Saturday, January 18, 2020

The Sunday Lectionary Readings for SUNDAY, January 19, 2020 — 2nd Sunday after the Epiphany

https://www.biblegateway.com/reading-plans/revised-common-lectionary-complementary/2020/01/19?version=NIV
Isaiah 49:1-7; Psalm 40:1-11; 1 Corinthians 1:1-9; John 1:29-42

The Sunday Lectionary Readings
SUNDAY, January 19, 2020 — 2nd Sunday after the Epiphany
(Revised Common Lectionary Year A)

Polished Arrows
Isaiah 49:1-7; Psalm 40:1-11; 1 Corinthians 1:1-9; John 1:29-42

How Long? Not Long!
Martin Luther King Jr. in Montgomery, Alabama on March 25, 1965.

Opening Statement
It’s hard to ignore a scripture passage that begins, “Listen to me . . . hear this, you distant nations!” (Isaiah 49:1). God is definitely trying to get our attention! It is clear from this text (and from the world around us) that there is plenty of work to be done in the task of building up God’s realm. In fact, a quick glance at the newspapers and TV reports could easily cause us to be overwhelmed by the magnitude of the task. Yet both the Isaiah and 1 Corinthians readings assure us that we are not only called to do God’s work, we are well equipped by the very One who has called us. Our faithful God strengthens us for the task and has already given us the support we need through Jesus Christ.


The Word Became Flesh

Opening Prayer (Isaiah 49, 1 Corinthians 1)
God of Isaiah, you are our God, too. You spoke to the prophets, but your message did not end with them. There is still work to be done, and we pray to hear your call afresh. Help us joyfully claim our role as your beloved servants, knowing that you provide all that we need to do our work. You walked with us before we were even born, and you continue to hold us by the hand each and every day of our lives. We pray with the confidence of those who have been filled with your light. We pray with the assurance of those who have been called into fellowship with your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.

The Collect (Book of Common Prayers)
Almighty God, whose Son our Savior Jesus Christ is the light of the world: Grant that your people, illumined by your Word and Sacraments, may shine with the radiance of Christ's glory, that he may be known, worshipped, and obeyed to the ends of the earth; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, now and forever. Amen.

Prayer of Confession (Isaiah 49, Psalm 40, 1 Corinthians 1)
Faithful God, you call us to be saints, but we are more comfortable with the role of sinner; you call us to be your servants, but we worry that we lack the skills to do your work; you put a new song of praise in our mouths, but we stumble on unfamiliar words; you show us the work to be tackled, but we turn away defiant, insisting we have more important things to do. Put your song on our lips and in our hearts, and remind us of the joy that awaits us when we put our trust in you. Guide us into the light of your unwavering, never-ending, and grace-filled love. Amen.

Words of Assurance (1 Corinthians 1)
God is faithful and ever-present. The God who knew us before our birth loves us still and strengthens us, that we will one day be blameless. Through the gift of Jesus Christ, God offers forgiveness, grace, and mercy. Enter into the light!

Prayer of the Day
Holy God, our strength and our redeemer, by your Spirit hold us forever, that through your grace we may worship you and faithfully serve you, follow you and joyfully find you, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.


First Reading
The servant brings light to the nations
1  Listen to me, you islands;
     hear this, you distant nations:
   Before I was born the Lord called me;
     from my mother’s womb he has spoken my name.
2  He made my mouth like a sharpened sword,
     in the shadow of his hand he hid me;
   he made me into a polished arrow
     and concealed me in his quiver.
3  He said to me, “You are my servant,
     Israel, in whom I will display my splendor.”
4  But I said, “I have labored in vain;
     I have spent my strength for nothing at all.
   Yet what is due me is in the Lord’s hand,
     and my reward is with my God.”

5  And now the Lord says—
     he who formed me in the womb to be his servant
   to bring Jacob back to him
     and gather Israel to himself,
   for I am honored in the eyes of the Lord
     and my God has been my strength—
6  he says:
   “It is too small a thing for you to be my servant
     to restore the tribes of Jacob
     and bring back those of Israel I have kept.
   I will also make you a light for the Gentiles,
     that my salvation may reach to the ends of the earth.”

