LHM Daily Devotion - "The Growing Grey"

 February 7, 2017

But as for you, O man of God, flee these things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.  - 1 Timothy 6:11-12, ESV

Recently, the Israeli Defense Minister, Avigdor Lieberman, spoke at the Institute for National Security Studies.

His message was not an overly encouraging one. He said that any future Israeli war will need to continue until there is a decisive result, even if Israel needs to take over a quarter or more of the Gaza Strip. Lieberman continued: "The military will not stop until the other side waves a white flag."

No, I don't like to hear any defense minister from any country speak that way.

About the only good thing that could be said about Lieberman's address was he understands the nature of war and believes the ultimate goal of any conflict is a complete and total victory over your enemy.

That, I am afraid, is a concept which escapes many 21st-century believers.

You see, when it comes to our battle with sin, all too often people don't want to win a clear-cut and decisive victory; they find it preferable to live in peaceful co-existence with evil.

As proof of that statement, I offer up the evidence of many Christian pulpits. I can remember a time, not so many years ago, when almost every church was clear in its condemnation of sin. If the Bible said something was wrong, well, that action was wrong. Period. End of reading.

But now, if you listen carefully, you will find that the clear-cut difference between black and white has become pretty blurry. At the same time, the amount of grey in people's lives has grown considerably.

Would you prefer a practical example? That's easy, too. At the beginning of my ministry, almost 50 years ago, I knew some old pastors who could state that there had never been a divorce in any of the families in any of the congregations they had served.

It's pretty hard to find a pastor who could say the same thing today.

We could give many other examples. How about movies? Movies which a few years ago would have been condemned as being immoral and unacceptable for God's people to see are now listed in the category of being a film nobody, including Christians, can afford to miss.

The path of compromise with wrongdoing is not the road the Lord would have His people walk.

Far better for us to follow the Savior who avoided temptation, took a stand against evil, and did all that was necessary to "call us out of darkness into His marvelous light" (see 1 Peter 2:9).

THE PRAYER: Dear Lord, grant that I may recognize evil and avoid it. Help me shun every compromise that might be detrimental to me and others, which might blur the witness of thanks my life should make to the Savior. In His Name I pray. Amen.

Use these devotions in your newsletter and bulletin!  Used by permission; all rights reserved by the Int'l LLL (LHM). The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Permanent Text Edition® (2016). Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

CPTLN Devocional - ¿Fe en qué?

07 de Febrero 2017

Cuando el arca del pacto del Señor llegó al campamento, los israelitas empezaron a gritar de tal manera que la tierra temblaba... Y al oír que el arca del Señor había llegado al campamento, los filisteos se acobardaron y dijeron: ... «¡Ánimo, filisteos! ... ¡ármense de valor y luchen como hombres!» Entonces los filisteos se lanzaron al ataque y derrotaron a los israelitas, los cuales huyeron en desbandada... y fue capturada el arca de Dios. 1 Samuel 4:4ss

Tom Higgins, un empresario irlandés, dijo a los reporteros que lo entrevistaron, que acababa de hacer un negocio excelente pagando una bagatela. A lo que se refería era que había comprado el escritorio sobre el que el famoso escritor Charles Dickens escribió el libro "Grandes Esperanzas" y sus últimas cartas, la noche en que murió.

La bagatela le costó a Higgins $850.000. ¡Pagó $850.000 por un escritorio! Cuando le preguntaron por qué estaba tan contento, dijo que era porque había podido comprar un mueble antiguo que además había sido parte de Charles Dickens. No niego que tenga valor histórico, pero sigue siendo un escritorio.

Algo semejante pasó con el arca del pacto de Dios del que habla nuestro texto. Sin lugar a dudas era un arca especial, ya que era el santuario donde habitaba el Señor. Pero de ninguna manera era mágica, aún cuando así lo creían los israelitas. Es por eso que un día, cuando salieron a pelear contra los filisteos, llevaron consigo el arca como si fuera un amuleto para la buena suerte.

Nuestro texto dice lo que sucedió: los israelitas fueron derrotados y el arca fue capturada. No fue fácil, pero finalmente el pueblo de Dios aprendió que quien protege es el Señor, y no un arca recubierta de metal y adornada con ángeles. La lección fue dura, pero valió la pena.

Hubo una época en la Edad Media en que los cristianos depositaron su fe en la "cruz verdadera" que había sido descubierta por Helena, la madre de Constantino. Pensaban que esa cruz era tan especial y otorgaba tantas bendiciones, que la iglesia decidió ir cortándole pequeños trozos para vendérselos a los cristianos fieles e ingenuos.

