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United in Purpose

By on March 4, 2020

United_in_Purpose

In the message “His Disciples” we saw how our love for one another demonstrates we are true followers of Jesus Christ; “By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you love one another” (John 13:35). We saw our call for a sacrificial love, focused on those with clear needs – the lonely, hurting, anxious, depressed or hungry – needs which require definite action.

But there is another expression of Christian love, a love which is still sacrificial, but one that requires us to withhold certain actions, place restraints on our words, and definitely increase our time in prayer. This is the love which leads to unity in our local fellowship.

1 Corinthians 1:10
“I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another so there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mind and thought.”

There is a story of a man lost at sea. He is treading water and has given up all hope. Suddenly, a ship appears on the horizon and moves his way. His strength surges as he wildly waves his arms; rescue is near! But as the ship gets closer, he sees the passengers yelling at one another; many are punching, kicking, and spitting, and some are even being thrown overboard. It doesn’t take long for the man to begin swimming as fast as he can AWAY from the ship.

We are passengers on the gospel ship, and God’s Word continually calls us to unity; “conduct yourself in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ…stand firm in one spirit, contending as one man for the faith of the gospel” (Philippians 1:27). If we are united with Christ, we ought to be “like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose” (Philippians 2:2). As Jesus prayed to the Father, He made it clear why we are to unite: “so the world may believe that You have sent Me” (John 17:21).

Unity is never a call for compromise on the essentials of the gospel. We must never give a single step of ground regarding the necessity of faith in the sacrifice of Jesus for the forgiveness of sin. But when we begin to divide over issues like the format of our worship service, the structure of our programs, or the look of our facility, perhaps we have stepped over the line of Biblical unity.

I can’t define the exact line of unity in your local fellowship; many of our doctrinal positions will stretch our understanding of gospel essentials. But I can confidently suggest there is greater room for unity than what first appears. If all of us will honestly remove our pride and understand God’s purpose in a unified fellowship, we will see much more room for grace and love. Let’s truly show the love of Christ. Let’s all draw closer and closer to Jesus and show the world we are united in Spirit, united in purpose.

Have a Christ Centered Day!

Steve Troxel
God’s Daily Word Ministries

**** Reading Plan ****

Mar 4 Numbers 2:1-3:51; Mark 11:27-12:17; Psalm 47:1-9; Proverbs 10:24-25

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Unidos En Un Propósito

By on March 4, 2020

United_in_Purpose

En el mensaje “Sus Discípulos” vimos como nuestro amor por los demás demuestra que somos verdaderos seguidores de Jesucristo; “En esto conocerán todos que sois mis discípulos, si tuviereis amor los unos con los otros” (Juan 13:35). Vimos nuestro llamado para un amor sacrificial, y enfocarnos en aquellos con claras necesidades – los que están solos, los que sufren, los ansiosos, los deprimidos o enojados – necesidades que requieren de una acción definitiva.

Pero hay otra expresión de Amor Cristiano – un amor que es también sacrificial, pero que requiere que obstengamos de ciertas acciones, que pongamos restricción a nuestras palabras, y definitivamente que incrementemos nuestro tiempo de oración. Este es el amor que nos lleva a la unidad.

1 Corintios 1:10
“Os ruego, pues, hermanos, por el nombre de nuestro Señor Jesucristo, que habléis todos una misma cosa, y que no haya entre vosotros divisiones, sino que estéis perfectamente unidos en una misma mente y en un mismo parecer.”

Hay una historia de un hombre perdido en el mar. El se había dado ya por vencido. De repente, un barco aparece en el horizonte y se movía en su dirección. Sus fuerzas surgen de nuevo mientras el afanosamente mueve sus brazos, el rescate esta cerca! Pero mientras el barco se acerca, el ve a los pasajeros peleando unos con otros; muchos golpeandose, pateandose y escupiendose; y algunos aún están siendo lanzados por la borda. No tomó mucho tiempo para que el hombre comenzara a nadar tan rápido como podía para ALEJARSE del barco.

