Wednesday, February 1, 2017

LHM Daily Devotion - "What We Need"

February 2, 2017

For the LORD God is a sun and shield; the LORD bestows favor and honor. No good thing does He withhold from those who walk uprightly. O LORD of hosts, blessed is the one who trusts in You!  - Psalm 84:11-12, ESV

Over the years, it has been my privilege to run into the occasional family whose children seem to have turned out better than all right. Those children may not have all been brilliant, but they were special. They were young men and women of integrity. They didn't go along with the crowd unless they thought the crowd was going in the right direction.

I have made it a habit to ask the parents of these children two questions: "What did you do right? What did you do that other parents don't?" Most of the time, not all of the time, but most of the time the parents point to the fact that Christ was part of their family and not just a Name the children heard on Sunday.

The other thing these parents agreed on was this: "We were  consistent. We said what we meant; we meant what we said."

These parents didn't make threats or promises they weren't ready to keep. On the positive side, when they said, "We're going to the movies"; they went to the movies. On the discipline side, they didn't exaggerate or overemphasize a promised punishment. These parents didn't say, "If you don't behave, I'm going to give you a time-out that will last until you are collecting Social Security." From what I've seen, the children who came from such homes respected their parents and grew into being responsible, respectable young men and women.

To be honest, the church's job of calling people to the Lord would be easier if the Lord worked the same way. Think about it.

Might not people take the Lord more seriously if He immediately punished our sins?


  • Suppose every time you went ten miles over the speed limit, God gave you a flat tire. You'd watch your speedometer more closely.
  • Suppose every time you took His Name in vain, He gave you a toothache. You'd watch what you said.
  • Suppose, every time you coveted something that was your neighbor's, He deducted $100 from your savings account. You'd behave better, wouldn't you?

Well, God doesn't always work that way, and because He doesn't many folks disregard Him and feel free to disobey Him. My friends, it is a frightening thing to mistake God's grace for indifference, to confuse His mercy with disinterest, to assume His long-suffering patience is the same thing as apathy.

These are dangerous things to do.


  • Far better to give thanks that our Lord is long-suffering and does not  immediately  punish us for our many sins and multiple iniquities.
  • Far superior to give thanks that His fairness and justice are balanced by His grace and mercy, which have been shown to us in His Son, our Savior.
  • Far wiser to acknowledge that the all-knowing Lord knows what we need, when we need it, and in what proportion His bounties should come.

THE PRAYER: Dear Lord. I give thanks that You do what is best for Your people, giving them what they truly need and not necessarily what they want. In Jesus' Name I give thanks. Amen.

Use these devotions in your newsletter and bulletin! Used by permission; all rights reserved by the Int'l LLL (LHM). The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Permanent Text Edition® (2016). Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

CPTLN Devocional - ¡Has hallado el bien!

02 de Febrero 2017

¿Hallaste esposa? ¡Has hallado el bien! ¡Has alcanzado el favor del Señor! Proverbios 18:22, RVC

Cuando trabajaba como pastor en una parroquia, una de las cosas que más me gustaba eran las charlas pre-matrimoniales. Una de mis partes favoritas era la selección de los textos bíblicos para la ceremonia. La mayoría de las veces la pareja me pedía sugerencias, y entre los textos que les sugería estaba el de Proverbios 18 que es el tema de esta devoción.

"¿Hallaste esposa? ¡Has hallado el bien! ¡Has alcanzado el favor del Señor!" Casi sin excepción, cuando la novia lo leía o escuchaba, se quedaba estupefacta. "'Halla algo bueno'. ¿Qué soy, un juego de llaves perdidas? ¿Desde cuándo soy 'algo'? No soy una cosa, soy una persona, soy una novia. No, de ninguna manera vamos a usar ese texto", decía.

De más está decir que rara vez ese texto llegaba a ser parte de la ceremonia. Lo interesante es que, según estudios realizados, las esposas/madres tienen un alto valor financiero, aunque bien sabemos que ni las madres, ni los maestros, ni los recolectores de basura, en general reciben el reconocimiento que merecen, lo cual es una pena.

También es una pena que el Señor Jesucristo nunca reciba el agradecimiento que merece por todo lo que hizo. Si nos ponemos a pensar en serio, ¿cuánto le pagaríamos a alguien para que dejara el cielo y viniera a la tierra por 33 años a vivir en medio del desprecio y la incomprensión? ¿Cuánto pagaría usted para que Alguien diera su vida para que todos sus seres queridos no fueran al infierno, sino a una mansión en el cielo? ¿Cuánto le daría a Alguien que murió para que usted pueda vivir?

