Once upon a time there was a boy who had a call to be a preacher. Now this boy was Scotch, and the fondest ambition of a Scotch mother is that her son shall become a minister. You may believe that this particular lad’s mother was very, very happy. So George (George was his name) went to school. He was not a brilliant student, but he was faithful, he did his work well and passed his grades. One day he noted some difficulty with his eyes. The trouble increased rather than diminished. Before he had finished his education, while he was yet a young man, he became totally blind. He was greatly discouraged. He was tempted to give up entirely, stop trying to do anything. Certainly, he could not be a successful preacher if he was blind. Who would listen to him? How could he do his work?
However, there was another voice inside him, the voice of courage, hope and faith. It was the voice of the Lord that bid him go right on with his plans. He heeded the urge of the inner voice. He was ordained. People loved him and flocked to hear him preach. Though his natural vision was darkened, his spiritual vision was so much brighter. Though he could not look upon the beautiful sights of the world, he had eyes to see more clearly the wonderful things of the soul. His fame spread throughout Edinburgh, Scotland, England, and all the English-speaking world, and everywhere he was known and loved as the blind preacher.
This blind preacher wrote many hymns. The greatest hymn he ever wrote, and one of the finest in all the English language, is the Memory Hymn for to-day.
His name? Well, I almost forgot that. His name is George Matheson.
MEMORY VERSE, Isaiah 42: 16
“I will bring the blind by a way that they knew not; I will lead them in paths that they have not known: I will make darkness light before them, and crooked things straight. These things will I do unto them, and not forsake them.”
Beauty of Holiness If someone could visualize their journey through life, they would see two roads. These roads symbolize the paths of life and death. One road brings blessings, while the other leads to a curse.
Proverbs 14:12 (KJV) There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.
Deuteronomy 30:19 I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore, choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live:
THE JOURNEY OF LIFE God desires that we enjoy an abundant and exciting life as we travel towards eternity. Moses chose the highway of holiness rather than an adventure in pleasures of a season.
Hebrews 11:25 By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter; Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;
God enables each of us to be changed more into the image of Jesus as we conquer the sinful nature
2 Corinthians 4:4 (KJV) In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.
The image of God can only be reflected by the Spirit of God working in His people
1 Peter 1:15 But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation.
Ephesians 4:24 And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.
Hebrews 12:14 Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:
A Beautiful Way of Life Holiness is a beautiful way of life that guarantees God’s protection and blessings from the major enemies of the soul. To sin is to miss the mark, or the purpose which God created us
Psalms 29:2 Give unto the Lord the glory due unto his name; worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness.
PERFECTING HOLINESS When God fills a person with His Holy Spirit, he receives a holy nature. Holiness does come from human works but from God’s Holy Spirit.
Romans 8:16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
John 1:13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
A person must yield to the Holy Spirit
Psalms 101:3 I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; it shall not cleave to me.
1 Thessalonians 5:22 Abstain from all appearance of evil
If we do, God has promised us
2 Corinthians 5:17 (KJV) Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new
Growing in the Lord
As the new person grows in the knowledge of the will of God, he will also grow in his ability to recognize activities and attitudes that may endanger his new life with Christ.
The Christian life is not governed totally by the question of whether or not something is sin but if it will damage the image of Christ.
The question is not: What do I have to do?
It is now:
What does Jesus want me to do?
How can I please Him, how can I draw closer to Him?
How can I become more like Him?
The Concerned Christ Christ does not force His love on anyone. He wants a chance to show what a great God He is. He will create a new heart to all who respond to Him.
Jesus does not want any of us to perish.
Even angels do not understand salvation
Peter 1:12 Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into.
John 3:15-16 That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
It is exciting to witness the miraculous manifestations of God, but the greatest miracle is to experience the life changing transformation by the new birth experience. Jesus warned His followers not to rejoice that they had power over spirits, but rather rejoice because they were saved. Luke 10:20 Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven. The Lord is obviously more concerned with salvation than other miracles.
The Greatest Work
Jesus gave use a promise that we would do greater works.
These works were to be done after His journey to Calvary.
John 14:12-14 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father. And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.
Jesus Brings Change Jesus brought transformation through His teachings. Everything He shared and the love and compassion He showed were meant to direct people toward the power of God. His mission was to fill the hearts and souls of humanity with the joys of heaven and the life of God.
Jesus Brings Victory Jesus offers victory over satanic forces, human weaknesses, and struggles of life. He paid the penalty of sin and removed the curse of sin by giving His own life.
