The Daily Readings for WEDNESDAY, November 23, 2016

Zechariah 12:1-10
An Oracle. The word of the LORD concerning Israel: Thus says the LORD, who stretched out the heavens and founded the earth and formed the human spirit within: See, I am about to make Jerusalem a cup of reeling for all the surrounding peoples; it will be against Judah also in the siege against Jerusalem. On that day I will make Jerusalem a heavy stone for all the peoples; all who lift it shall grievously hurt themselves. And all the nations of the earth shall come together against it. On that day, says the LORD, I will strike every horse with panic, and its rider with madness. But on the house of Judah I will keep a watchful eye, when I strike every horse of the peoples with blindness. Then the clans of Judah shall say to themselves, "The inhabitants of Jerusalem have strength through the LORD of hosts, their God." On that day I will make the clans of Judah like a blazing pot on a pile of wood, like a flaming torch among sheaves; and they shall devour to the right and to the left all the surrounding peoples, while Jerusalem shall again be inhabited in its place, in Jerusalem. And the LORD will give victory to the tents of Judah first, that the glory of the house of David and the glory of the inhabitants of Jerusalem may not be exalted over that of Judah. On that day the LORD will shield the inhabitants of Jerusalem so that the feeblest among them on that day shall be like David, and the house of David shall be like God, like the angel of the LORD, at their head. And on that day I will seek to destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem. And I will pour out a spirit of compassion and supplication on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so that, when they look on the one whom they have pierced, they shall mourn for him, as one mourns for an only child, and weep bitterly over him, as one weeps over a firstborn.

Ephesians 1:3-14
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, just as he chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless before him in love. He destined us for adoption as his children through Jesus Christ, according to the good pleasure of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace that he freely bestowed on us in the Beloved. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and insight he has made known to us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure that he set forth in Christ, as a plan for the fullness of time, to gather up all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth. In Christ we have also obtained an inheritance, having been destined according to the purpose of him who accomplishes all things according to his counsel and will, so that we, who were the first to set our hope on Christ, might live for the praise of his glory. In him you also, when you had heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and had believed in him, were marked with the seal of the promised Holy Spirit; this is the pledge of our inheritance toward redemption as God's own people, to the praise of his glory.

Luke 19:1-10
He entered Jericho and was passing through it. A man was there named Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was rich. He was trying to see who Jesus was, but on account of the crowd he could not, because he was short in stature. So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore tree to see him, because he was going to pass that way. When Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him, "Zacchaeus, hurry and come down; for I must stay at your house today." So he hurried down and was happy to welcome him. All who saw it began to grumble and said, "He has gone to be the guest of one who is a sinner." Zacchaeus stood there and said to the Lord, "Look, half of my possessions, Lord, I will give to the poor; and if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I will pay back four times as much." Then Jesus said to him, "Today salvation has come to this house, because he too is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek out and to save the lost."

Morning Psalms

Psalm 119: Qoph Clamavi in toto corde meo
145   I call with my whole heart; answer me, O LORD, that I may keep your statutes.
146   I call to you; oh, that you would save me! I will keep your decrees.
147   Early in the morning I cry out to you, for in your word is my trust.
148   My eyes are open in the night watches, that I may meditate upon your promise.
149   Hear my voice, O LORD, according to your loving-kindness; according to your judgments, give me life.
150   They draw near who in malice persecute me; they are very far from your law.
151   You, O LORD, are near at hand, and all your commandments are true.
152   Long have I known from your decrees that you have established them for ever.

Psalm 119: Resh Vide humilitatem
153   Behold my affliction and deliver me, for I do not forget your law.
154   Plead my cause and redeem me; according to your promise, give me life.
155   Deliverance is far from the wicked, for they do not study your statutes.
156   Great is your compassion, O LORD; preserve my life, according to your judgments.
157   There are many who persecute and oppress me, yet I have not swerved from your decrees.
158   I look with loathing at the faithless, for they have not kept your word.
159   See how I love your commandments! O LORD, in your mercy, preserve me.
160   The heart of your word is truth; all your righteous judgments endure for evermore.

Psalm 119: Shin Principes persecuti sunt
161   Rulers have persecuted me without a cause, but my heart stands in awe of your word.
162   I am as glad because of your promise as one who finds great spoils.
163   As for lies, I hate and abhor them, but your law is my love.
164   Seven times a day do I praise you, because of your righteous judgments.
165   Great peace have they who love your law; for them there is no stumbling block.
166   I have hoped for your salvation, O LORD, and have fulfilled your commandments.
167   I have kept your decrees and I have loved them deeply.
168   I have kept your commandments and decrees, for all my ways are before you.

