The Sunday Readings for SUNDAY, April 23, 2017 - 2nd Sunday of Easter - Sunday of Divine Mercy - Quasimodo Geniti

Opening Sentence

On this day the Lord has acted; we will rejoice and be glad in it. Psalm 118:24

INTROIT

Quasi modo géniti infántes

 

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 Old Testament Lesson

The Old Testament Lesson for today is taken from Isaiah 43:8-13

Bring forth the people who are blind, yet have eyes, who are deaf, yet have ears! Let all the nations gather together, and let the peoples assemble. Who among them declared this, and foretold to us the former things? Let them bring their witnesses to justify them, and let them hear and say, "It is true." You are my witnesses, says the LORD, and my servant whom I have chosen, so that you may know and believe me and understand that I am he. Before me no god was formed, nor shall there be any after me. I, I am the LORD, and besides me there is no savior. I declared and saved and proclaimed, when there was no strange god among you; and you are my witnesses, says the LORD. I am God, and also henceforth I am He; there is no one who can deliver from my hand; I work and who can hinder it?


Psalm 16 Conserva me, Domine
1   Protect me, O God, for I take refuge in you; I have said to the LORD, "You are my Lord, my good above all other."
2   All my delight is upon the godly that are in the land, upon those who are noble among the people.
3   But those who run after other gods shall have their troubles multiplied.
4   Their libations of blood I will not offer, nor take the names of their gods upon my lips.
5   O LORD, you are my portion and my cup; it is you who uphold my lot.
6   My boundaries enclose a pleasant land; indeed, I have a goodly heritage.
7   I will bless the LORD who gives me counsel; my heart teaches me, night after night.
8   I have set the LORD always before me; because he is at my right hand I shall not fall.
9   My heart, therefore, is glad, and my spirit rejoices; my body also shall rest in hope.
10   For you will not abandon me to the grave, nor let your holy one see the Pit.
11   You will show me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy, and in your right hand are pleasures for evermore.

The Epistle Lesson

The First Reading is taken from Acts 2:14, 2:22-32

But Peter, standing with the eleven, lifted up his voice and addressed them: “Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and give ear to my words. “Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with mighty works and wonders and signs that God did through him in your midst, as you yourselves know—this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men. God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it. For David says concerning him, “‘I saw the Lord always before me, for he is at my right hand that I may not be shaken; therefore my heart was glad, and my tongue rejoiced; my flesh also will dwell in hope. For you will not abandon my soul to Hades, or let your Holy One see corruption. You have made known to me the paths of life; you will make me full of gladness with your presence.’ “Brothers, I may say to you with confidence about the patriarch David that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. Being therefore a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him that he would set one of his descendants on his throne, he foresaw and spoke about the resurrection of the Christ, that he was not abandoned to Hades, nor did his flesh see corruption. This Jesus God raised up, and of that we all are witnesses.

The Second Reading is taken from 1 Peter 1:3-9

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! By his great mercy he has given us a new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who are being protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you rejoice, even if now for a little while you have had to suffer various trials, so that the genuineness of your faith-- being more precious than gold that, though perishable, is tested by fire-- may be found to result in praise and glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. Although you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and rejoice with an indescribable and glorious joy, for you are receiving the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

The Holy Gospel Reading

The Holy Gospel is written in John 20:19-31

When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors of the house where the disciples had met were locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you." After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you." When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained." But Thomas (who was called the Twin), one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, "We have seen the Lord." But he said to them, "Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands, and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe." A week later his disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were shut, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you." Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here and see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Do not doubt but believe." Thomas answered him, "My Lord and my God!" Jesus said to him, "Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe." Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book. But these are written so that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through believing you may have life in his name.

Click HERE to read today's Holy Gospel Lesson message.

The Apostle's 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

Almighty and everlasting God, who in the Paschal mystery established the new covenant of reconciliation: Grant that all who have been reborn into the fellowship of Christ's Body may show forth in their lives what they profess by their faith; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen

A Prayer for Sundays

O God, you make us glad with the weekly remembrance of the glorious resurrection of your Son our Lord: Give us this day such blessing through our worship of you, that the week to come may be spent in your favor; through 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.

