(Simeon said) "And a sword will pierce through your own soul also ..." (Luke 2:35, ESV)
Read Luke 2:34-35
If you have lost a loved one in death, then you know the pain the following Christmas when you feel that person's absence so keenly. But what if you had known the year before that would be the last Christmas you would spend with them?
After blessing God, Simeon turns to Mary and says something strange. She will see the nation of Israel reject its Messiah and speak against the One God has sent to them. This is something Mary has never heard before, and probably never imagined would happen.
The angels only spoke of God's gift of salvation to all people, of His love for the whole world in sending His Son. But Simeon warns that when He is grown and begins His ministry, there will be Jews who reject the salvation He came to bring.
But Simeon tells her it will get worse. She will feel as if a great broadsword is piercing her own soul. This is the connection between our Advent devotions coming to a close and our Lenten devotions beginning March 1. Mary, the virgin mother who laid her Child in the manger, will watch that same Son get nailed to a cross.
In all the Christmas memories Mary stored in her heart, this may be the first cloud that appeared over her thoughts. She will not only remember the moment when Simeon prophesied it, but she will stand beneath the cross of her beloved Son Jesus Christ. But the cloud will quickly pass three days after His death, when her mighty Son rises to life again -- victorious through all eternity.
THE PRAYER: Heavenly Father, You loved us so much You sent Your Son to die in our place on the cross. Thank You for saving us through faith in Him. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
Use these devotions in your newsletter and bulletin! Used by permission; all rights reserved by the Int'l LLL (LHM).
Wednesday, January 4, 2017
Devociones de Adviento - El Hijo nos hace hijos
Jueves 05 de Enero
Gálatas 4:4-7
Dios envió a su Hijo, que nació de una mujer y sujeto a la ley... a fin de que recibiéramos la adopción de hijos. (Gá 4:4b-5. RVC)
¿A qué cosas tenemos derecho por ser hijos o hijas de alguien? En principio, el derecho a ser protegidos, a recibir el apellido, a heredar lo que es de nuestros padres. Ser hijo de alguien determina nuestro origen y, en gran medida, determina también nuestra historia y nuestro carácter. Es normal que los hijos tengamos algo de nuestros padres, incluyendo cosas negativas, lo que nos liga a ellos de por vida y nos hace recordarlos.
La Biblia nos enseña que los cristianos llegamos a ser hijos de Dios. Pero, ¿cómo es que sucede? El ser hijos de Dios replica, de cierta manera, la relación que Dios el Padre tiene con su Hijo Jesucristo. Jesucristo es hijo de Dios por naturaleza. Él es, eternamente, de la misma sustancia que el Padre. Él fue engendrado, no hecho, por el Padre desde la eternidad. Pero ese Hijo eterno se hizo humano y nació de una mujer en la plenitud del tiempo. Además, siendo el Señor de la ley, se sometió a la ley para cumplir hasta la última coma en nuestro lugar.
Por causa de ese HIJO, que es hijo por naturaleza, nosotros también podemos llegar a ser hijos de Dios, por gracia. Y si hijos, también herederos. Ahora podemos llamarle a Dios "Padre", como lo hacemos en el Padrenuestro. Ese cambio de estatus es extraordinario. De ser esclavos del pecado, de estar bajo la esclavitud de la ley, pasamos a ser hijos y herederos. Ahora, por fe, llegamos a ser parte de la gran familia de Dios. Confiemos en el Hijo: por medio de Él, somos hechos hijos e hijas de Dios.
Gracias, Dios y Padre eterno. Te alabamos infinitamente porque, en Cristo, llegamos a ser tus hijos y herederos. Amén.
© Copyright 2016 Cristo Para Todas Las Naciones
Gálatas 4:4-7
Dios envió a su Hijo, que nació de una mujer y sujeto a la ley... a fin de que recibiéramos la adopción de hijos. (Gá 4:4b-5. RVC)
¿A qué cosas tenemos derecho por ser hijos o hijas de alguien? En principio, el derecho a ser protegidos, a recibir el apellido, a heredar lo que es de nuestros padres. Ser hijo de alguien determina nuestro origen y, en gran medida, determina también nuestra historia y nuestro carácter. Es normal que los hijos tengamos algo de nuestros padres, incluyendo cosas negativas, lo que nos liga a ellos de por vida y nos hace recordarlos.
