The Daily Readings for TUESDAY, April 18, 2017 - Easter Tuesday

Morning Prayer

O God:
Give me strength to live another day;
Let me not turn coward before its difficulties or prove recreant to its duties;
Let me not lose faith in other people;
Keep me sweet and sound of heart, in spite of ingratitude, treachery, or meanness;
Preserve me from minding little stings or giving them;
Help me to keep my heart clean, and to live so honestly and fearlessly that no outward failure can dishearten me or take away the joy of conscious integrity;
Open wide the eyes of my soul that I may see good in all things;
Grant me this day some new vision of thy truth;
Inspire me with the spirit of joy and gladness;
and make me the cup of strength to suffering souls;
in the name of the strong Deliverer, our only Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen

The Introit

Alleluia! Christ is risen. The Lord is risen indeed. Alleluia!

The Old Testament Lesson

The Old Testament Lesson for today is taken from  Isaiah 30:18-21

Therefore the LORD waits to be gracious to you; therefore he will rise up to show mercy to you. For the LORD is a God of justice; blessed are all those who wait for him. Truly, O people in Zion, inhabitants of Jerusalem, you shall weep no more. He will surely be gracious to you at the sound of your cry; when he hears it, he will answer you. Though the Lord may give you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, yet your Teacher will not hide himself any more, but your eyes shall see your Teacher. And when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left, your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, "This is the way; walk in it."

Psalms

Psalm 33:18-22
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.

The Epistle Lesson

The Epistle Lesson for today is taken from Acts 2:36-41

Therefore let the entire house of Israel know with certainty that God has made him both Lord and Messiah, this Jesus whom you crucified." Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and to the other apostles, "Brothers, what should we do?" Peter said to them, "Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ so that your sins may be forgiven; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you, for your children, and for all who are far away, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to him." And he testified with many other arguments and exhorted them, saying, "Save yourselves from this corrupt generation." So those who welcomed his message were baptized, and that day about three thousand persons were added.

The Holy Gospel Lesson

The Holy Gospel is written in John 20:11-18

But Mary stood weeping outside the tomb. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb; and she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had been lying, one at the head and the other at the feet. They said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping?" She said to them, "They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him." When she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you looking for?" Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, "Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away." Jesus said to her, "Mary!" She turned and said to him in Hebrew, "Rabbouni!" (which means Teacher). Jesus said to her, "Do not hold on to me, because I have not yet ascended to the Father. But go to my brothers and say to them, 'I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.'" Mary Magdalene went and announced to the disciples, "I have seen the Lord" and she told them that he had said these things to her.

The Apostles' Creed

I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.

I believe in Jesus Christ, his only son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen

Prayer of the Day

O God, who by the glorious resurrection of your Son Jesus Christ destroyed death and brought life and immortality to light: Grant that we, who have been raised with him, may abide in his presence and rejoice in the hope of eternal glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be dominion and praise for ever and ever. Amen

A Prayer for Peace

O God, the author of peace and lover of concord, to know you is eternal life and to serve you is perfect freedom: Defend us, your humble servants, in all assaults of our enemies; that we, surely trusting in your defense, may not fear the power of any adversaries; through the might of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

A Prayer for Mission

Lord Jesus Christ, you stretched out your arms of love on the hard wood of the cross that everyone might come within the reach of your saving embrace: So clothe us in your Spirit that we, reaching forth our hands in love, may bring those who do not know you to the knowledge and love of you; for the honor of your Name. Amen

Let us bless the Lord. Alleluia, alleluia!
Thanks be to God! Alleluia, alleluia!

Glory to God whose power, working in us, can do infinitely more than we can ask or imagine: Glory to him from generation to generation in the Church, and in Christ Jesus for ever and ever. Amen

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

Daily Prayer - Tuesday, April 18, 2017 - Easter Tuesday

O God, who by the glorious resurrection of your Son Jesus Christ destroyed death and brought life and immortality to light: Grant that we, who have been raised with him, may abide in his presence and rejoice in the hope of eternal glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be dominion and praise for ever and ever. Amen

Verse of the Day - April 18, 2017 - Easter Tuesday

Romans 10:9-10 (NIV) If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.