John 16:33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
1 John 5:4-5 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?
1 Corinthians 15:57 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
The Three Enemies of Humanity
Devil
The World with its ungodly lusts
Flesh
Hebrews 2:14 Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;
1 John 2:16For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
Hebrews 4:15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
Two of our enemies exist outside us: the devil and the world. However, the most formidable enemy lies within.
Mark 7:21-23 For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: All these evil things come from within, and defile the man.
The Holy Ghost helps us to conquer the fleshly nature.
James 4:4 Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.
Romans 8:7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.
Ephesians 2:16 And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:
THE WORKS OF THE FLESH THE OLD MAN Sin comes from the carnal sinful nature.
Galatians 5:19-21Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
When left to itself the heart is capable of unbelievable evils. Through the carnal mind, it is impossible to please God.
For this reason, God gives us a new nature.
1 Corinthian 6:17 But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit.
A new mind
1 Corinthians 2:16 For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? but we have the mind of Christ.
A new heart
Ezekial 36:26-27 A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.
Romans 5:5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.
A new inward man
Ephesians 4:24 And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.
A new life
Romans 6:4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
Putting off the old man
Ephesians 4:22-24 That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.
The natural man cannot understand God
1 Corinthians 2:14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
Nor can he live holy before God
Romans 8.5-8 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh, but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. 7 Because the carnal mind is enity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be, So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.
Can sweet water come from a bitter spring?
James 3:11 Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter?
THE WORKS OF THE SPIRIT THE NEW MAN This new man, God has given many promises. The old man was associated with the curse of sin. Since actions flow directly from the heart, it was necessary that God create in man a new heart with new characteristics.
Luke 6:45 A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.
The heart cannot be trusted.
Jeremiah 17:9-10 The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.
David never dreamed that he had murder in his heart. He found out to late. He asked God to search his heart.
Psalms 139:23-24 Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
The reasoning of the heart, human logic, and philosophy of this world cannot discover the things of God with the illumination of His spirit.
Corinthians 2:11 For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God
The Fruit of the Spirit When the Spirit of God lives in a person’s heart, the Spirit will produce fruit.
Galatians 5:22-23 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
It is great to see the old man transformed into the new man.
Ephesians 4:24 And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.
Abundant Life Jesus said: Out of a man’s mouth a man speaks what is in his heart.
Luke 6:43-45 For a good tree bringeth not forth corrupt fruit; neither doth a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. For every tree is known by his own fruit. For of thorns men do not gather figs, nor of a bramble bush gather they grapes. A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.
Proverbs 4:23 Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.
God’s Aim for His people It is God’s will and aim to bring forth good fruit from His People.
John 15:8 Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.
We must overcome the sinful nature
2 Corinthians 10:3-5 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;
The sinful nature will oppose God’s work. The Christian has a dual nature, the nature of God and the sinful nature of the flesh.
Galatians 4:29 But as then he that was born after the flesh persecuted him that was born after the Spirit, even so it is now.
He promises forgiveness and strength if we confess and repent
1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Hebrews 4:15-16 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
Paul’s Advice
Romans 6:12-13 Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.
Halloween is an interesting time. There are many traditions that come with that time of the year. However, have you ever thought about where those traditions came from. What is the origin of Halloween? This article will explore where Halloween came from and seek to discover what the Bible says about celebrating it.
Halloween as we know it began in England, Ireland, and Northern France over 1900 years ago. It was a Celtic celebration of the New Year called Samhain. Samhain is the Celtic word for November. It was on this day that according to the Celtic druids that the souls of the dead could mingle with the living. For the Celtic druids, it was the biggest holiday of the year. Bonfires were traditionally lit. The Celtic druids also believed that during the night before November 1st witches, demons, and evil spirits freely roam the earth with great joy to welcome the arrival of their season, the time of the year with longer nights. On this night the evil spirits and demons would terrorize the mortals. The only two ways for the mortals to escape the persecution of the demons and evil spirits was to offer them offers of sweet treats or dress in disguise as an evil spirit, demon, or witch.
Before it came to the Celtic druids, there was a similar celebration held in the Roman empire. It was a celebration for the Roman goddess, Pomona. This celebration was held on November 1. Pomona was a goddess to whom the gardens and orchards were dedicated. Therefore, they celebrated by eating or giving away fruit. This is possibly where the tradition of dunking for apples came from.
