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Ministry Update – Gudwa

By Steve T. on December 22, 2013

In the last two Ministry Update messages, I have focused on the work being done in the area of Mathare, outside of Nairobi, Kenya. Those messages can be found at:

http://gdwm.org/index.php/category/end-of-year-2013/

In this message I want to give an update on our work in the small fishing village of Gudwa, on the shore of Lake Victoria close to the Kenyan border with Uganda. This village is inhabited by just a few hundred adults and many more than that number of young children. The main work in the area is related to fishing and it has been extremely difficult for the children of the community to obtain an education. We have been operating a small pre-school in the village for the last year and a half. Our small school building is just one room but we manage to fill it with over 50 children.

This year we have officially registered our ministry in Kenya as God’s Daily Word – Kenya. This has allowed us to look into expanding our ministry effort, and last month we had the opportunity to purchase a plot of land directly above the village. Right after the first of the year we will begin construction of a new five-room school.

The work in Gudwa is a wonderful praise report! In this school, as well as the one in Mathare, we are free to teach the love of Jesus as we minister to both the children and their parents. Thank you for supporting these efforts!!

I will send out more ministry updates before the end of the year, but please pray about how you might join us in this much needed work. The Donate Now button, at the bottom of this message, is for credit card donations. Donations through Paypal can be made through our web site at:

http://gdwm.org/index.php/support/

Donation can also be sent through the mail to:

God’s Daily Word Ministries
P.O. Box 190
Lorena, TX 76655

Have a Christ Centered Day!

Steve Troxel
God’s Daily Word Ministries

Posted in End of Year 2013, Update Message | Leave a response

Day of Remembrance

By Steve T. on December 19, 2013

There are only a few more days to go! Only a few more days until…until what? Why is December 25th so special? What really is this day we call Christmas?

The early church did not give much thought to the birth of Jesus. Of the four Gospels only Matthew and Luke even mention His birth, and these accounts are relatively brief. Certainly, the emphasis of the Gospels was on Jesus’ ministry, death, and resurrection. And after Jesus ascended to Heaven, the focus of the church was on living for Him, sending out His message, and waiting for His return.

No one is really sure when Jesus was born. The first recorded celebration didn’t occur until 200 years after His birth, and it wasn’t until the year 330 that the birth of Christ was assigned to December 25th. Some say Jesus was actually born in September or October and others are sure He was born in March or April; in fact, a case has been made for His birth in each of the twelve months! But it is generally agreed that, due to the relatively colder weather, December was an unlikely time for the birth of our Savior, at least as it is recorded in the Bible. So what really is Christmas?

John 1:1,14
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us.”

The very Word of God became flesh! Though it is difficult to understand, the Word of God came to live among us and began life as a little baby. He “made Himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant” (Philippians 2:7). This sacrifice of transformation represents a whole lot of love!

Christmas is a day to remember the most profound event in the history of the world. On that first Christmas (whenever it was), God came to earth to live among us! He was born into the most humble circumstances, grew and taught us His truths, died on a cross for our sin, and was raised; all so we might live with Him for eternity.

December 25th is a day to celebrate with quiet reflection, as Mary “treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart” (Luke 2:19). It is also a day to celebrate with great rejoicing, as the shepherds “returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen” (Luke 2:20). The world has tried to remove Christ and insert many activities into this season which do not glorify God. But this need not hinder our worship. We have the ability to turn away the evil and embrace that which is honoring and good.

We can (and should) glorify God and celebrate the gift of our Savior every day throughout the year. But let’s take the opportunity to make this season, and this specific day, special. Let’s celebrate with a focused and thankful heart, and make December 25th a blessed day of remembrance.

Have a Christ Centered Day!

