Browse: Home / Posts / Page 28

Posts

Be Clean

By on April 15, 2020

Be_Clean

The term leprosy, as used in the Bible, actually refers to a whole variety of skin conditions ranging from rashes, to open sores, to various infectious diseases, and includes true leprosy as we know it today.

According to God’s Law given through Moses, a person with leprosy was ceremonially unclean and not allowed to take part in any form of worship. They were to live in isolation or cry out “Unclean! Unclean!” as they walked about the community (Leviticus 13). Lepers were strictly avoided since even accidental contact would cause a person to become unclean. Therefore, imagine the turmoil in the crowd as a leper boldly approached Jesus.

Matthew 8:2-3
“A man with leprosy came and knelt before Him and said, ‘Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean.’ Jesus reached out His hand and touched the man. ‘I am willing,’ He said. ‘Be clean!’ Immediately he was cured of his leprosy.”

Yes, imagine the turmoil as many in the crowd scattered to get out of the leper’s way. Some must have been calling out warnings, others delivering harsh rebukes. But even more important, consider the faith of the leper as he stepped forward. He knew he would face ridicule and scorn, but he had heard about Jesus and his faith propelled him to action.

Jesus looked past the ugliness of the man’s condition and saw directly into his heart. In the heart, Jesus saw a beautiful man of faith reaching out to be made clean. He saw a heart which reflected the heart of king David; “Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin” (Psalm 51:2).

Our sin creates an ugliness far greater than any skin disease. Sin caused man to be repulsive to God and totally separated from His presence. But while we were in this terminal state, God poured out His love; “While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8).

No matter how bad we think we “look” – no matter how much sin is covering us and making us unclean – Jesus sees directly into our heart. No amount of sin can keep Him from rescuing those with a repentant heart and a desire to be cleansed.

If there is anything causing us to be separated from the presence of our Lord today – any past sin, any current temptations, or any lack of obedience – we must kneel before Him and seek forgiveness. Others may turn away and not understand, but Jesus stands ready to lovingly touch us with His outstretched hand and say, “Be Clean!”

Have a Christ Centered Day!

Steve Troxel
God’s Daily Word Ministries

**** Reading Plan ****

Apr 15 Joshua 11:1-12:24; Luke 17:11-37; Psalm 84:1-12; Proverbs 13:5-6

*****************************************************

DonateNow

Posted in | 1 Response

Sé Limpio

By on April 15, 2020

Be_Clean

El termino lepra, de la manera que se usa en la Biblia, realmente se refiere a una gran variedad de condiciones de la piel que van desde inflamaciones, hasta llagas abiertas, y varias enfermedades infecciosas; e incluye la verdadera lepra como la que conocemos ahora.

De acuerdo a la ley de Dios dada a través de Moisés, una persona con lepra era ceremonialmente impura y no se le permitía tomar parte en ninguna forma de adoración. Ellos debían vivir en aislamiento o gritar “Impuro! Impuro!” mientras caminaba acercandose a la comunidad (Levítico 13). Los leprosos eran estrictamente evitados puesto que aún el contacto accidental podía causar que una persona se volviera impura. Por ello, imagine la agitación en la multitud cuando un leproso atrevidamente se aproximaba a Jesús.

Mateo 8:2-3
“Y he aquí vino un leproso y se postró ante él, diciendo: Señor, si quieres, puedes limpiarme. Jesús extendió la mano y le tocó, diciendo: Quiero; sé limpio. Y al instante su lepra desapareció.”

Si, imagine la agitación cuando muchos de la multitud se esparcían para alejarse del camino del leproso. Algunos deben haber hechos llamados de alerta, otros haciendo severos reproches. Pero aún más importante, considere la fe de ese leproso mientras daba un paso al frente. Sabía que se enfrentaría al ridículo o burla, pero él había oído de Jesús y su fe lo impulsaba a la acción.

Jesús miró más alla de la fealdad de la condición del hombre y vio directamente a su corazón. En el corazón Jesús vio un hermoso hombre de fe buscando ser limpio – El vio un corazón que reflejaba el corazón del Rey David; “Lávame más y más de mi maldad, Y límpiame de mi pecado” (Salmo 51:2).

Nuestros pecados crean una fealdad peor que cualquier enfermedad de la piel. El pecado causa que el hombre sea repulsivo ante Dios y lo separa totalmente de Su presencia. Pero cuando estábamos en este estado terminal, “Mas Dios muestra su amor para con nosotros, en que siendo aún pecadores, Cristo murió por nosotros” (Romanos 5:8).

