LHM Daily Devotion - December 1, 2017 "Ghoulies and Ghosties"

Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries

By Pastor Ken Klaus, Speaker Emeritus of The Lutheran Hour

"Ghoulies and Ghosties"

December 1, 2017

For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness.

~ Ephesians 6:12-14 (ESV)

Depending on what historian you believe, it was the Scots, or the Welsh, who came up with a prayer which reads: "From ghoulies and ghosties, and long-leggedy beasties, and things that go bump in the night, Good Lord, deliver us!" Now the odds are that the person who first wrote that prayer had never seen any ghoulies or ghosties. Nor is it likely that he or she had had any encounters with long-leggedy beasties.

Still, that prayer has survived. It comes down to us partly because of its quaint language but also because it touches something deep down inside all of us: the fear of the unknown and the things which we cannot control.

When European explorers set out across the sea, that might well have been their prayer.

With only the most rudimentary of navigational tools and maps based on guesswork rather than fact, the unknown was a constant terror. Would they sail to the end of the earth and fall off into a bottomless abyss? Who could tell! When these explorers returned, mapmakers poured over their ships' logs and began to fill in the great unknowns across the sea. Eventually, major rivers, islands, navigable ports were shown. But there was still great expanses of ocean that had not been seen. There were still locations where all that was known was the unknown. In such places the mapmakers, the cartographers, with trembling hands wrote: "Here there may be dragons."

They weren't sure, so they imagined the worst.

It's not so different today. A recent poll taken in Great Britain has come up with a number of surprising statistics. For example, 64 percent of British adults admit they are still afraid of the dark. Nearly two-thirds of the nation disliked putting the lights out when they went to bed, and 36 percent regularly feel someone or something is in the room with them.

As many as 20 percent regularly check under the bed for lurking monsters; 17 percent sleep with a light on most nights of the week, and 25 percent believe they have seen a mysterious shadow in their bedroom.

If this poll is to be believed, it would appear that there are a lot of people who can, with their ancestors, honestly pray, "From ghoulies and ghosties, and long-leggedy beasties, and things that go bump in the night, Good Lord, deliver us!"

Now the Bible is silent concerning ghoulies and the others that prayer mentions. But that doesn't mean Scripture does not address the unseen spiritual realms. St. Paul spoke by inspiration when he wrote that we fight "against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places."

These things, according to Paul, were very real. And so they are. But equally real is the power of the Lord who sent His Son into this world as the sacrifice who could rescue us from these forces of darkness. Comforted and strengthened by the power of God, Paul also wrote, "No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Romans 8:37-39).

THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, from things seen and unseen deliver us. Keep my eyes on the Savior and the victories He has won to forgive and to rescue sinners In Jesus' Name. Amen.

Use these devotions in your newsletter and bulletin!  Used by permission; all rights reserved by the Int'l LLL (LHM).
"From ghoulies and ghosties, and long-leggedy beasties, and things that go bump in the night, Good Lord, deliver us!"

CPTLN Devocional de 01 de Diciembre de 2017 - "El álbum de fotos de Dios"

ALIMENTO DIARIO

"El álbum de fotos de Dios"

1 de Diciembre de 2017

Jesús hizo muchas otras señales en presencia de sus discípulos, las cuales no están escritas en este libro. Pero éstas se han escrito para que ustedes crean que Jesús es el Cristo, el Hijo de Dios, y para que al creer, tengan vida en su nombre.

~ Juan 20:30-31 (RVC)

Hay un dicho popular que dice que 'una fotografía vale mil palabras'.

En un viaje a Tailandia, mi esposa y yo sacamos más de ocho mil fotos. Lamentablemente, mi foto preferida nunca la capturé-al menos en una foto, ya que sucedió demasiado rápido: tres personas andando en una motoneta. No era la primera vez que lo veía. A menudo la madre va en el medio manejando, la hija mayor va detrás y la menor adelante.

Pero lo que me impactó en esa ocasión fue la sonrisa dibujada en la cara de la niña más pequeña. Era una sonrisa que decía: "Todo está bien en mi mundo. No tengo ningún problema." Antes que pudiera preparar la cámara para sacarle una foto, ya se habían ido.

Lo mismo deberíamos hacer con la Palabra de Dios.

Las páginas de la Biblia nos muestran a un Dios que nos ama y que nos ofrece perdón, vida y salvación. Mi foto favorita es una cruz vacía manchada de sangre frente a un sepulcro abierto, con Jesús parado frente a la tumba diciéndole a una mujer: "Ve y dile a mis discípulos que he resucitado de los muertos..."

La sonrisa que tiene en el rostro lo dice todo: 'Estoy vivo, el pecado y la muerte han sido conquistados, los que creen en mí reciben el perdón de sus pecados.'

