Rick Warren's Blog, page 3

Tú Eres El Propósito Del Amor De Dios

“Porque tanto amó Dios al mundo que dio a su Hijo unigénito, para que todo el que cree en él no se pierda, sino que tenga vida eterna”. Juan 3:16 (NVI)

Dios te ama tanto que envió a Jesús en una misión de amor con un mensaje de amor. La Biblia no dice que Dios tiene amor; dice que Dios es amor. El amor es su naturaleza; Dios es amor.

Dios creó todo el universo. Creó este planeta; creó la raza humana. Y te creó a ti porque te ama.

Se podría decir que la razón por la que estás vivo es porque Dios te creó como objeto de su amor. Dios te creó para poder amarte y para que tú puedas amarlo. El amor de Dios por ti es la razón por la que tu corazón está latiendo en este momento; es la razón por la que estás respirando.

La increíble noticia de Dios es que te ama en tus días buenos tanto como en los malos. Te ama cuando puedes sentir su amor, y te ama cuando parece que no puedes sentir su amor. Te ama tanto si crees que mereces su amor como si no.

Nada que puedas hacer hará que Dios deje de amarte. Podrías intentarlo, pero simplemente no podrías hacerlo porque su amor por ti se basa en Su carácter y no en nada de lo que hagas o digas o sientas.

Dios te ama tanto que envió a su único Hijo, Jesús, a este mundo, “para que todo el que cree en él no se pierda, sino que tenga vida eterna” Juan 3:16 (NVI).

Cuando Jesús extendió sus brazos en la cruz, estaba diciendo: “¡Te amo tanto! Te amo tanto que me duele. Te amo tanto que moriré por ti para no tener que vivir sin ti”.

El amor de Dios sobrepasa todo conocimiento humano, y como nos dice Efesios 3:17-19, es imposible que ninguno de nosotros pueda comprender plenamente la anchura, la longitud, la altura y la profundidad del amor de Dios por cada uno de nosotros. ¡Eso es lo mucho que Dios te ama!

Reflexiona sobre esto

¿Cómo expresas el amor de Dios en tus relaciones?¿Qué has hecho que crees que dificulta que Dios te ame? ¿Cómo necesitas la ayuda de Dios para ver las cosas de otra manera?¿Qué importancia crees que tiene sentir el amor de Dios, especialmente en tus días malos o difíciles?Si todavía no has confiado en Jesús y no te has comprometido a seguirlo, ¿por qué esperar más? Si estás listo para cruzar esa línea y tomar la decisión de creer en Jesucristo y seguirlo; haz esta oración.Más recursos en español y en otros idiomas incluyendo ASL — Lenguaje de Signos Americano RickWarren.org.Síguenos en Instagram & Facebook y comparte Esperanza Diaria con tus amigos y familiares.Recibe durante un mes un versículo de inspiración diario por WhatsAppNota: Desafortunadamente tenemos restricciones para enviar mensajes por WhatsApp a CUBA. .fb-background-color { background: #ffffff !important; } .fb_iframe_widget_fluid_desktop iframe { width: 100% !important; }

The post Tú Eres El Propósito Del Amor De Dios appeared first on Pastor Rick's Daily Hope.

Jesus Saves You from the Fear of Death

“The Son also became flesh and blood. For only as a human being could he die, and only by dying could he break the power of the devil, who had the power of death. Only in this way could he set free all who have lived their lives as slaves to the fear of dying.”

Hebrews 2:14-15 (NLT)

Death is a universal fear. Nobody is exempt from it!

But did you know Jesus saved you from that fear? That’s right—Jesus didn’t just save you from your sin. He also saved you from the power and fear of death.

“The Son also became flesh and blood. For only as a human being could he die, and only by dying could he break the power of the devil, who had the power of death. Only in this way could he set free all who have lived their lives as slaves to the fear of dying” (Hebrews 2:14-15 NLT).

Yesterday we looked at the word Jesus shouted immediately before he died on the cross: “Tetelestai!” It’s a Greek word meaning, “It is finished,” and it was his battle cry. It meant that he had defeated death. He had proven to us that we don’t have to be afraid of death—because he was about to come back to life.

In John 11:25, Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying” (NLT). Death is not the end. You don’t have to fear it anymore. 