La Biblia nos enseña que los cristianos llegamos a ser hijos de Dios. Pero, ¿cómo es que sucede? El ser hijos de Dios replica, de cierta manera, la relación que Dios el Padre tiene con su Hijo Jesucristo. Jesucristo es hijo de Dios por naturaleza. Él es, eternamente, de la misma sustancia que el Padre. Él fue engendrado, no hecho, por el Padre desde la eternidad. Pero ese Hijo eterno se hizo humano y nació de una mujer en la plenitud del tiempo. Además, siendo el Señor de la ley, se sometió a la ley para cumplir hasta la última coma en nuestro lugar.
Por causa de ese HIJO, que es hijo por naturaleza, nosotros también podemos llegar a ser hijos de Dios, por gracia. Y si hijos, también herederos. Ahora podemos llamarle a Dios "Padre", como lo hacemos en el Padrenuestro. Ese cambio de estatus es extraordinario. De ser esclavos del pecado, de estar bajo la esclavitud de la ley, pasamos a ser hijos y herederos. Ahora, por fe, llegamos a ser parte de la gran familia de Dios. Confiemos en el Hijo: por medio de Él, somos hechos hijos e hijas de Dios.
Gracias, Dios y Padre eterno. Te alabamos infinitamente porque, en Cristo, llegamos a ser tus hijos y herederos. Amén.
© Copyright 2016 Cristo Para Todas Las Naciones
Our Daily Bread - Listening to God
By Keila Ochoa
Read: Genesis 3:8–17 | Bible in a Year: Genesis 13–15; Matthew 5:1–26
The Lord God called . . . “Where are you?” Genesis 3:9
My young son loves to hear my voice, except when I call his name loudly and sternly, followed by the question, “Where are you?” When I do that, I am usually calling for him because he has been into some mischief and is trying to hide from me. I want my son to listen to my voice because I’m concerned about his well-being and do not want him to get hurt.
Adam and Eve were used to hearing God’s voice in the garden. However, after they disobeyed Him by eating the forbidden fruit, they hid from Him when they heard Him calling, “Where are you?” (Gen. 3:9). They didn’t want to face God because they knew they had done something wrong—something He had told them not to do (v. 11).
When God called for Adam and Eve and found them in the garden, His words did include correction and consequence (vv. 13–19). But God also showed them kindness and gave them hope for mankind in the promise of the Savior (v. 15).
God doesn’t have to look for us. He knows where we are and what we are trying to hide. But as a loving Father, He wants to speak to our hearts and bring us forgiveness and restoration. He longs for us to hear His voice—and to listen.
Thank You, Lord, for Your love and care. Thank You for sending Your Son, our Savior, to fulfill Your promise of forgiveness and restoration.
When God calls, we need to answer.
© 2016 Our Daily Bread Ministries
Nuestro Pan Diario - Escuchar a Dios
Por Keila Ochoa
Leer: Génesis 3:8-17 | La Biblia en un año: Mateo 5:1-26
Mas el Señor Dios llamó al hombre, y le dijo: ¿Dónde estás tú? (Génesis 3:9).
A mi hijo le encanta escucharme hablar, excepto cuando lo llamo con firmeza y en voz alta, y pregunto: «¿Dónde estás?». En esos casos, por lo general, lo estoy llamando porque se metió en algún lío y está tratando de esconderse. En realidad, mi intención es que mi hijo escuche mi voz porque me preocupo por su bienestar y no quiero que se haga daño.
Adán y Eva estaban acostumbrados a escuchar la voz de Dios en el huerto de Edén. Sin embargo, después de desobedecerlo al comer del fruto prohibido, se escondieron; pero oyeron que Él llamaba: «¿Dónde estás tú?» (Génesis 3:9). No querían enfrentarse a Dios porque sabían que habían hecho algo malo; algo que Él les había dicho que no hicieran (v. 11).
Cuando Dios llamó a Adán y Eva y los encontró en el huerto, sin duda, sus palabras incluían una disciplina y sus consecuencias (vv. 13-19). No obstante, Él también les mostró su bondad y dio esperanza a la humanidad al prometerles un Salvador (v. 15).