The Sermon for SUNDAY, April 23, 2017 - 2nd Sunday of Easter - Sunday of Divine Mercy - Quasimodo Geniti

When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors of the house where the disciples had met were locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you." After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you." When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained." But Thomas (who was called the Twin), one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, "We have seen the Lord." But he said to them, "Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands, and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe." A week later his disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were shut, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you." Then he said to Thomas, "Put your finger here and see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Do not doubt but believe." Thomas answered him, "My Lord and my God!" Jesus said to him, "Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe." Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book. But these are written so that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through believing you may have life in his name. (John 20:19-31)

"Easter - Fact Or Fiction?

The Cure For Doubt"

“The Easter story is nothing but a myth,” Tom’s high school teacher announced to his class a few days before Easter break. “Jesus not only didn’t rise from the grave,” he continued, “but there’s no God in heaven who would allow his son to be crucified in the first place.”

“Sir, I believe in God,” Tom protested. “And I believe in the resurrection.”

“Tom, you can believe what you wish to, of course,” the teacher said, “However, the real world excludes the possibility of miracles like the resurrection. The resurrection is a scientific impossibility. No one who believes in miracles can also respect science.”

Then the teacher proposed an experiment. Reaching into his refrigerator, he produced a raw egg and held it up. “I’m going to drop this egg on the floor,” he said. “Gravity will pull it toward the floor that the egg will most certainly break apart.” Looking at Tom with a challenge, he said, “Now tom, I want you to pray a prayer right now and ask your God to keep this egg from breaking when it hits the floor. If he can do that, then you’ll have proven your point, and I’ll have to admit that there is a God.”

After pondering the challenge for a moment, Tom slowly stood up to pray: “Dear Heavenly Father,” Tom prayed, “I pray that when my teacher drops the egg, it will break into a hundred pieces. And also, Lord, I pray that when the egg does break, my teacher will have a heart attack and die. Amen.”

After a unison gasp, the class sat in silent expectation. For a moment the teacher did nothing. At last he looked at Tom and then the egg. Without a word he carefully put the egg back into the refrigerator. “Class dismissed,” the teacher said, and then he sat down to clear his desk.

The teacher apparently did believe in God’s existence more than he thought. Many people, like that teacher, deny that God exists, yet run from him, question him, and attack him whenever they get the chance. That teacher wasn’t willing to bet his life that God didn’t exist.

Many people doubt the existence of God. Many people doubt the resurrection. On that first Easter, many years ago, one of the disciples refused to believe in the resurrection. He had doubts. Today we are going to take a look at that man, and see how his doubts are our doubts. We’re also going to see how Jesus healed this man of the disease of doubt, and how he heals us today.

On Easter night, the disciples were together in a house, hiding behind locked doors. A number of them had seen Jesus alive, and now they were scared. What were the Jewish leaders going to do? Would they be arrested now? Would they be accused of stealing the body? Would anyone believe them if they told people that Jesus had risen from the dead? They were hiding from the Pharisees and Sadduccees – hoping to avoid confrontation.

Suddenly, Jesus was standing in the middle of them, and said to them, “Peace be with you.” Jesus always says just the right thing at the right time, doesn’t he. He tells them that they can feel peace in their hearts. He was there, and they had nothing to worry about. He showed them his hands and side to prove to them that he wasn’t a ghost, but that he was the same Jesus they had known, the same Jesus they had seen crucified just three days earlier.

The Apostle Thomas wasn’t there. When he returned, the disciples told him that Jesus had appeared to them. But Thomas didn’t believe: “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands, and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe it.” You can’t get much more skeptical than that, can you. I will not believe, unless I see visible proof.

Why does Thomas refuse to believe? Because Thomas was a practical person, and he lived in a practical world. He was shattered on Good Friday when Jesus died. But he wasn’t about to succumb to fantasy. Dead was dead, and that was it. No one in their right minds would doubt it when the Romans said a prisoner was dead. They were experts at killing! It’s not that Thomas didn’t want to believe that Jesus was still alive. But Thomas knew how the world worked. Dead was dead, and that was it.

That’s how our world sees Jesus’ resurrection today. Nice idea, but it didn’t really happen. Many people are set on proving that the resurrection of Jesus was a spiritual resurrection. Jesus arose only in the sense that his spirit goes marching on, sort of life the way the spirit of Abraham Lincoln continues to influence America.