Read all of Romans 10

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Listen to Romans 10Holy 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 - "Jesus and the Skeptic"

Then He said to Thomas, "Reach your finger here, and look at My hands; and reach your hand here, and put it into My side. Do not be unbelieving, but believing."

—John 20:27 (NKJV)

After Jesus rose from the dead, the Bible tell us that “He appeared to the eleven as they sat at the table; and He rebuked their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they did not believe those who had seen Him after He had risen” (Mark 16:14).

These disciples, hearing of the risen Lord appearing to Mary, did not believe. The most vocal of the bunch was Thomas. He said, “Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe.” (John 20:25).

Eight days later, when the disciples (including Thomas) were meeting behind locked doors, Jesus showed up. And He said to Thomas, “Reach your finger here, and look at My hands; and reach your hand here, and put it into My side. Do not be unbelieving, but believing.” (verse 27). To Thomas’ credit, he declared, “My Lord and my God!” (verse 28). That day, Thomas the skeptic became Thomas the believer.

God can take a skeptical person and turn him or her into a believer. How do I know? Because He did it for me. There was no person more skeptical than I was. After all that I had seen and been exposed to, I was very skeptical when I first heard the promises and claims of Christ.

The skeptic thinks, “Show me, and I will believe.” But I say, “Believe, and He will show you.” The one who is willing to take that step of faith and believe will be amazed at what God will do.

God can change skeptics—if they will come to Him.

In Jesus,
Cap'n Kenny

Seeking God?

Click HERE to find out more about how to have a personal

relationship with Jesus Christ.

Scripture taken from the New King James Version®, NKJV® Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Devotion by Greg Laurie © 2017 Harvest Christian Fellowship; all rights reserved.

Un Dia a la Vez - Libre para amar

El amor es sufrido, es benigno [...] no tiene envidia [...] no hace nada indebido, [...] Todo lo sufre, todo lo cree, todo lo espera, todo lo soporta.
1 Corintios 13:4-7, RV-60


En el amor hay libertad y hay gozo. Así que ahora quiero ver el otro lado de la moneda de las familias que tienen algún ser querido en cierto vicio. Debe ser muy doloroso y preocupante ver al ser que amas llegar pasado en alcohol y, en su gran mayoría, agresivos hasta abusando de sus esposas e hijos.

En este momento deseo decirte que este libro no llegó a tus manos por casualidad. Ahora que estás como se dice en tu sano juicio debes saber que no solo te destruyes a ti mismo, sino que también destruyes a la familia que te entregó el Señor, de la cual te pedirá cuentas en el día del juicio. No es que te hable para atemorizarte. Te digo la verdad… una verdad que duele y que te debe preocupar.

¿Qué le vas a decir a Dios? ¿Le vas a decir que lastimas a tu esposa? ¿Que la hieres cuando estás tomado o drogado? ¿Que el ejemplo que por años recibieron tus hijos fue verte así y que cuando no te veían de esa manera era porque no estabas en casa?

Piensa, por favor, en las consecuencias de tus actos. Además, recuerda que todo lo que sembramos en esta vida eso mismo cosechamos.

Mi recomendación es que te dejes ayudar. Llámame, búscame y con mucho gusto te daré los recursos que necesitas para seguir adelante. Sin embargo, no seas egoísta y mira por primera vez a tu cónyuge e hijos con amor.

Hoy es día de arrepentimiento.

Un Día a la Vez Copyright © by Claudia Pinzón.

Standing Strong Through the Storm - THE ARMOR OF GOD

Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 

Ephesians 6:13, NIV

In the valley stood a ten-foot-tall giant, bellowing out threats against God’s people and mocking their God. “Send one man out to fight me,” he roared. “If I win, you will serve us. If he wins, we will be your slaves.”

