LHM Daily Devotion - "Set Apart"

January 2, 2017

... they brought Him up to Jerusalem to present Him to the Lord. (Luke 2:22b, ESV)

Read Luke 2:22-24

I was really rough on toys when I was a kid. Few of the presents I opened on Christmas day actually lasted through the 12 days of Christmas. Sadly, I realize now that only two of all those great toys still survive to this day: a Tiny Tonka bulldozer and a gas-powered Cox mini-van. The van doesn't run, and the bulldozer has a few rust spots on it, but those two toys stand apart as special to me because of their physical connection to my long-gone childhood.

Today's devotion is about the day Jesus was set apart as someone special. After the eighth-day circumcision, the next big event for firstborn male children was their presentation at the temple in Jerusalem, when they were 40 days old.

The firstborn male child of each family was set apart as holy to the Lord. And among all the Jewish boys presented, this Son was unique. Through His miraculous conception, Jesus was the only male Child who truly stood apart from all His fellow Israelites, the only One who was actually holy to the Lord, in, and of Himself.

In His presentation Jesus was officially set apart and presented to the Lord for the unique work He would undertake, saving all people from sin, death and hell. Through faith in Him, God sets you and me apart from all people, so we may serve the Lord and share Jesus' story with those around us.

THE PRAYER: Heavenly Father, through Your Son Jesus Christ, You have set me apart as holy. Equip me and all your children in Jesus to share His wonderful salvation with those around us. 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 momento y lugar indicados

Lunes 02 de Enero

Lucas 2:36-38

En ese mismo instante Ana se presentó, y dio gracias a Dios y habló del niño a todos los que esperaban la redención de Jerusalén. (Lc 2:38, RVC)

Estar en el lugar indicado, en el momento justo. A veces sucede, ya sea para nuestro bien o el bien de los demás, y entonces exclamamos cosas tales como ¡fue de Dios! Es que no hay manera de explicar ciertos encuentros o coincidencias. Hasta parece que una mano invisible hubiese organizado todo.

Ana, la anciana profetisa que había pasado casi toda su vida en el templo, vive uno de esos momentos únicos e irrepetibles. Tras largos años sirviendo en la casa de Dios con ayunos y oraciones, consideraba que ése era su lugar en el mundo. Y Dios, a quien había servido con tanta fidelidad, le tenía reservada una sorpresa mayúscula: iba a permitirle ver con sus propios ojos al niño Mesías, su redentor. ¿Acaso fue casualidad? No, en realidad estuvo allí en el momento y lugar indicados.

Ese niño Mesías, el Salvador del mundo, sigue haciéndose presente en los templos en los que se predica su evangelio y se entrega su perdón y salvación en cada servicio divino. Lamentablemente, algunos creen que la iglesia está llena de hipócritas y que ellos--buenos por sí mismos--no tienen por qué estar allí. Otros quizás piensan que son demasiado pecadores y que no tienen cabida en ese lugar, porque es un sitio reservado para santos. Lamentablemente, tanto unos como otros se privarán de un encuentro con Jesús. Porque para encontrarnos con Jesús, es necesario que le busquemos allí donde él se deja encontrar.

No renunciemos a nuestra búsqueda. Jesús quiere encontrarnos. Escuchemos el testimonio de aquellos que, como Ana, nos hablan de Jesús.

Señor Dios: condúceme a tu templo para que pueda oír la invitación de quienes ya se han encontrado contigo. Por Jesús. Amén.

© Copyright 2016 Cristo Para Todas Las Naciones

Our Daily Bread - The Perfect Gift

By David McCasland

Read: Romans 11:33–12:2 | Bible in a Year: Genesis 4–6; Matthew 2

Offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Romans 12:1

The weeks after Christmas are the busiest time of year in the US for merchandise returns as people trade unwanted gifts for what they really want. Yet you probably know a few people who always seem to give the perfect gift. How do they know just what another person values and what is right for the occasion? The key to successful gift-giving is not money; it’s listening to others and taking a personal interest in what they enjoy and appreciate.

This is true for family and friends. But what about God? Is there anything meaningful or valuable that we can give to God? Is there anything He doesn’t already have?

Romans 11:33–36, a song of praise to God for His great wisdom, knowledge, and glory, is followed by a call to give ourselves to Him. “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship” (12:1). Instead of being shaped by the world around us, we are to be “transformed by the renewing of [our] mind” (v. 2).

