“When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through the fire of oppression, you will not be burned up; the flames will not consume you. For I am the Lord, your God...” - Isaiah‬ ‭43:2-3‬ ‭
“Cuando pases por aguas profundas, yo estaré contigo. Cuando pases por ríos de dificultad, no te ahogarás. Cuando pases por el fuego de la opresión, no te quemarás; las llamas no te consumirán. Pues yo soy el Señor, tu Dios...” - Isaías‬ ‭43:2-3‬
RAISING MY CHILDREN
CRIANDO A MIS HIJOS

“Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger by the way you treat them. Rather, *bring them up with the discipline and instruction that comes from the Lord.” - Ephesians‬ ‭6:4‬ (* nurture, feed, raise, teach to stand, mature, cherish, train)
“Padres, no hagan enojar a sus hijos con la forma en que los tratan. Más bien, *críenlos con la disciplina e instrucción que proviene del Señor.” - Efesios‬ ‭6:4‬ ‭(* nutrir, alimentar, criar, enseñar a pararse, apreciar, entrenar)

“Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.” - Proverbs‬ ‭22:6‬ ‭
“Instruye al niño en su camino, y ni aun de viejo se apartará de él.” - Proverbios‬ ‭22:6‬ ‭

​“I asked the Lord to give me this boy, and he has granted my request. Now I am giving him to the Lord, and he will belong to the Lord his whole life.” - 1 Samuel‬ ‭1:27-28‬
“Por este niño oraba, y Jehová me dio lo que le pedí. Yo, pues, lo dedico también a Jehová; todos los días que viva, será de Jehová.” - 1 Samuel‬ ‭1:27-28‬ ‭

INTRODUCTION
  • Our children are amazing — definitely keepers.
  • They can be a handful — especially when they start acting like us…
  • Children are a gift from God we must cherish. 
  • They are ours & their upbringing reflects on us. 
  • So, let’s take it easy and raise them right.

SEE YOUR CHILDREN AS GOD SEES THEM
VE A TUS HIJOS COMO DIOS LOS VE
“Children are a gift from the Lord; they are a reward from him.” - Psalms‬ ‭127:3‬
“Los hijos son un regalo del Señor; son una recompensa de su parte.” - Salmos‬ ‭127:3‬
“Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to those who are like these children.” - Matthew‬ ‭19:14‬
“Dejen que los niños vengan a mí. ¡No los detengan! Pues el reino del cielo pertenece a los que son como estos niños».” - Mateo‬ ‭19:14‬ ‭

DAD, WE NEVER STOP RAISING THEM
PAPÁ, NUNCA DEJAMOS DE CRIARLOS
“My son, listen when your father corrects you. Don’t neglect your mother’s instruction. What you learn from them will crown you with grace and be a chain of honor around your neck.” - Proverbs‬ ‭1:8-9‬
“Hijo mío, presta atención cuando tu padre te corrige; no descuides la instrucción de tu madre. Lo que aprendas de ellos te coronará de gracia y será como un collar de honor alrededor de tu cuello.” - Proverbios‬ ‭1:8-9‬
“A good man leaves an inheritance to his grandchildren...” - Proverbs‬ ‭13:22‬
“El buen hombre deja una herencia a sus nietos...” - Proverbios‬ ‭13:22‬ ‭

YOU HAD THEM, YOU RAISE THEM
TU LOS TUVISTE, TU LOS CRÍAS 
  • Example from Elkanah & Hannah. 
  • He loved his wife, despite her condition. 
  • Together they worshipped in the temple.
  • They submitted to each other.
​“Whatever YOU  think is best, Elkanah agreed...” - 1 Samuel‬ ‭1:23‬ 
“Haz lo que mejor TE parezca —acordó Elcana—...” - 1 Samuel‬ ‭1:23‬ ‭
​“After sacrificing the bull, THEY brought the boy to Eli.” - 1 Samuel‬ ‭1:25‬ 
“Después de sacrificar el toro, llevaron al niño a Elí.” - 1 Samuel‬ ‭1:25‬ ‭
  • They dedicated their child to the Lord. 
  • Babysitters are necessary saviors. 
  • Church is an essential spiritual support. 
  • Grandparents are amazing moral support. 
  • We are our children’s primary caregivers. 
  • God inherits them to our raising - our reputatio.
“A wise child brings joy to a father; a foolish child brings grief to a mother.”-Proverbs‬ ‭10:1‬‭
“Los proverbios de Salomón: Un hijo sabio trae alegría a su padre; un hijo necio trae dolor a su madre.” - Proverbios‬ ‭10:1‬ ‭
  • Yes, it’s difficult raising children nowadays. 
  • But, you can’t give them back. No refunds!!!
  • Like marriage, kids are till death do you part. 
  • They’ll always be around — & they will multiply. 
  • But you will be there for them, won’t you?
  • So enjoy it—raise them kids—& raise them right. 
CONCLUSION
IT MIGHT BE HARD, BUT I WILL RAISE THEM RIGHT
PUEDE SER DIFÍCIL, PERO LOS CRIARÉ BIEN
6 CHARACTERISTICS OF GODLY FATHERS 
6 CARACTERÍSTICAS DE PADRES PIADOSOS

INTRODUCTION
  • God has entrusted men with the great responsibility of providing spiritual leadership. 
  • Even the best of earthly fathers may not fulfill this responsibility perfectly. 
  • There are biblical characteristics that we can strive to achieve daily. 
  • This way we can provide our best spiritual leadership every month of the year. 