7  This is what the Lord says—
     the Redeemer and Holy One of Israel—
   to him who was despised and abhorred by the nation,
     to the servant of rulers:
   “Kings will see you and stand up,
     princes will see and bow down,
   because of the Lord, who is faithful,
     the Holy One of Israel, who has chosen you.”


Doing the will of God
1  I waited patiently for the Lord;
     he turned to me and heard my cry.
2  He lifted me out of the slimy pit,
     out of the mud and mire;
   he set my feet on a rock
     and gave me a firm place to stand.
3  He put a new song in my mouth,
     a hymn of praise to our God.
   Many will see and fear the Lord
     and put their trust in him.

4  Blessed is the one
     who trusts in the Lord,
   who does not look to the proud,
     to those who turn aside to false gods.
5  Many, Lord my God,
     are the wonders you have done,
     the things you planned for us.
   None can compare with you;
     were I to speak and tell of your deeds,
     they would be too many to declare.

6 Sacrifice and offering you did not desire—
     but my ears you have opened—
     burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not require.
7  Then I said, “Here I am, I have come—
     it is written about me in the scroll.
8  I desire to do your will, my God;
     your law is within my heart.”

9  I proclaim your saving acts in the great assembly;
     I do not seal my lips, Lord,
     as you know.
10 I do not hide your righteousness in my heart;
     I speak of your faithfulness and your saving help.
   I do not conceal your love and your faithfulness
     from the great assembly.

11 Do not withhold your mercy from me, Lord;
     may your love and faithfulness always protect me.


Second Reading
Paul’s greeting to the church at Corinth
1:1 Paul, called to be an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and our brother Sosthenes,

2 To the church of God in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus and called to be his holy people, together with all those everywhere who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ—their Lord and ours:

3 Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

4 I always thank my God for you because of his grace given you in Christ Jesus. 5 For in him you have been enriched in every way—with all kinds of speech and with all knowledge— 6 God thus confirming our testimony about Christ among you. 7 Therefore you do not lack any spiritual gift as you eagerly wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed. 8 He will also keep you firm to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 God is faithful, who has called you into fellowship with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.


Gospel Acclamation
Alleluia. In the Word was life,and the life was the light of all people. Alleluia. (John 1:4)


The Gospel
Christ revealed as the Lamb of God
1:29 The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! 30 This is the one I meant when I said, ‘A man who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.’ 31 I myself did not know him, but the reason I came baptizing with water was that he might be revealed to Israel.”

32 Then John gave this testimony: “I saw the Spirit come down from heaven as a dove and remain on him. 33 And I myself did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water told me, ‘The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’ 34 I have seen and I testify that this is God’s Chosen One.”

35 The next day John was there again with two of his disciples. 36 When he saw Jesus passing by, he said, “Look, the Lamb of God!”

37 When the two disciples heard him say this, they followed Jesus. 38 Turning around, Jesus saw them following and asked, “What do you want?”

They said, “Rabbi” (which means “Teacher”), “where are you staying?”

39 “Come,” he replied, “and you will see.”

So they went and saw where he was staying, and they spent that day with him. It was about four in the afternoon.

40 Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, was one of the two who heard what John had said and who had followed Jesus. 41 The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon and tell him, “We have found the Messiah” (that is, the Christ). 42 And he brought him to Jesus.

Jesus looked at him and said, “You are Simon son of John. You will be called Cephas” (which, when translated, is Peter).


Here end the Lessons

Click HERE to read today’s Holy Gospel Lesson message

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

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

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



Optional parts of the readings are set off in [square brackets.]

