Tag: Amor de Dios

Ejercicio espiritual: «Amigo hay más unido que un hermano»

by Free Children's Stories, posted in 8-11 years/8-11 años, Devocionales, Español

my prescense will go with you

«Amigo hay más unido que un hermano» (Proverbios 18:24) dice la Biblia. Ese amigo es Jesús, que además nos promete: «Yo estoy con vosotros todos los días» (Mateo 28:20) , y: «No te desampararé, ni te dejaré» (Hebreos 13:5)

Antes que comenzara el día, mientras dormías, Jesús ya estaba contigo, velando por ti. Llegó la mañana, y cuando aparecieron los primeros rayos de sol, Él seguía a tu lado. Cuando te pusiste a pensar en la jornada que tenías por delante, Él estaba esperando a que le pidieras ayuda para planificarla y llevar a efecto el plan. Camino del escuela, estaba también a tu lado. Cada vez que te topaste con una dificultad, quiso darte la solución, y se quedó aguardando a que se la pidieras. Cuando te enteraste de una buena noticia, compartió tu dicha. Cuando las cosas dieron un giro negativo, se apresuró a tranquilizarte. Mientras lees esto, Él permanece a tu lado.

Mañana, a lo largo de la jornada, recuerda que Jesús es tu compañero permanente. A medida que adquieras más conciencia de Su presencia, hallarás consuelo y cercanía con Él. Eso llenará esos espacios en blanco mejor que cualquier otra cosa o persona.

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¿A dónde me iré de Tu Espíritu? ¿Y a dónde huiré de Tu presencia? Si subiere a los cielos, allí estás Tú; y si en el [abismo] hiciere mi estrado, he aquí, allí Tú estás. Si tomare las alas del alba y habitare en el extremo del mar, aun allí me guiará Tu mano, y me asirá Tu diestra. Si dijere: «Ciertamente las tinieblas me encubrirán»; aun la noche resplandecerá alrededor de mí. Aun las tinieblas no encubren de Ti, y la noche resplandece como el día; lo mismo te son las tinieblas que la luz. Salmo 139:7-12

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Si nunca has sentido la amorosa presencia de Jesús, invítalo a formar parte de tu vida y acéptalo como tu Salvador. No tienes más que hacer la siguiente oración:

Jesús, deseo conocerte y sentir Tu amor. Te ruego que entres en mi corazón, me perdones mis faltas, me des vida eterna y me ayudes a cultivar una relación personal contigo. Amén.

Adaptado de la revista Conéctate. Usado con permiso. Imagen © TFI.

A Spiritual Exercise: “A Friend who Sticks Closer than a Brother”

by Free Children's Stories, posted in 8-11 years/8-11 años, English, Teens / Adolescentes

my prescense will go with you

“There is a friend who sticks closer than a brother,” the Bible tells us. (Proverbs 18:24) That friend is Jesus, who also promises, “I am with you always” (Matthew 28:20) and “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” (Hebrews 13:5)

Think back to before your day even started. Jesus was with you as you slept, watching over you. Morning came, and just as sure as the sun rose, He was there. When you thought about the day ahead, He was there, just waiting for you to ask His help. On your way to school, He was right beside you. Every time you encountered a problem, He was waiting with the answer you needed, hoping you would ask Him for it. When you heard some good news, He was happy along with you. When the day took a difficult turn, He was there to comfort you. As you read this, He is beside you.

Tomorrow, as you go through your day, think of Jesus as your constant companion. As you become more aware of Him being right there with you, you will find comfort and companionship that fills those blank spots like no one or nothing else can.

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Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence? If I ascend into heaven, You are there; if I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there. If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there Your hand shall lead me, and Your right hand shall hold me. If I say, “Surely the darkness shall fall on me,” even the night shall be light about me; indeed, the darkness shall not hide from You, but the night shines as the day; the darkness and the light are both alike to You. —Psalm 139:7-12

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If you haven’t experienced Jesus’ loving presence, you can right now by accepting Him as your Savior and inviting Him into your life. Simply pray:

Dear Jesus, I want to know You and experience Your love. Please come into my heart, forgive my wrongs, give me eternal life, and lead me into a close personal relationship with You. Amen.

Text adapted from Activated magazine. Used by permission. Art © TFI.

The Parable of the Pharisee and the Publican

by Free Children's Stories, posted in 5-7 years/5-7 años, 8-11 years/8-11 años, Bible Stories/Historias de la Biblia, English, Uncategorized

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Jesus often taught in parables. One of the shortest yet most profound was the parable of the Pharisee and the publican. The Bible tells us that “There were some people who thought they were very good and looked down on everyone else. Jesus used this story to teach them” (Luke 18:9).

The word “Pharisee” means “the separated ones,” which sums up the basic nature of their beliefs. They were strict legalists who pledged to observe and obey every one of the countless restrictive rules, traditions, and ceremonial laws of Orthodox Judaism. They considered themselves to be the only true followers of God’s Law, and therefore felt that they were much better and holier than anyone else. Thus they separated themselves not only from the non-Jews—whom they absolutely despised and considered “dogs”—but even other Jews.

The publicans were tax collectors for the foreign occupier and ruler of Palestine, Imperial Rome. The Romans would instruct the publicans how much to collect from the people, and then the publicans could charge extra for their own income. So publicans were usually extortioners and were therefore considered traitors and absolutely despised by other Jews.

So when Jesus told this parable, comparing a Pharisee and a publican, He had chosen the two most opposite figures in the Jewish community. The one was considered the best, most righteous, most religious, most godly of men, whereas the other was considered the worst scoundrel imaginable.

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The parable:

One time there was a Pharisee and a tax collector. One day they both went to the Temple to pray. The Pharisee stood alone, away from the tax collector. When the Pharisee prayed, he said, ‘O God, I thank you that I am not as bad as other people. I am not like men who steal and cheat. I thank you that I am better than this tax collector. I fast twice a week, and I give a tenth of everything I get!’

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“The tax collector stood alone too. But when he prayed, he would not even look up to heaven. He felt very humble before God. He said, ‘O God, have mercy on me. I am a sinner!’ I tell you, when this man finished his prayer and went home, he was right with God. But the Pharisee, who felt that he was better than others, was not right with God. People who make themselves important will be made humble. But those who make themselves humble will be made important.” (Luke 18:10-14)

Text © TFI. Art by Didier Martin.