Psalm 119: Taw Appropinquet deprecatio
169   Let my cry come before you, O LORD; give me understanding, according to your word.
170   Let my supplication come before you; deliver me, according to your promise.
171   My lips shall pour forth your praise, when you teach me your statutes.
172   My tongue shall sing of your promise, for all your commandments are righteous.
173   Let your hand be ready to help me, for I have chosen your commandments.
174   I long for your salvation, O LORD, and your law is my delight.
175   Let me live, and I will praise you, and let your judgments help me.
176   I have gone astray like a sheep that is lost; search for your servant, for I do not forget your commandments.

Evening Psalms

Psalm 128 Beati omnes
1   Happy are they all who fear the LORD, and who follow in his ways!
2   You shall eat the fruit of your labor; happiness and prosperity shall be yours.
3   Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine within your house, your children like olive shoots round about your table.
4   The man who fears the LORD shall thus indeed be blessed.
5   The LORD bless you from Zion, and may you see the prosperity of Jerusalem all the days of your life.
6   May you live to see your children's children; may peace be upon Israel.

Psalm 129 Sæpe expugnaverunt
1   Greatly have they oppressed me since my youth, let Israel now say;
2   Greatly have they oppressed me since my youth", but they have not prevailed against me."
3   The plowmen plowed upon my back and made their furrows long.
4   The LORD, the Righteous One, has cut the cords of the wicked.
5   Let them be put to shame and thrown back, all those who are enemies of Zion.
6   Let them be like grass upon the housetops, which withers before it can be plucked;
7   Which does not fill the hand of the reaper, nor the bosom of him who binds the sheaves;
8   So that those who go by say not so much as, "The LORD prosper you. We wish you well in the Name of the LORD."

Psalm 130 De profundis
1   Out of the depths have I called to you, O LORD; LORD, hear my voice; let your ears consider well the voice of my supplication.
2   If you, LORD, were to note what is done amiss, O LORD, who could stand?
3   For there is forgiveness with you; therefore you shall be feared.
4   I wait for the LORD; my soul waits for him; in his word is my hope.
5   My soul waits for the LORD, more than watchmen for the morning, more than watchmen for the morning.
6   O Israel, wait for the LORD, for with the LORD there is mercy;
7   With him there is plenteous redemption, and he shall redeem Israel from all their sins.

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 WEDNESDAY, November 23, 2016

From Forward Day By Day
Written by Richelle Thompson

Luke 19:8 (NRSV) Zacchaeus stood there and said to the Lord, “Look, half of my possessions, Lord, I will give to the poor; and if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I will pay back four times as much.”

My knowledge of Zacchaeus comes mostly from the children’s song. Here’s the earworm: “Zacchaeus was a wee little man, and a wee little man was he.”

While this song continues to play in the stereo of your mind, let’s talk about Zacchaeus: a tax collector and, according to his neighbors, a sinner. Whether Zacchaeus is cheating the farmers or simply following the rules of the land, he is still making a lot of money off the labor of others. But something inside of Zacchaeus makes him want more (the name Zacchaeus, after all, means pure). So Zacchaeus climbs a tree to catch sight of this nomadic preacher called Jesus, and the encounter is transformational. Zacchaeus immediately gives up half of his wealth in testimony to the Lord and commits to a life of service and witness. Meanwhile the neighborhood grumbles about Jesus’ choice for dinner companion.

Lord, help us be more like Zacchaeus, curious and earnest, and keep us from being quick-to-judge and slow to see you in every face and every place. Amen.

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Our Daily Bread - Fame and Humility

By Cindy Hess Kasper

Read: Philippians 2:1–11 | Bible in a Year: Ezekiel 20–21; James 5

He humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross! Philippians 2:8

Many of us are obsessed with fame—either with being famous ourselves or with following every detail of famous people’s lives. International book or film tours. Late-night show appearances. Millions of followers on Twitter.

In a recent study in the US, researchers ranked the names of famous individuals using a specially developed algorithm that scoured the Internet. Jesus topped the list as the most famous person in history.

Yet Jesus was never concerned about obtaining celebrity status. When He was here on earth, He never sought fame (Matt. 9:30; John 6:15)—although fame found Him all the same as news about Him quickly traveled throughout the region of Galilee (Mark 1:28; Luke 4:37).

