Pain that Leads to Prejudice - Fearfully and Wonderfully Made, Day1

What does the Bible have to say about prejudice? What messages of love does God have for all the people and cultures He created? What opportunities does a diverse church of today have in a society still troubled by racism?

The two-week Fearfully and Wonderfully Made daily devotional—based on passages from the NKJV Modern Life Study Bible—will guide you through a series of Biblical excerpts focused on confronting ethnic prejudice. You'll walk through both the Old and New Testaments, discovering a tapestry of cultural connections throughout the historical richness of Scripture and learn about God's promises of love to those who face discrimination and prejudice. From the call of Abraham to the Samaritan woman at the well, find out how the God of Israel has shown himself to be the God of all tribes and nations.


Today’s reading is drawn from Numbers 20:14-21.

Anyone hurt by a member of a different ethnic or racial group is at risk for developing prejudice against all members of that group. Even slight offenses may powerfully reinforce old biases, as the conflict between Israel and Edom shows.

The king of Edom refused to open the King’s Highway to Moses and his people, a hostile act that likely grew out of a prejudice with roots going back hundreds of years to a feud between two brothers: Jacob, the ancestor of Israel, and Esau, the ancestor of the Edomites. Jacob obtained Esau’s birthright and cheated him out of their father’s blessing (Gen. 27:36). Esau swore he would get even (27:41, 42).

Years later the brothers reconciled (33:4, 10, 11). But until this incident in Numbers 20, the Bible doesn’t again mention Esau’s descendants, the Edomites. Apparently those descendants never forgot the wrongs that Jacob had committed against their ancestor. As the Israelites struggled to traverse the desert, the king of Edom perhaps saw an opportunity for payback.

Refusing Moses’ request made life difficult for the Hebrews. Had Edom let Israel pass, the Israelites may have escaped the fiery serpents (Num. 21:4–9). Worse yet, the Edomites’ action perpetuated hostility between the two ethnic groups. Even though God commanded His people not to “abhor” an Edomite (Deut. 23:7, 8), the Israelites did not stop nursing their hurt feelings. Later, Saul harassed the Edomites (1 Sam. 14:47). David slaughtered thousands of Edomites (2 Sam. 8:13, 14, according to some manuscripts) and turned their land into a military possession. David’s general Joab then carried out a campaign of genocide against them (1 Kin. 11:15, 16).

The cycle of hate continued for centuries. Even the baby Jesus felt its impact: King Herod, who ordered the slaughter of infants at Bethlehem (Matt. 2:16–18), was descended from the Edomites.

Whatever our race or ethnic group, as Christ’s followers we are called to break the cycle of prejudice. If we are offended or attacked by someone of another race or nationality, we gain nothing by amplifying our pain into general mistrust and hatred of an entire group of people. Rather than furthering stereotypes, we can reach out and seek better understanding.

More: Christians aren’t immune to racial and ethnic biases. Christ wants us to guard against prejudice to keep it from compromising our integrity as His people.

LHM Daily Devotion - January 10, 2017 "A New Sola"

January 10, 2017

(Jesus said) "I have much to say about you and much to judge, but He who sent Me is true, and I declare to the world what I have heard from Him."   - John 8:26, ESV

Most Lutherans are familiar with the three "solas" of the Reformation. As a refresher, they are: "sola gratia, sola fide, and sola Scriptura." Translated, that means we are saved by grace alone, by faith alone, which is based on Scripture alone.

Recently, there are observers who are suggesting that another sola is trying to insert itself into our spiritual lives. This sola is "sola feels." Sola feels is a new way of thinking that says, "My faith is based first, foremost and alone on how I feel." In practical terms, sola feels takes God's truth and makes it secondary to how a person feels. A few examples of sola feels would be the following:

• The Bible says God created the world, but if I feel Genesis is illogical and simplistic, I can disregard that book.

•The Scriptures say that some lifestyles and personal preferences are sinful and unacceptable to the Lord, but if I feel those verses were only written for -- and applicable to -- people who lived long ago and far away, I can live my life the way I want.

• The Gospel of Mark quotes our Redeemer as having said, "Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned" (Mark 16:16). But, if I feel God would never send anyone to hell, I can forget Jesus' words and make it so His sacrifice to save us was totally unnecessary.

In other words, sola feels says, "If a doctrine makes me feel comfortable, if it goes along with what I prefer to believe, if it allows me to do what I want, then it must be true." On the other hand, "If something in Holy Scriptures makes me feel uncomfortable, if it tries to modify my lifestyle or threatens me, then it must be false."

Now you may think all of what has been written here is a great exaggeration.

