Thursday, June 8, 2017

LHM Daily Devotion - June 9, 2017 "Darkness Against the Light"

As of the writing, 22 are dead from the explosion at the Ariana Grande...

Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries

By Pastor Ken Klaus, Speaker Emeritus of The Lutheran Hour



"Darkness Against the Light"

June 9, 2017

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him was not anything made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
~ John 1:1-5 (ESV)

As of the writing, 22 are dead from the explosion at the Ariana Grande concert in Manchester, England.

Once again the world was shocked by the level of hatred that can come out of the human heart and the destruction a mind can direct against strangers.

Now the rest of this devotion could speak to the terrible and total corruption of sin, or it could center on the differences between Christianity and some of the other mainstream religions of this dark world.

It could, but it won't.

Instead, I would like to note that there is another side to the balance scale. Immediately after that bomb went off in Manchester and as soon as the level of destruction was known, some people -- many people -- responded in love. For example,
  • many homeowners threw open their doors for those youngsters who had come to the concert alone; one woman, Paula Robinson, took stranded children to a nearby Holiday Inn until they could contact family; 
  • Dominos Pizza sent trucks with food to the arena; nearby companies served coffee and tea to any and all; 
  • the Supreme Sandwich Company offered free food to first responders who kept going without a break; 
  • taxi drivers took concert attenders home for free; 
  • Manchester citizens flocked to blood donation centers to help the attack victims.
Writing these Daily Devotions, I look at hundreds of potential stories each week. Most are filled with the results of sin's corruption in the world. Seeing and hearing those stories it is easy for me to become discouraged, depressed, despondent, and pessimistic. Many of you have said you feel the same way.

To us the Lord says this world is an incredibly dark place. But I have sent My Son into the darkness. He does not bring light to you; He is Light. He is the Light who dispels darkness, who forgives sins, who saves souls. It is His light that believers reflect into that darkness as they live their lives.

He is the Light who guarantees the haters and bombers will not have the final word.

THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, those of us who are saved give thanks for the light of Jesus. Without Him it would be impossible for us to find our way through the darkness of sin and Satan. Send Your Holy Spirit to keep us in that faith and, whenever possible, touch the dark hearts of the haters with Your great Gospel of love. In Jesus' Name. Amen

Use these devotions in your newsletter and bulletin!  Used by permission; all rights reserved by the Int'l LLL (LHM).

CPTLN Devocional de 09 de Junio de 2017


Alimento Diario

Contando secretos

09 de Junio 2017

Por el don de la gracia de Dios... de hacer entender a todos cuál es el plan del misterio que Dios, el creador de todas las cosas, mantuvo en secreto desde tiempos remotos para dar a conocer ahora, por medio de la iglesia, su multiforme sabiduría a los principados y poderes en los lugares celestiales, conforme al propósito eterno que llevó a cabo por medio de Cristo Jesús nuestro Señor.

Dios tenía un plan secreto y lo dio a conocer: había planeado que nos salvaría a través de Jesús. Él apóstol Pablo fue comisionado para que lo anunciara y lo revelara a todas las personas. Pablo tenía que contarle a todo el mundo acerca del plan de salvación de Dios.

Dios revela su sabiduría y su plan perfecto para la humanidad. Dios nos conoce, y conoce nuestra situación, nuestra miseria espiritual y nuestra naturaleza pecadora. Él conoce nuestros corazones, nuestros secretos y nuestras debilidades. Es por ello que su plan es perfecto: porque no depende de nosotros. Jesús es quien cumple con todo. A través de su obra de redención en la cruz, Jesús nos reconcilia con Dios. Es por eso que el apóstol Pablo, en el versículo 12 de este mismo capítulo de Efesios, dice: "En él, mediante la fe, disfrutamos de libertad y confianza para acercarnos a Dios." Gracias al perdón de los pecados que hemos recibido de Cristo, no debemos temer a Dios.

Dios nos reveló su plan secreto para que podamos ser salvos por fe en Cristo. En Jesús tenemos una nueva vida y una nueva relación con Dios. Ya no hay más temores ni secretos.

ORACIÓN: Amado Dios, sé que conoces todo lo que hay en mi corazón y me amas tal como soy. Gracias por perdonarme y por salvarme. Ayúdame, para que mi vida dependa siempre de ti. En el nombre de Jesús. Amén

Biografía del autor: Esta devoción fue escrita por el pastor Fernando Enrique Huf voluntario de LHM en Brazil con sus oficinas en Sao Paulo desde 1947.

© Copyright 2017 Cristo Para Todas Las Naciones. ¡Utilice estas devociones en sus boletines! Usado con permiso. Todos los derechos reservados por la Int'l LLL.

Our Daily Bread - A Reason to Sing

https://odb.org/2017/06/09/a-reason-to-sing/


Sing praises to God, sing praises; sing praises to our King, sing praises. Psalm 47:6

Singing changes the brain! Some studies show that when we sing, our bodies release hormones that relieve anxiety and stress. Other research indicates that when a group of people sings together, their heartbeats actually synchronize with each other.

The apostle Paul’s writing encourages the church to speak to one another with psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs (Eph. 5:19). And the Bible repeats, “Sing praise” more than fifty times.

In 2 Chronicles 20, we read a story of God’s people demonstrating their trust in God by singing as they marched into battle. Enemies were heading toward the people of Judah. Alarmed, King Jehoshaphat called everyone together. He led the community in intense prayer. They didn’t eat or drink, but only prayed, “We don’t know what to do, but our eyes are on you” (v. 12). The next day, they set out. They weren’t led by their fiercest warriors, but by their choir. They believed God’s promise that they would be delivered without having to fight at all (v. 17).

