English

10 Pfennig (Versión en Español)

Era diciembre de 1999 cuando viajamos a Alemania para visitar a mi hermano y su familia. Días después de recibir el nuevo milenio, manejamos a París y pasamos un tiempo divertido. En ese entonces la moneda oficial de Alemania seguía siendo el marco y la de Francia, el franco. 

Ya de vuelta en casa, guardamos las monedas de estos países como un recuerdo. Cuando mi hijo entró a la escuela, quiso guardar esas monedas en su dormitorio. Así que, las puso en un platito hondo encima de su mesita de noche. 

Una mañana mientras mi esposo lo llevaba a la escuela, me quedé en casa con nuestra hija de dos años. Mientras hacía un trabajo en la computadora escuché el sonido de las monedas. Mi hija había entrado al cuarto de su hermano. Unos pocos minutos después, ella viene a donde mí tocando su garganta, y me dice, respirando con dificultad, que se había tragado una moneda. 

Inmediatamente dejé a un lado lo que estaba haciendo. La cargué y bajé las escaleras de prisa. Me detuve en el descanso para ayudarla a expulsar la moneda, ya que se estaba tornando morada. Solo vomitó la leche que se había tomado, pero la moneda no salió. Continué bajando las escaleras con ella en brazos. Abrí la puerta de la entrada principal de mi casa y corrí hacia la acera a ver si alguien pasaba que me pudiera ayudar, pero nadie pasó.

Mi hija necesitaba aire y yo estaba desesperada. La moneda le estaba obstruyendo el paso del aire. Entonces, clamé a Dios por su ayuda. Nuevamente, le di primeros auxilios y volvió a vomitar leche, pero no la moneda. Luego me dijo que se la había tragado. Ya no estaba morada. Tenía su color natural. Le pregunté dónde sentía la moneda, y ella señaló su garganta. Entonces, entendí que la moneda ya no estaba atascada, que solo sentía molestia. Al ver que mi hija podía respirar, sentí alivio.

De todos modos, la llevé al hospital y le pedí a mi suegra que me acompañara. Le sacaron placas y confirmaron que sí se había tragado la moneda. Ahora solo había que esperar a que la expulsara, pero si esto no sucedía en tres días, tendrían que operarla para extraer la moneda.

Amy ya no usaba pañales, pero tendría que usar uno cada vez que tuviera deseos de ir al baño. Tenía que asegurarme que la expulsara. El pañal la incomodaba, sin embargo, fue muy cooperadora. Pasó el primer día, y la moneda no salió. Pasó el segundo día, y nada. Cuando llegó el tercer día, temprano en la mañana hice una oración a Dios y poniendo mi mano sobre la barriguita de mi hija, dije: “Moneda, hoy vas a salir sin causarle ningún daño a mi hija.” Parecen palabras de locura, pero en las Sagradas Escrituras encontramos un ejemplo parecido. Jesús les dijo a sus discípulos “…De cierto les digo, que si tuvieran fe como un grano de mostaza, le dirían a este monte: ‘Quítate de allí y vete a otro lugar’, y el monte les obedecería. ¡Nada sería imposible para ustedes!” San Mateo 17:20 (Itálicas de la autora)

Horas más tarde, así fue. Amy expulsó la moneda sin causarle daño alguno. Mi hija se había tragado un pfennig – moneda alemana que se usaba antes que el Euro entrara en circulación.En esta historia mi monte era una moneda. Sin embargo, en nuestro caminar por la vida, nos enfrentamos a diferentes tipos de montes: altos o bajos, difíciles o fáciles de escalar, que deseamos no estén ahí. Entonces, si hoy, o en estos días, o en esta temporada, enfrentas uno, no tienes que hacerlo a solas; mira hacia arriba porque tu ayuda viene del Señor el Creador del cielo y la tierra (Salmo 121:1-2), y luego en el nombre de Jesús, activa tu fe llamando a las cosas al orden.

