Prayers for the shooting victims and families in Parkland Florida

Our prayers go out to the victims and families of the 17 people killed in another senseless act of gun violence Wednesday in Parkland, Florida.

Merciful Lord, we come to you again, heavy hearted after another shooting, for we have heard the cries of the slain calling to us from the ground. We come remembering all the lives lost to the weapons of war that have flooded our communities. We come reminded of the many bodies locked in jails and prisons all across this country.  And we ask for your mercy.

Although we find ourselves in a broken world – a world in which hurting people hurt other people, it is no mystery that you are a God capable of healing our world through justice and fairness.  Your own revelation has shown us that you stand firmly with those people whose backs are against the wall. Your own life demonstrates how you came from heaven to earth to redeem creation, our communities and our own lives. So we ask for this same redemptive power to be unleashed among us as it was on the day of Pentecost. May we be empowered by your Spirit to reverse the conditions that produce young men and women who are driven to resort to violence and destructive behavior in their fight to stay alive and struggle to remain free.

We know that you have no pleasure in the death of anyone, so we boldly come to the throne of grace today dear Lord, seeking your wisdom as we create strategies that provide pathways and lifelines to hope and healing. Help us to remember we are all your children, created in your image, and we are connected by a single garment of mutuality and destiny. Cause us to never forget how our needs are the same and our calling to address these needs are the same.

We cry out to you, heal our souls from this scourge of violence. Endow us with the courage to step down from the pulpits and out from behind our desks to seek the peace of the city. In the coming days and weeks as our leaders debate solutions, Lord we ask that you grant us the voice to speak truth power and demonstrate sacrificial compassion to the hurting.

Teach us your ways, O God. Bless us with the wisdom and strength to put down our swords and be peacemakers. Use us, work through us and, if necessary, work in spite of us to mend our nation’s brokenness.

We thank you for your protecting embrace and unfailing love.

All of these requests we bring to you, in the name of Jesus the Christ we pray.

Amen

The Daily Readings for FRIDAY, February 16, 2018

Daily Readings

Ezekiel 18:1-4, 18:25-32

The word of the LORD came to me: What do you mean by repeating this proverb concerning the land of Israel, "The parents have eaten sour grapes, and the children's teeth are set on edge"? As I live, says the Lord GOD, this proverb shall no more be used by you in Israel. Know that all lives are mine; the life of the parent as well as the life of the child is mine: it is only the person who sins that shall die. Yet you say, "The way of the Lord is unfair." Hear now, O house of Israel: Is my way unfair? Is it not your ways that are unfair? When the righteous turn away from their righteousness and commit iniquity, they shall die for it; for the iniquity that they have committed they shall die. Again, when the wicked turn away from the wickedness they have committed and do what is lawful and right, they shall save their life. Because they considered and turned away from all the transgressions that they had committed, they shall surely live; they shall not die. Yet the house of Israel says, "The way of the Lord is unfair." O house of Israel, are my ways unfair? Is it not your ways that are unfair? Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, all of you according to your ways, says the Lord GOD. Repent and turn from all your transgressions; otherwise iniquity will be your ruin. Cast away from you all the transgressions that you have committed against me, and get yourselves a new heart and a new spirit! Why will you die, O house of Israel? For I have no pleasure in the death of anyone, says the Lord GOD. Turn, then, and live.

Philippians 4:1-9

Therefore, my brothers and sisters, whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, my beloved. I urge Euodia and I urge Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord. Yes, and I ask you also, my loyal companion, help these women, for they have struggled beside me in the work of the gospel, together with Clement and the rest of my co-workers, whose names are in the book of life. Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Keep on doing the things that you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, and the God of peace will be with you.

