santuario

By on August 12, 2014

En varios de los últimos mensajes hemos considerado la importancia de buscar a Dios y amarlo con TODO nuestro corazón. Este es un tema importante en lo relacionado con nuestra Salvación y la eternamente restaurada relación a la que El nos está llamando. Pero es también crítico para la forma en que vemos el mundo a nuestro alrededor y la forma en que funcionamos en las actividades de día a día.

El autor del Salmo 73 escribe con frustración acerca de las cosas que ve en el mundo. Él no puede comprender como los malvados pueden ser tan despreocupados y a la vez tan exitosos; “Sentí envidia de los arrogantes, al ver la prosperidad de esos malvados” (Salmo 73:3). Él sintió que incluso pudo haber perdido su tiempo manteniendo los valores de Dios; “En verdad, ¿de qué me sirve mantener mi corazón limpio y mis manos lavadas en la inocencia” (Salmo 73:13). Él siguió buscando respuestas, pero no encontró ninguna hasta que regresó a la adoración en la presencia del Señor.

Salmo 73:16-17
“Cuando traté de comprender todo esto, me resultó una carga insoportable, hasta que entré en el santuario de Dios; allí comprendí…”

Muchos problemas en nuestra vida, simplemente no pueden ser resueltos a través del razonamiento o entendimiento humano. A menudo tratamos de darle sentido a eventos de este mundo, o de una situación particular, solo para descubrir que no hay respuestas fáciles o soluciones aparentes. Pero, no importa que tan complicada se pueda volver nuestra vida, siempre debemos recordar que somos hijos de Dios – hijos del Creador del Universo! “Por la palabra del Señor fueron creados los cielos, y por el soplo de su boca, las estrellas” (Salmo 33:6).

Nuestro Padre Celestial no funciona de acuerdo a las reglas humanas. Él no está limitado por tiempo o espacio, y ciertamente Él no se guía por nuestros valores; “Mis caminos y mis pensamientos son más altos que los de ustedes; ¡más altos que los cielos sobre la tierra” (Isaías 55:9). Tenemos que entregar a Dios todo nuestra mente mientras intentamos a entenderle a través de Su Palabra y estudiar como El ha movido a través de la historia; pero también debemos entregarle a El todo nuestro corazón mientras que le adoramos a pesar de lo que veamos, pensemos o sintamos. Solamente en el santuario de la alabanza comenzaremos a verdaderamente entender.

Debemos llegar a nuestro Padre Celestial con un corazón que cree que estar en Su presencia es más importante que ninguna otra cosa en el mundo; “¿A quién tengo en el cielo sino a ti? Si estoy contigo, ya nada quiero en la tierra” (Salmo 73:25). Solo con éste tipo de pasión podemos acercarnos y comenzar a ver las piezas desconectadas de nuestra vida encajar perfectamente en él plan perfecto de Dios.

Regresemos al lugar en donde Él es todo lo que deseamos y todo lo que realmente necesitamos. Adoremosle con todo nuestro corazón y comencemos a comprender su maravilloso plan para nuestra vida. De una vez y para siempre abramos la puerta y entremos en su santuario!

Tenga un Dia Centrado en Cristo!

Steve Troxel
Ministerios La Palabra Diaria de Dios

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Full Measure of Our Heart

By on August 11, 2014

In the message “He Will Be Found” we saw that God promises to be found by those who will seek Him. But the qualifier is that He will be found by those who seek Him with ALL their heart; “you will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with all your heart” (Jeremiah 29:13).

The consistent message through all of God’s Word is that He is calling us back to a restored relationship with Himself – a relationship which is only possible through faith in Jesus. We enter in by His loving grace, but His expectation for this relationship is that, through faith, we give Him ALL of our heart.

If we desire this restored relationship with God – if we desire to truly “find” Him – then our heart must be fully devoted to Him; there can be no rivals or competing affections which pull us away. When Jesus was asked to name the most important commandment, He replied; “Love the Lord your God will all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength” (Mark 12:30). All means ALL – no cheating or deceiving!

Our Heavenly Father deserves that we give Him our love honestly and completely; “You must have accurate and honest weights and measures. For the Lord detests anyone who deals dishonestly” (Deuteronomy 25:15-16). It’s foolish to think we can cheat God and withhold even a small portion of our heart, for in doing so we ultimately cheat ourselves.

Luke 6:38
“Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”

God has promised to bless those who come to Him with a true and uncompromising faith in Jesus. His blessings include the right to be called children of God, as well as the inheritance of eternal life. But His blessings also extends to our days on earth as we receive the gifts of true joy, peace, and contentment.

When we understand the concept of true blessings, it should not be surprising that the measure we receive from God is directly related to the measure we use to give back to Him. Our blessings graciously flow as we give Him our worship and obedience, as we desire to walk in His presence and praise Him with every breath. But blessings are never earned through what we give or desire, they are always a gracious gift from God.

Our dealings with God become dishonest and deceitful when we expect a full measure of His blessing of peace, clear direction, or even assurance and freedom from doubt, and yet we cheat Him with every measure we return. Let’s be restored and truly receive the full measure of His blessing. Let’s enter into His presence and, each and every day, give Him the full measure of our heart.

Have a Christ Centered Day!

Steve Troxel
God’s Daily Word Ministries

**** Reading Plan ****

Aug 11 Nehemiah 1:1-3:14; 1 Corinthians 7:1-19; Psalm 31:19-24; Proverbs 21:4

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Medida Completa de Nuestro Corazón

By on August 11, 2014

En el mensaje “Él Será Encontrado” vimos como Dios promete que será encontrado por aquellos que lo buscan. Pero el calificador es que, Él sera encontrado por aquellos que lo buscan con TODO su corazón, “Me buscarán y me encontrarán, cuando me busquen de todo corazón” (Jeremías 29:13).