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10 Pfennig (English Version)

It was December of 1999 when we traveled to Germany to visit my brother and his family. Days after welcoming the new millennium, we drove to Paris, where we had a great time. At the beginning of the 2000s, the official currency in Germany was still the mark and in France, the franc. 

Back home, we kept the currencies of these countries as a souvenir. When my son entered school, he wanted to keep those coins in his bedroom. So, he put them in a little deep dish on top of his bedside table. 

One morning while my husband was driving him to school, I stayed home with our two-year-old daughter. While doing some work on the computer, I heard the sound of the coins. My daughter had come into her brother’s bedroom. A few minutes later, she came to me and, touching her throat, said that she had swallowed a coin while breathing with difficulty.

I immediately put aside what I was doing, took her in my arms, and hurried down the stairs. I stopped halfway in the landing before continuing to help her expel the coin as she turned purple. She just threw up the milk she had earlier, but the coin didn’t come out. I continued running down the stairs with her in my arms, opened the front door of my house, and rushed to the sidewalk, hoping someone would pass by and help me, but no one did.

My daughter needed air, and I was desperate. The coin was blocking her air passage. So, I cried out to the Lord for help. I gave her first aid, and she threw up milk again, but not the coin. Then she told me she had swallowed it. She was no longer purple and had recovered her natural color. I asked her where she felt the coin, and she pointed to her throat. Then, I understood that the coin was no longer stuck in her throat, that she only felt discomfort. When I saw that my daughter could breathe, I was relieved.

Anyway, I took her to the hospital and asked my mother-in-law to accompany me. They took X-rays and confirmed that she had indeed swallowed the coin. Yet, we only had to wait for it to come out, but she would need surgery to remove it if it did not within three days.

Amy no longer wore diapers, but she would need to wear one every time she had to go potty. I had to make sure that the coin came out. The diaper made her uncomfortable; however, she was very cooperative. The first day went by, and the coin didn’t come out. Day two went by, and nothing. When the third day came, early in the morning, I prayed to God and placing my hand on my daughter’s tummy, I said, “Coin, today you are coming out without causing any harm to my daughter.” These words seem crazy; however, we find a similar example in the Holy Scriptures. Jesus told his disciples, “… For truly, I say to you, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move, and nothing will be impossible for you.” Matthew 17:20 (author’s italics)

Hours later, that’s precisely what happened. Amy expelled the coin without any harm. My daughter had swallowed a pfennig – a German coin used before the Euro came into circulation.

In this story, my mountain was a coin. But in our walk through life, we face different kinds of mountains: high or low, difficult or easy to hike, that we wish were not there. So, if today, or in these days, or this season, you are facing one, you don’t have to do it alone; look up because your help comes from the LORD the Maker of heaven and earth (Psalm 121:1-2), and then, in the name of Jesus, activate your faith by calling things into order.

A Second Chance

After the resurrection and having had breakfast at the beach, Jesus invited Peter for a walk. The Lord asked him, “Do you love me?” And Peter answered, “Yes, Lord; you know that I love you.” Jesus asked the same question a second and a third time, to which Peter gave the same response. Only, on this third occasion, Peter became very sad. I wonder if Peter still had the image of Jesus’ look in his mind. 

Let’s read it:

But Peter said, “Man, I do not know what you are talking about.” Immediately, while he was still speaking, a rooster crowed. The Lord turned and looked at Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how He had told him, “Before a rooster crows today, you will deny Me three times.” And he went out and wept bitterly [deeply grieved and distressed]. Luke 22:60-62

Every detail is significant in this verse, but the sentence The Lord turned and looked at Peter, caught my attention. I can imagine Jesus’ look, direct but also full of love. It was at this moment that Peter realized what he has done. He never wanted to fail Jesus. That’s why he wept bitterly afterward.

Jesus knew this was going to happen. In Luke 22:31-32 we read, ‘ “Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift all of you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.” ‘

There was also hope in Jesus’ words because Peter would come back (repent).

Peter had allowed fear to control him, fear from those who arrested Jesus. In fact, all the disciples, except John, had fled for the same reason. After this incident in the courtyard, Peter didn’t have a chance to talk to Jesus, to tell Him how sorry he was.