Because Jesus died on the cross in my place, I am not afraid. Death does not have power over me. I know death is just a transfer, and I know where I’m going when I die. It can be the same for you too—when you trust Jesus as your Savior.

Romans 5:17 says, “For the sin of this one man, Adam, caused death to rule over many. But even greater is God’s wonderful grace and his gift of righteousness, for all who receive it will live in triumph over sin and death through this one man, Jesus Christ” (NLT).

When you become a Christian, you die to sin and are raised to new life, confident that one day you’ll live with Jesus forever. It’s the best thing that could ever happen to you!

Do you have that confidence in Jesus already? Now you can live your life helping other people have that same assurance. As you talk about death and life in Jesus, your story can make other people want to trust Jesus as their Savior too.

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Talk It Over

What aspects of death do you fear? How does today’s Daily Hope devotional help you with those fears?
Is it difficult for you to talk about death? Why or why not?
How does the way you talk about life and death point others to Jesus?

Are you certain of where you will go when you die?

Many people fear death—partly because they don’t know where they’ll go when they die. But Jesus came to save you from that fear of death.

The Bible says that every one of us sins and that the penalty of sin is death. But God loves you so much that he sent his Son, Jesus, to pay the penalty for your sins, to bring you into the family of God, and to save you from the fear of death.

If you’re ready to enter God’s family, here’s a prayer you can pray: “Dear God, I know when I die I’m going to give an account of my life to you directly. I confess I have ignored you. I know I have sinned against you, and I have lived by my plan, not yours. I want that to change, starting right now. I want to turn away from my sins and turn toward you.

“Thank you for sending Jesus to die for all I’ve done wrong so that I don’t have to pay the penalty. I know I don’t deserve your forgiveness. I know only your grace can save me, Lord.

“Jesus, thank you for loving me so much that you took all my guilt on yourself. You made me acceptable for heaven, and I humbly ask you to save me. I ask you to save me from my sins and from my fear of death. I believe in you, Jesus. And I believe that you will keep your promise to save me instantly, certainly, completely, and eternally. In Jesus’ name. Amen.”

If you prayed the prayer above, please write and tell me at Rick@PastorRick.com. I’d like to send you some materials as you begin your journey with Jesus.

The post Jesus Saves You from the Fear of Death appeared first on Pastor Rick's Daily Hope.

Cambia las Relaciones a través de la Oración

Y, si sabemos que Dios oye todas nuestras oraciones, podemos estar seguros de que ya tenemos lo que le hemos pedido”. 1 Juan 5:15 (NVI)

¿Te has preguntado alguna vez si la oración funciona realmente? Estás orando por algo y Satanás te susurra: “¿Quién te crees que eres? ¿Qué crees que estás haciendo? Dios no está escuchando. No pierdas tu tiempo. Olvídalo”.

El orar funciona porque Dios tiene el control. La base de todos los milagros es la soberanía de Dios. ¿Por qué hace uno y no otro? Porque Dios tiene el control. Tenemos que confiar en su sabiduría y en su bondad.

Efesios 3:20 dice: “Por el poder de Dios que obra en nosotros, él puede hacer mucho más de lo que jamás podríamos pedir o imaginar” (PDT).

La oración puede hacer todo lo que Dios quiera hacer. Sus recursos están a tu disposición. Veinte veces en el Nuevo Testamento dice: “Pide”. Es alentador saber que las cosas que están fuera de mi control no están fuera del control de Dios. Tal vez no pueda cambiar una situación, pero puedo orar y Dios puede cambiarla.

Eso incluye cambiar una relación de mala a buena, y la forma más rápida de ver ese cambio es empezar a dar gracias a Dios por las personas con las que tienes dificultades para llevarte bien.

Orar por ellos cambiará tu actitud y los cambiará a ellos. Orar de forma positiva es mucho más poderoso que pensar de forma positiva. Las personas pueden resistirse a nuestra ayuda, despreciar nuestras peticiones y rechazar nuestras sugerencias, pero son impotentes ante nuestras oraciones.

¿Cuál es tu oración? Cuanto más específico seas en la oración, más específica será la respuesta.

En Filipenses 1:9-11, Pablo detalla exactamente lo que ora por las personas. “Esto es lo que pido en oración: que el amor de ustedes abunde cada vez más en conocimiento y en buen juicio, para que disciernan lo que es mejor, y sean puros e irreprochables para el día de Cristo, llenos del fruto de justicia que se produce por medio de Jesucristo, para gloria y alabanza de Dios” (NVI).