GODLY FATHERS LOVE THEIR FAMILY 
PADRES PIADOSOS AMAN A SU FAMILIA
  • “Husbands love your wives” Ephesians 5:25
  • “Esposos amén a sus esposas” Efesios 5:25
  • One of the best things a father can do.
  • Teaches son to love his mom & his wife.

GODLY FATHERS LEAD THEIR FAMILY 
PADRES PIADOSOS DIRIGEN A SU FAMILIA 
  • “me and my house will serve the Lord” Joshua 24:15
  • “yo y mi casa serviremos al Señor” Josué 24:15
  • Men must not neglect spiritual leadership. 
  • Take time for Bible reading and prayer.
​
GODLY FATHERS PROVIDE FOR THEIR FAMILY
PADRES PIADOSOS PROVEEN POR SU FAMILIA
  • “God will supply all your needs.” Philippians 4:19
  • “Dios suplirá todas tus necesidades.” Filipenses 4:19
  • For physical, spiritual & emotional needs. We should strive to do the same.

GODLY FATHERS IMPART WISDOM
PADRES PIADOSOS IMPARTEN SABIDURÍA 
  • “at home…on the road…going to bed…getting up.” Deuteronomy ‭6:7
  • “en el hogar…en el camino…al acostarse…al levantarse.” Deuteronomio ‭6:7‬
  • Look for ways to impart God’s truth. Make it part of your every day. 

GODLY FATHERS PROVIDE CORRECTION
PADRES PIADOSOS PROVEEN CORRECCIÓN 
  • “bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord”‭‭ Ephesians 6:4‬
  • “críenlos con la disciplina e instrucción que proviene del Señor.” Efesios 6:4‬ ‭
  • God also always disciplines out of love. We must strive to do same with correction. 

GODLY FATHERS DEMONSTRATE FORGIVENESS
PADRES PIADOSOS DEMUESTRAN PERDÓN
  • “the father runs to him, embraces him, forgives him and restores him.” Luke 15:20
  • “el padre corre hacia el, lo abraza, lo perdona, y lo restaura.” Lucas 15:20
  • Picture of heart of our Heavenly Father.
  • Heart we must model with family. 

​APPLICATION
  • Perhaps you’re burdened by guilt because you feel like you’ve failed your family in these areas. 
  • Perhaps your dad didn’t reflect these qualities, & it’s affected you as a father. 
  • Or perhaps you’ve lost your earthly father & you’re still mourning his absence—missing him. 
  • The beauty of relationship with God is that He: forgives; restores broken relationships; & gives you another opportunity to do better.
  • Look to your heavenly Father for comfort, strength, & peace. 
  • You CAN be that godly father.

CONCLUSION
I HAVE MY HEAVENLY FATHER IN ME — I’M GONNA TAKE IT EASY 
TENGO A MI PADRE CELESTIAL DENTRO DE MI — LA VOY A TOMAR CON CALMA
TAKE IT EASY “God is at Work”
TÓMALO CON CALMA “Dios está trabajando”
“…When you go through rivers of DIFFICULTY, you will not drown…For I am the Lord, your God...” Isaiah 43:2-3
“…Cuando pases por ríos de DIFICULTAD, no te ahogarás…Pues yo soy el Señor, tu Dios...” Isaías 43:2-3
 
Did you know that God is a great artist?
Edgar Degas a French artist once said, “Art is not what you see, but what you make others see.”
With God in my life, others see the good work He is doing in my life.
We are His workmanship, a masterpiece in God’s hands.
¿Sabías que Dios es un gran artista?
Edgar Degas, un artista francés, dijo una vez: “El arte no es lo que ves, sino lo que haces que otros vean”.
Con Dios en mi vida, otros ven el buen trabajo que Él está haciendo en mi vida.
Somos hechura suya, una obra maestra en las manos de Dios.
 
God’s creativity didn’t stop in Genesis!
The Master Artist is working to redeem, reclaim, and transform us--His creation—to the original design He planned for us.
¡La creatividad de Dios no se detuvo en Génesis!
El Artista Maestro está trabajando para redimirnos, reclamarnos y transformarnos—Su creación—al diseño original que Él planeó para nosotros.
 
God is the Master Artist
Dios es el Artista Maestro
We are His workmanship (Ephesians 2:10) - a masterpiece in process.
Ephesians 2:10 For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.
Somos hechura suya (Efesios 2:10) - una obra maestra en proceso.
Efesios 2:10 Pues somos la obra maestra de Dios. Él nos creó de nuevo en Cristo Jesús, a fin de que hagamos las cosas buenas que preparó para nosotros tiempo atrás.
 
