Sunday, September 10, 2017

Daily Devotion September 11, 2017 "Like a Child"

The greatest. Who's the greatest? That question always seems ...

Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries

By Rev. Dr. Gregory Seltz, Speaker of The Lutheran Hour



"Like a Child"

September 11, 2017

At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, "Who, then, is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?" He called a little child to Him, and placed the child among them. And He said: "Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven."

The greatest. Who's the greatest? That question always seems to be around in this world. We want heroes, powerful men and women who can overcome the odds, do great and mighty things. So, what is it about such bravado that seems to attract us to our heroes? Why do we elevate their status to such heights when it always becomes apparent that even our heroes -- they have feet of clay? Why do we have scores of magazines whose only concern is "Who is the greatest? Who is the most powerful? Who makes the most money? Who are the most beautiful?" -- when all those things are temporal and fleeting? Why do we all want to know what Bill Gates thinks or hang on every word of Bono? Or why do we so eagerly desire all the information about our favorite box office movie star, or the boy or girl wonder of Wall Street?

Well, for many of us, that bravado attracts us because we hope that if we can glean a nugget of wisdom from folks like them, if we can mimic their successful actions, maybe, just maybe we can have some control over our lives just like them. With the honor of being the greatest in our society or even among our family and friends -- with that comes power, prestige, and status. With that honor comes control. And isn't that what life is all about?

That's what Jesus' disciples were looking from Him that day. I think they were sure they had attached themselves to the next big thing in their society. They had seen Jesus do miracles of healing and feeding. They had experienced the Mount of Transfiguration glow of His godliness. Peter, in front of the others, had even for a moment walked on water with Him. This Jesus was something special, and they had an inside track into His new kingdom, so they were the chosen ones, and now they want to know what that might mean for them.

So they asked Jesus a very modern question: "Who is the greatest?" But why? Did they really want to know if Jesus was proud of them? Did they really want to know if they have met His high standards for leadership and service? I don't think so. I don't think their concern is about excellence or holiness or faithfulness from God's point of view. No, they, like many of us, just want to know who's in charge!

The problem then is not excellence in leadership, no, it's bravado. To that Jesus said, "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven."

So who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? It's the one who is totally dependent on God for his source of life and strength -- like a little child. A child, for all their sins and selfishness, generally knows who to depend on. That's Jesus point. The child knows to look to mom and dad, to look to the one who loves and cares for them. That's why He calls a little child to Him in their presence. He's trying to show these disciples that their greatness and strength with God comes from knowing your dependency on Him and trusting for all things. Yes, like a child. If you want to see what greatness is in the kingdom of God, just look around. Be like this child!

That's one reason that Christians often call themselves "children of God." It's not because we are young and naïve. It's not because we are trying to avoid the tough questions and issues of adulthood. No, it's so that we never forget the ultimate source of our strength, our wisdom, our life, even our peace in this tense world. It comes from a simple trust in God who provides all things for us. So think about your spiritual life with God in Christ this week. That's the power to face the tough decisions in your job, your personal life, your family life. Be powerful like a child who trusts a Savior who really loves them!

THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, give me the faith of a child to trust in You in all things! Amen.

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

CPTLN Devocional de 11 de Setiembre de 2017


Alimento Diario

¿Todavía está aquí?

11 de Setiembre 2017

Estén atentos, porque ustedes no saben el día ni la hora en que el Hijo del Hombre vendrá.

De acuerdo a una noticia de ABC News, el profeta Yisrayl, también conocido como "Buffalo Bill" Hawkins, predijo que en el 2006 comenzaría una guerra nuclear.

Por eso mi pregunta: ¿Todavía está aquí? Como ya dije, espero que así sea. En realidad Hawkins, quien vive en la ciudad de Abilene en el estado de Texas, es sólo uno más en la larga lista de profetas que en los últimos años han predicho fatalidades, desastres, y hasta el mismo fin del mundo.

A esta altura eso ya no nos sorprende, pero lo que sí sorprende es que haya personas que les crean. Hubo personas que le creyeron a "Buffalo Bill" Hawkins cuando profetizó que el principio del fin comenzaría el 12 de setiembre del 2006. Cientos de sus seguidores en Kenya se escondieron en refugios subterráneos y se dispusieron a esperar cubiertos con máscaras anti-gas. Cuando pasó la fecha señalada y nada sucedió, regresaron avergonzados a sus casas.

