Palabras de Aliento - Romanos 5

“En consecuencia, ya que hemos sido justificados mediante la fe, tenemos paz con Dios por medio de nuestro Señor Jesucristo. También por medio de él, y mediante la fe, tenemos acceso a esta gracia en la cual nos mantenemos firmes. Así que nos regocijamos en la esperanza de alcanzar la gloria de Dios. Y no sólo en esto, sino también en nuestros sufrimientos, porque sabemos que el sufrimiento produce perseverancia; la perseverancia, entereza de carácter; la entereza de carácter, esperanza. Y esta esperanza no nos defrauda, porque Dios ha derramado su amor en nuestro corazón por el Espíritu Santo que nos ha dado.” - Romanos 5:1-5

Está sellado, cerrado y completado. “ya que hemos sido justificados mediante la fe.” Por lo tanto, nosotros “tenemos paz con Dios por medio de nuestro Señor Jesucristo.” (1) Luego Pablo dice (5) Esta esperanza que tenemos no nos avergonzará. Esta es una palabra fuerte. No seríamos avergonzados. ¿Por qué? Porque sabemos y continuamos experimentando el amor de Dios en nuestra mente y en nuestro corazón. El amor de Dios en nuestro corazón es una confirmación de la esperanza que sostenemos.

La experiencia y el conocimiento del amor de Dios se facilita en nosotros debido a que el Espiritu Santo vive en nosotros. Dios quiere que Su gente tenga confianza acerca de la certeza de nuestra esperanza.

Nótese que Pablo no dice “Dios nos ha dado su amor.” El usa la palabra “derramado.” Comunica la idea de un chorro desbordado que no puede ser contenido. Esto no depende de tu amor por Dios. Es iniciativa y regalo de Dios para ti. “En esto consiste el amor: no en que nosotros hayamos amado a Dios, sino en que él nos amó y envió a su Hijo para que fuera ofrecido como sacrificio por el perdón de nuestros pecados.” (1 Juan 4:10)

¿Te has parado alguna vez bajo una catarata? El agua sigue viniendo y viniendo. “Que el Dios de la esperanza los llene de toda alegría y paz a ustedes que creen en él, para que rebosen de esperanza por el poder del Espíritu Santo.” (Romanos 15:13)

Oakseed on the iPhone

While I was waiting at the train station yesterday, I was testing some features that will enable the Oakseed website to format to multiple types of mobile phones and devices.  In today’s fast past world, many people spend a large portion of their commute time on buses and trains.  I figured that providing easy access for the mobile users would be a great encouragement.  You can now read the devotions, updates and most of the Oakseed website in a view that is specifically formatted for your device.

Currently, the only mobile devices that are getting this special treatment are the iPhone and the iTouch.  And since I actually don’t own either of these devices, I would love to get feedback from people who do use the iPhone or iTouch.

Some of the questions I’m looking for are:

1. When you initially type in “oakseed.org” in the iPhone/iTouch browser… do you get the full (normal) version of the website or the special iPhone version.  (On the bottom of the page, it gives you the option of switching between versions.)

2. Are you able to “search” the site, using the link on the top right of the iPhone version site?

3. Are you able to select the menu and get a drop down list of links with icons on it?  (Menu link located on top right.)

Thank you in advance for all you iPhone/iTouch people who are able to help me.  Feel free to leave your feedback by filling out the form below.

And for everyone else, you will be unable to view this special iPhone version or even links to this version from your regular browser.

Join us for a time of prayer

Sunday, June 1st, is the Annual Day of Prayer for Children at High Risk. The Child with a Disability is the theme for 2008.

Jackie Mills Fernald (Director of Access Ministries) and Dr. Edward Bradley will be co-leading a one-hour prayer meeting in Room 1605 at McLean Bible Church. (8925 Leesburg Pike, McLean, VA - Link to Map) from 3-4pm on Sunday, June 1st. Refreshments will follow.

Will you come and pray with us?

Oakseed Ministries International believes the prayers of God’s people are a powerful tool that God has given to us to extend His blessing and favor in our world.

• Many children with a disability are denied the right and opportunity to be human.
• In many countries, the child with a disability is among the invisible children hidden and forgotten from neighbors.
• 90% of children with a disability in the developing world do not attend school.
• “Great crowds came to him, bringing the lame, the blind, the crippled, the mute and many others, and laid them at his feet; and he healed them.” (Matthew 15:30)

This one hour on June 1st is one of the most important things you can do for a child with a disability.

Please join us in prayer!

PS. This will be a user-friendly prayer meeting, especially designed for those who are coming to a prayer meeting for the first time.

Upper Loft Meditation - Romans 5

“Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand.  And we rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.  And 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 5:1-5

It is sealed, closed, and completed.  “We have been justified by faith”.  We, therefore, “have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1)  Then Paul says (5) this hope that we have will not put us to shame.  This is a strong word here.  We wouldn’t be embarrassed.  Why?  Because, we know and continue to experience the love of God in our mind and in our heart.  The love of God in our heart is a confirmation of the hope we hold.

