The Daily Readings for THURSDAY, August 24, 2017 - Saint Bartholomew Day

Saint Bartholomew Day

Opening Sentence

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

~ Psalm 19:4

Morning Prayer

Heavenly Father, this morning I pray for those who are beginning to know Christ: may You strengthen them on their journey. I pray for all children, and for those who take care of them, especially those who awaken them to faith. I pray for the ill and those who are ending their lives in loneliness: Oh Lord, give them the strength they need. I pray for those who are condemned to prison or exile: Lord, sustain their hope. I pray that the fire of your Spirit may renew the energies of all your saints and enable us to welcome those who do not know you. And finally, Lord, may your Church be constantly renewed, in prayer, in your Word and in your worship; in Christ's name, this I ask, Amen.

Confession and Forgiveness

God, be merciful to me;
On Thy grace I rest my plea;
In Thy vast, abounding grace,
My transgressions all erase.
Wash me wholly from my sin;
Cleanse from every ill within.

For my sins before me rise,
Ever present to my eyes.
I have sinned ‘gainst Thee alone.
In Thy sight this evil done;
That Thy judgment may be clear,
And Thy sentence just appear.

Lo, brought forth was I in sin;
When conceived I was unclean.
Lo, Thou dost desire to find
Truth sincere within the mind:
And Thou wilt within my heart
Wisdom unto me impart.

Then with hyssop sprinkle me,
And form sin I clean shall be.
Wash me from its stain, and lo,
I shall whiter be than snow.
Make me hear joy’s cheering voice;
Make my broken bones rejoice.

From my sins hide Thou Thy face;
My iniquities erase.
O my God, renew my heart,
And a spirit right impart.
Cast me not away from Thee,
Nor Thy Spirit take form me.

Give salvation’s’ joy again,
And a willing mind sustain.
Then thy perfect ways I’ll show
That transgressors may them know;
They converted then shall be
Sinners shall be turned to Thee. Amen.

~ Psalm 51

Today's Readings

The First Reading is taken from Deuteronomy 18:15-18

[A New Prophet Like Moses]
The LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your own people; you shall heed such a prophet. This is what you requested of the LORD your God at Horeb on the day of the assembly when you said: "If I hear the voice of the LORD my God any more, or ever again see this great fire, I will die." Then the LORD replied to me: "They are right in what they have said. I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their own people; I will put my words in the mouth of the prophet, who shall speak to them everything that I command.

Psalm 91 Qui habitat
1   He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High, abides under the shadow of the Almighty.
2   He shall say to the LORD, "You are my refuge and my stronghold, my God in whom I put my trust."
3   He shall deliver you from the snare of the hunter and from the deadly pestilence.
4   He shall cover you with his pinions, and you shall find refuge under his wings; his faithfulness shall be a shield and buckler.
5   You shall not be afraid of any terror by night, nor of the arrow that flies by day;
6   Of the plague that stalks in the darkness, nor of the sickness that lays waste at mid-day.
7   A thousand shall fall at your side and ten thousand at your right hand, but it shall not come near you.
8   Your eyes have only to behold to see the reward of the wicked.
9   Because you have made the LORD your refuge, and the Most High your habitation,
10   There shall no evil happen to you, neither shall any plague come near your dwelling.
11   For he shall give his angels charge over you, to keep you in all your ways.
12   They shall bear you in their hands, lest you dash your foot against a stone.
13   You shall tread upon the lion and the adder; you shall trample the young lion and the serpent under your feet.
14   Because he is bound to me in love, therefore will I deliver him; I will protect him, because he knows my Name.
15   He shall call upon me, and I will answer him; I am with him in trouble; I will rescue him and bring him to honor.
16   With long life will I satisfy him, and show him my salvation.

The Second Reading is taken from 1 Corinthians 4:9-15

For I think that God has exhibited us apostles as last of all, as though sentenced to death, because we have become a spectacle to the world, to angels and to mortals. We are fools for the sake of Christ, but you are wise in Christ. We are weak, but you are strong. You are held in honor, but we in disrepute. To the present hour we are hungry and thirsty, we are poorly clothed and beaten and homeless, and we grow weary from the work of our own hands. When reviled, we bless; when persecuted, we endure; when slandered, we speak kindly. We have become like the rubbish of the world, the dregs of all things, to this very day.

