THE POWER OF THE ARK

“After the Philistines captured the Ark of God, they took it from the battleground at Ebenezer to the town of Ashdod. They carried the Ark of God into the temple of Dagon and placed it beside an idol of Dagon. But when the citizens of Ashdod went to see it the next morning, Dagon had fallen with his face to the ground in front of the Ark of the Lord! So they took Dagon and put him in his place again. But the next morning the same thing happened—Dagon had fallen face down before the Ark of the Lord again. This time his head and hands had broken off and were lying in the doorway. Only the trunk of his body was left intact. That is why to this day neither the priests of Dagon nor anyone who enters the temple of Dagon in Ashdod will step on its threshold.”

1 Samuel 5:1-5

At that moment, the Israelites were defeated by the Philistines on several occasions, in the last battle

they decided to take the Ark of God with them because they thought they would be invincible in that

way, what they did not noticed was that the presence of God was no longer with them, because of 

their disobedience and rebellion.

The Ark of God, also known as the Ark of the Covenant, was a symbol of the presence of God among

His people.

Two reasons why the Lord allowed the Philistines to steal the ark from the Israelites:

1) To give a lesson to the Israelites:

At that time, God had turned away from the Israelites because they were doing evil, idolizing false gods, disobeying his commands, inside and outside the temple. That was why the Lord left them alone and the Philistines defeated them.

God showed to them that carrying the Ark (the physical object) did not guarantee victory.  Their attitude separated them from the Lord and therefore nullified the power of the Ark.

In our times, we carry the Ark of the Covenant to those homes that open their doors to establish cell groups, and it is certainly a great blessing for those families. But if those who are in charge of establishing it (Leader, Timothy, Host) do not have a close relationship with the Lord, the Ark they will be carrying will only be physical, without any spiritual power.

2) To give a lesson to the Philistines:

The Philistines annihilated 34,000 Israelites, but also hijacked their most precious possession: the Ark

of the Covenant. However, God showed them his great power by laying his false gods before the ark,

and sending sickness and death to every Philistine city to where they took the Ark. This made the

Philistines to believe in the great power of the God of Israel, and also be eager to return the Ark to the

Israelites.

Nowadays, our spiritual enemies also will have to be terrified by God´s power manifestation, and it will do so through a cell group, established by people who love God and keep an intimate relationship with Him (prayer, fasting, obedience to His Word). The enemy will flee from that home because there will be the presence of the Lord.

“This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

12/03/2017

@fotala10

EL PODER DEL ARCA

“Después de que los filisteos capturaran el arca de Dios, la llevaron del campo de batalla en Ebenezer hasta la ciudad de Asdod. ² Llevaron el arca de Dios al templo del dios Dagón y la pusieron junto a una estatua de Dagón. ³ Pero cuando los ciudadanos de Asdod fueron a verla a la mañana siguiente, ¡la estatua de Dagón había caído boca abajo delante del arca del Señor! Así que levantaron a Dagón y nuevamente lo colocaron en su lugar. ⁴ Pero temprano al día siguiente sucedió lo mismo: de nuevo Dagón había caído boca abajo frente al arca del Señor. Esta vez su cabeza y sus manos se habían quebrado y estaban a la entrada; solo el tronco de su cuerpo quedó intacto. ⁵ Por eso, hasta el día de hoy, ni los sacerdotes de Dagón ni nadie más que entra al templo de Dagón, en Asdod, pisan el umbral.”

1 Samuel 5:1-5

Este pasaje habla de una batalla en donde los israelitas fueron derrotados por los filisteos en varias oportunidades, en la última batalla decidieron llevar el Arca de Dios porque pensaron que serían invencibles de esa manera, de lo que no se habían percatado era que la presencia de Dios ya no estaba con ellos, por su desobediencia y rebeldía.

El Arca de Dios, también conocida como Arca del Pacto o Arca de la Alianza, era un símbolo de la presencia de Dios entre su pueblo.

Dos motivos por los cuales el Señor permitió que los filisteos robaran el arca al pueblo judío:

1) Para dar una lección a los israelitas:

En ese momento Dios se habían apartado de los israelitas porque estaban haciendo lo malo, idolatraban falsos dioses, desobedecían sus mandatos, dentro y fuera del templo. Por lo cual, el Señor se apartó de ellos y los filisteos los vencieron.

Dios les enseñó que el hecho de llevar el Arca con ellos (el objeto físico como tal) no les garantizaba la victoria, ya que su actitud los separó de Él y por lo tanto anuló el poder que tenía el Arca.

