<ESPAÑOL>

February 02nd

How to Live in Difficult Times!

 

Rejoice!

By Riqui Ricón*

Rejoice in the Lord, O ye righteous: for praise is comely for the upright. (Psalm 33:1, KJV)

Praising God is a delight! It is very difficult to find a believer who does not rejoice when pouring out their heart in praise and worship to the One who is worthy to receive all glory, forever and ever, Christ Jesus.

However, there is a greater delight, a more excellent joy, that allows you to enjoy all the Fullness of God, and it is knowing and believing that you are righteous, for being righteous is what allows you to rejoice in the Lord.

But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus. (Romans 3:21- 26, KJV)

When people spoke of righteousness, integrity, and holiness in the past, you probably felt a lot of pity for yourself, believing that you had already lost and discarded those virtues by making bad decisions and leading a life of sin. But now, according to the Bible—which is the Word of God and does not lie—you have been justified freely by the Grace of God, through the redemption that Christ Jesus carried out for you by paying the RIGHTEOUS price for ALL your sins!

This means that, regardless of what you have done in and with your life, now, through Christ Jesus, you are righteous. God brought this about in your favor to manifest His righteousness, which is more sublime than yours, overlooking your sins so that He might be the just one and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus!

Why did God do such a thing for you?

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. (John 3:16-17, KJV)

So, God loved you so much that He gave His Son SO THAT YOU MAY BELIEVE IN HIM and have eternal life by being justified, MADE RIGHTEOUS, by His righteousness.

God loves you so much that He preferred to give up His own Son rather than lose you!

You might say to me, "I know the Bible says it, but how can that be possible?" This is only possible through divine intervention; it is through an amazing miracle that, fully satisfying all justice, God has used His Word and His Power to make you a TOTALLY NEW person.

It is through the miracle of the New Birth that God transferred you from darkness into His marvelous light. It is through the New Birth that God transformed you from a miserable sinner condemned to eternal death into the righteousness of God; it is through the New Birth that you were transformed into a beloved child of the heavenly Father, bought by Love at the price of the Life and Blood of His Son Jesus Christ.

Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. (2 Corinthians 5:17-19, KJV)

Now you are a New Creation! Now you are reconciled with God!

Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God (1 John 5:1a, KJV).

When you recognized Jesus as Lord and Savior of your life, the spirit that you were—which was dead in trespasses and sins—was annihilated on that cross. Now, your New Birth does not mean you came back to life to keep being the same person you were before (or someone very similar), but rather that you were created anew; that is, made totally new by the Holy Spirit and the Word of God, to enjoy Eternal, Full, and Abundant Life.

Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever. (1 Peter 1:23, KJV)

Therefore, you have been declared by God to be righteous, upright, and holy, and you have the right to a life full of joy, peace, health, prosperity, and victory.

Don’t misunderstand me; this doesn’t mean you won't have problems or major setbacks. No! Quite the opposite! Jesus Christ said, These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world. (John 16:33, KJV)

Yes, you will have trials and afflictions, but the Lord will deliver you from them all, and you will come out more than a conqueror through the One who loved you, Christ Jesus. For you are righteous in God’s eyes, and not only are you righteous, but you are the righteousness of God. Furthermore, you belong to Him; you are His beloved child and you have already overcome the world because greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world.

Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world. (1 John 4:4, KJV)

So, no matter what situation you are facing today, Rejoice! God, your Father, is with you, and if God is for you, who (I truly ask), who can be against you?

Let’s pray out loud:

Beloved heavenly Father, it is so beautiful to know I am so loved by You. Thank You, Lord Jesus, because You not only provided forgiveness for my sins, but You made me the righteousness of God in You and reconciled me with God, making me Your sibling and a child of the Father. Because of You, my beloved Jesus, I have been Born Again, and now God the Almighty is Abba, Father, my Daddy. Reading about this in Your Word, the Bible, makes me know the Truth and the Truth sets me free. I am free to receive, through faith in You, Jesus Christ, this New Life. I am free to receive, through faith in Your Word, this identity as a Born Again child of God, being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.

Therefore, beloved heavenly Father, each and every one of the Promises in Your Word are mine and for me. Today I can pray to You with the certainty that You hear me and answer me. I have joy and peace in my heart because I can ask and receive. Therefore, in the powerful name of Jesus Christ, I declare that I am healed and free from every sickness or ailment; I believe and receive the expressed will of my Father, Almighty God, to be and live prosperously in all things. I cast out of my life every thought of fear and doubt, resisting every deception and lie about myself. I am what the Bible says I am: a beloved child of God; my Father's special treasure; I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me, and in all things—absolutely all things—I am more than a conqueror through the Love of Christ Jesus, my King, Lord, and Savior. Lord Jesus, today I rejoice in the joy and peace that comes from being the person You say I am. Amen.

Important Note:

How do I become a Child of God? How do I establish a relationship with the Almighty?