Reflexiona sobre esto

Filipenses 1 ofrece cuatro formas específicas en las que puedes orar por las personas hoy. Cuando practiques este hábito, observa cómo cambia tu actitud hacia los demás y cómo los cambia a ellos.

Abunden en el amor: Ora para que crezcan en el amor.

Disciernan lo que es mejor: Ora para que tomen decisiones sabias.

Sean puros e irreprochables: Ora para que hagan lo correcto.

Que estén llenos del fruto de justicia: Ora para que vivan para la gloria de Dios.

Si todavía no has confiado en Jesús y no te has comprometido a seguirlo, ¿por qué esperar más? Si estás listo para cruzar esa línea y tomar la decisión de creer en Jesucristo y seguirlo; haz esta oración.Más recursos en español y en otros idiomas incluyendo ASL — Lenguaje de Signos Americano RickWarren.org.Síguenos en Instagram & Facebook y comparte Esperanza Diaria con tus amigos y familiares.Recibe durante un mes un versículo de inspiración diario por WhatsAppNota: Desafortunadamente tenemos restricciones para enviar mensajes por WhatsApp a CUBA. .fb-background-color { background: #ffffff !important; } .fb_iframe_widget_fluid_desktop iframe { width: 100% !important; }

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Sin Has a Price Tag You Can Never Pay

“When sins have been forgiven, there is no need to offer any more sacrifices.”

Hebrews 10:18 (NLT)

In the Old Testament, the sacrificial system existed to show God’s people that a price had to be paid for their sins. But since Jesus’ death on the cross, there is now no need to offer any more sacrifices. Jesus is the ultimate sacrifice for everything you’ve ever done wrong.

You may feel guilty over something you’ve done wrong. You believe God has forgiven you, but you haven’t really felt that God has forgiven you, and you keep trying to make up for your sins. You may think going to church or tithing or being a good person will get rid of your guilt.

But you’re trying to pay off a debt that’s already been paid!

“When sins have been forgiven, there is no need to offer any more sacrifices” (Hebrews 10:18 NLT).

Jesus’ sacrifice was final. It was complete, and it is finished—then, now, and forever. That’s good news! There will never be anything more you can do to pay for your sin, because it’s already all been paid for by Jesus.

There’s no need to keep repaying for your mistakes.

An elderly woman went to her insurance company and told them, “My husband died five years ago, and I just can’t afford to pay his life insurance premium anymore.” They told her, “Ma’am, you don’t need to. It’s been paid off, and now you get to benefit from it. Because he died, you are now going to benefit from his death. You don’t have to pay anything anymore.”

In a sense, that’s what Jesus did for you.

As he was dying on the cross, Jesus cried out, “Tetelestai!” which means, “It is finished.” It’s been paid in full. You don’t have to pay anything more. You just get to benefit from it.

Forgiveness, salvation, and abundant life—they’re all yours when you accept by faith that Jesus’ death on the cross paid the price for every sin you’ve ever committed and every sin you’ll commit in the future. Don’t wait. Receive his forgiveness today.

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Talk It Over

What is the one thing you have believed God could never forgive? Do you now believe Jesus’ sacrifice is enough for even this sin?
Once you believe Jesus has forgiven your sin, what else might you need to do to experience resolution and restoration?
How often do you confess your sin? How does this affect the amount of guilt you carry with you?

Jesus paid it all.

The Bible says all people fall short of God’s perfect standard. Yet God still loves you—even though you sin and you’re flawed. In fact, God loves you so much that he sent his Son, Jesus, to cleanse you from your sins and to bring you into the family of God.

If you’re ready to enter God’s family, here’s a prayer you can pray: “Dear God, I know that when I die I’m going to give an account of my life to you directly. I confess I have ignored you. I know I have sinned against you, and I have lived by my plan, not yours. I want that to change, starting right now. I want to turn away from my sins toward you.

“Thank you for sending Jesus to die for all that I’ve done wrong so that I don’t have to pay the penalty. I know that I don’t deserve your forgiveness. I know that only by your grace I’m saved.