Somos pasajeros en el barco del evangelio, y la Palabra de Dios continuamente nos llama a la unidad; “Solamente que os comportéis como es digno del evangelio de Cristo, para que o sea que vaya a veros, o que esté ausente, oiga de vosotros que estáis firmes en un mismo espíritu, combatiendo unánimes por la fe del evangelio” (Filipenses 1:27). Si estamos unidos con Cristo, debemos estar “sintiendo lo mismo, teniendo el mismo amor, unánimes, sintiendo una misma cosa” (Filipenses 2:2). Como Jesús oro al Padre, El dejo claro porque debemos estar unidos: “para que el mundo crea que tú me enviaste” (Juan 17:21).

La unidad nunca es un llamado para comprometer lo esencial del evangelio. Nunca debemos dar ni un solo paso fuera de la necesidad y suficiencia de la total rendición a Jesús. Pero cuando comenzamos a dividirnos sobre algunos temas como el formato de nuestros servicios, la estructura de nuestros programas, o el aspecto de nuestros edificios, claramente estamos fuera de la unidad Bíblica.

No puedo definir la linea exacta de unidad en su congregación local. Pero confiadamente puedo sugerir que hay mucho más espacio para la unidad de lo que parece en un principio. Si todos nosotros honestamente quitamos nuestro orgullo y comprendemos el propósito de Dios de un compañerismo unificado, veremos mucho más espacio para gracia y amor. Mostremos verdaderamente el amor de Cristo. Acerquémonos más y más a Jesús y mostremos al mundo que estamos unidos en Espíritu, unidos en un propósito.

Tenga un Dia Centrado en Cristo!

Steve Troxel
Ministerios La Palabra Diaria de Dios

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His Disciples

By on March 3, 2020

His_Disciples

One of the last commands Jesus gave was to “go and make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19). The making of a disciple is the complete work of the Holy Spirit; but we are told to join in this work by teaching people to believe in the sacrifice of Jesus for the forgiveness of sin, to humbly submit control of their life into His hands, and to “obey everything I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:20).

God’s Word contains the complete description of what it means to believe, submit, and obey. And though there are several commands we are called to obey, the single command which will have the greatest impact on the world around us is the command to love.

John 13:34-35
“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you love one another.”

The phrase “As I have loved you” ought to rip at our heart. Though there was nothing in us to deserve His love, Jesus gave His life. And long before He gave His physical life, He gave something even greater; He “made Himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness” (Philippians 2:7). Jesus loved enough to give up who He was for those completely unlovable, and this is the level of love we are called to demonstrate to one another.

We are called to a sacrificial love – a love that gives and considers the needs of others ahead of our own. We are called to give our time, our tears, our understanding, and even our material resources when necessary. We are called to love enough to rejoice when others rejoice, but also to hurt when others hurt, and to forgive simply because Jesus first forgave us. We are called to love!

But notice why we are called to such love. Our love for others is certainly an expression of gratitude to God and a maturing process as we grow into the likeness of Christ, but Jesus also says our love for others is the one sure way of telling the world we are followers of Christ. Our love becomes an act of worship because, through love, we are boldly declaring Jesus is Lord! As we love, even when others may not “deserve” our love, we actively show the world the joy and peace found only in Jesus.

The world is overflowing with people who need love, who have run out of hope, longing for someone to let them know they care. We are those who must care! We must reach out to one another with a love that defies all worldly wisdom and understanding. We must love as Jesus loved us. This love will be used to work miracles; this love will bring glory and honor to our Heavenly Father; this love will show the world that we are truly His disciples.

Have a Christ Centered Day!

Steve Troxel
God’s Daily Word Ministries

**** Reading Plan ****

Mar 3 Lev.-Num. 27:14-1:54; Mark 11:1-26; Psalm 46:1-11; Proverbs 10:23

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Sus Discípulos

By on March 3, 2020

His_Disciples

Uno de los últimos mandatos que Jesús nos dio fue “vayan y hagan discípulos de todas las naciones” (Mateo 28:19). Hacer un discípulo es la obra completa del Espíritu Santo; pero nos manda a contribuir a este trabajo enseñando a personas a creer en el sacrificio de Jesús por el perdón de nuestros pecados, a entregar con humildad el control de su vida a las manos de El, y a “obedecer todo lo que les he mandado a ustedes” (Mateo 28:20).

La Palabra de Dios contiene una descripción completa de lo que significa creer, someter, y obedecer. Jesús enseñó extensamente acerca de cada uno de estos temas. Pero el mandamiento principal que tendrá el mayor impacto en el mundo que nos rodea es el mandamiento a amar.

