A Year of Grace

Amos 5:18 – Woe to you who long
    for the day of the Lord!
Why do you long for the day of the Lord?
    That day will be darkness, not light.
¹⁹ It will be as though a man fled from a lion
    only to meet a bear,
as though he entered his house
    and rested his hand on the wall
    only to have a snake bite him.
²⁰ Will not the day of the Lord be darkness, not light—
    pitch-dark, without a ray of brightness?

²¹ “I hate, I despise your religious festivals;
    your assemblies are a stench to me.
²² Even though you bring me burnt offerings and grain offerings,
    I will not accept them.
Though you bring choice fellowship offerings,
    I will have no regard for them.
²³ Away with the noise of your songs!
    I will not listen to the music of your harps.
²⁴ But let justice roll on like a river,
    righteousness like a never-failing stream!

 Today, across our nation, many will gather to remember the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King.  They will gather to remember not only the life of a man, but the life of a movement. This great movement, which for this country found its voice in Martin Luther King, did not begin with Martin Luther King.  This movement did not begin in this country.  From our reading from an ancient prophet, we hear that this movement was alive some twenty-eight centuries ago. 

 “Let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.”  These words were spoken by a simple herdsmen named Amos who could not understand how a people who claimed to worship a God of justice could then turn around and use their system of human justice as an instrument of their own greed.  Indeed, in the days of Amos the name of God was used to oppress the poor, and Amos, a simple herdsmen by trade, could not stand idly by and watch as the children of God were ruthlessly burdened in the name of justice.  So, the prophet cried out, “Let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.”

 Amos was not blind to the fact that the government of the land, which by all rights should have stood up for those who could not stand for themselves, was corrupt and unjust. The courts were easily swayed by money. Not only were the poor oppressed, but the opportunity for a fair trial was non-existent. Perhaps worst of all, Amos recognized that the religious institutions of the day, while busy with its various religious activities, was totally oblivious to the living conditions of the common people.  To be sure, there were sacrifices and prayers of every kind, but what did all this religion amount to except to nurture a false hope?

Likewise, Martin Luther King could clearly see things that many people refused to see.  He had the power to speak out against injustice.  Most of all, he realized that if religion was to be true to its nature it must be concerned not just with religious rituals and prayers, but that it must be concerned with all of life.  While still a young man Martin Luther King had the courage to face those who hated him and boldly proclaim that: “Any religion that professes to be concerned with the souls of men and is not concerned with the slums that damn them, the economic conditions that strangle them, and the social conditions that cripple them is a dry-as-dust religion.”

 It was a dry as dust religion that Amos sought to change.  Through Amos, God spoke to the people. God told them that it was not sacrifices that satisfied the heart of God.  It was not feasts; it was not elaborate shows of fanciful assemblies.  The songs that God’s children offered up in praise of God were nothing more than noise.  Indeed, God refused to even listen to their music!  What made Amos a visionary is the same quality that made Martin Luther King a visionary.  Like Amos, Martin Luther King challenged the entire religious system.  He did not challenge a few.  He did not challenge the black church. He did not challenge the white church. He challenged the Church – all of Christianity. He challenged the whole system, from smallest congregation in the backwaters of Mississippi to the largest and fanciest churches in New York City.  Martin Luther King, Jr., challenged the church to understand the true nature of God.

The issue for Amos came down to the understanding of the very nature of God.  That was the issue for Martin Luther King, Jr., as well.  This must be our issue today.  Our actions, our behavior, must be modeled after our beliefs and concepts of God Almighty.  This is true for our congregations, and this is true for us as individual Christians.  Because of our understanding of the nature of God, each of us must seek to relate to one another as God would, not as we would like. 

Amos, though he lived thousands of years ago, was ahead of his time when it came to spiritual insight.  Martin Luther King, Jr., knew those same insights.  And we, three millennia after Amos, six decades after Martin Luther King, Jr., must continue to strive to achieve what they could see so well – injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.  Whatever we do to the least of the children of God, we do to God. 