God speaks to us
Dios nos habla
Jeremiah 18: 2“Go down to the potter’s shop, and I will speak to you there.” 3So I did as he told me and found the potter working at his wheel. But the jar he was making did not turn out as he had hoped, so he crushed it into a lump of clay again and started over. 5 Then the Lord gave me this message: 6O Israel, can I not do to you as this potter has done to his clay? As the clay is in the potter’s hand, so are you in my hand.
Jeremías 18: 2“Baja al taller del alfarero y allí te hablaré.” 3Así que hice lo que me dijo y encontré al alfarero trabajando en el torno; pero la vasija que estaba formando no resultó como él esperaba, así que la aplastó y comenzó de nuevo. 5Después el Señor me dio este mensaje: 6¡Oh, Israel! ¿No puedo hacer contigo lo mismo que hizo el alfarero con el barro? De la misma manera que el barro está en manos del alfarero, así estás en mis manos.
 
God is working in me and in my family
Dios está trabajando en mí y en mi familia
  • As we raise our children
Our children are living in a different world. “Is more CHALLENGIN.”
Never than ever today you must “Train your Child in the ways of God”
We need to help our children grow in faith and in a personal relationship with Jesus.We help them in everything else!

Help your Kids to know and defend their faith. “Created, Designed, Empowered”
Help your kids make the Christian faith their own. Answer their questions / question them. “We don’t make mistakes, just happy little accidents.” – Bob Ross
“No cometemos errores, solo pequeños accidentes felices”.
In God's Studio He causes everything to work together for the good of those who love Him and are called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28
En el Estudio de Dios, Él hace que todo coopere para el bien de aquellos que lo aman y son llamados conforme a su propósito. Romanos 8:28
  • He works in us, because we have purpose in Him
So, we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. Ephesians 2:10c
A fin de que hagamos las cosas buenas que preparó para nosotros tiempo atrás. Efesios 2:10c
TAKE IT EASY “God is at Work”
 
CONCLUSION
Philippians 1:6 I am certain that God, who began the good work in me, will continue his work until it is finally finished.
Filipenses 1:6 Estoy seguro de que Dios, quien comenzó la buena obra en me, la continuará hasta que quede completamente terminada.
INSANITY IN AMERICA 
LOCURA EN AMERICA

“With severe governmental restraints, ‘woke’ corporations influencing children, prices skyrocketing and leaders who can't define the word ‘woman’, we can easily become discouraged.” Pastor Shane Idleman
[Con severas restricciones gubernamentales, las empresas “concienciados” que influyen en niños, los precios se disparan y los líderes que no pueden definir la palabra “mujer”, podemos fácilmente desalentarnos]

“Help, O Lord, for the godly are fast disappearing!…the wicked strut about, and evil is praised throughout the land" - Psalms 12:1-8
“¡Auxilio, oh Señor, porque los justos desaparecen con rapidez!…los malvados anden pavoneándose y se alabe el mal por toda la tierra.” - Salmos‬ ‭12:1-8‬ ‭
  • Perhaps you’ve said it, “I’m going insane!”
  • There is so much pressure in life:
    • 5-12:  School; Peer Pressure; Bullying
    • 13-17:  Fit in; Be Perfect; Sexually Active
    • 18-24:  Succeed; Body Image; Mistakes
    • 25-60:  Work; Economy; Peer Pressure
    • 61+:  Sickness; Homeless; Death 
    • BTW:  Peer Pressure in every category. 
  • The external pressures of life are real. 
  • Unfortunately, the strength on the inside is weaker than the pressure on the outside. 
  • There is hope in the midst of America’s insanity. 
4 sure ways to handle the insanity in America:

ASK YOURSELF THE HARD QUESTIONS 
HAZTE LAS PREGUNTAS DIFÍCILES 
  • ¿Is our spiritual indifference affecting the terrible situations going on in our nation?
  • ¿Could changing our spiritual course make a positive difference?
  • ¡We are waiting on God, but could it be that God is waiting on us!
“RETURN TO THE LORD your God, for he is merciful and compassionate, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. He is eager to relent and not punish.” - Joel‬ ‭2:13‬ ‭
“REGRESEN AL SEÑOR su Dios, porque él es misericordioso y compasivo, lento para enojarse y lleno de amor inagotable. Está deseoso de desistir y no de castigar.” - Joel‬ ‭2:13‬ ‭

SEEK THE LORD LIKE NEVER BEFORE 
BUSCAR AL SEÑOR COMO NUNCA ANTES
  • Look at America's decadence & criminality.
  • Mass shootings & extreme violence.
  • Sexual abuse and perversion. 
  • All a direct result of rejecting God.
"The Lord is with you when you are with him. IF YOU SEEK HIM, he will be found by you, but if you forsake him, he will forsake you" - 2 Chronicles 15:2
“¡El Señor permanecerá con ustedes mientras ustedes permanezcan con él! CADA VEZ QUE LO BUSQUEN, lo encontrarán; pero si lo abandonan, él los abandonará a ustedes.” - 2 Crónicas‬ ‭15:2‬ ‭

