Friday, February 24, 2017

LHM Daily Devotion - "Jesus Receives Sinners"

February 25, 2017

But God shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
- Romans 5:8 (ESV)

Jesus is always ready to receive sinners. Period.

Please, don't for a moment think Jesus stopped receiving sinners centuries ago or when the last of the apostles breathed his last. There has never been a moment in history -- no -- let me make this personal, there has never been a moment in your life, when Jesus has not been ready to receive you. That's right, Jesus wants to receive sinners like you.

No, don't tell me you're not a sinner. You are.

True, you may not be a really big sinner, but you are a sinner. Ask your spouse, or your loving children, or your best friend. I'll tell you what, ask the person who defends you and stands by your side no matter what you do. Ask him or her, "Am I a sinner? Have I ever done, or said, or thought anything that didn't seem right to you or pleasing to God?"

Go ahead, do it. Don't think I'm joking. Really, ask them. I'll wait.

You're not going to ask them, are you? I didn't think you would. You're not going to ask because you know, as much as they love you, as often as they've taken your side and defended you, they're going to hesitate just a little bit too long before they give an answer to your question. Their over-long hesitation means they know -- and you ought to know -- this truth: you are a sinner.

Worse, you are a sinner who can't do a single thing to change yourself. Nor can you do anything to change the unpleasant place you're going to be spending eternity after you die and have been judged. This is why, my sinful friend, you need to be received by Jesus.

Of course, it is possible that denying your sinfulness isn't your particular problem.

Is it possible there is overwhelming evidence showing you to be a depraved, debauched transgressor? Is your shame so great, your guilt so troubling and terrifying, that you believe if you were ever brought before Jesus, He would recoil at the sight of you and refuse to receive you?

My dear, big-sinning friend, don't be so foolish.

When Jesus prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane, He was crushed to the ground by the great weight of humanity's sins. Your transgressions were there that night. Jesus knew you, your life, and every one of the sins you have ever committed.

Trust me on this. I've read the Bible.

There is not a single passage which speaks of Jesus carrying the sins of everybody with the exception of you. Nowhere does it record Jesus saying, "Yes, Father in heaven, I'll die to save the world with the exception of Bob or Bertha in the 21st century." There, on the accursed tree, He gave His life as your ransom and offered His perfection to win your salvation. He paid the price, and then, with His resurrection from the dead, showed to all who are given eyes to see it: Jesus receives sinners.

THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, once the Pharisees accused the Savior of receiving sinners. I give thanks, that for once, the Pharisees were right, and You have done all to receive us, forgive us, and save us. In the Savior's 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.

Our Daily Bread - Wholehearted!

Read: Numbers 13:26–32; 14:20–24 | Bible in a Year: Numbers 12–14; Mark 5:21–43

Because my servant Caleb has a different spirit and follows me wholeheartedly, I will bring him into the land he went to, and his descendants will inherit it. Numbers 14:24

Caleb was a “wholehearted” person. He and Joshua were part of a twelve-man reconnaissance team that explored the Promised Land and gave a report to Moses and the people. Caleb said, “We should go up and take possession of the land, for we can certainly do it” (Num. 13:30). But ten members of the team said they couldn’t possibly succeed. In spite of God’s promises, they saw only obstacles (vv. 31–33).

Ten men caused the people to lose heart and grumble against God, which led to forty years of wandering in the desert. But Caleb never quit. The Lord said, “Because my servant Caleb has a different spirit and follows me wholeheartedly, I will bring him into the land he went to, and his descendants will inherit it” (14:24). Forty-five years later God honored His promise when Caleb, at the age of 85, received the city of Hebron “because he followed the Lord, the God of Israel, wholeheartedly” (Josh. 14:14).

Centuries later an expert in the law asked Jesus, “Which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” Jesus replied, “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment” (Matt. 22:35–38).

Today Caleb is still inspiring us with his confidence in a God who deserves our wholehearted love, reliance, and commitment.

Lord, may we love You wholeheartedly today and follow You every day of our journey on this earth.

