Our yearly devotional booklet consists of English translations of some of our Spanish
messages. The applications have been changed to be suitable for Christians, while
our Spanish messages are targeted to non-Christians. Mondays through Saturdays you will find
a daily message below. If you've missed a day, click the corresponding date on the
calendar to the left to see the message for that day. If you would like to see the
actual Spanish message that is being broadcast today, visit
conciencia.net.
DEAD
OR ALIVE
Ex. 21:12-14/Lev. 24:21
The Chief of the Highway Patrol in Mexico, José Luis Solís Cortez, straining
to contain his anger, signed the order, "Capture, dead or alive,
the individuals who shot at that bus driver." Chief Cortez was referring
to the case of a bus driver who was shot on Carapan-Plaza Azul road, causing
him to lose control of the vehicle. The bus plunged over a precipice of
350 feet, killing twenty people and seriously injuring
another twelve.
The men responsible for this barbaric action eventually received the
death sentence. From the moment that the verdict of guilt was declared,
the curse of the shadow of death was upon them.
Many people do not endorse the death penalty and they believe that it
should not be legal in any country. Yet it was God who established the
penalty of death when Noah and his family came out of the ark after the
flood. That solemn moment when only eight people were left with life demonstrates
the greatest application of the death sentence of all ages. God told Noah:
"Whoever sheds the blood of man, by man shall his blood be shed;
for in the image of God has God made man." (Gen. 9:6)
To destroy a man is to destroy an image. What would be done to a man
if he destroyed the painting of Leonardo da Vinci’s Last Supper?
What punishment should be applied to a person shattering the statues of
David or Pieta, those magnificent sculptures of Michael Angelo? If vandals
destroyed a loved historic monument of any nation what discipline would
be adequate? Undoubtedly, it would be severe. But isn’t human life
much more valuable than material goods? If man chooses to take human life,
why shouldn’t he receive the punishment prescribed by God?
Let’s comprehend the value of the life of every person and the value
that God gives it. Both the unborn and the elderly have inestimable value
in God’s eyes. We must use every legal, ethical, moral, and non-violent
means to preserve life. We must vote and contact those who make the laws.
And when someone chooses to take life we must support the right of the
authorities to demand of him the ultimate consequence.
A radio station in Cali, Colombia has a listening audience of over 100,000.
This secular station plays our program several times each day and has
retransmitters to carry the Word even farther. Please pray that God touches
the hearts of the many who will be listening today.