Dr. Timothy & Rev. Claudia Emerick
Missionaries of the Cross
I Corinthians 1:18

Godliness is Not Geographical!
God is Spirit, and those who worship him must worship in Spirit and truth.” John 4:24.

I must remember that my relationship with Father God is not determined by a certain place. Godliness is not produced by topography. Man builds himself tremendous, large cathedrals thinking that this impresses Father God and proves their holiness. This is exactly what Jesus confronted with the religious leaders of His day.
Jesus vividly made this point to the woman at the well (John 4:4). She was emphatic about Mount Gerizim: the place where men ought to worship” (John 4:20). Jesus replied that it did not matter where she worshiped, it was how to worship that she needed to be correct about. The house of worship is in spirit, that is and being properly tuned to God spiritually.
Jeremiah stated in his parable regarding the ripe and the spoiled figs. (Jeremiah 24). The good figs were the Jews, who had been taken to Babylonia, while the rotten figs were the Jews who remained in the holy land.
The parable ends forever the sin of place. Babylon was supposed to be the evil place, Judah, the good. But that was not true of the figs, for the rotten ones were in the good place; the good ones were in the rotten place.
How this speaks to my heart just now! Babylon with all its evils did not corrupt the captive Jews. Why? Because the right kind of geography was inside of them, not outside. Their hearts were right though their surroundings were evil. It was exactly the reverse with the Judean Jews, whose hearts were wrong though they were surroundings were right.
How often I have blamed my friends, my family, my job, or my environment for hindering my progress with God. False! The blame lies in my own negligent heart. The battle is one or lost within me. Babylon can become my purest heaven or Judea, my deep as hell, depending upon the state of my heart. The Lord God said in His Word that Jesus was a tender plant in a dry desert. (Isaiah 53:2). Father God, you want me to make sure to be the opposite of my surroundings, a touch of heavenly beauty in a barren land.

Reverenda Claudia y Dr. Timothy Emerick
Misioneros de la Cruz
1 Corintios 1:18

¡Vergüenza espiritual!
Contra ti, solo contra ti, he pecado, y he hecho lo malo ante tus ojos, para que seas hallado justo cuando hables y sin culpa cuando juzgues. Salmo 51:4.

Debo vivir de tal manera que nunca me avergüence delante de Él (1 Juan2:28). Ciertamente, esto se refiere a una segunda venida y a que nos reuniremos ante Él, pero también se refiere al tipo de vida que debemos llevar antes de que venga.
Avergonzarme ante él significa que lo he obligado a ver mi pecado. Pablo lo deja claro: ¿Tomaré los miembros de Cristo o los haré miembros de una prostituta? 1 Corintios 6:15. El hijo de un predicador pisoteó las caléndulas de su padre, pero este lo sorprendió en el acto. El niño gritó: «No me mires», pues estaba avergonzado porque su padre se vio obligado a presenciar su desobediencia.
La vergüenza es la constatación de un contraste. Cuanto mayor es el contraste, mayor es la vergüenza. Si siento incomodidad en la presencia del Señor, siempre es por algún pecado. Los muertos no experimentan tal incomodidad; pero las personas espiritualmente vivas pueden sentir un profundo dolor ante la presencia incluso del pecado más pequeño.
Sentir vergüenza ante Él es, por lo tanto, una señal de vida espiritual, así como el pinchazo de un médico duele porque el paciente está vivo. Sentir vergüenza ante Él significa que Cristo está realmente conmigo, pero algo ha cambiado en nuestra relación. Debo esforzarme, con su ayuda, por vivir en una relación íntima con Él para que nunca sienta vergüenza. Es una vida en la que Dios y su discípulo caminan juntos porque están en perfecta armonía (Amós 3:3).

Rev. Claudia & Dr. Timothy Emerick
Missionaries of the Cross
I Corinthians 1:18

Spiritual Shame!
Against You, you only, have I sinned, and done this evil in Your sight— That You may be found just when You speak, and blameless when You judge. Psalms 51:4.