What’s the best gift we can give to God today? In gratitude, humility, and love we can give ourselves completely to Him—heart, mind, and will. It’s just what the Lord is longing to receive from each of us.

Dear Lord, I’m Yours. I want to offer myself to You—heart, mind, and will—in humble service and in thankful worship for all You have done for me.

The best gift we can give to God is ourselves.

© 2016 Our Daily Bread Ministries

Nuestro Pan Diario - El regalo perfecto

Por David C. McCasland

Leer: Romanos 11:33–12:2 | La Biblia en un año: Mateo 2

… que presentéis vuestros cuerpos en sacrificio vivo, santo, agradable a Dios… (Romanos 12:1)

En muchos países, las semanas posteriores a Navidad son las más ajetreadas del año, ya que la gente cambia los regalos por lo que realmente quiere. Sin embargo, hay personas que parecen dar siempre el regalo perfecto. ¿Cómo saben qué es lo que valora otra persona o lo apropiado para la ocasión? La clave del éxito al hacer un regalo no es el dinero, sino escuchar a los demás e interesarse en lo que ellos aprecian y disfrutan.

Es así con la familia y los amigos. Pero ¿se aplica a Dios? ¿Hay algo importante o valioso que podamos dar al Señor? ¿Algo que todavía no tenga?

Al cántico de alabanza a Dios por su gran sabiduría, conocimiento y gloria, registrado en Romanos 11:33-36, le sigue un llamado a dar nuestro cuerpo a Él: «Así que, hermanos, os ruego por las misericordias de Dios, que presentéis vuestros cuerpos en sacrificio vivo, santo, agradable a Dios, que es vuestro culto racional» (12:1). En lugar de permitir que nos moldee el mundo que nos rodea, debemos ser transformados «por medio de la renovación de [nuestro] entendimiento» (v. 2).

¿Cuál es el mejor regalo que podemos darle hoy a Dios? Con gratitud, humildad y amor, podemos darle todo nuestro ser a Él: cuerpo, mente y voluntad. Es sencillamente lo que el Señor anhela recibir de nuestra parte.

Señor, hoy te entrego mi vida.

El mejor regalo que podemos hacerle a Dios es todo nuestro ser.

© 2016 Ministerios Nuestro Pan Diario

Unser Täglich Brot - Das perfekte Geschenk

Von David McCasland

Lesen: Römer 11,33–12,2 | Die Bibel In Einem Jahr: 1.Mose 4–6; Matthäus 2

Ich ermahne euch . . ., dass ihr eure Leiber hingebt als Opfer, das lebendig, heilig und Gott wohlgefällig ist. Das sei euer vernünftiger Gottesdienst. Römer 12,1

In vielen Teilen der Welt sind die Wochen nach Weihnachten die hektischste Zeit des Jahres, weil dann viele Leute die Geschenke zurückbringen, die ihnen nicht gefallen und sie diese gegen etwas eintauschen wollen, was ihnen wirklich gefällt. Aber es gibt auch Menschen, die so gut wie immer das Richtige schenken. Woher wissen sie, was einem anderen gefallen könnte und dem Anlass entspricht? Der Schlüssel zum erfolgreichen Schenken ist nicht das Geld, sondern dass man anderen zuhört und sich dafür interessiert, woran sie sich freuen.

Das gilt für Familie und Freunde. Aber wie ist es mit Gott? Können wir ihm etwas schenken, was ihm etwas bedeutet und wertvoll für ihn ist? Hat er nicht schon alles? Römer 11,33-36 ist ein Loblied auf Gottes große Weisheit, Erkenntnis und Herrlichkeit. Ihm folgt der Aufruf, uns selbst Gott hinzugeben: „Ich ermahne euch nun, liebe Brüder, durch die Barmherzigkeit Gottes, dass ihr eure Leiber hingebt als ein Opfer, das lebendig, heilig und Gott wohlgefällig ist. Das sei euer vernünftiger Gottesdienst“ (12,1). Statt uns von unserer Umgebung prägen zu lassen, sollen wir uns ändern „durch Erneuerung [unseres] Sinnes“ (V.2).

Was können wir Gott heute als Geschenk bringen? In Dankbarkeit, Demut und Liebe können wir uns selbst schenken—mit allem, was wir haben, Herz, Seele und Willen. Genau darauf wartet er.

