The Daily Readings for SATURDAY, December 17, 2016

First Reading
from the Old Testament

On that day the remnant of Israel and the survivors of the house of Jacob will no more lean on the one who struck them, but will lean on the LORD, the Holy One of Israel, in truth. A remnant will return, the remnant of Jacob, to the mighty God. For though your people Israel were like the sand of the sea, only a remnant of them will return. Destruction is decreed, overflowing with righteousness. For the Lord GOD of hosts will make a full end, as decreed, in all the earth. Therefore thus says the Lord GOD of hosts: O my people, who live in Zion, do not be afraid of the Assyrians when they beat you with a rod and lift up their staff against you as the Egyptians did. For in a very little while my indignation will come to an end, and my anger will be directed to their destruction. The LORD of hosts will wield a whip against them, as when he struck Midian at the rock of Oreb; his staff will be over the sea, and he will lift it as he did in Egypt. On that day his burden will be removed from your shoulder, and his yoke will be destroyed from your neck. He has gone up from Rimmon, (Isaiah 10:20-27, NRSV)

Second Reading
from the Epistles

But you, beloved, must remember the predictions of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ; for they said to you, "In the last time there will be scoffers, indulging their own ungodly lusts." It is these worldly people, devoid of the Spirit, who are causing divisions. But you, beloved, build yourselves up on your most holy faith; pray in the Holy Spirit; keep yourselves in the love of God; look forward to the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life. And have mercy on some who are wavering; save others by snatching them out of the fire; and have mercy on still others with fear, hating even the tunic defiled by their bodies. Now to him who is able to keep you from falling, and to make you stand without blemish in the presence of his glory with rejoicing, to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, power, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen. Revelation (Jude 1:17-25, NRSV)

The Holy Gospel
according to St Luke, the 3rd Chapter

In the fifteenth year of the reign of Emperor Tiberius, when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, and Herod was ruler of Galilee, and his brother Philip ruler of the region of Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias ruler of Abilene, during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the wilderness. He went into all the region around the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins, as it is written in the book of the words of the prophet Isaiah, "The voice of one crying out in the wilderness: 'Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be made low, and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways made smooth; and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.'" John said to the crowds that came out to be baptized by him, "You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bear fruits worthy of repentance. Do not begin to say to yourselves, 'We have Abraham as our ancestor' for I tell you, God is able from these stones to raise up children to Abraham. Even now the ax is lying at the root of the trees; every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire." (Luke 3:1-9, NRSV)

Morning Psalms

Psalm 55 Exaudi, Deus
1   Hear my prayer, O God; do not hide yourself from my petition.
2   Listen to me and answer me; I have no peace, because of my cares.
3   I am shaken by the noise of the enemy and by the pressure of the wicked;
4   For they have cast an evil spell upon me and are set against me in fury.
5   My heart quakes within me, and the terrors of death have fallen upon me.
6   Fear and trembling have come over me, and horror overwhelms me.
7   And I said, "Oh, that I had wings like a dove! I would fly away and be at rest.
8   I would flee to a far-off place and make my lodging in the wilderness.
9   I would hasten to escape from the stormy wind and tempest."
10   Swallow them up, O Lord; confound their speech; for I have seen violence and strife in the city.
11   Day and night the watchmen make their rounds upon her walls, but trouble and misery are in the midst of her.
12   There is corruption at her heart; her streets are never free of oppression and deceit.
13   For had it been an adversary who taunted me, then I could have borne it; or had it been an enemy who vaunted himself against me, then I could have hidden from him.
14   But it was you, a man after my own heart, my companion, my own familiar friend.
15   We took sweet counsel together, and walked with the throng in the house of God.
16   Let death come upon them suddenly; let them go down alive to the grave; for wickedness is in their dwellings, in their very midst.
17   But I will call upon God, and the LORD will deliver me.
18   In the evening, in the morning, and at noonday, I will complain and lament, and he will hear my voice.
19   He will bring me safely back from the battle waged against me; for there are many who fight me.
20   God, who is enthroned of old, will hear me and bring them down; they never change; they do not fear God.
21   My companion stretched forth his hand against his comrade; he has broken his covenant.
22   His speech is softer than butter, but war is in his heart.
23   His words are smoother than oil, but they are drawn swords.
24   Cast your burden upon the LORD, and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous stumble.
25   For you will bring the bloodthirsty and deceitful down to the pit of destruction, O God.
26   They shall not live out half their days, but I will put my trust in you.