[Fatherly Admonition]
I am not writing this to make you ashamed, but to admonish you as my beloved children. For though you might have ten thousand guardians in Christ, you do not have many fathers. Indeed, in Christ Jesus I became your father through the gospel.

The Holy Gospel is written in Luke 22:24-30

[The Dispute about Greatness]
A dispute also arose among them as to which one of them was to be regarded as the greatest. But he said to them, "The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those in authority over them are called benefactors. But not so with you; rather the greatest among you must become like the youngest, and the leader like one who serves. For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one at the table? But I am among you as one who serves. "You are those who have stood by me in my trials; and I confer on you, just as my Father has conferred on me, a kingdom, so that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and you will sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

The Nicene Creed

We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen.

We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one Being with the Father. Through him all things were made. For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven: by the power of the Holy Spirit he became incarnate from the Virgin Mary, and was made man. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered death and was buried. On the third day he rose again in accordance with the Scriptures; he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end.

We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son. With the Father and the Son he is worshiped and glorified. He has spoken through the Prophets. We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.

Prayer of the Day

Almighty and everlasting God, who gave to your apostle Bartholomew grace truly to believe and to preach your Word: Grant that your Church may love what he believed and preach what he taught; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

A Prayer for Guidance

Teach me your way, O Lord, and I will walk in your truth; Unite my heart to fear your name. I will praise You, O Lord my God, with all my heart, and I will glorify your name forever more. Great is your mercy toward me, and You have delivered my soul from the depths of hell. All praise be to You, Oh God my Redeemer, today and forever. Amen.

A Prayer for Mission

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

Will The Circle Be Unbroken
Alan Jackson, Vince Gill, Brad Paisley, Martina McBride, Charley Pride, Trace Adkins, Whisperin' Bill Anderson, Trisha Yearwood, Little Jimmy Dickens, Ricky Skaggs, and others

Alleluia! Christ has risen.
Christ has risen indeed. Alleluia!

Closing Prayer

Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip me with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in me what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory 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.

Saint Bartholomew the Apostle

Today the church remembers Saint Bartholomew the Apostle.

We know very little of Bartholomew; even his name is something of a mystery. Bartholomew is a patronymic meaning "Son of Tolmai." He is mentioned only in the Synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark, and Luke) but he is generally believed to be the same person as Nathanael in John's Gospel.

He is credited by several reliable historical sources with writing a gospel, but the Gospel according to Bartholomew is lost today. Tradition holds that he traveled to India and this is certainly not inconceivable. He is regarded as the founder of the Church in Armenia and may have been martyred there. Ancient tradition maintains that he was flayed alive at Albanopolis, Armenia, by the authorities as a consequence of his evangelistic work.

Read the Wikipedia article here. 

Almighty and everlasting God, who gave to your apostle Bartholomew grace truly to believe and to preach your Word: Grant that your Church may love what he believed and preach what he taught; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Prayer of the Day for THURSDAY, August 24, 2017 - Saint Bartholomew Day

Almighty and everlasting God, who gave to your apostle Bartholomew grace truly to believe and to preach your Word: Grant that your Church may love what he believed and preach what he taught; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Verse of the Day for THURSDAY, August 24, 2017

Psalm 116:1-2 (NIV) I love the Lord, for he heard my voice; he heard my cry for mercy. Because he turned his ear to me, I will call on him as long as I live.

Read all of Psalm 116

Listen to Psalm 116

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 - No Threat to the Enemy

"Therefore He says: 'Awake, you who sleep, arise from the dead, and Christ will give you light.' "

~ Ephesians 5:14 (NKJV)

The Bible tells the story of Samson, who had incredible potential that was largely wasted. His extraordinary physical strength was given to him as a gift from God. He also had the Lord’s blessing on his life. Samson could have been one of the greatest leaders in the history of Israel, but instead his life, in effect, became an example of how not to live.