Las imágenes que encontramos en la Palabra de Dios son tan poderosas, que el Espíritu Santo las utiliza para crear fe en el corazón de las personas.

Es claro que ninguna persona va a apreciar totalmente el amor de Dios hasta que mira el álbum de fotos de su Hijo. Es por ello que los cristianos invitamos a otros a mirarlo, diciendo: "¿te gustaría mirar la Biblia, que es el álbum de Dios?"

ORACIÓN: Querido Jesús, crea hambre en los corazones para leer y escuchar tu preciosa Palabra, de tal manera que las almas pecadoras lleguen a conocer y confiar en que tú las guiarás por la vida y más allá de la muerte, hasta la vida eterna contigo. En el nombre de Jesús. Amén

Biografía del autor: Esta devoción fue escrita por el Rev. Keith Ringers, pastor de la iglesia San marcos en Elberta, Alabama. El Rev. Ringers y su esposa Diana fueron en un viaje misional a Tailandia, donde sirvieron con Cristo Para Todas Las Naciones en Bangkok y Phang Nga.

© Copyright 2017 Cristo Para Todas Las Naciones. Que a través de estos devocionales, la Palabra de Dios te refresque en tu diario caminar.

The Daily Readings for THURSDAY, November 30, 2017 - Saint Andrew's Day

As [Jesus] 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.

Daily Readings

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.

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.

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."

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.

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.

Saint Andrew the Apostle

Saint Andrew the Apostle

Today the church remembers Saint Andrew the Apostle.

Andrew was the brother of Simon Peter. In fact, he was in part responsible for Peter's call, for he went and "found his brother Simon" and brought him to Jesus" (John 1:41-42). Andrew was a fisherman by trade. He was a follower of John the Baptist before being called by Jesus as a disciple. It was Andrew who told Jesus about the boy with loaves and fishes at the feeding of the five thousand. Andrew also assisted in the distribution of the food on that occasion.

Tradition tells us that Andrew worked among the Scythians, ancient inhabitants of a part of modern Russia. He has long been the patron saint of Russia. Andrew is also the patron saint of Scotland, and the Scottish flag bears the X shaped cross usually associated with him. It is believed that he was bound to such a cross and thus met his death at the hands of angry pagans. Today members of the Brotherhood of St. Andrew emulate his action of finding his brother and taking him to Christ. The Brotherhood of St. Andrew is an informal association of men and boys in The Episcopal Church.

Almighty God, who gave such grace to your apostle Andrew, that he readily obeyed the calling of your son Jesus Christ, and followed him without delay: Grant, we pray, that we, who are called by your holy Word, may offer ourselves in glad obedience to your service. Amen.

Read the Wikipedia article here.

Almighty God, who gave such grace to your apostle Andrew that he readily obeyed the call of your Son Jesus Christ, and brought his brother with him: Give us, who are called by your Holy Word, grace to follow him without delay, and to bring those near to us into his gracious presence; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

Prayer of the Day for THURSDAY, November 30, 2017 - Saint Andrew's Day

Almighty God, our hope and strength, without you we falter. Help us to follow Christ and to live according to your will. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

Amen

Verse of the Day for THURSDAY, November 30, 2017

Ephesians 6:17 (NIV) Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

Read all of Ephesians 6

Listen to Ephesians 6

Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Morning Devotions with Cap'n Kenny - Swordsmanship

Swordsmanship

"Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God."

~ Ephesians 6:17 (NIV)

I heard a story about a man who went to see a doctor because both of his ears were severely burned. The doctor said, “Oh my! I have never seen anything like this. Please tell me what happened.”

The man said, “Doc, I was ironing and had my phone next to the iron. Someone called, and I answered the iron instead of the phone.”

“That is horrible!” the doctor said. “How did you burn your other ear?”

“Well, they called back.”

There are natural reflexes and conditioned reflexes. For instance, if you touch a hot iron and pull away, that’s a natural reflex. A conditioned reflex, however, is something you’ve taught yourself to do, like drive a car. When you’re first learning to drive, there are a lot of things to remember: put the car in gear, look over your shoulder, and use the turn signal. But after you’ve been driving for a while, you don’t have to think about those things anymore. You’ve learned to do them automatically.

We want to develop a conditioned reflex when it comes to our spiritual lives. In Ephesians 6, the last weapon Paul lists in the Christian’s spiritual arsenal is the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God. You can have all the greatest armor, but if you don’t have the sword, the enemy will take you out. We need to learn how to use the sword of the Spirit.

What shape is your sword in? Is it polished from daily use as you study the Scriptures on a regular basis and sharpen it on the anvil of experience as you obey what it says? Or, is it rusty and dull from disobedience?