Wherever Jesus went, crowds soon gathered. The miracles He performed drew people to Him. But when they tried to make Him a king by force, He slipped away by Himself (John 6:15). United in purpose with His Father, He repeatedly deferred to the Father’s will and timing (4:34; 8:29; 12:23). “He humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross” (Phil. 2:8).

Fame was never Jesus’s goal. His purpose was simple. As the Son of God, He humbly, obediently, and voluntarily offered Himself as the sacrifice for our sins.

You are to be celebrated, Lord, above all others. You have been highly exalted and given a name that is above every name. One day every knee will bow and every tongue confess that You are Lord.

Jesus came not to be famous, but to humbly offer Himself as the sacrifice for our sins.

© 2016 Our Daily Bread Ministries

Nuestro Pan Diario - Fama y humildad

Por Cindy Hess Kasper

Leer: Filipenses 2:1-11 | La Biblia en un año: Santiago 5

[Cristo Jesús] se humilló a sí mismo, haciéndose obediente hasta la muerte, y muerte de cruz (Filipenses 2:8).

A muchos nos obsesiona la fama, ya sea que se trate de experimentarla personalmente, o de conocer la vida de personas famosas a través de libros o películas sobre giras internacionales, presentaciones en espectáculos nocturnos o sus millones de seguidores en Twitter.

En un estudio reciente en Estados Unidos, se clasificó el nombre de individuos famosos mediante un algoritmo desarrollado especialmente para evaluar datos en Internet. Jesús encabezó la lista como la persona más famosa de la historia.

Sin embargo, a Jesús nunca le interesó ser una celebridad. Cuando estuvo en la Tierra, jamás buscó fama (Mateo 9:30; Juan 6:15), aunque esta lo alcanzó cuando noticias sobre Él se difundieron por toda Galilea (Marcos 1:28; Lucas 4:37).

Dondequiera que Jesús iba, se reunían multitudes. Sus milagros atraían a la gente. Pero, cuando intentaron forzarlo para que fuera rey, se escabulló (Juan 6:15). Aunque compartía con su Padre el mismo propósito, se sujetaba a la voluntad y el tiempo de Él (4:34; 8:29; 12:23). «Se humilló a sí mismo, haciéndose obediente hasta la muerte, y muerte de cruz» (Filipenses 2:8).

La meta de Jesús nunca fue la fama. Su propósito era sencillo: como el Hijo de Dios, se ofreció humilde, obediente y voluntariamente como el sacrificio por nuestros pecados.

Señor, exaltado eres sobre todos los demás.

Jesús no vino para ser famoso, sino para ofrecerse humildemente en sacrificio por nuestros pecados.

© 2016 Ministerios Nuestro Pan Diario

Unser Täglich Brot - Berühmt und bescheiden

Von Cindy Hess Kasper

Lesen: Philipper 2,1-11 | Die Bibel In Einem Jahr: Hesekiel 20–21; Jakobus 5

Er erniedrigte sich selbst und ward gehorsam bis zum Tode, ja zum Tode am Kreuz. (Philipper 2,8)

Fast alles dreht sich heute ums Berühmtsein—entweder um das eigene oder das Leben berühmter Leute, das wir in allen Einzelheiten verfolgen. Internationale Konzert-oder Filmauftritte. Interviews in Fernsehshows. Millionen Follower auf Twitter.

In einer jüngsten Studie in Amerika erstellten Forscher mit einem speziell entwickelten Algorithmus, der das Internet durchsuchte, eine Rangliste mit den Namen berühmter Persönlichkeiten. Bei den größten Personen der Geschichte stand Jesus an erster Stelle.

Aber Jesus ging es nie darum, berühmt zu sein. Als er auf der Erde lebte, suchte er nicht den Ruhm (Matth. 9,30; Joh. 6,15), obwohl der Ruhm ihm folgte, je mehr sich die Nachrichten über ihn in Galiläa verbreiteten (Mark. 1,28; Luk. 4,37).

Egal, wohin Jesus kam, sofort strömten die Menschen herbei. Die Wunder, die er tat, zogen die Leute an. Aber als sie versuchten, ihn mit Gewalt zum König zu machen, entkam er ihnen (Joh.6,15). Weil er den Willen seines Vaters tun wollte, bezog er sich immer wieder auf dessen Zeitplan (4,34; 8,29; 12,23). „Er erniedrigte sich selbst und ward gehorsam bis zum Tode, ja zum Tode am Kreuz“ (Phil. 2,8).

