Monday, May 1, 2017

LHM Daily Devotion - May 2, 2017 "A Great Faith, a Greater Savior"

Over the years I have run into many people who think pastors and priests...

Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries

By Pastor Ken Klaus, Speaker Emeritus of The Lutheran Hour



"A Great Faith, a Greater Savior"

May 2, 2017

Matthew 5:44 - (Jesus said) "But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you" (KJV).

Over the years I have run into many people who think pastors and priests are always men of great faith. Now it is true that many who wear the cloth have a wondrous and wonderful relationship with their Lord. I have met and stood in awe of these preachers.

On the other hand, and I can only speak for myself here, I have also encountered laypeople whose faith makes mine appear miniscule in comparison. When we get to heaven I will count myself lucky if I can see their mansion with a large telescope.

In the list of people with great faiths, I would have to include many of the Christian Copts of Egypt.

This past Palm Sunday, when our children were waving palm fronds and shouting out their "Hallelujahs," the little ones of two Coptic congregations in Egypt were ducking for cover as suicide bombers destroyed churches, families, friendships, and futures.

The death count was 49. The wounded were numbered over 100.

Since those reports came out, I've been doing some soul-searching, trying to decide how I would react if that had been my church -- my family -- who had been blown up by fanatics of another religion, whose hearts were filled with hatred. Below is what I felt.

My very first emotion was a desire for revenge, you know, an eye for an eye, a life for a life. Thankfully, there were too many passages of Scripture which clearly condemned vengeance, and very quickly I was forced to abandon that point of view.

My second thought was if I can't have revenge, at least I can have justice. Unfortunately, the death of the innocent Savior and the persecution and murder of most of His disciples makes it clear: the scales of justice don't always get balanced during this life.

In contrast to what I felt was a Coptic woman, no, make that a new Coptic widow who has said, "I am praying for the perpetrators. I am asking the Lord to move them so they may reconsider what they are doing." Another Coptic lady said she has "already forgiven" those who had masterminded the murderous explosions.

I am moved and impressed? So are many others.

Reading about the carnage and hearing no call for revenge, one individual wrote, "Coptic Christians are made of steel." Well, maybe not steel, exactly, it's probably more like equal measures of faith, courage, and Christian commitment -- commitment to the Savior who gave His life for their redemption and salvation.As for me, all I can do is pray for these brothers and sisters, stand in awe of what the Holy Spirit is doing through them, and repeat the comment of the Savior who, having seen a centurion's witness, declared to the crowd that followed Him, "I tell you, not even in Israel have I found such faith" (Luke 7:9b).

THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, guard and protect those who are being persecuted. If possible, turn the heart and hands of those who hate them, and let lives be lived in peace. This I ask in the Savior's 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 02 de Mayo de 2017

Alimento Diario

Un humanitario

02 de Mayo 2017

No hagan nada por contienda o por vanagloria. Al contrario, háganlo con humildad y considerando cada uno a los demás como superiores a sí mismo. No busque cada uno su propio interés, sino cada cual también el de los demás. Que haya en ustedes el mismo sentir que hubo en Cristo Jesús, Filipenses 2:3-5

Cada vez que la lotería se acumula y llega a los $200 millones, empiezo a imaginarme qué haría con si ganara todo ese dinero. Los primeros $80 millones son fáciles de gastar. Pero justo cuando comienzo a soñar con qué hacer con el resto, mi esposa me hace volver a la realidad diciéndome: "si quieres ganar la lotería, primero tienes que comprar un boleto".

La mayoría de nosotros pasamos una buena parte de nuestro tiempo soñando con lo que haríamos si... tal o cual cosa sucediera. Muchos de esos sueños tienen que ver con tener más dinero. "Qué haría si de pronto heredara una fortuna de un familiar que ni sabía que tenía... qué haría si un desconocido me regalara una bolsa llena de dinero sin pedir nada a cambio..."

La mayoría de las veces el deseo de ser rico no es más que eso... un deseo. Por eso es que me asombré cuando leí la historia del Dr. Manuel Padaroyal, el científico colombiano que desarrolló la primer vacuna contra la malaria, enfermedad que infecta a más de 300 millones de personas por año, y mata a más de 3 millones.

El Dr. Padaroyal entregó la vacuna al mundo sin cobrar nada.

