Tuesday, May 9, 2017
The Daily Readings for TUESDAY, May 9, 2017 - 24th Day of Easter
Opening Sentence
Thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 15:57
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 Wisdom 3:1-9
But the souls of the righteous are in the hand of God, and no torment will ever touch them. In the eyes of the foolish they seemed to have died, and their departure was thought to be a disaster, and their going from us to be their destruction; but they are at peace. For though in the sight of others they were punished, their hope is full of immortality. Having been disciplined a little, they will receive great good, because God tested them and found them worthy of himself; like gold in the furnace he tried them, and like a sacrificial burnt offering he accepted them. In the time of their visitation they will shine forth, and will run like sparks through the stubble. They will govern nations and rule over peoples, and the Lord will reign over them forever. Those who trust in him will understand truth, and the faithful will abide with him in love, because grace and mercy are upon his holy ones, and he watches over his elect.
The Epistle Lesson
The Epistle Lesson for today is taken from Colossians 1:15-23
He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation; for in him all things in heaven and on earth were created, things visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or powers-- all things have been created through him and for him. He himself is before all things, and in him all things hold together. He is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that he might come to have first place in everything. For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him God was pleased to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, by making peace through the blood of his cross. And you who were once estranged and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, he has now reconciled in his fleshly body through death, so as to present you holy and blameless and irreproachable before him-- provided that you continue securely established and steadfast in the faith, without shifting from the hope promised by the gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven. I, Paul, became a servant of this gospel.
The Holy Gospel Lesson
The Holy Gospel is written in Luke 6:12-26
Now during those days he went out to the mountain to pray; and he spent the night in prayer to God. And when day came, he called his disciples and chose twelve of them, whom he also named apostles: Simon, whom he named Peter, and his brother Andrew, and James, and John, and Philip, and Bartholomew, and Matthew, and Thomas, and James son of Alphaeus, and Simon, who was called the Zealot, and Judas son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor. He came down with them and stood on a level place, with a great crowd of his disciples and a great multitude of people from all Judea, Jerusalem, and the coast of Tyre and Sidon. They had come to hear him and to be healed of their diseases; and those who were troubled with unclean spirits were cured. And all in the crowd were trying to touch him, for power came out from him and healed all of them. Then he looked up at his disciples and said: "Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. "Blessed are you who are hungry now, for you will be filled. "Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh. "Blessed are you when people hate you, and when they exclude you, revile you, and defame you on account of the Son of Man. Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, for surely your reward is great in heaven; for that is what their ancestors did to the prophets. "But woe to you who are rich, for you have received your consolation. "Woe to you who are full now, for you will be hungry. "Woe to you who are laughing now, for you will mourn and weep. "Woe to you when all speak well of you, for that is what their ancestors did to the false prophets.
Morning Psalms
Psalm 45 Eructavit cor meum
1 My heart is stirring with a noble song; let me recite what I have fashioned for the king; my tongue shall be the pen of a skilled writer.
2 You are the fairest of men; grace flows from your lips, because God has blessed you for ever.
3 Strap your sword upon your thigh, O mighty warrior, in your pride and in your majesty.
4 Ride out and conquer in the cause of truth and for the sake of justice.
5 Your right hand will show you marvelous things; your arrows are very sharp, O mighty warrior.
6 The peoples are falling at your feet, and the king's enemies are losing heart.
7 Your throne, O God, endures for ever and ever, a scepter of righteousness is the scepter of your kingdom; you love righteousness and hate iniquity.
8 Therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness above your fellows.
9 All your garments are fragrant with myrrh, aloes, and cassia, and the music of strings from ivory palaces makes you glad.
10 Kings' daughters stand among the ladies of the court; on your right hand is the queen, adorned with the gold of Ophir.
11 Hear, O daughter; consider and listen closely; forget your people and your father's house.
12 The king will have pleasure in your beauty; he is your master; therefore do him honor.
13 The people of Tyre are here with a gift; the rich among the people seek your favor."
14 All glorious is the princess as she enters; her gown is cloth-of-gold.
15 In embroidered apparel she is brought to the king; after her the bridesmaids follow in procession.
16 With joy and gladness they are brought, and enter into the palace of the king.
17 In place of fathers, O king, you shall have sons; you shall make them princes over all the earth.
18 I will make your name to be remembered from one generation to another; therefore nations will praise you for ever and ever."
Evening Psalms
Psalm 47 Omnes gentes, plaudite
1 Clap your hands, all you peoples; shout to God with a cry of joy.
2 For the LORD Most High is to be feared; he is the great King over all the earth.
3 He subdues the peoples under us, and the nations under our feet.
4 He chooses our inheritance for us, the pride of Jacob whom he loves.
5 God has gone up with a shout, the LORD with the sound of the ram's-horn.
6 Sing praises to God, sing praises; sing praises to our King, sing praises.
7 For God is King of all the earth; sing praises with all your skill.
8 God reigns over the nations; God sits upon his holy throne.
9 The nobles of the peoples have gathered together with the people of the God of Abraham.
10 The rulers of the earth belong to God, and he is highly exalted.
Psalm 48 Magnus Dominus
1 Great is the LORD, and highly to be praised; in the city of our God is his holy hill.
2 Beautiful and lofty, the joy of all the earth, is the hill of Zion, the very center of the world and the city of the great King.