Evening Psalms

Psalm 138 Confitebor tibi
1   I will give thanks to you, O LORD, with my whole heart; before the gods I will sing your praise.
2   I will bow down toward your holy temple and praise your Name, because of your love and faithfulness;
3   For you have glorified your Name and your word above all things.
4   When I called, you answered me; you increased my strength within me.
5   All the kings of the earth will praise you, O LORD, when they have heard the words of your mouth.
6   They will sing of the ways of the LORD, that great is the glory of the LORD.
7   Though the LORD be high, he cares for the lowly; he perceives the haughty from afar.
8   Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you keep me safe; you stretch forth your hand against the fury of my enemies; your right hand shall save me.
9   The LORD will make good his purpose for me; O LORD, your love endures for ever; do not abandon the works of your hands.

Psalm 139 Domine, probasti
1   LORD, you have searched me out and known me; you know my sitting down and my rising up; you discern my thoughts from afar.
2   You trace my journeys and my resting-places and are acquainted with all my ways.
3   Indeed, there is not a word on my lips, but you, O LORD, know it altogether.
4   You press upon me behind and before and lay your hand upon me.
5   Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is so high that I cannot attain to it.
6   Where can I go then from your Spirit? where can I flee from your presence?
7   If I climb up to heaven, you are there; if I make the grave my bed, you are there also.
8   If I take the wings of the morning and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,
9   Even there your hand will lead me and your right hand hold me fast.
10   If I say, "Surely the darkness will cover me, and the light around me turn to night, "
11   Darkness is not dark to you; the night is as bright as the day; darkness and light to you are both alike.
12   For you yourself created my inmost parts; you knit me together in my mother's womb.
13   I will thank you because I am marvelously made; your works are wonderful, and I know it well.
14   My body was not hidden from you, while I was being made in secret and woven in the depths of the earth.
15   Your eyes beheld my limbs, yet unfinished in the womb; all of them were written in your book; they were fashioned day by day, when as yet there was none of them.
16   How deep I find your thoughts, O God! how great is the sum of them!
17   If I were to count them, they would be more in number than the sand; to count them all, my life span would need to be like yours.
18   Oh, that you would slay the wicked, O God! You that thirst for blood, depart from me.
19   They speak despitefully against you; your enemies take your Name in vain.
20   Do I not hate those, O LORD, who hate you? and do I not loathe those who rise up against you?
21   I hate them with a perfect hatred; they have become my own enemies.
22   Search me out, O God, and know my heart; try me and know my restless thoughts.
23   Look well whether there be any wickedness in me and lead me in the way that is everlasting.

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.

LHM Daily Devotion - "Something New"

And he (Zechariah) asked for a writing tablet and wrote, "His name is John." ... (Luke 1:63a, ESV).

Read Luke 1:57-63.

When I was a child presents didn't show up under our tree until Christmas morning. When my wife was a child they were there Christmas Eve after church. We knew when our first child came along that one of us would be starting a new tradition.

Something new was about to happen in Zechariah's family. The time finally came and Elizabeth gave birth to a son. Eight days later it was time to circumcise and name him. Zechariah's neighbors and family wanted to name him after his father, but Elizabeth refused. Clinging to the words of the angel to Zechariah, she said his name was to be John.

This puzzled the friends and relatives. It was traditional to name sons after their father or another family member. But Elizabeth stood firm. Her child's name would transcend family relations. He was not just a gift to his family, but to the whole world.