Now, this morning at the beach, Jesus had other plans, good plans. Each question that Jesus asked Peter served to reverse and wash away the guilt of every single denial. How amazing is our Lord!

Peter repented, and Jesus forgave him, restored him, and recommissioned him. Peter became a new man. He took advantage of the second chance the Lord offered him, and this time he was committed to love and serve the Lord.

Are you in need of a second chance? Just come in prayer and ask the Lord to forgive you. Jesus is willing to do so and restore you. Like Peter, there is also an assignment for you because God has good plans for your life. Would you come?

Prayer: Dear God, I come to you because I need you. I have acted wrong, denying what my lips confess. I repent of my sins and ask you to forgive me and restore me. Please Lord, cleanse me and make me new. I love you and I want to serve you. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

¿En Dónde Quieres Poner tu Confianza?

Galloping

Cuando era adolescente, recuerdo un comercial que vi en la televisión que duró unos segundos pero que dejó una impresión en mi mente por el resto de mi vida.

La escena mostraba carros y caballos galopando a toda velocidad, enfocando sus fuertes y poderosas patas, como avanzando para la guerra. Entonces apareció el Salmo 20:7 en la parte inferior de la pantalla.

“Algunos confían en carros, y otros en caballos; mas nosotros en el nombre del Señor nuestro Dios confiaremos.”

Cada vez que leo este verso, no puedo evitar pensar en este comercial.

Durante siglos, los carros y los caballos fueron los medios que se utilizaron para luchar en las batallas. Representaban fuerza, poder, e incluso inspiraban confianza, causando intimidación en los ejércitos menos equipados. Cuantos más caballos poseían los ejércitos, más poderosos se sentían y así actuaban, con determinación y concentración. Sin embargo, tal como leemos en la Biblia, aquellos que confiaron en el Señor ganaron batallas aun cuando poseían menos caballos de guerra. Dios los liberó cuando pusieron su confianza en Él.

Mi pregunta para ti es, ¿qué te hace sentir seguro y confiado? ¿Tu fuerza? ¿Tu salud? ¿Tu trabajo? ¿El dinero? ¿Posición? ¿Amigos? ¿O tal vez algo más? Puedes tener algunas o todas estas cosas, pero éstas pueden cambiar o esfumarse en un instante, y así mismo tu confianza.

Por otro lado, confiar en el Dios Altísimo es una historia diferente porque Él nunca cambia. Él ha prometido estar siempre contigo. Cuando las cosas van según lo planeado y cuando resultan inesperadas. Dios te asegura que nunca te dejará ni te abandonará (Deuteronomio 31:6; Mateo 28:20).

Si Él hizo cosas maravillosas en el pasado, puedes confiar en que lo seguirá haciendo en el presente. Él nunca le ha fallado a sus hijos. Siempre ha sido fiel a Su Palabra.

Entonces, ¿en dónde quieres poner tu confianza? ¿En algo que pueda cambiar o en el nombre inconmovible del SEÑOR?

Where Do you Want to Put Your Trust?

Galloping

When I was a teenager, I saw a commercial that lasted a few seconds but made an impression in my mind for the rest of my life.

The scene showed chariots and horses galloping at full speed, focusing on their strong and mighty legs, as advancing for war. Then Psalm 20:7 appeared at the bottom of the screen.

“Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.”

Every time I read this verse, I can’t help it but think of this commercial.

For centuries, chariots and horses were the means used for fighting in battles. They represented strength, power, and even inspired confidence, causing intimidation on the less equipped armies. The more horses the armies possessed, the more powerful they felt and acted upon it with determination and focus. But, as we read in the Bible, those who trusted in the LORD won battles even when they had lesser horses. God delivered them when they put their trust in Him.

My question to you is, what makes you feel secured and confident? Is it your strength? Your health? Your job? Money? Position? Friends? or maybe something else? You can have some or all of these things, but they could change or disappear in an instant, and so goes your confidence.

