Saturday, September 17, 2016

Night Light for Couples - Surprise Party

The challenge of sustaining an intimate, faith-based marriage in today's “hurry-up” society has never been greater. Night Light for Couples, the couples' devotional from Focus on the Family ministry founder Dr. James Dobson and his wife, Shirley, brings spouses together each evening, helping them stay connected with each other and their Lord. Stories that strike an emotional chord, Scripture readings, provocative questions, prayers, and personal commentary from the Dobsons encourage men and women in their homes and spiritual lives. More than just another devotional, Night Light is a practical, uplifting guide for every couple who longs to experience the joyous, intimate, “three-person” marriage covenant God intended.

by Gary Smalley

It was the eve of his graduation from a long, grueling master’s degree program. After four years of intensive, full‐time study, he was finally about to receive his diploma.

His wife planned a special party so many of their friends could come and help him celebrate the long‐awaited “day of deliverance.” There would be cake, refreshments, banners, streamers, swimming, croquet, and other yard games. Many people had already accepted her invitation to attend, and it looked like it would be a full house. Her husband, though, had other ideas. He secretly contacted each person who had received an invitation and revealed his plan to make the party a surprise in honor of her. Yes, there would be banners, streamers, and all the rest, but they would bear her name, not his.

He wanted to do something special to let her know how much he appreciated the years of sacrifice she had devoted to his goal. Working full‐time to put him through school and delaying her dreams of a house and family had, in many ways, been harder on her than the long hours of study had been on him.

When the day arrived, she was busy with preparations and last‐minute details, still convinced that all was going according to plan. He arranged to get her away from the party site, and while she was gone, he put up a huge banner with her name on it. During that time, all the guests arrived as well.

She returned to be greeted with a loud “SURPRISE!” When she realized what was going on, she could barely fight back the tears. Her husband asked a few people to share what they most appreciated about her. Then he stood before them and, with tender words of love and admiration, expressed his gratitude for all she had done for him. When he was through, everyone saluted her with a toast of iced tea.

The rest of the evening was a fun‐filled fiesta of laughing, catching up with one another, water volleyball, yard games, and more food than anyone could eat. It was a celebration of an experience they had shared, and by commemorating it in a special way, this husband created a lifelong, romantic memorial to his wife’s love and dedication. 

LOOKING AHEAD … 

I love this example of a wise husband. He understood that he had reached his goal largely because of the sacrifice and cooperation of his wife. He also had the wisdom to seize a perfect opportunity to honor her publicly. Frankly, I did the same thing when I received my Ph.D. Shirley had sacrificed for seven long years to help me complete my training. She thought the party was for me, but forty guests helped me tell her that she was the one being honored. I presented her with a sterling silver coffee and tea service set, which she still displays in our living room. I knew a man who finished his doctorate just a few years later and said nothing about the support and assistance his wife had given him. She was very hurt.

To honor someone means to show respect—to give deserved recognition and appreciation to him or her. How thoughtful are you of your spouse? Do you actively seek ways to elevate your husband or wife before friends or family? Those are vitally important questions.

We’ll talk this week about the importance of honor in marriage. Tonight, why don’t you each express why you feel honored to be married to your mate?

- James C Dobson
  • From Night Light For Couples, by Dr. James & Shirley Dobson
    Copyright © 2000 by James Dobson, Inc. All rights reserved.
  • “Surprise Party” by Gary Smalley. Taken from Love Is a Decision by Gary Smalley. © 1992. Word Publishing, Nashville, Tenn. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

