Хлеб наш насущный - Слишком тяжело?

автор: Анн Ситас

Читать сейчас: 1 Фессалоникийцам 5:12-28 | Библия за год: Исаия 50-52; Галатам 5

Он уходил в пустынные места и молился. — Луки 5:16

Джои начала урок в Воскресной школе с молитвы. Потом они с детьми спели песенку. После этого она представила нового учителя по имени Аарон и предложила помолиться за него. Шестилетний Эммануил нетерпеливо заерзал на своем месте. А уж когда Аарон начал и закончил свою беседу молитвой, малыш не выдержал: «Целых четыре молитвы! Это много, я не выдерживаю!»

Если вы думаете, что это много, вспомните, что пишет Павел: «Непрестанно молитесь» (1 Фес. 5:17), то есть всегда будьте настроены на молитву. Даже многие взрослые находят молитву утомительным занятием. Возможно, это потому, что они не знают, что сказать, или не понимают, что молитва – это общение с Небесным Отцом.

В XVII в. Франсуа Фенелон написал о молитве слова, которые в свое время помогли мне: «Расскажите Богу обо всем, что лежит у вас на сердце, так, как человек раскрывает свою радость и боль дорогому другу. Расскажите Ему о своих бедах, чтобы Он утешил вас. Расскажите Ему о радостях, чтобы Он отрезвил вас. Расскажите о желаниях, чтобы Он очистил их. Расскажите о неприязни, чтобы Он помог преодолеть ее. Поговорите с Ним об искушениях, чтобы Он уберег вас от них. Покажите Ему раны вашего сердца, чтобы Он исцелил их… Если вы изольете перед Ним все свои немощи, нужды, заботы, то у вас не будет недостатка в том, что сказать».

Будем возрастать в общении с Богом, чтобы время молитвы стало для нас особенно драгоценным.

Для дальнейшего изучения прочитайте о примере Иисуса Христа: Иоанна 17 и Луки 5:16.

Молитва – это общение с Богом.

© 2016 Хлеб Наш Насущный

Notre Pain Quotidien - Y sommes‑nous obligés ?

par Anne Cetas

Lisez : 1 Thessaloniciens 5.12‑28 | La Bible en un an : Ésaïe 50 – 52 et 1 Thessaloniciens 5

Et lui [Jésus], il se retirait dans les déserts, et priait. (Luc 5.16)

Joie a démarré le programme pour enfants dans la prière, puis a chanté avec ses tout‑petits. Emmanuel, six ans, s’est agité sur sa chaise lorsqu’elle a prié après avoir présenté Aaron, le professeur. Puis Aaron a commencé et terminé son exposé en prière. Emmanuel s’en est alors plaint : « Ça fait quatre prières ! Je peux pas rester sans bouger aussi longtemps ! »

Si vous croyez que le défi qu’Emmanuel doit relever est difficile, lisez 1 Thessaloniciens 5.17 : « Priez sans cesse » ou ayez toujours l’esprit en prière. Il nous arrive même adultes de trouver la prière ennuyeuse. Peut‑être parce que nous ignorons quoi dire ou ne comprenons pas qu’il s’agit d’une simple conversation avec notre Père.

Au xviie siècle, François Fénelon a parlé quelque peu de prières qui lui sont venues en aide : « Dites à Dieu tout ce que vous avez dans le coeur, comme si vous confiiez vos plaisirs et vos chagrins à un ami intime. Racontez‑lui vos problèmes, afin qu’il vous console ; racontez‑lui vos joies, afin qu’il les tempère ; racontez‑lui vos désirs, afin qu’il les purifie. » Puis il a ajouté : « Parlez‑lui de vos tentations, afin qu’il vous en protège ; montrez‑lui les blessures de votre coeur, afin qu’il les guérisse. […] Si vous lui livrez ainsi toutes vos faiblesses, tous vos besoins et tous vos problèmes, vous aurez toujours des choses à lui dire. »

Puissions‑nous grandir dans notre intimité avec Dieu, de sorte que nous désirions passer plus de temps avec lui.

La prière est une conversation intime avec notre Dieu.