While they sang and walked toward the conflict, their enemies fought each other! By the time God’s people reached the battlefield, the fighting had ended. God saved His people as they marched by faith toward the unknown, singing His praises.

God encourages us to praise Him for good reasons. Whether or not we are marching into battle, praising God has power to change our thoughts, our hearts, and our lives.

God, we praise Your everlasting love and faithfulness! You protect and guide us, and we trust You with our lives.

Hearts in tune with God sing His praises.


Ministérios Pão Diário - Entre no jogo

https://paodiario.org/2017/06/09/entre-no-jogo/
A Bíblia em um ano: 2 Crônicas 32–33, João 18:19-40

…esforçando-me o mais possível, segundo a sua eficácia que opera eficientemente em mim. v.29

Gosto de assistir a um jogo de futebol sentado nas arquibancadas, comendo um cachorro-quente e torcendo pelo meu time!

Infelizmente, a prática do cristianismo se tornou muito parecida com a dos esportes profissionais. Como o meu amigo observou: há onze camaradas no campo de futebol fazendo todo o trabalho, e milhares nas arquibancadas, simplesmente assistindo. E como você provavelmente sabe, este não é o plano de jogo de Deus para o Seu povo. Ele quer que saiamos das arquibancadas, entremos em campo e nos unamos ao time.

Se você está se perguntando o que pode fazer de bom no campo, não se questione mais. E o que dizer dos seus recursos financeiros? Jesus pode aproveitar sua “prata e ouro” e usá-los para realizar grandes coisas para a Sua glória.

Mas mais do que preencher um talão de cheques, você tem talentos com os quais pode contribuir. Deus deu para cada um de nós dons espirituais que podem contribuir para que o Seu Reino cresça. Seja no ensino, no encorajamento, no serviço em Seu nome, demonstrando hospitalidade ou misericórdia. Cada habilidade pode produzir grandes dividendos. Sigamos o exemplo de Paulo, que serviu incansavelmente na seara de Deus, por causa da alegria de ser usado por Ele (Colossenses 1:28,29). Acredite: é muito mais gratificante estar no campo do que assistir sentado na arquibancada.

Não faça da sua vida um cemitério, enterrando os seus talentos.


Lời Sống Hằng Ngày - Lý Do Để Ca Ngợi Chúa

https://vietnamese-odb.org/2017/06/09/ly-do-de-ca-ngoi-chua/
Đọc Kinh Thánh suốt năm: II Sử ký 32-33; Giăng 18:19-40


Hãy hát lên ca ngợi Đức Chúa Trời, nào hát lên đi! Hãy hát lên ngợi ca Vua chúng tôi, nào ca lên đi! Thi thiên 47:6

Việc ca hát làm thay đổi não bộ! Một số nghiên cứu cho thấy khi hát, cơ thể chúng ta tiết ra các hoóc môn làm giảm lo lắng và căng thẳng. Một nghiên cứu khác cho thấy rằng khi một nhóm người hát với nhau thì nhịp tim họ thật sự đồng bộ với nhau.

Bức thư của sứ đồ Phao-lô khích lệ hội thánh đối đáp với nhau bằng các thi thiên, thánh ca và linh khúc (Êph. 5:19). Và Kinh Thánh lặp lại cụm từ “Hãy hát” hơn 50 lần.

Trong II Sử ký 20, chúng ta thấy dân của Chúa bày tỏ niềm tin nơi Ngài bằng cách hát khi tiến vào trận chiến. Kẻ thù đang tiến về phía dân Giu-đa. Sợ hãi, vua Giô-sa-phát tập hợp mọi người lại. Ông đã lãnh đạo dân chúng cầu nguyện khẩn thiết. Họ không ăn uống mà chỉ cầu nguyện: “Chúng con không biết phải làm sao, nhưng mắt chúng con ngưỡng trông Chúa” (c. 12). Hôm sau, họ bắt đầu cuộc chiến. Dẫn đầu không phải là các chiến binh thiện chiến nhất, mà là một ban hát. Họ tin vào lời hứa của Chúa là họ sẽ được giải cứu mà không cần chiến đấu (c. 17).

Khi họ hát và tiến vào trận chiến thì các kẻ thù của họ đã đánh lẫn nhau! Lúc dân Chúa đến chiến trường thì trận chiến đã kết thúc. Chúa đã cứu dân Ngài khi họ bước vào chỗ không biết bằng đức tin và hát ca ngợi Ngài.

Chúa khích lệ chúng ta ca ngợi Ngài là có lý do. Dù chúng ta có đang tiến vào trận chiến hay không thì việc ca ngợi Chúa có quyền năng để thay đổi suy nghĩ, tấm lòng và đời sống chúng ta.

Lạy Chúa, chúng con ca ngợi tình yêu đời đời và sự thành tín của Ngài! Ngài là Đấng bảo vệ và hướng dẫn chúng con, chúng con phó thác cuộc đời mình cho Ngài.

Những tấm lòng được hòa thuận với Chúa sẽ hát ca ngợi Ngài.


Nuestro Pan Diario - Una razón para cantar

https://nuestropandiario.org/2017/06/una-raz%c3%b3n-para-cantar/
La Biblia en un año: 2 Crónicas 32–33; Juan 18:19-40


Cantad a Dios, cantad; cantad a nuestro Rey, cantad (Salmo 47:6).