As the Catholic Church moved into the area controlled by the Celtic druids, they sought ways of connecting with the people. Instead of getting rid of these pagan practices completely, they gave the day a new name. The name “Halloween” reflects its Catholic roots, derived from “All Hallow’s Eve,” the evening before All Saints’ Day on November 1st. This day is dedicated to honoring all the saints in heaven, both known and unknown, who lived holy lives but do not have their own feast day on the liturgical calendar. The word “hallow” means “holy,” so Halloween originally marked the eve of this sacred celebration. However, All Saint’s Day was traditionally on May 13th until Pope Gregory III moved the feast to November 1st. This move was made in the 9th century.
Now the question is can a pagan celebration be made into a Holy Day?
Some people say yes it can be redeemed. Others say no it cannot be redeemed. What does the Bible say?
Deuteronomy 12:1-5 (NLT) “These are the decrees and regulations you must be careful to obey when you live in the land that the Lord, the God of your ancestors, is giving you. You must obey them as long as you live. “When you drive out the nations that live there, you must destroy all the places where they worship their gods—high on the mountains, up on the hills, and under every green tree. Break down their altars and smash their sacred pillars. Burn their Asherah poles and cut down their carved idols. Completely erase the names of their gods! “Do not worship the Lord your God in the way these pagan peoples worship their gods. Rather, you must seek the Lord your God at the place of worship he himself will choose from among all the tribes—the place where his name will be honored.
2 Corinthians 6:14 (KJV) Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?
Philippians 4:8 (KJV) Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
Ask yourself it there anything pure, lovely, or good about how Halloween is celebrated.
Leviticus 20:27 (KJV) A man also or woman that hath a familiar spirit, or that is a wizard, shall surely be put to death: they shall stone them with stones: their blood shall be upon them.
Deuteronomy 18:9-14 (KJV) When thou art come into the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee, thou shalt not learn to do after the abominations of those nations. There shall not be found among you any one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or that useth divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch. Or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer. For all that do these things are an abomination unto the Lord: and because of these abominations the Lord thy God doth drive them out from before thee. Thou shalt be perfect with the Lord thy God. For these nations, which thou shalt possess, hearkened unto observers of times, and unto diviners: but as for thee, the Lord thy God hath not suffered thee so to do.
Even today, Halloween comes with an appearance of witchcraft.
1 Thessalonians 5:22 (KJV) Abstain from all appearance of evil.
Think about theses scriptures. Is it really possible to redeem a day that has for hundreds of years been a celebration of evil? Pray and ask the Lord to give you direction for you and your family.
There is an old, old story about a father who had great difficulty in making his boy obey. The boy did wrong in spite of all that the father could say or do. One day the father said to the boy, “Here is the shed door, now every time you do wrong I am going to pound a nail into the door.” One by one the nails were pounded into the door, until it was literally filled with nails. The boy did not like the looks of the door, the thought of it began to trouble his conscience. So he spoke to his father about it. “Well,” said his father, “I’ll tell you what we will do. Every time you are obedient, every time you do a good deed rather than a wrong one, we will pull a nail out.” The bargain was struck, and as, one by one, the nails were driven in, so, one by one, they were pulled out.
Finally the day arrived when there was but one nail left. You can imagine the joy of the boy when he and his father went together to pull that nail out. With great glee the claws of the hammer were fastened about the head of Mr. Nail and, jerk, out he came. “Oh,” exclaimed the boy, “the marks are left.” Yes, it was true, for every nail driven in and pulled out a mark was left, and it was an ugly looking door. “That is the sad thing about it all,” said the father, “every time you do an evil deed a mark is left upon the life. It is never the same as if the evil deed had not been committed. It is fine that we have all the nails out, but it would have been much better had they never been driven in.”
MEMORY VERSE, Jeremiah 2: 22
“For though thou wash thee with nitre, and take thee much sope, yet thine iniquity is marked before me, saith the Lord God.”
MEMORY HYMN
“Take my life and let it be Consecrated, Lord, to thee.”
The Bible has several things to say about baptizing. Here are some interesting verses concerning baptism.
Red Sea baptism
1 Corinthians 10:1-2 Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea;
Baptized for the dead
1 Corinthian 15:29 Else what shall they do which are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all? why are they then baptized for the dead?
Symbolic Ark
1 Peter 3:20-22 Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water. The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ: Who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him.