Commitment to Christ is a daily calling.


© 2017 Our Daily Bread Ministries

Lời Sống Hằng Ngày - Hết Lòng Trung Tín

Đọc: Dân số Ký 13:26-32; 14:20-24 | Đọc Kinh Thánh suốt năm: Dân số Ký 12-14; Mác 5:21-43

Nhưng vì đầy tớ Ta là Ca-lép không đồng tình với họ mà theo Ta một cách trung tín nên Ta sẽ đem người vào xứ mà người đã do thám; dòng dõi người sẽ được xứ ấy làm sản nghiệp. (Dân số Ký 14:24)

Ca-lép là một người hết lòng trung tín. Ông và Giô-suê có mặt trong nhóm 12 người đi do thám Đất Hứa về báo cáo cho Môi-se và dân sự. Ca-lép nói: “Chúng ta hãy đi lên và chiếm xứ đi, vì chúng ta có thể thắng được” (Dân 13:30). Nhưng mười thành viên còn lại trong nhóm đã nói rằng họ không thắng nổi đâu. Bất chấp lời hứa của Chúa, họ chỉ nhìn thấy chướng ngại mà thôi (c.31-33).

Mười người khiến dân sự nhụt chí và cằn nhằn về Chúa, điều đó dẫn đến việc họ phải lang thang suốt 40 năm trong đồng vắng. Nhưng Ca-lép không bao giờ bỏ cuộc. Chúa nói: “Nhưng vì đầy tớ Ta là Ca-lép không đồng tình với họ mà theo Ta một cách trung tín nên Ta sẽ đem người vào xứ mà người đã do thám; dòng dõi người sẽ được xứ ấy làm sản nghiệp” (14:24). Sau 45 năm, Chúa đã giữ lời hứa của Ngài khi Ca-lép, lúc này đã 85 tuổi, nhận được thành Hếp-rôn “vì ông trung thành vâng theo Giê-hô-va Đức Chúa Trời của Y-sơ-ra-ên” (Giô-suê 14:14).

Nhiều thế kỷ sau, một chuyên gia kinh luật đã hỏi Chúa Jêsus: “Thưa Thầy, trong luật pháp, điều răn nào quan trọng nhất?” Đức Chúa Jêsus đáp: “Ngươi phải hết lòng, hết linh hồn, hết tâm trí mà kính mến Chúa là Đức Chúa Trời ngươi.’ Ấy là điều răn thứ nhất và quan trọng hơn hết” (Ma-thi-ơ 22:35-38).

Ngày nay, Ca-lép vẫn tiếp tục truyền cảm hứng cho chúng ta qua lòng tin của ông nơi một Đức Chúa Trời xứng đáng nhận được tình yêu, sự nương cậy và tận hiến hết lòng của chúng ta.

Lạy Chúa, nguyện hôm nay chúng con yêu Ngài hết lòng và bước theo Ngài mỗi ngày trong linh trình trên đất.

Tận hiến cho Đấng Christ là sự kêu gọi mỗi ngày.


© 2017 Lời Sống Hằng Ngày

Nuestro Pan Diario - ¡De todo corazón!

Leer: Núm. 13:26-32; 14:20-24 | La Biblia en un año: Marcos 5:21-43

Pero a mi siervo Caleb, por cuanto […] decidió ir en pos de mí, yo le meteré en la tierra donde entró… (Núm. 14:24).

Caleb era una persona «de todo corazón». Con Josué, formaron parte del equipo de doce espías que exploraron la tierra prometida. Dijo: «Subamos luego, y tomemos posesión de ella; porque más podremos nosotros que ellos» (Números 13:30). Sin embargo, los otros diez afirmaron que era imposible conquistarla. A pesar de las promesas de Dios, solo vieron obstáculos (vv. 31-33).

