Friday, May 12, 2017
The Daily Readings for FRIDAY, May 12, 2017 - 27th 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 6:12-23
Wisdom is radiant and unfading, and she is easily discerned by those who love her, and is found by those who seek her. She hastens to make herself known to those who desire her. One who rises early to seek her will have no difficulty, for she will be found sitting at the gate. To fix one's thought on her is perfect understanding, and one who is vigilant on her account will soon be free from care, because she goes about seeking those worthy of her, and she graciously appears to them in their paths, and meets them in every thought. The beginning of wisdom is the most sincere desire for instruction, and concern for instruction is love of her, and love of her is the keeping of her laws, and giving heed to her laws is assurance of immortality, and immortality brings one near to God; so the desire for wisdom leads to a kingdom. Therefore if you delight in thrones and scepters, O monarchs over the peoples, honor wisdom, so that you may reign forever. I will tell you what wisdom is and how she came to be, and I will hide no secrets from you, but I will trace her course from the beginning of creation, and make knowledge of her clear, and I will not pass by the truth; nor will I travel in the company of sickly envy, for envy does not associate with wisdom.
The Epistle Lesson
The Epistle Lesson for today is taken from Colossians 3:1-11
So if you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth, for you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life is revealed, then you also will be revealed with him in glory. Put to death, therefore, whatever in you is earthly: fornication, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed (which is idolatry). On account of these the wrath of God is coming on those who are disobedient. These are the ways you also once followed, when you were living that life. But now you must get rid of all such things-- anger, wrath, malice, slander, and abusive language from your mouth. Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have stripped off the old self with its practices and have clothed yourselves with the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge according to the image of its creator. In that renewal there is no longer Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave and free; but Christ is all and in all!
The Holy Gospel Lesson
The Holy Gospel is written in Luke 7:1-17
After Jesus had finished all his sayings in the hearing of the people, he entered Capernaum. A centurion there had a slave whom he valued highly, and who was ill and close to death. When he heard about Jesus, he sent some Jewish elders to him, asking him to come and heal his slave. When they came to Jesus, they appealed to him earnestly, saying, "He is worthy of having you do this for him, for he loves our people, and it is he who built our synagogue for us." And Jesus went with them, but when he was not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to say to him, "Lord, do not trouble yourself, for I am not worthy to have you come under my roof; therefore I did not presume to come to you. But only speak the word, and let my servant be healed. For I also am a man set under authority, with soldiers under me; and I say to one, 'Go,' and he goes, and to another, 'Come,' and he comes, and to my slave, 'Do this,' and the slave does it." When Jesus heard this he was amazed at him, and turning to the crowd that followed him, he said, "I tell you, not even in Israel have I found such faith." When those who had been sent returned to the house, they found the slave in good health. Soon afterwards he went to a town called Nain, and his disciples and a large crowd went with him. As he approached the gate of the town, a man who had died was being carried out. He was his mother's only son, and she was a widow; and with her was a large crowd from the town. When the Lord saw her, he had compassion for her and said to her, "Do not weep." Then he came forward and touched the bier, and the bearers stood still. And he said, "Young man, I say to you, rise!" The dead man sat up and began to speak, and Jesus gave him to his mother. Fear seized all of them; and they glorified God, saying, "A great prophet has risen among us!" and "God has looked favorably on his people!" This word about him spread throughout Judea and all the surrounding country.
Morning Psalms
Psalm 40 Expectans, expectavi
1 I waited patiently upon the LORD; he stooped to me and heard my cry.
2 He lifted me out of the desolate pit, out of the mire and clay; he set my feet upon a high cliff and made my footing sure.
3 He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God; many shall see, and stand in awe, and put their trust in the LORD.
4 Happy are they who trust in the LORD! they do not resort to evil spirits or turn to false gods.
5 Great things are they that you have done, O LORD my God! how great your wonders and your plans for us! there is none who can be compared with you.
6 Oh, that I could make them known and tell them! but they are more than I can count.
7 In sacrifice and offering you take no pleasure (you have given me ears to hear you);
8 Burnt-offering and sin-offering you have not required, and so I said, "Behold, I come.
9 In the roll of the book it is written concerning me: 'I love to do your will, O my God; your law is deep in my heart.'"
10 I proclaimed righteousness in the great congregation; behold, I did not restrain my lips; and that, O LORD, you know.
11 Your righteousness have I not hidden in my heart; I have spoken of your faithfulness and your deliverance; I have not concealed your love and faithfulness from the great congregation.
12 You are the LORD; do not withhold your compassion from me; let your love and your faithfulness keep me safe for ever,
13 For innumerable troubles have crowded upon me; my sins have overtaken me, and I cannot see; they are more in number than the hairs of my head, and my heart fails me.
14 Be pleased, O LORD, to deliver me; O LORD, make haste to help me.
15 Let them be ashamed and altogether dismayed who seek after my life to destroy it; let them draw back and be disgraced who take pleasure in my misfortune.
16 Let those who say "Aha!" and gloat over me be confounded, because they are ashamed.
17 Let all who seek you rejoice in you and be glad; let those who love your salvation continually say, "Great is the LORD!"
