Friday, February 3, 2017

Lời Sống Hằng Ngày - Trong Mọi Hoàn Cảnh

Đọc: Sáng thế ký 16:1-13 | Đọc Kinh Thánh suốt năm: Xuất Ê-díp-tô ký 34-35; Ma-thi-ơ 22:23-46

Hãy cảm tạ Chúa trong mọi hoàn cảnh, vì đó là ý muốn của Đức Chúa Trời đối với anh em trong Đấng Christ Jêsus. 1 Tê-sa-lô-ni-ca 5:18

Sống ở vùng ngoại ô, chúng tôi hay than phiền về tình trạng mất điện thường xuyên. Có khi một tuần mất điện ba lần và mỗi lần kéo dài có lúc đến 24 tiếng, kéo cả khu dân cư chìm trong bóng tối. Điều này đặc biệt khó chịu khi chúng tôi không thể sử dụng những thiết bị điện gia dụng cơ bản.

Một người tín đồ hàng xóm của tôi thường hỏi: “Đây có phải là điều chúng ta cũng cần cảm tạ Chúa không?” Cô ấy liên tưởng đến 1 Tê-sa-lô-ni-ca 5:18: “Hãy cảm tạ Chúa trong mọi hoàn cảnh, vì đó là ý muốn của Đức Chúa Trời đối với anh em trong Đấng Christ Jêsus.” Chúng tôi luôn nói: “Dĩ nhiên là cần! Chúng ta cảm tạ Chúa trong mọi điều.” Nhưng cách nói miễn cưỡng mâu thuẫn với sự cằn nhằn của chúng tôi mỗi khi bị cúp điện.

Tuy nhiên, một ngày nọ, niềm tin rằng chúng tôi cần cảm tạ Chúa trong mọi hoàn cảnh đã mang một ý nghĩa mới. Khi đi làm về, tôi thấy hàng xóm của tôi vừa run vừa khóc: “Cảm ơn Chúa cho mất điện, nếu không nhà tôi đã cháy rụi, tôi và cả nhà tôi đã chết cháy hết rồi!”

Một chiếc xe rác đã đâm vào cây cột điện ngay trước cửa nhà cô, kéo dây điện cao thế xuống ngay trước mấy căn nhà. Nếu lúc đó có điện thì thương vong là điều không thể tránh khỏi.

Khó khăn chúng ta gặp phải có thể làm chúng ta thấy khó nói: “Con cảm ơn Chúa!” Chúng ta có thể cảm tạ Chúa, Đấng nhìn thấy cơ hội trong mọi hoàn cảnh để chúng ta tin cậy Ngài – dù chúng ta có thấy được mục đích của Ngài hay không.


Cha ôi, chúng con thường tôn kính Ngài bằng lời nói, nhưng hành động của chúng con lại cho thấy lòng chúng con không tin cậy Ngài. Xin giúp chúng con nhìn thấy Ngài hành động trong mọi hoàn cảnh, dẫu khó khăn đến đâu.

Nhờ ân điển của Chúa, chúng ta có thể cảm tạ Ngài trong mọi sự.


© 2017 Lời Sống Hằng Ngày

Nuestro Pan Diario - En todas las circunstancias

Leer: 1 Tes. 5:16-18 | La Biblia en un año: Mateo 22:23-46

Dad gracias en todo, porque esta es la voluntad de Dios para con vosotros en Cristo Jesús (1 Tesalonicenses 5:18).

En el barrio residencial donde vivo, nos quejamos permanentemente de los cortes de luz. Pueden ocurrir tres veces por semana y durar todo un día. Es difícil soportar los inconvenientes cuando no se pueden usar los artefactos básicos de la casa.

Una vecina creyente suele preguntar: «¿También hay que dar gracias a Dios por esto?», refiriéndose a 1 Tesalonicenses 5:18: «Dad gracias en todo, porque esta es la voluntad de Dios para con vosotros en Cristo Jesús». Y siempre respondemos que sí, aunque nuestras quejas cada vez que se corta la luz contradicen esta afirmación.