Juan 13:34-35
“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. De este modo todos sabrán que son mis discípulos, si se aman los unos a los otros.”

La frase “como Yo los he amado” debe romper nuestros corazones. Aunque no había nada dentro de nosotros que merecía Su amor, Jesús dio Su vida. Y mucho antes que dio Su vida física, El se despojó de la misma esencia de quien El era; “Por el contrario, se rebajó voluntariamente, tomando la naturaleza de siervo y haciéndose semejante a los seres humanos” (Filipenses 2:7). Jesús amó lo suficiente para renunciar a lo que era para aquellos que no eran “dignos de su amor,” y este es el nivel de amor que nos llaman a demostrarnos unos a otros.

Somos llamados a un amor de sacrificio – un amor que da y considera las necesidades de otros en vez de las suyas. Somos llamados a dar nuestro tiempo, nuestras lágrimas, nuestro entendimiento, y aún nuestros recursos materiales cuando es necesario. Somos llamados a amar lo suficiente para regocijarnos cuando otros se regocijan, pero también sentir el dolor cuando otros sufren, y a perdonar simplemente porque Jesús primeramente nos perdonó a nosotros. ¡Somos llamados a amar!

Pero notemos del porque somos llamados a este tipo de amor. Es seguro que nuestro amor es una expresión de gratitud a Dios y parte del proceso de maduración mientras crecemos en la semejanza de Cristo, pero Jesús dice que nuestro amor por otros es una manera segura de decir al mundo que somos seguidores de Cristo. Nuestro amor por otros llega a ser un acto de adoración porque, a través del amor, estamos declarando con valentía que Jesús es el Señor! De la manera que amamos – aún cuando otros no “merecen” nuestro amor – estamos activamente mostrando al mundo el gozo y paz que solamente se encuentra en Jesús.

Este mundo está rebalsando con personas que necesitan amor – personas que han perdido la esperanza, anhelando a alguien que les demuestre interés por su situación. Somos nosotros quienes debemos de mostrar ese interés! Tenemos que alcanzarnos unos a otros con un amor que desafía la sabiduría o inteligencia del mundo. Debemos amar como Jesús nos amó. Este amor será usado para obrar milagros; este amor traerá gloria y honor a nuestro Padre Celestial, y este amor mostrará al mundo que somos verdaderamente Sus discípulos.

Tenga un Dia Centrado en Cristo!

Steve Troxel
Ministerios La Palabra Diaria de Dios

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First A Child

By on March 2, 2020

First_A_Child

[This message was written by daughter Sarah. This ministry actually had it’s start the night she was born, but that’s a different story. Sarah is now married and has a baby daughter, Clara. The picture was painted by Sarah and is a self-portrait of her and Clara. I pray you are blessed by her words.]

As you may remember, I am the fourth oldest of Steve’s kids. I’ve watched my three older siblings learn to care for children and develop their families in inspiring ways. Now my first child, Clara, (aka Troxel grandbaby number 12!) is almost a year old. I’ve had a great year spending time with her and getting to know her, and I was reflecting on a common type of question I am asked: “How is being a mom?” or “Do you like motherhood?” or “Is being a mom hard?” As normal as these questions are, I am always confused on how to answer them, because I haven’t developed a conceptual identity of “motherhood.” I haven’t really thought of myself as “becoming a mother” so much as “getting a Clara.”

Bringing Clara into my life has involved a lot of little things, and I know it’s different in a way from everyone else’s experience of bringing a child into their lives. Some little things have been hard for me, like finding strength in my arms and back to hold her. But some things have been easy for us, like how she sleeps for over 12 hours through the night (we are very thankful for that one!). And there are unique things about her I absolutely love; like how she dances through her entire meal in her high chair; or how she starts the day by pulling all her children’s books off the shelf and flipping through them.

But I know a more significant reason why I haven’t really focused on myself as “becoming a mother.” It’s because I don’t see my primary identity as a mother, and I don’t think I ever will. Don’t get me wrong, I strongly believe raising children is a holy calling; in fact it’s a true mission work. But I cling to my first identity:

Galatians 4:4-7
But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship. Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father.” So you are no longer a slave, but God’s child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir.

