Our Daily Bread - This Gift

By David Roper

Read: 2 Corinthians 12:6–10 | Bible in a Year: Jeremiah 6–8; 1 Timothy 5

Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 2 Corinthians 12:9

A number of years ago I wrote an essay about my collection of canes, staffs, and walking sticks and mused that I might someday graduate to a walker. Well, the day has come. A combination of back issues and peripheral neuropathy has left me pushing a three-wheel walker. I can’t hike; I can’t fish; I can’t do many of the things that used to bring me great joy.

I’m trying to learn, however, that my limitation, whatever it may be, is a gift from God, and it is with this gift that I am to serve Him. This gift and not another. This is true of all of us, whether our limits are emotional, physical, or intellectual. Paul was so bold as to say that he boasted in his weakness for it was in weakness that God's power was revealed in him (2 Cor. 12:9).

Seeing our so-called liabilities this way enables us to go about our business with confidence and courage. Rather than complain, feel sorry for ourselves, or opt out, we make ourselves available to God for His intended purposes.

I have no idea what He has in mind for you and me, but we shouldn’t worry about that. Our task today is just to accept things as they are and to be content, knowing that in the love, wisdom, and providence of God this moment is as good as it can possibly be.

Dear Lord, I know that You are good and You love me. I trust You to give me everything I need for today.

Contentment enables you to grow where God has planted you.

© 2016 Our Daily Bread Ministries

Unser Täglich Brot - Ein Geschenk

Von David Roper

Lesen: 2.Korinther 12,6-10 | Die Bibel In Einem Jahr: Jeremia 6–8; 1.Timotheus 5

Darum will ich mich am allerliebsten rühmen meiner Schwachheit, damit die Kraft Christi bei mir wohne. (2.Korinther 12,9)

Vor ein paar Jahren schrieb ich einen Artikel über meine Sammlung von Spazier- und Wanderstöcken und meinte, dass ich irgendwann vielleicht noch einen Rollator brauchen könnte. Nun, inzwischen ist es soweit. Rückenprobleme und eine Nervenerkrankung haben dafür gesorgt, dass ich eine Gehhilfe vor mir herschiebe. Ich kann nicht mehr wandern; ich kann nicht mehr fischen; vieles von dem, was mir sonst Freude gemacht hat, kann ich nicht mehr tun.

Ich versuche aber zu lernen, dass meine Einschränkungen ein Geschenk von Gott sind und ich ihm mit diesem Geschenk dienen soll. Mit diesem Geschenk und keinem anderen. Und das gilt für uns alle, egal ob unsere Grenzen seelischer, körperlicher oder geistiger Art sind. Paulus konnte sogar mit seiner Schwachheit prahlen, denn genau darin konnte sich Gottes Kraft in ihm zeigen (2.Kor. 12,9).

Wenn wir unsere Einschränkungen so sehen, dann können wir unsere Aufgaben mit Mut und Zuversicht anpacken. Statt zu jammern oder uns zurückzuziehen, stellen wir uns Gott für seine Pläne zur Verfügung.

Ich habe keine Ahnung, was er für mich und dich vorgesehen hat, aber das sollte uns nicht beunruhigen. Unsere Aufgabe besteht einfach darin, die Dinge so zu nehmen, wie sie sind, und zufrieden zu sein im Wissen, dass es uns auch in diesem Moment so gut geht, wie es dank Gottes Liebe, Weisheit und Fürsorge möglich ist.

Lieber Herr, ich weiß, dass du gut bist und dass du mich liebst. Du gibst mir alles, was ich heute brauche.

Zufriedenheit hilft uns, da zu wachsen, wo Gott uns hingepflanzt hat.

© 2016 Unser Täglich Brot

Хлеб наш насущный - Подарок

автор: Дэвид Роупер

Читать сейчас: 2 Паралипоменон 12:6-10 | Библия за год: Иеремия 6-8; Ефесянам 6

Потому я гораздо охотнее буду хвалиться своими немощами, чтобы обитала во мне сила Христова. — 2 Коринфянам 12:9

Много лет назад я написал заметку о своей коллекции тростей и палок, высказав предположение, что когда-нибудь я буду не только их собирать, но и пользоваться. День настал! Сочетание проблем спины и периферической невропатии привело к тому, что теперь я передвигаюсь с помощью специального трехколесного ходунка. Теперь уже мне не светят ни походы, ни рыбалка, ни многое другое, прежде доставлявшее мне немало радости.

Тем не менее я стараюсь воспринимать свою немощь как дар от Бога, с помощью которого я смогу быть полезным и служить Ему. Это касается всех нас, какие бы ограничения мы ни имели: эмоциональные, физические или умственные. Павел с дерзновением говорил, что хвалится своими немощами, потому что именно в них Божья сила достигала наибольшего выражения (2 Кор. 12:9).