Que las personas depositaran su fe en esos pedacitos de cruz y en muchas otras cosas "hechas" sagradas fue lo que, en cierta medida, molestó la conciencia de un monje llamado Lutero. Por la gracia de Dios, él llegó a creer que es por fe en Jesús, el Hijo sin pecado de Dios y salvador de las almas pecadoras, que recibimos perdón y salvación.

Sólo Jesús puede rescatarnos. Ni su cruz, ni su túnica, ni sus lágrimas, ni las reliquias de los santos, ni nuestros sacrificios, ofrendas o promesas, nada de todo esto cuenta cuando necesitamos ser perdonados. Recibimos salvación porque Dios nos la regala. La salvación es gratis para todas las personas que confían en él... para mí, este es el mejor negocio de todos los tiempos.

ORACIÓN: Señor Jesús, te doy gracias por la salvación que me has regalado. El mundo está lleno de cosas maravillosas, muchas de las cuales tú creaste, y por ellas te doy gracias. Pero también te pido que no permitas que ninguna de ellas se convierta en algo más importante para mí que el regalo de vida eterna que tú me has dado. En tu nombre. Amén.

© Copyright 2017 Cristo Para Todas Las Naciones.

Our Daily Bread - Does It Spark Joy?

Read: Philippians 4:4–9 | Bible in a Year: Leviticus 1–3; Matthew 24:1–28

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true . . . noble . . . right . . . pure . . . lovely . . . admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Philippians 4:8

A young Japanese woman’s book on decluttering and organizing has sold two million copies worldwide. The heart of Marie Kondo’s message is helping people get rid of unneeded things in their homes and closets—things that weigh them down. “Hold up each item,” she says, “and ask, ‘Does it spark joy?’” If the answer is yes, keep it. If the answer is no, then give it away.

The apostle Paul urged the Christians in Philippi to pursue joy in their relationship with Christ. “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!” (Phil. 4:4). Instead of a life cluttered with anxiety, he urged them to pray about everything and let God’s peace guard their hearts and minds in Christ (vv. 6–7).

Looking at our everyday tasks and responsibilities, we see that not all of them are enjoyable. But we can ask, “How can this spark joy in God’s heart and in my own?” A change in why we do things can bring a transformation in the way we feel about them.

“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true . . . noble . . . right . . . pure . . . lovely . . . admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things” (v. 8).

Paul’s parting words are food for thought and a recipe for joy.

Lord, show me how You want to spark joy in the tasks I face today.

A focus on the Lord is the beginning of joy.

By David McCasland

© 2017 Our Daily Bread Ministries

Lời Sống Hằng Ngày - Có Làm Ta Vui Không?

Đọc: Phi-líp 4:4-9 | Đọc Kinh Thánh suốt năm: Lê-vi ký 1-3; Ma-thi-ơ 24:1-28

Cuối cùng, thưa anh em, hễ điều gì chân thật... đáng trọng... công chính… thanh sạch... đáng yêu chuộng… đáng biểu dương; nói chung là điều gì đức hạnh, đáng khen ngợi thì anh em phải nghĩ đến. (Phi-líp 4:8)

Quyển sách về nghệ thuật sắp xếp và tổ chức không gian sống của một thiếu nữ Nhật Bản đã bán được hai triệu bản trên khắp thế giới. Trọng tâm của thông điệp Marie Kondo muốn gửi gắm là giúp mọi người bỏ đi những thứ không cần thiết trong nhà và trong tủ của họ – là những thứ khiến họ mệt mỏi. Cô nói “Hãy cầm từng thứ lên” và hỏi: Nó có làm ta vui không?” Nếu câu trả lời là có, thì hãy giữ lại. Nếu không, hãy bỏ đi.

Sứ đồ Phao-lô đã thúc giục các tín hữu tại Phi-líp đeo đuổi niềm vui trong mối quan hệ với Chúa. “Hãy vui mừng trong Chúa luôn luôn, tôi lại còn nói nữa: Hãy vui mừng đi!” Thay vì sống một cuộc đời trĩu nặng âu lo, ông khuyên giục họ cầu nguyện trong mọi sự và để sự bình an của Chúa cai trị lòng và trí của họ trong Đấng Christ (c.6-7).

Nhìn vào những công việc và trách nhiệm hàng ngày của mình, chúng ta thấy rằng không phải tất cả những trách nhiệm đó đều mang đến cho chúng ta niềm vui. Nhưng chúng ta có thể hỏi: “Làm sao để công việc này có thể khiến Chúa vui lòng và đem đến niềm vui trong lòng tôi?” Một sự thay đổi trong động cơ chúng ta làm mọi việc có thể đem đến sự biến đổi trong cách chúng ta cảm nhận về chúng.