John 17:9-19

I am asking on their behalf; I am not asking on behalf of the world, but on behalf of those whom you gave me, because they are yours. All mine are yours, and yours are mine; and I have been glorified in them. And now I am no longer in the world, but they are in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them in your name that you have given me, so that they may be one, as we are one. While I was with them, I protected them in your name that you have given me. I guarded them, and not one of them was lost except the one destined to be lost, so that the scripture might be fulfilled. But now I am coming to you, and I speak these things in the world so that they may have my joy made complete in themselves. I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world. I am not asking you to take them out of the world, but I ask you to protect them from the evil one. They do not belong to the world, just as I do not belong to the world. Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. As you have sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world. And for their sakes I sanctify myself, so that they also may be sanctified in truth.

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.
I am asking on their behalf; I am not asking on behalf of the world, but on behalf of those whom you gave me, because they are yours.

Prayer of the Day for FRIDAY, February 16, 2018

Father, we who have received Christ early in our young years are grateful for the solid and lasting foundation we’re building that will provide comfort, solidity, and needed perspective when we approach the golden years of our life here on earth. The older we get the more this earth and all that it has to offer grows dimmer while the lights of glory grow ever brighter. It happens because our eyes are fixed on the eternal city not built with human hands but fashioned and designed by the Builder of the Ages. Keep us true Lord Jesus, for there’s a race to be run and there are victories to be won on this side of heaven. We pray this in the name of Jesus.

Amen

Verse of the Day for FRIDAY, February 16, 2018

Luke 6:47-48 (NIV) As for everyone who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice, I will show you what they are like. They are like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built.

Read all of Luke 6

Listen to Luke 6

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

Morning Devotions with Chaplain Kenny - Rock Solid

Rock Solid

As for everyone who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice, I will show you what they are like. They are like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built.

~ Luke 6:47-48 (NIV)

The futuristic Space Needle spikes from the Seattle skyline. Stretching approximately 605 feet into the sky, its spire pierces the clouds that often veil the earthquake-prone city. Although its height can seem frightening, especially when the Needle sways, it is actually safer than many tall buildings. The architects who designed the stunning structure kept one principle firmly in mind: the larger and higher the building, the stronger the base needs to be.

The Space Needle’s foundation is 30 feet deep, weighs 5,850 tons and contains 250 tons of reinforcing steel. The foundation is as heavy as the Needle, enabling the airy structure to withstand a wind velocity of 200 miles per hour. In 2001 it withstood an earthquake of 6.8 on the Richter scale. It is estimated that it can endure even greater shocks because the architects doubled the 1962 building code requirements.

Jesus likens our spiritual foundation to a building with a strong, immovable base. In his analogy, he tells of a wise builder who “laid the foundation on rock” (verse 48). We know that sooner or later, floods will come in one form or another: illness, financial problems, a relationship breakdown, societal calamities, terrorism or natural disasters. If we don’t take Jesus’ words to heart and put them into practice, we are on shaky ground. But if we build our spiritual lives on what he says, we can withstand anything that shakes us.

And what strong words had Jesus given his followers? Love your enemies and be good to them (see verses 27–36). Exchange kindness for anger, silence for gossip, a sweet spirit for bitterness. Don’t judge others but accept them as God has accepted you. Forgive, because you have been forgiven (see verse 37). Be generous, and generosity will come back to you when you most need it (see verse 38). Be more concerned with your own purity than about the purity of others (see verses 41–42). Care about the goodness of your heart because your words will reveal, no matter how good an actress you are, what’s really inside (see verses 44–45). The rock solid foundation isn’t an abstract notion. The “rocks,” ironically, are a soft heart and a gentle spirit. And those can only come from the Rock of Ages, Jesus Christ.

Father, we who have received Christ early in our young years are grateful for the solid and lasting foundation we’re building that will provide comfort, solidity, and needed perspective when we approach the golden years of our life here on earth. The older we get the more this earth and all that it has to offer grows dimmer while the lights of glory grow ever brighter. It happens because our eyes are fixed on the eternal city not built with human hands but fashioned and designed by the Builder of the Ages. Keep us true Lord Jesus, for there’s a race to be run and there are victories to be won on this side of heaven. We pray this in the name of Jesus. Amen.

