The Daily Readings for WEDNESDAY, November 30, 2016 - Saint Andrew the Apostle Day

First Reading: Deuteronomy 30:11-14
Surely, this commandment that I am commanding you today is not too hard for you, nor is it too far away. It is not in heaven, that you should say, "Who will go up to heaven for us, and get it for us so that we may hear it and observe it?" Neither is it beyond the sea, that you should say, "Who will cross to the other side of the sea for us, and get it for us so that we may hear it and observe it?" No, the word is very near to you; it is in your mouth and in your heart for you to observe.

The word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.

 Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 19 Caeli enarrant
1   The heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament shows his handiwork.
2   One day tells its tale to another, and one night imparts knowledge to another.
3   Although they have no words or language, and their voices are not heard,
4   Their sound has gone out into all lands, and their message to the ends of the world.
5   In the deep has he set a pavilion for the sun; it comes forth like a bridegroom out of his chamber; it rejoices like a champion to run its course.
6   It goes forth from the uttermost edge of the heavens and runs about to the end of it again; nothing is hidden from its burning heat.
7   The law of the LORD is perfect and revives the soul; the testimony of the LORD is sure and gives wisdom to the innocent.
8   The statutes of the LORD are just and rejoice the heart; the commandment of the LORD is clear and gives light to the eyes.
9   The fear of the LORD is clean and endures for ever; the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether.
10   More to be desired are they than gold, more than much fine gold, sweeter far than honey, than honey in the comb.
11   By them also is your servant enlightened, and in keeping them there is great reward.
12   Who can tell how often he offends? cleanse me from my secret faults.
13   Above all, keep your servant from presumptuous sins; let them not get dominion over me; then shall I be whole and sound, and innocent of a great offense.
14   Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O LORD, my strength and my redeemer.

Second Reading: Romans 10:8-18
But what does it say? "The word is near you, on your lips and in your heart" (that is, the word of faith that we proclaim); because if you confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For one believes with the heart and so is justified, and one confesses with the mouth and so is saved. The scripture says, "No one who believes in him will be put to shame." For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; the same Lord is Lord of all and is generous to all who call on him. For, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved." But how are they to call on one in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in one of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone to proclaim him? And how are they to proclaim him unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!" But not all have obeyed the good news; for Isaiah says, "Lord, who has believed our message?" So faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes through the word of Christ. But I ask, have they not heard? Indeed they have; for "Their voice has gone out to all the earth, and their words to the ends of the world."

The word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.

The Holy Gospel according to Matthew, the 4th chapter.
Glory to you, O Lord.

Gospel: Matthew 4:18-22
As he walked by the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea-- for they were fishermen. And he said to them, "Follow me, and I will make you fish for people." Immediately they left their nets and followed him. As he went from there, he saw two other brothers, James son of Zebedee and his brother John, in the boat with their father Zebedee, mending their nets, and he called them. Immediately they left the boat and their father, and followed him.

This is the Gospel of our Lord.
Praise to you, O Christ.

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 30, 2016

From Forward Day By Day
Written by Richelle Thompson

Psalm 19:1 (NRSV) The heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament shows his handiwork.

Have you ever seen a sunrise that steals your breath? Creation yawns into morning, with first amber light rising on the horizon.

Have you ever stretched out on a field, damp grass and cool ground, and watched the clouds dance?

Do you walk the beach barefoot as waves crash into the heavens? Sit on a porch in the spring of blue skies? Kneel to the flowers, knead the dirt, and await the sun’s warmth?

Of all the many gifts of God, perhaps it is the unspeakable beauty and vast expanse of the skies that whisper most of heaven.

Go outside today, look up into the firmament of God’s handiwork, and let your heart fill with joy and your mouth with words of gladness.

Amen.

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Our Daily Bread - What Are You Worth?

By Bill Crowder

Read: 1 Peter 1:17–23 | Bible in a Year: Ezekiel 37–39; 2 Peter 2

It was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed . . . but with the precious blood of Christ. 1 Peter 1:18–19

There is a story that in 75 bc a young Roman nobleman named Julius Caesar was kidnapped by pirates and held for ransom. When they demanded 20 talents of silver in ransom (about $600,000 today), Caesar laughed and said they obviously had no idea who he was. He insisted they raise the ransom to 50 talents! Why? Because he believed he was worth far more than 20 talents.