Berühmt sein war nie Jesu Absicht. Sein Ziel war einfach. Als Sohn Gottes gab er sich selbst in Demut, Gehorsam und freiwillig als Opfer für unsere Sünden.

Herr, du bist hoch zu loben. Du bist hoch erhöht und hast einen Namen, der über alle Namen ist. Eines Tages werden sich alle Knie vor dir beugen und alle Zungen bekennen, dass du der Herr bist.

Jesus kam nicht, um berühmt zu werden, sondern um sich demütig für unsere Sünden zu opfern.

© 2016 Unser Täglich Brot

Хлеб наш насущный - Слава и смирение

автор: Синди Хесс Каспер

Читать сейчас: Филиппийцам 2:1-11 | Библия за год: Иезекииль 20-21; Титу 3

Смирил Себя, быв послушным даже до смерти, и смерти крестной. — Филиппийцам 2:8

Многие из нас неравнодушны к славе. Мы либо хотим прославиться сами, либо следим за всеми подробностями жизни знаменитых людей. Интересуемся их биографиями и вкусами. Смотрим телепрограммы с их участием. Подписываемся на их каналы в Интернете.

Недавно в США было проведено исследование, в ходе которого выяснялись имена самых известных людей, исходя из упоминаний о них во всемирной сети. Список возглавил Иисус Христос, оказавшись самым известным человеком в истории.

Тем не менее сам Иисус никогда не искал славы и популярности (Мф. 9:30; Ин. 6:15). Слава сама находила Его, вести о Нем быстро распространялись по всей Галилее (Мк. 1:28; Лк. 4:37).

Куда бы Он ни приходил, сразу собиралась толпа. Творимые Им чудеса привлекали множество народа. Но когда люди однажды решили взять Его и насильно сделать царем, Он скрылся от них (Ин. 6:15). Объединенный одной целью с Небесным Отцом, Он неуклонно подчинялся Его воле и срокам (Ин. 4:34; 8:29; 12:23). Он «смирил Себя, быв послушным даже до смерти, и смерти крестной» (Флп. 2:8).

Слава никогда не была целью Христа. Будучи Сыном Божьим, Он смиренно и послушно принес Себя в жертву за наши грехи.

Ты достоин наивысшей славы, Господь. Ты высок и превознесен, Твое имя выше всякого имени. Однажды всякое колено преклонится перед Тобой, и всякий язык исповедует, что Ты – Господь.

Иисус пришел не ради славы, а чтобы смиренно принести Себя в жертву за наши грехи.

© 2016 Хлеб Наш Насущный

Notre Pain Quotidien - Célébrité et humilité

par Cindy Hess Kasper

Lisez : Philippiens 2.1‑11 | La Bible en un an : Ézéchiel 20 – 21 et Jacques 5

[Il] s’est humilié lui‑même, se rendant obéissant jusqu’à la mort, même jusqu’à la mort de la croix. (Philippiens 2.8)

Bon nombre de gens sont obsédés par la célébrité, qu’ils se souhaitent à eux‑mêmes ou qu’ils admirent tellement chez les célébrités qu’ils scrutent leur vie à la loupe : livres prisés sur la scène internationale, tournées cinématographiques, apparitions aux émissions de fin de soirée, millions d’adeptes sur Twitter.

Dans une étude réalisée aux États‑Unis, des chercheurs ont dressé la liste des célébrités à l’aide d’un algorithme spécialement conçu pour explorer Internet. Or, Jésus vient au premier rang des célébrités de toute l’Histoire.

Bien que Jésus n’ait jamais cherché à obtenir le statut de célébrité (MT 9.30 ; JN 6.15), la notoriété s’est attachée à lui ici‑bas dès que la nouvelle à son sujet s’est répandue comme une traînée de poudre dans toute la Galilée (MC 1.28 ; LU 4.37).

Partout où Jésus allait, les foules se réunissaient sans tarder. Ses miracles attiraient les gens à lui. Par contre, lorsque les gens ont tenté de le faire roi par la force, il s’est retiré seul (JN 6.15). Uni à son Père par une même destinée, il n’a cessé de tourner les gens vers la volonté et l’échéancier du Père (4.34 ; 8.29 ; 12.23). « [Il] s’est humilié lui‑même, se rendant obéissant jusqu’à la mort, même jusqu’à la mort de la croix » (PH 2.8).