The Daily Readings for September 17, 2016

Esther 2:5-8, 2:15-23
Now there was a Jew in the citadel of Susa whose name was Mordecai son of Jair son of Shimei son of Kish, a Benjaminite. Kish had been carried away from Jerusalem among the captives carried away with King Jeconiah of Judah, whom King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon had carried away. Mordecai had brought up Hadassah, that is Esther, his cousin, for she had neither father nor mother; the girl was fair and beautiful, and when her father and her mother died, Mordecai adopted her as his own daughter. So when the king's order and his edict were proclaimed, and when many young women were gathered in the citadel of Susa in custody of Hegai, Esther also was taken into the king's palace and put in custody of Hegai, who had charge of the women. When the turn came for Esther daughter of Abihail the uncle of Mordecai, who had adopted her as his own daughter, to go in to the king, she asked for nothing except what Hegai the king's eunuch, who had charge of the women, advised. Now Esther was admired by all who saw her. When Esther was taken to King Ahasuerus in his royal palace in the tenth month, which is the month of Tebeth, in the seventh year of his reign, the king loved Esther more than all the other women; of all the virgins she won his favor and devotion, so that he set the royal crown on her head and made her queen instead of Vashti. Then the king gave a great banquet to all his officials and ministers-- "Esther's banquet." He also granted a holiday to the provinces, and gave gifts with royal liberality. When the virgins were being gathered together, Mordecai was sitting at the king's gate. Now Esther had not revealed her kindred or her people, as Mordecai had charged her; for Esther obeyed Mordecai just as when she was brought up by him. In those days, while Mordecai was sitting at the king's gate, Bigthan and Teresh, two of the king's eunuchs, who guarded the threshold, became angry and conspired to assassinate King Ahasuerus. But the matter came to the knowledge of Mordecai, and he told it to Queen Esther, and Esther told the king in the name of Mordecai. When the affair was investigated and found to be so, both the men were hanged on the gallows. It was recorded in the book of the annals in the presence of the king.

Acts 17:16-34
While Paul was waiting for them in Athens, he was deeply distressed to see that the city was full of idols. So he argued in the synagogue with the Jews and the devout persons, and also in the marketplace every day with those who happened to be there. Also some Epicurean and Stoic philosophers debated with him. Some said, "What does this babbler want to say?" Others said, "He seems to be a proclaimer of foreign divinities." (This was because he was telling the good news about Jesus and the resurrection.) So they took him and brought him to the Areopagus and asked him, "May we know what this new teaching is that you are presenting? It sounds rather strange to us, so we would like to know what it means." Now all the Athenians and the foreigners living there would spend their time in nothing but telling or hearing something new. Then Paul stood in front of the Areopagus and said, "Athenians, I see how extremely religious you are in every way. For as I went through the city and looked carefully at the objects of your worship, I found among them an altar with the inscription, 'To an unknown god.' What therefore you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you. The God who made the world and everything in it, he who is Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in shrines made by human hands, nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mortals life and breath and all things. From one ancestor he made all nations to inhabit the whole earth, and he allotted the times of their existence and the boundaries of the places where they would live, so that they would search for God and perhaps grope for him and find him-- though indeed he is not far from each one of us. For 'In him we live and move and have our being' as even some of your own poets have said, 'For we too are his offspring.' Since we are God's offspring, we ought not to think that the deity is like gold, or silver, or stone, an image formed by the art and imagination of mortals. While God has overlooked the times of human ignorance, now he commands all people everywhere to repent, because he has fixed a day on which he will have the world judged in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed, and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead." When they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some scoffed; but others said, "We will hear you again about this." At that point Paul left them. But some of them joined him and became believers, including Dionysius the Areopagite and a woman named Damaris, and others with them.

John 12:44-50
Then Jesus cried aloud: "Whoever believes in me believes not in me but in him who sent me. And whoever sees me sees him who sent me. I have come as light into the world, so that everyone who believes in me should not remain in the darkness. I do not judge anyone who hears my words and does not keep them, for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world. The one who rejects me and does not receive my word has a judge; on the last day the word that I have spoken will serve as judge, for I have not spoken on my own, but the Father who sent me has himself given me a commandment about what to say and what to speak. And I know that his commandment is eternal life. What I speak, therefore, I speak just as the Father has told me."

Morning Psalms

Psalm 75 Confitebimur tibi
1   We give you thanks, O God, we give you thanks, calling upon your Name and declaring all your wonderful deeds.
2   I will appoint a time, says God; I will judge with equity.
3   Though the earth and all its inhabitants are quaking, I will make its pillars fast.
4   I will say to the boasters, 'Boast no more, ' and to the wicked, 'Do not toss your horns;
5   Do not toss your horns so high, nor speak with a proud neck.'"
6   For judgment is neither from the east nor from the west, nor yet from the wilderness or the mountains.
7   It is God who judges; he puts down one and lifts up another.
8   For in the LORD'S hand there is a cup, full of spiced and foaming wine, which he pours out, and all the wicked of the earth shall drink and drain the dregs.
9   But I will rejoice for ever; I will sing praises to the God of Jacob.
10   He shall break off all the horns of the wicked; but the horns of the righteous shall be exalted.