Diez hombres hicieron que el pueblo se desanimara y se quejara contra Dios, y peregrinaron 40 años por el desierto. Pero Caleb nunca se rindió. El Señor declaró: «Pero a mi siervo Caleb, por cuanto hubo en él otro espíritu, y decidió ir en pos de mí, yo le meteré en la tierra donde entró, y su descendencia la tendrá en posesión» (14:24). Después de 45 años, Dios cumplió su promesa, cuando Caleb, de 85 años, recibió Hebrón «por cuanto había seguido cumplidamente al Señor Dios de Israel» (Josué 14:14).

Siglos más tarde, un experto de la ley le preguntó a Jesús: «Maestro, ¿cuál es el gran mandamiento en la ley? Jesús le dijo: Amarás al Señor tu Dios con todo tu corazón, y con toda tu alma, y con toda tu mente. Este es el primero y grande mandamiento» (Mateo 22:36-38).

Caleb sigue inspirándonos por su confianza en un Dios que merece nuestro amor, confianza y compromiso de todo corazón.

Señor, quiero tener el corazón de Caleb.

El compromiso con Cristo es un llamado diario.


Unser Täglich Brot - Treu sein

Lesen: 4.Mose 13,26-32; 14,20-24 | Die Bibel In Einem Jahr: 4.Mose 12–14; Markus 5,21-43

Weil ein anderer Geist in [Kaleb] ist und er mir treu nachgefolgt ist, will ich [ihn] in das Land bringen, in das er gekommen ist, und seine Nachkommen sollen es einnehmen. 4.Mose 14,24

Kaleb war ein „treuer“ Mensch. Mit Josua und zehn anderen hatte er das gelobte Land erkundet und Mose und dem Volk Bericht erstattet. Kaleb hatte gesagt: „Lasst uns hinaufziehen und das Land einnehmen, denn wir können es überwältigen“ (4.Mose 13,30). Aber zehn andere meinten, sie würden das nicht schaffen. Trotz Gottes Verheißung sahen sie nur Hindernisse (V.31-33).

Zehn Männer waren schuld, dass das Volk den Mut verlor und murrte, so dass sie schließlich vierzig Jahre lang durch die Wüste wandern mussten. Nur Kaleb gab nicht auf. Und so sagte Gott: „Nur meinen Knecht Kaleb, weil ein anderer Geist in ihm ist und er mir treu nachgefolgt ist, den will ich in das Land bringen, in das er gekommen ist, und seine Nachkommen sollen es einnehmen“ (14,24). Fünfundvierzig Jahre später machte Gott sein Versprechen wahr. Mit 85 Jahren erhielt Kaleb die Stadt Hebron, „weil er dem Herrn, dem Gott Israels, treulich gefolgt war“ (Jos. 14,14).

Jahrhunderte später wurde Jesus gefragt: „Welches ist das höchste Gebot im Gesetz?“ Jesus erwiderte: „Du sollst den Herrn, deinen Gott, lieben von ganzem Herzen, von ganzer Seele und von ganzem Gemüt. Dies ist das höchste und größte Gebot“ (Matth. 22,35-38).

Mit seinem Vertrauen auf Gott, der unsere ganze Liebe, Treue und Hingabe verdient, kann Kaleb uns auch heute noch ein Beispiel sein.

Herr, lass mich dich heute von ganzem Herzen lieben und dir an jedem Tag meines Lebens treu bleiben.

Jeden Tag neu sind wir zur Hingabe an Gott aufgerufen.


© 2017 Unser Täglich Brot

Notre Pain Quotidien - Tout son coeur !

Lisez : Nombres 13.26‑32 ; 14.20‑24 | La Bible en un an : Nombres 12 – 14 et Marc 5.21-43

Et parce que mon serviteur Caleb a été animé d’un autre esprit, et qu’il a pleinement suivi ma voie, je le ferai entrer dans le pays où il est allé, et ses descendants le posséderont. (Nombres 14.24)

Caleb agissait en y mettant « tout son coeur ». Josué et lui faisaient partie d’une équipe d’éclaireurs envoyée pour explorer la Terre promise et rapporter leurs constats à Moïse et au peuple. Caleb a dit : « Montons, emparons‑nous du pays, nous y serons vainqueurs ! » (NO 13.30), mais dix membres de l’équipe ont dit leurs efforts être voués à l’échec, car, malgré les promesses de Dieu, ils ne voyaient que les obstacles (V. 31‑33).