Herr, ich gehöre dir. Ich will mich dir schenken—mit Herz, Seele und Willen—zu demütigem Dienst und in dankbarer Anbetung für alles, was du für mich getan hast.

Das beste Geschenk, das wir Gott bringen können, sind wir selbst.

© 2016 Unser Täglich Brot

Хлеб наш насущный - Лучший подарок

автор: Дэвид Маккасланд

Читать сейчас: Римлянам 11:33–12:2 | Библия за год: Бытие 4-6; Матфея 2

Итак, умоляю вас, братья, милосердием Божьим: представьте тела ваши в жертву живую, святую, благоугодную Богу, для разумного служения вашего. — Римлянам 12:1

Время после Рождества – самое загруженное время года в США: люди меняют ненужные подарки на то, что им действительно может пригодиться. Однако вы наверняка знаете нескольких человек, которые всегда дарят то, что менять не хочется. Откуда, интересно, они знают, что нужно другому человеку и притом именно в это время? Секрет хорошего подарка – не в деньгах. Он в том, чтобы прислушиваться к людям и проявлять личный интерес к их жизни, радостям и увлечениям.

Это что касается родных и друзей. А как же Бог? Есть ли что-то ценное и значимое, что мы можем подарить Богу? Есть ли что-нибудь такое, чего у Него нет?

Вслед за песнью хвалы Богу за Его великую мудрость, ведение и славу в Послании к римлянам 11:33-36 следует призыв к посвящению Ему: «Итак, умоляю вас, братья, милосердием Божьим: представьте тела ваши в жертву живую, святую, благоугодную Богу, для разумного служения вашего» (Рим. 12:1). Вместо того чтобы сообразовываться с миром, мы призваны преображаться «обновлением ума» (Рим. 12:2).

Какой подарок мы можем принести Богу? С благодарностью, смирением и любовью мы можем отдать Ему себя – свое сердце, разум и волю. Это именно то, что Господь желает получить от каждого из нас.

Дорогой Господь, я Твой. Я хочу принести Тебе себя – свое сердце, разум и волю – в смиренном служении и в благодарном поклонении за все, что Ты сделал для меня.

Лучший подарок Богу – это мы сами.

© 2016 Хлеб Наш Насущный

Notre Pain Quotidien - Le cadeau parfait

par David McCasland

Lisez : Romains 11.33 – 12.2 | La Bible en un an : Genèse 4 – 6 et Matthieu 2

[Offrez] vos corps comme un sacrifice vivant, saint, agréable à Dieu, ce qui sera de votre part un culte raisonnable. (Romains 12.1)

Aux États‑Unis, les semaines qui suivent Noël sont les plus occupées de l’année en raison des retours de marchandises, car beaucoup de gens vont dans les magasins y troquer des cadeaux non voulus contre ce qu’ils désirent réellement. Pourtant, vous devez connaître quelques personnes qui semblent avoir le don de toujours offrir le cadeau parfait. Comment font‑ils pour savoir exactement ce qui a du prix aux yeux de l’autre ou ce qui convient à chaque occasion ? L’argent n’a rien à voir dans le succès d’un cadeau ; ce sont l’écoute et l’intérêt que nous portons à la personne qui nous permettent de découvrir ce qui lui plaira le plus.

Or, cela vaut pour nos proches et nos amis, mais qu’en est‑il de Dieu ? Avons‑nous quoi que ce soit de valeur à lui offrir ? Existe‑t‑il quelque chose qu’il ne possède pas déjà ?

Romains 11.33‑36, un chant de louanges offert à Dieu pour le remercier de sa sagesse, de sa connaissance et de sa gloire infinies est suivi de l’appel à nous donner à lui : « [Offrez] vos corps comme un sacrifice vivant, saint, agréable à Dieu, ce qui sera de votre part un culte raisonnable » (12.1). Au lieu de laisser le monde qui nous entoure nous façonner, laissons‑nous donc être « transformés par le renouvellement de l’intelligence » (V. 2).

Quel est le meilleur cadeau que nous puissions faire à Dieu aujourd’hui ? Avec gratitude, humilité et amour, donnons‑lui tout notre être – coeur, esprit et volonté, soit tout ce que Dieu veut recevoir de nous.

Le meilleur cadeau que nous puissions faire à Dieu : notre personne.