Такой взгляд на то, что люди называют «недостатками», поможет нам делать дело смело и уверенно. Вместо того чтобы жаловаться, страдать от чувства неполноценности или сдаваться, мы сможем принести добрый плод для Бога и Его славы.

Я пока не знаю, что Он задумал на мой счет, но об этом не стоит переживать. Нужно принимать все как есть, зная, что в Своей любви, мудрости и заботе Бог послал нам самое лучшее.

Дорогой Господь, я знаю, что Ты благ и любишь меня. Доверяюсь Тебе во всем, что бы Ты ни послал.

Довольство позволяет возрастать, где бы ни насадил нас Бог.

© 2016 Хлеб Наш Насущный

Notre Pain Quotidien - Ce don

par David Roper

Lisez : 2 Corinthiens 12.6‑10 | La Bible en un an : Jérémie 6 – 8 et 1 Timothée 5

Je me glorifierai donc bien plus de mes faiblesses, afin que la puissance de Christ repose sur moi. (2 Corinthiens 12.9)

Il y a quelques années, j’ai écrit un essai portant sur ma collection de cannes, de bâtons de marche et autres, en songeant à devenir un jour un véritable marcheur. Eh bien, ce jour est arrivé. La combinaison de problèmes de dos et de neuropathie périphérique m’oblige à me déplacer à l’aide d’un tripode. La randonnée, la pêche et bien d’autres activités qui me procuraient tant de joie par le passé me sont désormais refusées.

J’essaie néanmoins de comprendre que mes limites, quelles qu’elles soient, sont un don de Dieu, et que c’est avec ce don que je dois le servir. Avec ce don, et aucun autre. Or, cela vaut pour nous tous, que nos limites soient émotionnelles, physiques ou intellectuelles. Paul a eu le courage de déclarer qu’il se glorifiait de ses faiblesses, car c’était lorsqu’il était faible que la puissance de Dieu se révélait en lui (2 CO 12.9).

Voir nos présumées responsabilités sous cet oeil nous permet de vaquer à nos occupations avec assurance et courage. Plutôt que de nous plaindre, de nous apitoyer sur notre sort ou de baisser les bras, nous nous mettons à la disposition de Dieu selon ses desseins.

Je n’ai pas la moindre idée de ce qu’il nous réserve, à vous et à moi, mais nous ne devrions pas nous en préoccuper. Notre tâche actuelle se résume à accepter les choses telles qu’elles sont avec contentement, sachant que l’instant présent est aussi bon qu’il peut l’être grâce à l’amour, à la sagesse et à la providence de Dieu.

Le contentement vous permet de grandir là où Dieu vous a planté.

© 2016 Ministères NPQ

Night Light for Couples - The Cost of Bitterness

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.

“I tell you, [forgive] not seven times, but seventy-seven times.” Matthew 18:22

Just as we must act on Scripture’s instruction to forgive, we should also consider the great cost of failing to do so. Withholding forgiveness brings on bitterness, which Neal T. Anderson says is like “battery acid in the soul.” It leads to anger, resentment, depression, health problems, isolation, struggles with addictions, and more. It continues to haunt the person until he or she comes to terms with it. People who hang on to bitterness cause more pain to themselves than to the targets of their wrath.

A second cost is equally distressing. Jesus told a parable of an unmerciful servant who, after his master forgave him a large debt, demanded payment of a small debt from another servant. The master had the first servant thrown into jail and tortured. “This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you,” Jesus said, “unless you forgive your brother from your heart” (Matthew 18:35).

For couples who want to follow God’s way for marriage and who hope for His best in their relationship, forgiveness is not just a suggestion. It is a spiritual commandment!

Just between us…

• Why is failing to forgive more damaging to us than to the one who wronged us?
• Are either of us bitter about something today? Why?
• What steps of forgiveness can we take together?
• How can we avoid bitterness in the future?