Steve Troxel
God’s Daily Word Ministries

**** Reading Plan ****

Dec 19 Zephaniah 1:1-3:20; Revelation 10:1-11; Psalm 138:1-8; Proverbs 30:11-14
Dec 20 Haggai 1:1-2:23; Revelation 11:1-19; Psalm 139:1-24; Proverbs 30:15-16
Dec 21 Zechariah 1:1-21; Revelation 12:1-17; Psalm 140:1-13; Proverbs 30:17
Dec 22 Zechariah 2:1-3:10; Revelation 13:1-18; Psalm 141:1-10; Proverbs 30:18-20

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Día de Conmemoración

By Steve T. on December 19, 2013

Falta ahora pocos días hasta el 25 de Diciembre – solamente unos pocos días hasta – ¿hasta que? ¿Que es exactamente el 25 de Diciembre? ¿Que es este día que llamamos Navidad?

La iglesia primitiva no pensó mucho del nacimiento de Jesús. De los cuatro evangelios solamente Mateo y Lucas hacen mención de Su nacimiento, y estos relatos son relativamente breves. Ciertamente, el énfasis de los Evangelios fue acerca del ministerio, muerte, y resurrección de Jesús. Y después que Jesús ascendió al Cielo, el enfoque de la iglesia fue el vivir por El y esperar por Su retorno.

Nadie esta realmente seguro de cuando nació Jesús. La primera celebración que fue anotada no ocurrió hasta 200 años después de Su nacimiento, y no fue hasta 330 D.C. que el nacimiento de Cristo fue “asignado” al 25 de Diciembre. Algunos dicen que Jesús actualmente nació en Septiembre u Octubre y otros estan seguros que nació en Marzo o Abril (de hecho, se han defendido argumentos por Su nacimiento en cada uno de los doce meses). Pero el acuerdo general es que, debido al clima relativamente frío, Diciembre es un tiempo muy improbable para el nacimiento de nuestro Salvador. ¿Entonces, que es realmente este día que llamamos Navidad?

Juan 1:1,14
“En el principio ya existía el Verbo, y el Verbo estaba con Dios, y el Verbo era Dios. Y el Verbo se hizo hombre y habitó entre nosotros.”

Estos versículos se refieren a Jesucristo como el “Verbo”, quien era con Dios en el principio y al mismo tiempo era Dios también, y quien dejó Su hogar Celestial para comenzar una vida con nosotros como un bebé pequeño. El 25 de Diciembre es un día para que recordemos el evento mas profundo de la historia del mundo. En esa primera noche de Navidad (en cualquier fecha que era), Dios vino a la tierra en forma de un bebé. El nació en las circunstancias más humildes, creció y nos enseñó Sus verdades, murió en una cruz por nuestros pecados, y resucitó para estar con El Padre – todo para que pudiéramos vivir con El por la eternidad.

El 25 de Diciembre es un día para celebrar con una reflexión en quietud: como María “guardaba todas estas cosas en su corazón y meditaba acerca de ellas” (Lucas 2:19). Es también un día para celebrar con gran alegría: como los pastores “regresaron glorificando y alabando a Dios por lo que habían visto y oído” (Lucas 2:20). El mundo ha intentado remover a Cristo e insertar muchas actividades a esta temporada. Pero este no debe obstaculizar nuestra adoración de Dios. Nosotros tenemos la habilidad de rechazar lo malo y abrazar lo que es honroso y bueno.

Podemos (y debemos) celebrar el regalo de nuestro Salvador cada día durante todo el año, pero tomemos la oportunidad de hacer esta temporada y este día especial. Celebremos con corazones enfocados y agradecidos y hagamos del 25 de Diciembre un día de conmemoración.

Tenga un Dia Centrado en Cristo!

Steve Troxel
Ministerios La Palabra Diaria de Dios

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The First Move

By Steve T. on December 18, 2013

In our celebration of the birth of Christ, we know the focus of Christmas should be the eternal gift given through the birth, life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. This season ought to irresistibly draw us nearer to God as we reflect on His wonderful gift of love. But perhaps there are times we need to be reminded of the true significance of this gift.

The birth of Jesus gives great insight into the character of God. For one, we see His methods are far different from our own; “My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways” (Isaiah 55:8). How many of us would bring the King of Kings into the world through two common young people in a dirty area reserved for the animals? But God had a purpose!

