Friday, March 10, 2017

LHM Daily Devotion - "Shining in Glory"


Lenten Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries

"Shining in Glory"

March 11, 2017

And as He was praying, the appearance of His face was altered, and His clothing became dazzling white (Luke 9:29, ESV).

Read Luke 9:28-36

Eight days after Jesus predicted His death and resurrection, He takes three disciples up a mountain where He is transfigured before them. Peter had called Him the Christ of God. Now he can look upon the glorious face of God's eternal Son. Jesus always had this glory, but from His conception until that very moment it had been hidden behind His humanity. Now, for a brief moment, it bursts forth on the mountain.

This glorious sight might strengthen Peter, James and John's false dream of Jesus reigning over a glorious, earthly kingdom. But Moses and Elijah-two great leaders from the Old Testament-stand speaking with Jesus about His departure and how He will complete His earthly mission through His death, resurrection and ascension. Peter, James and John awaken. Seeing Moses and Elijah beginning to leave, Peter blurts out his desire to build three shelters so they can stay.

Suddenly, a bright cloud envelopes Jesus and the three disciples. And from the cloud the voice of the Father speaks out, "This is My Son, My Chosen One; listen to Him!" Jesus has much to teach them-and us-about our earthly life and how He will lay down His life, so we might live forever with Him.

After the voice had spoken, Jesus was again alone with them, back to His normal, veiled appearance. He then leads them down the mountain on the path that will take Him to the cross.

THE PRAYER:  Almighty God, in Jesus' transfiguration we see His full glory as Your mighty and eternal Son. Strengthen my trust in Him as my Savior, so I may see His glory face to face in heaven. I pray this in Jesus' Name. 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.

Devociones de Cuaresma - El diablo lee la Biblia


Devociones de Cuaresma  2017

El diablo lee la Biblia

11 de Marzo de 2017

También está escrito... Mateo 4:7a, RVC (4:5-7)

Es interesante ver cómo, para tentar a Jesús, el diablo usa la Escritura en forma muy astuta. Textualmente cita los versículos 10 y 11 del Salmo 91, pero se "le olvidó" el versículo 9 de ese Salmo que dice: "Por haber puesto al Señor por tu esperanza, por poner al Altísimo como tu protector, no te sobrevendrá ningún mal..."

Si Jesús no hubiera sabido más que el diablo sobre la Escritura Sagrada, podría haber caído en la trampa. El Salmo 91 no fue escrito para probar a Dios, sino para asegurarnos de la promesa que, cuando confiamos en el Señor, él nos protege, por lo que no necesitamos ponerlo a prueba.

Me pregunto cuántas veces probamos a Dios, utilizando en forma parcial las Escrituras. Pienso en pasajes como: "... todo lo que pidan al Padre, en mi nombre, él se lo concederá" (Juan 16:23). "Todo" no quiere decir todo lo que se nos antoja, sino "todo" lo que tiene que ver con el reino de Dios. ¿Tentamos a Dios recordándole parcialmente sus promesas?

Jesús supo poner la Escritura en el contexto de Dios. Entonces todo cobra sentido: su ministerio, su paciencia con los discípulos, su aceptación de la autoridad de Pilato, su sufrimiento callado, su muerte sacrificial. Jesús entendió la Escritura y la aceptó en los términos de Dios, para que nosotros podamos tener la libertad de dejarnos guiar por ella para vencer las tentaciones. Jesús venció al diablo con la Palabra, y mediante ella nos da sabiduría y fuerza para que nosotros salgamos vencedores ante el maligno.

Gracias, Padre, por tu Palabra santa que nos protege del diablo y nos trae a Jesús. Amén

© Copyright 2017 Cristo Para Todas Las Naciones.  ¡U tilice estas devociones en sus boletines! Usado con permiso. Todos los derechos reservados por la Int'l LLL. Reina Valera Contemporánea (RVC) Copyright © 2009, 2011 by Sociedades Bíblicas Unidas.

Our Daily Bread - Mayday!

Read: Psalm 86:1–13 | Bible in a Year: Deuteronomy 14–16; Mark 12:28–44

When I am in distress, I call to you, because you answer me. Psalm 86:7

The international distress signal “Mayday” is always repeated three times in a row—“Mayday-Mayday-Mayday”—so the situation will be clearly understood as a life-threatening emergency. The word was created in 1923 by Frederick Stanley Mockford, a senior radio officer at London’s Croydon Airport. That now-closed facility once had many flights to and from Le Bourget Airport in Paris. According to the National Maritime Museum, Mockford coined Mayday from the French word m’aidez, which means, “help me.”

Throughout King David’s life, he faced life-threatening situations for which there seemed to be no way out. Yet, we read in Psalm 86 that during his darkest hours, David’s confidence was in the Lord. “Hear my prayer, Lord; listen to my cry for mercy.  When I am in distress, I call to you, because you answer me” (vv. 6–7).