© 2016 Ministères NPQ

The Sunday Readings for SUNDAY, January 1, 2017 - Feast of the Circumcision of Christ

First Reading
from the Old Testament

Numbers 6:22-27
The LORD spoke to Moses, saying: Speak to Aaron and his sons, saying, Thus you shall bless the Israelites: You shall say to them, The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face to shine upon you, and be gracious to you; the LORD lift up his countenance upon you, and give you peace. So they shall put my name on the Israelites, and I will bless them.

This is the Word of the Lord

Responsorial Psalm

Psalm 8 Domine, Dominus noster
1   O LORD our Governor, how exalted is your Name in all the world!
2   Out of the mouths of infants and children your majesty is praised above the heavens.
3   You have set up a stronghold against your adversaries, to quell the enemy and the avenger.
4   When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars you have set in their courses,
5   What is man that you should be mindful of him? the son of man that you should seek him out?
6   You have made him but little lower than the angels; you adorn him with glory and honor;
7   You give him mastery over the works of your hands; you put all things under his feet:
8   All sheep and oxen, even the wild beasts of the field,
9   The birds of the air, the fish of the sea, and whatsoever walks in the paths of the sea.
10   O LORD our Governor, how exalted is your Name in all the world!

Second Reading
from the Epistles

Galatians 4:4-7
But when the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, in order to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as children. And because you are children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, "Abba! Father!" So you are no longer a slave but a child, and if a child then also an heir, through God.

This is the Word of the Lord

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.

On the Eight Day - The Sunday Sermon for SUNDAY, January 1, 2017 - Feast of the Circumcision of Christ

Circumcision of Christ, Menologion of Basil II, 979-984

The Holy Gospel
according to St Luke, the 2nd Chapter

Glory to You, O Lord

Luke 2:15-21
When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let us go now to Bethlehem and see this thing that has taken place, which the Lord has made known to us." So they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the child lying in the manger. When they saw this, they made known what had been told them about this child; and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds told them. But Mary treasured all these words and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them. After eight days had passed, it was time to circumcise the child; and he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb.

This is the Gospel of the Lord

Grace and peace to you from our Lord and Saviour, Jesus who is the Christ. Amen

"On the Eight Day"

"After eight days had passed, it was time to circumcise the child; and he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb."

He humbled himself….

Even to circumcision…

Last Sunday, we celebrated the incredible birth of Jesus into this world. The long awaited Wonderful Counselor, Almighty God, the Everlasting Father and Prince of Peace, the one whom through everything that was created, now lives and breathes, among His creation. A little baby, born in that cold stable, lying in a hard manger, packed with strips of cloth. His eyes look around and see people, people He loves, and people He will, in 3 decades die for, on a cruel, hard cross.

Today, we see him pictured in the one verse of the Gospel lesson, visibly 8 days old, yet really older than time. Scripture tells us what happened on that day, as in obedience to the Law of Moses, and in obedience to the covenant of Abraham, a sharp stone knife was taken, and they circumcised this little baby, their creator. It is then scripture tells us, that to all the named commanded by the angels, was given to him, and made known to the community of God. Jesus, which means God saves.

In having a one verse reading to preach on, I was tempted to focus on the other action that takes place, the naming of Jesus. For what is there to talk about, in the fact that a little baby was circumcised? What difference should that make to us, for no longer does the church practice circumcision? Why did the creator of the universe, the only begotten son of God, have to go through such a ritual?

Is there any value to having Jesus circumcised? Does it benefit him in the same way it benefited Issac, or one of David’s sons or grandsons, or any of the children of Israel? Does it somehow benefit us? Is the benefit simply keeping the Law, or is there more to circumcision in the Old Covenant, and in Jesus’ time, than we see at first? The answer of course, is yes, even more than I realized, prior to realizing I had to preach on one verse.

So we shall answer these questions, did Jesus have to be circumcised, and is it any benefit to us, that He did?

Did he need it?

For righteousness? No

For unity with us? Yes!

It is too early to be “cut off” from His people!

All things were created through Jesus. He is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. He is Holy, the Alpha and Omega, He is pure and righteous, and perfect. He is without sin. Even without the little ones, like lieing to his parents, or to his boss. He would never gossip, or lust, or think evil about others. In His life, he would put others ahead of himself, ministering to their needs first. He was patient with sinners, and in our cases, He still is. With all of that noted, did Jesus really need to be circumcised?

It will help – I believe, to go back to Genesis 17:11-14 when circumcision was initiated.

