Saturday, February 18, 2017

Unser Täglich Brot - Besser als eine Piñata

Lesen: Epheser 2,1-10 | Die Bibel In Einem Jahr: 3.Mose 25; Markus 1,23-45

Aus Gnade seid ihr selig geworden. Epheser 2,5

Ein mexikanisches Fest ohne Piñata ist undenkbar—einem Karton oder Krug mit Süßigkeiten oder anderen Leckereien. Die Kinder schlagen mit einem Stock danach, um an den Inhalt zu gelangen.

Mönche gebrauchten die Piñatas im sechzehnten Jahrhundert, um die einheimische Bevölkerung zu unterrichten. Die Piñata war damals ein Stern mit sieben Spitzen, die für die sieben Todsünden standen. Das Schlagen nach der Piñata war Sinnbild für den Kampf gegen das Böse, und wenn der Inhalt herausfiel, durften die Menschen ihn mit nach Hause nehmen als Erinnerung an die Belohnung dafür, wenn man am Glauben festhält.

Aber wir können das Böse nicht aus eigener Kraft bekämpfen. Gott wartet nicht auf unser Bemühen, damit er uns seine Gnade erweisen kann. Im Epheserbrief heißt es: „Aus Gnade seid ihr selig geworden durch Glauben . . . Gottes Gabe ist es“ (2,8). Wir schlagen die Sünde nicht. Jesus hat das bereits getan.

Kinder kämpfen um die Süßigkeiten aus der Piñata. Aber Gottes Gabe bekommen wir, wenn wir an Jesus glauben. Gott hat uns „mit allem geistlichen Segen“ gesegnet (1,3). Wir sind Gottes Kinder, haben Vergebung der Sünden, Versöhnung, neues Leben, Freude, Liebe und vieles mehr. Und zwar nicht, weil wir am Glauben festhalten und stark sind, sondern weil wir an Jesus glauben. Geistlicher Segen kommt nur durch Gnade—unverdiente Gnade!


Danke für deine Gnade, Herr, die unendlich groß ist und umsonst!

Aus Gnade sind wir errettet worden. Nun freuen wir uns an dem Segen, der aus der Gnade fließt.


© 2017 Unser Täglich Brot

Notre Pain Quotidien - Mieux qu’une Piñata


[C’est] par grâce que vous êtes sauvés. (Éphésiens 2.5)

Il ne saurait y avoir de fête mexicaine sans piñata – un contenant de carton ou d’argile renfermant des friandises. Les enfants le frappent d’un bâton dans l’espoir de le casser pour en savourer le contenu.

Les moines se servaient de la piñata au XVIe siècle pour enseigner des leçons aux autochtones du Mexique. Les piñatas étaient des étoiles à sept pointes qui représentaient les péchés capitaux. Le fait de battre la piñata illustrait le combat contre le péché, et une fois que les friandises se répandaient au sol, les gens pouvaient les rapporter à la maison en souvenir des récompenses réservées à ceux qui gardent la foi.

Il nous est toutefois impossible de combattre le mal par nous‑mêmes. Dieu n’attend pas après nos efforts pour manifester sa miséricorde. L’épître aux Éphésiens nous enseigne que, « c’est par la grâce que [nous sommes] sauvés, par le moyen de la foi » (2.8). Nous n’avons pas à triompher du péché ; Christ l’a déjà fait.

Les enfants doivent s’arracher les friandises de la piñata, mais les dons de Dieu s’offrent à tous ceux qui croient en Jésus. Dieu « nous a bénis de toutes sortes de bénédictions spirituelles » (1.3) : le pardon des péchés, la rédemption, l’adoption, une nouvelle vie, la joie, l’amour, et plus encore. Ils ne deviennent pas nôtres par notre persévérance dans la foi et la force, mais bien parce que nous croyons en Jésus. Les bénédictions spirituelles ne nous sont accordées que par une grâce imméritée !