But William Lane Craig, perhaps the worlds’ foremost authority on the resurrection, dismisses such a theory. Dr. Craig is an English scholar with two earned doctoral degrees. Currently, he teaches at the University of Louvain near Brussels. Dr. Craig points out that it would have been a contradiction in terms for an early Jew to say that someone was raised from the dead, but his body was left in the tomb. That’s not how people talked back then. Furthermore, Dr. Craig points out that numerous disciples were executed because they would not deny the resurrection. No sane person would die for something that didn’t happen. Of all the events that took place in the first century, no historical event has better or more widespread documentation than the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

And yet, we Christian today live in a sea of doubt. And when you’re swimming in doubt, it’s hard not to get wet, to have that doubt seep into your way of thinking. Have you ever doubted? Have you ever wondered about this whole business of Jesus and the cross and the resurrection? Have you ever asked yourself if your faith is really only a superstition? Have you ever wondered, “Am I a Christian only because my parents were? Often we’re afraid to face our doubts because we’re afraid of what we might find. We’re afraid of what others might think. People might find out how weak our faith really is, so we keep our doubts to ourselves. And yet, our doubts don’t go away – they’re always there, and like a cancer, our doubt slowly eats away at our faith, until we believe in Jesus less and less, and we become more and more skeptical, like Thomas, in our story for today.

What can you do to get rid of doubt? Nothing, really. There is no cure on this earth that will take away your doubts. If they find Noah’s ark up in the mountain, if they find the burial shroud of Christ, if all of your friends and family have the most amazing arguments in the world – none of those things can cure you of your doubt. Only one thing can.

That one thing happened to Thomas one week later. On the Sunday after Easter, the disciples were together, and Thomas was with them. The doors were locked again. Suddenly, Jesus was standing in the middle of them. “Peace be with you,” Jesus says again. And then he focuses on Thomas. He invites Thomas to do what he said he wanted to do – to touch the wounds he had sustained on the cross. “Stop doubting and believe,” Jesus told Thomas.

This is what cured Thomas of his doubt. Thomas responded by saying, “My Lord and my God!” Thomas had become a man of faith, a man who believed in Jesus, even though everything he knew about the world would tell him otherwise.

The only solution, the only way, that you can get rid of the doubt in your heart is to have moments with Jesus Christ, like Thomas had that Sunday after Easter. “Now wait a second,” you might say. “Jesus appeared to Thomas. How am I supposed to have a moment like that?” When does Jesus come to you, and speak to you, like he spoke to Thomas? When does Jesus chase away your doubts? When does he transform you into someone who strongly believes in him, like Thomas did after it was all over?

Today, Jesus comes to you in an invisible way, through his Word. Every time you hear the Word of God, Jesus steps into your life and says, “Peace be with you.” Every time you receive the Lord’s Supper, Jesus is right there, through his body and blood, and he chases away your doubts, and fills you with faith and hope and trust in him. Through the Word, through the Sacraments, that’s how Jesus appears to you and speaks to you, just as he spoke to Thomas.

I was reading an article from a student publication put out by the WELS, called “Lightsource.” It’s written by college students about their experiences in college. The article on the front page is entitled “Faith vs. Reason” and it’s about a student who was really wrestling with doubts about her faith in God. The classes she took had caused her to question the existence of God. She was losing her faith, swimming in a sea of doubt. Trying to rely on her reason to find proof that God exists, that Jesus rose from the dead.

But it doesn’t work that way. You don’t get rid of your doubts that way. And then, she turned to the only thing that could cure her of her doubt: “Finally, I turned to the Word of God, to find a foothold,” she said. “I needed the Holy Spirit to change me and fan into flame once more the faith in my heart.” God is who changed her, and he did that through his Word.

That’s how Jesus changes you today. In verse 29, Jesus says to Thomas: “Because you have seen me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen me and yet have believed.” Jesus is talking about you. You have not seen him with your own eyes like Thomas. But you have believed. You have believed by having Jesus come to you in an invisible way, through his Word. The Apostle John tells us that Jesus did other miraculous signs that are not recorded in the Bible. “But these are written” (these stories, these accounts of Jesus and his disciples) “that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.”

Stay close to the Word of God. Take the Lord’s Supper regularly. Let Jesus speak to your heart, just as he spoke to Thomas. Let Jesus take away your doubts. Let Jesus change you into a Christian who strongly believes that Jesus is the Christ, even though you have never seen him. May God grant you the same heart he granted to Thomas, a heart that says “My Lord and my God.” 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. Today's sermon shared by Don Schultz on Mar 28, 2002.