¡Cantar transforma el cerebro! Algunos estudios muestran que, cuando cantamos, nuestro cuerpo libera hormonas que alivian la ansiedad y el estrés. Otro indica que, cuando varias personas cantan juntas, sus latidos cardíacos se sincronizan.

El apóstol Pablo alentó a los creyentes a hablarse unos a otros con salmos, himnos y cánticos espirituales (Efesios 5:19). Y, más de 50 veces, la Biblia nos anima a cantar salmos y alabanzas.

En 2 Crónicas 20, leemos cómo el pueblo de Dios confió en el Señor. Frente a un inminente ataque, el rey Josafat convocó a la comunidad y la guió en oración intensa. Ayunaron y clamaron: «no sabemos qué hacer, y a ti volvemos nuestros ojos» (v. 12). Al día siguiente, salieron. No los dirigían guerreros feroces, sino un coro. Creyeron la promesa de Dios de que Él los libraría sin tener que pelear (v. 17).

Mientras cantaban y se dirigían al conflicto, ¡sus enemigos se atacaron entre ellos! Cuando el pueblo de Dios llegó al campo de batalla, la pelea había terminado. Dios salvó a su pueblo mientras este marchaba por fe hacia lo desconocido, cantando alabanzas.

Ya sea que estemos marchando hacia una batalla o no, alabar a Dios tiene el poder de cambiar nuestros pensamientos, nuestro corazón y nuestra vida.

¡Dios, te alabamos por tu amor y tu fidelidad eternos!

El corazón en sintonía con Dios canta sus alabanzas.

Por ap

Unser Täglich Brot - Grund zum Jubeln

https://unsertaeglichbrot.org/2017/06/09/grund-zum-jubeln/
Die Bibel In Einem Jahr: 2.Chronik 32–33; Johannes 18,19-40


Lobsinget, lobsinget Gott, lobsinget, lobsinget unserm Könige! Psalm 47,7

Singen verändert das Gehirn! Untersuchungen haben gezeigt, dass beim Singen Hormone freigesetzt werden, die Angst und Stress lindern. Andere Studien belegen, dass sich der Herzschlag anpasst, wenn Menschen gemeinsam singen.

Der Apostel Paulus ermuntert die Gemeinde, mit Psalmen, Lobgesängen und geistlichen Liedern miteinander zu reden (Eph. 5,19). Und über fünfzig Mal fordert die Bibel uns auf: „Lobsinget!“
In 2.Chronik 20 lesen wir, wie Gottes Volk sogar beim Einzug in die Schlacht sang. Feinde wollten Juda angreifen. König Joschafat war alarmiert. Er rief das Volk zusammen und betete. Man aß und trank nicht, sondern flehte zu Gott: „Wir wissen nicht, was wir tun sollen, sondern unsere Augen sehen nach dir“ (V.12). Am nächsten Tag zogen sie aus. Doch nicht die tapfersten Krieger zogen vorweg, sondern der Chor. Das Volk glaubte Gottes Verheißung, dass sie ohne Kampf davonkommen würden (V.17).

Während sie sangen und auf den Konfliktherd losmarschierten, fingen die Feinde an, sich untereinander zu bekämpfen! Und als sie auf dem Schlachtfeld ankamen, war der Kampf bereits vorüber. Gott rettete sein Volk, als es im Glauben ins Ungewisse zog und dabei sein Lob sang.

Gott macht uns aus gutem Grund Mut, ihn zu loben. Auch wenn wir nicht gerade in einen Kampf marschieren, Gott loben kann unser Denken, unser Herz und unser Leben verändern.


Herr, wir preisen dich für deine ewige Liebe und Treue! Du führst und bewahrst uns. Dir wollen wir uns mit unserem ganzen Leben anvertrauen.

Ein Herz in Harmonie mit Gott singt ihm Lob.

Von Amy

© 2017 Unser Täglich Brot

Notre Pain Quotidien - Une raison de chanter

https://www.ministeresnpq.org/2017/06/09/une-raison-de-chanter/
Lisez : 2 Chroniques 20.14‑22
La Bible en un an : 2 CHRONIQUES 32 – 33 et JEAN 18.19‑40

Chantez à Dieu, chantez ! Chantez à notre roi, chantez ! Psaume 47.7

Le chant modifie le cerveau ! Des études ont démontré que, lorsque nous chantons, notre corps libère des hormones qui nous soulagent de l’anxiété et du stress. D’autres recherches indiquent que, lorsque des personnes chantent ensemble, leur coeur se met à battre à l’unisson.

L’apôtre Paul encourage les croyants à s’entretenir par des psaumes, des hymnes et des cantiques spirituels (ÉP 5.19). Par ailleurs, la Bible revient plus de cinquante fois sur la nécessité de louer le Seigneur.

Dans 2 Chroniques 20, nous lisons que le peuple de Dieu a témoigné de sa foi en lui en montant au front en chantant. Ses ennemis avançaient vers le peuple de Juda. Alarmé, le roi Josaphat a réuni tout son monde, qu’il a amené à prier avec intensité. Sans boire ni manger, tous ont prié ainsi : « [Nous] ne savons que faire, mais nos yeux sont sur toi » (V. 12). Le lendemain, ils sont partis à la suite de leur chorale, et non de leurs plus grands guerriers, certains que Dieu les délivrerait, comme promis, sans qu’ils aient à se battre (V. 17).