Dix hommes ont ainsi découragé et poussé le peuple à murmurer contre Dieu, lui valant de passer 40 ans à errer au désert. Comme Caleb n’a jamais baissé les bras, Dieu lui a affirmé : « Et parce que mon serviteur Caleb a été animé d’un autre esprit, et qu’il a pleinement suivi ma voie, je le ferai entrer dans le pays où il est allé, et ses descendants le posséderont » (14.24). Quarante‑cinq ans plus tard, Dieu a tenu promesse en donnant en héritage la ville d’Hébron à Caleb, alors âgé de 85 ans, « parce qu’il avait pleinement suivi la voie de l’Éternel, le Dieu d’Israël » (JOS 14.14).

Des siècles plus tard, un spécialiste de la loi a demandé à Jésus : « Maître, quel est le plus grand commandement de la loi ? » ce à quoi Jésus a répondu : « Tu aimeras le Seigneur, ton Dieu, de tout ton coeur, de toute ton âme, et de toute ta pensée. C’est le premier et le plus grand commandement » (MT 22.35‑38).

Aujourd’hui, Caleb nous inspire encore par sa confiance en un Dieu qui mérite notre amour, notre fidélité et notre consécration.

Nous sommes appelés à nous engager chaque jour envers Christ.


Хліб Наш Насущній - Від щирого серця!

Читати: Числа 13:26-32; 14:20-24 | Біблія за рік: Числа 12–14 ; Марка 5:21-43

Але раб Мій Калев за те, що з ним був дух інший, і він виконував накази Мої, то Я введу його до того Краю, куди він увійшов був, і потомство його оволодіє ним. — Числа 14:24

Калев мав щире серце. Він та Ісус Навин були в числі 12 розвідників, що досліджували Обітовану Землю, а потім звітували Мойсею та всьому народу. “Конче ввійдемо ми й заволодіємо ним, бо ми справді переможем його!” – сказав Калев (Чис. 13:30). Але десять розвідників почали доводити, що немає жодних шансів заволодіти тією землею. Незважаючи на всі Божі обітниці, вони бачили перед собою лише перешкоди (Чис. 13:31-33).

Через це народ втратив присутність духу й почав ремствувати проти Бога, що стало причиною їхнього сорокарічного блукання пустелею. Але Калев ніколи не втрачав надії. Тому Господь сказав про нього так: “За те, що з ним був дух інший, і він виконував накази Мої, то Я введу його до того Краю, куди він увійшов був, і потомство його оволодіє ним” (Чис. 14:24). Через 45 років Бог виконав Свою обіцянку: 85-річний Калев отримав місто Хеврон, тому що від щирого серця виконував накази Бога Ізраїлева (Єг. 14:14).

Багато століть тому один книжник запитав Ісуса: “Котра заповідь найбільша в Законі?” І отримав відповідь: “Люби Господа Бога свого всім серцем своїм, і всією душею своєю, і всією своєю думкою” (Мт. 22:35-38).

Калев і сьогодні надихає нас своєю посвятою Господу, Хто заслуговує на всю нашу любов, довіру й вірність.

Господи, навчи нас любити Тебе від щирого серця й слідувати за Тобою щодня на своєму життєвому шляху.

Посвята Христу – наш щоденний поклик.


© 2017 Хліб Наш Насущній

Хлеб наш насущный - Всем сердцем

 Читать сейчас: Числа 13:26-32; 14:20-24 | Библия за год: Числа 12-14; Марка 5:21-43

«Раба Моего, Халева, за то, что в нем был иной дух и он совершенно повиновался Мне, введу в землю, в которую он ходил, и семя его наследует ее». — Числа 14:24

Халев был человеком, который отдавался делу всем сердцем. Вместе с Иисусом Навином и десятью разведчиками он исследовал Обетованную землю и принес израильтянам подробный отчет. Он сказал: «Пойдем и завладеем ей, потому что мы можем одолеть ее» (Числ. 13:31). Но другие десять не разделяли его мнения и смутили народ. Вопреки твердым Божьим обещаниям, они видели только препятствия (Числ. 13:32-34).