I must live so as never to be ashamed before Him first John 2:28. Certainly this refers to a second coming and are assembling before Him, but it also refers to the kind of life we should live before he comes.
To be ashamed before him means that I have forced him to view my sin Paul makes it clear; shall I take the members of Christ or make them members of a prostitute? 1st Corinthians 6:15. A preacher’s son trampled his father’s marigolds, but his father caught him in the act. The boy cried, don’t look at me, he was ashamed because his father was forced to see his disobedience.
Shame is the realization of a contrast. The greater the contrast, the greater the sense of shame. If I have a sense of discomfort in the presence of the Lord, it is always because of some sin. Dead people have no such discomfort; but spiritually alive people can become acutely pained by the presence of even the smallest sin.
To be ashamed before Him, therefore, is a mark of spiritual life, even as a pinpricking of the doctor hurts because the patient is alive. To be ashamed before him means that Christ is really with me, but something has happened in our relationship. I must try, with His help, to live in clouded relationship with him so they will never feel ashamed. It is a life that has never has to cry out to him don’t look at me the life in which God and His disciple walk together because they are perfectly agreed. (Amos 3:3).

La Espina de Pablo
Y para que no me enalteciera desmedidamente por la abundancia de las revelaciones, me fue dado una espina en la carne, un mensajero de Satanás que me abofetee, para que no me enaltezca desmedidamente. Acerca de esto, rogué al Señor tres veces que lo quitara de mí. Y Él me dijo: Mi gracia te basta, porque mi poder se perfecciona en la debilidad. Por lo tanto, con mucho gusto me gloriaré más bien en mis debilidades, para que el poder de Cristo repose sobre mí. Por lo tanto, me complazco en las debilidades, en las afrentas, en las necesidades, en las persecuciones, en las angustias, por amor de Cristo. Porque cuando soy débil, entonces soy fuerte.
2 Corintios 12:7-10.

La Espina de Pablo
Por lo tanto, para que no me envaneciera, me fue dado una espina en la carne, un mensajero de Satanás, para atormentarme. Tres veces le rogué al Señor que me la quitara. Pero él me dijo: «Mi gracia te basta, porque mi poder se perfecciona en la debilidad. Por lo tanto, con mucho gusto me gloriaré aún más en mis debilidades, para que el poder de Cristo repose sobre mí. Por eso, por amor a Cristo, me gozo en las debilidades, en los insultos, en las dificultades, en las persecuciones, en las angustias. Porque cuando soy débil, entonces soy fuerte.
• Pero él me dijo: Mi gracia (poder) (capacidad) te basta, porque mi poder se perfecciona en la debilidad».
• Él me respondió: «Yo soy todo lo que necesitas. Te doy mi favor amoroso. Mi poder se perfecciona en los débiles». Estoy feliz de ser débil y tener problemas para poder tener el poder de Cristo en mí.

Introducción
Algunos creen que la espina de Pablo fue dada por Dios para mantenerlo humilde. Esto no es así. Dios Padre le dijo a Pablo que su gracia (capacidad) en su vida era suficiente para afrontar este ataque de Satanás. La obra redentora de Jesucristo en la cruz del Calvario fue y es más que suficiente para vencer el mal de cualquier tipo, incluyendo la espina que Satanás le dio a Pablo.
Existen malentendidos con respecto a la Escritura, 2 Corintios 12:7-9. Por lo tanto, debo indicar que debemos examinar otras Escrituras para comprender también lo que se dice aquí. En 2 Pedro 1:2-4 se dice que la gracia (capacidad) (poder) y la paz de Dios se multiplican hasta el conocimiento de Él. La gracia es la capacidad de Dios obrando a través de nosotros y la paz nuestra confianza en Él. Dios no usará nada de Satanás contra sus hijos. Es como decir que Dios da cáncer a una persona para bendecirla. Esto es una mentira del infierno. Tenemos un Padre amoroso que se complace en bendecir a sus hijos. Todo lo que el Señor le decía a Pablo era que Satanás lo atacaba, pero que el poder que Dios le había dado en su nuevo nacimiento era más que suficiente para vencer cualquier ataque del maligno. Debemos entender que Dios jamás usaría a Satanás ni a ninguno de sus demonios contra sus hijos. Ese no es el carácter de Dios. Dios declaró que en su nombre ordenaríamos a los demonios que se alejaran de la gente. Dios le decía a Pablo que su poder, mediante el nombre de Jesús, era más que suficiente para su vida y ministerio, como lo es para nosotros, los creyentes de hoy.