Esta vez, en preparación para la más reciente predicción, sus seguidores instalaron cientos de contenedores cargados con alimentos y agua en la propiedad de 44 acres que poseen en Texas.

Pero, si usted está leyendo hoy esta devoción, es porque el fin del mundo aún no ha llegado, y ellos estaban equivocados.

A pesar de que a través de la historia se han levantado muchos falsos profetas, la Biblia no deja lugar a dudas en cuanto a cuándo llegará el fin del mundo. El propio Jesús fue muy claro cuando dijo: "no saben ni el día ni la hora". Lo único que sabemos con seguridad es que Jesús va a volver.

Desde que Dios prometió un Salvador a nuestros primeros antepasados, hasta que esa promesa se cumplió en la persona de Jesucristo, pasaron miles de años. Y luego ese mismo Jesucristo dijo que va a volver, pero no dijo cuándo. Puede ser pronto, como puede ser dentro de miles de años más.

Esa es la razón por la cual quienes creemos en el Salvador que vivió, sufrió, murió y resucitó para rescatarnos del pecado y de la muerte eterna, también creemos que debemos estar preparados para esa "hora" que puede llegar en cualquier momento.

Una cosa que los seguidores de Hawkins hicieron bien fue que se prepararon. Nosotros también debemos prepararnos, pero no acumulando alimento para el cuerpo, sino viviendo una vida limpia delante de Dios y de quienes nos rodean, y confiando en su perdón y sus promesas.

ORACIÓN: Señor Jesús, quizás muchos estén desilusionados porque el fin del mundo aún no ha llegado, pero nosotros te damos gracias porque todavía podemos compartirte con quienes aún no te conocen. Llénanos de tu Espíritu Santo para que seamos testigos fieles de tu gracia y de tu amor. 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.

The Daily Readings for SUNDAY, September 10, 2017 - 14th Sunday after Pentecost

Matthew 18:20
Opening Sentence
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ.
~ Phillipians 1:2

Confession and Forgiveness

Let us confess our sins against God and our neighbor.
God is light; in him there in no darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship with him, yet walk in the darkness, we lie and son not live by the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from sin. If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.
~ John 1:5b-8

Most holy and merciful Father, We confess to you and to one another, that we have sinned against you by what we have done, and by what we have left undone. We have not loved you with our whole heart and mind and strength. We have not fully loved our neighbors as ourselves. We have not always had in us the mind of Christ. You alone know how often we have grieved you by wasting your gifts, by wandering from your ways. Forgive us, we pray you, most merciful Father; And free us from our sin. Renew in us the grace and strength of your Holy Spirit, for the sake of Jesus Christ your Son our Savior. Amen.

Sunday Morning Prayer
God, as you gave us the sun to lighten our days, so you have given us your Word to lighten our minds and our souls. I pray that you will pour out on me your Spirit as I pray today, that my heart and mind may be opened to your Word, and that I may learn and accept your will for my life.

Shine within my heart, loving God, the pure light of your divine knowledge; open the eyes of my mind and the ears of my heart to receive your Word, this day and always, Amen.

Today's Readings

The First Reading is taken from Ezekiel 33:7-11
So you, mortal, I have made a sentinel for the house of Israel; whenever you hear a word from my mouth, you shall give them warning from me. If I say to the wicked, "O wicked ones, you shall surely die," and you do not speak to warn the wicked to turn from their ways, the wicked shall die in their iniquity, but their blood I will require at your hand. But if you warn the wicked to turn from their ways, and they do not turn from their ways, the wicked shall die in their iniquity, but you will have saved your life.
[God’s Justice and Mercy] Now you, mortal, say to the house of Israel, Thus you have said: "Our transgressions and our sins weigh upon us, and we waste away because of them; how then can we live?" Say to them, As I live, says the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from their ways and live; turn back, turn back from your evil ways; for why will you die, O house of Israel?