Jésus n’a jamais eu pour objectif de devenir célèbre. Son but était simple : s’offrir en sacrifice à titre de Fils de Dieu avec humilité, obéissance et intention afin d’expier nos péchés.

Jésus est venu non pour devenir célèbre, mais pour se sacrifier.

© 2016 Ministères NPQ

Standing Strong Through the Storm - LOVE YOUR ENEMIES

“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you…” Matthew 5:43-44

Nigeria is divided religiously along the tenth parallel. On the north side Muslims are in the majority. On the south side Christians are in the majority. Along the border between these two groups much blood has been spilled repeatedly in recent years.

One pastor says, “We are facing persecution from our neighbors, the Muslims. They don’t want to see the gospel progressing…and they feel envious that we have more church buildings…and our businesses are expanding as well.”

Another pastor adds, “They see that they must stop the expansion of Christianity into the north, and that has to be done physically.”

And a bishop of one church denomination is wearying from the many attacks. He is quoted as saying, “We have turned the other cheek so many times, we have no more cheeks to turn!”

One violent incident took place in Tudun Wada. It began when a young student was accused of drawing a picture of Islam’s prophet Mohammed. All of a sudden the matter was taken seriously. They started burning churches and rioting with all kinds of weapons.

Nineteen Christians were killed that day, leaving behind mourning widows, family members and friends. Ten churches were burned. Thirty-six homes and one hundred forty-seven shops belonging to Christians were destroyed. But, God gave spiritual courage to His followers on that terrible day. And they refused to run.

Looking back on the situation, a pastor in the area says, “The churches that were destroyed…in fact there is none that has been rebuilt that is not bigger than what it was before. And the attendance by members has grown astronomically.”

As soon as our Open Doors co-workers heard about the violence, they rushed to Tudun Wada to see the circumstances for themselves. They provided for the spiritual, emotional and practical needs of the pastors and the entire Christian community.

Again the pastor comments, “They distributed to us Bibles and other reading materials. All of us pastors were very, very excited. We were happy.”

Another added, “Open Doors through the Standing Strong Through the Storm seminar has lifted up our hearts, and has given us a heart of love for our enemies…Just like Jesus Christ said that we should pray for our persecutors…our attitude towards them is actually to pray for them, and love them.”

The critically important need facing Nigeria is forgiveness. Christians are seeking to express it in tangible ways as they live out the love of Jesus Christ, just as He did two thousand years ago. He forgave the very people who nailed Him to a cross. That is the example Nigeria is witnessing today. And it is what will open the hearts of millions to the truth of the gospel.

RESPONSE: I will be an example to others in loving, forgiving and praying for those who hurt me.

PRAYER: Lord, bless the believers in central Nigeria today as they struggle responding to violence.

Girlfriends in God - De-Stressing the Holidays

by Mary Southerland

Today’s Truth

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:6-7, NIV).

Friend to Friend

While I am not a big fan of television, I do enjoy watching a few select home improvement shows. Chip and Joanna Gaines are my two new best friends, and the Property Brothers simply rock! A new fixer-upper show caught my eye, so I checked it out. An interior decorator and homeowner were discussing a list of changes that needed to be made in order to update the home.

“First, we have to do something about those windows,” the decorator announced. I was surprised she listed this task first – until I saw the house. The existing glass was thick and chunky and an ugly shade of something in the neighborhood of mustard. The windows let in no light and made it virtually impossible to see in or out. The result was a dark, isolated home. The distressed homeowner protested, “But I like my privacy. And if I thought anyone could see in, I would feel totally exposed.” When it comes to dealing with depression, many people feel the same way.

The holidays are just around the corner. For some people, that thought spurs exciting memories of beautifully decorated tables filled with scrumptious meals, festive shopping trips, extended family time, brightly wrapped gifts under a tree … the “Walton” kind of holiday. For others – especially those who deal with depression - the holiday season is a very difficult and dark time that is to be endured rather than enjoyed.

According to the American Institute of Stress, more than 110 million Americans take medication for stress-related causes each week, but during the holiday season, another one million people battle what experts refer to as the "holiday blues,” and many more struggle with true depression. I am very familiar with depression and the pain it holds, and must constantly battle to stay out of that pit.

Depression is an emotional, mental, physical, and spiritual disorder. Something is out of balance. We bury pain instead of confronting it. We misplace trust and seek help from impotent sources. We construct walls over which no one can climb because the cost of friendship is too high. We fill the windows of our soul with emotional excuses in order to avoid dealing with pain. The result is darkness, loneliness and missed opportunities for restoration. We don’t want to understand depression or find the treasures in that darkness; we simply want it to go away.

