Theophilus Ministries

(ESPANOL ABAJO)

But as for me, I will walk in my integrity; Redeem me and be merciful to me. (Psa 26:11)

We live in a world of ungodly people; an assembly of evildoers.  The majority of the world doesn’t think it strange to scratch and claw their way to success at the expense of others.  Even within the church the desire for power and status is prevalent.  This lack of love and respect for God is a result of sin and is something we, as believers, are called to be set apart from. 

Do not be deceived, as you walk in integrity you will be overlooked, cheated, falsely accused and taken advantage of BUT this doesn’t change our calling.  Jesus makes it very clear to us “If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you.” (Joh 15:18) Even though it is discouraging at times we are called to be a light in a dark world, setting the example for how to live with integrity.  Do not compromise on the small things, keep your conscience clean before the Lord and He will guard you and reward you eternally.

Set yourself apart today so that you might declare “I will wash my hands in innocence; So I will go about Your altar, O LORD, That I may proclaim with the voice of thanksgiving, And tell of all Your wondrous works.” (Psa 26:6-7)

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Mas yo en mi integridad andaré; redímeme, y ten piedad de mí. (Psa 26:11)

Vivimos en un mudo lleno de personas impías; una reunión de malignos.  La mayoría del mundo no cree que sea raro lograr abrirse paso hasta la cima del éxito a la costa de otras personas.  Aun en la iglesia el deseo por poder y posición es prevalente.  Esta falta de amor y respeto por Dios es un resultado del pecado y Dios nos ha llamado distinguir de estas cosas.
Ne seas engañado, cuando andes en integridad estarás menospreciado, estafado, acusado falsamente, y explotado.  Jesus lo hizo muy claro cuando dijo “Si el mundo os odia, sabéis que me ha odiado a mí antes que a vosotros. “ (Joh 15:18) Aunque es una cosa desalentadora muchas veces, estamos llamados a ser una luz para el mundo en tinieblas.  Debemos dar el ejemplo de cómo vivir con integridad.  No comprometes en las pequeñeces, mantén tu conciencia limpia ante el Señor y El te va a guardar y recompensar eternalmente.

Santifícate hoy para que puedas declarar “Lavaré en inocencia mis manos, y andaré en torno a tu altar, oh SEÑOR, proclamando con voz de acción de gracias y contando todas tus maravillas.”  (Sal 26:6-7)

Christian Business, Devotional Ramblings, General Information, Spanish Christian Business, christian living, christianity, God, holiness, integrity, Jesus Christ, leadership, obedience, practical living, Psalms, suffering, trials

 (Espanol abajo)

PSALM 15

(1)  LORD, who may abide in Your tabernacle? Who may dwell in Your holy hill?
(2)  He who walks uprightly, And works righteousness, And speaks the truth in his heart;
(3)  He who does not backbite with his tongue, Nor does evil to his neighbor, Nor does he take up a reproach against his friend;
(4)  In whose eyes a vile person is despised, But he honors those who fear the LORD; He who swears to his own hurt and does not change;
(5)  He who does not put out his money at usury, Nor does he take a bribe against the innocent. He who does these things shall never be moved.

John the Baptist said to the religious leaders that came to him at the Jordan river “bear fruits worthy of repentance” (Mat 3:8).  David reminds us in this Psalm that holy and honest living is a fruit of our faith.  Christian brothers and sisters, I exhort you to check yourselves in this manner:  are you a gossip or do you complain a lot?  do you lack grace and forgiveness to those who mistreat you? are you dishonest in your business dealings?  “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.” (Gal 6:7)

Now that we are saved we have been called to bear good fruit in the works that God has prepared for us. “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.” (Gal 5:22-23)  I encourage all of you to abide in the work of Jesus Christ by immersing yourselves in the Word, laboring in prayer and participating in healthy Christian fellowship so that you can bear thr fruit that God would have you bear.  As Jesus said “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.” (Joh 15:5)

Praise God, from Whom all blessings flow;
Praise Him, all creatures here below;
Praise Him above, ye heavenly host;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.

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Salmo 15

(1)  JEHOVA, ¿quién habitará en tu tabernáculo? ¿Quién residirá en el monte de tu santidad?
(2)  El que anda en integridad, y obra justicia, Y habla verdad en su corazón.
(3)  El que no detrae con su lengua, Ni hace mal á su prójimo, Ni contra su prójimo acoge oprobio alguno.
(4)  Aquel á cuyos ojos es menospreciado el vil; Mas honra á los que temen á Jehová: Y habiendo jurado en daño suyo, no por eso muda.
(5)  Quien su dinero no dió á usura, Ni contra el inocente tomó cohecho. El que hace estas cosas, no resbalará para siempre

Juan el Bautista dijo a los lideres religeosos que vinieron al rio Jordan “Haced pues frutos dignos de arrepentimiento” (Mat 3:8).  David nos recuerda en este Salmo que la vida santa y honesta es una fruta de nuestra fe.  Hermanos y hermanas, les exhorto probarse de esta manera:  son chismosos o se quejan mucho?  Carecen de la gracia y perdon con los que les maltratan a ustedes? Son deshonestos en los negocios? “No os engañeis: Dios no puede ser burlado: que todo lo que el hombre sembrare, eso también segará.” (Gal 6:7)

Ahora, si somos salvos, Dios nos ha llamado de dar fruta buena en las obras que El nos ha preparadas.  “el fruto del Espíritu es: caridad, gozo, paz, tolerancia, benignidad, bondad, fe, Mansedumbre, templanza: contra tales cosas no hay ley.” (Gal 5:22-23)  Les animo a ustedes, permanecerse en la obra que ya hizo Cristo Jesus.  Que les sumerjan en Las Escrituras, que se esfuercen en la oracion y participen en el companarismo con otros Cristianos para que den las frutas que Dios quiere que las den.  Como dijo Jesus “Yo soy la vid, vosotros los pámpanos: el que está en mí, y yo en él, éste lleva mucho fruto; porque sin mí nada podéis hacer.” (Joh 15:5)

Praise God, from Whom all blessings flow;
Praise Him, all creatures here below;
Praise Him above, ye heavenly host;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.