Prayer of the Day for SUNDAY, April 23, 2017 - 2nd Sunday of Easter - Sunday of Divine Mercy - Quasimodo Geniti

Almighty and everlasting God, who in the Paschal mystery established the new covenant of reconciliation: Grant that all who have been reborn into the fellowship of Christ's Body may show forth in their lives what they profess by their faith; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen

Verse of the Day for SUNDAY, April 23, 2017 - 2nd Sunday of Easter

Romans 14:11 (NIV) It is written: “‘As surely as I live,’ says the Lord, ‘every knee will bow before me; every tongue will acknowledge God.’”

Read all of Romans 14

Listen to Romans 14

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

Un Dia a la Vez - No te envicies con tu trabajo

No te jactes del día de mañana, porque no sabes lo que el día traerá. No te jactes de ti mismo; que sean otros los que te alaben.
Proverbios 27:1-2, NVI

Todos los extremos son malos. En el día de hoy, Dios quiere que unamos el pensamiento de ayer acerca de los llamados a trabajar, sobre todo en su obra, con tu llamado en particular como maestro, arquitecto, enfermera, trabajador de la construcción, cocinera, vendedor y hasta ama de casa. Y si no mencioné tu trabajo, añádelo, por favor. No podemos vivir solo para el trabajo y producir dinero. Esa no es la voluntad de Dios.

Dios deseas bendecirnos con nuestros trabajos y que podamos tener el dinero suficiente a fin de pagar nuestras cuentas y todo lo demás. Sin embargo, no nos dio el trabajo para que no hagamos otra cosa que trabajar, trabajar y, si sobra algo, trabajar. Esto desagrada a nuestro Dios.

¿Has pensado en las horas que has dejado de estar en casa porque tal parece que tienes mucho trabajo? ¿Has considerado las muchas veces que no te puedes despedir de tus hijos porque sales tan temprano que aún duermen y llegas tan tarde que también duermen?

Reflexiona en que hoy es el día de cambiar. No podemos seguir haciendo las cosas a nuestra manera. Piensa en esto: Tú dejas de disfrutar con los tuyos por estar trabajando, pero el día que te enfermes por exceso de estrés, nadie va devolverte la salud. Además, recuerda algo que yo siempre tengo muy presente: «Todos» somos reemplazables.

Después de mi enfermedad entendí esto y, aunque me encanta lo que hago, ahora saco tiempo mi familia y para mí, y comprendo que soy reemplazable.

Un Día a la Vez Copyright © by Claudia Pinzón

Standing Strong Through the Storm - THE HELMET OF SALVATION

Take the helmet of salvation…

 Ephesians 6:17a, NIV

In describing the Christian’s helmet, Paul wrote in 1 Thessalonians 5:8, “…and the hope of salvation as a helmet.” The best armor you can give a soldier is the kind that cannot be destroyed by the enemy. Paul, knowing the eternal nature of God’s salvation, exhorts the servant-soldier to put on—that is, believe in—the hope of life beyond this world. Soldiers without fear of death? What a mighty force!

God also provides the helmet to protect our minds. When the enemy tries to infiltrate our thinking with doubts about our salvation, the helmet becomes our protection.

You are God’s own child. He Himself redeemed you from slavery. He does not want the enemy to overcome you. You are secure in your relationship with God. The power within you is greater than the power in your enemy. Give no place to doubt. Take your stand for God in confidence wearing you helmet of salvation.

Teshome comes from northern Ethiopia and grew up in the traditional Orthodox Church. In Sunday school he was taught that the evangelical Christians eat the meat of dogs and cats when they celebrate Holy Communion. Their Sunday school teachers made a mistake by asking them to read the gospels and so Teshome discovered the truth about Jesus Christ. He went to evangelical Christians to hear more about Jesus. He found that his Sunday school teachers, priests and bishops were teaching him lies. He accepted Christ. After this he was chased away by his family, community and congregation.

Brother Teshome and new friends went to live with Christians who received them in their homes. It was during their stay with these Christians that they heard about a well-established evangelical church. They contacted its leadership and joined after getting a positive reply. Presently they have sixty members in their region. Brother Teshome’s vision is to go back to his people and witness to them.

RESPONSE: Today I put on the helmet of salvation so Satan will not have a stronghold on my thoughts.

PRAYER: Lord, I rejoice in my salvation and ask You to help me keep my mind focused on You.

LHM Daily Devotion - April 23, 2017 "In the Best Refuge"

There are several occasions God has given me the opportunity ....

Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries

By Pastor Ken Klaus, Speaker Emeritus of The Lutheran Hour

" In the Best Refuge "

April 23, 2017

Psalm 46:1-3 - God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling.

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

The salvation story of Jesus Christ reaches around the world. So that the readers of our Daily Devotion may see the power of the Savior on a global scale, we have asked the volunteers of our international ministry centers to write our Sunday devotions. We pray that the Spirit may touch your day through their words.

In Christ, I remain, His servant and yours,
Kenneth R. Klaus
Speaker Emeritus of The Lutheran Hour

There are several occasions God has given me the opportunity to serve in places affected by earthquakes, fires, or floods. I have seen how years of effort, fatigue, exhaustion, and struggle were wiped out in only a couple of minutes. Feelings of anguish, despair, and frustration emerged in the hearts of those who lived these experiences.

It was here, in the midst of desolation, I was privileged to share the Gospel message.

But I wonder, is an earthquake, a flood, a fire, or a hurricane the only disasters we face? Is it only to these that the psalmist refers in our text above?

If you think about it, you will find this same reality at hospitals, schools, and homes. It is the reality we experience in our own lives. I am speaking of figurative earthquakes that come to us in illnesses, financial problems, crises in the family, and so many other ways. True, these problems may not destroy the walls of our home, but they can devastate the walls of our hearts.

Lack of hope, depression, and fear of an uncertain future can inundate our hearts.

It is especially at these times we need to remember how sin seeks to break down our faith, our hope, and our joy. Sin and Satan wish to destroy everything good the Lord wishes us to have. We are left wondering when will the earth cease to tremble? When will the flood abate?

The answer seems to be not very encouraging. As long as we are in this life, the earth will continue to shake, the waters overwhelm, and the mountains tremble. The only question unanswered is where shall we go for refuge?

If we seek refuge in our own strengths, we will find little or no relief. Self-help books tell us to find strength within ourselves, but experience will prove their advice is unreliable and untrustworthy.

Far better to trust the Lord who assures us that "God is our refuge and strength." The Triune God is the One who seeks to protect us and give us strength. He sent His only-begotten Son to overcome the sin which condemns us. Jesus' life was given so forgiveness might be given to all those who have been adopted into the family of faith.

It is this great God who has given everything we need. He is the sole Source of the protection, encouragement, and comfort that fills our lives with hope. He is the One whose Son died on the cross, overcame the tomb, and sustains us -- even when the world seems to be crumbling around us.

THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, in each day help me see Your hand of love and protection. Especially in the midst of pain, may I look to the Savior in whose Name I pray. Amen

Biography of Author: Today's international devotion was written by the Rev. Alejandro López. Until last year, Lopez was the pastor of the Confessional Lutheran Church of Chile and chaplain of a school. He has served with Lutheran Hour Ministries through various Chilean catastrophes. He is currently the pastor of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Panama, and is the pastor at the community of Sorá.

In this South American country of nearly 18 million people, Lutheran Hour Ministries-Chile, known in-country as Cristo Para Todas Las Naciones operates from its ministry center in Santiago. There it serves as the primary evangelism partner of the new Evangelical Lutheran Church of Chile (IELCHI). Conducting Equipping the Saints (ETS) workshops and distributing outreach literature and topical booklets in places like public health clinics, this ministry center works in conjunction with affiliated IELCHI congregations and mission starts. Additional LHM-Chile activities include youth music programs, elder care programs, holistic women's workshops, and drug abuse prevention programs.

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

Our Daily Bread - The Shrinking Piano

Read: Philippians 1:1–11 | Bible in a Year: 2 Samuel 16–18; Luke 17:20–37

Download MP3

Subscribe to iTunes

He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. Philippians 1:6

For three consecutive years, my son participated in a piano recital. The last year he played, I watched him mount the steps and set up his music. He played two songs and then sat down next to me and whispered, “Mom, this year the piano was smaller.” I said, “No, it’s the same piano you played last year. You’re bigger! You’ve grown.”

Spiritual growth, like physical growth, often happens slowly over time. It is an ongoing process that involves becoming more like Jesus, and it happens as we are transformed through the renewing of our minds (Rom. 12:2).

When the Holy Spirit is at work in us, we may become aware of sin in our lives. Wanting to honor God, we make an effort to change. Sometimes we experience success, but at other times, we try and fail. If it seems like nothing changes, we get discouraged. We may equate failure with a lack of progress, when it’s often proof that we are in the middle of the process.