It isn't. If you doubt me, ask your own pastor. There are very few preachers who have not had to deal with people who hold tightly to sola feels.

In confirmation, in Bible classes, in counseling, we often run into people who, having heard God's clear words of Law and Gospel, reply, "But  my  God would never do or say such a thing."

And, of course, they are right.

Their  God would never do such a thing, but the God of Scripture would. Again and again, the Bible shares how the Lord hates and condemns sin. Then, even as the Triune God declares the wrongness of humankind's sinful thoughts, words and actions, He offers forgiveness to those who believe on His Son who was sacrificed to redeem us. And this, more than our feelings, is most certainly true.

THE PRAYER: "Blessed Lord, who has caused all Holy Scripture to be written for our learning, grant that we may in such wise hear them, read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them, that by the patience and comfort of Thy Holy Word we may embrace and ever hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life which Thou hast given us in our Savior Jesus Christ, who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end. Amen" (prayer taken from  The Lutheran Hymnal ).

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

CPTLN Devocional de 10 de Enero de 2017 - ¿El infierno en la tierra?

10 de Enero 2017

Los lazos de la muerte me rodearon, y los terrores del Seol (infierno) vinieron sobre mí; angustia y tristeza encontré. Invoqué entonces el nombre del Señor, diciendo: Te ruego, oh Señor: salva mi vida. Clemente y justo es el Señor; sí, compasivo es nuestro Dios. El Señor guarda a los sencillos; estaba yo postrado y me salvó. Salmo 116:3-6 (LBLA)

Hace unos años, cuando Australia sufrió los peores incendios de su historia que destruyeron cientos de viviendas y arrasaron miles de hectáreas costando o alterando la vida de miles de personas, Kevin Rudd, el entonces Primer Ministro, se refirió a ellos diciendo que eran como el "infierno con toda su furia".

Y en una entrevista con la prensa, agregó: "El infierno con toda su furia ha visitado en las últimas 24 horas a la buena gente de Victoria".

Probablemente usted también haya pasado por momentos difíciles y dolorosos que quizás lo han llevado a pensar: "Esto es un infierno. Ya no hay nada peor que me pueda pasar."

Si usted piensa que sus problemas son 'el infierno en la tierra', no es el primero en pensarlo. Hace ya muchos siglos, en medio de su angustia y desánimo, David, el Rey de Israel, dijo: "... los terrores del Seol (infierno) vinieron sobre mí; angustia y tristeza encontré."

Fue para salvarnos de los fuegos de la vida y de los fuegos eternos del infierno, que el Señor envió a su Hijo al mundo. Jesús vivió como uno de nosotros y dio su vida inocente para que nosotros, los culpables, pudiéramos ser salvos del infierno. Es por eso que ahora, junto con el perdón y la garantía de la vida eterna en el cielo, quienes confiamos en él podemos, al igual que el Rey David, invocar al Señor.

Después de orar a su misericordioso Dios, David pudo decir: "... estaba yo postrado, y me salvó".

Dios promete hacer lo mismo por las personas que sufren por incendios u otros desastres naturales, y va a hacer lo mismo por usted, sin importar los fuegos que puedan estar acosándole.

ORACIÓN: Querido Padre celestial, en este mundo hay fuegos muy calientes... fuegos que pueden abatirnos y destruir todo lo que amamos. Ayúdanos, y ayuda a quienes están sufriendo en estos momentos en todo el mundo, para que podamos confiar en ti como la fuente de toda misericordia. En el nombre de tu Hijo. Amén.

© Copyright 2017 Cristo Para Todas Las Naciones

Our Daily Bread - Random Acts of Kindness

By David Roper

Read: Ruth 2:8–13 | Bible in a Year: Genesis 25–26; Matthew 8:1–17

“Why have I found such favor [grace] in your eyes that you notice me—a foreigner?” Ruth 2:10

Some say that the American writer Anne Herbert scribbled the phrase “Practice random acts of kindness and senseless acts of beauty” on a placemat at a restaurant in 1982. The sentiment has since been popularized through film and literature and has become a part of our vocabulary.

The question is “Why?” Why should we show kindness? For those who follow Jesus, the answer is clear: To show the tender mercy and kindness of God.

There’s an Old Testament example of that principle in the story of Ruth, the emigrant from Moab. She was a foreigner, living in a strange land whose language and culture she did not understand. Furthermore, she was desperately poor, utterly dependent on the charity of a people who took little notice of her.