These lowest of beginnings set the example for a life of humility. Jesus Christ is the Creator of the Universe! “For by Him all things were created” (Colossians 1:16). Yet, He humbled Himself to the point of being born with the animals, and continued by humbly walking all the way to the cross.

As we reflect on His humility, how can we then make prideful demands on life? How can we assume there is a standard to which we are entitled? Jesus set the standard for humility and we are now called to follow; “Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus” (Philippians 2:5).

But perhaps the greatest insight we can learn from the birth of our Savior is simply that He came. Our sin must have been detestable and vile to One so holy, but He came to live with us…and love us! Without Jesus Christ, we have absolutely no hope; we can do nothing to save ourselves from the bondage of sin and an eternal separation from God. We can do nothing, yet God came to love us and set us free. He took the initiative in our Salvation by providing a way and calling us Home.

1 John 4:9
“This is how God showed His love among us: He sent His one and only Son into the world that we might live through Him.”

God clearly saw our sinful condition; and yet, He loved us enough to send His Son so we might be restored to a right relationship with Him. He sent His Son so we might live! God made the first move 2000 years ago and He continues to make the first move in our lives today. He calls long before we even recognize His voice, and He continues to call us to surrender our life and live with Him in a deeper and more intimate relationship.

If you hear His call today, please respond! It’s a great privilege to hear His call, so be encouraged…but then respond! His call cost Him dearly, and it represents a love we will never fully understand. Let’s boldly answer and follow wherever He leads. And remember, He loved us enough to look past our sin and make the first move.

Have a Christ Centered Day!

Steve Troxel
God’s Daily Word Ministries

**** Reading Plan ****

Dec 18 Habakkuk 1:1-3:19; Revelation 9:1-21; Psalm 137:1-9; Proverbs 30:10

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El Primer Paso

By Steve T. on December 18, 2013

En el mensaje “Día de Conmemoración” vimos que el enfoque de Navidad siempre debe estar en recordar el regalo dado a través del nacimiento, vida, muerte, y resurrección de Jesús. Esta época debe atraernos irresistiblemente a Dios mientras reflexionamos en Su regalo de amor.

El nacimiento de Jesús nos da un conocimiento más profundo acerca del carácter de Dios. Primero, vemos que Sus métodos son muy diferentes de los nuestros; “mis pensamientos no son los de ustedes, ni sus caminos son los míos afirma el Señor” (Isaías 55:8). ¿Cuantos de nosotros hubiéramos traído al Rey de Reyes al mundo a través de dos jóvenes comunes en un establo sucio? Pero Dios tuvo un propósito.

Este inicio mas bajo puso el ejemplo para una vida de humildad. Jesucristo es el Creador del Universo! “Porque por medio de él fueron creadas todas las cosas” (Colosenses 1:16). Y aún, el Creador del Universo se humilló a si mismo hasta el punto de nacer entre los animales y continuó Su caminar humilde hasta la cruz.

De la manera en que reflexionamos sobre Su humildad, ¿como podemos después hacer demandas orgullosas de la vida? ¿Como podemos asumir que existe un estándar al cual tenemos derecho? Jesús estableció el estándar de humildad y ahora estamos llamados a seguir; “La actitud de ustedes debe ser como la de Cristo Jesús” (Filipenses 2:5).

Pero quizás el conocimiento más grande que podemos aprender del nacimiento de nuestro Salvador es simplemente que El vino. Nuestros pecados tenían que ser detestable y viles para Uno tan santo, pero El vino a vivir con nosotros…y a amarnos! Sin Jesucristo, tenemos absolutamente cero esperanza – no podemos hacer nada para salvarnos de las ataduras del pecado y una separación eterna de Dios – y aún, El tomó el primer paso para liberarnos. El tomó la iniciativa en nuestra Salvación y proveyó un camino y un llamado a Casa.

1 Juan 4:9
“Así manifestó Dios su amor entre nosotros: en que envió a su Hijo unigénito al mundo para que vivamos por medio de él.”

