Tuesday, July 31, 2018

The Daily Readings for WEDNESDAY, August 1, 2018

The Death of Jesus
Matthew 27:45-54

The Daily Readings
WEDNESDAY, August 1, 2018

Old Testament
Judges 3:12-30
Ehud
3:12 The Israelites again did what was evil in the sight of the Lord; and the Lord strengthened King Eglon of Moab against Israel, because they had done what was evil in the sight of the Lord. 13 In alliance with the Ammonites and the Amalekites, he went and defeated Israel; and they took possession of the city of palms. 14 So the Israelites served King Eglon of Moab eighteen years.

15 But when the Israelites cried out to the Lord, the Lord raised up for them a deliverer, Ehud son of Gera, the Benjaminite, a left-handed man. The Israelites sent tribute by him to King Eglon of Moab. 16 Ehud made for himself a sword with two edges, a cubit in length; and he fastened it on his right thigh under his clothes. 17 Then he presented the tribute to King Eglon of Moab. Now Eglon was a very fat man. 18 When Ehud had finished presenting the tribute, he sent the people who carried the tribute on their way. 19 But he himself turned back at the sculptured stones near Gilgal, and said, “I have a secret message for you, O king.” So the king said, “Silence!” and all his attendants went out from his presence. 20 Ehud came to him, while he was sitting alone in his cool roof chamber, and said, “I have a message from God for you.” So he rose from his seat. 21 Then Ehud reached with his left hand, took the sword from his right thigh, and thrust it into Eglon’s belly; 22 the hilt also went in after the blade, and the fat closed over the blade, for he did not draw the sword out of his belly; and the dirt came out. 23 Then Ehud went out into the vestibule, and closed the doors of the roof chamber on him, and locked them.

24 After he had gone, the servants came. When they saw that the doors of the roof chamber were locked, they thought, “He must be relieving himself in the cool chamber.” 25 So they waited until they were embarrassed. When he still did not open the doors of the roof chamber, they took the key and opened them. There was their lord lying dead on the floor.

26 Ehud escaped while they delayed, and passed beyond the sculptured stones, and escaped to Seirah. 27 When he arrived, he sounded the trumpet in the hill country of Ephraim; and the Israelites went down with him from the hill country, having him at their head. 28 He said to them, “Follow after me; for the Lord has given your enemies the Moabites into your hand.” So they went down after him, and seized the fords of the Jordan against the Moabites, and allowed no one to cross over. 29 At that time they killed about ten thousand of the Moabites, all strong, able-bodied men; no one escaped. 30 So Moab was subdued that day under the hand of Israel. And the land had rest eighty years.

The Epistle
Acts 1:1-14
The Promise of the Holy Spirit
1:1 In the first book, Theophilus, I wrote about all that Jesus did and taught from the beginning 2 until the day when he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen. 3 After his suffering he presented himself alive to them by many convincing proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God. 4 While staying with them, he ordered them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait there for the promise of the Father. “This,” he said, “is what you have heard from me; 5 for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”
The Ascension of Jesus
6 So when they had come together, they asked him, “Lord, is this the time when you will restore the kingdom to Israel?” 7 He replied, “It is not for you to know the times or periods that the Father has set by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” 9 When he had said this, as they were watching, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. 10 While he was going and they were gazing up toward heaven, suddenly two men in white robes stood by them. 11 They said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking up toward heaven? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.”
Matthias Chosen to Replace Judas
12 Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a sabbath day’s journey away. 13 When they had entered the city, they went to the room upstairs where they were staying, Peter, and John, and James, and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James son of Alphaeus, and Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James. 14 All these were constantly devoting themselves to prayer, together with certain women, including Mary the mother of Jesus, as well as his brothers.

The Gospel
Matthew 27:45-54
The Death of Jesus
27:45 From noon on, darkness came over the whole land until three in the afternoon. 46 And about three o’clock Jesus cried with a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” that is, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” 47 When some of the bystanders heard it, they said, “This man is calling for Elijah.” 48 At once one of them ran and got a sponge, filled it with sour wine, put it on a stick, and gave it to him to drink. 49 But the others said, “Wait, let us see whether Elijah will come to save him.” 50 Then Jesus cried again with a loud voice and breathed his last. 51 At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom. The earth shook, and the rocks were split. 52 The tombs also were opened, and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised. 53 After his resurrection they came out of the tombs and entered the holy city and appeared to many. 54 Now when the centurion and those with him, who were keeping watch over Jesus, saw the earthquake and what took place, they were terrified and said, “Truly this man was God’s Son!”

The Bible texts of the Old Testament, Epistle and Gospel lessons are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Church of Christ in the USA, and used by permission.
About three o’clock Jesus cried with a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” that is, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”

The Morning Prayer for WEDNESDAY, August 1, 2018


Dear Heavenly Father,

I thank You this day. I thank You for my being able to be awake again, to see and hear the morning. I am blessed because You are a forgiving Father and an understanding one at that.

You have done marvelous things for me and my loved ones yet You still continue to bless me with so much more. Please forgive me every day for some things I may have done, said or thought. That may not have pleased You and I ask You now for your forgiveness.

Please keep me and my loved ones from all danger and harm. Help me start this day with a new, pleasant attitude with plenty of gratitude. Let me make the best of each and every day to clear my mind so I can hear Your loving voice. Please broaden my mind that I can accept all things without judgement. Let me not whine or complain over things I have no control over. And when the world closes in on me, let me remember the example of Jesus, to slip away and find a quiet place to pray. Continue to use me to do Your Will.
Amen

Verse of the Day for WEDNESDAY, August 1, 2018


Psalm 119:114 (NIV) You are my refuge and my shield; I have put my hope in your word.

Read all of Psalm 119

Listen to Psalm 119

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 - Mi Capitán


Mi Capitán

Pero fiel es el Señor, que os afirmará y guardará del mal.