En nuestros tiempos, decimos que llevamos el Arca del Pacto a aquellos hogares que abren sus puertas para establecer células, y ciertamente es una gran bendición para esas familias. Pero si los que están a cargo de establecerla (Líder, Timoteo, Anfitrión), no mantienen una estrecha relación con el Señor, el Arca que estarán llevando solo será algo físico, sin ningún poder espiritual.

2) Para dar una lección a los filisteos:  

Los filisteos no solo aniquilaron a 34.000 israelitas, sino que también secuestraron su posesión más preciada: el Arca del Pacto. Sin embargo, Dios les demostró su gran poder postrando sus falsos dioses delante del Arca, y enviando enfermedad y muerte a cada ciudad filistea a donde era trasladada. Esto hizo que los filisteos no solo creyeran en el gran poder del Dios de Israel, sino que suplicaron que devolvieran el Arca a los israelitas.

En nuestros días, eso le ocurrirá al enemigo cuando el poder de Dios se manifieste, y esto lo hará a través de una célula establecida por personas que aman a Dios y mantienen una relación íntima con Él (oración, ayuno, obediencia a su Palabra). El enemigo huirá de ese hogar con tal de no tener cerca a aquellos que llevan la presencia de Dios a ese lugar.

“Mira que te mando que te esfuerces y seas valiente; no temas ni desmayes, porque Jehová tu Dios estará contigo en dondequiera que vayas” Josué 1:9

12/03/2017

@fotala10

WHO IS OPENING YOUR SCROLL?

“Then I saw a scroll in the right hand of the one who was sitting on the throne. There was writing on the inside and the outside of the scroll, and it was sealed with seven seals.  And I saw a strong angel, who shouted with a loud voice: “Who is worthy to break the seals on this scroll and open it?” But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll and read it.

Then I began to weep bitterly because no one was found worthy to open the scroll and read it. ⁵ But one of the twenty-four elders said to me, “Stop weeping! Look, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the heir to David’s throne, has won the victory. He is worthy to open the scroll and its seven seals.”

And they sang a new song with these words: “You are worthy to take the scroll and break its seals and open it. For you were slaughtered, and your blood has ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation.

Apo 5:1-5,9

The Book (or scroll), was long pieces of scrolls that were rolled up and sealed with clay and hot wax, only the authorized person could break the seal and read its contents.

The scroll of which the apostle John speaks contains the destiny of mankind, and that destiny can only be revealed by the Lamb of God, who was crucified for us and rose again on the third day. Only Jesus can do it.

We were all created by God with a purpose. We waste years of our lives trying to reach goals on our own, which usually leads to failure and disappointment. In spite of that, Jesus has in his hands a roll with your name written on it, and He is the only one worthy to break the seals and reveal the Heavenly Father's plan for your life. Each seal that you allow Jesus to untie will bring you closer to the fulfillment of His purpose in you. Do not try to break the seals by yourself, do not let anyone else do it. Only the Lamb knows the right time to take you to the next level, only Jesus was able to pay the high price for your redemption. Your attitude will determine the time He takes to break each seal.

“And they sang a new song with these words: “You are worthy to take the scroll and break its seals and open it. For you were slaughtered, and your blood has ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation”

Apo 5:9

@fotala10

¿QUIÉN ABRE TU LIBRO?

“Y vi en la mano derecha del que estaba sentado en el trono un libro escrito por dentro y por fuera, sellado con siete sellos.

² Y vi a un ángel fuerte que pregonaba a gran voz: ¿Quién es digno de abrir el libro y desatar sus sellos?

³ Y ninguno, ni en el cielo ni en la tierra ni debajo de la tierra, podía abrir el libro, ni aun mirarlo.

⁴ Y lloraba yo mucho, porque no se había hallado a ninguno digno de abrir el libro, ni de leerlo, ni de mirarlo.

⁵ Y uno de los ancianos me dijo: No llores. He aquí que el León de la tribu de Judá, la raíz de David, ha vencido para abrir el libro y desatar sus siete sellos.

⁹ y cantaban un nuevo cántico, diciendo: Digno eres de tomar el libro y de abrir sus sellos; porque tú fuiste inmolado, y con tu sangre nos has redimido para Dios, de todo linaje y lengua y pueblo y nación”

Apo 5:1-5,9 (RV1960)

El Libro (o rollo), en el tiempo en que fue escrito Apocalipsis, eran largas piezas de pergaminos que se enrollaban y sellaban con arcilla y cera caliente, solamente la persona autorizada podía romper el sello y leer su contenido.

