Thursday, July 31, 2003
Who are your heroes? When I was growing up, there were lots of “heroes” on TV. These were the guys in the white hats, who saved the girl and beat up the bad guys. Their names were Roy Rogers, Gene Autry, etc. (I know that dates me.)
It is easy to think of the “heroes” on TV and in the movies and think that they could really help you out. But the people you see on TV and in the movies don’t care about you. The only thing they care about is if you watch their show and/or movie.
So, who are the “heroes” in your life? Your parents, your grandparents, your pastor, your youth pastor. These are people who truly care about you. They will take the time to talk with you about the things that trouble you. Do you think the actor in your favorite TV show or movie will take time to talk to you?
Today, take a look around you at the “heroes” that you have in your life. Let them know how much they mean to you. If you think your parents, grandparents, pastor and youth pastor don’t need to hear it from you, you are mistaken. Take a moment and let them know how much you appreciate their impact on your life. These are the real “heroes” of today.
-Ardis Rivera
-1 Peter 5:5 NIV
Young men, in the same way be submissive to those who are older. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”
Wednesday, July 30, 2003
On many occasions I have heard young people say, “Yes, Lord, I will do what You want me to do”, but as time passes, they forget what they said and even though they are walking with the Lord, they don’t do what God would have them do.
What is the greatest sin? Why do you think Adam and Eve fell? Did they steal? No. Did they kill? No. Did they lie? No. Then, what was their sin? Disobedience. Up until that one day, they lived subject to God’s authority, but then they decided to do what they wanted to do.
This can be translated like this: I will do whatever I want to do. When you do what you think you want to do, it comes down to the essence of sin: rebellion against God. This is the sin that is most prevalent in the world.
-Erika Cervantes
-Matthew 7:21 NIV
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.
Tuesday, July 29, 2003
Yesterday I was at a friend’s house. One of her sisters brought a little chick to me that was one week old. She told me it was an orphan and that because of that, they were taking care of it, hoping it would survive. The chick was in a box with water and food, but was crying a lot. My friend’s sister took it out of the box and put it in my hand. When it was in my hand, I drew it close to my chest and the chick quit crying and fell asleep. But when I took away my hand and tried to get it to walk, it started crying again. I tried this several times but it was always the same thing. The chick tried to find a way to get on my hand again to get comfortable and fall asleep.
When I saw the reaction of the chick, I started thinking about how the little chick felt secure in my hand, feeling the warmth of my body and that every time I set it aside, it would find the way to get back to sit on my hand and then it would be quiet. This is the way that we should be in seeking to be in God’s hands and not to stray. When we feel that something is separating us from God, we need to find the way to get back to Him, knowing that in His hands we will find security and that we will be calm, confident in the fact that He is taking care of us.
Do you want to be calm, secure, and trusting? What are you waiting for? To be in God’s hands in the best place you can be.
-Erika Cervantes
-Psalm 17:7-8 NIV
Show the wonder of your great love,
you who save by your right hand
those who take refuge in you from their foes.
Keep me as the apple of your eye;
hide me in the shadow of your wings
Monday, July 28, 2003
Relationships are an important part of our lives since they give form and essence to our lives. The people we choose to spend time with, or marry or associate with are a sampling of what we think of ourselves, of our values and of the place we have in this world. There are several types of relationships: some nourish us, comfort us and supply our needs. Others entertain, inspire, challenge and cause us to grow. But there are others that do us much harm in that they hinder our growth and damage our self-esteem. Of course, this last type of relationship needs to be cut off.
Nevertheless, in any relationship there can be some sort of threat that hinders the strengthening and fortifying of the relationship. That threat is the selfishness that doesn’t allow us to share openly the best that we have and that can cause us to expect that another be, think or act as we would like. In any relationship that you have, take care that selfishness doesn’t destroy a relationship that could have lasted for many years.
-Erika Cervantes
-Philippians 2:3 NIV
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.
-Proverbs 18:1 NIV
An unfriendly man pursues selfish ends;
he defies all sound judgment.