Algunos lo consideraron loco y otros un salvador terrenal. Yo me inclino por esta segunda opción. Este doctor es un reflejo del Cristo que se dio a sí mismo para que fuéramos perdonados y bendecidos eternamente.

También es un ejemplo para todos nosotros. Como seguidores del Salvador, podemos preparar una comida para alguien que recién salió del hospital o pasar una tarde cuidando los niños de una madre que necesita tener un tiempo para descansar o hacer otras cosas. Hay millones de maneras en que podemos ayudar a los demás, y no necesitamos tener dinero para poder hacerlo. Todo lo que necesitamos es querer ayudar a los demás.

ORACIÓN: Querido Señor, gracias por las muchas bendiciones que me das cada día. Ayúdame a compartir tu amor y compasión con quienes me rodean. En el nombre de Jesús. Amén

De una devoción 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 - Just a Touch

https://odb.org/2017/05/02/just-a-touch/


Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. Matthew 8:3

Kiley leaped at the chance to go to a remote area of East Africa to assist a medical mission, yet she felt uneasy. She didn’t have any medical experience. Still, she could provide basic care.

While there, she met a woman with a horrible but treatable disease. The woman’s distorted leg repulsed her, but Kiley knew she had to do something. As she cleaned and bandaged the leg, her patient began crying. Concerned, Kiley asked if she was hurting her. “No,” she replied. “It’s the first time anyone has touched me in nine years.”

Leprosy is another disease that can render its victims repulsive to others, and ancient Jewish culture had strict guidelines to prevent its spread: “They must live alone,” the law declared. “They must live outside the camp” (Lev. 13:46).

That’s why it’s so remarkable that a leper approached Jesus to say, “Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean” (Matt. 8:2). “Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. ‘I am willing,’ he said. ‘Be clean!’ ” (v. 3).

In touching a lonely woman’s diseased leg, Kiley began to show the fearless, bridge-building love of Jesus. A single touch made a difference.

Lord, we want to show the fearless love You showed when You walked this earth.

What difference might we make if we overcome our fears and trust God to use us?

Share with other readers at Facebook.com/ourdailybread.


Lời Sống Hằng Ngày - Chỉ Một Cái Chạm

https://vietnamese-odb.org/2017/05/02/chi-mot-cai-cham/
Đọc Kinh Thánh suốt năm: 1 Các vua 12–13; Lu-ca 22:1–20


Đức Chúa Jêsus đưa tay chạm đến người ấy. Ma-thi-ơ 8:3

Kiley rất vui sướng khi có cơ hội đi đến một vùng hẻo lánh thuộc Đông Phi để hỗ trợ một chương trình chăm sóc y tế, tuy nhiên cô vẫn cảm thấy băn khoăn. Cô chưa từng có kinh nghiệm gì về chăm sóc sức khoẻ. Dầu vậy, cô vẫn có thể thực hiện việc sơ cứu căn bản.

Trong lúc ở tại đó, Kiley gặp một nữ bệnh nhân mắc một căn bệnh kinh khủng nhưng vẫn có thể chữa trị được. Cô thấy sợ khi nhìn đôi chân lở loét của bà, nhưng cô biết rằng mình cần làm điều gì đó. Cô bắt đầu làm vệ sinh và băng bó lại đôi chân cho bà. Bỗng dưng bà bật khóc. Kiley lo lắng hỏi cô có làm bà đau hay không. Bà đáp: “Không! Đây là lần đầu tiên có người chạm đến tôi sau chín năm trời.”

Bệnh phung là một căn bệnh lây lan khiến bệnh nhân bị người khác xa lánh. Văn hóa Do Thái ngày xưa đã đặt ra những quy định nghiêm ngặt để ngăn ngừa bệnh này lây lan. Luật về bệnh phung quy định rằng: “Ngày nào người ấy [người phung] còn mắc bệnh thì còn bị ô uế và phải sống một mình bên ngoài doanh trại” (Lê. 13:46).

Đó là lý do khiến câu chuyện người phung gặp Chúa Jêsus rất đặc biệt. Ông thưa với Chúa: “Lạy Chúa, nếu Chúa muốn, Chúa có thể khiến con được sạch” (Mat. 8:2). “Đức Chúa Jêsus đưa tay chạm đến người ấy và phán: ‘Ta muốn, hãy sạch đi!’” (c.3).