Parafraseando el texto de Proverbios... "Quien es hallado por el Salvador ha recibido la gracia del Señor".

ORACIÓN: Señor Jesús, no hay palabras, dinero, ni agradecimiento suficiente para demostrarte lo mucho que tu amor significa para mí. Todo lo que puedo hacer es vivir una vida de gratitud, tanto en palabras como en acciones. Envía tu Espíritu Santo para que todo lo que haga sea un testimonio a quienes me rodean. En tu nombre. Amén.

© Copyright 2017 Cristo Para Todas Las Naciones. Reina Valera Contemporánea (RVC) Copyright © 2009, 2011 by Sociedades Bíblicas Unidas.

Our Daily Bread - What’s the Occasion?

Read: Ecclesiastes 3:9–17 | Bible in a Year: Exodus 29–30; Matthew 21:23–46

Everything God does will endure forever. Ecclesiastes 3:14

Four-year-old Asher’s gleeful face peeked out from beneath his favorite hooded sweatshirt. His alligator-head hooded sweatshirt, complete with plush jaws that seemed to swallow his head! His mom’s heart sank. She wanted the family to make a good impression as they visited a family they hadn’t seen in a long time.

“Oh, Hon,” she said, “that may not be appropriate for the occasion.”

“Of course it is!” Asher protested brightly.

“Hmm, and what occasion might that be?” she asked. Asher replied, “You know. Life!” He got to wear the shirt.

That joyful boy already grasps the truth of Ecclesiastes 3:12—“There is nothing better for people than to be happy and to do good while they live.” Ecclesiastes can seem depressing and is often misunderstood because it’s written from a human perspective, not God’s. The writer, King Solomon, asked, “What do workers gain from their toil?” (v. 9). Yet throughout the book we catch glimpses of hope. Solomon also wrote: “That each of [us] may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all [our] toil—this is the gift of God” (v. 13).

We serve a God who gives us good things to enjoy. Everything He does “will endure forever” (v. 14). As we acknowledge Him and follow His loving commands, He infuses our lives with purpose, meaning, and joy.


Restore to us childlike joy that appreciates Your good gifts.

Read more about making God the center of your life at discoveryseries.org/hp152.

The Lord who made you wants you to make Him the center of your life.


© 2017 Our Daily Bread Ministries

Lời Sống Hằng Ngày - Dịp Nào Nhỉ?

Đọc: Truyền Đạo 3:9-17 | Đọc Kinh Thánh suốt năm: Xuất Ê-díp-tô ký 29-30; Ma-thi-ơ 21:23-46

Ta thấy rằng mọi việc Đức Chúa Trời đã làm thì còn đến đời đời. (Truyền đạo 3:14)

Vẻ mặt hân hoan vui sướng của bé Asher bốn tuổi thò ra từ dưới chiếc áo lạnh tay ngắn có mũ trùm đầu yêu thích. Chiếc áo lạnh có chiếc mũ hình đầu cá sấu, cùng với cái hàm toác ngoác bằng vải nhung như muốn nuốt chửng lấy cái đầu của cậu bé! Thấy vậy, mẹ cậu bé thất vọng. Cô muốn cả nhà để lại ấn tượng tốt khi đi thăm một gia đình đã lâu không gặp.

Cô nói: “Con à, cái áo đó có lẽ không phù hợp với dịp này đâu con.”
“Chắc chắn là hợp mà mẹ!” Cậu bé phản kháng với vẻ mặt tươi rói.
“Hmm, nó hợp với dịp nào nhỉ?” Cô hỏi lại. Asher trả lời: “Mẹ ơi, cuộc sống mà!” Cậu bé đòi mặc chiếc áo cho bằng được.


Cậu bé vui vẻ ấy đã nắm vững được chân lý của Truyền đạo 3:12: “Vậy, ta nhận ra rằng chẳng có điều gì tốt hơn cho loài người là vui vẻ và làm lành trọn đời mình.” Sách Truyền Đạo dường như sầu não và thường có quan niệm sai trật bởi vì được viết từ quan điểm của con người, chứ không phải của Chúa. Tác giả là vua Sa-lô-môn đã hỏi: “Người làm việc có được ích lợi gì về công lao khó nhọc của mình chăng” (c.9). Tuy vậy, chúng ta có thể tìm thấy những tia hy vọng trong sách này. Sa-lô-môn cũng viết: “Ai nấy hãy ăn, uống và hưởng phước của công lao mình, vì đó cũng là sự ban cho của Đức Chúa Trời” (c.13).

