Veteran's Day

Today we remember all the men and women who served and protected our nation. For many is a day of sorrow, for others is a day happiness.

Many of us have familiy, friends, neighbors, that today we called veterans. I want to take this moment and salute you for your courage, dedication and sacrifice. Thanks to all of them we can continue enjoying the gift of freedom.

In today's world we are all facing changes in our lives. For many years we have seen many changes on our country's national affairs in order to prevent future attacks. The topic of war is being discussed on the news nationwide. But all this issues of war started a very long time ago.

The Bible records many wars throughout its pages. In fact, many of these wars document the accuracy of the Bible as archeology has uncovered artifacts with data that verifies the records of them exactly as recorded in Holy Script.

When God created the earth and put man upon it, He pronounced that it was all good until men sinned and fell from that estate. Because mankind was given a free will and they could choose to obey God or do evil, we now live in an environment where evil men and good men are at war. God doesn't like war; however, it is necessary to maintain order on earth and overcome those who would like to destroy good. In fact, the first war ever recorded was the war in heaven where Satan and his evil angels fought against God and his angels. We know this war was won by God through Christ. (Revelations 12:7-11)

Some Christians are having difficulty with the actions of our government in the area of war as the heart of Christianity is to love our enemies, not destroy them.  How do we reconcile this as Christians? We must understand that the Bible deals with the role of government differently than that of an individual Christian. Throughout the Bible, the main role of governments was to protect its people from invaders and to maintain law and order within its borders. This was done by maintaining a military force. Those who would argue against our country's military position, must also ask what our nation would be like without policemen and prisons.

"Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God." Romans 13:1

God set boundaries on mankind by establishing ruling authorities that would make and enforce the laws He gave. The purpose for this was because He knew unregenerate society, without any restraints, would seek to destroy good men. God's desire is that all men would come to Him and live by His laws.

Our military men and women need our prayers and the protection of the Lord as they go to battle. This should be the work of the church, prayer for their 

protection and prayer for our president and heads of state. Our critical words will not change things, but prayer will. We must pray that the war would end quickly so we can return to peace, and especially prayer for our enemies, that they might be saved.

"But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you." Luke 6:27-28

Keeping God's word always brings blessings. The power of life and death resides on our mouth. We can pray that good will come out of what Satan means for evil. Our trust cannot be in our military strength by itself. It must be in God, then He will use our military to protect us.

If you know someone who was or still serves in the military, take this time to celebrate their lives. Pray for the moms and dads who left their families behind to serve their country. For the ones who came home wounded. For those that never came back.

Happy Veteran's Day!

M²

Back and Beyond!

After taking a family vacation, time to think about the future and a long break from social networking, I've decided to take back and continue my new adventures in writing.

There's so many things to say about each place we visited. From monuments to historic places, from art to theater. We were also able to meet some friends, get to know a couple of new ones, and better yet, I was able spend some time with a childhood friend after 20 plus years without seeing each other.

I want all of you to take a ride on this journey and post your comments on my articles. I will be adding also some links to different resources that I know will be helpful to all of you.

See you soon and God bless.

M²

Helping the helpless

It was late at night after in the summer. I was coming back home with my family after doing some grocery shopping.

Suddenly, we saw what we thought was a little girl sitting on a sidewalk on a heavy traffic area in the city. After we turned around we noticed it was not a little girl, she was 25.

My wife and I were very concerned. Why was she there? Who was she? How could we help?

On our first approach, my wife asked her why she was there, if we could be of any help. She suddenly started crying. It was very clear to us what we had to do at that time.

"For I am the LORD, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, do not fear; I will help you." Isaiah 41:13

At first I was a little skeptic because I didn’t know how the young lady would react. Knowing my wife’s calling, I agreed for her to get out of the car and have a conversation with her.  After a little while my wife came back and asked me to get out of the car and go with them to a fast food restaurant next to where we parked.

During dinner we learned that this young lady was living in the city for less than a year and that she was living with her dad. She told us she used to work at a school as an accountant, but it was hard for her to get a job. Even that she never mentioned anything we knew something bad or unpleasant happened to her. She was too scared to share more details of her story.

For he says, "In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you."I tell you, now is the time of God's favor, now is the day of salvation.” 2 Corinthians 6:2

Knowing how important this is for us, my wife quickly presented her with the plan of salvation. In a matter of seconds after we prayed we noticed a change on her face. We knew something happened inside of her. Not because of what we said, but because of what God did at that time.

“In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: 'It is more blessed to give than to receive." Acts 20:35

No matter what we do for a living or how busy we might be, we should always look around. There’s somebody out there who needs our help. We have so much to give but to little to offer. It’s time that we get out of our comfort zone and start helping others.

That night we offered this lady the best gift someone could ever receive. It was God’s will for us to be there for her. He used us to prevent her from taking her own life.

It is time to go out there and do something about it.                 

“Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.” Philippians 2:12-13

God Bless America

I want to take this time to bless this beatiful nation and for all the opportunities given to us. Today I pray for all of those who lost their lives on 9/11 and ask our Lord to comfort their families.

We have to keep in our minds the same thoughts of our founding fathers, "In God we Trust".

Make a difference in this country. And more important, let all of us be "Beyond the Spotlight".

God bless you. God bless America.