When the neighbors turned to Zechariah, they began asking him what name he wanted to give the child. Zechariah immediately got his writing tablet and confidently wrote, "His name is John."

What a difference from nine months ago. Then he was filled with doubt, skepticism and hopelessness. The time John was growing in Elizabeth's womb, and those three months with Mary and her special Child were more than enough to renew Zechariah's flagging faith. Now with great confidence and boldness, Zechariah gives his son the name the angel had said.

Jesus makes that transformation in our lives too. By the salvation won by His life, death and resurrection, He drives away our doubts, fears and cynicism, and fills us with courage, joy and faith.

THE PRAYER: Heavenly Father, thank You for bearing with our doubts and fears. For Jesus' sake, fill us with confidence, hope and faith that we may trust You and serve one another. In Jesus' Name. Amen.

Use these devotions in your newsletter and bulletin! Used by permission; all rights reserved by the Int'l LLL (LHM).

Devociones de Adviento - El que cree, permanece

Isaías 7:1-9

Si ustedes no creen esto, tampoco permanecerán. (Is 7:9b, RVC)

El rey Acaz de Judá estaba atravesando un momento de gran peligro y amenaza: sus vecinos, los sirios y los israelitas del reino del norte, estaban planeando invadir Judá, repartírsela y poner un rey títere que respondiera a sus intereses. Acaz, si bien se ocupaba de fortificar las defensas de la ciudad, temblaba de miedo. El temor se contagiaba a todo el pueblo. La amenaza parecía justificar tanta inquietud. ¿Qué hacer? ¿Resistir? ¿Rendirse? ¿Aliarse con otro más fuerte que pueda defenderlos?

Mientras Acaz se debatía entre alguna de estas opciones, fue a visitarlo el profeta Isaías. El emisario divino lo exhorta a tener calma, a no temblar ante esos enemigos descritos irónicamente como tizones humeantes. Dios estaba al control de la situación. Las promesas de Dios respecto de la dinastía de David estaban vigentes e intactas. La mejor opción era confiar en la palabra que Dios había empeñado en el pasado. Ahora debería escuchar, arrepentirse y confiar: esa era su única opción. Pero no. El rey estaba empecinado en defenderse con otras armas, a su manera. Ese orgullo llevaría a su pueblo a la ruina.

¡Cuántas veces tememos igual que Acaz, y nos olvidamos de las consoladoras promesas de Dios! En este tiempo de Adviento se nos invita a confiar en las promesas ligadas al heredero de David: Jesús. Como parte de su reino, con una fe que no falla, las mismas fuerzas del infierno son incapaces de dañarnos. Contando con su perdón y su gracia, el diablo y sus demonios no podrán quitarnos ni la paz ni el gozo duraderos. Dudar es temer y temblar. Confiar es permanecer. Confiemos, pues, en el hijo de David.

Padre: dame tu Espíritu Santo para que no dude de tus promesas de gracia. Que permanezca en ellas siempre. Que permanezca en ti. Por Jesús. Amén.

© Copyright 2016 Cristo Para Todas Las NacionesUse these devotions in your newsletter and bulletin! Used by permission; all rights reserved by the Int'l LLL (LHM).

Our Daily Bread - Our Covering

By Anne Cetas

Read: Romans 3:21–26 | Bible in a Year: Amos 7–9; Revelation 8

Blessed is the one whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Psalm 32:1

When talking about faith in Jesus, we sometimes use words without understanding or explaining them. One of those words is righteous. We say that God has righteousness and that He makes people righteous, but this can be a tough concept to grasp.

The way the word righteousness is pictured in the Chinese language is helpful. It is a combination of two characters. The top word is lamb. The bottom word is me. The lamb covers or is above the person.

When Jesus came to this world, John the Baptist called Him “the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29). We need our sin taken care of because it separates us from God whose character and ways are always perfect and right. Because His love for us is great, God made His Son Jesus “who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God” (2 Cor. 5:21). Jesus, the Lamb, sacrificed Himself and shed His blood. He became our “cover.” He makes us righteous, which places us in right relationship with God.