Though I’ve been given a child, I am still, first and foremost, a child of God. That’s the only thing that can truly define me. Hallelujah, I’ve been redeemed, and I share in Christ’s identity under the Father!

It is a glorious relief to remember that I don’t have to carry the weight of making my own meaning and purpose out of being a mother. I am with Clara mostly full time right now, so I spend a lot of my day taking care of a small person with frequent needs. But once a week we drop her off at church nursery. And when I stand in the sanctuary and sing to God with my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ, I remember I am a child. I feel small and ignorant and needy. And I know I need Him more than I need to worry how Clara is doing in the nursery.

I don’t do this perfectly. Sometimes I do derive my purpose and meaning out of taking care of Clara. I love her a lot, and sometimes when she goes to bed for the night, I immediately lose all my sense of identity. I wander around the room, looking for some project that might fill the void. I think, “I’ve read my Bible today, so there’s really nothing left to do.” I forget to just be still and listen, to let God love me. Sometimes I have to lie down on the same floor where I played with Clara, and remember. My first identity remains! I have been given the Spirit of His Son making me cry “Abba, Father”, and reminding me that I am first a child.

Have a Christ Centered Day!

Steve Troxel
God’s Daily Word Ministries

**** Reading Plan ****

Mar 2 Leviticus 25:47-27:13; Mark 10:32-52; Psalm 45:1-17; Proverbs 10:22

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His Gentle Knock

By on February 27, 2020

His_Gentle_Knock

In the message “The Most Holy Place” we saw how Jesus became the final sacrifice for our sin. When Jesus died on the cross, “the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom” (Matthew 27:51). The curtain had, up to that point, formed a barrier for the Most Holy Place in the temple where God resided. The tearing of the curtain was a clear demonstration that anyone who believes in Jesus for the forgiveness of sin can now enter the presence of God; “We have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus” (Hebrews 10:19).

We are a fortunate people! Not since Adam has man had such access to the presence of God. We no longer need a priest with a specific sacrifice, and we need not pray a specific prayer…but there IS a condition. The Most Holy Place of the presence of God can only be entered by those who come by faith in Jesus Christ. If we desire the presence of God, we must first open the door of our heart.

Revelation 3:20
“Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with Me.”

Here is contained the great mystery of God’s plan for man. He desires a people who recognize their need, hear His voice, and open the door to invite Him in. He then promises to enter and “set His seal of ownership on us, and put His Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come” (2 Corinthians 1:22). This is His sovereign, majestic, and glorious plan.

God’s Word never indicates that Jesus will crash through the door of our heart; He is never pictured as huffing and puffing to blow the door down. And He certainly NEVER sneaks in through a side window! He simply and patiently stands at the door and knocks – He says, “I am here. Won’t you invite Me in?”

Opening the door involves an understanding of who Jesus is, as related to our need for forgiveness, and an act of submission which releases control of our life. We may hear His voice through something someone says or something we read – we may “hear” Him knocking as we sit in silence – but when we hear, we must be willing to open the door; “Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts” (Hebrews 3:15).

Many people will hear the knock of Jesus, but few will open the door. Most will spend a lifetime evaluating the knock and analyzing the One who is knocking; some will even push a little food onto the front porch; but few will actually recognize their need and open the door. Let’s invite Him in today and commune with Him EVERY day for all eternity. Today, let’s answer His gentle knock.

Have a Christ Centered Day!

Steve Troxel
God’s Daily Word Ministries

**** Reading Plan ****

Feb 27 Leviticus 20:22-22:20; Mark 9:1-29; Psalm 43:1-5; Proverbs 10:18
Feb 28 Leviticus 22:21-23:44; Mark 9:30-10:12; Psalm 44:1-8; Proverbs 10:19
Feb 29 Leap for Joy in the Lord!
Mar 1 Leviticus 24:1-25:46; Mark 10:13-31; Psalm 44:9-26; Proverbs 10:20-21

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Su Suave Llamado

By on February 27, 2020

His_Gentle_Knock

En el mensaje “El Lugar Santísimo” vimos como Jesús llegó a ser el sacrificio final por nuestros pecados. Cuando Jesús murió en la cruz, “la cortina del santuario del templo se rasgó en dos, de arriba abajo” (Mateo 27:51). La cortina, hasta ese momento, había formado una barrera para el Lugar Santísimo en el templo donde Dios residió con Su pueblo. Romper la cortina era una clara declaración de que cualquiera que cree en Jesús por el perdón de pecados ahora puede entrar a la presencia de Dios; “tenemos plena libertad para entrar en el Lugar Santísimo por la sangre de Jesucristo” (Hebreos 10:19).

