On Celebrating the Incarnation

 This story my little one, is true, so pay attention to what I have to say.

Remember the garden your mom has told you about, the most glorious garden that has ever existed? Yes, the Garden of Eden, the beautiful garden where God used to walked with Adam and Eve. It all started in that beautiful place. The serpent came, with lies that Eve believed and they, Adam and Eve, disobeyed God by eating from the only tree God had forbidden them to eat. You know what was the big lie they believed? The serpent told them that they were going to be like God if they took a bite of that forbidden fruit which, of course, looked delicious and pleasant to the eyes. Maybe you say that if you were there you would have never done that; but that is not possible. We all like to believe that same lie; we all like to be our own god. We want to do things our own way, we don't like to hear precepts and commands, and we don't like to obey dad or mom. We love our sin; we don't want God to rule our lives.

Do you know what happened next? Adam and Eve died. First they died spiritually, they were not longer happy in God's presence; instead, they wanted to run away from Him; they became fugitives. They did not want to seek God. They were, instead, always looking for darker places to hide from Him. Years later they also died physically. And so it is today, sinners are running away from God they are dead, even when we see them walking and shopping. They are fugitives; they do not look for God, they are hiding from Him. All sinners from Adam to the last baby who was born this past second deserve the penalty of death; we all deserve to live far from God, in darkness, in our sin. We all are fugitives.

But God had a plan. He had a plan even before He created Adam and Eve. He had a plan to rescue men and women whose names He had already written even before they were created in a beautiful book which is in Heaven called the Book of Life. The plan was amazing, listen to this:  God, the Son, would become flesh to pay the penalty of those whose names were written in the Book of Life. Who could have imagined such a thing? Yes! He, God-the Son would have to come to this ugly world full of sinful people, in the form of a man; He was going to come, not as a king or an important person, but as a servant. He was going to come to the world He had created; and walked under the sun He had created and eat the fish He had created. He had to come and no one would recognize Him. Isn't that incredible? Yes, it amazes me too, to think that He left all His glory in Heaven to come as a man so every one who saw Him did not recognize Him as God, as the Creator of all.

This is what Christmas is all about, my little one; it is about the coming of God to this world as a Baby in a manger, who was born with no sin and who never sinned. It is about God taking the form of a man and laying His perfect life on the cross to pay the penalty of death which we deserved and could not pay with our own lives. It is about Jesus' coming to defeat death; It is about Jesus, the Light of The World who shines with such a splendor that darkness flees from Him. It is about Jesus, the Author of Life conquering death; defeating it when He rose from the death.

This story is about you and I, too. It is the story of our redemption. Now we can walk again with God, not fleeing from Him; we are no longer fugitives, trying to hide in the darkest place, not to be found by God. He came to rescue us. We didn't do anything! We did not choose to be rescued; we did not write the plan; we were death in our sins; we wanted to be our own gods. But He had a plan, He made a promise and He fulfilled His promise.

He came to us, now we can come to Him.

Peace and Joy be to you, little one.

On Teasing

"From there Elisha went up to Bethel. As he was walking along the road, some little children out of the city, and mocked him, "Go on up, you baldhead!" they said. "Go on up, you baldhead!" He turned around, looked at them and called down a curse on them in the name of the Lord. Then two female bears came out of the woods and mauled forty-two of the children!" — 2 Kings 2:23, 24

Dear Children,
Did you ever see a bear? Perhaps not. There are no wild bears in this country now. There are some kept fastened up in wild-animal shows, or locked up in cages in zoos. But there are none loose in the woods and fields. So perhaps you never saw a bear. A bear is a large, shaggy animal with great teeth and claws, and very strong. It will kill sheep, and lambs, and calves, and goats, and eat them. When it is very hungry it will attack men, women, or children, and tear them to pieces! Female bears that have little cubs, are particularly fierce and cruel. How thankful we ought to be, that we can walk about in our forests, without fear of being caught by a bear!

Now I am going to tell you a story about a godly man, two bears, and some children. It is a story out of the Bible—so you may be sure that it is all true. Stories in other books are often only "make-believe," and tell us things that never really happened. Stories out of the Bible, you must always remember, are true in every word. Never forget that!

Once on a time, many hundred years ago, there lived a godly man whose name was Elisha. He was at first, the servant to a famous prophet of God named Elijah. After Elijah was taken up to heaven in a chariot of fire, Elisha was appointed tp be prophet in his place.

From that time to his death—he was a very great and a very useful man. He did many miracles. He used to go up and down the land of Israel, teaching people how to serve God, and reproving sinners. In some places he kept up schools, called "schools of the prophets." In this way he became famous all over the country. All people knew Elisha, and all godly people loved him.

One day, not long after Elijah had been taken up to heaven, Elisha went to a place called Bethel, where there was a school. Perhaps he went to see how the school was getting along, and whether it was doing any good. All schools need looking after and examining; and it does them good to be examined. It is only bad boys and girls, who dislike being asked what they have learned.

Now as this good old man Elisha got near Bethel, a very sad thing happened. A large number of little children came out of the town, and behaved very badly. They began to mock Elisha, and called him names. Instead of respecting him, like good children, they made fun of him, and said bad things. "Go on up, you baldhead!" they cried, "Go on up, you baldhead!"

They called him "bald head," I have no doubt, because the good prophet was bald in old age, and had no hair on his head. They said, "Go on up," I suspect, because his master Elijah had lately gone up to heaven, as everybody knew. And they meant that Elisha had better go away after his master, and not trouble them any more with his teaching. It was as much as saying, "Be off and begone! It is high time for you to go up, as well as your master."

