Girlfriends in God - Sharing Is More Than Caring

by Gwen Smith

Today’s Truth

All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had. (Acts 4:32, NIV)

Friend to Friend

“What’s yours is mine, and what’s mine is mine.” My husband and I used to joke that this was the unspoken motto of our kids when they were little. Toddlers have no qualms about grabbing a toy, snack, or any random item of interest from other people or pets. It’s rare to see a child share her cherished possessions generously.

It can be hard for all of us to share.

Media bombards us with marketing campaigns that tell us we are the center of the universe. “You, you, you, you, you!”

Time and time again we hear that this life is all about us. The more we have, the happier we’ll be. The bigger that bank account, the more blessed the life.

I sincerely hope that none of us actually buy these lies. They’re dangerous deceptions.

How does this mentality slip into our realities? Sometimes we don’t want to share our time or our space. Sometimes we don’t want to share our loved ones or our gifts. Sometimes we don’t want to share our resources. And sometimes we just want to be left to ourselves and don’t want to share anything!

But God calls each of us to share.

The early New Testament church shows us that generous living honors God and blesses others. In Acts 4:32-37 we see an amazing snapshot of generous giving in the early church. The believers were one in heart and mind. They were supernaturally unified to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and you could not find a needy person among them.

Giving wasn’t political. It wasn’t mandatory. It wasn’t done begrudgingly.

…They shared everything they had. (Acts 4:32)

The disciples, each according to his ability, decided to provide help for the brothers living in Judea. This they did, sending their gift to the elders by Barnabas and Saul. (Acts 11:29-30)

But just as you excel in everything – in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in your love for us – see that you also excel in this grace of giving … For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what he does not have. (I Corinthians 8:7,12)

Everything that the believers owned belonged to God, and they knew it. They placed what they had before the leaders in selfless acts of worship … for the glory of God and the provision of others. This principle is very important, but it’s also very counter-cultural.

True life, a blessed life, an abundant life, a purposed life, is, in fact, all about God. What we have, have given birth to, or hold onto is really not our own. All of our treasures are just on loan to us for a breath of a moment by our more-than-generous Creator.

And each day brings us new opportunities to be good stewards.

Let’s face it; it’s just not always easy or natural to be generous. Perhaps we have been taken advantage of or we’ve been hurt by another’s deception. There are risks to giving.

The generous giving of the early church blessed the lives of their people. When we share what we have, God is honored and needs are met.

The risks are worth taking.

I’m not suggesting a Robin Hood philosophy of “take from the rich and give to the poor.” And I don’t believe in the politics of communism or socialism. This principle of generous giving is Biblical. It’s an act of worship to God. It matters to God, and it should matter to us.

Let’s reject the toddler mentality of “what’s mine is mine.”

God loves a cheerful giver.

We are blessed to give.

Tell God today: “Lord, what’s mine is Yours!”

Let’s Pray

Dear Lord, Thank You for this reminder from Your Word. You are lavish in Your love and have given me so much. All I have is Yours. Please help me to excel in the grace and worship of giving. Open my eyes to opportunities to bless others for Your glory.
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen

Now It’s Your Turn

How do you feel about your people, passions, and possessions? Have you shared generously lately? Is God bringing anyone to your mind that could use your help or generosity?

Read and meditate on 2 Corinthians 8:1-15.

Remember, giving isn’t always about money. We can give in many ways; service, an ear to listen, a shoulder to cry on, a dinner to a new mom, or time spent with an elderly friend. Now… go bless someone today!!

More from the Girlfriends

FREE OFFER: There are endless opportunities for us to worry, wander, and wonder. But that's not God's best for us. Though we remain broken and impacted by an imperfect world, you and I can get through anything in the power and hope of Jesus. Click here to download this FREE eBook today and join Gwen Smith as she shares Biblical truth, honest struggles, and practical help.

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

LHM Daily Devotion - January 11, 2017 "How We See Jesus"

 January 11, 2017

And coming to His hometown He taught them in their synagogue, so that they were astonished, and said, "Where did this Man get this wisdom and these mighty works? Is not this the carpenter's son? ...."   - Matthew 13:54-55a

Not so long ago Pam and I attended a school reunion.