Posted by Ramón Torres

Acts 24:10 – The governor then motioned for Paul to speak. Paul said, “I know, sir, that you have been a judge of Jewish affairs for many years, so I gladly present my defense before you. ¹¹ You can quickly discover that I arrived in Jerusalem no more than twelve days ago to worship at the Temple. ¹² My accusers never found me arguing with anyone in the Temple, nor stirring up a riot in any synagogue or on the streets of the city. ¹³ These men cannot prove the things they accuse me of doing. 

¹⁴ “But I admit that I follow the Way, which they call a cult. I worship the God of our ancestors, and I firmly believe the Jewish law and everything written in the prophets. ¹⁵ I have the same hope in God that these men have, that he will raise both the righteous and the unrighteous. ¹⁶ Because of this, I always try to maintain a clear conscience before God and all people.

¹⁷ “After several years away, I returned to Jerusalem with money to aid my people and to offer sacrifices to God. ¹⁸ My accusers saw me in the Temple as I was completing a purification ceremony. There was no crowd around me and no rioting. ¹⁹ But some Jews from the province of Asia were there—and they ought to be here to bring charges if they have anything against me! ²⁰ Ask these men here what crime the Jewish high council found me guilty of, ²¹ except for the one time I shouted out, ‘I am on trial before you today because I believe in the resurrection of the dead!’” (NLT)

Historically speaking, this passage is rather straight forward.  Paul had arrived in Jerusalem and was quickly arrested (Acts 21).  Paul reveals that he is a Roman citizen, and his case is moved to a Roman official. He is taken from Jerusalem to Caesarea, where the local Roman Governor will officiate over his trial.  In today’s passage, Paul is given his opportunity to speak.

There is one line in Paul’s defense that I find striking: “I am on trial before you today because I believe in the resurrection of the dead!”  What if we were on trial for what we believe?  Would we be able to defend ourselves?  When I consider Paul’s testimony, I am reminded of what the Apostle Peter wrote:  “If someone asks about your Christian hope, always be ready to explain it. But do this in a gentle and respectful way.” (1 Peter 3:15-16).

There are many programs, books, and seminars that would teach us how to share our faith.  I have had personal experience with a number of these.  Some are great, some are rather harsh.  Yet, the truth remains: As Christians we should always be prepared to explain why we put our hope and trust in Jesus, and we must do this in a way that is respectful to those who are listening.

If you cannot plainly explain the hope that you have in Jesus, I encourage you to learn how.  Your pastor will probably know some great resources for you, or perhaps your pastor will teach you. 

Today, prepare yourself to share with others the hope that you have! 

Posted by Ramón Torres

2 Peter 1:1 – This letter is from Simon Peter, a slave and apostle of Jesus Christ.  I am writing to you who share the same precious faith we have. This faith was given to you because of the justice and fairness of Jesus Christ, our God and Savior.

² May God give you more and more grace and peace as you grow in your knowledge of God and Jesus our Lord. ³ By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence. ⁴ And because of his glory and excellence, he has given us great and precious promises. These are the promises that enable you to share his divine nature and escape the world’s corruption caused by human desires.

⁵ In view of all this, make every effort to respond to God’s promises. Supplement your faith with a generous provision of moral excellence, and moral excellence with knowledge, ⁶ and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with patient endurance, and patient endurance with godliness, ⁷ and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love for everyone.  ⁸ The more you grow like this, the more productive and useful you will be in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. ⁹ But those who fail to develop in this way are shortsighted or blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their old sins. (NLT)

It’s a new year and many people have made resolutions to better themselves.  Have you ever wondered how much money is spent on books, seminars and workshops that are designed to help people become better parents, or a better spouse?  Many men and women truly desire to be better, and in this passage we are told that God has already given us everything we need to be a better person.  In fact, “God has given us everything we need for living a godly life” (verse 3).  I am not saying that all the books and seminars and workshops designed to help us become better in our relationships are wrong (I’ve spent my fair share of money on them), but I am saying that if they are not based upon biblical principles, then they probably won’t produce much change. 