Just think for a moment how wicked these children were! They lived in a town where they might have learned better things. There was a school of prophets at Bethel. But I am afraid they had not used their opportunities, and had loved play better than lessons. They had no business to mock at Elisha, and treat him so badly. He had done them no harm, and had never been unkind to them. He was a godly man, and one who was their best friend. Above all, they ought not to have said, "Go on up, and get away." They ought rather to have said, "Stay with us, and teach us the way to heaven." Truly it is sad to see to what lengths of wickedness even little children may go. It is sad to see how sinful boys and girls may be come, and what naughty things they will say, even when they live close to a school!

But what did Elisha do when these children behaved so badly? We are told that, "He turned around, looked at them" with displeasure. They had probably often done the same thing before. It had become a habit with them which could not be cured. The time had come when they must be punished. And then we are told that "he called down a curse on them in the name of the Lord." That does not mean, you may be sure, that Elisha flew into an angry passion, and swore at the children, as some bad men might have done. He was not a man to say that kind of thing. It only means that he solemnly pronounced God's anger and displeasure against them. He gravely told them, "in the name of the Lord," that God would certainly punish them, and that it was his duty as God's servant to say so. Elisha did not speak in anger. The Judge at the court is not angry with the prisoner when he sentences him to be put in prison. When Elisha pronounced God's curse on these wicked children—he did it as God's appointed servant, firmly and faithfully, but in sorrow. God told him no doubt what to do—and like an obedient servant, he did it.

And what happened as soon as Elisha had spoken? At once two female bears came rushing out of the woods, and attacked these wicked children, tearing and killing all they caught! Think what an awful surprise that must have been! How dreadfully frightened these children must have felt! What running, and screaming, and tumbling over one another, and crying for help—there must have been! How sorry and ashamed of themselves they must have felt! But with many, it was too late. Before they could get within the walls of Bethel—the two bears had caught and killed forty-two little children! Forty-two little boys and girls that night never came home to Bethel alive! Forty-two little suppers were not eaten! Forty-two little beds were not slept in! Forty-two little funerals took place next day! Some of the other children, I hope, got home safe, and were not hurt. But I am sure they would never forget what they had seen. They would remember the two bears as long as they lived!

Now, dear children, this is a sad story. But it is a very useful and instructive one. Like everything else in the Bible, it was written for your good. It teaches lessons which boys and girls ought never to forget. Let me tell you what those lessons are.

(1) Learn, for one thing, that God takes notice of what children do. He took notice of the "little children" at Bethel, and punished them for their wickedness. Remember, I beg of you, that God has not changed. He is still the same. He is every day taking notice of you.

I believe some people think that it does not matter how children behave, and that God only notices grown-up men and women. This is a very great mistake. The eyes of God are upon boys and girls—and He marks all they do! When they do right—He is pleased; and when they do wrong—He is displeased. Dear children, never forget this!

Let no one make you think that you are too young to serve God, and that you may safely wait until you are grown up men and women. This is not true. It is never too soon to become a Christian. As soon as you know right from wrong, you are old enough to begin taking the right way. As soon as you are old enough to be punished for doing wrong, you are old enough to give your heart to God, and to follow Christ. The child who is old enough to be punished for swearing and telling lies—is old enough to be taught to pray and read the Bible. The child who is big enough to displease God—is also big enough to please Him. The child who is old enough to be tempted by the devil—is old enough to have the grace of the Holy Spirit in his heart.

Children, however little and young you are—God is always noticing you! He notices how you behave at home, how you behave at school, and how you behave at play. He notices whether you say your prayers or not, and how you say them. He notices whether you mind what your mother tells you, and how you behave when out of your mother's sight. He notices whether you are selfish, or angry, or tell lies, or take what is not your own. In short, there is nothing about children—that God does not notice.

I read in the Bible, that when little Ishmael was almost dead with thirst in the wilderness, "God heard the voice of the boy." Mark that—God listened to the child's prayer. I read, that when Samuel was only a little boy—God spoke to him. I read that when Abijah, the child of Jeroboam, was sick and dying, God said by the mouth of His prophet, "there is some good thing found in him toward the Lord God." Children, these things were written for your learning.

Now I will give you a piece of advice. Say to yourselves every morning when you get up, "God sees me! Let me live as in God's sight." God is always watching what you do, and hearing what you say. All is written down in His great books, and all must be reckoned for at the last day. It is written in the Bible, " Even a child is known by his doings."

(2) Learn, for another thing, that it is very wrong to mock godly people and despise God's Word. The little children of Bethel mocked at Elisha, and called him "bald-head." For so doing they were terribly punished.

Dear children, as long as you live, make it a rule never to laugh at the Bible, or to mock Christian people. This is one of the wickedest things you can do. It is pleasant to see boys and girls merry and happy. Youth is the time for laughter and merriment. But take care never to laugh at anything belonging to God. Whatever you laugh at—do not laugh at God's Word.

Some boys and girls, I am sorry to say, are very thoughtless about this. They think it clever to make fun of those who read their Bibles, and say their prayers, and attend to what is said at Church. They laugh at other boys and girls who mind what their mothers say, and try to corrupt them. Some, indeed, are so wicked, that when they see other children trying to do what pleases God—they will point their fingers at them, and cry, "There goes a little saint!"