Dios no necesita buscarnos, ya que sabe dónde estamos y qué intentamos hacer. Pero, como un Padre amoroso, quiere hablarnos al corazón y brindarnos perdón y restauración. El Señor anhela que oigamos su voz… y que escuchemos.
Señor, gracias por tu amor y tu cuidado, y por enviar a tu Hijo Jesús a morir en la cruz por mis pecados y ofrecerme salvación y vida eterna.
Cuando Dios llama, debemos contestar.
© 2016 Ministerios Nuestro Pan Diario
Unser Täglich Brot - Auf Gott hören
Von Keila Ochoa
Lesen: 1.Mose 3,8-17 | Die Bibel In Einem Jahr: 1.Mose 13–15; Matthäus 5,1-26
Und Gott der Herr rief . . . : Wo bist du? 1.Mose 3,9
Mein kleiner Sohn hört gern meine Stimme, außer wenn ich laut und bestimmt seinen Namen rufe und frage: „Wo steckst du?“ Meistens hat er dann nämlich irgendetwas angestellt und versucht, sich vor mir zu verstecken. Ich will, dass er meine Stimme hört, weil mir daran liegt, dass es ihm gut geht und ihm nichts passiert.
Adam und Eva waren es gewöhnt, Gottes Stimme im Garten zu hören. Nachdem sie ihm ungehorsam geworden waren und von der verbotenen Frucht gegessen hatten, versteckten sie sich allerdings, als sie ihn rufen hörten: „Wo bist du?“ (1.Mose 3,9). Sie wollten Gott nicht gegenübertreten, weil sie wussten, dass sie etwas getan hatten, was nicht richtig war—etwas, wovor er sie ausdrücklich gewarnt hatte (V.11).
Als Gott Adam und Eva rief und im Garten fand, wies er sie zurecht.
Seine Worte hatten Folgen (V.13-19). Er zeigte ihnen aber auch seine
Liebe und gab ihnen Hoffnung, indem er der Menschheit einen Retter
versprach (V.15).
Gott muss uns nicht suchen. Er weiß, wo wir sind und was wir vor ihm verbergen wollen. Aber als liebender Vater will er zu unseren Herzen reden, uns vergeben und wieder heil machen. Er sehnt sich danach, dass wir seine Stimme hören—und gehorchen.
© 2016 Unser Täglich Brot
Gott muss uns nicht suchen. Er weiß, wo wir sind und was wir vor ihm verbergen wollen. Aber als liebender Vater will er zu unseren Herzen reden, uns vergeben und wieder heil machen. Er sehnt sich danach, dass wir seine Stimme hören—und gehorchen.
Danke, Herr, für deine Liebe und Fürsorge. Danke, dass du deinen Sohn, unseren Erlöser, gesandt und dein Versprechen erfüllt hast, uns zu vergeben und heil zu machen.
Wenn Gott ruft, müssen wir antworten.
© 2016 Unser Täglich Brot
Хлеб наш насущный - Умноженная любовь
автор: Тим Густафсон
Читать сейчас: 1 Иоанна 4:20–5:5 | Библия за год: Бытие 10-12; Матфея 4
И мы имеем от Него такую заповедь, чтобы любящий Бога любил и брата своего. — 1 Иоанна 4:21
Пожилая женщина из церкви, которую посещала Кэрен, заболела страшной болезнью – амиотрофическим склерозом. Жестокий недуг повредил нервы и мышцы, что привело к параличу. Семейная страховка не смогла покрыть уход на дому, а несчастный супруг не мог вынести мысли о том, чтобы отправить ее в дом престарелых.
Кэрен имела опыт работы сиделкой, поэтому решила приходить к больной и ухаживать за ней. Но вскоре стало ясно, что одной ей это не под силу: совсем не оставалось времени на семью. Тогда она стала обучать других сестер в церкви уходу за больными. В течение следующих семи лет лет, пока болезнь прогрессировала, Кэрен обучила тридцать одну помощницу. Вместе они окружили больную заботой, любовью и молитвами.
«Мы имеем от Него такую заповедь, чтобы любящий Бога любил и брата своего», – написал апостол Иоанн (1 Ин. 4:21). Кэрен оставила яркий пример такой любви. У нее было умение, сострадание и цель – объединить христиан вокруг страдающей души. Ее любовь к одному человеку, находящемуся в нужде, умножилась во многих сердцах.