© 2016 Ministères NPQ

Night Light for Couples - Differing Assumptions

Night Light for Couples, the couples' devotional from Focus on the Family ministry founder Dr. James Dobson and his wife, Shirley, brings spouses together each evening, helping them stay connected with each other and their Lord.

“May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus.” Romans 15:5

As in last night’s story, “The Argument,” a difficult day can quickly lead to an unnecessarily heated exchange between spouses. Fatigue, problems with the kids or job, illness, or financial worries can make anyone more susceptible to a fight. So can the condition I (jcd) call “differing assumptions.” For example, after a particularly grueling series of speaking appearances some years ago, I came dragging home on Friday night feeling I’d earned a day off. I planned to watch a USC‐Alabama football game on TV the next day. That seemed like a reasonable plan for a guy who had been out earning a living day and night. Shirley, on the other hand, had been running our home and watching the kids for six weeks and felt it was time I pitched in on a few chores. It was entirely reasonable for Shirley to think that she deserved some help at home after doing “domestic duty” for six weeks. Our assumptions collided about ten o’clock Saturday morning. Harsh words froze our relationship for three days. It was a stupid fight, but understandable in light of factors like overwork, fatigue, selfishness, and very different views of what the other was thinking.

When we’re making our own plans we need to remember to consider our partner’s mental and physical state. During stressful circumstances, we should take extra care to communicate our expectations ahead of time.

Just between us…

• Have differing assumptions caused us to argue recently?
• How can I do a better job of being aware of your mood?
• Do we communicate our expectations ahead of time?

Lord, by Your Spirit, help us to be aware of each other’s needs and to take care in our communication. Draw us together in unity and in love of You. Amen.

• From Night Light For Couples, by Dr. James & Shirley Dobson
  Copyright © 2000 by James Dobson, Inc. All rights reserved.

The Daily Readings for October 16, 2016 - 22nd Sunday after Pentecost

First Reading - Genesis 32:22-31
The same night he got up and took his two wives, his two maids, and his eleven children, and crossed the ford of the Jabbok. He took them and sent them across the stream, and likewise everything that he had. Jacob was left alone; and a man wrestled with him until daybreak. When the man saw that he did not prevail against Jacob, he struck him on the hip socket; and Jacob's hip was put out of joint as he wrestled with him. Then he said, "Let me go, for the day is breaking." But Jacob said, "I will not let you go, unless you bless me." So he said to him, "What is your name?" And he said, "Jacob." Then the man said, "You shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel, for you have striven with God and with humans, and have prevailed." Then Jacob asked him, "Please tell me your name." But he said, "Why is it that you ask my name?" And there he blessed him. So Jacob called the place Peniel, saying, "For I have seen God face to face, and yet my life is preserved." The sun rose upon him as he passed Penuel, limping because of his hip.

Psalm 121 Levavi oculos
1   I lift up my eyes to the hills; from where is my help to come?
2   My help comes from the LORD, the maker of heaven and earth.
3   He will not let your foot be moved and he who watches over you will not fall asleep.
4   Behold, he who keeps watch over Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep;
5   The LORD himself watches over you; the LORD is your shade at your right hand,
6   So that the sun shall not strike you by day, nor the moon by night.
7   The LORD shall preserve you from all evil; it is he who shall keep you safe.
8   The LORD shall watch over your going out and your coming in, from this time forth for evermore.

Second Reading - 2 Timothy 3:14-4:5
But as for you, continue in what you have learned and firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it, and how from childhood you have known the sacred writings that are able to instruct you for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, so that everyone who belongs to God may be proficient, equipped for every good work. In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I solemnly urge you: proclaim the message; be persistent whether the time is favorable or unfavorable; convince, rebuke, and encourage, with the utmost patience in teaching. For the time is coming when people will not put up with sound doctrine, but having itching ears, they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own desires, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander away to myths. As for you, always be sober, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, carry out your ministry fully.

Holy Gospel - Luke 18:1-8
Then Jesus told them a parable about their need to pray always and not to lose heart. He said, "In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor had respect for people. In that city there was a widow who kept coming to him and saying, 'Grant me justice against my opponent.' For a while he refused; but later he said to himself, 'Though I have no fear of God and no respect for anyone, yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will grant her justice, so that she may not wear me out by continually coming.'" And the Lord said, "Listen to what the unjust judge says. And will not God grant justice to his chosen ones who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long in helping them? I tell you, he will quickly grant justice to them. And yet, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?"