Khi chạm đến đôi chân lở loét của nữ bệnh nhân cô đơn ấy, Kiley bắt đầu bày tỏ một tình yêu can đảm, nối liền mọi khoảng cách như tình yêu của Chúa Jêsus. Chỉ một cái chạm cũng đủ tạo nên khác biệt.

Lạy Chúa, chúng con muốn can đảm bày tỏ yêu thương như Ngài đã bày tỏ khi còn trên đất này.

Có những khác biệt nào xảy ra khi chúng ta vượt qua nỗi sợ hãi và tin rằng Chúa sử dụng chúng ta?


Nuestro Pan Diario - Solo un toque

https://nuestropandiario.org/2017/05/solo-un-toque/
La Biblia en un año: 1 Reyes 12–13; Lucas 22:1-20

Jesús extendió la mano y le tocó… (v. 3).

A Kiley le encantó la idea de ir a una zona remota de África oriental para ayudar en una misión médica, pero estaba intranquila. No tenía experiencia médica. Aun así, podía proporcionar primeros auxilios.

Mientras estaba allí, conoció a una mujer con una enfermedad espantosa pero curable. La pierna deformada de la mujer la impresionaba, pero Kiley sabía que tenía que hacer algo. Mientras le limpiaba y vendaba la pierna, su paciente empezó a llorar. Preocupada, Kiley le preguntó si la estaba lastimando. «No —respondió—. Es la primera vez que alguien me toca en nueve años».

La lepra es otra enfermedad que puede hacer que sus víctimas sean repulsivas para los demás, y en la antigua cultura judía, había pautas estrictas para evitar su contagio. Sobre el leproso, la ley declaraba: «habitará solo; fuera del campamento será su morada» (Levítico 13:46).

Por eso es tan increíble que un leproso se acercara a Jesús para pedirle: «Señor, si quieres, puedes limpiarme» (Mateo 8:2). «Jesús extendió la mano y le tocó, diciendo: Quiero; sé limpio» (v. 3).

Al tocar la pierna enferma de una mujer solitaria, Kiley empezó a mostrar el amor valiente de Jesús, que tiende puentes. Un solo toque marcó la diferencia.

Señor, quiero expresar el amor valiente que demostraste al caminar sobre esta Tierra.

¿Qué puede pasar si superamos el temor y permitimos que Dios nos utilice?


Unser Täglich Brot - Nur eine Berührung

https://unsertaeglichbrot.org/2017/05/02/nur-eine-ber%c3%bchrung/
Die Bibel In Einem Jahr: 1.Könige 12–13; Lukas 22,1-20


Und Jesus streckte die Hand aus [und] rührte ihn an. Matthäus 8,3

Kiley war begeistert über die Gelegenheit, in einem ostafrikanischen Land bei einem medizinischen Einsatz mitzumachen. Aber ihr war auch ein wenig unwohl. Sie hatte keine große Erfahrung. Aber bei der Betreuung konnte sie sicher helfen.

Vor Ort begegnete sie einer Frau mit einer schrecklichen, aber heilbaren Krankheit. Das entstellte Bein der Frau stieß Kiley ab, aber sie wusste, sie musste etwas tun. Als sie das Bein wusch und bandagierte, fing die Frau an zu weinen. Besorgt fragte Kiley, ob sie ihr wehgetan habe. „Nein“, erwiderte die Frau. „Aber das ist das erste Mal seit neun Jahren, dass mich jemand berührt.“

Lepra ist auch eine Krankheit, die auf andere abstoßend wirkt, und im alten Israel gab es strenge Anweisungen, um zu verhindern, dass sie sich weiter ausbreiten konnte. „Sie müssen allein wohnen“, sagte das Gesetz, „und seine Wohnung soll außerhalb des Lagers sein“ (3.Mose 13,46).

Deshalb ist es so bemerkenswert, dass ein Aussätziger zu Jesus kam und sagte: „Herr, wenn du willst, kannst du mich reinigen“ (Matth. 8,2). „Und Jesus streckte die Hand aus, rührte ihn an und sprach: Ich will’s tun; sei rein!“ (V.3).

Als Kiley das kranke Bein der einsamen Frau berührte, zeigte sie etwas von der furchtlosen Liebe Jesu, die Brücken baut. Eine einzige Berührung kann ungeheuer viel ausmachen.

