The Good Shepherd

Everybody has already seen a spoiled child crying to get a desirable stuff. Although it is a childish characteristic, we adults are not completely free of this kind of attitude. I don't mean, we cry every time we want something, but when we insist so much to get what we want, it might look bad. Is it bad? Well, I would say that it is a bit of determinism to reach an objective.

For instance, suppose you want to climb a hill. The objective is to reach the top and overcome all the obstacles that you might have on your way. Probably, you are going to face bad weather, hunger, thirst, pain, etc...

It is very similar the way we walk to reach a Christian Life. We need the Lord. He is our safe hand, our bread, our water, our shadow and shelter. He protects us from all kind of circumstances.

"I, the Sovereign Lord, tell you that I myself will look for my sheep and take care of them in the same way as a shepherd takes care of his sheep..."

"I will let them graze in safety in the mountain meadows and the valleys and in all the green pastures..."

"I will look for those that are lost, bring back those that wander off, bandage those that are hurt, and heal those that are sick,..."

"I will bless them and let them live around my sacred hill. There I will bless them with showers of rain when they need it. The trees will bear fruit, the fields will produce crops, and everyone will live in safety on his own land."

""You, my sheep, the flock that I feed, are my people, and I am your God,"..."

Ezekiel 34:11-31

Thanks Lord, my good Shepherd, my God.

A Bible Study

In my thirties, I used to be a very busy person, working about 12 hours everyday, two kids, housing chores, friends, social appointments, family, and the gym. I can tell you, with so many things to do, I had no time to waste.

One Spring afternoon, a customer, not really a close friend, more acquantance, invited me to go to her house for a meeting, in which we were going to read the bible, and later we would have a chance to chat, and then something to drink and eat. That sounded very good to me. It would be a chance to be with someone I didn't know, and to make friends is always very good. She gave me her address, but with other commitments I was unsure if I could go. Anyway, I went with my son and daughter.

There, we met some of her family's friends, and relatives. I think, it was the first of many bible studies with them. I believe, we were together for about 2 years in total generally meeting each other once a week. In one evening, I accepted Jesus as my only Saviour, and so did my kids.

"...and my teaching and message were not delivered with skillful words of human wisdom, but with convincing proof of the power of God's Spirit. Your faith, then, does not rest on human wisdom but on God's power." Corinthians 2:4

You need to know that our lives have changed completely from that moment on. It's very difficult to explain so glorious and divine experience with Jesus presence in my life. As the verse above, I don't have the power to convince you about God's Spirit, but He has. I worship Lord to have chosen me for that evening and for so many special moments in my life...

Isaiah 61

"The Sovereign Lord has filled me with his spirit.

He has chosen me and sent me

To bring good news to the poor,

To heal the broken-hearted,

To announce release to captives

And freedom to those in prison...

to give...joy and gladness...

a song of praise...

Your joy will last forever."

Thank you Lord to have given me the opportunity to be in your presence, to feel your love, to be convinced for your Holy Spirit.

Blessing

For so long I have heard about God's Promises, and waited for them. I told Him that I want to remember everything He has changed in my life, every single blessing. They are so many that I can't count them. I have to rescue many facts of my life in order to tell you.

When I was a child, I used to live in front of a very big church. So, there was the main reference about my childhood. In that church, and in the garden of the church, a huge one, I played with my doll, I met friends, I fell down learning how to ride a bike, I went to the services...not only on Sundays, but also every time that there was one. I can't say that I knew Jesus, but I had an idea of his person, what happened to him living among us, and how he died. I was always a part of a religious community, so fellow worshipers taught me how to pray, and what not to do before God's eyes.

Many years ago I went to a Christian reunion, and a lady was giving a personal testimony of her experience with Jesus. Everybody prayed aloud, and suddenly, I was consumed with a fire, my body was burning, and I started crying in ecstasy, uncontrollably. That feeling was absolutely different to any previous emotion before in my life.

That moment was a blessing...

"There the angel of the Lord appeared to him as a flame coming from the middle of a bush. Mose saw that the bush was on fire but that it was not burning up." Exodus 3:2

An Option.

When I look at a devastated place, different types of feelings invade my heart. Hurricanes, storms, and tornadoes come sometimes and cause an irreparable disaster. It's not easy to face a disorder in our lives. To recover and overcome these events we need time. It's not as if we are ready for them, I would say, we are rarely waiting for tragedies. I believe, this is life, everyday a new episode comes up. Fortunately, we have an option to handle it to the best way...how many of us are living difficult times !!!

The bible brings that Neemias was full of sorrow for his people, and for many days he mourned and did not eat. Instead, he prayed.

"Look at me, Lord, and hear my prayer, as I pray day and night...Give me success today and make the emperor merciful to me." Nehemiah 1:6-10

How grateful to recognize that Jesus, our saviour is always ready to listen to our mourning.