New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. The New Revised Standard Version Bible may be quoted and/or reprinted up to and inclusive of five hundred (500) verses without express written permission of the publisher, provided the verses quoted do not amount to a complete book of the Bible or account for fifty percent (50%) of the total work in which they are quoted.

The Sunday Sermon for October 16, 2016 - 22nd Sunday after Pentecost

 

"Go Into Your Room, Close The Door And Pray"

Then Jesus told them a parable about their need to pray always and not to lose heart. He said, "In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor had respect for people. In that city there was a widow who kept coming to him and saying, 'Grant me justice against my opponent.' For a while he refused; but later he said to himself, 'Though I have no fear of God and no respect for anyone, yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will grant her justice, so that she may not wear me out by continually coming.'" And the Lord said, "Listen to what the unjust judge says. And will not God grant justice to his chosen ones who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long in helping them? I tell you, he will quickly grant justice to them. And yet, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?" (Luke 18:1-8)

Let us pray -- O' Heavenly Father, we come before you this day and we ask that you reveal more about the nature of prayer. May our hearts and our minds be open to your Word this day. We ask this in the blessed name of Jesus your son and our Savior .... Amen.

A young man went into a drugstore to buy 3 boxes of chocolate: small, medium, and large. When the pharmacist asked him about the three boxes, he said, ... "Well, I'm going over to my new girlfriend's house for supper. Then we are going out for the evening. If she only lets me hold her hand, ... then I'll give her the small box. If she lets me kiss her on the cheek, ... then I'll give her the medium box. But if she really lets me smooch seriously, ... I'll give her the large box." He made his purchase and left.

That evening as he sat down for dinner with his girlfriend's family, ... he asked if he could say the prayer before the meal. He began to pray, ... and he prayed a most earnest, and intense prayer ... that lasted for almost five minutes. When he finished his girlfriend said, ... "You never told me you were such a religious person." He said, ...... "You never told me your dad was a pharmacist!"

Beloved ... It is essential to pray...... whatever the circumstance!

Jesus told His disciples in our Gospel reading today their need to pray ...... when? .... Always.

According to many public opinion polls, .... prayer is still very important .... to most Americans.

The Gallup organization found 90 percent of Americans pray.

And 86 percent said they believed in God.

Isn't it interesting .... more people pray .... than claim to believe in God?

83 percent said they favor prayer at graduation exercises.

70 percent favor Christian prayers be spoken in school.

There is a story that ... true or not .... does make a point.

A small village church had a hall that needed a new roof.

So after every Sunday service, ...... the congregation would go over to the church hall .... to pray for a new roof.

And ...... at the end of the prayer meeting, .... there would be a collection.

One old villager, ...... renown for being very tight fisted, would come in and sit at the back of the prayer meeting ...... so he could make a quick escape ...... when the collection plate came around.

One Sunday just as he was going to the prayer meeting he was held up by the priest ...... so he came in a little late.

Unfortunately, ....... there was only room at the front.

So he went to the front and sat down.

During the prayer meeting, a piece of roof fell and hit him on the head.

Feeling spoken to; he stood up and said: "Lord, I'll give $1,000".

A voice in the back rang out: ....... "Hit him again Lord, hit him again".

In today's Gospel reading Jesus focuses on prayer ...... using the parable of the Unjust Judge to encourage us ....... to persevere at prayer. (Luke 18:1-8)

Prayer is very precious ...... to our Father in Heaven.

We read in Revelation that the prayers of the saints are equated with ...... incense offered to God .... at the altar. (Revelation 8:3-4)

It is important to note what Jesus is Not saying with the Parable of the Unjust Judge.

He is Not saying that God is as tightfisted in answering prayer, ....... as the unjust judge was frugal ... in dispensing justice.

Judges were notoriously corrupt in Israel during the 1st century.

And the implication in the parable would be ... that some rich person has bribed the judge Not to give the widow justice.

Possibly to stop her from inheriting ... her husband's estate.

Without the protection of a benefactor, .... the widow would have neither .... the strings to pull .... nor a bribe to offer.

Yet, in this parable, her persistence won the day.