Herr, wir wollen dieselbe furchtlose Liebe zeigen wie du, als du auf der Erde warst.

Was könnten wir bewirken, wenn wir unsere Ängste überwinden und glauben könnten, dass Gott uns gebrauchen will?


Notre Pain Quotidien - Un simple toucher

https://www.ministeresnpq.org/2017/05/02/un-simple-toucher/
Lisez : Matthieu 8.1‑4
La Bible en un an : 1 ROIS 12 – 13 et LUC 22.1‑20

Jésus étendit la main, le toucha. V.3

Kiley a sauté sur l’occasion de se rendre dans une région reculée de l’Afrique de l’Est pour participer à une mission médicale, mais avec un certain malaise. Elle ne possédait aucune expérience médicale. Elle pouvait toutefois apporter des soins de base.

Là‑bas, elle a rencontré une femme atteinte d’une maladie terrible, mais traitable. Même si la jambe déformée de cette femme la rebutait, Kiley savait devoir faire quelque chose. Tandis qu’elle désinfectait et bandait cette jambe, sa patiente s’est mise à pleurer. Préoccupée, Kiley lui a demandé si elle lui faisait mal, ce à quoi la femme lui a répondu : « Non. C’est juste que c’est la première fois en neuf ans qu’une personne me touche. »

La lèpre est une autre maladie qui peut repousser les gens, et la culture juive de l’Antiquité comportait des directives à respecter à la lettre pour éviter sa propagation, comme la Bible le précise : « Il [le lépreux] habitera seul ; sa demeure sera hors du camp » (LÉ 13.46).

Voici pourquoi il est remarquable qu’un lépreux se soit approché de Jésus pour lui dire : « Seigneur, si tu le veux, tu peux me rendre pur » (MT 8.2). Or, « Jésus étendit la main, le toucha, et dit : Je le veux, sois pur » (V. 3).

En touchant la jambe malade d’une femme esseulée, Kiley s’est mise à manifester l’amour courageux de Jésus qui a le pouvoir de tisser des liens humains. Un simple toucher a amélioré les choses.

Améliorons les choses par la victoire sur nos peurs et la foi en Dieu.


Хліб Наш Насущній - Лише один дотик

https://ukrainian-odb.org/2017/05/02/%d0%bb%d0%b8%d1%88%d0%b5-%d0%be%d0%b4%d0%b8%d0%bd-%d0%b4%d0%be%d1%82%d0%b8%d0%ba/
Читати: Матвія 8:1-4
Біблія за рік: 1 Царів 12–13 ; Луки 22:1-20


Ісус простяг руку, і доторкнувся до нього. — Матвія 8:3

Кілі ухопилась за можливість поїхати у віддалений куточок Східної Африки, щоб допомагати одній медичній місії. Вона почувалась дещо невпевнено, бо не мала медичного досвіду. Але вона могла виконувати елементарні функції доглядальниці.

Знаходячись там, Кілі стикнулась із жінкою, що мала жахливу хворобу. Спотворена нога хворої викликала в Кілі відразу, але вона розуміла, що має якось допомогти бідолашній. Отже вона почистила рану і перебинтувала її. Та жінка раптово почала плакати. Занепокоєна Кілі запитала в неї, чи не зробила вона їй боляче. На що та відповіла: “Ні. Просто Ви – перша, хто за останні сім років торкався до мене”.

Проказа – ще одна хвороба, що робить свої жертви відразливими для інших. В юдейській культурі існували жорсткі правила, спрямовані на локалізацію прокази. “Маєш бути самітним! – стверджував Закон. – Маєш жити поза табором” (Лев. 13:46).

Ось чому було дуже незвичним, що прокажений наблизився до Ісуса і сказав: “Коли, Господи, хочеш, Ти можеш очистити мене!” У відповідь на це Ісус простяг руку, і доторкнувся до нього, говорячи: “Хочу, будь чистий!” (Мт. 8:2-3). Торкнувшись хворої ноги жінки, Кілі продемонструвала мужність і любов Христа. Навіть єдиний дотик може зробити багато чого.

Господи, ми бажаємо являти іншим Твою мужню любов. Таку любов, що Ти демонстрував, коли ходив по цій землі.

Що Бог може вчинити через нас, якщо зможемо пересилити свої страхи і навчимося довіряти Йому?