“Jesus, thank you for loving me so much that you took all my guilt on yourself. You made me acceptable for heaven, and I humbly ask you to save me. I ask you to save me from the sins and the habits that are messing up my life right now. I believe in you, Jesus. And I believe that you will keep your promise to save me instantly and certainly and completely and eternally. In Jesus’ name. Amen.”

If you prayed the prayer above, please write and tell me at Rick@PastorRick.com. I’d like to send you some materials as you begin your journey with Jesus.

The post Sin Has a Price Tag You Can Never Pay appeared first on Pastor Rick's Daily Hope.

Empieza con las Necesidades de Otros

“Cada uno debe velar no solo por sus propios intereses, sino también por los intereses de los demás”. Filipenses 2:4 (NVI)

Si quieres conectar con las personas, empieza por sus necesidades, no por las tuyas. Empieza por sus heridas, no por las tuyas. Empieza por lo que ellos quieren, no por lo que tú quieres. Hay un viejo dicho que dice: “Procura primero comprender después ser comprendido”.

La Biblia lo expresa de forma similar. Tienes que pensar primero en los demás y no preocuparte de ser entendido. Trata de entenderlos. Así es como se establece esa primera conexión.

La Escritura nos dice: “Cada uno debe velar no solo por sus propios intereses, sino también por los intereses de los demás” Filipenses 2:4 (NVI). Ese es un versículo tan contracultural. Desde el momento en que nacemos, todo en nuestra cultura nos condiciona a pensar primero en nosotros mismos.

Hay dos verdades básicas sobre la vida. En primer lugar, el mundo no gira a tu alrededor. Sé que eso es chocante. Sí, eres especial a los ojos de Dios. Sí, fuiste creado con un propósito. Pero el mundo no gira a tu alrededor.

Esta es la segunda verdad básica de la vida: Dios ha prometido que cuando te concentras en suplir las necesidades de los demás, Él suplirá las tuyas. Si quieres que Dios supla tus necesidades, comienza a suplir las de otros. ¿Por qué? Porque Dios quiere que aprendas a no ser egoísta. Quiere que aprendas a ser amoroso y generoso como Él.

Colosenses 3:13 nos dice: “Sean comprensivos con las faltas de los demás y perdonen a todo el que los ofenda. Recuerden que el Señor los perdonó a ustedes, así que ustedes deben perdonar a otros” (NTV). Parte de ser considerado con las necesidades de los demás es no esperar que sean perfectos, y ser comprensivos con sus defectos.

Los grandes amigos son personas que olvidan. Olvidan las cosas malas intencionadamente. El amor olvida los errores.

Un buen amigo es sensible a las necesidades de los demás.

Reflexiona sobre esto

¿De qué manera puedes suplir las necesidades de los demás esta semana?¿Cómo han afectado las faltas o los errores a una amistad en tu vida?¿Cómo puedes reparar esa amistad dañada y establecer una conexión aún más profunda? ¿Qué necesitas olvidar?Si todavía no has confiado en Jesús y no te has comprometido a seguirlo, ¿por qué esperar más? Si estás listo para cruzar esa línea y tomar la decisión de creer en Jesucristo y seguirlo; haz esta oración.Más recursos en español y en otros idiomas incluyendo ASL — Lenguaje de Signos Americano RickWarren.org.Síguenos en Instagram & Facebook y comparte Esperanza Diaria con tus amigos y familiares.Recibe durante un mes un versículo de inspiración diario por WhatsAppNota: Desafortunadamente tenemos restricciones para enviar mensajes por WhatsApp a CUBA. .fb-background-color { background: #ffffff !important; } .fb_iframe_widget_fluid_desktop iframe { width: 100% !important; }

The post Empieza con las Necesidades de Otros appeared first on Pastor Rick's Daily Hope.

Three Lessons to Keep You in the Race

“An athlete goes to all this trouble just to win a blue ribbon or a silver cup, but we do it for a heavenly reward that never disappears. So I run straight to the goal with purpose in every step. I fight to win.”

1 Corinthians 9:25-26 (TLB)

Did you know that you’re in a race?

The Bible says in 1 Corinthians 9:24-26, “In a race everyone runs, but only one person gets first prize. So run your race to win. To win the contest you must deny yourselves many things that would keep you from doing your best. An athlete goes to all this trouble just to win a blue ribbon or a silver cup, but we do it for a heavenly reward that never disappears. So I run straight to the goal with purpose in every step. I fight to win” (TLB).