What Jesus Is saying:

If the Unjust Judge in this parable gives justice to the woman .... surely God .... who wants to answer our prayers .... will do so.

It seems to me, ... there are three challenges from this passage:

1. God is calling his people to be persistent in prayer.
2. God is calling his people to be changed, ...... to be transformed through prayer
3. And God is calling to those who truly enjoy and who truly yearn to spend time with Him.

Let us look at the first of these challenges: God is calling his people to be persistent in prayer.

The Jews, .... in the first century, .... limited prayer to three times a day, .... so they would not wear God out by their petitions.

But Jesus taught quite the opposite.

God inhabits our praise ... and our prays.

And the real danger is...... that we will run out of energy .... and give up praying.

It is worth noting that the woman came to the judge .... because she ...... Expected to win.

In other words, ...... she had faith in receiving a fair judgment from the judge ....... Eventually.

I meet people far too often who do not Expect God to answer prayer.

And it becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy.

There may be some here today who find prayer .... very hard.

The reason we do not seem to get anywhere ...... may be ...... due to the fact ...... that our motivation is suspect:

Why do we pray?

Do we see prayer as something to do to appease an angry God; .... a sort of divine insurance policy?

Do we see it as a religious duty?

God wants me to pray, .... So I must do it.

Do I do it expecting a reward so I will be blessed?

Do I pray because I think I am a better person than others?

Or do you come to the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords .... to be in Fellowship; ....... to hear His Voice?

Remember His promise "My Sheep, .... My Sheep hear my voice".

God is calling his people to be persistent in prayer.

The second challenge in this parable is that God is calling his people to be changed, .... to be transformed through prayer.

What is real prayer?

Prayer is the turning of a person to God.

As it states in the Scriptures ... "If my people, who are called by My Name, will humble themselves and pray .... and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, ...... then will I hear from heaven and forgive their sin and will heal their land." (2 Chronicles 7:14)

That is why our services .... are filled with prayer especially ...... of confession.

And when we repent ...... God can truly transform us.

In the 18th Century, John Newton was a slave trader.

He swore and cursed.

He bought and sold slaves.

He nearly lost his life in a storm and it was in that storm ...... that he found God.

He repented; ... he renounced his evil ways and eventually became a vicar in the Anglican Church.

Newton latter went on and helped William Wilberforce in outlawing slavery in the British Empire.

Newton was one of the leading men of the Evangelical Revival in England.

You may know him as the author of the hymn: "Amazing Grace".

Beloved .... No one is too lost ..... No one is too bad for the Grace of God.

The third challenge is that God is calling those who truly enjoy and truly yearn to spend time with Him.

Prayer is Fellowship; ... it is open Communication between God and each one of us ... much as one talks to their friend. (Exodus 33:11)

The Conversation needs to be two ways.

We need time for private prayer with God.

We need to shut ourselves away and have this intensely personal time with God.

The world and Satan are out to get us so busy - that we overlook our time with God.

Hear our Lords words: "And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men." "I tell you they have their reward in full. But when you pray, go into your room close the door and pray to the Father who is unseen. Then your Father who sees what is done in secret will reward you." (Matthew 6:5-6)

Go into your room, close the door and pray.

How much clearing does our Lord need to make it?

One, go into your room, two, close the door, three pray!

Talk to God then listen!

Jesus - after intense ministry- would go away, even from his closest disciples to pray quietly.

St Mark records the following in the life of Jesus:

"Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up and went off to a solitary place where he prayed." (Mark 1:35)

If Jesus needed time alone with God, don't we ... even more?

We need also to Listen, ... to listen for the Voice of God.

When my children were young, ... they would ask me a question, ... and they did so ... in the expectation that they would Get an answer.

It might not always be the one they wanted to hear!!

Often, maybe too often the initial answer was NO!! ....... I can almost hear my wife Lee say Amen to that.

And if I did not give them an answer they would ask it again and again.

The same is true for our life with God.

If we expect to hear from God, then we need to learn to Listen.

You will not hear the response from God until you Listen to Him.

Hear God's Word from the Palms: "Be Still, Be still and Know that I am God." (Palms 46:10)

Beloved: God is calling his people to be persistent in prayer.