Tandis qu’eux montaient au front en chantant, leurs ennemis se sont battus entre eux ! À l’arrivée du peuple de Dieu sur le champ de bataille, le combat était terminé. Dieu a donc sauvé son peuple alors même que celui‑ci marchait par la foi vers l’inconnu en chantant ses louanges.

Dieu nous encourage à le louer pour les bonnes raisons. Que nous allions ou non au combat, le fait de louer Dieu a le pouvoir de changer nos pensées, notre coeur et notre vie.

Le coeur en harmonie avec Dieu chante ses louanges.


Хліб Наш Насущній - Привід для співу

https://ukrainian-odb.org/2017/06/09/%d0%bf%d1%80%d0%b8%d0%b2%d1%96%d0%b4-%d0%b4%d0%bb%d1%8f-%d1%81%d0%bf%d1%96%d0%b2%d1%83/


Співайте Богові нашому, співайте, співайте Цареві нашому, співайте. — Псалом 46:7

Спів впливає на роботу мозку! Дослідження доводять, що коли ми співаємо, наше тіло виділяє гормони, що знижують занепокоєння й стрес. Інше дослідження вказує, що коли співає група людей, їхні серця починають битися в унісон.

У своєму листі апостол Павло спонукає церкву розмовляти один з одним псалмами, гімнами та духовними піснями (Еф. 5:19). А взагалі фраза “співайте Богу” зустрічається в Біблії понад 50 разів.

У Другій Книзі Хронік розповідається про те, як Божий народ ішов на ворога зі співом, демонструючи цим свою довіру Богу… Ворог прийшов на землю юдейську. Стривожений цар Йосафат зібрав увесь народ, щоб помолитись разом палкою молитвою. Вони не їли, не пили, а тільки молились: “Ми не знаємо, що зробимо, бо наші очі на Тебе!” (2 Хр. 20:12). Наступного дня народ вирушив назустріч ворогу. Їх вели у бій не відчайдушні воїни, а звичайний хор. Вони вірили Божій обітниці, що переможуть ворога навіть без бою (2 Хр. 20:17).

Коли ж народ продовжував іти на своїх ворогів, ті почали битися між собою! На той момент, як юдеї дістались місця битви, битва вже скінчилась. Бог врятував Свій народ.

Господь спонукає нас хватили Його співом, тому що на це є багато причин. Йдемо ми у бій чи залишаємося у спокої, хваління Бога співом дає силу змінити наші думки, серця й життя.

Боже, славимо Тебе за Твою вічну любов і вірність! Ти захищаєш нас і скеровуєш наш шлях, тому ввіряємо Тобі своє життя.

Гармонічні стосунки з Богом народжують пісню хвали.


Хлеб наш насущный - Повод для песен

https://russian-odb.org/2017/06/09/%d0%bf%d0%be%d0%b2%d0%be%d0%b4-%d0%b4%d0%bb%d1%8f-%d0%bf%d0%b5%d1%81%d0%b5%d0%bd/
Читать сейчас: 2 Паралипоменон 20:14-22


Пойте Богу нашему, пойте; пойте Царю нашему, пойте. — Псалом 46:7

Пение влияет на работу головного мозга! Исследования показывают, что во время пения в организме вырабатываются гормоны, снижающие уровень стресса и успокаивающие тревогу. Другие ученые отмечают, что когда группа людей поет вместе, их сердца начинают биться в такт.

Апостол Павел побуждал верующих в церкви назидать друг друга псалмами, гимнами и духовными песнопениями (Еф. 5:19). Слова «пойте хвалу» повторяются в Библии более пятидесяти раз. Во Второй книге Паралипоменон содержится повествование о том, как Божий народ проявил свою веру, воспевая Богу хвалу во время подготовки к сражению. Враги, собравшись вместе, устремились на Иудею. Встревоженный царь Иосафат собрал народ и обратился к Богу в горячей молитве. Они не ели и не пили, а только молились: «Мы не знаем, что делать, но к Тебе очи наши!» (2 Пар. 20:12). На следующий день они вышли в поход. Но впереди шли не могучие воины, а левитский хор. Иудеи верили Божьему обещанию, что спасение придет к ним безо всякой битвы (2 Пар. 20:17).

И пока они с песнями шли к месту сражения, враги, разругавшись, принялись истреблять друг друга. К тому времени как войско достигло поля боя, все уже закончилось. Бог спас Свой народ, шедший навстречу неизвестному с верой и песнью хвалы на устах.

Бог и нас побуждает славить Его. Идем ли мы на бой или остаемся в покое, прославление Бога может изменить наши мысли, сердца и жизни.

Боже, мы славим Твою вечную любовь и верность! Ты хранишь и направляешь нас, мы доверяем Тебе свою жизнь.

Сердца, настроенные на Бога, поют Ему хвалу.