No obstante, un día, nuestra creencia en dar gracias a Dios en todas las circunstancias cobró un nuevo significado cuando, al volver de mi trabajo, encontré a mi vecina visiblemente estremecida mientras exclamaba: «Gracias a Dios se cortó la luz. ¡La casa se habría quemado y mi familia hubiese muerto!». Un camión había chocado contra un poste y los cables de alta tensión habían caído sobre varias casas. Si hubieran tenido electricidad, habrían quemado todo.

Puede ser difícil decir «gracias, Señor» en medio de pruebas, pero podemos estar agradecidos de que nuestro Dios considera que cada situación es una oportunidad para confiar en Él, ya sea que veamos sus propósitos o no.

Señor, ayúdame a verte en cada circunstancia.

Por la gracia de Dios, podemos dar gracias en todo.


Unser Täglich Brot - Unter allen Umständen

Lesen: 1.Thessalonicher 5,16-18 | Die Bibel In Einem Jahr: 2.Mose 34–35; Matthäus 22,23-46

Seid dankbar in allen Dingen, denn das ist der Wille Gottes in Christus Jesus an euch. 1.Thessalonicher 5,18

In unserem Stadtteil fällt häufig der Strom aus und alles versinkt in Finsternis. Das kann bis zu dreimal in der Woche vorkommen und vierundzwanzig Stunden dauern. Besonders lästig ist, dass wir nicht einmal die Haushaltsgeräte benutzen können.

Unsere Nachbarin fragt oft: „Müssen wir Gott dafür dankbar sein?“ Sie bezieht sich auf 1.Thessalonicher 5,18: „Seid dankbar in allen Dingen, denn das ist der Wille Gottes in Christus Jesus an euch.“ Wir sagen dann immer: „Selbstverständlich, wir danken Gott in allen Dingen.“ Aber die halbherzige Antwort steht in krassem Widerspruch zu unserem regelmäßigen Jammern, wenn wieder einmal der Strom ausfällt.

Eines Tages jedoch bekam der Satz eine neue Bedeutung. Als ich von der Arbeit nach Hause kam, fand ich eine sichtlich erschütterte Nachbarin vor, die nur noch stammelte: „Gott sei Dank, dass der Strom ausgefallen ist. Das ganze Haus hätte abbrennen können und wir wären alle umgekommen!“

Ein Müllauto war mit dem Strompfosten vor ihrem Haus kollidiert und die Hochspannungsleitungen waren direkt auf ein paar Häuser gefallen. Hätten die Kabel unter Strom gestanden, hätte es bestimmt Todesopfer gegeben.

In Schwierigkeiten fällt es uns manchmal schwer zu sagen: „Danke, Herr.“ Dennoch können wir unserem Gott dankbar sein, der uns in jeder Situation Gelegenheit gibt, ihm zu vertrauen—ob wir seine Ziele darin erkennen oder nicht.


Vater, wir ehren dich mit unseren Worten, aber unser Handeln zeigt oft, dass wir dir nicht mit dem Herzen vertrauen. Hilf uns, dein Wirken in allen Umständen zu sehen, auch in den schweren.

Mit Gottes Gnade können wir in allen Dingen dankbar sein.


© 2017 Unser Täglich Brot

Notre Pain Quotidien - En toutes choses


Rendez grâces en toutes choses, car c’est à votre égard la volonté de Dieu en Jésus‑Christ. (1 Thessaloniciens 5.18)

Dans le quartier, nous critiquons les pannes d’électricité incessantes. Elles peuvent se produire jusqu’à trois fois par semaine et durer jusqu’à vingt‑quatre heures. L’impossibilité d’utiliser les appareils ménagers rend les choses pénibles.

Notre voisine chrétienne nous demande souvent : « S’agit‑il d’une chose dont nous devrions aussi remercier Dieu ? », en faisant allusion au verset : « Rendez grâces en toutes choses, car c’est à votre égard la volonté de Dieu en Jésus‑Christ. » (1 TH 5.18). À cela, nous lui répondons toujours : « Oui, bien sûr, nous lui rendons grâces en toutes choses. » Reste que notre peu de sincérité trahit le fait que nous maugréons lors de chaque panne.