El rollo del cual habla el apóstol Juan, contiene el destino de la humanidad, y ese destino solo puede ser revelado por el Cordero de Dios, el que fue crucificado en nuestro lugar y resucitado al tercer día. Solo Jesús puede hacerlo.  

Todos fuimos creados por Dios con un propósito. Perdemos años de vida tratando de alcanzar metas por cuenta propia, lo cual, generalmente, nos conduce al fracaso y a la decepción.

A pesar de eso, Jesús tiene en sus manos un rollo que lleva tu nombre, y es el único digno de romper los sellos y revelar el plan del Padre Celestial para tu vida. Cada sello que le permites desatar te acerca más al cumplimiento de Su propósito en ti. No intentes romper los sellos, ni permitas que alguien más lo haga. Solo el Cordero conoce los tiempos correctos para llevarte al siguiente nivel, solo Jesús fue capaz de pagar el alto precio por tu redención. Tu actitud determinará el tiempo que Él tome para romper cada sello.

“Y cantaban un nuevo cántico, diciendo: Digno eres de tomar el libro y de abrir sus sellos; porque tú fuiste inmolado, y con tu sangre nos has redimido para Dios, de todo linaje y lengua y pueblo y nación”

Apo 5:9 (RV1960)

@fotala10

11/03/2017

OVERCOMING GOD´S TESTING

“So the Lord burned with anger against Israel. He said, “Because these people have violated my covenant, which I made with their ancestors, and have ignored my commands, I will no longer drive out the nations that Joshua left unconquered when he died. I did this to test Israel—to see whether or not they would follow the ways of the Lord as their ancestors did.” That is why the Lord left those nations in place. He did not quickly drive them out or allow Joshua to conquer them all”
Judges 2:20-23 NLT

When Joshua died, part of the Promised Land was still to be conquered to complete the promise God made to Moses when they left Egypt. The Israelites could only conquer a portion of it, and these verses explain why: ". I did this to test Israel—to see whether or not they would follow the ways of the Lord as their ancestors did.”(v.22)

How many blessings from God do you still feel you haven´t reach? Do you have doubts about God´s promises because time passes and you don´t see any change? Perhaps the Lord is testing you as He did with the Israelites.

The fulfillment of a promise does not depend on God, it depends on our behavior during a specific time, in which the Lord tests us to decide whether or not we are mature enough to receive His blessing.

Hebreos 6:11-12 says:

 Our great desire is that you will keep on loving others as long as life lasts, in order to make certain that what you hope for will come true. ¹² Then you will not become spiritually dull and indifferent. Instead, you will follow the example of those who are going to inherit God’s promises because of their faith and endurance.

These verses teach us some attitudes we should seek and practice to receive God´s promises:

1) LOVE: (v. 11)

God is love, and in His Word it is emphasized that everything we do without love has no value (1Cor.13:1-3). Jesus summed up the law saying: "Love God above all things and your neighbor as yourself" (Mt 22: 37-40). Love is what moves us to do good, to be just and honest. A person with an empty heart is someone easy to tempt. Love is like a shield that protects us from evil. “The perfect love casts away fear” (1Jn4:18)

2) FAITH: (V.12)

Without faith it is impossible to please God (Heb 11: 6). You can not follow someone you do not believe in. Each person is tested on the level of faith they have. Abraham, the father of faith, was progressively tested until he reached an great level of faith. Whether we want it or not, we will always be tested and taken to higher levels of faith.

3) PERSEVERANCE: (V.12)

Patience is a virtue that very few has. This is the right time to develop them.

"God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him." James 1:12

God does not test us to make us suffer, He does it to make us grow, in other to appreciate his blessings, receiving them with hearts full of love, faith and perseverance.

There is a song that begins by saying, "The truth can hurt you, or the truth can change you ... What does the truth do to you?" Today I say to you, "God´s tests can hurt you, or God´s tests can change you ... What Do God´s tests do to you?”.

"And we know that God causes everything to work together^[a] for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them." Romans 8:28

15/02/2017

@fotala10

PONIENDOTE A PRUEBA

“Por eso el Señor ardió de enojo contra Israel y dijo: «Ya que este pueblo ha violado mi pacto que hice con sus antepasados y no ha hecho caso a mis mandatos, ya no expulsaré a las naciones que Josué dejó sin conquistar cuando murió. Lo hice para poner a prueba a Israel: para ver si seguiría o no los caminos del Señor, como lo hicieron sus antepasados». Por esa razón el Señor dejó esas naciones donde estaban. No las expulsó de inmediato, ni permitió que Josué las conquistara a todas.”