Из-за этого народ возроптал на Бога, что привело к сорокалетнему блужданию по пустыне. Но Халев остался верен. Поэтому Господь сказал: «Раба Моего, Халева, за то, что в нем был иной дух, и он совершенно повиновался Мне, введу в землю, в которую он ходил, и семя его наследует ее» (Числ. 14:24). Спустя 45 лет Бог исполнил Свое обетование, и Халев в возрасте 85 лет получил во владение город Хеврон «за то, что он в точности последовал [повелению] Господа, Бога Израилева» (Нав. 14:14).

Много веков спустя один из законников спросил Иисуса Христа: «Какая наибольшая заповедь в законе?» Тот ответил: «“Возлюби Господа, Бога твоего, всем сердцем твоим, и всей душой твоей, и всем разумением твоим” – это есть первая и наибольшая заповедь» (Мф. 22:35-38).

Сегодня Халев по-прежнему вдохновляет нас своей посвященностью Богу, Который, несомненно, достоин, чтобы мы любили Его всем сердцем, душой и разумением.

Господи, помоги нам любить Тебя всем сердцем и следовать за Тобой каждый день нашего странствования по земле.

Посвящение Христу – дело каждого дня.


 © 2017 Хлеб Наш Насущный

The Daily Readings for FRIDAY, February 24, 2017 - Saint Matthias the Apostle Day


Acts 1:15-26
In those days Peter stood up among the believers (together the crowd numbered about one hundred twenty persons) and said, "Friends, the scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit through David foretold concerning Judas, who became a guide for those who arrested Jesus-- for he was numbered among us and was allotted his share in this ministry." (Now this man acquired a field with the reward of his wickedness; and falling headlong, he burst open in the middle and all his bowels gushed out. This became known to all the residents of Jerusalem, so that the field was called in their language Hakeldama, that is, Field of Blood.) "For it is written in the book of Psalms, 'Let his homestead become desolate, and let there be no one to live in it' and 'Let another take his position of overseer.' So one of the men who have accompanied us during all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, beginning from the baptism of John until the day when he was taken up from us-- one of these must become a witness with us to his resurrection." So they proposed two, Joseph called Barsabbas, who was also known as Justus, and Matthias. Then they prayed and said, "Lord, you know everyone's heart. Show us which one of these two you have chosen to take the place in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas turned aside to go to his own place." And they cast lots for them, and the lot fell on Matthias; and he was added to the eleven apostles.


Psalm 15 Domine, quis habitabit?
1   LORD, who may dwell in your tabernacle? who may abide upon your holy hill?
2   Whoever leads a blameless life and does what is right, who speaks the truth from his heart.
3   There is no guile upon his tongue; he does no evil to his friend; he does not heap contempt upon his neighbor.
4   In his sight the wicked is rejected, but he honors those who fear the LORD.
5   He has sworn to do no wrong and does not take back his word.
6   He does not give his money in hope of gain, nor does he take a bribe against the innocent.
7   Whoever does these things shall never be overthrown.


Philippians 3:13-21
Beloved, I do not consider that I have made it my own; but this one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the heavenly call of God in Christ Jesus. Let those of us then who are mature be of the same mind; and if you think differently about anything, this too God will reveal to you. Only let us hold fast to what we have attained. Brothers and sisters, join in imitating me, and observe those who live according to the example you have in us. For many live as enemies of the cross of Christ; I have often told you of them, and now I tell you even with tears. Their end is destruction; their god is the belly; and their glory is in their shame; their minds are set on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven, and it is from there that we are expecting a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. He will transform the body of our humiliation that it may be conformed to the body of his glory, by the power that also enables him to make all things subject to himself.