In Jesus,
Chaplain Kenny

Seeking God?
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Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Jesus likens our spiritual foundation to a building with a strong, immovable base.

Un dia a la Vez - Dame sabiduría

Dame sabiduría

Si a alguno de ustedes le falta sabiduría, pídasela a Dios, y él se la dará [...] Pero que pida con fe, sin dudar.

~ Santiago 1:5-6 (NVI)

Así comienza una bellísima canción. Sé que no todos conocen al intérprete. La canción se llama «Dame sabiduría» y al cantante le dicen cariñosamente «Perucho» (Héctor Perucho Rivera), donde dice «dame sabiduría para alargar mis días».

En el Manual de Instrucciones se nos enseña que si tenemos falta de sabiduría, se la pidamos a Dios y Él nos la dará en abundancia (Santiago 1:5). También en ese mismo capítulo de Santiago, Dios nos advierte que pidamos con fe para que no seamos «como las olas del mar, agitadas y llevadas de un lado a otro por el viento» (v. 6).

La sabiduría nos capacita para enfrentarnos a diferentes pruebas. Al mismo tiempo, nos invita a tener un gran gozo. Algo muy interesante es que la sabiduría no es la posesión de información, sino la cordura.

A las mujeres se nos afirma con claridad en Proverbios 14:1 lo siguiente: «La mujer sabia edifica su casa; la necia, con sus manos la destruye».

La Biblia dice también que «el corazón del sabio hace prudente su boca, y añade gracia a sus labios» (Proverbios 16:23, rv-60).

Cuando aprendemos a ser sabios, sabemos que tomaremos mejores decisiones. Seremos mejores seres humanos y sabremos administrar como Dios quiere nuestra vida en general.

Un Día a la Vez Copyright © by Claudia Pinzón
En el Manual de Instrucciones se nos enseña que si tenemos falta de sabiduría, se la pidamos a Dios y Él nos la dará en abundancia.

Standing Strong Through the Storm - GOD AS DELIVERER

GOD AS DELIVERER

“And now the cry of the Israelites has reached me, and I have seen the way the Egyptians are oppressing them. So now, go. I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people the Israelites out of Egypt.”

~ Exodus 3: 9-10 (NIV)

Moses may have been delighted to hear that the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob was a God with a heart for His people’s suffering. Delighted too that this God with such a father’s heart then rises from His throne—not commanding armies of angels to relieve the suffering of His people—and comes down in His own person to deliver them from the hands of the Egyptians.

But Moses is totally taken back by the command, “I am sending YOU, Moses, to Pharaoh in order to bring the Israelis out of Egypt.” Moses reaction is one of self-deprecation and insecurity. He poses innumerable questions and obstacles. God promises to go with him and give Moses the exact words to say. God is able to deliver. And often He will ask YOU to be His agent.

In Iran, Pastor Haik Hovsepian (martyred in 1994) recorded many messages. It has been possible to distribute thousands of his tapes. One of the people who recently got hold of a tape is a Quran reciter. He has a very powerful voice and many times he has been invited to recite the Quran in different mosques in Iran. He also passionately recited about the life of the dead Imams (Muhammad’s descendants) in mourning ceremonies in order to make people cry. He used to be a very religious person himself.

When he got hold of a sermon of Haik, he realized that through religion he cannot be saved. He was in captivity of some immoral sins such as alcohol abuse and adultery. When he heard about the difference between religion and salvation of Jesus, the Spirit of God spoke to his heart. Every time he listened to this tape, he felt even more convinced that he needed the salvation of Jesus, until he finally gave his life to the Lord. By then he was not only liberated from the captivity of his sins, but also from the captivity of the religion with which he was identifying. He is now using his voice to sing for the Lord and shares about Jesus wherever he goes.

