Month: December 2025

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