I'm not sure, but from what I've seen, at most reunions the very first thing they do is give you a badge with your name on it -- and a copy of your senior picture. They give badges so we can figure out who we're talking to when we lovingly say, "Oh, you haven't changed a bit." Often we're shocked to find out the fellow voted most likely to succeed, hasn't; the couple most likely to stay together, didn't; and the computer geek looks far more attractive since he made his first $20 million.

It's hard to get past the mental image we have of some people, isn't it?

That was certainly the situation Jesus encountered when He returned to Nazareth.

No, He wasn't there for a high school reunion. This was more the homecoming of a "local Boy who made good." Since Jesus' departure from Nazareth, stories had slowly filtered their way back to that little village. For example, they may have heard how Jesus had turned water into wine and had healed a nobleman's son.

Those were the kind of accomplishments that should have had the town roll out the red carpet, had the school band lead a parade down Main Street, and the church bells pealing out a ring of warm welcome. Jesus' return should have been celebrated with Nazareth's mayor making a speech and giving Him a gold-painted key to the city. On the main road, the city fathers should have put up signs saying, "Nazareth. Come See Jesus' Boyhood Home!"

None of those things happened.

What did happen was this: as was His custom, Jesus went to church -- to Synagogue -- and read Scripture: words of prophecy from Isaiah ... words He claimed referred to Him. It didn't take too long before Jesus' old friends rejected His claim to be the Messiah. It didn't take too long before those old friends shut Him off, shut Him down, and tried to shove Him off a cliff.

They couldn't see Jesus for who He really was. It is a problem people still have today.

Today we have people who hear Jesus say, "Do unto others," and they applaud Him as a great moralist. Others listen when He tells them to "love one another," and they shout the praises of a peacemaker. Some people admire His story-telling ability and acknowledge Him as a great teacher. Yet others point to Him as a philanthropist, a healer, and a homespun philosopher.

And although Jesus was all of those things, He was also the One -- the only -- the unique Son of God and heaven-sent Savior of the world. Any description of the Christ that leaves out the blood-bought title of "Savior" is incomplete, imperfect and inadequate. Calvary's cross and the empty tomb are the badges by which we can identify Him who carried our sins, died our death and, in resurrection victory, has given us forgiveness and eternal life.

THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, by the Holy Spirit's power we have been able to identify Jesus as our Savior and Lord. Now grant us the desire to share that truth with the many millions in this world who see only a second-rate Jesus. In the Savior's Name I ask it. Amen.

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

CPTLN Devocional de 11 de Enero de 2017 - Recuérdame

11 de Enero 2017

Señor, acuérdate de mí cuando tu bondad alcance a tu pueblo; ¡ven a brindarme tu salvación! Salmo 106:4, RVC

El nombre que figuraba en el certificado de nacimiento no era José, sino Jorge. Aunque eso ya no es importante, porque ese joven, fuera José o Jorge, desapareció hace muchos años.

La última vez que fue visto en su pueblo en Kansas fue cuando tenía 11 ó 12 años, y de eso hace ya más de diez años. José ha estado desaparecido durante tantos años... y nadie se ha dado cuenta.

Aunque parezca mentira, los padres adoptivos de José nunca contactaron a la policía, porque pensaron que se había fugado para ir a vivir con sus padres biológicos. Dijeron que se habían preocupado mucho, pero aun así no llamaron a la policía. La desaparición de José se descubrió cuando alguien llamó a la Unidad de Niños Explotados y Perdidos. Desde entonces, todos han estado, y aún siguen, buscando al joven.

Junto con nuestras oraciones por José, debemos dar gracias a nuestro querido Padre celestial quien, al vernos perdidos en pecado y separados de su familia, hizo todo lo que era necesario para traernos de vuelta.

Jesús vino al mundo para buscar y salvar a quienes estaban perdidos. Como uno de nosotros, él cumplió las leyes que habíamos traspasado y resistió los pecados que nos habían seducido. Y para que la muerte nunca nos pudiera separar de nuestro Padre, el Salvador dio su vida en la cruz del Calvario.

Gracias a él, todos los que creen en Jesús como su Salvador han sido reunidos con su Padre en el cielo.

Parafraseando las palabras del salmista, podemos decir: "Te doy gracias porque te has acordado de mí, Señor, porque nos has mostrado tu misericordia y nos has ayudado y salvado".

ORACIÓN: Querido Señor Jesús, gracias por haber venido a encontrarme cuando estaba perdido y por haber dado tu vida para que yo pudiera vivir. Te pido que envíes tu Espíritu para que restaure a quienes están separados de sus familias terrenales y eternas. En tu nombre. Amén.