Psalm 76 Notus in Judæa
1   In Judah is God known; his Name is great in Israel.
2   At Salem is his tabernacle, and his dwelling is in Zion.
3   There he broke the flashing arrows, the shield, the sword, and the weapons of battle.
4   How glorious you are! more splendid than the everlasting mountains!
5   The strong of heart have been despoiled; they sink into sleep; none of the warriors can lift a hand.
6   At your rebuke, O God of Jacob, both horse and rider lie stunned.
7   What terror you inspire! who can stand before you when you are angry?
8   From heaven you pronounced judgment; the earth was afraid and was still;
9   When God rose up to judgment and to save all the oppressed of the earth.
10   Truly, wrathful Edom will give you thanks, and the remnant of Hamath will keep your feasts.
11   Make a vow to the LORD your God and keep it; let all around him bring gifts to him who is worthy to be feared.
12   He breaks the spirit of princes, and strikes terror in the kings of the earth.


Evening Psalms

Psalm 23 Dominus regit me
1   The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not be in want.
2   He makes me lie down in green pastures and leads me beside still waters.
3   He revives my soul and guides me along right pathways for his Name's sake.
4   Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I shall fear no evil; for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
5   You spread a table before me in the presence of those who trouble me; you have anointed my head with oil, and my cup is running over.
6   Surely your goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.


Psalm 27 Dominus illuminatio
1   The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom then shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom then shall I be afraid?
2   When evildoers came upon me to eat up my flesh, it was they, my foes and my adversaries, who stumbled and fell.
3   Though an army should encamp against me, yet my heart shall not be afraid;
4   And though war should rise up against me, yet will I put my trust in him.
5   One thing have I asked of the LORD; one thing I seek; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life;
6   To behold the fair beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple.
7   For in the day of trouble he shall keep me safe in his shelter; he shall hide me in the secrecy of his dwelling and set me high upon a rock.
8   Even now he lifts up my head above my enemies round about me.
9   Therefore I will offer in his dwelling an oblation with sounds of great gladness; I will sing and make music to the LORD.
10   Hearken to my voice, O LORD, when I call; have mercy on me and answer me.
11   You speak in my heart and say, "Seek my face." Your face, LORD, will I seek.
12   Hide not your face from me, nor turn away your servant in displeasure.
13   You have been my helper; cast me not away; do not forsake me, O God of my salvation.
14   Though my father and my mother forsake me, the LORD will sustain me.
15   Show me your way, O LORD; lead me on a level path, because of my enemies.
16   Deliver me not into the hand of my adversaries, for false witnesses have risen up against me, and also those who speak malice.
17   What if I had not believed that I should see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living!
18   O tarry and await the LORD'S pleasure; be strong, and he shall comfort your heart; wait patiently for the LORD.


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.

The Forward Day by Day Meditation for September 17, 2016

From Forward Day By Day
Written by Jonathan Melton

Psalm 27:11-12 (NRSV) You speak in my heart and say, “Seek my face.” Your face, LORD, will I seek. Hide not your face from me, nor turn away your servant in displeasure.

I stared into the eyes of the kind-faced, wrinkled woman before me. She stared back, seeing nothing. For the last few years, her life’s story had been held by a family she could not remember and lived out in a facility that she could not see. The people who loved her asked me to bring communion to this woman who would not really know if I showed up or not—a woman who could not remember her own name or the names of those she loved. As I prepared communion for us, I looked into her eyes and asked, “Lord, where are you?”

As we began to pray the Lord’s Prayer, it seemed as though a veil lifted. The face of this woman who could not remember transformed into the face of one who deeply knew as she was known, and the joy of that transcendental moment still makes me catch my breath. That we will know and be fully known are among the sweetest promises of being in relationship with Jesus.

These promises carry an acknowledgement that God’s face can be difficult to glimpse in this life. And yet, we seek. Sometimes we glimpse. And we are transformed by joy.

Join more than a half million readers worldwide who use Forward Day by Day as a resource for daily prayer and Bible study.

NIV Devotions for Couples - How True Love Behaves

1 John 3:11–24

Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth. 1 John 3:18

Television personality Art Linkletter once asked a little girl if she knew what true love was. She thought for a moment and then said, “Love is when your mommy reads you a bedtime story. True love is when she doesn’t skip any pages.”

The apostle John would have agreed. It’s easy to pledge love in the heat of passion or during the quiet intimacy of a Valentine’s Day dinner. But true love has to deal with short fuses, tired bodies, overextended commitments and inconvenient interruptions every day. And yet it keeps on giving.