Sauvés par grâce, nous en savourons les nombreuses bénédictions.


Хліб Наш Насущній - Краще за піньяту

Читати: Ефесян 2:1-10 | Біблія за рік: Левит 25 ; Марка 1:23-45

Спасені ви благодаттю. — Ефесян 2:5

Неможливо уявити мексиканське свято без піньяти – великої паперової іграшки з порожнечею всередині, що містить цукерки й різні солодощі. Діти протикають гострими паличками і намагаються розірвати її, щоб поласуватися вмістом.

Монахи використовували піньяту у 16 столітті в Мексиці, щоб дати туземцям деякі духовні уроки. Піньята в ті роки мала вигляд зірки, сім променів якої символізували сім смертних гріхів. Коли люди наносили удари по піньяті, це означало боротьбу зі злом. А гостинці, що зрештою падали на землю, вказували на нагороду за стійку віру.

Але ми неспроможні самотужки боротися зі злом. Бог чекає спочатку на наші зусилля, щоб потім явити Свою милість. Святе Письмо говорить: “Спасені ви благодаттю через віру” (Еф. 2:8). Нам непотрібно “лупити по піньяті гріха”. Христос уже переміг зло.

Діти змагаються за цукерки з піньяти, але Божий дар благодаті дається кожному з нас, коли ми вірою приймаємо Ісуса. Бог нас “поблагословив усяким благословенням духовним у небесах” (Еф. 1:3). Маємо прощення гріхів, викуплення, усиновлення, нове життя, радість, любов… Ми отримуємо ці духовні благословення не тому, що зберегли віру і виявили духовну силу, а через віру в Ісуса. Духовні благословення приходять лише через Божу ласку – незаслужену Божу ласку!


Дякуємо Тобі, Господи, за Твою милість, що велична й безкоштовна!

Божою ласкою ми отримали спасіння і тепер насолоджуємося благословеннями благодаті.


© 2017 Хліб Наш Насущній

Хлеб наш насущный - Лучше, чем пиньята


Читать сейчас: Ефесянам 2:1-10 | Библия за год: Левит 25; Марка 1:23-45

Благодатью вы спасены. — Ефесянам 2:5

Мексиканский праздник не обходится без пиньяты – картонного или глиняного сосуда, полного конфет и других сладостей. Детям завязывают глаза, и они стараются палкой разбить пиньяту, чтобы потом собрать угощение.

А появилась пиньята в XVI в. Монахи использовали ее, чтобы учить мексиканских индейцев. Тогда пиньята представляла собой семиконечную звезду, лучи которой символизировали семь смертных грехов. Пиньяту били палкой, что символизировало борьбу со злом. Когда же содержимое вываливалось на землю, участники разносили его по домам как награду за стойкость в вере.

Но своими силами зло не победить. Бог не ждет, что мы приложим все усилия, чтобы затем явить Свою милость. Павел пишет уверовавшим: «Благодатью вы спасены через веру, и это не от вас, Божий дар» (Еф. 2:8). Мы не сражаемся с грехом в одиночку. Христос сокрушил его власть для нас.

Дети соревнуются за конфеты из пиньяты, а Божий дар дается бесплатно всем, кто уверовал в Иисуса Христа. В Нем Бог благословил нас «всяким духовным благословением» (Еф. 1:3). Мы получили прощение грехов, искупление, усыновление, новую жизнь, радость, любовь и еще много всего. Эти духовные благословения мы получаем не за то, что сохранили чистоту и были сильными, а потому что верим в Иисуса Христа. Духовные благословения даются нам исключительно по благодати – незаслуженной милости.


Благодарим, Господь, за Твою милость, великую и безвозмездную!

Спасение и благословения – проявление Божьей благодати.