John 15:1, 6-16
"I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinegrower. Whoever does not abide in me is thrown away like a branch and withers; such branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask for whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit and become my disciples. As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you; abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love. I have said these things to you so that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be complete. "This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. No one has greater love than this, to lay down one's life for one's friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. I do not call you servants any longer, because the servant does not know what the master is doing; but I have called you friends, because I have made known to you everything that I have heard from my Father. You did not choose me but I chose you. And I appointed you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask him in my name.


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 24, 2017


Jeremiah 29:11-13 (NIV) For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.

Read all of Jeremiah 29

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 - "Angelic Protection"

The angel of the LORD encamps all around those who fear Him, and delivers them.Psalm 34:7 (NKJV)

John G. Patton was a missionary based in the New Hebrides Islands with his wife and children. One night, hostile natives surrounded the mission station, determined to murder him and his family. First they planned to burn them out, and then they intended to kill them. Throughout that terror-filled night, Patton and his wife prayed that God would deliver them. And when daylight came, they were surprised to find their attackers had left.

A year later, the chief of the tribe that had intended to kill the Pattons became a Christian. So Patton asked the chief what happened on the night they had planned on killing them and why they turned back.

The chief said, “Who were all those men you had with you there?”

Patton knew of no men who were with him. The chief went on to explain how they saw hundreds of big men in shining garments around the mission station, so they were afraid to attack.

Could this be a modern-day example of angelic protection in the life of a Christian? Quite possibly. Certainly the Bible teaches that angels were involved in the lives of God’s people and continue to be involved to this present day.

Psalm 34:7 gives us this great promise: “The angel of the Lord encamps all around those who fear Him, and delivers them.” And Hebrews 1:14, describing angels, says, “Are they not all ministering spirits sent forth to minister for those who will inherit salvation?”

In other words, God is saying that He has sent His angels to minister to us as believers. He has sent them to protect us and, when we are in a difficult situation, to even deliver us. And when that day comes for us to go and meet the Lord, they will usher us into the presence of God.

In Jesus,
Cap'n Kenny

Scripture taken from the New King James Version®, NKJV®, Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Devotion by Greg Laurie © 2016 Harvest Christian Fellowship; all rights reserved.

Un Dia a la Vez - Que nada te aparte de su amor


Ni lo alto ni lo profundo, ni cosa alguna en toda la creación, podrá apartarnos del amor que Dios nos ha manifestado en Cristo Jesús nuestro Señor. Romanos 8:39 (NVI)

¿Cuántas veces has sentido que te has alejado de Dios? ¿Sientes que el mundo en que vives te absorbe de tal manera que vas dejando a un lado tu relación con Dios? Quizá digas que antes eras más espiritual, pero después de una situación determinada te has alejado y ya no sientes lo mismo cuando vas a la iglesia.

Hoy quiero que tengas en cuenta que no vale la pena que por alguna situación, sea la que sea, te alejes y pongas un abismo entre tu Padre y tú.

Las presiones existen aun para los líderes y pastores. Uno pensaría que estas personas que trabajan en la iglesia o para Dios en algún lugar no deben fallarle y que deben estar siempre a su lado, pero no es así. Yo diría que en el cuerpo de Cristo, la iglesia, o incluso conviviendo con cristianos, hay más tendencia a desilusionarse, a sentir ganas de salir corriendo y muchas veces preguntarse: «¿Esto es de Dios? ¿Esta persona es cristiana en realidad como dice?».

Por eso es que nuestra relación debe ser directamente con Dios, porque la Biblia dice: «¡Maldito el hombre que confía en el hombre!» (Jeremías 17:5).

Si ponemos la mirada en el hombre, terminaremos desilusionados. Mucho más cuando nos fallan personas que están vinculadas en forma directa al campo espiritual.

Las situaciones se van a presentar, pero mi llamado para ti es que nuestra mirada debe permanecer en Dios y nosotros en su amor.

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 - SUFFERING BURNS AWAY PRIDE

To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 

Suffering burns away pride, as it did in Paul’s life. When Paul prayed three times for the removal of his “thorn in the flesh,” he saw that it was God’s will for him, and he accepted it.