David also saw beyond the immediate danger by asking God to lead his steps: “Teach me your way, Lord, that I may rely on your faithfulness; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name” (v. 11). When the crisis was past, he wanted to keep walking with God.

The most difficult situations we face can become doorways to a deeper relationship with our Lord. This begins when we call on Him to help us in our trouble, and also to lead us each day in His way.

Lord, even as we call to You for help today, please help us to keep walking with You when this crisis is over.

God hears our cries for help and leads us in His way.

Lời Sống Hằng Ngày - Cấp Cứu!

Đọc: Thi Thiên 86:1-13 | Đọc Kinh Thánh suốt năm: Phục truyền 14-16; Mác 12:28-44

Trong ngày gian truân, con sẽ kêu cầu cùng Chúa, vì Chúa nhậm lời con. (Thi Thiên 86:7)

Tín hiệu cấp cứu quốc tế “Mayday”(Cấp cứu) luôn được lặp lại 3 lần liên tiếp – “Mayday – Mayday – Mayday” – để tình huống sẽ được hiểu rõ là tình trạng khẩn cấp đe dọa đến tính mạng. Từ này được Frederick Stanley Mockford, viên chức radio cao cấp tạo ra vào năm 1923 tại Sân bay Croydon, nước Anh. Lúc bấy giờ, sân bay mà ngày nay đã bị đóng cửa có nhiều chuyến bay đến và đi từ sân bay Le Bourget ở nước Pháp. Theo Viện Bảo Tàng Hàng Hải Quốc Gia, Mockfork đặt ra từ Mayday (“Cấp cứu”) từ chữ m’aidez trong tiếng Pháp, nghĩa là “cứu tôi với”.

Trong suốt cuộc đời của Vua Đa-vít, ông đã đối diện với những nguy cấp dường như không có lối thoát. Tuy vậy, chúng ta đọc trong Thi Thiên 86 rằng suốt những giờ phút đen tối, lòng tin của Đa-vít vẫn đặt trọn nơi Chúa. “Lạy Đức Giê-hô-va, xin lắng tai nghe lời cầu nguyện của con, Xin để ý đến tiếng nài xin của con. Trong ngày gian truân, con sẽ kêu cầu cùng Chúa, vì Chúa nhậm lời con” (c.6-7).

Đa-vít cũng nhìn vượt trên mối nguy hiểm tức thời bằng cách kêu cầu Chúa dẫn bước ông. “Lạy Đức Giê-hô-va, xin dạy con đường lối của Chúa, thì con sẽ đi theo chân lý của Ngài; Xin khiến lòng con kính sợ danh Ngài” (c.11). Khi khủng hoảng qua đi, ông vẫn muốn tiếp tục bước đi với Chúa.

Những hoàn cảnh khó khăn nhất có thể trở thành con đường dẫn đến mối quan hệ sâu sắc hơn với Chúa. Điều này bắt đầu khi chúng ta kêu cầu Ngài giúp đỡ trong lúc hoạn nạn, và cũng dẫn dắt chúng ta đi trong đường lối Ngài mỗi ngày.

Lạy Chúa, như khi chúng con kêu cầu Ngài giúp đỡ, xin giúp chúng con cứ đồng bước với Ngài khi khủng hoảng qua đi.

Chúa nghe lời kêu xin giúp đỡ của chúng ta và dẫn chúng ta đi trong đường Ngài.


© 2017 Lời Sống Hằng Ngày

Nuestro Pan Diario - ¡Mayday!

Leer: Salmos 86:1-13 | La Biblia en un año: Marcos 12:28-44

En el día de mi angustia te llamaré, porque tú me respondes (Salmos 86:7).

L a señal internacional de socorro, Mayday, siempre se repite tres veces seguidas para que se entienda claramente que la situación implica riesgo de vidas. Frederick Stanley Mockford, oficial jefe de radiofonía del ya inactivo Aeropuerto Croydon en Londres, creó esta palabra en 1923. Según el Museo Nacional Marítimo, Mayday surge de la palabra francesa m’aidez (en español, se pronuncia medé), que significa «ayúdenme».

Durante toda su vida, el rey David enfrentó situaciones amenazadoras que parecían no tener salida. Sin embargo, en el Salmos 86, leemos que, en sus horas más oscuras, él confiaba en su Señor: «Escucha, oh Señor, mi oración, y está atento a la voz de mis ruegos. En el día de mi angustia te llamaré, porque tú me respondes» (vv. 6-7).

David también veía más allá del peligro inmediato, y le pedía a Dios que guiara sus pasos: «Enséñame, oh Señor, tu camino; caminaré yo en tu verdad; afirma mi corazón para que tema tu nombre» (v. 11). Cuando pasara la crisis, quería seguir caminando con Dios.