“Cuối cùng, thưa anh em, hễ điều gì chân thật… đáng trọng… công chính… thanh sạch… đáng yêu chuộng… đáng biểu dương; nói chung là điều gì đức hạnh, đáng khen ngợi thì anh em phải nghĩ đến” (c.8).

Những lời từ giã của Phao-lô là nguồn nuôi dưỡng cho tâm trí và là phương cách làm nên sự vui mừng.

Lạy Chúa, xin chỉ cho con biết Ngài muốn con chiếu rạng niềm vui trong những việc con đối diện hôm nay như thế nào.

Tập chú vào Chúa là khởi đầu của niềm vui.

bởi David McCasland

© 2017 Lời Sống Hằng Ngày

Nuestro Pan Diario - ¿Me provoca gozo?

Leer: Filipenses 4:4-9 | La Biblia en un año: Mateo 24:1-28

… todo lo que es verdadero, […] honesto, […] justo, […] puro, […] amable, […] de buen nombre; […] digno de alabanza, en esto pensad (Filipenses 4:8).

El libro de una joven japonesa sobre orden y organización ha vendido dos millones de ejemplares en el mundo entero. La esencia del mensaje de Marie Kondo es ayudar a la gente a despojarse de cosas innecesarias en sus casas y armarios; cosas que los sofocan. Dice: «Levanta cada artículo y pregunta: “¿Me provoca gozo?”». Si la respuesta es «sí», consérvalo. Si es «no», descártalo.

El apóstol Pablo exhortó a los creyentes de Filipo a procurar tener gozo en su relación con Cristo: «Regocijaos en el Señor siempre. Otra vez digo: ¡Regocijaos!» (Filipenses 4:4). En vez de vivir una vida desordenada por la ansiedad, los instaba a orar por todo y dejar que la paz de Dios guardara sus corazones y sus mentes en Cristo (vv. 6-7).

Al considerar nuestras tareas y responsabilidades, vemos que no todo es motivo de gozo. Pero podemos preguntar: «¿Cómo provoca esto gozo en el corazón de Dios y en el mío?». Un cambio en el porqué hacemos las cosas puede transformar nuestra manera de verlas.

«Por lo demás, hermanos, todo lo que es verdadero, […] honesto, […] justo, […] puro, […] amable, […] de buen nombre; […] digno de alabanza, en esto pensad» (v. 8).

Las palabras de despedida de Pablo son alimento para la reflexión y una receta para el gozo.

Señor, ayúdame a gozarme en mi tareas de hoy.

Enfocarse en el Señor es el principio del gozo.

Por David C. McCasland

© 2017 Ministerios Nuestro Pan Diario

Unser Täglich Brot - Macht es Freude?

Lesen: Philipper 4,4-9 | Die Bibel In Einem Jahr: 3.Mose 1–3; Matthäus 24,1-28

Weiter, liebe Brüder: Was wahrhaftig ist, was ehrbar, was gerecht, was rein, was liebenswert, was einen guten Ruf hat, sei es eine Tugend, sei es ein Lob—darauf seid bedacht! Philipper 4,8

Das Buch einer jungen Japanerin über das Aufräumen und Organisieren wurde schon über 2 Millionen Mal verkauft. Marie Kondo will Menschen helfen, unnötige Dinge in ihren Wohnungen und Schränken loszuwerden—Dinge, die sie nur belasten. „Nimm jedes Teil in die Hand“, sagt sie, „und frage dich, ob es dir Freude bereitet.“ Heißt die Antwort Ja, behalte es. Lautet sie Nein, gib es weg.

Der Apostel Paulus rief die Christen in Philippi dazu auf, sich an der Beziehung zu Jesus zu freuen. „Freuet euch in dem Herrn allewege, und abermals sage ich: Freuet euch!“ (Phil. 4,4). Anstatt im Leben Ängste anzuhäufen, sollten sie in allem beten und ihre Herzen und Sinne von Gottes Frieden bewahren lassen (V.6-7).

Unsere alltäglichen Aufgaben und Pflichten sind nicht immer erfreulich. Aber wir können fragen: „Wie kann gerade diese Sache Gott und mir selbst Freude bereiten?“ Wenn sich unsere Einstellung, warum wir bestimmte Dinge tun, ändert, kann das auch eine Veränderung in unseren Gefühlen bewirken.

„Weiter, liebe Brüder: Was wahrhaftig ist, was ehrbar, was gerecht, was rein, was liebenswert, was einen guten Ruf hat, sei es eine Tugend, sei es ein Lob—darauf seid bedacht!“ (V.8).

Paulus‘ Abschiedsworte sind Stoff zum Nachdenken und ein Rezept zum Freuen.

Zeige mir, Herr, wie du mit den Aufgaben, die ich heute zu erledigen habe, Freude bereiten willst.