The Bible texts of the Old Testament, Epistle, and Gospel lessons are from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
The Daily Lectionary for SUNDAY, January 19, 2020 — 2nd Sunday after the Epiphany
Polished Arrows
Isaiah 49:1-7; Psalm 40:1-11; 1 Corinthians 1:1-9; John 1:29-42

“Amazing Grace!” The Sermon for SUNDAY, January 19, 2020 — 2nd Sunday after the Epiphany


Our Gospel message comes to us today from the 1st chapter of John, beginning with the 29th verse.

The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! This is the one I meant when I said, ‘A man who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.’ I myself did not know him, but the reason I came baptizing with water was that he might be revealed to Israel.”

Then John gave this testimony: “I saw the Spirit come down from heaven as a dove and remain on him. And I myself did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water told me, ‘The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.’ I have seen and I testify that this is God’s Chosen One.”

The next day John was there again with two of his disciples. When he saw Jesus passing by, he said, “Look, the Lamb of God!”

When the two disciples heard him say this, they followed Jesus. Turning around, Jesus saw them following and asked, “What do you want?”

They said, “Rabbi” (which means “Teacher”), “where are you staying?”

“Come,” he replied, “and you will see.”

So they went and saw where he was staying, and they spent that day with him. It was about four in the afternoon.

Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, was one of the two who heard what John had said and who had followed Jesus. The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon and tell him, “We have found the Messiah” (that is, the Christ). And he brought him to Jesus.

Jesus looked at him and said, “You are Simon son of John. You will be called Cephas” (which, when translated, is Peter).

Dear Heavenly Father, you have revealed yourself to us through your Word, recorded in the Scriptures, spoken by the prophets, but most clearly through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, your Word become flesh. Through the power of your Holy Spirit, open our hearts and minds to your Word, that we might perceive your presence among us, embrace your truth for our lives, and gain the courage to witness to others of your redeeming grace. This we ask in Christ’s holy name. Amen.

“Amazing Grace!”

“Amazing grace! How sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now am found;
Was blind, but now I see.”

There’s a reason the hymn ‘Amazing Grace’ remains the favorite hymn for so many people. The powerful lyrics remind us that because of Jesus, none of us are ever lost because God is with us always.

A man stood in the outer court of heaven and saw a glorious crowd marching up, singing hymns and bearing banners of victory, they passed by him through the gates into the courts of heaven. “Who are these?” he asked.

One answered, “They are the prophets, who are going to see God.”

“Alas, I am not one of them. I cannot enter here.”

Soon another group of great personalities came upwards on the road’ robed in white robes. They passed through the gates of heaven, and shouts of welcome were heard from within. “And who are these?” he asked.

“They are the apostles.” came the answer.

“Alas,” said the man.

“I am not of their noble company. I cannot go in.”

Then another group came up the road, this time, the singing was even louder, and the members of this group waved psalm branches. “Who are these people,” demanded the man.

The answer came, “They are the martyrs who died for their faith.”

“Alas, I belong to no such company,” said the man. He wondered if he would ever find a group to join so that he would d be invited into heaven.

Then another group came up the road to the gates of heaven. The heavenly hosts within greeted this group with shouts of welcome, with songs of praise with shouts of jubilation. All of heaven seemed to rock with the excitement of this group being ready to pass through the heavenly gates. The man began to recognize some in this group.

There was the woman who had been accused of adultery and the notorious publican, and the thief on the cross and Zacchaeus, and the woman who anointed Jesus’ feet with oil, the prodigal son and in the midst of them was the Savior Himself, Christ Jesus, leading them through the gates of heaven. As they were welcomed through the gates of heaven, songs of praise and triumph swelled to the highest vaults: a sevenfold amen sounded from the heavenly choirs.

The man was told, “These are the sinners, saved by amazing Grace.”

The man said as he joined the group, “Blessed be God, I can go in with this group. I have been saved by amazing grace.”