© Copyright 2017 Cristo Para Todas Las Naciones

An International House of Prayer - Fearfully and Wonderfully Made, Day 2

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 1 Kings 8:41-43.

Solomon’s prayer dedicating the temple showed that Israel’s God was the God of all nations. The king anticipated that foreigners from throughout the world would be drawn to the house of worship in Jerusalem. He asked God to honor their prayers so that “all peoples of the earth may know Your name and fear You.”

Solomon’s prayer was soon answered by a visit from the queen of Sheba (1 Kin. 10:1–13). She had heard rumors of Solomon’s splendors but wanted to see them for herself. When she observed all his accomplishments, she praised God for what the king had done for Israel (10:9). Other visitors had similar reactions (see 2 Chr. 6:32, 33).

The temple was situated at Jerusalem, but as Jesus pointed out (quoting Isaiah), it was meant to be “a house of prayer for all nations” (Is. 56:7; Mark 11:17). Likewise, Israel was to bless the nations and light the way toward the one true God (Gen.12:1–3; Is. 51:4).

Jesus also taught His followers to be a light to the world (Matt. 5:14–16). But rather than gathering others to a central place of worship, believers today have been commanded to scatter throughout the earth, taking the news of God’s grace around the world.

Our Daily Bread - Work Together

By Marvin Williams

Read: Romans 8:28–30 | Bible in a Year: Genesis 27–28; Matthew 8:18–34

We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28

My wife makes an amazing pot roast dinner. She takes raw meat, along with raw sliced white and sweet potatoes, celery, mushrooms, carrots, and onions and throws them into the slow cooker. Six or seven hours later the aroma fills the house, and the first taste is a delight. It is always to my advantage to wait until the ingredients in the slow cooker work together to achieve something they could not achieve individually.

When Paul used the phrase “work together” in the context of suffering, he used the word from which we get our word synergy. He wrote, “We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose” (Rom. 8:28). He wanted the Romans to know that God, who didn’t cause their suffering, would cause all their circumstances to cooperate with His divine plan—for their ultimate good. The good to which Paul referred was not the temporal blessings of health, wealth, admiration, or success, but being “conformed to the image of [God’s] Son” (v. 29).

May we wait patiently and confidently because our heavenly Father is taking all the suffering, all the distress, all the evil, and causing them to work together for His glory and our spiritual good. He wants to make us like Jesus.

Read 2 Corinthians 12:9, Philippians 1:6, and 1 Peter 5:10. What encouragement did you find for tough times?

The growth we gain from waiting on God is often greater than the answer or result we desire.

© 2016 Our Daily Bread Ministries

Nuestro Pan Diario - Trabajar juntos

Por Marvin Williams

Leer: Romanos 8:28-30 | La Biblia en un año: Mateo 8:18-34

Y sabemos que a los que aman a Dios, todas las cosas les ayudan a bien… (Romanos 8:28)

Mi esposa prepara un estofado delicioso. Mezcla carne, patatas blancas y dulces en rodajas, apio, hongos, zanahorias y cebollas, y pone todo en una olla de cocción lenta. Seis o siete horas después, el aroma llena la casa, y el primer bocado es una delicia. Siempre me resulta ventajoso esperar hasta que los ingredientes se cocinen juntos lentamente para que resulte algo que sería imposible lograr por separado.

En la frase «todas las cosas les ayudan», expresadas en un contexto de sufrimiento, Pablo usó la palabra de donde proviene el término sinergia. Dijo: «Y sabemos que a los que aman a Dios, todas las cosas les ayudan a bien, esto es, a los que conforme a su propósito son llamados» (Romanos 8:28). Quería que los romanos supieran que Dios, que no era el causante de su sufrimiento, haría que todas las circunstancias cooperaran con su plan divino, para un beneficio final. Ese bien no se eran bendiciones temporales —como salud, riquezas, fama o éxito—, sino ser «hechos conformes a la imagen de su Hijo» (v. 29).

Esperemos con paciencia y confiados porque nuestro Padre celestial está tomando todo sufrimiento, angustia y mal, y haciendo que se combinen para su gloria y nuestro beneficio espiritual. Él quiere hacernos como Jesús.

Señor, que pueda ver tu mano detrás de cada circunstancia.