God is calling his people to be changed, ... to be transformed through prayer

And God is calling those ... who truly enjoy and truly yearn... to spend time with Him.

Nothing of eternal significance is ever accomplished apart from prayer.

Please, ... Please Beloved ... seek God in Prayer ...

And let the maker of the Universe Transform you ... and take you ... from Glory to Glory!

Amen and Amen!

New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. The New Revised Standard Version Bible may be quoted and/or reprinted up to and inclusive of five hundred (500) verses without express written permission of the publisher, provided the verses quoted do not amount to a complete book of the Bible or account for fifty percent (50%) of the total work in which they are quoted. Sermon shared by J Jeffrey Smead October 2013.

The Daily Meditation for October 16, 2016

From Forward Day By Day
Written by Scott B. Hayashi

2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NRSV) All scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, so that everyone who belongs to God may be proficient, equipped for every good work.

Holy Scripture has God as its genesis. The people who wrote the books and the scribes who carefully copied the texts were inspired by God. It was a sacred duty and an act of love to those who would benefit from hearing and reading the stories.

Reading the Bible is the single best thing people can do to grow their spiritual lives. We don’t have to understand every word or assign huge meaning to every single verse. It’s okay if the lists of begats in Chronicles or Numbers don’t blow our hair back. However, daily reading of the Bible, even if we can’t commit to deep reading, has a way of changing us over time. The Bible, those inspired words of the Living God, become part of us and serve as a lens through which we can come to understand the world.

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Standing Strong Through the Storm - LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR

You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Galatians 5:13-14

The scriptures teach that God is committed to one major objective in the lives of all His people; conforming us to the image of His Son. What is the “image of His Son?” It is found in the words of Jesus, Himself, “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45).

It makes sense then to say that God desires the same for us. After bringing us into His family through faith in His Son, the Lord sets His sights on building into us the same qualities that made Jesus distinct—a servant’s heart and a giving spirit. It’s so easy to lose sight of our primary calling as Christians. Even those who lead must do so with an attitude of genuine humility and an authentic desire to help others.

The best-known symbols of Christianity are the cross, the ichthus (fish symbol), and the dove symbolizing the Holy Spirit. Probably the least known—yet most appropriate for the Christian—is the symbol of the towel and basin. The towel Jesus used when in humility and service, he washed and wiped his disciples dirty feet. Jesus instructed his disciples after washing their feet that they were to wash one another’s feet.

J. Dudley Woodbury tells a poignant true story that occurred in the dismal refugee camps of Peshawar, Pakistan. The fighting between the Majahideen in post-Soviet Afghanistan and the rise of the Taliban resulted in thousands of refugees flooding into the camps near the border. Most of the children in the camps ran around barefoot in both the intense heat and intense cold.

A Christian organization brought in hundreds of sandals for the children but decided not to just distribute them but care for the children’s feet as well. So they utilized as many Christian volunteers as possible who washed the children’s filthy feet, put medication on their sores and prayed for them silently as they gave out the sandals.

As he tells the story, some months later a Muslim primary school teacher in the camp asked her students who the best Muslims were. One little girl raised her hand and responded, “The kafirs.” (unbelievers).

After the teacher recovered from cardiac arrest, she asked, “Why?” The little girl said, “The Mujahedeen killed my father, but the kafirs washed my feet!”

Missions to the Muslims, he concludes, will be affected less by the flames of 9/11, or even the flames that started the Arab Spring, than by the inner flames that are ignited if we so follow our Lord.[1]

RESPONSE: Today I will look for ways to serve others in genuine humility as a disciple of Jesus Christ.

PRAYER: Lord, help me love as You did, serve others as You did and give of myself as You did!

1. J. Dudley Woodberry, “Muslim Missions: Then & Now,” Christianity Today (September 2011), p. 36.

Un Dia a la Vez - Acércate a Él

Acérquense a Dios, y él se acercará a ustedes. ¡Pecadores, límpiense las manos! ¡Ustedes los inconstantes, purifiquen su corazón! Santiago 4:8

Cada día recibo correos electrónicos donde los oyentes me expresan que quieren un cambio en sus vidas y desean buscar a Dios para encontrar respuesta a sus necesidades. Yo le agradezco a Dios por ese privilegio de servirles de inspiración a fin de que pueda hablarles de lo que me cambió la vida.