Dios vio claramente nuestra condición pecaminosa; pero, El nos amó lo suficiente para mandar a Su Hijo para que pudiéramos ser restaurados a una relación correcta con El – El mandó Su Hijo para que pudiéramos vivir! Dios tomó el primer paso hace 2000 años y continua tomando el primer paso en nuestras vidas ahora. El nos estaba llamando mucho antes de que rindiéramos nuestra vida, y El sigue llamandonos a rindir nuestras vidas y vivir con El en una relación más profunda e íntima.

Si tu escuchas ahora Su llamado, por favor responde! Es un gran privilegio escuchar Su llamado. Sea animado – pero responda! Su llamado le costó todo, y representa un amor que nunca entenderemos completamente. Contestemosle con valentía y sigamos donde El nos dirija porque El nos amó lo suficiente para tomar el primer paso.

Tenga un Dia Centrado en Cristo!

Steve Troxel
Ministerios La Palabra Diaria de Dios

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The Gift of True Forgiveness

By Steve T. on December 17, 2013

It’s hard to believe there are only a few more days until Christmas. Yes, as the song says: “It’s the most wonderful time of the year!” It really is wonderful! We are flooded with Christmas music, Christmas lights, and lots of Christmas “activities.” And although the season contains many distractions which attempt to pull us away, we generally make time to gather with family and friends and celebrate the true meaning of Christmas.

But many will find this time of year to be very painful. The memories of past hurt, which may remain hidden throughout the year, are now driven to the surface. Many are required to face someone who has caused them pain, or face the memory of a past Christmas which brings the person, and pain, back into view.

Obviously, this is not the turmoil which God intends for our life…especially not as we celebrate the birth of His Son.

Ephesians 4:32
“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”

We cannot properly celebrate the birth of Jesus without reflecting on why He was born. Through His life He offered us a message of eternal hope, and through His death on the cross He offered us the complete forgiveness of sin. With this single act of unbelievable love, Jesus removed the sin which would otherwise keep us eternally separated from our Heavenly Father. This is the manner in which we are to love and forgive others.

Jesus told a parable about a servant who had an enormous debt canceled: “The servant fell on his knees before him. ‘Be patient with me,’ he begged, ‘and I will pay back everything.’ The servant’s master took pity on him, canceled the debt and let him go” (Matthew 18:26-27). But when the servant went away, he refused to cancel the relatively minor debt a fellow servant owed him; “Instead, he went off and had the man thrown into prison until he could pay the debt” (Matthew 18:30).

Jesus used this parable to show that unless we completely forgive others from deep within our heart, we have somehow failed to understand the forgiveness we have already received; “Shouldn’t you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?” (Matthew 18:33). Any sin which others may commit against us is small when viewed in light of the many sins we have committed against God! We have been completely forgiven of sooooo much!!

During this most wonderful time of the year, let’s reflect on the awesome gift we have been given through our Savior. Then, let’s give to others as we have already received. Let’s love and give the gift of true forgiveness.

Have a Christ Centered Day!

Steve Troxel
God’s Daily Word Ministries

**** Reading Plan ****

Dec 17 Nahum 1:1-3:19; Revelation 8:1-13; Psalm 136:1-26; Proverbs 30:7-9

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El Regalo del Perdón Verdadero

By Steve T. on December 17, 2013

Si, como dice la canción: “Es el tiempo mas maravilloso del año!” Estamos inundados con música navideña, luces navideñas, y muchas “actividades” navideñas. Y aunque los “adornos” navideños son frecuentamente distracciones, la mayoría de nosotros somos capaces de ver mas allá de la brillantina. A pesar que el mundo intenta distraernos, generalmente hacemos tiempo para reunirnos con familia y amigos y celebrar el significado verdadero de Navidad.

Pero muchos de nosotros sienten este tiempo del año muy doloroso. La memoria de heridas pasadas, que permanecen escondidas durante todo el año, ahora vienen a la superficie. Tal vez tendremos que enfrentar una persona particular quien nos causó dolor – o la memoria de una Navidad pasada podría traer la persona (y el dolor) de regreso a nuestra mente.