If you neglect the Scriptures, your spiritual life will unravel. You need God’s Word in your life.

Almighty God, our hope and strength, without you we falter. Help us to follow Christ and to live according to your will. We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen

In Jesus,
Cap'n Kenny


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

Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.


We need to learn how to use the sword of the Spirit!

Un Dia a la Vez - ¿Qué hacemos por Dios?

¿Qué hacemos por Dios?

Por lo tanto, si alguno está en Cristo, es una nueva creación. ¡Lo viejo ha pasado, ha llegado ya lo nuevo!

~ 2 Corintios 5:17 (NVI)

Nuestra oración de ayer fue pidiendo cambios importantes debido a que debemos distinguirnos con principios estable-cidos, pues somos hijos de Dios.

En lo personal, creo que todos los días debemos dar lo mejor a quien nos da todo lo que queremos, al que cuida de nosotros de manera incondicional.

Hoy mi llamado es a que nos examinemos y descubramos lo que hacemos por Dios. No se trata de que Él nos necesite, sino de que espera muchas cosas de nosotros. Por ejemplo, obediencia, entrega y que le busquemos con todo nuestro ser.

Así que antes tenemos que dejar dos cosas que de seguro no son del agrado de nuestro Padre: Ser quejicosos y pedigüeños.

¿Por qué no empezamos por dejar esa mala costumbre de abrir los ojos y quejarnos por algo o por todo? ¿Dejar de quejarnos por la noche que tuvimos, por el día, por el trabajo, por el cónyuge o por la situación del país? Seguido a eso, si es que se tiene un momento de oración, nos portamos como insistentes «pedigüeños». No, mis amigos, eso no es lo único que espera Dios de nosotros.

Empecemos a distinguirnos. Si buscamos más de su presencia, lo conoceremos mejor. Y conoceremos más de su amor.

Haz el gran sacrificio, si ese es tu caso, y no pidas nada hoy ni te quejes por nada. Así comprobarás la diferencia de vivir en paz y con el gozo del Señor.

Un Día a la Vez Copyright © by Claudia Pinzón

Standing Strong Through the Storm - EVANGELISM FUNCTION OF THE CHURCH

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 (NIV)

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.

NIV Devotions for Men - A Scar Shaped Like Your Picture

A Scar Shaped Like Your Picture

Isaiah 49:8–18
Recommended Reading: Psalm 13:1–6; John 20:24–28; Romans 8:35–39

For whatever reason, from the time they’re little boys guys like to show off their scars. A polite conversation with any average group of guys can suddenly turn into some bizarre, male-bonding ritual. First someone tells a story about crashing his mountain bike and the resulting scar on his knee. Then another guy regales the group about the scar left from his shoulder surgery. Another points out the scar on his hand and tells about his hunting-knife accident. Before you know it, the whole group is showing off their scars and relating the incidents behind the wounds.

Today’s passage tells us that God likes to do this as well—not to one-up anyone else with another great story but to reassure us of his devotion to his people.

In truth, there is something interesting about scars: They follow us wherever we go, and the stories behind them remind us of significant people and events in our lives.

The people of Israel had certainly wandered all over the place—both physically and spiritually. After the nation had faced devastation, occupation and deportation by King Nebuchadnezzar and the Babylonian armies, the people of Israel wondered, “God, have you forgotten us?” God answered through the prophet Isaiah: “I will not forget you! See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands” (Isaiah 49:15–16).

Did you know that God bears a scar on his hand in the shape of your picture? Of course, because God is a spirit, he doesn’t have a literal hand. But you’re so present on God’s mind that it’s as though he has engraved your image on the palms of his hands.

Perhaps the fury of whatever storm you’re facing dims God’s voice and blurs his presence. You might ask, “God, have you forgotten me?” How can he be present in the midst of your turmoil? But regardless of the storm’s intensity, you remain in the forefront of God’s thoughts. He’s thinking of you, sustaining you, comforting you, giving you strength. He doesn’t mentally check out. Whatever challenge you’re facing isn’t the worst thing that could happen to you. The worst that could happen would be for God to forget about you.

But he hasn’t yet, and he never will.

To Take Away

• Do you find it hard to accept that God knows your needs and cares for you to the extent that you’re always on his mind? Why?
• What events in your life have caused you to ask, “God, have you forgotten me?”
• How can you foster a deeper and more constant trust in the reality that God is always present with you?

Girlfriends in God - Trusting God on the Job

Trusting God on the Job

Mary Southerland

Today’s Truth

Life is worth nothing unless I use it for doing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus – the work of telling others the Good News about God’s mighty kindness and love.

