Upper Loft Meditation - Romans 3

This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. - Romans 3:22-24

Our tendency is to get squirmy when we hear “all have sinned.” We quickly go to comparisons for our rescue. I am not as bad as… or, if people only understood my situation… or, it was the best I could do. As God sees it, we are all guilty.

This understanding is the starting point for forgiveness and the platform to receive our pardon. This work of grace is based not on our efforts, but upon God’s intervention.

The word justified has a double meaning. It is a declaration to all that you have been found “Not Guilty”. You have escaped the penalty of the law. Someone else has paid the penalty in full for you.

It is also an announcement that you have been declared righteous, fully acceptable to God. “A man is not justified by observing the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we, too, have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in Christ.” - Galatians 2:16

Therefore, we are to live not as one who squirms and fidgets in uncertainty, but as one who has been set free to live for the glory of Christ.

“Friend, you can hobble along, like a man with two broken feet, depending on your own doubtful righteousness to be accepted by God. Or, you can put your faith in Jesus, and be declared, “Not guilty!” and righteous”! The choice is in your hands.” - Dr. Isabelo Magalit (Philippines)

Palabras de Aliento - Pilipenses 4

“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.” Pilipenses 4:6-7

Hay dos perspectivas diferentes para ver la ansiedad. Una es que no podemos esperar a que pase algo. Estamos tan ansiosos que lo queremos ahora. La necesidad es tener paciencia en medio de la exitación.

La otra perspectiva es la infiltración de temor. Nuestra mente se desvía hacia todas las posibles alternativas negativas, no importa cuan improbables sean.

Hay dos significados asociados tras la palabra ansioso. Un significado expresa la idea de sentirse estrangulado. Mientras más peleas esta duda que te apreta, más espantoso luce el futuro. Mientras más ansioso estés más sientes que te sofocas.

Un segundo significado es tener una mente dividida. Estar ansioso es permitir que los “Y si” empujen a un lado la paz de Dios ¿Cómo peleamos esta batalla? De una manera - a través de la oración.

El Señor no es solamente un dador de paz, sino también un protector de la paz que nos da. Lo que estamos llamados a hacer es a orar y creer en las promesas de Dios, quien está lleno de compasión, misericordia y eterno amor por ti.

“El comienzo de la ansiedad es el final de la fe y el comienzo de la fe verdadera es el final de la ansiedad.” - George Mueller

Upper Loft Meditation - Philippians 4

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your request to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hears and your minds in Christ Jesus.” - Philippians 4:6-7

There are two different perspectives one can have in being anxious. One is that we cannot wait for something to happen. We are so excited we want it now. The need is to be patient in the midst of the excitement.

The other perspective carries the idea of infiltrating dread. Our mind drifts towards all the potential negative alternatives, no matter how improbable.

There are two related meanings behind the word anxious. One meaning conveys the idea of being strangled. The more you fight this constricting doubt, the more frightful the future looks. The more anxious you get, the more you feel like you are suffocating.

A second meaning is to have a divided mind. To be anxious is to allow the “what ifs” to push aside the peace of God. How do we fight this battle? One way — through prayer.

The Lord is not only a giver of peace, but also a protector of the peace he gives to us. What we are called to do is to pray and believe in the promises of God, who is filled with compassion, mercy, and everlasting love for you.

The beginning of anxiety is the end of faith, and the beginning of true faith is the end of anxiety.” - George Mueller.

Palabras de Aliento - Hechos 12

Hechos 12:15-16

–¡Pedro está a la puerta! –exclamó.
–¡Estás loca! –le dijeron.

Ella insistía en que así era, pero los otros decían:

–Debe de ser su ángel.
Entre tanto, Pedro seguía llamando. Cuando abrieron la puerta y lo vieron, quedaron pasmados. Con la mano Pedro les hizo señas de que se callaran, y les contó cómo el Señor lo había sacado de la cárcel.

Pedro estaba en prisión bajo fuerte seguridad después que Santiago había sido muerto. El rey Herodes tenía la intención de enjuiciar a los seguidores de Jesús. Había sangre en el aire y una creciente hostilidad. Los creyentes se habían reunido para orar e interceder por Pedro. Dios envió un angel para liberar a Pedro de una manera imposible -Las cadenas se cayeron- la puerta de hierro se abrió y Pedro se marchó frente a dieciseis guardias.

Otra parte asombrosa de la historia es la incredulidad de los creyentes. Cuando Pedro toca la puerta de la reunión de oración nadia creía que podría ser él. ¿Cuan frecuentemente oramos debido a que nuestras necesidades son sobrecogedoras? No hay alternativas viables. El enfoque de nuestras oraciones, sin embargo, está en nuestras necesidades imposibles y no en el Señor que libera. Fe en la oración viene cuando miramos a Dios y no a lo imposible. Dios ve más claramente que nosotros el desastre que enfrentamos.

Cuando Pedro describe lo que ha pasado su énfasis no es en la condición milagrosamente imposible, sino simplemente en que “El Señor lo sacó.”

Si creemos que el Señor está con nosotros en nuestro viaje de fe, ¿Debieramos sorprendernos de los desbordantes actos de misericordia y gracia como resultado de su amor eterno hacia aquellos que creen?

Upper Loft Meditation - Acts 12

“You’re out of your mind,” they told her. When she kept insisting that it ws so, they said, “It must be his angel.” But Peter kept on knocking, and when they opened the door and saw him, they were astonished. Peter motioned with his hand for them to be quiet and described how the Lord had brought him out of prison. - Acts 12:15-16

Peter was in prison under heavy guard after James had been put to death. King Herod was intent on prosecuting the followers of Jesus. There was blood in the air and growing hostility. The believers had gathered to pray and intercede for Peter. God sent an angel to set Peter free in an impossible manner - the chains fell off - the iron gate opened - and Peter walked away from sixteen guards!

Another astonishing part of the story is the unbelief of the believers. When Peter knocks on the door of the prayer meeting no one believes that it could be him. How often do we pray because our needs are overwhelming? There is no viable alternative. The focus of our prayers, however, are on our impossible needs and not on the Lord who delivers. Faith in prayer comes as we look to God and not at the impossible. God sees more clearly than we do the disaster we face.

When Peter recounts what had happened his emphasis is not on the miraculous impossibilities, but simply on “the Lord brought him out.”

If we believe the Lord is with us on our journey of faith, should we be surprised over the overflowing acts of mercy and grace because of his everlasting love to those who believe?