No importa que tan mal creamos que nos “vemos” – No importa cuanto pecado nos esta cubriendo y haciendonos impuros – Jesús ve directo dentro de nuestro corazón. Ninguna cantidad de pecado puede limitarlo a El de rescatar aquellos con un corazón arrepentido y el deseo de ser limpios.

Si hay algo ahora causándonos estar separados de la presencia de nuestro Señor – cualquier pecado del pasado, cualquier tentación presente, o cualquier falta de obediencia – debemos arrodillarnos ante El y buscar Su perdón. Otros podrían dar la espalda y no comprender, pero Jesús permanece listo para tocarnos amorosamente con Sus manos extendidas y decir, “Sé Limpio!”

Tenga un Dia Centrado en Cristo!

Steve Troxel
Ministerios La Palabra Diaria de Dios

DonateNow

Posted in | Leave a response

Immeasurably More

By on April 14, 2020

Immeasurably_More

Prayer is a vitally important part of our Christian walk, but it is often greatly misunderstood. Prayer is how we talk with our Heavenly Father. It can never be used to manipulate God or cause Him to do anything outside His perfect will. God is not ours to command; He is not obligated to grant our wishes!

Our attitude toward prayer reveals much about how we view God and the closeness of our relationship through faith in Jesus. If we continually wait for a crisis before we pray, we actually demonstrate a lack of love. A man may say he loves his wife, but if he only occasionally talks with her he reveals a shallow relationship. True love will always be reflected by a desire to spend time together. And if we lift our problems to God in prayer but also give Him our expected solutions, we demonstrate a lack of trust and reveal a misunderstanding of His sovereign nature and limitless ability.

Ephesians 3:20
“Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us.”

The consistent message through all of scripture is that God is calling us to a closer relationship – calling us to love Him with ALL our heart, soul, mind and strength (Mark 12:30). Therefore, our prayers MUST begin from a position of love. He wants us to continually know Him more and understand the true meaning of “My God will meet all your needs” (Philippians 4:19), and “with God all things are possible” (Matthew 19:26). He wants us to love Him and trust Him to provide!

It’s foolish for us to limit God to our own understanding. He created the Universe and knew the end of time before the beginning. He can, and will, “perfectly” solve our problems. He is working all things together for the good and using all situations to conform us to the likeness of His Son (Romans 8:28-29).

Through a proper attitude of prayer, we acknowledge and submit to God’s sovereignty. We praise Him because we know He is able to do much more than anything we ask, and we submit because we know His understanding and purpose is perfect; “Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven” (Matthew 6:10). Our prayer is not a matter of “working things out” with God – not of wrestling until we obtain OUR solution – rather, prayer simply becomes submission to His direction and trust in His plan.

We must present ourselves as empty vessels and allow God to work through us each and every day. Let’s love Him enough to “pray continually” (1 Thessalonians 5:17). Let’s make our requests known, but then let’s submit and humbly acknowledge that He can do immeasurably more.

Have a Christ Centered Day!

Steve Troxel
God’s Daily Word Ministries

**** Reading Plan ****

Apr 14 Joshua 9:3-10:43; Luke 16:19-17:10; Psalm 83:1-18; Proverbs 13:4

*****************************************************

DonateNow

Posted in | Leave a response

Inmensurablemente Mas

By on April 14, 2020

Immeasurably_More

La oración es de vital importancia en nuestro caminar Cristiano, pero con frecuencia es malentendido. La oración es como hablamos con nuestro Padre Celestial. Nunca puede ser usada para manipular a Dios u obligarlo a hacer cualquier cosa fuera de Su perfecta voluntad. ¡Dios no es nuestro genio mágico con la misión de cumplir nuestros deseos!

Nuestra actitud hacia la oración revela mucho acerca de la forma en que vemos a Dios y la cercanía de nuestra relación a través de la fe en Jesús. Si continuamente esperamos una crisis para orar, realmente lo que demostramos es un escaso amor. Un hombre puede decir que ama a su esposa pero si solo ocasionalmente habla con ella, él revela una relación superficial. El verdadero amor siempre será reflejado por un deseo de compartir tiempo juntos.

Y si nosotros elevamos nuestros problemas a Dios en oración pero también le damos las soluciones que esperamos, demostramos una escasa confianza y revelamos un mal entendimiento de su soberana naturaleza e ilimitada habilidad.