~ Acts 20:24 (TLB)

Friend to Friend

God uses our work as one of His tools to mold us into who He wants us to be. When we learn to trust God with our work, we can then view our job as an opportunity to provide the tools we need to accomplish our life mission.

Paul worked as a tentmaker, a church planter, and an author. His purpose and mission never changed, but his work certainly did.

Many of us do not need a different job. We simply need a different attitude and a new point of view about the job we have. Begin by envisioning Jesus standing in the midst of your work place as your real boss. Then look for the life lessons God provides through your work.

God uses my work to teach me responsibility. Meeting deadlines, completing assigned tasks with excellence, showing respect for co-workers (even the abrasive ones) and working without supervision are all valuable life lessons learned on the job.

God uses my work to teach me about relationships. Cooperation, fairness, flexibility, humility and patience are relationship skills of a successful worker. Our workplace is not only one of our God-ordained mission fields; it is a classroom for learning to love the unlovable, forgive the unforgivable and, in short, be “God with skin on.” You may very well be the only sermon your co-workers ever hear.

God uses my work to teach me how to serve. The way we serve God is by serving others. God wants us to grow spiritually at work by becoming a servant to those with whom we work. It is easy to serve those who sit beside us on a pew each Sunday, but a real servant serves on the job.

Attitudes never sit still. They constantly move and change. An attitude is a pattern of thinking, a filter through which we view life. We can choose to be honest about our attitude at work and we can choose to change our attitude about work, but most importantly, we can choose to pray for God’s attitude about work.

Many people never experience success in their work because they are in the wrong work to begin with. Not me. As a high school student, I knew I wanted to be a nurse. My mother was a nurse and I wanted to be just like her, so I became a student volunteer at the hospital where my mother worked. When I told her the good news, she thought for a moment and then simply said, "That's great, honey. You'll make a wonderful nurse."

On my first day, I eagerly donned the required red and white striped uniform and reported for duty. The head nurse welcomed me and explained that I would be checking each patient to make sure they had water to drink, magazines to read, and a listening ear. That sounded simple enough. "Oh, and one more thing," she continued. In retrospect, I should have instantly recognized the danger in those words and run for the nearest exit. In my ignorance, I stayed. "Since we are short-handed, I may ask you to do just a few things to help the other nurses on duty," she said. "No problem" I assured her.

At that precise moment, a scream pierced the air! The head nurse calmly looked at me, smiled and said, "Could you check on that, please?" Surely, I had misunderstood her. "Now!" she continued. Taking a deep breath, I headed in the direction of the scream, praying that that it was nothing more than the celebratory cry of someone who had just won a million dollars.

As I neared the room in question, a bedpan flew through the doorway in front of me, landing at my feet. Furthermore, the bedpan was not empty. I decided right then and there that nursing was not for me, turned in my candy cane apron, and raced for the nearest exit. Mama was waiting for me as I stepped off the elevator. She smiled, handed me the cars keys, and simply said "See you at home." Fortunately, I had a wise and wonderful mother who knew me well. From that day on she encouraged me to be the teacher God created me to be.

God has a unique plan for each one of us. Our greatest opportunity for success is to live that plan. I believe God tucks into our very soul a holy discontentment with anything but His life "recipe.” We must learn to trust Him for that plan and settle for nothing less than the work He has for us to do.

Let’s Pray

Father, I want to follow Your plan for my life. Help me walk in daily obedience so that Your unique and perfect plan for my life will naturally unfold before me. When I am discouraged because of the work I am doing, give me Your peace and the assurance that I am in the right spot doing the right things You created me to do.

In Jesus’ Name,

Amen.

Now It’s Your Turn

God always reveals His plan to a seeking heart. Are you willing to do whatever God asks you to do?

Read Jeremiah 29:11 and record it in your journal. "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future" (NIV).

Ask God for His direction.

Pay attention to the passion of your heart.

Realistically evaluate your abilities and talents.

Consider the advice of those who know you best.

Then step out in faith, trusting God to help you make the right choice about your work.

More from the Girlfriends

Trust can be a scary proposition … unless you are sure of the person you are trusting. Mary’s book, 10-Day Trust Adventure, will help you take that step of faith.

And be sure to connect with Mary on Facebook or through email.

Seeking God?

Click HERE to find out more about how to have a personal

relationship with Jesus Christ.

Girlfriends in God

www.girlfriendsingod.com

LHM Daily Devotion - November 23, 2017 "Fulfilling Your Purpose"

Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries

By Pastor Ken Klaus, Speaker Emeritus of The Lutheran Hour

"Fulfilling Your Purpose"

November 30, 2017

As He (Jesus) passed by, He saw a man blind from birth. And His disciples asked Him, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?" Jesus answered, "It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him."