Being right with God is a gift from Him. Jesus, the Lamb, is God’s way to cover us.

Dear Lord, thank You for dying on the cross for me and covering my sins so that I can have a relationship with You.

Share this prayer from our Facebook page: Facebook.com/ourdailybread

The only permanent covering for sin is the blood of Christ.

© 2016 Our Daily Bread Ministries

Nuestro Pan Diario - Nuestra cobertura

Por Anne Cetas

Leer: Romanos 3:21-26 | La Biblia en un año: Apocalipsis 8

Bienaventurado aquel cuya transgresión ha sido perdonada, y cubierto su pecado (Salmo 32:1).

Cuando hablamos de nuestra fe en Jesús, a veces, usamos palabras que no entendemos ni explicamos. Una de ellas es justo. Decimos que Dios administra justicia y que hace justas a las personas, pero este puede ser un concepto difícil de comprender.

La forma en que el idioma chino representa la palabra justicia es útil. Combina dos caracteres: la palabra de arriba es cordero; y la de abajo es yo. El cordero cubre o está encima de la persona.

Cuando Jesús vino a este mundo, Juan el Bautista lo llamo «el Cordero de Dios, que quita el pecado del mundo» (Juan 1:29). Necesitamos que se solucione el problema de nuestro pecado porque nos separa de Dios, cuya esencia y caminos son siempre perfectos y rectos. Debido a su gran amor por nosotros, a su Hijo Jesús «que no conoció pecado, por nosotros lo hizo pecado, para que nosotros fuésemos hechos justicia de Dios en él» (2 Corintios 5:21). Jesús, el Cordero, se sacrificó y derramó su sangre, y se convirtió en nuestra «cobertura». Él nos hace justos, lo cual nos coloca en una relación correcta con Dios.

Estar bien con Dios es un regalo de su parte. Jesús, el Cordero, es la forma en que Dios nos cubre.

Señor, gracias por morir en la cruz por mí para cubrir y quitar mis pecados, y pueda tener una relación contigo.

La única cobertura permanente para el pecado es la sangre de Cristo.

© 2016 Ministerios Nuestro Pan Diario

Unser Täglich Brot - Zugedeckt

Von Anne Cetas

Lesen: Römer 3,21-26 | Die Bibel In Einem Jahr: Amos 7–9; Offenbarung 8

Wohl dem, dem die Übertretungen vergeben sind, dem die Sünde bedeckt ist! (Psalm 32,1)

Wenn wir über den Glauben an Jesus reden, gebrauchen wir manchmal Worte, ohne sie richtig zu verstehen oder zu erklären. Eines ist das Wort gerecht. Wir sagen, Gott sei Gerechtigkeit und mache Menschen gerecht, aber was das wirklich bedeutet, ist nicht leicht zu verstehen.

Die Art, wie das Wort Gerechtigkeit auf Chinesisch geschrieben wird, kann uns vielleicht helfen. Es besteht aus einer Kombination von zwei Zeichen. Das obere Zeichen bedeutet Lamm und das untere ich. Das Lamm bedeckt den Menschen oder ist über ihm.

Als Jesus in die Welt kam, nannte Johannes der Täufer ihn „Gottes Lamm, das der Welt Sünde trägt“ (Joh. 1,29). Unsere Sünde muss ausgeräumt werden, weil sie uns von Gott trennt, dessen Wesen und Wege immer richtig und vollkommen sind. Weil seine Liebe zu uns so groß ist, hat er seinen Sohn, „der von keiner Sünde wusste, für uns zur Sünde gemacht, damit wir in ihm die Gerechtigkeit würden, die vor Gott gilt“ (2.Kor. 5,21). Jesus, das Lamm, opferte sich selbst und vergoss sein Blut. Er wurde unsere „Decke“. Er macht uns gerecht, sodass wir vor Gott stehen können.