Nuestras circunstancias más difíciles pueden convertirse en umbrales para una relación más profunda con el Señor. Esto empieza cuando clamamos a Él para que nos ayude en nuestras angustias y nos guíe en su camino cada día.

Señor, ayúdame a seguir caminando contigo después de superar las crisis.

Dios oye nuestro clamor por ayuda y nos guía en su camino.


Unser Täglich Brot - Mayday!

Lesen: Psalm 86,1-13 | Die Bibel In Einem Jahr: 5.Mose 14–16; Markus 12,28-44

In der Not rufe ich dich an; du wollest mich erhören! Psalm 86,7

Das internationale Notsignal „Mayday“ wird immer dreimal hintereinander gesendet—„Mayday-Mayday-Mayday“—damit ganz klar ist, dass es sich um einen lebensbedrohlichen Notfall handelt. Der Begriff wurde 1923 von Frederick Stanley Mockford, dem leitenden Funkoffizier am Flughafen London-Croydon, festgelegt. Am inzwischen stillgelegten Flughafen starteten und landeten viele Flüge von oder nach Paris-Bourget. Es wird vermutet, dass Mockford den Ausdruck vom französischen m’aider ableitete, kurz für „Helft mir“.

König David geriet in seinem Leben immer wieder in bedrohliche Situationen, aus denen es scheinbar keinen Ausweg gab. Und doch lesen wir in Psalm 86, dass er auch in den dunkelsten Stunden auf Gott vertraute: „Vernimm, Herr, mein Gebet und merke auf die Stimme meines Flehens! In der Not rufe ich dich an; du wollest mich erhören“ (V.6-7).

David sah auch über die unmittelbare Gefahr hinaus und bat Gott, seine Schritte zu lenken: „Weise mir, Herr, deinen Weg, dass ich wandle in deiner Wahrheit; erhalte mein Herz bei dem einen, dass ich deinen Namen fürchte“ (V.11). Auch nach der Krise wollte er weiter mit Gott gehen.

Auch für uns kann die größte Schwierigkeit zum Ausgangspunkt für ein noch tieferes Vertrauen zu Gott werden. Das fängt damit an, dass wir ihn in unserer Not um Hilfe bitten und um seine Führung an jedem Tag unseres Lebens.

Herr, lass uns nicht nur heute um deine Hilfe bitten, sondern auch nach der Krise weiter mit dir gehen.

Gott hört unsere Hilferufe und führt uns auf seinem Weg.


Notre Pain Quotidien - S.O.S. (Mayday)


Je t’invoque au jour de ma détresse, car tu m’exauces. (Psaume 86.7)

Le signal de détresse international « S.O.S. » (Mayday) est toujours répété trois fois de suite, afin de veiller à ce que l’on comprenne clairement l’urgence de la situation qui représente une menace pour la vie. Alors officier radio en chef à l’aéroport Croydon de Londres, Frederick Stanley Mockford a créé ce signal en 1923. Or, ces installations maintenant fermées ont jadis enregistré un grand nombre de départs vers l’aéroport Le Bourget de Paris et d’arrivées en provenance de ce dernier. Selon le National Maritime Museum, Mockford aurait forgé le mot « Mayday » en déformant l’appel à l’aide en français m’aidez.

Tout au long de sa vie, le roi David a dû surmonter des situations périlleuses qui lui semblaient sans issue. Durant son heure la plus sombre, David a malgré tout gardé confiance en Dieu : « Éternel, prête l’oreille à ma prière, sois attentif à la voix de mes supplications ! Je t’invoque au jour de ma détresse, car tu m’exauces » (PS 86.6,7).

David voyait également au‑delà du danger immédiat, puisqu’il a demandé à Dieu de diriger ses pas : « Enseigne‑moi tes voies, ô Éternel ! Je marcherai dans ta fidélité. Dispose mon coeur à la crainte de ton nom » (V. 11). Une fois la crise passée, il a désiré continuer de marcher avec Dieu.

Nos pires situations de vie peuvent avoir pour effet d’approfondir notre relation avec le Seigneur, et cela, dès que nous sollicitons son aide tant pour les surmonter que pour vivre au quotidien dans ses voies.

Entendant nos appels à l’aide, Dieu nous montre sa voie.


Хліб Наш Насущній - Мейдей!

Читати: Псалом 85:1-13 | Біблія за рік: Повторення Закону 14–16 ; Марка 12:28-44

В день недолі своєї я кличу до Тебе, бо Ти обізвешся до мене! — Псалом 85:7

Міжнародний сигнал біди “мейдей” завжди повторюється тричі підряд, щоб не було сумнівів, що виникла загрозлива для життя ситуація. Це слово у 1923 році придумав Фредерік Стенлі Мокфорд, головний радіо-службовець Лондонського аеропорту Кройдон, який тепер закритий, а раніше приймав багато літаків з паризького аеропорту Лє-Бурже. Як свідчать працівники Національного музею, Мокфорд запозичив цей термін із французького слова “майдез”, що означає “допоможи мені”.