Definiciones examinadas
Gracia (χάρις (charis)- una provisión graciosa, plan graciosa, gracia, Rom. 6:14, 15; Heb. 2:9; 12:28; 13:9.
En el sentido objetivo de la palabra gracia significa aquello que Dios nos ha dado a través de Jesucristo.
En el sentido subjetivo de la palabra procede de la obra redentora divina de Cristo en el Calvario.
(Poder) δύναμις (dynamis)- poder; fuerza, capacidad, Mt. 25:15; Heb. 11:11; eficacia, 1 Cor. 4:19, 20; Fil. 3:10; 1 Tes. 1:5; 2 Tim. 3:5; energía, Col. 1:29; 2 Tim. 1:7; significado, propósito del lenguaje, 1 Cor. 14:11; autoridad, Lc. 4:36; 9:1; poder, majestad, Mt. 22:29; 24:30; Hch. 3:12; Rom. 9:17; 2 Tes. 1:7; 2 Pe. 1:16; en NT una manifestación o ejemplo de poder, medios poderosos, Hch. 8:10; Rom. 1:16; 1 Cor. 1:18, 24;

Origen de la enfermedad y el pecado
Debemos entender que Dios es el mismo ayer, hoy y siempre. Hebreos 13:8.
Dios ungió a Jesús de Nazaret con el Espíritu Santo y con poder. Él anduvo haciendo el bien y sanando a todos los oprimidos por el diablo, porque Dios estaba con él. Hechos 10:38
Bienaventurado el hombre que soporta la tentación (las pruebas), porque cuando haya resistido la prueba, recibirá la corona de la vida que el Señor ha prometido a los que le aman. Que nadie diga cuando sea tentado: «Soy tentado por Dios», porque Dios no puede ser tentado por el mal, ni tienta a nadie. Sino que cada uno es tentado cuando su propia concupiscencia lo arrastra y lo seduce. Luego, cuando la concupiscencia ha concebido, da a luz el pecado; y cuando el pecado ha sido consumado, da a luz la muerte.
No se equivoquen, amados hermanos. Toda buena dádiva y todo don perfecto descienden de lo alto, del Padre de las luces, en quien no hay cambio ni sombra de variación. Por su propia voluntad nos hizo nacer con la palabra de verdad, para que fuéramos primicias de sus criaturas. Santiago 1:12-19.

Nuestros derechos!
Su divino poder nos ha dado todo lo que concierne a la vida y a la piedad mediante el conocimiento de aquel que nos llamó por su propia gloria y excelencia, 4 por medio de las cuales nos ha dado preciosas y grandísimas promesas, para que por ellas lleguéis a ser partícipes de la naturaleza divina y escapéis de la corrupción que hay en el mundo a causa de la concupiscencia. 2 Pedro 1:2-4.

¡Manténganse firmes!
Que el débil diga: «Soy fuerte». Joel 3:10.
Gracias sean dadas a Dios, que siempre nos lleva en triunfo en Cristo Jesús, y que
por medio de nosotros revela en todo lugar el dulce aroma de su conocimiento. 2 Corintios 2:14.
Sin embargo, no me avergüenzo, porque conozco a aquel en quien he creído, y estoy seguro
de que él es poderoso para guardar lo que le he encomendado hasta aquel día.
2 Timoteo 1:12.
¿Qué diremos, pues, acerca de esto? Si Dios está con nosotros, ¿quién estará contra nosotros?
Romanos 8:31

Presta atención a cómo habla la gente. Las palabras revelan fe o duda. Tu forma de
pensar determina tu forma de hablar. ¡Y tu forma de hablar determina tu forma de vivir!