The Daily Readings for THURSDAY, June 8, 2017


Opening Sentence

The Lord is in his holy temple; let all the earth keep silence before him. Habakkuk 2:20

Morning Prayer

O God, the King eternal, who divides the day from the darkness, and turns the shadow of death into the morning; Drive far off from me all wrong desires, incline my heart to keep your law, and guide my feet into the way of peace; that having done your will with cheerfulness while it was day, I may give you thanks with a joyful heart when the night comes; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

The Old Testament Lesson

The Old Testament Lesson for today is taken from Deuteronomy 16:18-20, 17:14-20

You shall appoint judges and officials throughout your tribes, in all your towns that the LORD your God is giving you, and they shall render just decisions for the people. You must not distort justice; you must not show partiality; and you must not accept bribes, for a bribe blinds the eyes of the wise and subverts the cause of those who are in the right. Justice, and only justice, you shall pursue, so that you may live and occupy the land that the LORD your God is giving you. When you have come into the land that the LORD your God is giving you, and have taken possession of it and settled in it, and you say, "I will set a king over me, like all the nations that are around me," you may indeed set over you a king whom the LORD your God will choose. One of your own community you may set as king over you; you are not permitted to put a foreigner over you, who is not of your own community. Even so, he must not acquire many horses for himself, or return the people to Egypt in order to acquire more horses, since the LORD has said to you, "You must never return that way again." And he must not acquire many wives for himself, or else his heart will turn away; also silver and gold he must not acquire in great quantity for himself. When he has taken the throne of his kingdom, he shall have a copy of this law written for him in the presence of the levitical priests. It shall remain with him and he shall read in it all the days of his life, so that he may learn to fear the LORD his God, diligently observing all the words of this law and these statutes, neither exalting himself above other members of the community nor turning aside from the commandment, either to the right or to the left, so that he and his descendants may reign long over his kingdom in Israel.

The Epistle Lesson

The Epistle Lesson for today is taken from 2 Corinthians 8:1-16

We want you to know, brothers and sisters, about the grace of God that has been granted to the churches of Macedonia; for during a severe ordeal of affliction, their abundant joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part. For, as I can testify, they voluntarily gave according to their means, and even beyond their means, begging us earnestly for the privilege of sharing in this ministry to the saints-- and this, not merely as we expected; they gave themselves first to the Lord and, by the will of God, to us, so that we might urge Titus that, as he had already made a beginning, so he should also complete this generous undertaking among you. Now as you excel in everything-- in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in utmost eagerness, and in our love for you-- so we want you to excel also in this generous undertaking. I do not say this as a command, but I am testing the genuineness of your love against the earnestness of others. For you know the generous act of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that by his poverty you might become rich. And in this matter I am giving my advice: it is appropriate for you who began last year not only to do something but even to desire to do something-- now finish doing it, so that your eagerness may be matched by completing it according to your means. For if the eagerness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has-- not according to what one does not have. I do not mean that there should be relief for others and pressure on you, but it is a question of a fair balance between your present abundance and their need, so that their abundance may be for your need, in order that there may be a fair balance. As it is written, "The one who had much did not have too much, and the one who had little did not have too little." But thanks be to God who put in the heart of Titus the same eagerness for you that I myself have.

The Holy Gospel Lesson

The Holy Gospel is written in Luke 18:1-8

Then Jesus told them a parable about their need to pray always and not to lose heart. He said, "In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor had respect for people. In that city there was a widow who kept coming to him and saying, 'Grant me justice against my opponent.' For a while he refused; but later he said to himself, 'Though I have no fear of God and no respect for anyone, yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will grant her justice, so that she may not wear me out by continually coming.'" And the Lord said, "Listen to what the unjust judge says. And will not God grant justice to his chosen ones who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long in helping them? I tell you, he will quickly grant justice to them. And yet, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?"

Morning Psalms

Psalm 50 Deus deorum
1   The LORD, the God of gods, has spoken; he has called the earth from the rising of the sun to its setting.
2   Out of Zion, perfect in its beauty, God reveals himself in glory.
3   Our God will come and will not keep silence; before him there is a consuming flame, and round about him a raging storm.
4   He calls the heavens and the earth from above to witness the judgment of his people.
5   Gather before me my loyal followers, those who have made a covenant with me and sealed it with sacrifice.
6   Let the heavens declare the rightness of his cause; for God himself is judge.
7   Hear, O my people, and I will speak: "O Israel, I will bear witness against you; for I am God, your God.
8   I do not accuse you because of your sacrifices; your offerings are always before me.
9   I will take no bull-calf from your stalls, nor he-goats out of your pens;
10   For all the beasts of the forest are mine, the herds in their thousands upon the hills.
11   I know every bird in the sky, and the creatures of the fields are in my sight.
12   If I were hungry, I would not tell you, for the whole world is mine and all that is in it.
13   Do you think I eat the flesh of bulls, or drink the blood of goats?
14   Offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving and make good your vows to the Most High.
15   Call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall honor me."
16   But to the wicked God says: "Why do you recite my statutes, and take my covenant upon your lips;
17   Since you refuse discipline, and toss my words behind your back?
18   When you see a thief, you make him your friend, and you cast in your lot with adulterers.
19   You have loosed your lips for evil, and harnessed your tongue to a lie.
20   You are always speaking evil of your brother and slandering your own mother's son.
21   These things you have done, and I kept still, and you thought that I am like you."
22   I have made my accusation; I have put my case in order before your eyes.
23   Consider this well, you who forget God, lest I rend you and there be none to deliver you.
24   Whoever offers me the sacrifice of thanksgiving honors me; but to those who keep in my way will I show the salvation of God."