Протягом всього свого життя цар Давид опинявся в загрозливих ситуаціях, з яких, здавалося, не було виходу. Але у Псалмі 85 говориться, що навіть у найчорнішу годину Давид складав свою надію на Господа. “Почуй же, о Господи, молитву мою, і вислухай голос благання мого, в день недолі своєї я кличу до Тебе, бо Ти обізвешся до мене!” (Пс. 85:6-7).

Крізь завісу близької небезпеки Давид бачив руку Бога і благав, щоб Він вказував йому шлях. “Дорогу Свою покажи мені, Господи, і я буду ходити у правді Твоїй, приєднай моє серце боятися Ймення Твого!” (Пс. 85:11).

Навіть найважчі ситуації, в котрих ми опиняємося, можуть стати кроком до поглиблення наших відносин з Господом. Все починається з нашої молитви про допомогу, коли ми у біді, а потім ми вчимося щодня крокувати Божими шляхами.

Господи, навчи нас не збочувати з Твоїх шляхів, коли наша молитва про допомогу почута й криза минула.

Бог чує наш зойк про допомогу і веде нас Своїми шляхами.


© 2017 Хліб Наш Насущній

Хлеб наш насущный - Мэйдэй

Читать сейчас: Псалом 85:1-13 | Библия за год: Второзаконие 14-16; Марка 12:28-44

В день скорби моей взываю к Тебе, потому что Ты услышишь меня. — Псалом 85:7

«Мэйдэй» – международный сигнал бедствия в радиотелефонной связи, аналогичный сигналу SOS в телеграфе. Он всегда повторяется три раза, чтобы сообщение об угрозе жизни было ясно понято. Слово появилось в 1923 г., благодаря Фредерику Мокфорду, старшему офицеру в Лондонском аэропорту Кройдон. Теперь он закрыт, а раньше обслуживал много самолетов из аэропорта Ле-Бурже в Париже. Согласно данным Национального музея Мокфорд позаимствовал это слово из французского языка, где m’aidez означает «помогите мне».

Царь Давид за свою жизнь не раз оказывался в опасностях, из которых, казалось, не было выхода. И все же, как видно из Псалма 85, даже в самые трудные периоды Давид надеялся на Бога. «Услышь, Господи, молитву мою и внемли гласу моления моего. В день скорби моей взываю к Тебе, потому что Ты услышишь меня» (Пс. 85:6-7).Кроме избавления от непосредственно грозящей опасности, Давид также просил Бога направить его шаги. «Наставь меня, Господи, на путь Твой, и буду ходить в истине Твоей; утверди сердце мое в страхе имени Твоего» (Пс. 85:11). Он хотел, когда беда минует, продолжать жить по воле Божьей.

Трудности на жизненном пути могут стать дверью к более глубоким отношениям с Господом. Все начинается с того, что мы просим Его помочь нам в невзгодах, а также каждый день направлять на Его стези.

Господь, мы просим у Тебя не только помощи на сегодняшний день, но также водительства после того, как скорбь минует.

Бог слышит наш зов о помощи и ведет Своими путями.


© 2017 Хлеб Наш Насущный

The Daily Readings for FRIDAY, March 10, 2017


The Old Testament Lesson

The Old Testament Lesson for today is taken from Deuteronomy 10:12-22

So now, O Israel, what does the LORD your God require of you? Only to fear the LORD your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to keep the commandments of the LORD your God and his decrees that I am commanding you today, for your own well-being. Although heaven and the heaven of heavens belong to the LORD your God, the earth with all that is in it, yet the LORD set his heart in love on your ancestors alone and chose you, their descendants after them, out of all the peoples, as it is today. Circumcise, then, the foreskin of your heart, and do not be stubborn any longer. For the LORD your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great God, mighty and awesome, who is not partial and takes no bribe, who executes justice for the orphan and the widow, and who loves the strangers, providing them food and clothing. You shall also love the stranger, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt. You shall fear the LORD your God; him alone you shall worship; to him you shall hold fast, and by his name you shall swear. He is your praise; he is your God, who has done for you these great and awesome things that your own eyes have seen. Your ancestors went down to Egypt seventy persons; and now the LORD your God has made you as numerous as the stars in heaven.

This is the Word of the Lord
Thanks be to God!


The Epistle Lesson

The Epistle Lesson for today is taken from Hebrews 4:11-16

Let us therefore make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one may fall through such disobedience as theirs. Indeed, the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing until it divides soul from spirit, joints from marrow; it is able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And before him no creature is hidden, but all are naked and laid bare to the eyes of the one to whom we must render an account. Since, then, we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast to our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who in every respect has been tested as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

This is the Word of the Lord
Thanks be to God!