Sunday, July 27, 2003
Has anyone ever asked you if you would like to quit being what you are to become a dog? Perhaps yes, perhaps no. But I think that your first reaction would be to say no, that you are a human being y that you don’t want to become less than what you are. But there is another question. If you were asked if you would like to become an ant, your reaction would be even stronger since you would have to descend even further.
God became man. His jump from glory to become man is more than that of man becoming an ant because in reality, man and ant are both created beings. But in the case of the Creator becoming a man and coming to earth.
Just as you would not become less than what you are, you can understand a little of what Jesus felt when he became a created being and came to earth to die on that cross so that your sins could be forgiven.
Think about this a little bit today.
-Erika Cervantes
-Philippians 2:5-8 NIV
Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death–even death on a cross!
Saturday, July 26, 2003
Even adults like to have an ice cream cone on hot days. I remember when we could buy a cone for ten cents, so paying over a dollar for ice cream still seems expensive, but on hot days, it’s easy to give in. Then my son told me of a place that serves large ice cream cones really cheap. I didn’t know if I could really believe what he said, but it was a hot day so a friend of mine and I went to check it out. I have never seen such a large cone for so little money. I’m sure people think I am exaggerating when I tell them about the size of these cones, but they are huge. In fact, it is hard to eat all of it. I really feel like I’m getting something for my money when I buy one of those cones. It’s kind of hard to go someplace else now and spend more money for a lot less.
Sometimes as Christians, we can settle for a lot less than what God has for us. He wants to fill us up to overflowing, but many times we want just a little bit of God. As you grow in your faith you will realize that there are those that just want enough of God to keep them from an eternity in hell. I heard a person say that all these people look for is “fire insurance”. Then there are those who want a little bit more. But God wants us to so filled with Him that He is spilling out of us and falls on all of those that surround us. But He won’t force Himself on anyone. If you choose only a little of God, that’s what you will get. But if you want to be filled to overflowing, just ask. Your life will never be the same! And then you will wonder why you were ever content with so much less of God.
-Ardis Rivera
-Luke 11:13 NIV
If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”
-John 7:37-38
On the last and greatest day of the Feast, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him.”
Friday, July 25, 2003
Each of us at some point in life has been in a place where there was a very disagreeable odor and we look for a way to get away from the stink. The first thing we tend to do is to cover our nose and then we get as far away as possible from the thing that stinks.
No one likes to be in a place that smells bad. One always flees from places like that. Now, I would like to compare places that smell bad with sin. I know that you can’t smell sin, but when you know you are sinning, you feel uncomfortable. If sin had an odor, I am sure that no one would want to get very close to it and would run the other way whenever it would draw near. So don’t wait until sin starts to smell to run away as fast as you can, because even though you can’t smell it physically, spiritually it will make you real smelly.
-Erika Cervantes
-1 Timothy 6:6-11 NIV
But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness.
Thursday, July 24, 2003
What person does not like good things? I think we all like good things. What I don’t understand is that sometimes, when we say we desire and want good things, why don’t we go to the fountain that will give us the best? If we take a few minutes to think about it, who can give us the best, and I’m not just talking about material possessions. This fountain can give us more things and even a very special place. I hope you figured out that it is only God who can give us the best things and also can give us that very special place that He has prepared for us in His kingdom.
So, now you know. Now the only thing you have to do is to go to the fountain and God. He will always give you the best.
-Erika Cervantes
-Psalm 36:9-10 NIV
For with you is the fountain of life;
in your light we see light.
Continue your love to those who know you,
your righteousness to the upright in heart.
Wednesday, July 23, 2003
Have you ever felt afraid of some change that was coming?
I think we have all experienced this fear when embarking on a new adventure. Fears always come to mind, telling us that what we are about to do are is wrong, that no one will understand us, that we won’t receive the needed support, etc.