There was one Israelite, however, who showed Ruth grace and spoke to her heart (Ruth 2:13). He allowed her to glean in his fields, but more than simple charity, he showed her by his compassion the tender mercy of God, the One under whose wings she could take refuge. She became Boaz’s bride, part of the family of God, and one in a line of ancestors that led to Jesus, who brought salvation to the world (see Matt. 1:1–16).

We never know what one act of kindness, done in Jesus’s name, will do.

Lord, what do You want me to do for another today? Lead me. And may that person see a glimmer of You.

Share your ideas of how you can show kindness in the name of Jesus today at Facebook.com/ourdailybread.

It’s never too soon to be kind.

© 2016 Our Daily Bread Ministries

Nuestro Pan Diario - Actos fortuitos de bondad

Por David H. Roper

Leer: Rut 2:8-13 | La Biblia en un año: Mateo 8:1-17

… ¿Por qué he hallado gracia en tus ojos para que me reconozcas…? (Rut 2:10).

A lgunos afirman que la escritora Anne Herbert garabateó en un mantel de un restaurante la frase «practica actos de bondad fortuitos y de belleza sin sentido». Este sentimiento se ha popularizado mediante películas y literatura, y algunos lo han hecho parte de su vocabulario.

La pregunta es: «¿Por qué debemos ser bondadosos con los demás?». Para los seguidores de Jesús, la respuesta es clara: para mostrar la misericordia y la bondad de Dios.

En el Antiguo Testamento, la historia de Rut, una inmigrante moabita, ilustra este principio. Esta mujer vivía en una tierra cuya cultura e idioma no entendía. Además, era sumamente pobre y dependiente por completo de la caridad de un pueblo que casi la ignoraba.

Sin embargo, hubo un israelita que actuó bondadosamente y le habló al corazón (Rut 2:13). Permitió que ella cosechara en sus campos, pero, además de ser simplemente caritativo, le mostró con su compasión la misericordia y la bondad amorosa de Dios, Aquel bajo cuyas alas ella podía refugiarse. Finalmente, Rut se convirtió en la esposa de aquel hombre, Booz, en parte de la familia de Dios y en antepasada de Jesús, quien trajo la salvación al mundo (ver Mateo 1:1-16).

Nunca sabemos qué puede lograr una obra de bondad hecha en el nombre de Jesús.

Señor, ¿qué quiere que haga hoy por otra persona?

Nunca es demasiado tarde para ser bondadoso.

© 2016 Ministerios Nuestro Pan Diario

Unser Täglich Brot - Gute Werke

Von David Roper

Lesen: Ruth 2,8-13 | Die Bibel In Einem Jahr: 1.Mose 25–26; Matthäus 8,1-17

Womit habe ich Gnade gefunden vor deinen Augen, dass du mir freundlich bist, die ich doch eine Fremde bin? Ruth 2,10

Es heißt, die amerikanische Autorin Anne Herbert habe ihren Satz „Praktiziere spontane Gesten der Freundlichkeit und sinnlosen Schönheit“ 1982 zunächst auf einem Tischset im Restaurant notiert. Inzwischen ist daraus eine ganze Bewegung geworden und es gibt sogar den „Weltfreundlichkeitstag“.

Die Frage lautet: „Warum?“ Warum sollten wir freundlich sein? Für die, die Jesus nachfolgen, ist die Antwort klar: Um die Gnade und Barmherzigkeit Gottes zu zeigen.

In der Geschichte von Ruth, einer Emigrantin aus Moab, findet sich im Alten Testament ein Beispiel für dieses Prinzip. Sie war eine Fremde in einem fremden Land, dessen Sprache und Kultur sie nicht verstand. Außerdem war sie arm und abhängig vom Wohlwollen anderer, die kaum Notiz von ihr nahmen.

Einen Israeliten gab es jedoch, der nett und freundlich zu Ruth war—Boas (Ruth 2,13). Er erlaubte ihr, auf seinen Feldern Ähren zu lesen. Das war jedoch nicht nur eine nette Geste, sondern er zeigte Ruth damit auch etwas von der Gnade und Freundlichkeit Gottes, unter dessen Flügeln auch sie Zuflucht finden konnte. Sie wurde seine Frau, ein Teil der Familie Gottes und damit die Erste in einer Geschlechtslinie, aus der schließlich Jesus, der Erlöser der Welt, hervorging (siehe Matth. 1,1-16).

Wir wissen nie, was eine spontane, freundliche Geste, die wir in Jesu Namen tun, bewirken kann.

Zum nett sein ist es nie zu spät.