Unforgetable ...

I have heard a touching story about a lady who lives in a very dangerous and violent area in the USA. She had her three sons killed, and the last incident was in front her door, where she had her youngest boy assassinated, and at the door you can see the marks of the bullet still there. Someone asked her: Why don't you have your door fixed? Wisely, she answered: Because what is fixed is easily forgot...I don't want to forget what happened with my sons, instead, I want this mark on my door remind me that I need to do something for the other people who have suffered this unimaginable loss. Like every walk of life, experience counts.

"Then in their trouble they called to the Lord, and he saved them from their distress. He healed them with his command and saved them from the grave. They must thank the Lord for his constant love,..." PSalm 107-19

I hope in your pain, you claim for Lord, He is the only one who can rescue you from your enemies.

"May those who are wise think about these things; may they consider the Lord's constant love."
PSalm 107-43

Healing My Soul

I have been blessed with so many good friends everywhere I have been, lived and worked. But I was feeling so depressed, so miserable in my inner being that there was not a space for happiness, because there was no peace, as if I had no friends, no love, no family, completely lonely in my deep and dark well.
On a Saturday evening of 2004 in my church, prayer in silence in my intimacy with God, I opened my Bible and the words fed my heart with so much intensity that until now I can feel how Lord had mercy of my life, and gently He poured his love all over me. Here is His words:

"This water flows through the land ...When it flows into the Dead Sea, it replaces the salt water of that sea with fresh water. Wherever the stream flows, there will be all kinds of animals and fish...it will bring life...On each bank of the stream all kinds of trees will grow to provide food. Their leaves will never wither, and they will never stop bearing fruit. They will have fresh fruit every month, because they are watered by the stream that flows from the Temple. The trees will provide food, and their leaves will be used for healing people." Ezekiel 47:8-2

I was in tears. The water that came from the Lord's Temple was healing my pain, my injuries, my soul. I was absolutely sure that Jesus was taking care of my life with so much love changing my unfruitful life into a fruitful one with His fresh water, and all the fresh fruit that I might produce would be used for healing people as I was healed.

A Little Prayer

Jesus, my Lord, and my Saviour. I am in your presence with my heart, my soul and my mind. Please Father, do not look at my sins, but at my heart, that is searching and in need of your pure love. Show me the best way, and what is your wish for my life. I believe you are perfect and that you are the only one who deserves to be adored. I worship you with all my heart.

"Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength."

Deuteronomy 6:5

My beloved God, in Jesus name, I promise to teach the commands you are giving me to my children when I am at home or when I am away, when I am resting or when I am working, and I will never forget them.

I love you Father with all my heart. Amen

Judgement

Uhmn...it seems to me very easy and common to watch everyone's behaviour, and of course, make some judgement about it. Frequently, we tend to condemn bad attitudes, blame them and why not...crucify the act and actor...as if we were the wisest owner of such knowledge that is above everything.

What could we hide from Lord?

The bible says:

"It is true, of course, that "all of us have knowledge," as they say. Such knowledge, however, puffs a person up with pride; but love builds up. Whoever thinks he knows something really doesn't know as he ougth to know."

1 Corinthians 8:1

Watch yourself...

Listen to your heart !!!

How many times we have awoken during the night, and the silence is so deep that we even can hear the beat of our own heart...and the beating is sometimes bitter...words that were said or were never said, an incomprehensible attitude, a phone call that never happened, a letter that never came, a wish that is still alive,but unfulfilled... God is the only one who knows your inner thoughts, your frustrations...listen to your heart, and let it be heard...allowing yourself some silence to find out what you really are. At this moment, do not hide your emotions. If you want to cry...please...do it...maybe, you want to write, why not? Everything is permitted, since you are not going to offend anyone around you. This is a private moment...it is between you and God...He is your friend...sincere and present all the time. 

 "Friends always show their love. What are brothers for if not to share trouble?"

  Proverbs 17:17 

 Share your heart, your feelings, open your mouth and concede Him your friendship.

There will be a first time for everything

This is a special day...!!!

You might be wondering...why is it special? Well, I would say that to make simple words speak in someones heart might be very difficult, and so, it should be something extraordinary. Words that can bring about comfort, emotion, encouragement, sympathy, happiness, tears, smiles, or, unpretentiously, thoughts perhaps enough to cause some changes in our life...

How about a cup of tea while we share this memorable moment? I think it is about making time to pause and remember what is really important.

The Bible says:

"Hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us."Romans 5:5

My heart is overflowing with love to share with you, and hoping that you can get it easily every time you might need it. Imagine some eyes contact, and a childlike smile breaking the ice of this first instant...first page, first words, first thoughts, and probably some first readers...

There is a conviction of some natural and spontaneous stimulus to start every distinctive day.

I hope the words that come from a sincere heart can feed yours...always...