Quizá te parezca extraño que todo lo que lo que diga en este libro lo lleve siempre a mi experiencia con Dios. Si te incomoda, perdóname, pero no pudiera dejar nunca más de testificar lo es que es vivir y rendir mi vida por entero a Dios.

En lo personal, he vivido las dos cosas: He estado con el Capitán a bordo y también he vivido sin Capitán. Incluso, me he ido a la deriva. Les confieso que el viaje ha sido largo y fuerte. Cuando estás a la deriva, no sabes para dónde vas, ni los peligros a los que estás expuesto. Estar sin control es arriesgarse a chocar, a perderse o, lo que es peor, a naufragar. Los golpes en mi vida han sido muchos y he regresado lastimada y herida. A decir verdad, no vale la pena.

No hay nada más hermoso que entregar ese barco al Capitán que es Dios y descansar sabiendo que Él tiene todo el control, los recursos y los planes perfectos para nosotros.

Por eso te sugiero que rindas tu vida a Dios. Esto incluye trabajo, hogar y los hijos, a fin de que Él sea el que guíe tu vida y salgas victorioso en todo lo que emprendas.

Un Día a la Vez Copyright © by Claudia Pinzón
Quizá te parezca extraño que todo lo que lo que diga en este libro lo lleve siempre a mi experiencia con Dios.

Standing Strong Through the Storm - GOD’S CARE


GOD’S CARE

Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
1 Peter 5:7 (NIV)

Ron Boyd-MacMillan shares the story of Sister Lin and family from North Korea. As Christians, she and her husband prayed for a child for years. After many years she finally conceived. They asked God for a safe delivery because it was now the severe famine period of the mid-1990’s.

Her husband went to search for food but came home weeping. All he could offer her was bark from a tree to make soup. It was not enough to nourish a woman with child. Then her husband went further afield to find food and was shot to death by soldiers as he foraged food from the garbage bags on a train. She was now alone.

When contractions started, she lay on the ground and gave birth to a dead baby boy. She named him after her husband and buried the body. From there she began to walk north and crossed the river into China. A Korean Christian family in China nurtured her back to health.

Telling Ron her story, she asked, “Can I forgive God for making the world this way?” Many of us, if honest, would acknowledge that we often have doubts about God when we see the suffering and pain in our world, just like Sister Lin. But we should value our doubts because they end up bringing God close.

Ron answered her poignant question with another question, “Why are you still a Christian?”

Sister Lin replied, “First because my Lord died young and alone in excruciating pain without knowing why either. And secondly, because I have gradually come to see that God’s care is everywhere to be seen, if I can look beyond my own suffering.”

RESPONSE: Today I will look beyond the suffering I see around me and see God’s love and care.

PRAYER: Thank You Lord that You do care for Your creation and that in our moments of doubt You draw close and reveal the truth of Your love and care.

Standing Strong Through The Storm (SSTS), a daily devotional message by SSTS author Paul Estabrooks. © 2011 Open Doors International. Used by permission.

Girlfriends in God - You Don’t Have to Carry Your Worries (God’s Carrying Them for You)


You Dont Have to Carry Your Worries (God’s Carrying Them for You)

Todays Truth

Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
~ I Peter 5:6-7 (NIV)

Friend to Friend

I am mom to a child with life-threatening allergies. It’s been nine years, but it hasn’t ever gotten easier, or less scary, or normal. I wouldn’t trade this kid for the whole world, but at times, the job of managing it all seems too much.

What struck me the other day, as it often has, is how carefree my son is. Gradually he will shoulder the load of managing his allergies, but to this point, it is mostly ME doing all the things: reading the labels, washing the hands and the dishes before prepping his food, calling companies, knowing what’s safe and what’s not safe.

My son isn’t worried, because he knows I am. He doesn’t ask me a million times what I’m giving him, or where it came from, or, “Is it really safe for me to eat”? He sits down and enjoys, because he trusts that I have handled all that. (And I have.)

And I felt a gentle reminder recently, “You can be like that, too, Jessica. I have this handled, and you can relax.”

Oh, to embrace this kind of carefree peace that the Lord is offering me.

Oh, to believe so completely that my Heavenly Father has handled all of the details, from beginning to end of my story.

Oh, to sit down at the table of life and freely eat, enjoying each bite of goodness that is on my plate, knowing that what is in front of me is safe, and good, because it has passed through my Father’s hands.

Friend, I don’t know what load is burdening you today. I don’t know what worries are dragging you down, what fears haunt your thoughts, what concerns press in all around. I do know that whatever it is that’s keeping us up at night - He’s already up, and He’s already handled it. We don’t have to worry, because He is carrying those worries for us.

And perhaps that is where the analogy breaks down. When I care for my son, my “care” often tips into worry, fear and anxiety. Yet Our Lord is never like this. He is fully equipped to manage every jot and iota in our lives, He loves us beyond measure, and His plan is unequivocally good. His is a powerful, nearby love that wraps around us even in the most terrifying times. He is always present, always loving, always in control. This is tremendously comforting to me.

Let’s Pray

Lord, sometimes the load of life is overwhelming, and we cannot carry it. At those times, Lord, let us not seek to become stronger, but to rest in Your mighty hands. The things we are worried about - will You carry them for us? It’s too much for us, Lord. We need You.
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen.

Now It’s Your Turn

That heavy thing that you know that you are carrying - right now, open your hands up. Close your eyes and imagine releasing that load to the Lord. Let Him carry your burden. (Hint: He already is.)

More from the Girlfriends

Jessica Smartt is an author/speaker, a wife, and homeschooling mom of three kids in beautiful North Carolina. Jessica loves to encourage families to build memories and traditions together. Check out her new resource: 101 Awesome Summer Bucket List Ideas for Families. To receive your free copy, sign up HERE.