Хлеб наш насущный - Прикосновение

https://russian-odb.org/2017/05/02/%d0%bf%d1%80%d0%b8%d0%ba%d0%be%d1%81%d0%bd%d0%be%d0%b2%d0%b5%d0%bd%d0%b8%d0%b5/
Читать сейчас: Матфея 8:1-4
Библия за год: 3 Царств 12-13; Луки 22:1-20


Иисус, простерев руку, коснулся его... — Матфея 8:3

Кили с радостью согласилась отправиться в Африку с медицинской экспедицией, хотя чувствовала себя при этом неловко. У нее совсем не было опыта. Все познания сводились к оказанию первой помощи.

Было очень непросто. Однажды пришлось оказывать помощь женщине с жутким, но излечимым заболеванием. Ее искривленная нога вызвала у Кили чувство отвращения. Однако она превозмогла себя, произвела чистку и наложила на ногу бандаж. Женщина заплакала. Обеспокоенная Кили спросила, не больно ли пациентке. «Нет, – ответила та, – но вы первая прикоснулись ко мне за девять лет».

Проказа – еще одна болезнь, которая вызывала у людей чувство отвращения. Древняя иудейская традиция имела строгие предписания, предотвращающие распространение болезни. «Нечист он; он должен жить отдельно, вне стана жилище его», – гласил закон (Лев. 13:46).

Поэтому рассказ о встрече Иисуса Христа с прокаженным так примечателен. Несчастный, кланяясь, попросил: «Господи! Если хочешь, можешь меня очистить» (Мф. 8:2). В ответ на это «Иисус, простерев руку, коснулся его и сказал: “Хочу, очистись”» (Мф. 8:3).

Прикоснувшись к больной ноге одинокой женщины, Кили проявила бесстрашную, все преодолевающую любовь Христа. Простое прикосновение имело огромное значение.

Господи, мы хотим проявлять такую же бесстрашную любовь, которую имел Ты, ходя по земле.

Что будет, если мы преодолеем страхи и позволим Богу употребить нас?


The Daily Readings for MONDAY, May 1, 2017 - Saint Philip and Saint James Day


Opening Sentence

Their sound has gone out into all lands, and their message to the ends of the world. Psalm 19:4

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 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."

Psalm 119:33-40 He Legem pone
33   Teach me, O LORD, the way of your statutes, and I shall keep it to the end.
34   Give me understanding, and I shall keep your law; I shall keep it with all my heart.
35   Make me go in the path of your commandments, for that is my desire.
36   Incline my heart to your decrees and not to unjust gain.
37   Turn my eyes from watching what is worthless; give me life in your ways.
38   Fulfill your promise to your servant, which you make to those who fear you.
39   Turn away the reproach which I dread, because your judgments are good.
40   Behold, I long for your commandments; in your righteousness preserve my life.


The Epistle Lesson

The Epistle Lesson for today is taken from 2 Corinthians 4:1-6

Therefore, since it is by God's mercy that we are engaged in this ministry, we do not lose heart. We have renounced the shameful things that one hides; we refuse to practice cunning or to falsify God's word; but by the open statement of the truth we commend ourselves to the conscience of everyone in the sight of God. And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. For we do not proclaim ourselves; we proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord and ourselves as your slaves for Jesus' sake. For it is the God who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

The Holy Gospel Lesson

The Holy Gospel is written in John 14:6-14

Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you know me, you will know my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him." Philip said to him, "Lord, show us the Father, and we will be satisfied." Jesus said to him, "Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and you still do not know me? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, 'Show us the Father'? Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own; but the Father who dwells in me does his works. Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; but if you do not, then believe me because of the works themselves. Very truly, I tell you, the one who believes in me will also do the works that I do and, in fact, will do greater works than these, because I am going to the Father. I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If in my name you ask me for anything, I will do it.