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

The Second Reading is taken from Romans 13:8-14
[Love for One Another] Owe no one anything, except to love one another; for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law. The commandments, "You shall not commit adultery; You shall not murder; You shall not steal; You shall not covet" and any other commandment, are summed up in this word, "Love your neighbor as yourself." Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore, love is the fulfilling of the law.
[An Urgent Appeal] Besides this, you know what time it is, how it is now the moment for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we became believers; the night is far gone, the day is near. Let us then lay aside the works of darkness and put on the armor of light; let us live honorably as in the day, not in reveling and drunkenness, not in debauchery and licentiousness, not in quarreling and jealousy. Instead, put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.

The Holy Gospel is written in Matthew 18:15-20
[Reproving Another Who Sins] "If another member of the church sins against you, go and point out the fault when the two of you are alone. If the member listens to you, you have regained that one. But if you are not listened to, take one or two others along with you, so that every word may be confirmed by the evidence of two or three witnesses. If the member refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if the offender refuses to listen even to the church, let such a one be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector. Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. Again, truly I tell you, if two of you agree on earth about anything you ask, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them."


Click HERE to read today's Holy Gospel Lesson message

Continuous Reading Track
Exodus 12:1-14
[The First Passover Instituted] The LORD said to Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt: This month shall mark for you the beginning of months; it shall be the first month of the year for you. Tell the whole congregation of Israel that on the tenth of this month they are to take a lamb for each family, a lamb for each household. If a household is too small for a whole lamb, it shall join its closest neighbor in obtaining one; the lamb shall be divided in proportion to the number of people who eat of it. Your lamb shall be without blemish, a year-old male; you may take it from the sheep or from the goats. You shall keep it until the fourteenth day of this month; then the whole assembled congregation of Israel shall slaughter it at twilight. They shall take some of the blood and put it on the two doorposts and the lintel of the houses in which they eat it. They shall eat the lamb that same night; they shall eat it roasted over the fire with unleavened bread and bitter herbs. Do not eat any of it raw or boiled in water, but roasted over the fire, with its head, legs, and inner organs. You shall let none of it remain until the morning; anything that remains until the morning you shall burn. This is how you shall eat it: your loins girded, your sandals on your feet, and your staff in your hand; and you shall eat it hurriedly. It is the passover of the LORD. For I will pass through the land of Egypt that night, and I will strike down every firstborn in the land of Egypt, both human beings and animals; on all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgments: I am the LORD. The blood shall be a sign for you on the houses where you live: when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and no plague shall destroy you when I strike the land of Egypt. This day shall be a day of remembrance for you. You shall celebrate it as a festival to the LORD; throughout your generations you shall observe it as a perpetual ordinance.

Psalm 149 Cantate Domino
1   Hallelujah! Sing to the LORD a new song; sing his praise in the congregation of the faithful.
2   Let Israel rejoice in his Maker; let the children of Zion be joyful in their King.
3   Let them praise his Name in the dance; let them sing praise to him with timbrel and harp.
4   For the LORD takes pleasure in his people and adorns the poor with victory.
5   Let the faithful rejoice in triumph; let them be joyful on their beds.
6   Let the praises of God be in their throat and a two-edged sword in their hand;
7   To wreak vengeance on the nations and punishment on the peoples;
8   To bind their kings in chains and their nobles with links of iron;
9   To inflict on them the judgment decreed; this is glory for all his faithful people. Hallelujah!

The Apostle's Creed
I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.

I believe in Jesus Christ, his only son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen

Prayer of the Day
Heavenly Lord, I think you for this day, when your holy priesthood gathers around the world to celebrate your victory over death, in the resurrection of our Savior, Christ Jesus. Help me always to keep in mind that the Sabbath was made for men, and that your commandment to keep one day holy, not to work and not to suffer others to work, was made for our benefit. Help me understand, Holy God, the benefit to me, both in this world and the next, of taking a day every week to dedicate to you; keep me from the temptation of adding to my worldly wealth on this day, for all wisdom is yours, and you have commanded us to make this a day of rest and worship.

Make me always aware that your commandment extends to making others work; and let me do what is within my power to follow your commandment with my full heart, as you Spirit may guide me. Amen.

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

A Prayer for Mission
Lord Jesus Christ, you stretched out your arms of love on the hard wood of the cross that everyone might come within the reach of your saving embrace: So clothe us in your Spirit that we, reaching forth our hands in love, may bring those who do not know you to the knowledge and love of you; for the honor of your Name. Amen.