18 Though I am poor and afflicted, the Lord will have regard for me.
19 You are my helper and my deliverer; do not tarry, O my God.
Psalm 54 Deus, in nomine
1 Save me, O God, by your Name; in your might, defend my cause.
2 Hear my prayer, O God; give ear to the words of my mouth.
3 For the arrogant have risen up against me, and the ruthless have sought my life, those who have no regard for God.
4 Behold, God is my helper; it is the Lord who sustains my life.
5 Render evil to those who spy on me; in your faithfulness, destroy them.
6 I will offer you a freewill sacrifice and praise your Name, O LORD, for it is good.
7 For you have rescued me from every trouble, and my eye has seen the ruin of my foes.
Evening Psalms
Psalm 51 Miserere mei, Deus
1 Have mercy on me, O God, according to your loving-kindness; in your great compassion blot out my offenses.
2 Wash me through and through from my wickedness and cleanse me from my sin.
3 For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me.
4 Against you only have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight.
5 And so you are justified when you speak and upright in your judgment.
6 Indeed, I have been wicked from my birth, a sinner from my mother's womb.
7 For behold, you look for truth deep within me, and will make me understand wisdom secretly.
8 Purge me from my sin, and I shall be pure; wash me, and I shall be clean indeed.
9 Make me hear of joy and gladness, that the body you have broken may rejoice.
10 Hide your face from my sins and blot out all my iniquities.
11 Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.
12 Cast me not away from your presence and take not your holy Spirit from me.
13 Give me the joy of your saving help again and sustain me with your bountiful Spirit.
14 I shall teach your ways to the wicked, and sinners shall return to you.
15 Deliver me from death, O God, and my tongue shall sing of your righteousness, O God of my salvation.
16 Open my lips, O Lord, and my mouth shall proclaim your praise.
17 Had you desired it, I would have offered sacrifice, but you take no delight in burnt-offerings.
18 The sacrifice of God is a troubled spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.
19 Be favorable and gracious to Zion, and rebuild the walls of Jerusalem.
20 Then you will be pleased with the appointed sacrifices, with burnt-offerings and oblations; then shall they offer young bullocks upon your altar.
The Apostles' Creed
I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen
Prayer of the Day
O God, whose Son Jesus is the good shepherd of your people; Grant that when we hear his voice we may know him who calls us each by name, and follow where he leads; who, with you and the Holy Spirit, lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever. Amen
A Prayer for Fridays
Almighty God, whose most dear Son went not up to joy but first he suffered pain, and entered not into glory before he was crucified: Mercifully grant that we, walking in the way of the cross, may find it none other than the way of life and peace; 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!
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 FRIDAY, May 12, 2017 - 27th Day of Easter
O God, whose Son Jesus is the good shepherd of your people; Grant that when we hear his voice we may know him who calls us each by name, and follow where he leads; who, with you and the Holy Spirit, lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever. Amen
Verse of the Day for FRIDAY, May 12, 2017 - 27th Day of Easter
Proverbs 31:10 (NIV) [Epilogue: The Wife of Noble Character] A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies.
Read all of Proverbs 31
Listen to Proverbs 31
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 - The Authority of the Scriptures
"So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; it shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish what I please, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it."
—Isaiah 55:11 (NKJV)
When I think of Billy Graham’s preaching over the years, one thing comes to mind: he always quoted the Bible. How many times have we heard Billy Graham say, “And the Bible says . . .”? I’ve always loved that about him. He knows the authority of the Scriptures.
In the same way, Peter’s message on the Day of Pentecost was great because it was scriptural. He quoted Joel 2:28–32 from memory, and he also quoted Psalm 16 and Psalm 110. Obviously Peter had committed great portions of Scripture to memory. Any Christian worth his or her salt should be able to stand up at a moment’s notice and clearly articulate the gospel message without notes.
Why? Because someday you may find yourself in a situation where you’ll need to break it down fast, where you’ll be able to say, “Here’s how you can get right with God and put your faith in Jesus Christ.”
We need to know the Scriptures. I can’t emphasize enough how important the Bible is when you are sharing your faith. As Isaiah 55 tells us, “For as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven, and do not return there, but water the earth, . . . so shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; it shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish what I please, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it” (verses 10–11).
We need to use the Scriptures as we share the gospel. As artists know how to use their pens and brushes (and nowadays, their computer programs), as cooks know how to use their knives and utensils, as soldiers know how to use their weapons, we need to know how to use the Word of God.
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 - Vivamos el hoy
Oh Señor [...] por todas las generaciones proclamará mi boca tu fidelidad. Declararé que tu amor permanece firme para siempre.
Salmo 89:1-2 (NVI)
Doy gracias a mi Dios porque muchas personas comienzan su día con este humilde devocional y lo digo así porque no soy pastora ni mucho menos. Aun así, Dios me ha dado el don y el gran privilegio de inyectar entusiasmo y alegría a la gente debido a todo lo que se pierde cuando se tienen tantas cosas en la mente y la vida es muy agitada.
Agradezco a cada uno de los oyentes que me ha dicho que mis oraciones y mis palabras de aliento han sido y siguen siendo de bendición para sus vidas y su diario vivir. ¡GRACIAS!