3 God is in her citadels; he is known to be her sure refuge.
4 Behold, the kings of the earth assembled and marched forward together.
5 They looked and were astounded; they retreated and fled in terror.
6 Trembling seized them there; they writhed like a woman in childbirth, like ships of the sea when the east wind shatters them.
7 As we have heard, so have we seen, in the city of the LORD of hosts, in the city of our God; God has established her for ever.
8 We have waited in silence on your loving-kindness, O God, in the midst of your temple.
9 Your praise, like your Name, O God, reaches to the world's end; your right hand is full of justice.
10 Let Mount Zion be glad and the cities of Judah rejoice, because of your judgments.
11 Make the circuit of Zion; walk round about her; count the number of her towers.
12 Consider well her bulwarks; examine her strongholds; that you may tell those who come after.
13 This God is our God for ever and ever; he shall be our guide for evermore.
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, you have revealed to your Church your eternal Being of glorious majesty and perfect love as one God in Trinity of Persons: Give us grace that, like your bishop Gregory of Nazianzus, we may continue steadfast in the confession of this faith, and constant in our worship of you, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; for you live and reign 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!
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 TUESDAY, May 9, 2017 - 24th Day of Easter
Almighty God, you have revealed to your Church your eternal Being of glorious majesty and perfect love as one God in Trinity of Persons: Give us grace that, like your bishop Gregory of Nazianzus, we may continue steadfast in the confession of this faith, and constant in our worship of you, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; for you live and reign for ever and ever. Amen
Gregory of Nazianzus, Bishop of Constantinople
Today the church remembers Gregory of Nazianzus, Bishop of Constantinople, 389.
Gregory was a bishop's son, well-off financially, and educated at the very finest schools of his day, including the universities of Alexandria and Athens. Among his school comrades was Basil (see June 14), and when he finished school Gregory participated in Basil's pioneer monastic community on the island of Pontus. However, he had no intention at that time of entering the priesthood. Then his father called him home and virtually forced him into holy orders. Gregory took the priestly office very seriously and was terrified at having it thrust upon him. He fled back to Pontus and, by much prayer, fasting, and soul-searching, became reconciled to this new vocation.
The ecclesiastical career thus launched was to become a most distinguished one. Gregory was soon elected Bishop of Sasima. He was one of the most effective preachers against the Arian heresy.
The imperial city, Constantinople, was in the hands of the Arians and was ruled by the Arian emperor, Valens. When the emperor died in battle and the city was reopened to orthodox Christians, Gregory was the first bishop to enter the city. He was chiefly responsible for the reconversion of the city and eventually became its bishop. He skillfully led his people through a time of violence and discord in the church, avoiding controversy over all but the most essential issues. "It is unwise for those who walk the high tightrope to lean to either side."
Keep us steadfast in the course of our faith, that we may not be led astray by false occupations. Amen
Read the Wikipedia article here.
Almighty God, you have revealed to your Church your eternal Being of glorious majesty and perfect love as one God in Trinity of Persons: Give us grace that, like your bishop Gregory of Nazianzus, we may continue steadfast in the confession of this faith, and constant in our worship of you, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; for you live and reign for ever and ever. Amen
Verse of the Day for TUESDAY, May 9, 2017 - 24th Day of Easter
Romans 8:1-2 (NIV) [Life Through the Spirit] Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death.
Read all of Romans 8
Listen to Romans 8
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Morning Devotions with Cap'n Kenny - "A Walk of Faith"
And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit.
—Ephesians 5:18 (NKJV)
The Bible tells us to be filled with the Spirit, but have you ever wondered what that actually means?
Some people surmise that to be filled with the Spirit is to have an emotional experience, and it can include that. But it doesn’t always include that. Which means you can be filled with the Spirit and not have any emotional response whatsoever. Then again, you can be filled with the Spirit and feel a lot of emotion.
But here is the problem: All too often, some of the most bizarre, aberrant things we see happening in the church today are attributed to the Holy Spirit. People are saying the Spirit is telling them to do these things. But do we find these things in the Bible? The answer is no. So are these things from the Holy Spirit? I don’t think they really are.
So what does it mean to be filled with the Spirit? We could compare it to driving a car. We read in Acts 2 about the day of Pentecost, the story of the explosion of the Holy Spirit that set the church in motion. In the same way, when you get into your car and put your key into the ignition and turn it over, there is an explosion, if you will, that fires up the car. You don’t need to keep turning your car on again and again once you’re driving. You just need that initial explosion, and then you drive the car.