Der Blick auf Gott ist der Anfang der Freude.

Von David McCasland

© 2017 Unser Täglich Brot

Notre Pain Quotidien - Cela procure‑t‑il de la joie ?

Lisez : Philippiens 4.4‑9 | La Bible en un an : Lévitique 1 – 3 et Matthieu 24.1-28

Au reste, frères, que tout ce qui est vrai […] honorable […] juste […] pur […] aimable […] qui mérite l’approbation […] ce qui est vertueux et digne de louange, soit l’objet de vos pensées. (Philippiens 4.8)

Le livre d’une jeune Japonaise portant sur le désencombrement et l’organisation s’est vendu en deux millions d’exemplaires. Le message de Marie Kondo portait essentiellement sur les moyens d’aider les gens à se défaire à la maison de choses inutiles, qui les embarrassaient. « Prenez chaque article dans votre main, dit‑elle, et demandez‑vous : “Cela me procure‑t‑il de la joie ?” » Si la réponse est oui, gardez‑le. Sinon, donnez‑le.

Paul a exhorté les chrétiens de Philippes à désirer connaître la joie dans leur relation avec Christ : « Réjouissez‑vous toujours dans le Seigneur ; je le répète, réjouissez‑vous » (PH 4.4). Il les a ainsi invités à prier pour tout, ainsi qu’à laisser la paix de Dieu garder leur coeur et leur pensée en Christ (V. 6,7), au lieu de se satisfaire d’une vie encombrée par l’angoisse.

À la vue de nos tâches et de nos responsabilités quotidiennes, nous constatons qu’elles ne sont pas toutes agréables. Nous pouvons néanmoins nous demander au sujet de chacune : « En quoi cela peut‑il procurer de la joie à Dieu, ainsi qu’à moi‑même ? » Le fait de modifier notre façon de faire les choses peut nous amener à les percevoir autrement.

« Au reste, frères, que tout ce qui est vrai […] honorable […] juste […] pur […] aimable […] qui mérite l’approbation […] ce qui est vertueux et digne de louange, soit l’objet de vos pensées » (V. 8).

Ces paroles d’adieu de Paul réjouissent la pensée.

La joie naît lorsque l’on se concentre sur le Seigneur.

par David McCasland

© 2017 Ministères NPQ

Хліб Наш Насущній - Випробувані та очищені

Читати: Йова 23:1-12 | Біблія за рік: Вихід 39−40 ; Матвія 23:23-39

Хай би випробував Він мене, − мов те золото, вийду! — Йова 23:10

Під час одного інтерв’ю співачка та авторка пісень М. Ендрю розказувала про свій великий стрес, коли намагалась зберігати баланс між працею, подружніми справами та обов’язками матері. Розважаючи над цим важким періодом у своєму житті, вона сказала: “Було таке відчуття, наче Бог веде мене крізь очисне горнило”.

Йов теж був приголомшений, коли втратив всю худобу, всіх дітей і своє здоров’я. Що ще гірше, хоча Йов щодня поклонявся Богу, він відчував, наче Господь ігнорує всі його благання про допомогу. Здавалося, Бог цілком зник з горизонту його життя. Йов стверджував, що не бачить Бога ані на півночі, ані на півдні, ні на заході, ні на сході (Йов. 23:2-9).

Але посеред цього відчаю у Йова був духовний момент прозріння. Його віра спалахнула наче та свічка, що палає у темній кімнаті. “Він знає дорогу, яка при мені, хай би випробував Він мене, − мов те золото, вийду!” (Йов. 23:10). Бог через різні труднощі випробовує християн, щоб очистити їх від самовпевненості, гордості та земної мудрості. Коли здається, що Бог мовчить за часів випробувань і не відповідає на наші благання про допомогу, то, можливо, Він таким чином дає нам можливість зростати у вірі.

Біль та проблеми можуть зробити наш характер міцним, якщо довірятимемо Богу у важкі періоди свого життя.

Дорогий Господи, допоможи мені вірити, що Ти зі мною навіть тоді, коли я не бачу й не розумію Твоєї праці в моєму житті. Я віддаюсь у Твої руки і вірю, що будь-які мої страждання потрібні для досягнення Твоїх благих цілей.

Період випробування нашої віри може зміцнити нашу віру. 

Автор Дженніфер Бенсон Шульдт

 © 2017 Хліб Наш Насущній

Хлеб наш насущный - Излучается ли радость?