What a difference we see between Caesar’s arrogant measure of his own worth and the value God places on each of us. Our worth is not measured in terms of monetary value but by what our heavenly Father has done on our behalf.

What ransom did He pay to save us? Through the death of His only Son on the cross, the Father paid the price to rescue us from our sin. “It was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, but with the precious blood of Christ” (1 Peter 1:18–19).

God loved us so much that He gave up His Son to die on the cross and rise from the dead to ransom and rescue us. That is what you are worth to Him.

Father, thank You for the love You have shown to me and for the price You paid for my forgiveness. Help my life to be an ongoing expression of gratitude, for You are the One whose worth is beyond measure.

Our worth is measured by what God paid to rescue us.

© 2016 Our Daily Bread Ministries

Nuestro Pan Diario - ¿Cuánto vales?

Por Bill Crowder

Leer: 1 Pedro 1:17-23 | La Biblia en un año: 2 Pedro 2

… fuisteis rescatados […], no con cosas corruptibles, como oro o plata, sino con la sangre preciosa de Cristo… (1 Pedro 1:18-19).

Se cuenta que, en el año 75 a.C., un joven de la nobleza romana llamado Julio César fue secuestrado por piratas, tras lo cual se pidió un rescate para liberarlo. Cuando exigieron 20 talentos de plata (unos 600.000 dólares hoy), César se rio y dijo que era evidente que no tenían idea de quién era él. Entonces, insistió en que elevaran el monto del rescate a 50 talentos. ¿Por qué? Porque creía que valía más de 20.

¡Qué diferencia vemos entre la arrogante valoración personal de César y el precio que Dios le pone a cada ser humano! Nuestro valor no se mide en términos monetarios, sino en función de lo que el Padre celestial ha hecho a nuestro favor.

¿Cuál fue el precio del rescate que pagó para salvarnos? La sangre de su único Hijo al morir en la cruz. Así, el Padre nos liberó de nuestro pecado: «fuisteis rescatados de vuestra vana manera de vivir, la cual recibisteis de vuestros padres, no con cosas corruptibles, como oro o plata, sino con la sangre preciosa de Cristo» (1 Pedro 1:18-19).

Dios nos amó tanto que entregó a su Hijo para que muriera en la cruz y resucitara de los muertos para redimirnos y rescatarnos. Este es el valor que tienes para Él.

Padre, gracias por el precio que pagaste para que fuera perdonado. Que mi vida sea una expresión constante de gratitud.

Nuestro valor lo determina el precio que Dios pagó para rescatarnos.

© 2016 Ministerios Nuestro Pan Diario

Unser Täglich Brot - Was bist du wert?

Von Bill Crowder

Lesen: 1.Petrus 1,17-23 | Die Bibel In Einem Jahr: Hesekiel 37–39; 2.Petrus 2

Nicht mit vergänglichem Silber oder Gold [seid ihr] erlöst . . ., sondern mit dem teuren Blut Christi. (1.Petrus 1,18-19)

Aus dem Jahr 75 vor Christus gibt es die Geschichte von einem adeligen Römer mit Namen Julius Cäsar, der von  Piraten gekidnappt und als Geisel festgehalten wurde.   Als sie ein riesiges Lösegeld forderten, lachte Cäsar. Er meinte, sie hätten offenbar keine Ahnung, wer er sei, und bestand darauf, dass sie die Summe verdoppelten! Wieso? Weil er glaubte, viel mehr wert zu sein.

Was für ein Unterschied zwischen Cäsars arroganter Einschätzung und dem Wert, den Gott einem jeden von uns beimisst. Unser Wert ist nicht an Geld zu messen, sondern an dem, was unser himmlischer Vater für uns getan hat.