Samson was a he-man with a she-weakness. When we think of Samson, our mind usually goes to Delilah and how she cut off his hair and his strength was gone. In reality, it was a series of small compromises that ultimately led to his demise with Delilah. He lost touch with God. Then he fell asleep with his head in Delilah’s lap. Talk about sleeping with the enemy.

I fear there are many in the church today who, like Samson, are asleep when danger is imminent. Some have grown complacent and lackadaisical. They’re kicking back and taking it easy.

Maybe the devil looks at them and says, “Why bother? They’re no threat to me. They’re just sitting there on the sidelines, preoccupied with themselves. They don’t care about living a godly life. Why bother with them? They’re already where I want them.”

That is how it is with far too many Christians today. They’re immobilized. They’re sterile. They’re right where the devil wants them, so he doesn’t bother them.

However, if you were to say, “I’m facing conflict. I’m facing temptation,” that would be an indication that you’re moving in the right direction as a Christian.

While it’s true there is a devil who is powerful and tries to trip us up, it is also true that our Commander in Chief ultimately will lead us to victory if we stay close to Him.

In Jesus,
Cap'n Kenny


Seeking God?
Click HERE to find out more about how to have a personal
relationship with Jesus Christ.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®, NKJV® Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Devotion by Greg Laurie © 2017 Harvest Christian Fellowship; all rights reserved.
Our Commander in Chief will ultimately lead those close to Him to victory!

Un Dia a la Vez - Un corazón agradecido

Vístanse de amor, que es el vínculo perfecto. Que gobierne en sus corazones la paz de Cristo, a la cual fueron llamados en un solo cuerpo. Y sean agradecidos.

~ Colosenses 3:14-15 (NVI)

¿Cómo no vamos a tener un corazón agradecido por nuestras bendiciones cuando vemos gente tan linda viviendo en circunstancias tan pobres?

Sabemos que en nuestra ciudad de Miami también hay necesidades, pero nunca se comparan a lo que necesitan recibir en esta provincia del Perú o en otros lugares de América Latina.

En los días de estadía en el Callao vi una gran necesidad. Sus casas están desbaratadas por completo. A muchas hasta les falta parte del techo y están expuestas al frío y a la lluvia. La suciedad es tanta que a uno le cuesta trabajo creer que allí vivan seres humanos. Podemos visitarlos si quisiéramos más de una vez e igual se tomará su tiempo para ver cambios. Solo Dios puede hacer un milagro, como se lo hemos pedido.

Aprendamos a ser agradecidos. Disfrutemos lo que tenemos, ya sea poco o mucho. Reconozcamos que Dios es el que nos cuida y propongámonos a valorar nuestra vida con sus altibajos, pero confiados de que no estamos solos.

Hoy, tú puedes pedirle perdón a Jesús porque quizá seas una persona que ha renegado del tipo de vida que te ha tocado vivir. No se trata de que no puedas ser próspero. ¡Claro que puedes serlo! Sin embargo, nunca debes olvidar de dónde nos sacó Dios.

Un Día a la Vez Copyright © by Claudia Pinzón

Standing Strong Through the Storm - JOY IN THE MORNING

Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.

~ James 1:27 (NIV)

God’s love compels us to feed the hungry, empower the poor, defend the weak and help those who are suffering. When we do these things, it includes encouraging and strengthening those persecuted for their faith in Christ. The Church has often led the way in education and medical services in developing countries until governments or other local agencies take over.

Brother Andrew says that giving humanitarian aid is a picture of Jesus knocking at the door of our hearts (our lives) in Revelation chapter three. The doors of many hearts in the church are closed to acts of mercy and love in action. Therefore, Jesus stands knocking at the door of our hearts asking that we open that door and let Him in. His coming into our lives enables us to do acts of love.

“They killed my husband before my very own eyes. As if that wasn’t enough, they destroyed everything by burning down our house including my dear husband’s workshop.” These were the words of Esther, the widow whose husband was killed by jihadists in Nigeria in January 2010.

For the mother of seven, life became unbearable. The house that her children called home no longer existed and the daunting absence of an income was an inevitable reality. To worsen their circumstances, the in-laws abandoned Esther and her children. Surrounded by walls of a room too small for eight people, depression threatened to overshadow her and Esther cried night and day, asking God for a way out.