If the physical presence of Goliath wasn’t daunting enough, the stakes for Israel were. It would be an all-or-nothing fight for the future of the people. On top of that, he mocked God. The fight would be a showdown between the giant’s pagan gods and the God of Israel.

Courageous David decided to face the monster. King Saul, looking at David’s physical disadvantage, insisted the young man take his armor. But David knew the spiritual battle was more crucial than the physical battle. Faith in God, not superior weaponry, would be his salvation. David stepped out in the name of God, and the giant fell.

Most of us are so focused on our physical circumstances that we fail to see the basic spiritual challenges before us. We spend our energies trying to make ends meet. We exhaust ourselves by constant activity. We are so distracted and frightened by what we see that we miss our chance to slay the giant. Instead, we find his foot on our neck.

Christian attempts to live victoriously in Christ when in a hostile environment could become frightening if we did not believe that God provides for us in every trial. The sovereign God of eternity knew every kind of attack the enemy would use before time began. And He has provided His spiritual armor—His Word, prayer and the Holy Spirit—so that we might be victorious when these attacks come against us. God has equipped you as a servant of Jesus Christ with these spiritual weapons, the resources you need to defeat the enemy and gain great victories for His kingdom.

Paul instructed Christian converts to put on the impenetrable armor of God—coverings God provides—so that we can stand victorious in every situation we face as we move forward confidently in the work God has called us to do. He also understood it to be a protective covering for the mind and spirit, ensuring that injuries to the body will not embitter or destroy the soul. 

RESPONSE: Today I will take advantage of all the spiritual armor God provides for me to stand strong.

PRAYER: Help me Lord to not try and fight spiritual battles in my own strength but with the resources You freely provide.

Girlfriends in God - When You Feel Like God is Hiding

by Gwen Smith

Today’s Truth

You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. (Jeremiah 29:13, NIV)

Friend to Friend

“Preston! We give up! Come out from where you are hiding!” My kids were playing hide and seek several years ago while my husband and I were upstairs packing for a trip.

Hunter and Kennedy had looked everywhere they could think of for their sly older brother, but couldn’t find him. After a while they gave up.

As I packed, I checked some choice spots in my walk-in closet to see if I could catch a glimpse of the victorious hider.

Nothing.

Several minutes later, as I was loading toiletries into my travel case, the cabinet door beneath my husband’s sink slowly opened. My contortionist son quietly and carefully crawled out from underneath the bathroom sink. He glanced my way, and with a twinkle in his eye said, “Hey mom.”

“Honey!” I replied. “Your brother and sister asked you to show yourself 10 minutes ago. Why did you stay in there so long?”

“I didn’t want them to know where my favorite hiding spot was!” He said in a hushed tone.

I have to admit, I was impressed with his hiding strategy. Seemed pretty savvy for a 10 year-old. He didn’t want to be found and didn’t want to give up his best hiding spot.

Sometimes it can seem like God doesn’t want to be found.

We can feel as if He’s unreachable, hiding on the other side of the cosmos watching Netflix with a DO NOT DISTURB sign on His door. In Psalm 10, the psalmist expressed His frustration to God. “Why, O Lord, do you stand far off? Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble?” (Psalm 10:1) In the ashes of despair Job asked God a similar question. “Why do you hide your face and consider me your enemy?” (Job 13:24)

Even thought the psalmist and Job felt this way, it’s important for us to understand this Biblical truth: God never hides. To the contrary, the Bible tells us that He wants to be found. That He is always with us and always sees us. That we are fearfully and wonderfully made by the hands of One who knows everything about us and cherishes us.

God created us to know and to find Him.

And let’s be honest girls, deep inside we all want to be known and loved.

In Psalm 139, David painted an amazing picture of God’s stubborn presence in our lives:

“Where can I go from Your Spirit? Where can I flee from Your presence? If I go up to the heavens, You are there; if I make my bed in the depths, You are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there Your hand will guide me, Your right hand will hold me fast.” (Psalm 139: 7-10)

Have you ever felt hidden from God?