Many Christians are defeated at this point because they are not sure that they are in the will of God, so they are not sure if the suffering is really His will for them. Without going aside into a Bible study on knowing the will of God, we can just present this thought. Our great God “works for the good of those who love him…” (Romans 8:28). If we consciously submit to His will, He will give His divine direction. Our suffering and persecution can be placed in His hands by a simple act of our will. No believer needs to suffer alone and in doubt. Commit it all to the Lord (Proverbs 16:3).

In an unscheduled visit to Lat Village in Vietnam, a co-worker had the joy of visiting Father Tranh, the leader of the local church. Realizing the isolation and loneliness of this leader the group with our co-worker immediately asked how they could pray for him.

Not having an abundance of fellowship, he started sharing his hardships and needs. He confirmed the persecution and discrimination against the tribal people as already expressed by all the leaders they had met in Saigon. He shared the hardship of ministering to his people and the difficulties of restriction both by the police as well as the dense forest that limited his movements.

Father Thanh had 6,000 members in his congregation and found it an overwhelming task to be the only leader. “How do you do it brother?” the group asked. “How many people assist you in this enormous task?”

“I am only me!” he responded and immediately went on to conclude his answer, “but even though I am limited, the Holy Spirit is unlimited.”

RESPONSE: Today I will recognize that God may send suffering into my life to burn away my pride.

PRAYER: Pray for suffering church leaders around the world today—especially Father Thanh.

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

Men of the Bible - Judah


His name means: "The Praise of the Lord"

His work: A leader among his brothers, he was head of the tribe from which both King David and Jesus would come.
His character: The fourth son of Jacob and Leah, he saved his brother Joseph's life and offered to take his youngest brother Benjamin's place as a slave in Egypt.
His sorrow: To have lived for many years with the knowledge that he and his brothers had sold Joseph into slavery.
His triumph: To have received a choice blessing from his father, Jacob, promising that Judah would be the greatest of the tribes of Israel.
Key Scriptures: Genesis 37:26-36; 38; 42-45 


A Look at the Man

Though not the firstborn, Judah was a leader among Jacob's unruly sons. His leadership saved Joseph's life, and probably the lives of his extended family as well, because he was able to persuade Jacob that Benjamin needed to come with him to procure more grain in Egypt. His most impressive act of leadership was offering his own life in pledge for Benjamin's freedom, in a way reversing his earlier act of betrayal toward Joseph.

But Judah's leadership was flawed by the act of selling his own flesh and blood into slavery and by lying to his father about what happened to Joseph. It was also marred by what happened between him and his daughter-in-law, Tamar. After Tamar had lost her second husband, Judah's second son, he had promised to arrange a marriage with his youngest son, as the custom prescribed. But Judah failed to keep that promise and then falsely accused Tamar of being a prostitute, threatening her with death. To his credit, as soon as he discovered his error, he admitted that Tamar was more righteous than he.

Like so many of the Bible's best-known characters, and like so many of us, Judah was a man in need of forgiveness. He was a leader who needed mercy, and he found it in the arms of his brother Joseph and in the providence of a God who knew the secret that he and his brothers had kept for so many years.

Reflect On: Genesis 44:14–16
Praise God: Because he knows the state of our hearts.
Offer Thanks: For ways God has strengthened relationships in your family.
Confess: Any sins against brothers or sisters, father or mother.
Ask God: To show you how to make amends for anything you’ve done wrong.


Today's reading is a brief excerpt from Men of the Bible: A One-Year Devotional Study of Men in Scripture by Ann Spangler and Robert Wolgemuth (Zondervan). © 2010 by Ann Spangler. Used with permission. All rights reserved. Enjoy the complete book by purchasing your own copy at the Bible Gateway Store. The book's title must be included when sharing the above content on social media. Coming this fall: watch for Wicked Women of the Bible by Ann Spangler.

Girlfriends in God - A More Sacred Pace


Today’s Truth

Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom (Psalm 90:12, NIV).