Now, all this is very wrong, and offends God exceedingly. There is One in heaven who sees these wicked children, and when He sees them He is greatly displeased. We cannot wonder if such children become trouble-makers, and turn out badly. All who despise God's people, despise God Himself. It is written, "Those who honor Me I will honor, and those who despise Me shall be lightly esteemed."

I read in the Bible that Ishmael was turned out of Abraham's house because he mocked his little brother Isaac. At the time when Ishmael did this—he was only a boy. But, boy as he was, he was old enough to offend God by mocking, and to bring himself and his mother into great trouble.

Dear children, some of you perhaps have godly fathers and mothers, who tell you to read your Bibles and say your prayers. I hope that you never laugh at them behind their backs, and mock at what they tell you about God's Word. Be sure, if you do this, that you commit a great sin! It is written, "The eye that mocks at his father, and despises to obey his mother—the ravens of the valley shall pick it out, and the young eagles shall eat it!"

(3) Learn, in the last place, that sin is sure to bring sorrow at last. It brought wounds and death on the little children of Bethel. It brought weeping and crying to the homes of their parents. If these wicked boys and girls had not displeased God—they would not have been torn apart by the bears.

Dear children, as long as you live, you will always see the same thing. Those who will have their own way and run into sin, are sure, sooner or later—to find themselves in trouble. This trouble may not come at once. It may even be kept off for many long years. But sooner or later, it is sure to come. There is a dreadful hell at last, and those who will go on sowing sin—are sure at last to reap sorrow.

Adam

The people before the flood would go on eating, and drinking, and despising Noah's advice about the flood. And what was the consequence? Sorrow! The flood came, and they were all drowned.

The people of Sodom and Gomorrah would go on sinning in spite of Lot's warnings. And what was the consequence? Sorrow! The fire fell from heaven, and they were all burned up!

Esau

The people of Israel would not obey God's command, and go up into the land of Canaan, when He commanded them. And what was the consequence? Sorrow! They wandered forty years in the wilderness.
Achan would not obey the command of Joshua, but took money, and hid it under his tent. And what was the consequence? Sorrow! He was found out, and publicly stoned to death.Judas, one of the twelve Apostles, would not give his whole heart to Christ, but coveted money, and betrayed his Master. And what was the consequence? Sorrow! The money did him no good, and did not make him happy—and he hanged himself!Ananias and Sapphira told a great lie to Peter and the Apostles, in order to be thought well of. And what was the consequence? Sorrow! They were both struck dead in one day!

Dear children, remember these things to the end of your lives. The wages of sin is death! Sin is sure to bring sorrow at last! Those who tell lies, or steal, or hurt others, may not suffer for it at first. But their sin will surely find them out! Sooner or later, in this world or the next world, those that sow sin, like these wicked children of Bethel, are sure to reap sorrow. The way of transgressors is hard!

And now I will finish all I have been saying, with three parting directions. Consider them well, and lay them to heart.

(1) In the first place, settle it in your minds, that the way to be happy—is to be really holy in the sight of God. If you will have your own way, and follow sin—you are sure to have trouble and sorrow.

(2) In the second place, if you want to be really holy, ask the Lord Jesus Christ to make you holy, and to put His Spirit into your hearts. You cannot make yourselves good, I know. Your hearts are too weak—and the world and the devil are too strong. But Jesus Christ can make you holy, and is ready and willing to do so. He can give you new hearts, and power to overcome sin. Then take Jesus Christ for your Shepherd and Friend. Cast your souls upon Him. Jesus, who died on the cross to save us, has a special care for little children. He says, "I love those who love Me; and those who seek Me early—shall find Me." "Let the little children to come unto Me—and do not forbid them."

(3) In the last place, if you want to be kept from the evil that is in the world, remember daily—that God sees you—and live as in God's sight. Never mock at godly people, or make fun of the Bible. Love those most—who love God most, and choose for friends—those who are God's friends. Hate sin of all sorts. When sinners entice you, do not go along with them. Hate that which is evil. Cleave to that which is good.

Dear children, if you live in this way, God will bless you, and you will find at last that you have "chosen the good part which cannot be taken from you."

Remember these things, and you will have learned something from "The Two Bears".
(J.C. ryle)

On complaining

"Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life in order that I may boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor for nothing."

 Philippians 2:14-16

Oh my dear children, how important it is to have control of your tongue. The book of James speaks greatly about it and its dangers. I encourage you to read that book and  take it to heart. I encourage you to listen to His holy Word and obey it... it will be so good for you.

Learning to control your tongue in many areas, will serve you well. I wish I learnt that as a kid instead of having to struggle with that as an adult, so be wise and take that habit now. It is so easy to complain, to criticize, to speak down on others when we know better... but I warn you, that habit is hard to break. You are to speak to the least important person in your eyes as if they were the most important... always showing respect and honor.

Remember that one day, they could come to the church and meet you... and the way you talked to them before will have a great deal of importance in their thoughts about the church. If they remember you always being very kind and respectful, they will have a high esteem for the church and you will not be blamed to bring shame to the faith you profess. But if you were rude, proud, impatient, un-thankful, ... you are being a poor example of the gospel and what Jesus has done for you.

So do not complain when you are asked to do something, when you are at a place and you are not served as you think you deserve, or at school with your teachers... but in all give thanks to the Lord. and know, that all those opportunities, are there for you to show Jesus Christ to others.

Be kind and loving to each other, always saying the truth in love. And you may be able, to boast in the Lord and His work in your life... and that all that mortification of sin was not in vane, but for Him who saved you.

Love you, and I long for you to work on this, because I know how good it will be for you!