Love Instagram? Check out Jessica over there!

Seeking God?
Click HERE to find out more about how to have a personal
relationship with Jesus Christ.

Girlfriends in God


http://girlfriendsingod.com/events/
I am mom to a child with life-threatening allergies.

LHM Devotion - August 1, 2018 - The Death Clock

https://www.lhm.org/dailydevotions/default.asp?date=20180801

Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries

"The Death Clock"

August 1, 2018

(Jesus said) "Because I live, you also will live."
~ John 14:19b (ESV)

Properly used, the internet is a wonderful thing. To have ready access to the world's greatest library, most beautiful art, most wonderful music, and most brilliant literature is a blessing beyond words. On the other hand, the internet is a place where almost anything goes.

That being said, I believe I recently stumbled upon the worldwide web's most depressing webpage. It is entitled the Poodwaddle World Health Clock with Diseases. The whole purpose of the clock is to keep track of how many people die, and what do they die from. It is a grim reminder that the clock is ticking away the minutes and months, the days and years of our lives.

Now for many people the day of their demise is a frightening proposition. They are unsure of what is going to happen, unconvinced that everything is going to be all right.

I can understand why they are afraid. Jesus is not at their sides.

My friends, you can be ready -- you will be ready -- if Jesus is standing at your side when death arrives. When death came for Peter and Paul during the Roman persecutions, Jesus was there. Some time ago, when a misguided swordsman beheaded some Christians in Somalia, Jesus was there, too.

All those souls were victorious because the risen Jesus was there. Like St. Paul, they could say, "I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Romans 8:38-39).

Which really is the point of this message: Jesus keeps coming back. It's not all that important if you know when the end of the whole world is going to happen and when Jesus is going to judge the living and the dead. The truth is the Bible is clear. You're never going to know that unknown hour.

What is important is for you to be prepared for that moment when your personal end comes, for you to be ready for that day when death shows up and points his bony finger at you. On that day, if you have faith in Jesus as your Savior, it will not be frightening. His victory will be yours.

When I began this message I set the Poodwaddle death clock. Since this message began, the clock said death has come for 355, 356, 357, 358, 359, 360.

Death is coming. Statistically speaking, some of you reading this devotion will not be among the living a week from now. Are you ready? Is your family ready? Your friends? Death is coming for you. But you don't have to face it alone. Jesus, who has, with His glorious resurrection, managed to defeat death, has promised to do the same for you. He says it plainly, "Because I live, You shall live also."

THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, death is coming, but I am not afraid. I am not afraid because my Savior has also come and given His life to rescue me. For that act of love, I will praise Him in eternity. In Jesus' Name. Amen.

The above devotion was inspired by the following online resource. Those who wish to reference that article may do so at the following link, which was fully functional at the time this devotion was written: http://www.poodwaddle.com/worldclock/hea1/

Use these devotions in your newsletter and bulletin! Used by permission; all rights reserved by the Int'l LLL (LHM).
Properly used, the internet is a wonderful thing.

Devocional del CPTLN del 1 de Agosto de 2018 - No robarás


ALIMENTO DIARIO

No robarás

1 de Agosto de 2018

... y todos los que habían creído se mantenían unidos y lo compartían todo; vendían sus propiedades y posesiones, y todo lo compartían entre todos, según las necesidades de cada uno.

De acuerdo con el libro de Hechos, hubo un tiempo en la historia de la iglesia en que todas las cosas eran propiedad común y compartida por todos.

En la ciudad de Nueva York, una mujer fue arrestada cuando salía de la iglesia Nuestra Señora de la Esperanza porque, aparentemente, tenía por costumbre robar de las carteras de quienes estaban sentados cerca de ella.

Cada vez que los feligreses se arrodillaban para orar o iban a tomar la comunión, esta mujer hurgaba en las carteras y robaba el efectivo que encontraba.

Cuando fue interrogada por la policía dijo que, como era pobre, creía que tenía derecho a que los demás compartieran sus bienes con ella, lo cual no fue visto con agrado por los demás miembros de la iglesia.

Supongo que hay ciertas ventajas en robar dentro de la iglesia, ya que la gente es más bien cortés y menos violenta, por lo que probablemente no sacarán una pistola. Pero, por otro lado, robar no es una actividad muy apreciada.

En sus comienzos, la iglesia cristiana supo organizarse para ayudar a quienes sufrían necesidades. En estos días también hay muchos que están en necesidad: hay personas sin trabajo, hay quienes están preocupados porque quizás vayan a perder su casa, hay quienes no tienen dinero para pagar las cuentas médicas, hay quienes no saben cómo van a hacer para dar de comer a su familia...

Ante todo esto, ¿qué podemos hacer? Nosotros que hemos recibido tanto del Salvador; nosotros, que no teníamos esperanza, ni futuro, ni salvación, es tiempo de que nos pongamos en marcha para dar esperanza y futuro a quienes hoy no lo tienen.

Si usted es un empresario que está ofreciendo trabajo, publíquelo en el boletín de su iglesia y de las otras iglesias y supermercados de su barrio. Si tiene algo que ya no necesita más, ofrézcaselo a su vecino o compañero de estudio o de trabajo, o alguien que pueda necesitarlo.

Nunca se sabe lo mucho que Dios puede hacer con nuestras ofrendas de amor.

ORACIÓN: Amado Jesús, gracias por haber comprado mi perdón y eternidad con tu sangre. Ayúdame a ayudar a otros. Te lo pido y hago en tu nombre. Amén

© Copyright 2018 Cristo Para Todas Las Naciones. Que a través de estos devocionales, la Palabra de Dios te refresque en tu diario caminar.
De acuerdo con el libro de Hechos, hubo un tiempo en la historia de la iglesia en que todas las cosas eran propiedad común y compartida por todos.