En realidad, esa debe ser nuestra actitud. Muchas veces he llegado durante estos diez años a la radio con diversas preocupaciones, enfermedades, problemas económicos y situaciones que vivimos todos los seres humanos. A pesar de eso, Dios ha sido tan grande que, en medio de esas circunstancias, todo se olvida al llegar al micrófono. Es como si pasara a otro plano. De mi boca solo sale agradecimiento a Dios y unas inmensos deseos de decirte: «Dios te ama, Dios te cuida, Dios está interesado en tu problema, Dios quiere hacerte feliz».
No obstante, dependerá mucho de nuestra actitud. Nosotros somos lo que hablamos o lo que confesamos. Si te levantas amargado y desde que abres tus ojitos y tu boca lo primero que pronuncias son palabras negativas, sales de tu casa en ese tono, lo llevas en mente y se lo dices a tu familia y a tus compañeros, eso es lo que vas a ser.
Por favor, rompe esa manera de actuar y hazte el propósito desde hoy mismo hablar cosas lindas y confesar lo que deseas ser.
Un Día a la Vez Copyright © by Claudia Pinzón
Standing Strong Through the Storm - PRAYER: TURNING PERIODS INTO COMMAS
Then some Jews came from Antioch and Iconium and won the crowd over. They stoned Paul and dragged him outside the city, thinking he was dead. But after the disciples had gathered around him, he got up and went back into the city.
Acts 14:19-20a (NIV)
Today we hear from Open Doors’ author and co-worker, Anneke Companjen. These are the concluding paragraphs of her first book, Hidden Sorrow, Lasting Joy:
My husband, Johan, likes to speak on Acts 14 when he challenges Christians around the world to care for the Suffering Church.
In that chapter we read how the authorities won the crowd over and stoned Paul. They dragged him out of the city, thinking he was dead.
“Period!” Johan tells his audience. “The devil wanted to put a period here. Paul was finished as far as the enemy was concerned. But God had other plans. The story continues, ‘But after the disciples had gathered around him, he got up and went back into the city’ (Acts 14:20). Something happened that turned the devils period into God’s comma. What made the difference? The disciples’ prayer.”
God loves to change the devils periods into commas, and he’s still doing it today.
It is my heart’s desire that he will use you and me to make a difference in the lives of Christians who are persecuted for their faith around the world. We can reach out to them, each in our own church and community and in our own way, through awareness, through action, and most of all, through prayer.[1]
RESPONSE: Today I will not underestimate the power of prayer for persecuted brothers and sisters around the world. I will pray asking God to turn the devil’s periods into His commas.
PRAYER: Pray for persecuted Christians today whether they are experiencing pain or pressure, guilt or relief, sorrow or joy, faith or denial, isolation or fellowship, prison or freedom, hope or despair, forgiveness or bitterness.
1. Anneke Companjen, Hidden Sorrow, Lasting Joy (Wheaton: Tyndale House Publishers, 2001), pp. 216-217.
Men of the Bible - Jonathan
His name means: "Yahweh Has Given"
His work: The firstborn son of King Saul, Jonathan was a capable warrior and military strategist.
His character: Jonathan demonstrated remarkable capabilities for friendship, selflessness, and loyalty.
His sorrow: Although the rightful heir to the throne of Israel, Jonathan never became king. He also had to deal with the mental and emotional pathology of his father, King Saul.
Key Scriptures: 1 Samuel 14; 19; 20
A Look at the Man
By his own foolishness, Saul put his children in impossible situations.
His youngest daughter, Michal, was married to David, a man Saul openly hated. And his son, Jonathan, was David's closest friend.
Because of her father's unrestrained jealousy, Michal was forced to lower David from an open window to protect him from Saul. And Saul's irrational rage against David forced Jonathan to take sides against his father, the king of Israel.
As their friendship unfolded, we can assume that David confided in Jonathan about his anointing to be the next king of Israel. He would have told Jonathan about the prophet Samuel's visit to his father's home in search of Saul's replacement. Imagine the two-pronged disappointment that would have devastated a smaller man than Jonathan. First, he would have been greatly displeased with the news of the Lord's message to Samuel about his father. "I have rejected Saul as king over Israel." Second, it would mean that he, the oldest son of the king, was not going to be the successor to the throne.
There is no record of Jonathan being devastated with this news. Because he trusted God, he knew that Samuel never would have anointed David as the heir to his father's throne if he hadn't been divinely appointed.
The account of Jonathan is the story of loyalty at many levels. First, he was loyal to his father. At no point did Jonathan complain to David that his father was a deranged madman. In the midst of terrible conflict, Jonathan was steadfast in his respect for his father, even dying with him in battle.
Second, Jonathan was loyal to David. He had legitimate reasons to envy the successor to his father's throne, but he loved him instead. Like David, he was a capable leader and victorious warrior. But he refused to set himself against David, even though his father did everything he could to push him in that direction.
Finally, Jonathan was loyal to the living God. Even though he could have complained that his father's actions spoiled his own future, he trusted God's sovereignty. Whether through verbal confrontations with his father or delivering bad news to his friend, Jonathan was a man of impeccable integrity.