There is a song that I like to hear that likens those of us who are saved to getting on a ship (boat, ark)
Unworthy of baptism
Matthew 3:7-8 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance: And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham. And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
The Pharisees and Sadducees were not ready to be baptized. They 1st needed to repent.
Baptism of Suffering
Matthew 20:20-24 Then came to him the mother of Zebedees children with her sons, worshipping him, and desiring a certain thing of him. And he said unto her, What wilt thou? She saith unto him, Grant that these my two sons may sit, the one on thy right hand, and the other on the left, in thy kingdom. But Jesus answered and said, Ye know not what ye ask. Are ye able to drink of the cup that I shall drink of, and to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? They say unto him, We are able. And he saith unto them, Ye shall drink indeed of my cup, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with: but to sit on my right hand, and on my left, is not mine to give, but it shall be given to them for whom it is prepared of my Father. And when the ten heard it, they were moved with indignation against the two brethren.
Name to be Baptize in.
Matthew 28:19-20 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
Acts 2:38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
Acts 8:16 (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.)
Acts 2:38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
Acts 10:47-48 Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.
Acts 8:12 But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.
Why to be baptized?
John 3:5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
born of water is baptism.
Galatian 3:27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
Colossians 2:12 Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.
Mark 16:16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
Acts 2:41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.
Yom Kipur es el día más sagrado del año para el pueblo judío. De Rosh Hashaná a Yom Kipur se celebran los Días de Reverencia. Durante este período de diez días, los judíos perdonan a los demás, dan a los necesitados y confiesan sus pecados para asegurar su inscripción en el Libro de la Vida por un año más.
Los Días de Reverencia terminan con un ayuno de 25 horas y un descanso sabático llamado Yom Kipur, o Día de la Expiación. Este día era cuando Dios proveía expiación por los pecados de los israelitas. Levítico 16 explica el Día de la Expiación (El gran día del perdón), cómo los judíos traían dos animales para sacrificarlos al Lugar Santísimo del Tabernáculo. A continuación, un breve resumen de los principales eventos del día.
Tras sacrificar en nombre del sacerdote, este sacrificaba un animal en el templo como ofrenda por el pecado. El segundo se llamaba Azazel o chivo expiatorio. El sacerdote colocaba simbólicamente los pecados del pueblo sobre la cabeza del chivo y lo conducía fuera del campamento, representando la redención de los pecados del pueblo. Este sacrificio animal se realizaba una vez al año y siempre era una cobertura temporal del pecado. Año tras año, los israelitas repetían esta tradición para asegurar que los pecados fueran cubiertos y que los nombres fueran sellados en el Libro de la Vida.
La pregunta para nosotros como cristianos es cómo celebramos y recordamos una festividad cuyo propósito es expiar nuestros pecados cuando sabemos que Jesús ya hizo esa expiación definitiva por nosotros. En lugar de intentar expiar los pecados de otro año, como cristianos podemos celebrar lo que Cristo ya hizo por nosotros. Aquí hay algunas sugerencias:
Puedes brindar un perdón radical. Así como Jesús nos dio gracia, nosotros también podemos brindar gracia y sanar relaciones rotas durante Yom Kipur. Cuando no tengas la gracia ni la fuerza para perdonar, pídele a Dios que te las conceda en mayor medida.
Acordaos de Mateo 6:15 Pero si no perdonáis a los hombres sus ofensas, tampoco vuestro Padre os perdonará vuestras ofensas.
Puedes considerar ayunar durante una comida o un día entero. Durante tu tiempo de ayuno, dedica tiempo a orar. Ora por:
Aquellos que aún no han llegado a Jesús
Misioneros
Pastores
Familiares
La Nación de Israel
Tu propio país
También podrías agradecer al Señor por las fiestas como una revelación de Jesús en este tiempo. Esta bendición es…
Bendito seas Tú, Señor Dios nuestro, Rey del universo, que nos has dado fiestas, costumbres y tiempos de felicidad, para gloria de nuestro Señor Jesús, la Luz del mundo.
Los libros desde Mateo hasta Apocalipsis se denominan Nuevo Testamento porque representan el nuevo pacto que Jesús hizo.
El Nuevo Testamento consta de veintisiete libros.
Estos libros fueron escritos por ocho autores a lo largo de un período de aproximadamente 50 años y abarcan alrededor de 100 años de historia.
El Nuevo Testamento se divide en cinco secciones: los cuatro Evangelios, un libro de historia, las trece Epístolas Paulinas, las ocho Epístolas Generales y un libro de profecía.