It is time to take each step by faith, believing that God has spoken to your heart, so that you can do what He has put on your heart to do. Don’t give up. Don’t be afraid. God is always with you. Perhaps what you are about to do will take time to yield results. So if in the process of taking on this change you don’t see much response, don’t stop: keep going. Many times God tests our faith in order to see what is in our hearts.
I encourage you to keep going and not to stop. You will see that everything you go through will be worth it when you see the results.
-Erika Cervantes
-Psalm 126:5-6 NIV
Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy. He who goes out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with him.
Tuesday, July 22, 2003
In the past three weeks I have been spending more time with a friend here in the United States and the way we communicate with each other is quite amusing since she doesn’t speak much Spanish and I don’t speak much English. But we always try to communicate using sentences and phrases that we know. If there are new words, we try to learn them so that our vocabularies grow a little bit.
Yesterday when we went out, my friend asked me something in English and she was just starting to ask it when I told her what she wanted to know. She looked at me, laughed and said, “I like it that before I could even ask, you knew what I wanted to know.” I didn’t realize what she was telling me and I thought awhile about what she was saying.
I told her that it was true. But it wasn’t that I was guessing her thoughts or that I was reading her mind. If I knew what she was going to say or what she thinking or what she was feeling, it was because we have been spending more time together and we have been getting to know each other better than before.
The same thing happens with God. When we spend more time with Him, we can know when He is speaking to us and what he wants to say to us. Remember that God has an advantage. He created us and therefore He knows all about us. Even before we speak, He already knows what we are going to ask; He knows what we are going through and what we are thinking. But, can you recognize the voice of God?
-Erika Cervantes
-John 10:27 NIV
My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.
Monday, July 21, 2003
Yesterday I was with two young girls and I asked them the following question, “What is it that you want to do when you are older?” One of them answered that she wanted to help others and the other girl answered that she wanted to be either a lawyer or a pastor and be involved in missions.
I know that just like these two girls, there are other young people that have desires in their heart. They want to see these desires fulfilled. But I have two questions for you: Are you putting your eyes on Jesus only? Do you have a close relationship with God—one that allows you to learn what God’s plan for you is?
If the answer is yes, don’t worry. God will fulfill His purpose and make it known to you. If you are struggling with having a close relationship with God, ask Him to help you have a closer relationship with Him so that you can know Him better and recognize His voice when He speaks to you.
-Erika Cervantes
-Psalm 37:4 NIV
Delight yourself in the LORD
and he will give you the desires of your heart.
Sunday, July 20, 2003
Today, I want to say a little bit about relationships between friends and mostly, between friends of the opposite sex. It is good to have friends but it is necessary to be very careful when feelings of love start to get mixed into the friendship. I know that most of the time a boyfriend/girlfriend relationship begins with a friendship, since it is a good way to get to know each other and this is good.
First, I want to say something to you, young man, since most of the time, you will be the one to take the first step. If you have a friend who is a girl and you have no intention of the friendship going any farther than that, be very careful how you talk to her and how you treat her. Your actions can give her ideas that you may not want her to have. Remember that women are more sensitive in that area. If you do things that you know are very pleasing to her, you can confuse her and possibly hurt her heart.
Now, young lady, I know it is very easy to get very emotional when you have a friend who is a boy, especially if you are looking for that “special someone”. It is easy to get confused by the way your friend acts around you. If you spend a lot of time with him, you may start seeing him differently, but be very careful and don’t confuse friendship with other feelings. I know women depend more on emotions and men on thinking.
Even in a friendship, there should be limits. Don’t step over those limits. You could end up with a wounded heart and could lose a wonderful friendship.
-Erika Cervantes
-Proverbs 4:23 NIV
Above all else, guard your heart,
for it is the wellspring of life.