© 2016 Unser Täglich Brot

Хлеб наш насущный - Добрые поступки

автор: Дэвид Роупер

Читать сейчас: Руфь 2:8-13 | Библия за год: Бытие 25-26; Матфея 8:1-17

«Чем снискала я в глазах твоих милость, что ты принимаешь меня, хотя я и чужеземка?» — Руфь 2:10

Говорят, что американская писательница Энн Герберт в 1982 г. написала на салфетке в ресторане фразу: «Творите добро без расчета и красоту без цели». Фраза стала популярной благодаря фильмам и литературе, и теперь ее знают во многих странах.

Вопрос в следующем: «Почему?» Почему мы должны делать добро? Для верующих в Иисуса Христа ответ прост: чтобы явить Божью милость и благость.

Ветхозаветное повествование о Руфи содержит прекрасный пример такого отношения. Моавитянка Руфь была чужеземкой, пришедшей в страну, языка и обычаев которой она не знала. Более того, она терпела крайнюю нужду, надеясь только на доброту людей, которые не особо ею интересовались.

Тем не менее там был один израильтянин, который оказал Руфи милость и говорил к ее сердцу (Руфь 2:13). Он позволил ей питаться от его полей. Однако кроме простой человеческой доброты Он явил ей и милость Бога – Того, под крылами Которого она решила найти убежище. Через некоторое время Руфь стала невестой Вооза, частью Господнего общества и одной из прародительниц Иисуса Христа, принесшего спасение всему миру (см. Мф. 1:1-16).

Кто знает, к чему приведет одно доброе дело, совершенное во имя Иисуса Христа!

Господь, что Ты желаешь, чтобы я сделал для людей? Укажи мне, и пусть они увидят во мне Твое отражение.

Доброта всегда своевременна.

© 2016 Хлеб Наш Насущный

Notre Pain Quotidien - Des gestes de bonté

par David Roper

Lisez : Ruth 2.8‑13 | La Bible en un an : Genèse 25 – 26 et Matthieu 8.1-17

Comment ai‑je trouvé grâce à tes yeux, pour que tu t’intéresses à moi, à moi qui suis une étrangère ? (Ruth 2.10)

Certains disent que l’écrivaine américaine Anne Herbert aurait griffonné l’expression « S’exercer à faire au hasard des gestes de bonté ayant la beauté de l’altruisme » sur le napperon d’un restaurant en 1982. Or, on l’a reprise dans des films et des livres, l’intégrant ainsi à notre vocabulaire.

La question est de savoir « Pourquoi ? » Pourquoi devrions‑nous user de bonté envers les gens ? Pour ceux qui suivent Jésus, la réponse va de soi : pour manifester la tendre miséricorde et l’infinie bonté de Dieu.

Un exemple vétérotestamentaire de ce principe se trouve dans le livre de Ruth, l’émigrante de Moab. C’était une étrangère vivant dans un pays étranger dont elle ne comprenait ni la langue ni la culture. Par ailleurs, elle était désespérément pauvre, entièrement dépendante de la charité d’un peuple qui faisait peu cas d’elle.

Un certain Israélite a toutefois usé de grâce envers elle en parlant à son coeur (RU 2.13). Il lui a permis de glaner dans ses champs, sans compter qu’il lui a aussi témoigné par sa propre compassion de la miséricorde et de l’amour de Dieu empreints de tendresse, celui‑là même sous l’aile duquel elle pourrait s’abriter. Elle est devenue la fiancée de Boaz, un membre de la famille de Dieu et une descendante de la lignée menant jusqu’à Jésus, qui allait apporter le salut au monde (Voir MT 1.1‑16).

On ne sait jamais ce qu’un simple geste de bonté fait au nom de Jésus pourrait accomplir.

Il n’est jamais trop tard pour user de bonté.

© 2016 Ministères NPQ

Morning Prayer

O God:
Give me strength to live another day;
Let me not turn coward before its difficulties or prove recreant to its duties;
Let me not lose faith in other people;
Keep me sweet and sound of heart, in spite of ingratitude, treachery, or meanness;
Preserve me from minding little stings or giving them;
Help me to keep my heart clean, and to live so honestly and fearlessly that no outward failure can dishearten me or take away the joy of conscious integrity;
Open wide the eyes of my soul that I may see good in all things;
Grant me this day some new vision of thy truth;
Inspire me with the spirit of joy and gladness;
and make me the cup of strength to suffering souls;
in the name of the strong Deliverer, our only Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.