REPENT FOR LACK OF  PRAYER 
ARREPENTIRNOS POR FALTA DE ORACIÓN 
  • Many churches are boring & powerless because  the presence of God has vanished from them. 
  • The call of God to pray is not on Hollywood or Washington, D.C. — but on His people: 
"…IF MY PEOPLE PRAY, seek, and turn from their sin ..." - 2 Chronicles 7:14
“…SI MI PUEBLO ORA, busca, y se aparta de su pescado ...” - 2 Crónicas‬ ‭7:14‬ ‭
  • On Sunday, we're in a hurry to go through worship, hope it’s a brief sermon, and head to the nearest restaurant.
  • If the Believers are not praying, then who is?
"When faith ceases to pray, it ceases to live." - E.M. Bounds
[Cuando la fe deja de orar, deja de vivir.]

WE MUST CALL THE NATION TO REPENTANCE 
DEBEMOS LLAMAR A LA NACIÓN AL ARREPENTIMIENTO
  • Be encouraged - God often shakes the physical to get us to respond in the spiritual. 
  • God is shaking our nation — as He did Israel before He had to judge them with exile. 
  • Pastors, Ministers, & Leaders we must lead - we’re the watchmen (guardianes)
“For the leaders of my people— THE LORD’S WATCHMEN, his shepherds...” - Isaiah‬ ‭56:10‬ ‭
“Pues los líderes de mi pueblo, LOS GUARDIANES DEL SEÑOR, sus pastores...” - Isaías‬ ‭56:10‬ ‭
  • Believers, all ages, must follow sound leading. 
  • Believers, healthy or broken, we must be repent and be the example for others to follow. 
  • Our nations repentance begins with us. 
[APPLICATION]
  • Is America going insane? Yes! 
  • Does America need to return to God? Definitely! 
  • America’s repentance begins in the church. 
  • Believers like you & me in: Prayer; Repentance; Worship; Communion; Being the Example. 
  • This will counter the insanity that rises up. 
  • This is what will see you through the insanity God is allowing America to go through. 
[HOMEWORK] (Christ-centered, Bible-based, & anointed)
​
CONCLUSION
THE LORD IS WITH ME — I WILL RISE ABOVE THE INSANITY
EL SEÑOR ESTÁ CONMIGO — ME ELEVARÉ POR ENCIMA DE LA LOCURA
IT ALL BELONGS TO YOU
TODO TE PERTENECE A TI
  • The younger of two sons told his father to give him his inheritance.
  • He packs, moves to a distant land, and wastes all his money.
  • A famine comes to the land, he’s starving, and so he has to get a job — feeding pigs.
  • Hungry, & wanting to eat pig slop, he came to his senses and decides to return home.
  • He returns home & his father, filled with love & compassion, runs to embrace his little piggy.
  • Dad quickly orders for his son to be dressed and blinged out…He said 
“We must celebrate with a feast, for this son of mine was dead and has now returned to life.  He was lost, but now he is found.” – Luke 15:23-24
“Tenemos que celebrar con un banquete, porque este hijo mío estaba muerto y ahora ha vuelto a la vida; estaba perdido y ahora ha sido encontrado.” – Lucas 15:23-24 
  • Meanwhile, the older son returns from working in the field, to music and dancing in the  house.
  • Dad goes out to greet his angry oldest son with the great news of his younger brother’s return.
“All these years I’ve slaved for you and never once refused to do a single thing you told me to.  And in all that time you never gave me even one young goat for a feast with my friends.” – Luke 15:29
“Todos estos años, he trabajado para ti como un burro y nunca me negué a hacer nada de lo que me pediste.  Y en todo ese tiempo, no me diste ni un cabrito para festejar con mis amigos.” – Lucas 15:29
“Yet when this son of yours comes back after squandering your money on prostitutes, you celebrate by killing the fattened calf!” -  Luke 15:30
“Sin embargo, cuando este hijo tuyo regresa después de haber derrochado tu dinero en prostitutas, ¡matas el ternero engordado para celebrar!” – Lucas 15:30 
“His father said to him, ‘Look, dear son, you have always stayed by me, and EVERYTHING I HAVE IS YOURS.” – Luke 15:31
“Su padre le dijo: ‘Mira, querido hijo, tu siempre has estado a mi lado y TODO LO QUE TENGO ES TUYO.” – Lucas 15:31

INTRODUCTION
  • We are so blessed by God – we have much more than we can imagine.
  • Despite ourselves, God is always quick to not despise the broken heart of his children.
  • Knowing this we must consider that we are nobody to judge and condemn others.
  • We must first take care of being right before God before we can help others.
  • There’s deep wisdom in this parable that we must apply to our lives.
  • Take it easy, because of Jesus, it all belongs to us already.

