Come and Rest!

 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest”.

Mathew 11:28

We all know what being tired feels like. Everyday we have a schedule or routine. As a woman being a wife, mother, working full-time and studying can be overwhelming. We know what it is like to fall asleep in a cough and not finish a task; perhaps not being able to clean the whole house as planned, Instead you fail to sleep. Rest is essential for us in many ways. Without rest and more specifically sleep our mind and body are unable to function the way they were designed. We need to eat healthy and drink plenty of water to balance our life. 

My first shift as a registered nurse in the emergency department was a challenge. It was my first time working a night shift. The next day; I couldn't even get off the bed. I felt such pain in my whole body and I was overwhelmed with such a  physical job. I wonder if I was going to keep up with my night residency job. All I could think was; how exhausted and how much my body hurt the next day. 

Rest in the Lord, refers to a spiritual rest from confusion, worry, stress, useless human effort, and a break from all activities. In the Hebrew rest means to be at peace.  I feel secure with Jesus. I know that he is my rock and that he will give me the strength, the knowledge to finish my residency strong. We must learn to rest in the Lord and to understand that it is okay to take a day to just reset. “We can do all things through Jesus Christ who strengthens me”.  Therefore, rest in the Lord. Wait patiently for the Lord. “I call on the Lord and he answers me and delivers me”. “Come to me all who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest”.  Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for yours souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you his light”.  We live a life full of hustle and full schedules. Today in Butterfly by Grace Mommy & daughter blog; we want to encourage you to rest in the Lord. He will give you the strength you need to continue. Taking care of your body which is the body of Christ is and should be a priority. We must understand the importance of getting plenty of fluids and eating a healthy diet to be able to keep up with our busy schedule. Take time to rest your body. “Even youth grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fail; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and and not be faint”.  Lets pray

Father God, I come to you and ask you for your rest and peace. Jesus I pray you lift the burden of everyone who's reading looking for rest and peace. Father God, l pray that everyone asking for peace may turn to you in prayer and supplication.  Thank you for the victory! In the name of  Jesus, Amen. 

Fear of the Lord!

 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but the fools despise wisdom and instruction. ~Proverbs 1-7

Most people despise any kind of correction. We are so convinced that we know it all. We don't want to learn anything new or change our ways because we think that our way is the only way. When someone tries to correct us, we set up a wall. This happens many times when we start a new job, or anything new. We come with the old habits and we are not open minded to new things. But, there are times that we need time out to rethink in our ways. Nothing can make me more upset than a disrespectful child without discipline. Nothing gives them the right to mistreat a parent. Respect is non-negotiable. Patents, set boundaries and know your limits. Your child is not your partner or your peer.  Many parents don't know where to draw the line when it comes to their children's disrespectful behavior. Today's society we don't know who is the child and who is the parent. Which is why; we need the fear of the Lord. As a child when our parents gave us that tough correction, it was that look that just gave fear. My parents were old school; they only had to look at us and we would already be in our rooms making sure that the room was in order, and clean. My mother didn't even have to touch us; she just had to look at me and my siblings and we already knew that as soon as the visitors were gone, we were all in big trouble. Growing up my parents were very strict. We were not allowed to sleepover, stay up late or have friends over uninvited. We had to have dinner together as a family; and for Sunday mass we had to be ready on time, no one was allowed to stay home alone. I never learned the fear of the Lord until I gave my life to the Lord. Fear is an affectionate reverence that we bring before God. 

Fear is mentioned approximately 437 times in the bible. Regardless of translation, different types of fears. “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy one is insight”. If you are experiencing any fear that is not from the Lord, you can overcome fear by faith with prayer and submission. There are many different kinds of fears, but we must learn to trust God. He says: “Fear Not” “I am with you”. “For God gave us a spirit not of fear but power and love self control”. Even in the bible there were men and women who displayed a spirit of fear in the bible, but emotion of impending danger never overwhelmed Jesus. We must tremble at the Lord's holiness, just as we are drawn to him in Love. We must accept instruction. To resist the pride that will take us off our path. Many seek money and treasure over fear, it is wise to fear God and be obedient. On day two of my nursing residency I had such fear; that could not explain. As I wore my navy blue scrubs all that I could do was cry and praise. I remember the days that I prayed for what I have accomplished today by grace. I remember that I am a nurse of fear because God was who created me to be the woman, the nurse of fear who remembers that God still answers prayers. “Know and fully recognize with gratitude that the Lord himself is God; It is he who has made us, not we ourselves. We are his people and the sheep of his pasture”. I remember what it was like when I didn't have what I prayed for. I told my God I will forever worship you. I will dedicate my license to the Lord. I will forever preach to the sick. My fear was in reference; acknowledge that the God who gives can also take away in the blink of an eye. I want to stay humble and be a prudent nurse who fears God over everything and every one. My second day was full of emotions and joy. I have waited a very long time for this day; humanly, I was a little nervous; but I knew that the same God who did the miracle is the same God today, tomorrow and forever. He is the God who will walk with me in the next eighteen months by providing me with his wisdom, and knowledge. Today, in “Butterfly by Grace Mommy & Daughter blog” I would like to encourage you to take the step forward of faith to walk by faith and not by sight. I encourage you to remember to stay humble and walk with the fear of the Lord. Don't forget God when he answers your prayer. Stay with a humble heart and submit to God. Walk with fear, and I will guarantee you that God will fight for you every step of the way. “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up”. Being humble opens doors. 