On duties

What is it that the Lord requires from you? Dt. 10:12 says:  The Lord requires of you, but to FEAR your God, to WALK in all His ways, and to LOVE Him and to SERVE your God with all your heart and with all your soul.

You need to Fear Him- constantly acknowledge His prescence, to revere Him as a Master and fear to do what dspleases Him in any way. The Bible says, that the fear of the Lord is the begining of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction (prov. 1:7). What is it to fear Him? to hate evil. Prov. 8:13.

You need to walk in all His ways - Listen to councel of godly men and women. Read His Word. Carefully  listen to instruction so that you may understand  yor need of Him. For God to put i you the desire to do His will in everything you do and say. That your character will show Jesus Christ and Him crucified, so that every area of your life (speech, clothes, obedience, charity, humility, honor, attitudes, the music you listen to, the things you do on your free time, the movies you watch, the videogames you play, what you watch on the computer,...) will be a witness of a lilfe where te flesh is mortified and the soul fed.

You ned to love Him - The only way to love someone, is spending time with that person. Spending time with Jesus will increase your love for Him.  rea your Bible so that you know Him, know Him well. Jesus said: I love those that love me and those that seek me early. Do you love Him? Do you really love Him so that in everything that you do He is in your mind? Ask Him to give you more of that love for Him and help your unbeleif.

You need to serve Him - seek not your own will but yield yourself to present your body a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. Rom. 12:1 He does not forget the works that you do for Him... even in the secret.. He knows. If you put others before yourself, is not an advice you will hear often, but instead: make time for yourself!, Do something for you, you deserve it!. Oh, how mistaken!. Jesus says: Do not get tired of doing what is right. He will renew your strenght like the eagle. Oh! if we did not think so highly of ourselves!.

I tell you, your reward is in heaven, keep your eyes fixed upon Jesus. And run the race as if you wanted to win that crown that will last forever. It will finish soon and you will have your rest. Trust in the Lord and live your life without wasting it, and the words you will hear will be sweet from the lips of the One who created you and forgave you of all your sins! Keep up the walk, keep up the faith!

On doing hard things.

I heard this not long ago, and I wanted you to remember it, keep it in your mind and meditate often on this thought. Things that are good for you, will often be hard.

Being angry it is easy, but it is wrong - having self control is hard, but it is right and good for you!

Being proud it is easy, but it is wrong - Being humble it is hard but it is good.

Procrastinate it is easy, but it is bad - Keeping busy, it is hard, but it is good.

Ignorance is easy, and bad - Studying is hard and good.

Speak without thinking is easy and foolish - listening is hard and wise.

Being impatient is easy and bad - Being patient is hard and good.

Not keeping your word is easy and bad - Keep your word is hard and good.

Not finish what you started is easy but bad - finishing it, is hard and good.

Having time watching TV or playing videos is easy - studying God's Word is hard and good.

Walking by the poor and do nothing is easy and bad - helping them is hard and good!

Doing nothing is easy.... and bad. - Doing things is hard and good.

Hate is easy and bad - loving when you do not feel like it is hard and good.

Keep mad is easy and bad - forgive is hard and good.

Blame others is easy and bad - Repent is hard and good.

What are you doing today?

On losing all for Christ

What is there to loose? Following Christ is to win. If there is anything at all you are afraid to lose, anything that you cling to that makes you happy, if there is anything at all that you treasure so much, if there are any friendships that you desire that you know are not good friends to have, if there is anything at all you are afraid to lose if you follow Christ; then I tell you that for Christ's sake, you will suffer no loss but the loss of that which robbed you of the sweetest, happiest, holiest blessing you can ever taste.

When you taste the beauty and friuts of His garden, and when you know the Friend that is always listening; then you will see that the things you cling to, were rubbish before Christ. You will want nothing to do with these old wants. And will long to live one day with Him and nothing more.

I cannot tell you enough, how much greatest is to have Christ than to have the whole world. Listen to people who have had it all. Take Salomon's advice!. He was the richest and wisest, had all his heart desired... and at the end of it... what did he say?...all is vanity. Nothing was worth it, nothing was enough. Because only Christ is enough!

Pray often, pray to God to free you from all that is robbing space in your heart and mind from the things that you were created for : To glorify God and enjoy Him forever!. Until then, you will keep longing and getting distracted by the vanities of this world.

Losing it all is not losing at all, but gaining it All!

On tough love

Being a parent is the most rewarding things, brings the most joy and also the most worries. Makes you test every day your character, faith, patience, love, self control, discipline, ... and when you love your kids as much as we love you, it is very hard to not give in when we know you want something but we know is not good for you.

When you were babies, hearing you cry was the hardest thing. Our insctinct as parents was to want to pick you up, hold you until you stop crying and make it all better. But as much as it was painful to us, we had to let you cry. Put you down for a nap, and walk away for you to learn. As we were away, our heart was all broken. We were crying with you, hoping it will pass soon, not because it was anoying, but because it was painful to our harts.

Today, is no different. There are many times we hurt as much as you are hurting, and learning to step out and wait for you to learn on your own ot is hard!. Teach  you to lean on God alone, to trust in Him and to rest in His arms, that is something we cannot teach you. We can tell you about God and His holy Word, but that is something you need to learn between you and God.

Trust us as parents. Trust in our love for you. Trust that we need also to be obedient to God. That we need to teach you often even when seems hard and in ways that you may not understand for now.. but always trust that your soul is our priority. Trust in God. Trust and obey, for there is no other way but to trust and obey.
Some people call this: tough love.