Efesios 3:20
“Y a Aquel que es poderoso para hacer todas las cosas mucho más abundantemente de lo que pedimos o entendemos, según el poder que actúa en nosotros.”

El mensaje consistente a través de todas las escrituras es que Dios está llamándonos a una relación más cercana con Él – llamándonos a AMARLO con TODO nuestro corazón, alma, mente y fuerza (Marcos 12:30). Por eso, nuestras oraciones DEBEN comenzar desde una posición de amor. Dios también quiere que continuamente lo conozcamos más y que comprendamos el verdadero significado de: “Mi Dios, pues, suplirá todo lo que os falta conforme a sus riquezas en gloria en Cristo Jesús” (Filipenses 4:19), y que “para Dios todo es posible” (Mateo 19:26). ¡Él quiere que lo amemos y que confiemos en él para proveernos!

Es tonto de nuestra parte limitar a Dios a nuestro propio entendimiento. Él creó el Universo y supo el final de los tiempos desde el principio. Él puede, y resolverá en forma “perfecta” nuestros problemas. El esta trabajando todas las cosas juntas para bien y usa todas las situaciones para hacernos conforme a la semejanza de su hijo (Romanos 8:28-29).

A través de una actitud correcta en oración, reconocemos y nos sometemos a la soberanía de Dios. Le alabamos porque sabemos que Él puede hacer mucho mas de lo que le pedimos, y nos sometemos a Su perfecto entendimiento y propósito: “Hágase tu voluntad, como en el cielo, así también en la tierra” (Mateo 6:10). Nuestra oración no es cuestión de “hacer funcionar las cosas” con Dios – no de luchar hasta que obtengamos NUESTRA solución – sino, simplemente someternos a su dirección y confiar en Su plan perfecto.

Debemos presentarnos como vasijas vacías y permitir que Dios trabaje a través de nosotros todos y cada día. Amémosle suficiente como para “orar continuamente” (1 Tesalonicenses 5:17). Hagámosle saber nuestra petición, pero sometámonos y humildemente reconozcamos que Él puede hacer inmensurablemente más.

Tenga un Dia Centrado en Cristo!

Steve Troxel
Ministerios La Palabra Diaria de Dios

DonateNow

Posted in | Leave a response

Working All Things For Good

By on April 13, 2020

Malawi1

In the message “Our Perfect Destiny” we saw that our perfect path is the one in which we obediently follow God one step after the other. There are oftentimes dramatic diversions in our journey, which I do not believe are necessarily caused by God. However, I still believe that God uses these diversions to direct us down our perfect path as we continue to trust and follow Him in obedience, even in the midst of pain.

Romans 8:28
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”

The following message was written by my daughter, four years ago when she was sixteen. Her testimony is a wonderful example of how God can use our trials, even something as terrible as cancer, to shape us into the image of His Son. Kaylee is now on her way to becoming a nurse with her current goal being to work with pediatric cancer patients. To me, this is a clear example of how God is continually in the process of working all things for good.

*** Message By Kayee Troxel ***

Hello everyone! I’m sure most of you have heard parts of my story from my Dad’s messages, but I wanted to take some time to share my testimony, and how recent events have affected it.

As many of you know, nearly four years ago I was diagnosed and treated for stage three ovarian cancer. That was a horrible time. At that point, I didn’t have a true relationship with God. It was hard for me to see any moments of happiness when I was sick and there were many times when I felt like I couldn’t make it through one more day. I was weak and depressed for a long time, but eventually it passed, and I began recovering. The summer after I finished treatment was peaceful and full of joy, like taking a breath of fresh air. But as the summer came to an end, I knew I would have to go back to the hospital for follow up tests.

The day before returning to the hospital, I was so afraid. Thinking about going back and facing all those fears and memories was petrifying. It was in that moment that I finally broke and cried out to God for help. The thought of going through the rest of my life without God was and is terrifying to me. I realized that I needed God more than I needed anything else in the world. Without Him, I am still a weak, sickly child, but when He is with me, no matter how dark a situation I might be in, His love continues to break through. He walked by my side all that day, and the follow up tests showed that I was cancer free.

Soon after, I qualified for a trip through Make-A-Wish, which is an organization that works with kids with health problems to help “make their dreams come true.” Eventually, I decided I wanted to visit the pediatric cancer ward at Queen Elizabeth hospital in Blantyre, Malawi. We would hopefully interview some doctors and nurses and learn about any special challenges with treating cancer in Malawi. The goal would be to collect information and raise awareness about the needs of the hospital. I am incredibly thankful that I was given the opportunity to go on this trip because so much good has already come out of it.

