I Can't Take It Anymore!

        Does this picture seem familiar? There is one thing many, if not most, youth have in common: they can't stand their parents.  This is the type of youth who is tired of being treated as a child; tired of the nagging and lack of trust to even go out to the store without getting a lecture. 


   Why does this happen first of all? Many times we say were tired of being treated like kids. Were tired of not being able to go out with our friends or family without receiving a lecture. Were tired of not being trusted. But have you stopped to think, why your parents treat you this way?

   You see the way their treating you and lecturing you, but have you stopped to see the way you have been acting in front of them?
  
    
    For example, sometimes we complain that our parents treat us like children, yet they still have to remind us to fix our bed in the morning. We complain that they don't trust us enough to go out with our friends. But think with me, if we act up at home (you know what I'm talking about) in front of their eyes, then how can we expect them to trust us to go out where they can't see us? 

    One issue that I have noticed in a lot of youth, is that they want to be independent, which is wonderful, BUT, at the same time, they show immaturity. What do I mean by that? For example, r let's say you ask your mom or dad for permision to do something and they say their favorite phrase "no". What happens next is where the youth makes a mistake.

     As soon as they realize their not going to get their way, they show immaturity and start fighting back and forth with their parents on why they should be allowed to do this or that. They pretty much lower themselves as children and they behavior is sort of like when kids say "nuhhhhuuuuu, yeah huuuuuu". You know what I mean? Some youth even throw fits like children and slam the door, yell at their parents, or even leave the house. 

     With their reaction they are only confirming to their parents, that they are still children and not ready to do what they wanted to do. 

      If you want this situation to change, don't just say you want to be independent. Do what they independent youth does. Be responsible, respectful and careful with the way you react. There will be times that even by doing this, they will say no, but if you handle the situation in a mature way. You will notice this difference. I challenge you to do this. 



     

       

Oops!

Words from the mouth of the wise are gracious,
    but fools are consumed by their own lips.
                                    Ecclesiastes 10.12

Have you ever had those moments when you thought or said to yourself "Gosh, why did I say that?!" "If only I could turn back time.." Today I was meditating on this verse and even gave myself a little challenge. 


I challenged myself to watch every single thing I would say today. I examined my words in every single conversation I had. By doing this, my goal was to find out if I have been like the wise person or like the fool. 

I realized that when we are cautious and vigilant with the words we use and with the way we say those words, we can either causes a war or bring peace towards the people around us. 

I pass this challenge on to you. For one whole day, examine your choice of words and the way you express them. Has your words been causing problems or bringing blessings? 


Have you been like the wise or as the fool who say "Oops"!

El Regalo: Como lo Haz Utilizado?

      De manera que, teniendo diferentes dones, según la gracia que nos es dada, si el de profecía, úsese conforme a la medida de la fe; o si de servicio, en servir; o el que enseña, en la enseñanza; el que exhorta, en la exhortación; el que reparte, con liberalidad; el que preside, con solicitud; el que hace misericordia, con alegría.

Romanos 12.6-8

Dios da para cada uno de nosotros un don especial. En estos versiculos, El nos esta diciendo que usemos el regalo que fue cuidad-amente escogido para ti. Mas, mucha de las veces nosotros despreciamos nuestro don porque lo comparamos con los dones que otras personas recibieron. 

Cuando nosotros comparamos nuestros dones, talentos, con los de otros, una de las dos cosas acontecen.  Uno, nosotros despreciamos  nuestro don y nos sentimos menos a los demás, porque nos sentimos que somos menos que ellos o que lo que tenemos no es suficiente. O, dos, nosotros ponemos otras personas para bajo sintiéndonos mejor que ellos por lo que tenemos.  

 Si usted dice, "Bueno, yo no se cual es mi don". Entonces, pide para Dios mostrarle. Mucha de las veces nosotros no nos damos cuenta de nuestro don porque no creemos en nosotros mismos. Nuestro bajo-autoestima nos ciega y nos hace creer que lo que tenemos y lo que podemos hacer no es suficiente, or que no sirve para nada.  

Dios no nos dio nuestro don para sentirnos mejor o menos que nadie. El nos dio este don para que nosotros podemos brillar Su luz en este mundo. Para hacer lo que el Pastor siempre predica "HACER LA DIFERENCIA"!