The church at the end of the first century was wrestling with a philosophic aberration of Christian doctrine called Gnosticism. Gnosticism played up the spiritual nature of humanity and downplayed its physical nature. Some select people believed they had a spark of divinity trapped in their flesh. Only the religious elite had the secret information (gnosis means “knowledge”) that would help them transcend their evil flesh. To them, Jesus was a heavenly visitor who came to this world like a ghostly apparition; he never actually became flesh and blood, for all flesh is evil and a divine spirit would never become human. Salvation consisted of secret chants and rituals that prepared one for release into the transcendent world. Gnostics ignored the physical needs of others and disdained those who did not share their secret inspiration.

John wrote about the true Spirit of God, who helps us know that Jesus actually came in the flesh. The “true love” of God put Jesus into our world, not just to float around like a ghostly figure with meaningless chants and rituals, but to struggle with the world’s problems and difficulties as a person of flesh and blood. Such true love helped those who were cold and hungry and in need of shelter. True love dug in and got dirty.

So it is in marriage. One couple I used to know never figured that out. The wife was addicted to romantic novels and TV soap operas. For her a constant flow of romantically charged passion was the only sure sign of love. When her husband came home from a hard day at his job too tired to court her, or when hours of cleaning or cooking took the fairy-tale bliss out of her week, she couldn’t take it. Eventually she filed for divorce. She’s probably still looking for that make-believe kind of happiness.

The apostle John urged the church to believe in a God who physically came into our world to be with us in our struggles. Furthermore, he calls us to imitate God’s love by investing our energy in the day-to-day messiness of the real lives of others. We need to see others—especially our spouses—with our Father’s eyes, touch them with our Savior’s hands and be inspired by the Spirit’s passion as we act out true love.

Wayne Brouwer


Let’s Talk
  • What is the romantic temperature of our relationship? Hot? Lukewarm? Frosty? How does each of us feel about that? Why?
  • How do we express our love for one another in words? How do we express it in deeds and actions?
  • What do we need to keep in mind in those times when we don’t feel like loving? How can actions move our relationship forward when words become meaningless?

Daily Devotional by John Piper - Worship in a Lightning Storm

“For as the lightning flashes and lights up the sky from one side to the other, so will the Son of Man be in his day.” (Luke 17:24)
I was flying at night from Chicago to Minneapolis, almost alone on the plane. The pilot announced that there was a thunderstorm over Lake Michigan and into Wisconsin. He would skirt it to the west to avoid turbulence.

As I sat there staring out into the total blackness, suddenly the whole sky was brilliant with light, and a cavern of white clouds fell away four miles beneath the plane and then vanished.

A second later, a mammoth white tunnel of light exploded from north to south across the horizon, and again vanished into blackness. Soon the lightning was almost constant, and volcanoes of light burst up out of cloud ravines and from behind distant white mountains.

I sat there shaking my head almost in unbelief. O Lord, if these are but the sparks from the sharpening of your sword, what will be the day of your appearing! And I remembered the words of Christ: “As the lightning flashes and lights up the sky from one side to the other, so will the Son of Man be in his day.” (Luke 17:24)

Even now as I recollect that sight, the word glory is full of feeling for me. I thank God that again and again he has awakened my heart to desire him, to see him, and to sit down to the feast of Christian Hedonism and worship the King of Glory. The banquet hall is very large.

Standing Strong Through the Storm - STAND FOR WHAT IS RIGHT

“Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.” Matthew 5:10-11

Jesus assures his followers there is blessing in suffering for what is right. This blessing may take the form of inner peace and joy. This is the meaning of the word translated “blessed” or “happy” in Jesus’ teaching called the Beatitudes (Matthew 5:1-12).

The New Testament writer, James, indicates that pressures are blessings in disguise and should be responded to with joyfulness (James 1:2-3). The MESSAGE paraphrase translates the verses this way: Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors.”

Helen Berhane was severely persecuted in Eritrea’s prison system because she would not deny her faith. No matter what they did, she refused to give in. She explains:

I told the chief, “I cannot abandon my faith. If you puncture a sack of grain, the only thing that pours out is the type of grain that was in the sack. It is the same with me. I can only say what is inside me; everything that is in my heart must come out of my mouth…The more you punish me, the stronger I will be. If you keep hammering on a nail’s head it just becomes harder to pull out of the wall…”

I could not understand how they expected me to stop believing; it was impossible for me. In fact, the guards were making their own situation worse, because people began to ask what was so special about this religion that Christians refused to give it up, and they also believed. Our suffering became a glory for our faith…I am convinced that the number of Christians has doubled or tripled since they closed the churches. So perhaps God is using this terrible situation for his glory.[1]

RESPONSE: Today I will stand for what is right because I know Jesus will be glorified and I will receive a blessing.

