Tuesday, January 24, 2017
Teacher of the Gentiles - Fearfully and Wonderfully Made, Day 14
What does the Bible have to say about prejudice? What messages of love does God have for all the people and cultures He created? What opportunities does a diverse church of today have in a society still troubled by racism?
The two-week Fearfully and Wonderfully Made daily devotional—based on passages from the NKJV Modern Life Study Bible—will guide you through a series of Biblical excerpts focused on confronting ethnic prejudice. You'll walk through both the Old and New Testaments, discovering a tapestry of cultural connections throughout the historical richness of Scripture and learn about God's promises of love to those who face discrimination and prejudice. From the call of Abraham to the Samaritan woman at the well, find out how the God of Israel has shown himself to be the God of all tribes and nations.
Today’s reading is drawn from 2 Timothy 1:10-11.
Paul was proud of his ethnic heritage, openly embracing his Jewish background and connection to his “forefathers,” people of faith such as Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, and David.
At first this seems to contradict Paul’s earlier words when he called that same background a “loss” and “rubbish” compared to the richness of knowing Christ (Phil. 3:4–8). At times he did harshly criticize his culture, but only at the points where it fostered self-righteous pride, exclusive attitudes, and belief in salvation through keeping rules rather than by faith in Christ. In reality Paul had a healthy perspective of his roots. He valued the positive aspects of his heritage while rejecting its negative sides.
This outlook might have made Paul particularly effective as a “teacher of the Gentiles” (2 Tim. 1:11), a remarkable calling given his training as a Pharisee. As God helped Paul reassess his own ethnicity, He also transformed his disdain for non-Jews. Once Paul understood his own identity, he no longer felt threatened by people of other cultures.
Paul had much to offer Timothy, who came from a mixed background of Jew and Gentile (Acts 16:1–3). He also helps us understand our own backgrounds and the spirit of acceptance we should adopt as members of a diverse culture where racial and ethnic tensions run high.
More: God never asks us to reject our roots. No matter how our culture regards our heritage, we can affirm it as a gift from Him.
This devotional is drawn from the Modern Life Study Bible. Used by permission.
LHM Daily Devotion - "God's Way or Man's Way"
January 25, 2017
The fool says in his heart, "There is no God." They are corrupt, doing abominable iniquity; there is none who does good. - Psalm 53:1
You don't like being depressed, do you? Of course you don't; neither do I. But I did get depressed when I recently read a quote from Bertrand Russell's 1903 essay: "A Free Man's Worship." Let me share a few excerpts and, when I'm done, you tell me how you feel.
Russell wrote, "The life of Man is a long march through the night, surrounded by invisible foes, tortured by weariness and pain, towards a goal that few can hope to reach, and where none may tarry long. One by one, as they march, our comrades vanish from our sight, seized by the silent orders of omnipotent Death. ... let us remember that they are fellow-sufferers in the same darkness, actors in the same tragedy as ourselves. ... Brief and powerless is Man's life; on him and all his race the slow, sure doom falls pitiless and dark. ...."
That's the quote. How did Mr. Russell make you feel? Can you believe he was urging people to make the most of every day? Somehow he seems to have missed the mark.
Still there are many who have come to the conclusion that Mr. Russell was absolutely right in believing that a person lives his life trying to make the best of a bad situation. He tries and then he dies.
That's it. That's the end.
Years ago I had the funeral of a young man. Afterward, I visited the family. It was a good visit until the mother said, "You know, I wish I could believe what you said at our son's funeral, but I can't. I believe that you live, and you die, and that's it. I'm going to cry for my son and for all of us who are going to miss him, but I'm not going to try and pretend we're going to get together someday in one long, never-ending reunion. It's just not going to happen."
That mother, along with much of this world, holds fast to the creed which says, "Here today, gone tomorrow." Those who adhere to such a philosophy think that Christianity is a crutch, a spiritual support, a mental prop that holds up those who aren't strong enough, smart enough, able enough to face life's troubles and tragedies, struggles and scuffles, on their own.
They believe the Christian religion is utter gibberish, total nonsense: a mighty mass of inconsistencies, a hodgepodge of the ridiculous, ludicrous and preposterous.
Well, Christianity and the Savior are something different to me.
First, it is the true story of how God wishes to save us. Internal proofs and external evidences prove God's Son lived, died and rose, so we might be rescued. Jesus is proof that the Triune God is omnipotent, and death -- as Mr. Russell believes -- is not.
Next, it is the only narrative that guarantees salvation to those who have been washed of their sins in the Savior's blood.
And, of course, the idea of the Savior taking me to a place where there are no more tears is far more comforting than Russell's "long march through the night."
THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, the skeptic and cynic try to divest themselves of Your love and separate themselves from the Savior. Grant they may realize the truth of Your love and the extent of their mistake. In Jesus' Name I ask it. 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.
The fool says in his heart, "There is no God." They are corrupt, doing abominable iniquity; there is none who does good. - Psalm 53:1
You don't like being depressed, do you? Of course you don't; neither do I. But I did get depressed when I recently read a quote from Bertrand Russell's 1903 essay: "A Free Man's Worship." Let me share a few excerpts and, when I'm done, you tell me how you feel.
Russell wrote, "The life of Man is a long march through the night, surrounded by invisible foes, tortured by weariness and pain, towards a goal that few can hope to reach, and where none may tarry long. One by one, as they march, our comrades vanish from our sight, seized by the silent orders of omnipotent Death. ... let us remember that they are fellow-sufferers in the same darkness, actors in the same tragedy as ourselves. ... Brief and powerless is Man's life; on him and all his race the slow, sure doom falls pitiless and dark. ...."
That's the quote. How did Mr. Russell make you feel? Can you believe he was urging people to make the most of every day? Somehow he seems to have missed the mark.
Still there are many who have come to the conclusion that Mr. Russell was absolutely right in believing that a person lives his life trying to make the best of a bad situation. He tries and then he dies.
That's it. That's the end.