Be assured today: you are not.

He sees you and you’re not alone. No matter where you are. No matter what you’ve been through. No matter what you’re going through.

God’s not hiding and He’s not playing childish games. He loves you. He wants to be found by you. He said to the prophet Jeremiah, “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” (Jeremiah 29:13) The same is true for us. Each time we search for the Lord, we can find Him … and in finding Him we find peace.

Let’s Pray

Dear Lord, It is comforting to know that you are constantly with me. That You know exactly where I am and what I’m facing. Please hold me fast with Your right hand and guide each moment of my day.
In Jesus’ Name I pray,
Amen.

Now It’s Your Turn

Read Romans 8:35-39. Nothing can separate us from God’s presence and His love, but sin can hinder our intimacy. Ask God to search your heart and reveal and remove any sin.

What is your hiding strategy? Do you sometimes run from God’s presence? Why? Grapple with this one. Ask the LORD for insight and write about it on the wall of my blog.

More from the Girlfriends

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

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

Seeking God?

Click HERE to find out more about how to have a personal

relationship with Jesus Christ.

Girlfriends in God P.O. Box 725 Matthews, NC 28106

info@girlfriendsingod.com

www.girlfriendsingod.com

LHM Daily Devotion - "In Fact"

Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries

By Pastor Ken Klaus, Speaker Emeritus of The Lutheran Hour

"In Fact"

April 18, 2017

For if the dead are not raised, not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. Then those also who have fallen asleep in Jesus have perished. If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied. But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.  - 1 Corinthians 15:16-20 (ESV)

Well, Daily Devotioners, since we were last together, the Italian police have broken up a drug gang which needed some quick cash. Deciding to expand its horizons, the gang elected to steal the body of Enzo Ferrari from its tomb in Modena, Italy.

For those who don't know, Ferrari designed and built cars ... very expensive cars.

The gang thought the Ferrari family and company would pay a bundle to have Ferrari's remains returned. Sadly, at least for the thieves, just as the plan was being put into motion, the officers closed in and shut things down. More than 34 people were arrested in the Ferrari caper.

Ferrari is neither the first, nor will he be the last, corpse considered valuable enough to steal.

Historians say no less than five separate and unsuccessful plots to steal the body of President Abraham Lincoln were uncovered.

In March of 1978, the body of the actor Charlie Chaplin was taken, and his family was told to fork over half a million dollars to get it back. Chaplin's widow refused because she thought her husband would have found the idea of paying a ransom for a dead body, "laughable."

All in all, it goes to prove a dead body can be a valuable thing.

Two thousand years ago in Jerusalem I imagine the high priests and the members of the Sanhedrin would have paid dearly for the body of the crucified Christ. If they had been able to point to Jesus' corpse and say, "Here He is," they could have shut down the Christian church right then and there.

Today, it is not much different. Think about it:

1. All around the world there are governments that are jealous of Jesus. They want their people to put their trust in the nation's leaders, not the risen Redeemer.

2. All of us would agree there is more than one global religion that would be downright giddy if they could put Jesus' body on display, if they could undermine the faith of Jesus' billions of followers.

3. Then, of course, there are the many modern thinkers who would love nothing more than to have their doubts about the resurrection of God's Son proven to be right.

I am pleased to report all their longings will never be more than wishful thinking. St. Paul said it rightly: "In fact, Christ has been raised from the dead." Not in imagination, but  in fact . And because Jesus' resurrection is a fact we can be certain that all who believe on Him will not perish but have forgiveness and everlasting life.

THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, in spite of what millions might hope and long for, I give thanks that,  in fact , Jesus has risen and, in fact, I am saved. For this I praise Your Name. Amen

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

CPTLN Devocional de 18 de Abril de 2017

Alimento Diario

Detenido
18 de Abril 2017
 
Ciertamente la gracia de Dios los ha salvado por medio de la fe. sta no naci de ustedes, sino que es un don de Dios; ni es resultado de las obras, para que nadie se vanaglorie. Efesios 2:8-9, RVC

Una mujer iba manejando muy tranquilamente, cuando el patrullero encendi sus luces y sirena y le hizo seas de que parara al costado del camino.

La sorpresa de ser detenida por un polic­a fue an mayor cuando apareci un hombre con una c¡mara y sac una foto del oficial, d¡ndole una flor. El oficial le dijo: "Felicitaciones, usted es la primer mujer que recibe una orqu­dea en la Semana de Conducir con Cuidado. La hemos estado siguiendo por algn tiempo y queremos felicitarla por cumplir con las leyes de tfico".

En la foto que apareci en el peridico del d­a siguiente la mujer luc­a nerviosa, lo cual no me sorprende para nada, ya que estaba conduciendo con la licencia vencida.

La mayor­a de nosotros somos como esa mujer. Cuando tomamos conciencia de las cosas que hemos hecho mal, esperamos que en cualquier momento Dios nos detenga y nos d un buen rezongo. Qu sorpresa nos llevamos cuando Dios nos detiene pero, en vez de castigarnos por nuestros errores, nos ofrece un regalo: el regalo de salvacin a travs del sacrificio y resurreccin de su Hijo.

Si en algn momento de su vida Dios le ha detenido y le ha mostrado su gracia, me alegro mucho por usted. Pero hay muchos que an no han tenido ese contacto con Cristo. Quizs hasta haya alguien en su vida, alguien especial, que necesite que el Seor le detenga y le muestre a su Salvador.

Hoy rezamos por ese alguien especial. Pidamos al Seor que le detenga, para que pueda ver el regalo que Dios le ofrece en amor.

ORACIN: Querido Seor, traigo ante ti a alguien muy especial para m­. Te pido que le detengas en su camino y le toques con tu gracia infinita, para que pueda ver la profundidad de tu amor y el valor espiritual del sacrificio de tu Hijo. En el nombre de Jess. Amn.

De una devocin escrita originalmente para "By the Way".
© Copyright 2017 Cristo Para Todas Las Naciones. ¡Utilice estas devociones en sus boletines! Usado con permiso. Todos los derechos reservados por la Int'l LLL.

Our Daily Bread - Enjoy the View

Read: Psalm 148:1–6 | Bible in a Year: 2 Samuel 3–5; Luke 14:25–35

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Praise him, sun and moon; praise him, all you shining stars. Psalm 148:3

Sunsets. People tend to stop what they are doing to watch them . . . snap pictures of them . . . enjoy the beautiful view.

My wife and I watched the sun setting over the Gulf of Mexico recently. A crowd of people surrounded us, mostly strangers who had gathered at the beach to watch this nightly phenomenon. At the moment the sun fully slipped below the horizon, the crowd broke out with applause.

Why do people respond like that? The book of Psalms offers a clue. The psalmist wrote of God ordering the sun to praise its Creator (Ps. 148:3). And wherever the rays of the sun shine across the earth, people are moved to praise along with them.

The beauty that comes to us through nature speaks to our souls like few things do. It not only has the capacity to stop us in our tracks and captivate our attention, it also has the power to turn our focus to the Maker of beauty itself.

The wonder of God’s vast creation can cause us to pause and remember what’s truly important. Ultimately, it reminds us that there is a Creator behind the stunning entrance and exit of the day, One who so loved the world He made that He entered it in order to redeem and restore it.

I enjoy the world You have created with its variety and color. You and what You have made are awesome, Lord!

Our Daily Bread welcomes writer Jeff Olson! Meet Jeff and all our authors at odb.org/all-authors.

Join God in taking delight in all that He has made.