We are told that all that we need for living a godly life comes from God’s divine power.  How do we tap into this divine power?  Is there a secret formula?  The answer is also there in verse three:  “We have received all of this by coming to know him.”  God does supply us with all we need to live a godly life, but we must nurture our relationship with God in order to receive what we need.  Nurturing a relationship takes time and effort.  We live in a time when many people do not bother putting forth the effort to foster and maintain good relationships.  Good marriages do not happen by accident, they take work.  Those who truly seek to live a Christ like life are called disciples for a reason – it takes discipline.

Today let us resolve to discipline ourselves. Let us nurture our relationship with God through Jesus Christ so that we can receive all that we need today for living a godly life.   

Posted by Ramón Torres

I love the Christmas season! I love the music, the food, the fellowship.  I love it all!  I never feel as if Christmas celebrations start too early! However, I do feel that they end too soon. Why do I feel this way? Well, what is the first part of Christmas? Christ!  What I love celebrating is Christ. Wouldn’t it be nice if we really could celebrate the presence of Jesus Christ all year long? What if we could celebrate in July the presence of Jesus Christ as we do in December? No doubt, some of you may be saying, “I’m not cooking pecan pies and pumpkin rolls in July!” And I suppose we would grow weary of the continual business of the celebration.  Or would we?

When we consider what we celebrate – the prescreens of God Almighty, who came to earth to pay for our sins and secure our place in heaven – perhaps we should strive to live out our lives in continual celebration for Jesus, our Christ! I am reminded of the words of the Apostle Paul who said: “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!” (Philippians 4:4). I find it interesting that Paul says, “I will say it again!” He stresses the again because sometimes we need to hear it again, and again. 

My prayer for each and every one of you as this Christmas Season continues is that you will rejoice! I pray that you will rejoice again and again throughout the year, and every day, for what God has offered to you at no price – grace, forgiveness, and eternal life. 

Today, and everyday, let us celebrate the gift of Christ our Savior!

Posted by Ramón Torres

I love this time of year!  There is nothing about the month of December that I don’t like.  I enjoy all of the Christmas preparations.  I love giving presents.  I love spending extra time with family and friends.  However, while it is certainly, “the most wonderful time of the year,” the truth is that with all the extra things that happen, it can also be the busiest time of the year.  Even though we have our catchphrases like, “Jesus is the reason for the season,” and “Keep Christ in Christmas,” the busyness of the season creeps into our lives.  We love Christmastime, but sometimes we lose focus. 

There is a story in the Gospel of Mark of the apostles doing many great things.  They return to Jesus and report to him of the great things being done (Mark 6:30).  The busyness of the Apostles was certainly a good thing.  They had driven out demons, and healed many sick people (Mark 6:13).  What I find interesting is the response that Jesus gives to the Apostles for their work: “Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.”

During this busy time of year, packed with one thing after another to do, one place after another to go, we would do well to spend some time with Jesus in a quiet place.  The rest would do us all some good.  Whatever wonderful things are happening in your lives this December, take some time to rest.  Let’s not get so wrapped up in celebrating the birth of Jesus on the 25^th that we forget to celebrate the presence of Jesus this day.    

Merry Christmas! 

Posted by Ramón Torres

Luke 12:22 – Then, turning to his disciples, Jesus said, “That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food to eat or enough clothes to wear. ²³ For life is more than food, and your body more than clothing. ²⁴ Look at the ravens. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for God feeds them. And you are far more valuable to him than any birds! ²⁵ Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? ²⁶ And if worry can’t accomplish a little thing like that, what’s the use of worrying over bigger things?

²⁷ “Look at the lilies and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. ²⁸ And if God cares so wonderfully for flowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith? 

²⁹ “And don’t be concerned about what to eat and what to drink. Don’t worry about such things. ³⁰ These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers all over the world, but your Father already knows your needs. ³¹ Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and he will give you everything you need. (NLT)

In the verses that come just before this passage, Jesus told the parable of the rich fool.  Remember, the man in that parable wanted to tear down his old barns in order to build bigger barns so that he could store more wheat.  The man had more than enough to begin with, but he wanted more, and he died before he could realize his dream.  This is why Jesus begins this passage with, “That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life.”  