Es fundamental reconocer el propósito de cada libro y a quién estaba dirigido originalmente. Esto facilita la interpretación de las Escrituras.
Los primeros cuatro libros: Mateo, Marcos, Lucas y Juan, describen la muerte, sepultura y resurrección de Jesucristo.
MATEO
El libro de Mateo se dirige principalmente a los lectores judíos.
Hace un fuerte énfasis en Jesucristo como el Mesías y rey predicho por los profetas del Antiguo Testamento.
MARCOS
Marcos fue escrito pensando en los lectores gentiles.
Presenta a Jesús como un siervo que atendía las necesidades del pueblo.
Enfatiza el poder sobrenatural de Jesús, demostrando su deidad mediante los milagros que realizó.
Enfatiza las palabras de Jesús con sus acciones.
LUCAS
Lucas presenta a Jesús como el Hijo de Dios.
Se centra especialmente en la humanidad de Jesús, destacando su compasión por los débiles, los que sufren y los marginados.
Los Evangelios Sinópticos
Los primeros tres evangelios a veces se denominan Evangelios Sinópticos, lo que significa que adoptan una visión común del orden de los acontecimientos que rodearon la vida de Cristo.
Mateo tenía en mente a los judíos.
Marcos tenía en mente a los romanos.
Lucas tenía en mente a los griegos.
Mateo y las Escrituras
Los judíos fueron instruidos diligentemente en las Escrituras.
Se les enseñó a ver todo desde la perspectiva bíblica.
Mateo cita el Antiguo Testamento una y otra vez para respaldar la afirmación de que Jesús es el Mesías.
Marca y Autoridad
La mentalidad romana se centraba en la autoridad y el poder del gobierno.
Marcos destaca los milagros de Cristo, enfatizando su autoridad sobrenatural sobre todas las cosas.
Lucas y la gloriosa perfección de Jesús
La mentalidad griega se sentía atraída por la cultura, la filosofía, la sabiduría, la razón, la belleza y la educación.
Lucas presenta una historia completa, ordenada y clásica en lo que se ha llamado «el libro más hermoso jamás escrito».
El Evangelio de Lucas revela la gloriosa belleza y perfección del hombre ideal, el Señor Jesucristo.
JUAN Y LA DEIDAD DE JESÚS
Juan equilibra los otros tres Evangelios con su énfasis especial en la deidad de Jesús.
El libro comienza de forma muy similar al Génesis. Revela que Jesucristo es el Verbo hecho carne y que desde el principio fue Dios, el Creador de todas las cosas.
Timoteo 3:16 (RVR1960) E indiscutiblemente, grande es el misterio de la piedad: Dios fue manifestado en carne, justificado en el Espíritu, visto de los ángeles, predicado a los gentiles, creído en el mundo, recibido arriba en gloria.
Colosenses 1:12-20 (RVR1960) Dando gracias al Padre que nos hizo aptos para participar de la herencia de los santos en luz; el cual nos libró de la potestad de las tinieblas y nos trasladó al reino de su amado Hijo, en quien tenemos redención por su sangre, el perdón de pecados; el cual es la imagen del Dios invisible, el primogénito de toda creación. 16 Porque en él fueron creadas todas las cosas, las que hay en los cielos y las que hay en la tierra, visibles e invisibles. Ya sean tronos, dominios, principados o potestades, todo fue creado por él y para él. Y él es antes de todas las cosas, y en él todas las cosas subsisten. Y él es la cabeza del cuerpo, que es la iglesia, quien es el principio, el primogénito de entre los muertos, para que en todo tenga la preeminencia. 19 Por cuanto agradó al Padre que en él habitara toda plenitud, y por medio de él, haciendo la paz mediante la sangre de su cruz, reconciliar consigo todas las cosas, ya sean las que están en la tierra o las que están en los cielos.
Mateo 22:32 (RVR1960) Yo soy el Dios de Abraham, el Dios de Isaac y el Dios de Jacob. Dios no es Dios de muertos, sino de vivos.
Juan 14:9 (RVR1960) Jesús le dijo: ¿Tanto tiempo hace que estoy con vosotros, y no me has conocido, Felipe? El que me ha visto a mí, ha visto al Padre. ¿Cómo, pues, dices tú: «Muéstranos al Padre»?
Santiago 2:19 (RVR1960) Tú crees que hay un solo Dios; bien haces. También los demonios creen, y tiemblan.