Saved by amazing grace is the key phrase associated with our gospel text this morning. In this season of Epiphany, we see Jesus Christ revealed in all of his splendor, manifested in all of His glory. One of these ways He is revealed we see revealed this morning is the title which John Baptist gives Jesus as he calls him the Lamb of God. He says in our text, “Behold the Lamb Lamb of God. God who takes away the sin of the world!!” John knew that the Lamb in the Old Testament on the Day of Atonement was the sign and symbol of God’s forgiving power as the blood of a sacrificed lamb wee sprinkled on another lamb, which was driven from the people into the wilderness.

John was saying that the Lamb of God came for sinners. People who knew they were in bondage to sin. People who knew they needed a transformation in their lives, and as C.S.Lewis says, “God’s purpose is not just to create nice people or to effect some moral improvement in us.” “Rather,” says Lewis, “God became man to turn creatures into sons; into daughters, not simply to produce better people of the old kind but to produce a new kind of person.” “It costs God nothing to create nice things but to convert rebellious wills cost Him crucifixion.”

At conversion, God comes to rebuild the house. At first, you can understand what he is doing. He fixes the drains, stops the leaks in the roof, etc. You knew these jobs needed to be done, so you are not surprised. But pretty soon, he starts to tear down part of the house in such a way that it hurts a lot and doesn’t seem to make any sense. “What on earth is he up to?” you think. The explanation is that. He is building quite a different house from the one you thought of putting a new wing on over here, an extra floor over there. YOU thought you were just going to be made into a decent little cottage. But he is building a palace. Indeed, He intends to come and live in it Himself. “Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit and dwells in you?” (I Cor. 3:16)

“But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own people, that you may declare the wonderful deeds of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light. Once you were no people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy” (I Peter 2:9, 10).

Indeed you and I are saved by amazing grace, the grace of the Lamb of God who is revealed in this season of Epiphany as the Lamb who takes away our sins so that the Father in Heaven can see us as white as snow, not the scarlet red of our sins. The purity of Christ’s AMAZING GRACE as He brings that grace of His own accord into our sinful lives by way of the cross and the resurrections is our salvation, our redemption. We are indeed, changed, transformed made new people because of the Lamb of God. As we continue to see this Christ during this season of Epiphany, remember He is the New Adam, the new man, the new person, and as He comes into our YOU and I are changed and we become not just changed-over-people but new people.

It begins slowly, then gradually a change comes so that we don’t even know ourselves. We realize we are powerless to overcome sin in our lives by ourselves; we need His amazing grace.

We come to believe and trust in the Lamb of God, the Son of God, Jesus Christ, as the only great power which can restore and rebuild our lives.

Finally, we realize each day we must turn our lives over to His power so that He can restore, rebuild, change, and forgive us our sins daily.

“When we’ve been there ten thousand years,
Bright shining as the sun,
We’ve no less days to sing God’s praise
Than when we’d first begun.”

Let us pray: Lord, it is through Your amazing grace and incredible love that I am who I am—a sinner saved by grace through faith in Christ Jesus, my Lord and Savior.

Thank You that I have been set free from the law of sin and death by the Spirit of life, Who indwells my heart and Who teaches all those who walk in newness of life… Your truth and knowledge—for You are a faithful and gracious God Who is rich in mercy and love.

Thank You that I have been redeemed by Christ and am fully justified in Your eyes because He was made sin on my account… and paid the full price for my sin—and how I praise You that by God’s grace, I have been brought back into fellowship with God.

Thank You that Christ is raised from the dead and has become the first-fruit of those that rise… and that I am a partaker of His eternal life, through time and into eternity… and thank You that there is no condemnation to those that are in Christ Jesus—thank You in Jesus’ precious name for Your amazing grace, Amen.

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Scripture is taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. Sermon contributed by Rev. Tim Zingale.
Saved by amazing grace is the key phrase associated with our gospel text this morning. In this season of Epiphany, we see Jesus Christ revealed in all of his splendor, manifested in all of His glory.