CHECK YOURSELF OUT
MIRATE A TI MISMO
  • It’s so easy to point out the faults of others and not consider our own faults first.
“[Jesus asked] How can you think of saying, ‘Friend, let me help you get rid of that speck in your eye, when you can’t see past the log in your own eye?  Hypocrite!  First get rid of the log in your own eye; then you will see well enough to deal with the speck in your friend’s eyes.” – Luke 6:42
“[Jesús pregunta] ¿Como puedes decir: ‘Amigo, déjame ayudarte a sacar la astilla de tu ojo’, cuando tu no puedes ver más allá del tronco que esta en tu propio ojo?  ¡Hipócrita!  Primero quita el tronco de tu ojo; después veras lo suficientemente bien para ocuparte de la astilla en el ojo de tu amigo.” – Lucas 6:42
  • FB POST:  
“DON’T JUDGE SOMEONE JUST BECAUSE THEY SIN DIFFERENTLY THAN YOU.”
“NO JUZGUES A ALGUIEN SOLO PORQUE PECA DIFERENTE QU TU.”
  • The point is that we all sin and fall short of who and what we should be – no exceptions.
  • Justifying ourselves inspires Jesus to say that we are “religious hypocrites”
  • We need to see “within” before we can even think about seeing “without”.
LOOK AT WHAT YOU HAVE NOW
MIRA LO QUE TIENES AHORA 
  • What comes to mind immediately when you hear the word “Prodigal”?
  • Quick Survey — Someone who:  backslides; chooses wrong; waster; comes back home. 
  • “Prodigal”—A term we use to better understand the state of living of the younger brother.
“Prodigal”:  wasteful living (reckless, extravagant)
“Prodigo”: una vida desenfrenada
  • A “Prodigal” is one who is in a state of mind of not caring for what he does not work for.
  • However, the religious & the older brother are the FOCUS of the parable—not younger brother.
“The Pharisees and teachers of religious law complained that Jesus was associating with sinful people—even eating with them!  So, He spoke this parable to THEM…” – Luke 15:2-3
“Por eso los fariseos y los maestros de la ley religiosa se quejaban de que Jesús se juntaba con semejantes pecadores, ¡y hasta comía con ellos! Entonces Jesús LES contó la siguiente historia:” - Lucas‬ ‭15:2-3‬ ‭
  • The religious judged Jesus for fellowshipping / eating with sinners.
  • It’s the same attitude as the older brother who could not see beyond himself to care that his younger brother “the prodigal” had returned / been found / resurrected.
  • His religious disdain (desdén) was so that he could not appreciate that “It all belonged to him”.

WISDOM FROM ANOTHER PRODIGAL SON
SABIDURIA DE OTRO HIJO PRODIGO
“Fear and instruction of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom…fools despise wisdom and discipline.” - Proverbs 1:7
“El temor y la instrucción del Señor es el principio de la sabiduría…los necios desprecian la sabiduría y la disciplina.” – Proverbios 1:7
“Seek His will in all you do, and He will show you which path  to take.” – Proverbs 3:6
“Busca Su voluntad en todo lo que hagas, y El te mostrara cual camino tomar.”-Proverbios 3:6
“Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.” – Proverbs 4:23
“Sobre todas las cosas cuida tu corazón, porque este determina el rumbo de tu vida.” – Proverbios 4:23
“Commit your actions to the Lord, and your plans will succeed.” – Proverbs 16:3
“Pon todo lo que hagas en manos del señor, y tus planes tendrán éxito.” – Proverbios 16:3
“We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps.” – Proverbs 16:9
“Podemos hacer nuestros planes, pero el Señor determina nuestros pasos.” – Proverbios 16:9
  • Are you enjoying all that belongs to you?
  • Maybe your caught away in other things – far away from Home, distant from God.
  • Know that today you can get closer to all that belongs to you.
  • God is merciful to meet you – All that belongs to you, is still yours.
PRAYER
  • Thank you for your great mercy towards us.
  • Thank you that you do not change.
  • Find us, Forgive us, and Revive us, Lord.
  • Draw us closer to You — and to all that, by Your grace, belongs to us.
CONCLUSION
IT ALL BELONGS TO ME ALREADY
YA ME PERTENECE TODO
TAKE IT EASY “With One Another”
TÓMENLO CON CALMA “Unos con Otros”

“…When you go through rivers of DIFFICULTY, you will not drown…For I am the Lord, your God...” Isaiah 43:2-3
“…Cuando pases por ríos de DIFICULTAD, no te ahogarás…Pues yo soy el Señor, tu Dios...” Isaías 43:2-3

ONE   ANOTHER “Connection amongst the believers”
UNOS A OTROS "Conexión entre los creyentes"

“For you have been called to live in freedom…use your freedom to serve one another in love…But if you are always biting and devouring one another, watch out! Beware of destroying one another.” - Galatians 5:13-15
“Porque han sido llamados a vivir en libertad... usen la libertad para servirse unos a otros por amor... Pero si están siempre mordiéndose y devorándose unos a otros, ¡tengan cuidado! Corren peligro de destruirse unos a otros. - Gálatas 5:13-15
[INTRODUCTION]
  • We have talked about the connection between different kinds of relationships: Ourselves; God, parents, spouse, friends, coworkers, etc.
  • As believers we are connected one to another.
  • We can’t avoid relationships with one another in the church.
 