Entonces, cual es su don? Y, como lo haz utilizado? 

The Gift: How have you been using it?

       We have different gifts, according to the 

grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.

Romans 12.6-9

God gives each of us a special gift. In these verses He is telling us to use the gift that has been carefully chosen for you. However, many times we neglect our gift because we compare it to the gifts that others have received. 

When we compare our gift, our talents, to others, one of the two things happen. One, we depreciate our gift and we feel less then others, because we feel that were less then them or that what we have is not good enough. Or, two, we put other people down by feeling that we are better than them because of what we have received. 

If you say, "Well, I don't know what my gift is?" Ask God to show you. Many times we dont realize what our gift is, because we don't believe in ourselves. Our low self-esteem blinds us and makes us believe that what we can do and what we have is not good enough or, nothing at all. 

God did not give us our gift to feel better or less then anyone. He gave us this gift so we could shine His light in this world. To do as the Pastor is always preaching "MAKE A DIFFERENCE"!

So, what's your gift?  And, how have you been using it?

Quien Ha Sido?

Enséñame a hacer tu voluntad,

    porque tú eres mi Dios . . .

Cuando nosotros confesamos con nuestros labios que somo de Dios o que tenemos un relaciona-miento con El, nuestro actitud, comportamiento, y nuestro carácter son nuestro testigo.  

Las primeras dos lineas de este versículo son claras. Ensename hacer tu voluntad, porque tu eres mi Dios. 

En otras palabras, Yo voy aprender y hacer la voluntad de aquel que es mi Dios. Mirando para tu comportamiento/carácter en tu casa, trabajo, escuela, iglesia, haz hecho la voluntad de quien? Quien ha sido tu Dios?

Who Has it Been?

Psalms 143.10

Teach me to do your will,

for you are my God  . . .

When we confess with our lips that we are of God or that we have a relationship with Him, our attitudes, behavior and our character, is our witness.

The first two lines of this verse are clear. Teach me to do your will, for you  are my God.

In other words, I will learn and do the will of who is my God. If you look at your behavior/character at home, work, school, church, who's will have you been doing? Who has been your God?

No Temas, Dios Esta Aqui

En el día de mi angustia te llamaré,

Porque tú me respondes

Salmos 86.7

Me recuerdo que había veces cuando oraba y había una voz que me decía "El no te esta escuchando" "Mejor ya para, El no te va a responder" "Estas llena de fallas y pecados porque El te escucharía?


Muchas de las veces daba oídos para estas palabras, y paraba de orar y me iba mejor a dormir. Hasta que un día decidí ir en contra de estos pensamientos. Cuando venían, yo luchaba en contra de ellos. Si me decian que El no estaba escuchando, entonces oraba aun mas fuerte. Oraba y hablaba con Dios hasta que El viniera a mi encuentro. En el moment que Dios venia donde estaba, yo sentia Su calor. Una certeza que El estaba alli conmigo.

El versiculo ariba lo dice todo. Cuando nosotros estamos tristes, solos, frustrados, angustiados, Dios esta muy cerca. El versiculo no dice "porque alomejor tu me respondes" o "creco que tu me respondes" El versiculo dice "porque tu ME respondes".

Es como cuando un nino se cae y empieza a gritar y llorar por su mama y papa. Los padres immediatamente vienen corriendo para attender su bebe. Lo mismo acontece con Dios. En los ojos de El somos tan fragiles y delicados. Asi como un bebe que esta aprendiendo a caminar necesita de sus padres para detenerlo de las manos para no caer, nosotros somos igual. Si Dios no viene para agaranos de las manos, nostros vamos caer y lastimarnos.

Entonces, no importa quien eres, o lo que has hecho, nuestro Padre siempre esta listo y despuesto para venir para atender Sus hijos. Si nuestros padres corren para atendernos cuando estamos tristes o angustiados, imaginase Dios?

Entonces no temas, Dios esta Aqui

Never Fear God is Here

In the day of my trouble I will call to you, 

for you will answer me

Psalms 86.7

I remember there were times where I would pray and there was a voice that would tell me "He's not listening to you". "Just stop already, He's not going to respond". "Your full of mistakes and sins, why would He listen to you?" 