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

Almighty God, who gave to your apostles Philip and James grace and strength to bear witness to the truth: Grant that we, being mindful of their victory of faith, may glorify in life and death the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen

A Prayer for the Renewal of Life

O God, the King eternal, whose light divides the day from the night and turns the shadow of death into the morning: Drive far from us all wrong desires, incline our hearts to keep your law, and guide our feet into the way of peace; that, having done your will with cheerfulness while it was day, we may, when night comes, rejoice to give you thanks; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

A Prayer for Mission

O God, you have made of one blood all the peoples of the earth, and sent your blessed Son to preach peace to those who are far off and to those who are near: Grant that people everywhere may seek after you and find you; bring the nations into your fold; pour out your Spirit upon all flesh; and hasten the coming of your kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen

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

Prayer of the Day for MONDAY, May 1, 2017 - Saint Philip and Saint James Day


Almighty God, who gave to your apostles Philip and James grace and strength to bear witness to the truth: Grant that we, being mindful of their victory of faith, may glorify in life and death the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen

Verse of the Day for MONDAY, May 1, 2017 - 16th Day of Easter


Hebrews 11:6 (NIV) And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.

Read all of Hebrews 11

Listen to Hebrews 11

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 - Grace Isn't Lenience


"But if you do not do so, then take note, you have sinned against the Lord; and be sure your sin will find you out."
Numbers 32:23 (NKJV)

Sometimes we confuse God's grace with lenience or maybe even ignorance. Because we don't face the immediate consequences of our actions, we might think we are getting away with it.

But the Bible says, "Your sin will find you out" (Numbers 32:23). If we were to go back and translate that from the original Hebrew, it would say, "Your sin will find you out." And what that means is your sin will find you out.

When Jonah went and preached to the Ninevites, he warned them, "Forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown!" (Jonah 3:4) Actually there was hope in that message, because the fact they were being warned by God implied there could be forgiveness if they turned from their sin. When God brought His judgment on Sodom and Gomorrah, there was no warning. There was no prophet Jonah walking through the streets, preaching to them. It came on them unexpectedly. In Nineveh's case, however, God gave them a chance.

God does give a lot of chances. We might sin and then tell ourselves, "Nothing happened. Maybe God wasn't paying attention. Maybe God doesn't care." Or worse yet, we'll deceive ourselves into thinking that God is okay with it. God isn't okay with it. God never will contradict His Word. We are going to face the consequences of our sin, but God may be giving us the opportunity to repent. As Ecclesiastes 8:11 says, "When a crime is not punished quickly, people feel it is safe to do wrong" (NLT).

We will reap what we sow, no matter what. It may be ten years. It may be a year. It may be a month. It may be a week. It could be ten minutes. But it will happen. The wheels of God's justice may grind slowly, but they grind surely.

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Scripture taken from the New King James Version®, NKJV® Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation®, NLT® copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved. Devotion by Greg Laurie © 2017 Harvest Christian Fellowship; all rights reserved.

Un Dia a la Vez - Las viudas


Padre de los huérfanos y defensor de las viudas es Dios en su morada santa.
Salmo 68:5 (NVI)

Desde que comencé este libro para motivar, he tenido en mi mente a algunas oyentes que se me han acercado para contarme que quedaron viudas y me han dado una palabra especial a fin de valorar y disfrutar de nuestros cónyuges ahora que están vivos.

Sus palabras me conmovieron, pues estoy recién casada. Además, en varias oportunidades me dijeron lo mismo: «Disfruta a tu esposo, no pierdas el tiempo peleando por tonterías. Cuando se van, la soledad y la pérdida son demasiado duras».

Así que me quedé pensando y me dije: «¡Es cierto! ¿Para qué perder el tiempo en cosas que pueden arreglarse como amigos y más bien disfrutarse al máximo? A decir verdad, no sabemos los planes de Dios. Lo mejor sería envejecer y morir juntos. Sin embargo, la gran realidad es que siempre va a morir uno primero que el otro».

Lo que más me sorprendió es que estas mujeres perdieron a sus esposos de cuarenta y nueve años y cuarenta y cinco de un infarto, y quedaron viudas jóvenes y sus hijos sin padres.

Hoy doy reconocimiento a cada mujer que ha quedado solita y que se recupera de está perdida. Quizá ya lo sepas, pero no está de más que lo recordemos. Cuando se es viuda, eres más especial para Dios. En la Biblia hay catorce versículos donde Dios habla de los cuidados y el privilegio para estas mujeres.

Un Día a la Vez Copyright © by Claudia Pinzón

Standing Strong Through the Storm - GOD USES PROBLEMS AND PERSECUTION TO PERFECT YOU


"We can rejoice when we run into problems...they help us learn to be patient. And patience develops strength of character in us and helps us trust God more each time we use it until finally our hope and faith are strong and steady.”