Going into the trip, there were a lot of uncertainties. We didn’t know how we were going to travel around Blantyre. We didn’t know if we were going to be able to talk to people in the hospital. And, keep in mind, being in a country so far from home was an entirely new experience for my mom and me. I had all these plans and hopes going in. I wanted to make this trip worthwhile, but instead of being in control, I had to surrender it to God and trust that he would work things out.

But wow, God is good. He provided everything I could have hoped for. We had such a successful trip. We were able to collect a lot of information about the hospital, and there are so many opportunities for service. I met several young girls in the hospital who had the same type of ovarian cancer as me. They were in the middle of treatment, and God gave me the opportunity to show them that there is hope for recovery.

My experience with cancer might have been hard, but it is nothing compared to what the children in Malawi and under-resourced areas go through. I was extremely blessed to be treated at an excellent hospital with enough resources and equipment, but not everyone is as fortunate. My heart aches for the children that have the same disease that I did but will rarely survive because of lack of early diagnosis or testing equipment.

On the last day the main oncology doctor said to me one thing that has stuck in my mind. He said, “Now you see that your pain and suffering has been used to help other people.” This blows my mind, but I can see it so clearly. God has used me for His plans. This trip would never have happened if I hadn’t had cancer. God used the pain I went through and has given me the opportunity to bring good to other people. He is working in my life and using me for His glory. This terrible thing that happened to me four years ago is now being used to help others.

Now I know that He is telling me to be active in this plan. I need to spread the word about the hospital’s needs. Hopefully, I can eventually set up funding for a project to support things like cancer nurses, food for patients, and cancer education in many of the rural areas.

I know I’m still young and have a lot to learn, but I want to leave you all with this message. God has a plan for your life. He has a perfect, beautiful plan. You might not know your whole story, and you will see darkness at times. But no darkness lasts with God. The joy that He brings afterwards is more beautiful than you could possibly imagine.

Have a Christ Centered Day!

Steve Troxel
God’s Daily Word Ministries

**** Reading Plan ****

Apr 13 Joshua 7:16-9:2; Luke 16:1-18; Psalm 82:1-8; Proverbs 13:2-3

*****************************************************

DonateNow

Posted in | Leave a response

Serve Him in Obedience

By on April 9, 2020

Serve_Him_in_Obedience

In the last few messages we have considered our need to walk with God in continued obedience in order to honor Him and allow us to experience His very best. God’s plan is that we learn to live in His presence and become “conformed to the likeness of His Son” (Romans 8:29). This means we must listen intently for God’s direction and follow where He leads, not just blindly walk down what appears to be His path.

David was crowned king of Judah soon after Saul died in about the year 1010 BC. About seven years later, all of Israel acknowledged David as their new king. One of David’s first actions as king was to move the Ark of God from the home of Abinadab to Jerusalem. David and all the officials believed that by making the Ark a more central focus for the nation, God would bless all of Israel.

This was a very exciting time. The Ark was being transported on a new cart pulled by oxen, and over thirty thousand people were “celebrating with all their might before the Lord, with songs and with harps, lyres, tambourines, sistrums and cymbals” (2 Samuel 6:5). But even during this time of great excitement, God clearly demonstrated the need for obedience.

2 Samuel 6:6-7
“When they came to the threshing floor of Nacon, Uzzah reached out and took hold of the Ark of God, because the oxen stumbled. The Lord’s anger burned against Uzzah because of his irreverent act; therefore God struck him down and he died there beside the Ark of God.”

Uzzah’s intentions were good, but God considered his actions “irreverent.” Uzzah desired to serve God by keeping the Ark from falling to the ground, but his enthusiastic and well intentioned actions were not directed by God. In fact, Uzzah’s actions were in direct conflict with God’s Word.

During the time of Moses, God had given instructions that the Ark should be moved with poles (Exodus 25:14-15) and that anyone who touched the Ark must be put to death (Numbers 4:15). Uzzah served where he thought there was a need, but he served at the expense of true obedience.

We must learn great sensitivity to God’s leading. Seemingly godly action, if done outside the will of God, is sin. We must never assume that what “looks” good and godly is truly of God. Our Heavenly Father will always be faithful to lead us in His perfect will. But we must be willing to spend time (often, lots of time!) worshiping at His feet, communing with Him in prayer, and waiting patiently for His direction. As we serve our Lord, let’s do so with great enthusiasm, but let’s always allow Him to lead and serve Him in obedience.