Ministérios Pão Diário - O melhor ainda está por vir

https://paodiario.org/2018/08/01/o-melhor-ainda-est%c3%a1-por-vir/

O melhor ainda está por vir

Leia: Dt 34:1-12 | A Bíblia em um ano: Salmos 57–59; Romanos 4

O Deus eterno é a tua habitação e, por baixo de ti, estende os braços eternos… 33:27

Os melhores dias de sua vida já se passaram ou ainda virão? Nossa visão sobre a vida — e nossa resposta a essa pergunta — podem mudar com o tempo. Quando somos mais jovens, olhamos à frente, querendo crescer. E, quando ficamos mais velhos, ansiamos pelo passado, querendo ser jovens de novo. Mas quando andamos com Deus, seja qual for a nossa idade, o melhor ainda está por vir!

Em sua extensa vida, Moisés testemunhou as coisas surpreendentes que Deus fez; muitas aconteceram quando ele já não era mais tão jovem. Moisés tinha 80 anos ao confrontar Faraó e ver Deus libertar milagrosamente Seu povo da escravidão (Êxodo 3–13). Ele viu o mar Vermelho se abrir, viu o maná cair do céu e até falou com Deus “face a face” (14:21; 16:4; 33:11).

Moisés viveu toda a sua vida com expectativas, ansiando por aquilo que Deus faria (Hebreus 11:24-27). Ele tinha 120 anos ao deixar este mundo e, mesmo então, compreendia que sua vida com Deus estava apenas começando e que ele nunca veria o fim de Sua grandeza e amor.

Independentemente de nossa idade, “O Deus eterno é a tua habitação e, por baixo de ti, estende os braços eternos…” (Deuteronômio 33:27), que fielmente nos leva à Sua alegria todos os dias.

Quando andamos com Deus, o melhor ainda está por vir.

por jb

© 2018 Ministérios Pão Diário
Os melhores dias de sua vida já se passaram ou ainda virão?

Monday, July 30, 2018

The Daily Readings for TUESDAY, July 31, 2018

The Crucifixion of Jesus
Matthew 27:32-44

The Daily Readings
TUESDAY, July 31, 2018

Old Testament
Judges 2:1-5; 2:11-23
Israel’s Disobedience
2:1 Now the angel of the Lord went up from Gilgal to Bochim, and said, “I brought you up from Egypt, and brought you into the land that I had promised to your ancestors. I said, ‘I will never break my covenant with you. 2 For your part, do not make a covenant with the inhabitants of this land; tear down their altars.’ But you have not obeyed my command. See what you have done! 3 So now I say, I will not drive them out before you; but they shall become adversaries to you, and their gods shall be a snare to you.” 4 When the angel of the Lord spoke these words to all the Israelites, the people lifted up their voices and wept. 5 So they named that place Bochim, and there they sacrificed to the Lord.
Israel’s Unfaithfulness
2:11 Then the Israelites did what was evil in the sight of the Lord and worshiped the Baals; 12 and they abandoned the Lord, the God of their ancestors, who had brought them out of the land of Egypt; they followed other gods, from among the gods of the peoples who were all around them, and bowed down to them; and they provoked the Lord to anger. 13 They abandoned the Lord, and worshiped Baal and the Astartes. 14 So the anger of the Lord was kindled against Israel, and he gave them over to plunderers who plundered them, and he sold them into the power of their enemies all around, so that they could no longer withstand their enemies. 15 Whenever they marched out, the hand of the Lord was against them to bring misfortune, as the Lord had warned them and sworn to them; and they were in great distress.

16 Then the Lord raised up judges, who delivered them out of the power of those who plundered them. 17 Yet they did not listen even to their judges; for they lusted after other gods and bowed down to them. They soon turned aside from the way in which their ancestors had walked, who had obeyed the commandments of the Lord; they did not follow their example. 18 Whenever the Lord raised up judges for them, the Lord was with the judge, and he delivered them from the hand of their enemies all the days of the judge; for the Lord would be moved to pity by their groaning because of those who persecuted and oppressed them. 19 But whenever the judge died, they would relapse and behave worse than their ancestors, following other gods, worshiping them and bowing down to them. They would not drop any of their practices or their stubborn ways. 20 So the anger of the Lord was kindled against Israel; and he said, “Because this people have transgressed my covenant that I commanded their ancestors, and have not obeyed my voice, 21 I will no longer drive out before them any of the nations that Joshua left when he died.” 22 In order to test Israel, whether or not they would take care to walk in the way of the Lord as their ancestors did, 23 the Lord had left those nations, not driving them out at once, and had not handed them over to Joshua.

The Epistle
Romans 16:17-27
Final Instructions
16:17 I urge you, brothers and sisters, to keep an eye on those who cause dissensions and offenses, in opposition to the teaching that you have learned; avoid them. 18 For such people do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the simple-minded. 19 For while your obedience is known to all, so that I rejoice over you, I want you to be wise in what is good and guileless in what is evil. 20 The God of peace will shortly crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.

21 Timothy, my co-worker, greets you; so do Lucius and Jason and Sosipater, my relatives.

22 I Tertius, the writer of this letter, greet you in the Lord.

23 Gaius, who is host to me and to the whole church, greets you. Erastus, the city treasurer, and our brother Quartus, greet you.
Final Doxology
25 Now to God who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the proclamation of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery that was kept secret for long ages 26 but is now disclosed, and through the prophetic writings is made known to all the Gentiles, according to the command of the eternal God, to bring about the obedience of faith— 27 to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever! Amen.

The Gospel
Matthew 27:32-44
The Crucifixion of Jesus
27:32 As they went out, they came upon a man from Cyrene named Simon; they compelled this man to carry his cross. 33 And when they came to a place called Golgotha (which means Place of a Skull), 34 they offered him wine to drink, mixed with gall; but when he tasted it, he would not drink it. 35 And when they had crucified him, they divided his clothes among themselves by casting lots; 36 then they sat down there and kept watch over him. 37 Over his head they put the charge against him, which read, “This is Jesus, the King of the Jews.”