Dear Lord, You have spoken plainly about the consequences of withholding forgiveness. Help us to hear You and obey. May we please You and bless each other with our quickness to forgive at all times. 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 24, 2016

Acts 15:12-22
The whole assembly kept silence, and listened to Barnabas and Paul as they told of all the signs and wonders that God had done through them among the Gentiles. After they finished speaking, James replied, "My brothers, listen to me. Simeon has related how God first looked favorably on the Gentiles, to take from among them a people for his name. This agrees with the words of the prophets, as it is written, 'After this I will return, and I will rebuild the dwelling of David, which has fallen; from its ruins I will rebuild it, and I will set it up, so that all other peoples may seek the Lord-- even all the Gentiles over whom my name has been called. Thus says the Lord, who has been making these things known from long ago.' Therefore I have reached the decision that we should not trouble those Gentiles who are turning to God, but we should write to them to abstain only from things polluted by idols and from fornication and from whatever has been strangled and from blood. For in every city, for generations past, Moses has had those who proclaim him, for he has been read aloud every sabbath in the synagogues." Then the apostles and the elders, with the consent of the whole church, decided to choose men from among their members and to send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas. They sent Judas called Barsabbas, and Silas, leaders among the brothers,

Psalm 1 Beatus vir qui non abiit
1   Happy are they who have not walked in the counsel of the wicked, nor lingered in the way of sinners, nor sat in the seats of the scornful!
2   Their delight is in the law of the LORD, and they meditate on his law day and night.
3   They are like trees planted by streams of water, bearing fruit in due season, with leaves that do not wither; everything they do shall prosper.
4   It is not so with the wicked; they are like chaff which the wind blows away.
5   Therefore the wicked shall not stand upright when judgment comes, nor the sinner in the council of the righteous.
6   For the LORD knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked is doomed.

1 Corinthians 15:1-11
Now I would remind you, brothers and sisters, of the good news that I proclaimed to you, which you in turn received, in which also you stand, through which also you are being saved, if you hold firmly to the message that I proclaimed to you-- unless you have come to believe in vain. For I handed on to you as of first importance what I in turn had received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the scriptures, and that he was buried, and that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers and sisters at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have died. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me. For I am the least of the apostles, unfit to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me has not been in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them-- though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me. Whether then it was I or they, so we proclaim and so you have come to believe.

Matthew 13:54-58
He came to his hometown and began to teach the people in their synagogue, so that they were astounded and said, "Where did this man get this wisdom and these deeds of power? Is not this the carpenter's son? Is not his mother called Mary? And are not his brothers James and Joseph and Simon and Judas? And are not all his sisters with us? Where then did this man get all this?" And they took offense at him. But Jesus said to them, "Prophets are not without honor except in their own country and in their own house." And he did not do many deeds of power there, because of their unbelief.

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 Daily Meditation for October 24, 2016

From Forward Day By Day
Written by Scott B. Hayashi

Acts 15:19 (NRSV) [James said], “Therefore I have reached the decision that we should not trouble those Gentiles who are turning to God.”

What is God doing in the places where we live? God is always at work trying to bring about the kingdom, God’s reign on earth. We pray “Thy kingdom come...” over and over again. How is God trying to accomplish this in you—in your family, your congregation, your community, your state, your nation?

Do we, like James, recognize the movement of God even if it offends some norm that we find fundamental?

Today we celebrate James, the brother of Jesus. Let us strive to be like him in recognizing when God is at work beyond our zones of comfort. Let us, like him, help that work to flourish.

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Standing Strong Through the Storm - SUPERNATURAL ANSWERS

But before all this they will lay hands on you and persecute you. They will deliver you to synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors, and all on account of my name. This will result in your being witnesses to them. But make up your mind not to worry beforehand how you will defend yourself. For I will give you words and wisdom that none of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict. Luke 21:12-15

During her years of imprisonment in Eritrea’s wretched shipping containers, Helen Berhane was often interrogated and pressured to deny her faith. The Lord gave her supernatural answers each time as documents in her book Song of the Nightingale:

Yet another official visited and accused me of being anti-government. “Political agents are just using you,” he said. “Why do you let them do this? Why do you risk your life to please other people and support their cause? Why make yourself a sacrificial lamb? Perhaps you are a genuine believer, but the ones who have asked you to stick so rigidly to this rebellious religion are just taking advantage of you for their political agenda.”

I said, “If I may speak for myself: I have no other agenda but believing in the Bible. Since my childhood I have never had any other intention. This Bible is not new – my fathers and forefathers read it. I am reading the same Bible my grandfather read; the only difference is that he read it in Geez [old dialect] while I can read it in my language. He used to treat his Bible with special reverence and keep it in a sacred box, but I do not worry about handling mine. My grandfather went to church for fifty years but he didn’t understand the Bible; we know it better because it is in our language. If you are trying to take us back to the days of the older generation, then you cannot care about what is best for our country. Everything is changing and we have to adapt and move with the times. Each generation of inventors must bring new ideas, otherwise we will have nothing new and nothing will change or improve. In our generation, because we can understand the Bible, people are changing.”[1]

RESPONSE: Today I will trust the Lord for wisdom and words to answer those who challenge my faith.