She truly needed a shoulder to lean on. A friend told us her story and from there Open Doors provided financial support for this family. As a result the family was able to move into an apartment in a Christian area, with enough room for everyone. The new home lent enough space for Esther to even start working from home. She is a tailor by profession and hopes to rent a shop in the near future.

Esther thought it wise to take some of the money and start a vegetable garden on a small scale. The idea is to feed her family and at the same time generate an income from it. She is confident that her vegetable business will grow to the point where she will be able to send the children to school.

“If Open Doors had not come to my aid,” Esther concluded with tears, “what would have become of me and my children? For all I know, we all would have been dead, either by the hands of Jihadists or hunger. As for my husband’s killers—though it’s been difficult—through your prayers and encouragement I’ve been able to forgive them.”

RESPONSE: Today I will live in awareness of those around me needing help and respond appropriately.

PRAYER: Lord, give me Your compassion for people in need. May I be an agent of Your love today.

NIV Devotions for Men - The Reality of Revelry

2 Samuel 22:1–7
Recommended Reading: Exodus 15:1–21; Psalm 18:1–50; Luke 1:46–55; Acts 16:16–40

“Music is an outburst of the soul.”

While this expression came from 19th-century English composer Frederick Delius, it could easily describe King David’s attitude toward worship.

The people around David probably grew accustomed to his musical outbursts. After all, it was King David—much to the chagrin of Saul’s daughter—who “[danced] before the LORD with all his might” (2 Samuel 6:14). Moreover, David wrote many of the psalms. We can imagine the shepherd-king in his bedchamber at night strumming his harp and composing another song to the Lord. Yet David was hardly a soloist in the family of God.

The whole Bible reverberates with the songs of people so enraptured by God’s work that their day-to-day lives gave way to melody. Moses and Miriam harmonized praise after God had led his people out of Egypt (see Exodus 15:1–21). Solomon crooned his way through Song of Songs, celebrating the marriage relationship between a husband and wife. Isaiah offered a prophetic song from the coming choir of the new Jerusalem (see Isaiah 26). Mary, when told that she would give birth to the Son of God, lifted a song to the child’s Father in heaven (see Luke 1:46–55). Paul and Silas shouted their praise, and God split the walls of their cellblock (see Acts 16:25–26). The Bible is full of the songs of God’s people.

What does this Biblical legacy of song say about us? We sing, as Moses, David and Mary sang, because God is worthy of song. When David opened his song (see 2 Samuel 22), the attributes of God came streaming out of the king’s mouth so quickly that he barely formed sentences—my rock, my fortress, my deliverer, my shield, my salvation, my stronghold, my refuge.

Like David, may we be so overcome by the knowledge of God that our natural response is to burst forth in song. May we sing from a heart-knowledge of God—longing after him with our greatest affections and deepest desires.

To Take Away

• When in your life have you so keenly sensed God’s presence that you could have burst forth into song?
• How would you describe or rate your heart-knowledge of God?
• What steps can you take to deepen your delight in the character of God?

Girlfriends in God - August 24, 2017

I Want THAT Kind of Wisdom

Gwen Smith

Today’s Truth

The wisdom from above is first of all pure.

~ James 3:17a (NLT)

Friend to Friend

All throughout the Bible, we see that wisdom is the real deal when it comes to spiritual must-haves. I like to think of it as the little black dress of faith. An essential must-have for every Christian woman to possess and wear. And surely one that we all look good in!

But in today’s world, it can be tricky to make wise decisions and choices. We’re surrounded by foolish and conflicting messages. Messages that oppose the wisdom of God as revealed in Scripture. We get hit from all sides with opinions, posts, and tweets about what people have and want and do—and about what people think is right and wrong.

They write it on signs and walk picket lines in an attempt to sway us in their direction.

They Instagram it, pin it on Pinterest, send e-petitions to our in-boxes, and blog about it.

And then there’s the media that screams like a colicky baby, demanding that we take note of the angle that they are trying to sell as acceptable behavior.