On the other hand, to trust in Almighty God is a different story because He never changes.  He has promised to be with you always. When things go as planned and when they go as unexpected. God assures you He will never leave you nor forsake you (Deuteronomy 31:6; Matthew 28:20).

If He did marvelous things in the past, you can trust He will continue to do so in the present. He has never failed His children. He has always been faithful to His Word.

So, where do you want to put your trust? In something that could change or in the immovable name of the LORD?

Vive tu Vida al Máximo

‘El ladrón no viene más que a robar, matar y destruir; yo he venido para que tengan vida, y la tengan en abundancia.’ Juan 10:10

Hace un tiempo, mientras leía mi devocional matutino, este versículo iluminó mi entendimiento. Lo había leído muchas veces, pero fue en ese momento que me di cuenta de algo diferente. Hoy, al leer este versículo, recordé lo que aprendí ese día.

Como cristianos, sabemos que tenemos un enemigo que quiere mantenernos atrapados en el miedo, paralizados, haciéndonos pensar que no tenemos lo que necesitamos. Satanás es un ladrón, el acusador de los creyentes. Quiere robar, matar y destruir tu gozo, tus sueños y tus planes, para que no se hagan realidad. Él no conoce tu futuro porque no es Omnisciente; solo el Dios Todopoderoso lo es. Sin embargo, él sabe que hay un potencial que Dios ha puesto en ti para cumplir Su propósito, y eso es lo que más teme Satanás.

Sin embargo, el verso no se detiene ahí; su segunda parte contiene un mensaje de esperanza. ¿No te encanta esa palabra? Cuando hay esperanza, nuestro espíritu se levanta, nuestro semblante cambia, nuestros ojos brillan y hasta sonreímos. De repente, tenemos las fuerzas para hacer lo que tenemos que hacer. Empezamos a soñar, a planificar, a crear.

Yo he venido para que tengan vida y la tengan en abundancia“. Jesús vino por ti para liberarte de lo que te ata. Dios te dio dones, habilidades y pasiones para que los uses con amor y sirvas a los demás. Dios quiere que uses todo tu potencial y encuentres gozo y satisfacción al servirle.

Jesús murió en una cruz por ti y por mí y por el mundo entero para que los que creen en él tengan vida eterna (Juan 3:16). Y descubrimos de qué se trata esta vida eterna al estudiar las Escrituras con diligencia porque ellas testifican de Jesús (Juan 5:39).

Dios tiene un gran propósito para ti; por eso que te creó un ser admirable y maravilloso (Salmo 139:14). Dios te hizo único o única, y ya te dio lo que necesitas para tu asignación en la vida. ¿Estás dispuesto a vivir tu vida al máximo?

Live Your Life to the Full

‘The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. ‘ John 10:10

A while ago, while reading my morning devotional, this verse lighted up my understanding. I had read it many times, but it was until that moment that I realized something different. Today, as I read this verse, I was reminded of what I learned that day.

As Christians, we know we have an enemy who wants to keep us stuck in fear, paralyzed, making us think we don’t have what it takes. Satan is a thief, the accuser of the believers. He wants to steal, kill, and destroy your joy, dreams, and plans, so they don’t come to pass. He doesn’t know your future because he’s not Omniscient; only Almighty God is. However, he knows that there is potential God has put in you to fulfill His purpose, and that’s what Satan fears the most.

But the verse doesn’t stop there; its second part contains a message of hope. Don’t you love that word?! When there is hope, our spirit lifts, our countenance changes, our eyes shine, and we even smile. Suddenly, we have the strength to do what we need to do. We start dreaming, planning, creating.

“I have come that they may have life and have it to the full.” Jesus came for you to be free of bondage. God gave you gifts, abilities, passions to use in love to serve others. God wants you to use your full potential and find joy and satisfaction as you serve Him. 

He died on a cross for you and me and the whole world so that those who believe in Him shall have eternal life (John 3:16). And we find what this eternal life is about as we study the Scriptures diligently because they testify about Jesus (John 5:39).

God has a great purpose in mind for you; that’s why you are fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14). God made you unique, and He already gave you what you need for your assignment in life. Are you willing to live your life to the fullest?