PRAYER: Lord, give me grace to answer all challenges against You and Your Word with Your love and wisdom.

1. Helen Berhane, Song of the Nightingale, (Colorado Springs: Authentic Media, 2009), p. 72-73.

Women of the Bible - The Syrophoenician Woman

Her character: Though a Gentile, she addressed Jesus as "Lord, Son of David." Her great faith resulted in her daughter's deliverance.
Her sorrow: That her child was possessed by an evil spirit.
Her joy: That Jesus freed her daughter from spiritual bondage.
Key Scriptures: Matthew 15:21-28; Mark 7:24-30

Her Story

Her body jerked and twisted, arms thrashing the air. Wide-eyed, the little girl spoke to ghosts her mother could not see, her face changing as rapidly as clouds in a sudden storm. Fear, surprise, and then a crazy kind of laughter, as though someone had stolen her soul. Dark hair stuck in gummy strands against her cheeks.

Her mother wondered what had become of the sweet child who had followed her like a puppy wherever she went. How she missed those soft kisses and the button nose that had nuzzled her cheek. She had hardly slept these last few nights for fear of what her daughter might do to herself. Neither of them, she thought, could stand much more.

Just that morning she had caught wind of a Jewish healer who, friends said, had come to Tyre hoping for relief from the crowds that mobbed him in Galilee. It didn't matter that Jews seldom mingled with Gentiles. She would go to him, beg his help, throw a fit herself if necessary. She would do whatever it took to get him to listen. It didn't take long to find him.

She approached Jesus, pleading, "Lord, Son of David, have mercy on me! My daughter is suffering terribly from demon-possession."

But Jesus ignored the woman, making no reply.

Finally, his disciples said to Jesus, "Send her away, for she keeps crying out after us."

But Jesus knew it would not be that easy to get rid of her. The only way, in fact, would be to answer her prayer. He told them, "I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel."

Hearing him, the woman fell at his feet again, imploring, "Lord, help me!"

Then Jesus turned and said, "It is not right to take the children's bread and toss it to their dogs."

But the woman would not give up. "Yes, Lord," she said, "but even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters' table."

"Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted," Jesus said.

So the Syrophoenician woman returned to her daughter, who was delivered from the evil spirit the very same hour that Jesus had spoken.

Scripture doesn't describe the little girl of this story in any detail; it says only that she was possessed by a demon. But judging from similar incidents, such as that of the Gerasene demoniac, whose story is told in Luke 8, or the little boy in Matthew 17, who kept throwing himself in the fire, the signs of demonic possession were probably both obvious and frightening.

But why did Jesus seem so rude to the poor woman, ignoring her request and then referring to her and her child as dogs?

His response may sound a little less harsh when you realize that the word he used for "dogs" was not the derisive one Jews ordinarily reserved for Gentiles. Instead, it was the term used for little dogs kept as pets. Jesus was also making it clear that his primary mission was to the Israelites. Had Jesus performed many healings and miracles in Tyre and Sidon, he would have risked the same kind of mob scenes he had just left behind in Galilee, thus inaugurating a ministry to the Gentiles in advance of his Father's timing.

The woman couldn't have known the reason for his silence, however, and it must have tested her faith. But rather than give up or take offense, she exercised her quick wit, revealing both a deep humility and a tenacious faith. It was a combination Jesus seemed unable to resist—fertile soil in which to grow a miracle. The Syrophoenician woman must have rejoiced that day to see the daughter she loved safe and sane, grateful for the life-giving bread that had fallen from the Master's table.

Her Promise

What possible promise can be found in a pagan woman whose little girl was possessed by an evil spirit? The Syrophoenician woman wouldn't have known what to do about her daughter had she not heard about Jesus. Somehow, she was given the faith to believe that he was capable of saving her child.

Evil spirits, unfortunately, are not creatures of a former age. We, too, must fight the evil powers in own lives. The difference now is that Jesus has won the ultimate victory on the cross. As believers, we share in his victory. He has given us authority over the evil forces that threaten us. We may still be fighting the battle, but, strange as it might sound, the victory is already won!

Girlfriends in God - Prioritize THIS Above Your List

by Gwen Smith

Today’s Truth

She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks. (Proverbs 31:17 NIV)

Friend to Friend

Many of us check off neatly penciled boxes. Some draw lines through the tasks we’ve finished. A select few of us even add things to our lists after we’ve done something that wasn’t on our list … so we can mark it off! (I may or may not do this…) Some of us keep track in our heads, while others track progress of daily goals on paper, on a computer, or on an app.