Читать сейчас: Филиппийцам 4:4-9 | Библия за год: Левит 1-3; Матфея 24:1-28

Наконец, братья мои, что только истинно, что честно, что справедливо, что чисто, что любезно, что достославно, что только добродетель и похвала, – о том помышляйте. — Филиппийцам 4:8

Книга молодой японки Мари Кондо о том, как наводить порядок и избавляться от ненужных вещей, разошлась тиражом в два миллиона экземпляров по всему миру. Автор утверждает, что в наших домах находится множество лишнего, что лишь усложняет жизнь. «Возьмите в руки каждый предмет, – советует она, – и спросите себя: “Излучает ли он радость?” Если ответ положительный, вещь нужно оставить, если отрицательный – выбросить или подарить».

Апостол Павел убеждал христиан в Филиппах достигать радости во взаимоотношениях с Иисусом Христом. «Радуйтесь всегда в Господе; и еще говорю: радуйтесь» (Флп. 4:4). Вместо того чтобы обременять себя беспокойством, лучше помолиться и впустить в сердце и разум Божий мир (Флп. 4:6-7).

Далеко не все наши ежедневные дела и обязанности приятны. Однако мы можем спросить себя: «Как это дело может принести славу Богу и радость мне?» Перемена в мотивах и побуждениях может изменить и наше восприятие жизни.

«Наконец, братья мои, что только истинно, что честно, что справедливо, что чисто, что любезно, что достославно, что только добродетель и похвала, – о том помышляйте» (Флп. 4:8). Слова Павла – это пища для размышлений и рецепт радости.

Господи, покажи мне, как я могу радоваться во всех предстоящих мне делах.

Взгляд, обращенный к Господу, – начало радости.

автор: Дэвид Маккасланд

© 2017 Хлеб Наш Насущный

The Daily Readings for MONDAY, February 6, 2017

The Old Testament Lesson

The Old Testament Lesson for today is taken from Isaiah 58:1-12

Shout out, do not hold back! Lift up your voice like a trumpet! Announce to my people their rebellion, to the house of Jacob their sins. Yet day after day they seek me and delight to know my ways, as if they were a nation that practiced righteousness and did not forsake the ordinance of their God; they ask of me righteous judgments, they delight to draw near to God. "Why do we fast, but you do not see? Why humble ourselves, but you do not notice?" Look, you serve your own interest on your fast day, and oppress all your workers. Look, you fast only to quarrel and to fight and to strike with a wicked fist. Such fasting as you do today will not make your voice heard on high. Is such the fast that I choose, a day to humble oneself? Is it to bow down the head like a bulrush, and to lie in sackcloth and ashes? Will you call this a fast, a day acceptable to the LORD? Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of injustice, to undo the thongs of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke? Is it not to share your bread with the hungry, and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, to cover them, and not to hide yourself from your own kin? Then your light shall break forth like the dawn, and your healing shall spring up quickly; your vindicator shall go before you, the glory of the LORD shall be your rear guard. Then you shall call, and the LORD will answer; you shall cry for help, and he will say, Here I am. If you remove the yoke from among you, the pointing of the finger, the speaking of evil, if you offer your food to the hungry and satisfy the needs of the afflicted, then your light shall rise in the darkness and your gloom be like the noonday. The LORD will guide you continually, and satisfy your needs in parched places, and make your bones strong; and you shall be like a watered garden, like a spring of water, whose waters never fail. Your ancient ruins shall be rebuilt; you shall raise up the foundations of many generations; you shall be called the repairer of the breach, the restorer of streets to live in.

This is the Word of the Lord
Thanks be to God

The Epistle Lesson

The Epistle Lesson for today is taken from Galatians 6:11-18

See what large letters I make when I am writing in my own hand! It is those who want to make a good showing in the flesh that try to compel you to be circumcised-- only that they may not be persecuted for the cross of Christ. Even the circumcised do not themselves obey the law, but they want you to be circumcised so that they may boast about your flesh. May I never boast of anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. For neither circumcision nor uncircumcision is anything; but a new creation is everything! As for those who will follow this rule-- peace be upon them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God. From now on, let no one make trouble for me; for I carry the marks of Jesus branded on my body. May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers and sisters. Amen.

This is the Word of the Lord
Thanks be to God

The Holy Gospel Lesson

The Holy Gospel is written in Mark 9:30-41
Glory be to Thee, O Lord

They went on from there and passed through Galilee. He did not want anyone to know it; for he was teaching his disciples, saying to them, "The Son of Man is to be betrayed into human hands, and they will kill him, and three days after being killed, he will rise again." But they did not understand what he was saying and were afraid to ask him. Then they came to Capernaum; and when he was in the house he asked them, "What were you arguing about on the way?" But they were silent, for on the way they had argued with one another who was the greatest. He sat down, called the twelve, and said to them, "Whoever wants to be first must be last of all and servant of all." Then he took a little child and put it among them; and taking it in his arms, he said to them, "Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes not me but the one who sent me." John said to him, "Teacher, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we tried to stop him, because he was not following us." But Jesus said, "Do not stop him; for no one who does a deed of power in my name will be able soon afterward to speak evil of me. Whoever is not against us is for us. For truly I tell you, whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because you bear the name of Christ will by no means lose the reward.