Saturday, July 19, 2003
I have been studying some of the leaders in the Bible. It is easy to think of Moses, Joseph, Paul, etc as super human beings who never struggled in life. But, studying their lives proves just the opposite. These people were human beings, with struggles, doubts and fears, just like each of us. I have come to the conclusion that the only thing that determines whether or not a person can be used by God is that person’s choice. You see, each of us has a job that God wants us to do. You may not be called to lead a nation out of bondage, like Moses. You may not be called to save a country, actually several nations, from starvation, like Joseph. And, you may never be called on to suffer for the cause of Christ like Paul, but you have a specific job God has for you. That job may be to serve Him in by working in a company, having your own business, or through some sort of ministry. Whether or not you choose to obey is your choice. I would encourage you to be ready to say yes to God. There is no better choice in life than to live it completely and wholeheartedly for Him.
-Ardis Rivera
-Psalm 37:23-24 NIV
If the LORD delights in a man’s way,
he makes his steps firm;
though he stumble, he will not fall,
for the LORD upholds him with his hand.
Friday, July 18, 2003
Yesterday, while talking with a young person, I heard words that were a great blessing for me. In spite of his young age, he was able to transmit to me the great love he has for God and how he is waiting for God’s promise to be fulfilled in His life. He is totally convinced that this will happen and that is what I liked most about what he said—that he has his faith firmly planted in God. It doesn’t matter what is happening right now, he knows that that promise will be fulfilled one day. In the meantime, he keeps preparing himself so that when that day arrives, he will be prepared.
And you, what are you doing? Are you preparing yourself for the day God’s promise to you is fulfilled? Perhaps you may say, “God has not promised anything to me regarding my future”, but God always has plans for your life. Possibly, He has not yet revealed those plans to you, but God created each of us with a special purpose in mind. The only thing you need to do is to have faith and wait for that purpose to be revealed. In the meantime, you can study, develop a career, go to college, learn a foreign language, learn to play an instrument, etc. There are many things you can be doing right now. You don’t know if God will choose to use you in your work, at school, or wherever you may be right now. Don’t just sit there, doing nothing. God may surprise you one day and one thing you would not want to have to say to God is “I’m not ready”.
-Erika Cervantes
-2 Timothy 2:15 NIV
Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.
Thursday, July 17, 2003
Yesterday I was talking with two friends and I was shocked in that each of them said very similar things. The first friend is a missionary in Culiacán, Mexico at a YWAM (Youth With A Mission) base. She was telling me that two people had made deposits to her account and that she didn’t know who had done this. She said she was praying that God would touch their hearts to continue to support her, since the support isn’t coming as she expected and that she is praying for a financial miracle from God to cover the expenses of traveling to Cuba for discipleship training she is to give.
My other friend who lives in Monterrey, Mexico, also was saying that her fiancé, who is a missionary, was feeling desperate because the support isn’t coming in like before and that he doesn’t understand what is happening. He feels a lot of pressure because in about 30 days, they will be getting married and there are things that they need to pay for the wedding besides his expenses at the YWAM base in Monterrey where he works as a missionary. They know that God has never abandoned them, but yesterday my friend told me she was waiting for a miracle of God to cover some bills she needs to pay.
Young person, perhaps you don’t have a calling to missionary service on your life, but you can bless a missionary. It doesn’t matter how much you give. Possibly it’s only $2.00. You have no idea how blessed someone would be by your gift of $2.00. I have talked with young people who tell me that they don’t send money to missionaries because what good would their small amount do? But think about it. If there are many who think this way, how much money never gets to the missionaries who need it? If you give all you can, God will see your heart and He will bless you with more than what you give.
Ask God to show you a missionary that you should support. Perhaps one day you will find yourself on the mission field and you will realize how much $2.00 will mean and how they can bless your life and work.
-Erika Cervantes
-Luke 21:1-4 NIV
As he looked up, Jesus saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury. He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins.”I tell you the truth,” he said, “this poor widow has put in more than all the others. All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on.”
Wednesday, July 16, 2003
In the past few weeks I have heard the word fear in four different situations. I realize that fear exists in many of us, but it comes when we are about to something different in our lives. The voices always come, telling you that you can’t, that you are no good at anything, that you are wrong, that what you are wanting to do isn’t God’s will, that you will fail at what you are trying to do, that it isn’t a good idea, etc, etc, etc.