A Solitary Place

“When Jesus heard what had happened, he withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place. Hearing of this, the crowds followed him on foot from the towns. When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick.” Matthew 14:13-14

Jesus withdrew from the noise and the crowds after hearing about the death of John the Baptist. He needed time alone with his Father, so he took a boat. While traveling, he might have stopped in the middle of the waters to converse with the Father or he might have just kept sailing to the other side while talking. We don’t know the details, but as we read in the gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, when Jesus withdrew or retreated to a solitary place, it was to pray.

Prayer was an essential part of Jesus’ life and ministry.

This reminds me of my prayers or conversations I have had with God while driving. I’m not implying that this is the correct way to do it, but that when you call God’s name, he listens, no matter where you are.

When Jesus arrived to the other side of this body of water, he was ready for what came next. He attended a large crowd—about 5,000 people—healed the sick, and even fed them with 5 loaves of bread and 2 fish—a great miracle of provision after prayer.

Would you be creative and choose your solitary place to pray? Make prayer an essential part of your life, too, and be expectant of God’s answer.

“In the morning, Lord , you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly.” Psalms 5:3

Él Iluminará la Ruta de Tu​ Vida

‘Tu palabra es una lámpara a mis pies; ¡es la luz que ilumina mi camino! ‘ Salmos 119:105

andrew-neel-193731-unsplash

Cuando uso el GPS en mi teléfono celular para llegar a un destino y éste me dice que haga un giro o tome una salida, inmediatamente quiero saber cuál va a ser el próximo paso. Deseo saber si debo continuar en la misma carretera, unirme a una carretera principal, girar a la derecha o a la izquierda. Solo para estar preparada.

La aplicación del mapa no muestra la ruta completa; solo revela el área donde el conductor necesita enfocarse en el momento. En ocasiones, me confundo, como cuando me encuentro con salidas consecutivas, intersecciones o bifurcaciones, o cuando conduzco bajo lluvia intensa, lo cual limita la visibilidad.

El uso del GPS me hace pensar en los momentos en que quiero saber qué es lo siguiente en la vida. No hay nada malo con estar preparado o tener un plan para la próxima movida. Sin embargo, aun preparándonos, hay situaciones que llegan a nuestras vidas sin invitación. Y, éstas podrían crear una mezcla de emociones en nosotros, como ansiedad, miedo, confusión e incluso dolor.

Si eres un discípulo de Jesucristo, puedes confiar en la ruta de Dios para tu vida – paso a paso – porque Él ha prometido que nunca te dejará ni te abandonará.

Es posible que no tenga todas las respuestas de inmediato, pero puedes confiar en que Dios te ayudará a llegar al destino que necesitas llegar y en el momento correcto.

La Palabra de Dios provee dirección clara para cada necesidad específica, y las promesas en ella también son para ti. Cree y confía en que Él iluminará tu camino o ruta en la vida

He Will Light Up the Route of Your Life

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. Psalm 119:105, ESV

andrew-neel-193731-unsplash

When I’m using the GPS on my smartphone to get to a destination and I’m advised to make a turn or take an exit, I immediately want to know the next step after this one. I wish to know if I should continue, merge, take a right or a left. Just to be prepared.

The map App does not show the complete route at once; it only reveals the area where the driver needs to focus at the moment. On occasions, I get confused, as when encountering consecutive exits, forks, or driving during heavy rain, which makes the view limited.

The use of GPS makes me think of the times I want to know what’s next in life. There is nothing wrong to be prepared or have a plan for the next move. Yet with preparations, there are matters that come to us without invitation. Moreover, these are the situations that could create a mix of emotions in us, like anxiety, fear, confusion, even pain.

If you are a disciple of Jesus Christ, you can trust God’s route for your life – step by step – because He has promised to never leave you nor forsake you.

You might not have all the answers right away, but you can trust God will help you arrive at the destination you need to be and at the right time.

God’s Word provides clear direction for every specific need, and its promises are for you too. Believe and trust that He will light up your path or route in life.