Chúng ta phục vụ một Đức Chúa Trời, là Đấng ban cho chúng ta những điều tốt lành để vui hưởng. Mọi điều Ngài làm “còn đến đời đời” (c.14). Khi chúng ta nhận biết Ngài và đi theo những lời răn dạy yêu thương của Ngài, Ngài sẽ truyền mục đích, ý nghĩa và sự thỏa vui vào cuộc sống của chúng ta.


Lạy Chúa, xin phục hồi trong chúng con niềm vui như con trẻ, luôn trân trọng những món quà tốt lành Ngài ban.

Đấng tạo dựng bạn muốn bạn đặt Ngài làm trung tâm của cuộc đời.


© 2017 Lời Sống Hằng Ngày

Nuestro Pan Diario - ¿Cuál es la ocasión?

Leer: Eclesiastés 3:9-17 | La Biblia en un año: Mateo 21:23-46

… todo lo que Dios hace será perpetuo… (Eclesiastés 3:14).

L a alegre carita del niño de cuatro años asomaba por debajo de su suéter favorito. ¡La capucha con forma de lagarto terminaba en quijadas que parecían tragarle la cabeza! La madre quedó pasmada, ya que quería que su familia causara una buena impresión frente a los amigos que hacía mucho que no veían.

«Querido —dijo ella—, no sé si eso es apropiado para esta ocasión».
«¡Sí que lo es!», protestó alegremente el niño.
«Mmmm, ¿por qué ese suéter?», preguntó ella; a lo que él respondió: «¡Para celebrar la vida!». Y el pequeño llevó su suéter…

Ese niño ya captaba la verdad de Eclesiastés 3:12: «Yo he conocido que no hay para ellos cosa mejor que alegrarse, y hacer bien en su vida». Eclesiastés puede parecer deprimente, y a menudo, es malinterpretado porque se escribió desde la perspectiva de un hombre, no de Dios. El rey Salomón preguntó: «¿Qué provecho tiene el que trabaja…?» (v. 9). Sin embargo, vemos atisbos de esperanza en todo el libro. Además, Salomón escribió: «también […] es don de Dios que todo hombre coma y beba, y goce el bien de toda su labor» (v. 13).

Servimos a un Dios que nos da cosas buenas para que las disfrutemos. Todo lo que Él hace «será perpetuo» (v. 14). Cuando obedecemos sus mandatos de amor, el Señor infunde propósito, significado y gozo en nuestra vida.


Señor, ayúdame a regocijarme en tus bondades.

El Señor que te hizo desea que lo hagas el centro de tu vida.


© 2017 Ministerios Nuestro Pan Diario

Unser Täglich Brot - Der passende Aufzug?

Lesen: Prediger 3,9-17 | Die Bibel In Einem Jahr: 2.Mose 29–30; Matthäus 21,23-46

Alles, was Gott tut, das besteht für ewig. Prediger 3,14

Verschmitzt schaute der 4-Jährige unter der Kapuze seines liebsten Sweatshirts hervor, dem mit der Krokodilkapuze und dem Kiefer aus Plüsch, der aussah, als habe er seinen Kopf verschlungen! Die Mutter war entsetzt. Man wollte Bekannte besuchen, die man lange nicht mehr gesehen hatte, und einen guten Eindruck machen.

„Oh, Schatz“, sagte sie, „das ist vielleicht nicht der passende Aufzug.“
„Doch, natürlich!“, protestierte der Kleine unbekümmert.
„Und wozu soll das passen?“, fragte sie. „Zu allem“, erwiderte ihr Sohn.

Der fröhliche Junge hatte begriffen, was schon der Prediger schrieb: „Es [gibt] nichts Besseres als fröhlich sein . . . in seinem Leben“ (3,12). Das Buch Prediger kann deprimierend wirken und wird oft missverstanden, weil es nicht aus göttlicher, sondern aus menschlicher Perspektive geschrieben ist. So meint sein Verfasser, König Salomo: „Man mühe sich ab, wie man will, so hat man keinen Gewinn davon“ (V.9). Und doch leuchtet auch immer wieder Hoffnung hervor: „Ein Mensch, der da isst und trinkt und hat guten Mut bei all seinem Mühen, das ist eine Gabe Gottes“ (V.13).

Wir dienen einem Gott, der uns Gutes schenkt, damit wir uns daran freuen. Alles, was er tut, „besteht für ewig“ (V.14). Wenn wir ihm glauben und seinen Befehlen gehorchen, gibt er unserem Leben einen Sinn, ein Ziel und Freude.


Herr, schenk uns kindliche Freude, die sich an deinen Gaben freut.

Der Herr, der dich gemacht hat, möchte, dass du ihn zum Mittelpunkt deines Lebens machst.