Some people imagine David's friend Jonathan as a milquetoast wimp looking to find esteem through his friendship with a man much greater than he. Nothing could be further from the truth. Jonathan was a strong man, a mighty soldier, and a successful leader. And it is from this position of influence that Jonathan introduces us to the greater power of loyalty.
Reflect On: 1 Samuel 20:11–17
Praise God: For blessing our loved ones through us.
Offer Thanks: For God’s faithfulness from generation to generation.
Confess: Any failure to believe that God intends to use you to extend his blessings to the next generation.
Ask God: To make you the kind of person whose righteousness blesses others.
Girlfriends in God - The Beatitudes of a Great Mom
Today’s Truth
Train children how to live right, and when they are old, they will not change (Proverbs 22:6, NCV).
Friend to Friend
We live in a world that often denies the importance of being a mom. I
am certainly not an expert. When our daughter was born, the bottom
line of my heart was simply to be a successful mom. Our daughter’s
teenage years were rough! I remember telling her once, “You are going
down this road of destruction over my dead body!” She almost did!
Be a mom who loves God.
We love, because God first loved us (1 John 4:19, NCV).
The truth is that we are incapable of loving our children until we first love God. Motherhood at its best demands a thriving partnership with God. We cannot give unconditional love until we have experienced the unconditional love of God. We can do everything else right as a parent, but if we don’t begin with loving God - we will fail.
Be a mom who prays continually.
Never stop praying (I Thessalonians 5:17, ICB).
It is never too late to start praying, and it is always too early to stop.
- Pray for God’s plan – not yours – when praying for your children.
- Pray that you will see your child like God sees your child.
- Pray specifically for your child:
1 Peter 5:7 “Lord, I pray that Danna would cast all her care upon You, because You care for her.”
Prayer is an eternal gift we can give to our children, teaching them the importance of prayer and teaching them how to pray. We prayed with our kids at bedtime from the day they were born. When our son was four, he began to pray that his grandfather and his uncle would stop smoking. Since both had smoked for many years and neither was trying to quit, I didn’t expect much. But our son did. Within the next year, both men suddenly quit smoking. I was amazed, but Jered acted like it was no big deal. He simply said, “Mom, you told me God answers prayer.” I am convinced that if we pray for our children and with our children, it will change their lives and ours.
Be a mom who gives time.
Train children how to live right, and when they are old, they will not change (Proverbs 22:6, NCV).
It takes time to know and train your children. Every
child comes with a set of characteristics already established by God.
Our job is to identify those characteristics and then steer the child
toward them. The original root word for “train” is the term for “the
palate, the roof of the mouth, the gums.” In the days of Solomon, a
midwife would deliver the baby, dip her finger into the juice of
crushed dates, reach into the mouth of the baby, and massage the gums
and palate to create a sense of taste and thirst. She would then give
the child to the mother so the baby could nurse. Our job as mothers is
to develop a thirst in our children for the things of God. And that
takes time.
There are seasons of life to which we must yield in
order to be the mother God wants us to be, but time spent with children
is never wasted. Every minute invested in your child is an eternal
investment. Give your children the best of your time – not the
leftovers of your time.
Being a mom is the hardest job on earth. It brings out
the best and the worst in us. I know it requires great sacrifice and
limitless energy, but to invest your time and best efforts into a
child, to watch that child grow and develop, is to be part of the
creative majesty of life itself.
Today, our daughter is a beautiful young woman, a great
wife, an amazing mom of two remarkable boys, and one of my best
friends. Sometimes we look at each other and just laugh. She often
says, “Mom, can you believe it?” Yes, I can. She is a walking trophy of
grace.
Let’s Pray
Lord, thank You for giving me children. Help me be the mom they deserve. I commit to constantly pray for my children and invest the best part of my time and life in them. Forgive me for allowing lesser things to take the place of my role as a mother and guide me to be a mom that really matters.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen
Now It’s Your Turn
Which one of these beatitudes do you need to work on in your life? Make that commitment today and record it in your journal. Now make a plan and get started!
More from the Girlfriends
It only makes sense that the One who created family has the only blueprint for its solidarity and success. Family is God’s idea and He alone has plan for making it succeed. Mary’s powerful video message, How to Love Your Family, explores four steps we can take to build a successful family.
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
LHM Daily Devotion - May 12, 2017 "I Shall Live Also"
I know of no human society that doesn't have its own set of funeral...
Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries
By Pastor Ken Klaus, Speaker Emeritus of The Lutheran Hour
"I Shall Live Also"
May 12, 2017
1 Thessalonians 4:13-14 - But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep.
I know of no human society that doesn't have its own set of funeral customs.
The desire to honor and offer a respectful farewell to the dearly departed seems to be a universally shared sentiment. Of course, there are all kinds of variations on that theme. One of the most unusual sets of funeral customs comes from the Toraja region of Indonesia. There, when someone breathes their last, those who are left behind preserve the corpse with a concoction of formaldehyde and methanol. Then they take the corpse and place it at the center of their home. Next they dress the body, offer it food and water, and speak about the deceased as if he were yet alive.