Have a Christ Centered Day!

Steve Troxel
God’s Daily Word Ministries

**** Reading Plan ****

Apr 9 Deuteronomy 33:1-29; Luke 13:1-22; Psalm 78:59-72; Proverbs 12:25
Apr 10 Deut. – Josh. 34:1-2:24; Luke 13:23-14:6; Psalm 79:1-13; Proverbs 12:26
Apr 11 Joshua 3:1-4:24; Luke 14:7-35; Psalm 80:1-19; Proverbs 12:27-28
Apr 12 Joshua 5:1-7:15; Luke 15:1-32; Psalm 81:1-16; Proverbs 13:1

*****************************************************

DonateNow

Posted in | Leave a response

Sirvámosle en Obediencia

By on April 9, 2020

Serve_Him_in_Obedience

En los últimos dos mensajes hemos considerado nuestra necesidad de caminar con Dios en continua obediencia a fin de darle honor a El y permitirnos experimentar lo mejor de El. El plan de Dios es que aprendamos a vivir en Su presencia y seamos “hechos conformes a la imagen de su Hijo” (Romanos 8:29). Esto significa que debemos escuchar con mucho interés la dirección de Dios y seguirlo hacia donde el nos lleve, no solo caminar ciegamente por lo que parece ser Su camino.

David fue coronado rey de Judá luego después que Saúl murió cerca del año 1010 AC. Unos siete años más tarde, todo Israel reconocía a David como su nuevo rey. Una de las primeras acciones de David como rey fue intentar mover el Arca de Dios de la casa de Abinadab a Jerusalén. David y todos los oficiales creyeron que dando al Arca un enfoque más central en la nación, Dios bendeciría a Israel.

Este fue un tiempo muy emocionante. El Arca estaba siendo transportada por un carruaje nuevo halado por bueyes, y más de treinta mil personas “danzaban delante de Jehová con toda clase de instrumentos de madera de haya; con arpas, salterios, panderos, flautas y címbalos” (2 Samuel 6:5). Pero aún durante este tiempo de gran emoción, Dios claramente demostró la necesidad de obediencia.

2 Samuel 6:6-7
“Cuando llegaron a la era de Nacón, Uza extendió su mano al arca de Dios, y la sostuvo; porque los bueyes tropezaban. Y el furor de Jehová se encendió contra Uza, y lo hirió allí Dios por aquella temeridad, y cayó allí muerto junto al arca de Dios.”

Las intenciones de Uza eran buenas, pero Dios consideraba sus acciones “irreverentes.” Uza deseaba servir a Dios guardando el Arca de caer al piso, pero sus entusiastas y bien intencionadas acciones no eran dirigidas por Dios. De hecho, las acciones de Uza estaban en conflicto directo con la Palabra de Dios.

Durante el tiempo de Moisés, Dios dio instrucciones que el Arca debía ser movida con varas (Éxodo 25:14-15) y que cualquiera que tocara el Arca debía morir (Numero 4:15). Uza servia donde pensaba que había una necesidad, pero servia a costo de una verdadera obediencia.

Debemos aprender una gran sensibilidad al liderazgo de Dios. Aparentemente una acción guiada por Dios, si es hecha fuera de la voluntad de Dios, es pecado. Nunca debemos asumir que lo que “se ve” bien y parece de Dios, es verdaderamente de Dios. Nuestro Padre Celestial siempre será fiel para guiarnos a Su perfecta voluntad. Pero nosotros debemos estar dispuestos a invertir tiempo (a menudo, mucho tiempo!) adorándole a Sus pies, en comunión con El en oración, y esperando pacientemente su dirección. Si servimos al Señor hagámoslo con gran entusiasmo; pero siempre permitámosle guiarnos y sirvámosle en obediencia.

Tenga un Dia Centrado en Cristo!

Steve Troxel
Ministerios La Palabra Diaria de Dios

DonateNow

Posted in | Leave a response

Our Perfect Destiny

By on April 8, 2020

Our_Perfect_Destiny

In the message “Don’t Strike The Rock” we saw how Moses disobeyed God’s command with obtaining water from the rock. God called Moses’ disobedience a lack of trust and punished him quite harshly; “Because you did not trust Me enough to honor Me as holy in the sight of the Israelites, you will not bring this community into the land I give them” (Numbers 20:12). God did not destine Moses for failure; rather, He sovereignly allowed Moses to choose which path he would travel.