Years ago I had the funeral of a young man. Afterward, I visited the family. It was a good visit until the mother said, "You know, I wish I could believe what you said at our son's funeral, but I can't. I believe that you live, and you die, and that's it. I'm going to cry for my son and for all of us who are going to miss him, but I'm not going to try and pretend we're going to get together someday in one long, never-ending reunion. It's just not going to happen."
That mother, along with much of this world, holds fast to the creed which says, "Here today, gone tomorrow." Those who adhere to such a philosophy think that Christianity is a crutch, a spiritual support, a mental prop that holds up those who aren't strong enough, smart enough, able enough to face life's troubles and tragedies, struggles and scuffles, on their own.
They believe the Christian religion is utter gibberish, total nonsense: a mighty mass of inconsistencies, a hodgepodge of the ridiculous, ludicrous and preposterous.
Well, Christianity and the Savior are something different to me.
First, it is the true story of how God wishes to save us. Internal proofs and external evidences prove God's Son lived, died and rose, so we might be rescued. Jesus is proof that the Triune God is omnipotent, and death -- as Mr. Russell believes -- is not.
Next, it is the only narrative that guarantees salvation to those who have been washed of their sins in the Savior's blood.
And, of course, the idea of the Savior taking me to a place where there are no more tears is far more comforting than Russell's "long march through the night."
THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, the skeptic and cynic try to divest themselves of Your love and separate themselves from the Savior. Grant they may realize the truth of Your love and the extent of their mistake. In Jesus' Name I ask it. Amen.
Use these devotions in your newsletter and bulletin! Used by permission; all rights reserved by the Int'l LLL (LHM). The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Permanent Text Edition® (2016). Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
CPTLN Devocional - Vengan a la fiesta
25 de Enero 2017
Volvió el rey a enviar otros siervos, y les dijo: 'Díganles a los invitados que ya he preparado el banquete; que he matado mis toros y animales engordados, y que todo está dispuesto. Que vengan a la fiesta.'" Mateo 22:4
"Dios ayuda a quien se ayuda a sí mismo."
¿Sabe en qué parte de la Biblia se encuentra esa frase? Si su respuesta es que esa frase no se encuentra en la Biblia, le felicito. Si por el contrario todavía está tratando de pensar en qué libro de la Biblia se encuentra, no piense más, porque la Biblia no dice eso, por más que la mayoría de las personas así lo cree.
Se me ocurre que una pareja de Pennsylvania se encuentra entre este último grupo. Hace unos días, ambos fueron arrestados por robar, luego de que sus imágenes fueran captadas por una cámara de seguridad. Según se puede ver, robaron alimentos de un supermercado por el monto de más de mil dólares.
¿Saben qué iba a hacer esa pareja de recién casados con esos alimentos? Iban a utilizarlos para alimentar a los invitados a la fiesta de casamiento... algo muy diferente del ejemplo de Jesús en su parábola, en donde el hombre había preparado sus propios animales.
Cuando servía como pastor, a menudo encontraba parejas que, al igual que ésta, tenían las prioridades equivocadas. Algunas se preocupaban más con el largo de la iglesia que con el mensaje que el pastor iba a dar. Otras invertían más tiempo eligiendo el vestido, la torta, o las invitaciones, que eligiendo la iglesia a la que pertenecerían una vez casados. Y mucho más tiempo se invertía en preparar el casamiento, que en hacer que el matrimonio funcionara.
Casi siempre es malo tener las prioridades equivocadas.
Damos gracias porque Jesús nos sugiere cómo debería ser nuestra lista de prioridades. En Mateo 6, Jesús dice: "... busquen primeramente el reino de Dios y su justicia, y todas estas cosas les serán añadidas" (v. 33). Solteros o casados, a todos nos vendría bien seguir el consejo de Jesús.
Cuando seguimos al Salvador, todas las demás cosas se acomodan. Cuando seguimos al Salvador, los problemas y las cargas de la vida se hacen soportables. Cuando seguimos al Salvador tenemos perdón, esperanza y vida eterna.
ORACIÓN: Señor Jesús, tú nunca te olvidaste que tu prioridad al venir a este mundo era salvar las almas perdidas. Ayúdame para que nunca me olvide de tenerte a ti en primer lugar en mi vida. En tu nombre. Amén.
© Copyright 2017 Cristo Para Todas Las Naciones. Reina Valera Contemporánea (RVC) Copyright © 2009, 2011 by Sociedades Bíblicas Unidas
Volvió el rey a enviar otros siervos, y les dijo: 'Díganles a los invitados que ya he preparado el banquete; que he matado mis toros y animales engordados, y que todo está dispuesto. Que vengan a la fiesta.'" Mateo 22:4
"Dios ayuda a quien se ayuda a sí mismo."
¿Sabe en qué parte de la Biblia se encuentra esa frase? Si su respuesta es que esa frase no se encuentra en la Biblia, le felicito. Si por el contrario todavía está tratando de pensar en qué libro de la Biblia se encuentra, no piense más, porque la Biblia no dice eso, por más que la mayoría de las personas así lo cree.
Se me ocurre que una pareja de Pennsylvania se encuentra entre este último grupo. Hace unos días, ambos fueron arrestados por robar, luego de que sus imágenes fueran captadas por una cámara de seguridad. Según se puede ver, robaron alimentos de un supermercado por el monto de más de mil dólares.
¿Saben qué iba a hacer esa pareja de recién casados con esos alimentos? Iban a utilizarlos para alimentar a los invitados a la fiesta de casamiento... algo muy diferente del ejemplo de Jesús en su parábola, en donde el hombre había preparado sus propios animales.
Cuando servía como pastor, a menudo encontraba parejas que, al igual que ésta, tenían las prioridades equivocadas. Algunas se preocupaban más con el largo de la iglesia que con el mensaje que el pastor iba a dar. Otras invertían más tiempo eligiendo el vestido, la torta, o las invitaciones, que eligiendo la iglesia a la que pertenecerían una vez casados. Y mucho más tiempo se invertía en preparar el casamiento, que en hacer que el matrimonio funcionara.