автор: Кейла Очоа

© 2017 Хлеб Наш Насущный

The Daily Readings for SATURDAY, February 18, 2017


The Old Testament Lesson

The Old Testament Lesson for today is taken from Isaiah 66:1-6

Thus says the LORD: Heaven is my throne and the earth is my footstool; what is the house that you would build for me, and what is my resting place? All these things my hand has made, and so all these things are mine, says the LORD. But this is the one to whom I will look, to the humble and contrite in spirit, who trembles at my word. Whoever slaughters an ox is like one who kills a human being; whoever sacrifices a lamb, like one who breaks a dog's neck; whoever presents a grain offering, like one who offers swine's blood; whoever makes a memorial offering of frankincense, like one who blesses an idol. These have chosen their own ways, and in their abominations they take delight; I also will choose to mock them, and bring upon them what they fear; because, when I called, no one answered, when I spoke, they did not listen; but they did what was evil in my sight, and chose what did not please me. Hear the word of the LORD, you who tremble at his word: Your own people who hate you and reject you for my name's sake have said, "Let the LORD be glorified, so that we may see your joy" but it is they who shall be put to shame. Listen, an uproar from the city! A voice from the temple! The voice of the LORD, dealing retribution to his enemies!

This is the Word of the Lord
Thanks be to God


The Epistle Lesson

The Epistle Lesson for today is taken from 1 Timothy 6:6-21

Of course, there is great gain in godliness combined with contentment; for we brought nothing into the world, so that we can take nothing out of it; but if we have food and clothing, we will be content with these. But those who want to be rich fall into temptation and are trapped by many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, and in their eagerness to be rich some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pains. But as for you, man of God, shun all this; pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith; take hold of the eternal life, to which you were called and for which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. In the presence of God, who gives life to all things, and of Christ Jesus, who in his testimony before Pontius Pilate made the good confession, I charge you to keep the commandment without spot or blame until the manifestation of our Lord Jesus Christ, which he will bring about at the right time-- he who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords. It is he alone who has immortality and dwells in unapproachable light, whom no one has ever seen or can see; to him be honor and eternal dominion. Amen. As for those who in the present age are rich, command them not to be haughty, or to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but rather on God who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. They are to do good, to be rich in good works, generous, and ready to share, thus storing up for themselves the treasure of a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of the life that really is life. Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to you. Avoid the profane chatter and contradictions of what is falsely called knowledge; by professing it some have missed the mark as regards the faith. Grace be with you.

This is the Word of the Lord
Thanks be to God


The Holy Gospel Lesson

The Holy Gospel is written in Mark 12:35-44
Glory be to Thee, O Lord


While Jesus was teaching in the temple, he said, "How can the scribes say that the Messiah is the son of David? David himself, by the Holy Spirit, declared, 'The Lord said to my Lord, "Sit at my right hand, until I put your enemies under your feet."' David himself calls him Lord; so how can he be his son?" And the large crowd was listening to him with delight. As he taught, he said, "Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes, and to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces, and to have the best seats in the synagogues and places of honor at banquets! They devour widows' houses and for the sake of appearance say long prayers. They will receive the greater condemnation." He sat down opposite the treasury, and watched the crowd putting money into the treasury. Many rich people put in large sums. A poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which are worth a penny. Then he called his disciples and said to them, "Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the treasury. For all of them have contributed out of their abundance; but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on."

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


Morning Psalms

Psalm 107: Part II Posuit flumina
33   The LORD changed rivers into deserts, and water-springs into thirsty ground,
34   A fruitful land into salt flats, because of the wickedness of those who dwell there.
35   He changed deserts into pools of water and dry land into water-springs.
36   He settled the hungry there, and they founded a city to dwell in.
37   They sowed fields, and planted vineyards, and brought in a fruitful harvest.
38   He blessed them, so that they increased greatly; he did not let their herds decrease.
39   Yet when they were diminished and brought low, through stress of adversity and sorrow,
40   (He pours contempt on princes and makes them wander in trackless wastes)
41   He lifted up the poor out of misery and multiplied their families like flocks of sheep.
42   The upright will see this and rejoice, but all wickedness will shut its mouth.
43   Whoever is wise will ponder these things, and consider well the mercies of the LORD.


