Las piedras conmemorativas: Recordando lo que Dios ha hecho

Las piedras conmemorativas: Recordando lo que Dios ha hecho

Vemos varias veces en las Escrituras que Dios ordenó a los hijos de Israel que establecieran un monumento en memoria de lo que había hecho por ellos.. Estos memoriales debían compartirse con las generaciones futuras para que pudieran ver lo que Dios había hecho por ellos.. Creo que es importante para nosotros mirar atrás también, para ver de dónde venimos y recordar lo que el Señor ha hecho por nosotros.

Piense en un tiempo antes de conocer al Señor. Cuando caminabas en el camino de este mundo y vivías tu vida para ti y tus propios deseos egoístas..

¿Cómo era tu vida antes de Cristo?? Cuénteles a los demás las cosas maravillosas y asombrosas que Dios ha hecho por usted.. Hay poder en tu testimonio. Oro para que Dios te guíe a compartir esto con los demás..

Cuando yo estaba 12 años, Decidí el, La persona de "buena tranquilidad" no me funcionaba. No estaba recibiendo la atención que anhelaba. Entonces, Decidí tomar otro camino, uno que conduciría al autodesprecio, adiccion, y destrucción. Estaba cegado e inconsciente del mal que me haría a mí mismo y a los demás.. Mis elecciones destructivas malsanas solo se intensificarían con la edad y se volverían cada vez más penosas a medida que me sumergía de lleno en el consumo de drogas y alcohol., promiscuidad, de fumar, y finalmente un aborto.

Solo queria ser amado, pero en cambio fui usado y abusado e hice lo mismo con los demás. Continuaría en este camino autodestructivo hasta que estuviera 34 años. Luego, un dia de enero 1994 en una pequeña iglesia bautista, Escuché el evangelio por primera vez: Jesús nació de una virgen, vivió una vida sin pecado, fue crucificado en la cruz por mis pecados y los pecados del mundo entero, fue sepultado y resucitó al tercer día y ascendió al cielo y ahora está sentado a la diestra del Padre. Fue su amor por mí y por ti lo que lo mantuvo clavado en esa cruz. (1 Corintios 15:3-6, Hechos 1:9, Romanos 8:34)

No merezco su amor, pero es el regalo más dulce que me han dado. He sido perdonado de mi deuda por el pecado y he sido liberado para vivir la vida que Él me creó para vivir.. Me siento tan humilde y agradecida con Jesús por su trabajo y por mi relación con él.. Soy una nueva creación en cristo; las cosas viejas pasaron, Mirad, lo nuevo ha llegado. (2 Corintios 5:17) Tengo una nueva vida, un nuevo propósito, y un canto nuevo en mi corazón gracias a Jesús.

Joshua 4:1-7

“Y sucedió, cuando toda la gente había cruzado completamente el Jordán, que el Señor le habló a Josué, diciendo: “Tomen para ustedes doce hombres del pueblo, un hombre de cada tribu, y ordenarles, diciendo, "Tomen para ustedes doce piedras de aquí, de en medio del Jordán, del lugar donde los pies de los sacerdotes estaban firmes. Los llevarás contigo y los dejarás en el lugar de alojamiento donde te alojes esta noche. ”Entonces Josué llamó a los doce hombres que había designado de entre los hijos de Israel., un hombre de cada tribu; y Joshua les dijo: “Pasa delante del arca del Señor tu Dios al medio del Jordán, y cada uno toma una piedra en su hombro, según el número de las tribus de los hijos de Israel, que esto pueda ser una señal entre ustedes cuando sus hijos pregunten en el futuro, diciendo, "¿Qué significan estas piedras para ti??Entonces les responderás que las aguas del Jordán fueron cortadas delante del arca del pacto del Señor.; cuando cruzó el Jordán, las aguas del Jordán fueron cortadas. Y estas piedras serán en memoria de los hijos de Israel para siempre ”.