Was für ein Lösegeld hat er gezahlt, um uns zu retten? Sein einziger Sohn musste am Kreuz sterben, damit der Vater uns von unserer Sünde erlösen kann. „Ihr wisst, dass ihr nicht mit vergänglichem Silber oder Gold erlöst seid von eurem nichtigen Wandel nach der Väter Weise, sondern mit dem teuren Blut Christi“, schreibt der Apostel Petrus (1.Petr. 1,18-19).

Gott hat uns so sehr geliebt, dass er seinen Sohn gab, damit er am Kreuz starb und von den Toten auferstand, um uns zu retten. So viel sind wir ihm wert.

Vater, ich danke dir für die Liebe, die du mir erweist, und den Preis, den du für meine Vergebung bezahlt hast. Lass mich dir immer dankbarer werden, denn du bist der Eine, der es wirklich wert ist.

Unser Wert misst sich an dem Preis, den Gott für unsere Erlösung gezahlt hat.

© 2016 Unser Täglich Brot

Хлеб наш насущный - Сколько вы стоите?

автор: Билл Краудер

Читать сейчас: 1 Петра 1:17-23 | Библия за год: Иезекииль 37-39; Евреям 6

Не тленным серебром или золотом искуплены вы... но драгоценной кровью Христа как непорочного и чистого Агнца. — 1 Петра 1:18-19

Рассказывают, что в 75 г. до Р. Х. молодого благородного римлянина по имени Юлий Цезарь похитили пираты, чтобы потребовать за него выкуп. Узнав, что они хотят за его голову двадцать талантов серебра (примерно 600 000 долларов), Юлий рассмеялся и заявил, что они, по-видимому, не понимают, кто перед ними. После этого потребовал, чтобы сумму выкупа подняли до пятидесяти талантов. Он считал, что стоит намного больше каких-то жалких двадцати талантов.

Деньги немалые, но какими ничтожными кажутся амбиции молодого Цезаря в сравнении с тем, как Бог оценил каждого из нас! Наша ценность измеряется не деньгами, а тем, что Небесный Отец совершил для нашего искупления.

Какой же выкуп Он дал, чтобы спасти нас? Смертью Своего Единородного Сына Бог уплатил цену нашего спасения от греха. «Не тленным серебром или золотом искуплены вы от суетной жизни, переданной вам от отцов, но драгоценной кровью Христа» (1 Пет. 1:18-19).

Бог так возлюбил нас, что послал Своего Сына умереть на кресте и воскреснуть из мертвых, чтобы искупить и избавить нас от вечной гибели. Мы – ничтожные грешники, но в глазах Бога мы, благодаря Христу, стали величайшим приобретением.

Отче, благодарю Тебя за любовь, которую Ты явил мне, и за цену, которую уплатил за мое прощение. Всей своей жизнью я хочу благодарить Тебя, потому что не я, а Ты – величайшее сокровище, цена которого неизмерима.

Бог заплатил за нас наивысшую цену из возможных.

© 2016 Хлеб Наш Насущный

Notre Pain Quotidien - Quelle est votre valeur ?

par Bill Crowder

Lisez : 1 Pierre 1.17‑23 | La Bible en un an : Ézéchiel 37 – 39 et 2 Pierre 2

[Ce] n’est pas par des choses périssables, par de l’argent ou de l’or, que vous avez été rachetés […] mais par le sang précieux de Christ. (1 Pierre 1.18-19)

On raconte qu’en l’an 75 av. J.‑C. des pirates auraient enlevé un jeune noble de Rome nommé Jules César pour qui ils auraient exigé une rançon de 20 talents d’argent (qui représenterait aujourd’hui une somme de 600 000 $). On dit que César aurait déclaré dans un éclat de rire qu’ils ignoraient manifestement qui il était. Il aurait alors insisté pour que ses ravisseurs augmentent leur rançon à 50 talents ! Pourquoi ? Parce qu’il estimait sa valeur être bien supérieure à 20 talents.

Quelle différence marquée pouvons-nous voir entre la démesure avec laquelle l’arrogant César estimait sa propre valeur et la valeur que Dieu reconnaît à chacun de nous ? Selon notre Seigneur, notre valeur ne se mesure pas en argent, mais au prix auquel notre Père céleste nous a lui‑même évalué.