The experience and knowledge of God’s love is facilitated in us by the indwelling Holy Spirit.  God wants His people to be confident about the certainty of our hope.

Notice that Paul does not say “God has given us his love.”  He uses the word “poured out”.  It conveys the idea of a gushing overflow that cannot be contained.  This is not dependent on your love for God.  It is God’s initiative and gift of love for you.  “This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.” (1 John 4:10)

Have you ever stood under a waterfall?  The water keeps coming and coming.  “May the God of hope fill you will all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 15:13)

Palabras de Aliento - 1 Pedro 3

“Más bien, honren en su corazón a Cristo como Señor. Estén siempre preparados para responder a todo el que les pida razón de la esperanza que hay en ustedes. Pero háganlo con gentileza y respeto” - 1 Pedro 3:15

Aquí hay una gran exhortación para los creyentes acerca de nuestra esperanza y una muy importante afirmación de calificación acerca de nuestra respuesta hacia otros.

1. “siempre” – en todo tiempo, generalmente cuando menos lo esperas, de cualquier persona – gente que conoces y extraños.
2. “Estén preparados para responder” – esto implica que tomarás tiempo para pensar TUS respuestas antes de que te pregunten. ¿Qué de tu relación con Cristo te da esperanza este día? Tu esperanza impactará lo que dices y como vives. ¿Estás listo para explicarte? Debieras tener tanto como una respuesta corta de 2 ó 3 minutos y una larga, “sentémosnos y puedo compartir mi historia contigo”, respuesta.
3. “da una razón por la esperanza que tú tienes” – Esto implica que tu esperanza es observable, ya sea en lo que dices o como actuas. Tu esperanza visible producirá en otros una gran pregunta. ¿Cómo puede esta persona tener tanta esperanza? Verdaderamente, la luza brilla más en los lugares más oscuros. Para mucha gente la esperanza que tú tienes será considerada ¡fuera de lugar!

Tu respuesta a la pregunta acerca de tu esperanza debiera reflejar la pura naturaleza de Jesús. Tu respuesta no debe ser un ataque agresivo o una defensa desafiante, sino como un mendigo compartiendo comida con otro. Tus palabras debieran estar llenas de bondad y ternuara, al hablar de la misericordia, promesa y fidelidad de Dios hacia ti.

Cuando la gente te observa, dirán que estás ¿lleno o falto de esperanza?

Upper Loft Meditation - 1 Peter 3

“But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord.  Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.  But do this with gentleness and respect.” - 1 Peter 3:15

Here is a great exhortation for believers about our hope and a very important qualifying statement about our response to others.

1. “always” - at any time, often when you least expect it, from any body - people you know and even from strangers.
2. “be prepared to give an answer” - this implies that you take time to think through YOUR answer before you are asked.  What is it about your relationship with Christ that gives you hope for today?  Your hope will impact what you say and how you live.  Are you ready to explain yourself?  You should have both a 2-3 minute short answer and a longer, “let’s sit down and I can share my story with you”, answer.
3. “give a reason for the hope that you have” - This implies that your hope is observable, either in what you say or in how you act.  Your visible hope will produce in others a great question.  How can this person be so hopeful?  Truly, light shines brightest in the darkest places.  For many people the hope you have will be considered out of place!

Your answer to the query about your hope should reflect the very nature of Jesus.  Your answer is not to be an aggressive attack or a defiant defense, but as one beggar sharing food with another.  Your words should be filled with kindness and tenderness as you speak about God’s mercy, promise, and faithfulness to you.

When people observe you, will they say you are hopeful or hopeless?

A Boy Who Prays for His Family

This story comes from our ministry partner, MISIUR, working with children in Lima, Peru.

Jesus is twelve years old and lives with his parents; he is the youngest of three brothers.  His house is located in the highest part of a Settlement in a heavily populated district of Lima.

His mother devotes her time to their home, and his father is an informal guard in a settlement some distance from the city.

He is in the fifth grade but that doesn’t correspond with his age.  His mother had to travel and because of this, he was not enrolled in time.

Since October of 2007, Jesus has participated in Bread of Life at the Peruvian Evangelical Church “The Grace of God.”

Jesus is improving physically and spiritually.

Arriving on time for breakfast helps him form the habit of being punctual.  At the same time, he works on beginning friendships with other children; he prays before he eats his breakfast; he uses to say hello before entering the church.  He also helped his mother Mary and his brother Lucero join the church.

Something very significant in his life is that he is learning to pray for his family.  His father is an alcoholic and hurts his mother and brothers.  Because of this, in April of this year, Jesus and the pastor at the church signed an agreement to pray everyday at nine at night for a change for his father.

Jesus is shy and nervous because of his father’s problem.  Nevertheless, he surpasses the average students.  He only needs reinforcement and more attention so that he might develop in a healthy way without difficulties.

Jesus is a dreamer who yearns for God to change the reality of his family, and he is sure that this is how it will be to the glory of God.