Then, after a respectful period of time, a period which may be measured in months or even years, the mourners provide the ex-person with a funeral -- and what a funeral it is! Over a period of days, many tens of thousands of dollars can be spent providing food for the crowds who have been invited from around the world. The cost of the memorial festivities could easily be catastrophic, if it were not for the fact that these people spend their whole lives saving up enough to guarantee their send-off will be a lavish, no-expense-spared social event.
Now if you ask these people why they do this, they will tell you.
What they do is not being done totally out of love or out of respect or reverence for the dearly departed. No, it is because they are afraid the person might haunt them, and make them miserable.
In spite of the externals, how sad it must be to spend years living in fear of people you once loved.
In contrast to these frightened souls, we have the words of the Lord who wants to give us the knowledge and the faith that allow us to confront death differently.
The Lord wants us to know that because of Jesus' sacrifice and resurrection we need not live, or die, or grieve, as if we have no hope. That is because we know that because of the Savior's work those who fall asleep in Jesus will also live again.
As we live, when we die, when we say a farewell to another believer we can be filled with joy. That is because we know that because the Redeemer lives, we will live also (see John 14:19).
THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, "I know that my Redeemer lives; what comfort this sweet sentence gives. He lives to silence all my fears, He lives to wipe away my tears, He lives to calm my troubled heart, He lives all blessings to impart. He lives, my kind, wise, heavenly Friend, He lives and loves me to the end; He lives, and grants me daily breath; He lives, and I shall conquer death: He lives my mansion to prepare; He lives to bring me safely there. Oh, the sweet joy this sentence gives, 'I know that my Redeemer lives!'" In Jesus' I give thanks. Amen
Use these devotions in your newsletter and bulletin! Used by permission; all rights reserved by the Int'l LLL (LHM).
CPTLN Devocional de 12 de Mayo de 2017
Alimento Diario
¿Alguien me puede ayudar?
12 de Mayo 2017
Yo te voy a hacer que entiendas. Voy a enseñarte el camino que debes seguir, y no voy a quitarte los ojos de encima. Salmo 32:8
Abrumada por sus sentimientos de culpa, Ana intentaba encontrar alguna ayuda. Todas las miradas estaban puestas sobre su vida y consideraban que todas las cosas salían mal por su culpa. Mientras tanto, Ana sentía que nadie lograba comprenderla.
Un día, invitada por una de sus vecinas, asiste a una charla bíblica. Allí tiene la oportunidad de conocer más de la Palabra de Dios y preguntar con confianza en la búsqueda de alivio a su situación. En medio del estudio, con voz tímida y acongojada, pregunta: ¿alguien me puede ayudar? Me siento culpable.
¡Sí!, fue la respuesta que se escuchó. El silencio se profundizó y la inquietud también. ¿Quién?, preguntó Ana, mirando a su alrededor. No era la primera vez que alguien se ofrecía a ayudarla sin lograrlo. ¡Dios!, le dijeron, Dios te puede ayudar.
Dios es nuestra ayuda, Él tiene puestos sus ojos sobre cada uno de nosotros y ha prometido escucharnos. Él genera la oportunidad para compartir nuestra preocupación, nuestra búsqueda. Muchas veces nos cargamos con sentimientos de culpa que nos cansan y debilitan, pero el amor de Dios es aún más grande y ofrece paz a nuestros corazones por medio Jesucristo su Hijo.
¿Nos sentimos prisioneros de la preocupación, angustia y culpa? Dios, en Jesucristo, nos invita para que pongamos todas nuestras cargas al pie de la cruz. Jesucristo es nuestro Salvador, en él tenemos verdadero perdón y paz. Sin el peso de nuestra culpa tenemos la bendición de poder servir y ayudar a otros, para que la presencia y el poder de Dios sean conocidos por todos.
ORACIÓN: Querido Dios, mantén siempre tu mirada sobre mí, ven a mi socorro, y ayúdame a comprender y aplicar tu Palabra. Enséñame el camino de la vida verdadera. En el nombre de Jesús. Amén
Biografía del autor: Esta devoción fue escrita por el Rev. Gerardo Meyer, colaborador en las oficinas de Cristo Para Todas Las Naciones en Argentina.
© 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 - The Advocate
Read: John 16:7–15
Bible in a Year: 2 Kings 15–16; John 3:1–18
When he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. John 16:13
As I boarded the airplane to study in a city a thousand miles from
home, I felt nervous and alone. But during the flight, I remembered how
Jesus promised His disciples the comforting presence of the Holy
Spirit.
Jesus’s friends must have felt bewildered when He told them, “It
is for your good that I am going away” (John 16:7). How could they who
witnessed His miracles and learned from His teaching be better off
without Him? But Jesus told them that if He left, then the Advocate—the
Holy Spirit—would come.
Jesus, nearing His last hours on earth,
shared with His disciples (in John 14–17, today known as the "Farewell
Discourse") to help them understand His death and ascension. Central in
this conversation was the coming Holy Spirit, an advocate who would be
with them (14:16–17), teaching (15:15), testifying (v. 26), and guiding
them (16:13).