The Daily Prayer for SUNDAY, January 19, 2020


The Daily Prayer
SUNDAY, January 19, 2020

Contemporary writer Madeleine L’Engle wrote, “We are all asked to do more than we can do. Every hero and heroine of the Bible does more than he would have thought it possible to do, from Gideon to Esther to Mary. Jacob, one of my favorite characters, certainly wasn’t qualified. He was a liar and a cheat; and yet he was given the extraordinary vision of angels and archangels ascending and descending a ladder which reached from earth to heaven.”

Lord, this is the day that you have made. Let us rejoice and be glad in it, even as we know it will bring more than we can do. Amen.

Verse of the Day SUNDAY, January 19, 2020

https://www.biblegateway.com/reading-plans/verse-of-the-day/2020/01/19?version=NIV

Matthew 7:12
So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.
Read all of Matthew 7

Listen to Matthew 7

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 - Domingo 19 de enero de 2020

https://www.biblegateway.com/devotionals/un-dia-vez/2020/01/19

Dios conoce tus sueños

Ante ti, Señor, están todos mis deseos; no te son un secreto mis anhelos.
Salmo 38:9 (NVI)

Ayer aprendimos que con la ayuda de Dios podemos dejar atrás nuestro pasado y forjar nuevas metas. Así como en una sencilla oración puedes pedirle que te muestre su voluntad, Dios es especialista en hacer realidad los sueños más profundos de nuestro corazón.

Su Palabra dice que antes de que nosotros abramos nuestra boca para pedirle algo, Él ya conoce ese deseo (véase Mateo 6:8). Sin embargo, le gusta que seamos bien específicos en lo que queremos.

Muchas personas creen que, debido a que no han visto aún un sueño hecho realidad, ese sueño no es posible y lo descartan. Dios hoy quiere decirte que Él conoce tu corazón, quiere que tengas una relación personal con Él y que aprendas a entender que nuestro tiempo no es su tiempo y nuestros pensamientos no son sus pensamientos (véase Isaías 55:8).

Sin embargo, algo que siempre me dio mucha seguridad ante mis anhelos y deseos del corazón es que sabía que Dios tenía lo mejor para mí. Y muchas veces me dijo «no» a cosas que le pedí y hoy en día entiendo que fue su perfecta voluntad.

Somos como niños cuando le piden a mami un dulce. A veces, sabemos que le puede caer pesado y que no es el momento. Aun así, ese pequeñito no lo entiende, y cuando se le da después de tanta insistencia, al niño le da un dolor fuerte de estómago.

Dios primero que todo es Padre y sabe lo que es bueno para cada uno de sus hijos. Por lo tanto, pon tus sueños delante de Él y confía en su mejor respuesta.

Un Día a la Vez Copyright © by Claudia Pinzón
Muchas personas creen que, debido a que no han visto aún un sueño hecho realidad, ese sueño no es posible y lo descartan.

Standing Strong Through the Storm - Sunday, January 19, 2020

https://www.biblegateway.com/devotionals/standing-strong-through-the-storm/2020/01/19
ONE BIG FAMILY IN CHRIST

The righteous perish, and no one takes it to heart; the devout are taken away, and no one understands that the righteous are taken away to be spared from evil. Those who walk uprightly enter into peace; they find rest as they lie in death.
Isaiah 57:1-2 (NIV)

I was reading this scripture on January 19th, 1994, the day Bishop Haik Hovsepian-Mehr mysteriously disappeared en route to the airport in the capital of Iran. He had spoken out courageously against the persecution of Iranian Christians and the closure of the Iranian Bible Society as well as the closing of a number of churches across Iran. He had campaigned vigorously for the release of Rev. Mehdi Dibaj from prison and had acted as a substitute father for Mehdi’s four children during his imprisonment in addition to his own four children. Days later his dead body with multiple stab wounds was identified.

Iranian Christians reported that the bishop was a brave and humble man who was much loved and respected by the church community in Iran. They added that in his last few weeks of life, he would often speak about his possible martyrdom for which he was prepared. At his memorial service, one of his taped sermons was played which spoke about giving your life for the sake of Jesus. One of his statements regarding the possibility of losing his life was made to Brother Andrew just weeks before he died, “I will not die a silent death!”