Marcos 12:29 (RVR1960) Jesús le respondió: «El primer mandamiento de todos es: Escucha, Israel: El Señor nuestro Dios, el Señor uno es.»
HECHOS HISTORIA DE LA IGLESIA PRIMITIVA
El libro de los Hechos ofrece un relato histórico de la iglesia primitiva.
El primer capítulo continúa con los últimos momentos de Cristo mientras permaneció en la tierra y luego registra el establecimiento de la iglesia del Nuevo Testamento en Jerusalén.
Allí, la promesa del Espíritu Santo se derramó sobre quienes esperaban.
Para comprender cómo se fundó la iglesia y cómo el pueblo se unió a la iglesia primitiva, es necesario estudiar el libro de los Hechos.
LAS EPÍSTOLAS
Los siguientes veintiún libros (Romanos – Judas) son epístolas (cartas formales) que enseñan a los nuevos cristianos cómo vivir una vida victoriosa.
Las epístolas no se escribieron para enseñar cómo ser salvos, sino para quienes ya son salvos. Enseñan cómo mantenerse salvos y cómo crecer en la gracia y el conocimiento del Señor Jesucristo.
Las Epístolas Paulinas
Pablo escribió trece de las veintiuna epístolas. Se llaman Epístolas Paulinas.
Escribió una carta a la iglesia de Roma, dos cartas a la iglesia de Corinto, una carta a las iglesias de Galacia, una a la iglesia de Éfeso, y así sucesivamente.
Dentro de las Epístolas Paulinas se encuentran tres libros comúnmente llamados Epístolas Pastorales: 1 Timoteo, 2 Timoteo y Tito, llamados así porque ofrecen instrucciones sobre el liderazgo en las iglesias.
Las Epístolas Generales
Los siguientes ocho libros —Hebreos, Santiago, 1 Pedro, 2 Pedro, 1 Juan, 2 Juan, 3 Juan y Judas
se llaman Epístolas Generales porque fueron escritos para la iglesia en general.
LIBRO DE PROFECÍAS DEL APOCALIPSIS
El libro del Apocalipsis es único en su clase.
Es principalmente de naturaleza profética, aunque comienza con cartas a siete iglesias en Asia Menor:
Asia Menor es una península del oeste de Asia entre el Mar Negro y el Mar Mediterráneo.
Luego, describe lo que sucederá en el fin de los tiempos. La gente aún discrepa sobre muchos aspectos del libro del Apocalipsis. Existen diversas creencias sobre cómo se cumplirán exactamente las profecías.
Cualquiera que lea y estudie este libro debe hacerlo con cuidado y con abundante oración, pidiendo al Espíritu Santo que le ayude.
Juan 16:13 Pero cuando Él, el Espíritu de Verdad, venga, os guiará a toda la verdad [verdad plena y completa]. Porque no hablará por su propia cuenta, sino que hablará todo lo que oiga [del Padre: el mensaje acerca del Hijo], y os hará saber lo que ha de venir [en el futuro].
For three years I lived in Manila, Philippine Islands. Not far from my home was an orphanage for children who were deaf and dumb. Frequently these children were seen at different entertainments that were given about the city. One evening I went to attend a lecture in the Y.M.C.A. Right in front of me sat three children. They were very quiet and orderly. When the lecture began the boy who sat in the middle began to make his fingers go as fast as he could, the two children on either side watching him intently. That center boy could hear, the other two were deaf. So he heard the lecture for them and told it to them by the finger language.
One day a girl, coming out from school, got on a streetcar to go to her home. The car was crowded. She found a seat next to a woman who was heavily laden with bundles. She had all she could do to hold those bundles in her lap and keep them from falling and scattering their contents on the floor. Then a string about one of the packages became untied. She struggled to get that string fastened securely. She had so many packages, her fingers were numb with cold, and again and again the string slipped just at the crucial time. Finally, this schoolgirl, who was an attractive, well-dressed girl, reached over and placed her nicely gloved finger on the obstreperous knot. There was a grateful smile from the troubled woman and a hearty “Thank you.” The next stop was the girl’s home. As she went to the end of the car, she passed a school friend who had watched the little incident. She said to her, “I see you belong to the helping hand society.” “No,” replied the girl, “not the helping hand, just the helping finger society.” This is a great society, girls and boys. Admission to it requires no initiation fee, no dues, simply the desire and the will to be helpful wherever you are.
MEMORY VERSE, Ecclesiastes 9: 10
“Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might.”
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