El mensaje consistente a través de toda la Palabra de Dios es que Él nos llama a regresar a una relación restaurada con Él – una relación que solo es posible a través de la fe en Jesús. Entramos a esta relación por su amorosa gracia; pero su expectativa para esta relación es que a través de la fe, le entreguemos TODO nuestro corazón.

Si deseamos esta relación restaurada con Dios – si deseamos verdaderamente “encontrarlo” – entonces nuestro corazón debe estar completamente dedicado a Él; no puede haber rivales ni afectos que compitan y nos alejan. Cuando a Jesús le pidieron mencionar el mandamiento más importante, Él respondió; “Ama al Señor tu Dios con todo tu corazón, con toda tu alma, con toda tu mente y con todas tus fuerzas” (Marcos 12:30). Todo significa TODO – no trampas o engaños!

Nuestro Padre Celestial merece que le demos todo nuestro amor honesta y completamente; “Más bien, tendrás pesas y medidas precisas y justas, para que vivas mucho tiempo en la tierra que te da el Señor tu Dios, porque él aborrece a quien comete tales actos de injusticia” (Deuteronomio 25:15-16). Es tonto pensar que podemos hacerle trampa a Dios y retener aún que sea una pequeña porción de nuestro corazón, ya que al hacerlo nos hacemos trampa a nosotros mismos.

Lucas 6:38
“Den, y se les dará: se les echará en el regazo una medida llena, apretada, sacudida y desbordante. Porque con la medida que midan a otros, se les medirá a ustedes.”

Dios ha prometido bendecir a aquellos que vienen a Él con una verdadera e inflexible fe en Jesús. Sus bendiciones incluyen el derecho de ser llamados hijos de Dios y la herencia de la vida eterna, pero su bendición se extiende hasta nuestros días en la tierra cuando recibimos la bendición del verdadero gozo, paz y contentamiento.

Cuando entendemos el concepto de la bendición verdadera, no debería sorprendernos que la medida de bendición que recibimos de Dios está en relación directa con la medida con que nosotros le damos a Él. Nuestras bendiciones fluyen de la mano de Dios cuando le damos nuestra adoración y obediencia; mientras deseamos caminar en su presencia y alabarle en cada respiro. Pero las bendiciones nunca se puede “comprar” con obediencia, ni con regalos económicos o buenas obras – siempre son un regalo de la gracia de Dios.

Nuestros acuerdos con Dios se vuelven deshonestos y engañosos cuando esperamos una medida completa de Su bendición de paz, su bendición de clara dirección, o aún su bendición de seguridad y libertad de la duda, pero todavía le hacemos trampa con cada medida que retornamos a Él. Seamos restaurados y verdaderamente recibamos la completa medida de Su bendición. Entremos en Su presencia y todos y cada uno de nuestros días demosle la medida completa de nuestro corazón.

Tenga un Dia Centrado en Cristo!

Steve Troxel
Ministerios La Palabra Diaria de Dios

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He Will Be Found

By on August 7, 2014

In the message “The Cry of Our Heart” we saw how the Psalm writer longed to be close to God; “my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God” (Psalm 84:2). The writer knew his heart would only be satisfied by being in the presence of God; but unfortunately, not many of the children of Israel shared this same understanding.

The Israelites continually rebelled and failed to devote their hearts to God. They sought pleasure and security in the world, and turned to worship idols and false gods. And though God sent many messengers to call His children home, they refused to change. Finally, God allowed the armies of Babylon to destroy the temple and lead the people into seventy years of captivity. But even in this most severe discipline, God demonstrated His love and true desire for His Children to return Home.

Jeremiah 29:10-13
“‘I will come to you and fulfill My gracious promise to bring you back to this place. For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. You will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with all your heart.'”

God’s plan has always been to give us hope and a future, to prosper us and keep us from harm, but His plan can never be separated from a life devoted to Him. There is no hope – no future or security – apart from resting in His arms. And the only lasting prosperity and peace comes as we walk in step with His Spirit. Why do we not trust Him to fully guide our path? And why do we seek His plan for our life without bothering to first seek Him?!

God’s plan is for us to be restored to Him and glorify His name as we love Him with all our heart. All other plans regarding the specific circumstances of our existence flow out of His plan for a loving relationship filled with worship; “seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness and all these things will be given to you as well” (Matthew 6:33). Seek Him first!

Yes, He has promised a glorious future – not necessarily a future free of trouble, but a future filled with “the peace of God which transcends all understanding” (Philippians 4:7), a future where we can learn real prosperity by “being content in any and every situation” (Philippians 4:12). But this future can only be had by those who seek Him with all their heart.

Let’s allow God to be the all-consuming top priority of our life. Let’s diligently seek Him in times of quiet as well as in the midst of the endless multitude of daily activities. And let’s be filled with hope and encouraged by His promise that as we faithfully seek Him with all our heart, He will be found!

Have a Christ Centered Day!

Steve Troxel
God’s Daily Word Ministries

**** Reading Plan ****

Aug 7 Ezra 5:1-6:22; 1 Corinthians 3:5-23; Psalm 29:1-11; Proverbs 20:26-27
Aug 8 Ezra 7:1-8:20; 1 Corinthians 4:1-21; Psalm 30:1-12; Proverbs 20:28-30
Aug 9 Ezra 8:21-9:15; 1 Corinthians 5:1-13; Psalm 31:1-8; Proverbs 21:1-2
Aug 10 Ezra 10:1-44; 1 Corinthians 6:1-20; Psalm 31:9-18; Proverbs 21:3

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