El crecimiento que logramos al esperar en Dios suele ser más importante que el resultado que deseamos.

© 2016 Ministerios Nuestro Pan Diario

Unser Täglich Brot - Zusammenwirken

Von Marvin Williams

Lesen: Römer 8,28-30 | Die Bibel In Einem Jahr: 1.Mose 27–28; Matthäus 8,18-34

Wir wissen aber, dass denen, die Gott lieben, alle Dinge zum Besten dienen, denen, die nach seinem Ratschluss berufen sind. Römer 8,28

Meine Frau kocht einen fantastischen Gulaschtopf. Sie nimmt rohes Fleisch, schneidet Kartoffeln und Süßkartoffeln, Sellerie, Champignons, Möhren und Zwiebeln in Scheiben und wirft alles zusammen in den Schongarer. Sechs oder sieben Stunden später schwebt ein köstlicher Duft durchs Haus und der erste Bissen ist eine Wonne. Es ist immer zu meinem Vorteil, wenn ich warte, bis die Zutaten im Garer zusammenwirken und etwas entsteht, was sie einzeln nicht zuwege bringen würden.

Für das Wort, das in Römer 8,28 von Luther mit „dienen“ wiedergegeben wurde, hat Paulus den griechischen Begriff Synergie verwendet, was soviel wie „mitwirken, behilflich sein, verhelfen“ bedeutet. Die Römer sollten wissen, dass Gott, der nicht an ihrem Leiden Schuld ist, dafür sorgen würde, dass alle Umstände an seinem göttlichen Plan mitwirken können—letztlich zu ihrem Besten. Das Beste, von dem Paulus spricht, sind nicht vergängliche Dinge wie Gesundheit, Wohlstand, Bewunderung oder Erfolg, sondern „dass sie gleich sein sollten dem Bild seines [Gottes] Sohnes“ (V.29).

Wir wollen geduldig und voll Vertrauen warten, weil unser himmlischer Vater alles Leid, alle Not und alles Böse dazu verwenden kann, dass es zu seiner Ehre und unserem geistlichen Wohl mitwirkt. Er möchte, dass wir wie Jesus werden.

Lies 2.Korinther 12,9; Philipper 1,6 und 1.Petrus 5,10. Was ermutigt dich in Schwierigkeiten?

Das Wachstum, das wir erleben, wenn wir auf Gott warten, ist oft größer als die Antwort oder das Ergebnis, das wir uns wünschen.

© 2016 Unser Täglich Brot

Хлеб наш насущный - Совместный труд

автор: Марвин Уильямс

Читать сейчас: Римлянам 8:28-30 | Библия за год: Бытие 27-28; Матфея 8:18-34

Притом знаем, что любящим Бога, призванным по Его изволению, все содействует ко благу. — Римлянам 8:28

Моя жена замечательно готовит мясное блюдо в горшочке. Она берет сырое мясо, порезанную кружочками картошку, грибы, морковь и лук, все это укладывает в горшочек и медленно тушит в духовке. Через шесть-семь часов дом наполняется ароматом. Вкус изумительный! Я всякий раз удивляюсь тому, как разные ингредиенты за время приготовления создают особый вкус, какого не было бы, приготовь мы их по отдельности.

Когда апостол Павел пишет гонимым христианам, что им все «содействует» ко благу, он употребляет знакомое многим греческое слово «синергия», то есть объединенная сила. Он пишет: «Любящим Бога, призванным по Его изволению, все содействует ко благу» (Рим. 8:28). Павел хотел донести до римлян истину о том, что Бог употребит все тесные обстоятельства для достижения Своего высшего замысла – их блага. Благо, о котором пишет апостол, не имеет отношения к временным благословениям: здоровью, богатству или успеху. Он говорит о преображении в образ Иисуса Христа (Рим. 8:29).

Будем ждать терпеливо и уверенно, потому что наш Небесный Отец может взять все наши страдания, все скорби, все зло и заставить их содействовать Его Славе и нашему духовному благу. Он желает сделать нас подобными Иисусу Христу.

Прочитайте 2 Коринфянам 12:9; Филиппийцам 1:6 и 1 Петра 5:10. Какое ободрение вы можете найти в трудные времена?

Рост, обретаемый в ожидании Бога, часто важнее, чем желаемый нами ответ.