Un jour, cependant, notre foi mue par le principe selon lequel il est nécessaire de remercier Dieu en toutes choses a revêtu un tout autre sens. À mon retour du travail, notre voisine, visiblement ébranlée, s’est écriée avec larmes : « Merci, Jésus, de la panne d’électricité ! Ma maison aurait été réduite en cendres, et ma famille et moi aurions péri ! »

Un camion d’éboueurs avait percuté un poteau d’électricité devant chez elle, faisant tomber les câbles à haute tension sur plusieurs maisons. Si l’électricité y avait circulé ce jour‑là, des gens auraient pu mourir.

Toute situation pénible risque de nous donner du mal à en remercier Dieu. Nous pouvons néanmoins lui exprimer notre gratitude du fait qu’il voit en toute situation l’occasion de lui faire confiance.


Par la grâce de Dieu, nous pouvons lui rendre grâces en toutes choses.


© 2017 Ministères NPQ

Хліб Наш Насущній - Подяка за все

Читати: 1 Солунян 5:16-18 | Біблія за рік: Вихід 34−35 ; Матвія 22:23-46

Подяку складайте за все, бо така Божа воля про вас у Христі Ісусі. — 1 Солунян 5:18

Через постійні відключення електроенергії наш район часто занурюється у темряву. Дуже важко терпіти таку незручність, коли неможливо користуватись дома найважливішими приладами.


Наша віруюча сусідка часто запитувала в нас: “А за це теж потрібно дякувати Богу”. Вона мала на увазі відомий вірш: “Подяку складайте за все, бо така Божа воля про вас у Христі Ісусі” (1 Сол. 5:18). І ми завжди відповідали: “Так, звісно. Треба дякувати Богу за все”. Але ми казали це без особливого ентузіазму, і наші слова суперечили нашим постійним ремствуванням, коли гасло світло.

Але одного дня наша віра в те, що “треба дякувати Богу за все”, набула нового значення. Коли я повернувся з роботи, то побачив, що наша сусідка, знаходячись в стані шоку, плаче й каже: “Слава Ісусу за те, що не стало світла, інакше наш будинок згорів би, і я б напевно загинула з усією моєю сім’єю!” Сталося, що сміттєвоз зачепив стовп, через що високовольтні кабелі впали прямо на її будинок. Якби в цих кабелях була напруга, напевно сталася б трагедія.

За важких обставин не легко буває сказати: “Дякуємо, Господи”. Але маємо завжди дякувати Богу, тому що будь-яка проблемна ситуація – то можливість вчитися довіряти Йому, навіть якщо ми не розуміємо Його цілей.


Отче, ми шануємо Тебе своїми словами, але дуже часто наші дії викривають нашу недовіру Тобі. Допоможи бачити Твою працю у будь-якій ситуації – якою б важкою вона не була.

Божою ласкою ми можемо бути вдячними Богу за все. 


 © 2017 Хліб Наш Насущній

Хлеб наш насущный - В любых обстоятельствах

Читать сейчас: 1 Фессалоникийцам 5:16-18 | Библия за год: Исход 34-35; Матфея 22:23-46

За все благодарите, ибо такова о вас воля Божья во Христе Иисусе. — 1 Фессалоникийцам 5:18

В нашем городе регулярно отключают электричество. Это случается до трех раз в неделю. Порой света нет по двадцать четыре часа, отчего все погружается в непроглядную тьму. Бывает непросто, учитывая, насколько мы зависим от электричества.

Наша соседка-христианка часто спрашивает: «За это тоже нужно благодарить Бога?» Она ссылается на слова Павла: «За все благодарите, ибо такова о вас воля Божья во Христе Иисусе» (1 Фес. 5:18). Мы всегда говорим: «Конечно, нужно благодарить за все». К сожалению, этим словам нередко противоречит наше ворчание, когда свет в очередной раз гаснет.