Casi siempre es malo tener las prioridades equivocadas.
Damos gracias porque Jesús nos sugiere cómo debería ser nuestra lista de prioridades. En Mateo 6, Jesús dice: "... busquen primeramente el reino de Dios y su justicia, y todas estas cosas les serán añadidas" (v. 33). Solteros o casados, a todos nos vendría bien seguir el consejo de Jesús.
Cuando seguimos al Salvador, todas las demás cosas se acomodan. Cuando seguimos al Salvador, los problemas y las cargas de la vida se hacen soportables. Cuando seguimos al Salvador tenemos perdón, esperanza y vida eterna.
ORACIÓN: Señor Jesús, tú nunca te olvidaste que tu prioridad al venir a este mundo era salvar las almas perdidas. Ayúdame para que nunca me olvide de tenerte a ti en primer lugar en mi vida. En tu nombre. Amén.
© Copyright 2017 Cristo Para Todas Las Naciones. Reina Valera Contemporánea (RVC) Copyright © 2009, 2011 by Sociedades Bíblicas Unidas
Our Daily Bread - Thunder and Lightning
Read: Psalm 29 | Bible in a Year: Exodus 12–13; Matthew 16
The voice of the Lord strikes with flashes of lightning. Psalm 29:7
Many years ago a friend and I were fishing a series of beaver ponds when it started to rain. We took cover under a nearby grove of quaking aspen, but the rain continued to fall. So we decided to call it a day and run for the truck. I had just opened the door when lightning struck the aspen grove with a thunderous fireball that stripped leaves and bark off the trees, leaving a few limbs smoldering. And then there was silence.
We were shaken and awed.
Lightning flashes and thunder rolls across our Idaho valley. I love it—despite my close call. I love the raw power. Voltage! Percussion! Shock and awe! The earth and everything in it trembles and shakes. And then there is peace.
I love lightning and thunder primarily because they are symbols of God's voice (Job 37:4), speaking with stupendous, irresistible power through His Word. “The voice of the Lord strikes with flashes of lightning . . . The Lord gives strength to his people; the Lord blesses his people with peace” (Ps. 29:7, 11). He gives strength to endure, to be patient, to be kind, to sit quietly, to get up and go, to do nothing at all.
May the God of peace be with you.
© 2017 Our Daily Bread Ministries
The voice of the Lord strikes with flashes of lightning. Psalm 29:7
Many years ago a friend and I were fishing a series of beaver ponds when it started to rain. We took cover under a nearby grove of quaking aspen, but the rain continued to fall. So we decided to call it a day and run for the truck. I had just opened the door when lightning struck the aspen grove with a thunderous fireball that stripped leaves and bark off the trees, leaving a few limbs smoldering. And then there was silence.
We were shaken and awed.
Lightning flashes and thunder rolls across our Idaho valley. I love it—despite my close call. I love the raw power. Voltage! Percussion! Shock and awe! The earth and everything in it trembles and shakes. And then there is peace.
I love lightning and thunder primarily because they are symbols of God's voice (Job 37:4), speaking with stupendous, irresistible power through His Word. “The voice of the Lord strikes with flashes of lightning . . . The Lord gives strength to his people; the Lord blesses his people with peace” (Ps. 29:7, 11). He gives strength to endure, to be patient, to be kind, to sit quietly, to get up and go, to do nothing at all.
May the God of peace be with you.
Calm my spirit in the storms, Lord. Grant me Your peace and the strength to walk through this day.
Faith connects our weakness to God's strength.
By David Roper
© 2017 Our Daily Bread Ministries
Nuestro Pan Diario - Truenos y relámpagos
Leer: Salmo 29 | La Biblia en un año: Mateo 16
Voz del Señor que derrama llamas de fuego (Salmo 29:7).
Hace muchos años, pescaba con un amigo en una laguna, cuando
empezó a llover. Nos refugiamos en un bosque de álamos, pero la lluvia
no cesaba. Entonces, decidimos dar por terminado el día y correr hasta
la camioneta. Acababa de abrir la puerta, cuando un relámpago cayó como
una bola de fuego en el bosque, tronando y arrancando las ramas de los
árboles, y dejándolas ardiendo. Después, reinó el silencio.
Quedamos temblando y pasmados.
Los relámpagos destellan y los truenos recorren nuestro valle de
Idaho, en Estados Unidos, y eso me encanta… a pesar de lo que me pasó.
Disfruto al ver el poder en su máxima expresión. ¡Voltaje! ¡Estridencia!
¡Conmoción y pavor! La tierra y todo lo que hay en ella tiembla y se
sacude. Luego, viene la quietud.
Básicamente, me encantan los relámpagos y los truenos porque son
símbolos de la voz de Dios (Job 37:4), que habla con un poder estupendo e
irresistible a través de su Palabra: «Voz del Señor que derrama llamas
de fuego; […] el Señor dará poder a su pueblo; el Señor bendecirá a su
pueblo con paz» (Salmo 29:7, 11). El Señor da fuerzas para soportar, ser
pacientes y bondadosos, sentarnos en silencio, levantarnos y andar, y
no hacer nada en absoluto.
Que la paz de Dios sea contigo.
Señor, aquieta mi espíritu en las tormentas de la vida y dame fuerzas para atravesarlas.
La fe conecta nuestra debilidad con la fortaleza de Dios.
Por David H. Roper
Unser Täglich Brot - Donner und Blitz
Lesen: Psalm 29 | Die Bibel In Einem Jahr: 2.Mose 12–13; Matthäus 16
Die Stimme des Herrn sprüht Feuerflammen. Psalm 29,7
Vor vielen Jahren war ich mit einem Freund an ein paar Fischteichen zum Angeln, als es zu regnen begann. In der Nähe war ein kleines Wäldchen mit Zitterpappeln. Dort suchten wir Unterschlupf, aber der Regen hörte nicht auf. Also beschlossen wir, den Ausflug abzubrechen und zum Auto zu rennen. Ich hatte gerade die Tür aufgemacht, als ein Blitz in die Pappeln fuhr und ein Feuerball unter gewaltigem Donner Blätter und Rinde von den Bäumen fraß und in den Ästen weiterschwelte. Dann war es still.
