by Janina Marie Rivera | Nov 29, 2017 | Blog
“Samuel was ministering before the Lord, a boy clothed with a linen ephod.” – 1 Samuel 2:18 I remember reading this verse one day, stopping a moment to reflect on the words, “ministering before the Lord.” Often times, the word “ministering” takes on the meaning of...
by Janina Marie Rivera | Nov 23, 2017 | Blog
We love to ask God to vindicate us and prove others wrong—even if the “others” are fellow Jesus lovers. We get wounded by them, and our bleeding hearts cry, “JUSTICE! GOD, GIVE ME JUSTICE!” We think that justice always means being repaid good for the evil brought upon...
by Janina Marie Rivera | Nov 14, 2017 | Blog
Peter asked, “Lord, why can’t I follow you now? I will lay down my life for you.” Then Jesus answered, “Will you really lay down your life for me? Very truly I tell you, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times!” John 13:37-38 How many times do we have...
by Janina Marie Rivera | Nov 7, 2017 | Blog
Pilate called together the chief priests, the rulers and the people, and said to them, “You brought me this man as one who was inciting the people to rebellion. I have examined him in your presence and have found no basis for your charges against him. Neither has...
by Janina Marie Rivera | Nov 1, 2017 | Blog
There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal… Ecclesiastes 3:1-3 Many times, we get impatient with our lives. We look at...
by Janina Marie Rivera | Oct 30, 2017 | Blog
The Christian life is not selfish. It is one where we embrace two very important commands: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind; and, Love your neighbor as yourself” (Luke 10:27)....
by Janina Marie Rivera | Oct 23, 2017 | Blog
And after the fire came a gentle whisper. When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave. Then a voice said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?’ –1 Kings 19:12b-13 Elijah was one of the most powerful...
by Janina Marie Rivera | Oct 9, 2017 | Blog
During the dark, seemingly empty moments of my life—moments, too, when I can’ t make heads or tails of my situation– I remember the time when the whole universe was dark and in chaos. Genesis 1:1-2 states: “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the...
by Janina Marie Rivera | Oct 2, 2017 | Blog
Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. –Colossians 3:12 We should never get tired of practicing virtues like kindness and compassion. In fact, they should mark us. In...
by Janina Marie Rivera | Sep 26, 2017 | Blog
“Abraham will surely become a great and powerful nation, and all nations on earth will be blessed through him. For I have chosen him, so that he will direct his children and his household after him to keep the way of the Lord by doing what is right and just, so that...