Как Бог может употребить ваши таланты и способности для служения находящимся в нужде? Попросите Его показать вам, как Он желает употребить вас для Своего Царства.
«Возлюби ближнего как самого себя». Иисус Христос
© 2016 Хлеб Наш Насущный
Notre Pain Quotidien - Tendre l’oreille à Dieu
par Keila Ochoa
Lisez : Genèse 3.8‑17 | La Bible en un an : Genèse 13 – 15 et Matthieu 5.1‑26
Mon jeune fils se plaît à entendre ma voix, sauf quand je l’appelle par son nom d’une voix forte et dure, avant de lui demander : « Où es‑tu ? » En tel cas, je suis généralement en train de le chercher parce qu’il a mal agi et qu’il essaie d’échapper à sa punition. Or, je tiens à ce que mon fils écoute ma voix parce qu’il sait que je veux son bien et non lui causer du tort.
Adam et Ève avaient pour habitude d’entendre la voix de Dieu dans le jardin. Par contre, après lui avoir désobéi en mangeant du fruit défendu, ils se sont dissimulés à sa vue en l’entendant les appeler ainsi : « Où es‑tu ? » (GE 3.9.) Ils refusaient de faire face à Dieu parce qu’ils savaient avoir mal agi en allant à l’encontre de sa volonté (V. 11).
Lorsque Dieu a appelé Adam et Ève, qu’il a trouvés dans le jardin, il leur réservait non seulement une correction et une conséquence (V. 13‑19), mais souhaitait également user de bonté envers eux en leur donnant de l’espoir pour l’humanité par la promesse du Sauveur (V. 15).
Dieu n’est pas obligé de se lancer à notre recherche. Il sait pertinemment où nous trouver et ce que nous tentons de lui cacher. Étant notre Père bienveillant, il veut toutefois parler à notre coeur et nous apporter le pardon et la restauration. Il désire ardemment nous faire entendre sa voix et nous amener à lui tendre l’oreille.
Lorsque Dieu nous appelle, nous devons lui répondre.
© 2016 Ministères NPQ
The Daily Readings for WEDNESDAY, January 4, 2017 - Eleventh Day of Christmas
First Reading
Exodus 3:1-12Moses was keeping the flock of his father-in-law Jethro, the priest of Midian; he led his flock beyond the wilderness, and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. There the angel of the LORD appeared to him in a flame of fire out of a bush; he looked, and the bush was blazing, yet it was not consumed. Then Moses said, "I must turn aside and look at this great sight, and see why the bush is not burned up." When the LORD saw that he had turned aside to see, God called to him out of the bush, "Moses, Moses!" And he said, "Here I am." Then he said, "Come no closer! Remove the sandals from your feet, for the place on which you are standing is holy ground." He said further, "I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob." And Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look at God. Then the LORD said, "I have observed the misery of my people who are in Egypt; I have heard their cry on account of their taskmasters. Indeed, I know their sufferings, and I have come down to deliver them from the Egyptians, and to bring them up out of that land to a good and broad land, a land flowing with milk and honey, to the country of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites. The cry of the Israelites has now come to me; I have also seen how the Egyptians oppress them. So come, I will send you to Pharaoh to bring my people, the Israelites, out of Egypt." But Moses said to God, "Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh, and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?" He said, "I will be with you; and this shall be the sign for you that it is I who sent you: when you have brought the people out of Egypt, you shall worship God on this mountain."
Second Reading
Hebrews 11:23-31By faith Moses was hidden by his parents for three months after his birth, because they saw that the child was beautiful; and they were not afraid of the king's edict. By faith Moses, when he was grown up, refused to be called a son of Pharaoh's daughter, choosing rather to share ill-treatment with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. He considered abuse suffered for the Christ to be greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking ahead to the reward. By faith he left Egypt, unafraid of the king's anger; for he persevered as though he saw him who is invisible. By faith he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of blood, so that the destroyer of the firstborn would not touch the firstborn of Israel. By faith the people passed through the Red Sea as if it were dry land, but when the Egyptians attempted to do so they were drowned. By faith the walls of Jericho fell after they had been encircled for seven days. By faith Rahab the prostitute did not perish with those who were disobedient, because she had received the spies in peace.