Nearly forty years earlier, God allowed the entire nation of Israel to make a similar choice. When God brought the people out of Egyptian slavery, His plan – His destiny for His chosen people – was to lead them into the promised land of Canaan. But when the twelve spies gave their report, the people chose the path of fear and disobedience.

God always attributes disobedience to a failure to believe and trust; “How long will they refuse to believe in Me?” (Numbers 14:11). God was about to “strike them down with a plague and destroy them” (Numbers 14:12), but Moses pleaded for mercy; “In accordance with Your great love, forgive the sin of these people” (Numbers 14:19). God heard Moses and was indeed merciful.

Numbers 14:20-23
“I have forgiven them, as you asked. Nevertheless, not one of the men who saw My glory and the miraculous signs I performed in Egypt and in the desert but who disobeyed Me and tested Me ten times – not one of them will ever see the land I promised on oath to their forefathers. No one who has treated Me with contempt will ever see it.”

Today, those who receive the gracious gift of eternal life through faith in Jesus are God’s chosen people. We have believed and promised to walk in obedience, and He has promised to forgive us when we disobey and even when we fail to trust Him with ALL our heart. But God also has a plan – a destiny – for His chosen people; “For those He foreknew He also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of His Son” (Romans 8:29).

Our Heavenly Father knew us before the foundations of the world, and, in His perfect plan, has destined us to walk in faith and become more and more like Jesus. But He also gives us the freedom to choose. Every day we must choose to walk in faith – choose to trust and believe. Every day we either walk down a path of obedience or down the destructive path of sin. Yes, God will forgive, but He also will not withhold His discipline!

Let’s live each day in obedient faith and continue to believe His Word is true. Let’s submit our lives to His conforming Hands and trust Him to guide us down the path of our perfect destiny.

Have a Christ Centered Day!

Steve Troxel
God’s Daily Word Ministries

**** Reading Plan ****

Apr 8 Deuteronomy 32:30-52; Luke 12:35-59; Psalm 78:46-58; Proverbs 12:24

*****************************************************

DonateNow

Posted in | Leave a response

Nuestro Perfecto Destino

By on April 8, 2020

Our_Perfect_Destiny

En el mensaje “No Golpees La Roca” vimos como Moisés desobedeció la orden de Dios al obtener agua de la roca. Dios llamó a la desobediencia de Moisés una falta de confianza y lo castigó con alguna severidad; “Y Jehová dijo a Moisés y a Aarón: Por cuanto no creísteis en mí, para santificarme delante de los hijos de Israel, por tanto, no meteréis esta congregación en la tierra que les he dado” (Números 20:12). Dios no destinó a Moisés al fracaso; en lugar de eso, El soberanamente permitió a Moisés elegir el camino por el cual viajaría.

Casi cuarenta años antes, Dios permitió a la nación completa de Israel hacer una decisión similar. Cuando Dios sacó a la gente de la esclavitud Egipcia, Su plan – Su destino para la gente escogida – fue conducirlos a la tierra prometida de Canaán. Pero cuando los doce espías regresaron con el reporte de la tierra prometida, la gente escogió el camino del temor y la desobediencia.

Dios siempre atribuye la desobediencia a una falta de confiar y creer; “¿Hasta cuándo no me creerán?” (Números 14:11). Dios estuvo a punto de “herirlos de mortandad y destruirlos” (Números 14:12), pero Moisés suplicó misericordia; “Perdona ahora la iniquidad de este pueblo según la grandeza de tu misericordia” (Números 14:19). Dios escuchó a Moisés y fue de verdad misericordioso.

Números 14:20-23
“Yo lo he perdonado conforme a tu dicho. Mas tan ciertamente como vivo yo, y mi gloria llena toda la tierra, todos los que vieron mi gloria y mis señales que he hecho en Egipto y en el desierto, y me han tentado ya diez veces, y no han oído mi voz, no verán la tierra de la cual juré a sus padres; no, ninguno de los que me han irritado la verá.”

Ahora, aquellos que reciben la gracia del regalo de la vida eterna a través de la fe en Jesús son gente escogida de Dios. Hemos creído y prometido caminar en obediencia; y El ha prometido perdonarnos cuando desobedecemos y aún cuando fallamos al creer con TODO nuestro corazón. Pero Dios también tiene un plan – un destino – para Su gente escogida; “Porque a los que antes conoció, también los predestinó para que fuesen hechos conformes a la imagen de su Hijo” (Romanos 8:29).