As he was a well-known person among Muslim religious leaders and other people, one evening the secret police knocked at his door. Two weeks later, they released him from prison on bail until his trial date. He had to borrow half of the money from his relatives as his savings were not enough. Since he lost his job as a Quran reciter, he does not have any source of income, so it is difficult for him to live and to pay the money back to his family. He is trusting God to totally deliver him. Praise God for the steadfast faith of this brother in following Jesus.

RESPONSE: Today I will trust God for deliverance from every challenge and temptation I face.

PRAYER: Thank You Lord for this precious deliverance record of Your power and goodness. I am available to act as Your agent in this world of suffering.

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

Men of the Bible - Joseph

Joseph

His name means: "May He [the Lord] Add"

His work: As governor of Egypt he saved many lives, including those of his own family, thus preserving God's people during a time of famine.
His character: Other than committing the youthful indiscretion of sharing dreams that made his brothers jealous, it is hard to find fault with Jacob's favorite son, Joseph. A dreamer and an interpreter of dreams, he overcame great adversity to rise to a place of prominence and power in the land of Egypt. A great-hearted man, God blessed him with wisdom and success.
His sorrow: To have been sold into slavery by brothers who hated him and to have been imprisoned for a crime he did not commit.
His triumph: To be reconciled with his brothers and reunited with his father and then to be used by God to preserve their lives and the lives of many others.
Key Scriptures: Genesis 37, 39-50

A Look at the Man

After suffering so much misfortune, Joseph prospered in remarkable ways, governing the land he had entered as a slave and being reunited with his family. It's almost a storybook ending, in which the hero lives happily ever after. God's hand of blessing was so firmly on Joseph that nothing could keep him down—not the jealousy of his brothers, not slavery, not false accusations, not imprisonment. He was like the bar of soap that keeps rising to the top no matter how many times it's shoved beneath the water.

Was there something about Joseph that made it easy for God to bless him? Consider his position in Potiphar's house and his response to Potiphar's wife's attempt to seduce him: "No one is greater in this house than I am. My master has withheld nothing from me except you, because you are his wife. How then could I do such a wicked thing and sin against God?"

Now consider the first temptation of the first man, Adam: "The LORD God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it. And the LORD God commanded the man, ‘You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat of it you will surely die'" (Genesis 2:15-17). Like Joseph, Adam was put in charge of everything. His master, God, had withheld nothing from him, except one thing—fruit from a tree in Eden. But, unlike Joseph, it was the one thing Adam could not refuse himself. And his disobedience ruined him for paradise.

It seems clear that obedience is a key to experiencing God's blessing. A life of obedience, coupled with God's power, is what enabled Joseph to provide deliverance for so many people. A life of obedience is what enabled Jesus to restore our relationship with God and open the gates of paradise. Like Jesus and like Joseph, we all are called to counter Adam's sin by living our life in loving obedience to God, realizing that his blessings are a taste of the paradise that awaits us.

Reflect On: Genesis 45:1–13
Praise God: Because he can use what others intend for evil to accomplish great good.
Offer Thanks: For his persistent blessings.
Confess: Any tendency to doubt God’s love because you equate blessing with ease.
Ask God: To make you a person whose life will bless many others.

Today's reading is a brief excerpt from Men of the Bible: A One-Year Devotional Study of Men in Scripture by Ann Spangler and Robert Wolgemuth (Zondervan). © 2010 by Ann Spangler. Used with permission. All rights reserved. Enjoy the complete book by purchasing your own copy at the Bible Gateway Store. The book's title must be included when sharing the above content on social media.
After suffering so much misfortune, Joseph prospered in remarkable ways.

Girlfriends in God - At Home in God’s Love

At Home in God’s Love

Mary Southerland

Today’s Truth

As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love.

~ John 15:9 (NIV)

Friend to Friend

Our twin grandchildren were born on December 2. Their mom and dad go out of their way to make their birthday special since it is so close to Christmas. But Jodi wanted to make this year’s birthday celebration extra-special since Lelia and Jaydan were turning 10 – the first double-digit birthday!