Quelle rançon a‑t‑il payée pour nous sauver ? C’est au prix de la mort de son Fils sur la croix que le Père nous a fait échapper à nos péchés : « [Ce] n’est pas par des choses périssables, par de l’argent ou de l’or, que vous avez été rachetés […] mais par le sang précieux de Christ » (1 PI 1.18,19).

Dieu nous a tant aimés qu’il a donné son Fils pour qu’il meure sur la croix et ressuscite des morts en rançon de nos péchés. Voilà tout le prix que nous avons à ses yeux !

Notre valeur se mesure au prix que Dieu a payé pour nous sauver.

© 2016 Ministères NPQ

Girlfriends in God - Choose Forgiveness and Set Yourself Free

by Mary Southerland

Today’s Truth

Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you (Colossians 3:13, NIV).

Friend to Friend

Do you remember the last words of Jesus as He hung on the cross? “It is finished!” The most literal translation would be “paid in full.”

I will never forget paying off my very first car loan. After sending in my forty-eighth and final payment, I celebrated the fact that I finally owned my bright blue and ever-so-compact Chevrolet Vega – from bumper to bumper. There were those who said you couldn’t drive a Vega – you had to wear it. Others described the bright color as strangely “unique.” But to me, it was the most beautiful car in the world because it was mine.

I quickly found other places to spend the once allocated car payment and went on with life – until the day I opened my mailbox to find the loan papers for my car. Stamped in big red letters across the document were the words, “Paid in full.” I danced a jig right there in my driveway because I was finally free of that debt.

Part of forgiveness is releasing the person from the debt we think they owe us. Refusing to let go of the hurt and pain someone has caused in our lives will always rob us of our joy.

We can choose to release our pain and cut our losses, instead of allowing the weight of an unpaid debt deplete our mental and emotional energy. In other words, we can forgive the debt and free ourselves.

Forgiving the debt is a deliberate choice that is made by an act of your will. You may not feel forgiving. It doesn’t matter. Just do it, and many times the feelings will follow that choice – other times they won’t. Feelings are irrelevant, but obedience is crucial. Do not base the validity of what you are doing on how you feel. Make the choice to forgive … and then obey.

Someone once said: “We put our resentments in cold storage and then pull the switch to let them thaw out again. Our grudges are taken out to the lake of prayer to drown them, and we end up giving them a swimming lesson. How often have we torn up the canceled note, but hang on to the wastebasket that holds the pieces? This is not to say that human forgiveness does not occur; only that it is rare and that much that passes for forgiveness is often not so at all.”

God is the One who heals painful memories. Forgiveness puts us in the correct posture for Him to do so in our lives. Over the years, I have learned several life-changing truths about forgiveness:

If we make the choice to forgive, God will supply the forgiveness.
There should be no limit to our forgiveness because there is no limit to His.
Forgiveness is not a feeling or an emotion. Forgiveness is a deliberate choice.
Forgiveness is our greatest need and God’s greatest gift.

While we cannot change the past, we can change our response to the past and dictate the power it has over us.

If our greatest need had been information, God would have sent an educator.
If our greatest need had been technology, God would have sent a scientist.
But because our greatest need was and is forgiveness, God sent a Savior.

Jesus Christ is calling us all to a higher place, a place of forgiveness. The choice is ours to make. Today, we can choose freedom by choosing to forgive.

Let’s Pray

Father, I praise You for the love and forgiveness You so freely offer. I don’t understand how You can love me when I am so unworthy of the sacrifice Jesus made on the cross. To think that He died for me rocks my world. Please give me the wisdom and strength to forgive those who have hurt me. I want my life to be a living illustration of Your unconditional love and unending forgiveness.
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen.

Now It’s Your Turn

• Make a list of the sins in your life that need the forgiveness of God. Ask God to forgive you for each one. If you have sinned against someone else, take the first step toward reconciliation. If someone has sinned against you, choose forgiveness over revenge, and go to them in love, seeking restoration.
• Consider the following questions and record your answers in your journal.
• What are the rewards of forgiveness?
• What are the barriers to forgiveness in your heart?
• What are the things for which you cannot forgive yourself?
• What does refusing to forgive yourself indicate about your understanding of true forgiveness?
• Celebrate right now the power of forgiveness in your life.