Evening Psalms

Psalm 59 Eripe me de inimicis
1   Rescue me from my enemies, O God; protect me from those who rise up against me.
2   Rescue me from evildoers and save me from those who thirst for my blood.
3   See how they lie in wait for my life, how the mighty gather together against me; not for any offense or fault of mine, O LORD.
4   Not because of any guilt of mine they run and prepare themselves for battle.
5   Rouse yourself, come to my side, and see; for you, LORD God of hosts, are Israel's God.
6   Awake, and punish all the ungodly; show no mercy to those who are faithless and evil.
7   They go to and fro in the evening; they snarl like dogs and run about the city.
8   Behold, they boast with their mouths, and taunts are on their lips; "For who, they say, will hear us?"
9   But you, O LORD, you laugh at them; you laugh all the ungodly to scorn.
10   My eyes are fixed on you, O my Strength; for you, O God, are my stronghold.
11   My merciful God comes to meet me; God will let me look in triumph on my enemies.
12   Slay them, O God, lest my people forget; send them reeling by your might and put them down, O Lord our shield.
13   For the sins of their mouths, for the words of their lips, for the cursing and lies that they utter, let them be caught in their pride.
14   Make an end of them in your wrath; make an end of them, and they shall be no more.
15   Let everyone know that God rules in Jacob, and to the ends of the earth.
16   They go to and fro in the evening; they snarl like dogs and run about the city.
17   They forage for food, and if they are not filled, they howl.
18   For my part, I will sing of your strength; I will celebrate your love in the morning;
19   For you have become my stronghold, a refuge in the day of my trouble.
20   To you, O my Strength, will I sing; for you, O God, are my stronghold and my merciful God.


Psalm 60 Deus, repulisti nos
1   O God, you have cast us off and broken us; you have been angry; oh, take us back to you again.
2   You have shaken the earth and split it open; repair the cracks in it, for it totters.
3   You have made your people know hardship; you have given us wine that makes us stagger.
4   You have set up a banner for those who fear you, to be a refuge from the power of the bow.
5   Save us by your right hand and answer us, that those who are dear to you may be delivered.
6   God spoke from his holy place and said: "I will exult and parcel out Shechem; I will divide the valley of Succoth.
7   Gilead is mine and Manasseh is mine; Ephraim is my helmet and Judah my scepter.
8   Moab is my wash-basin, on Edom I throw down my sandal to claim it, and over Philistia will I shout in triumph."
9   Who will lead me into the strong city? who will bring me to Edom?
10   Have you not cast us off, O God? you no longer go out, O God, with our armies.
11   Grant us your help against the enemy, for vain is the help of man.
12   With God we will do valiant deeds, and he shall tread our enemies under foot.


The Nicene Creed
  • We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen.
  • We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one Being with the Father. Through him all things were made. For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven: by the power of the Holy Spirit he became incarnate from the Virgin Mary, and was made man. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered death and was buried. On the third day he rose again in accordance with the Scriptures; he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end.
  • We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son. With the Father and the Son he is worshiped and glorified. He has spoken through the Prophets. We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen
Prayer of the Day

O God, your never-failing providence sets in order all things both in heaven and earth: Put away from us, we entreat you, all hurtful things, and give us those things which are profitable for us; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen

A Prayer for Guidance

Heavenly Father, in you we live and move and have our being: We humbly pray you so to guide and govern us by your Holy Spirit, that in all the cares and occupations of our life we may not forget you, but may remember that we are ever walking in your sight; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

A Prayer for Mission

O God, you have made of one blood all the peoples of the earth, and sent your blessed Son to preach peace to those who are far off and to those who are near: Grant that people everywhere may seek after you and find you; bring the nations into your fold; pour out your Spirit upon all flesh; and hasten the coming of your kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen


Consider the Lilies
Mormon Tabernacle Choir

Consider the lilies of the field,
how they grow, how they grow.
Consider the birds in the sky,
How they fly, how they fly.

He clothes the lilies of the field.
He feeds the birds in the sky.
And he will feed those who trust him,
And guide them with His eye.

Consider the sheep of his fold,
How they follow where he leads.
Though the path may wind across the mountains,
He knows the meadows where they feed.

He clothes the lilies of the field.
He feeds the birds in the sky,
And he will feed those who trust him,
And guide them with his eye.

Consider the sweet, tender children
Who must suffer on this earth...

The pains of all of them he carried
From the day of his birth.
He clothes the lilies of the field,
He feeds the lambs in His fold,
And he will heal those who trust him,
And make their hearts as gold.

Alleluia! Christ has risen.
Christ has risen indeed. Alleluia!

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with us all evermore. Amen

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.

Prayer of the Day for THURSDAY, June 8, 2017

O God, your never-failing providence sets in order all things both in heaven and earth: Put away from us, we entreat you, all hurtful things, and give us those things which are profitable for us; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen

Verse of the Day for THURSDAY, June 8, 2017


Habakkuk 3:19 (NIV) The Sovereign Lord is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to tread on the heights. For the director of music. On my stringed instruments.

Read all of Habakkuk 3

Listen to Habakkuk 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 - Dry Bones


Again He said to me, “Prophesy over these bones and say to them, O dry bones, hear the word of the Lord. Thus says the Lord God to these bones: I will cause breath to enter you so that you live. And I will lay sinews upon you and will grow back flesh upon you and cover you with skin and put breath in you so that you live. Then you shall know that I am the Lord.”

The nation of Israel had been taken into captivity by the Babylonians, and Ezekiel, the son of a priest, had been given the charge by God, to give a message to the Jews. He was to tell them that the captivity would not be short lived, but that God would eventually bring restoration.

In a vision, Ezekiel saw a valley of dry bones. God connected the bones, added organs, muscles, and skin. Last, He breathed into these dry bones, life. This was to show the rebirth of the Israel nation. It was a message of hope.