One thing’s for sure, there’s a wide difference between the wisdom of God and the wisdom of the world. When I say wide, I mean Grand Canyon wide. I mean the distance-between-the-east-coast-of-America-and-the-west-coast-of-Europe wide!

Here’s what James had to say about godly wisdom:

The wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and the fruit of good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere.” (James 3:17 NLT)

Does that sound like the world to you? Pure? Peace loving? Gentle? Willing to yield? Full of mercy and good deeds? Fair and sincere? I think not.

Keeping these truths in mind helps me as a friend. When I’m tempted to vent my frustration about that other person, God’s wisdom reminds me to be a woman of peace.

It helps me as a Jesus follower. When I’m tempted to read a book or watch a movie that is fifty shades of compromise, God’s wisdom reminds me that I’m to be a holy, pure vessel for Him.

Here’s a refreshing truth: When the world shouts its ways that are contrary to the wisdom of God, I have a choice. I really do. I might not feel like it, but I do. I get to choose my response even when the pressures of political correctness and tolerance squeeze hard. Even in my workplace. Those pressures are indicators that I need to address the issue and not run from it or cave in to it.

My behavior is my choice, no one else’s.

And I want my choices to align with the ageless wisdom of the all-knowing God.

So I choose to put on my little black dress of faith.

And some cute shoes, of course!

Let’s Pray

Lord, I want Your wisdom. Please direct my choices, my behaviors, and my heart. Forgive me for the times when I look to others or to myself when I should be looking to You.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen.

Now It’s Your Turn

Where is your little black dress of faith? Choose one:

A. “I don’t have one, but I’m asking God for one today!”
B. “Stuck in the back of my heart closet. I really need to dig it out.”
C. “At the dry cleaners! Wore it last week but need to pick it up today!”
D. “Wearing, it, baby! Dazzling with His amazingness! Party on!”

Where do you want it to be? Swing by my blog or Facebook page and leave a comment. Let’s discuss this as a community today.

More from the Girlfriends

Today’s post is an excerpt from Gwen Smith’s book, I Want It All.

C’MON OVER! I’VE GOT A GIFT FOR YOU! Since we are rebuilding our home after a house fire I figured I’d also rebuild my cyber home—my website. Why not? I’m already going a bit crazy. Might as well go all in! My home is still several months away from being livable, but my website is all ready to move in. I’d love for you to come by GwenSmith.net for a visit. I’ve got the welcome mat out just for you! I can’t serve you coffee and brownies, but I can offer you another goodie that’s even better…a 25% OFF coupon. And you don't even need to take your shoes off. For a limited time, use the COUPON CODE NEW25 and enjoy 25% OFF any purchase of $20 or more from the new store!

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
www.girlfriendsingod.com

LHM Daily Devotion - August 24, 2017 "Looking Up"

Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries

By Pastor Ken Klaus, Speaker Emeritus of The Lutheran Hour

"Looking Up"

August 24, 2017

"Come now, let us reason together," says the LORD: "though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool."

~ Isaiah 1:18 (ESV)

In the late 1800s, there was a small town in Wyoming, which boasted a fine country store.

Yes, it was a well-stocked store, but it was also a store which, in spite of excellent foot traffic, was not turning a profit. An inventory showed the owner-brothers that many of the smaller items they had stocked were not there, even though the records showed these items hadn't been sold. Thinking they were being robbed blind, the brothers tried to check it out.

Sure enough. Three small holes drilled in the floor of their storeroom, directly above the shop, allowed them to see what was going on below.

It didn't take too long before the men made some startling discoveries. They found things were flying off their shelves -- literally. They also found some of the town's upstanding citizens weren't as upstanding as they had once appeared. So the brothers had identified the problem, and then they discovered a solution. No, they didn't arrest anyone.

At church and around town, they casually mentioned their peep holes in the store ceiling.

The shoplifting stopped immediately. And the brothers, they laughed every time they saw someone trying to look upwards to see if someone was watching.

Here's another story also from the 1800s.

It begins in the middle of the night when a man went to steal corn from his neighbor's field. His reluctant young son was drafted to serve as lookout. Before the man climbed over his friend's fence, he took one last long look to his left, then a long look to his right, and yet another long look over his shoulder. Not seeing anyone, he put his foot on the lowest fence rail.