Paul’s, Thorn
And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure. Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore, most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore, I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
2 Corinthians 12:7-10.

Paul’s Thorn
Therefore, to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore, I will boast even more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
• But he said to me, “My grace (power) (Ability) is enough for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”
• He answered me, “I am all you need. I give you My loving-favor. My power works best in weak people.” I am happy to be weak and have troubles so I can have Christ’s power in me.

Introduction
Some believe that Paul’s thorn was given by God to keep Paul humble. This is not the case. Father God told Paul that His grace (ability) in his life, was sufficient to handle this attack from Satan. The redemptive work of Jesus Christ on the cross of Calvary was and is more than sufficient to overcome evil of any kind. Including Paul’s thorn that was given to him by Satan.
There are misconceptions regarding the scripture, 2 Cor. 12:7-9. Therefore, I need to indicate that we should look at other scriptures to also understand what was said here. In 2 Peter 1: 2-4 says that God’s grace (ability) (power) and peace is multiplied to the knowledge of Him. Grace is God’s ability working through us and peace our trust in Him. God will not use anything from Satan towards his children. It’s like saying, God gives cancer to a person to bless them. This is a lie from the pit of hell. We have a loving father who takes pleasure in blessing His children. All the Lord was saying to Paul was that he was being attacked by Satan, but God ‘s ability given it to Paul in the new birth, was more than enough to overcome any of the attack delivered by the evil one. This, we must understand God will never use Satan or any of his demons towards his children. This is not the character of God. God stated in His name we will command demons to leave people. God was telling Paul that His ability through using the name of Jesus was more than sufficient for his life and ministry as it is for us as believers today.
Definitions Examined
Grace (χάρις (charis)- a gracious provision, gracious scheme, grace, Rom. 6:14, 15; Heb. 2:9; 12:28; 13:9.
In the objective sense of the word grace means that which has been given to us by God through Jesus Christ.
In the subjective sense of the word proceeds from the divine redemptive work of Christ on Calvary.
(Power ) δύναμις (dynamis)- power; strength, ability, Mt. 25:15; Heb. 11:11; efficacy, 1 Cor. 4:19, 20; Phil. 3:10; 1 Thess. 1:5; 2 Tim. 3:5; energy, Col. 1:29; 2 Tim. 1:7; meaning, purport of language, 1 Cor. 14:11; authority, Lk. 4:36; 9:1; might, power, majesty, Mt. 22:29; 24:30; Acts 3:12; Rom. 9:17; 2 Thess. 1:7; 2 Pet. 1:16; in NT a manifestation or instance of power, mighty means, Acts 8:10; Rom. 1:16; 1 Cor. 1:18, 24;

Origin of Sickness and Sin
We must understand that God is the same yesterday, today and forever. Heb 13:8.
God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the holy Spirit and power. He went about doing good and healing all those oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. Acts: 10:38
Blessed is the man who endures temptation (trials), for when he is tried, he will receive the crown of life, which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. Let no man say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil; neither does He tempt anyone. But each man is tempted when he is drawn away by his own lust and enticed. Then, when lust has conceived, it brings forth sin; and when sin is finished, it brings forth death.
Do not err, my beloved brothers. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom is no change or shadow of turning. Of His own will He brought us forth with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of first fruits of His creatures. James 1:12-19.
Our Rights!
His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness through the knowledge of Him who has called us by His own glory and excellence, 4 by which He has given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, so that through these things you might become partakers of the divine nature and escape the corruption that is in the world through lust. 2 Peter 1:2-4.

Stand Strong!
Let the weak say, ‘I am strong. Joel 3:10
Now thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and reveals
through us the sweet aroma of his knowledge in every place. 2 Corinthians 2:14
Yet I am not ashamed, for I know him whom I have believed, and I am persuaded
that He is able to guard that which I have committed to him against that day.
2 Timothy1:12

What then shall we say about these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?
Romans 8:31

Listen to how people speak. Words are locaters either of faith or doubt. How you
think is how you will speak. And how you speak is how you will live!