On Loving your Siblings

Many people today assume many things that are not necessarily Biblical; for example, they assume that you will not get along with your brothers and sisters. They expect that the natural thing for children living under the same roof to do, is to fight all day.

However, I want you to know that fighting and not getting along well is not what God expects from you. God expects from you a loving relationship with your siblings. He is sovereign and He has chosen every one in our family with a purpose. He knew you needed a Mom such as the one who cooks you breakfast all days, and a Dad just as the one who kisses you good-night every night; but God also knew you needed the brothers and sisters you have.

John wrote in his first epistle about the love among the members of the family of God, however, it is very interesting to note that he chose to explain about it using the example of two brothers in the flesh: Cain, a murderer, and  Abel.

Notice as well, that one of the most important marks of a true Christian is this: A true christian loves his brother / sister.

"We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brothers. Whoever does not love abides in death. Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him." (I John 3: 14-15)

Do you love your brothers and sisters? Can people around you tell about the love among you? Are you willing to give your life for your brother/ sister? Will you be able to give from your savings to your brother or sister if he/she is in need?

"By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers. But if anyone has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God’s love abide in him? Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth." (I John 3: 16-18)

We must show our love to the members of the family of God, but we certainly must start in our home.

On abortion

Always choose life!
"Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of those who are destitute."
 Proverbs 31:8

Every day about 115,000 babies are being killed by their mothers before they are born. Every year,about  42 million babies have no chance to fight for their lives! They are too little to run away and hide. To scream for help and being helped. The war against the unborn child is a terrible war. I encourage you, as you grow up, to speak for these little ones, they need a voice to fight for them, to help them.                                   

We need men to are not afraid to defend them, they need someone who will pray faithfully for them. One day, seeing a kid with Down syndrome or any deformity will be a rare sight, because those babies are not welcome in a world where perfection is valued with no proportion. Men and women pay to change their bodies, to make them look young again, men and women are buying the idea that we need to look and act a certain way to be accepted in society. That our looks and money is all that matter in life to be succesful. And so, they start doing just what Hitler once wanted to acomplish: create a perfect race with no flaws in it. And as parents get rid of their not perfect babies or stop the life of someone because of the fear of the ruin of their "perfect" life! They are missing the point that their Perfection is getting farther and farher...farther, than they ever thought possible. Their hearts are more distant from the real Perfection (which is found only in Christ) every day, and as they try to achive that ilussion of perfection, the more unhappy they are so the more they think that they need to destroy what they consider an obstacle to achive it.

How lilttle they know! How little they understand! Kids will bring a balance in life that we all need. Those not so perfect kids, bring perspective to our lifes to understand what is important and what is not.Those kids will bring maturity to young parents that all they are used to think is about living for themselves. 

Men and women all over the world are at war against one of the most precious things God has blessed us with... BABIES! They are torturing them to the point of death in the most cruel and inhumane possible way and they justify it saying it is the women's right to kill their babies!

I encourage you... do not be passive about this, but feel pain for them and for the parents of these children that are being seduced and covinced by the ideas of the world because they lack understanding, and are easily convinced. Pray for them every day. Pray for the moms, dads, doctors, nurses and friends. 

Be their voice!

On seducers of the soul

"Seducers are more dangerous enemies to the church than persecutors". Matthew Henry

Be careful of people that will come to you, and pretend to be Christians or attending the church because are brought by their parents.. but be always aware that your eyes must be fixed in Christ not on men. There will be many that will try to seduce you away from your faith, it is easy if you are not with your guard up. Be careful of those that with kind words and will entice you to sin.

Run away from those companies, find others that will encourage you to continue on the path you were taught since young, do not listen to the advice of sinners because it will take little, for you to listen about it, desire  and sin to the point of being proud about it.  Be careful to listen only to good advice, advice that is only supported by God's Word.

Remember the whirpool in the ocean, many great ships get sucked in it and never seen again. It never starts very quickly, it is always slow, a siple gentle turn, but little by little, they are pulled closer to the centre and sucked in with no mercy. Stay as far as you can from any of this whirpools of seducing companies so that you may not be pulled by their sin.

Persecutors in the church, ofen will make your faith stronger, because it will force you on your knees to pray to your God... but the seductors, will come very softly, using nice words, and language that you are used to, they will be wolves dressed in sheep skin, so they will try to trick you into thinking that they  belong to Christ. Be aware, do not sleep or slumber about your faith, but always keep watch. Be alert and always in prayer. If you pray often, your life will show and with God's grace, you will be able to discern between the wolf and the sheep.

On sin

When you sin, how much does it hurt?, how much does it bother you? Are you in such pain after your sin that your heart is so heavy and sad, that a simple "sorry" does not seem enough? Be careful to not get in the habit of sinning and taking for granted the forgiveness and thinking that a simple sorry will do. Make sure that you understand the price that was paid and the suffering that was needed to frgive your sins.

When you are in your backyard, and get a thorn stuck on your finger, it causes you great amount of pain. Just one little thorn stuck in your finger. Once, people made a crown of many thorns and stuck it on Jesus's head; He bled. He was whipped over and over again with a whip that was made to hurt and to tear the flesh of His back. Jesus had to suffer all this and many more things for you.

When we sin, is like saying: "He did no suffer enough", so we push harder that crown of thorns on Jesus's head, or take one more turn with the whip!

It should hurt you so much, it should  make you cry when you sin and ask for His precious forgiveness, treasuring His suffering and living a life that says: "You suffered enough!"

