On his arrival, Jesus found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days … and many Jews had come to Martha and Mary to comfort them in the loss of their brother. When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went out to meet him, but Mary stayed at home. “Lord,” Martha said to Jesus, “if you had been here, my brother would not have died. – John 11:17-21

Sometimes we do like Martha; we blame God for not having arrived in time. When we have difficult situations we think we know what God is supposed to do to solve our problem.

God always knows what is best for us. In the case of Martha she thought the solution was for Jesus to heal his brother when he was sick. It seems logical, but logic is not always in accordance with the plans and the will of God. The plan of Martha was the miracle of healing, but in the plans of Jesus was a larger sample of the power of God through the resurrection of her brother.

If Jesus had acted according to Marta’s plans there had been a miracle, but all of us would have missed seeing the glory of God manifested by raising Lazarus from the death after four days.

Often, God’s intervention does not happen the way we expected, but even if we don’t understand we can trust that God’s plan for our lives will always be better than ours.

We might not receive the miracle we hoped for, but if we stand firm in the faith we will receive the greatest miracle of all: eternal life. Even Lazarus died again, which eventually will happen to all of us, but our final day in this world will only mean the greater glory of living forever in the presence of our God.

If you feel disappointed because you did not receive what you expected, I invite you to make yours the words of the psalmist: “Why are you downcast, O my soul, Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise Him, my Savior and my God” (Psalm 43:5).

For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. – Romans 8:38-39

God does not separate anyone from His love. This is demonstrated by the fact that he decided to send his son for us despite our sinful behavior (Romans 5:8). Only we can separate ourselves from His love.

Among the list of the situations included Paul’s letter to the Romans there is one that catches my attention: life. Life does not seem like something that could separate us from the love of God. The truth is that certain lifestyles and how we use our time can get to the point of suffocating our relationship with God, which may eventually have the effect of separating us from the love of God.

If you have experienced the love of God you know that His love is the most valuable thing we can achieve, so do not let anything separate you from that love. Beware that nothing comes between you and the love of God.

I do not think that a believer would dare to throw a Bible to the floor and kick it. Some would consider that a blasphemy, but sometimes our behavior as believers is a greater offense to God that damaging a Bible. This is what happens when we mistreat others, whether believers or not.

We are all important to God.

Mistreating a believer is like trying hurt God, who dwells in the believer.

Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?  – 1 Cor. 3:16

Mistreating an unbeliever is to despise the sacrifice on the cross that Christ did for all mankind.

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.  – Juan 3:16

Both one and the others are about as important to God. This is a truth we all need to internalize and take into account in our relations with others.  After all “love our neighbor” as ourselves is the second greatest commandment (Mark 12:29-31). Even though our neighbor does not treat us with respect we must love them, because we are called to love and bless our enemies (Matthew 5:44).

Sometimes relationships with others are not easy, but if we are offended by the idea of someone damaging a Bible, we should be more offended by the idea of ??harming the temple of God by mistreating someone else. If we are offended by the idea that anyone can speak ill of God, so we should be more offended by the idea of mistreating a person for whom Jesus shed his blood.

So in our relationship with others we shall recall that in one way or another they have the touch of God in their lives, and they are as important to God as we are. Doing so will honor God: the one in whom we believe and whom we love.

Then the LORD said, “Rise and anoint him; this is the one.” So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and from that day on the Spirit of the LORD came powerfully upon David. – 1 Samuel 16:12-13

It’s hard to wait. If we need any consolation we should study the life of King David. He was chosen by God to be king over Israel, but many years passed before he could take possession of the kingdom.

For David the problem was not only the time he waited, but the situations he had to endure while waiting. During that time he was fleeing from King Saul, who wanted to kill him (1 Samuel 19:1). In addition, among other things, he had to act as a crazy man (1 Samuel 21:11-12), leave his land (1 Samuel 22:3), and live in the wilderness (1 Samuel 23:14) in order to save his life. During all that time David was a king without a crown. Worse than that, he was a King pursued as a criminal.

David had opportunities to kill Saul, put an end to the persecution, and claim the crown. However, he decided not to try to “help” God in the fulfillment of the promise.

Like David, we too have a lot of promises, including a crown.

Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him. – James 1:12

We wonder when the waiting time will be over and we will receive what God has promised. We long for the moment at which the situations we have endured will just be past experiences. Sometimes we are tempted to “help” God in the fulfillment of our promises, but this can only have the effect of increase the waiting time.

Waiting is not easy, but just as David received his promise, we will see the fulfillment of God’s promises. In addition, the same way that the Spirit of God was with David from the time when he was anointed, the Holy Spirit is with us and will never leave us.