Mi vida es Jesús y tal vez parezca que soy religiosa o fanática, pero nada de eso es verdad. He vivido la vida con Cristo y sin Él. Así que con toda certeza puedo dar testimonio de cómo Dios me alcanzó, me rescató y me perdonó.

Al cambiar mi vida, también les pude dar un mejor ejemplo a mis princesas, que son mi vida.

Te lo digo con todo mi corazón: ¡Vale la pena acercarse a Él! Cuando lo hacemos, le permitimos que obre en nuestra vida, que haga suyos nuestros problemas y que nos dé una salida para cada uno de ellos.

Dios te ama y te dice: «Ven, no te resistas. No sigas tratando de vivir la vida a tu manera. Ven, porque deseo bendecir tu vida, cambiarla y darte lo que tengo preparado para ti».

Acercarte al Padre es como volver a tu origen. Es volver a su manto, a su protección, donde estarás seguro, tranquilo y en paz. Deja el orgullo y búscale con un corazón arrepentido y dispuesto a dejarte llevar al taller del Maestro. En ese taller, Él pulirá tu vida, limará tus partes ásperas y te colocará a altas temperaturas. Entonces, después de salir de allí, saldrás nuevo y hermoso.

Verse of the Day - October 16, 2016

Psalm 19:14 (NIV) May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.

Read all of Psalm 19

Our Daily Bread - Keep Up the Good Work

By Keila Ochoa

Read: 1 Thessalonians 4:1–12 | Bible in a Year: Isaiah 47–49; 1 Thessalonians 4

We . . . urge you . . . to do this more and more. 1 Thessalonians 4:1

My son loves to read. If he reads more books than what is required at school, he receives an award certificate. That bit of encouragement motivates him to keep up the good work.

When Paul wrote to the Thessalonians he motivated them not with an award but with words of encouragement. He said, “Brothers and sisters, we instructed you how to live in order to please God, as in fact you are living. Now we ask you and urge you in the Lord Jesus to do this more and more” (1 Thess. 4:1). These Christians were pleasing God through their lives, and Paul encouraged them to continue to live more and more for Him.

Maybe today you and I are giving our best to know and love and please our Father. Let’s take Paul’s words as an incentive to continue on in our faith.

But let’s go one step further. Who might we encourage today with Paul’s words? Does someone come to mind who is diligent in following the Lord and seeking to please Him? Write a note or make a phone call and urge this person to keep on in their faith journey with Him. What you say may be just what they need to continue following and serving Jesus.

Dear Lord, thank You for encouraging me through Your Word to keep living for You.

Encourage someone today to keep living for God.

© 2016 Our Daily Bread Ministries

Unser Täglich Brot - Bleib dran!

Von Keila Ochoa

Lesen: 1.Thessalonicher 4,1-12 | Die Bibel In Einem Jahr: Jesaja 47–49; 1.Thessalonicher 4

Weiter . . . ermahnen wir euch . . . wie ihr leben sollt, um Gott zu gefallen, was ihr ja auch tut. (1.Thessalonicher 4,1)

Mein Sohn liest gern. Wenn er mehr Bücher liest, als die Schule verlangt, bekommt er eine Auszeichnung. Das ermutigt und motiviert ihn, an der Sache dranzubleiben.

Als Paulus den Thessalonichern schrieb, motivierte er sie nicht mit einer Auszeichnung, sondern mit Worten der Ermunterung. „Weiter, liebe Brüder“, schrieb er, „bitten und ermahnen wir euch in dem Herrn Jesus—da ihr von uns empfangen habt, wie ihr leben sollt, um Gott zu gefallen, was ihr ja auch tut—, dass ihr darin immer vollkommener werdet!“ (1.Thess. 4,1). Die Christen gefielen Gott mit ihrem Leben. Paulus forderte sie auf, dranzubleiben und immer mehr für Gott zu leben.

Vielleicht geben wir heute unser Bestes, um dem Vater zu gefallen, ihn zu kennen und ihn zu lieben. Dann wollen wir die Worte von Paulus als Anreiz nehmen, am Glauben dranzubleiben.