It is so easy to sin, and then go to your bedroom and ask for forgiveness, but it really does not hurt you what you did. You know that you would probably do it again if you had the oportunity. You say sorry with your lips to clean your concience. But does it really hurt when you sin? Are you mouning for your sin and begging the Lord to change you? 

Ask yourself these questions. Pray to your Lord so that He can help you to feel that pain in your heart. To help you to love what He loves and to hate wht He hates. Go to your knees when you sin and go to the Father who is ready to forgive, who does not get angry easily, but that is patient and merciful.

Do not dispair when you see the sin in you, but always bring it to Jesus. Bring them to the One (the Only One) who can change a heart, and give you the blessing of experience God's forgiveness!

On laughing

Always laugh. Take life seriously in matters that need you to be serious, but never lose those great smiles that fill my house. Those laughs that are simple and innocent. Love to laugh and you'll pass those laughs to others. it is contagious!

Everyone loves to be with people that enjoy life, that find good in others. Not complainers and critical of other people. But laugh at your mistakes and be patient with the mistakes of others.

You will have many friends if you are someone who is a friend. Train yourself in the habit of laughing. A house filled with laughs, is a happy house. We love your company, we love the noise you make in the house, the toys, the piano practice, the praying together, the first of everything you learn, the stories you tell, the dreams you have and the laughs we share. All those laughs, make this house very special. Because they come from you!.

Never lose those laughs. Laugh often. Laugh and make others laugh with you. It is a joy to hear you and teaches me when I hear you to laugh with you too.

On youth

I cannot impress enough into your hearts, that there are years ahead of you, where your faith will be tested. Now that you are young, is the time gto learn and practice your religion. But years of trial come without warning, so listen to my warning and be wise. Years so dreaded by many parents where kids that proffessed being Christians as kids leave everything behind, exchanging the Truth of God for the lie of the world, that promises great happiness and encourages everyone to follow the desires of their hearts, the passions and lusts to forget the faith they were taught when young. Those years could be very special instead. Those years are great if you are wise and are true to your God. The only way you will defeat lust, is by reading sound doctrine, the only way you will oersevere, is by keeping on our knees. Do not forget the instructions we have given you all these years. The time is coming, where you can put into practice what you were taught and resist temptation and pray earnestly for your soul. You can blame it on hormones like most kids and parents will, or on the natural process of seeking who you really are, on growing up, but the truth of what you beleive, will be shown in those years.  The hormones will hit, you'll be changing physically and emotionally, we are learning with you to be parents... but the truth in your heart should not change. Treasure it and protect it with all your heart. Rest in God and He will give you the strenght you'll need as you seek your independance and your self worth in Him. In His sacrifice, in His life and the assurance that you belong to Him because He bought you with his own blood!

Be different!, Seek the Lord while He may be found and do not give your heart to the world.. it is NOT worth the loss of your soul for a few hours of pleasure. Beleive Jesus Christ and His promises, the lies of the world may look like honey for a while but they will rot and when the pleasure is gone, they will leave behind nothing but a life with no hope.

I'll be praying for you, for those years that are ahead of you, for every decision that you'll be taking. I'll be praying for you. You are not alone. Many godly men and women have gone through those years and come out victoriously. Be one of them!, so that other generations behind you, may see how Jesus Christ sustained you and so He will sustain them too.

On keeping holy habits

    Do not be afraid on taking holy habits. It is a matter of keepig promises. When someone gets maried, gets involved in "holy habits" that he or she are to keep. The same is with God. Never be afraid of having them and keeping them. Holy habits that involve your character, conduct, principles, but also in keeping the Lord's Day.  People will say to you that is not good to be religious, and that is true, but they are so afraid of NOT be religious that they cannot commit to "holy habits".  Religion without works is in vane, just as works with no religion.

    Keep the Lord's Day in a special day.. think of your Lord and prepare yourself to meet Him with the other beleivers. Do not commit to other activities on that day that will distract your mind from your God. There are no rules as how to keep it. It is a matter of concience, but I encourage you to seek your heart and ask the Lord as to which way is best to keep it. So that all that you do that day, will be focused in a special way to the Lord.

   You are to think of the Lord every day in all you do... but there is something special in keeping one day for God alone. A day where you can say: The movie that I want to watch, I can watch the rest of the week, but today, is the Lord's Day!; one day you'll have to decide that the lenght of your lawn is less important than to spend time with God and go to church; that the shopping that you want to do, is less important than to go to church. There are many holy habits that you will be faced with as you get older. Holy habits are not only keeping the Lord's Day, but also keeping those holy habits in your prayer time... having the habit of reading your Bible in the morning and praying before you start your day, is a good habit to have now and as you get older.

    Holy habits of family devotions are habits worth keeping also... honor those times set apart for God. You'll grow up and those holy habits that you embrace today, will be a blessing for you as you grow up.

   Holy habits are not religios habits as long as you live your life for Christ. If you focus on the habits as your hope they are in vain. Holy habits, MUST be holding the hand of HOPE IN CHRIST!

    We do not do any good things to go to heaven... we do good things BECAUSE we are going to heaven. Those hoy habits, must reflect your love for Christ and make it clear in your heart and mind that your hope is in Him alone!

   Treasure them and keep them.

Mom.