While you’re running your race, I don’t want you to get sidelined or run off into a ditch. I want you to make it to the finish line and win the prize.

Just like the soldier, the athlete has three things to teach us about being our best.

1. You must intend to win.
This is the difference in being a casual Christian and a committed Christian. Is there a difference between a competitive golfer and a casual golfer? Oh yeah. The committed golfer is playing to win. The casual golfer is just having fun during his time off. The difference is the degree of seriousness.

If you’re going to win in life, it’s not going to happen by accident or without effort. How serious are you about being who God made you to be?

2. You must discipline yourself.
No athlete becomes a professional athlete without training. There are no shortcuts to maturity. There are no shortcuts to greatness.

What are some things you can do without so you can spend more time with God, give more, serve more, and be more of what God wants you to be?

3. You must stay focused on the reward.
You can handle enormous pain and discipline in your life if you realize there’s a purpose for it and a payoff at the end.

The Message paraphrase says in Hebrews 12:2, “Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we’re in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed—that exhilarating finish in and with God—he could put up with anything along the way: Cross, shame, whatever. And now he’s there, in the place of honor, right alongside God.”

Stay focused on the prize: eternity with Jesus Christ!

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Talk It Over

Would the people you work with or go to school with call you a committed or casual Christian? Why?
In what areas of your life do you need to become more disciplined?
What are some practical ways you can “keep your eyes on Jesus”?

The post Three Lessons to Keep You in the Race appeared first on Pastor Rick's Daily Hope.

Acepta a Otros Como Cristo te Aceptó a Ti

“Por tanto, acéptense mutuamente, así como Cristo los aceptó a ustedes para gloria de Dios”. Romanos 15:7 (NVI)

Dios nos acepta a pesar de nuestras vidas desordenadas, motivos impuros y actitudes irritantes. Una de las formas que reflejamos el amor de Dios y le damos gloria es aceptándonos unos a otros, así como Él nos aceptó. Esto significa que aceptamos las peculiaridades de otros y pasamos por alto sus faltas para ver individuos creados a la imagen de Dios.

Para ser más como Jesús, solo necesitas el apoyo de un grupo pequeño. Dios nos diseñó para madurar espiritualmente con la ayuda de otros. Por ejemplo, no podemos aprender a amar a otros por nuestra cuenta. Necesitamos aprender a aceptarnos mutuamente incondicionalmente, así como Cristo nos acepta incondicionalmente.

La Biblia dice, “Por tanto, acéptense mutuamente, así como Cristo los aceptó a ustedes para gloria de Dios” Romanos 15:7 (NVI).

Esta aceptación convierte cualquier grupo pequeño en un ambiente seguro, donde las personas pueden expresar sus temores, dudas y luchas sin miedo. Es un lugar donde se propicia un cambio duradero.

Reflexiona sobre esto:

¿Qué eventos de tu pasado dificultan que creas que Dios te acepta?¿Por qué crees que las personas están dispuestas a cambiar después, en lugar de antes de encontrar aceptación?¿Cuál sería la cosa más difícil de compartir con tu grupo pequeño? Pídele a Dios que te ayude a derribar barreras y ser vulnerable y transparente con tu grupo.Si todavía no has confiado en Jesús y no te has comprometido a seguirlo, ¿por qué esperar más? Si estás listo para cruzar esa línea y tomar la decisión de creer en Jesucristo y seguirlo; haz esta oración.Más recursos en español y en otros idiomas incluyendo ASL — Lenguaje de Signos Americano RickWarren.org.Síguenos en Instagram & Facebook y comparte Esperanza Diaria con tus amigos y familiares.Recibe durante un mes un versículo de inspiración diario por WhatsAppNota: Desafortunadamente tenemos restricciones para enviar mensajes por WhatsApp a CUBA. .fb-background-color { background: #ffffff !important; } .fb_iframe_widget_fluid_desktop iframe { width: 100% !important; }

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How to Satisfy Your Spiritual Thirst

“Anyone who drinks this water will soon become thirsty again. But those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again. It becomes a fresh, bubbling spring within them, giving them eternal life.”

John 4:13-14 (NLT)

Do you feel unsatisfied with your life? Are you ready to live a fulfilled, meaningful life? It’s time to start looking for satisfaction in Jesus alone.