Nuestro Padre Celestial nos conocía desde antes de la fundación del mundo y, en Su plan perfecto, nos ha destinado a continuar caminando en fe y volvernos más y más como Jesús. Pero El también nos da la libertad para elegir. Cada día debemos elegir caminar en fe – elegir creer y confiar. Cada día caminamos por el camino de la obediencia o por el destructivo camino del pecado. Si, Dios va a perdonar; ¡pero también no podrá retener Su disciplina!

Vivamos cada día en obediencia y fe y continuemos creyendo que Su Palabra es verdad. Sometamos nuestra vida a Sus manos formadoras y confiemos en que El nos guié por el camino de nuestro perfecto destino.

Tenga un Dia Centrado en Cristo!

Steve Troxel
Ministerios La Palabra Diaria de Dios

DonateNow

Posted in | Leave a response

Kenya School Food Distribution

By on April 7, 2020

Mathare Food Distribution (1)

Last week I told you about some difficulties with our school in Kenya. With the government saying that all schools and most businesses must close, and that everyone needs to stay home, food has become a serious issue. We tried to open the school to feed the kids a meal at mid-day, but the process ended in chaos as adults pushed into the school to obtain food. This message can be read at:

http://gdwm.org/2020/03/kenya-school-update-and-prayer-requests/

Today we tried a different approach with packaging dry beans and rice for distribution. We made over 200 1kg (2.2 pounds) packages of beans and 2kg packages of rice. This morning we were able to hand out beans and rice to 160 school families, 10 staff families, and about 50 community families. We only allowed a small number of people into the school at one time and employed security to help keep the process orderly. The process was very successful! Here is a short video from the distribution which shows the packaging as well as how we are managing social distancing.

Kenya Food Distribution (Click to view video)

This amount of food can sustain a small family for only three days but it is still very helpful. A distribution of this size can be done for about $1500 and we plan to distribute food in this manner once per week until the need is gone or we are no longer able.

I don’t usually single out individuals, but my daughter and son-in-law supplied the funds for this first distribution and another ministry friend has already donated funds to cover the next several weeks. I know there are many needs all around right now so please give assistance as the Lord leads. If you are led to help with this project, simply know that your donation is much appreciated!

Donations can be made through the Donate Now button or by sending a check to:

God’s Daily Word Ministries
PO Box 12441
Jackson, TN 38308

Have a Christ Centered Day!

Steve Troxel
God’s Daily Word Ministries

DonateNow

Posted in | Leave a response

Every Moment is a Gift

By on April 7, 2020

Every_Moment_is_a_Gift

[Note: It’s been over seven years since we began the cancer walk with our young daughter when she was twelve and thirteen years old. It was a difficult journey, but we made it. And now, each yearly follow up test continues to show no sign of cancer – praise God! I wrote the following message in April 2013 as we were in the middle of treatment, but it continues to shape much of my view of our daily life. And as I read the message now while we are all facing such a difficult and uncertain time, I believe these words are even more important.]

I knew the question was coming. I guess I’m surprised she hasn’t asked before now. But this week, when her stomach pain was causing tears, she asked; “Why is this happening?” And there it was. After three months of tests, surgery, and three rounds of chemotherapy for ovarian cancer, after three months of near constant pain, my thirteen year old daughter looked at me, trusting that I held the answer, and asked: “Why?”

Parenting has some difficult moments. Fortunately, I’ve had three months to process this same question before it was asked. I had worked out an answer which satisfied my thinking about God, His workings in the world, and His plan; but what should I tell a thirteen year old…child. I quickly realized that she needed to hear my thoughts, the same way as I would talk with any adult. She was the one living through this trial, and she was the one who would be required to live with the uncertainty which cancer brings for the rest of her life.

James 4:13-14
“Now listen, you who say, ‘Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.’ Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.”

The answer to my daughter’s question called for a little perspective. I admit this perspective was not part of my thinking until recently, especially when I was pondering how James could tell us to, “Consider it pure joy” (James 1:2). You may recall that I was having great difficulty finding any joy in our situation. Cancer stinks, and I was hating seeing my daughter suffer. I had concluded that God does not cause cancer, and I was confident that His plan is simply that we love Him as He walks with us through our trials. But the perspective of some recent events helped to better answer her question of Why.