On the Bible

Never forget that the Bible is not just a "bunch of books put together" where some are more important than others.. do not beleive those who say that we live in the time of the New Testament and that the Old has no great importance. The Bible is a series of books that are related with eachother to tell us abut Jesus. The Old Testament is very important, you need to learn to love and study. See the Bible as a complete book. One covenant preceding a new and better covenant. In the Old Testament, Learn of God, see how we see all the time only a shadow of Jesus in the tabernacle, learn about the offerings, the sacrifices, the law, the circumcission, Moses, Abraham, Jacob, of Egypt, of their slavery of their deliverance, of their sin, of Gods forgiveness, learn about the plagues, learn of the prophets, of Adam, of our sin, of Jesus, who is He, why was it important that He came, what did He do, His love, His meercy, His justice, His wrath ,His creation,  learn  the doctrines of salvation, election, His sovereignty, adoption, justification, santification, the Lord's Day, the Lord's Supper, baptism, learn of his coming, learn of the hope that we have in Him, learn to fear him and reading the Bible and reading it all.. not as a "read the Bible in one year" program, but study it, make it part of your every day life. Know how to defend your faith. Learn it enough that in your life, Jesus will be FAR more persuasive that the world.

Someone said once, that some people have so much dust in their Bibles that with your finger you can write "dead". Make sure your Bible looks used!. Make sure that dust does not have the time to sit on your Bible. Read it every time you can, treasure every word you read. Ask the Lord to seal the words you reading in your heart so that you may not forget them.

Mom.

On looking at Jesus only

We talked today, about looking at Christ always, make Jesus your only hope. Never look outside Christ, you are here to glorify Him and enjoy him for ever. If you start looking outside, you will make it easy to walk away from Him; but if you keep your eyes in eternity, you will find it easier to persevere. When you sin, go to Christ. When you have doubts, go to Christ. When you are in need, go to Christ. When you are tempted, go to Christ. Make Him your source of life, hope and pleasure. Remember: "No matter what, we will never stop trusting in God"

There is no way I can put this in a sugar coated phrase... other than: Life will be hard for a Christian. There will be lots of resisting temptations, dying to your desires, fighting, going to church while others do things that may sound a lot more fun for you at the time. You will find other things very attractive and wish many times you could have them or do... and that is the part where it will be hard. And here is when i say to you, your reward will be in heaven. Your reward will be great!, much greater than anything you desired here on earth.

A great thing to remember, is that if you go to Christ, you will know that your many sins are forgiven. Mom and dad, have lived longer than you, we know that we are not be able to please God on our own. That God's standards are very high, so it is impossible to please Him, because He is holy and we are not. That is why, our only hope is Jesus Christ,to be covered with his blood so that God, when He looks at us, He sees Jesus Christ and not our sin. (Remember the blanket, and how we need to be covered). Only Jesus can make you acceptable... go to Him!. Ask Him to help you, to give you hope, to forgive your sins, to cover you with His blood, to change you. Ask Him to give you repentance. And then you'll be really happy, because you are forgiven! you'll be happy, because He is your God, and there is nothing you will desire outside His will.

Mom.

On works

You may think, what encouragement there is for every honest, and true hearted believer. To you, Jesus says, 'I know your works'. You may see no beauty in any action you do. All seems imperfect, and full of sin. You are often sick at your short comings. But Jesus see some beauty in everything that you do from a conscientious desire to please Him. His eye can discern excellence in the little things you do because of the fruit from His own Spirit. He can pick out the grains of gold from your actions, and sift the wheat from the chaff in all you do. Your tears are all put into His bottle. Your efforts to do good to others, however feeble they may be, your tears, are written in His book of remembrance. The least cup of cold water that you give someone in His Name will not lose its reward. He does not forget your work and labour of love, however little the world may think of it.

Jesus loves to honour the work of His Spirit in His people, and to pass over their frailties. He notices on the faith of Rahab, but not on her lie. And as a father finds pleasure in the little acts of His children, which strangers don't even notice them.

It might seem impossible to think, that you can do something worth naming in the great day of the Lord when the Lord says: I was hungry and you fed me, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink. He knows your works, they should humble you, to know that He knows what you do in secret! -J.C Ryle

Mom.

On encouragement

Dear sons,

When you look at your many sins, your weak flesh, a tempting world, a busy devil working hard to win your heart, you might want to give up, and find many times that you are losing hope, that the battle is to hard, that the enemy is too strong and that your sins are too many. At these times, seek God more earnestly, seek Him to find strength; look at the Saviour, praying to the Father for you; think of His blood, His sacrifice, His righteousness, see him crucified and carrying your sin, and sitting at the right hand of God and remember that He is there, is because His sacrifice was accepted by God. Pleasing to God. Seek Him and find Him victorious over sin, Satan and the world. As you feel weak (and many times you will feel his way), just keep you eyes on Jesus.

You are not alone, every Christan that has gone ahead of of has gone through this, including your mom and dad. We are not exempt from Satan's attacks, but when those attacks come, kneel before the cross, go to your secret place, where God sees and hears to your most secret thoughts. Where you can go to Him and ask him to help you pray for you to God. Tell Him that you need Him. Go to the Saviour, go to the Father that never sleeps or is too busy. Go to Him and ask.

Remember the days when we were slaves to sin, you were born sinful, remember those days when God saved you, showing you his love by saving you so young!, remember how He has kept you until now, and how He will continue to do so. Remember His faithfulness, Remember His love, remember His grace , His sacrifice and his resurrection, Remember the meaning of His blood and buying us for Him. Remember and find the courage you need, not in your own wisdom, strength or abilities, but in Jesus Christ and in Him alone.

Mom.