Just say the following prayer aloud, putting all your attention and heart into what you are saying to God:

 

Lord Jesus, I believe that You are the Son of God. That You came into this world, born of the virgin Mary, to pay for all my sins, and I have been a sinner. Therefore, today I say that I accept. I accept Your sacrifice on the cross! I accept Your precious Blood shed to the last drop out of love for me! I open my heart to You and invite You in because I want, Lord Jesus, that from today and forever You be my only and sufficient Savior, my God, my King, and my Lord.

Thank You, Almighty God, because with this simple prayer and profession of faith I have passed from death to Life, I have been transferred from darkness to Your marvelous Light. Today I have been Born Again! God, now I am Your Child! Now You are my Father! I will never be alone again! I will never live defeated again. In the name of Jesus. Amen.

 

Three Recommendations:

What just happened by you recognizing Jesus Christ as the Lord and Savior of your life, according to God's Word, is that you have been Born Again. No longer as an ordinary human being, subject to the law of sin and death, but now as a legitimate and authentic Child of God, Born Again, exactly like Jesus Christ, who is now your Older Brother. Therefore, I give you these three, very important, recommendations:

1.    Pray. Praying is talking with God. So, find a quiet place where you can begin talking to Him about everything. Do it out loud, and you will notice how God always responds to your heart.

 

2.    Read and meditate on the Word of God. The Bible is the Word of God, so get a Bible and start reading and meditating on it. How do you begin? It’s very simple. Depending on the day, look up the reading program “The

Bible in One Year” and do the corresponding readings. You can get this program at: Through The Bible In One Year (palabradehonor.org). You will notice that the program is set up so you can print it as a booklet.

 

3.    In prayer with God, your Father, look for and join a Christian church or congregation where the Word of God is taught based on the Good News, which are the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

 

Ricardo C. Peredo Jaime © 2020

Reading and Meditation on the Word of God

Do these daily readings, and by the end of one year you will have read the entire Bible.

February 2    Luke 23.26-56 / Genesis 42 / Psalm 33 Luke

26  And as they led him away, they laid hold upon one Simon, a Cyrenian, coming out of the country, and on him they laid the cross, that he might bear it after Jesus.

27  And there followed him a great company of people, and of women, which also bewailed and lamented him.

28  But Jesus turning unto them said, Daughters of Jerusalem, weep not for me, but weep for yourselves, and for your children.

29  For, behold, the days are coming, in the which they shall say, Blessed are the barren, and the wombs that never bare, and the paps which never gave suck.

30  Then shall they begin to say to the mountains, Fall on us; and to the hills, Cover us.

31  For if they do these things in a green tree, what shall be done in the dry?

32  And there were also two other, malefactors, led with him to be put to death.

33  And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left.

34  Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.

35  And the people stood beholding. And the rulers also with them derided him, saying, He saved others; let him save himself, if he be Christ, the chosen of God.

36  And the soldiers also mocked him, coming to him, and offering him vinegar,

37  And saying, If thou be the king of the Jews, save thyself.

38  And a superscription also was written over him in letters of Greek, and Latin, and Hebrew, THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.

39  And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us.

40  But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation?

41  And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss.

42  And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.

43  And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with me in paradise.

44  And it was about the sixth hour, and there was a darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour.

45  And the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was rent in the midst.

46  And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost.

47  Now when the centurion saw what was done, he glorified God, saying, Certainly this was a righteous man.

48  And all the people that came together to that sight, beholding the things which were done, smote their breasts, and returned.

49  And all his acquaintance, and the women that followed him from Galilee, stood afar off, beholding these things.

50  And, behold, there was a man named Joseph, a counsellor; and he was a good man, and a just:

51  (The same had not consented to the counsel and deed of them;) he was of Arimathaea, a city of the Jews: who also himself waited for the kingdom of God.

52  This man went unto Pilate, and begged the body of Jesus.

53  And he took it down, and wrapped it in linen, and laid it in a sepulchre that was hewn in stone, wherein never man before was laid.

54  And that day was the preparation, and the sabbath drew on.

55  And the women also, which came with him from Galilee, followed after, and beheld the sepulchre, and how his body was laid.

56  And they returned, and prepared spices and ointments; and rested the sabbath day according to the commandment.

 

 

Genesis

 

42 Now when Jacob saw that there was corn in Egypt, Jacob said unto his sons, Why do ye look one upon another?

2  And he said, Behold, I have heard that there is corn in Egypt: get you down thither, and buy for us from thence; that we may live, and not die.

3  And Joseph's ten brethren went down to buy corn in Egypt.

4  But Benjamin, Joseph's brother, Jacob sent not with his brethren; for he said, Lest peradventure mischief befall him.

5  And the sons of Israel came to buy corn among those that came: for the famine was in the land of Canaan.

6  And Joseph was the governor over the land, and he it was that sold to all the people of the land: and Joseph's brethren came, and bowed down themselves before him with their faces to the earth.

7  And Joseph saw his brethren, and he knew them, but made himself strange unto them, and spake roughly unto them; and he said unto them, Whence come ye? And they said, From the land of Canaan to buy food.