To deal with depression, we must first come to a place of complete surrender to God and to His plan of healing, even if we cannot see or understand that plan. God’s heart always longs for restoration.

Many people try to understand and deal with depression on a surface level – refusing to face painful experiences, difficult relationships, and the broken places where darkness lives. We look for the nearest exit, hoping to bypass transparency because the price is just too much to pay. Emotional integrity is an essential step to dealing with depression. We must be real - before we can be right. Until we are willing to risk being transparent, we can neither understand nor effectively deal with depression during the holidays or any other time of the year.

The holidays seem to tug at the masks we carefully hold in place. And those emotional buttons we desperately try to hide are brutally exposed. The arrival of family members can resurrect painful issues that have never been resolved. Financial pressure opens up like a sinkhole waiting to devour our joy and destroy our peace. Schedules demand every ounce of energy and false expectations leave us empty and hollow. It is not supposed to be that way. Now is the time to do something about it!

Thanksgiving can be a time of praise … if we choose to focus on the victories and joys we have experienced during the year, and then find ways to share that victory and joy with others. Christmas can be a true celebration of fresh starts and new beginnings, if we choose to focus on a tiny baby born in a manger, come to save us and give us true life. The light of His love can swallow up the darkness.

Right now, get ready for the holidays by choosing an attitude of joy, by focusing your mind on the things of heaven – not earth, and by letting God’s peace guard your heart.

Let’s Pray

Father, I want this holiday season to one that is filled with light instead of darkness. Please help me discard my emotional masks and be real before You as well as with my family and friends. Give me the courage to be obedient to You in every holiday setting. Give me eyes to see and help those who are in need. Prepare and enable me to make this holiday season an offering of praise to You.
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen.

Now It’s Your Turn

Take a few moments to re-visit the holiday season of 2015

• What was the best part of those holidays for you? Why?
• List three changes you would like to make this year.
• What is the first step you need to take to make those changes happen?

More from the Girlfriends

Do you dread the Christmas holidays? After a particular miserable holiday season, Mary Southerland went on a diligent search to find the secret of a joy-filled Christmas. The Secret of a Merry Christmas teaches you practical ways to de-stress your holidays.

Be sure to check out the FREE MP3s on Mary’s website and connect with Mary through email or on Facebook.

Seeking God?
Click here to find out more abouthow to have a personal

relationship with Jesus Christ.

Un Dia a la Vez - Digamos «NO» al divorcio (segunda parte)

Esposas, sométanse a sus esposos, como conviene en el Señor. Esposos, amen a sus esposas y no sean duros con ellas. Colosenses 3:18-19

Las mujeres, al igual que los hombres, tenemos funciones específicas que Dios nos dejó en su Palabra para tener un matrimonio según sus mandamientos. Dios dijo:

• «Esposas, sométanse a sus esposos» (1 Pedro 3:1). Esto no es otra cosa que honrar y respetar al esposo, darle la posición adecuada en la casa, ya que es la cabeza de la familia. Sé que muchas mujeres no viven este principio por necias, rebeldes o porque el hombre no tiene el carácter para llevar las riendas de la casa, así que la mujer asume esa posición.
• «Que la esposa respete a su esposo» (Efesios 5:33). Dios diseñó al hombre para que los respetemos. Esa es la manera en que se siente amado.
• «La mujer pendenciera es gotera constante» (Proverbios 19:13). Aquí Dios nos compara como esa gotera que cae sin cesar, y tiene razón. Muchas de nosotras, quizá por temperamento, somos peleonas, regañonas y complicadas. Todos los problemas del hogar los volvemos una tragedia y cansamos a nuestros esposos.
• «La mujer sabia edifica su casa» (Proverbios 14:1). Dios nos llamó a que edificáramos la casa. Así que tenemos la gran responsabilidad de formar un hogar con bases sanas y respeto, siendo fieles y sabias.

Si eres una fiera, vives siempre con mal genio, por todo te irritas, ¿qué crees que consigues con esto? Estás espantando a tu esposo de la casa y lo que menos va a querer es llegar a su hogar con tal de no enfrascarse en una pelea.

Únete a esta campaña y digamos «NO» al divorcio.

Verse of the Day - November 22, 2016

Colossians 3:15 (NIV) Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.

Read all of Colossians 3

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