On faith

This is a hard one to live up to, because faith is a gift from God. I can teach you to love and trust God but only God can give you love for Him and give you faith. But we are asked to believe. So practice to believe in the promises of God rather that in the things that you can see. The treasures in heaven are much better than the treasures on this world. Praising the invincible God is much better than praising and loving the things that you can see. Prefer God than the world. Do not forget the time that we are here on earth, is nothing compared to eternity. The things of this world that you can see and touch which we tend to treasure so much and love, and fight for, are going to burn one day, but the things that are invisible, those are the ones that will last. Those are the ones that will be far better than any toy you could get here on earth, than any Starwars movie, than any Lego toy, than any Ferrary, than any sports event or hockey player. Far better than any treasure, far better than any friendship, than any look, than any fame or glory.. That is what I advice you lo live by. By the faith on the promises made by God. Believe Him.

If you believe Him, you will choose wisely. It will make your decisions easier. Because you will choose for eternity. Where you'll live, the church you'll attend, whom to marry, the job you'll get, the friends you choose,... and when people asks you about your faith, you will know what to say, because you have always lived your life that way.

And do not forget. You have a great blessing to live your life in a way that when you grow up, you can say: I do not remember a day when I did not love God.

Ask God to seal the words He has taught you in your heart, that you may treasure them and believe in Him, not just when things go well, but when things get hard, when unbelief tries to take over, ask God to help your unbelief.

Mom

On perseverance

I once read this and was of great encouragement. May this be to you too:
Every professing Christian is the soldier of Christ. He is bound by his baptism to fight Christ's battle against sin, the world and the devil. The man that does not do this breaks his vow. The man that does not do this, is not living his life as a Christian. You pray in the mornings as you start your day, you have family worship, you go to church, and all that is very good, but ask yourself: How is my battle going? Are you overcoming the love of the world and the fear of man? Are you overcoming the passions, tempers and lusts of your own heart? Are you resisting the devil and making him flee from you? You must either win, or serve sin and the devil and the world. There is no middle course. You must either conquer or be lost. (Ryle)

I know that this battle will be hard, but do not give up. I have to fight that battle every day too. Do not get tired, but persevere until the end. A few more summers, a few more winters, a few more years and this fighting will end and how you finish the race set before you, will leave behind a great legacy for those following behind. There is no short cut. You must go through the way of the cross, the way of fighting against sin every day. Sin, must be mortified, resisted and overcome!. Just remember those difficult tasks that by persevering you have conquered, and the great feeling you had afterward. The reward in heaven will be great for those who persevere. I know I will be praying for you.

Mom.

On friends

Be very careful in your choice of friends. Do not open all your heart to a boy/man because he is smart, funny, good-natured and kind. All that is very good in its own, but that is not all. Never make an intimate friend of the man who is not best friends with God first, and of any who will not be useful to your soul. You will resist many temptations if your friends love God above all things. (Ryle)

You may work very hard on your character, you may have great self control, you may have read great books, but having ungodly friends will destroy your character very fast, and working to tr to get rid of your new bad habits, it will be much harder.

Take Salomon's good advice. He is known as the wisest man that has ever lived, he has done it for us, he has gone to all the extremes that will ever exist, he has tried it all, and we can now read of what he learned without having to do any of those extremes.. and what do we read? what was what he learned?.. that all is vanity. That there is nothing that will bring satisfaction to your life. At the end of all life, there is nothing. Nothing of value. Nothing worth having or seeking. But that pleasure in life is only found in God. There is a good saying: "we do not need to invent the wheel again". Someone invented it already, we can just read about it and learn. The same way, Salomon did all that, and wrote about it so that we do not have to go through that, we can just read and learn.

Mom.

On the desires of the heart

Do not forget your own advice:
Don't look at things that are evil, because your heart will start liking them!. Make a covenant with your eyes, like Job did. That will bring you great happiness.

Put up with a few sins, and soon you will want a few more!. Live with this in mind: God is always watching!, do not forget His eyes or his ears. This is what heaven will be like, being in the presence of God for ever! so get used to being with Him, doing nothing you would not like God to see. Saying nothing you would not like God to hear. Write nothing you would not like God to read. Do not go to places where you would not like God to find you. Do not read a book which you would not like God to say: "Show it to me!" Never spend your time in a way that you would not like to have God say: "What are you doing?" (Ryle)

Mom.

On prayer

Here is my first advice of many:



PRAYER is the very life-breath of true religion. Never say : I'm too busy to pray, but instead, I'm too busy to read, watch TV, eat... because I was praying. Prayer is the mark of a true Christian. Private prayer. I do not think there is true religion or a true Christian without private prayer. Pray so often, that when you grow up, you can remember where you knelt, and the prayers you prayed in secret and that God answered. What a privilege you have to be thaught at such a young age to pray to your Lord.



Show me a growing Christian, a great Christian, and I am sure, he is one that speaks often with his Lord. He asks much, and he has much. He tells Jesus everything, and so he always knows how to act. (J.C. Ryle)

Do not be deceive as to think that bringing your body to church every Sunday, will make you a Christian and will prepare you to meet your God. All that is in vain if there is no private prayer.


Persevere in the habit of prayer!. If you will have one habit in life, make it, the habit of prayer!, it is a privilege that not all people have to be able to come to the house of the Lord and speak to Him as a father, with all love and reverence, without fear but with confidence.



Do not get into the habit of making excuses for not praying.. for as long as you have a tongue, you can pray. If you have time to sleep, you have time to pray, if you have time to eat, you have time to pray.

Mom