RELATIONSHIPS AMONG BELIEVERS ARE SPECIAL
LAS RELACIONES ENTRE CREYENTES SON ESPECIALES
We are different, we are at different levels of life & faith.
 
From the Message Bible 1Cor 1:26-28 Take a good look, friends, at who you were when you got called into this life. I don’t see many of “the brightest and the best” among you, not many influential, not many from high-society families. Isn’t it obvious that God deliberately chose men and women that the culture overlooks and exploits and abuses, chose these “nobodies” to expose the hollow pretensions of the “somebodies”?
De la Biblia El Mensaje 1Cor 1:26-28 Miren bien, amigos, quiénes eran ustedes cuando fueron llamados a esta vida. No veo muchos de los "más brillantes y mejores" entre ustedes, no muchos influyentes, no muchos de familias de la alta sociedad. ¿No es obvio que Dios eligió deliberadamente a hombres y mujeres que la cultura pasa por alto, explota y abusa, eligió a estos "don nadies" para exponer las pretensiones huecas de los "alguien"?
We are different, we are at different levels of life & faith.
We are the super diverse “Family of God” that we are.
Somos la súper diversa “Familia de Dios” que somos.
 
THE BELIEVER CONNECTION IS ETERNAL
LA CONEXIÓN ENTRE CREYENTE ES ETERNA
Our relationship as believers goes beyond our earthly time.
John 1:12 But to all who believed him and accepted him, he gave the right to become children of God. For you have been called to live in freedom and use that freedom to serve and love one another.
Juan 1:12 pero a todos los que creyeron en él y lo recibieron, les dio el derecho de llegar a ser hijos de Dios. Porque hemos sido llamados a vivir en libertad y usar esa libertad para servir y amar los unos a los otros.
How believers do better with their relationships compare with the other ones?
We have the ability to do better because “Now we know true, real, selfless LOVE”.
As we become part of the family of God, we grow to experience and learn to love as Christ loves, also we learn to serve one another as Christ has served us. We have the power to do better.
Tenemos la capacidad de hacerlo mejor porque "Ahora conocemos el AMOR verdadero, real y desinteresado". A medida que nos convertimos en parte de la familia de Dios, crecemos y experimentamos y aprendemos a amar como Cristo ama, también aprendemos a servirnos unos a otros como Cristo nos ha servido. Tenemos el poder de hacerlo mejor.
 
GOD'S PURPOSE FOR RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN BELIEVERS
EL PROPÓSITO DE DIOS PARA LAS RELACIONES ENTRE CREYENTES
1Corintians 1:10 I appeal to you, dear brothers and sisters, by the authority of our Lord Jesus Christ, to live in harmony with each other. Let there be no divisions in the church. Rather, be of one mind, united in thought and purpose.
1Corintios 1:10 Amados hermanos, les ruego por la autoridad de nuestro Señor Jesucristo que vivan en armonía los unos con los otros. Que no haya divisiones en la iglesia. Por el contrario, sean todos de un mismo parecer, unidos en pensamiento y propósito.
  • Conflict produces Death and Resurrection or Division your choice.
But if you are always biting and devouring one another, watch out! 
Beware of destroying one another. Galatians 5:15
Pero si están siempre mordiéndose y devorándose unos a otros, ¡tengan cuidado!
Corren peligro de destruirse unos a otros. - Gálatas 5:15
  • Forgiveness the antidote against Division.
Ephesians 4:31-32 Get rid of (free from) all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.
Efesios 4:31-32 Líbrense de toda amargura, furia, enojo, palabras ásperas, calumnias y toda clase de mala conducta. Por el contrario, sean amables unos con otros, sean de buen corazón, y perdónense unos a otros, tal como Dios los ha perdonado a ustedes por medio de Cristo.
Romans 12:8 Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone.
Romanos 12:8 Hagan todo lo posible por vivir en paz con todos.
In our relationships to one another we must follow the example and the love of Christ, always with the intention of sharpening one another.
Prov. 27:17 As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend.
En nuestras relaciones unos con otros debemos seguir el ejemplo y el amor de Cristo, siempre con la intención de afilarnos unos a otros.
Prov. 27:17 Como el hierro se afila con hierro, así un amigo se afila con su amigo.
Hebrews 10:24 Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works.
Hebreos 10:24 Pensemos en maneras de motivarnos unos a otros a realizar actos de amor y buenas acciones.