Jodi and Jered sectioned off half of their basement garage for games like hot potato, beanbag toss, and the old fashioned game of Gossip. Thankfully, the weather co-operated. It was a gorgeous day with fresh, crisp autumn air, clear blue skies, and just the hint of a breeze. The kids played soccer, football, and even one or two games of Red Rover until we remembered why we should not play it any more. It is painful!

Nearly all of the kids in Lelia and Jaydan’s school class came. It was delicious chaos for two hours. After all of the children left, it was family time – time for us to give Jaydan and Lelia our presents. I could tell Jaydan was especially excited as everyone gathered in the living room to witness the unveiling of the long-awaited birthday gifts. Jaydan has developed a love for Legos and knows his Mimi and Papa delight in feeding that love. He was definitely hoping for a Lego set of some kind.

When Jaydan started to pick up the present we bought him, his mom said, “Jay, why don’t you save that one for last?” Jaydan looked at us and grinned. He then began to open the rest of his gifts, hugging his little brother and sisters, thanking them for their gifts. He reached for our gift and then … oh, yes he did … he shook it! When he heard the rattle sound he had come to love so well, he put one fist in the air and said, “Yes! It’s Legos! Thank you, Mimi and Papa!”

Yes, the gift was a Lego set, but Jaydan had no idea that it was the Lego Ice Tank he had been wanting for months. When he saw the box, Jaydan’s mouth fell open and he said, “I can’t believe it!”

We got some great hugs from Jaydan for those Legos! But I was surprised when Jaydan’s little four-year-old brother, Mo James, gave me a big hug and said, “Thank you, Mimi!” I didn’t understand. “Mo, what are you thanking me for?” I asked. With a sweet smile he said, “For giving my brother such a great gift!”

And a little bit of heaven melted my heart, filling my soul with wonder. I just sat still for a moment, letting the profound truth taught by a child take root.

Mo had not received any presents.

Mo was far too young to play with the Legos Jay had received.

Mo just realized how happy our gift had made his brother and wanted to thank us for giving it to him.

When was the last time you celebrated the success of someone in your life instead of coveting that success?

If we want to live a life full of joy, we must learn to love each other the way Jesus loves us. That is the best kind of love. Jesus said so in John 15:11-12, “I’ve told you these things for a purpose: that My joy might be your joy, and your joy wholly mature. This is my command: Love one another the way I loved you. This is the very best way to love (The Message).

Jesus spent the first part of the John 15 describing the love God has for us. He wants us to be at home in that love - to revel in it every minute of every day. God’s love only sees the best in others – no judgment. When we are at home in God’s love, we become a safe place for those who are hurting and broken, those who are lonely and misunderstood.

Today, I encourage you to surrender to God’s fathomless love for you. Don’t try to understand it. Don’t try to earn it. Don’t try to justify it. It is a gift – one you can truly celebrate and one in which you can make yourself at home.

Let’s Pray

Father, I come to You today in desperate need of Your love. I know I don’t deserve it and could never do enough good things to earn it. I am tired of trying, Lord. I surrender. I give You my heart and my soul and celebrate the way You love me. Please help me love others in the same way.
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen.

Now It’s Your Turn

Read John 15:1-17. Underline the word “love” in each verse. In your journal, write a love letter to God. Pour out your heart to Him and ask Him to help you be at home in His love.

More from the Girlfriends

True love doesn't collapse under pressure or fall apart in the hard times. How can we experience and practice that kind of love? In her CD, Love That Never Fails, Mary shares her story and explains how to define, discover, and experience unconditional love. (Also available as MP3 download.)

Be sure to check out Mary’s book excerpts, articles, and FREE MP3s. Connect with Mary on Facebook or through email.

Seeking God?

Click HERE to find out more about how to have a personal

relationship with Jesus Christ.

Girlfriends in God

www.girlfriendsingod.com

Our twin grandchildren were born on December 2.