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

Morning Psalms

Psalm 80 Qui regis Israel
1   Hear, O Shepherd of Israel, leading Joseph like a flock; shine forth, you that are enthroned upon the cherubim.
2   In the presence of Ephraim, Benjamin, and Manasseh, stir up your strength and come to help us.
3   Restore us, O God of hosts; show the light of your countenance, and we shall be saved.
4   O LORD God of hosts, how long will you be angered despite the prayers of your people?
5   You have fed them with the bread of tears; you have given them bowls of tears to drink.
6   You have made us the derision of our neighbors, and our enemies laugh us to scorn.
7   Restore us, O God of hosts; show the light of your countenance, and we shall be saved.
8   You have brought a vine out of Egypt; you cast out the nations and planted it.
9   You prepared the ground for it; it took root and filled the land.
10   The mountains were covered by its shadow and the towering cedar trees by its boughs.
11   You stretched out its tendrils to the Sea and its branches to the River.
12   Why have you broken down its wall, so that all who pass by pluck off its grapes?
13   The wild boar of the forest has ravaged it, and the beasts of the field have grazed upon it.
14   Turn now, O God of hosts, look down from heaven; behold and tend this vine; preserve what your right hand has planted.
15   They burn it with fire like rubbish; at the rebuke of your countenance let them perish.
16   Let your hand be upon the man of your right hand, and son of man you have made so strong for yourself.
17   And so will we never turn away from you; give us life, that we may call upon your Name.
18   Restore us, O LORD God of hosts; show the light of your countenance, and we shall be saved.

Evening Psalms

Psalm 77 Voce mea ad Dominum
1   I will cry aloud to God; I will cry aloud, and he will hear me.
2   In the day of my trouble I sought the Lord; my hands were stretched out by night and did not tire; I refused to be comforted.
3   I think of God, I am restless, I ponder, and my spirit faints.
4   You will not let my eyelids close; I am troubled and I cannot speak.
5   I consider the days of old; I remember the years long past;
6   I commune with my heart in the night; I ponder and search my mind.
7   Will the Lord cast me off for ever? will he no more show his favor?
8   Has his loving-kindness come to an end for ever? has his promise failed for evermore?
9   Has God forgotten to be gracious? has he, in his anger, withheld his compassion?
10   And I said, "My grief is this: the right hand of the Most High has lost its power."
11   I will remember the works of the LORD, and call to mind your wonders of old time.
12   I will meditate on all your acts and ponder your mighty deeds.
13   Your way, O God, is holy; who is so great a god as our God?
14   You are the God who works wonders and have declared your power among the peoples.
15   By your strength you have redeemed your people, the children of Jacob and Joseph.
16   The waters saw you, O God; the waters saw you and trembled; the very depths were shaken.
17   The clouds poured out water; the skies thundered; your arrows flashed to and fro;
18   The sound of your thunder was in the whirlwind; your lightnings lit up the world; the earth trembled and shook.
19   Your way was in the sea, and your paths in the great waters, yet your footsteps were not seen.
20   You led your people like a flock by the hand of Moses and Aaron.

Psalm 79 Deus, venerunt
1   O God, the heathen have come into your inheritance; they have profaned your holy temple; they have made Jerusalem a heap of rubble.
2   They have given the bodies of your servants as food for the birds of the air, and the flesh of your faithful ones to the beasts of the field.
3   They have shed their blood like water on every side of Jerusalem, and there was no one to bury them.
4   We have become a reproach to our neighbors, an object of scorn and derision to those around us.
5   How long will you be angry, O LORD? will your fury blaze like fire for ever?
6   Pour out your wrath upon the heathen who have not known you and upon the kingdoms that have not called upon your Name.
7   For they have devoured Jacob and made his dwelling a ruin.
8   Remember not our past sins; let your compassion be swift to meet us; for we have been brought very low.
9   Help us, O God our Savior, for the glory of your Name; deliver us and forgive us our sins, for your Name's sake.
10   Why should the heathen say, "Where is their God?" Let it be known among the heathen and in our sight that you avenge the shedding of your servants' blood.
11   Let the sorrowful sighing of the prisoners come before you, and by your great might spare those who are condemned to die.
12   May the revilings with which they reviled you, O Lord, return seven-fold into their bosoms.
13   For we are your people and the sheep of your pasture; we will give you thanks for ever and show forth your praise from age to age.