© 2016 Хлеб Наш Насущный

Notre Pain Quotidien - Travailler ensemble

par Marvin Williams

Lisez : Romains 8.28‑30 | La Bible en un an : Genèse 27 – 28 et Matthieu 8.18-34

Nous savons, du reste, que toutes choses concourent au bien de ceux qui aiment Dieu, de ceux qui sont appelés selon son dessein. (Romains 8.28)

Ma femme fait un fabuleux braisé. Elle met une pièce de viande crue, ainsi que des tranches de pommes de terre et de patates douces crues, du céleri, des champignons, des carottes et des oignons dans la mijoteuse. Six ou sept heures plus tard, l’arôme emplit la maison, et la première bouchée pour juger de sa cuisson est un pur délice. J’ai toujours avantage à attendre que le goût des ingrédients qui y cuisent se mélange jusqu’à donner quelque chose qu’ils ne pourraient produire séparément.

Lorsque Paul a employé le verbe « concourent » dans le contexte des souffrances, il s’est servi du terme dont est dérivé l’équivalent français chirurgie. Il a écrit : « Nous savons, du reste, que toutes choses concourent au bien de ceux qui aiment Dieu, de ceux qui sont appelés selon son dessein » (RO 8.28). Il voulait que les Romains sachent que Dieu, qui n’était pas la source de leurs souffrances, ferait concourir toutes leurs pénibles situations au profit de son plan divin, à savoir leur bien ultime. Or, le bien dont Paul parle ici ne correspond pas aux bénédictions temporelles de la santé, de la richesse, de l’admiration et du succès, mais au fait d’être « semblables à l’image [du] Fils [de Dieu] » (V. 29).

Puissions‑nous attendre patiemment et avec assurance le temps de notre Père céleste, sachant qu’il s’emploie à faire en sorte que toute souffrance, toute détresse et tout mal concourent ensemble à sa gloire et à notre bien spirituel. Il désire nous rendre semblables à Jésus.

Nous attendre à Dieu rapporte plus que la satisfaction de nos désirs.

© 2016 Ministères NPQ

The Daily Readings for TUESDAY, January 10, 2017

First Reading

Isaiah 40:25-31
To whom then will you compare me, or who is my equal? says the Holy One. Lift up your eyes on high and see: Who created these? He who brings out their host and numbers them, calling them all by name; because he is great in strength, mighty in power, not one is missing. Why do you say, O Jacob, and speak, O Israel, "My way is hidden from the LORD, and my right is disregarded by my God"? Have you not known? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the faint, and strengthens the powerless. Even youths will faint and be weary, and the young will fall exhausted; but those who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.

Second Reading

Ephesians 1:15-23
I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, and for this reason I do not cease to give thanks for you as I remember you in my prayers. I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation as you come to know him, so that, with the eyes of your heart enlightened, you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance among the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power for us who believe, according to the working of his great power. God put this power to work in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the age to come. And he has put all things under his feet and has made him the head over all things for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.

The Holy Gospel

Mark 1:14-28
Now after John was arrested, Jesus came to Galilee, proclaiming the good news of God, and saying, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God has come near; repent, and believe in the good news." As Jesus passed along the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the sea-- for they were fishermen. And Jesus said to them, "Follow me and I will make you fish for people." And immediately they left their nets and followed him. As he went a little farther, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John, who were in their boat mending the nets. Immediately he called them; and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men, and followed him. They went to Capernaum; and when the sabbath came, he entered the synagogue and taught. They were astounded at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes. Just then there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit, and he cried out, "What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are, the Holy One of God." But Jesus rebuked him, saying, "Be silent, and come out of him!" And the unclean spirit, convulsing him and crying with a loud voice, came out of him. They were all amazed, and they kept on asking one another, "What is this? A new teaching-- with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him." At once his fame began to spread throughout the surrounding region of Galilee.