The Holy Gospel Lesson

The Holy Gospel is written in John 3:22-36
Glory be to Thee, O Lord!


After this Jesus and his disciples went into the Judean countryside, and he spent some time there with them and baptized. John also was baptizing at Aenon near Salim because water was abundant there; and people kept coming and were being baptized -- John, of course, had not yet been thrown into prison. Now a discussion about purification arose between John's disciples and a Jew. They came to John and said to him, "Rabbi, the one who was with you across the Jordan, to whom you testified, here he is baptizing, and all are going to him." John answered, "No one can receive anything except what has been given from heaven. You yourselves are my witnesses that I said, 'I am not the Messiah, but I have been sent ahead of him.' He who has the bride is the bridegroom. The friend of the bridegroom, who stands and hears him, rejoices greatly at the bridegroom's voice. For this reason my joy has been fulfilled. He must increase, but I must decrease." The one who comes from above is above all; the one who is of the earth belongs to the earth and speaks about earthly things. The one who comes from heaven is above all. He testifies to what he has seen and heard, yet no one accepts his testimony. Whoever has accepted his testimony has certified this, that God is true. He whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for he gives the Spirit without measure. The Father loves the Son and has placed all things in his hands. Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever disobeys the Son will not see life, but must endure God's wrath.

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


Morning Psalms

Psalm 40 Expectans, expectavi
1   I waited patiently upon the LORD; he stooped to me and heard my cry.
2   He lifted me out of the desolate pit, out of the mire and clay; he set my feet upon a high cliff and made my footing sure.
3   He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God; many shall see, and stand in awe, and put their trust in the LORD.
4   Happy are they who trust in the LORD! they do not resort to evil spirits or turn to false gods.
5   Great things are they that you have done, O LORD my God! how great your wonders and your plans for us! there is none who can be compared with you.
6   Oh, that I could make them known and tell them! but they are more than I can count.
7   In sacrifice and offering you take no pleasure (you have given me ears to hear you);
8   Burnt-offering and sin-offering you have not required, and so I said, "Behold, I come.
9   In the roll of the book it is written concerning me: 'I love to do your will, O my God; your law is deep in my heart.'"
10   I proclaimed righteousness in the great congregation; behold, I did not restrain my lips; and that, O LORD, you know.
11   Your righteousness have I not hidden in my heart; I have spoken of your faithfulness and your deliverance; I have not concealed your love and faithfulness from the great congregation.
12   You are the LORD; do not withhold your compassion from me; let your love and your faithfulness keep me safe for ever,
13   For innumerable troubles have crowded upon me; my sins have overtaken me, and I cannot see; they are more in number than the hairs of my head, and my heart fails me.
14   Be pleased, O LORD, to deliver me; O LORD, make haste to help me.
15   Let them be ashamed and altogether dismayed who seek after my life to destroy it; let them draw back and be disgraced who take pleasure in my misfortune.
16   Let those who say "Aha!" and gloat over me be confounded, because they are ashamed.
17   Let all who seek you rejoice in you and be glad; let those who love your salvation continually say, "Great is the LORD!"
18   Though I am poor and afflicted, the Lord will have regard for me.
19   You are my helper and my deliverer; do not tarry, O my God.


Psalm 54 Deus, in nomine
1   Save me, O God, by your Name; in your might, defend my cause.
2   Hear my prayer, O God; give ear to the words of my mouth.
3   For the arrogant have risen up against me, and the ruthless have sought my life, those who have no regard for God.
4   Behold, God is my helper; it is the Lord who sustains my life.
5   Render evil to those who spy on me; in your faithfulness, destroy them.
6   I will offer you a freewill sacrifice and praise your Name, O LORD, for it is good.
7   For you have rescued me from every trouble, and my eye has seen the ruin of my foes.


Evening Psalms

Psalm 51 Miserere mei, Deus
1   Have mercy on me, O God, according to your loving-kindness; in your great compassion blot out my offenses.
2   Wash me through and through from my wickedness and cleanse me from my sin.
3   For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me.
4   Against you only have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight.
5   And so you are justified when you speak and upright in your judgment.
6   Indeed, I have been wicked from my birth, a sinner from my mother's womb.
7   For behold, you look for truth deep within me, and will make me understand wisdom secretly.
8   Purge me from my sin, and I shall be pure; wash me, and I shall be clean indeed.
9   Make me hear of joy and gladness, that the body you have broken may rejoice.
10   Hide your face from my sins and blot out all my iniquities.
11   Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.
12   Cast me not away from your presence and take not your holy Spirit from me.
13   Give me the joy of your saving help again and sustain me with your bountiful Spirit.
14   I shall teach your ways to the wicked, and sinners shall return to you.
15   Deliver me from death, O God, and my tongue shall sing of your righteousness, O God of my salvation.
16   Open my lips, O Lord, and my mouth shall proclaim your praise.
17   Had you desired it, I would have offered sacrifice, but you take no delight in burnt-offerings.
18   The sacrifice of God is a troubled spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.
19   Be favorable and gracious to Zion, and rebuild the walls of Jerusalem.
20   Then you will be pleased with the appointed sacrifices, with burnt-offerings and oblations; then shall they offer young bullocks upon your altar.