38 Then two bandits were crucified with him, one on his right and one on his left. 39 Those who passed by derided him, shaking their heads 40 and saying, “You who would destroy the temple and build it in three days, save yourself! If you are the Son of God, come down from the cross.” 41 In the same way the chief priests also, along with the scribes and elders, were mocking him, saying, 42 “He saved others; he cannot save himself. He is the King of Israel; let him come down from the cross now, and we will believe in him. 43 He trusts in God; let God deliver him now, if he wants to; for he said, ‘I am God’s Son.’” 44 The bandits who were crucified with him also taunted him in the same way.

The Bible texts of the Old Testament, Epistle and Gospel lessons are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Church of Christ in the USA, and used by permission.

The Morning Prayer for TUESDAY, July 31, 2018


My dear Father,

I pray that I will stay focused on You today even after this morning. You are more than enough to sustain me. I pray that You will constantly remind me to be satisfied with everything I have and every circumstance I am in. I pray that You fill me up with joy even if I am tired.

Teach me to be brought low and how to flourish. Teach me to learn the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. You are the only One who can satisfy my thirst and hunger when you open Your Hands. You give power to the faint. My soul clings to you as your right hand upholds me. I know that through my contentment, dear Lord, You will be glorified.

I want to honor You in all that I do. I believe I can do everything when You are with me, Lord. I praise your Holy Name.
Amen

Verse of the Day for TUESDAY, July 31, 2018


John 1:12-13 (NIV) Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.

Read all of John 1

Listen to John 1

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 - Fortalécete en Dios


Fortalécete en Dios

Convertiré su duelo en gozo, y los consolaré; transformaré su dolor en alegría.

Siempre que pasamos una crisis, la verdad es que casi nunca sabemos cómo vamos a salir de esa situación, ni cómo vamos a quedar. Me imagino que muchos de ustedes han pasado pruebas de toda clase y tan fuertes que creyeron que era el final.

Cuando sufrimos un divorcio, una enfermedad, una pérdida, una dificultad financiera o una desilusión amorosa, salimos extenuados, ya que la situación que vivíamos nos drenó de manera física, moral y espiritual. Quedamos cansados y con ganas de unas verdaderas vacaciones. Sin duda, la prueba te devuelve golpeado, pero no derrotado.

¿Por qué es importante saber que nos podemos sentir de esta manera después de pasar situaciones tan duras? Porque somos conscientes de nuestra humanidad y que aunque luchemos con nuestras fuerzas, la sanidad verdadera solo la obtendremos en Dios. Al igual que el cuerpo necesita fortalecerse para una total recuperación después de una enfermedad, también nosotros debemos fortalecernos en el Señor para tener la verdadera recuperación.

La fortaleza en Dios la encontramos en el gozo, en la fe, en la esperanza y en la búsqueda incansable de su Palabra y su presencia.

No dejes de orar, no dejes de leer el Manual de Instrucciones y no dejes de congregarte.

Un Día a la Vez Copyright © by Claudia Pinzón
Siempre que pasamos una crisis, la verdad es que casi nunca sabemos cómo vamos a salir de esa situación, ni cómo vamos a quedar.

Standing Strong Through the Storm - THE FREEING BEAUTY OF FORGIVENESS


THE FREEING BEAUTY OF FORGIVENESS

"This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother from your heart."
~ Matthew 18:35 (NIV)

In Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, a street-witnessing team became involved in an extraordinary situation. A young Mexican called Samuel would walk for two hours each day to join them and act as an interpreter. They discovered that Samuel's mother and sister had been murdered and that he witnessed the killings but, despite trying to intervene, was unable to stop them. He said he knew the man who did it.

He had a desire to go and avenge the killings, but then became a Christian and his whole attitude changed. He began a Bible study group now attended by twenty people. On the final night of the meetings, he saw the man he believed had murdered his mother and sister go forward to receive Jesus Christ as his Savior. Samuel made his way through the throng of people and shook his hand and welcomed him “into the Kingdom.” Samuel was able to forgive him.

In Jesus’ teaching, there is little doubt that, as a Christian, I MUST forgive those who have wronged me. Then our human, time-bound minds cry out with the loud fleshly inquiry—“WHY?”

Again Philip Yancey points out that through the process of forgiveness we realize we are not as different from the wrongdoer as we would like to think. And we end up linked on the same side.

In essence, God linked Himself with us humans in the incarnation. Somehow God had to come to terms with these creatures He desperately wanted to love. On earth, living among us, he learned what it was like to be human—yet without sin. But He put Himself on our side. God made Him who had no sin to be sin for us.

Forgiveness is a key component of the victorious, overcomer. This is the way of the cross to becoming “more than conquerors.”

As a young Christian in Cambodia, Cham witnessed a Khmer Rouge soldier—a youth he knew from school—bludgeon his mother to death by hitting her repeatedly over the head with a wooden board.

Cham suffered from severe depression over memories of that incident for many months. But eventually the Lord helped him gain victory over it.

Ten years later, Cham was walking down the main street of Phnom Penh and saw that young man who had killed his mother. The young man was very fearful of revenge when he recognized Cham approaching him. With moist eyes Cham looked at him and said, “In the name of Jesus, I forgive you!” Cham was free.

RESPONSE: I accept today that forgiveness is a must for me as a follower of Jesus.

PRAYER: Thank you, Lord, for so many rich examples of the freeing beauty of forgiveness.

Standing Strong Through The Storm (SSTS), a daily devotional message by SSTS author Paul Estabrooks. © 2011 Open Doors International. Used by permission.