PRAYER: Ask God to give strength and courage to those around the world being pressured to deny their faith today.

1. Helen Berhane, Song of the Nightingale (Colorado Springs: Authentic Media, 2009), pp. 70-71.

Un Dia a la Vez - Los ángeles

Fortalézcanse con el gran poder del Señor. Pónganse toda la armadura de Dios para que puedan hacer frente a las artimañas del diablo. (Efesios 6:10-11)

Ayer analizamos que los ángeles existen y la Biblia registra su existencia. Sin embargo, hay personas que se desvían con este asunto. Estudian los ángeles más que la misma Biblia. Los endiosan y hablan de los milagros que hicieron los ángeles en sus vidas. Así que dejan a Dios en un segundo plano. Debemos reconocer que los ángeles existen, pero sin olvidarnos de Dios.

Nada ni nadie debe ser más importante en nuestras vidas que Dios.

Me impresionó mucho saber que el diablo no es como lo pintan: rojo, con cuernos y cola. Resulta que el diablo era un ángel muy hermoso llamado Lucero, o Lucifer, que significa «hijo de la mañana». Su gran pecado fue su enorme egoísmo y su deseo de igualarse a Dios o estar por encima de Él. Deseaba que lo adoraran y le reconocieran como a Dios.

A raíz de esto, se formó una gran batalla en el cielo y expulsaron de allí a Lucifer y la tercera parte de ellos, a los que se les conoce como ángeles caídos. A partir de ese momento, Satanás se convirtió en el príncipe de este mundo que solo desea robar, matar y destruir.

Por eso debemos entender que el enemigo quiere siempre hacernos daño. Entonces, cuando nos quiere tentar y hacer caer, se presenta con cosas agradables y llamativas, pues quiere engañarnos.

Por eso, mi invitación hoy es a que nos pongamos la armadura de Dios, a fin de estar firme contra todas las cosas que trama el diablo en nuestra contra.

Verse of the Day - September 17, 2016


Ephesians 5:1 (NIV) Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children

Read all of Ephesians 5

Our Daily Bread - The Survival Float


By Jennifer Benson Schuldt

Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you. Psalm 55:22

Sunlight glittered on the swimming pool in front of me. I overheard an instructor speaking to a student who had been in the water for quite a while. He said, “It looks like you’re getting tired. When you’re exhausted and in deep water, try the survival float.”

Certain situations in life require us to spend our mental, physical, or emotional energy in a way that we can’t sustain. David described a time when his enemies were threatening him and he felt the emotional weight of their anger. He needed to escape the distress he was experiencing.

As he processed his feelings, he found a way to rest in his troubled thoughts. He said, “Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you” (Ps. 55:22). He recognized that God supports us if we dare to release our problems to Him. We don’t have to take charge of every situation and try to craft the outcome—that’s exhausting! God is in control of every aspect of our life.

Instead of trying to do everything in our own effort, we can find rest in God. Sometimes it’s as simple as asking Him to handle our problems. Then we can pause, relax, and enjoy the knowledge that He is sustaining us.

God, today I give my problems to You. I know that You are in control of everything and I believe You are willing to help me. Please help me to find peace in You.

God is a safe resting place.

© 2016 Our Daily Bread Ministries

Nuestro Pan Diario - El flotador

Leer: Salmo 55:4-23 | La Biblia en un año: Proverbios 27-29; 2 Corintios 10

Por Jennifer Benson Schuldt

Encomienda al Señor tus afanes, y él te sostendrá (Salmos 55:22).

L a luz del sol brillaba sobre la piscina frente a mí. Oí que un instructor le hablaba a un estudiante que había estado en el agua bastante tiempo. Dijo: «Parece que te estás cansando. Cuando estés agotado y en agua profunda, usa el flotador».

Ciertas situaciones en la vida nos obligan a utilizar nuestra energía mental, física o emocional de una manera que no podemos sostener. David describió una ocasión en que sus enemigos lo amenazaban y sentía el peso emocional de esa ira. Necesitaba escapar de la angustia que experimentaba.