¡Somos personas muy afortunadas! No desde Adán, ha tenido el hombre tanto acceso a la presencia de Dios. Ya no necesitamos un sacerdote con un sacrificio específico, y no tenemos que utilizar una oración específica – pero HAY una condición. El Lugar Santísimo de la presencia de Dios solo puede ser accedido por aquellos que lleguen a Jesucristo a través de la fe. Si nosotros deseamos la presencia de Dios, primeramente tenemos que abrir la puerta de nuestro corazón.

Apocalipsis 3:20
“Mira que estoy a la puerta y llamo. Si alguno oye mi voz y abre la puerta, entraré, y cenaré con él, y él conmigo.”

Aquí se contiene el gran misterio del plan de Dios para el hombre. El desea personas que reconozcan sus necesidades, que oyen Su voz, y que abren la puerta invitandole a El a entrar. Entonces El promete entrar y “nos selló como propiedad suya y puso su Espíritu en nuestro corazón, como garantía de sus promesas” (2 Corintios 1:22). Este es Su soverano, majestuoso y glorioso plan.

La Palabra de Dios nunca indica que Jesús botará la puerta de nuestro corazón; El nunca esta pintado como soplando y soplando para derrumbar la puerta. Y El ciertamente NUNCA se metería a través de una ventana del lado! El simplemente y con paciencia se para en la puerta y toca – El dice, “¿Estoy aquí. No me invitará a entrar?”

Abrir la puerta involucra un entendimiento de quien es Jesús, Su relación a nuestra necesidad del perdón, y un acto de sumisión el cual libera control de nuestra vida. Podríamos oír Su voz por medio de algo que alguien dice o algo que leemos – podríamos oírlo llamando a la puerta cuando nos sentamos en el silencio – pero cuando lo escuchamos debemos estar dispuestos a abrir la puerta; “Si ustedes oyen hoy su voz, no endurezcan el corazón” (Hebreos 3:15).

Muchas personas escucharan el llamado de Jesús, pero pocos abrirán la puerta. La mayoría pasaran una vida entera evaluando el llamado y analizando al que llama, algunos incluso pondrán algo de comida fuera de la puerta; pero pocos realmente reconocerán su necesidad de abrir la puerta. Invitémosle ahora y permanezcamos en comunión con El CADA día para toda la eternidad. Ahora, respondamos a Su suave llamado.

Tenga un Dia Centrado en Cristo!

Steve Troxel
Ministerios La Palabra Diaria de Dios

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The Most Holy Place

By on February 26, 2020

The_Most_Holy_Place

One of the amazingly consistent themes through all of God’s Word is His desire to fellowship with His children. When God created Adam and placed him in the Garden of Eden, Adam was allowed to enjoy God’s presence. God brought Adam the animals to name (Genesis 2:19) and actually walked with Adam during the day. However, this fellowship was broken and man was cast out of God’s presence when Adam sinned by eating the forbidden fruit.

Many years later, God formed the nation of Israel to be a people fully devoted to Him. When God led the Israelites out of Egyptian slavery, He told Moses to construct a holy place for His presence to reside. God called this the Most Holy Place and instructed that it be separated from the rest of the tabernacle by a curtain.

Leviticus 16:2
“The Lord said to Moses: ‘Tell your brother Aaron not to come whenever he chooses into the Most Holy Place behind the curtain in front of the atonement cover on the ark, or else he will die, because I appear in the cloud over the atonement cover.'”

The presence of God resided in the Most Holy Place, behind a curtain, and could only be entered by the High Priest once a year on the Day of Atonement. The High Priest would enter the Most Holy Place with the blood of a goat as a sacrifice for the sins of the people (Leviticus 16:15).

God loved us so much, and so greatly desired a lasting and intimate fellowship, that He gave His Son to be the final sacrifice for our sins: “He did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves; but He entered the Most Holy Place once for all by His own blood, having obtained eternal redemption” (Hebrews 9:12).