Christian Business, Devotional Ramblings, Spanish christian living, christianity, God, holiness, Holy Spirit, Jesus Christ, obedience, Psalms

“Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gain but eagerly; nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock; and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away.” (1Pe 5:2-4)

We all have a flock in some respect even if we are not called to be pastors.  At some point in our lives, if not already, we will have people that look up to us whether as a mentor or a leader.  As a business leader, husband and father this point is evident in my life every day.  We need to remind ourselves daily to not take these responsibilities lightly because, as Peter puts it, it is God who has entrusted those under our care to us.  I am reminded of one of my favorite sections in the Bible where James and John come to Jesus and ask to be put in positions of honor and leadership when He comes into power.  Jesus replies “You know that those who are considered rulers over the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you shall be your servant. And whoever of you desires to be first shall be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”" (Mar 10:42-45)  Jesus’ idea of being a leader and their idea were very different.  We are not called to Lord over people but rather to lead by serving them.  It is important to understand that we can live a quiet, simple life and at the same time be a powerful dynamic leader that deeply affects people’s lives.

I have had Mark 10:42-45 on my business cards ever since I started my business.    The major reason that I did this was to remind myself on a daily basis of my responsibility to be a servant to all of those that God put in my path; and by conforming myself to this idea of leadership God has been able to do amazing things both inside and outside of my business.   But regardless of the earthly blessing we receive from being obedient in this point we should always remember that these blessings are a dim shadow of the glory God has promised us when we receive that “crown of glory that does not fade away“.

Christian Business, Devotional Ramblings 1st Peter, Christian Business, christian living, christianity, holiness, Jesus Christ, leadership, obedience, practical living, serving

“But let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or as a busybody in other people’s matters.” (1Pe 4:15)

Think your “small” sins go unnoticed by the Lord? I like Jon Courson’s simple commentary on this verse; He says ”I find it interesting that Peter places busybodies and murderers in the same category.”*  We need to remember that we are accountable for every crude joke, every angry thought as well as all of the more obvious sins we commit.  Let’s remember what Jesus said concerning this matter:

“But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the Day of Judgment.” (Mat 12:36)

“But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment. And whoever says to his brother, ‘Raca!’ shall be in danger of the council. But whoever says, ‘You fool!’ shall be in danger of hell fire.” (Mat 5:22)

As we have been reminded so many times in the last verses in 1 Peter, the end is near.  Let’s abide in the purity that the Lord has led us into both in word, thought and deed.

Father, I pray that you would help all of us to be reminded, the moment we fall into thoughts or actions that are not pleasing to you, of our calling to be holy for you are a Holy God.  Please help us because we are weak and cannot accomplish this without your strength.  Your word says to resist the enemy and he will flee from us so please help us to do that in each and every moment - AMEN

*Jon Courson’s Application Commentary, New Testament 2003

Christian Business, Devotional Ramblings 1st Peter, Christian Business, christian living, christianity, holiness, Jesus Christ, obedience, practical living, sin

“Therefore, since Christ suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same mind, for he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, that he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh for the lusts of men, but for the will of God. For we have spent enough of our past lifetime in doing the will of the Gentiles—when we walked in lewdness, lusts, drunkenness, revelries, drinking parties, and abominable idolatries.” (1Pe 4:1-3)

I love these verses.  What a great question to ask ourselves as we are tempted to fall back into some old habit or sin; “haven’t I already wasted enough time doing those things?”  I am ashamed as I look at how much of my life has been spent on the things of the flesh and how little has been spent on the things of God, where it counts.  All of the more reason now that I have been redeemed to center my life on Him and His perfect will.  Having been raised with Him though the spiritual baptism to a fresh and clean conscience (see 1 Peter 3:21-22), Peter now gives us insight into how we are to prepare ourselves to live according to the Spirit despite the inevitable trials that await us. 

First, we need to understand that what was once foolishness to us is only now clear because of the wisdom He has given us through His spirit.  “Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God.” (1Co 2:12). And what is it that He has given us? He has given us nothing less than “the mind of Christ.” (1Co 2:16b).  And thus our preparation is to simply arm ourselves with that same mind of Christ that we would be ready for the suffering that we will face.  As it has been said before, trials are both inevitable and profitable.  We must allow the Lord to remove the impurities from our lives so that our minds can be clear to see and hear Him and He accomplishes this by bringing us through difficulties.

So what is the practical piece of this?  It is to abide.  Arming ourselves with the mind of Christ is to abide in Him that He might work through us.  Paul says it perfectly:  “I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”(Php 4:12-13)

I pray that God will bring this simple question to our remembrance this week when temptation comes upon us - “haven’t I already wasted enough time doing the will of the flesh?” 

Christian Business, Devotional Ramblings 1st Peter, Christian Business, christian living, christianity, holiness, obedience, practical living, suffering, trials