En su amor y servicio,

—Toni

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Se necesita valor para ser sanado

Se necesita valor para ser sanado

John 8:1-11, Romanos 3:23, John 13:34-35, and Joshua 1:9

Why do only a few women come forward for abortion recovery healing? The statistics tell us 4 out of 10 women sitting in our churches have had at least one abortion between the ages of 18-45? What is keeping them silent? En 2015, Care Net and Lifeway Research conducted a study on abortion in the church. Their research found that fear of condemnation and judgment, were the most cited reasons why women remained silent regarding their unexpected pregnancy or abortion. That is so wrong, and I repent of that sin right now. Caballero, if I have not been loving or supportive of another in my past, I pray you forgive me.

I saw this type of judgement on the faces of other believers when I shared my abortion and announced my calling to this ministry. The look of, “How could you!” was very obvious. I immediately thought of the verse in John 8, “You who are without sin cast the first stone.” I know my sin of abortion is very grievous, but in God’s eyes all sin is destructive and we are to show grace towards others just as God through Christ showed us grace and mercy. “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” (Romanos 3:23)

When I think about the judgment of others, especially those in the church, I think of the story in the Bible about the woman who was caught in adultery and brought before Jesus. En John 8:1-11, we read that religious leaders brought this woman before Jesus and told Him to condemn her because she was caught in the very act. Where was the man she was committing adultery with? He was nowhere to be found, was she alone caught in the act? The religious leaders threw her at Jesus’ feet for Him to condemn her publicly. I love Jesus’ words here, “He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.” Then slowly, from the oldest to the youngest, they walked away feeling convicted in their own hearts. Then Jesus says to her, “Woman, where are those accusers of yours? Has no one condemned you?" She said, “No one, Lord.” And Jesus said to her, “Neither do I condemn you; go y sin no more.”

The church is supposed to be the very place people can go to receive help, love, compassion, and care, not condemnation, judgment, and a cold shoulder. We, the Church, are called to minister to all people. God is not a respecter of persons (preferring one over another), por lo tanto, we shouldn’t be either. God commands us to love one another. En John 13: 34-35, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”

I thank God for each and every one of you who are reading this blog. I know how much courage it takes to step out of the darkness and face the fear of judgment and condemnation in order to be healed by Jesus. I am reminded of God’s words to Joshua when he took over leading the children of Israel for Moses. En Joshua 1: 9, God said, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Caballero your God is with you wherever you go.”

God is with you dear one. Would you trust Him today to lead you into a deeper relationship with Him so He can heal you? He is waiting for you to step out of the darkness into His glorious, healing light. You will not regret this decision.

Bendiciones,

Toni

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El Señor te equipará para tu llamamiento

El Señor te equipará para tu llamamiento

1st Samuel 17:28, 1Corintios de San 15:58, y filipenses 1:3-6

In 1st Samuel 17, prior to fighting Goliath, David has an encounter with his older brother Eliab. Eliab accuses David of being in sin and being prideful. In 1st Samuel 17:28 we read, “Why did you come down here? And with whom have you left those few sheep in the wilderness? I know your pride and the insolence of your heart, for you have come down to see the battle.”

Many around David, even his own family, tried to discourage him from fighting the giant because of their fears and their lack of trust and confidence in the Lord. The enemy was also at work in this situation, trying to prevent David from obeying the calling God had placed on his life.

Opposition to your calling will sometimes come from your own family and closest friends. It happened to me when I started on my abortion healing journey, back in January 2006. It was Sanctity of Human Life Sunday, and I was sitting in my Sunday School class. The Holy Spirit said to me, “I want you to help other women feel forgiven for their past abortions.” People closest to me said, “You shouldn’t do it because you are not suited for it; you should be working with children instead,” or “It’s too hard for you, and you will not be able to handle all the sorrow and pain associated with abortion.”

Entonces, I did nothing for a few weeks. Shortly thereafter, mi pastor predicó sobre la obediencia. When I heard this sermon, there was no denying the pull God had on my heart. I had to do this. I went back to that person who had doubted my calling and abilities and said, “You don’t understand, God is calling me to do this and I must obey Him.”