Lets pray,

Holy Spirit, make us aware of people around us. Let us come before you with fear and in humbleness. Help us to position our hearts and walk humbly. We choose to like without pride and follow your lead. Father God, please prevent us from trying to attract attention. Do not let us gloat over praise. Help to live and walk like you Jesus. Amen

The Breakthrough!

 I love you, LORD, my strength. The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. Psalm 18:1-2

Someone once said: “Don't forget about God when you get what you prayed for”. My first day in the nursing residency was a day full of joy. I waited four years for this dream to come true. I cried for years and felt defeated. I was in a very difficult place. From January to December not moving forward nor backwards. It was a very difficult time for me. I saw many colleagues move on, grow tremendously in their career. I had a faith smaller than a mustard seed. For years I shut down from social media, family and friends. I was at my lowest point. “My God. My God. why have you forsaken me”. Whether it's feeling like a failure in specific areas or in general, we are feeling burdened with not being able to get things right, not doing enough, or not being like that woman of God over there who seems to have everything together. We know that the feeling of failure is not from God; it is from the enemy. “Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue to continue that counts”. The bible says: “For which much wisdom comes much sorrow; the more knowledge, the more grief:. One thing I know for sure: prayer works. There were times that I felt that my prayers were touching the sealing of my house and others I felt like God was not listening. Let's face it. We don't always pray the same way and with the same authority. There were times in my journey that all I was able to do was cry and worship. Today, I understood that what the enemy meant for evil against me, God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people would hear my testimony through my book first time author and through my testimony. In “Butterfly by Grace Mommy and daughter blog” I want you to know that God sees you and he really cares. My first day in the nurse residency reminded me how faithful our God is. He remains faithful even when we are not. Don't ever underestimate the power of prayer. Keep pushing forward. My first day of residency, I was fearful. As I drove down the parkway, tears of joy came down my cheek. I was reminded of my dreams and prophetic words that manifested four years later. I pray and fast. I dedicated my four years to keep studying, writing my journey and preaching the gospel. There were days I was strong; and others I was weak. But, I always gave him my best worship. I declare that my miracle was coming even when I didn't even see it. I bought my uniform and walked around my room with it. I said Yes and Amen. I will declare everyday: “You are the God of miracles” “You are way maker” The more I worship the more I fail. I was unstoppable. I know that my God is my redeemer and that he lives. He is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer. He is king and he never lost a battle. I pray for my heart. I pray for humbleness and as I prayed I had to forgive. I was transformed. He turned my mourning into dancing, he loosed my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness. My breakthrough came. Lets pray,

Dear God,

Today I just want to worship you. Father God answered my prayer. You delivered me. I will forever worship you. Today, I pray for everyone reading this blog; Lord, I am asking you to attend their cries. Listen, father as they call on you. Father God I know that you are listening I know that you are faithful. Your word says: if we have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain; move from here to there; and it will move. Today, I stand by faith with all of those who are reading this blog and are asking for a breakthrough. All those who need Jesus, those who call on you Jesus their faces are never covered with shame. I pray and declare miracles. Jesus you are one who the winds and waves obey. Is there anything impossible for God? Just believe. In the name of Jesus. 

Women's International Day!