~ John 9:1-3 (ESV)

Sixty-six-year-old contractor, Oon Seen, was driving home from work in Baling, Malaysia, when he came across a head-on collision.

His first thought was to free the victims using a hand axe to break the windows. A locked door forced him to use the axe to break the lock and force the door open with his legs. He was able to pull 37-year-old Sri Nursuzawilati from her car before it was engulfed in flames.

Seen believes he just happened to be at the right place and time. "I was just helping someone in need, and we must help whenever we can," he said humbly. He gets it. He understands we are here to help others. Of course, we may not know the time or event or needed action until we are there.

Have you ever thought of some of the people in the Bible who were in the right place at the right time? Have you ever wondered at their patience as they waited for that time to come or their courage to face what had to be done?

Think upon Moses. He thought he knew God's purpose for his life and how he was to help his people, the Israelites. When Moses was 40 years old, he saw an Egyptian beating an Israelite. Moses killed the Egyptian (see Exodus 2, Acts 7). Acts 7 tells us that Moses supposed his brothers would understand that God was using him to save them. He supposed wrongly. Moses had to flee and live 40 years as an exiled shepherd before God called him back to help His people.

Think upon the work done by Esther. Esther was a humble orphan girl, but God made her wife of the world's most powerful man. When an enemy plotted to destroy her people, she was afraid to intercede for them. Eventually, her uncle Mordecai reminded Esther she may have been placed in her position "for such a time as this."

Yet another person from the Bible who had both patience and courage was the man who was born blind (see John 9:1-12). Imagine, he had spent his entire childhood unable to see mother or father, unable to go places without assistance, being forced to beg for a living outside of the temple. In the text above, Jesus says the man had been born blind "so that the work of God might be displayed in him."

Was it worth it? I hear no complaint from him about the past. What he did do was rejoice.

The ex-blind man rejoiced that his earthly vision had been restored and, at the same time, he was given the faith and insight to see the Savior. He could worship Jesus who had come to offer His life to lead people out of sin's darkness, into the God-given light of faith in the Redeemer.

But our miracle man's faith was not confined to gazing at the Redeemer. No, he confessed that faith in a powerful witness that shut down the judgmental Pharisees. He said, "If this man were not from God, He could do nothing" (John 9:33).

The man became just one more biblical person who helps us understand that while our situations and circumstances might be isolating, painful, or frightening, they may also be a springboard the Lord can use to display His power in our lives.

THE PRAYER: Dear Heavenly Father, we thank You that You have created us for a purpose. Please grant us the vision to see Your will in our lives and the wisdom to trust You when we cannot. In Jesus' Name. Amen.

Use these devotions in your newsletter and bulletin!  Used by permission; all rights reserved by the Int'l LLL (LHM).
Sixty-six-year-old contractor, Oon Seen, was driving home from work in Baling, Malaysia, when...

CPTLN Devocional de 30 de Noviembre de 2017 - "Ser yo mismo"

ALIMENTO DIARIO

"Ser yo mismo"

30 de Noviembre de 2017

Pero Dios muestra su amor por nosotros en que, cuando aún éramos pecadores, Cristo murió por nosotros.

~ Romanos 5:8 (RVC)

¿Ha pensado alguna vez que su vida sería más fácil si usted fuera otra persona? Si es así, quizás aprenda algo de un experimento realizado por un estudiante de 19 años de edad.

Este joven trató de averiguar cómo reaccionaría la gente si él viviera y actuara como el más notable de los santos católicos: San Francisco de Asís. Imitando a San Francisco, este joven se dedicó a mendigar, se bañó con nieve derretida, se vistió con una túnica muy sencilla, habló con los animales, etc.

¿Qué sucedió? Las personas susurraban a sus espaldas, algunos llamaron a la policía y otros lo miraron como si estuviera loco. Las reacciones fueron prácticamente las mismas que las que tuvieron los contemporáneos de San Francisco de Asís.

Con los animales tampoco tuvo suerte. "Traté de hablar con algunos pájaros," dijo el estudiante, "pero todos salieron volando".

Por ventajoso que pensemos que sería ser como alguien más, lo cierto es que no tenemos la capacidad de convertirnos en alguien diferente. Sólo podemos ser nosotros mismos, con todos nuestros pecados y defectos.

Esto no es ninguna sorpresa, ¿no es cierto? Lo qué quizás si pueda ser sorpresa para algunos es que, a pesar de nuestros pecados y defectos, el Señor aún nos ama y quiere salvarnos. Para eso Jesús vino al mundo. Esa es la razón por la que Jesús vivió por nosotros; la razón por la que resistió las tentaciones a pecar; la razón por la que se sacrificó en la cruz y también es la razón por la qué resucitó al tercer día.