When Jesus died on the cross, “the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom” (Matthew 27:51). His sacrifice provided a way for us to enter the Most Holy Place, into the presence of God, at any moment; “We have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus” (Hebrews 10:19).

God is calling us to reach out and draw near to His presence through faith in the sacrifice of His Son. The Creator of the Universe is knocking at the door; “If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with Me” (Revelation 3:20). Our Heavenly Father is calling us to an eternity of fellowship. Let’s open the door and enter His presence today. Let’s step forward with confidence, and boldly enter the Most Holy Place.

Have a Christ Centered Day!

Steve Troxel
God’s Daily Word Ministries

**** Reading Plan ****

Feb 26 Leviticus 19:1-20:21; Mark 8:10-38; Psalm 42:1-11; Proverbs 10:17

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El Lugar Santísimo

By on February 26, 2020

The_Most_Holy_Place

Uno de los temas increíblemente consistentes a través de toda la Palabra de Dios es su deseo de compañerismo con Sus hijos. Cuando Dios creó a Adán y lo puso en el Jardín del Edén, Adán pudo disfrutar de la presencia de Dios. Dios le trajo a Adán todos los animales para que les pusiera nombre (Génesis 2:19) y realmente caminaba con Adán durante el día. Sin embargo este compañerismo fue roto y el hombre fue expulsado de la presencia de Dios cuando Adán pecó comiendo de la fruta prohibida.

Muchos años más tarde, Dios forma la nación de Israel para ser gente completamente devota a El. Cuando Dios lleva a los Israelitas fuera de la esclavitud Egipcia, El le dijo a Moisés que construyera un lugar santo donde Su presencia residiría. Dios llamó a este el Lugar Santísimo e instruyó a Moisés para que separa este lugar del resto del tabernáculo por una cortina.

Levítico 16:2
“Le dijo el Señor a Moisés: Dile a tu hermano Aarón que no entre a cualquier hora en la parte del santuario que está detrás de la cortina, es decir, delante del propiciatorio que está sobre el arca, no sea que muera cuando yo aparezca en la nube por encima del propiciatorio.”

La presencia de Dios residía en el Lugar Santísimo, atrás de la cortina, y solo podía entrar allí el Alto Sacerdote una vez al año en el Día del (la Expiación) Perdón. El Alto Sacerdote debía entrar al lugar Santísimo con la sangre de un becerro como sacrificio por los pecados de la gente (Levíticos 16:15).

Dios nos amó mucho, y deseó tanto un duradero e íntimo compañerismo, que dió a Su Hijo para ser el sacrificio final por nuestros pecados: “entró una sola vez y para siempre en el Lugar Santísimo. No lo hizo con sangre de machos cabríos y becerros, sino con su propia sangre, logrando así un rescate eterno” (Hebreos 9:12).

Cuando Jesús murió en la cruz “la cortina del santuario del templo se rasgó en dos, de arriba abajo” (Mateo 27:51). Su sacrificio nos proveyó de un camino para entrar en la presencia de Dios en cualquier momento; “mediante la sangre de Jesús, tenemos plena libertad para entrar en el Lugar Santísimo” (Hebreos 10:19).

Dios estó llamándonos a buscarlo y acercarnos a Su presencia por medio de la fe en el sacrificio de Su Hijo. El Creador del Universo está tocando a la puerta; “Si alguno oye mi voz y abre la puerta, entraré, y cenaré con él, y él conmigo” (Apocalipsis 3:20). Nuestro Padre Celestial está llamándonos a una eternidad de compañerismo. Abramos la puerta y entremos en Su presencia ahora – entremos al Lugar Santísimo.

Tenga un Dia Centrado en Cristo!

Steve Troxel
Ministerios La Palabra Diaria de Dios

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Our Daily Strength

By on February 25, 2020

Our_Daily_Strength

[Note: This message was first sent out in March of 2013. Please do not think this is our current situation. Kaylee is currently doing quite well with no recurring sign of cancer! However, there are many important points in this message worth repeating. This was a difficult time for our family, but God taught us many wonderful truths along the way.]

Ten days ago, she said, “I don’t think I can do this for three more months.” And then she started to cry.