By Jeff Olson

© 2017 Our Daily Bread Ministries

Lời Sống Hằng Ngày - Ngắm Cảnh

Đọc: Thi Thiên 148:1-6 | Đọc Kinh Thánh suốt năm: 2 Sa-mu-ên 3-5; Lu-ca 14:25-35

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Hỡi mặt trời, mặt trăng, hãy ca ngợi Ngài! Hỡi tất cả các vì sao sáng, hãy ca ngợi Ngài! Thi Thiên 148:3

Khi hoàng hôn xuống, người ta thường có khuynh hướng dừng lại mọi việc đang làm để ngắm cảnh… chụp hình… chiêm ngưỡng khung cảnh hoàng hôn tuyệt đẹp.

Gần đây, vợ chồng tôi ngắm mặt trời lặn tại Vịnh Mê-hi-cô. Xung quanh chúng tôi có rất nhiều người, đa số là những người xa lạ tụ tập tại bờ biển để ngắm hiện tượng về chiều này. Ngay thời điểm mặt trời lặn hẳn dưới chân trời, mọi người đồng loạt vỗ tay.

Tại sao người ta lại có phản ứng như vậy? Sách Thi Thiên cho chúng ta một lời giải đáp. Tác giả viết rằng Đức Chúa Trời ra lệnh cho mặt trời phải ngợi khen Đấng Tạo Hóa (Thi Thiên 148:3). Và bất cứ nơi đâu trên trái đất mà tia sáng mặt trời chiếu vào, thì con người đều được thúc giục để cùng hòa lời ngợi khen Chúa.

Vẻ đẹp của thiên nhiên nói với tâm hồn chúng ta một cách rất đặc biệt. Thiên nhiên không chỉ khiến chúng ta phải dừng bước, thu hút sự chú ý của chúng ta mà còn hướng chúng ta đến Đấng tạo nên vẻ đẹp đó.

Kỳ quan trong cõi tạo vật rộng lớn của Đức Chúa Trời có thể khiến chúng ta dừng lại và ghi nhớ điều gì là thật sự quan trọng. Trên hết, chúng ta được nhắc nhở rằng có một Đấng Tạo Hóa phía sau cánh cửa đáng kinh ngạc mở ra và khép lại một ngày — Đấng quá yêu thế giới mà Ngài tạo dựng đến nỗi Ngài đã bước vào thế giới ấy để cứu chuộc và phục hồi nó.

Lạy Chúa, con vui thích thế giới muôn màu, muôn vẻ mà Ngài đã tạo dựng. Ngài thật đáng kinh sợ và những gì Ngài tạo dựng thật tuyệt vời!

Hãy vui hưởng tất cả những gì Đức Chúa Trời tạo dựng.

bởi Jeff Olson

© 2017 Lời Sống Hằng Ngày

Nuestro Pan Diario - Disfruta de la vista

Leer: Salmo 148:1-6 | La Biblia en un año: 2 Samuel 3–5; Lucas 14:25-35

Alabadle, sol y luna; Alabadle, vosotras todas, lucientes estrellas (v. 3).

Las puestas de sol. Las personas suelen dejar lo que están haciendo para observarlas… les sacan fotos… disfrutan de la hermosa vista.

Hace poco, mi esposa y yo miramos cómo el sol se ponía sobre el Golfo de México. Estábamos rodeados de una multitud que se había reunido en la playa para observar este fenómeno nocturno. Cuando el sol desapareció por completo en el horizonte, todos empezaron a aplaudir.

¿Por qué la gente responde de esa manera? El libro de los Salmos nos ofrece un indicio. El salmista escribió cómo Dios le ordena al sol que alabe a su Creador (Salmo 148:3). Y, dondequiera que los rayos del sol brillan sobre la Tierra, las personas se sienten inspiradas a alabar junto a ellos.

La belleza de la naturaleza habla a nuestra alma como pocas otras cosas. No solo puede hacernos parar en seco y captar nuestra atención, sino que también tiene el poder de hacernos mirar al Creador de esa belleza.