The Holy Gospel
John 14:6-14Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you know me, you will know my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him." Philip said to him, "Lord, show us the Father, and we will be satisfied." Jesus said to him, "Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and you still do not know me? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, 'Show us the Father'? Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own; but the Father who dwells in me does his works. Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; but if you do not, then believe me because of the works themselves. Very truly, I tell you, the one who believes in me will also do the works that I do and, in fact, will do greater works than these, because I am going to the Father. I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If in my name you ask me for anything, I will do it.
Morning Psalms
Psalm 85 Benedixisti, Domine1 You have been gracious to your land, O LORD, you have restored the good fortune of Jacob.
2 You have forgiven the iniquity of your people and blotted out all their sins.
3 You have withdrawn all your fury and turned yourself from your wrathful indignation.
4 Restore us then, O God our Savior; let your anger depart from us.
5 Will you be displeased with us for ever? will you prolong your anger from age to age?
6 Will you not give us life again, that your people may rejoice in you?
7 Show us your mercy, O LORD, and grant us your salvation.
8 I will listen to what the LORD God is saying, for he is speaking peace to his faithful people and to those who turn their hearts to him.
9 Truly, his salvation is very near to those who fear him, that his glory may dwell in our land.
10 Mercy and truth have met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other.
11 Truth shall spring up from the earth, and righteousness shall look down from heaven.
12 The LORD will indeed grant prosperity, and our land will yield its increase.
13 Righteousness shall go before him, and peace shall be a pathway for his feet.
Psalm 87 Fundamenta ejus
1 On the holy mountain stands the city he has founded; the LORD loves the gates of Zion more than all the dwellings of Jacob.
2 Glorious things are spoken of you, O city of our God.
3 I count Egypt and Babylon among those who know me; behold Philistia, Tyre, and Ethiopia: in Zion were they born.
4 Of Zion it shall be said, "Everyone was born in her, and the Most High himself shall sustain her."
5 The LORD will record as he enrolls the peoples, "These also were born there."
6 The singers and the dancers will say, "All my fresh springs are in you."
Evening Psalms
Psalm 89: Part I Misericordias Domini1 Your love, O LORD, for ever will I sing; from age to age my mouth will proclaim your faithfulness.
2 For I am persuaded that your love is established for ever; you have set your faithfulness firmly in the heavens.
3 I have made a covenant with my chosen one; I have sworn an oath to David my servant:
4 'I will establish your line for ever, and preserve your throne for all generations.'"
5 The heavens bear witness to your wonders, O LORD, and to your faithfulness in the assembly of the holy ones;
6 For who in the skies can be compared to the LORD? who is like the LORD among the gods?
7 God is much to be feared in the council of the holy ones, great and terrible to all those round about him.
8 Who is like you, LORD God of hosts? O mighty LORD, your faithfulness is all around you.
9 You rule the raging of the sea and still the surging of its waves.
10 You have crushed Rahab of the deep with a deadly wound; you have scattered your enemies with your mighty arm.
11 Yours are the heavens; the earth also is yours; you laid the foundations of the world and all that is in it.
12 You have made the north and the south; Tabor and Hermon rejoice in your Name.
13 You have a mighty arm; strong is your hand and high is your right hand.
14 Righteousness and justice are the foundations of your throne; love and truth go before your face.
15 Happy are the people who know the festal shout! they walk, O LORD, in the light of your presence.
16 They rejoice daily in your Name; they are jubilant in your righteousness.
17 For you are the glory of their strength, and by your favor our might is exalted.
18 Truly, the LORD is our ruler; The Holy One of Israel is our King.
Psalm 89: Part II Tunc locutus es
19 You spoke once in vision and said to your faithful people: "I have set the crown upon a warrior and have exalted one chosen out of the people.
20 I have found David my servant; with my holy oil have I anointed him.
21 My hand will hold him fast and my arm will make him strong.
22 No enemy shall deceive him, nor any wicked man bring him down.
23 I will crush his foes before him and strike down those who hate him.
24 My faithfulness and love shall be with him, and he shall be victorious through my Name.
25 I shall make his dominion extend from the Great Sea to the River.
26 He will say to me, 'You are my Father, my God, and the rock of my salvation.'
27 I will make him my firstborn and higher than the kings of the earth.
28 I will keep my love for him for ever, and my covenant will stand firm for him.
29 I will establish his line for ever and his throne as the days of heaven."
New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. The New Revised Standard Version Bible may be quoted and/or reprinted up to and inclusive of five hundred (500) verses without express written permission of the publisher, provided the verses quoted do not amount to a complete book of the Bible or account for fifty percent (50%) of the total work in which they are quoted.