Wir waren total erschüttert.
Blitz und Donner suchen unser Tal regelmäßig heim. Ich liebe das—obwohl ich ihnen nur knapp entkommen war. Aber ich liebe die rohe Gewalt. Die Spannung! Den Hall! Angst und Zittern! Die Erde und alles, was darinnen ist, bebt und wackelt. Und dann ist Friede.
Ich liebe Blitz und Donner vor allem, weil sie ein Symbol für Gottes Stimme sind (Hiob 37,4), die mit enormer, unwiderstehlicher Kraft durch sein Wort spricht. „Die Stimme des Herrn sprüht Feuerflammen . . . Der Herr wird seinem Volk Kraft geben; der Herr wird sein Volk segnen mit Frieden“ (Ps. 29,7.11). Er gibt uns Kraft zum Durchhalten, zum geduldig und freundlich sein, zum Stillsitzen und Aufstehen, zum Gehen und auch zum einmal gar nichts tun.
Gottes Friede sei mit dir.
© 2017 Unser Täglich Brot
Die Stimme des Herrn sprüht Feuerflammen. Psalm 29,7
Vor vielen Jahren war ich mit einem Freund an ein paar Fischteichen zum Angeln, als es zu regnen begann. In der Nähe war ein kleines Wäldchen mit Zitterpappeln. Dort suchten wir Unterschlupf, aber der Regen hörte nicht auf. Also beschlossen wir, den Ausflug abzubrechen und zum Auto zu rennen. Ich hatte gerade die Tür aufgemacht, als ein Blitz in die Pappeln fuhr und ein Feuerball unter gewaltigem Donner Blätter und Rinde von den Bäumen fraß und in den Ästen weiterschwelte. Dann war es still.
Wir waren total erschüttert.
Blitz und Donner suchen unser Tal regelmäßig heim. Ich liebe das—obwohl ich ihnen nur knapp entkommen war. Aber ich liebe die rohe Gewalt. Die Spannung! Den Hall! Angst und Zittern! Die Erde und alles, was darinnen ist, bebt und wackelt. Und dann ist Friede.
Ich liebe Blitz und Donner vor allem, weil sie ein Symbol für Gottes Stimme sind (Hiob 37,4), die mit enormer, unwiderstehlicher Kraft durch sein Wort spricht. „Die Stimme des Herrn sprüht Feuerflammen . . . Der Herr wird seinem Volk Kraft geben; der Herr wird sein Volk segnen mit Frieden“ (Ps. 29,7.11). Er gibt uns Kraft zum Durchhalten, zum geduldig und freundlich sein, zum Stillsitzen und Aufstehen, zum Gehen und auch zum einmal gar nichts tun.
Gottes Friede sei mit dir.
Mach mich ruhig in den Stürmen, Herr. Schenk mir deinen Frieden und Kraft für diesen Tag.
Der Glaube verbindet unsere Schwäche mit Gottes Stärke.
Von David Roper
© 2017 Unser Täglich Brot
Хлеб наш насущный - Гром и молния
Читать сейчас: Псалом 28 | Библия за год: Исход 12-13; Матфея 16
Глас Господа высекает пламень огня. — Псалом 28:7
Много лет назад мы с другом рыбачили на бобровых озерах. Начался дождь, и мы попытались укрыться в небольшой осиновой рощице. Но дождь усилился, и мы решили, что лучше нам убраться восвояси. Только я открыл дверь машины, как мощный разряд молнии ударил прямо в рощицу, где мы только что прятались. Тут же грянул такой раскат грома, что листья и даже кора слетели с деревьев, оставив лишь обугленные сучья. А затем настала полная тишина.
Мы замерли в трепете.
Вспышки молний и грохот грома в штате Айдахо – не редкость. Мне это нравится, несмотря на пережитое в роще. Я люблю мощь природы. Напряжение! Звук! Страх и трепет! Земля и все на ней дрожит и колеблется. А затем тишина.
Но главная причина моей любви к грому и молнии заключается в том, что это символы голоса Бога (Иов 37:4), говорящего мощно и неотразимо со страниц Священного Писания. «Глас Господа высекает пламень огня... Господь даст силу народу Своему, Господь благословит народ Свой миром» (Пс. 28:7, 11). Он дарует силу, чтобы устоять в испытаниях, быть терпеливым, добрым и спокойным, чтобы встать и идти, а также чтобы иногда успокоиться и не делать ничего, доверившись Ему.
Пусть Божий мир пребудет с вами.
© 2017 Хлеб Наш Насущный
Глас Господа высекает пламень огня. — Псалом 28:7
Много лет назад мы с другом рыбачили на бобровых озерах. Начался дождь, и мы попытались укрыться в небольшой осиновой рощице. Но дождь усилился, и мы решили, что лучше нам убраться восвояси. Только я открыл дверь машины, как мощный разряд молнии ударил прямо в рощицу, где мы только что прятались. Тут же грянул такой раскат грома, что листья и даже кора слетели с деревьев, оставив лишь обугленные сучья. А затем настала полная тишина.
Мы замерли в трепете.
Вспышки молний и грохот грома в штате Айдахо – не редкость. Мне это нравится, несмотря на пережитое в роще. Я люблю мощь природы. Напряжение! Звук! Страх и трепет! Земля и все на ней дрожит и колеблется. А затем тишина.
Но главная причина моей любви к грому и молнии заключается в том, что это символы голоса Бога (Иов 37:4), говорящего мощно и неотразимо со страниц Священного Писания. «Глас Господа высекает пламень огня... Господь даст силу народу Своему, Господь благословит народ Свой миром» (Пс. 28:7, 11). Он дарует силу, чтобы устоять в испытаниях, быть терпеливым, добрым и спокойным, чтобы встать и идти, а также чтобы иногда успокоиться и не делать ничего, доверившись Ему.