Today’s verses from the Bible gave me great encouragement as to the purpose of God in allowing martyrdom among His people. They rest in peace. But what about their families?

This day and event changed the life of Haik’s son, Andre, forever. He says, “As a pastor’s son growing up in Iran, I got used to the fact that sometimes my dad would be gone for a day or two for interrogation. But then on that dreadful day in January ’94, my father left the house and never came back.”

Looking back, Andre testifies that God used the love and support of the body of Christ to bring the Hovsepian family courage during the dark days following his father’s murder. “It meant a lot to me that someone I didn’t know from another country was praying for me and was caring for me.”

Andre and his mother, Takoosh, now live in the United States where they use their freedom to continue ministry to Iran via satellite. They produce programs, movies, teaching materials and music to air in all the Farsi-speaking nations like Iran, Tajikistan, Afghanistan, and Pakistan.

Andre and his family really value your prayers as, following in the footsteps of Haik himself, they work to advance the kingdom in those countries where still today faith costs the most.

He concludes, “I learned we are one big family in Christ—and I think that was the number one thing which gave us the courage and helped us heal.”

RESPONSE: Today I will accept the purposes of God in the martyrdom of His saints and pray for courage and healing among the members of the families left behind.

PRAYER: Thank You, Lord, for the way you are using the Hovsepian family in ministry back to their original homeland and region. May their efforts greatly expand Your kingdom.

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

LHM Daily Devotions January 19, 2020 - The Church's One Foundation

https://www.lhm.org/dailydevotions/default.asp?date=20200119

"The Church's One Foundation"

Jan. 19, 2020

♫ "The Church's one foundation, Is Jesus Christ, her Lord; She is His new creation, By water and the Word. From heav'n He came and sought her, To be His holy bride. With His own blood He bought her, And for her life He died.

"Though with a scornful wonder, The world sees her oppressed. By schisms rent asunder, By heresies distressed, Yet saints their watch are keeping; Their cry goes up, 'How long?' And soon the night of weeping, Shall be the morn of song." ♫

In our world today some people have a very low opinion of the church. The fallen world views the bride of Christ with "scornful wonder." They watch—sometimes with spiteful pleasure—as scandals and false teaching weaken and divide the church. Various surveys report that non-Christians view Christians as hypocritical and judgmental.

Those of us who are members of Christ's body, the church, recognize within ourselves many of the same problems that the world sees; we are all too aware of our sins and failures. It is distressing to realize how poorly we reflect the love of Jesus to the people we meet each day. Yet with repentant hearts, we also see by faith what an unbelieving world cannot see.

We see ourselves as Holy Scripture describes us, as our Lord sees us—redeemed and forgiven—each of us a new creation through the water and Word of Baptism. Called and enlightened by the Holy Spirit, we are the church—one holy, Christian people, the communion of saints. Jesus came and sought us "to be His holy bride." He offered up His life as the perfect sacrifice for our sins and purchased us "not with perishable things such as silver or gold," but with His blood shed on the cross (see 1 Peter 1:18-19). We are loved and precious to our Lord, clothed in His righteousness and holy in His sight, bearing a beauty the fallen world cannot see.

For now, the church will struggle and suffer, enduring scorn and ridicule and, in many places around the globe, suffering the active persecution of a world that hates Jesus' holy bride as it once hated her Bridegroom. We are distressed by the heresies and sin that tear apart various church bodies and threaten the earthly fellowship of the people of God.

We struggle too, in the power of the Holy Spirit, to reflect the love of Christ to the world, to be faithful witnesses for our Bridegroom. We want the world to see the peace and living hope we know in Christ. Sharing the good news of salvation, we pray that others will come to know and worship Jesus as Lord. Built on the firm foundation that is Christ Jesus, we look ahead to His return when the "night of weeping" will become "the morn of song," that bright day when Jesus' holy bride will rejoice forever in the presence of her Bridegroom.