Here is the final of five ways God uses problems and persecution in your life: God uses problems and persecution to PERFECT you.

Problems, when responded to correctly, are character builders. God is far more interested in your character than your comfort. Your relationship to God and your character are the only two things you are going to take with you into eternity.

Christian singer, Helen Berhane, wrote a song of victory while in the terrible conditions of an Eritrean shipping container cell for almost three years:

Christianity costs you your life
But at the end, its outcome is victory
The beating of the Hebrews with the whip was awful
The waves of the sea and the mighty wind
Crushed by the stone, suffering by day and night;
Paul’s faithfulness was tested by a sword.
Christianity costs you your life
But at the end, its outcome is victory
The journey of Ruth was a hope where there was no hope;
A sacrifice was paid even for a despised tribe.
Although there was nothing promised for Ruth
By faith she made her way toward Nazareth
And she entered into Jesus’ genealogy.
Christianity costs you your life
But at the end, its outcome is victory[1]

RESPONSE: God is at work in my life—even when I do not recognize it or understand it. It is much easier and more profitable when I cooperate with Him. This is the way to victory!

PRAYER: Thanks be to God who gives us the victory!

1. Ibid, p.106.

Women of the Bible - Michal


Her name means: "Who Is Like God?"

Her character: A woman of strong emotions, she was unable to control the important circumstances of her life. Forcibly separated from two husbands, she lost her father and her brother, who were savaged by their enemies.
Her sorrow: That she was ensnared in the drawn-out battle between Saul and David.
Her joy: Though short-lived, she enjoyed a passionate love for David.
Key Scriptures: 1 Samuel 18:20-29; 19:11-17; 2 Samuel 6:16-23

Her Story

Scene One

Michal stretched herself across the window's edge. Leaning out as far as she dared, she could see her husband running through the night shadows, his movements swift and lithe, like a young stag evading its predators. Even if her father, the king, pursued with an army, she was confident he would not catch her David.

She had loved the shepherd boy since the day he had calmed Saul's troubled soul with his harp playing. After he defeated the hideous Goliath with only a sling and a stone, all Israel fell in love with him. But it was for her alone that David had slain two hundred Philistines—to prove his worth.

She turned from the window, grateful for the chance to have aided her husband's escape. Quickly she dressed one of the household idols, placing it in their bed and topping it with goat's hair to make it look like a sleeping David. She was ready for her father's men when they came pounding on her door.

"David is ill," she told them.

So they returned to King Saul, who immediately ordered them back, saying, "Bring him up to me in his bed so that I may kill him."

Discovering the ruse, Saul confronted his daughter: "Why did you deceive me like this and send my enemy away so that he escaped?"

Michal lowered her eyes and replied, "He said to me, 'Let me get away. Why should I kill you?' " She held her breath, certain her father would never swallow so bold a lie.

Scene Two

Nine years or more have passed. Michal glanced out the window, arms folded tightly against her breast, observing the scene below. David, now the king, had entered Jerusalem, leaping and dancing as the ark of the covenant was carried into Jerusalem. He looked ridiculous to Michal, more like a romping goat than a great king.

David offered the sacrifices and blessed the people. Then he entered his own house to bless it. But Saul's daughter met him with scornful eyes: "How the king of Israel has distinguished himself today, disrobing in the sight of the slave girls of his servants as any vulgar fellow would!"

"It was before the Lord, who chose me," he replied, "rather than your father or anyone from his house when he appointed me ruler over the Lord's people Israel—I will celebrate before the Lord. I will become even more undignified than this, and I will be humiliated in my own eyes. But by these slave girls you spoke of, I will be held in honor."

Her Story

Twice, Michal stood at a window observing David. In the first scene, Scripture paints her as David's wife, in the second as Saul's daughter. In fact, her attitude is so changed that we feel perplexed, watching her as she watches David. To understand what may have shaped Michal's heart in the intervening years, we need to find a corridor connecting the two windows, a passageway that somehow led from love to scorn.

Michal may have expected her separation from David to be a short one, her idealism forging a happy ending to their fairy-tale love. Perhaps she believed David would find a way to protect her from her father's wrath. Was she shocked when real life intervened and her father punished her by marrying her to another man? Did her bitterness grow during David's long absence? Had she finally made peace with her new marriage only to be torn from her husband when David demanded her back after Saul's death? Did she question God's judgments, identifying more with the dead than the living after her father perished in a desperate battle with the Philistines?