Psalm 108 Paratum cor meum
1   My heart is firmly fixed, O God, my heart is fixed; I will sing and make melody.
2   Wake up, my spirit; awake, lute and harp; I myself will waken the dawn.
3   I will confess you among the peoples, O LORD; I will sing praises to you among the nations.
4   For your loving-kindness is greater than the heavens, and your faithfulness reaches to the clouds.
5   Exalt yourself above the heavens, O God, and your glory over all the earth.
6   So that those who are dear to you may be delivered, save with your right hand and answer me.
7   God spoke from his holy place and said, "I will exult and parcel out Shechem; I will divide the valley of Succoth.
8   Gilead is mine and Manasseh is mine; Ephraim is my helmet and Judah my scepter.
9   Moab is my washbasin, on Edom I throw down my sandal to claim it, and over Philistia will I shout in triumph."
10   Who will lead me into the strong city? who will bring me into Edom?
11   Have you not cast us off, O God? you no longer go out, O God, with our armies.
12   Grant us your help against the enemy, for vain is the help of man.
13   With God we will do valiant deeds, and he shall tread our enemies under foot.


Evening Psalms

Psalm 33 Exultate, justi
1   Rejoice in the LORD, you righteous; it is good for the just to sing praises.
2   Praise the LORD with the harp; play to him upon the psaltery and lyre.
3   Sing for him a new song; sound a fanfare with all your skill upon the trumpet.
4   For the word of the LORD is right, and all his works are sure.
5   He loves righteousness and justice; the loving-kindness of the LORD fills the whole earth.
6   By the word of the LORD were the heavens made, by the breath of his mouth all the heavenly hosts.
7   He gathers up the waters of the ocean as in a water-skin and stores up the depths of the sea.
8   Let all the earth fear the LORD; let all who dwell in the world stand in awe of him.
9   For he spoke, and it came to pass; he commanded, and it stood fast.
10   The LORD brings the will of the nations to naught; he thwarts the designs of the peoples.
11   But the LORD'S will stands fast for ever, and the designs of his heart from age to age.
12   Happy is the nation whose God is the LORD! happy the people he has chosen to be his own!
13   The LORD looks down from heaven, and beholds all the people in the world.
14   From where he sits enthroned he turns his gaze on all who dwell on the earth.
15   He fashions all the hearts of them and understands all their works.
16   There is no king that can be saved by a mighty army; a strong man is not delivered by his great strength.
17   The horse is a vain hope for deliverance; for all its strength it cannot save.
18   Behold, the eye of the LORD is upon those who fear him, on those who wait upon his love,
19   To pluck their lives from death, and to feed them in time of famine.
20   Our soul waits for the LORD; he is our help and our shield.
21   Indeed, our heart rejoices in him, for in his holy Name we put our trust.
22   Let your loving-kindness, O LORD, be upon us, as we have put our trust in you.


New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. The New Revised Standard Version Bible may be quoted and/or reprinted up to and inclusive of five hundred (500) verses without express written permission of the publisher, provided the verses quoted do not amount to a complete book of the Bible or account for fifty percent (50%) of the total work in which they are quoted.

Verse of the Day - February 18, 2017


Romans 8:38-39 (NIV) For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Read all of Romans 8

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 - "A Surprising Place for Spiritual Growth"

Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.

Sometimes we think the only place to flourish spiritually is in the midst of other Christians. We want to listen to Christian music, watch Christian television, and wear Christian clothes.

I’m not knocking those things. It’s great to be surrounded by Christians and to seek out fellowship with other believers. But you also can flourish spiritually in a difficult situation. Maybe you’re in a school where you’re not surrounded by people who love the Lord. Maybe you’re in a job where they say the name of God, but not the way you like to hear it. Or maybe you’re in some other situation where you’re saying, “I can’t survive here spiritually.”