Mientras procesaba lo que sentía, descubrió una forma de hallar descanso de sus atribulados pensamientos: «Encomienda al Señor tus afanes, y él te sostendrá» (Salmo 55:22). Reconoció que Dios nos sostiene si nos atrevemos a entregarle nuestros problemas. No tenemos que encargarnos de cada situación y tratar de orquestar el resultado. ¡Eso es agotador! Dios está en control de cada aspecto de nuestra vida.

En vez de tratar de hacer todo con nuestros propios esfuerzos, podemos encontrar descanso en el Señor. A veces, es tan simple como pedirle que maneje nuestros problemas. Entonces, podemos hacer una pausa, relajarnos y disfrutar de saber que Él nos sostiene.

Dios, hoy te entrego mis problemas.

Dios es un lugar de descanso seguro.

© 2016 Ministerios Nuestro Pan Diario

Хлеб наш насущный - Спасательный жилет

Читать сейчас: Псалом 54:5-24 | Библия за год: Притчи 27-29; 1 Коринфянам 9

автор: Дженифер Бенсон Шульдт

Возложи на Господа заботы твои, и Он поддержит тебя. Никогда не даст Он поколебаться праведнику. Псалом 54:23

Солнечные блики играли на поверхности бассейна. Краем уха я услышала, как инструктор обращался к студенту, который уже много времени провел в воде. Он говорил: «Похоже, вы устали. Если это случится на глубине, задействуйте спасательный жилет».

Некоторые обстоятельства жизни требуют от нас чрезмерного умственного, телесного и эмоционального напряжения. Давид пишет о времени, когда он был окружен врагами и чувствовал неподъемную тяжесть их гнева. Нужно было найти способ избавления.

Размышляя о своем положении, он понял, как обрести душевный покой: «Возложи на Господа заботы твои, и Он поддержит тебя» (Пс. 54:23). Он узнал, что Бог поддерживает нас, если мы свои проблемы предаем Ему. Не нужно принимать на себя тяжесть всех невзгод и пытаться повлиять на исход. Это слишком тяжело. Лучше вспомнить, что над всеми областями жизни господствует Бог, и довериться Его заботе.

Вместо того чтобы решать проблемы своими силами, мы можем обрести покой в Боге. Зачастую это значит просто попросить Его позаботиться о наших нуждах. А потом остановиться, успокоиться и порадоваться тому, что Он заботится о нас.

Боже, я предаю свои заботы Тебе. Я знаю, что Ты управляешь всем, и верю, что Ты хочешь мне помочь. Дай мне найти мир в Тебе.

Бог – безопасное убежище.

© 2016 Хлеб Наш Насущный

Notre Pain Quotidien - La flotte de survie

Lisez : Psaumes 55:4-23 | La Bible en un an : Proverbes 27 – 29 et 2 Corinthiens 10

par Jennifer Benson Schuldt

Remets ton sort à l’Éternel, et il te soutiendra. (Psaumes 55:22)

Le soleil faisait miroiter l’eau de la piscine devant moi. J’ai entendu un moniteur parler à un élève qui était dans l’eau depuis assez longtemps : « Tu sembles commencer à être fatigué. Quand tu es en eau profonde et épuisé, essaie la flotte de survie. »

Certaines situations dans la vie exigent que nous dépensions plus d’énergie mentale, physique et émotionnelle que nous n’en possédons. David a décrit une époque où il a dû supporter le poids émotionnel de la colère des ennemis qui menaçaient sa vie. Il éprouvait le besoin d’échapper à la détresse qui en résultait.

En cherchant à dominer ses sentiments, il est parvenu à trouver le repos en dépit de son esprit agité et à affirmer : « Remets ton sort à l’Éternel, et il te soutiendra » (PS 55.22). Il a ainsi reconnu que, si nous veillons à remettre nos problèmes entre ses mains, Dieu nous soutiendra. Nul besoin de prendre sur vous toutes les situations en vous efforçant d’y trouver une issue favorable, car ce serait épuisant à la longue ! Sachez que Dieu est aux commandes de chaque sphère de notre vie.

Au lieu de chercher à tout faire par nos propres forces, nous pouvons trouver le repos en Dieu. Il suffit parfois de lui demander de régler nos problèmes, pour ensuite nous arrêter, nous reposer et jouir du fait de savoir qu’il nous soutient.

Dieu est un refuge sûr en qui se reposer.

© 2016 Ministères NPQ