It is great when you have an emotional experience. But we must remember that the Bible says, “The just shall live by faith” (Romans 1:17). By and large, the Christian life is a walk of faith, not a walk of feeling. Feelings will come and go. But the just shall live by faith.
In Jesus,
Cap'n Kenny
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 - Disfrutemos las bendiciones
Amado, yo deseo que tú seas prosperado en todas las cosas, y que tengas salud, así como prospera tu alma.
3 Juan 2 ( RVR1960)
Es posible que las cosas de las que hablamos en los devocionales anteriores sean nuevas para ti. Si ese es tu caso, debes aprenderlas a fin de aprovecharlas como es debido.
No obstante, si ya las conoces, debes recordarlas y volverlas a aplicar a tu vida. A veces, el caminar en Cristo te puede hacer sentir que ya nada te sorprende, que Dios te lo da todo. Así que no vives una relación personal con Él.
Mi primer consejo es que debes aprender a conocer a Jesús, de modo que logres entender muchas cosas que no comprendes aún.
Cuando conocemos el nombre de Jesús con propiedad, podemos caminar de manera recta en sus caminos. Eso nos da la fortaleza para huir de la tentación y nos da la alegría para mantenernos firmes a pesar de las cosas que afrontemos en la vida.
Por lo tanto, no importa lo que estés pasando en estos momentos. Dios no te abandonará y siempre te protegerá porque eres de gran valor para Él.
Un Día a la Vez Copyright © by Claudia Pinzón
Standing Strong Through the Storm - "TRAINING CHILDREN"
…do not exasperate your children; instead bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.
Ephesians 6:4 (NIV)
A Chinese Bible Woman shares the following situation that helped train her and her children in righteousness while her husband was in labor camp:
One day I said to my children, “The Lord has told me that today I will go to prison for Him. Father is also in prison so please behave. Love each other and don’t forget to bring food for your mom!”
During that time there were so many prisoners that the government could not provide for all of them so family members provided their food.
The children cried when they heard this. Daniel replied, “But mom, we have only five catties of rice left. How can we have rice and also send you some? When it’s all gone, we’ll die!”
I told the children, “The Lord can turn nothing into something!” and I reminded them of the story of Elijah and the widow. They had a simple child-like faith and believed that God could provide for their need. So they concluded, “Even though our rice is not enough, we will cook for you too!”
After talking with the children, The Public Security Bureau police came to the door and arrested me. Daniel followed me to the prison to find out which cell I would be in. The younger two children knelt in prayer. As I was taken away, my heart was wrenched as I heard their little voices trailing off.
I was in prison on that occasion for thirty days. All the while Daniel faithfully sent rice for me. When I returned home I asked, “Is there any rice left?”
Daniel's response was, “Mom, our rice container is overflowing!” It really was. Those five catties had inexplicably grown to about forty catties and were literally overflowing the container.
I said, “Praise the Lord! Now we can continue to cook for the other inmates and feed them as well.” The Lord’s grace is beyond measure.
RESPONSE: In fulfilling the functions of the church in each Christian home, we have the great responsibility to train and instruct our children in faith and righteousness.
PRAYER: Lord, help me model today Your love, faith and righteousness before the little ones I am in a position to influence.
Girlfriends in God - "Resting in the Here-ness and Near-ness of God"
by Sharon Jaynes
Today’s Truth
For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord (Rom. 8:38–39).
Friend to Friend
Have you ever been in a situation when you felt God calling your name to a particular task, and at the same time you felt that He had the wrong person for the job? That’s exactly how Moses felt when God called him to lead the Israelites out of Egypt and to the Promised Land. He cried out, “Who am I that I should go to the Pharaoh?”
I’ve been there. I wonder if you have too. I’ve thought, God, You’ve got to be kidding? Me? You’ve got the wrong girl for the job! I’m a nobody!
But look at how God answered Moses.
And God said, “I will be with you. And this will be the sign to you that it is I who have sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you will worship God on this mountain” (Exodus 3:12 emphasis added).
It was almost as if He ignored the question on the table and told Moses what he really needed to know. “I will be with you.” In other words, “Don’t worry about who you are. Concentrate on Who I AM. I’ll be with you. I’ve got this. You just hang on tight.”
Isn’t it a comfort to know that God is always with you? Always! David wrote:
God’s presence envelops us as we live and move and have our being in Him. So many times we glibly suggest or imploringly beg for God to be with us as if we have to coax Him out of hiding. David debunks that idea. There is no place we can go that is away from God’s presence. Most Christian would say they believe this truth, but then live like they don’t.
One day I was praying for my son, a prayer that had almost become as rote as “God is great. God is good.” “God, please be with Steven today,” I whispered.
Just as abruptly as a referee’s whistle calling foul, God stopped me mid-sentence. Why do you pray that every day? He seemed to say. I AM with Steven. I’m with him every day. Why do you ask for something he already has as if you don’t believe Me?
God was right! Imagine that. So I amended my mother prayer. “Dear Lord, please help Steven be aware of Your presence today.”