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 - March 10, 2017


1 Peter 3:15 (NIV) But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,

Read all of 1 Peter 3

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 - "Willing to Stand in the Gap"

"So I sought for a man among them who would make a wall, and stand in the gap before Me on behalf of the land, that I should not destroy it; but I found no one."
Ezekiel 22:30 (NKJV)

How many of us would wish ourselves a place in Hell so that someone else might have a place in Heaven?

That is what Paul was saying when he spoke of his love and passion for those who didn’t know the Lord, writing, “I have great sorrow and continual grief in my heart. For I could wish that I myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my countrymen according to the flesh” (Romans 9:2–3). Paul was saying, in essence, “If it were possible, I would give up my hope of eternal life so that others who do not know could come to faith.” It’s an amazing statement.

Paul, by the way, isn’t the only one we read of in the Scriptures who had this kind of burden. Moses had the same kind of heart, the heart of an intercessor. When he came down from Mount Sinai after receiving God’s commandments, he found the people dancing and worshiping before the image of a golden calf.

When he realized God was ready to judge them, he made a statement that was unparalleled in the Bible except, perhaps, for Paul’s statement. He said, “Oh, these people have committed a great sin, and have made for themselves a god of gold! Yet now, if You will forgive their sin . . .” At that point in the original language, there is a long pause, as though he were thinking about the full implications of what was about to follow: “but if not, I pray, blot me out of Your book which You have written” (Exodus 32:31–32).

Here was a man who stood in the gap. Today God is still looking for people to stand in the gap like Moses, like Paul, with a God-given burden for those who don’t know Him.

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 © 2017 Harvest Christian Fellowship; all rights reserved.

Un Dia a la Vez - El Manual de Instrucciones


La exposición de tus palabras nos da luz, y da entendimiento al sencillo.
Salmo 119:130 (NVI)

Este es el libro inspirado por Dios que nos ayuda a conocer cómo nuestro Dios creó este mundo. Además, nos muestra todo lo que Él hizo por nosotros al enviar a su único Hijo Jesucristo para que muriera por ti y por mí a fin de perdonar nuestros pecados.

A través de este maravilloso libro, Dios nos instruye para ser sabios, vivir una vida que le agrade y, de ese modo, hacer su voluntad. Cuando leemos este Manual, podemos conocer que Él es el mismo ayer, hoy y siempre.

Este es el libro más editado y más perseguido. Han tratado de acabarlo, lo han vituperado, y aun así, se mantiene vigente e incólume. A pesar de su antigüedad, sus enseñanzas no pierden vigencia. Siempre aconseja el bien y no el mal. En la literatura no hay otro libro más excelente que este. En todas las casas, escuelas, hospitales, hoteles y cárceles se encuentra siempre… «La Biblia».

No tienes que ser un erudito para entenderla, porque es el mismo Dios el que te la revela y te guía.

Mi motivación para ti hoy es que también la tengas como parte de la formación de tus hijos.

Enséñales a leerla, y si son niños pequeños, acostúmbralos a leérsela antes de ir a dormir.

Con el tiempo entenderás el tesoro que estás sembrando en sus corazones y en sus vidas.

La Biblia está al alcance de todos, desde Génesis hasta el Apocalipsis.

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 - JESUS THE OVERCOMER

But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.

Dr. Felix Ruh, a Jewish doctor in Paris, had a granddaughter who died of black diphtheria. Vowing to find out what had killed her, he locked himself in his laboratory for days and emerged with a fierce determination to prove, with his colleague, Louis Pasteur, the germ theory. The medical association had disapproved of Pasteur and had succeeded in getting him exiled, but he hid in the forest near Paris and erected a laboratory for his forbidden research.

Twenty beautiful horses were led out into the forest to the improvised laboratory. Scientists, doctors, and nurses came to watch the experiment. Ruh opened a steel vault and took out a large pail filled with black diphtheria germs, which he had cultured carefully for months. There were enough germs in that pail to kill everyone in France.

The scientist went to each horse and swabbed its nostrils, tongue, throat, and eyes with the deadly germs. Every horse except one developed a terrific fever and died. Most of the doctors and scientists wearied of the experiment and did not remain for what they thought would be the death of the remaining horse.

For several more days this final horse lingered, lying pathetically on the ground. While Ruh, Pasteur, and several others were sleeping on cots in the stables, the orderly on duty had been instructed to awaken the scientists should there be any change in the animal’s temperature during the night. About two a.m., the temperature showed a half degree decrease, and the orderly wakened Dr. Ruh. By morning the thermometer had dropped two more degrees. By night the fever was entirely gone, and the horse was able to stand, eat, and drink.