Friend to Friend

Living as a Christ-follower in this rat race culture is a noble, profound, and sacred calling. And, navigating our commitments, others’ expectations, and our own hang-ups can be downright demanding, relentless, and exhausting. Whether you’re single, married, your kids are grown, or you’re the mother of young children, you face the daily challenge of enjoying the journey, staying in step with Jesus, and embracing the promise of His presence and provision each moment of the day.

My sons are grown and married now. And you know? I marvel at how the days that seemed to blur together back then have quickly come and they’ve gone.

Looking back, I’m so glad I enjoyed lemonade stands, water fights, and bedtime prayers with my boys. I’m glad that amidst my endless pile of laundry, I took time to pray, read my Bible, and rest in God’s presence.

But I also have a few regrets. I regret certain seasons where I rushed and raced through life simply because I committed to more than God asked of me. I regret losing sleep over what others thought of me because I disappointed them. I so wish I would have understood back then what I know now about soul freedom, the preciousness of our days, and how quickly our kids grow up.

If you’re worn out by all of life’s ought-to’s and should-do’s; if you long to feel energized, inspired, and expectant in your faith once again, I have great news for you. God has more for you! Allow me to ask a few thought-provoking questions.

Are you so bogged down with life-draining commitments that you’ve forgotten how good a belly laugh feels or how rich a time of quiet prayer can be? Do you relegate praise and worship to an hour on Sunday and thereby miss out on singing at the top of your lungs every other day of the week? Has it occurred to you that God longs for you to take more life-giving path than the one you’re on?

Sometimes we over commit for all the wrong reasons (pride, insecurity, fear, hastiness). Other times we have the best of intentions for giving away our time (a good cause, a great need, there’s nobody else). Either way, we need to ask ourselves some probing questions:
• Am I captive to my commitments, or free to respond to God’s invitation to do life with Him?
• Is my current path a catalyst to increasing joy and faith or does all of my rushing make me more prone to worry and fear?
• When I assess honestly the time I give away to my various commitments, do I find behind it all, a divinely inspired soul growing in grace and strength? Or, am I a spent and weary soul, losing steam by the day?
Nothing drains us more than signing up for things God never asked us to do. Yet, all too often that’s exactly where we lose our way. When we live shackled to others’ opinions, expectations, and requirements, we give away our yes because of a lie. We commit to things in order to save face, and as a result, we miss out on God’s invitation to fully entrust ourselves to Him.

Days will fly by and sacred moments will continue to elude us until we decide to hit the brakes and take inventory of what’s driving us.

How do we know if we’re driving too hard in a way that God never sanctioned? We pay attention to how our efforts impact us and those we love. Take a look at these life-draining motivations and see if any resonate with you:
• External pressure without internal conviction
• To impress
• To save face (to manage others’ opinions of you)
• To gain acceptance
• Fear of rejection
• To fill a gap or role that God didn’t ask you to fill
• To postpone conflict
• To compensate for shortcoming in another area of life
It’s time to stop our rushing and racing through life so we can better know how for us God is. And the only way to do that is to start today by truly, deeply, profoundly knowing and believing that He is God (and we are not), and that more rests on His shoulders than on ours. May this, for you, be the start of a new and sacred pace, one that’s sustainable and life giving. God’s will for you is your best case scenario.

Prayer

Father in Heaven, I open my hands before You. I give you access to my story and my soul. Speak to me about my commitments. Awaken my heart to the best of what You have for me. Lift the grace from lesser commitments so that I can lay hold of all You have for me. I want to live a life totally disproportionate to who I am. I want to live as one who is spoken for. Lead me on, dear Jesus.
In Jesus’ Name, I pray.
Amen.


Now It’s Your Turn

Do the vast majority of your yeses increase your faith and fill you with a greater expectancy of how God is moving in your midst? Or, do they drain you to the point that you find yourself weary, simply rushing from one thing to the next? Have you signed up for something God never asked you to do?

More from the Girlfriends

Do you need help learning how to find and do God’s perfect plan for your life? Check out Susie’s book, Your Sacred Yes: Trading Life-Draining Obligations for Freedom, Passion, & Joy and visit Susie’s website: www.susielarson.com.

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

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