The truth of God’s here-ness and nearness is punctuated throughout Scripture. So no matter what you are going through or what God has called you to, remember, He is right there with you. You’re never alone.
Let’s Pray
Heavenly Father, I am so thankful that You are always with me. No matter where I go, You are there. Help me to be aware of Your presence, acknowledge Your presence, and rest in the truth of You’re here-ness and nearness every step of the way.
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen.
Now It’s Your Turn
How does it make you feel to know that God is always with you...no matter what?
What is one time when you were going through a difficult time that you sensed God’s presence?
What is one time when you were going through a difficult time that you did not sense God’s presence? Be honest.
Now, regardless of how you felt at that time, was God with you?
Is He with you now?
I try to stay away from “yes” and “no” questions, but sometimes we just need to say aloud what our minds know, so that our hearts can catch up.
More from the Girlfriends
Today’s devotion was taken from my book, Take Hold of the Faith You Long For: Let go, Move forward, Live bold. A mediocre, mundane faith is not what you were made for! In Take Hold of the Faith You Long For, I reveal the most common reasons we get stuck in our Christian faith, living less than
what we had hoped. I show you how to break free of all that holds you
back, move forward with all that God promises, and live the adventurous
faith of bold believing. It’s time to leave behind feelings of
inferiority, insecurity, and inadequacy that hold you hostage and take
hold of the mountain-moving faith God intends. Click on the book cover
to download a sample chapter and view a quick video. And if you’re
looking for a new study for your women’s group or individual study, Take Hold includes a Bible Study guide in the back.

Today’s Truth
For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord (Rom. 8:38–39).
Friend to Friend
Have you ever been in a situation when you felt God calling your name to a particular task, and at the same time you felt that He had the wrong person for the job? That’s exactly how Moses felt when God called him to lead the Israelites out of Egypt and to the Promised Land. He cried out, “Who am I that I should go to the Pharaoh?”
I’ve been there. I wonder if you have too. I’ve thought, God, You’ve got to be kidding? Me? You’ve got the wrong girl for the job! I’m a nobody!
But look at how God answered Moses.
And God said, “I will be with you. And this will be the sign to you that it is I who have sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you will worship God on this mountain” (Exodus 3:12 emphasis added).
It was almost as if He ignored the question on the table and told Moses what he really needed to know. “I will be with you.” In other words, “Don’t worry about who you are. Concentrate on Who I AM. I’ll be with you. I’ve got this. You just hang on tight.”
Isn’t it a comfort to know that God is always with you? Always! David wrote:
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 (Ps. 139:7–10).Paul wrote:
For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord (Rom. 8:38–39).The writer of Hebrews reminds us that God’s words to the Israelites also apply to you and me: Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you (see Heb. 13:5; Deut. 31:6, 8; Josh. 1:5).
God’s presence envelops us as we live and move and have our being in Him. So many times we glibly suggest or imploringly beg for God to be with us as if we have to coax Him out of hiding. David debunks that idea. There is no place we can go that is away from God’s presence. Most Christian would say they believe this truth, but then live like they don’t.
One day I was praying for my son, a prayer that had almost become as rote as “God is great. God is good.” “God, please be with Steven today,” I whispered.
Just as abruptly as a referee’s whistle calling foul, God stopped me mid-sentence. Why do you pray that every day? He seemed to say. I AM with Steven. I’m with him every day. Why do you ask for something he already has as if you don’t believe Me?
God was right! Imagine that. So I amended my mother prayer. “Dear Lord, please help Steven be aware of Your presence today.”
The truth of God’s here-ness and nearness is punctuated throughout Scripture. So no matter what you are going through or what God has called you to, remember, He is right there with you. You’re never alone.
Let’s Pray
Heavenly Father, I am so thankful that You are always with me. No matter where I go, You are there. Help me to be aware of Your presence, acknowledge Your presence, and rest in the truth of You’re here-ness and nearness every step of the way.
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen.
Now It’s Your Turn
How does it make you feel to know that God is always with you...no matter what?
What is one time when you were going through a difficult time that you sensed God’s presence?
What is one time when you were going through a difficult time that you did not sense God’s presence? Be honest.
Now, regardless of how you felt at that time, was God with you?
Is He with you now?
I try to stay away from “yes” and “no” questions, but sometimes we just need to say aloud what our minds know, so that our hearts can catch up.
More from the Girlfriends
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
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LHM Daily Devotion - May 9, 2017 "The Packing List"
Years ago I had a very special friend who believed in traveling "light."
Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries
By Pastor Ken Klaus, Speaker Emeritus of The Lutheran Hour
"The Packing List"
May 9, 2017
Psalm 121:7-8 - The LORD will keep you from all evil; He will keep your life. The LORD will keep your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forevermore.
Years ago I had a very special friend who believed in traveling "light."
His philosophy was he would take with him only those things that were absolutely essential; everything else, that is the non-essentials, he would pick up as he went along. In contrast to that wonderfully cavalier way of traveling was my mother. Nether budget nor personal preference allowed her to do that. When the family was going on vacation she brought out "the list."