What we need to do is to not allow the enemy to come and put this fear in us since the devil puts in the fear to steal, kill and destroy whatever work God wants to do in our lives. If you are living with fear, ask God to take them away.
Don’t allow the devil to steal your peace and security. When you feel most attacked by destructive thoughts, it is because the devil is angered by what God wants to do in your life.
So, keep going. Destroy all fear and fill yourself with the peace and security that only God can give you.
-Erika Cervantes
-Deuteronomy 31:8 NIV
The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”
Tuesday, July 15, 2003
Where are you standing?
Think for a moment about what happens if there is a small pile of sand and another pile of rocks. What happens if a strong wind and rain comes? It is very likely that the pile of sand will fall, but the pile of rocks will remain intact.
This is why I ask you where are you standing. What happens when problems and difficulties come into your life? Here are two options:
1. Do you feel strong and secure and keep fighting against winds and waves knowing that God is in control of your life? OR
2. Do you feel weak and unsure and see the problems as being huge, feeling that you are collapsing under the strain?
If you choose the first option, you are standing on the firm rock and putting into practice the Word of God. But, if you choose the second option, you are standing on sand and that is not a good place to be.
Young person, if you are standing on the rock, congratulations. Keep exercising your faith and applying everything you have learned in the Word. If you are standing on sand, I encourage you to go to the firm rock, Jesus Christ, and start putting into practice His word. You will see how different you will feel. Jesus is our firm rock, our fortress. With Him, nothing can move us because He holds us up through whatever we may be going through.
-Erika Cervantes
-Matthew 7:24-27 NIV
“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”
Monday, July 14, 2003
Every human being, throughout his/her lifetime, goes through different stages. We would like some of those stages to end quickly because they are not very agreeable. But when we pass an enjoyable stage, we don’t want it to ever end. Unfortunately, everything has a beginning and an end.
If you find yourself in a time of change right now, and you feel sad because you don’t want any changes, cheer up because God has prepared you for this next stage and He is bringing you a new maturity in which you will experience new things and you will grow as a human being. God always prepares us and even though at times we don’t understand what is happening, we should remain calm, knowing that God is in control of our lives. So enjoy the changes and all that is happening in your life. Ask God to help you see the things the way He sees them.
-Erika Cervantes
-Romans 8:28 NIV
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
Sunday, July 13, 2003
There are times in life when we feel tired and desperate because we don’t know what to do with our lives and we don’t see any way out or what we hope to have happen doesn’t happen when we wish it would happen. I could keep on with a long list, but the reasons for our feeling tired and desperate can be many.
What you need to do is to run to the presence of God so that you can relieve your anxiety talking to Him. After talking and letting out all the emotions you feel, you have to walk in God’s path, doing His will in your life. Finally you have to wait quietly for the things you have asked for and the things you desire.
Remember that God, even before you speak, knows how you are doing. Don’t put it off any longer. You don’t have any reason to feel tired or desperate. It is better to ask God to change what you are feeling into His joy.
The Lord will help you see life in a completely different way from the way you now see it.
-Erika Cervantes
-Matthew 11:28-29 NIV
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
Saturday, July 12, 2003
Have you ever been afraid of the dark? In have. When I was young I remember walking home and hearing noises in the nearby woods and my heart began to pound in my chest. Even though I had no idea what caused the noise, fear immediately set in. Very likely it was nothing more than a cat roaming around at night but in my mind of could have been a mountain lion! Fear of the unknown is something we have all experienced, especially at night.
Many youth today live in fear. Why? Because they walk in darkness and they know it. Growing up is very difficult and many young people choose to hide out in the darkness of life rather than live in the spiritual light. What many youth fail to understand today is that Jesus is the light that shines in darkness and light works both ways, you can see it and it can see you! So if you are hiding in the darkness open your eyes. You will see Jesus and He will direct your paths into the light. You see, no one can walk in the darkness alone and see where they are going. And everyone walking in the dark will eventually stumble and fall.