© 2017 Unser Täglich Brot

Notre Pain Quotidien - Quelle est l’occasion ?


[Tout] ce que Dieu fait durera toujours. (Ecclésiaste 3.14)

Le petit Asher de quatre ans a sorti son visage rayonnant de sous son pull préféré à cagoule en tête d’alligator munie de mâchoires en peluche qui donnait l’impression de lui avaler la tête ! À le voir, sa mère en a eu le coeur serré. Elle désirait faire bonne impression auprès d’une famille à qui ils allaient rendre visite et qu’ils n’avaient plus vue depuis longtemps.

« Oh, chéri, ce n’est peut-être pas ce qui convient à l’occasion ! »
« Mais bien sûr que oui ! », de lui répondre un Asher tout joyeux.
« Euh, et quelle est l’occasion ? », lui a‑t‑elle demandé, ce à quoi Asher lui a répondu : « Tu sais. La vie ! », ce qui lui a valu de porter son pull.

Ce garçon a déjà saisi la vérité d’Ecclésiaste 3.12 : « [Il] n’y a de bonheur pour eux qu’à se réjouir et à se donner du bien‑être pendant leur vie. » Le livre de l’Ecclésiaste peut sembler déprimant et est souvent mal compris, car il a été écrit selon une perspective humaine, et non divine. Son auteur, le roi Salomon, y demande : « Quel avantage celui qui travaille retire‑t‑il de sa peine ? » (V. 9.) Reste que de ce livre émanent des lueurs d’espoir. Salomon a aussi écrit : « [Si] un homme mange et boit et jouit du bien‑être au milieu de tout son travail, c’est là un don de Dieu » (V. 13).

Nous servons un Dieu qui nous procure la jouissance de bonnes choses. Tout ce qu’il fait « durera toujours » (V. 14). Si nous tenons compte de lui et que nous suivons ses commandements empreints de bienveillance, il donnera un sens à notre vie et nous apportera la joie.

Celui qui vous a créé veut siéger au centre de votre vie.


© 2017 Ministères NPQ

Хліб Наш Насущній - Життєрадісність

Читати: Еклезіястова 3:14 | Біблія за рік: Вихід 29−30 ; Матвія 21:23-46

Все, що Бог робить, воно зостанеться навіки. — Еклезіястова 3:14

Радісне обличчя чотирьохрічного Ашера вилізло з горловини його улюбленої толстовки з капюшоном. Капюшон мав вигляд крокодилячої голови, і разом із плюшевими щелепами здавалось, що крокодил проковтнув голову малюка! У його матері аж серце впало. Вона так сподівалась справити добре враження на ту сім’ю, яку збирались відвідати, і яку не бачили вже багато років.

“О, сонечко, може буде недоречним це вдягати?” – сказала вона.
“Ні, буде доречним!” – радісно запротестував малюк.
“Ну, і з якого приводу ти натягнув це на себе?” – спитала мати.
“З приводу життя”, – швидко відповів синок і повністю вдягнув толстовку.

В Книзі Еклезіястова 3:12 написано: “Немає нічого в них кращого, як тільки радіти й робити добро у своєму житті”. Еклезіяст інколи здається занадто депресивним. Він пише з точки зору людини, а не Бога, тому багато хто його не розуміє. Соломон ставить риторичне питання: “Яка користь трудящому в тім, над чим трудиться він?” (Екл. 3:9). Та незважаючи на скептицизм, усю книгу пронизує промінь надії. “І отож, як котрий чоловік їсть та п’є і в усім своїм труді радіє добром, − це дар Божий!” (Екл. 3:13).

Ми служимо Богу, Який дарує нам багато приємних речей, щоб ми раділи. І все, що Він дарує нам, “зостанеться навіки” (Екл. 3:14).


Господи, віднови в нас просту дитячу радість, щоб завжди бачили й цінували ті дари, що Ти нам даєш.

Той, Хто створив нас, бажає, щоб ми зробили Його центром свого життя.


© 2017 Хліб Наш Насущній

Хлеб наш насущный - Жизнерадостность

Читать сейчас: Екклесиаст 3:9-17 | Библия за год: Исход 29-30; Матфея 21:23-46

Все, что делает Бог, пребывает вовек. — Екклесиаст 3:14

Ликующее личико четырехлетнего Эшера выглянуло из его любимой кофты с капюшоном. Капюшон этот был не простой, а в виде головы крокодила. Голова малыша, казалось, находится прямо в пасти за рядом устрашающих зубов. Сердце мамы дрогнуло. Она хотела, чтобы их семья произвела наилучшее впечатление на друзей, с которыми они не виделись долгое время, а у ребенка такой вид, что можно подумать все что угодно!