At times I fluff my list. Instead of simply writing, "Do three loads of laundry," I’ll create twelve list items to check off that read:

• Wash whites
• Dry whites
• Fold/hang whites
• Put away whites
• Wash colors
• Dry colors
• Fold/hang colors
• Put away colors
• Wash darks
• Dry darks
• Fold/hang darks
• Put away darks

I just love to check boxes. I think it’s because I sincerely want to be a productive person. I want to feel like I’m accomplishing something. It's pretty much a daily struggle for me. As an optimist, I wake up anticipating that the seconds, minutes, and hours of each day will bend to cooperate with the demands of my list. And …it never works out that simply or efficiently.

You struggle with this too, right? Most of us feel frustrated and at times, overwhelmed by the abyss of a rarely satisfied to-do list. It’s exhausting. We face constant demands that call to us and vie for our attention. We sift through the essentials and the fire drills, then we go to bed, wake up, and do it all again.

The good news is that we don’t need to face our lists alone. God offers to come along side of us daily to provide the strength, perspective, and wisdom we need. He helps us prioritize our days when we turn to Him in prayer. In the Bible, we read of a woman who approached each day with God-power and God-perspective:

“She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks” (Proverbs 31:17, NIV).

Though this is an impressive statement about her work ethic, and though it seems this fictional woman dominates her daily to-do list, it’s important that we consider the source of her strength: God. At the end of the chapter, Scripture shows us that she “...fears the Lord...” (Proverbs 31:30, NIV). This means that she lives in awe of God. That she worships and prioritizes Him above all else. That the source of her strength is rooted in her dependence on and reverence of God.

Ours should be, too.

Your list looks different from mine. We have unique goals, friendships, jobs, responsibilities, and families. Whether you are in the work force, unemployed, or retired … or a stay-at-home mom, a single mom, or an empty nester … a wife, a widow, single, or divorced, God can and will give you the strength and guidance you need when you prioritize and revere Him.

Consider the following verses:

“Are you so foolish? After beginning with the Spirit, are you now trying to attain your goal by human effort?” (Galatians 3:3, NIV)

“Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” (Isaiah 40:28-31, NIV)

God will strengthen our arms for the tasks of today when we prioritize Him above the list. Let’s go to Him now and ask for direction, wisdom, renewal, and strength.

Let’s Pray

Dear Lord, Please forgive me when I rush into a day without calling on You for my strength. I need you, Lord. Please prioritize my heart and my list today.
In Jesus’ Name I pray,
Amen.

Now It’s Your Turn

Read Proverbs 31:25-26: “She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come. She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue.”

How closely do you relate to the above verse? What steps need to be taken in your life to move toward a deeper dependence on God’s strength verses your own? Are you willing to go there? Take a moment to talk to God about it.

More from the Girlfriends

The Bible tells us that God is able to do above and beyond what we can ask or imagine. So why do we rarely pause to dream big dreams, think big thoughts, or expect God to do great things through us? Gwen Smith’s new book, I Want It ALL, will ignite a fire in your heart to experience more faith, more power, and more impact. More of Jesus. All of Jesus. Everything that God has for you. Order yours today from Amazon, or your favorite retailer. For a signed copy, click here to order yours from Gwen’s web store.

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

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Un Dia a la Vez - Jesús y la ley

Les aseguro que mientras existan el cielo y la tierra, ni una letra ni una tilde de la ley desaparecerán hasta que todo se haya cumplido. Mateo 5:18

Me gusta mucho que fuera el mismo Dios el que estableciera la ley y que dijera que la hizo para que no se quebrantara. Algo que Dios rechaza es la forma en que algunos fariseos, como se narra en la Biblia, cumplían la ley, pues lo hacían con fingimientos o la desobedecían en su interior. Dios dice que su Palabra se cumplirá en su totalidad. También dice que debemos cumplir la ley y enseñarla, para que de ese modo nos consideren grandes «en el reino de los cielos» (Mateo 5:19). Por eso, no tratemos de hacer una nueva ley para nuestra conveniencia.

Es lamentable que hoy en día haya muchas personas que cambien la Palabra de Dios a su manera y vivan en total desorden y desobediencia. Los cristianos debemos ser diferentes porque Dios estableció la ley de este mundo para que se obedezca:

• La manutención de los hijos: Es la ley de Dios y del hombre.
• No se toma mientras se maneja: Es la ley de Dios y del hombre.
• Se multa a quien no use el cinturón de seguridad: Es la ley de Dios y del hombre.

Todas estas cosas son algunas de las leyes establecidas que no cumple un gran por ciento de la humanidad.

La ecuación es sencilla: Obediencia=Bendición.

Verse of the Day - October 24, 2016

Proverbs 9:10 (NIV) The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.

Read all of Proverbs 9