Spiritual growth involves the Holy Spirit, our willingness to change, and time. At certain points in our lives, we may look back and see that we have grown spiritually. May God give us the faith to continue to believe that “He who began a good work in [us] will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus” (Phil. 1:6).

Dear God, give me a desire to grow spiritually. I want to honor You with my life and experience the joy of the Spirit’s work inside of me.

Spiritual growth is a process.

By Jennifer Benson Schuldt

© 2017 Our Daily Bread Ministries

Lời Sống Hằng Ngày - Chiếc Piano Nhỏ Lại

Đọc: Phi-líp 1:1-11 | Đọc Kinh Thánh suốt năm: 2 Sa-mu-ên 16-18; Lu-ca 17:20-37

Download MP3

Đấng đã bắt đầu làm việc lành trong anh em sẽ làm trọn việc ấy cho đến ngày của Đấng Christ Jêsus. Phi-líp 1:6

Trong suốt ba năm liên tục, con trai tôi tham gia vào một chương trình biểu diễn piano. Năm cuối cùng biểu diễn, tôi nhìn cháu bước lên để chuẩn bị bài nhạc. Cháu chơi hai bản nhạc và sau đó ngồi xuống bên tôi thì thầm: “Mẹ, năm nay chiếc đàn piano nhỏ hơn mẹ ạ.” Tôi nói: “Không, đó là cây đàn con chơi hồi năm ngoái mà! Con lớn hơn đấy chứ! Con đã lớn rồi!”

Sự trưởng thành tâm linh cũng giống như sự trưởng thành về thể chất, thường diễn ra một cách từ từ theo thời gian. Đó là một tiến trình tiếp diễn để trở nên giống Chúa Jêsus hơn, và nó xảy ra khi chúng ta được biến hóa bởi sự đổi mới của tâm trí mình (Rô-ma 12:2).

Khi Đức Thánh Linh hành động trong chúng ta, chúng ta sẽ nhận ra những tội lỗi trong đời sống mình. Vì muốn tôn kính Chúa, chúng ta nỗ lực để thay đổi. Nhiều lúc chúng ta thành công, nhưng đôi khi dù cố gắng nhưng vẫn thất bại. Khi mọi thứ dường như không hề thay đổi, chúng ta nản lòng. Chúng ta có thể cho rằng thất bại nghĩa là không tiến triển, mặc dù việc đó cho thấy chúng ta chỉ mới đi được nửa đường.

Để tăng trưởng tâm linh, chúng ta cần sự hành động của Đức Thánh Linh, bản thân sẵn lòng thay đổi và thời gian. Một lúc nào đó trong cuộc đời, khi nhìn lại, chúng ta sẽ thấy rằng đời sống thuộc linh của mình đã tăng trưởng. Nguyện Chúa cho chúng ta đức tin để tiếp tục tin rằng “Đấng đã bắt đầu làm việc lành trong [chúng ta] sẽ làm trọn việc ấy cho đến ngày của Đấng Christ Jêsus” (Phi-líp 1:6).

Lạy Chúa, xin cho con khao khát được tăng trưởng về phần tâm linh. Con muốn tôn kính Ngài bằng cả đời sống và kinh nghiệm niềm vui khi Thánh Linh Ngài hành động trong con.

Tăng trưởng tâm linh là một tiến trình.

bởi Jennifer Benson Schuldt

© 2017 Lời Sống Hằng Ngày

Nuestro Pan Diario - El piano que encogía

Leer: Filipenses 1:1-11 | La Biblia en un año: 2 Samuel 16–18; Lucas 17:20-37

… el que comenzó en vosotros la buena obra, la perfeccionará hasta el día de Jesucristo (v. 6).

Durante tres años consecutivos, mi hijo participó de un recital de piano. El último año que tocó, lo observé subir los escalones y preparar su partitura. Después de tocar, se sentó junto a mí y susurró: «Mamá, este año, el piano es más pequeño». Le contesté: «No, es el mismo piano del año pasado. ¡Tú estás más grande!».

El crecimiento espiritual, al igual que el físico, suele darse lentamente. Es un proceso constante que implica parecerse más a Jesús, y sucede a medida que somos transformados mediante la renovación de nuestro entendimiento (Romanos 12:2).