– Малыш, – сказала она, – эта кофта не подходит.
– Подходит! – жизнерадостно заявил мальчик.
– Для чего она подходит? – расстроенно спросила мама.
– Для жизни! – воскликнул Эшер.


Этот веселый малыш, несмотря на юный возраст, уловил суть размышлений Екклесиаста: «Нет для [людей] ничего лучшего, как веселиться и делать доброе в жизни своей» (Еккл. 3:12). Эту книгу не всегда правильно понимают, но все дело в том, что она написана с точки зрения человеческой, а не Божьей. Ее автор, царь Соломон, рассуждает о тщетности суеты, спрашивая: «Что пользы работающему от того, над чем он трудится?» (Еккл. 3:9). Однако при этом через всю книгу проходит нить надежды. Соломон также пишет: «Если какой человек ест, и пьет, и видит доброе во всяком труде своем, то это – дар Божий» (Еккл. 3:13).

Мы служим Богу, Который дает нам много благ. Все, что Он делает, «пребывает вовек» (Еккл. 3:14). Веря в Него и следуя Его повелениям, мы обретем жизнь, полную смысла и радости.


Господь, помоги нам во всех обстоятельствах жизни видеть Тебя. Научи нас по-детски радоваться и благодарить за все Твои дары.

Господь, создавший вас, желает находиться в центре вашей жизни.


© 2017 Хлеб Наш Насущный

The Daily Readings for WEDNESDAY, February 1, 2017


 The Old Testament Lesson

The Old Testament Lesson for today is taken from Isaiah 54:1-17

Sing, O barren one who did not bear; burst into song and shout, you who have not been in labor! For the children of the desolate woman will be more than the children of her that is married, says the LORD. Enlarge the site of your tent, and let the curtains of your habitations be stretched out; do not hold back; lengthen your cords and strengthen your stakes. For you will spread out to the right and to the left, and your descendants will possess the nations and will settle the desolate towns. Do not fear, for you will not be ashamed; do not be discouraged, for you will not suffer disgrace; for you will forget the shame of your youth, and the disgrace of your widowhood you will remember no more. For your Maker is your husband, the LORD of hosts is his name; the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer, the God of the whole earth he is called. For the LORD has called you like a wife forsaken and grieved in spirit, like the wife of a man's youth when she is cast off, says your God. For a brief moment I abandoned you, but with great compassion I will gather you. In overflowing wrath for a moment I hid my face from you, but with everlasting love I will have compassion on you, says the LORD, your Redeemer. This is like the days of Noah to me: Just as I swore that the waters of Noah would never again go over the earth, so I have sworn that I will not be angry with you and will not rebuke you. For the mountains may depart and the hills be removed, but my steadfast love shall not depart from you, and my covenant of peace shall not be removed, says the LORD, who has compassion on you. O afflicted one, storm-tossed, and not comforted, I am about to set your stones in antimony, and lay your foundations with sapphires. I will make your pinnacles of rubies, your gates of jewels, and all your wall of precious stones. All your children shall be taught by the LORD, and great shall be the prosperity of your children. In righteousness you shall be established; you shall be far from oppression, for you shall not fear; and from terror, for it shall not come near you. If anyone stirs up strife, it is not from me; whoever stirs up strife with you shall fall because of you. See it is I who have created the smith who blows the fire of coals, and produces a weapon fit for its purpose; I have also created the ravager to destroy. No weapon that is fashioned against you shall prosper, and you shall confute every tongue that rises against you in judgment. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD and their vindication from me, says the LORD.

This is the Word of the Lord
Thanks be to God


The Epistle Lesson

The Epistle Lesson for today is taken from Galatians 4:21-31

Tell me, you who desire to be subject to the law, will you not listen to the law? For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by a slave woman and the other by a free woman. One, the child of the slave, was born according to the flesh; the other, the child of the free woman, was born through the promise. Now this is an allegory: these women are two covenants. One woman, in fact, is Hagar, from Mount Sinai, bearing children for slavery. Now Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia and corresponds to the present Jerusalem, for she is in slavery with her children. But the other woman corresponds to the Jerusalem above; she is free, and she is our mother. For it is written, "Rejoice, you childless one, you who bear no children, burst into song and shout, you who endure no birth pangs; for the children of the desolate woman are more numerous than the children of the one who is married." Now you, my friends, are children of the promise, like Isaac. But just as at that time the child who was born according to the flesh persecuted the child who was born according to the Spirit, so it is now also. But what does the scripture say? "Drive out the slave and her child; for the child of the slave will not share the inheritance with the child of the free woman." So then, friends, we are children, not of the slave but of the free woman.