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 06, 2017

Proverbs 21:21 (NIV) Whoever pursues righteousness and love finds life, prosperity and honor.

Read all of Proverbs 21

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 - "Let the Children Come"

But Jesus said, "Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of heaven." —Matthew 19:14, NKJV

We need God's help to be moms and dads. We live in a culture that is largely hostile to the family. It certainly does not support the role of mother and father. In fact, in many ways, culture (music, movies, television, etc.) tends to undermine the role of the parent.

In the Gospels, we read about how the parents brought their children to Jesus. "One day some parents brought their little children to Jesus so he could touch and bless them. But when the disciples saw this, they scolded the parents for bothering him. Then Jesus called for the children and said to the disciples, 'Let the children come to me. Don't stop them! For the Kingdom of God belongs to those who are like these children'" (Luke 18:15–16, NLT).

I love that story. The parents see Jesus and bring their kids to Him, but the disciples push them back. They say things like, "Don't bother the Master right now," "He is busy," or "He is tired." And Jesus says, "Hold on now. Let those little children come to Me, for such is the kingdom of Heaven!" Let them come. The kids came to Christ and loved Him, and He loved them and their parents.

In the original language it could be translated, "They kept bringing their children to Jesus." I like the fact that even though they were rebuffed by the disciples, they were persistent. If you are a smart parent, you will keep bringing your child to Jesus. Your part is important. Be faithful in it.

And remember, nothing can really happen through us until it has first happened to us. Paul writes in Philippians 4:9 (NKJV) "The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do." What your children need most is to see your faith in action.

In Jesus,
Cap'n Kenny

Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved. Devotion by Greg Laurie © 2016 Harvest Christian Fellowship; all rights reserved.

Un Dia a la Vez - Tiempos de angustia

Bueno es el Señor; es refugio en el día de la angustia, y protector de los que en él confían.
Nahúm 1:7

Si nos tocara escoger entre el dolor y la angustia, creo que no sabríamos qué responder.

La angustia es esa agonía que se puede prolongar y te puede destruir poco a poco.

Creo que no hay nada más extraño que sentir ese vacío en nuestro estómago. Esos pensamientos que se deslizan por nuestra mente y nos hacen palpitar más fuerte el corazón y hasta sudar sin control.

Dios nos dice en su Palabra varias veces que no debemos vivir angustiados; y que si lo estamos, Él nos libra y nos ayuda. No obstante, solo hay un requisito para poder ver actuar a Dios a favor de nosotros en momentos de angustia y es buscar de Él. Otra manera de lograrlo es siendo obedientes a su Palabra, a sus mandamientos, y saber que Él escucha nuestra oración.

Pon tu mirada en Dios y no te desenfoques buscando amparo en otras cosas que no te ayudarán. Reta a Dios en este día y dile que aunque no entiendes lo que estás viviendo, vas a confiar en Él. Y que si llegan pensamientos contrarios, tú permanecerás en su Palabra.

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 - CONQUERING THE FEAR OF DEATH

I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. Galatians 2:20

Fear of dying is the number one universal fear for human beings. Virtually every fear has a relationship to death and a connection to dying. For example, why are we afraid of flying? The plane may crash and we may die. Here are seven scriptural principles that enable us to conquer our fear of death:

1. God is in control. Read Psalm 91. (Mark 4:35-41; Phil 4:6-7)
2. Focus on fearing God and dying to self. (Acts 5:29; Galatians 2:20)
3. We are strangers and pilgrims on this earth. (Hebrews 10:32+)
4. God always brings good from evil. (Genesis 50:20)
5. The enemy can only harm our body, not our soul. (Matthew 10:28)
6. Absent from the body is to be present with the Lord. (2 Corinthians 5:8; 2 Timothy 2:11-12)
7. There is a crown of life for the faithful to death. (Revelation 2:10)

Co-workers had just finished an SSTS seminar on the island of Timor when a young pastor suddenly jumped up and proclaimed before all his colleagues “Now I am ready to die for Jesus!” These were no idle words. Every single pastor attending the seminar was directly or indirectly impacted by the massacres on the island of Ambon. Many of their churches had been burned and several had lost loved ones in the attacks on Christians.

As the meeting concluded, our colleague saw that young pastor making his way towards him. “Your being here has inspired me to go out and share the gospel in other areas,” he announced.

“I am happy to hear that brother. Where has the Lord called you to?” he enquired.

“To Ambon!”

“My brother, are you sure. This is like signing your own death certificate. You know that most Christians are fleeing the massacre and you want to return?”

His response was simple and without pretense. “If I don’t go back to tell the people about Jesus, who will do it? I am willing to give my life for Jesus!”

RESPONSE: Today I will live prepared to die, and die prepared to live!