8  And Joseph knew his brethren, but they knew not him.

9  And Joseph remembered the dreams which he dreamed of them, and said unto them, Ye are spies; to see the nakedness of the land ye are come.

10  And they said unto him, Nay, my lord, but to buy food are thy servants come.

11  We are all one man's sons; we are true men, thy servants are no spies.

12  And he said unto them, Nay, but to see the nakedness of the land ye are come.

13  And they said, Thy servants are twelve brethren, the sons of one man in the land of Canaan; and, behold, the youngest is this day with our father, and one is not.

14  And Joseph said unto them, That is it that I spake unto you, saying, Ye are spies:

15  Hereby ye shall be proved: By the life of Pharaoh ye shall not go forth hence, except your youngest brother come hither.

16  Send one of you, and let him fetch your brother, and ye shall be kept in prison, that your words may be proved, whether there be any truth in you: or else by the life of Pharaoh surely ye are spies.

17  And he put them all together into ward three days.

18  And Joseph said unto them the third day, This do, and live; for I fear God:

19  If ye be true men, let one of your brethren be bound in the house of your prison: go ye, carry corn for the famine of your houses:

20  But bring your youngest brother unto me; so shall your words be verified, and ye shall not die. And they did so.

21  And they said one to another, We are verily guilty concerning our brother, in that we saw the anguish of his soul, when he besought us, and we would not hear; therefore is this distress come upon us.

22  And Reuben answered them, saying, Spake I not unto you, saying, Do not sin against the child; and ye would not hear? therefore, behold, also his blood is required.

23  And they knew not that Joseph understood them; for he spake unto them by an interpreter.

24  And he turned himself about from them, and wept; and returned to them again, and communed with them, and took from them Simeon, and bound him before their eyes.

25  Then Joseph commanded to fill their sacks with corn, and to restore every man's money into his sack, and to give them provision for the way: and thus did he unto them.

26  And they laded their asses with the corn, and departed thence.

27  And as one of them opened his sack to give his ass provender in the inn, he espied his money; for, behold, it was in his sack's mouth.

28  And he said unto his brethren, My money is restored; and, lo, it is even in my sack: and their heart failed them, and they were afraid, saying one to another, What is this that God hath done unto us?

29  And they came unto Jacob their father unto the land of Canaan, and told him all that befell unto them; saying,

30  The man, who is the lord of the land, spake roughly to us, and took us for spies of the country.

31  And we said unto him, We are true men; we are no spies:

32  We be twelve brethren, sons of our father; one is not, and the youngest is this day with our father in the land of Canaan.

33  And the man, the lord of the country, said unto us, Hereby shall I know that ye are true men; leave one of your brethren here with me, and take food for the famine of your households, and be gone:

34  And bring your youngest brother unto me: then shall I know that ye are no spies, but that ye are true men: so will I deliver you your brother, and ye shall traffick in the land.

35  And it came to pass as they emptied their sacks, that, behold, every man's bundle of money was in his sack: and when both they and their father saw the bundles of money, they were afraid.

36  And Jacob their father said unto them, Me have ye bereaved of my children: Joseph is not, and Simeon is not, and ye will take Benjamin away: all these things are against me.

37  And Reuben spake unto his father, saying, Slay my two sons, if I bring him not to thee: deliver him into my hand, and I will bring him to thee again.

38  And he said, My son shall not go down with you; for his brother is dead, and he is left alone: if mischief befall him by the way in the which ye go, then shall ye bring down my gray hairs with sorrow to the grave.

 

 

Psalm

33 Rejoice in the LORD, O ye righteous: for praise is comely for the upright.

2  Praise the LORD with harp: sing unto him with the psaltery and an instrument of ten strings.

3  Sing unto him a new song; play skilfully with a loud noise.

4  For the word of the LORD is right; and all his works are done in truth.

5  He loveth righteousness and judgment: the earth is full of the goodness of the LORD.

6  By the word of the LORD were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth.

7  He gathereth the waters of the sea together as an heap: he layeth up the depth in storehouses.

8  Let all the earth fear the LORD: let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him.

9  For he spake, and it was done; he commanded, and it stood fast.

10  The LORD bringeth the counsel of the heathen to nought: he maketh the devices of the people of none effect.

11  The counsel of the LORD standeth for ever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations.

12  Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance.

13  The LORD looketh from heaven; he beholdeth all the sons of men.

14  From the place of his habitation he looketh upon all the inhabitants of the earth.

15  He fashioneth their hearts alike; he considereth all their works.

16  There is no king saved by the multitude of an host: a mighty man is not delivered by much strength.

17  An horse is a vain thing for safety: neither shall he deliver any by his great strength.

18  Behold, the eye of the LORD is upon them that fear him, upon them that hope in his mercy;

19  To deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine.

20  Our soul waiteth for the LORD: he is our help and our shield.

21  For our heart shall rejoice in him, because we have trusted in his holy name.

22  Let thy mercy, O LORD, be upon us, according as we hope in thee.