If you’re like most people, you’re always looking around, trying to find something to make you feel happy and significant. You think, “If I could just land that job, fix that imperfection, drive that car, or live in that house, then life would be perfect—then I’d be satisfied.”

But the pursuit of those things will leave you exhausted because they will never really satisfy.

The Bible says, “My people have done two evils: They have turned away from me, the spring of living water. And they have dug their own wells, which are broken wells that cannot hold water” (Jeremiah 2:13 NCV).

Not only do we reject God and not look to him to meet our needs and bring satisfaction, but we also try to meet our needs on our own. The wells you’ve dug—things like a lucrative career, good looks, a luxury car, or the perfect house—aren’t going to hold water.

In John 4:13-14, Jesus says, “Anyone who drinks this water will soon become thirsty again. But those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again. It becomes a fresh, bubbling spring within them, giving them eternal life” (NLT).

The pleasures of this world will never satisfy; they will only make you thirstier! The house you finally get soon becomes small compared to the bigger house. The coveted job isn’t as good as the next rung up on the ladder. And when your thirsts lead to sin, they can become addictive. If you don’t believe that, ask anybody who’s looked at pornography—once is not enough. If you have a problem with anger, you’re not going to lash out just once. Sin creates greater thirst for satisfaction.

That’s how it is with every pursuit outside of Jesus. It will only leave you thirstier than you were before!

But Jesus offers living water that will permanently satisfy your thirst.

If you feel unsatisfied with your life, you’re spiritually thirsty. And the only one who can quench that thirst is Jesus. He’s waiting for you to come to him. He’s eager to fill the void only he can fill.

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Talk It Over

If you’re a follower of Jesus, what did you thirst for before you met Jesus? How has Jesus satisfied your thirst?
How have you relied on yourself to satisfy your spiritual thirst? How did it affect you physically and spiritually?
Who in your life needs to hear about the living water Jesus offers?

Trust Jesus to quench your spiritual thirst.

“Dear God, I want to be a part of your family forever. I'm thirsty for living water, and I’m tired of living without you. I know I have sinned, and I ask you to forgive me. I want to come home to your love and forgiveness.

“Father, I need your peace. I need your strength in my life. Please give me a new sense of hope and joy as I trust you. Thank you for sending your Son, Jesus, so I can have a relationship with you.

“Jesus, today I'm opening up my life to you. I accept that you are my Lord and Savior. I want you to quench my spiritual thirst. I want to live the way you want me to live, the way I was created to live, fulfilling the purpose I was created for. I want to follow you for the rest of my life and to spend eternity with you in heaven. Thank you, Jesus. Amen.”

If you just prayed to accept Jesus, please email me at Rick@PastorRick.com and let me know about it. I’d like to send you some free materials to help you start your journey with Jesus.

The post How to Satisfy Your Spiritual Thirst appeared first on Pastor Rick's Daily Hope.

No Sólo Cree. ¡Pertenece!

“La familia de Dios, que es la iglesia del Dios vivo, columna y sostén de la verdad”. 1 Timoteo 3:15 (NBV)

Estás llamado a pertenecer, no sólo a creer.

Incluso en el entorno perfecto y sin pecado del Edén, Dios dijo: “No es bueno que el hombre esté solo” Génesis 2:18 (NVI).

Fuimos creados para la comunidad, formados para el compañerismo y para una familia, y ninguno de nosotros puede cumplir los propósitos de Dios por sí solo. La Biblia no sabe nada de santos solitarios o ermitaños espirituales.

Aunque tu relación con Cristo es personal, Dios nunca pretende que sea privada. En la familia de Dios estás conectado con todos los demás creyentes. La Biblia dice: “también nosotros, siendo muchos, formamos un solo cuerpo en Cristo, y cada miembro está unido a todos los demás” Romanos 12:5 (NVI).

Seguir a Cristo incluye pertenecer, no solamente creer. El autor y teólogo británico C.S. Lewis señaló que la palabra membresía es de origen cristiano, pero el mundo la ha despojado de su significado original. Las tiendas ofrecen descuentos a los “miembros”, y los anunciantes utilizan los nombres de los miembros para crear listas de correo. En las iglesias, la afiliación se reduce a menudo a añadir el nombre a una lista, sin requisitos ni expectativas.