 “Charm is deceptive and beauty fleeting, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised”. ~ Proverbs 31:30

Today all around the world they celebrate “Women's Day”. Women's day was a result of several socialist movements, which demanded voting conditions. While countries across the world have since celebrated the day, its roots go much further. According to the UNs official website, the first National Woman's day was first observed in the United States on February 28, 1909.  “In 1908 garment workers strike in New York, where women protested against working conditions”. Around 15,000 women marched that day for shorter hours of work, better pay and voting rights, the International Women's Day (IWD).  As early as 1848, Americans Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Lucretia Mott staged the first woman's rights convention in New York. International Women's Day is rooted in womens centuries old struggle to participate in society on an equal footing with men. The first woman according to the bible was created in Genesis 2-3 by the name of Eve. The name Eve comes from the Hebrew word chavah, which means “the living” or “life”. She was the mother of all living (Genesis 3:20). Eve was made in God's image, just as Adam was too (Genesis 1:27).  Eve was the mother of Cain and Abel and Seth and other sons and daughters. Eve was the first woman, the first wife, and the first mother in the world. Eve lived in the garden with her husband Adam. Unfortunately, Eve gave into temptation to eat the forbidden tree. She was deceived by the serpent. “For Adam was formed first, then Eve, and Adam was not deceived, but the woman was deceived and became a transgressor”. The serpent sowed doubt in Eve's mind by telling her “You will not certainly die”. The enemy uses these schemes to paralyze many women and makes them believe that they can be better without God. Eve took the fruit and ate it and then gave some to her husband, Adam, who also ate. Women need to be more full of the Holy Spirit and not be ignorant and think that Satan will just stay still. Since the beginning we see how he hated women. His intentions were and are to destroy women. He is a liar. Death came to the human race as a result of what Eve was tricked into doing to Adam's subsequent choice of sin.  

God multiplied Eve's pain in childbearing, He pronounced that the relationship between man and women would be characterized by conflict. “To the woman he said, “I will surely multiply your pain in childbearing, in pain you shall bring forth children. Your desire shall be contrary to your husband, but he shall rule over you”. To, Adam said, “Because you listened to your wife and ate the fruit from the tree about which I commanded you, “You must not eat from it” “Cursed is the ground because of you through painful toil you will eat food from it all the days of your life”. But here is God's good news, women. “ and I will put enmity between you and the woman, And between your seed and her seed; he shall bruise your head and you shall bruise his heel”.

I understand that many are the affliction of women. But the Lord promised to be with us until the end. Remember that you are chosen. God loves you and he has inscribed you on the palms of his hands. Never doubt your value to God as a woman. Jesus loves you and created you strong and with purpose. You are God's masterpiece and plan from the beginning. So what does God really think about women? Jesus, delivered women from diseases and set them free from spiritual darkness. Jesus taught in places women were present. Jesus invited Mary Magdalene to join his ministry. The Apostle Paul wrote: “There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus' '. You are never less than a woman. Jesus was willing to break cultural rules to prove anything. Today in “Butterfly by Grace '' Mommy & Daughter Blog”  I like for you women to take a moment and think of what Jesus thinks about you. How do you see yourself? Remember, Jesus loves you. I like to encourage you to stay focused. Celebrate all your success. Love yourself and fear God overall. God has made you special with a talent to keep fighting the good fight. Lets pray,

Imitadores de Dios!

‭‭Efesios‬ ‭5:1‬ ‭RVR1960‬‬

[1] Sed, pues, imitadores de Dios como hijos amados. 

Cada día que pasa podemos ver más imitadores que personas con su propia esencia. Hoy podemos ver poca identidad propia. Hay demasiadas copias y poca originalidad. El copiar puede traer consecuencias y desorden en el pueblo de Dios. ¡Presten atención! Yo los envío como ovejas en medio de lobos, por tanto, sean astutos como serpientes y sencillos como palomas”. De niña siempre me encantaba (wonder woman) la mujer maravilla y la mujer biónica. La mujer maravilla (Linda Carter) quien tres años antes se había convertido en Miss USA 1972. Wonder Woman era una programación de una famosa serie de televisión emitida de 1975 a 1979 quien fue Wonder Woman por excelencia. Wonder Woman era una poderosa líder y guerrera. Su fuerza, velocidad, casi invulnerabilidad al daño físico y su equipo (particularmente a su lazo dorado) la convertía en un personaje fuerte. También fue parte de DC junto con Batman y Superman. Se trata de un personaje que a través de sus cualidades se gana un lugar dentro de la Liga de la Justicia. Wonder Woman ( Mujer Maravilla) fue creada por Charles Moulton,  quien nos presenta una historia basada en la mitología griega de una princesa guerrera de una sociedad de amazonas llamada Diana. Por otro lado, de niña otro de mis personajes favoritos fue The bionic woman (mujer biónica) quien alcanzó la fama Mundial. Ella, como su par masculino, podía correr a velocidades inalcanzables, aunque para hacerlo fuera de Cámara lenta, también contaba con un brazo superpoderoso. Pero en vez de un ojo que todo lo ve, le asignaron un oído que todo lo escucha. 