Obviamente, esta agitación no es la intención que Dios tiene para nuestras vidas – especialmente no mientras estamos celebrando el nacimiento de Su Hijo.

Efesios 4:32
“Más bien, sean bondadosos y compasivos unos con otros, y perdónense mutuamente, así como Dios los perdonó a ustedes en Cristo.”

No podemos celebrar correctamente el nacimiento de Jesús sin reflexionar sobre el porque de Su nacer. A través de Su vida nos ofreció el perdón completo de pecados. Con un solo acto de amor increíble, Jesús removió el pecado que nos hubiera mantenido eternamente separados de nuestro Padre Celestial. Esta es la manera de la cual debemos perdonar a otros.

Jesús contó una parábola acerca de un sirviente que tuvo una enorme deuda cancelada: “Entonces aquel siervo, postrado, le suplicaba, diciendo: Señor, ten paciencia conmigo, y yo te lo pagaré todo. El señor de aquel siervo, movido a misericordia, le soltó y le perdonó la deuda” (Mateo 18:26-27). Pero cuando se fue el sirviente, el rehusó perdonar una deuda de un sirviente compañero – una deuda que solamente era una fracción de la cantidad recién cancelada; “Mas él no quiso, sino fue y le echó en la cárcel, hasta que pagase la deuda” (Mateo 18:30).

Jesús usó esta parábola para mostrarnos que si no perdonamos completamente a otros desde lo profundo de nuestro corazón, hemos fallado de entender el perdón que ya nos ha dado; “¿No debías tú también tener misericordia de tu consiervo, como yo tuve misericordia de ti?” (Mateo 18:33). Cualquier “pecado” que cometen otros en contra de nosotros es pequeño en comparación a los pecados que hemos cometido en contra de Dios! Hemos sido perdonados taaaaaaanto!!

Durante este tiempo del año tan maravilloso, reflexionemos sobre el regalo impresionante que ya hemos sido dado a través de nuestro Señor. Entonces, demos a otros en la manera que ya hemos recibido – demos el regalo del perdón verdadero.

Tenga un Dia Centrado en Cristo!

Steve Troxel
Ministerios La Palabra Diaria de Dios

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Calling God A Liar

By Steve T. on December 16, 2013

God desires that we know Him in an intimate and personal relationship. He has therefore revealed Himself and provided a way to know Him through the life and sacrifice of His Son; “Anyone who has seen Me has seen the Father… Don’t you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in Me?” (John 14:9-10). As we grow in our faith and begin to know Him better, it becomes essential to know the promises of His Word. But it’s even more important to believe His promises are true! We may say we believe God’s Word is true, but do our actions reflect our belief?

1 John 5:10
“Anyone who believes in the Son of God has this testimony in his heart. Anyone who does not believe God has made Him out to be a liar, because he has not believed the testimony God has given about His Son.”

Yes, our old nature sometimes clouds our ability to clearly see the truth; and yes, some of God’s truths can be hard to accept and actually put into practice. But, we either believe His words and begin to take steps to apply them in our life, or we do not believe and call God a liar by the way we live.

It may be a difficult process, but we must confront our beliefs and begin to make them real. When we face a trial and don’t know which direction to turn, do we believe the words, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight” (Proverbs 3:5-6)? Do we really believe that as we trust Him, He will remove the confusion and guide our steps?

When our circumstances seem out of control, do we believe “in all things God works for the good of those who love Him” (Romans 8:28)? Do we really believe that as we continue to love Him, God works for the good in ALL things, regardless of our understanding? And when we feel alone, do we really believe God’s promise to always be near; “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5).

How about the promise of being content (Philippians 4:12), or being given the peace of Jesus (John 14:27), or the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23); can we really “do everything through Him who gives me strength” (Philippians 4:13)? Parents, have we given up hope for our children or do we believe, “Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it” (Proverbs 22:6)?