Тем не менее однажды наше убеждение в том, что нужно благодарить Бога в любых обстоятельствах, приобрело новый смысл. Я вернулся с работы и обнаружил соседку в крайне взволнованном состоянии. Со слезами она воскликнула: «Слава Богу, что света не было! Сгорел бы и дом, и мы вместе с ним!» Оказалось, мусоровоз врезался в электрическую опору рядом с ее домом, и провода упали прямо на крыши нескольких домов. Если бы они были под напряжением, последствия могли быть жуткими.

Трудные обстоятельства могут лишить нас чувства благодарности. Но будем помнить, что Бог в любом положении дает нам возможность довериться Ему, и неважно, понимаем мы что к чему или нет.


Отче, мы чтим Тебя словами уст, но часто наши поступки свидетельствуют о маловерии. Помоги нам видеть Тебя в любых обстоятельствах, какими бы трудными они ни были.

С Божьей помощью мы можем благодарить за все.


© 2017 Хлеб Наш Насущный

The Daily Readings for FRIDAY, February 3, 2017


The Old Testament Lesson

The Old Testament Lesson for today is taken from Isaiah 56:1-8

Thus says the LORD: Maintain justice, and do what is right, for soon my salvation will come, and my deliverance be revealed. Happy is the mortal who does this, the one who holds it fast, who keeps the sabbath, not profaning it, and refrains from doing any evil. Do not let the foreigner joined to the LORD say, "The LORD will surely separate me from his people" and do not let the eunuch say, "I am just a dry tree." For thus says the LORD: To the eunuchs who keep my sabbaths, who choose the things that please me and hold fast my covenant, I will give, in my house and within my walls, a monument and a name better than sons and daughters; I will give them an everlasting name that shall not be cut off. And the foreigners who join themselves to the LORD, to minister to him, to love the name of the LORD, and to be his servants, all who keep the sabbath, and do not profane it, and hold fast my covenant-- these I will bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer; their burnt offerings and their sacrifices will be accepted on my altar; for my house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples. Thus says the Lord GOD, who gathers the outcasts of Israel, I will gather others to them besides those already gathered.

This is the Word of the Lord
Thanks be to God


The Epistle Lesson

The Epistle Lesson for today is taken from Galatians 5:16-24

Live by the Spirit, I say, and do not gratify the desires of the flesh. For what the flesh desires is opposed to the Spirit, and what the Spirit desires is opposed to the flesh; for these are opposed to each other, to prevent you from doing what you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not subject to the law. Now the works of the flesh are obvious: fornication, impurity, licentiousness, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, anger, quarrels, dissensions, factions, envy, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these. I am warning you, as I warned you before: those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. By contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against such things. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.

This is the Word of the Lord
Thanks be to God


The Holy Gospel Lesson

The Holy Gospel is written in Mark 9:2-13
Glory be to Thee, O Lord

Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James and John, and led them up a high mountain apart, by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his clothes became dazzling white, such as no one on earth could bleach them. And there appeared to them Elijah with Moses, who were talking with Jesus. Then Peter said to Jesus, "Rabbi, it is good for us to be here; let us make three dwellings, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah." He did not know what to say, for they were terrified. Then a cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud there came a voice, "This is my Son, the Beloved; listen to him!" Suddenly when they looked around, they saw no one with them any more, but only Jesus. As they were coming down the mountain, he ordered them to tell no one about what they had seen, until after the Son of Man had risen from the dead. So they kept the matter to themselves, questioning what this rising from the dead could mean. Then they asked him, "Why do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?" He said to them, "Elijah is indeed coming first to restore all things. How then is it written about the Son of Man, that he is to go through many sufferings and be treated with contempt? But I tell you that Elijah has come, and they did to him whatever they pleased, as it is written about him."

Here ends the Gospel lesson for today.
Glory be to Thee ,O Christ!