Para Pablo, ser “miembro” de la iglesia significaba ser un órgano vital de un cuerpo vivo, una parte indispensable e interconectada del cuerpo de Cristo. Necesitamos recuperar y practicar el significado bíblico de la membresía. La iglesia es un cuerpo, no un edificio; un organismo, no una organización. Estas verdades están en pasajes como Romanos 12:4-5, 1 Corintios 6:15 y 1 Corintios 12:12-27.

Reflexiona sobre esto  

¿De qué manera has mantenido tu relación con Cristo en privado?¿Qué significa en la práctica que cada miembro “pertenezca a todos los demás”?¿Cómo practicas el significado bíblico de ser miembro de tu iglesia?Si todavía no has confiado en Jesús y no te has comprometido a seguirlo, ¿por qué esperar más? Si estás listo para cruzar esa línea y tomar la decisión de creer en Jesucristo y seguirlo; haz esta oración.Más recursos en español y en otros idiomas incluyendo ASL — Lenguaje de Signos Americano RickWarren.org.Síguenos en Instagram & Facebook y comparte Esperanza Diaria con tus amigos y familiares.Recibe durante un mes un versículo de inspiración diario por WhatsAppNota: Desafortunadamente tenemos restricciones para enviar mensajes por WhatsApp a CUBA. .fb-background-color { background: #ffffff !important; } .fb_iframe_widget_fluid_desktop iframe { width: 100% !important; }

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Jesus Chose to Suffer for You

“God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

Romans 5:8 (NIV)

Few people are willing to suffer for someone else. But Jesus was willing. He didn’t suffer for just one person though; he chose to suffer for all the people in the world!

John 19 describes some of Jesus’ suffering: “After this, Jesus knew that everything had been done. So that the Scripture would come true, he said, ‘I am thirsty.’ There was a jar full of vinegar there, so the soldiers soaked a sponge in it, put the sponge on a branch of a hyssop plant, and lifted it to Jesus’ mouth” (John 19:28-29 NCV).

On the cross, Jesus experienced the torment of being separated from his Father. Jesus also experienced physical agony—and he was thirsty. He suffered not just from pain but also from great thirst.

Jesus didn’t deserve to suffer for everyone’s sins. He did nothing wrong. He committed no crimes. He didn’t hurt anyone. He lived a perfect life.

So why was he crucified?

Jesus died for the redemption of others. We each deserve to suffer for our own sins. But Jesus was willing to suffer and thirst for you so that you could go to heaven. He was thirsty on the cross for your benefit.

“God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8 NIV).

Jesus’ love for you is so great, so deep, and so wide that he was willing to take your sin as his own and cover it with his righteousness. Your sin cost him his life. He considers you worth it!

He suffered so that you won’t have to. He went through hell on the cross so that you won’t have to go to hell for eternity. He covered you and protected you from the punishment and pain.

Jesus willingly died so you could have eternal life. He chose to suffer to buy your redemption.

You never have to wonder how much God loves you. He already showed you on the cross!

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Talk It Over

Why do you think God wants you with him in heaven forever?
Besides his love, what does Jesus’ suffering reveal to you about God’s character?
How does understanding how bad your sin is help you understand how much God loves you?

Jesus is your Redeemer.

The Bible says that every one of us sins and that the penalty for sin is death. But God loves you so much that he sent his Son, Jesus, to pay the penalty for your sins, to bring you into the family of God, and to save you from the fear of death.

If you’re ready to enter God’s family, here’s a prayer you can pray:

“Dear God, I know when I die, I’m going to give an account of my life to you directly. I confess I have ignored you. I know I have sinned against you, and I have lived by my plan, not yours. I want that to change, starting right now. I want to turn away from my sins and toward you.

“Thank you for sending Jesus to die for all I’ve done wrong so I don’t have to pay the penalty. I know I don’t deserve your forgiveness. I know only your grace can save me, Lord.

“Jesus, thank you for loving me so much that you took all my guilt on yourself and suffered for me. You made me acceptable for heaven, and I humbly ask you to save me. I ask you to save me from my sins and fear of death. I believe in you, Jesus. And I believe you will keep your promise to save me instantly, certainly, completely, and eternally. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.”

If you prayed the prayer above, please write and tell me at Rick@PastorRick.com. I’d like to send you some materials as you begin your journey with Jesus.

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