Early last week an eight year old boy was watching a race in Boston and, in an instant, was killed by a bomb. Much closer to home, here in Texas, a fertilizer plant exploded and, in an instant, at least 14 people lost their lives. In 2004 an earthquake in the Indian Ocean started a tsunami that killed over 200,000 people. Another 200,000 people were killed in the 2010 Haiti earthquake. [And as I send out this message, 75,000 people around the world have died from this terrible virus.] The list is long and ugly. Every moment of every day, people die unexpectedly, with no warning. Many more die from starvation and disease. What message am I trying to convey? Life is very, very fragile.

When my daughter asked the question of Why, I answered the best I possibly could: “I don’t know!” I don’t know why she has cancer and I don’t know why any of these bad things happen. But as we talked through each of these tragedies listed above we came to the undeniable conclusion that life is fragile. We have no guarantee of the number of our days here on earth, nor even on the quality of those days. That may be a lot for a thirteen year old to process, but I believe it’s necessary for each of us to process down this same path. And the result of this processing, I told my daughter, ought to shape how you live the rest of your life; how you spend your time and energy; how you think about God and the values you hold.

“I don’t know” turns out to be a beautiful answer. It’s beautiful because in the implied uncertainty we are able to see not just the fragile nature of life, but the beauty of the moment we are living right now. This day is significant! The conversations you are having, the relationships you are developing, even the notes and smiles you freely give, are filled with meaning and value. Each moment counts!

We are not yet done with this journey through cancer. We have one more round of chemo next week and then some tests to see if the chemo has done what it was supposed to do. Kaylee is strong, and she is getting stronger every day. And through this difficult journey, at this very early age, I pray she truly learns the life-transforming lesson that every moment is a gift.

Have a Christ Centered Day!

Steve Troxel
God’s Daily Word Ministries

**** Reading Plan ****

Apr 7 Deuteronomy 31:1-32:29; Luke 12:8-34; Psalm 78:26-45; Proverbs 12:21-23

*****************************************************

DonateNow

Posted in , | 1 Response

Don’t Strike The Rock

By on April 6, 2020

Don't_Strike_The_Rock

Moses was chosen by God to lead the people of Israel out of Egypt. Through Moses, God demonstrated His awesome power and holiness. At the time, there was no one closer to God than Moses. However, even with this wonderfully close relationship, Moses still struggled at times with trusting God.

After being led out of Egypt, the people often brought their complaints to Moses. On one occasion, the people complained about their lack of drinking water; “Why did you bring us up out of Egypt to this terrible place?” (Numbers 20:5). When Moses entered the presence of God with this concern, he was given clear direction for solving the problem: “Gather the assembly together. Speak to that rock before their eyes and it will pour out its water” (Numbers 20:8).

Moses gathered the people as he was told. But rather than simply speaking to the rock, Moses tried to accomplish God’s work with a method of his own choosing.

Numbers 20:10-11
“‘Listen, you rebels, must we bring you water out of this rock?’ Then Moses raised his arm and struck the rock twice with his staff. Water gushed out, and the community and their livestock drank.”

Moses had seen God’s power and knew how much He hated disobedience; yet, at this moment, Moses did not follow God’s command. Moses may have become prideful while leading the Israelites through the desert; “Must WE {Aaron and I} bring you water out of this rock?” Or, he may have thought God needed help from the same staff used to turn the Nile river into blood and part the Red Sea. Either way, his disobedience stemmed from a lack of trust in God – trust is always related to obedience!

God still loved Moses and will fellowship with him for all eternity, but his failure to obey was severely punished; “Because you did not trust in Me enough to honor Me as holy in the sight of the Israelites, you will not bring this community into the land I give them” (Numbers 20:12). God’s perfect plan for Moses clearly included a trip into the Promised land; but, even after 40 years of faithful leadership, Moses’ lack of trust caused him to miss out on God’s very best.

God knows our needs, and His plan is for us to trust Him and walk with Him as we are conformed to the image of His Son. Let’s listen intently for His direction and then fully obey. Let’s take the steps to ensure all we do in our ministry – all we do in our family and in every area of our life – is done to bring Him glory and honor. Let’s trust Him and His ways with ALL our heart, and always remember…don’t strike the rock!

Have a Christ Centered Day!

Steve Troxel
God’s Daily Word Ministries

**** Reading Plan ****

Apr 6 Deuteronomy 29:1-30:20; Luke 11:37-12:7; Psalm 78:1-25; Proverbs 12:19-20

*****************************************************

DonateNow

Posted in | Leave a response

« PreviousNext »