Morning Psalms

Psalm 69 Salvum me fac
1   Save me, O God, for the waters have risen up to my neck.
2   I am sinking in deep mire, and there is no firm ground for my feet.
3   I have come into deep waters, and the torrent washes over me.
4   I have grown weary with my crying; my throat is inflamed; my eyes have failed from looking for my God.
5   Those who hate me without a cause are more than the hairs of my head; my lying foes who would destroy me are mighty. Must I then give back what I never stole?
6   O God, you know my foolishness, and my faults are not hidden from you.
7   Let not those who hope in you be put to shame through me, Lord GOD of hosts; let not those who seek you be disgraced because of me, O God of Israel.
8   Surely, for your sake have I suffered reproach, and shame has covered my face.
9   I have become a stranger to my own kindred, an alien to my mother's children.
10   Zeal for your house has eaten me up; the scorn of those who scorn you has fallen upon me.
11   I humbled myself with fasting, but that was turned to my reproach.
12   I put on sack-cloth also, and became a byword among them.
13   Those who sit at the gate murmur against me, and the drunkards make songs about me.
14   But as for me, this is my prayer to you, at the time you have set, O LORD:
15   In your great mercy, O God, answer me with your unfailing help.
16   Save me from the mire; do not let me sink; let me be rescued from those who hate me and out of the deep waters.
17   Let not the torrent of waters wash over me, neither let the deep swallow me up; do not let the Pit shut its mouth upon me.
18   Answer me, O LORD, for your love is kind; in your great compassion, turn to me."
19   Hide not your face from your servant; be swift and answer me, for I am in distress.
20   Draw near to me and redeem me; because of my enemies deliver me.
21   You know my reproach, my shame, and my dishonor; my adversaries are all in your sight."
22   Reproach has broken my heart, and it cannot be healed; I looked for sympathy, but there was none, for comforters, but I could find no one.
23   They gave me gall to eat, and when I was thirsty, they gave me vinegar to drink.
24   Let the table before them be a trap and their sacred feasts a snare.
25   Let their eyes be darkened, that they may not see, and give them continual trembling in their loins.
26   Pour out your indignation upon them, and let the fierceness of your anger overtake them.
27   Let their camp be desolate, and let there be none to dwell in their tents.
28   For they persecute him whom you have stricken and add to the pain of those whom you have pierced.
29   Lay to their charge guilt upon guilt, and let them not receive your vindication.
30   Let them be wiped out of the book of the living and not be written among the righteous.
31   As for me, I am afflicted and in pain; your help, O God, will lift me up on high.
32   I will praise the Name of God in song; I will proclaim his greatness with thanksgiving.
33   This will please the LORD more than an offering of oxen, more than bullocks with horns and hoofs.
34   The afflicted shall see and be glad; you who seek God, your heart shall live.
35   For the LORD listens to the needy, and his prisoners he does not despise.
36   Let the heavens and the earth praise him, the seas and all that moves in them;
37   For God will save Zion and rebuild the cities of Judah; they shall live there and have it in possession.
38   The children of his servants will inherit it, and those who love his Name will dwell therein.