Then Dr. Ruh took a sledgehammer and struck that beautiful horse a deathblow between the eyes. The scientists drew blood from the veins of this animal that had developed the black diphtheria but had overcome it. They drove as fast as they could to the Paris municipal hospital and forced their way past the superintendent and the guards. They went into the ward where three hundred babies lay, segregated to die from black diphtheria. With the blood of the horse, they inoculated every one of the babies. All but three lived and recovered completely.

The blood of an overcomer saved them. The blood of an Overcomer has also spiritually saved many people. He too had to die to bring life to others.

RESPONSE: Today I will repeatedly praise Jesus for the blood He shed as an Overcomer for my sin.

PRAYER: Thank you, Lord, for sacrificing Yourself, an Overcomer, so that I might have abundant and eternal life.

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 - Aaron


His work: Aaron was the first in the line of Israel's hereditary priesthood.
His character: Aaron's role was primarily a passive one: to do and say whatever Moses told him to. Though he stood by Moses throughout his struggle with Pharaoh, he seemed unable to stand on his own as a leader. When Moses was absent for forty days, Aaron gave in to the people's insistent demands for a god to worship. On another occasion, however, he joined Moses in stopping a plague that threatened to destroy the Israelites because of their rebellion.
His sorrow: Aaron disobeyed the Lord by presiding over an incident of false worship. At another point he angered God by joining his sister Miriam in complaining against their brother's leadership.
His triumph: To have spoken God's word, entrusted to him through Moses, and eventually to have acted as a mediator between God and man, providing for the atonement of sin and the people's reconciliation with God.
Key Scriptures: Exodus 20:1-6; 28; 32; Numbers 12:1-15


A Look at the Man

After the incident with the calf, Aaron must have been aware of the seriousness of his failure to lead the people and of his own need for forgiveness. He would have realized that his life had been in jeopardy because of God's anger. But Aaron was spared because of God's merciful response to his brother's prayers. In the book of Deuteronomy, which depicts Moses addressing the Israelites prior to their entrance into the Promised Land, Moses says that "the LORD was angry enough with Aaron to destroy him, but at that time I prayed for Aaron too" (Deuteronomy 9:20).

Aaron was a man who had witnessed God's power over Pharaoh and who had for a time stood on the mountain with Moses and seen the glory of God. As one who was set apart by God to play an important role among his people, he had a unique part to play in the story of salvation. And yet even his kinship with Moses, even God's call to be a priest, did not spare him from the power of sin's temptation.

Thereafter, whenever Aaron performed his priestly duties as a mediator between a holy God and a sinful people, he would not be able to come before the Lord with any air of self-righteousness, as though only the people, and not he, were guilty of sin. Because of his own weakness, he would be capable of sympathizing with the weakness of God's people.

A priest who could sympathize with the people, as it turns out, was only half of what God had planned for his people. Centuries later there would be a man who would perfectly embody the role of the high priest, not only sympathizing with the weakness of his people, but also resisting the power of temptation. Because of him, we are now able to approach God, confident that his attitude toward each of us is marked by grace and mercy.

Reflect On: Hebrews 4:14–16
Praise God: For providing us with a great high priest.
Offer Thanks: That God has made a way for us to return to him.
Confess: Any pride that makes you want to live life strictly on your own terms.
Ask God: To increase your confidence in his forgiveness.


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 - Overthinking Ministry

 
Today’s Truth

So let’s do it—full of belief, confident that we’re presentable inside and out. Let’s keep a firm grip on the promises that keep us going. He always keeps his word. Let’s see how inventive we can be in encouraging love and helping out, not avoiding worshiping together as some do but spurring each other on, especially as we see the big Day approaching. Hebrews 10:22-25 (The Message)

Friend to Friend

I joined a gym this Fall.

In all fairness perhaps I should back up and disclose that I actually joined the Y several months before. I walked through those doors armed with so many good intention that if intent was all it took to be fit, I’d have been on the cover of Shape Magazine by now.

I went twice.

It felt lonely and I had to park far away (you know, to walk into the GYM) and it wasn’t like Cheers where everybody knows you name. Apparently it was just all too much and my ENFP personality just couldn’t handle it.

Maybe if I’d done a class I’d have made a friend and gone more than twice. But I never can get the choreography right with a step class, Zumba makes me look like I’m convulsing, and the class called “Beast Mode” wasn’t exactly feeling invitational. Why are there walls full of windows for these classes anyhow? Is no one at the gym self conscious?! My spandex really served to hold the muffin top in, where as MANY of the others seemed to beautifully accentuate whatever cookies they’d been living without!