Gracias a Jesús, todos los que creen en él descubren que se han convertido en alguien diferente, pues en Jesús somos perdonados, regenerados, y salvos.

ORACIÓN: Querido Salvador, te doy gracias por amarme a pesar de ser pecador, y por haberte dado a ti mismo para que yo pudiese ser cambiado y salvo. Ayúdame a reflejar tu gracia a quienes aún no saben que tú los puedes transformar. En tu nombre. Amén.

De una devoción escrita originalmente para "By the Way"

© Copyright 2017 Cristo Para Todas Las Naciones. Que a través de estos devocionales, la Palabra de Dios te refresque en tu diario caminar.

The Daily Readings for WEDNESDAY, November 29, 2017

"It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God."

Daily Readings

Obadiah 1:15-21

For the day of the LORD is near against all the nations. As you have done, it shall be done to you; your deeds shall return on your own head. For as you have drunk on my holy mountain, all the nations around you shall drink; they shall drink and gulp down, and shall be as though they had never been. But on Mount Zion there shall be those that escape, and it shall be holy; and the house of Jacob shall take possession of those who dispossessed them. The house of Jacob shall be a fire, the house of Joseph a flame, and the house of Esau stubble; they shall burn them and consume them, and there shall be no survivor of the house of Esau; for the LORD has spoken. Those of the Negeb shall possess Mount Esau, and those of the Shephelah the land of the Philistines; they shall possess the land of Ephraim and the land of Samaria, and Benjamin shall possess Gilead. The exiles of the Israelites who are in Halah shall possess Phoenicia as far as Zarephath; and the exiles of Jerusalem who are in Sepharad shall possess the towns of the Negeb. Those who have been saved shall go up to Mount Zion to rule Mount Esau; and the kingdom shall be the LORD's.

1 Peter 2:1-10

Rid yourselves, therefore, of all malice, and all guile, insincerity, envy, and all slander. Like newborn infants, long for the pure, spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow into salvation-- if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good. Come to him, a living stone, though rejected by mortals yet chosen and precious in God's sight, and like living stones, let yourselves be built into a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. For it stands in scripture: "See, I am laying in Zion a stone, a cornerstone chosen and precious; and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame." To you then who believe, he is precious; but for those who do not believe, "The stone that the builders rejected has become the very head of the corner," and "A stone that makes them stumble, and a rock that makes them fall." They stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do. But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's own people, in order that you may proclaim the mighty acts of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are God's people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.

Matthew 19:23-30

Then Jesus said to his disciples, "Truly I tell you, it will be hard for a rich person to enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God." When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astounded and said, "Then who can be saved?" But Jesus looked at them and said, "For mortals it is impossible, but for God all things are possible." Then Peter said in reply, "Look, we have left everything and followed you. What then will we have?" Jesus said to them, "Truly I tell you, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man is seated on the throne of his glory, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or fields, for my name's sake, will receive a hundredfold, and will inherit eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last will be first.

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.

Prayer of the Day for WEDNESDAY, November 29, 2017

Father, you are good.
I need help. Heal me and forgive me.
They need help.
Thank you.
In Jesus' name, Amen.

Verse of the Day for WEDNESDAY, November 29, 2017

Luke 11:1-4 (NIV) [Jesus’ Teaching on Prayer] One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.” He said to them, “When you pray, say: “‘Father, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come. Give us each day our daily bread. Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us. And lead us not into temptation.’”

Read all of Luke 11

Listen to Luke 11

Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Morning Devotions with Cap'n Kenny - Prayer Wimp

Prayer Wimp

Lord, teach us to pray

~ Luke 11:1

Hello, my name is Max. I'm a recovering prayer wimp. I doze off when I pray. My thoughts zig, then zag, then zig again. Distractions swarm like gnats on a summer night. If attention deficit disorder applies to prayer, I am afflicted. When I pray, I think of a thousand things I need to do. I forget the one thing I set out to do: pray.

Can you relate? It's not that we don't pray at all. We all pray some. But wouldn't we all like to pray ... More? Better? Deeper? Stronger? With more fire, faith, or fervency?

We aren't the first to struggle. The sign-up sheet for Prayer 101 contains some familiar names: the apostles John, James, Andrew, and Peter. When one of Jesus' disciples requested, “Lord, teach us to pray” (Luke 11:1), none of the others objected. No one walked away saying, “Hey, I have prayer figured out.” The first followers of Jesus needed prayer guidance.

When the disciples asked Jesus to teach them to pray, he gave them a prayer. Not a lecture on prayer. Not the doctrine of prayer. He gave them a quotable, repeatable, portable prayer (Luke 11:1–4). Could you use the same? It seems to me that the prayers of the Bible can be distilled into one. The result is a simple, easy-to-remember, pocket-size prayer:


Father, you are good.
I need help. Heal me and forgive me.
They need help.
Thank you.
In Jesus' name, Amen.