Our “Virtual Sunday Church” this week
takes us to St. John’s Anglican Church in
Detroit, Michigan.
On Jordan's Bank
St. John's Episcopal Church of Detroit

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

Closing Prayer
O Sovereign and almighty Lord, bless all your people, and all your flock. Give your peace, your help, and your love unto us your servants, the sheep of your fold, that we may be united in the bond of peace and love, one body and one spirit, in one hope of our calling, in your divine and boundless love. Amen.
~ From the Liturgy of Mark, 2d Century A.D.

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.

"Conflict Resolution God’s Way" - Sermon for SUNDAY, September 10, 2017 - 14th Sunday after Pentecost


"If another member of the church sins against you, go and point out the fault when the two of you are alone. If the member listens to you, you have regained that one. But if you are not listened to, take one or two others along with you, so that every word may be confirmed by the evidence of two or three witnesses. If the member refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if the offender refuses to listen even to the church, let such a one be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector. Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. Again, truly I tell you, if two of you agree on earth about anything you ask, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them."


"Conflict Resolution God’s Way"
by Craig Condon
Anglican Parish of South Queens
Liverpool, Nova Scotia

Grace and Peace to you from our Lord and Saviour, Jesus who is the Christ. Amen

There was a church where the pastor and the minister of music were not getting along. As time went by, this began to spill over into the worship service. The first week the pastor preached on commitment and how we all should dedicate ourselves to the service of God. The music director led the song, "I Shall Not Be Moved." The second week the pastor preached on tithing and how we all should gladly give to the work of the Lord. The director led the song, "Jesus Paid it All." The third week the pastor preached on gossiping and how we should all watch our tongues. The music director led the song, "I Love to Tell the Story."

With all this going on, the pastor became very disgusted over the situation and the following Sunday told the congregation that he was considering resigning. The musician led the song, "Oh Why Not Tonight?" As it came to pass, the pastor did indeed resign. The next week he informed the church that it was Jesus who led him there and it was Jesus who was taking him away. The music leader led the song, "What a Friend We Have in Jesus."

This passage from Matthew 18:15-20 was intended to give the early church guidance about how to deal with conflict and broken relationships. The first step toward reconciliation involves listening. Sometimes what we hear is not actually what was said. A good example is gossip. Several different stories or rumors often result from one story or incident. True listening means going to the other person. In other words, we are to take the first step. This is often painful, but it is necessary if there is to be any hope of reconciliation, forgiveness and peace. If a relationship is important to us, sooner or later we will need to swallow our pride.

If one-on-one efforts fail to resolve the problem, the next step is to involve two or three outsiders. Unfortunately, most people do this step first, and not in the way it was intended. People are often dragged into disputes as the parties involved look for allies. I’ve seen this happen in my day job. Several of my co-workers have tried to drag me into disputes that they are having with other co-workers of management. I tell them politely that I’m not going to get involved. There are times, however, where it is not possible or even desirable for the two conflicting parties to meet one on one, and therefore this second step actually has to be carried out first. Examples of situations where this is necessary include situations where the conflict is serious or sensitive in nature.

If the involvement of two or three outsiders fails, the next step involves taking the dispute to the entire church, usually through the governing body, but sometimes through a congregational meeting. This body has the final solution that can be used as a last resort-exclusion from the congregation by means of suspension or expulsion. Unfortunately, denominations such as the Mormons or the Jehovah’s Witnesses have used this to justify their policy of shunning former members. This is not what Jesus meant when he told the church to treat outsiders like tax collectors or Gentiles. After all, Matthew was a tax collector, and Jesus certainly didn’t treat him harshly!

We must remember that Jesus was the friend of tax collectors and sinners. His entire ministry revolved around bringing outsiders into the kingdom by reconciling them to God. He is doing the same thing today because we are all outsiders. All of us are outsiders of God’s kingdom because we are all sinners. Even if we have done nothing wrong in our lives, we are still sinners because we are tainted by the original sin of Adam and Eve.