I even tried taking my kids, who were too young to work out on the equipment but too old for the kid zone, and so really, all the excuses were roadblocks and I quickly decided they stood completely in the way. I somehow convinced myself that I’d eventually go, so I foolishly paid for 6 months and only stepped foot in the building three times (if you include the day I went just to sign up and join.)

Finally, I cancelled the membership and resolved to walk in the neighborhood on the days it wasn’t too hot or too rainy or too cold or too inconvenient. As I’m sure you can guess, that was wildly successful as well, especially with all of my parameters of convenience around the plan.

Then one day when I was at a Moms in Prayer meeting for my kids’ school, my friend Kat told me about a gym she had joined and that for the first time in her life she actually looked forward to going. “It’s different…it’s like there is real community there,” she told me.

To make a long story short, I decided to give it a shot. And also because they ran a special through some direct mailing where you could somehow get the first month free. I figured it was worth a shot.

I actually had to wait three weeks to start because they put all the new people in a beginners class together so we could all learn the moves. I also quickly learned they did it this way because it was so exhausting and we might have all died had we shown up immediately to a regular length class.

The first day we did a high intensity workout that lasted approximately seven minutes and it took me SEVENTY minutes afterwards to catch my breath. I like to tell myself this was because we had to run in the cold and it was hard on our lungs, but also let’s be honest…it was because I’d had a gym membership for 8 months and never used it before. But I hung in there because at the next class when I admitted that I barely survived the rest of the day after the class, four other women admitted they took ages to recover as well. And suddenly, friendships were formed in those moments where we bonded over the struggle and admitted we didn’t have it all together.

Recently one of the trainers asked me to coffee just to check in and see how I was feeling about the program. (For the record, I’m still feeling really great about it since my smaller jeans are starting to nearly fit again.) As we were talking, I discovered that one of the company’s core values is truly about building community. Her asking me to coffee was actually part of her job to make sure people truly connect at the gym. Kinda genius right?!

While we were talking though, I learned that she loves the Lord and had been looking for a Bible study but time of day can be tricky and it’s hard to find community sometimes.

“What if you had a study at the gym?” I asked her.

“That’d be amazing…but we would have to find someone to facilitate it.” She shrugged.

“I could do it.” I said. And something in that moment felt more right than any of the last three studies I’ve done through the more traditional routes. “I mean, the community is already here…it’s just originally built around something else. Why not spur one another on in this way too?”

She and I are meeting in a couple of days to pick out a study and they’re going to send out an invite to all of the women who come to the gym. Listen, I’m not sure how it will go, but I can’t imagine a more perfect place to be doing ministry than where we already do life.

And I’ve been thinking how often we overlook the obvious places to be the hands and feet and mouthpieces of Jesus because we’re so focused on the more traditional spots. Wednesday nights can be amazing to gather with church friends, but when was the last time we gathered around the word with people who are in our world but maybe not even our denomination? Are we willing and open to building community around the Word from places where community is already growing? What if instead of trying to always create community around a study, we began to ask the Lord what spaces of connection in our lives already exist and could become even more powerful catalysts for His movement?

The Scriptures are clear that we have permission and even are encouraged to be INVENTIVE in the ways we spur one another on…in the ways we bring the Word of God to others. Imagine what the Lord can do when we invite him into all the spaces we go and how he can build even deeper community in places where He has already laid the groundwork of relationship.

Let’s Pray

Father God, thank You that You are in all things. Lord we love that You build relationships among people in the workplace, in neighborhoods, in gyms, and schools, and all the random places where we don’t even pay attention to all you could be doing. Lord, You connect us on bleachers and sidelines and in the PTA, and you have plans for ways you want to spread your Word that we have yet to even consider. Lord we ask that you’d open our eyes to see your people around us and the opportunities for deeper relationship with one another and with You. Thank you for inviting us to co-labor with you Father and we ask that you would make us attentive to the small voice in the unexpected places where you call us unto yourself.
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen


Now It’s Your Turn

So often we look for specific brands of community in certain circles but maybe even have trouble finding it. What if we really began to see the whole world around us as a possibility to sow into an even deeper faith community outside the walls of our churches as well as within them? When we bring the Lord into places of already established relationships it can often open a door for a greater spread of the Gospel, a broadening of our own appreciation of the body of Christ as a whole, and even open opportunities for us to walk in discipleship along people we might not have rubbed spiritual shoulders with on a Sunday morning otherwise!

More from the Girlfriends

Logan Wolfram would give you full access to her pantry if you lived next door. She is a plate-juggling mom and interior decorator turned writer, speaker, and host of the Allume Conference. She is a passionate leader who desires to see women live fully in Christ. She is a speaker and the author of Curious Faith; Rediscovering Hope in the God of Possibility. Logan and her husband, Jeremy, divide their time between wrangling two inquisitive boys, a 175-pound mastiff named Titan, and a 17 pound mutt named Sugar. They reside in Greenville, South Carolina. Connect more with Logan on her website www.LoganWolfram.com


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