La maravilla de la vasta creación de Dios puede llevarnos a hacer una pausa y recordar lo que es verdaderamente importante. En última instancia, nos recuerda que, detrás de la espectacular entrada y salida del día, hay un Creador que amó de tal manera al mundo que hizo que entrara en él para redimirlo y restaurarlo.

Disfruto del mundo que creaste, con su variedad y su color. ¡Me asombras, Señor!

Únete a Dios y deléitate en todo lo que Él ha hecho.

Por JRO

© 2017 Ministerios Nuestro Pan Diario

Unser Täglich Brot - Schöne Aussicht

Lesen: Psalm 148,1-6 | Die Bibel In Einem Jahr: 2.Samuel 3–5; Lukas 14,25-35

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Lobet ihn, Sonne und Mond, lobet ihn, alle leuchtenden Sterne. Psalm 148,3

Sonnenuntergänge. Menschen lassen alles stehen und liegen, um sie anzusehen . . . Fotos zu schießen . . . den Anblick zu genießen.

Vor kurzem haben meine Frau und ich am Golf von Mexiko beobachtet, wie die Sonne unterging. Eine Menschenmenge stand um uns herum, hauptsächlich Fremde, die zum Strand gekommen waren, um das Schauspiel anzusehen. Als die Sonne am Horizont versank, klatschten die Leute Applaus.

Warum reagieren sie so? Das Buch der Psalmen gibt uns einen Anhaltspunkt. Der Psalmist schreibt, dass Gott der Sonne befiehlt, ihren Schöpfer zu loben (Ps. 148,3). Und egal wo ein Sonnenstrahl auf die Erde fällt, bewegt er die Menschen dazu, es ihm gleichzutun.

Die Schönheit, der wir in der Natur begegnen, spricht unsere Seele an wie nur wenige Dinge sonst. Sie kann uns nicht nur bei unserer Arbeit innehalten lassen und unsere Aufmerksamkeit fesseln, sie hat auch die Kraft, unsere Blicke auf denjenigen zu lenken, der sie erschaffen hat.

Die Wunder von Gottes gewaltiger Schöpfung können uns daran erinnern, was wirklich wichtig ist. Aber vor allem lassen sie uns erkennen, dass hinter Beginn und Ende eines jeden Tages ein Schöpfer steht. Einer, der die Welt so liebt, dass er selbst in sie hineinkam, um sie zu erlösen und wiederherzustellen.

Ich freue mich an der Welt, die du so bunt und vielfältig erschaffen hast, und staune über dich und das, was du gemacht hast.

Freue dich mit Gott an allem, was er erschaffen hat.

Von Jeff Olson

© 2017 Unser Täglich Brot

Notre Pain Quotidien - Admirez la vue

Lisez : Psaume 148.1‑6 | La Bible en un an : 2 SAMUEL 3 – 5 et LUC 14.25‑35

Louez-le, soleil et lune ! Louez-le, vous toutes, étoiles lumineuses ! V.3

Les couchers de soleil. Les gens ont tendance à s’interrompre pour les regarder… les photographier… et en admirer la beauté.

Ma femme et moi avons regardé le Soleil se coucher sur le golfe du Mexique dernièrement. La foule nous entourait, composée surtout d’inconnus s’étant rassemblés sur la plage pour admirer ce phénomène nocturne. Or, au moment où le Soleil a complètement disparu derrière l’horizon, les applaudissements de la foule ont jailli.

Pourquoi les gens réagissent-ils de la sorte ? Le livre des Psaumes nous en donne un indice. Le psalmiste a écrit que Dieu avait ordonné au Soleil d’adorer son Créateur (PS 148.3). Et chaque fois que ses rayons balayent la Terre, les gens se sentent poussés à louer Dieu avec eux.

La beauté dont la nature nous entoure parle à notre âme comme peu de choses le font. Elle a non seulement la capacité de nous arrêter net en captant notre attention, mais encore elle a le pouvoir de nous amener à nous tourner vers celui‑là même qui a créé la beauté.