Perhaps Michal's bitterness swelled to rage when she realized she had always been someone else's pawn, a mere woman manipulated by powerful men. Her own father used her, promising her to David in hopes she would prove a snare to him. And, finally, one of her brothers handed her back to David after Saul's death, further legitimizing David's claim to the throne. A princess, then a queen, she was still a slave.

Michal's story is tragic. Throughout the difficult circumstances of her life, we see little evidence of a faith to sustain her. Instead, she is tossed back and forth, her heart left to draw its own bitter conclusions. In the last scene with David, we see a woman blind with scorn, making the very mistake God cautioned the prophet Samuel against in his search for a king to succeed the wayward Saul: "Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things human beings look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart."

The truth is, God is the only one who can see into the depths of anyone's heart, including Michal's. He knew everything that had happened, both good and bad. Still the story of Michal seems to indicate that she grew to be more like Saul than like David. As such, she reminds us that even victims have choices. No matter how much we've been sinned against, we still have the power to choose the attitude of our heart. If we cast ourselves on God's mercy, asking him to help us, he cannot refuse. Even in difficulty, he will dwell in us, shaping our own wayward hearts into the likeness of his own.

Her Promise

Michal's contempt for true worship can be contrasted with David's love of worship. He worshiped God with abandon, with a true heart. His devotion was so deep, so real, it had to be expressed in the most extravagant praise and in dancing "with all his might." That's the sort of worship God is looking for from his people, and he responds with a promise to bless.

Today's reading is a brief excerpt from Women of the Bible: A One-Year Devotional Study of Women in Scripture by Ann Spangler and Jean Syswerda (Zondervan). © 2010 by Ann Spangler. Used with permission. All rights reserved. Enjoy the complete book by purchasing your own copy at the Bible Gateway Store. The book's title must be included when sharing the above content on social media.

Girlfriends in God - Closed for Renovations

by Arlene Pellicane

Today’s Truth

By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work. Then God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done (Genesis 2:2-3 NIV).

Friend to Friend

Have you ever driven to a store or restaurant only to find a sign on the door reading “Closed for Renovations”? What an inconvenience, right? But hopefully you were “wowed” at the grand re-opening when you saw the finished product and the improvements made.

Do you ever wish you could have a “Closed for Renovations” sign over your life?

Wouldn’t it be nice to take time out to renovate yourself without any interruptions? If only you could stop the texts and hit the pause button on your obligations. Sure it would be inconvenient, but wouldn’t it be worthwhile? Let’s just imagine you have a few days without any responsibilities except focusing on the areas in your personal life that need some tender loving care. What might your renovations list look like?

Read a book
Pray and fast
Plan for the next three months
Spend some time in silence
Get healthier meals in place
Apologize to a family member
Go on a date night with your husband
Exercise
Give away the clothes I haven’t wore in ten years

Believe it or not, the world will not stop spinning on its axis if you take a short sabbatical for yourself. Whether it’s a quiet weekend or a six-month period when you don’t volunteer for anything, give yourself permission to rest.

After all, God rested at the end of His work of creation. The Fourth Commandment instructs us to remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. Exodus 20:10 says, “The seventh day is a Sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work…” Later in Exodus 31:13 it reads, “You must observe my Sabbaths. This will be a sign between me and you for the generations to come, so you may know that I am the Lord, who makes you holy.”

When you take time weekly to renovate your soul, mind and body, you set yourself apart from the world. The world moves too fast for this kind of inactivity that seems counter-productive. Yet when you pause to rest and know that He is God, it will fill you up to live more purposefully.

Don’t just wait for “free time” in your life to make renovations. That free time will never appear unless you create it. Set aside time for the Lord on Sundays and other days and just watch what God will do.

Let’s Pray

 Dear Lord, help me to slow down to give You time to renovate my life. Renew a right spirit within me and transform my thinking to conform to Your Word. I dedicate my days of work and rest to You, for Your glory and use.
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen.


Now It’s Your Turn

In what ways do you keep the Sabbath holy? Do you take time to regular rest and worship God?

More from the Girlfriends

Part of Sabbath rest is turning off your electronic devices. Find screen-time help for your family in Arlene’s book co-authored with Gary Chapman, Growing Up Social: Raising Relational Kids in a Screen-Driven World.


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