13Aug 2025 by Malu Jones No Comments
Stephen — The First Martyr and Spirit-Filled Witness

Stephen — The First Martyr and Spirit-Filled Witness

Blog, Lives that Speak
Why study the life of Stephen? Sometimes we believe that only those who do "great things" are the ones who shape history. But Stephen teaches us that a short life, when filled with the Spirit, can have more impact than a thousand empty words. Studying Stephen is to gaze into the face of someone who wasn’t afraid to die—because he was already fully living for Christ. It is to see how a death in faith can ignite a flame that would reach the apostle Paul… and far beyond. Brief Biography Name: Stephen (Stephanos in Greek, meaning “crown” or “crowned”) Background: Greek name; likely a Greek-speaking Jew (Hellenist) Era: Mid-1st century A.D. Role: One of the seven chosen to serve the widows (Acts 6:5) Occupation: Deacon, preacher, defender of the faith…
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08Aug 2025 by Malu Jones No Comments
Proverbs 12:22 — Lies Are No Light Matter: God Delights in Truth

Proverbs 12:22 — Lies Are No Light Matter: God Delights in Truth

Bible Study, Blog
Introduction: When lying becomes part of the scenery In today’s world, telling the truth feels optional. We’re expected to hide, soften, edit. We lie so we won’t hurt, so we won’t lose, so we won’t look bad. And over time, lying stops hurting… it becomes normal. But what does God think about that? The Bible doesn’t treat lying as something minor. It doesn’t tolerate it, minimize it, or excuse it. And one of the clearest verses on this subject is found in the book of Proverbs: “The Lord detests lying lips, but he delights in people who are trustworthy.” — Proverbs 12:22 (NIV) This verse isn’t just an ethical warning. It’s a window into the heart of God. What we say—and how we say it—has deep spiritual implications. Today we’re…
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06Aug 2025 by Malu Jones No Comments
Elijah — The Prophet of Fire and Silence

Elijah — The Prophet of Fire and Silence

Blog, Lives that Speak
¿Por qué estudiar la vida de Elías? Vivimos tiempos en que la verdad se relativiza, la idolatría se disfraza, y muchos temen levantar la voz. En medio de una sociedad entregada al engaño, Dios sigue llamando a Elías: Voces que no se venden, que no se rinden, y que saben que el poder no está en lo visible, sino en lo eterno. Estudiar la vida de Elías es recordar que una sola vida entregada a Dios puede cambiar el curso de una nación, y que cuando parece que estamos solos… no lo estamos. Biografía breve Nombre: Elías (hebreo Eliyah, “Mi Dios es Yahvé”). Padre y madre: No se mencionan en la Biblia. Origen: Tisbé, en Galaad (1 Reyes 17:1). Época: Siglo IX a.C., durante los reinados de Acab y Jezabel…
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31Jul 2025 by Alan Jones No Comments
Why Socialism and Communism Are Spiritually and Socially Harmful: A Biblical Reflection from Latin America

Why Socialism and Communism Are Spiritually and Socially Harmful: A Biblical Reflection from Latin America

Daily Life, News & Discernment
Growing up as an immigrant in the United States, I was deeply influenced by ideals of fairness, compassion, and respect, values I believed were synonymous with leftist politics. Watching CNN, I often associated justice with socialism and viewed left leaning parties as the “good guys” fighting for the little guy. But with time and especially as I matured, left the U.S., and came back to Latin America.. my eyes opened. What I once saw as “social justice” was often just political rhetoric, and more importantly, a worldview that contradicts the Word of God. Today, at 42 years old, I live fully committed to the teachings of Jesus Christ, and from that lens, it’s painfully clear: socialism and communism are spiritually deceptive systems that destroy societies from the inside out. They…
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30Jul 2025 by Malu Jones No Comments
Mary — The Servant Who Believed and Brought the Savior into the World

Mary — The Servant Who Believed and Brought the Savior into the World

Blog, Lives that Speak
Why study the life of Mary?In a world that seeks greatness through titles, fame, and power... God chose a humble young woman from a small town to carry the Savior of the world in her womb.Mary didn’t preach in public squares. She didn’t perform miracles. But she opened her heart, trusted in the impossible, and embraced the mystery with faith.Studying her life is not an act of worship—it’s an act of honor. It’s learning that true faith is lived in the ordinary, and that the greatest privilege is to be available for God’s plan, even when we don’t fully understand it.Brief BiographyName: Mary (Miryam in Hebrew, meaning “beloved by God” or “rebellious with purpose”) Parents: Not mentioned in the Bible (tradition names them Joachim and Anne) Hometown: Nazareth of Galilee…
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28Jul 2025 by Alan Jones No Comments
Why We Should Not Venerate Mary: A Biblical Evangelical Stand Against Idolatry