To walk in the light of day, you must see the light of night!
-Lyn Sahr
-1 John 1:5-9 NIV
This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
Friday, July 11, 2003
A few nights ago I was talking with a friend about how God is working in her life in a surprising way. Do you know why God is working in her life and taking her to a higher level? It is very simple. She has a heart that is willing to serve God and even though she may have some fears regarding the changes that are coming in her life, she is trusting God as her only guide and she is going forward. She recognizes that she can’t do anything on her own and she is depending on God and is following the leading of God.
She is a true disciple of God because she is willing to leave family, children, brothers and sisters, her country, to go to another country.
Who else will join her in being willing to take up the cross, follow Jesus and serve Him?
-Erika Cervantes
-Luke 14:25-27 NIV
Large crowds were traveling with Jesus, and turning to them he said: “If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters–yes, even his own life–he cannot be my disciple. And anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.
Thursday, July 10, 2003
A few days ago I was with a friend at her family’s house. One of her sisters, about 6 or 7 years of age, showed me her love the entire time I was there. She didn’t need to tell me “I love you”—just her attention and the way she smiled at me showed me the affection she felt for me.
Many times we don’t need to say “I love you”. Actions speak louder than words. Without words, I could feel the love of that little girl. It wasn’t until I was going to leave that she actually said the words “I love you”. But I already knew it because I could feel it.
Have you ever shown appreciation, affection, or love for someone without uttering a single word? If not, why wait any longer. Remember, actions speak louder than words.
-Erika Cervantes
-Luke 10:38-42 NIV
As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!”
“Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.”
Wednesday, July 9, 2003
God is in search of men and women who trust completely in Him. Many times you may not even realize that He is watching you and that He knows what you are going through and that He knows exactly what you need. Your mind is busy thinking of how you are going to solve your problems and you forget you can solve them. Just trust in God and open your eyes to see that God is always faithful to those who trust in Him.
-Erika Cervantes
-2 Chronicles 16:9 NIV
For the eyes of the LORD range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.
Tuesday, July 8, 2003
Cultivating deep and lasting relationships takes time, and we need to make it a priority to develop relationships. People should be more important than our programs. Quality should come before quantity and family before other people.
Just as you are a priority for God, you should make the people around you a priority. You can make time for everything and if you don’t know how to arrange your time, ask God to help you according to His perspective.
-Erika Cervantes
-James 3:17-18 NIV
But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness.
Monday, July 7, 2003
On some occasions I have met people that can’t stand certain attitudes of other people. Those are the people that I wonder if I really want to get to know. But God wants us to put up with each other, to lovingly and gently support each other and leave to Him the task of correcting the wrong attitudes that they may have.
We need to identify two points:
1. We need to identify our lack of compassion and willingness to identify with others.
2. We need to see our own faults and accept that they may be bothering others just as other people’s faults bother us.
Think a little about how Jesus was so patient with sinners. They had bad attitudes and He was right there with them, showing them His love.
-Erika Cervantes
-Hebrews 5:2 NIV
He is able to deal gently with those who are ignorant and are going astray, since he himself is subject to weakness.
Sunday, July 6, 2003
If you really want to help someone overcome a moral failure or some sin, you need to show genuine interest in them. Love and time are more important than your spiritual maturity and ability for giving counsel.
When someone has experienced failures or rejection, they need someone who they can trust. If you have an attitude of superiority, you will only make things worse for the person. So, first you need to gain the person’s trust so that s/he will feel safe and can open his/her heart and speak freely. Secondly, you need to understand the person. By this I don’t mean that you should agree with him/her or that you give the solution or that you offer quick solutions. This person just needs to be heard and understood.
Never forget to work together with God, allowing Him to give you wisdom for what you need to do.
-Erika Cervantes
-Galatians 6:1-2 NIV
Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted. 2Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.