It may be that He has you there for a reason. Or, you may need to move out of that place, and you will have to ask God to give you wisdom. But you can grow and sometimes even become stronger in an environment like that.

Daniel was a spiritual man in spite of the environment he was in. Carried away captive to Babylon, he could have easily fallen into compromise. There in the palace, he literally lived in the lap of luxury. It was a place of rampant idolatry, incredible cruelty, and sexual immorality. Yet in the midst of it all, Daniel remained a righteous man and flourished spiritually.

Sometimes when we are in an environment around Christians all the time, we can put our lives on spiritual cruise control. On the other hand, when we are in a secular environment, it forces us to do one of two things: either blend into the woodwork or stand up and be counted.

Persecution, which is harassment from nonbelievers, can cause us to draw closer to the Lord. So don’t give up. Take heart. Stand firm. He will see you through.

In Jesus,
Cap'n Kenny

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

Un Dia a la Vez - Todo es nuevo


De cierto, de cierto os digo: El que cree en mí, tiene vida eterna. Juan 6:47 (RVR-60)

Si hiciste esta oración de fe, quiero que sepas que has comenzado una nueva etapa en tu vida. Empezarás a experimentar cambios, pero no temas, todos los cambios que tendrás son para bien. De repente, volverás la vista atrás y dirás: «¡Increíble, cómo he cambiado! Lo que antes me gustaba, ahora no lo disfruto». Además, muchos de esos cambios serán radicales. Cuando Jesucristo está en tu corazón, significa que tienes un Salvador. Significa que pasaste a tener la vida eterna. Entonces, cuando partas de este mundo, tendrás la seguridad de que llegarás a la presencia de Dios.

Quiero que sepas que tener a Cristo en tu corazón es una garantía de que ya no estás solo. De modo que ahora tienes a alguien que intercede por ti, se preocupa por tus necesidades y llena todo vacío que nadie podía llenar.

Dios es tu Padre y promete estar contigo aunque te abandone el tuyo.

Dios es tu Amigo fiel, pues Él nunca cambia.

Dios es tu Sanador.

Dios es tu Redentor.

¡Dios es tu TODO!

Celebra tu decisión y permite que Dios moldee tu corazón, sane tus heridas y puedas ser feliz en verdad.

Te felicito porque fuiste valiente. Yo recibí a mi Jesús hace más de trece años y te puedo dar fe y testimonio que ha sido lo mejor que me ha pasado. Le doy gracias a Dios por la persona que utilizó para mostrarme esa hermosa verdad y cambiar mi vida y la de mis hijas.

Un Día a la Vez Copyright © by Claudia Pinzón. Versión Reina-Valera 1960, RVR-60© Sociedades Bíblicas en América Latina, 1960. Renovado © Sociedades Bíblicas Unidas, 1988.

Standing Strong Through the Storm - GOD IS GOOD – ALL THE TIME

…But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead.

Over the past three days, we have seen that we need to watch and listen diligently for God’s eternal story of deliverance. God is at work behind life’s miseries and mysteries.

Today I want to share with you a personal testimony from our Standing Strong Through the Storm (SSTS) seminars of this wonderful principle at work.

In 2004, Jim Cunningham and I were invited by our Central Asia Director to hold SSTS seminars in several countries of that needy region where persecution is often severe for the many believers from Muslim background. The first two seminars in one country went extremely well due to young interpreters (we sometimes refer to such as “interrupters”) who were very fluent. Before we finished mentioning a scriptural reference, they would be immediately quoting it in Russian (the colonial language of the area frequently used).

The third and final seminar was to be held in a neighboring country. After significant travel challenges to arrive at the location, we were greeted by our host with the news that there was no one to translate us into the local language, so they had hired Svetlana (not her real name) who reportedly was fluent in English and Russian. They could easily understand the latter.