Girlfriends in God - Worry Wastes Life


Worry Wastes Life

Today’s Truth

There is no fear in love [dread does not exist], but full-grown (complete, perfect) love turns fear out of doors and expels every trace of terror! For fear brings with it the thought of punishment, and [so] he who is afraid has not reached the full maturity of love [is not yet grown into love’s complete perfection].
~ 1 John 4:18 (AMPC)

Friend to Friend

Not all fear is bad. It is good to be afraid of sticking your hand in a fire, crossing a busy street with your eyes closed, or jumping off a cliff. That is good healthy fear.

Bad fear is fear of present circumstances and future events that may or may never happen. Being too afraid to step out and do what God has called you to do. Being so worried about the consequences that you throw trusting God out the window. That’s an unhealthy fear.

The Holy Spirit will warn you with a healthy sense of fear to protect you, but He will never stir up worry to stymie your faith. I’ve often heard it said that worry is a down payment on a problem you may never have. And it’s true! Rehearsing your troubles before they even happen causes you to experience them many times, whereas you were not meant to experience them but once—when or if they actually occur.

Most of the biggest challenges you will ever face will be the result of things you never even thought to worry about or even crossed your mind. They will blindside you on a Thursday afternoon at 2:00, when you never saw it coming. You will not even have known that you should have worried about the possibility! (Now, don’t let that get you worried.)

We waste valuable time and forfeit the thriving faith when we allow “what ifs” to hold us captive.

What if I’m embarrassed?

What if I’m rejected?

What if I fall flat on my face?

What if I fail?

What if one or all of these things do happen when I step forward in obedience? I’ll live. God will be right there with me.

Here’s the bigger question: What if I don’t step forward in obedience? What if I ignore God’s prompting? I might miss out on one of His greatest blessings of my life.

Do you believe God loves you? I’m thinking you just answered yes. Then why do you worry that He doesn’t have your best interest in mind? He will not allow or initiate any circumstance in your life that is not filtered through His sovereign love for you. You will make it! Life might not unfold as you imagined, but when you place your hand in His and trust in His love, you will survive and most likely thrive.

Paul had an incredible attitude about the “what ifs” in his life. He had the mind-set of bring it on. The Pharisees couldn’t stand him, but they found his attitude made it impossible to stop him. They threw him in prison and he said, “That’s OK. Give me some parchment and ink. I’ll write some letters to the churches. I’ll write to them about how to have joy in all circumstances.”

They chained him to a prison guard and he said, “That’s OK. I’ll tell him about Jesus. As a matter-of-fact, I’ll bring his whole family to Christ!”

They threatened to kill him and he said, “That’s OK. I’ll get to go to heaven and be with Jesus. What could be better?”

Paul faced his fears and booted them out the door with the love of God. What do you do to a guy like that?

Paul wrote: “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know!” (Philippians 1:21–22).

He wasn’t worried or concerned about his future. Paul was at peace with whatever happened on his faith journey because He trusted in the character and love of God. And with a faith like that, the natural consequence is to live bold. And that’s what we can do today!

Let’s Pray

Heavenly Father, I will not walk in fear today. I will kick fear out of the door…give it the boot. I know that You will guide me as I walk in obedience today. If my act of obedience appears to result in a failure, I know that it is not, because obeying you is the ultimate success regardless of the apparent outcome. Oh Lord, I breathe in peace and exhale worry.
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen.

Now It’s Your Turn

Read Matthew 6:25-34. Consider memorizing verse 34.

So do not worry or be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will have worries and anxieties of its own.

Think of 2 bad things that happened to you during the past year. Did you worry that they would happen before they happened? Or did they catch you by surprise.

More from the Girlfriends

Today’s devotion was taken from my new book, Take Hold of the Faith You Long For: Let Go, Move Forward, Live Bold. Sign up for my blog at SharonJaynes.com and receive a download for a FREE Take Hold Coloring Book Journal. A mediocre, mundane faith is not what you were made for! In Take Hold of the Faith You Long For, I reveal the most common reasons we get stuck in our Christian faith, living less than what we had hoped. I show you how to break free of all that holds you back, move forward with all that God promises, and live the adventurous faith of bold believing. It’s time to TAKE HOLD of all that Jesus has already taken hold of for you and placed in you! Click on the book cover to download a sample chapter and view a quick video. And if you’re looking for a new study for your women’s group or individual study, Take Hold includes a Bible Study guide in the back.

Seeking God?
Click HERE to find out more about how to have a personal
relationship with Jesus Christ.

Girlfriends in God


http://girlfriendsingod.com/events/
Not all fear is bad.

LHM Devotion - July 31, 2018 - Come and Enjoy

https://www.lhm.org/dailydevotions/default.asp?date=20180731

Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries

"Come and Enjoy"

Jul. 31, 2018

For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.

In China's Sichuan province, in the city of Chengdu, there is a new restaurant named Jiamener.

Maybe it would be more accurate to say, "There was a new restaurant named Jiamener." You see, by the time you read this devotion, Jiamener will be closed. With your permission, let me tell you the story.

The tale begins in December of last year when Jiamener opened its doors for the first time. Wishing to be noticed in a city with a plethora of eating places, the owners of Jiamener felt they needed a promotion that would put them on the map. After a lot of late-night discussions, Jiamener's owners came up with a plan they felt did the job. The plan was all you can eat for $19 a month!

Now, does $19 a month sound like a deal to you? It did to me, too. And because it was a deal, the people of the community purchased a fair number of these $19 all-you-can-eat tickets. Jiamener's owners congratulated each other. To all appearances, things were going like gangbusters.

Who could argue with the success of the restaurant which was serving 500 customer a day and always had a line waiting to be served and had to extend its hours.