The people to whom Jesus spoke were, for the most part, poor peasant people.  We live like kings compared to their lives, yet we continue to worry about everyday life.  An abundance of possessions will not remove worry from our lives.  Indeed, we live in a rich land, yet anxiety disorders are an epidemic in our country.  In fact, according to the National Institute of Mental Health, anxiety disorders are the number one mental health problem in America, surpassing even depression.  I am not suggesting that all with anxiety disorders have a spiritual problem, but I am suggesting that many of our worries are the symptom of a spiritual problem.  

There are things in life that we should plan for, and there are some things in life for which we should have a reasonable amount of concern, but there are many things for which we should trust in God.  Notice in verse thirty that Jesus tells us that our Father knows our needs.  Much of our time worrying is not for needs, but desires.

Today, let us trust God for what we need.  Instead of worrying about what we desire, let us celebrate the multitude of blessings we already have!

Posted by Ramón Torres

Luke 10:25 – One day an expert in religious law stood up to test Jesus by asking him this question: “Teacher, what should I do to inherit eternal life?”  ²⁶ Jesus replied, “What does the law of Moses say? How do you read it?”  ²⁷ The man answered, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your strength, and all your mind.’ And, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”  ²⁸ “Right!” Jesus told him. “Do this and you will live!”  ²⁹ The man wanted to justify his actions, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”
³⁰ Jesus replied with a story: “A Jewish man was traveling on a trip from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he was attacked by bandits. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him up, and left him half dead beside the road.
³¹ “By chance a priest came along. But when he saw the man lying there, he crossed to the other side of the road and passed him by. ³² A Temple assistant walked over and looked at him lying there, but he also passed by on the other side.

³³ “Then a despised Samaritan came along, and when he saw the man, he felt compassion for him. ³⁴ Going over to him, the Samaritan soothed his wounds with olive oil and wine and bandaged them. Then he put the man on his own donkey and took him to an inn, where he took care of him. ³⁵ The next day he handed the innkeeper two silver coins, telling him, ‘Take care of this man. If his bill runs higher than this, I’ll pay you the next time I’m here.’

³⁶ “Now which of these three would you say was a neighbor to the man who was attacked by bandits?” Jesus asked.  ³⁷ The man replied, “The one who showed him mercy.” Then Jesus said, “Yes, now go and do the same.” (NLT)

In this well know passage from the Gospel of Luke, we have the theme of faith in action.  In this passage Jesus explains what a life lived for God and for others will look like through the story of the Good Samaritan.  Jesus makes it clear as to who are our neighbors, and they are anyone in need.  We can choose our friends, but we cannot choose our neighbors.  God does not play favorites, and neither should we.

What I find most striking about this passage is what started this conversation, and this answer from Jesus, was the question, “What must I do to inherit eternal life?”  For most people who have been churched their entire lives, they might lead this man down the famous “Roman Road”.  They might tell this man to confess Jesus as his Savior.  They might tell this man to repent and believe the Gospel.  All good and decent answers, but not the answer that Jesus gave!

Am I saying that we need not confess Jesus as our savior?  Not at all!  But I am saying that this passage, and others, tell us that if Jesus is our Savior, then there will be a different lifestyle in which we lead.  This lifestyle will be defined by service to our neighbors.

Which begs us to ask ourselves over and over again, who are our neighbors?  As we continue to struggle with the question – and we should – we will be led to live as one who has been saved by Jesus.  Paul reflected these words of Jesus some years later when he wrote: “Owe nothing to anyone—except for your obligation to love one another. If you love your neighbor, you will fulfill the requirements of God’s law” (Romans 13:8).

Today, let us ask ourselves, who are our neighbors?  Let us seek to love God, and love others, as we live as one of Jesus’ redeemed.  

Posted by Ramón Torres

Luke 21:5 – Some of his disciples began talking about the majestic stonework of the Temple and the memorial decorations on the walls. But Jesus said, ⁶ “The time is coming when all these things will be completely demolished. Not one stone will be left on top of another!”   ⁷ “Teacher,” they asked, “when will all this happen? What sign will show us that these things are about to take place?”