Why We Should Not Venerate Mary: A Biblical Evangelical Stand Against Idolatry

News & Discernment
In many parts of the world, especially a lot here in Latin America, there is a deeply rooted tradition of exalting Mary, the earthly mother of Jesus. This veneration, often involving statues, rosaries, processions, and repeated prayers, is a central part of Roman Catholic practice. But as Bible believing Christians Evangelical Protestants who stand firmly on the Word of God, we must ask: Is this biblical? The answer is clear: No.Let’s say it plainly... Mary was a godly woman, chosen to give birth to the Messiah, and we respect her role. But that's where it ends. Anything beyond that, calling her a mediator, Queen of Heaven, Immaculately Conceived, or co-redeemer is false doctrine and a form of idolatry that directly contradicts Scripture.1. Jesus Himself Refused to Elevate Mary Above OthersMark 3:33–35…
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25Jul 2025 by Malu Jones No Comments
Proverbs 1:7 — The Beginning of Wisdom

Proverbs 1:7 — The Beginning of Wisdom

Bible Study, Blog
Introduction: Where Does Wisdom Really Begin? We live in an age of limitless information. You can search for anything in seconds. But knowing a lot is not the same as being wise. True wisdom doesn’t come only from study or experience… it comes from knowing who belongs at the center of it all. Proverbs 1:7 is not just a beautiful phrase — it’s the foundation for the entire book of Proverbs, and for the journey of walking with God. If you want to start well, you need to start here. The Verse (NIV) “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.” — Proverbs 1:7 (NIV) Before We Understand It… Let’s Set the Scene This proverb opens the collection of wisdom from King…
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23Jul 2025 by Malu Jones No Comments
Joseph — The Faithful Dreamer Amid Injustice

Joseph — The Faithful Dreamer Amid Injustice

Blog, Lives that Speak
Why study the life of Joseph? Some stories move us… Others teach us to trust when we understand nothing. Joseph’s life was a journey of dreams, betrayals, slavery, silence, promises… and faithfulness. God didn’t speak to him with thunder or anoint him with oil. But He walked with him through every dark step until He lifted him high—without Joseph ever seeking the spotlight. Studying his story teaches us that pain does not cancel purpose, and that God writes the most beautiful pages out of brokenness. Brief Biography Name: Joseph (Yôsef in Hebrew, “may He add” or “God adds”) Father: Jacob Mother: Rachel, Jacob’s beloved wife Place of origin: Canaan (his family’s land) Birth: Around 1915 B.C. Death: Around 1805 B.C., in Egypt, at 110 years old (Genesis 50:26) Wife: Asenath,…
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21Jul 2025 by Malu Jones No Comments
Galatians 5:22-23 — The Fruit Only the Spirit Can Give

Galatians 5:22-23 — The Fruit Only the Spirit Can Give

Bible Study, Blog
Introduction: How Can I Know If I'm Growing? We often ask ourselves if we’re really growing in faith, if God is truly working in us, if this Christian journey is bearing fruit at all. And the answer isn’t measured by emotions or how often we go to church. Jesus said a tree is recognized by its fruit, and in this letter, Paul shows us what that fruit looks like when it is the Holy Spirit working within us. This verse isn’t a to-do list. It’s evidence. It’s not an isolated command. It’s the reflection of an inner transformation. The Verse (NIV) “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” — Galatians 5:22–23 (NIV) Before…
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20Jul 2025 by Alan Jones No Comments
Why Calvinism Doesn’t Make Sense to Me as an Evangelical, Christ-Following Christian

Why Calvinism Doesn’t Make Sense to Me as an Evangelical, Christ-Following Christian

Apologetics, News & Discernment
As a born again Christian who has surrendered his life to Jesus Christ, I don’t say this lightly: Calvinism doesn’t make sense to me. I didn’t come to this conclusion out of ignorance, rebellion, or preference for “easy theology.” I came to it after wrestling directly with each point of the Calvinist TULIP framework, point by point, Bible in hand, heart open before the Lord, taking the time to study it. This is not about attacking anyone personally. It’s about being honest with where I stand as a Christian who believes the Gospel is real, available, and transforming for everyone who believes. How I Tested Calvinism: The TULIP Framework I took time to go through each of the 5 Calvinist doctrines summarized in “TULIP.” Here's how it broke down for me:…
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