Our Doctor Jesus!
And you know that God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power. Then Jesus went around doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. Acts 10:38, New Living Translation (NLT)

Have you seen your children lying sick with fever and we wished to take their place so they wouldn’t have to suffer. Well, that is what Jesus did for you and me! It says in I Peter 2: 24, “By his wounds you are healed.” You don’t know how many times I have seen the healing power of God touch people and make them whole. I have a good friend who name is Jeff and he is a Christian and a therapist and prays for his patients and God heals them. The Bibles states that those who believe in Christ will pray for the sick and God will heal them (Mark 16: 15-16).
Are you sick? The scripture is clear stating that sickness comes from the devil not from God. God does not want you to be sick. God wants you whole, full of life, energy and happiness. As you love your children and you don’t want them to be sick neither does God because He loves you even more! God does not want you sick. If you are tired of being sick emotionally, psychologically, physically, or spiritually please repeat these words out loud with me.
Dear God, I thank you Jesus that you took all of my diseases. Thank you by your power. I am whole and full of energy and I have power. I thank you that in Jesus I am complete. I lack nothing! I thank you Jesus that you live in me and I live for you. I thank you God that I have received everything that I have just confessed.
Amen.

¡Nuestro doctor Jesús!
Y ustedes saben que Dios ungió a Jesús de Nazaret con el Espíritu Santo y con poder. Luego Jesús anduvo haciendo el bien y sanando a todos los oprimidos por el diablo, porque Dios estaba con él. Hechos 10:38, Nueva Traducción Viviente (NTV).

¿Has visto a tus hijos enfermos con fiebre y quisimos ocupar su lugar para que no sufrieran? Pues eso es lo que Jesús hizo por ti y por mí. Dice en 1 Pedro 2:24: «Por su llaga fuisteis sanados». No sabes cuántas veces he visto el poder sanador de Dios tocar a las personas y sanarlas. Tengo un buen amigo llamado Jeff, cristiano y terapeuta, que ora por sus pacientes y Dios los sana. La Biblia dice que quienes creen en Cristo orarán por los enfermos y Dios los sanará (Marcos 16:15-16).
¿Estás enfermo? La Escritura es clara al afirmar que la enfermedad viene del diablo, no de Dios. Dios no quiere que estés enfermo. Dios te quiere sano, lleno de vida, energía y felicidad. Así como amas a tus hijos y no quieres que enfermen, Dios tampoco, porque te ama aún más. Dios no quiere que estés enfermo. Si estás cansado de estar enfermo emocional, psicológica, física o espiritualmente, por favor, repite estas palabras en voz alta conmigo.
Querido Dios, te doy gracias, Jesús, porque me quitaste todas mis enfermedades. Gracias por tu poder. Estoy completo, lleno de energía y tengo poder. Te doy gracias porque en Jesús estoy completo. ¡No me falta nada! Te doy gracias, Jesús, porque vives en mí y yo vivo para ti. Te doy gracias, Dios, porque he recibido todo lo que acabo de confesar. Amén.

¡Él vino a Servir!
Así como el Hijo del Hombre no vino para que lo esperaran, sino para servir y para dar su vida en rescate por muchos [el precio pagado para liberarlos]. Mateo 20:28; (AMP)