The list included absolutely anything and everything we would need on that trip. To her credit, the list worked, and it made the trip seem effortless.
Now those styles of travel differ in many, if not most, things. Still, they agree on this: you don't want to forget things that are really, really important, you know, the things you can't do without.
Now I bring this up because on April 6, a Federal air marshal was on a Delta flight traveling from England to New York. That is not an unusual thing. Air marshals regularly travel aboard international jets. What was unusual about this air marshal is that she forgot something -- something important.
You guessed it. She forgot her gun. That's bad. Even worse, she forgot her gun in one of the plane's bathrooms. Thankfully, the weapon was found by a "good person" and not by a nasty terrorist type individual. The forgotten weapon was turned into the flight crew.
And the air marshal who had forgotten her pistol, what did she do?
Well, I can tell you what she didn't do. She didn't report her gun as being missing. Not for day one, nor day two, or for a number of days. All in all, it seems like a serious oversight to me, but her supervisors didn't see it that way and she was not punished.
Lucky girl.
All of this takes me to the point of this devotion. It is a question: as you travel through life and make your preparations for the life to come, what things should you never forget? What are the things which should always be on your list?
Now since this is a Christian devotion, I'm pretty sure all of the Daily Devotioners are going to give a "Christian" answer. You're not going to say, "The one thing which is of paramount importance for my life's journey is making sure I have clean socks and an extra set of underwear."
No, you are going to say something like "I need to have my faith with me at all times." That's a good answer. Maybe you might reply "I need to have an attitude which is a positive, Christian outlook no matter what unexpected thing might come my way." That would also be an excellent answer. Both responses would get you a passing grade.
But the answer I like best is the one which says, "I don't want to forget my traveling Companion. I want to travel each and every day with the Savior. He is the one Person I dare not forget. He is the one Irreplaceable on my travel list."
THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, may I always remember the most important thing on my life's journey is to be constantly with Jesus who has won my salvation and given me all I need to get to my final destination. In Jesus' Name I pray it. Amen
Use these devotions in your newsletter and bulletin! Used by permission; all rights reserved by the Int'l LLL (LHM).
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CPTLN Devocional de 09 de Mayo de 2017
Alimento Diario
El más importante
09 de Mayo 2017
...porque en el camino habían estado discutiendo quién de ellos era el más importante. Jesús se sentó, llamó a los doce, y les dijo: 'Si alguno quiere ser el primero, deberá ser el último de todos, y el servidor de todos.' Marcos 9:34b-35
Esta es una historia de la compañía de noticias A.P., donde la única pregunta es: ¿quién es el héroe más grande?
Algún tiempo atrás, Phillip Manis, de Nebraska, iba manejando hacia el centro comercial con sus hijos de seis y tres años de edad. Mientras manejaba Phillip se desmayó debido a una baja de azúcar. Es ahí donde la historia del héroe comenzó.
Tustin, el hijo de 6 años, viendo a su padre desmayado, se arrastró desde la parte trasera del auto, se sentó en el regazo de su padre y comenzó a dirigir el coche - un coche que siguió andando a unas 15 millas por hora.
Algunos conductores, viendo al niño detrás del volante, bajaron la velocidad y prendieron sus intermitentes. Finalmente, el oficial Freeze salió rápidamente de su vehículo y corrió al lado del auto en marcha hasta que alcanzó a entrar por una ventana abierta y desviar el coche hacia el parque. El único daño sufrido fue cuando Tustin raspó el auto contra un puente, mientras doblaba en una esquina para regresar al pueblo.
En esta historia todos son héroes. Pero, ¿quién es el héroe mayor? Todos los que participaron hicieron algo muy especial. Por otro lado, nuestro Salvador nos dijo que el más importante en el Reino de los cielos será quien haya sido servidor de todos.
Obviamente, Jesús va a ser el que ocupe el primer lugar. Él, quien dejó el cielo para vivir toda su vida al servicio y salvación de la humanidad, está más allá de cualquier comparación. Desde su primer respiro en Belén, hasta su último lamento en la cruz del Calvario, Jesús se dio a sí mismo para que todos los que creyeran en Él puedan ser perdonados y salvados. Sí, Jesús es el más importante.
Y, ¿quién está en segundo lugar? ¿Pedro, Santiago, Juan? Tal vez. Pero tengo una corazonada que cuando lleguemos al cielo vamos a ser sorprendidos al ver que ese título ha sido dado a alguien completamente desconocido, a alguien que, en total humildad, se entregó completamente por otros.
ORACION: Señor Jesús, tú eres el más importante. Te pedimos que, a quienes hemos sido salvados por tu amor, nos inspires a testificar y a servir a otros. En tu Nombre oramos. Amén
© 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 - Too Good Not to Share
Read: John 1:6–14
Bible in a Year: 2 Kings 7–9; John 1:1–28
[John] came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all might believe.