The Daily Readings for MONDAY, January 9, 2017

First Reading

Isaiah 40:12-23
Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand and marked off the heavens with a span, enclosed the dust of the earth in a measure, and weighed the mountains in scales and the hills in a balance? Who has directed the spirit of the LORD, or as his counselor has instructed him? Whom did he consult for his enlightenment, and who taught him the path of justice? Who taught him knowledge, and showed him the way of understanding? Even the nations are like a drop from a bucket, and are accounted as dust on the scales; see, he takes up the isles like fine dust. Lebanon would not provide fuel enough, nor are its animals enough for a burnt offering. All the nations are as nothing before him; they are accounted by him as less than nothing and emptiness. To whom then will you liken God, or what likeness compare with him? An idol?-- A workman casts it, and a goldsmith overlays it with gold, and casts for it silver chains. As a gift one chooses mulberry wood-- wood that will not rot-- then seeks out a skilled artisan to set up an image that will not topple. Have you not known? Have you not heard? Has it not been told you from the beginning? Have you not understood from the foundations of the earth? It is he who sits above the circle of the earth, and its inhabitants are like grasshoppers; who stretches out the heavens like a curtain, and spreads them like a tent to live in; who brings princes to naught, and makes the rulers of the earth as nothing.

Second Reading

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

The Holy Gospel

Mark 1:1-13
The beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. As it is written in the prophet Isaiah, "See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way; the voice of one crying out in the wilderness: 'Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight,'" John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. And people from the whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem were going out to him, and were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. Now John was clothed with camel's hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. He proclaimed, "The one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the thong of his sandals. I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit." In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. And just as he was coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens torn apart and the Spirit descending like a dove on him. And a voice came from heaven, "You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased." And the Spirit immediately drove him out into the wilderness. He was in the wilderness forty days, tempted by Satan; and he was with the wild beasts; and the angels waited on him.

Morning Psalms

Psalm 1 Beatus vir qui non abiit
1   Happy are they who have not walked in the counsel of the wicked, nor lingered in the way of sinners, nor sat in the seats of the scornful!
2   Their delight is in the law of the LORD, and they meditate on his law day and night.
3   They are like trees planted by streams of water, bearing fruit in due season, with leaves that do not wither; everything they do shall prosper.
4   It is not so with the wicked; they are like chaff which the wind blows away.
5   Therefore the wicked shall not stand upright when judgment comes, nor the sinner in the council of the righteous.
6   For the LORD knows the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked is doomed.

Psalm 2 Quare fremuerunt gentes?
1   Why are the nations in an uproar? Why do the peoples mutter empty threats?
2   Why do the kings of the earth rise up in revolt, and the princes plot together, against the LORD and against his Anointed?
3   Let us break their yoke, they say; let us cast off their bonds from us.
4   He whose throne is in heaven is laughing; the Lord has them in derision.
5   Then he speaks to them in his wrath, and his rage fills them with terror.
6   I myself have set my king . upon my holy hill of Zion
7   Let me announce the decree of the LORD: he said to me, "You are my Son; this day have I begotten you.
8   Ask of me, and I will give you the nations for your inheritance and the ends of the earth for your possession.
9   You shall crush them with an iron rod and shatter them like a piece of pottery."
10   And now, you kings, be wise; be warned, you rulers of the earth.
11   Submit to the LORD with fear, and with trembling bow before him;
12   Lest he be angry and you perish; for his wrath is quickly kindled.
13   Happy are they all who take refuge in him!

Psalm 3 Domine, quid multiplicati
1   LORD, how many adversaries I have! how many there are who rise up against me!
2   How many there are who say of me, "There is no help for him in his God."
3   But you, O LORD, are a shield about me; you are my glory, the one who lifts up my head.
4   I call aloud upon the LORD, and he answers me from his holy hill;
5   I lie down and go to sleep; I wake again, because the LORD sustains me.
6   I do not fear the multitudes of people who set themselves against me all around.
7   Rise up, O LORD; set me free, O my God; surely, you will strike all my enemies across the face, you will break the teeth of the wicked.
8   Deliverance belongs to the LORD. Your blessing be upon your people!

Evening Psalms

Psalm 4 Cum invocarem
1   Answer me when I call, O God, defender of my cause; you set me free when I am hard-pressed; have mercy on me and hear my prayer.
2   You mortals, how long will you dishonor my glory; how long will you worship dumb idols and run after false gods?
3   Know that the LORD does wonders for the faithful; when I call upon the LORD, he will hear me.
4   Tremble, then, and do not sin; speak to your heart in silence upon your bed.
5   Offer the appointed sacrifices and put your trust in the LORD.
6   Many are saying, "Oh, that we might see better times!" Lift up the light of your countenance upon us, O LORD.
7   You have put gladness in my heart, more than when grain and wine and oil increase.
8   I lie down in peace; at once I fall asleep; for only you, LORD, make me dwell in safety.