Aber wir wollen noch einen Schritt weitergehen. Wen könnten wir selbst heute mit den Worten von Paulus ermutigen? Kommt uns jemand in den Sinn, der dem Herrn schon treu folgt und ihm gefallen will? Schreib ihm oder ihr einen Gruß oder rufe an und mache ihm oder ihr Mut, weiter mit Jesus zu leben. Vielleicht sind deine Worte genau das, was sie heute brauchen.

Lieber Herr, ich danke dir, dass du mich durch dein Wort ermutigst, für dich zu leben.

Mach heute jemandem Mut, an Gott dranzubleiben.

© 2016 Unser Täglich Brot

Хлеб наш насущный - Продолжайте доброе дело

автор: Кейла Очоа

Читать сейчас: 1 Фессалоникийцам 4:1-12 | Библия за год: Исаия 47-49; Галатам 4

...Умоляем вас Христом Иисусом, чтобы вы, приняв от нас, как должно вам поступать... более в том преуспевали. — 1 Фессалоникийцам 4:1

Мой сын любит читать. Если он читает больше книг, чем предписано школьной программой, ему дают почетную грамоту. Небольшое ободрение служит стимулом к продолжению доброго дела.

Обращаясь к фессалоникийцам, Павел также побуждает их к добрым делам словами ободрения и похвалы. Он пишет: «Братья, просим и умоляем вас Христом Иисусом, чтобы вы, приняв от нас, как должно вам поступать и угождать Богу, более в том преуспевали» (1 Фес. 4:1). Верующие этой молодой церкви угождали Богу своей преображенной жизнью, и Павел убеждает их продолжать идти намеченным курсом с еще большим усердием.

Будем и мы следовать этому доброму примеру, любя Небесного Отца и угождая Ему. Применим слова Павла к себе, усердно продвигаясь вперед в путешествии веры.

Но не будем ограничиваться собой. Возможно, кому-то тоже нужно ободрение. Кого вы можете вспомнить, также стремящегося угодить Господу? Напишите короткую записку или позвоните по телефону. Скажите несколько ободряющих слов. Это может оказаться именно тем, что нужно этому человеку, чтобы укрепиться в следовании за Христом и служении Ему.

Дорогой Господь, благодарю за ободрение, которое Ты посылаешь через Свое Слово, чтобы мне продолжать жить для Тебя.

Ободряйте друг друга и живите для Бога.

© 2016 Хлеб Наш Насущный

Notre Pain Quotidien - Continuez comme ça !

par Keila Ochoa

Lisez : 1 Thessaloniciens 4.1‑12 | La Bible en un an : Ésaïe 47 – 49 et 1 Thessaloniciens 4

[Nous] vous conjurons au nom du Seigneur Jésus de marcher à cet égard de progrès en progrès. (1 Thessaloniciens 4.1)

Mon fils aime beaucoup la lecture. S’il lit plus de livres que son école l’exige de lui, il reçoit un certificat de mérite. Ce petit encouragement le motive à continuer comme ça.

En écrivant aux croyants de Thessalonique, Paul les a motivés non par une récompense, mais par des paroles d’encouragement. Il a dit : « Au reste, frères, puisque vous avez appris de nous comment vous devez vous conduire et plaire à Dieu, et c’est là ce que vous faites, nous vous prions et nous vous conjurons au nom du Seigneur Jésus de marcher à cet égard de progrès en progrès » (1 TH 4.1). Ces chrétiens menaient une vie agréable à Dieu, et Paul les encourageait à vivre toujours plus pour le Seigneur.

Il se peut qu’aujourd’hui vous et moi fassions de notre mieux pour connaître et aimer le Père, et pour lui plaire. Laissons donc Paul nous convaincre de continuer ainsi avec foi.

Faisons un pas de plus. Qui pourrions‑nous encourager aujourd’hui par les paroles de Paul ? Quelqu’un vous vient‑il à l’esprit, une personne qui suit Dieu et qui cherche à lui plaire ? Écrivez un mot ou faites un appel téléphonique pour encourager cette personne à aller de l’avant par la foi en Dieu. Il se pourrait bien que ce que vous lui direz soit précisément ce dont elle a besoin pour continuer de suivre et de servir Jésus.

Encouragez quelqu’un aujourd’hui à continuer de vivre pour Dieu.

© 2016 Ministères NPQ