During court proceedings, witnesses are more than onlookers or
spectators. They are active participants who help determine the outcome
of a case. The same is true of our witness for Christ. We are to be
active participants in a matter of absolute importance—the truth of
Jesus’s death and resurrection.
When John the Baptist came to tell people about Jesus, the light
of the world, he did so by declaring his knowledge of Jesus. And John
the disciple, who recorded the events, testified of his experience with
Jesus: “We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who
came from the Father, full of grace and truth” (John 1:14). The apostle
Paul would elaborate on this idea as he told young Timothy, “The things
you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to
reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others” (2 Tim.
2:2).
All Christians have been summoned before
the courtroom of the world. The Bible says we are not mere spectators
but active participants. We testify to the truth about Jesus’s death and
resurrection. John the Baptist was the voice of one calling in the
desert. Our voices can be heard in our workplace, neighborhood, church,
and among our family and friends. We can be active witnesses, telling
them about the reality of Jesus in our lives.
Do our actions enable us to witness for Jesus? In what creative ways might we witness today?
The gospel is too good not to share.
© 2017 Our Daily Bread Ministries
Lời Sống Hằng Ngày - Cần Chia Sẻ Tin Tốt Lành
Đọc: Giăng 1:6–14
Đọc Kinh Thánh suốt năm: 2 Các vua 7–9; Giăng 1:1–28
[Giăng] đến với tư cách một nhân chứng để làm chứng về ánh sáng hầu cho nhờ ông mọi người đều tin. Giăng 1:7
Trong các phiên tòa, nhân chứng đóng vai trò quan trọng hơn người
đến dự phiên tòa. Họ là những người góp phần vào kết quả phán quyết của
phiên tòa. Điều này cũng đúng với lời làm chứng của chúng ta về Đấng
Christ. Chúng ta phải là những người tích cực góp phần vào công tác vô
cùng quan trọng này – tức là chia sẻ chân lý về sự chết và sự sống lại
của Chúa Jêsus.
Khi Giăng Báp-tít đến để nói cho mọi người về Chúa Jêsus, là ánh sáng
của thế giới, ông đã làm điều đó bằng cách công bố những hiểu biết của
mình về Chúa Jêsus. Và sứ đồ Giăng, là người đã ghi chép lại những sự
kiện này, làm chứng về kinh nghiệm của ông với Chúa Jêsus: “Chúng ta đã
chiêm ngưỡng vinh quang Ngài, thật là vinh quang của Con Một đến từ nơi
Cha” (Giăng 1:14). Sứ đồ Phao-lô đã mở rộng thêm ý này khi ông nói với
chàng trai trẻ Ti-mô-thê rằng: “Những điều con đã nghe nơi ta trước mặt
nhiều nhân chứng hãy ủy thác cho những người đáng tin cậy, là những
người có khả năng dạy dỗ người khác” (2 Tim. 2:2).
Tất cả Cơ Đốc nhân đều được triệu tập đến trước tòa án thế gian. Kinh
Thánh cho biết chúng ta không phải chỉ là những khán giả nhưng là những
người tích cực góp phần. Chúng ta làm chứng cho chân lý về sự chết và
sự sống lại của Chúa Jêsus. Giăng Báp-tít là tiếng của người kêu lên
trong đồng vắng. Tiếng của chúng ta cũng cần phải được nghe thấy ở nơi
làm việc, xóm giềng, hội thánh và giữa vòng gia đình, bạn bè. Chúng ta
cần là những nhân chứng tích cực nói cho người khác nghe về sự hiện hữu
của Chúa Jêsus trong đời sống của mình.
Những hành động của chúng ta có giúp dọn đường để làm chứng về Chúa Jêsus không? Ngày nay, có những phương cách mới mẻ nào giúp chúng ta trình bày lời chứng?
Phúc Âm về Chúa Jêsus thật sự là một tin tức tốt lành mà chúng ta cần chia sẻ.
bởi Lawrence Darmani
Nuestro Pan Diario - Testigos activos
Leer: Juan 1:6-14
La Biblia en un año: 2 Reyes 7–9; Juan 1:1-28
[Juan] vino por testimonio, para que diese testimonio de la luz, a fin de que todos creyesen por él
(v. 7).
En un proceso judicial, los testigos son participantes activos que
ayudan a determinar el resultado de un caso. Lo mismo es verdad sobre
nuestro testimonio para Cristo. Debemos participar de forma activa en
una cuestión importantísima: la verdad sobre la muerte y la resurrección
de Jesús.
Cuando Juan el Bautista vino a hablar de Jesús, la Luz del mundo, lo
hizo al declarar lo que sabía de Él. Y Juan, el discípulo que registró
estos sucesos, testificó: «Y vimos su gloria, gloria como del unigénito
del Padre, lleno de gracia y de verdad» (Juan 1:14 LBLA). El apóstol
Pablo ampliaría esta idea, cuando le dijo al joven Timoteo: «Lo que has
oído de mí ante muchos testigos, esto encarga a hombres fieles que sean
idóneos para enseñar también a otros» (2 Timoteo 2:2).