It was at that moment his boy spoke up. "Dad," he said, "there's one direction you haven't looked."

The father, thinking that some unnoticed observer was coming, whispered back, "Where? Who?"

The boy replied, "Dad, you forgot to look up!"

The boy was right.

When we look up we realize that although we may be absolutely brilliant in hiding our sins from others, we are failures in hiding them from God.

We may wear our masks of respectability 24/7, but our all-knowing God sees past our disguises into the sinful recesses of our hearts. King David, an expert on trying to hide his sins, wrote, "O Lord, You have searched me and known me! Where shall I flee from Your presence?" (See Psalm 139.) David knew no matter which way we look, God is looking back.

But David also knew, as all Christians know, God looks back at us with eyes of love.

Most certainly He was saddened by our hated sins. And He decided to do something about them. To save us, to rescue us, He sent His Son to take our place under the Law and offer Himself as the ransom to rescue us. Now all who are brought to faith in the Savior know the Lord sees us with souls washed clean of transgression.

THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, I give thanks that I have been washed of my sins by Jesus' sacrifice. May I point others to Him, so they also might be rescued. In Jesus' Name Amen.

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

CPTLN Devocional de 24 de Agosto de 2017

Alimento Diario

Hasta el final

24 de Agosto 2017

Cuando Jesús probó el vinagre, dijo 'Consumado es'; luego inclinó la cabeza y entregó el espíritu.

~ Juan 19:30 (RVC)

Hoy quiero compartir con ustedes la historia de John Steven Aquari, de Tanzania. John corrió la maratón en los juegos de México en 1968.

John corrió la maratón pero no la ganó, porque al comienzo de la carrera se cayó y se lesionó. John llegó rengueando al estadio horas después que el resto de los competidores habían terminado y se habían ido.

Un reportero le hizo la pregunta que todo el mundo se estaba haciendo: "¿Por qué, estando lesionado, no abandonó la carrera?" Sin vacilar, John contestó: "Mi país no me mandó a viajar siete mil millas para comenzar esta carrera. Mi país me mandó para que terminara la carrera."

Su respuesta me recuerda a otras personas que también se comprometieron a terminar la carrera, finalizando así la obra que se les había encargado.

Miremos al Salvador colgando en la cruz. En sus 33 años de vida sufrió los celos de los reyes, el odio de quienes había venido a salvar, las tentaciones de Satanás y el abandono, negación y traición de sus amigos más cercanos.

Aún así, Jesús había sido enviado para salvarnos y, a pesar de todo lo que el mundo pecador le puso en su camino, mantuvo su compromiso hasta terminar el trabajo que se le había encargado. Antes de morir, desde la cruz victoriosamente proclama: "¡Consumado es!"

Años más tarde San Pablo, habiendo sido salvo por el sacrificio de Jesús, dijo algo muy similar.

A pesar de haber sobrevivido naufragios, lapidadas, encarcelamientos y rechazos, Pablo seguía proclamando a Cristo en todos los lugares donde iba. Antes de ser ejecutado le escribió a Timoteo las siguientes palabras, que resumen su vida: "He peleado la buena batalla, he acabado la carrera, he guardado la fe. Por lo demás, me está reservada la corona de justicia, que en aquel día me dará el Señor, el juez justo; y no sólo a mí, sino también a todos los que aman su venida." (2 Timoteo 4:7-8).

Terminar la carrera.

Es mi oración que usted también pueda decir: "Estoy comprometido a terminar la carrera que se me ha otorgado". Más allá de que su carrera sea larga o corta, fácil o difícil, por el Espíritu Santo, en Jesús, termínela.

ORACIÓN: Señor Jesús, no dejo de asombrarme ante la dedicación que tuviste para salvarme. Tu carrera fue muy dura y difícil, pero la terminaste por mí, y porque así lo hiciste, soy salvo. Envíame tu Espíritu Santo para que, a través de su poder, pueda correr mi carrera hasta el final y recibir la corona de la vida. En tu nombre. 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.