Today, the dry bones reflect a message of hope for us. When we try to live a life, separated from God and His gift of salvation, through Jesus, we are as dead spiritually as that valley of dry bones. But, God in His mercy and love for us, wants to give us life. If we accept that gift He offers, He will bring us to life.

First, He makes us a new heart. In that heart, we have been purified and made clean by the washing away of all unrighteousness. He will squeeze all the darkness out of our heart until it begins to beat with His rhythm of bright life giving blood. Second, He will give us muscle. This is the strength we gain from knowing Him. Third, we get skin. Just like our skin protects our inward parts and holds us together, God will protect us and hold us together in Him for eternity. Fourth, He will breathe into us His Holy Spirit. His Spirit will guard, guide, and direct us.

When we give our dry-boned life over to God, He gives us a new life in Jesus Christ. But there is more to the story. In Ezekiel 34:25-26 God says, “I will make a covenant of peace with them and eliminate harmful beasts from the land so that they may live securely in the wilderness and sleep in the woods. I will make them and the places around My hill a blessing. And I will cause showers to come down in their season; they will be showers of blessing.”

The woods represent the life we now live in this world and the beasts represents Satan. We must live in our wilderness; this world, surrounded by sin, death, pain, and sorrow, however, Satan can never penetrate our hearts once we have been made new in Christ. We are God’s new creation. He loves us and protects us from our enemy, Satan. God showers us with His many blessings. We are not guaranteed a life without trials, but we are guaranteed His love, His strength, His peace and His life everlasting.
Dear Savior, Thank you for your gift of salvation through Jesus Christ. We give our dry-boned life to you. Make us alive in you. Amen
In Jesus,
Cap'n Kenny


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Scripture taken from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation

Un Dia a la Vez - Semana de meditación: ¿Qué es tu casa?


El comienzo de la sabiduría es el temor del Señor; conocer al Santo es tener discernimiento.

¿Recuerdas la popular frase de «Mi casa es tu casa»? Creo que en determinado momento se la hemos dicho a alguien. Esta semana, Dios me ha mostrado que meditemos en nuestras casas. Que pensemos en qué tipo de hogar tenemos y lo que vivimos allí. Por eso considero que será de gran bendición poder reconocer, cambiar y reforzar lo que estamos haciendo bien.

La casa más que un lindo apartamento con todos los lujos, o una casa súper moderna, debe ser un lugar de paz, amor, descanso, unión, celebración, adoración y otras muchas cosas que añadirás con toda seguridad.

En estos próximos días vamos a pedirle a Dios que nos haga comprender la clase de hogar en que estamos viviendo y que nos ilumine a fin de aceptar sus instrucciones para hacer cambios radicales en nuestra familia. Que nos muestre lo que les estamos brindando a los hijos y al cónyuge.

¡Prepárate para comenzar esta semana de análisis profundo y de cambios radicales!

Un Día a la Vez Copyright © by Claudia Pinzón

Standing Strong Through the Storm - THE WRITTEN WORD OF GOD


Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for your brothers, love one another deeply, from the heart. For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God.

The Bible has always been an important resource to those who have not had access to it… especially those in prison. Christian singer, Helen Berhane shares how she smuggled a Bible into a shipping container prison in Eritrea and later was moved to another container which already held eighteen Christian women who had refused to give up their faith. She writes in her book, Song of the Nightingale, how the Word of God impacted her and the other women:

We were very overcrowded, but I was happy to join a Christian group again. Since I was the longest serving prisoner, I took charge. I wanted to help them as much as I could, because I knew they would be comforted by the thought that someone cared for them. I would fold the older ladies’ blankets when they went out to the toilet in the morning, and I would stay behind to clean the container [of human waste].

Many of them were worried about their husbands and children, so I tried to keep them busy and establish a routine. I would start by preparing breakfast; at this point we got four bread rolls each, two in the morning and two in the evening, with weak lentil soup, and a cup of tea.

Then I would lead a Bible meditation and then I would sing. A month after I was first imprisoned I had managed to smuggle a Bible past the guards. I can’t tell you exactly how I did it, as people still use this method and it is important that the authorities don’t find out how it’s done, but I can say it was a whole Bible split into five smaller sections. This made it easier for me to hide it. Previously I had just read it alone, but now we did group readings every day. I also sang new songs to the group that I had written in prison.[1]

RESPONSE: Today I will cherish my Bible and make sure that in my freedom I internalize it as much as those in prison for the faith.

PRAYER: Pray that all Christian prisoners will somehow gain access to a Bible or the message of the Bible today for encouragement and hope.

1. Berhane, p.49.

NIV Devotions for Men - Fear the Lord … But Don’t Be Afraid


Deuteronomy 10:12–22

Recommended Reading: Psalm 33:18–22; Hebrews 12:22–29; Revelation 1:9–18

In his autobiography, Blessings in Disguise, the late actor Alec Guinness wrote that as he was walking up Kingsway in the middle of an afternoon, he had an impulse to start running. He ran until he reached a little church. He’d never been there before, but he caught his breath and knelt to pray. For the next ten minutes he “was lost to the world.”

Guinness explained the compulsion as a “rather nonsensical gesture of love,” an outburst of thanksgiving. He ran to the church and fell on his knees in prayer not long after March 24, 1956, the day he had converted to Christianity after years of being an atheist.

Guinness, in a move reflective of the movement of the Holy Spirit in his life, learned in part what “fearing God” is all about. Although Scripture uses the word “fear,” God doesn’t want us to be afraid of him. Instead, he wants us to realize how magnificent, awe-inspiring and deserving of our worship he is.