CONCLUSION
I’M FREE TO MOTIVATE AND SHARPEN MY RELATIONSHIPS
SOY LIBRE PARA MOTIVAR Y AFILAR A MIS RELACIONES
TAKE IT EASY WITH THE EXCUSES 
TÓMALO CON CALMA CON LAS EXCUSAS

“They all began making excuses. One said, ‘I have just bought a field and must inspect it. Please excuse me.’” - Luke 14:18
“Todos comenzaron a poner excusas. Uno dijo: ‘Acabo de comprar un campo y debo ir a inspeccionarlo. Por favor, discúlpame.’” - Lucas 14:18
“Another said, ‘I have just bought five pairs of oxen, and I want to try them out. Please excuse me.’” - Luke 14:19
“Otro dijo: ‘Acabo de comprar cinco yuntas de bueyes y quiero ir a probarlas. Por favor, discúlpame.’” - Lucas 14:19
“Another said, ‘I just got married, so I can’t come.’” - ‭‭Luke‬ ‭14:20‬ ‭
Otro dijo: “Acabo de casarme, así que no puedo ir”.” - Lucas‬ ‭14:18-20‬ 
[INTRODUCTION]
  • Excuses are easy to offer. 
  • The plea to be released from obligation is becoming common-this IS a relevant issue!
  • The parable Jesus shares teaches us that “excuse making” can be contagious. 
  • But let’s be encouraged. God’s Word shows us how we can be stand-up people. (Rectas)
  • So, enough with the excuses. 

YES!  EVERYBODY MAKES EXCUSES
¡SI! TODOS PONEMOS EXCUSAS
  • Psychologists call this ‘self-handicapping’. (auto-desventaja) 
  • A behavior we express that hurts our own performance and motivation. (perjudica nuestra propia actuación y motivación)
  • Do we make excuses?  Examples:
    • I’m too old / Estoy muy viejo
    • Nothing to offer  / Nada que ofrecer
    • Short on brains  / Poco de coco
    • Fear of failure / Temor al fracaso
    • I’ll do it tomorrow / Lo hago mañana
    • It’s too hot / Está muy caliente 
“Don’t excuse yourself by saying, “Look, we didn’t know.” For God understands all hearts, and He sees you.” - Proverbs‬ ‭24:12‬ ‭
“No te excuses diciendo: «Ay, no lo sabíamos». Pues Dios conoce cada corazón y Él te ve.” - Proverbios‬ ‭24:12‬ ‭
  • Our excuses hold us back (retienen) from:  doing more; being better, potential, & success. 

EXCUSES ARE CONTAGIOUS LIKE A VIRUS
LAS EXCUSAS SON CONTAGIOSAS COMO UN VIRUS
  • One contaminates another - so forth & so forth.
  • Remember when we were kids “I didn’t do it“. 
  • As grownups, “well they do it, why not me?“
  • It’s part of our nature to imitate – how we learn. 
  • However, we have good sense to discern. 
“You should imitate me, just as I imitate Christ.” - 1 Corinthians‬ ‭11:1‬ ‭
“Deberían imitarme a mí, así como imito a Cristo.” - 1 Corintios‬ ‭11:1‬ ‭
“Imitate God in everything you do because you are his dear children.” - Ephesians‬ ‭5:1‬ ‭
“Imiten a Dios en todo lo que hagan porque ustedes son sus hijos queridos.” - Efesios‬ ‭5:1‬‭
  • PARABLE: one excuse followed by another excuse — very contagious. 
  • We must consider who & what influences us. 
  • Excuses are like a very contagious virus. 
  • Something we can relate to now in days.

EXCUSES OR REASONS — IT’S UP TO US
EXCUSAS O RAZONES — DEPENDE DE NOSOTROS
“Whether you think you can or think you can’t, you’re right.” Henry Ford
[Tanto si piensas que puedes como si piensas que no – tienes razón.]
  • PARABLE:  God gives us opportunity to connect. 
  • Master (Amo) says invite poor, crippled (lisiados), blind, lame. 
“There is still room for more.” - Luke‬ ‭14:22‬
“Todavía queda lugar para más personas”.” - Lucas‬ ‭14:22‬ ‭
  • There’s room for those who say, “I’m gonna take it easy with the excuses.”
  • I’m not going to be held back by anything. 
  • My actions matter - I have reason to do & live. 
“I have reason to be enthusiastic about all Christ Jesus has done through me.” - Romans‬ ‭15:17‬ ‭
“Tengo razón de estar entusiasmado por todo lo que Cristo Jesús ha hecho por medio de mí.” - Romanos‬ ‭15:17‬ ‭
  • I choose reason over excuses. 
[APPLICATION]
  • You can choose reason over excuses. 
  • You can be “someone” others want to imitate. 
  • And when an unnecessary excuse comes out, God is merciful to give you opportunity to come to His table. 
  • You have every reason to take it easy with the excuses.
CONCLUSION
I HAVE EVERY REASON TO PUT AWAY MY EXCUSES
TENGO TODA LA RAZÓN PARA DEJAR MIS EXCUSAS
THE BATTLE BELONGS TO THE LORD 
LA BATALLA ES DEL SEÑOR

[David tells Goliath] “everyone assembled here will know that the Lord rescues his people, but not with sword and spear. This is the Lord’s battle, and he will give you to us!”” - 1 Samuel‬ ‭17:47‬ ‭
[David le dice a Goliat] “Todos los que están aquí reunidos sabrán que el Señor rescata a su pueblo, pero no con espada ni con lanza. ¡Esta es la batalla del Señor, y los entregará a ustedes en nuestras manos!” - 1 Samuel‬ ‭17:47‬ ‭