How can we apply this to our lives? Primero, we must be prepared for many around us, even our own family members, to disagree with our calling. They may cause you to doubt whether you have truly heard from God or not. Many will try to prevent you from fulfilling your God-given calling on your life. They will say, “Are you sure that’s what God is leading you to do?” The enemy will throw everything at you to trip you up, so you do not fulfill your God-given destiny. Your destiny or calling is not something you choose. God is the one who calls you, and He is the one who will equip you for it. In 1st Corinthians 15:58, it says, “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not vain in the Lord.”

You are courageous women of God and I want you to be encouraged. God will equip you for the battle you will face in your ministry. God will prepare you for every good work. Keep your eyes on Jesus and He will lead you, protect you, provide for you, and guide you, all the days of your life.

I would like to pray this prayer over you:

filipenses 1:3-6

“I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine making request for you all with joy, for your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ;"

Follow the Lord’s leading, querido; He can be trusted. He will always lead you to walk on the path of truth, life, and peace.

Reach out today if you need prayer or a word of encouragement. —Toni

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La herramienta del desapego

La herramienta del desapego

John 10:10a, 1Corintios de San 14:33b, Proverbios 6:19b, Jaime 1:19

La herramienta de desapego me da la capacidad de amar a alguien sin quedar atrapado en su disfunción. Satanás es el autor de Confusion, caos, y discordia entre los hermanos y nuestras familias. Ha hecho de esta su misión principal: Para robar, matar, y destruir nuestros testimonios, Nuestras relaciones, nuestra paz, Nuestra alegría, y hacer nuestras vidas miserables. Debemos proteger nuestros corazones de responder a los demás de manera que sean hirientes y malvados, en lugar de decir la verdad en el amor. Usa tu voz de una manera agradable para Dios y para el oyente. Reconocer que todos tienen heridas de su pasado y la forma en que las personas responden a ciertas situaciones tiene mucho que ver con dónde están en su proceso de curación. Es importante recordar, "La gente herida lastima a la gente". Están cegados por sus heridas y no pueden ver cómo están lastimando a otros..

Es extremadamente importante tener límites saludables.. Crecí sin ningún límite. Tuve que educarme sobre los límites y aprender a comunicarlos con los demás.. Eventualmente, Empecé a hablar por mí mismo y a compartir cómo me sentía.. Con el tiempo, Se convirtió en una segunda naturaleza para mí usar mi voz y protegerme de personas o situaciones no saludables.. Empezar algo nuevo siempre es la parte más difícil, pero se vuelve más fácil con el tiempo.

Si no has leído el libro, "Límites,”por Nube y Townsend, te sugiero que lo hagas. Este libro es un recurso muy útil.. En mi viaje con la herramienta del desapego, También tuve que reconocer que no puedo arreglar, rescate, o salvar a nadie. Tuve que darme cuenta de que no puedo controlar a otra persona., ni puedo cambiarlos, sino más bien, dios puede. Tuve que rendirme a Dios y entregarle todo control a Él.. Tan pronto como lo hice, Empecé a sentirme más tranquilo., Más tranquilo y menos ansioso por las cosas..

Cuando confío en Dios y me humillo ante Él, Estoy libre de ser atormentado por el maligno.. un humilde, El espíritu enseñable es un arma muy poderosa contra el enemigo., y Dios se acerca a los humildes. Hay ocasiones en las que necesito salir de una habitación y alejarme de una conversación porque siento que puedo decir algo de lo que me arrepentiré.. Una vez que digo algo que es hiriente, nunca podré recuperarlo. A veces, alejarme de una situación volátil es mi única opción.. Al hacer esto, Tengo la oportunidad de enfriar, pensar, y reza antes de responder a esta persona o situación. Ahora puedo responder, en lugar de simplemente reaccionar sin pensar. Dios quiere que piense y reza antes de hablar, Saber que mis palabras se pueden usar para levantar a los demás o pueden hacer que otros tropiecen.

El desapego me da sabiduría y discernimiento al tratar con una situación o un individuo que está en un estado volátil. No tengo que temer ni estar ansioso, y no tengo que tomar la situación como la mía. En cambio, Puedo reconocer que la ocurrencia no tiene nada que ver conmigo. Puedo responder de manera tranquila y piadosa, y puedo decir la verdad en el amor. Puedo alejarme y regresar cuando estoy más tranquilo y más compuesto. Buscar a Dios durante este proceso me ayuda a permanecer en paz y en control de mis emociones.; Eso es todo de lo que soy responsable, y dejo el resto en las manos de Dios.