Psalm 7 Domine, Deus meus
1   O LORD my God, I take refuge in you; save and deliver me from all who pursue me;
2   Lest like a lion they tear me in pieces and snatch me away with none to deliver me.
3   O LORD my God, if I have done these things: if there is any wickedness in my hands,
4   If I have repaid my friend with evil, or plundered him who without cause is my enemy;
5   Then let my enemy pursue and overtake me, trample my life into the ground, and lay my honor in the dust.
6   Stand up, O LORD, in your wrath; rise up against the fury of my enemies.
7   Awake, O my God, decree justice; let the assembly of the peoples gather round you.
8   Be seated on your lofty throne, O Most High; O LORD, judge the nations.
9   Give judgment for me according to my righteousness, O LORD, and according to my innocence, O Most High.
10   Let the malice of the wicked come to an end, but establish the righteous; for you test the mind and heart, O righteous God.
11   God is my shield and defense; he is the savior of the true in heart.
12   God is a righteous judge; God sits in judgment every day.
13   If they will not repent, God will whet his sword; he will bend his bow and make it ready.
14   He has prepared his weapons of death; he makes his arrows shafts of fire.
15   Look at those who are in labor with wickedness, who conceive evil, and give birth to a lie.
16   They dig a pit and make it deep and fall into the hole that they have made.
17   Their malice turns back upon their own head; their violence falls on their own scalp.
18   I will bear witness that the LORD is righteous; I will praise the Name of the LORD Most High.

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.

Verse of the Day - January 09, 2017

Matthew 6:19-21 (NIV) [ Treasures in Heaven ] “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Read all of Matthew 6

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Morning Devotions with Cap'n Kenny - "A Heavenly Perspective"

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. —Matthew 5:8

In his book called Heaven, Randy Alcorn wrote, "We may imagine we want a thousand different things, but God is the one we really long for. His presence brings satisfaction; his absence brings thirst and longing. Our longing for Heaven is a longing for God."

When we long for heaven, we're longing for God. The Bible promises that a day is coming when we will see God face to face. Jesus said, "Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God" (Matthew 5:8).

Heaven isn't just a state of mind; it's a real place. And one day we will see God. Seeing Him will be like seeing everything else for the first time. Not only will we see God, but He will be the lens through which we see everything else—people, ourselves, and the events of this life. When we get to heaven, everything will suddenly make sense to us. We will see everything from a different perspective.

When things happen in life that don't make sense, we'll say, "This is wrong. This is not fair. This is so hard." But one day when we get to heaven, we will see these things from God's perspective. I don't think we will forget everything in heaven. The fact is that we will know more in heaven, not less.

The Bible says, "For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known" (1 Corinthians 13:12). I'll take it a step further, even. I believe we will learn in heaven, that we will continue to grow. But we'll have a divine perspective when we get there. That is the hope of the follower of Jesus Christ when we see God face to face.

In Jesus,
Cap'n Kenny

Girlfriends in God - True Love

by Mary Southerland

 

Today’s Truth

Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love (1 John 4:8, NIV).

Friend to Friend

A group of four-through eight-year-olds was asked: “What does love mean?” Their answers vary from the amusing to the profound.

Love is when a girl puts on perfume and a boy puts on shaving cologne, and they go out and smell each other.

Love is when you go out to eat and give somebody most of your French fries without making them give you any of theirs.

Love is what’s in the room with you at Christmas if you stop opening presents and listen.

When you love somebody, your eyelashes go up and down and little stars come out of you.

Love is what makes you smile when you’re tired.

When my grandmother got arthritis, she couldn’t bend over and paint her toenails anymore. So my grandfather does it for her all the time, even when his hands got arthritis, too. That’s love.

When you tell someone something bad about yourself and you’re scared they won’t love you anymore. But then you get surprised because not only do they still love you … they love you even more.

Love is when mommy sees daddy smelly and sweaty and still says he is handsomer than Denzel Washington.

Love is when your puppy licks your face even after you left him alone all day.

Love cards, like Valentine’s cards, say stuff on them that we’d like to say ourselves, but we wouldn’t be caught dead saying.

Yes, the response of these children is both precious and humorous. But the reality is that there is only one place where we can find true love – in a personal relationship with God.

God loves you. He created you. The words of Psalm 139 beautifully express the heart of God toward each one of us:

For You created my inmost being. You knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Your works are wonderful. I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from You when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, Your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in Your book before one of them came to be” (Psalm 139:13-16).