This is the Word of the Lord
Thanks be to God


The Holy Gospel Lesson

The Holy Gospel is written in Mark 8:11-26
Glory be to Thee, O Lord


The Pharisees came and began to argue with him, asking him for a sign from heaven, to test him. And he sighed deeply in his spirit and said, "Why does this generation ask for a sign? Truly I tell you, no sign will be given to this generation." And he left them, and getting into the boat again, he went across to the other side. Now the disciples had forgotten to bring any bread; and they had only one loaf with them in the boat. And he cautioned them, saying, "Watch out-- beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and the yeast of Herod." They said to one another, "It is because we have no bread." And becoming aware of it, Jesus said to them, "Why are you talking about having no bread? Do you still not perceive or understand? Are your hearts hardened? Do you have eyes, and fail to see? Do you have ears, and fail to hear? And do you not remember? When I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many baskets full of broken pieces did you collect?" They said to him, "Twelve." "And the seven for the four thousand, how many baskets full of broken pieces did you collect?" And they said to him, "Seven." Then he said to them, "Do you not yet understand?" They came to Bethsaida. Some people brought a blind man to him and begged him to touch him. He took the blind man by the hand and led him out of the village; and when he had put saliva on his eyes and laid his hands on him, he asked him, "Can you see anything?" And the man looked up and said, "I can see people, but they look like trees, walking." Then Jesus laid his hands on his eyes again; and he looked intently and his sight was restored, and he saw everything clearly. Then he sent him away to his home, saying, "Do not even go into the village."

Here ends the Gospel lesson for today.
Glory be to Thee ,O Christ!


Morning Psalms

Psalm 72 Deus, judicium
1   Give the King your justice, O God, and your righteousness to the King's son;
2   That he may rule your people righteously and the poor with justice.
3   That the mountains may bring prosperity to the people, and the little hills bring righteousness.
4   He shall defend the needy among the people; he shall rescue the poor and crush the oppressor.
5   He shall live as long as the sun and moon endure, from one generation to another.
6   He shall come down like rain upon the mown field, like showers that water the earth.
7   In his time shall the righteous flourish; there shall be abundance of peace till the moon shall be no more.
8   He shall rule from sea to sea, and from the River to the ends of the earth.
9   His foes shall bow down before him, and his enemies lick the dust.
10   The kings of Tarshish and of the isles shall pay tribute, and the kings of Arabia and Saba offer gifts.
11   All kings shall bow down before him, and all the nations do him service.
12   For he shall deliver the poor who cries out in distress, and the oppressed who has no helper.
13   He shall have pity on the lowly and poor; he shall preserve the lives of the needy.
14   He shall redeem their lives from oppression and violence, and dear shall their blood be in his sight.
15   Long may he live! and may there be given to him gold from Arabia; may prayer be made for him always, and may they bless him all the day long.
16   May there be abundance of grain on the earth, growing thick even on the hilltops; may its fruit flourish like Lebanon, and its grain like grass upon the earth.
17   May his Name remain for ever and be established as long as the sun endures; may all the nations bless themselves in him and call him blessed.
18   Blessed be the Lord GOD, the God of Israel, who alone does wondrous deeds!
19   And blessed be his glorious Name for ever! and may all the earth be filled with his glory. Amen. Amen.


Evening Psalms

Psalm 119: Yodh Manus tuæ fecerunt me
73   Your hands have made me and fashioned me; give me understanding, that I may learn your commandments.
74   Those who fear you will be glad when they see me, because I trust in your word.
75   I know, O LORD, that your judgments are right and that in faithfulness you have afflicted me.
76   Let your loving-kindness be my comfort, as you have promised to your servant.
77   Let your compassion come to me, that I may live, for your law is my delight.
78   Let the arrogant be put to shame, for they wrong me with lies; but I will meditate on your commandments.
79   Let those who fear you turn to me, and also those who know your decrees.
80   Let my heart be sound in your statutes, that I may not be put to shame.


Psalm 119: Kaph Defecit in salutare
81   My soul has longed for your salvation; I have put my hope in your word.
82   My eyes have failed from watching for your promise, and I say, "When will you comfort me?"
83   I have become like a leather flask in the smoke, but I have not forgotten your statutes.
84   How much longer must I wait? when will you give judgment against those who persecute me?
85   The proud have dug pits for me; they do not keep your law.
86   All your commandments are true; help me, for they persecute me with lies.
87   They had almost made an end of me on earth, but I have not forsaken your commandments.
88   In your loving-kindness, revive me, that I may keep the decrees of your mouth.