God’s Word is true and His promises are real!! Let’s praise Him all the rest of our days and let our lives demonstrate we REALLY know and believe. Let’s make sure our actions and decisions, fears and anxieties, hopes and dreams, are governed by truth and NOT based on calling God a liar.

Have a Christ Centered Day!

Steve Troxel
God’s Daily Word Ministries

**** Reading Plan ****

Dec 12 Amos 7:1-9:15; Revelation 3:7-22; Psalm 131:1-3; Proverbs 29:23
Dec 13 Obadiah 1:1-21; Revelation 4:1-11; Psalm 132:1-18; Proverbs 29:24-25
Dec 14 Johah 1:1-4:11; Revelation 5:1-14; Psalm 133:1-3; Proverbs 29:26-27
Dec 15 Micah 1:1-4:13; Revelation 6:1-17; Psalm 134:1-3; Proverbs 30:1-4
Dec 16 Micah 5:1-7:20; Revelation 7:1-17; Psalm 135:1-21; Proverbs 30:5-6

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1489.05 Run Miles in 2013 : Goal 1509 miles
2732.30 Bike Miles in 2013 : Goal 3000 miles

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Llamar a Dios Mentiroso

By Steve T. on December 16, 2013

Dios desea que le conozcamos a través de una relación íntima y personal. Dios se ha revelado a Sí Mismo y provisto una forma de conocerle a través de Su Hijo; “El que me ha visto a mí, ha visto al Padre..¿No crees que yo soy en el Padre, y el Padre en mí?” (Juan 14:9-10). Mientras crecemos en la fe y comenzamos a conocerlo mejor, se vuelve esencial conocer – y CREER! – las promesas de Su Palabra. Podríamos decir que creemos que la Palabra de Dios es verdad, ¿pero actuamos realmente como si creemos?

1 Juan 5:10
“El que cree en el Hijo de Dios, tiene el testimonio en sí mismo; el que no cree a Dios, le ha hecho mentiroso, porque no ha creído en el testimonio que Dios ha dado acerca de su Hijo.”

Si, nuestra vieja naturaleza a veces nubla nuestra habilidad para ver claramente la verdad; y si, algunas de las verdades de Dios pueden ser difíciles de aceptar y de poner en práctica. Pero, o creemos Su Palabra y comenzamos a dar pasos para aplicarla en nuestras vidas, o no creemos y llamamos a Dios mentiroso con nuestra forma de vivir.

Esto puede ser difícil, pero debemos confrontar nuestras creencias y comenzar a hacerlas realidad. ¿Cuando enfrentamos una prueba y no sabemos que dirección seguir, creemos en “Fíate de Jehová de todo tu corazón, Y no te apoyes en tu propia prudencia. Reconócelo en todos tus caminos, Y él enderezará tus veredas” (Proverbios 3:5-6)? ¿Realmente creemos que cuando le creemos, El quitará la confusión y guiará nuestros pasos?

¿Cuando nuestras circunstancias parecen fuera de control, creemos que “a los que aman a Dios, todas las cosas les ayudan a bien” (Romanos 8:28)? ¿Realmente creemos que si le amamos, Dios obra para bien en todas las cosas (sin importar como las entendamos)? ¿Y cuando nos sentimos solos realmente creemos que la promesa de Dios es siempre estar cerca; “No te desampararé, ni te dejaré” (Hebreos 13:5)?

¿Y que de la promesa de estar contento (Filipenses 4:12), o que se nos de la paz de Jesús (Juan 14:27), o el fruto del Espíritu (Gálatas 5:22-23) – ¿podemos realmente hacer todo en El que nos fortalece (Filipenses 4:13)? ¿Padres, hemos renunciado a la esperanza por nuestros hijos o creemos en, “Instruye al niño en Su camino y aún cuando fuere viejo no se apartará de el” (Proverbios 22:6)?

La Palabra de Dios es verdadera y Sus promesas son reales!! Adoremosle a El por el resto de nuestros días y dejemos que nuestras vidas demuestren que REALMENTE le conocemos y creemos. Asegurémonos que nuestras acciones y decisiones, temores y angustias, esperanzas y sueños, son gobernados por la verdad y NO basados en llamar a Dios mentiroso.

