31 Thursday Oct 2013
Posted in Reflection
Through Christ we can thrive under pressure. When we realize our weakness, we look to Christ for our strength. I hope this video encourages you and helps you see how God’s strength can give us everything we need in our weakness.
If you ever come across anything you’d like me to post on this blog, please feel free to contact me at dino.evangelista@gmail.com.
17 Thursday Oct 2013
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God is God! He created us and brought our lives into existence. Who are we to question His sovereign will for our lives and the lives of those around us. Isaiah 29:16 says, You turn things upside down, as if the potter were thought to be like the clay! Shall what is formed say to the one who formed it, “You did not make me”? Can the pot say to the potter, “You know nothing”? Our job is to obey and be available for His calling on our lives. He ultimately has what is best for us in His mind. We must trust that even if it is not in this lifetime, His will, in the end, will save us. Lamentations 3:22-23 says it best, 22 Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. 23 They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. God’s faithfulness never fails. It is our faith in Him that we should be concerned with most.
14 Monday Oct 2013
Posted in Reflection
For today’s reflection post, I wanted to share a video about Theologian Dwight Peterson and the power of shared faith as a community of believers. Unfortunately, I am unable to embed the video, so I have to share the link for the page where it exists.
http://www.theworkofthepeople.com/losing-my-faith
The following is the synopsis about this video: Theologian Dwight Peterson on the story of the healing of the paralytic in Mark 2 and how others hold our faith when we don’t have any and doubt is prevailing. Dwight has been on hospice (at home) since July 16, 2012, due to deterioration and infection of his hips and pelvis, secondary to the paraplegia he has lived with since 1979. Hospice is for people who are probably in the last six months of life, so no one expected Dwight to still be around now. We’re glad he is.
If you ever come across anything you’d like me to post on this blog, please feel free to contact me at dino.evangelista@gmail.com.
08 Sunday Sep 2013
Posted in Daily Reading
Today we begin reading the book of Job. Moses was a possible author of this book and chronologically, it is believed to have been the first book of the Bible ever written. This is a very difficult book to read, but it is an essential book for all believers because it speaks about faith and God’s sovereignty even when we suffer. The important thing to remember is that even in his intense suffering, Job never cursed God. In the third chapter Job does curse the day of his birth, but never curses God for allowing the suffering to occur in his life. Job’s life is an example of trusting God even in the most difficult of situations. Suffering may happen in our lives, but God never leaves us, and more importantly, He never stops loving us. This will be a long book to read with 42 chapters, but if we read it with the mindset of understanding how to handle suffering, we can learn a lot from this book.
06 Friday Sep 2013
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Today we are reading the entire second book of Timothy. This is the second and final instructions Paul gave to Timothy who was the pastor of the church at Ephesus. Paul wrote this to Timothy as he sat alone in prison. Because this is Paul’s final letter, it reveals his heart and his priorities; sound doctrine, faith, endurance, and love. The key verse for this letter comes right in the beginning of the book, 2 Timothy 1:7, For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline. If we truly trust in God and allow ourselves to take on the spirit and character of God, we will have everything we need to face the trials of this life in this world.
05 Thursday Sep 2013
Posted in Daily Reading
In the book of Esther we see God’s hand clearly working in the lives of the people who trust in Him. Even when it looks like the world is firmly in the hands of evil people, God is still in control, protecting those who belong to Him. We may not always understand what is happening around us or why it is happening, but we must trust in God and know He will protect us. God’s plan is perfect, regardless of how much we see or understand it.
04 Wednesday Sep 2013
Posted in Daily Reading
Esther is an amazing woman. Her beauty and character won the heart of the Persian King. She combined courage and careful planning to accomplish what needed to be done. She was open to advice and willing to act. And while she initially hesitated, she showed courage in recognizing she would have to risk her own safety in order to protect others. In Esther 4:14 it says, For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father’s family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?” She realized God had placed her in a position where she could make a difference. It is important to remember that having courage is important, but it does not replace the need for careful planning led by the Holy Spirit.
02 Monday Sep 2013
Posted in Daily Reading
1 Timothy 6:10 is a verse used by people who think money is good and bad, For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. The reality is that money is neither good or bad. The desire to be rich is what leads people to sin, not the actual possession of wealth. However, there comes a time when money will himder us from stepping out in faith and allowing God to lead us and take care of us. Do not let the love of money be your guide, but let God lead you into using His blessings for the good of His kingdom.
07 Wednesday Aug 2013
Posted in Reflection
For our reflection post this week I wanted to share a short and interesting video with a great message for us all. As most of you know, I am a big fan of Francis Chan. He is that rare individual who practices exactly what he preaches. I hope you enjoy the video. We will be back to our reading on Thursday.
If you ever come across anything you’d like me to post on this blog, please feel free to contact me at dino.evangelista@gmail.com.
04 Sunday Aug 2013
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In 2 Chronicles 16 Solomon prays a prayer of dedication for the temple. As you read the prayer you hear Solomon’s voice almost knowing the fate of the Israelites. He knows no one is perfect and they will suffer for their sins. His prayer is for the people is to remember God’s presence in the lives of the Israelites no matter how far they stray away from God. This is a great reminder for us too. No matter how far we stray from God, His presence in our lives will never be diminished; it is our focus on Him that changes. 1 Chronicles 7:14 strengths this thought as Solomon’s prayer is answered by God with these words, If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land. We must humble ourselves to the point where we know we are nothing without God’s presence and leading in our lives.
Daily Devotion 