God’s love does so many big things in our lives. God’s love transforms the ugliness of life into a beautiful trophy of grace. Love covers the scars of sin. Love heals wounds and eases pain. Jesus was and is the living illustration and certain fulfillment of His Father’s love. The love of God is unconditional and unfailing and will stubbornly pursue us no matter where we go, no matter what we do or don’t do. God’s love satisfies the deepest longings of our soul, enables us to love ourselves, and frees us to love others.

God’s love shows up in big ways … but sometimes it is when God’s love shows up in little ways that He really gets to me. But the love of God always shows up! I am reminded that God is real … that He is faithfully present, and that He really does care about every minute detail of my life.

We stand on the threshold of a new year. Many of you are facing painful circumstances. Others are in a place you never thought you would be. The uncertainty of what lies ahead can be frightening … unless you truly know and trust the One who holds every minute of this new year in His hands.

God is for you … and He is with you. Let His unfailing love surround and fill your heart with hope.

Let’s Pray

Thank You for loving me, God. Honestly, I don’t understand that kind of love; a love that sent Jesus Christ to the cross so that I can live. But today, I celebrate Your love. Father, please help me learn how to freely share that love with the people in my world.
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen.

Now It’s Your Turn

Look for the evidence of God’s love at work in your life.

Look around. Someone in your world needs to know that Jesus loves him or her. What can you do to help them experience the love of God? Make a plan … and then do it!

More from the Girlfriends

True love doesn't collapse under pressure or fall apart in the hard times. In her MP3 download, Love That Never Fails, Mary shares her story and explains how to define, discover, and experience unconditional love. Check it out!


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

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

Un Dia a la Vez - Reconcíliate con Dios

El Señor tu Dios está en medio de ti [...] Se deleitará en ti con gozo, te renovará con su amor [...] como en los días de fiesta. Sofonías 3:17-18

Como seres humanos, es muy común que cuando una relación no da resultado, ni nos llena, la dejamos. Rompemos con ella y tratamos de olvidarnos para siempre de esa persona que nos ofendió o nos abandonó.

Aun así, he escuchado a través de la vida en Cristo que muchas personas se pelean con Dios por diferentes razones. Quizá perdieran un ser querido y culparan a Dios. O porque tuvieron una petición especial y Dios no la concedió. O a lo mejor sufrieron una amarga experiencia en una iglesia o le falló un líder en el que depositaron toda la confianza. Entonces prefieren cortar toda relación con Dios.

¿Sabes? Es un atrevimiento enojarse con quien te dio la vida. Debemos entender que muchas de nuestras decisiones son las causantes de lo que vivimos. Debemos entender que a Dios le interesa nuestra felicidad y que no se goza con nuestro dolor y sufrimiento. Quizá muchas veces antes de tomar decisiones equivocadas Él nos alertara de varias maneras y no lo escuchamos.

A pesar de eso, si fallamos, recuerda que Él no te falla. Él no es un Dios cambiante. Él permanece para siempre. Si estás enojado con Dios, hoy es el día de tu reconciliación con Él. Pídele perdón de todo corazón por haberle juzgado, por haberte alejado, y verás que Él, como un Dios Padre misericordioso, te recibe una vez más en sus brazos.

Standing Strong Through the Storm - BOLDNESS, LOVE AND NON-VIOLENCE

Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Romans 12:17, 18

A few years ago I was leading a group from my home church in Canada on a mission trip to Cuba. The church in Cuba had experienced a significant revival movement and the fast-growing house church movement was overflowing with new believers.

In Havana we visited the Baptist Seminary and were delighted to have some time with its then elderly president, Dr. Vegilla. He spoke perfect English and shared with us how he had spent five years in Castro’s prison system in the 1960’s just because he was a Christian pastor. He further itemized the pressures the church had experienced at the hand of the regime over the past five decades. Then he smiled and in his very positive style of expression concluded, “But we have learned three things through all of this. We learned not to fear, not to hate and not to harm!”

I have meditated on this statement for some time and concluded that it expresses very succinctly the biblical essence of standing strong through any storm. And although his three point outline is stated negatively, there are very positive aspects of each:

· learning “not to fear” infers a development of boldness and courage

· learning “not to hate” implies a focus on love, forgiveness and grace

· learning “not to harm” indicates a commitment to the biblical principles of non-violence and aggressive love

Dr. Vegilla summed it up perfectly and as you continue to read these devotionals, you will see dozens of specific applications for all aspect of discipleship in following our Lord Jesus.

RESPONSE: Today I want to live in boldness, love and non-violence. I am committed not to fear, not to hate, and not to harm anyone.