There was only one thing wrong with the picture, and that one thing was there was no picture on the promotion card. Without a picture of the client on the card, what happened was this: dad would use the card and eat before he went off to work. Then he would pass it to junior who had a good meal before he gave the card to mom, who would sometime during the course of the day, go over and enjoy a first-class meal with friends. Finally, in mid-afternoon, when sis came home, she used the same card to grab a bite.

And the program, which might have been successful at $19 a month per person, crashed and burned when that $19 ended up feeding four or more people. Two weeks into the program the restaurant shut down with the owners $80,000 in the hole.

Now I wondered, could the Lord's program of salvation ever go broke?

Is it possible for needy, sinful humans to become so sinful and needy that God's grace and mercy runs dry? Is it possible for His mission to redeem humankind from sin, the devil, and death go bankrupt?

Of course, the answer is no; these things are not possible.

The Lord who created the entire universe, has the ability to love the entire universe. It needs to be remembered that the Lord's salvation plan was, from the outset, designed to be shared with every person, everywhere. Jesus lived, suffered, died, and rose so that God's love for the world might also be able to save the world, that is, all whom were brought to faith by the Holy Spirit.

THE PRAYER: Dear Lord. I give thanks that Your plans are better, more complete, more comprehensive, and far more effective than anything humankind can cobble together. For Jesus' blood-bought plan which saves, You have my everlasting praise. In the Savior's Name Amen.

The above devotion was inspired by a number of sources, including one written by Elle Nicholson in June 2018 for American Upbeat. Those who wish to reference that article may do so at the following link, which was fully functional at the time this devotion was written: http://americanupbeat.com/restaurant-closes-after-going-bankrupt-after-all-you-can-eat-promo/

Use these devotions in your newsletter and bulletin! Used by permission; all rights reserved by the Int'l LLL (LHM).
In China's Sichuan province, in the city of Chengdu, there is a new restaurant named Jiamener.

Devocional del CPTLN del 31 de Julio de 2018 - Un edificio nuevo


ALIMENTO DIARIO

Un edificio nuevo

31 de Julio de 2018

Bien sabemos que si se deshace nuestra casa terrenal, es decir, esta tienda que es nuestro cuerpo, en los cielos tenemos de Dios un edificio, una casa eterna, la cual no fue hecha por manos humanas.

Hace algún tiempo el mundo recibió la noticia que un sarcófago de mármol blanco había sido desenterrado de debajo de la Basílica de San Pablo, ubicada afuera de los muros de Roma. Más importante aún, el féretro todavía contenía algunos huesos.

Para muchas personas esa información era muy importante. ¿Por qué? Porque durante muchos siglos, la tradición ha dicho que el apóstol Pablo, quien fuera decapitado en el siglo uno, había sido enterrado en ese lugar.

Al menos parte de él, pues supuestamente, su cabeza se encontraría en San Juan Lateran, otra basílica romana. Lo que nos lleva al tema de esta devoción, ya que probablemente a esta altura usted se esté preguntando: '¿Será que realmente son los huesos del apóstol Pablo?'

A lo que respondo que en realidad no lo sé. El resultado de los exámenes de laboratorio dice que esos huesos son del siglo uno o dos, pero eso es todo.

Lo que sí sé, es que, si San Pablo pudiera regresar y hablar con nosotros por unos minutos, probablemente nos diría que no importa de quién son esos huesos... no, esperen, San Pablo ya nos dijo eso. El texto bíblico para hoy nos dice que cuando nuestros cuerpos terrenales dejen de ser, todo va a estar bien.

Gracias a la fe en Jesucristo, quien nos ha rescatado del pecado, de la muerte y del diablo, sabemos que la tumba no es nuestro destino final. Porque Cristo resucitó victorioso al tercer día, sabemos que nosotros también vamos a resucitar y recibiremos un cuerpo glorificado.

El día en que Jesús vuelva a juzgarnos, a quienes han depositado su fe en el Redentor, Dios les va a dar un edificio, un cuerpo que perdurará para siempre.

Esas noticias fueron de gran consuelo para los primeros cristianos que enterraron a Pedro, a Pablo, y a tantos otros mártires, y también es un consuelo hoy para nosotros. Los cristianos de todos los tiempos son bendecidos porque el Salvador ha logrado la victoria definitiva sobre la muerte.

ORACIÓN: Querido Señor, gracias a que Jesús vive, nosotros también viviremos. Ayúdame a no perder de vista el encuentro final con Pablo y con todos los que han muerto creyendo en ti. En el nombre de Jesús. Amén.

© Copyright 2018 Cristo Para Todas Las Naciones. Que a través de estos devocionales, la Palabra de Dios te refresque en tu diario caminar.
Hace algún tiempo el mundo recibió la noticia que un sarcófago de mármol blanco había sido desenterrado de debajo de la Basílica de San Pablo, ubicada afuera de los muros de Roma.

Nuestro Pan Diario - Pecadores como nosotros

https://nuestropandiario.org/2018/07/pecadores-como-nosotros/

Pecadores como nosotros

Leer: Lucas 15:1-7 | La Biblia en un año: Salmos 54–56 Romanos 3

… Este a los pecadores recibe, y con ellos come (v. 2).

Tengo una amiga, Edith, que me contó sobre el día que decidió seguir a Jesús.

La religión no le interesaba, pero, un domingo por la mañana, entró en una iglesia para buscar algo que saciara su alma insatisfecha. Ese día, el texto era Lucas 15:1-2: «Se acercaban a Jesús todos los publicanos y pecadores para oírle, y los fariseos y los escribas murmuraban, diciendo: Este a los pecadores recibe, y con ellos come».

Eso era lo que decía, pero esto fue lo que ella oyó: «Este a los pecadores recibe, y con Edith come». ¡Se quedó clavada en el banco! Luego, se dio cuenta de su error, pero la idea de que Jesús recibe a los pecadores —incluida Edith— le quedó en la mente. Esa tarde, decidió acercarse a Jesús y escucharlo. Empezó a leer los Evangelios, y poco después, aceptó a Cristo como su Salvador.