Psalm 119: Lamedh In æternum, Domine
89   O LORD, your word is everlasting; it stands firm in the heavens.
90   Your faithfulness remains from one generation to another; you established the earth, and it abides.
91   By your decree these continue to this day, for all things are your servants.
92   If my delight had not been in your law, I should have perished in my affliction.
93   I will never forget your commandments, because by them you give me life.
94   I am yours; oh, that you would save me! for I study your commandments.
95   Though the wicked lie in wait for me to destroy me, I will apply my mind to your decrees.
96   I see that all things come to an end, but your commandment has no bounds.


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 - February 01, 2017


Deuteronomy 6:4-5 (NIV) Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.

Read all of Deuteronomy 6

Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Morning Devotions with Cap'n Kenny - "Never Give Up on Your Children"

So he returned home to his father. And while he was still a long way off, his father saw him coming. Filled with love and compassion, he ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him.
 Luke 15:20, NLT

Even when raised in godly homes, kids sometimes rebel. Sometimes children go astray—and parents feel like they somehow failed.

Jesus told a story of a prodigal son. There was a dad who had two sons. The youngest son came to him and asked for his portion of the inheritance. It wasn't long until that boy had blown the family fortune on prostitutes, drunkenness, and all kinds of things. One day, the son—starving to death, miserable, and broke—makes his way home. Jesus says the father saw the son and began to run toward him and threw his arms around him, saying, "This my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found" (see Luke 15:11–24).

Here is the point I want to bring up: this boy was raised in a loving home but he still rebelled. This can happen. If you have a child that goes prodigal, stay true to your beliefs. Hold your course.

Maybe it is a hard day for you today. Maybe you haven't heard from your kids lately. Maybe you haven't talked to them for a while. They don't call. They don't want your faith and they don't want your life. But don't give up—we should never give up on our kids. Keep praying.

Listen to this: your children can escape your presence but they can never escape your prayers. Keep praying for them.

In Jesus,
Cap'n Kenny

Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved. Devotion by Greg Laurie © 2016 Harvest Christian Fellowship; all rights reserved.

Un Dia a la Vez - ¿En quién puedes descansar?


El Señor [...] restaura a los abatidos y cubre con vendas sus heridas. Salmo 147:2-3, NVI

Dios mío, levanto una oración pidiéndote una porción mayor de fe y de esperanza para mi vida. Te quiero confesar que muchas veces he querido rendirme, pero cuando miro a mi alrededor y veo a mis hijos, mi familia y todo lo que has hecho por mí, entiendo que lo que necesito aprender es a descansar en ti.

Señor, enséñame a confiar en ti y a buscarte con todo mi corazón.

Permite, Padre santo, que crea en cada una de esas promesas maravillosas que me has dejado en tu Palabra y esperar por ellas.

Sé, mi Dios, que tú restauras al abatido y con tu amor cubrirás las heridas de tus hijos.

Anímame en este día y ayúdame a colocar mi mirada de manera exclusiva en ti y no en las circunstancias que estoy viviendo.

Un Día a la Vez Copyright © by Claudia Pinzón. La Santa Biblia, Nueva Versión Internacional® NVI® Copyright © 1986, 1999, 2015 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Standing Strong Through the Storm - SATAN’S TACTIC OF GOSSIP

He who does what is sinful is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil's work. 1 John 3:8, NIV

China’s house church leaders representing more than ten million members met some years ago for a conference to discuss the main problems facing their churches. They ranked their top three problems, and came up with strategies to solve them. At the top of the list was gossip. Leader after leader told stories of how their ministries had been compromised by this subtle sin. One house church leader from Henan Province shared the following experience:

“I went into an area to lead Bible studies for coworkers and they wouldn’t let me into the house where we were to hold the seminar. I asked them through the closed door what the problem was, but they wouldn’t tell me. They just told me to go away. It was winter and I went a little ways outside the town, knowing I must start a fire to sleep beside or I would freeze to death. I wondered what on earth could have made those brothers and sisters turn me away on such a cold night without a word of explanation.

“But a brother took pity on me and brought me secretly to his home. I eventually pried the truth out of him. The leaders in the area had received an anonymous letter denouncing me as a ‘lover of many women.’ Try as hard as I might, I could not get them to listen to me or let me see the letter. Later in another part of the country, I learned the letter had been sent by a brother I had disciplined for moral laxity, and he had sent it out of spite.

“I went to him and he repented. He sent another letter, but because the first one was unsigned, they didn’t believe him. Both of us offered to go there, but we weren’t welcomed. The testimony of the church was ruined. I still have to explain myself wherever I go. It’s a victory for the devil.