In der richtigen Beziehung zu Gott zu stehen, ist ein Geschenk von ihm. Jesus, das Lamm, bedeckt unsere Sünde.

Lieber Herr, hab Dank, dass du am Kreuz für mich gestorben bist und meine Sünde zudeckst, damit ich in Beziehung zu dir kommen kann. Teile dieses Gebet von unserem facebook.com/odbdeutsch

Das Einzige, was die Sünde auf Dauer zudeckt, ist das Blut Jesu.

© 2016 Unser Täglich Brot

Хлеб наш насущный - Покрытие

автор: Анн Ситас

Читать сейчас: Римлянам 3:21-26 | Библия за год: Амос 7-9; Откровение 8

Блажен, кому отпущены беззакония и чьи грехи покрыты! — Псалом 31:1

Разговаривая о вере во Христа, мы порой употребляем слова, требующие дополнительного разъяснения. Одно из них – праведность. Мы говорим, что Бог праведен и что Он оправдывает людей. Но уловить смысл этого явления не всегда просто.

Здесь, как ни странно, может помочь знание китайской письменности. Иероглиф «праведность» состоит из двух других, расположенных один над другим. Верхний иероглиф означает «ягненок», нижний – «я». Ягненок накрывает человека, находится над ним.

Когда Иисус пришел в мир, Иоанн Креститель сказал о Нем: «Вот Агнец Божий, Который берет на Себя грех мира» (Ин. 1:29). Перед нами остро стоит проблема греха, поскольку он разделяет нас с Богом, Чей характер и дела всегда совершенны и праведны. По Своей великой любви Бог сделал Иисуса Христа «жертвой за грех, чтобы мы в Нем сделались праведными пред Богом» (2 Кор. 5:21). Спаситель принес Себя в жертву и пролил кровь. Он стал нашим «покровом». Он делает нас праведными и через это примиряет с Богом.

Праведность – Божий дар. Она дается нам в Иисусе Христе и покрывает все несовершенства.

Дорогой Господь, благодарю Тебя за смерть на кресте ради моего спасения и покрытия моих грехов. Благодарю, что теперь я имею общение с Тобой.

Единственное возможное покрытие греха – кровь Христа.

© 2016 Хлеб Наш Насущный

Notre Pain Quotidien - Couvert par le sang

par Anne Cetas

Lisez : Romains 3.21‑26 | La Bible en un an : Amos 7 – 9 et Apocalypse 8

Heureux celui à qui la transgression est remise, à qui le péché est pardonné ! (Psaume 32.1)

Pour parler de la foi en Jésus, nous utilisons parfois des mots que nous ne comprenons pas ou n’expliquons pas. L’un d’eux est le mot juste. Nous disons que Dieu possède la justice et qu’il justifie les gens, mais il peut s’agir ici d’un concept difficile à saisir.

En langue chinoise, on rend le mot justice de manière très pratique. Il s’agit de la combinaison de deux sinogrammes. Celui du dessus désigne un agneau, alors que celui du bas signifie moi. L’agneau couvre donc la personne ou se trouve au‑dessus d’elle.

Lorsque Jésus est venu dans le monde, Jean‑Baptiste l’a présenté ainsi : « l’Agneau de Dieu, qui ôte le péché du monde » (JN 1.29). Il faut que nos péchés soient éliminés parce qu’ils nous séparent de Dieu, dont la personne et les voies sont toujours parfaites et justes. Comme son amour pour nous est merveilleux, Dieu a fait en sorte que son Fils Jésus, « qui n’a point connu le péché, il l’a fait devenir péché pour nous, afin que nous devenions en lui justice de Dieu » (2 CO 5.21). Jésus, l’Agneau, s’est sacrifié et a répandu son sang. Il nous en a couverts, nous protégeant ainsi du péché. Il nous justifie, nous faisant entrer dans une relation juste avec Dieu.

Être en règle avec Dieu est un don de sa part. Jésus, l’Agneau, est la protection dont Dieu nous couvre.