We will not receive a crown on earth. Like David, we are kings without crowns. But if we remain steadfast, we will receive our crown and reign with Him in eternity (2 Timothy 2:12). Meanwhile let us patiently wait on God, trusting that He will give us strength, and He will enable us to follow the path that remains to reclaim our crowns.

This is no longer truth when we grow up, for what was our parents’ responsibility is now ours. We stopped depending on our parents and started to depend on ourselves; we become self-sufficient. This is law of life.

The problem is that self-sufficiency often leads to anxiety. We want to control everything, and when we fail, this leads to stress and emotional illnesses. God wants us to be responsible, but does not want us to be anxious.

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. – Philippians 4:6-7

This is great promise, but I have to admit that for those who like to have control over everything it is not easy to wait and much less to receive peace. It was definitely easier when we were kids. This is why Jesus said we must become like children.

Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven – Matthew 18:3

Only by trusting God the same way that children trust their parents we can truly take possession of the promises that God gave us in His word. God does not want us to be like children in our thinking (1 Corinthians 14:20), but rather to be like children in terms of the relationship and dependency they have with their parents. We see this clearly in the model prayer that Jesus gave us, teaching us that we shall not approach God as “our God” but rather as “Our Father” (our relationship with him). This is also clearly seen in the same prayer when we are taught to pray “Give us this day our daily bread” (our dependence of him).

Although we are expected to stop being dependent on our parents, we can never stop our dependence on our Heavenly Father. The world we are living in is not easy, but we know that no matter happens the children of God have their victory secured.

In the world you will have tribulation, but be of good cheer, I have overcome the word. – John 16:33

We must decide whether to continue living our lives at the mercy of stress or if we want to live trusting our Heavenly Father. Let us seek God as children trust their parents, and let us learn to depend on Him: He will take care of us.

“Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. – Matthew 6:31-33

The fool has said in his heart, “There is no God.” – Psalms 14:1

Every day more people claim that God does not exist, whether they say it directly or imply it by rejecting the authority of the Word of God.

It is possible that those who think like that might have come to this conclusion for several reasons:

• Due to a disease (personal or of a family member)
• Due to the death of a family member
• Due to financial problems
• Because things are not happening as expected
• Because they do not want to submit their lives to obedience to a supreme being
• Etc.

The truth is that what we think about God does not change the reality of his existence. Observing the nature provides us with enough evidence to conclude that there is a God.

For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse

I invite you to observe and meditate on the following:

• The majesty of the sky and the stars
• The harmony in nature adjustments to seasonal changes
• The development of a baby in his mother’s womb
• The perfection in the mechanics of the human body

And if even with the corruption of this world we can see the greatness of creation, how much more wonderful be the things that God has promised for eternal life?

After witnessing these and other examples, how is it possible that someone could say that there is no God?

Whatever the reason you might have to think there is no God, I invite you to observe the creation and allow your heart to be enlightened by the wonders of God.

It is good to have the flexibility to order our food exactly the way we want it. After all you are the one paying for it. The same thing applies for everything you buy (that is, if you have the money to afford your taste): clothes, a car, a house, etc. You buy things according to your taste and not according to other person’s taste.

We are living the “Have It your way” culture. We are so used to buy exactly what we want that we end up confused thinking that everything in life works the same way. The “Have It your way” culture is destroying society. Since we are all different, it is impossible for everyone to have things done their way without having conflicts with others. A world where everyone wants things done his or her way is a world destined for destruction.

People are trying to apply the “Have It your way” culture to spiritual matters. It looks like everyone has a different definition of God, heaven and salvation. Some might say that everyone has the right to think what they want. True, but what we think will not change the definition of what is already defined.

How is it possible for the creation to try to define the Creator? How is it possible to define the design of what is already designed and in place? It doesn’t matter how hard I try to define what heaven is going to be like, I won’t be able to change a single fact about heaven. Even if I am able to design a new heaven with my own definition of how to get to heaven, will I be able to create it?  If we could have heaven our way there will be billions of different heavens, each one with a population of exactly one person.

We must stop fooling ourselves.

• We didn’t pay for our salvation. Jesus did.

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. – John 3:16

• We do not define the way: Jesus is the way

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”  - John 14:6

• It is not our kingdom: It is the kingdom of God.

But seek first the kingdom of God… – Matthew 6:33

In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. – John 14:2

• We do not define heaven:  God did.