Los religiosos de la época de Jesús se escandalizaban de que comiera o bebiera con personas pecadoras y horribles. Sus reglas les prohibían juntarse con esas personas. Pero Jesús no prestó atención a esas reglas superficiales, y recibió a los despreciables y marginados, y se reunió con ellos; sin importar lo alejados que estuvieran.

¿Sabes? Aún sigue siendo así: Jesús recibe a los pecadores y a (pon aquí tu nombre).
Padre, gracias por el amor de tu Hijo, que nos recibe a todos, cualquiera que sea nuestra condición.
«Dios nos busca en nuestro extravío; nos recibe en nuestra pecaminosidad; nos sostiene en nuestro quebrantamiento». Scotty Smith


© 2018 Ministerios Nuestro Pan Diario
Tengo una amiga, Edith, que me contó sobre el día que decidió seguir a Jesús.

Sunday, July 29, 2018

The Daily Readings for MONDAY, July 30, 2018

Phoebe the Deaconess at Cenchreae
Romans 16:1

The Daily Readings
MONDAY, July 30, 2018

Old Testament
Joshua 24:16-33
24:16 Then the people answered, “Far be it from us that we should forsake the Lord to serve other gods; 17 for it is the Lord our God who brought us and our ancestors up from the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery, and who did those great signs in our sight. He protected us along all the way that we went, and among all the peoples through whom we passed; 18 and the Lord drove out before us all the peoples, the Amorites who lived in the land. Therefore we also will serve the Lord, for he is our God.”

19 But Joshua said to the people, “You cannot serve the Lord, for he is a holy God. He is a jealous God; he will not forgive your transgressions or your sins. 20 If you forsake the Lord and serve foreign gods, then he will turn and do you harm, and consume you, after having done you good.” 21 And the people said to Joshua, “No, we will serve the Lord!” 22 Then Joshua said to the people, “You are witnesses against yourselves that you have chosen the Lord, to serve him.” And they said, “We are witnesses.” 23 He said, “Then put away the foreign gods that are among you, and incline your hearts to the Lord, the God of Israel.” 24 The people said to Joshua, “The Lord our God we will serve, and him we will obey.” 25 So Joshua made a covenant with the people that day, and made statutes and ordinances for them at Shechem. 26 Joshua wrote these words in the book of the law of God; and he took a large stone, and set it up there under the oak in the sanctuary of the Lord. 27 Joshua said to all the people, “See, this stone shall be a witness against us; for it has heard all the words of the Lord that he spoke to us; therefore it shall be a witness against you, if you deal falsely with your God.” 28 So Joshua sent the people away to their inheritances.
Death of Joshua and Eleazar
29 After these things Joshua son of Nun, the servant of the Lord, died, being one hundred ten years old. 30 They buried him in his own inheritance at Timnath-serah, which is in the hill country of Ephraim, north of Mount Gaash.

31 Israel served the Lord all the days of Joshua, and all the days of the elders who outlived Joshua and had known all the work that the Lord did for Israel.

32 The bones of Joseph, which the Israelites had brought up from Egypt, were buried at Shechem, in the portion of ground that Jacob had bought from the children of Hamor, the father of Shechem, for one hundred pieces of money; it became an inheritance of the descendants of Joseph.

33 Eleazar son of Aaron died; and they buried him at Gibeah, the town of his son Phinehas, which had been given him in the hill country of Ephraim.

The Epistle
Romans 16:1-16
16:1 I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a deacon of the church at Cenchreae, 2 so that you may welcome her in the Lord as is fitting for the saints, and help her in whatever she may require from you, for she has been a benefactor of many and of myself as well.

3 Greet Prisca and Aquila, who work with me in Christ Jesus, 4 and who risked their necks for my life, to whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles. 5 Greet also the church in their house. Greet my beloved Epaenetus, who was the first convert in Asia for Christ. 6 Greet Mary, who has worked very hard among you. 7 Greet Andronicus and Junia, my relatives who were in prison with me; they are prominent among the apostles, and they were in Christ before I was. 8 Greet Ampliatus, my beloved in the Lord. 9 Greet Urbanus, our co-worker in Christ, and my beloved Stachys. 10 Greet Apelles, who is approved in Christ. Greet those who belong to the family of Aristobulus. 11 Greet my relative Herodion. Greet those in the Lord who belong to the family of Narcissus. 12 Greet those workers in the Lord, Tryphaena and Tryphosa. Greet the beloved Persis, who has worked hard in the Lord. 13 Greet Rufus, chosen in the Lord; and greet his mother—a mother to me also. 14 Greet Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas, and the brothers and sisters who are with them. 15 Greet Philologus, Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints who are with them. 16 Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ greet you.

The Gospel
Matthew 27:24-31
Pilate Hands Jesus over to Be Crucified
27:24 So when Pilate saw that he could do nothing, but rather that a riot was beginning, he took some water and washed his hands before the crowd, saying, “I am innocent of this man’s blood; see to it yourselves.” 25 Then the people as a whole answered, “His blood be on us and on our children!” 26 So he released Barabbas for them; and after flogging Jesus, he handed him over to be crucified.
The Soldiers Mock Jesus
27 Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the governor’s headquarters, and they gathered the whole cohort around him. 28 They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, 29 and after twisting some thorns into a crown, they put it on his head. They put a reed in his right hand and knelt before him and mocked him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” 30 They spat on him, and took the reed and struck him on the head. 31 After mocking him, they stripped him of the robe and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him away to crucify him.

The Bible texts of the Old Testament, Epistle and Gospel lessons are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Church of Christ in the USA, and used by permission.
I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a deacon of the church at Cenchreae...