Le sang de Christ est seul à pouvoir couvrir le péché pour de bon.

© 2016 Ministères NPQ

Standing Strong Through the Storm - WHAT’S YOUR STRUGGLE?

They have no struggles; their bodies are healthy and strong. Psalm 73:4

Our Open Doors colleague, Ron Boyd-MacMillan, shares the following insight from his teaching, “Why I Need to Encounter the Persecuted Church.”

I’m often questioned about the main difference between a persecuted Christian and a western Christian. My answer has not changed in twenty years. In the persecuted church, Christians realize they are in trouble, and go to God about it. In the western Church, Christians forget they are in a fight, and even if they do remember, never manage to find the time to go to God about it.

Persecuted Christians know they are in a fight. Every day they struggle. Not being conscious of a daily struggle may be sure sign that one is losing the battle of life. The ancient Psalmist looked at the rich elite of Israel and said, “they have no struggles.” They should have struggles if they wish to please God. But so many Christians in the world today seem surprised at the language of struggle today.

What struggles do the persecuted awaken us to? There is, first of all, the struggle we are always in. Everyone that visits persecuted communities comes away with a renewed appreciation of the spiritual battle we are always engaged in.

Secondly, there is the struggle we must awaken to. A persecuted Christian in Palestine said, “When you become a real Christian, you get reawakened to the fact that ‘the whole world lies in the hands of the evil one,’ and this reflects in your own culture.” She added, “What your culture worships, you have to struggle against.” In her case, it was a worship of extremist terrorists, who risked everything to kill Israelis. In standing out against that, she struggled to communicate to her neighbors who thought she was being “unpatriotic.”

We have to face up the same question. What is our culture worshipping? Is it, as Francis Schaeffer once said, “the god of personal peace and affluence,” where we don’t mind what goes on in the world so long as our space and prosperity is not affected?

Finally, there is the struggle we must create. Brother Andrew tells the story of meeting Pastor Haik of Iran, who said to him in 1993, “Andrew, when they kill me, it will be for speaking, not for being silent.” Haik was killed in 1994. If he had stayed silent about the treatment of his Christian friend, Mehdi Dibaj, Haik would be alive. But he chose to enter, even create, the conflict. The fact is we can avoid struggle if we want. Each of us has to make a choice to speak up, defy the powers-that-be, and bring a struggle into being. Otherwise Satan wins.

Persecuted Christians are always in a fight. They struggle all the time, against their own sins, against idolatries in their own societies, and against the orchestration of the evil one who is out to take our worship away from God. Yet these struggles should mark our own lives and churches as surely as the devil does not live exclusively in China or Columbia. This world is the place of struggle. What’s your struggle? The persecuted force us to ask. Everyone ought to have one!

RESPONSE: Today I will affirm and engage in the struggles I face in standing strong against the enemy.

PRAYER: Thank You, Lord, for the struggles the persecuted awaken in me. Help me not avoid them.

Men of the Bible - Stephen

His name means: "Crown"

His work: After Pentecost, Stephen was one of seven leaders chosen to be the first "deacons" to serve the needy.
His character: He is a model of readiness and untold courage in the face of his adversaries.
His sorrow: In addition to the rocks that came hurling down on him, Stephen must have been struck by the utter lostness of those who should have known better—the religious leaders of his day.
His triumph: The privilege of representing, serving, and dying for his Master.
Key Scriptures: Acts 6-7

A Look at the Man

There are only a few men in Scripture of whom you might say to your son, "When you grow up, be exactly like him." Stephen is such a man, a tender and gracious leader with a brilliant mind, a crisp tongue, and a humble yet disarmingly confident air about him.

For the Jewish leaders of his day, Stephen was not a good man to have on the other side.