More from the Girlfriends

Need help choosing to forgive that person who hurt you? Mary’s CD, The Power of Forgiveness, is the message of God's power to forgive and God's plan for unleashing that power in our lives.

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

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Un Dia a la Vez - Oración por compromisos

Ten compasión de mí, oh Dios; ten compasión de mí, que en ti confío. A la sombra de tus alas me refugiaré. Salmo 57:1

Señor, mi Dios, buscamos tu rostro en este día dándote gracias por tus maravillas.

Gracias, Jesús, porque tú eres mayor que cualquier necesidad y que cualquier problema que pueda tener.

Ayúdame, Señor, a ser una persona de palabra, que mi «sí» sea sí y mi «no» sea no. No permitas, mi Dios, que vaya por el mundo creando falsas expectativas. Por eso, quita de mí toda soberbia y hazme una persona recta.

Te honro hoy y me comprometo a hacer cambios y a buscar tu rostro cada día.

Quiero ser un mejor compañero de trabajo, un buen líder, un excelente padre, el mejor de los cónyuges y el mejor de los hijos.

Además, Señor, anhelo amarte, servirte y entregarme a ti con todo mi corazón.

Pongo delante de ti este nuevo día y confío en tus promesas.

Bendice a mi familia y guárdanos de todo mal y peligro.

En el nombre de Jesús, amén y amén.

Standing Strong Through the Storm - EVANGELISM FUNCTION OF THE CHURCH

“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit…” Matthew 28:19

Johan Companjen, President Emeritus of Open Doors International, was travelling in the Philippines. Finding it extremely hot in his hotel room, he called for a staff person. “Is the air-conditioning not working?” he asked. “Oh yes sir,” the man replied, “It’s working. It’s just not functioning!”

Jesus Christ ordained five functions for His church to be involved in for Him. We are to evangelize (Matthew 28:19); to disciple or train those who are evangelized (Matthew 28:20); to minister or serve people demonstrating God’s love (Matthew 22:39; Ephesians 4:12); to fellowship together (Ephesians 2:19; Galatians 6:10); and to worship together (Matthew 4:10; John 4:23). In the Bible, there is not necessarily a priority order for these five purposes. They are all equally important.

Evangelism is one primary function. If we really have come to know Christ as Lord and Savior, we will want to share this wonderful experience with those we love. It sometimes seems hard or embarrassing to share the Gospel with our friends and relatives. But if we really love them, and if we really believe that without Christ they will suffer for eternity separated from God, we will tell them no matter how oppressive the culture or the political situation may be.

Restrictions on the church cause new creative means of evangelism to arise. In a restricted country of Asia, one such creative method is to hire a bus and invite relatives and friends to a free outing to the beach. Once in the bus, the pastor with a hand-held loudspeaker starts preaching to his “captive audience” about the love of Christ. At the beach the sharing and fellowship continues…as well as a water baptism for new believers.

In Soviet Russia, a group of Christians took advantage of the funeral of a small daughter of one of the members to present a public evangelistic witness. On the way to the cemetery, they stopped every few hundred meters to sing triumphant songs of praise. The father of the dead child also gave a clear message of salvation in Christ. Many listeners along the way were deeply touched.

In Vietnam, Pastor Ho Hieu Ha spent over six years in prison for pastoring a growing church right under the noses of the unhappy authorities. But he felt that his imprisonment was not a waste because he used the time to witness to others who were also in prison. When he was released, he had led ninety-six people to Jesus and discipled them.

RESPONSE: I am committed to sharing Christ’s love with others. It is a primary function of the church.

PRAYER: Pray for those in restricted environments as they creatively find ways to witness about their faith.

Verse of the Day - November 29, 2016

Psalm 136:1,26 (NIV) [ Psalm 136 ] Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good. His love endures forever. Give thanks to the God of heaven. His love endures forever.

Read all of Psalm 136

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