We who have accepted God’s offer of new life have been given this
gift of His Spirit living within us. From Him we receive so much: He
convicts us of our sins and helps us to repent. He brings us comfort
when we ache, strength to bear hardships, wisdom to understand God’s
teaching, hope and faith to believe, love to share.
We can rejoice that Jesus sent us the Advocate.
Heavenly Father, You sent Your Son to save us and Your Spirit to comfort and convict us. May we bring You glory as we thank You for Your goodness and love.
The Holy Spirit fills Jesus’s followers.
© 2017 Our Daily Bread Ministries
Lời Sống Hằng Ngày - Đấng An Ủi
Đọc: Giăng 16:7–15
Đọc Kinh Thánh suốt năm: 2 Các vua 15–16; Giăng 3:1–18
Khi Thần Chân lý đến, Ngài sẽ dẫn các con vào mọi chân lý. Giăng 16:13
Khi lên máy bay đến một thành phố cách nơi tôi ở hàng ngàn dặm để
đi học, tôi đã cảm thấy rất lo lắng và cô đơn. Nhưng trong suốt chuyến
bay, tôi nhớ đến lời Chúa Jêsus đã hứa với các môn đồ về sự hiện diện
của Đức Thánh Linh, là Đấng An Ủi.
Các môn đồ của Chúa Jêsus chắc hẳn cảm thấy bối rối khi Ngài nói với
họ rằng: “Ta đi là ích lợi cho các con” (Giăng 16:7). Làm thế nào những
người đã từng chứng kiến các phép lạ Ngài làm cũng như lắng nghe Ngài
dạy dỗ lại trở nên tốt hơn khi không có Ngài ở bên? Nhưng Chúa Jêsus đã
nói với họ rằng nếu Ngài đi, thì Đấng An Ủi—là Đức Thánh Linh—sẽ đến.
Trong những giờ cuối cùng trên đất, Chúa Jêsus đã có dịp chia sẻ với
các môn đồ (“Bài Giảng Chia Tay” trong Giăng 14–17) để giúp họ hiểu được
sự chết và sự thăng thiên của Ngài. Trọng tâm của buổi nói chuyện này
chính là sự kiện Đức Thánh Linh, là Đấng An Ủi sẽ đến (14:16–17), là
Đấng sẽ ở với họ (15:15), dạy dỗ họ (c. 26), làm chứng cho họ (c. 26) và
dẫn dắt họ (16:13).
Chúng ta, những người đã mặc lấy đời sống mới do Chúa ban cho, cũng
nhận được món quà là Thánh Linh của Chúa ở với chúng ta. Chúng ta nhận
lãnh rất nhiều điều từ Ngài: Ngài cáo trách chúng ta về tội lỗi của mình
và giúp chúng ta ăn năn. Ngài đem sự an ủi đến khi chúng ta đau đớn,
Ngài ban sức lực để chịu đựng những gian khổ, Ngài ban sự khôn ngoan để
hiểu sự dạy dỗ của Đức Chúa Trời, Ngài ban hy vọng và đức tin, Ngài cũng
ban cho tình yêu thương để chúng ta chia sẻ. Chúng ta nên vui mừng vì
Chúa Jêsus đã ban Đấng An Ủi cho chúng ta.
Lạy Cha Thiên Thượng, Ngài đã sai Con Một của Ngài đến để cứu con, và ban Thánh Linh Ngài đến để an ủi và cáo trách con. Nguyện Chúa được tôn cao khi con cảm tạ về sự tốt lành và tình yêu thương của Ngài
Thánh Linh ngự trong lòng những người theo Chúa Jêsus.
bởi Amy Boucher Pye
© 2017 Lời Sống Hằng Ngày
Nuestro Pan Diario - El Consolador
Leer: Juan 16:7-15
La Biblia en un año: 2 Reyes 15–16; Juan 3:1-18
Pero cuando venga el Espíritu de verdad, él os guiará a toda la verdad… (v. 13).
Cuando subí al avión para ir a estudiar a una ciudad lejana, me
sentí nerviosa y sola. Pero, durante el vuelo, recordé cómo Jesús les
prometió a sus discípulos la presencia consoladora del Espíritu Santo.
Los amigos de Jesús seguramente quedaron desconcertados cuando Él les
dijo: «Os conviene que yo me vaya» (Juan 16:7). ¿Cómo podían ellos, que
habían presenciado sus milagros y aprendido sus enseñanzas, estar mejor
sin Él? Sin embargo, Jesús les dijo que, si se iba, vendría el
Consolador, el Espíritu Santo.
Cerca de sus últimas horas en la Tierra, Jesús les compartió algo a
sus discípulos (en Juan 14–17) para ayudarlos a entender su muerte y
ascensión. Algo central a esta conversación fue la venida del Espíritu
Santo, un consolador (14:16-17) que estaría con ellos (15:15), les
enseñaría (v. 26), testificaría (v. 26) y los guiaría (16:13).
Los que aceptamos la nueva vida que Dios nos ofrece, recibimos este
regalo de su Espíritu que mora en nosotros, nos convence de pecado y nos
ayuda a arrepentirnos. Este Consolador nos conforta cuando sufrimos,
nos fortalece para soportar las pruebas, y nos da sabiduría para
entender las enseñanzas de Dios, esperanza y fe para creer, y amor para
compartir.