Cuando el Espíritu Santo obra en nosotros, quizá tengamos convicción de pecado y nos esforcemos por cambiar. A veces, lo logramos, y otras, fracasamos. Si parece que nada cambia, nos desanimamos. Tal vez consideramos que el fracaso equivale a una falta de progreso cuando, en realidad, suele probar que estamos en medio del proceso.

Para el crecimiento espiritual, hace falta el Espíritu Santo, nuestra voluntad de cambiar y tiempo. En ciertos momentos de nuestras vidas, quizá miremos atrás y veamos que crecimos espiritualmente. Que Dios pueda darnos la fe de seguir adelante y creer que «el que comenzó en [nosotros] la buena obra, la perfeccionará hasta el día de Jesucristo» (Filipenses 1:6).

Señor, dame el deseo de crecer espiritualmente.

El crecimiento espiritual es un proceso.

Por Jennifer Benson Schuldt

© 2017 Ministerios Nuestro Pan Diario

Unser Täglich Brot - Das geschrumpfte Klavier

Lesen: Philipper 1,1-11 | Die Bibel In Einem Jahr: 2.Samuel 16–18; Lukas 17,20-37

MP3 herunterladen

Der in euch angefangen hat das gute Werk, der wird’s auch vollenden bis an den Tag Christi Jesu. Philipper 1,6

Drei Jahre lang nahm mein Sohn an einer Klavieraufführung teil. Ich saß im Publikum und sah ihm zu, wie er auf die Bühne stieg und die Noten aufstellte. Als er letztes Jahr seine zwei Lieder gespielt und sich wieder zu mir gesetzt hatte, flüsterte er: „Dieses Jahr war das Klavier viel kleiner, Mama.“ „Nein“, erwiderte ich. „Es ist dasselbe Klavier wie letztes Jahr, aber du bist größer! Du bist gewachsen.“

Geistliches Wachstum geschieht, genau wie das körperliche, oft ganz langsam. Es ist ein Prozess, in dessen Verlauf wir Jesus ähnlicher werden, und er geschieht, wenn wir uns durch Erneuerung unseres Sinnes verändern (Röm. 12,2).

Wenn der Heilige Geist in uns wirkt, erkennen wir die Sünde in unserem Leben. Weil wir Gott Ehre machen wollen, versuchen wir uns zu ändern. Manchmal mit Erfolg. Manchmal nicht. Wenn wir das Gefühl haben, es würde sich gar nichts ändern, verlieren wir den Mut. Wir meinen, wir würden keinen Fortschritt machen, dabei stecken wir mitten drin.

Geistliches Wachstum braucht die Hilfe des Heiligen Geistes, unsere eigene Bereitschaft und Zeit. Oft erkennen wir erst im Rückblick, dass wir gewachsen sind. Möge Gott uns schenken, dass wir auch weiter glauben können, dass der, „der in euch angefangen hat das gute Werk, der wird’s auch vollenden bis an den Tag Christi Jesu“ (Phil. 1,6).

Lieber Gott, schenke mir den Wunsch, im Glauben zu wachsen. Ich möchte dich mit meinem Leben ehren und mich am Wirken des Geistes in mir freuen.

Geistliches Wachstum ist ein Prozess.

Von Jennifer Benson Schuldt

© 2017 Unser Täglich Brot

Notre Pain Quotidien - Le piano qui rapetissait

Lisez : Philippiens 1.1‑11 | La Bible en un an : 2 SAMUEL 16 – 18 et LUC 17.20‑37

Celui qui a commencé en vous cette bonne oeuvre la rendra parfaite pour le jour de Jésus-Christ. V.6

Durant trois années consécutives, mon fils a participé à un récital de piano. L’année dernière, je l’ai regardé monter les marches et installer ses partitions. Il a joué deux morceaux, puis il est venu s’asseoir à côté de moi et m’a murmuré : « Maman, cette année, le piano était plus petit. » À cela, j’ai répondu : « Non, c’est le même piano sur lequel tu as joué l’année dernière. C’est que tu as grandi ! »

Comme la croissance physique, la croissance spirituelle se produit souvent petit à petit. Il s’agit d’un processus continu qui nous amène à ressembler davantage à Jésus à mesure qu’il nous transforme par le renouvellement de notre esprit (RO 12.2).

L’action du Saint‑Esprit en nous peut nous conscientiser à nos péchés. Désireux d’honorer Dieu, nous nous efforçons alors de changer, parfois en y parvenant, mais d’autres fois, en vain. Et si rien ne semble changer, nous nous décourageons. Il se peut que nous fassions une équation entre l’échec et le manque de progrès, alors que l’échec est souvent la preuve même du fait que nous sommes en pleine progression.