Because of Peter's triumphant Pentecost sermon and the spread of the gospel throughout the region, people were converted from many different cultures. Many converts in need came to other believers for food and daily provisions. Generosity prevailed. Primarily accustomed to native Israelites coming to Jesus, the disciples were challenged with the right way to handle Jews from other nations who embraced the faith. Some of the Greek-speaking believers were overlooked.

"What we need are committed men who can help these people," a group of believers said to one another one evening. "Is there anyone here who speaks Greek?"

Seven men stepped forward—Stephen and six others. The leaders were familiar with Stephen. A man known for his faith, his oratory skills, and his Spirit-filled power, Stephen's ministry was widespread. He had even performed miracles in Jesus' name. This was one very gifted man.

But there was no glamour in the assignment for which Stephen was volunteering. He would be responsible for distributing food and supplies to Greek-speaking widows and caring for the disabled. Here was a man who was well versed in history and the law and could command audiences with his words. Now he would quietly be taking care of the needs of people who were incapable of taking care of themselves.

To the Pharisees and Jewish leaders, Stephen was a monumental threat. He was winning the minds and hearts of the people, and many were being converted. So they collared a few men who were willing to take oaths and lie about Stephen.

"What do you have to say for yourself?" they demanded of him after the false charges had been presented before the Sanhedrin.

It would have been completely understandable if Stephen had taken the opportunity to defend himself. Point by point he could have summarily disassembled the charges against him and the reprobates who had perjured themselves. But he didn't.

Instead, Stephen took the whole council on a walk through history. He identified their heroes—Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, David, and Solomon. Stephen acknowledged how God's faithfulness had sustained and prospered these patriarchs. He reminded them of how each of these men had been obedient in spite of terrible odds. This was not the speech they expected, and they were drawn to Stephen's message.

The Sanhedrin leaned forward in their seats, waiting for Stephen to identify them as members of the grand sequence of great Jewish leaders. But it wasn't to be. Imagine their horror when Stephen announced that they, like others of God's adversaries, had deliberately tried to thwart his providence—that they were the enemy.

Stephen must have known that he had pronounced his own death sentence—that the cost of his courage, of telling the truth before this powerful assembly, would be the loss of his life. Still, Stephen willingly paid the price. He didn't know that his sacrifice would plant a seed in the heart of a man who heard his stirring address and stood there, watching and approving of his brutal assassination—Saul of Tarsus—who later became the transformed Paul, the apostle to the Gentiles.

As selflessly as he waited on the needy, Stephen gave everything he had in service to the risen Lord. As a result, God took his obedience, multiplied it, and eventually the church of all nations was born.

Reflect On: Luke 23:44–49
Praise God: For his grace.
Offer Thanks: For the words of Stephen as he died, innocent, at the hands of bloodthirsty men. Thank God for Jesus’ sacrifice for our sins and his unfailing love for us, the guilty ones whose sins sent him to the cross.
Confess: Any eagerness to receive applause for your obedience rather than to be completely satisfied with God’s approval for your service—public or private.
Ask God: To give you the discipline to be prepared for whatever special commission he has for you—to have your mind and your heart properly prepared.

Girlfriends in God - Who Is Blessed?

by Susie Larson

Today’s Truth

Yes, you will be enriched in every way so that you can always be generous. And when we take your gifts to those who need them, they will thank God (2 Corinthians 9:11, NLT).

Friend to Friend

He sorted through the mail, pressed the latest bill onto the table, and looked at me with compassion in his eyes. He knew full well that our medical debt stirred up huge amounts of anxiety within me.

“We’ll get through this.” He assured.

I wasn’t so sure.

What happened to us? How did we get here? And how would we ever get through it?

The truth is, we had encountered one crisis after another through no fault of our own. And, the truth was, we had become inconsistent stewards and hit-and-miss tithers. All because of fear. But when is fear ever a good motivator for a Christian?

We decided that we needed to live like God’s promises were true, or we need to quit calling ourselves believers. If we can trust Jesus with our eternity, surely we can trust Him with our finances, right?