⁸ He replied, “Don’t let anyone mislead you, for many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah,’ and saying, ‘The time has come!’ But don’t believe them. ⁹ And when you hear of wars and insurrections, don’t panic. Yes, these things must take place first, but the end won’t follow immediately.” ¹⁰ Then he added, “Nation will go to war against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. ¹¹ There will be great earthquakes, and there will be famines and plagues in many lands, and there will be terrifying things and great miraculous signs from heaven.

¹² “But before all this occurs, there will be a time of great persecution. You will be dragged into synagogues and prisons, and you will stand trial before kings and governors because you are my followers. ¹³ But this will be your opportunity to tell them about me. ¹⁴ So don’t worry in advance about how to answer the charges against you, ¹⁵ for I will give you the right words and such wisdom that none of your opponents will be able to reply or refute you! ¹⁶ Even those closest to you—your parents, brothers, relatives, and friends—will betray you. They will even kill some of you. ¹⁷ And everyone will hate you because you are my followers. ¹⁸ But not a hair of your head will perish! ¹⁹ By standing firm, you will win your souls.  (NLT)

For those that follow the liturgical calendar, we are in the season of Advent.  Not all Churches observe Advent, so what is it?  Just as the season of Lent is a time to spiritually prepare for Easter, Advent is a time to spiritually prepare for Christmas.  Christ came into the world two thousand years ago, and many saw and heard him.  One way or another, we will all come face to face with Jesus, either when he returns or when we die.  Our meeting Jesus is a reality – it will happen!  Advent is a time to prepare for the reality of Jesus in the world, and in our life.

The passage we have today from the Gospel of Luke is a traditional Advent reading.  Jesus had spoken about the coming destruction of the temple.  While this would happen in a relatively short span of time, the disciples took this to be some sort of end time prophecy.  In Jesus’ answer, he cautions them about becoming too excited with news of an end, but ultimately he tells them that no matter what they should stand firm in their faith. 

Friends, as I stated above, we will all meet Jesus one day.  If Jesus returns today, or if he returns long after we have died, we will all meet Jesus. Advent is a time to prepare us for Christmas, and ultimately Christ.  Whether Christ returns now or later, we should also stand firm in our faith, trusting that no matter what happens in our life, we will be safe in Jesus.

Let us heed the words of Jesus in verses 18-19: “But not a hair of your head will perish!  By standing firm, you will win your souls.”  Let us take these weeks prior to Christmas as a season to make sure that we are standing firm.  Let us seek to build trust in the one who has promised us that live or die, we are safe in Christ! 

Posted by Ramón Torres

Psalm 57:1 – Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy!
I look to you for protection.
I will hide beneath the shadow of your wings
until the danger passes by.
² I cry out to God Most High,
to God who will fulfill his purpose for me.
³ He will send help from heaven to rescue me,
disgracing those who hound me.
My God will send forth his unfailing love and faithfulness.

⁴ I am surrounded by fierce lions
who greedily devour human prey—
whose teeth pierce like spears and arrows,
and whose tongues cut like swords.

⁵ Be exalted, O God, above the highest heavens!
May your glory shine over all the earth.

⁶ My enemies have set a trap for me.
I am weary from distress.
They have dug a deep pit in my path,
but they themselves have fallen into it.

⁷ My heart is confident in you, O God;
my heart is confident.
No wonder I can sing your praises!
⁸ Wake up, my heart!
Wake up, O lyre and harp!
I will wake the dawn with my song.
⁹ I will thank you, Lord, among all the people.
I will sing your praises among the nations.
¹⁰ For your unfailing love is as high as the heavens.
Your faithfulness reaches to the clouds.

¹¹ Be exalted, O God, above the highest heavens.
May your glory shine over all the earth. (NLT)

In most Bibles, the title of each psalms is given.  The title of this psalm is:  For the choir director: A psalm of David, regarding the time he fled from Saul and went into the cave. To be sung to the tune “Do Not Destroy!”  The events of that story are recorded in 1 Samuel 24.  Those with David wanted David to kill Saul, but David refused.  David trusted in God’s guidance, not the guidance of men set upon vengeance.  David had a small army ready to fight and die with him, but he looked to God for his protection (verse 1).  