While it appears that the church is forcing the offender outside its circle, it is, in reality, only acknowledging publicly that the offender has already placed himself or herself outside its circle. Jesus promises that God will support the church in this vital function. If the church doesn’t order its life, who will? If the church doesn’t deal with people in its midst that threaten its existence and mission, who will? The hope is that the offender will be motivated to take steps to regain membership in the fold. While the church regards the offender as a Gentile or tax collector, Matthew’s church regards Gentiles and tax collectors as a mission field.

Reconciliation is the key to healing rifts and conflicts. Is it possible? Yes. Icy conditions don’t provide a very growth for new growth-spiritual and otherwise. In the words of a Jesuit martyr, “The natural world is for everyone, without borders. God’s table is a common table, big enough for everyone, each with a seat, so that each one can come to the table to eat”. The sacrifice of Jesus on the cross changes our concept of the role of violence in God’s protection of us; that is, violence is not a tool of our protection but rather our protection absorbs and transcends violence.

The process of reconciliation is made easier by the knowledge that God is with us if we come together in his name during the process. God is with us whenever two or three are gathered together in his name. God sustains us even when there is no hope. When we turn to the deepest center of our hearts, we will find God and hope will spring forth. Reconciliation without God is not true reconciliation. It is merely peacemaking. When a believing community works to settle disputes, Christ is in our midst working to achieve the same goal. He is the ultimate peacekeeper and peacemaker. He is the role model for peacekeeping forces in trouble spots worldwide. Just like Christ laid down his life to reconcile us to God, peacekeepers are prepared to lay down their lives to bring peace and reconciliation to warring parties.

Matthew’s purpose was to make everything in the early church perfect. After all, he was a tax collector, and we all know how modern-day tax collectors like to have everything perfect and in order, especially when they want our hard-earned tax dollars! Matthew and Jesus wanted to restore order among believers. That’s why Matthew included these words from Jesus in his gospel. That does NOT mean that they went to the extremes the Pharisees did by making up rules to cover every potential situation. On the contrary, Jesus liked to keep things simple. That’s why he replaced the Ten Commandments with the two Great Commandments-“Love God and love people”. Reconciliation is easier to do if we keep these two Great Commandments in mind.

Although reconciliation is a desirable goal, there are times when it is not possible or desirable. For example, at the time I’m preparing this sermon, it will be only a few days until the world marks the tenth anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. No one in his or her right mind would want to forgive or reconcile with Osama bin Laden and his colleagues after they committed mass murder.

Jesus isn’t interested in who is right or who is wrong. He only cares about getting a broken relationship fixed. Our concerns about who is right and who is wrong often lead to giving up on relationships with others. Our natural response is to wage war with the other person, but that’s not part of the blueprint God has for our lives-and that blueprint is the Bible. God’s blueprint for our lives includes having conflicting parties sit down face to face and reconcile. The process of reconciliation is helped by prayer. When we are involved in conflict, we need to seek direction in prayer. If an outcome or resolution is reached through prayer, it will be accepted by God. Living a Christian life within a community of faith is not easy and demands some maturity from us. We have to determine how to love one another. It is more than being nice. Real love in our world requires informed thought and tough choices.

Matthew 18:15-20 is not meant to be taken as permission for those in authority to harm others or abuse their power. It is about listening, accountability and a larger vision of God’s kingdom. It is about being accountable to others for the power we hold. It is about using the power of God’s kingdom to care for the least and most vulnerable.

As I mentioned earlier, the process of reconciliation is helped by prayer. For example, Corrie ten Boom worked to save several Jews from the Nazis in Holland during World War II. She was arrested and taken to the infamous Ravensbruck concentration camp. She later wrote of her experiences in the famous book, “The Hiding Place”. She often thought back over the horrors of the Ravensbruck concentration camp. How could she ever forgive the former Nazis who had been her jailers? Where were love, acceptance, and forgiveness in a horror camp where more than 95,000 women died? How could she ever forget the horrible cruelty of the guards and the smoke constantly coming from the chimney of the crematorium?

Then in 1947 Corrie was speaking in a church in Munich, and when the meeting was over she saw one of the cruelest male guards of Ravensbruck coming forward to speak to her. He had his hand outstretched. "I have become a Christian," he explained. "I know that God has forgiven me for the cruel things I did, but I would like to hear it from your lips as well. Fraulein, will you forgive me?"