Morning Psalms

Psalm 5 Verba mea auribus
1   Give ear to my words, O LORD; consider my meditation.
2   Hearken to my cry for help, my King and my God, for I make my prayer to you.
3   In the morning, LORD, you hear my voice; early in the morning I make my appeal and watch for you.
4   For you are not a God who takes pleasure in wickedness, and evil cannot dwell with you.
5   Braggarts cannot stand in your sight; you hate all those who work wickedness.
6   You destroy those who speak lies; the bloodthirsty and deceitful, O LORD, you abhor.
7   But as for me, through the greatness of your mercy I will go into your house; I will bow down toward your holy temple in awe of you.
8   Lead me, O LORD, in your righteousness, because of those who lie in wait for me; make your way straight before me.
9   For there is no truth in their mouth; there is destruction in their heart;
10   Their throat is an open grave; they flatter with their tongue.
11   Declare them guilty, O God; let them fall, because of their schemes.
12   Because of their many transgressions cast them out, for they have rebelled against you.
13   But all who take refuge in you will be glad; they will sing out their joy for ever.
14   You will shelter them, so that those who love your Name may exult in you.
15   For you, O LORD, will bless the righteous; you will defend them with your favor as with a shield.

Psalm 6 Domine, ne in furore
1   LORD, do not rebuke me in your anger; do not punish me in your wrath.
2   Have pity on me, LORD, for I am weak; heal me, LORD, for my bones are racked.
3   My spirit shakes with terror; how long, O LORD, how long?
4   Turn, O LORD, and deliver me; save me for your mercy's sake.
5   For in death no one remembers you; and who will give you thanks in the grave?
6   I grow weary because of my groaning; every night I drench my bed and flood my couch with tears.
7   My eyes are wasted with grief and worn away because of all my enemies.
8   Depart from me, all evildoers, for the LORD has heard the sound of my weeping.
9   The LORD has heard my supplication; the LORD accepts my prayer.
10   All my enemies shall be confounded and quake with fear; they shall turn back and suddenly be put to shame.

Evening Psalms

Psalm 10 Ut quid, Domine?
1   Why do you stand so far off, O LORD, and hide yourself in time of trouble?
2   The wicked arrogantly persecute the poor, but they are trapped in the schemes they have devised.
3   The wicked boast of their heart's desire; the covetous curse and revile the LORD.
4   The wicked are so proud that they care not for God; their only thought is, "God does not matter."
5   Their ways are devious at all times; your judgments are far above out of their sight; they defy all their enemies.
6   They say in their heart, "I shall not be shaken; no harm shall happen to me ever."
7   Their mouth is full of cursing, deceit, and oppression; under their tongue are mischief and wrong.
8   They lurk in ambush in public squares and in secret places they murder the innocent; they spy out the helpless.
9   They lie in wait, like a lion in a covert; they lie in wait to seize upon the lowly; they seize the lowly and drag them away in their net.
10   The innocent are broken and humbled before them; the helpless fall before their power.
11   They say in their heart, "God has forgotten; he hides his face; he will never notice."
12   Rise up, O LORD; lift up your hand, O God; do not forget the afflicted.
13   Why should the wicked revile God? why should they say in their heart, "You do not care"?
14   Surely, you behold trouble and misery; you see it and take it into your own hand.
15   The helpless commit themselves to you, for you are the helper of orphans.
16   Break the power of the wicked and evil; search out their wickedness until you find none.
17   The LORD is King for ever and ever; the ungodly shall perish from his land.
18   The LORD will hear the desire of the humble; you will strengthen their heart and your ears shall hear;
19   To give justice to the orphan and oppressed, so that mere mortals may strike terror no more.

Psalm 11 In Domino confido
1   In the LORD have I taken refuge; how then can you say to me, "Fly away like a bird to the hilltop;
2   For see how the wicked bend the bow and fit their arrows to the string, to shoot from ambush at the true of heart.
3   When the foundations are being destroyed, what can the righteous do?"
4   The LORD is in his holy temple; the LORD'S throne is in heaven.
5   His eyes behold the inhabited world; his piercing eye weighs our worth.
6   The LORD weighs the righteous as well as the wicked, but those who delight in violence he abhors.
7   Upon the wicked he shall rain coals of fire and burning sulphur; a scorching wind shall be their lot.
8   For the LORD is righteous; he delights in righteous deeds; and the just shall see his face.

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 10, 2017

1 Peter 1:15-16 (NIV) But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.”

Read all of 1 Peter 1

Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica

Morning Devotions with Cap'n Kenny - "The Pull of Heaven"

We are here for only a moment, visitors and strangers in the land as our ancestors were before us. Our days on earth are like a passing shadow, gone so soon without a trace. (1 Chronicles 29:15, NLT)

When we're young, life seems to go slowly. But as we get older, we can't believe how quickly life goes. We can't believe how quickly a week goes—then a month, then a year.