“I went with the offending brother out to the countryside and told him to pluck a chicken. We walked along while he did; the wind blew the feathers far over the fields. When he was finished, he asked, ‘What now?’ I told him, ‘Pick up every feather, and put it back on the chicken.’ He said, ‘That’s impossible.’ I replied, ‘You are right. It is impossible, just as the damage your words have done cannot be repaired.’ ”

The house church leaders pledged to be more loving, and to hold more face-to-face meetings with each other to minimize the sin of gossip in the future.

RESPONSE: Today I will thwart Satan’s temptations to offend others by committing the sin of gossip.

PRAYER: Lord, enable me to stand strong today in the face of all that Satan tries to throw at me.

Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Girlfriends in God - No Goals – No Gold (Part 1)


Today’s Truth

Our conscience testifies that we have conducted ourselves in the world, and especially in our relations with you, in the holiness and sincerity that are from God. We have done so not according to worldly wisdom but according to God's grace (2 Corinthians 1:12).

Friend to Friend

I am always amazed by how much training Olympic athletes are willing to invest in order to win a medal. If Christians were willing to make the same kind of investment in running the race of life, I believe the world would be a vastly different place. How important you consider a race to be influences how hard you will run it, and determines the goals you set in order to win that race.

I believe every follower of Christ should have clear life goals based on clear spiritual truths. Many Christians are floundering because they have no spiritual goals. If you want your relationship with God to be motivating, it has to be making progress, accomplishing something, and steadily growing, which demands meaningful goals that honor God.

The world's wisdom is often in direct opposition to the grace of God. In 2 Corinthians 1:12 the apostle Paul reminds us to keep our gaze on God, our glance on our circumstances, and our path in His will. One of the most comforting thoughts about setting goals is that God is more concerned about my future than I am. When I think about the fact that God has planned out every day of my life, setting goals becomes the daily quest of discovering that plan and choosing to follow it.

Setting goals is the mark of a seeking heart that longs to please God and experience the full and abundant life God wants us to live.

A friend shared with me the idea of making life goals "S.M.A.R.T." Over the years this idea has become a practical and powerful tool for me in learning how to set meaningful life goals. I hope it is helpful to you.

Specific. Psalm 139:16 "All the days ordained for me were written in Your book before one of them came to be."

Life goals must be specific. Determine precisely what your goals are. What would you do if money and time were not an issue? What do you want to accomplish in the next five years? What do you think God wants you to do that you are not doing?

Break down each goal into a series of smaller accomplishments that, when completed, would result in achieving your primary goal. Breaking goals into bite-sized pieces makes them seem less overwhelming.

Don’t forget to celebrate each time you achieve one of your goals. Sharon Jaynes is a good friend and awesome ministry partner. I will never forget the day Sharon walked into the office where we both worked, holding what looked like a baby wrapped in a blanket. Since Sharon's son was in college, I was a little confused - until she unfolded the blanket and said, "I just gave birth." Her "bundle" was actually the first copy of her new book and she was celebrating. I joined her in praising God for the goal she had met! Praise and celebration can help motivate you to achieve the next goal on your list. 

Measurable. Luke 11:28 "Blessed are those who hear the word of God and obey it."

Can you tangibly show how you met your goal? Goals must be specific to have life-changing value and you must be able to tell whether or not you have reached each goal. What specifically do you want to accomplish, and within what time frame? It is so easy to set ambiguous life goals. "I want to get more involved in my church" instead of "I will attend the 10:30 worship service each week."

Ask God for wisdom as you begin to plan and set specific goals. Involve Him every step of the journey. We sometimes allow sin to influence the goals we set, but if we submit each goal to God, He will guide us back onto the right path and lead us to re-evaluate each goal.

Join me in my next devotion for the “rest of the story” on setting goals. 

Let’s Pray

My heart is filled with praise and wonder, Lord. To think that You created me in response to Your plan is an amazing thought, Lord. But I choose to believe it and celebrate it in my life today. Help me learn how to set life goals that will lead me in Your ways and help me fulfill the purpose for which I was created. Thank You, Lord.
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen. 


Now It’s Your Turn

Read and memorize Jeremiah 29:11. With that promise in your heart, begin to evaluate your life goals. What changes do you need to make? Record those changes in your journal. 

More from the Girlfriends

As fully devoted followers of Christ, one of our goals should be to get healthy and stay that way. Mary’s book, Fit for Life, explores four areas of fitness and health - spiritual, physical, mental and emotional. Within each one of these areas, Fit for Life examines principles relating to rest, diet and exercise. Check it out!

Be sure to check out the FREE MP3s on Mary’s website and connect with Mary through email or on Facebook.

Seeking God?
Click HERE to find out more about how to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.