Palabras de Aliento - 1 Juan 3

“Queridos hermanos, ahora somos hijos de Dios, pero todavía no se ha manifestado lo que habremos de ser. Sabemos, sin embargo, que cuando Cristo venga seremos semejantes a él, porque lo veremos tal como él es. Todo el que tiene esta esperanza en Cristo, se purifica a sí mismo, así como él es puro.” - 1 Juan 3:2-3

“Yo quiero ser como Jesús” dijo un muchacho cuando le preguntaron lo que quería ser cuando creciera. ¿Es esta tu respuesta?

Juan expone aquí dos grandes verdades. Una verdad presente, nosotros somos hijos de Dios AHORA y una verdad futura, cuando Jesús regrese seremos como él.

Si nosotros sostenemos esta esperanza nos purificamos. ¿Qué significa esto?

La definición contemporánea de esperanza es de ser optimista. Las probabilidades están a tu favor, una fuerte posibilidad. Esto es diferente al punto de vista bíblico de esperanza, una certeza presente de una realidad futura. Puedes apostar tu vida a esto.

Hay dos significados para “purificar” en el Nuevo Testamento, uno es ceremonial, la apariencia exterior y el segundo significado es usado aquí como pureza interna expresada en una rectitud moral externa.

Hay tres pensamientos claves que parten de lo anterior:

1. Convertirse como Jesús es un trabajo del Espíritu. Es un proceso que requiere tu participación. Lo principal de esto es el proceso diario de poner la Palabra de Dios en tu corazón, arrepintiéndote de tu pecado y haciendo la voluntad de Dios.
2. La perfección no es posible a este lado del paraíso. Pero debido a la esperanza que tenemos nos esforzamos con el Espíritu para que Su palabra nos prepare a vivir nuestras vidas.
3. El proceso de purificación es parte de convertirnos más como Jesús. Es necesario para ver a Jesús como él es y un día veremos que somos como él.

“Dichosos los de corazón limpio, porque ellos verán a Dios.” - Mateo 5:8

Upper Loft Meditation - 1 John 3

“Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known.  But we know that when he appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is.  Everyone who has this hope in him purifies himself, just as he is pure.” - 1 John 3:2-3

“I want to be like Jesus,” said a young boy when asked what he wanted to be when he grew up.  Is this your response?

John sets forth two great truths here.  A present truth, we are the children of God NOW and a future truth, when Jesus returns we shall be like him.

If we hold this hope we purify ourselves.  What does this mean?

The contemporary definition of hope is one of being optimistic; the odds are in your favor, a strong possibility.  This is different from the Biblical view of hope, a present certainty of a future reality.  You can bet your life on it.

There are two meanings for “purify” in the New Testament, one is ceremonial, the outward appearance and the second meaning is used here of inward purity expressed in outward moral righteousness.

There are three key thoughts from this:

1. Becoming like Jesus is a work of the Spirit.  It is a process requiring your participation.  Central to this is the daily process of placing the Word of God in your heart, repenting of your sin, and doing the will of God.
2. Perfection is not possible this side of heaven.  But, because of the hope we have, we strive with the Spirit for His word of preparation in our lives.
3. The purifying process is part of our becoming like Jesus.  It is integral to seeing Jesus as he is and one day seeing that we are like him.

“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.” - Matthew 5:8

Palabras de Aliento - 1 Tesalonicenses 1

“Los recordamos constantemente delante de nuestro Dios y Padre a causa de la obra realizada por su fe, el trabajo motivado por su amor, y la constancia sostenida por su esperanza en nuestro Señor Jesucristo.” - 1 Tesalonicenses 1:3

En medio de nuestras dificultades, pueda que escuches la exhortación de un amigo “¡continua, continua!” Hay muchos pensamientos que pueden correr por tu mente.

• Mi amigo no entiende mis dificultades.
• No tengo nada más que dar. Estoy terminado.
• Ellos no saben como me siento. El dolor y la decepción son sobrecogedores.
• Lo que estoy haciendo requiere un milagro.
• Pablo en su oración por los creyentes de Tesalónica, da la correcta perspectiva para nuestros problemas y como animar a aquéllos que laboran valientemente para el Señor.

Pablo ora aqui y en otro lugar que la esperanza viva que ellos tienen en el Señor Jesucristo les causará la renovación de sus fuerzas, para alentar su confianza en lo que Dios hará y para recibir la paz que Dios da a través de su esperanza en El en medio de la tormenta.

La oración de Pablo no es para remover las dificultades sino para habilitarlos para continuar con el poder sostenedor de Dios a través del estrés y la dificultad.

“Resistencia” pude ser también traducida como “paciencia”. Paciencia que esperará en el Señor para su resolución. No es un llamado a cerrar y esperar, sino a continuar con gran expectativa por lo que Dios hará.

“Espero al Señor, lo espero con toda el alma; en su palabra he puesto mi esperanza.” Salmo 130:5

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