The Bible says this about our lives: "We are here for only a moment, visitors and strangers in the land as our ancestors were before us. Our days on earth are like a passing shadow, gone so soon without a trace" (1 Chronicles 29:15).

Yet the Bible also says that God "has planted eternity in the human heart" (Ecclesiastes 3:11). We are not highly evolved animals; we are uniquely made in the image of God with a soul and a desire to know the God who created us.

For those of us who have put our trust in Christ, we are citizens of a different place. You might say that we have dual citizenship. We are citizens of the planet Earth, but we are heavenly citizens as well. Philippians 3:20 says, "We are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for him to return as our Savior."

I heard the story of a little boy who was flying his kite, which had gone up so high, he could no longer see it. Someone saw him tugging on the string and asked, "Where is your kite?"

"Up there," he said.

"I can't see your kite. How do you know it's there?"

"It's there," the boy said. "I feel its tug."

We feel the same thing. We feel the pull of heaven deep down inside. As Augustine wrote, "Thou madest us for Thyself, and our heart is restless, until it [rests] in Thee." There's a desire in us, a craving in us, that nothing on this earth will ever satisfy.

In Jesus,
Cap'n Kenny

Un Dia a la Vez - Tú haces tu día diferente

No se inquieten por nada; más bien, en toda ocasión, con oración y ruego, presenten sus peticiones a Dios y denle gracias. Filipenses 4:6

Por favor, no te levantes repitiendo un viejo refrán: «Estoy salado. ¡Hoy no es mi día!».

Hoy es el día que Dios hizo para ti y para mí. Lo hizo con tanto amor que Él dice en el Manual de Instrucciones que las misericordias de Dios «nuevas son cada mañana» (Lamentaciones 3:23, RV-60).

No todos los días son buenos ni son malos. Solo que cada uno es diferente y tiene sus propias preocupaciones. Sin embargo, tú eres el chef que le da la sazón. Tener problemas, preocupaciones, levantarte y ver el día nublado, no debe determinar tu felicidad. Esto parece fácil, pero no lo es cuando estamos en días difíciles.

En medio de mis pruebas aprendí a mantener el gozo. Así que un día llevé de mi mente al corazón lo que quizá has escuchado y repetido muchas veces: «El gozo del Señor es nuestra fortaleza» (Nehemías 8:10). O sea, que si a pesar de lo que estoy viviendo, entiendo y practico este principio, el resultado va a ser que mi día será mucho mejor y voy a poder sentirme feliz aunque esté pasando por un momento de preocupación.

Esta actitud es precisamente lo determinante ante la vida. Así que cambia los pensamientos negativos por pensamientos positivos y busca a Dios con todo el corazón. De ese modo, notaras la diferencia. Sentirás que ese día que parecía imposible de sobrevivir, fue uno liviano y hasta feliz.

Standing Strong Through the Storm - GOD HAS EVERYTHING UNDER CONTROL

When the storm has swept by, the wicked are gone, but the righteous stand firm forever. Proverbs 10:25

Throughout the Bible, God reveals that He is always in control over His vast universe and even our seemingly insignificant lives. Here is a true-life story from a member of the persecuted church:

“I was the only convert of a man who died thinking he was useless to God. Both our crimes were for violent robbery and we actually shared a prison cell together.

“He told me about how—by mistake—he had been placed into a cell with a group of Christians. They were singing hymns at night and praising God together. He saw them as a soft touch and robbed them of their food parcels. He even beat them to show who was boss. For the first time in years he felt powerful again. But somehow they were not afraid of him and repeatedly shared their faith in Christ.

“One day in a fit of anger he took his knife to kill one of them. But something—or Someone—blocked him from bringing down the knife. For the first time, he was up against a force more powerful than himself, and one he could not understand. At that moment he put his trust in Christ. The prison authorities realized he had been allocated to the wrong cell and they moved him to solitary confinement. There he pleaded with God, ‘Lord, let me witness to Your power and love before I die.’

“One night the prison was overcrowded and I was put into his cell. I could see he was far-gone, barely conscious. He beckoned me close to his lips told me all about Jesus and how He loved me and wanted to save me. “When I woke up in the morning, he was cold and dead. I was to be moved to a hard labor camp that day but the truck that was to take me there broke down. So I ended up in another cell—the one full of Christians.

“My truck was delayed a week. In that time the Christians told me the whole story about this man. They were delighted to learn he had witnessed to me before he died. The night before I was moved, I too trusted Christ.