Todos los cristianos han sido convocados ante el tribunal del mundo.
La Biblia enseña que no somos meros espectadores, sino participantes
activos. Testificamos sobre la verdad de la muerte y la resurrección de
Jesús. Juan el Bautista fue la voz que clamaba en el desierto. Nuestras
voces pueden escucharse en el trabajo, el vecindario, la iglesia y entre
nuestros familiares y amigos. Podemos ser testigos activos y hablar
sobre la realidad de Jesús en nuestra vida.
¿De qué maneras creativas podríamos testificar hoy?
El evangelio es demasiado bueno como para no compartirlo.
Por Lawrence Darmani
Unser Täglich Brot - Weitersagen!
Lesen: Johannes 1,6-14
Die Bibel In Einem Jahr: 2.Könige 7–9; Johannes 1,1-28
[Johannes] kam zum Zeugnis, um von dem Licht zu zeugen, damit sie alle durch ihn glaubten. Johannes 1,7
Bei einem Gerichtsprozess sind die Zeugen mehr als nur Zuschauer.
Sie sind aktive Teilnehmer, die für den Ausgang des Verfahrens von
entscheidender Bedeutung sind. Dasselbe gilt für die Zeugen Jesu. Wir
sollen in einem Fall von absoluter Wichtigkeit aktive Zeugen
sein—nämlich im Fall um die Wahrheit von Jesu Tod und Auferstehung.
Als Johannes der Täufer den Menschen von Jesus erzählte, dem Licht
der Welt, da erklärte er ihnen, was er von Jesus wusste. Und der Jünger
Johannes, der das aufschrieb, bezeugt von dem, was er mit Jesus erlebte:
„Wir sahen seine Herrlichkeit, eine Herrlichkeit als des eingeborenen
Sohnes vom Vater, voller Gnade und Wahrheit“ (Joh. 1,14). Der Apostel
Paulus bezieht sich auf diesen Gedanken, als er dem jungen Timotheus
schreibt: „Was du von mir gehört hast vor vielen Zeugen, das befiehl
treuen Menschen an, die tüchtig sind, auch andere zu lehren“ (2.Tim.
2,2).
Alle Christen sind im Gerichtssaal der Welt aufgerufen. Die Bibel
sagt, wir sollen nicht nur Zuschauer sein, sondern aktive Teilnehmer.
Wir bezeugen die Wahrheit von Jesu Tod und Auferstehung. Johannes der
Täufer war eine Stimme in der Wüste. Unsere Stimme können wir an der
Arbeit, in der Nachbarschaft, in der Gemeinde und bei Familie und
Freunden hören lassen. Wir können aktive Zeugen sein und ihnen erzählen,
was Jesus in unserem Leben wirkt.
Verhalten wir uns so, dass wir Zeugen für Jesus sind? Wie können wir heute auf kreative Weise von ihm zeugen?
Das Evangelium ist so gut, dass man es weitersagen muss.
Von Lawrence Darmani
© 2017 Unser Täglich Brot
Notre Pain Quotidien - Trop bon pour le taire
Lisez : Jean 1.6‑14
La Bible en un an : 2 ROIS 7 – 9 et JEAN 1.1‑28
[Jean Baptiste] vint pour servir de témoin, pour rendre témoignage à la lumière, afin que tous croient par lui. V. 7
Au cours d’un procès, les témoins sont
plus que de simples observateurs ou spectateurs. Ils participent
activement à en déterminer l’issue. Or, il en va de même pour le
témoignage que nous rendons de Christ. Nous sommes tenus de participer
activement à une affaire de la plus haute importance, qui consiste à
dire la vérité au sujet de la mort et de la résurrection de Jésus.
Jean‑Baptiste a annoncé Jésus, la lumière du monde, à ses contemporains en déclarant ce qu’il savait de lui. Puis le disciple Jean, qui a mis par écrit les événements concernés, a attesté son vécu aux côtés de Jésus : « [Nous] avons contemplé sa gloire, une gloire comme la gloire du Fils unique venu du Père », cette gloire « pleine de grâce et de vérité » (JN 1.14). L’apôtre Paul allait développer cette idée en disant au jeune Timothée : « Et ce que tu as entendu de moi en présence de beaucoup de témoins, confie‑le à des hommes fidèles, qui soient capables de l’enseigner aussi à d’autres » (2 TI 2.2).
La Bible dit que nous ne sommes pas que de simples spectateurs, mais plutôt des participants actifs. Nous attestons la vérité au sujet de la mort et de la résurrection de Jésus. Jean‑Baptiste était la voix de celui qui crie dans le désert. Or, notre voix peut se faire entendre dans notre milieu de travail, notre quartier, notre église et parmi nos proches et nos amis. Nous pouvons être des témoins actifs de Jésus en expliquant à notre entourage sa présence dans notre vie.