La magnificence et l’immensité de la création de Dieu peuvent nous amener à nous interrompre pour nous remémorer ce qui a une véritable importance. En définitive, elle nous rappelle qu’il y a un Créateur derrière le lever et le coucher de chaque journée, celui qui a tant aimé le monde qu’il avait créé, au point d’y entrer afin de le racheter et de le restaurer.

Joignez‑vous à Dieu pour jouir de tout ce qu’il a créé.

par Jeff Olson

© 2017 Ministères NPQ

Хліб Наш Насущній - Полюбуйтесь видовищем

Читати: Псалом 148:1-6 | Біблія за рік: 2 Самуїлова 3−5 ; Луки 14:25-35

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Хваліте Його, сонце й місяцю, хваліте Його, усі зорі ясні! — Псалом 148:3

Сонце заходить за обрій. Люди часто зупиняються, роблять паузу в роботі, щоб подивитись на це диво, зробити фотознімки, або просто помилуватись чудовим видовищем.

Нещодавно я з дружиною споглядав захід сонця, що сідало за Мексиканську Затоку. Навколо були натовпи людей – по більшості незнайомці, що зібрались на березі помилуватись цим вечірнім явищем. І в той момент, як сонце слизнуло за край обрію, натовп вибухнув оплесками.

Чому люди так реагують на подібні речі? Книга Псалмів містить ключову відповідь. Псалміст пише, що Сам Бог наказує сонцю славити свого Творця (Пс. 148:3). І коли промені сонця осяюють землю, це спонукає людей славити Бога.

Мало що так сильно промовляє до нашого серця, як та краса, що нам її являє природа. Краса природи не лише спроможна зупинити нас у наших справах, привернувши нашу увагу, але може й спрямувати наш погляд на Творця самої цієї краси. Чудеса безмежного Божого творіння здатні спонукати нас зупинитись і згадати те, що має найбільше значення. Зрештою вони нагадують нам, що існує Творець – Той, Хто стоїть за чудовим сходом сонця вранці і вражаючим його заходом увечері. Біблія говорить, що Бог так полюбив створений Ним світ, що Сам прийшов на землю спасти й відновити його.

Господи, я насолоджуюсь тим світом, що Ти створив у всій його різноманітності та кольоровості. Ти є великий. І все, що Ти створив, відображає Твою велич!

Насолоджуйтесь творінням, як Бог насолоджувався ним, коли створив Всесвіт.

Автор Джеф Олсон

© 2017 Хліб Наш Насущній

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Читать сейчас: Псалом 148:1-6 | Библия за год: 2 Царств 3-5; Луки 14:25-35

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Хвалите Его, солнце и луна, хвалите Его, все звезды света. — Псалом 148:3

Закат. Люди останавливаются и смотрят на заходящее солнце. Фотографируют. Любуются.

Мы с женой недавно смотрели, как солнце заходит над Мексиканским заливом. Вокруг было много народа, преимущественно туристы. Когда солнце полностью скрылось за горизонтом, люди зааплодировали.

Почему они так поступили? Подсказка содержится в Псалмах. Псалмопевец написал, что солнце славит своего Творца (Пс. 148:3). И когда лучи дневного светила сияют над землей, люди чувствуют побуждение славить Бога вместе с ними.

Красота природы особым образом касается наших душ. Она не только обладает способностью останавливать нас среди суеты, привлекая внимание, но также имеет силу обращать наш взгляд на Создателя красоты.

Чудо удивительного Божьего творения может побудить нас остановиться и вспомнить то, что по-настоящему важно. Прежде всего оно напоминает о Том, Кто дает начало и конец каждому дню, Кто так возлюбил созданный Им мир, что пришел искупить и спасти его.

Я радуюсь разнообразному и многоцветному миру, который Ты, Господь, сотворил. И Ты Сам, и Твое творение удивительны.

Возрадуйтесь вместе с Богом о Его делах.

автор: Джеф Олсон

© 2017 Хлеб Наш Насущный