Пусть Божий мир пребудет с вами.
Успокой мой дух в бурях, Господь. Даруй мне Твой мир и силу, чтобы прожить этот день.
Вера связывает нашу слабость с Божьей силой.
автор: Дэвид Роупер
© 2017 Хлеб Наш Насущный
Notre Pain Quotidien - Éclairs et tonnerre
Lisez : Psaume 29 | La Bible en un an : Exode 12 – 13 et Matthieu 16
La voix de l’Éternel fait jaillir des flammes de feu. (Psaume 29.7)
Il y a plusieurs années, un ami et moi
pêchions dans des étangs à castors quand il s’est mis à pleuvoir. Nous
nous sommes alors abrités dans un bosquet de peupliers. Comme la pluie
ne cessait de tomber, nous avons décidé de mettre fin à notre journée de
pêche et sommes retournés à la camionnette au pas de course. Or, je
venais tout juste d’ouvrir ma portière lorsqu’un éclair s’est abattu sur
le bosquet dans une boule de feu très bruyante qui a dénudé les arbres
de leurs feuilles et de leur écorce, ne leur laissant que quelques
branches fumantes. Puis ce fut le silence.
Du coup, nous en avons été sous le choc et remplis d’admiration.
Éclairs et tonnerre ont frappé un peu partout dans notre vallée de l’Idaho. Et tout cela me plaît beaucoup, même si j’ai passé près d’y rester. J’aime entendre la puissance brute se déchaîner. Le haut voltage ! La percussion ! Le choc et l’admiration ! La terre et tout ce qu’elle renferme tremblent et frémissent au bruit du tonnerre. Puis vient la paix.
Cela me plaît surtout parce qu’il symbolise la voix de Dieu (JOB 37.4), qui s’exprime dans sa Parole avec une puissance stupéfiante et irrésistible. « La voix de l’Éternel fait jaillir des flammes de feu. […] L’Éternel donne la force à son peuple ; l’Éternel bénit son peuple et le rend heureux » (PS 29.7,11). Il nous donne la force tant de persévérer que de patienter, d’user de bonté, de rester calmes, de nous lever et de ne rien faire.
Que la paix de Dieu soit avec vous !
Du coup, nous en avons été sous le choc et remplis d’admiration.
Éclairs et tonnerre ont frappé un peu partout dans notre vallée de l’Idaho. Et tout cela me plaît beaucoup, même si j’ai passé près d’y rester. J’aime entendre la puissance brute se déchaîner. Le haut voltage ! La percussion ! Le choc et l’admiration ! La terre et tout ce qu’elle renferme tremblent et frémissent au bruit du tonnerre. Puis vient la paix.
Cela me plaît surtout parce qu’il symbolise la voix de Dieu (JOB 37.4), qui s’exprime dans sa Parole avec une puissance stupéfiante et irrésistible. « La voix de l’Éternel fait jaillir des flammes de feu. […] L’Éternel donne la force à son peuple ; l’Éternel bénit son peuple et le rend heureux » (PS 29.7,11). Il nous donne la force tant de persévérer que de patienter, d’user de bonté, de rester calmes, de nous lever et de ne rien faire.
Que la paix de Dieu soit avec vous !
La foi branche nos faiblesses sur la force de Dieu.
par David Roper
© 2017 Ministères NPQ
The Daily Readings for TUESDAY, January 24, 2017
The Old Testament Reading
Isaiah 48:12-21Listen to me, O Jacob, and Israel, whom I called: I am He; I am the first, and I am the last. My hand laid the foundation of the earth, and my right hand spread out the heavens; when I summon them, they stand at attention. Assemble, all of you, and hear! Who among them has declared these things? The LORD loves him; he shall perform his purpose on Babylon, and his arm shall be against the Chaldeans. I, even I, have spoken and called him, I have brought him, and he will prosper in his way. Draw near to me, hear this! From the beginning I have not spoken in secret, from the time it came to be I have been there. And now the Lord GOD has sent me and his spirit. Thus says the LORD, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: I am the LORD your God, who teaches you for your own good, who leads you in the way you should go. O that you had paid attention to my commandments! Then your prosperity would have been like a river, and your success like the waves of the sea; your offspring would have been like the sand, and your descendants like its grains; their name would never be cut off or destroyed from before me. Go out from Babylon, flee from Chaldea, declare this with a shout of joy, proclaim it, send it forth to the end of the earth; say, "The LORD has redeemed his servant Jacob!" They did not thirst when he led them through the deserts; he made water flow for them from the rock; he split open the rock and the water gushed out.
This is the Word of the Lord
The Epistle Reading
Galatians 1:18-2:10Then after three years I did go up to Jerusalem to visit Cephas and stayed with him fifteen days; but I did not see any other apostle except James the Lord's brother. In what I am writing to you, before God, I do not lie! Then I went into the regions of Syria and Cilicia, and I was still unknown by sight to the churches of Judea that are in Christ; they only heard it said, "The one who formerly was persecuting us is now proclaiming the faith he once tried to destroy." And they glorified God because of me. Then after fourteen years I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, taking Titus along with me. I went up in response to a revelation. Then I laid before them (though only in a private meeting with the acknowledged leaders) the gospel that I proclaim among the Gentiles, in order to make sure that I was not running, or had not run, in vain. But even Titus, who was with me, was not compelled to be circumcised, though he was a Greek. But because of false believers secretly brought in, who slipped in to spy on the freedom we have in Christ Jesus, so that they might enslave us-- we did not submit to them even for a moment, so that the truth of the gospel might always remain with you. And from those who were supposed to be acknowledged leaders (what they actually were makes no difference to me; God shows no partiality)-- those leaders contributed nothing to me. On the contrary, when they saw that I had been entrusted with the gospel for the uncircumcised, just as Peter had been entrusted with the gospel for the circumcised (for he who worked through Peter making him an apostle to the circumcised also worked through me in sending me to the Gentiles), and when James and Cephas and John, who were acknowledged pillars, recognized the grace that had been given to me, they gave to Barnabas and me the right hand of fellowship, agreeing that we should go to the Gentiles and they to the circumcised. They asked only one thing, that we remember the poor, which was actually what I was eager to do.