Padre, gracias por enviar a tu Hijo a salvarnos y a tu Espíritu a consolarnos.
El Espíritu Santo llena a los seguidores de Jesús.
Por Amy Boucher Pye
Unser Täglich Brot - Der Tröster
Lesen: Johannes 16,7-15
Die Bibel In Einem Jahr: 2.Könige 15–16; Johannes 3,1-18
Wenn der Geist der Wahrheit kommen wird, wird er euch in alle Wahrheit leiten. Johannes 16,13
Ich war allein und nervös, als ich das Flugzeug bestieg, das mich
zum Studium in eine weit entfernte Stadt bringen sollte. Aber dann fiel
mir ein, wie Jesus seinen Jüngern die tröstliche Gegenwart des Heiligen
Geistes versprochen hat.
Die Jünger haben sich bestimmt gewundert, als er ihnen sagte: „Es ist
gut für euch, dass ich weggehe“ (Joh. 16,7). Wieso sollten sie, die
seine Wunder miterlebt und von seinen Worten gelernt hatten, ohne ihn
besser dran sein? Doch Jesus sagte, wenn er ginge, würde der Tröster—der
Heilige Geist—kommen.
In seinen letzten Stunden auf dieser Erde versuchte Jesus den Jüngern
zu erklären, was es mit seinem Sterben und Auferstehen auf sich hatte
(in Johannes 14-17, auch als Jesu „Abschiedsrede“ bekannt). Ein
zentrales Element in diesem Gespräch war der kommende Heilige Geist, ein
Tröster (14,16-17), der bei ihnen sein (V.17), sie lehren (V.26),
erinnern (V.26) und leiten würde (16,13).
Wenn wir Gottes Geschenk eines neuen Lebens angenommen haben, lebt
der Heilige Geist auch in uns. Und er gibt uns viel: Er zeigt uns unsere
Sünde und hilft uns, sie zu bereuen. Er tröstet uns, wenn wir Trost
brauchen, stärkt uns in Schwierigkeiten, gibt uns Weisheit, um Gottes
Wort zu verstehen, Hoffnung und Glauben und Liebe, um sie mit anderen zu
teilen.
Wir dürfen uns freuen, dass Jesus uns den Tröster geschickt hat.
Himmlischer Vater, du hast deinen Sohn gesandt, um uns zu erlösen, und deinen Geist, damit er uns tröstet und überführt. Hab Dank für deine Güte und Liebe und hilf uns, dir Ehre zu machen.
Der Heilige Geist erfüllt die Nachfolger Jesu.
Von Amy Boucher Pye
© 2017 Unser Täglich Brot
Notre Pain Quotidien - Le Consolateur
Lisez : Jean 16.7‑15
La Bible en un an : 2 ROIS 15 – 16 et JEAN 3.1‑18
Quand le consolateur sera venu, l’Esprit de vérité, il vous conduira dans toute la vérité. V. 13
En montant à bord d’un avion à
destination d’une ville située à des milliers de kilomètres de chez moi
pour y étudier, je me sentais nerveuse et seule. Durant le vol, par
contre, je me suis rappelé que Jésus avait promis à ses disciples de
leur accorder la présence réconfortante du Saint‑Esprit.
Les amis de Jésus ont dû se sentir déroutés lorsqu’il leur a dit : « [Il] vous est avantageux que je m’en aille » (JN 16.7). En quoi son départ pouvait‑il les avantager, eux qui avaient été les témoins de ses miracles et qui avaient reçu ses enseignements ? Jésus leur a néanmoins dit que, s’il partait, il leur enverrait le Consolateur, c’est‑à‑dire le Saint‑Esprit.
Vers la fin de sa vie ici‑bas, Jésus a parlé à coeur ouvert avec ses disciples (dans Jean 14‑17, ce que l’on appelle aujourd’hui « le discours d’adieu ») dans le but de les aider à comprendre la raison de sa mort et de son ascension. Au coeur de cette conversation : la venue du Saint‑Esprit, le Consolateur (14.16,17), qui allait les accompagner (15.15), leur enseigner (V. 26), leur rendre témoignage de Jésus (V. 26) et les guider (16.13).
Nous qui avons accepté le cadeau de la vie nouvelle avons reçu par le fait même la présence de son Esprit en nous, si riche en bénédictions : il nous convainc de nos péchés et nous aide à nous en repentir ; il nous console dans nos souffrances ; il nous fortifie pour que nous supportions nos épreuves ; il nous accorde la sagesse de comprendre les enseignements de Dieu, ainsi que la foi et l’amour en partage.
© 2017 Ministères NPQ
Les amis de Jésus ont dû se sentir déroutés lorsqu’il leur a dit : « [Il] vous est avantageux que je m’en aille » (JN 16.7). En quoi son départ pouvait‑il les avantager, eux qui avaient été les témoins de ses miracles et qui avaient reçu ses enseignements ? Jésus leur a néanmoins dit que, s’il partait, il leur enverrait le Consolateur, c’est‑à‑dire le Saint‑Esprit.