Evening Psalms

Psalm 73 Quam bonus Israel!
1   Truly, God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart.
2   But as for me, my feet had nearly slipped; I had almost tripped and fallen;
3   Because I envied the proud and saw the prosperity of the wicked:
4   For they suffer no pain, and their bodies are sleek and sound;
5   In the misfortunes of others they have no share; they are not afflicted as others are;
6   Therefore they wear their pride like a necklace and wrap their violence about them like a cloak.
7   Their iniquity comes from gross minds, and their hearts overflow with wicked thoughts.
8   They scoff and speak maliciously; out of their haughtiness they plan oppression.
9   They set their mouths against the heavens, and their evil speech runs through the world.
10   And so the people turn to them and find in them no fault.
11   They say, "How should God know? is there knowledge in the Most High?"
12   So then, these are the wicked; always at ease, they increase their wealth.
13   In vain have I kept my heart clean, and washed my hands in innocence.
14   I have been afflicted all day long, and punished every morning.
15   Had I gone on speaking this way, I should have betrayed the generation of your children.
16   When I tried to understand these things, it was too hard for me;
17   Until I entered the sanctuary of God and discerned the end of the wicked.
18   Surely, you set them in slippery places; you cast them down in ruin.
19   Oh, how suddenly do they come to destruction, come to an end, and perish from terror!
20   Like a dream when one awakens, O Lord, when you arise you will make their image vanish.
21   When my mind became embittered, I was sorely wounded in my heart.
22   I was stupid and had no understanding; I was like a brute beast in your presence.
23   Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand.
24   You will guide me by your counsel, and afterwards receive me with glory.
25   Whom have I in heaven but you? and having you I desire nothing upon earth.
26   Though my flesh and my heart should waste away, God is the strength of my heart and my portion for ever.
27   Truly, those who forsake you will perish; you destroy all who are unfaithful.
28   But it is good for me to be near God; I have made the Lord GOD my refuge.
29   I will speak of all your works in the gates of the city of Zion.


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 - February 03, 2017


Psalm 59:16 (NIV) But I will sing of your strength, in the morning I will sing of your love; for you are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble.

Read all of Psalm 59

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

Morning Devotions with Cap'n Kenny - "A Dad's Role"

Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged.
Colossians 3:21, NKJV

Ephesians 6:4 says, "And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord." Notice this is directed to fathers. But, unfortunately, a lot of dads are missing in action these days.

It was unheard of in first-century culture for a father to abandon his responsibilities in his home. Nowadays, it seems to be almost the norm. We are losing fathers at an unprecedented rate in our culture. One expert said we are in danger of becoming a fatherless society.

Why are fathers so important? To a large degree, a child's view of God is based on their view of their father. You will see a lot of times that people compare their relationship with their earthly father to the one with their heavenly Father. I know this puts a lot of pressure on men, but it's the truth: dads are earthly representatives of God. And God is loving. God is caring. God is nurturing. At the same time, God is just, righteous, and holy.

So what are we to do? We are not to provoke them. In fact, the word provoke speaks of a repeated pattern of treatment that causes the child to have anger and resentment that boils over to outright hostility. Instead of provoking them, we are to bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord. This could also be translated "to nourish and feed." Another translation says, "Let them be kindly cherished."

So help your children come to Jesus and develop their own relationship with God. And remember that dads are representatives of God to their kids—that is why their role is so vital in the home.

In Jesus,
Cap'n Kenny

Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Devotion by Greg Laurie © 2016 Harvest Christian Fellowship; all rights reserved.

Un Dia a la Vez - Huye del negativismo


Panal de miel son las palabras amables: endulzan la vida y dan salud al cuerpo. Proverbios 16:24

¡Cuántas veces nos toca en la vida diaria convivir con personas negativas, personas que desde que abren su boca es para criticar a otros, para maldecir la vida que están viviendo! Se desaniman a cada momento y, como dicen por ahí, ¡no los calienta ni el sol!

Me refiero a las personas que van a una iglesia constantemente, que leen la Palabra y que se dicen llamar «cristianos». A estos más bien les digo «cristinos». ¿Sabes la repercusión que tiene para nuestra vida comportarnos de esa manera?

Sé que muchos de los que hoy leen este libro, o lo escuchan por la radio, se han sentido muy incómodos al tener a su alrededor personas así. Que en vez de atraerte a la iglesia para tener una vida espiritual, más bien te alejan y se convierten en piedra de tropiezo. Una piedra tan poderosa que alejan a los que le rodean y le impiden tener una vida con Jesús.

Recuerda que las palabras tienen poder y con ellas puedes bendecir o maldecir a una persona. Permitamos, pues, en este nuevo día, que lo que hablemos coincida con las cosas que hacemos. ¡Pidámosle a Dios ser reflejo de su luz y brillar sin contaminarnos con el negativismo!