This is the Word of the Lord
The Holy Gospel Reading
Mark 6:1-13He left that place and came to his hometown, and his disciples followed him. On the sabbath he began to teach in the synagogue, and many who heard him were astounded. They said, "Where did this man get all this? What is this wisdom that has been given to him? What deeds of power are being done by his hands! Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon, and are not his sisters here with us?" And they took offense at him. Then Jesus said to them, "Prophets are not without honor, except in their hometown, and among their own kin, and in their own house." And he could do no deed of power there, except that he laid his hands on a few sick people and cured them. And he was amazed at their unbelief. Then he went about among the villages teaching. He called the twelve and began to send them out two by two, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits. He ordered them to take nothing for their journey except a staff; no bread, no bag, no money in their belts; but to wear sandals and not to put on two tunics. He said to them, "Wherever you enter a house, stay there until you leave the place. If any place will not welcome you and they refuse to hear you, as you leave, shake off the dust that is on your feet as a testimony against them." So they went out and proclaimed that all should repent. They cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many who were sick and cured them.
Here ends the Gospel reading for today.
Morning Psalms
Psalm 45 Eructavit cor meum1 My heart is stirring with a noble song; let me recite what I have fashioned for the king; my tongue shall be the pen of a skilled writer.
2 You are the fairest of men; grace flows from your lips, because God has blessed you for ever.
3 Strap your sword upon your thigh, O mighty warrior, in your pride and in your majesty.
4 Ride out and conquer in the cause of truth and for the sake of justice.
5 Your right hand will show you marvelous things; your arrows are very sharp, O mighty warrior.
6 The peoples are falling at your feet, and the king's enemies are losing heart.
7 Your throne, O God, endures for ever and ever, a scepter of righteousness is the scepter of your kingdom; you love righteousness and hate iniquity.
8 Therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness above your fellows.
9 All your garments are fragrant with myrrh, aloes, and cassia, and the music of strings from ivory palaces makes you glad.
10 Kings' daughters stand among the ladies of the court; on your right hand is the queen, adorned with the gold of Ophir.
11 Hear, O daughter; consider and listen closely; forget your people and your father's house.
12 The king will have pleasure in your beauty; he is your master; therefore do him honor.
13 The people of Tyre are here with a gift; the rich among the people seek your favor."
14 All glorious is the princess as she enters; her gown is cloth-of-gold.
15 In embroidered apparel she is brought to the king; after her the bridesmaids follow in procession.
16 With joy and gladness they are brought, and enter into the palace of the king.
17 In place of fathers, O king, you shall have sons; you shall make them princes over all the earth.
18 I will make your name to be remembered from one generation to another; therefore nations will praise you for ever and ever."
Evening Psalms
Psalm 47 Omnes gentes, plaudite1 Clap your hands, all you peoples; shout to God with a cry of joy.
2 For the LORD Most High is to be feared; he is the great King over all the earth.
3 He subdues the peoples under us, and the nations under our feet.
4 He chooses our inheritance for us, the pride of Jacob whom he loves.
5 God has gone up with a shout, the LORD with the sound of the ram's-horn.
6 Sing praises to God, sing praises; sing praises to our King, sing praises.
7 For God is King of all the earth; sing praises with all your skill.
8 God reigns over the nations; God sits upon his holy throne.
9 The nobles of the peoples have gathered together with the people of the God of Abraham.
10 The rulers of the earth belong to God, and he is highly exalted.
Psalm 48 Magnus Dominus
1 Great is the LORD, and highly to be praised; in the city of our God is his holy hill.
2 Beautiful and lofty, the joy of all the earth, is the hill of Zion, the very center of the world and the city of the great King.
3 God is in her citadels; he is known to be her sure refuge.
4 Behold, the kings of the earth assembled and marched forward together.
5 They looked and were astounded; they retreated and fled in terror.
6 Trembling seized them there; they writhed like a woman in childbirth, like ships of the sea when the east wind shatters them.
7 As we have heard, so have we seen, in the city of the LORD of hosts, in the city of our God; God has established her for ever.
8 We have waited in silence on your loving-kindness, O God, in the midst of your temple.
9 Your praise, like your Name, O God, reaches to the world's end; your right hand is full of justice.
10 Let Mount Zion be glad and the cities of Judah rejoice, because of your judgments.
11 Make the circuit of Zion; walk round about her; count the number of her towers.
12 Consider well her bulwarks; examine her strongholds; that you may tell those who come after.
13 This God is our God for ever and ever; he shall be our guide for evermore.
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 - January 24, 2017
Galatians 6:1 (NIV) [ Doing Good to All ] Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted.
Read all of Galatians 6
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Morning Devotions with Cap'n Kenny - "Facing Our Gethsemanes"
Then Simon Peter, having a sword, drew it and struck the high priest's servant, and cut off his right ear. The servant's name was Malchus. (John 18:10, NKJV)
In the flurry of activity in the Garden of Gethsemane, very few noticed the last miracle in the earthly ministry of Jesus. He healed the ear of Malchus, which Peter had cut off with a sword.
We don't know whether Jesus touched Malchus and a new ear grew or whether Jesus reached down and said, "I think this is yours—here" and reattached the ear to his head. I don't say this with irreverence; I simply don't know how Jesus healed him. Whatever the case, the high priest's servant got his ear back.
We don't read in any of the Gospels, however, that Malchus thanked the Lord. But it's interesting to note that the last miracle of Jesus was healing someone who had come to arrest Him. Jesus was still caring for individuals.