Jueces 2:20-23

Cuando Josué murió, a los 110 años, aún faltaba tierra por conquistar para completar la promesa que Dios hizo a Moisés cuando salieron de Egipto, lo que conocemos como la “tierra prometida”. Los israelitas solo pudieron conquistar una parte, y estos versículos explican el por qué: “Lo hice para poner a prueba a Israel: para ver si seguiría o no los caminos del Señor”.

¿Cuántas bendiciones de parte de Dios aún sientes que te faltan por alcanzar? ¿Alguna vez has dudado de una promesa porque pasa el tiempo y no se materializa? Tal vez está sucediendo contigo lo mismo que pasó con los Israelitas, quienes pasaron un período de prueba, algunas veces lo superaron y otras no.

El cumplimiento de una promesa no depende de Dios, depende de nuestro comportamiento durante un tiempo específico, en el cual el Señor decide probar si estamos listo o no para recibir su bendición.

Hebreos 6:11-12 dice:

“Nuestro gran deseo es que sigan amando a los demás mientras tengan vida, para asegurarse de que lo que esperan se hará realidad. Entonces, no se volverán torpes ni indiferentes espiritualmente. En cambio, seguirán el ejemplo de quienes, gracias a su fe y perseverancia, heredarán las promesas de Dios”

Estos versos nos enseñan tres cosas que debemos procurar y practicar para recibir las promesas de Dios:

1) AMOR: (v.11)

Dios es amor, y en su Palabra es hace hincapié en que todo lo que hagamos sin amor no tiene validez (1Cor13:1-3). Jesús resumió la ley dos mandamientos: “ama a Dios sobre todas las cosas y a tu prójimo como a ti mismo” (Mt 22:37-40). El amor es lo que te mueve a desear y hacer lo bueno, lo justo, lo honesto. Una persona con un corazón vacío es alguien fácil de tentar a hacer todo lo que a Dios le desagrada.

2) FE: (V.12)

Sin fe es imposible agradar a Dios (Heb11:6). No puedes seguir a alguien en quien no crees. Cada persona es probada en el nivel de fe que posee. Abraham, el padre de la fe, fue probado progresivamente hasta alcanzar un nivel óptimo de fe. Queramos o no, siempre seremos probados y llevados a niveles más altos.

3) PERSEVERANCIA: (V.12)

La paciencia es una virtud que muy pocos poseen y es el tiempo de desarrollarla:

“Dios bendice a los que soportan con paciencia las pruebas y las tentaciones, porque después de superarlas, recibirán la corona de vida que Dios ha prometido a quienes lo aman” Santiago 1:12

Dios no coloca pruebas para hacernos sufrir, lo hace para hacernos crecer, de manera tal que cuando recibamos sus promesas seamos lo suficientemente maduros para administrarlas correctamente, sin alejarnos de Él.

Hay una canción que comienza diciendo: “la verdad puede herirte, o la verdad puede cambiarte… tú decides lo que la verdad puede hacer en ti”. Hoy te digo: “las pruebas pueden herirte, o las pruebas pueden cambiarte…” tú decides lo que las pruebas de Dios pueden hacer en ti.

“Y sabemos que Dios hace que todas las cosas cooperen para el bien de quienes lo aman y son llamados según el propósito que él tiene para ellos” Romanos 8:28

15/02/2017

@fotala10

¡SEMEJANTE ORACIÓN!

“El día que el Señor les dio a los israelitas la victoria sobre los amorreos, Josué oró al Señor delante de todo el pueblo de Israel y dijo:

«Que el sol se detenga sobre Gabaón,  y la luna, sobre el valle de Ajalón».

Entonces el sol se detuvo y la luna se quedó en su sitio hasta que la nación de Israel terminó de derrotar a sus enemigos.

¿Acaso no está registrado ese suceso en El libro de Jaser? El sol se detuvo en medio del cielo y no se ocultó como en un día normal.  Jamás, ni antes ni después, hubo un día como ese, cuando el Señor contestó semejante oración. ¡Sin duda, ese día el Señor peleó por Israel!”

Josué 10:12-14

Algunas veces no oramos por ciertas cosas porque nos parecen algo imposible de conseguir, pero es Dios quién decide cuales oraciones aprobar y cuáles no. Vale la pena el riesgo, Josué no tuvo temor de clamar por algo que nunca había ocurrido, que el sol no se ocultara hasta que derrotaran al enemigo. Josué estaba enfocado en la meta que debía alcanzar, y estaba seguro que era la voluntad de Dios que ellos obtuvieran la victoria ese día. Hagamos como Josué:

1.- Orar con fe: Josué tenía la certeza de que Dios estaba escuchando, y que para Él nada es imposible.