Many times I would give ears to these words, and stop praying and just go to bed. Until one day I decided to go against these thoughts. When they would come, I would fight against them. If they said He wasn't listening, I would pray louder. I would pray and talk to God until He would come to my rescue. And as soon as God would come to where I was, I would feel His warmth. A certainty that He was right there with me.

The verse above says it all. When we feel sad, alone, frustrated, troubled, God is only a call away. The verse doesn't say "maybe He will answer me"or "I think He will answer me" the verse says "For you WILL answer me". 

It's like when a baby falls down and starts screaming and crying for his/her mom and dad. The parents run quickly to attend their baby. The same thing happens with God. We are so fragile and delicate in His eyes. Just as a baby that is learning to walk needs its parents' hands to hold him/her so he/she wont fall. We are the same way. If God doesn't come and take us by the hands, we will fall and get hurt.

Regardless of who you are, or what you've done, our Father is already willing and ready to come and attend His children. If our parents rush to attend us when we're sad or hurt, imagine God? 

So, never fear because our God is here. 

Overcome or be Overcome

 For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?”

15 Then Esther sent this reply to Mordecai: 16 “Go, gather together all the Jews who are in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my attendants will fast as you do. When this is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish.”

                                                                                                           Esther 4.14-16

Have you ever been afraid of doing what was right? Scared, trembling because even though you knew it was the right thing to do you were scared that it would all go wrong. Or it would only get you in trouble. Or, that you just couldn't do it. Esther in the bible, was faced with the same situation. She was afraid to speak up because it would put her own life at risk.

However, if she didn't speak up it would put her and her family's life at risk. So, what did she do?

She did what we a lot of times don't do. Although she was afraid, she did not let her fear stop her from doing what was right.

She stated, "I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish.”  

How about you? When are you finally going to face your fear? You either overcome your fears, or they will overcome you. 

La Jaula

Cuando Dios creo el mundo, El creo Adam para dominarlo y tambien los animales. Pero cuando Adam y Eva cayeron en el pecado, entregaron este derecho en las manos del diablo, tornandonse de siervos de Dios para esclavos del diablo. Consequentemente, ellos mismos se colocaron en una jaula (espiritualmente hablando). Lo mismo acontece hoy en dia. El diablo sabe de nuestro derecho para vencer en este mundo. Entonces, que es lo que el hace? Lucha todos los dias para quitarlo. Como? Usando amistades, familiares, vicios, placeres de este mundo, etc. Y en el momento que uno decide caer en su trampa, la persona entrega su derecho en las manos de el diablo. Y este derecho que Dios nos entrego para vencer y dominar sobre el mundo, ahora el diablo lo usa para vencernos y dominar sobre nuestras vidas.

Y usted? Sera que usted ha estado usando su derecho? O, quizas el diablo ha estado usandolo para mantenerte en una jaula?

The Bird Cage

When God created the world, He created Adam to dominate over it and all of the animals. However, when Adam and Eve fell into sin, they handed over this right to the devil and went from being servants of God, to slaves of the devil. Consequently, they put themselves in a cage (spiritually speaking). The same happens today. The devil knows of our birthright to overcome in this world. So, what does he do? He fights everyday to take it away. How? By using friends, family, addictions, pleasures of this world. As soon as you decided to fall into his snare, you hand over your birthright to the devil and he uses it to overcome and dominate you.

How about you? Have you been using your birthright? Or, has the devil been using it to keep you in a cage?

The Stars

He took him outside and said, “Look up at the sky and count the stars—if indeed you can count them.” Then he said to him, “So shall your offspring be.”

Abram believed the Lord, and he credited it to him as righteousness.

Genesis 15.5-6

God promises a life with abundance. But very few receive this life because its not something you receive with prayers or fasting. First, He chooses people. After He finds His chosen ones, He calls you. After after He calls you, He tests you. 

God chose you. Why are you in church right now and not your other family members? Why did He bring you here and not your neighbors or classmates? Because God chose you. He chose you, to receive His promise and glorify His name.

It's not coincidence that you are here. He wants to do big things in your life. 

Think about it. Before we knew God, our lives served the devil. Our life was dead, robbed, and destroyed. However, the minute you give your life over to God, your life has to be a life with abundance. 