© 2017 Ministères NPQ
Jean‑Baptiste a annoncé Jésus, la lumière du monde, à ses contemporains en déclarant ce qu’il savait de lui. Puis le disciple Jean, qui a mis par écrit les événements concernés, a attesté son vécu aux côtés de Jésus : « [Nous] avons contemplé sa gloire, une gloire comme la gloire du Fils unique venu du Père », cette gloire « pleine de grâce et de vérité » (JN 1.14). L’apôtre Paul allait développer cette idée en disant au jeune Timothée : « Et ce que tu as entendu de moi en présence de beaucoup de témoins, confie‑le à des hommes fidèles, qui soient capables de l’enseigner aussi à d’autres » (2 TI 2.2).
La Bible dit que nous ne sommes pas que de simples spectateurs, mais plutôt des participants actifs. Nous attestons la vérité au sujet de la mort et de la résurrection de Jésus. Jean‑Baptiste était la voix de celui qui crie dans le désert. Or, notre voix peut se faire entendre dans notre milieu de travail, notre quartier, notre église et parmi nos proches et nos amis. Nous pouvons être des témoins actifs de Jésus en expliquant à notre entourage sa présence dans notre vie.
L’Évangile est trop bon pour ne pas être transmis.
par Lawrence Darmani
© 2017 Ministères NPQ
Хліб Наш Насущній - Не можна мовчати
Читати: Івана 1:6-14
Біблія за рік: 2 Царів 7–9 ; Івана 1:1-28
Він прийшов на свідоцтво, щоб засвідчити про Світло, щоб повірили всі через нього.
Під час судового процесу очевидці стають свідками, а не просто
сторонніми споглядачами. Вони вже є активними учасниками, від яких
залежить рішення суду. Цей принцип стосується і нашого свідчення про
Христа. Маємо бути активними учасниками у справі найбільшого значення –
свідчення про смерть і воскресіння Ісуса.
Коли Іван Хреститель прийшов, щоб розповісти людям про Ісуса –
Світло світу, – то робив це на підставі власного пізнання Христа. Іван –
один із учнів Ісуса, що писав про свідоцтво Хрестителя – теж свідчив,
виходячи із власного досвіду пізнання Господа: “І ми бачили славу Його,
славу як Однородженого від Отця” (Ів. 1:14).
Апостол Павло розвиває цю тему, коли пише листа Тимофію: “А що чув ти
від мене при багатьох свідках, те передай вірним людям, що будуть
спроможні й інших навчити” (2 Тим. 2:2).
Всі християни в якомусь сенсі покликані до судової зали всього світу.
Біблія вказує, що ми не просто споглядачі, але активні учасники
процесу. Ми свідчимо про смерть та воскресіння Ісуса. Іван Хреститель
був “голосом того, хто кличе в пустелі”. Наші ж голоси можуть бути
почуті на робочих місцях, на вулицях, в церкві, серед наших рідних і
друзів. Ми можемо бути активними свідками, що свідчать іншим про
реальність Ісуса у своєму житті.
Чи наше життя сприяє ефективному свідченню про Ісуса? Якими креативними способами ми можемо свідчити сьогодні?
Євангеліє занадто добра річ − тому не мовчіть.
Автор Лоренс Дармані
© 2017 Хліб Наш Насущній
Хлеб наш насущный - Нельзя молчать
Читать сейчас: Иоанна 1:6-14
Библия за год: 4 Царств 7-9; Иоанна 1:1-28
Он пришел для свидетельства, чтобы свидетельствовать о Свете, дабы все уверовали через него. — Иоанна 1:7
На судебных разбирательствах свидетели – это не просто зрители или
наблюдатели. Они активно участвуют в процессе, помогая определить его
исход. То же касается и нашего свидетельства о Христе. Мы должны быть
активными участниками в деле абсолютной важности – распространении вести
о смерти Христа и Его воскресении.
Возвещая людям близкий приход Божьего Сына, Иоанн Креститель
свидетельствовал о том, что знал. А апостол Иоанн, описавший эти
события, рассказывал о собственном опыте жизни с Господом: «Мы видели
славу Его, славу как Единородного от Отца» (Ин. 1:14).
Апостол Павел писал Тимофею о том же: «Что слышал от меня при многих
свидетелях, то передай верным людям, которые были бы способны и других
научить» (2 Тим. 2:2).
Все христиане призваны на суд мира. В
Библии говорится, что мы не просто наблюдатели, а активные участники. Мы
свидетельствуем о смерти и воскресении Божьего Сына. Иоанн Креститель
был гласом вопиющего в пустыне. Пусть наши голоса услышат сотрудники,
соседи, знакомые и родственники. Мы можем быть активными свидетелями,
возвещая миру о реальности присутствия Иисуса Христа в своей жизни.
Позволяет ли наша жизнь свидетельствовать о Христе? Какими творческими способами мы можем распространить свое свидетельство?
Евангелие слишком прекрасно, чтобы беречь его для себя.
автор: Лоуренс Дармани
© 2017 Хлеб Наш Насущный
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