In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. – Gen 1:1

There is only one way to spend eternity in heaven with God: His Way

Something similar happens in the relationship between parents and children. There are times when children perceive that everything their parents do or say is wrong (the advice, limits, rules, etc.). If the children could they would change their parents to make them according to their wishes, for they think “how is it possible that our parents say they love us and do not allow us to do everything we want?” Imagine parents who do not have any rules for their children: they can eat whatever they want, return home at any hour they want, talk without respect to others, treat others as they wish, no school responsibilities, no chores, etc. If this were possible it would be total chaos and the result would probably be children that become irresponsible adults. What children perceive as excessive control is absolutely necessary for the formation of their personality. The people that these children would like to change now are the same people that in the future they will be giving thanks for raising them the right way. Fortunately, during this process of confusion parents do not relinquish their responsibility because they know that their children do not yet understand the importance of this process.

The same way children eventually realize the wisdom of the advice of their parents and the importance of limits, there will come a time in your life when you will look back and see the results of following your god. If it was a custom-made god you might find out when it’s too late.

God cares for us the same way that parents care about the future of their children. He knows that we are as young children that do not understand that He cares for us. So as a responsible father He does not give up on us and remains firm in his advice, rules and limitations, because He knows that even if we do not like or do not understand them, they are necessary for our spiritual formation. Failure to do so would jeopardize our destination for eternal life.

because the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son. – Hebrews 12:6

How do we know that the God who gives us his advice and enforces its decrees is the true God? There is no way of knowing except through experience. And no, you don’t have to die to be able to experience God. Yes, the process begins by faith (in Jesus – John 3:16), but you will experience him as you get closer to Him (through prayer and reading his word). No, it is not easy to read in the Bible that something you like to do appear on a list of things that are displeasing to God. But I tell you that once you have the first experience of His power working in your life in difficult times, or its clear and unequivocal guidance in times of decision, or His healing power in times of illness, that will be the time when you will understand His love for you, that He is the true God, and all that He asks of you is for your own good.

God does not always give me the answer I hoped for in my prayers. Even at times he allows me to go through difficult times. Sometimes I do not get the miracle I expected. But I know that my God is real and I can feel His unmistakable presence in my life. That is my experience and nobody can take it away from me. This can also be your experience.

Put aside the deception of a custom-made god. No matter how hard you try you will never be able to make that god a reality in your life. Give yourself a chance and let the true God become a reality in your life.

And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. – Ephesians 3:17-19

God’s love is like a grenade; when it explodes its power spreads in every direction. A grenade spreads death, but God’ love spreads life and hope.

Those who have experienced God’s love know about its life-changing effects. But just as a grenade has no effect unless its trigger is released, the love of God has no effect unless it is released. If we want other people to be “affected” by the power of God’s love someone needs to release it.

How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? – Romans 10:14

Unfortunately, some that affirm that have received God’s love are spreading a confusing message that results in many people rejecting the message of love. This makes it an urgent matter for the rest of us to make sure that the right message is preached. Everyday it becomes more important to preach through a love-filled life with which we will be able to support our words. After all, love means nothing without action.

It doesn’t take a lot of effort to release the power of a grenade, it is just a matter of pulling the trigger and throwing it to the target – for sure someone will be affected by its power. In the same way, if we release the trigger and throw the love grenade someone will be affected by the power of God’s love. Do not worry about the target; everyone is in need for His love. So let us take advantage of every opportunity to release the trigger to unleash the power available in the love grenade.

There is a much more important daily battle going up: the battle for the control of our lives. This battle is for who has control of our lives: the sinful nature or the Spirit of God.

Those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God. You, however, are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ. – Romans 8:8-9

The good thing about this battle is that we get to decide who has control over our lives. Our decision is not without consequences. If we let sinful nature to control us we would be displeasing God.

The mind of sinful man is death – Romans 8:6a

We sin every day, but if we repent and confess we obtain forgiveness through Jesus. But living a life controlled by the sinful nature means that there is no repentance, and thus no forgiveness. We know that  the consequence of sin is death, but somehow it is difficult to run away from it. Our only option is to give the control of our lives to the Spirit of God.

if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live – Romans 8:13b

the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace – Romans 8:6b

Through the Spirit of God we receive power to overcome the sinful nature, flee from death, and receive life. Not only that, but those controlled by the Spirit of God are sons of God.

because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. – Romans 8:14

Life if short, and sooner or later we will all have to face death. Through Jesus we have been offered not only abundant life, but eternal life. I don’t know about you, but my goal is eternal life. Do I struggle with the sinful nature? Yes, but I strive to make the daily decision to ask the Spirit of God to have control over my life.

Who has control over your life? I invite you to handle it to the Spirit of God.