Tenga un Dia Centrado en Cristo!

Steve Troxel
Ministerios La Palabra Diaria de Dios

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Ministry Update – Active Love

By Steve T. on December 12, 2013

In the message “Active Love” we considered our call to love with more than just words. Our words are certainly important, and we are to “encourage one another daily, as long as it is called ‘Today,’ so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness” (Hebrews 3:13). But we are being called to a love which goes beyond words; we are being called to a love which is active.

1 John 3:16-18
“This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down His life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.”

This ministry began seventeen years ago with the focus of sharing the Word of God. This focus of loving with words continues today, but I am thankful that many years ago God led me to Africa and opened doors to also love with actions.

This year we were able to officially register our ministry in Kenya as God’s Daily Word – Kenya. One of our main projects this year is to firm up our commitment to a community in Mathare in the form of a preschool with 50 children representing 45 family units. I wrote about how we are able to minister to the families in the following update message:

http://gdwm.org/index.php/2013/12/ministry-updates/

Our preschool, God’s Daily Word Children’s Center, is committed to providing a solid educational and Spiritual start for children within the immediate area of the center. The pictures above are taken from the front of the center. There is clearly a great need within this community. Our commitment is to provide all the funds necessary to run this facility. This includes things like facility rent, teacher pay, supplies, and food – we provide a morning and afternoon nutritional snack as well as a full lunch. Many of these 50 children would go hungry without the support of the center.

The end of year giving is already allowing us to purchase much needed supplies such as teacher desks, textbooks, mattresses for the youngest children, cabinets for storage, and water filters – thank you so much! We have much work yet to do and would eventually like to purchase a facility of our own. As you consider your end of year giving, please consider committing to monthly giving. We are extremely careful with our monthly expenses, but our commitment for essentials like food and teacher pay continues to grow.

The Donate Now button, below, will allow you to make a one-time donation or set up monthly donations. You can also just respond to this email with your physical address and let me know you would like monthly donation envelopes. You have been so faithful over the years, and I thank you for allowing this ministry to be involved in an active love of this kind.

Have a Christ Centered Day!

Steve Troxel
God’s Daily Word Ministries

Direct “Donate Now” link is: https://donatenow.networkforgood.org/542722

Posted in Devotional, End of Year 2013, Update Message | Leave a response

An Active Love

By Steve T. on December 11, 2013

In the message “So We May Know” we looked at some indicators of a “born again” life. We saw that such a life should be characterized by love; “we know that we have passed from death to life, because we love our brothers” (1 John 3:14). Although loving others will not save us, John forcefully states that if we are truly saved we will love one another; “whoever does not love does not know God” (1 John 4:8).

It’s interesting to note that in the five chapters of 1 John, the word love is used 46 times. If love is this important, we ought to understand what it means.

John is saying that Jesus set the example for love and that our love for others is a direct result of the love of God within us. As we love God and surrender our life to Jesus Christ, His love fills us and overflows into the lives of those around us. If love for others is lacking, we must lay down our life and increase our love for God; a truly increased love for God will certainly increase our love for others.

John also makes it clear that a Godly love for others is not simply an emotional feeling, or gentle and kind words. When we begin to understand God’s love for us – when we catch even a glimpse of His mercy and love in giving us His Son – we will be compelled to express our love with meaningful action such as meeting physical needs, readily forgiving when wronged, and showing Godly compassion when others are hurting. God so desired to be with us for all eternity that He gave His Son and loved us all the way to the cross. We are to love others in this same manner, “because He first loved us” (1 John 4:19).

Our love for God is demonstrated by our real love for others. Jesus made this clear when He said; “whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for Me” (Matthew 25:40). We are actually loving and serving God as we love and serve others: “I was hungry and you gave Me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave Me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited Me in, I needed clothes and you clothed Me, I was sick and you looked after Me, I was in prison and you came to visit Me” (Matthew 25:35-36).