Vers la fin de sa vie ici‑bas, Jésus a parlé à coeur ouvert avec ses disciples (dans Jean 14‑17, ce que l’on appelle aujourd’hui « le discours d’adieu ») dans le but de les aider à comprendre la raison de sa mort et de son ascension. Au coeur de cette conversation : la venue du Saint‑Esprit, le Consolateur (14.16,17), qui allait les accompagner (15.15), leur enseigner (V. 26), leur rendre témoignage de Jésus (V. 26) et les guider (16.13).
Nous qui avons accepté le cadeau de la vie nouvelle avons reçu par le fait même la présence de son Esprit en nous, si riche en bénédictions : il nous convainc de nos péchés et nous aide à nous en repentir ; il nous console dans nos souffrances ; il nous fortifie pour que nous supportions nos épreuves ; il nous accorde la sagesse de comprendre les enseignements de Dieu, ainsi que la foi et l’amour en partage.
Le Saint‑Esprit vit pleinement dans les disciples de Jésus.
par Amy Boucher Pye
© 2017 Ministères NPQ
Хліб Наш Насущній - Втішитель
Читати: Івана 16:7-15
Біблія за рік: 2 Царів 15−16 ; Івана 3:1-18
А коли прийде Він, Той Дух правди, Він вас попровадить до цілої правди. — Івана 16:13
Я сіла в літак, щоб летіти на навчання за тисячі кілометрів від
дому. Спочатку нервувала й почувалась дуже самотньо. Але під час польоту
згадала обітницю Ісуса Христа, що Він дав Своїм учням стосовно
присутності Святого Духа в нашому житті.
Друзів Ісуса Христа напевно спантеличили слова: “Краще для вас, щоб пішов Я” (Ів. 16:7).
Як могло бути для них ліпше, щоб від них пішов Той, Хто так багато їх
навчав і творив на їхніх очах стільки чудес? Але Ісус пояснив, що якщо
Він піде від них, то стане можливим прихід Втішителя – Святого Духа.
Коли наближались останні часи перебування Ісуса на землі, Він мав з
учнями бесіду, під час якої пояснював причини Своєї смерті, воскресіння
та вознесіння (Ів. 14-17).
Головною темою цієї розмови був прихід Святого Духа – Втішителя й
Заступника, Хто мав бути з учнями, навчати, свідчити й спрямовувати (Ів. 14:16-17; 15:15, 26; 16:13).
Ми – хто прийняли Божий дар нового життя – маємо також дарунок
Святого Духа, Хто в нас перебуває. Дух Святий так багато робить для нас!
Вказує на гріх і веде до покаяння; дарує втіху в смутку і наділяє силою
в труднощах; дає мудрість для розуміння Божого вчення; сповняє надією,
вірою і любов’ю, щоб несли її іншим людям. Можемо щиро радіти тому, що
Ісус послав нам Втішителя.
Небесний Отче, Ти послав Свого Сина, щоб спасти нас, і Духа Свого, щоб втішав нас і вказував на гріх. Даруй нам приносити Тобі славу й дякувати за Твою ласку та любов.
Святий Дух сповняє послідовників Ісуса Христа.
Автор Емі Бушер Пай
© 2017 Хліб Наш Насущній
Хлеб наш насущный - Утешитель
Читать сейчас: Иоанна 16:7-15
Библия за год: 4 Царств 15-16; Иоанна 3:1-18
00:00
Когда же придет Он, Дух истины, то наставит вас на всякую истину. — Иоанна 16:13
Я улетала учиться в город, который находился очень далеко. Заходя в
самолет, чувствовала себя расстроенной и одинокой. Однако во время
полета я вспомнила, как Иисус обещал ученикам утешение Святого Духа.
Апостолы, наверное, сильно засомневались, когда Учитель сказал им: «Лучше для вас, чтобы Я пошел» (Ин. 16:7).
Как могло быть, что им, видевшим Его чудеса и учившимся у Его ног,
будет лучше, когда Он уйдет? Но Господь сказал, что, если Он уйдет, то
вместо Него придет Утешитель – Святой Дух.
В последние часы земной жизни Христос провел с учениками беседу (Ин. 14-17),
чтобы помочь им понять значение Его смерти и вознесения. Одной из самых
важных в этой беседе была тема прихода Утешителя – Святого Духа (Ин. 14:14-17), Который будет с ними (Ин. 14:17), уча (Ин. 14:26), свидетельствуя (Ин. 16:26) и направляя (Ин. 16:13).
Мы, начавшие новую жизнь с Богом, приняли от Него дар Святого Духа,
Который теперь живет в нас. Его благословения многочисленны и
удивительны. Он обличает нас в грехах и помогает покаяться. Он утешает в
скорбях, дает силу в трудностях, разъясняет Божье учение, вселяет в
сердце веру, надежду и любовь.
Будем радоваться, что Господь послал нам Утешителя.
Небесный Отец, Ты послал Своего Сына, чтобы спасти нас, и Своего Духа, чтобы утешить и укрепить нас. Мы хотим воздать Тебе славу и благодарность за благость и любовь.
Дух Святой наполняет учеников Христа.
автор: Эми Бушер Пай
© 2017 Хлеб Наш Насущный
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