In the book of Philippians, we are told that Jesus emptied Himself. He "made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant" (2:7). But what did He empty Himself of? He certainly didn't lay aside His deity, but He did lay aside some of its privileges. And one of the privileges that would have been afforded Him would have been angelic deliverance. But Jesus would not take hold of that because of the necessity of paying the price for our sin.
We may all come to face Gethsemanes in our lives, if you will. For Jesus, Gethsemane was a time of difficulty, of hardship. It was a time when He had to surrender to the will of the Father, knowing that was the right thing to do. You may come to experiences in life that are similar, when you don't understand why God is allowing a certain thing. You don't know what's ahead. But you can trust your unknown future in the hands of a known God.
In Jesus,
Cap'n Kenny
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Devotion by Greg Laurie © 2016 Harvest Christian Fellowship; all rights reserved.
In the flurry of activity in the Garden of Gethsemane, very few noticed the last miracle in the earthly ministry of Jesus. He healed the ear of Malchus, which Peter had cut off with a sword.
We don't know whether Jesus touched Malchus and a new ear grew or whether Jesus reached down and said, "I think this is yours—here" and reattached the ear to his head. I don't say this with irreverence; I simply don't know how Jesus healed him. Whatever the case, the high priest's servant got his ear back.
We don't read in any of the Gospels, however, that Malchus thanked the Lord. But it's interesting to note that the last miracle of Jesus was healing someone who had come to arrest Him. Jesus was still caring for individuals.
In the book of Philippians, we are told that Jesus emptied Himself. He "made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant" (2:7). But what did He empty Himself of? He certainly didn't lay aside His deity, but He did lay aside some of its privileges. And one of the privileges that would have been afforded Him would have been angelic deliverance. But Jesus would not take hold of that because of the necessity of paying the price for our sin.
We may all come to face Gethsemanes in our lives, if you will. For Jesus, Gethsemane was a time of difficulty, of hardship. It was a time when He had to surrender to the will of the Father, knowing that was the right thing to do. You may come to experiences in life that are similar, when you don't understand why God is allowing a certain thing. You don't know what's ahead. But you can trust your unknown future in the hands of a known God.
In Jesus,
Cap'n Kenny
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Devotion by Greg Laurie © 2016 Harvest Christian Fellowship; all rights reserved.
Un Dia a la Vez - Vuelve a empezar
Pon en manos del Señor todas tus obras, y tus proyectos se cumplirán. (Proverbios 16:3)
Si escudriñamos el Manual de Instrucciones, nos encontraremos muchas historias en las que por diferentes circunstancias se llegó a un punto de perderlo todo y volver a empezar.
Ese fue el caso de Job, a quien Dios permitió que Satanás tocara y lastimara su vida y lo probara en todo. Después de tener muchas riquezas, familia, ganado, tierras y salud, Job quedó de un momento a otro en la más profunda pobreza, soledad y abandono. Hasta terminó rascándose con una teja. ¿Te imaginas?
¿Cuál sería nuestra actitud ante Dios si nos sucediera a nosotros? No obstante, lo determinante en la vida de este hombre es que supo aceptar la voluntad de Dios y no fue en su contra. Por eso Dios lo prosperó de nuevo y le dio dos veces más de lo que tenía. Después de esos sucesos, Job vivió ciento cuarenta años y disfrutó una larga vida.
Esta historia nos deja varias enseñanzas: Dios es un Dios de nuevos comienzos. Si has sido un fracasado, Dios te invita hoy a que te levantes y le creas. Te pide que le entregues tu corazón y toda tu vida en sus manos. Confiando en que Dios te sacará del lugar en el que estás y te pondrá otra vez en lugares de privilegio, ¿por qué no te das una nueva oportunidad?
Te invito a hacer esta corta, pero poderosa oración: «Señor Jesús, te pido perdón si te he juzgado. Te pido perdón por haberte cuestionado. Hoy quiero entregarte mi corazón y quiero que me des una nueva vida en Cristo Jesús. Amén y amén».
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 - BROTHERLY LOVE
Keep on loving one another as brothers and sisters. (Hebrews 13:1)
As we see in Hebrews chapter twelve, once we “keep our eyes fixed on Jesus,” we will be aware of how we should then live. The writer now turns to the issue of brotherly love and he uses the verb form of repeated action. Keep on loving, over and over. Jesus Himself said that this would be the sign to the world of true discipleship—love for one another.
In China a house church network leader was being pursued by the Public Security Bureau (PSB) due to his active ministry. He had to be on the run and couldn’t go home because the PSB were waiting for him at his house.
His wife went through much emotional suffering since she didn’t know where her husband was. Other believers were afraid to come to the meeting held at the house and even other co-workers didn’t come near due to fear. The wife had no money and eventually ran out of food. That was the hardest time in her life.
In spite of the PSB officers standing outside, an elderly Christian lady approached the house and boldly entered. The wife was surprised and asked the elderly woman why she was willing to take the risk. The lady said she wasn’t afraid because she knew the woman’s husband was serving the Lord and she was also serving the same Lord. The old lady prepared some noodles for young wife and her child. The young wife was really impressed with this love. Also the old lady told her that many outside were praying for them so this also brought tremendous strength and encouragement as they continued to suffer isolation.
Another house church leader in China spent time in prison. He wrote to his fellowship, “It is because of your prayers that I could go through the most difficult times while in prison. My mother, who also prayed for me every day, knew that there were many brothers and sisters who did the same for her son and that she was not alone. She too, would like to express her thanks to those who prayed for me.
“Following my release, I spent two weeks with my whole family. My daughter shared that she thought I was a bad person because she had seen the policeman arrest me right before her eyes. She was very angry with me until the day she received a card from a fellow Christian. In the card were the words, ‘Your father is a hero for he has suffered for Christ.’ Immediately all her anger dissipated and she became very proud of having a father who is a hero and willing to suffer for Christ.”
RESPONSE: Today I will make an extra effort to show love to all Christian brothers and sisters.
PRAYER: Help me, Lord, to make love for the brethren a daily repeated action, for Your glory!