Qué extraño es este concepto para el hombre moderno. Queremos ser servidos, y con excelencia. Esta es la mentalidad del mundo. Todos estamos obsesionados con nuestros derechos. Exigimos nuestros derechos. Y si no nos salimos con la nuestra, nos enojamos y nos rebelamos. Sin embargo, no deberíamos ser así si amamos a Dios. Cristo vino a servir al hombre. Nos sanó, nos alimentó, nos lavó los pies, oró por nosotros y, finalmente, murió por nosotros. ¿Te imaginas que Dios se humillara para servir a la humanidad?
Cristo vino con una misión. Su misión era liberarnos de las ataduras del infierno aquí en la tierra y darnos libertad eterna en Él. La libertad tuvo un precio terrible. Cristo tuvo que morir en la cruz del Calvario para pagar una deuda. ¡Nuestra deuda! Pagó con su muerte para que pudiéramos tener una NUEVA VIDA en Él. No solo una renovación, sino un nuevo comienzo. No vino a fundar una iglesia ni una religión. Vino para que pudiéramos tener una relación directa con Dios Padre a través de Él. Lo demostró enseñándonos la verdadera manera de amar. Para amar como Dios, ponemos a los demás primero. Para amar como Dios, buscamos maneras de ayudar y reparar las heridas en la vida de las personas. El verdadero amor es sacrificial.
Cristo, al enfrentar su muerte en la cruz, ni siquiera se defendió. No se quejó. No dijo que fuera injusto. Sabía que Dios Padre tenía el control. Jesús sabía que no necesitaba protestar. Declaró que para esto vino (la cruz), para que tengamos vida abundante en él. Descansó en el amor de su Padre sabiendo que cumplió su misión en la tierra. La próxima vez que quieras luchar por tus derechos, piensa mejor en cómo podrías servir a alguien. ¡Que Cristo sea nuestro ejemplo, no el mundo!

He came to Serve!
Just as the Son of Man came not to be waited on but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many [the price paid to set them free]. Matt. 20:28; (AMP)

How foreign is this concept to modern man. We want to be served and served with excellence. This is the mentality of the world. We are all caught up regarding our rights. We demand our rights. And if we don’t get our way we get angry and boisterous. However, this not the way we should be if we love God. Christ came to serve man. He healed us, He fed us, He washed our feet, He prayed for us, and ultimately, He died for us. Can you imagine that God humbled himself to serve mankind?

Christ came with a mission. His mission was to set us free from the bondages of hell here on earth and to provide us with eternal freedom in Him. Freedom came at a terrible price. Christ had to die on the cross of Calvary to pay a debt. Our debt! He paid with His death so we can have a NEW LIFE in Him. Not just a make-over, but a brand-new beginning. He did not come to establish a church or religion. He came that we might have a direct relationship with Father God though Him. He demonstrated this by teaching us the true way to love. To love as God, we put others first. To love like God, we look for ways to help and mend brokenness in people’s lives. True love is sacrificial.

Christ facing His death on the cross did not even defend himself. He did not complain. He didn’t say it was unfair. He knew that Father God was in control. Jesus knew that he did not need to protest. He stated that it was unto this end (the cross) that He came so we might have an abundant life in Him. He rested in the love of His father knowing that He completed His mission on earth. The next time you want to fight for your rights look better in how you might serve someone. Let Christ be our example, not the world!

Overcome Evil with Good!
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. Rom. 12:21.

I must admit that throughout my entire life, I have struggled with anger. When I’m confronted with evil, I mostly respond with negative words rather than being positive. I truly believe it has to do with my pride. I feel that people should live up to my expectations even though I do not live up to God’s expectations for me. I repent and ask God for forgiveness at least 20 times a day because I commit the same sin again.
The Lord Jesus did not ignore Satan. He did not ignore evil. But He defeated all His enemies at the cross of Calvary with love He has for mankind. Scripture stated that, “And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.” Col. 2:15.
God’s prerogative in dealing with evil was to have victory over it and using the opportunity for good. Calvary was an official act against the kingdom of darkness. God and evil are antagonistic because evil was very reason for the redemptive act of Christ on Calvary.
If I’m a true disciple of Jesus Christ, then I will manifest Calvary principles. I have been attacked verbally and lied on and I know this is a tool of the enemy. Just like Jesus in every situation He confronted he looked at His enemies with eternal eyes. He saw what people could become through His love and compassion.
Jesus stated that He came to save that which was lost to evil, not condemn those who are bound by Satan. He did this out of mercy and love. Do we deserve mercy, No. But God in His love towards us through the sacrifice of Jesus did not give us justice for our rebellion, rather mercy.