Interestingly, knowing that God desires our worship also helps us understand just how special we are to him. This can lead us into a more active relationship with God. God always expresses his love in some kind of action toward us, and he desires that we return our loving expressions in action, as well as in trusting his leading and following his commands for our life.

God’s love, coupled with our sense of awe and reverence, leads us to action. It led Alec Guinness to run down the street and then fall on his knees in thanksgiving and adoration. Perhaps you’ve only recently come to know about God’s grace revealed through Jesus Christ. Perhaps you’ve been his devoted follower for years. Or perhaps you’re just looking for a fresh experience of God in your life. What actions will you take today to express your “fear of God”?

Don’t be afraid to go for it!

To Take Away
  • Describe in your own words what it means to fear God.
  • How does knowing that God desires our worship help us understand how special we are to him?
  • What actions can you take to express your love to God?

Girlfriends in God - June 08, 2017


Here’s What You Should Do

Today’s Truth

Anyone who has two shirts should share with the one who has none, and anyone who has food should do the same. (Luke 3:11)

Friend to Friend

Luke 3 tells the story of John the Baptist as he began his ministry. His job? Prepare the way of the Lord. (Luke 3:4) Many royal rulers and powerful leaders of the land are listed at the beginning of the chapter to set the stage and give us historical context, yet it is a normal guy, born to older parents, in an off-the-map-of-all-places-important rural village that the Lord called to be the forerunner for Jesus. (Doesn’t it encourage you that God uses normal people from ordinary places to shout the fame of Jesus? Me too.)

The Lord spoke to John when he was in the wilderness and told him what to do (Luke 3:2). Then John walked his sandals to the dusty country trails around the Jordan and got himself busy for Jesus. He preached what the Bible calls “a baptism of repentance” for the forgiveness of sins, and he challenged the people of Israel to live lives that produced fruit in keeping with repentance. (Luke 3:3,8) His message was two-fold, but simple: turn from sin and turn toward God.

The people wanted John to help them understand. They wanted to know what that should look like in their lives.

“What should we do then?” the crowd asked. (Luke 3:10)

That same question was shouted from people of different backgrounds, careers, ages, and responsibilities … from people with different challenges and different experiences. What should we do?

John answered them. And in doing so he painted a picture of what it should look like for every follower of Jesus to produce fruit in keeping with repentance. Look at what he said.

John answered, “Anyone who has two shirts should share with the one who has none, and anyone who has food should do the same.”

Even tax collectors came to be baptized. “Teacher,” they asked, “what should we do?”

“Don’t collect any more than you are required to,” he told them.

Then some soldiers asked him, “And what should we do?”

He replied, “Don’t extort money and don’t accuse people falsely—be content with your pay.” (Luke 3:11-14)

The Bible goes on to say that John spent time with the people, exhorted them, and told them the good news that God had sent him to share. (Luke 3:18) As I consider the illustrations that John used to describe what a fruit-producing life looks like, I reflect. Am I asking God that question? What should I do, Lord?

Thankful for this fresh heart-burden, I decide to summarize what John told the people and apply the principles to my life. This is not an exhaustive list by any means, but it is a great starting point. Here are the things that John said we should do in order to be fruit-bearers.

#1. Share – Live out your faith beyond yourself and beyond your stuff. Be generous.

#2. Be honest – Do your job. Don’t take what’s not yours, and tell the truth.

#3. Live with integrity – Don't do what you shouldn’t do, even if you can, and treat others well.

#4. Be content – Stop reaching and straining for stuff that doesn’t really matter in light of eternity. Be thankful for what you have.

As I look over this list, I wonder. What changes can I make in the way I do things that will produce more fruit? How willing am I to share? Am I honest? Who am I when others aren’t looking? Do my choices honor God? Am I content?

James 2:14-26 says that faith without deeds is dead. I want my life to give evidence of my faith – to shout the fame of Jesus, just like John the Baptist. I want to be a woman who produces fruit in keeping with repentance … fruit that bears evidence of my turning from sin toward God. Yes. Yes. Yes!

So I determine that this list is a great place to start.

Join me?

Let’s Pray

Dear Lord, Thank You for your Word that is rich with lessons. Please help me to be a woman who does things that will cause others to see You. Help me to share, be honest, live with integrity and be content.
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen


Now It’s Your Turn

If the LORD is impressing on your heart that it is time for you to amp up your sharing, here’s an opportunity for you to do just that. CLICK HERE to learn more about how you can impact the life of a child in poverty in Jesus’ name through Compassion International. (Share a shirt. Share your food. Be the hope. Be the body. Be the beauty… in Jesus’ name. It’s time.)

Which of these four fruit-bearing principles is tugging on your heart today? Visit my blog and WRITE OUT A PRAYER in the comments section that commits this area to God today.

More from the Girlfriends

Gwen Smith is a speaker, worship leader, songwriter, and author of the new book, I Want I ALL, which includes a Bible Study Guide right in the back of the book; no extra purchase required. I WANT IT ALL is easy to read yet contains compelling and challenging content. You'll connect with the stories, probably dust off a few heart dreams, think bigger thoughts of God, laugh and smile a lot, search your soul, and even cry a little ... because each page lovingly directs you to the personal grace and truth of JESUS.

SPECIAL OFFER: CLICK HERE to get a FREE Downloadable “7 Day I WANT IT ALL” Devotional Ebook.)

Seeking God?
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Girlfriends in God
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