PRAYER: Lord, this kind of living is counter-culture. I need Your strength and power to live this way. Help me—as well as Your persecuted church—to keep this as my focus.

Women of the Bible - Hagar

Her name means: "Fugitive" or "Immigrant"

Her character: A foreigner and slave, Hagar let pride overtake her when she became Abraham's wife. A lonely woman with few resources, she suffered harsh punishment for her mistake. She obeyed God's voice as soon as she heard it and was given a promise that her son would become the father of a great nation.
Her sorrow: That she was taken from her homeland to become a slave in a foreign land, where she was mistreated for many years.
Her joy: To know that God cared, that he saw her suffering and heard her cry, and that he helped her when she needed him most.
Key Scriptures: Genesis 16; 21:8-21; Galatians 4:22-31 

Her Story

An Egyptian slave and Sarah's bitter rival, Hagar still had one thing going for her that her mistress never enjoyed: a personal revelation of God, who lovingly intervened on her behalf, not once but twice. It happened when she was alone and afraid, without a shekel to her name—but that's getting ahead of the story.

You may remember that Abraham, whom we honor as the father of faith, showed little evidence of that faith when he and Sarah first entered Egypt to escape a famine in Canaan. Certain the Egyptians would kill him once they caught sight of his beautiful wife, he advised her to pose as his sister. Soon enough, Pharaoh added Sarah to his harem and rewarded Abraham with an abundance of camels, sheep, cattle, donkeys, and servants. But God punished Pharaoh for his unwitting error so effectively that, when he found out that Sarah was actually Abraham's wife, he ordered the two of them to leave Egypt with all their belongings. Possibly, Hagar was part of the booty Abraham and Sarah took with them—a gift they later regretted.

Still, of the three parties involved in the scheme to make Hagar a surrogate mother, she was perhaps the only innocent one, a slave with little power to resist. When Sarah told Abraham to sleep with her maid, she opened the door to spiritual catastrophe. As soon as Hagar discovered her pregnancy, she began lording it over her mistress, hardly a smart move for a young foreigner up against a woman entrenched in her husband's affections.

In fact, Sarah made life so difficult for Hagar that she fled into the desert, a desperate move for a pregnant woman who was so far from home. She hadn't gotten far before she heard a voice calling, "Hagar, servant of Sarai, where have you come from, and where are you going? Go back to your mistress and submit to her." But then, as if to sweeten the order, came a word of assurance: "You will have a son. You shall name him Ishmael, for the Lord has heard of your misery."

Remarkably, Hagar didn't argue but returned to Abraham and Sarah. Like a stream of water in the desert, God's word had penetrated the wilderness of her heart. Her bondage, her bitterness, her anxiety about the future—God had seen every bit of it. He knew about the child in her womb, naming him Ishmael, meaning "God Hears." In the years to come, whenever Hagar would hold her son close, watch him play, or worry about his future, she would remember that God was near, listening for the child's cry. Little wonder that she had responded to the voice in the desert by calling the Lord "the God who sees me."

Some sixteen years later, Hagar found herself once again in the wilderness, this time by force rather than by choice. In a crescendo of bitterness against her younger rival, Sarah had expelled Hagar and Ishmael from their home. Dying from thirst, Hagar placed her son under a bush and withdrew, unable to witness his agony.
Her weeping was soon broken by an angel's voice, "Do not be afraid; God has heard the boy crying as he lies there. Lift the boy up and take him by the hand, for I will make him into a great nation." With that, the angel of the Lord opened Hagar's eyes so that she discovered a well of water nearby that would save her son's life.

The last we see of Hagar, she is living in the Desert of Paran in the Sinai Peninsula, busy securing a wife, and, therefore, a future, for Ishmael. God had made a way in the wilderness for a single woman and her son, without friends, family, or resources to help her. He had seen, he had heard, and he had indeed been faithful.

Her Promise

A thin young woman sits huddled in the front seat of her car. She covers her ears to block out the sound of her little son as he whimpers with cold in the backseat. Her husband abandoned her and the boy two months before. Left without resources, she was soon turned out of her apartment. The car is now their only home. It has long since seen its last drop of gasoline, and its worn interior provides little protection from the winter winds outside.

This modern-day Hagar is no further from God's promises than was Hagar herself as she poured out her sorrow in the desert. God sees her heartache, just as he saw Hagar's. Though you may not be as desperate as Hagar or her modern counterpart, you may have experienced times in your life that made you fear for the future. Whether you are living in a wilderness of poverty or loneliness or sorrow, God's promises, love, and protection are just as available to you now as they were to Hagar.