I doubt any of us have ever been hiding in a cave while surrounded by our enemies, but I am sure we have had situations in life where we sure felt like it!  I am sure we have felt as if we were surrounded by fierce lions (verse 4), and we have been weary with distress (verse 6).  At those times, where do we seek help?  Whose guidance and whose counsel do we seek?  This psalm teaches us that we should seek help in God.  In verse three, David wrote: “My God will send forth his unfailing love and faithfulness.”

Not only did David seek his help from God, he was confident in God’s counsel: “My heart is confident in you, O God; my heart is confident” (verse 7).  David’s confidence in God is inspiring!  Centuries later, James would write about confidence in our prayers.  Concerning prayer, James wrote: “Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind. Such people should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Their loyalty is divided between God and the world” (James 1:6-8).

While we may not always be there spiritually, our goal as Christians is to be able to pray to God with the confidence of David.  Today, when we pray, let us pray with confidence. With such confidence, like David we can lift our voices and sing praises to God, even in the midst of troubles.   

Posted by Ramón Torres

Matthew 18:21 – Then Peter came to him and asked, “Lord, how often should I forgive someone who sins against me? Seven times?”   ²² “No, not seven times,” Jesus replied, “but seventy times seven!

²³ “Therefore, the Kingdom of Heaven can be compared to a king who decided to bring his accounts up to date with servants who had borrowed money from him. ²⁴ In the process, one of his debtors was brought in who owed him millions of dollars. ²⁵ He couldn’t pay, so his master ordered that he be sold—along with his wife, his children, and everything he owned—to pay the debt.   ²⁶ “But the man fell down before his master and begged him, ‘Please, be patient with me, and I will pay it all.’ ²⁷ Then his master was filled with pity for him, and he released him and forgave his debt.

²⁸ “But when the man left the king, he went to a fellow servant who owed him a few thousand dollars. He grabbed him by the throat and demanded instant payment.  ²⁹ “His fellow servant fell down before him and begged for a little more time. ‘Be patient with me, and I will pay it,’ he pleaded. ³⁰ But his creditor wouldn’t wait. He had the man arrested and put in prison until the debt could be paid in full.   ³¹ “When some of the other servants saw this, they were very upset. They went to the king and told him everything that had happened. ³² Then the king called in the man he had forgiven and said, ‘You evil servant! I forgave you that tremendous debt because you pleaded with me. ³³ Shouldn’t you have mercy on your fellow servant, just as I had mercy on you?’ ³⁴ Then the angry king sent the man to prison to be tortured until he had paid his entire debt.   ³⁵ “That’s what my heavenly Father will do to you if you refuse to forgive your brothers and sisters from your heart.” (NLT)

These verses follow the reading from last week.  Remember, Jesus had just given some instructions about what to do if someone had been offended by another.  Peter was probably thinking he sounded a bit generous by suggesting we forgive as many as seven times.  It has been recorded that many Rabbi’s of Jesus’ day suggested that one forgive another up to three times. So, in the context of Peter’s culture, he was being generous!  Indeed, in the world in which we live, forgiving seven times is not generous, but rather a bit absurd!

To illustrate this radical forgiveness to which we are called to offer, Jesus tells a story a king who forgave a man of a tremendous debt.  Because the forgiven man refused to forgive others, the king had the man thrown into prison until his debt was paid.  Jesus is telling us that we are men and women who have been forgiven a tremendous debt, therefore forgiving others should be a way of life for each of us.

Does this mean we let people walk over us and take advantage of us, then just forgive again?  Absolutely not!  There are many verses that would speak to those behaviors, and last weeks passage makes it clear that some offenses must be confronted and action must be taken so that the offense comes to an end.  However, there are many things in our daily lives of which we should offer forgiveness.  When we do not have a forgiving spirit, anger builds.  God’s Word tells us to get rid of anger and, “Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.”  (Ephesians 4:32). 

Today, let us strive to live with a spirit of forgiveness, remembering that we have been forgiven of a great debt! 

Posted by Ramón Torres