Doesn't this make sense? If you serve a different god now, shouldn't your life be different? How can you have a life with God, and live as if you were serving the devil?

A perfect example of this was and is Abraham. Abraham was a man of faith and solid obedience. He had one dream: to have a son. First  God chose Abraham.Then He called him, and Abraham responded. Finally, God tested Abraham by asking him for what he loved the most: Isaac. 

Isaac was Abraham's star. What he loved more than anything. But God didn't want Abraham to have a star, God wanted to give Him the sky. However, in order for Him to receive the sky, Abraham needed to pass the test. 

Once he passed this test, Abraham did not only keep his son, but God gave Him a nation. 

God chose you out of everyone around you. He called you to do great things in your life, but will you pass the test? Take advantage of the Campaign of Israel. Don't be afraid to sacrifice your star. 

If He is asking you to sacrifice your star, it's because He wants to give you the sky. 

Hable: No Tengas Miedo

 y por mí, a fin de que al abrir mi boca me sea dada palabra para dar a conocer con denuedo el misterio del evangelio

Efesios 6.19

Estaba hablando con algunos jovenes de como perdi muchas oportunidades en el pasado por causa del miedo. Que tipo de miedo? Miedo de hablar. Miedo de hablar lo que tenia que hablar. Desde ninez, siempre era muy timida. Con miedo para defenderme cuando alguien me ponia para bajo. Miedo de dar mi opinion porque tenia miedo que alguien no quedara de acuerdo conmigo o que se iban a burlar de lo que yo hablara. Hasta tenia miedo de pedir algo o de decir que quieria algo porque tenia miedo que me dijieran que no.

Pero hoy, especialmente hoy, despues de el evento de los talents, pude dominar mis miedos. Deje todo mi miedo de hablar, de alzar la voz, todo, deje en el Altar. 

Empezando hoy, cuando tus pensamientos de dicen que no hables, hable aun mas fuerte! Y cuando Dios coloca palabras en tu boca, no tengas miedo de hablar. Porque las palabras que el coloque en tu boca, puede hasta cambiar la vida de alguien. 

                                  Entonces, Hable. No tengas miedo. 

                                                

Speak: Don't be Afraid

Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel

Ephesians 6.19

 I was talking to some of the youth about how I missed out on a lot of opportunities because of fear. What kind of fear you ask? The fear to speak. To say what I needed to say. Growing up I was always quite timid. Afraid to speak up for myself when someone would put me down. Afraid to give my opinion because of the fear that someone would disagree or make fun of what I had to say. I was even afraid to ask for things or say that I wanted to do something, because of the fear of being told no.

 But today, I after attending the talent show, I was able to dominate my fears. I left all of my fears to raise my voice on that stage. From now on, when your thoughts tell you not to speak, speak even stronger. When God puts words in your mouth, don't be afraid to speak. Because the words He places in your mouth, can change someone's life. 

                                                 So, Speak. Don't be afraid. 

Do You Have Your Armor On?

 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Ephesians 6.13

   When a person goes to battle, what is the one thing they cannot leave behind? Their suit of armor. Imagine, if a person was to go onto the battlefield without his armor, what would happen? Even if this person was very intelligent, fast, and strong, if he is she does not have their armor on, the first shot or even the tiniest spear will leave them flat on the ground. The same thing applies to us. 

   When we do not have the armor of God in our lives, what happens? We are easily hurt by people's words. One negative word makes the person break down in tears or fall to pieces. 

   

   A person without the armor of God is easily discouraged, when things start to go wrong. When something does not go the way he or she planned, she collapses and feels lost.

   A person without the armor of God feels helpless and doesn't believe in themselves, so they feel like they need to hide behind their friends or behind a boy or girl to feel secure. (Picture this: On a battlefield, if you don't have the suit of armor and your just in a t-shirt and jeans. Your going to hide behind someone with their armor on so you can feel protected). 

   However, when a person has the armor of God, problems will come. But the difference is they will not be overcome by the problem, but rather they overcome the problem. When negative words or comments come from friends or family members, the person's armor blocks all comments from reaching his or heart. This person is able to resist on the spears that the devil throws. 

   How about you? Do you have your armor on?