En su amor y servicio,

—Toni

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Idolatry and Codependency

Idolatry and Codependency

Idolatry and Codependency
Abortion Recovery/Recovery Tools
Exodus 20:3-5a

Exodus 20:3-5a “You shall have no other gods before Me. “You shall not make for yourself a carved image—any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; you shall not bow down to them nor serve (worship) them. For I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God…”

Idolatry is the act of putting something or someone before God in our hearts or minds. Idols are obsessions that consume us. An idol can be a job, money, a sport or hobby, a relationship, or a physical problem; anything that we put before God.

In the past, I have put my husband, my children, tennis, and other people before God. De hecho, I became so consumed with what others thought of me, I became whoever they wanted me to be as a result, I didn’t know who I truly was. My fear of rejection and abandonment paired with my need for love and acceptance, made me a people pleaser. I had no boundaries so I accepted unacceptable behavior from others. I could never say no because I didn’t want to disappoint them. I allowed people to manipulate me, control me, and treat me very poorly. Deep down I felt I deserved it, especially after my abortion. I hated myself and felt I was of no value to anyone…not even to God. Entonces, I allowed others to abuse me.

To protect myself, I obsessed over controlling everything and everybody. I didn’t trust anyone and believed they would all hurt me…even God Himself. Not having control was a scary thought for me, so I was afraid to put Him first. En 2010, I joined a recovery program for Adult Child of Alcoholics (ACOA). While there, I realized I had to relinquish control to God and admit that my life had become unmanageable. That’s when I started learning how to trust God. I learned to release individuals and situations into His capable hands, freeing me from carrying those burdens and feeling personally responsible for way too many things. I learned that God wanted to be first in my life. Reading His Word, journaling, and meditating on Scripture first thing in the morning became a daily habit for me. I looked forward to my special time with Him and Him alone, everyday

According to Mental Health America, the definition of codependency is an emotional and behavioral condition that affects an individual’s ability to have a healthy, mutually satisfying relationship. It is also known as “relationship addiction” because people with codependency often form or maintain relationships that are one-sided, emotionally destructive and/or abusive (https://www.mhanational.org/co-dependency). In recovery, I learned about the condition of codependency and how I was so intertwined with other people’s lives that I could not detach myself from them. Their lives affected mine too much. I had to step back and allow them to make their own decisions, learn from their mistakes, and experience consequences for their own actions. I no longer had to jump in to fix, rescate, or save others. I learned that I am not God, nor can I control another person. I grew up believing I had the power to make people happy or sad by my words and actions; that was a lie from the devil. I never had that much control. Once I realized this, I surrendered to God and gave Him all the people and situations in my life I had tried to control. Finally, for the first time ever, I was responsible only for myself.

Twelve years later, I now see how God directed my path. He led me to get the help I needed so that I could be set free to live the abundant life Jesus came to give me. He has taken my ashes and my sins and has used them for my good and His glory. I am so grateful for His faithfulness and love over the years. I would not be where I am today if it wasn’t for Jesus leading and guiding me.

Preguntas & Pensamientos de cierre:

IDOL’ATRY, n. l. idol latria. Gr. idol, and to worship or serve.

  1. The worship of idols, images, or anything made by hands, or which is not God. Idolatry is of two kinds; the worship of images, statues, pictures, etc.. made by hands; and the worship of the heavenly bodies, the sun, moon and stars, or of demons, angels, men and animals.
  2. Excessive attachment or veneration (great respect or reverence) for anything, or that which borders on adoration.

(Definitions from Webster’s American Dictionary of the English Language, 1828.)

  1. Do you have idols in your life?
  2. Did you have codependency issues in you past? How did you overcome them?
  3. Do you trust God and are you putting Him first? If not, what are you afraid of?

I pray that this topic has given you awareness about some areas in your life that God wants you to change. God bless you as you seek His wisdom and guidance.

Eres amado,

—Toni

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