Verse of the Day - January 04, 2017
Micah 6:8 (NIV) He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.
Read all of Micah 6
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Morning Devotions with Cap'n Kenny - "He Knows"
He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled. (Matthew 26:37, NIV)
Have you ever been extremely lonely? Have you ever had your friends abandon you? Have you ever been misunderstood? If so, then you have a faint idea of what Jesus went through as He agonized in the Garden of Gethsemane.
It has been said that what you don't know won't hurt you. I think there is some truth to that statement. If I had the opportunity to know my entire future from this day forward, I think I would rather not know.
But Jesus, being God, knew everything about His future, down to the finest detail. And He knew He was going to go to a Roman cross to be crucified. He knew that He would be humiliated. He would be beaten. He would go through a horrendous whipping. He knew the great anguish that was ahead.
The Bible says that Jesus was a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. In the Garden of Gethsemane, we see the great sorrow and grief Jesus went through as He faced His death. I don't think we can even begin to grasp the anguish that Jesus was experiencing at that moment.
We need to remember that, as Hebrews 4:15 says, "For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin."
In other words, you are not alone. God knows what you are going through. You don't have a High Priest, speaking of Jesus, who has not faced the challenges you face. The next time you are facing difficulty, the next time you are facing hardship, the next time you feel misunderstood and abandoned, you can know that Jesus has been through it. You have someone who understands you, sympathizes with you, and is there to strengthen you.
In Jesus,
Cap'n Kenny
Girlfriends in God - Seeing Yourself as God Sees You
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! (2 Corinthians 5:17, NIV).
Friend to Friend
For many years after I became a Christian, I operated under a false sense of who I really was. I had no idea the change that occurred in me the moment I accepted Christ. I did not see myself as God saw me. I had a grid system or a sieve of inferiority, insecurity, and inadequacy over my mind. When I processed information about my world and about myself, it had to first filter through that negative grid system.
If someone canceled a lunch date, I interpreted that as “she doesn’t like me.” If I didn’t get invited to an event, I interpreted that as “I’m not worthy.” If my husband didn’t give me enough attention, I interpreted that as “he doesn’t really care about me.” If someone asked me to take on a project, I immediately thought, “I’m not capable.” My interpretation of events and other’s actions were distorted by the devil’s lies.
It was not until my thirties that I began to realize that how God saw me and how I saw myself were very different. Like a hungry child, I began to research and write down verses about who I really was in Christ–my true identity as a child of God. I learned that I was a child of God (John 1:12), chosen and dearly loved (John 15:16), a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17), a joint heir with Jesus (Romans 8:14), a saint (Ephesians 1:1), righteous and holy (Ephesians 4:24), dearly loved (Colossians 3:12), completely forgiven (1 John 1:9), totally free (John 8:36), and uniquely designed (Psalm 139:14).
I also learned that it was Satan who held that negative grid system in place, and it was up to me to demolish his stronghold by the power of the Holy Spirit.
I came to a crossroads in my spiritual journey. I could continue believing the lies or I could begin believing the truth. Jesus said, “You will know the truth and the truth will set you free” (John 8:32). I decided to believe the truth. It was difficult and didn’t feel comfortable at first. Like the lame man who regained the movement of his legs, or the blind man who received his sight, I had to adjust to my new belief system.
Oh my friend, God has so much planned for you to do and to be, but if you are operating with a false sense of who you really are, you may be paralyzed.
On Jesus’ first day of public ministry, He walked down to the river and was baptized by His cousin John. As Jesus came out of the water, a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with You I am well pleased” (Luke 3:22). God says the same thing to you…and to me.
“You are my child…whom I love…with you I am well pleased.”
This devotion is very personal for me. I’ve told you some of my deepest struggles. But I want you to examine your own thought life. Do you believe lies about yourself or do you believe the truth?
Here’s my challenge to you at the start of this New Year: Start believing that you are who God says you are. That truth will set you free!