LHM Devotion - February 16, 2018 "Nets or Hooks?"

Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries

"Nets or Hooks?"

Feb. 16, 2018

Read Mark 1:16-20

Passing alongside the Sea of Galilee, He saw Simon and Andrew the brother of Simon casting a net into the sea, for they were fishermen. And Jesus said to them, "Follow Me, and I will make you become fishers of men."

~ Mark 1:16-17 (ESV)

When I was a child, we would often camp at Kern River in the Sierras and go trout fishing. My family had a garage full of fishing gear. There was a tackle box and rods and reels and strange little jars of bright red salmon eggs for bait. And there were fish hooks: nasty looking things that could go right through a finger if we weren't careful.

The hooks were why I didn't like fishing much. Oh, I liked being out on the rocks and watching the water. And I understood about fish dying so we could eat, and that didn't really bother me. But I didn't want to see some poor fish come up struggling with my hook impaled in its lip. And so I was secretly glad when I never caught anything.

I think a lot of people feel this way about evangelism, too. It seems somehow dishonest to bait a spiritual hook and dangle it in front of someone else's nose, even for a good cause. It doesn't feel open or respectful. Maybe we, too, are glad not to catch anything.

But this isn't the kind of fishing Jesus calls us to do. The men Jesus called didn't mess around with bait or hooks. They were net fishermen. They caught many fish at once, and they did it openly. There was no trickery, and there was no extra unnecessary pain for the fish.

But when they began fishing for people, it was even better -- because these human "fish" were destined for life, not death. These fish would become God's own beloved people, His children -- because the Master Fisherman, Jesus Christ, laid down His own life for their sake. Hooks and bait, pain and suffering? Jesus took it all -- so that we, His catch, might live.

THE PRAYER: Thank You, Lord, for catching me to be Your own. Use me to bring others to faith in You. Amen.

Use these devotions in your newsletter and bulletin! Used by permission; all rights reserved by the Int'l LLL (LHM).
When I was a child, we would often camp at Kern River in the Sierras and go trout fishing.

Devocional del CPTLN de 16 de Febrero de 2018 "¿REDES O GANCHOS?"

ALIMENTO DIARIO

"¿REDES O GANCHOS?"

16 de Febrero de 2018

Febrero 16

Leer Marcos 1:16-20

Mientras Jesús caminaba junto al lago de Galilea, vio a Simón y a su hermano Andrés. Estaban echando la red al agua, porque eran pescadores. Jesús les dijo: "Síganme, y yo haré de ustedes pescadores de hombres".

~ Marcos 1:16-17 (RVC)

Cuando era niña, a menudo íbamos a acampar al río Kern en las Sierras, donde pescábamos truchas. El garaje de mi casa estaba lleno de equipos de pesca. Había una caja con aparejos, cañas, carretes y pequeños frascos con huevos de salmón de color rojo brillante que usábamos de carnada. También había anzuelos: esos ganchos horribles que podían atravesar un dedo si uno no tenía cuidado.

Los anzuelos eran la razón por la cual no me gustaba mucho la pesca. Sí disfrutaba estar en las rocas junto al agua. Y también comprendía que los pescados tuvieran que morir para que pudiéramos alimentarnos. Eso no me molestaba. Pero no quería ver a un pobre pescado salir del agua luchando con mi anzuelo clavado en su boca, por lo que me alegraba en secreto cuando no pescaba nada.

Creo que muchas personas sienten lo mismo con respecto al evangelismo. De alguna manera les parece deshonesto tratar de hacer "picar el anzuelo espiritual" a alguien, aun cuando sea por una buena causa. Sienten como que no están siendo honestos. Quizás nosotros también nos alegramos cuando no pescamos nada.

Pero esa no es la clase de pesca a la cual Jesús nos llama. Los hombres a quienes Jesús llamó no pescaban con anzuelos y carnadas, sino con redes. Pescaban muchos peces a la vez y lo hacían abiertamente. No usaban ningún truco y no causaban ningún dolor innecesario a los peces.