A conflict raged in Corrie's heart. The Spirit of God urged her to forgive. The spirit of bitterness and coldness urged her to turn away. "Jesus, help me," she prayed. Then she knew what she must do. "I can lift my hand," she thought to herself. "I can do that much."

As their hands met it was as if warmth and healing broke forth with tears and joy."I forgive you, brother, with all my heart," she said. Later Corrie testified that "it was the power of the Holy Spirit" who had poured the love of God into her heart that day. This is the only way true forgiveness can take place. We turn our hurt over to God. We ask God for the ability to forgive.

The Holy Spirit lives in each and every one of us, but Jesus promises to be with us in a unique and special way when we gather in His name for worship, service and mutual encouragement. He is in our midst when we work together to right wrongs. Forgiveness and justice should characterize the Christian community. If it does, others will recognize something unique about the church and might even recognize Christ alive and active in our midst doing what isn’t “do-able” without him.

Some of you might have heard of a country song entitled, “Anyway.” It reminds us of how we are to treat each other as Christians, and it also sums up how and why Jesus wants us to resolve conflicts. I’d like to share some of its words as I close my message.

People are illogical, unreasonable and self-centered,

Love them anyway.

If you are good, people will accuse you of ulterior motives,

Do good anyway.

Honesty and frankness will make you vulnerable,

Be honest and frank anyway.

People really need help, but may attack you if you help them,

Help them anyway.

In the final analysis, it’s between you and God,

It was never between you and them anyway.

The late Jack Layton put it another way in the last letter that he wrote to Canadians before he died. He wrote, “My friends, love is better than anger. Hope is better than fear. Optimism is better than despair. So let us be loving and optimistic, and we’ll change the world”. If we remember his words and the words of Jesus, especially when we are in conflict with our fellow man, we will change the world. Loving our neighbor fulfills any and every other divine command, for genuine love does no harm to its neighbor.

Amen


Seeking God?
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relationship with Jesus Christ

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. Sermon shared by Craig Condon on Apr 17, 2015.

Prayer of the Day for SUNDAY, September 10, 2017


Heavenly Lord, I think you for this day, when your holy priesthood gathers around the world to celebrate your victory over death, in the resurrection of our Savior, Christ Jesus. Help me always to keep in mind that the Sabbath was made for men, and that your commandment to keep one day holy, not to work and not to suffer others to work, was made for our benefit. Help me understand, Holy God, the benefit to me, both in this world and the next, of taking a day every week to dedicate to you; keep me from the temptation of adding to my worldly wealth on this day, for all wisdom is yours, and you have commanded us to make this a day of rest and worship.

Make me always aware that your commandment extends to making others work; and let me do what is within my power to follow your commandment with my full heart, as you Spirit may guide me. Amen.

Verse of the Day for SUNDAY, September 10, 2017


Isaiah 46:4 (NIV) Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you.

Read all of Isaiah 46

Listen to Isaiah 46

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

Exploring the Parables with Cap'n Kenny - The Parable of the Shrewd Manager

Luke 16:1-15
1 Jesus told his disciples: “There was a rich man whose manager was accused of wasting his possessions. 2 So he called him in and asked him, ‘What is this I hear about you? Give an account of your management, because you cannot be manager any longer.’ 3 “The manager said to himself, ‘What shall I do now? My master is taking away my job. I’m not strong enough to dig, and I’m ashamed to beg— 4 I know what I’ll do so that, when I lose my job here, people will welcome me into their houses.’ 5 “So he called in each one of his master’s debtors. He asked the first, ‘How much do you owe my master?’ 6 “‘Nine hundred gallons of olive oil,’ he replied. “The manager told him, ‘Take your bill, sit down quickly, and make it four hundred and fifty.’ 7 “Then he asked the second, ‘And how much do you owe?’ “‘A thousand bushels of wheat,’ he replied. “He told him, ‘Take your bill and make it eight hundred.’ 8 “The master commended the dishonest manager because he had acted shrewdly. For the people of this world are more shrewd in dealing with their own kind than are the people of the light. 9 I tell you, use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourselves, so that when it is gone, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings. 10 “Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much. 11 So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches? 12 And if you have not been trustworthy with someone else’s property, who will give you property of your own? 13 “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.” 14 The Pharisees, who loved money, heard all this and were sneering at Jesus. 15 He said to them, “You are the ones who justify yourselves in the eyes of others, but God knows your hearts. What people value highly is detestable in God’s sight.