It’s been two weeks since I sent an update message on Kaylee, our twelve year old daughter who is walking through the journey of ovarian cancer. Thanks again for all of your prayers and general encouragement. We continue to learn as we walk down this path together as a family. Many of you have been down similar paths; one day you are going about life, making plans for this and that, and the next thing you know…everything changes: “Instead, you ought to say, ‘If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that'” (James 4:15). One thing we certainly learn through a trial such as this is that life can rapidly change; we are in much less control than we realize.

Kaylee received her last treatment of the first round of chemotherapy two weeks ago today; three more rounds to go. We have been at home these last two weeks and are settling in to what I have termed the “New Normal.” Things are quite different than they were a few months ago, but this is now part of our particular normal life. Kaylee has had a few good hours here and there, but never a full good day. Between stomach pain and general nausea, we are continually trying to balance her medications. This weekend we were back in the hospital because of low blood counts and possible infection, but we are now back home and praying her fever will stay down. But this is somewhat to be expected with chemotherapy; it’s difficult, but it’s also a normal part of the process.

We praise God for the advances made in cancer treatments. Researchers continue to find better drugs to attack the cancer cells, but the chemotherapy drugs are not all that smart. As they enter the body, they fight cancer cells, but they also fight many other types of important cells throughout the body. One is white blood cells, which then make it difficult for the body to fight off infections. One other, for reasons I’m not certain, is the hair follicle cells which hold your hair to your head. Friday morning, Kaylee noticed that she was starting to lose her hair. As we tried to brush, large bunches were pulling out. She knew this day was coming and had made plans to get her hair cut next week so the process would not be as messy. She had picked out a short style and was actually looking forward to seeing how she would look. On Friday she made the quick decision to move up the cut date. The “New Normal.”

Ten days ago, as I was trying to comfort a crying daughter, I told her I wasn’t sure I could do this for three more months either. But then I asked if she could make it through one more day. We talked about the day and she thought she had just enough strength for one more. From the first day of this journey, my wife and I pray at night, thanking God for giving us the strength for the day just ending, and asking for strength for whatever we will face tomorrow. God has been so faithful! He continues to walk by our side and ALWAYS provides just what we need. This has given me a new appreciation for the first part of what we call the Lord’s Prayer.

Matthew 6:9-11
“This, then, is how you should pray: ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread.”

I have always talked about trusting God for our daily bread in terms of our physical needs, our daily resources, or how we ought to be fed through the daily study of His Word. But, on our current journey, daily bread has come to represent things like patience, a calming of fear and anxiety, and a general increase of strength.

Most of us, at some point in our life, will find ourselves entering a severe trial completely unprepared. Perhaps you are even in the middle of a trial right now and are feeling completely overwhelmed, unable to see how you will make it to the end. The promise of God is not that He will remove the trial, but that He will walk with us and comfort us every step of the way. We don’t have to know how we will navigate through all the obstacles ahead, or how the journey will even end; we simply need to face the current day and trust Him with all our heart. Though what we face may be difficult, let’s hold tight and remember His love. Let’s pray and always trust His promise to provide us with our daily strength.

Have a Christ Centered Day!

Steve Troxel
God’s Daily Word Ministries

**** Reading Plan ****

Feb 25 Leviticus 16:29-18:30; Mark 7:24-8:9; Psalm 41:1-13; Proverbs 10:15-16

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The True Peace of God

By on February 24, 2020

The_True_Peace_of_God

We are all striving toward the “successful” life, though our definitions of success may often differ. Many of us place our effort in obtaining more and better things, reaching a higher status, or building greater security. Others involve themselves in more “spiritual” endeavors with ministry activities and service projects. But the root motivation for all our effort is the same – we all are seeking a life full of peace.

Unfortunately, the world trains us to simply set and then exceed our goals without ever taking the time to examine what our heart really longs for…we long for peace! I’m certainly not opposed to goals; but we must understand that meeting every single goal, by itself, will NEVER result in peace.

The lack of peace is, first and foremost, the result of our sinful condition. When man first chose to place his desire ahead of God’s perfect plan, sin entered the world and true peace became illusive; “when you eat of it you will surely die” (Genesis 2:17). We will never obtain true peace through different governments, nor can we purchase or create peace by changing our surroundings. Peace begins with the forgiveness of sin through faith in Jesus and grows as we live in submission to the Holy Spirit; “The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace” (Romans 8:6).