Love must be an integral part of our Christian walk. Love must be directed up; “love the Lord with ALL your heart” (Mark 12:30), and love must be directed out; “love your neighbor as yourself” (Mark 12:31). Let’s love as Jesus loved us! Let’s look for ways to love with more than words; let’s love with an active love.

Have a Christ Centered Day!

Steve Troxel
God’s Daily Word Ministries

**** Reading Plan ****

Dec 11 Amos 4:1-6:14; Revelation 2:18-3:6; Psalm 130:1-8; Proverbs 29:21-22

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Un Amor Activo

By Steve T. on December 11, 2013

En el mensaje “Para que Nosotros Sepamos” vimos algunos indicadores de la vida de un “nacido de nuevo”. Vimos que tales vidas deben ser caracterizadas por el amor; “Nosotros sabemos que hemos pasado de muerte a vida, en que amamos a los hermanos” (1 Juan 3:14). Aún cuando amar a otros no nos hace salvos, Juan convincentemente establece que si somos verdaderamente salvos nos amaremos los unos a los otros; “El que no ama, no ha conocido a Dios” (1 Juan 4:8).

Es interesante notar que en los cinco capítulos de 1 Juan, la palabra amor es usada 46 veces. Si el amor es tan importante, nosotros debemos comprender lo que significa.

1 Juan 3:16-18
“En esto hemos conocido el amor, en que él puso su vida por nosotros; también nosotros debemos poner nuestras vidas por los hermanos. Pero el que tiene bienes de este mundo y ve a su hermano tener necesidad, y cierra contra él su corazón, ¿cómo mora el amor de Dios en él? Hijitos míos, no amemos de palabra ni de lengua, sino de hecho y en verdad.”

Juan está diciendo que Jesús estableció el ejemplo para el amor y que nuestro amor por otros es el resultado directo del amor de Dios en nosotros. Cuando amamos a Dios y sometemos nuestra vida a Jesucristo, Su amor nos llena y sobreabunda hacia la vida de los que nos rodean. Si el amor por otros es escaso, debemos poner a un lado nuestra vida e incrementar nuestro amor por Dios; un incremento de nuestro amor por Dios automáticamente incrementará nuestro amor por otros.

Juan también dejó claro que el amor de Dios hacia otros no es simplemente un “sentimiento” emocional o palabra amable. Cuando comenzamos a comprender el amor de Dios para nosotros – cuando obtenemos aún un vistazo de su misericordia y amor en darnos a Su Hijo – somos impulsados a expresar nuestro amor con acciones significantes tales como subsanar necesidades físicas, de buena gana perdonando los errores, y mostrando la compasión de Dios cuando otros nos dañan. Dios desea tanto estar con nosotros por toda la eternidad que dió a Su Hijo y nos amó hasta la cruz. Debemos amar a los demás de la misma manera, “porque el nos amó primero” (1 Juan 4:19).

Nuestro amor por Dios es demostrado por nuestro verdadero amor por otros. Jesús dejó esto claro cuando dijo; “en cuanto lo hicisteis a uno de estos mis hermanos más pequeños, a mí lo hicisteis” (Mateo 25:40). Estamos realmente amando y sirviendo a Dios cuando amamos y servimos a otros: “Porque tuve hambre, y me disteis de comer; tuve sed, y me disteis de beber; fui forastero, y me recogisteis; estuve desnudo, y me cubristeis; enfermo, y me visitasteis; en la cárcel, y vinisteis a mí” (Mateo 25:35-36).

El amor debe ser parte integral de nuestro caminar Cristiano. El amor debe ser dirigido hacia arriba; “amarás al Señor tu Dios con todo tu corazón” (Marcos 12:30), y el amor debe ser dirigido hacia afuera; “Áma a tu prójimo como a ti mismo” (Marcos 12:31). Amemos como Jesús nos amo! Busquemos formas de amar con más que palabras – amemos con un amor activo.

Tenga un Dia Centrado en Cristo!

Steve Troxel
Ministerios La Palabra Diaria de Dios

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