Let this prayer punctuate your day. As you begin your morning, Father, you are good. As you commute to work or walk the hallways at school, I need help. As you wait in the grocery line, They need help.

Keep this prayer in your pocket as you pass through the day. Don't think for a minute that he is glaring at you from a distance with crossed arms and a scowl, waiting for you to get your prayer life together. Just the opposite. Here I am! “I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in and eat with you, and you will eat with me.” (Rev. 3:20).

He is changing me! Yes, I am a prayer wimp, but a recovering prayer wimp. Not where I long to be, but not where I was. My time in prayer has become my time of power. The Pocket Prayer has become a cherished friend. Its phrases linger in my thoughts like a favorite melody.

My friend, he wants to talk with you. Even now, as you read these words, he taps at the door. Open it. Welcome him in. Let the conversation begin.

~ from Before Amen: The Power of a Simple Prayer by Max Lucado

Father you are good. I need help. Heal me and forgive me. They need help. Thank you. In Jesus' name, Amen.

In Jesus,
Cap'n Kenny


Seeking God?
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Lord, teach us to pray.

Un Dia a la Vez - Oración por compromisos

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 (NVI)

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.

Un Día a la Vez Copyright © by Claudia Pinzón

Standing Strong Through the Storm - RESPONDING WITH PRAISE

RESPONDING WITH PRAISE

Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

~ 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (NIV)

The overflow of singing praises amid great difficulties has tremendous spiritual power. Paul and Silas set the biblical pattern in the prison in Philippi (Acts 16).

Helen Berhane spent almost three years in the shipping container prisons of Eritrea. In her book Song of the Nightingale, she shares about the first time she and other women were put in an old metal shipping container that was very hot and filled with fleas and lice:

Everyone was very despondent, and many of the women were angry. They asked me what we should do and I knew they were expecting me to say that we should shout or bang the container, to let our captors know that we were not going to tolerate this treatment. But I remembered… [reading] about how Christians, like nightingales, could not be prevented from singing even in captivity, and I suggested that we sing: “We should praise God in spite of the fleas, in spite of the lice, in spite of the heat. We should thank God despite our circumstances.” So I began to sing with them, and pray, and share the Word of God from memory.[1]

Pastor Ung Sophal sat in a filthy Cambodian prison badly beaten. His hands and feet were chained for five months. “Only my mouth was unchained,” he said.

“...So I sang to God in prison all the time. Another prisoner heard me singing through a small hole in the wall, so I taught him the song—a bit at a time. He passed it on and soon eight of us were singing.”

Archbishop Dominic Tang spent twenty-two years in prison in China for his faith. He reports:

“Besides my prayer and meditation, every day I sang some hymns in a soft voice: ‘Jesus I live for you; Jesus I die for you; Jesus I belong to you. Whether alive or dead I am for Jesus!’ This hymn was taught to me by a Protestant prisoner who lived in my cell.”[2]

RESPONSE: Today I will respond to all the challenges of life I face with praise and thankfulness.

PRAYER: Pray that all Christian prisoners around the world will also respond to their circumstances as those documented above.

1. Helen Berhane, Song of the Nightingale, ( Colorado Springs: Authentic Media, 2009), pp. 36-37.
2. Tony Lambert, The Resurrection of the Chinese Church (London: Hodder and Stoughton, 1991), p 179.

Girlfriends in God - How to Wait Powerfully Instead of Powerlessly

How to Wait Powerfully Instead of Powerlessly

Kelly Balarie

Today’s Truth

For we through the Spirit, by faith, are waiting for the hope of righteousness.

~ Galatians 5:5 (NASB)

Friend to Friend

My house has green water. Yes, it's true. We packed up our entire little family and moved what I’m sure is 1000 miles away, only to land in a home with fluorescent green hyper-chlorinated water. Go figure.

Welcome home!

Not only that, but the garage is all torn up; I can hardly inch the car through the entrance. So much for a new home. I could go on and on ... (oh how I want to), but I won't.

Needless to say, we are moving. Far away. I hope.

The problem is that we searched for houses far and wide and found nothing. Places are too small or big, too pricey or high traffic, too dark or too dirty. Everything is wrong and time is of the essence, because (as you know) ... we have green water.

Where are you God? We can't wait forever.

Maybe you’re asking God the same kind of question. Maybe you’ve asked for a long time. Maybe He still hasn't answered.

God, do You care about me?
God, why are You doing this to me?
God, don't You want me to be … (healthy, happy, whole, filled, content, free?)
God, do You even hear me?
God, do You want good things for me?