Hay una serie que comenzó en Jamaica 1920 traducida “Mono Mira Mono Hace”. Decir se refiere a aprender algo por mimetismo, sin entender por qué funciona ni preocuparse por las consecuencias. Cuando mi hija Ashley Gabriela era pequeñita ella solía imitarme. Ella usaba mis tacones y en ocasiones mis maquillajes. Para muchos esto es un orgullo que su hija quiera imitar a su mamá.  ¿Qué sucede cuando tal principio es utilizado de tal manera que se pierde su propia esencia?  ¿Qué sucede cuando damos malos ejemplos? Por lo contrario, todo lo que no se aprende correctamente se practica erróneamente. Si estas escuchando la doctrina falsa, continuarás enseñando falsas doctrinas. El apóstol Pablo habló acerca de la introducción de doctrinas falsas. “Si alguno enseña otra cosa, y no se conforma a las sanas palabras de nuestro Señor Jesucristo, y a la doctrina que es conforme a la piedad,  está envanecido, nada sabe, y delira acerca de cuestiones y contiendas de palabras, de las cuales nacen envidias, pleitos, blasfemias, malas sospechas,” En una ocasión escuche un pastor muy reconocido decir: “Jesús no vino a salvar, si no a prosperar”. Lo interesante de todo esto es que su Co-pastor en una de sus prédicas dijo lo mismo en medio de su prédica. Muchos tenemos padres espirituales o mentores. Ellos no nos pueden enseñar a predicar. Esto es un don individual, no un arte. Cada predicador asume su propio estilo y su propia unción. Hay grandes  hombres y mujeres de Dios los cuales todos hemos admirado. Por ejemplo; Yiye Avila, David Wilkerson, Charles Spurgeoun, Katherine Kulman entre mis favoritos. Si vamos a imitar a alguien debe ser Jesús. Cada uno debe ser original. “Y el mismo Dios de paz os santifique por completo; y todo vuestro ser, espíritu, alma y cuerpo, sea guardado irreprensible para la venida de nuestro Señor Jesucristo. Fiel es el que os llama, el cual también lo hará”. 

Actualmente podemos ver cómo las redes sociales se han convertido en una burla y copia del Cristianismo. Todo lo que se ve y se escucha es copiado o imitado. Nadie puede predicar hoy un mensaje lleno y del poder del Espíritu Santo. Aun los jóvenes hoy día a través de Tic Tac, Instagram podemos ver cómo los niños de hoy día no tienen temor de Dios y menos su propia imagen. Ellos copian todo lo que ven, sea bueno o malo. Pueden imaginar cómo sería nuestro mundo hoy si hubieran más imitadores de Cristo Jesus. Hay un mundo que se pierde, necesitamos con urgencia de un 911 imitar a Cristo Jesus más que nunca. Aun la palabra de Dios es original. La biblia fue escrita por hombres llenos del Espíritu Santo. Alguien dijo: “ una necesidad del hombre es la identidad, necesidad básica para el ser humano. Por eso los niños tratan de ser como Superheroes, los adolescentes quieren parecer a sus superestrellas, las mamás, supermodelos, los papás a los más fornidos y musculosos hombres. Dios nos creó a su imagen y semejanza. Hoy en “Butterfly by Grace” Mommy & Daughter Blog hemos respondido al público en hacer este devocional en Espanol con el fin de traer al pueblo un mensaje de los últimos días. Los que el público llama moda yo le llamo copia. Seamos más como Cristo Jesus. Es importante que observe bien y tenga mucho cuidado con lo que usted está escuchando y viendo. Dios es bueno y misericordioso con todos vosotros con el fin de que todos lleguemos al arrepentimiento. Iglesia, hay un mundo que se pierde. Hoy hago un llamado a todos los líderes en ir a buscar el perdido. Usa lo que Dios te entregó para ir donde están los perdidos y seamos originales. Es tiempo que el orden de Dios comience por la casa. Tenemos que regresar al altar. Por las faltas de los líderes que se han desviado; muchos tropezaron y están descarrilados. Pero él es el buen pastor y conoce sus ovejas y nosotros le conocemos. La biblia dice que hay otras ovejas que no son de ese redil, aquéllas también traerá y oirán su voz y habrá un rebaño y un pastor.  Oremos!