THINK ABOUT IT
It appears that Jesus was praising an act of dishonesty (see Luke 16:8), raising questions of what was really good or bad, moral or immoral, clean or unclean. It seems that Jesus went to great lengths to shock his religious audience.

TALK ABOUT IT
What did this parable teach you about God?

In Jesus,
Cap'n Kenny


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

Un Dia a la Vez - Desesperación Testimonio de sanidad (cuarta parte)


La oración de fe sanará al enfermo y el Señor lo levantará. Y si ha pecado, su pecado se le perdonará.

¿Cuántas veces has vivido una prueba donde pasan los días y las semanas sin ver mejoría, ni cambio, y te desesperas? Lo que sucede es que lo que vemos y vivimos no coincide con lo que nos promete Dios.

Eso me pasó a mí. Tuve momentos en los que lloré amargamente. Tenía la promesa de que Dios me sanaría, pero mi condición me mostraba lo contrario, pues a duras penas podía caminar. Ni siquiera pude ingerir alimentos durante dos meses. Entonces, cuando pude comer, mi organismo rechazaba la comida. Era muy difícil sentir que no tenía control de mí misma, hasta tenía que usar pañales. Así que solo decía: «Dios puede sacarme de esto».

Fue una verdadera prueba experimentar el insomnio y pude entender a las personas con esta condición. Mis días eran eternos, largos, interminables. Por el día mi mente estaba un poco ocupada con las visitas y mi familia, pero cuando se iban todos, me quedaba en ese cuarto sola con un frío que me calaba los huesos sin poder dormir. Tuve extensas conversaciones con mi Dios donde le pregunté un sinnúmero de cosas y muchas no recibían respuestas.

No obstante, en medio de esa quietud obligada pude entender el propósito por el que estaba allí. En primer lugar, Dios me mostró que había descuidado mi salud y, en segundo lugar, que era muy autosuficiente. Estaba en tal vorágine de trabajo que no tenía tiempo ni para escuchar a Dios. Así que esa fue la única manera en la que, estando inmóvil, pude ver su voluntad para mi vida.

Un Día a la Vez Copyright © by Claudia Pinzón

Standing Strong Through the Storm - UNGRACE


The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. 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 (NIV)

Yesterday we concluded that “grace” is Christianity’s best gift to the world! It’s a force stronger than vengeance, stronger than racism, stronger than hate. But sadly to a world desperate for this grace, the church sometimes presents one more form of what Philip Yancey calls “ungrace.”

Charles Swindoll in his book, The Grace Awakening, powerfully lists these enemies of grace as:
  1. From without: legalism, expectations, traditionalism, manipulation, demands, negativism, control, comparison, perfectionism, competition, criticism, pettiness and a host of others.
  2. From within: pride, fear, resentment, bitterness, an unforgiving spirit, insecurity, fleshly effort, guilt, shame, gossip, hypocrisy, and many more.[1]
Nothing has the power to change us from within like the freedom that comes through grace. And grace has very practical outworking in our lives.
  1. A greater appreciation for God’s gifts
    Those who claim the freedom God offers gain an appreciation for the gifts that come with life: the free gift of salvation, life, laughter, music, beauty, friendship and forgiveness.
  2. Less time and energy being critical or concerned about other’s choices
    When you begin to operate in the context of grace and freedom, you become increasingly less petty. You will allow others room to make their own decisions in life, even though you may choose otherwise. A grace-full Christian is one who looks at the world and others through “grace-tinted lenses.”
  3. More tolerant and less judgmental
    When you are so involved in your own pursuit of grace, you’ll no longer lay guilt trips on those with whom you disagree.
  4. A giant step toward maturity
    As your world expands, thanks to an awakening of your understanding of grace, your maturity will enlarge. You will become more like Jesus and you will never be the same!
RESPONSE: Today I will determine to avoid those things that prompt “ungrace” in my life.

PRAYER: Lord, I don’t want to live any longer in the same old ways. Help me to become more like Jesus.

1. Charles R. Swindoll, The Grace Awakening (Dallas: Word Publishing, 1990), pp. 5-14.