La croissance spirituelle exige l’action du Saint‑Esprit, le désir de changer et du temps. Il nous arrive de regarder en arrière et de voir que nous avons grandi spirituellement. Puisse Dieu nous donner de continuer à croire que « celui qui a commencé en [nous] cette bonne oeuvre la rendra parfaite pour le jour de Jésus‑Christ » (PH 1.6).

La croissance spirituelle constitue une progression.

par Jennifer Benson Schuldt

© 2017 Ministères NPQ

Хліб Наш Насущній - Зменшене піаніно

Читати: Филип’ян 1:1-11 | Біблія за рік: 2 Самуїлова 16−18 ; Луки 17:20-37

Завантажити MP3

Той, хто в вас розпочав добре діло, виконає його аж до дня Христа Ісуса. — Филип’ян 1:6

Три роки поспіль мій син приймав участь у сольних фортепіанних концертах. Минулого року під час одного такого концерту я споглядала, як він піднявся сходами на сцену, як розпочав грати… Зігравши дві пісні, він сів біля мене й сказав: “Мамо, цього року піаніно стало меншим”. Я сказала: “Ні. Піаніно таке ж саме, як і минулого року. Але ти став більший! Ти ростеш”.

Духовне зростання – як і фізичне – теж зазвичай відбувається повільно і потребує часу. Це постійний процес уподібнення Ісусу, що стосується глибокої трансформації нашого мислення (Рим. 12:2).

Коли Дух Святий працює в нас, ми гостріше відчуваємо гріх у своєму житті. Сповнені бажання прославляти Бога, ми докладаємо більше зусиль для позитивних змін. Інколи ми досягаємо в цьому успіху, але в інших випадках зазнаємо невдач, незважаючи на всі наші зусилля. Ми починаємо опускати руки, коли нам здається, що ми не досягаємо жодних змін. Ці невдачі ми схильні вважати за відсутність прогресу, але часто вони є ознакою того, що процес змін насправді триває.

Для духовного зростання потрібна дія Святого Духа, бажання змінитись і час. Нехай Бог дасть вам сили не зупинятись у духовному рості і вірити, що “Той, хто в вас розпочав добре діло, виконає його аж до дня Христа Ісуса” (Фил. 1:6).

Дорогий Боже, дай мені, будь ласка, бажання зростати духовно. Хочу славити Тебе своїм життям і пізнавати радість праці Святого Духа в мені.

Духовне зростання – це процес.

Автор Дженніфер Бенсон Шульдт

© 2017 Хліб Наш Насущній

Хлеб наш насущный - Уменьшившееся пианино

Читать сейчас: Филиппийцам 1:1-11 | Библия за год: 2 Царств 16-18; Луки 17:20-37

Скачать MP3

Начавший в вас доброе дело будет совершать его даже до дня Иисуса Христа. — Филиппийцам 1:6

В течение трех лет мой сын принимал участие в фортепианных концертах. В последний раз его музыкальный уровень был заметно выше. Сыграв две пьесы, он подсел ко мне и прошептал: «Мама, в этом году у них другое пианино, поменьше». «Нет, – ответила я, – это то же самое пианино. Просто ты подрос».

Духовный рост, как и физический, часто происходит медленно и незаметно. Это длительный процесс, в течение которого мы становимся похожими на Иисуса Христа, благодаря обновлению ума (Рим. 12:2).

Когда Святой Дух трудится над нами, мы начинаем сторониться греха. Желая прославить Бога, мы стараемся меняться. Иногда побеждаем, иногда, к сожалению, падаем. Порой нам кажется, что ничего не происходит, и мы унываем. Но дело в том, что неудача – это вовсе не отсутствие прогресса. Это доказательство того, что процесс идет.

Духовный рост включает в себя действие Святого Духа, нашу готовность меняться и время. Когда-нибудь мы оглянемся и увидим, как сильно выросли. Пусть Господь поможет нам доверять Тому, Кто, начав в нас «доброе дело, будет совершать его даже до дня Иисуса Христа» (Флп. 1:6).

Боже, пошли мне желание духовно расти. Я хочу прославить Тебя своей жизнью и испытать радость от действия Святого Духа во мне.

Духовный рост – это процесс.

автор: Дженифер Бенсон Шульдт

© 2017 Хлеб Наш Насущный