11 You shall be circumcised in the flesh of your foreskins, and it shall be a sign of the covenant between me and you. 12 He who is eight days old among you shall be circumcised. Every male throughout your generations, whether born in your house or bought with your money from any foreigner who is not of your offspring, 13 both he who is born in your house and he who is bought with your money, shall surely be circumcised. So shall my covenant be in your flesh an everlasting covenant. 14 Any uncircumcised male who is not circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin shall be cut off from his people; he has broken my covenant."

Circumcision was not the law of the Mosaic Covenant alone, for here, a half century before, we see it is the sign of the covenant between God and Abraham, and his descendants. The circumcision marks them as members of the group of people collectively known as God’s people, the sons of Abraham. Without that mark, the man is cut-off from the people of God, not counted among them. Without that mark, one could not be part of the people of God, or receive the blessings that they received, as they trusted in the promises of God.

One thing interests me here, and that is that receiving the mark that identifies the person as a member of God’s family, is done without their permission. They are identified as God’s, without their “decision”. Normally, we think of circumcision, and baptism, its New Testament counterpart, as events or actions which fulfill a command of God. Yet, that command is not fulfilled by the individual, but by people acting on his behalf. It is not their fulfillment of the law, but the fulfillment of the Law for them, by another.

More on that later – but did Jesus need to be circumcised? For righteousness sake? Not exactly, for in being both man and God, He was already fully righteous, prior to being born of Mary. Yet, He was circumcised, and in doing so, and important thing happens.

He is counted among the people of God. He is not cut-off from the people of God. He belongs among them. He is one of them, one of us. He can identify with us, as one of us. There is a bond between us, a very important bond.

Had Jesus not been circumcised, he would have been cut off from us. He would not have bonded with the people of God. In His crucifixion, He will be cut off, but so shall we be, with Him. For as we shall see, the cross is the most incredible of circumcisions.

It was not for His own righteousness sake was Jesus circumcised; rather in order to be righteous for us, Jesus was circumcised.

Did/do we need it?

As Law? Nah – it wasn’t really ever law

It is gospel

Jesus was circumcised for us, and later would be crucified for us. That fact brings us to an interesting question. Is circumcision, or for that matter baptism, as work of the Law, or a act of Grace? I will contend, that according to scripture, they are primarily acts of Grace. As acts of grace, we passive receive through them, the gift of God’s forgiveness, we become His people.

In John 7, in a discourse with the Pharisees over the Sabbath, Jesus noted that in order to count a baby boy as a member of the Jewish people, they would circumcise the baby on the Sabbath. Because it was not a work of man, rather it was a work that noted – to this person, the grace of God was given. The boy was marked, noted that the person was a member of the covenant, identified as one of the people of God. That is why even the Pharisees, the ultimate legalists of the Law, would circumcise on the Sabbath.

Even more important in distinguishing circumcision/baptism as acts of grace, is the idea that the Law was fulfilled by someone other than the one who was circumcised. The Law was fulfilled for them. That too, is a hallmark of grace, an act where in God’s favor was given to a person, where they were counted among God’s people, because of the action of another. Ultimately, the act of God, who bestows the grace, the forgiveness, the love.

Did we need him to be?

Yes – look at Colossians 2

Jesus Saves!

This is why I consider the work of the Cross, and our baptism, where we are united with Christ’s death, the ultimate form of circumcision, the ultimate grace filled surgery on mankind. Of course, I am not the only one who makes this case. Look at the quote from Colossians,

11 In him also you were circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, by putting off the body of the flesh, by the circumcision of Christ, 12 having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the powerful working of God, who raised him from the dead. 13 And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, 14 by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross.

There is an incredible picture in circumcision – literally, to “cut-around”. It is an operation that is done with extreme care, with steady hands, by experts. To carefully remove that which is unnecessary, and leave behind all that is important to life. That is what the circumcision of Christ pictures, and God takes all of us that is unnecessary, and cuts it away, leaving us. He circumcises us in our baptism, as Buried with Christ in His death, we are raised in faith with Him as well.

It is the powerful working of God, that in “operating” on us so, our sin is removed from us. Death has occurred at the cross, the penalty has been paid. God carefully removes all that which is unrighteous from us, leaving us united with Christ Jesus – whole, free, delivered, saved.

We are free. For Jesus is God who saves. Even through something like a circumcision, or now, in the promises of His word, attached to the pouring of water.