[Jehaziel tells the people] “Listen, all you people of Judah and Jerusalem! Listen, King Jehoshaphat! This is what the Lord says: Do not be afraid! Don’t be discouraged by this mighty army, for the battle is not yours, but God’s.” - 2 Chronicles‬ ‭20:15‬ ‭
[Jahaziel le dice al pueblo] «¡Escuchen, habitantes de Judá y de Jerusalén! ¡Escuche, rey Josafat! Esto dice el Señor: “¡No tengan miedo! No se desalienten por este poderoso ejército, porque la batalla no es de ustedes, sino de Dios.” - 2 Crónicas‬ ‭20:15‬ ‭

“A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.” - Ephesians 6:10
“Una palabra final: sean fuertes en el Señor y en su gran poder.” - Efesios‬ ‭6:10‬ ‭
  • We all have battles of life. 
  • Every day we engage in some kind of battle. 
  • God gives us discernment — common sense. 
  • To know that some battles are not meant for us. 
  • When the battle belongs to the Lord we just show up for the victory. 

THERE’S ALL KINDS OF BATTLES 
HAY TODO TIPO DE BATALLAS
  • Spiritual - enemy of:  souls; families; & nations
  • Relationships - real humans learning together. 
  • Financial Hardships - economy & greed. 
  • Career Pressures- what to do; changes; school. 
  • Insecurities, doubts, abuse, trauma, fear, parenthood, & more.
  • All kinds of battles - to defeat & imprison us. 
“I will call on God, & the Lord will rescue me. He ransoms me and keeps me safe from the battle waged against me.” - Psalms‬ ‭55:16-18‬‭
“Clamaré a Dios, y el Señor me rescatará. Me rescata y me mantiene a salvo de la batalla que se libra contra mi.” - ‭‭Salmos‬ ‭55:16-18‬ ‭
  • Battles are real and we face them every day. 

COMMON SENSE FOR BATTLES OF LIFE 
SENTIDO COMÚN PARA BATALLAS DE LA VIDA
  • Sound practical judgment - obtaining victories. 
  • Know when it’s our battle to fight - David
“Don’t worry about this Philistine, David told Saul. I’ll go fight him!  So David triumphed over the Philistine.” - 1 Samuel‬ ‭17:32, 50‬ ‭
“No se preocupe por este filisteo, David dijo a Saúl. ¡Yo iré a pelear contra él! Así David triunfó sobre el filisteo.” - ‭‭1 Samuel‬ ‭17:32, 50‬‭
  • Know when it’s not our battle to fight - Jehaziel
“Jehoshaphat said, believe in the Lord your God, and you will be able to stand firm…So when the army of Judah arrived all they saw were dead bodies lying on the ground as far as they could see.” - 2 Chronicles‬ ‭20:20, 24‬ ‭
“Josafat dijo, crean en el Señor su Dios y podrán permanecer firmes…De modo que cuando el ejército de Judá llegó no vieron más que cadáveres hasta donde alcanzaba la vista.” - ‭‭2 Crónicas‬ ‭20:20, 24‬ ‭
  • Show up to the battlefield dressed for battle. 
"Put on every piece of God’s armor…Then after the battle you will still be standing firm.” - Ephesians‬ ‭6:11, 13‬ ‭
“Pónganse todas las piezas de la armadura de Dios…Así, después de la batalla, todavía seguirán de pie, firmes.” - Efesios‬ ‭6:11, 13‬ ‭
  • Common sense to know when & when not. 

GOD KNOWS OUR BATTLES BETTER THAN WE DO
DIOS CONOCE NUESTRAS BATALLAS MEJOR QUE NOSOTROS
  • God aware of details & what it takes for victory. 
“Everyone will know that the Lord rescues his people.” - 1 Samuel‬ ‭17:47‬
“Todos sabrán que el Señor rescata a su pueblo.” - 1 Samuel‬ ‭17:47‬ ‭
  • All it needed was A David & A Stone
  • God knows & does beyond our victory. 
“Lord himself fought against the enemies of Israel:  fear of God came over them; kingdom was at peace; God gave him rest.” - 2 Chronicles‬ ‭20:29-30‬ ‭
“El Señor mismo lucho contra los enemigos de Israel: el temor de Dios se apoderó de ellos; el reino tuvo paz; Dios les había dio descanso .” - 2 Crónicas‬ ‭20:29-30‬ ‭
  • God always knows how to obtain our victory.
  • Are you going through battles of life right now? 
  • Are you trusting God for your victory?
  • Life always has battles - God is on your side. 
  • He is with you & for you - to obtain victories. 
  • Why? Some of your battles belong to Him. 
CONCLUSION
MY LIFE, MY BATTLES, MY ALL, BELONGS TO MY LORD  
MI VIDA, MIS BATALLAS, MI TODO, LE PERTENECE A MI SEÑOR