The list goes on and on.

I've been there. I am there. It's hard to wait. It makes you feel like a victim of circumstances. Like your hands are tied behind your back and there's nothing you can do about it. It feels crippling. I think this is why we hate it.

What are you waiting for? What if you could wait powerfully instead of powerlessly? Where you’re full of God's power instead of power-less?

Did you know it is possible to do so?

The definition of waiting powerfully is to actively press into the power, purpose, and plans of God.  It may seem as if you are void of answers, but the truth is that you are full of Him.

Here's how to wait powerfully:

1. Wait prayerfully.
   She who asks God gets answers.
2. Wait pressing into God's teaching.
   She who doesn't know learns that God does.
3. Wait in the presence of God.
   She who stays with God remembers He is with her.
4. Wait on His grand purpose.
   She who believes God is up to something good finds out He is.
5. Wait pondering His faithfulness.
   She who remembers God's faithfulness is encouraged in it.

Choose now to trust God and wait on His perfect plan for your life. He is with you, and He will come through.

Let’s Pray

Dear Lord, You know everything. You have my right ways marked out. You have good plans for me. You care for me. Help me to trust You in all my ways and to delight in You. God, You will provide for me. Restore me in faith and renew me in Your steadfast love.
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen.

Now It’s Your Turn

What situation seems hopeless? Fruitless? Impossible?

How might believing the God of all power is behind you, change things? Change your attitude? Change your perspective?

More from the Girlfriends

Kelly Balarie, blogger at Purposeful Faith and author of “Fear Fighting: Awakening the Courage to Overcome Your Fears” is passionate about joining hands with women who often find themselves stuck in the pits of life. Step-by-step, word-by-word, her dream is that together they can emerge better - fear, fret and panic-free. Get all of Kelly’s Purposeful Faith blog posts by email for a dose of inspiration and encouragement.

Seeking God?

Click HERE to find out more about how to have a personal

relationship with Jesus Christ.

Girlfriends in God

www.girlfriendsingod.com

LHM Daily Devotion - November 29, 2017 "Never Out of Fashion"

Daily Devotions from Lutheran Hour Ministries

By Pastor Ken Klaus, Speaker Emeritus of The Lutheran Hour

"Never Out of Fashion"

November 29, 2017

(Jesus said) "For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you."

~ John 13:15 (ESV)

We all know that fashion is a fickle thing. What we sometimes forget is that the very best of things never go out of fashion.

For example, it was 1935 and Fiorello H. La Guardia was mayor of New York.

One December night he showed up at a courtroom in the poorest part of the city. He replaced the judge and took over the bench. One case involved an elderly woman who was caught stealing bread to feed her grandchildren. La Guardia said, "I've got to punish you. That will be ten dollars or ten days in jail."

Knowing she could not pay, La Guardia picked up his hat and threw in $10 of his own money. He then fined everyone else in the courtroom 50 cents each for living in a city "where a person has to steal bread so that her grandchildren can eat."

The woman left the courtroom with her fine paid and an additional $47.50.

Here's another story: this one from last month.

Security guards at a Giant grocery store in Laurel, Maryland, detained a destitute young mother who had tried to steal $15 of diapers for her two-year-old son. Officer Bennett Johns was assigned the case and cited the unnamed lady for "misdemeanor theft."

And then Officer Johns went above and beyond his official duty; he paid for the diapers himself.

As I said, some things should never go out of style, and that includes following Jesus' instruction to do unto others as He has done for us.

Of course, such a statement leads us to ask, "And just what is it Jesus has done?" Well,

• He left home in heaven to live a life on this sin-filled, God-rejecting planet;

• He left the adulation and praises of the heavenly host to embrace a life where people would reject and despise Him;

• He lived a life without ever committing a sin, but He ended up carrying every sin of every person who would ever live;

• He showed nothing but love to His lost people, and they returned His efforts by condemning Him and railroading Him to a cross where the life of the innocent was used to pay the ransom price for those who were guilty.

That is what Jesus has done for us. Now He knows it is impossible for His redeemed brothers and sisters to duplicate the depth and intensity of His caring. He still encourages us to do what we can for those needy who are placed in our path.

It is one way we can show our thanks for all He has done.

THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, there are needy souls all around us. Help us to show our gratitude to the Savior by doing what we can to help them. Send the Holy Spirit to use our actions to glorify the Savior and point the lost to our loving Lord and Savior. In Jesus' Name I pray. Amen.

Use these devotions in your newsletter and bulletin!  Used by permission; all rights reserved by the Int'l LLL (LHM).
We all know that fashion is a fickle thing. What we sometimes forget is that the very best of...