THE PRAYER: Lord Jesus, You have bought us with Your holy, precious blood and clothed us in Your righteousness. Help us by the power of the Spirit to reflect Your love to the world and live as faithful witnesses for You. Amen.

Reflection Questions:
  • Do you think believers, in general, see Jesus as the church's one foundation, or are there other things that seem to be more important?
  • With everything that impacts the church these days (bad press, scandal, wild theologies, etc.), what will keep the church strong and Christ-focused?
  • Do you personally have a plan of action to keep your faith centered on Jesus? How so?

This Daily Devotion was written by Dr. Carol Geisler. It is based on the hymn, "The Church's One Foundation." Use these devotions in your newsletter and bulletin! Used by permission; all rights reserved by the Int'l LLL (LHM).
Do you think believers, in general, see Jesus as the church's one foundation, or are there other things that seem to be more important?

Unser Täglich Brot - Wenn Gott eingreift

https://unsertaeglichbrot.org/2020/01/19/wenn-gott-eingreift/

Wenn Gott eingreift

Lesung: 4. Mose 23,13–23 | Die Bibel in einem Jahr: 1. Mose 46–48Matthäus 13,1–30

Matthäus 13,1–30

In einem Gedicht mit dem Titel This Child Is Beloved (Dieses Kind wird geliebt) schreibt Omawumi Efueye, liebevoll als Pastor O bekannt, über die Versuche seiner Eltern, die Schwangerschaft zu beenden, die zu seiner Geburt führen würde. Nach mehreren ungewöhnlichen Ereignissen, die sie daran hinderten, ihn abzutreiben, beschlossen sie, stattdessen ihr Kind willkommen zu heißen. Die Erkenntnis, dass Gott sein Leben bewahrt hat, veranlasste Omawumi, eine einträgliche Karriere zugunsten eines Vollzeitdienstes aufzugeben. Heute ist er Pastor einer Londoner Kirche.

Wie Pastor O, erlebten die Israeliten Gottes Eingreifen zu einem verwundbaren Zeitpunkt in ihrer Geschichte. Als sie durch die Wildnis reisten, kamen sie in Sichtweite von König Balak von Moab. Angesichts ihrer Eroberungen und ihrer riesigen Bevölkerung beauftragte Balak einen Seher namens Bileam, die ahnungslosen Reisenden mit einem Fluch zu belegen (4. Mose 22,2–6)

Aber etwas Überraschendes geschah. Immer wenn Bileam den Mund öffnete, um zu fluchen, erteilte er stattdessen einen Segen. „Ich erhielt den Befehl zu segnen. Er hat gesegnet und ich kann den Segen nicht aufheben. Er sieht nichts Böses in Jakob und nimmt kein Unheil in Israel wahr. Der Herr, ihr Gott, ist mit ihnen; er ist ihr König, dem ihr Jubel gilt. Gott hat sie aus Ägypten geführt, er ist für sie wie die Hörner eines wilden Stiers.“ (4. Mose 23,20-22). Gott hat die Israeliten vor einem Kampf bewahrt, von dem sie nicht einmal wussten, dass er tobt!

Ob wir es sehen oder nicht, Gott wacht noch heute über sein Volk. Mögen wir in Dankbarkeit und Ehrfurcht den verehren, der uns als gesegnet bezeichnet.
Wie oft hältst du inne, um über den täglichen Schutz nachzudenken, den Gott über dir ausbreitet? Was bedeutet dir das Wissen, dass er dich vor unsichtbaren Gefahren bewahrt?
Himmlischer Vater, vergib uns, wie oft wir deine Fürsorge und deinen Schutz für selbstverständlich halten. Gib uns Augen, um zu sehen, wie sehr du uns segnest.


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In einem Gedicht mit dem Titel This Child Is Beloved (Dieses Kind wird geliebt) schreibt Omawumi Efueye, liebevoll als Pastor O bekannt, über die Versuche seiner Eltern, die Schwangerschaft zu beenden, die zu seiner Geburt führen würde.