Un Día a la Vez Copyright © by Claudia Pinzón. La Santa Biblia, Nueva Versión Internacional® NVI® Copyright © 1986, 1999, 2015 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Standing Strong Through the Storm - SATAN’S TACTIC OF GUILT

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9

Satan’s internal tactics against us fall into two broad categories: deceit and intimidation. He continually accuses us in our own hearts to bring feelings of guilt and failure into our lives. True guilt is that which comes from disobeying God. One reason that this approach is so effective in crushing the witness of a saint is because it is partially true. We all have failed the Lord. None of us has triumphed in power over every circumstance as we could and should have done. So when Satan accuses us, we know in our hearts that there is much truth in his accusations.

But God has provided us with a way to cleanse ourselves of this sin and the guilt that accompanies it. When we realize we have failed the Lord, we confess it and He forgives and cleanses us. Once we have confessed it, the sin is gone, and our feelings of guilt are relieved.

David’s experience shows us God’s method of dealing with sin: conviction, acknowledgment, confession, seeking forgiveness, receiving forgiveness, praise and joyful service (Psalm 51; Psalm 32:3, 4; II Samuel 12:1-13). Once sin is dealt with in this manner, true guilt will disappear.

The revolutionary army told a young Christian in Chad, Africa that he must submit to old animistic tribal rituals. They wanted to destroy Christianity and stimulate patriotism and loyalty by reviving the ancient pagan customs. The leaders of the churches of the area agreed together that Christians must refuse to participate in the animistic rituals.

When the young man refused and was beaten, he stood firm in his faith. But when the authorities stripped him naked and beat him in front of his mother, sisters and other young ladies, his courage failed and he permitted them to perform the pagan rituals.

Then he felt terrible. He had failed the Lord. His guilt was heavy. Satan tried to convince him that the Lord could never again accept him. But he knew the scriptural promises of God, and he confessed his sin. The Lord forgave him and restored his joy.

He began to publicly witness to his neighbors and he was arrested. The authorities demanded that he denounce Christ or be buried alive. This time, his faith was strong and he refused to deny Christ. He was beaten and thrown into prison to await execution, but his faith grew stronger and the Lord delivered him. The oppressive government was overthrown and he was released.

RESPONSE: Today I will confess my sin and receive God’s forgiveness from the guilt so that Satan cannot use this tactic against me.

PRAYER: Pray that this simple and straight-forward process of relieving guilt through confession of sin will be the experience of every believer so Satan loses one more tactic today.

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

Men of the Bible - Esau


His name means: "Hairy"

His work: An outdoorsman, Esau was an accomplished hunter.
His character: The desire for instant gratification was one of Esau's greatest failures. It cost him his birthright.
His sorrow: When he realized that Jacob had secured his father's blessing, Esau wept aloud.
His triumph: Years later Esau demonstrated the ability to forgive his conniving brother.
Key Scriptures: Genesis 27, 33 


A Look at the Man

Esau was a "man's man." He was ruddy, strong, impulsive, competitive, impetuous—quite a lethal mix.

As a young man he was not accustomed to holding anything back. He may have lived on the edge of danger, self-indulgence, and immediate gratification. Having his father's favor did nothing to inhibit this behavior. But Esau had a serious problem—his brother Jacob.

My twin brother has ruined my life, Esau must have fumed. And he will pay for it.

The most destructive dimension to this conflict was that Jacob fled to Haran without any conversation with Esau: no explanation, no confession, no resolution. So the battle between these grown siblings may have waged silently for twenty years. The discord gnawed at their hearts—Esau's need for revenge and Jacob's fear of his brother's reprisal.

There is some levity in the account of Jacob going to such extremes to meet his brother after two decades. First he divided his servants, his family, and his possessions into two groups so that Esau could only capture half of what Jacob owned—one group could run away while the other was being attacked. Then Jacob prepared a gift to assuage his brother's fury: two hundred female goats and twenty male goats; two hundred ewes and twenty rams; thirty female camels with their young; forty cows and ten bulls; and twenty female donkeys and ten male donkeys. All in all, a very expensive transaction for Jacob! And completely unnecessary. Forgiveness was granted without charge. Esau's words tell the whole story: "I already have plenty, my brother. Keep what you have for yourself."