“That’s the strength of suffering for Christ. It kept a dying man going because he wanted to witness. It kept those Christian prisoners buoyant all through their captivity. It gave me hope when I looked ahead at eight years of hard labor camp. I would have died if not for Christ.”

RESPONSE: Today I will live in the awareness and peace that God has everything under control—no matter what storms I face.

PRAYER: Pray that all those living in conditions as described above will also understand God’s purposes for their lives and realize the strength and meaningfulness in suffering for Christ.

Girlfriends in God - Your Final Interview

by Sharon Jaynes

Today’s Truth

If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved” (Romans 10:9-10, ESV).

Friend to Friend

My palms were slightly sweaty, yet calm. My posture was poised, yet not stiff. My dress was conservative, yet fashionable. I waited in a small room lined with bookshelves, diplomas, and awards. A mammoth wooden desk dwarfed my small chair positioned in the center of the interrogation room.

It was my first job interview. I wonder if you remember yours.

After completing Dental Hygiene School and passing both State and National Boards, I was ready to cross over the bridge from student to the employed. Even though Dr. Ford (the man who would decide my professional destiny) seemed somewhat intimidating, I felt fairly confident. My GPA was excellent and board scores commendable. I was ready for anything this guy had to throw at me.

Let the games begin, I mused. And so they did.

“What was the last book you read?” he asked.

“Reviewing for National Boards and The Four Loves by C. S. Lewis,” I replied.

“What did you eat for breakfast this morning?” he questioned.

“Coffee cake and milk,” I answered.

“What’s your least favorite household job?” he volleyed.

“Dusting,” I returned.

“What would you do if you bought a set of living room furniture and it went on sale the next day?” he shot.

“Return it and buy it back again at the sale price,” I returned fire.

This line of rapid fire questioning went on for forty-five minutes. For each question, I offered an honest reply. But all the while I was thinking, “What does this have to do with dentistry? Is this what I’ve studied so hard for?”

After a few more minutes of chitchat, Dr. Ford leaned forward, and with a sincere smile said, “Sharon, we would like for you to join our team.”

I was shocked! In my naiveté, I looked my prospective boss in the eye and asked, “Aren’t you even going to ask me what kind of grades I made in school?”

With that, Dr. Ford threw back his head and filled the room with thunderous laughter. With a twinkle in his eye he answered, “I imagine they were pretty good.”

I could feel the color start at the end of my toes and rise to the top of my head. Did I really say that out loud? How did that comment escape my practiced lips? I wanted to crawl under my chair and never come out.

Thus began my career as a dental hygienist. I learned a lot over the next few years, but perhaps the most important lesson took place in the interview. What I discovered was that Dr. Ford was much more interested in my character than my credentials—what was in my heart than what was in my head. Even though the questions seemed pointless to me, they spoke volumes to him about my life choices in common everyday situations.

And today, I’m thinking about my final interview…and your final interview…the one where the keeper of the Pearly Gates asks the important questions. See, God’s not going to ask about our accomplishments here on earth. He’s not interested in worldly credentials.

For that last interview He will ask you one question: “Do you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord and believe in your heart that I raised Him from the dead?”

That’s the answer that counts.

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9, NIV).

What about you? What will your answer be?

Let’s Pray

Dear Heavenly Father, Thank You that Jesus took on human flesh, and gave His life as a sacrifice for my sin. I am so grateful that I don’t have to try to earn my way to heaven, but that Jesus did it for me. Amazing grace…how sweet the sound.
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen.

Now It’s Your Turn

Do you ever fall into the trap of thinking that you have to earn God’s love and acceptance?

If so, where do you think that faulty thinking comes from?

What does “saved by grace” mean to you?

If God were to ask you why He should let you into heaven, what would you say?

If you’re not sure, click hereto find out more about how to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

More from the Girlfriends

Have you been so busy taking care of life’s daily tasks that you’ve forgotten to focus on your love? Have kids, work or other obligations taken all your time and left you with little energy for your marriage? Has the routine of chores and responsibilities left you wondering what happened to the romance you shared in the early years? If so, it's time to spice up your relationship and rekindle the passion. For all the married GiGs, my latest book is finally here: A 14-Day Romance Challenge. It is the expanded print version of the previous eBook with double the content and over 250 ways to romance your husband.

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