Saturday, July 5, 2003
If we want to keep our friendships, we must speak the truth at all times. In order to present the truth to our friends, we need to be very careful how we do it. Truth needs to be presented in love; it should never be done in anger or bitterness. You should do it in such a way that your friend will be strengthened.
It is important to speak the truth at the right time: not too soon and not too late. Even though you may have the best of intentions, you can bury someone emotionally if you are not sensitive to God’s leading.
If you have to speak with someone, ask God for guidance and that He will show you when to speak and what to say. Don’t remain silent because your words may be just what your friend needs.
-Erika Cervantes
-Zechariah 8:16-17 NIV
These are the things you are to do: Speak the truth to each other, and render true and sound judgment in your courts; 17 do not plot evil against your neighbor, and do not love to swear falsely. I hate all this,” declares the LORD .
Friday, July 4, 2003
Today is Independence Day in the United States. Thinking about that, I asked myself how many people had to die in order to gain freedom from England?
Today it is no longer necessary that more people die to be free. Possibly you ask why. The answer is easy. God has anointed you to go and bring freedom to the captives and prisoners.
What is keeping you from telling others how they can be free and whole? They are waiting for you to give them some hope. Don’t be afraid of speaking. God will give you the needed words. Don’t think about your age or if you are prepared or not. God only wants a heart that is willing to serve Him.
-Erika Cervantes
-Isaiah 61:1 NIV
The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me,
because the LORD has anointed me
to preach good news to the poor.
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim freedom for the captives
and release from darkness for the prisoners,
Thursday, July 3, 2003
You should be open and honest with your friends at all times because if you aren’t, there cannot be a firm foundation for the friendship.
A few years ago, I decided to talk to my best friend, knowing that I was running the risk of losing her friendship. I needed to tell her that I was jealous of her. I knew it was right and I felt really bad about it. But my friend, after hearing what I had to say, gave me a big smile, a hug and thanked me for being honest with her. With that step that I took, I showed her that I was truly her friend. And not only did she listen to me and forgive me, she made me see that I had qualities that made me special.
I thank God for that friendship that made me see that I was wrong. Fifteen years have passed and our friendship has been strengthened.
We should never expect that our friends will be perfect, but we should expect honesty at all times.
-Erika Cervantes
-Psalm 92:12-15 NIV
The righteous will flourish like a palm tree,
they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon;
planted in the house of the LORD ,
they will flourish in the courts of our God.
They will still bear fruit in old age,
they will stay fresh and green,
proclaiming, “The LORD is upright;
he is my Rock, and there is no wickedness in him.”
Wednesday, July 2, 2003
The people of God in the Bible desired to see His face. Their main sense of value and acceptance came from the love of God.
Just as you receive a feeling of love, acceptance and value from the Father, you should reflect it toward the rest. Make sure that those around you feel accepted and valued by you. A look, a smile, a pat on the back or just being available to listen are ways to show your appreciation of another person. Don’t forget that love goes much further than simple words.
If you haven’t done so already, don’t wait to show God’s love reflected in you.
-Erika Cervantes
-Psalm 27:8 NIV
My heart says of you, “Seek his face!”
Your face, LORD , I will seek.
Tuesday, July 1, 2003
If you need to reconcile with a friend and you don’t know how to do it, I am going to give you five steps that will help you to take this first step.
1. Identify the faults (not only those of your friend, but yours too).
2. Recognize the emotions that are involved because of offenses, disappointments and anger.
3. Get rid of all resentment and bitterness. Ask God to help you with this.
4. Concentrate only on the person, not on the behavior.
5. Take this step to draw near to the person and express what you feel.
With an attitude of repentance and humility, it is possible to forgive, to ask for forgiveness and to accept each other, starting a new relationship by faith, remembering that Jesus died and has already paid for our sins.
If it is hard to you to ask for forgiveness, ask God to help you. He will make it easier for you.
-Erika Cervantes
-Job 33:26 NIV
He prays to God and finds favor with him,
he sees God’s face and shouts for joy;
he is restored by God to his righteous state.