I do not want to forget that it is in faith that this occurs. We trust that God will do as He promised in His covenants. That He will make us His people, identifying us as His, as we realize that He is simply, our God. The action, whether baptism now, or circumcision then, is meaningless without trusting God; without having faith in His saving us from our sins, and the punishment they deserve. Faith in what He did for us, in his life, in His circumcision, in His death, burial and resurrection.

In the promises He made, a promise of life abundant, life eternal, a life filled with the joy and peace of God, at peace with God.

And may His peace, the peace that passes all understanding, guard your hearts and minds, in Christ Jesus, our Lord.

AMEN.

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. Sermon shared by D Parker  May 1, 2007.

Verse of the Day - January 01, 2017

2 Corinthians 5:17 (NIV) Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!

Read all of 2 Corinthians 5

Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica

Un Dia a la Vez - Tus triunfos están en Dios

Deléitate en el Señor, y él te concederá los deseos de tu corazón. Salmo 37:4

El primer versículo que aprendí cuando conocí a Jesús fue: «Deléitate en el Señor». Como todo lo nuevo, me tomé un tiempo para entender lo profundas que eran estas palabras. Este ha sido un versículo que me ha seguido durante los últimos catorce años de mi vida.

Luego, un día entendí que deleitarme en el Señor era estar siempre en el gozo de Dios, feliz ante su presencia y sirviéndole a Él. Desde entonces, en mis oraciones ha estado presente que la clave es amar a mi Dios con todo el corazón, servirle con lo mejor que tengo, gozarme en su amor sin importar las situaciones por las que esté pasando y tener siempre la esperanza de que mi vida es para servirle y trabajar para Él. Así que ahora estoy segura de que eso me da una enorme recompensa. No sé cuándo ni cómo, pero Dios me concederá los deseos de mi corazón, ya que esa es la promesa de la segunda parte del versículo: «Y él te concederá los deseos de tu corazón».

Por eso quiero que hoy, cuando estaremos como familia llevando este libro cada día, tú puedas comprender y aplicarlo a tu vida.

Entrégale a Dios todo este nuevo día, este nuevo año. Entrégale tus sueños, tus preocupaciones, tus negocios, tu trabajo, tus relaciones, tu familia, tu economía, tu situación migratoria. En fin, entrégate por completo a Dios. Deja que Él sea el piloto de esa nave que es tu vida y preocúpate de sus negocios. Es decir, búscalo, ten momentos de oración, asiste a una iglesia en la que puedas seguir creciendo de manera espiritual y Él, a cambio, se ocupará de todas tus necesidades. Pondrá orden en tu vida y te bendecirá.

Standing Strong Through the Storm - BE A LIGHTHOUSE

I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness. John 12:46

One of the strongest images of standing strong in a storm is the lighthouse. In the era before radar, satellite navigation and GPS systems, lighthouses were vital to protect ships from crashing onto rocks, shoals and shores. Building lighthouses can be considered one of man’s most noble endeavors. Since the beginning of seafaring, families and friends have lit bonfires at night to guide sailors home.

George Bernard Shaw said, “I can think of no other edifice constructed by man as altruistic as a lighthouse. They were built only to serve.”

And evangelist D.L. Moody commented, “Lighthouses don’t fire cannons to call attention to their shining—they just shine.”
Jesus used this imagery of light to describe our role in His kingdom. We are the light of the world, He said, after claiming Himself to be the true light. Therefore we function much like a lighthouse, both internally and externally.

The first design for a lighthouse is the internal function of generating light. Early lighthouses used a literal fire that had to be constantly fed and watched. Later electric lights were utilized and ultimately laser lights. But this light still has to be internally projected.

So we too as followers of Jesus project internal light, the outer expression of the inner life under the control of the Holy Spirit.

The other aspect of a modern lighthouse is that it also is an external reflector. Over the years of improvements, revolving lenses have been developed to reflect that internally generated light further into the darkness.

As the moon reflects the light of the sun, so we reflect the light of the Son in a world of darkness.

And finally, lighthouses remind us of God’s love. Like the bright shining beam of a lighthouse, His love reaches out…piercing through the darkness of any storm.

RESPONSE: Today and throughout this year I will be a lighthouse for Jesus, projecting His inner light and reflecting His light externally.

PRAYER: Lord, may Your love and Your light pierce the darkness of the world around me as I stand strong and faithful for You like a lighthouse, today and through the year ahead.