The three-day seminar took place at a Christian camp ground very suitable for such training and where accommodations were excellent and private. Many of the forty assembled believers had not met before, so the three days were filled with great fellowship, music and worship.

But the seminar itself was a disaster! Svetlana was not a believer and not familiar with the Bible. Secondly, her English vocabulary was extremely limited. She did not understand even simple words like “grace” and “forgiveness.” We spent three frustrating days trying to explain biblical terms and principles to her and despairing that the group understood anything we had come to share. I left that event considering it had been a waste of time and effort.

In December 2010, Jim and I were back in the region working with SSTS trainers from all the five or so countries of the area. A young man approached us and said, “You don’t know me, but you know my mother, Svetlana. She was your interpreter in my country six years ago.”

I smiled sardonically. How could I ever forget Svetlana! But he continued with an almost unbelievable tale. After the SSTS seminar, his mother began reading her Russian Bible and ultimately gave her life to Jesus. Then she led her whole family to faith in Him. And now her son, standing before us, was selected to be here for training as an SSTS teacher in that particular country where I had thought our efforts were such a waste! God is good—all the time!

RESPONSE: Today I will serve God knowing that He is at work behind all life’s miseries and mysteries.

PRAYER: Lord, today I will rely on Your strength and power to accomplish Your good purposes.

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

NIV Devotions for Couples - When Trouble Divides Us

Ecclesiastes 12:1–14

Remember your Creator in the days of your youth, before the days of trouble come and the years approach when you will say, “I find no pleasure in them.” Ecclesiastes 12:1 (NIV)

There are days—sometimes many of them—when it is hard to remember what it was about your spouse that you once found so lovable. Most of us expect a few waves on the voyage to marital bliss. We might even find humor in our spouse’s foibles and failings. But what happens when those waves swell into crushing tsunamis? What do we do when a spouse falls into a depression, when infertility becomes the only topic of conversation, or when one of us loses a job?

In his first year of teaching, my husband walked into a war zone. He taught fourth-grade boys with severe emotional and behavioral problems. Between their physical aggression, verbal hostility and profound inability to control their inappropriate behavior, these young boys sucked the spirit out of my husband. He would come home exhausted, unable to offer our family much of anything.

For the first few months, I remained sympathetic. But as the year went on, I came to resent his job—and his desire to do it—for the toll it was taking on our relationship and our children. That year I lived with Jim at his worst—his most depressed, most damaged, most disillusioned self. There were days when I truly wondered if I could sustain our marriage with him doing that kind of work.

Yet in the midst of all this awfulness, God kept showing me the things I loved about Jim: his heart for broken people, his strength of character, his resilience and tenderness. It would have been easy for me to miss the good Jim was trying to accomplish because of the overwhelming nature of the bad it brought with it. It certainly wasn’t my strength that kept our family together during this time; it was God’s.

Look carefully at Ecclesiastes 12:1. It doesn’t say, “Remember your Creator just in case the days of trouble come.” It says trouble will come. It comes to everyone sooner or later. That’s not a reason to despair but a reason to shore up our reserves. Like a cruise ship equipped with lifeboats, we need to be prepared for the hard times by treasuring the good.

So spend some time remembering your dating days. Flip through the photos from your honeymoon. Tell each other what you admire about each other and why that will never change. Then, when trouble comes, you’ll have a trustworthy life raft to hold you up as you make your way to the calm shore on the other side.

Carla Barnhill

Let’s Talk
  • Was there a time in our marriage when it was hard to remember what we loved about each other? What got us through that time?
  • How can the memory of that success help us get through the next relational rough patch?
  • Let’s plan a project together—creating a photo album, a compilation CD, a computer slideshow—that tells the story of our life together. When we hit a difficult season, we’ll revisit this project to help us remember what holds us together.
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.