Y cuando comenzaron a pescar personas, la pesca fue mucho mejor aún: porque esos "peces" humanos estaban destinados a la vida y no a la muerte. Esos peces habrían de ser el amado pueblo de Dios, sus hijos; porque Jesucristo, el maestro pescador, habría de dar su vida por ellos. ¿Anzuelos y carnada, dolor y sufrimiento? Jesús los tomó todos sobre sí para que nosotros, su pesca, podamos vivir.

ORACIÓN: Gracias, Jesús, por pescarme y hacerme tuyo. Utilízame para traer a otros a la fe en ti. Amén.

© Copyright 2018 Cristo Para Todas Las Naciones. Que a través de estos devocionales, la Palabra de Dios te refresque en tu diario caminar.
Cuando era niña, a menudo íbamos a acampar al río Kern en las Sierras, donde pescábamos truchas.

Lời Sống Hằng Ngày - Yêu Thương Mọi Người

Yêu Thương Mọi Người

Đọc: Lê-vi ký 19:33-34 | Đọc Kinh Thánh suốt năm: Lê-vi ký 19-20; Ma-thi-ơ 27:51-66

Download MP3

Ngoại kiều cư ngụ giữa các con phải được xem như người bản địa; các con phải thương yêu họ như chính mình.

~ Lê-vi ký 19:34

Tôi nhóm lại với một hội thánh nằm trên một cánh đồng khá rộng, đây là một điều hiếm có tại đảo quốc Singapore (một đất nước chỉ dài hơn 40 km và rộng hơn 14 km). Trước đây, những người lao động nhập cư thường tụ tập vui chơi, ăn uống trên khu đất nhà thờ mỗi Chúa Nhật.

Việc này gây ra nhiều phản ứng trái chiều trong vòng những người đi nhà thờ. Một số người lo ngại họ sẽ xả rác bừa bãi. Nhưng một số khác thì lại xem đây là cơ hội Chúa đem đến để họ bày tỏ lòng hiếu khách với những người xa lạ mà thậm chí không cần ra khỏi khuôn viên nhà thờ!

Chắc hẳn dân Y-sơ-ra-ên đã đối diện với vấn đề tương tự trong thời của họ. Sau khi định cư trong vùng đất mới, họ phải vất vả tìm cách xây dựng mối liên hệ với các dân khác. Nhưng Chúa đã truyền lệnh rõ ràng là họ phải cư xử với người ngoại bang giống như với đồng bào của mình và phải yêu thương họ như chính mình (Lê. 19:34). Nhiều luật lệ của Chúa đặc biệt đề cập đến người ngoại bang: không được ngược đãi hay áp bức họ nhưng phải yêu thương và giúp đỡ họ (Xuất. 23:9, Phục. 10:19). Nhiều thế kỷ sau, Chúa Jêsus cũng truyền cho chúng ta phải làm điều tương tự: yêu thương người lân cận như chính mình (Mác 12:31).

Nguyện chúng ta cũng có tấm lòng của Chúa để biết yêu thương người khác như chính mình, nhớ rằng chúng ta cũng chỉ là những lữ khách trên đất. Dầu vậy, chúng ta được yêu thương như dân của Chúa, được đối đãi như dân thuộc về Ngài.

Lạy Cha, Ngài đã tạo nên mỗi một người chúng con theo hình ảnh của Ngài. Xin giúp chúng con biết yêu thương những khách lạ và tìm cách mang tình yêu của Ngài đến với họ.

Bí quyết để yêu thương người khác là nắm lấy tình yêu của Chúa dành cho chúng ta.

bởi Leslie Koh

© 2018 Lời Sống Hằng Ngày
Tôi nhóm lại với một hội thánh nằm trên một cánh đồng khá rộng, đây là một điều hiếm có tại đảo quốc Singapore.