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
As we see in Hebrews chapter twelve, once we “keep our eyes fixed on Jesus,” we will be aware of how we should then live. The writer now turns to the issue of brotherly love and he uses the verb form of repeated action. Keep on loving, over and over. Jesus Himself said that this would be the sign to the world of true discipleship—love for one another.
In China a house church network leader was being pursued by the Public Security Bureau (PSB) due to his active ministry. He had to be on the run and couldn’t go home because the PSB were waiting for him at his house.
His wife went through much emotional suffering since she didn’t know where her husband was. Other believers were afraid to come to the meeting held at the house and even other co-workers didn’t come near due to fear. The wife had no money and eventually ran out of food. That was the hardest time in her life.
In spite of the PSB officers standing outside, an elderly Christian lady approached the house and boldly entered. The wife was surprised and asked the elderly woman why she was willing to take the risk. The lady said she wasn’t afraid because she knew the woman’s husband was serving the Lord and she was also serving the same Lord. The old lady prepared some noodles for young wife and her child. The young wife was really impressed with this love. Also the old lady told her that many outside were praying for them so this also brought tremendous strength and encouragement as they continued to suffer isolation.
Another house church leader in China spent time in prison. He wrote to his fellowship, “It is because of your prayers that I could go through the most difficult times while in prison. My mother, who also prayed for me every day, knew that there were many brothers and sisters who did the same for her son and that she was not alone. She too, would like to express her thanks to those who prayed for me.
“Following my release, I spent two weeks with my whole family. My daughter shared that she thought I was a bad person because she had seen the policeman arrest me right before her eyes. She was very angry with me until the day she received a card from a fellow Christian. In the card were the words, ‘Your father is a hero for he has suffered for Christ.’ Immediately all her anger dissipated and she became very proud of having a father who is a hero and willing to suffer for Christ.”
RESPONSE: Today I will make an extra effort to show love to all Christian brothers and sisters.
PRAYER: Help me, Lord, to make love for the brethren a daily repeated action, for Your glory!
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Girlfriends in God - Speak Life
A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver (Proverbs 25:11, ESV).
Friend to Friend
Fruit is one of my favorite foods. When I go grocery shopping, it always takes me longer to get through the fruit section than any other area of the store. I spend what some might consider a ridiculously long time picking out what I hope will be the juiciest apples, the plumpest grapes and the sweetest bananas. Experience has taught me to quickly discard any piece of fruit that is bruised, mushy or discolored. I shake cantaloupe and thump watermelons. Ripe strawberries have a unique sweet scent and only the reddest cherries will do. Plums and tomatoes must be firm to the touch, bright in color and wrinkle-free while the more wrinkles the better when it comes to choosing passion fruit.
On a recent trip to the grocery store, I was carefully making my fruit selections when the thought occurred to me that I spend more time choosing fruit than I spend choosing my words.
Words are power tools that can build and encourage. Words can also destroy and cause confusion. We have all been hurt and even defeated by words spoken in anger or words rising out of a wounded and bitter heart. The words we speak can clarify or complicate a situation. Solomon offers great wisdom concerning the use of words.
Whoever controls his mouth protects his own life. Whoever has a big mouth comes to ruin (Proverbs 13:3, GWT).
If we do not learn to use and control our tongue, it will use and control us. While it is true that we need to choose our words carefully, it is just as true that the tongue is a spiritual thermometer that reflects the condition of the heart.
I am not a good patient and tend to think that most medical rules apply to everyone else in my life – but not to me. Several years ago, I was slammed with a high fever and blinding headache that sent me to bed for days, something highly unusual for me. I called my doctor. When he heard my symptoms, he told me to come in immediately.
The minute I walked in his office, the receptionist waved me back to the patient area where a nurse promptly escorted me to an examination room, hurriedly recorded my symptoms, took my temperature, glanced briefly at my throat and quickly left the room. Minutes later, the doctor and a nurse walked in and stood on the opposite side of the room, almost smiling at me. At this point, I realized that whatever I had was highly contagious and probably fatal. I felt so awful that the latter was definitely appealing.
“Mary, I am almost certain you have viral meningitis,” the doctor said. Seeing the blank look on my face, he explained, “Your abnormally high fever of 104 and severe headache are classic symptoms of meningitis, but we need to run some tests to verify my suspicions. Oh, and by the way, how long have you had the solid white coating on your tongue?” I was stunned. What coating? Why is the color of my tongue even important in determining my illness? The doctor continued, “The health of the tongue is a very strong indicator of the health of the entire body.”
The same is true when it comes to the words we speak. The mouth speaks the things that are in the heart. Good people have good things in their hearts, and so they say good things. But evil people have evil in their hearts, so they say evil things (Matthew 12:34-35, NCV).
If my words are boastful, my heart is insecure.
If my words are filthy, my heart is impure.
If my words are critical, my heart is filled with pride and anger.
In other words, the problem is not really my mouth - it’s my heart. The words I speak reflect the true condition of my heart. Careless words can cause such grief. Unless strained through discipline and holiness, words can convey false perspectives and untruths. However, the right word, spoken at the right time and in the right way can bring order in the midst of confusion and light on a very dark path. Let’s make the commitment to speak life into every person we meet.
Let’s Pray
Father, I can be so careless with the words I speak. Forgive me. Please help me learn how to control my tongue. Create in me a clean heart, God, so that I can speak words filled with grace and love.
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen.
Now It’s Your Turn
Read Colossians 4:6, NIV. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.
How would you describe words that are “gracious?”
How can our words be “effective” in the lives of others?
What do you think Paul means when he says that we can have the “right answer for everyone?”
More from the Girlfriends
It is sometimes harder to control the words we say when we are dealing with people who rub us the wrong way. I call them Sandpaper People. If you need help with the tough relationships in your life, get Mary’s book, Sandpaper People. This book can revolutionize your relationships.
Be sure to check out the FREE MP3s on Mary’s website and connect with Mary through email or on Facebook.
Seeking God?
Click HERE to find out more about
how to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)