We got down on our knees together, bowed our heads, and asked God’s forgiveness for allowing our fears to get in the way of our obedience. Then we resolved right then and there never to hold back the tithe. I thought to myself, God must being smiling big right now. Obedience feels good.

But He wasn’t finished with us yet. He whispered to both our hearts, I also want you to keep an eye open for those around you. No matter what season of life you find yourself, there’ll always be someone within your reach that you can help. You always posses more than you know and I intend to meet some of the world’s needs through you.

That moment changed everything for us. We got up from that place and determined to ever be on the lookout for those who need what God has given to us.

I host a daily talk show on Faith Radio called Live the Promise. Andy Crouch joined me on the show awhile back and he talked about the importance of stewarding the power that God has entrusted to us. Some use their power in a corrupt way. They leverage their position to benefit themselves even though others may pay a price.

But Jesus did the exact opposite. He leveraged His power and it cost Him everything, that we might gain eternity and then some. What love!

Once Andy established that we all have power and influence in varying degrees, he posed a question that I’ll not soon forget. He said we must dare to ask ourselves: Who flourishes because I have power?

Who flourishes because God has been good to me?

It’s easy to commit the sin of comparison and come up lacking compared to those who seem to have it all. But truly, we’re more blessed than we know, and more influential than we can fathom.

God delegates to each of us a measure of influence and power. One day we’ll give an account for how we’ve stewarded our time, treasures, and talents. And since that’s true, we must consider this weighty question today: Who is blessed because I’ve been blessed?

May we live generously and wholeheartedly because we serve a God in heaven who has been so very good to us.

Let’s Pray

Precious Lord, You have been good to me. Thank you for the countless blessings I enjoy. Help me, Lord, to live a generous, grateful life. Forgive me for the countless times I’ve committed the sin of comparison. I am rich beyond measure and blessed beyond comprehension; all because of You. Give me a vision for what You want to accomplish through me, who You want to bless through me, and where You want me to go, because You have been good to me. Here I am, Lord, send me, use me, and change me.
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen.

Now It’s Your Turn

Who flourishes because I have power?

In what ways is God calling me to grow in generosity?

More from the Girlfriends

In her book, Your Powerful Prayers: Reaching the Heart of God with a Bold and Humble Faith, Susie Larson will help you learn how to boldly come before the throne of God with confidence and power. Visit Susie’s website for more information about her ministry and resources.

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

Un Dia a la Vez - Ética profesional

Mantengan entre los incrédulos una conducta tan ejemplar que, aunque los acusen de hacer el mal, ellos observen las buenas obras de ustedes. 1 Pedro 2:12

Desde la creación, el Señor nos dio el trabajo. Sin embargo, las cosas cambiaron después de la caída de Adán y Eva en el jardín del Edén. También cambiaron los planes que tenía Dios para nosotros y vinieron las consecuencias.

Desde entonces, Dios le ordenó a Adán que se ganaría el pan con el sudor de su frente. Y por eso el trabajo es tan importante para el hombre. Es como el ADN que Dios estableció en el hombre. De ahí que cada vez que un hombre tenga problemas económicos e inestabilidad financiera, se sienta morir, le afecte en su hombría y hasta caiga en depresión.

No obstante, si Dios estableció el trabajo, es para que fuera de bendición para ti y tu familia. Así que lo menos que podemos hacer es trabajar con excelencia y ética profesional.

No me refiero solo a ser honestos en la empresa, el taller, la fábrica, la escuela, el canal de televisión, la emisora o la revista donde se trabaje, también me refiero a tu trabajo dentro de la iglesia.

Hay personas dentro de las iglesias y ministerios que no trabajan con ética. Toman el servicio a Dios como algo que no merece la integridad y el profesionalismo, como si Él no los estuviera observando y algún día no les fuera a pedir cuentas.

Verse of the Day - December 16, 2016

Luke 1:46-47, 49 (NIV) [ Mary’s Song ] And Mary said: “My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for the Mighty One has done great things for me— holy is his name.

Read all of Luke 1

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