2.- Caminar bajo la voluntad de Dios: pregúntale hacia donde quiere que te dirijas, si andas en su voluntad su ayuda y protección jamás te faltarán.

Atrévete a hacer una oración imposible al Dios para el cual nada es imposible.

2017-02-14  

@fotala10

WHAT A PRAYER!

“On the day the Lord gave the Israelites victory over the Amorites, Joshua prayed to the Lord in front of all the people of Israel. He said, “Let the sun stand still over Gibeon, and the moon over the valley of Aijalon.”

So the sun stood still and the moon stayed in place until the nation of Israel had defeated its enemies.

Is this event not recorded in The Book of Jashar? The sun stayed in the middle of the sky, and it did not set as on a normal day.  There has never been a day like this one before or since, when the Lord answered such a prayer. Surely the Lord fought for Israel that day!”

Joshua 10:12-14

Sometimes we do not pray for certain things because they seem to us something impossible to obtain,

but  it  is  God  who decides  which  prayers  He  will approve.  Joshua  was  not  afraid  to  cry  out  for

something that had never happened: the sun would not be hidden until they defeated the enemy.

Joshua was focused on the goal he had to reach, and he was sure that it was God's will for them that

they win the battle that day. Let's do like Joshua:

1.- Pray with faith: Joshua was sure that God was paying attention to his prayer, he also knew that God

could do anything.

2.- Do God´s will: ask God where he wants you to go, if you walk with Him, his help and protection will

never fail you.

Go on! Make an impossible prayer to the God for whom nothing is impossible.

2017-02-14

@fotala10

2017-02-13 CALL TO THE PRIESTHOOD

Ps.Miguel Osuna - Centro Cristiano del Este
(United Nations Park - Event "The King is calling you")

“So the people left their camp to cross the Jordan, and the priests who were carrying the Ark of the Covenant went ahead of them. It was the harvest season, and the Jordan was overflowing its banks. But as soon as the feet of the priests who were carrying the Ark touched the water at the river’s edge, the water above that point began backing up a great distance away at a town called Adam, which is near Zarethan. And the water below that point flowed on to the Dead Sea until the riverbed was dry. Then all the people crossed over near the town of Jericho.

Meanwhile, the priests who were carrying the Ark of the Lord’s Covenant stood on dry ground in the middle of the riverbed as the people passed by. They waited there until the whole nation of Israel had crossed the Jordan on dry ground”

Joshua 3:14-17

We constantly ask God to bless us, to send someone to give us a prophetic word, to touch people´s heart to meet our needs, or that He enlarges our ministry. That is not a bad thing to pray for, it is bad when we cling to the mentality of "receiver", and forget that we can also be a "giver". We have become used to living like those Israelites that went behind the priests, waiting for them to make them cross the river in dry.

The priests who carried the Ark of the Covenant paid a price, spiritual, emotional and physical price,

that is why God made miracles through them.  How long are we going to settle for God moving his

priests to bless us? Do we not want to be one of those priests whom the Lord uses to bless others?

Those who have a calling from God were not called to ask, we were called to give, we were not called to expect another to bless us, we were called to be a blessing. It is time to be the priests of this nation, we cannot keep waiting for others to cross us dry towards the goal that we must reach, we have been chosen and endowed by the Great Creator of the universe, we are His masterpiece, but to achieve this we must pay the price of obedience to His Word and seek His presence constantly.

Are we ready to pay the price of His calling? If so, here there are some of His promises to those who

will be his priests and carry his Ark:

“If you obey the commands of the Lord your God and walk in his ways, the Lord will establish you as his holy people as he swore he would do. Then all the nations of the world will see that you are a people claimed by the Lord, and they will stand in awe of you.

“The Lord will give you prosperity in the land he swore to your ancestors to give you, blessing you with many children, numerous livestock, and abundant crops. The Lord will send rain at the proper time from his rich treasury in the heavens and will bless all the work you do. You will lend to many nations, but you will never need to borrow from them. If you listen to these commands of the Lord your God that I am giving you today, and if you carefully obey them, the Lord will make you the head and not the tail, and you will always be on top and never at the bottom. 

Deuteronomy 28

We can be one more of the pile or we can be the ones that God uses to guide that pile.

@fotala10