Amado padre que estás en los cielos. Hoy te pedimos perdón por la falta de identidad de tu pueblo. Dios perdona nuestros pecados y nuestra rebelión. Hemos pecado y no arrepentimos y nos apartamos del pecado. Señor, te necesitamos donde un mundo se pierde por falta de Amor y falta de identidad. Necesitamos imitadores de Cristo Jesus. Trae tu presencia a todas las redes sociales, y trae vida a todos los huesos secos, sobre todo a  los jóvenes que cada día imitan todo lo malo. Dios creemos en tu palabra que es vida. Derrama tu Espíritu Santo y despierta Dios a todo el que duerme. Abre los ojos de los ciego para que puedan ver a Dios que tú eres real. Gracias padre por tu amor, por tu gracia y tu misericordia. Gracias Cristo Jesus por tu amor porque en ti haremos proezas. Gracias porque en ti todo lo puedo, Gracias por morir por mi. Te Amo Jesus eres mi paz, eres mi roca, eres mi redentor. Oramos por todos los perdidos, y todos los que se desviaron de tu verdad. Clamamos, porque sabemos que tú respondes. Clamamos  para que  tu espíritu santo les despierte y haya un arrepentimiento genuino. Te Amo Jesus… Aleluya

Bad Company Corrupts Good Character!

 1 Corinthians 15:33

Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good character”.

Avoiding certain groups of people can be challenging. You don't want to say “No”. We want to make everyone happy, especially if that person is a close friend or family. As Christians what we call fun they call boring or weird. The bible is warning us not to be easily deceived into thinking his words and admonitions are meant for someone else, and not us. We think that he meant them for someone not quite as spiritual as we are, someone not as mature or smart. We think that is for some weak people, or people who always do what's right. Right? Non-believers never become believers by osmosis. That takes the holy spirit and sovereign act of our heavenly father. James 4:4 says: “ and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God”. Have you ever found that your environment and surroundings have an influence on you? You may have had an experience where you found yourself behaving differently depending on the crowd you're in. We can be very religious around religious friends. We can be or appear to be very prayerful around those who are constantly praying day and night. As human beings we are very influenced by everyone and everything. We are sharable and we can easily adapt to situations in different environments and different people. Have you ever compared your attitude at work vs being at church? Have you noticed that everyone at church you Greek as God bless you or Blessing? But, your old friends you just say “what's up” or “Hey you” “What's going on” The bible says: “And have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of him who created him”. The old man is that of the flesh, which manifests itself through self righteousness. Jesus said:  “But to sit to my right or left is not for me to grant. These places belong to those who have been prepared”. It's very important that we know that we need to be prepared because we don't know the time nor the day the son of God is returning. Do not be deceived. Can you imagine if the son of God surprised us in the middle of corrupted people while they are drinking, dancing or mocking God?  “For as those days which were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ark, and they knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall be the coming on the Son of man”. 

In Butterfly by Grace “Mommy and daughter blog” we would just like it if you can take a minute and examine your heart. This is crucial. We must not think highly of ourselves. We should not think that just because we are leaders we are perfect. We should not think that we are the most holy people. We have been there and failed with a corrupted company. Someone once said to me: “As a leader all eyes are on you” “ You are expected to act and behave differently than those around you”. This brought me to my knees. Whether that person's intentions were godly or not, It's biblical and we are all here to make a difference and an impact in people's life. How can we preach the gospel while drinking with company? How can we preach the gospel while dancing with them? We are expected to be and act diffrently. This is why we are called the salt of the world. “Therefore, “Come out from them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you”. Jesus chose to eat with sinners because they needed to know that repentance and forgiveness were available. Jesus went where the need was and we must do the same. What we must not do is act and behave the same. If we can not behave as Jesus did, then we need to take a break from these people and pray for God to take away our weakness so that Christianity is not discredited. 

Lets pray,

Father God we repent of our actions. We recognize that we fail you. We repent of our actions. We ask you for forgiveness and we ask for a second chance to make this right. Father, we know that it is crucial that we be watchful day and night. We know it is crucial that we have our lamps full of oil. Father, we are your children. We bow down to you and say sorry. We accept you as our Lord and savior. We know that you die and rose on the third day and you are sitting at the right hand of the father. Help us be the leaders that are not corrupted, instead the leaders who worship you in spirit and true. For every leader, father let them examine their heart and know that you call us but you can not be mocked. In the name of Jesus, Amen hallelujah