The image of these two grown men embracing and weeping is one of the most powerful in all of Scripture. It is, in fact, the echo of the prodigal standing guilty as his father runs to meet him. It is the image of our heavenly Father doing the same for us.

Esau's forgiveness was not offered reluctantly. He was not arrogant nor did he require that Jacob verbally review his transgressions against him, groveling with words of repentance. In his eagerness to forgive, Esau ran, he embraced, and he wept. Twenty years of apprehension and fear were erased in that incredible moment.

Reflect On: Genesis 33:1-9
Praise God: For every earthly blessing.
Offer Thanks: For the basic ways God has cared for you, giving you food, water, and shelter.
Confess: Any tendency to pursue earthly pleasures at the expense of God’s blessings.
Ask God: To help you rightly value the promises he has made to you in Scripture.

Girlfriends in God - Creating a Calm Home

by Arlene Pellicane 

Today’s Truth

Better to live on a corner of the roof than share a house with a quarrelsome wife. (Proverbs 21:9, NIV) 

Friend to Friend

If you were to observe my home, you won’t catch me doing linens on Mondays, mopping on Wednesdays, and doing my once-a-month cooking on the first Friday. One fine day, I was actually dusting the blinds. My husband James yelled, “What’s that noise?” alarmed the kids might be messing with something.

“It’s me, cleaning the blinds!” I shot back proudly.

He was quiet for a moment and then yelled in amazement, “I haven’t heard that sound in 10 years!”

Each home will have its own level of neatness to aspire to, but there is something that everyone can agree upon as ideal: living in a calm, peaceful home. What is the atmosphere of your home on most days? Could you describe it as a place of refuge or is it more chaotic or stressful? There’s the visible calm of a clean, orderly home and there’s also the invisible calm of a welcoming, loving environment.

What if you’ve had a lousy day, or week, or month? I know I’ve had bad mornings and still managed to smile at a room full of strangers in a meeting. Somehow we can put negative feelings behind us and act civilly – even warmly – to acquaintances and co-workers. Yet our families and closest friends can get the emotional scraps of the day.

The Bible says it exactly this way twice, “Better to live on a corner of the roof than share a house with a quarrelsome wife” (Proverbs 21:9, 25:24). The writer of this proverb would rather live in a awful spot unsuitable for cold or rain than in a comfortable house with a sour, scolding woman. No external conveniences can replace the desire and need for internal peace.

Do you realize the power you have to create a calm environment? Women are often like thermostats, setting the emotional tone for everyone else by acting warmly or coldly. You can invite the Holy Spirit into your life today so you can be joyful even when circumstances aren’t. You can show love towards your family by speaking a love language such as words of affirmation, gifts, time, acts of service, or physical touch even if you don’t feel like it. If your spouse likes things tidy, you can pick a few things up right before he comes home.

The outside world can be a noisy, harsh, ungodly place. Your home can be a needed refuge for the soul. A refuge is a place of resort and safety, a dwelling place, high tower, shelter, and hope. Purpose in your heart that when you’re home, you will do everything in your power to create a peaceful place. That may mean turning off the TV and computer more often, nagging less, looking for areas to praise instead of criticize, and possibly dusting the blinds from time to time.

Let’s Pray

Dear Lord, forgive me for being quarrelsome and ungrateful sometimes. Help me to be an agent of love in my home. Your Word says blessed are the peacemakers. I want to be a peacemaker in my home. Change my heart that I might be calmer and more respectful to those closest to me.
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen. 

Now It’s Your Turn

How would you rate the level of calm in your home on a scale from 1 to 10? Ask the Lord, “What’s one thing I can do to create a calmer home today?” 

More from the Girlfriends

You can read more about creating domestic tranquility for your spouse in Arlene’s book 31 Days to a Happy Husband. Learn how to dream again together and take a quiz to assess if you have a happy husband.

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