Let’s Pray
Dear LORD, I have believed the enemy far too long. I have seen myself as not good enough, not smart enough, and not spiritual enough. But today, I am going to start replacing those lies and replacing them with Your truth! I am a child of God who is chosen by the Father, enveloped by the Son, and empowered by the Holy Spirit. I am the one You love.
In Jesus’ powerful Name,
Amen.
Now It’s Your Turn
If someone asked, “Who are you?” what would you say?
If someone asked God, “Who is she? (meaning you), what would He say?
Go back to today’s devotion and highlight the verses about your new identity in Christ. Write them on an index card. Put them with your makeup mirror in your purse. Remember who you are.
More From the Girlfriends
The devil doesn’t want you to see yourself as God sees you. He knows who you really are, but if he can keep you from believing it, he’s won. Let’s don’t let him! To learn how to replace the lies with truth, check out my book, I’m Not Good Enough…and Other Lies Women Tell Themselves. On my bookstore page, you’ll also find a laminated card with verses about your true identity that you can tuck in your Bible for quick reference. And…drumroll…the expanded print version of A 14-Day Romance Challenge with over 250 ways to romance your husband is now here!
Seeking God? Click here to find out more about how to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
Standing Strong Through the Storm - FAITH AND FEAR
Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, "Teacher, don't you care if we drown?" He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, "Quiet! Be still!" Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. He said to his disciples, "Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?" Mark 4:38-40
Storms often bring out our true spiritual condition. Jesus was in the boat but the disciples still feared for their lives. He chastised them for their fear and their little faith! Thus our greatest need is not for the storm to end but to be freed from fear and have faith in Him while the storm rages.
At an SSTS seminar in Central Asia, our translator looked at us at the close of our three-day session and commented, “Thank you for teaching us how to stand strong. God spoke to me a lot through this seminar. I was afraid to die but not anymore. I have peace to go and spread God’s Word.” She is now serving the Lord in a dangerous but strategic mission in her region.
A middle aged man in North Korea was arrested after the police found a Bible in his home. He was terribly beaten and certain he would die. A Christian friend said, “When he came to faith, he made the decision that one day he would die for Christ. Every Christian in North Korea has made that choice. Every Christian in the country has the spirit of martyrdom in him. If you lose that spirit for one second, you cannot carry the burden of being a follower of Jesus.”
A significant factor in dealing with fear—especially fear of dying—is realizing that we are already dead in Christ (Galatians 2:20). Former Open Doors colleague, Hector Tamez, says that this concept is clearly seen in the lives of Christians living in war zones of Latin America. The Christians, who were caught in the civil war between the government and Shining Path guerrillas in Peru, are a classic example for us. Here is how Hector expresses their commitment:
They know that they are going to be killed. And they say, “In order to be a Christian here, you have to recognize that you are already dead in Christ. Once you recognize this, then any day that passes by in your life is a gain.”
In some countries, surviving one day or one year means that you have one God-given day or year to testify not only with your words but with your deeds. Fear should not control your life! Christ should control your life!
RESPONSE: When storms come my way, I will let them help me assess my own spiritual condition. I will affirm God’s power to overcome fear and live by faith in Him.
PRAYER: Ask God to forgive you for your times of fearfulness and lack of faith. Pray that all members of the persecuted church would have faith in Jesus like these Peruvian believers.
Un Dia a la Vez - En la tormenta hay crecimiento
Cuando cruces las aguas, yo estaré contigo [...] Yo soy el Señor, tu Dios [...] tu salvador. Isaías 43:2-3
Ayer te comentaba que un divorcio es algo que te marca para toda la vida y que solo el amor de Dios nos ayuda a superar la pérdida y comenzar una nueva vida.
No sé cuál sea tu tormenta, ni cuál sea tu problema, ni qué clase de dolor estás sintiendo con esa situación que estás viviendo y que parece interminable. Lo que sí te puedo asegurar es que si en medio de lo que estás viviendo comprendes que Dios está contigo y no te levantas en su contra, la salida a esa situación estará más cercana.
Las pruebas nos dan crecimiento espiritual, desarrollan cada vez más nuestra fe y nos acercan más a Dios. Así que, no te rindas. Recuerda que hay promesas para ti. Aunque ahora no entiendas el porqué Dios te está llevando por esta situación, sí puedes descansar pensando que después de la tormenta viene la calma.
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