In Paul’s letter to the Philippians, he said those who have placed their faith in Jesus now have a basic formula for a life of peace.

Philippians 4:4-7
“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”

Our formula for peace is: (1) Rejoice, (2) Rejoice some more, (3) Be gentle, (4) Know God is near, (5) Remove all anxiety, and (6) Pray about everything with a thankful heart. Jesus promised that those who trust in Him will receive a peace beyond anything this world can understand: “Peace I leave with you; My peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid” (John 14:27).

If our lives are lacking peace, the ONLY solution is to draw nearer to God, trust Him more, and rejoice (and rejoice and rejoice) as we are guided by His Spirit. Only then will we find the “success” for which we have been striving; only then will we obtain that for which our heart longs…the true peace of God!

Have a Christ Centered Day!

Steve Troxel
God’s Daily Word Ministries

**** Reading Plan ****

Feb 24 Leviticus 15:1-16:28; Mark 7:1-23; Psalm 40:11-17; Proverbs 10:13-14

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La Verdadera Paz de Dios

By on February 24, 2020

The_True_Peace_of_God

Cada uno de nosotros nos estamos esforzando hacia el objetivo de una vida “exitosa,” aún cuando nuestras definiciones del éxito pueden variar. Muchos de nosotros ponemos nuestro esfuerzo en obtener más y mejores cosas, alcanzando un estatus más alto o construyendo una mayor seguridad; otros, se involucran en esfuerzos más “espirituales” con actividades ministeriales y proyectos de servicio. Pero la raíz que motiva todos nuestros esfuerzos es la misma: todos estamos buscando una vida de paz.

Desafortunadamente, el mundo nos capacita para establecer y sobrepasar nuestras metas sin tomarnos el tiempo para examinar lo que nuestro corazón anhela – todos estamos esforzándonos por la paz! Ciertamente no me opongo a las metas; pero debemos comprender que alcanzar cada meta, por si misma, NUNCA trae como resultado la paz.

La falta de paz es, primero y principalmente, el resultado de una condición de pecado. Cuando Adán y Eva eligieron poner su voluntad por encima de la de Dios, comiendo la fruta prohibida, el pecado entró en el mundo y la verdadera paz se volvió ilusoria; “El día que de él comas, ciertamente morirás” (Génesis 2:17). Nunca obtendremos verdadera paz a través de diferentes gobiernos; tampoco podremos comprar nuestra paz o crear la paz cambiando nuestro alrededor. La paz comienza con el perdón de nuestros pecados a través de la fe en Jesús y crece mientras vivimos en sumisión al Espíritu Santo; “La mentalidad pecaminosa es muerte, mientras que la mentalidad que proviene del Espíritu es vida y paz” (Romanos 8:6).

En la carta de Pablo a los Filipenses el dijo que, aquellos que han puesto su fe en Jesús tienen ahora la formula básica para una vida de paz.

Filipenses 4:4-7
“Alégrense siempre en el Señor. Insisto: ¡Alégrense! Que su amabilidad sea evidente a todos. El Señor está cerca. No se inquieten por nada; más bien, en toda ocasión, con oración y ruego, presenten sus peticiones a Dios y denle gracias. Y la paz de Dios, que sobrepasa todo entendimiento, cuidará sus corazones y sus pensamientos en Cristo Jesús.”

Nuestra formula para la Paz es: 1) Regocijarnos, 2) Regocijarnos un poco más, 3) Ser amables, 4) Saber que Dios esta cerca, 5) Quitarnos toda ansiedad, y 6) Orar por todo con un corazón agradecido. Jesús prometió que todo aquel que confíe en El recibirá una paz más allá de lo que este mundo pueda entender: “La paz les dejo; mi paz les doy. Yo no se la doy a ustedes como la da el mundo. No se angustien ni se acobarden” (Juan 14:27).

Si en nuestras vidas escasea la paz, la UNICA solución es acercarnos a Dios, confiar más en El, y regocijarnos (y regocijarnos y regocijarnos) mientras somos guiados por Su Espíritu. Solo entonces encontraremos el “éxito” por el cual nos hemos estado esforzando – solo entonces obtendremos lo que nuestro corazón anhela…la verdadera paz de Dios!

Tenga un Dia Centrado en Cristo!

Steve Troxel
Ministerios La Palabra Diaria de Dios

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