PRAYER: When I fear you, Lord, I fear nothing else—even death. Today I pray for those who do not fear You and thus fear everything else—especially death.

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

Women of the Bible - Leah

Her name means: "Impatient" or "Wild Cow"

Her character: Capable of both strong and enduring love, she was a faithful mother and wife. Manipulated by her father, she became jealous of her sister, with whom, it seems, she never reconciled.
Her sorrow: That she lacked her sister's beauty, and that her love for her husband was one-sided.
Her joy: That she bore Jacob six sons and one daughter.
Key Scriptures: Genesis 29-35; Ruth 4:11 

Her Story

We buried my sister Rachel today. But she is still alive. I catch glimpses of her in Jacob's broken heart, in dark-eyed Joseph and squalling little Benjamin, his favorite sons. Rachel's sons. I can hear my beautiful, determined sister weeping loudly for the children she might have had, stubbornly refusing to be comforted. Yet who takes note of my tears? Should they flood the desert, no one would notice.

Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Zebulun, Dinah, and then Gad and Asher by my maid—these are the children God has given me and I have given my beloved Jacob. And still he loves her best. Should my husband and I live another hundred years, I will never be his only wife.

Contrary to what Leah may have felt, God had taken note of her sorrow. Knowing well that Jacob's heart was too cramped a space to harbor both Rachel and Leah, he made Leah a mother, not once, but seven times, extending her influence in Jacob's household.

With the birth of each child the unhappy Leah hoped to secure her husband's affection. But each time her disappointment grew. She felt the old curse asserting itself: "Your desire will be for your husband and he will rule over you" (Genesis 3:16).

Perhaps Jacob still resented Leah for tricking him on their wedding night, disguising herself as his beloved Rachel. Surely Leah's love had been passionate enough to deceive him until morning. She felt both glad and guilty for her part; though, truth to tell, she had little choice but to obey her father, Laban, in the matter. And she thanked God each day for enabling her to bear Jacob's children. Still, children often caused a mother untold sorrow.

Dinah, her only daughter, had been raped by a local prince on their return to Jacob's homeland. Leah hardly knew how to comfort her. To make matters worse, her sons Levi and Simeon avenged their sister by savagely murdering a town-full of people. Then Reuben disgraced himself by sleeping with his father's concubine Bilhah.

Hadn't God promised to protect us if we returned to this land of promise? How, then, could such things happen? Leah wondered. True, God had watched over them as they faced Esau and his four hundred men. But Leah's joy at the brothers' friendly reunion was eclipsed by her sorrow at once again being proved the lesser-loved wife. Jacob had made it plain enough by placing Rachel and her children last in their long caravan, giving them the best chance of escape should Esau prove violent.

But Jacob's love could not prevent Rachel from dying in childbirth. Leah, not Rachel, was destined to be his first and last wife. Alongside her husband, the father of Israel, she would be revered as a mother of Israel. In fact, the promise of a Savior was carried not through Rachel's Joseph but through Leah's Judah, whose descendants would include David, Israel's great king, and Jesus, the long-awaited Messiah. In the end, Jacob was laid to rest in the cave of Machpelah, next to his first wife, Leah, rather than his favorite wife, Rachel, who was buried somewhere near Ephrath.

The two sisters, Rachel and Leah, remind us that life is fraught with sorrow and peril, much of it caused by sin and selfishness. Both women suffered—each in her own way—the curse of Eve after she was expelled from her garden paradise. While Rachel experienced great pain in giving birth to children, Leah experienced the anguish of loving a man who seemed indifferent to her. Yet both women became mothers in Israel, leaving their homeland to play essential roles in the story of God's great plan for his people.

Her Promise

The Lord noticed Leah's misery. He looked down and saw a woman who was lonely and sad because her husband loved his other wife better than he loved her. So, to ease her sorrow, to provide her comfort, God gave her children—beautiful, intelligent, strong children, one of whom would establish the lineage of the priests of Israel and another who was an ancestor of Jesus himself.

This same God of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Leah is our God. He sees our miseries, no matter how small or how large. He knows our circumstances, our feelings, our hurts. And, just as in Leah's life, he is willing to step in and create something beautiful in and through us.


Today's reading is a brief excerpt from Women of the Bible: A One-Year Devotional Study of Women in Scripture by Ann Spangler and Jean Syswerda (Zondervan). © 2010 by Ann Spangler. Used with permission. All rights reserved. Enjoy the complete book by purchasing your own copy at the Bible Gateway Store. The book's title must be included when sharing the above content on social media.

Girlfriends in God - R-E-S-P-E-C-T

by Sharon Jaynes

Today’s Truth

“Let the wife see that she respects and reverences her husband [that she notices him, regards him, honors him, prefers him, venerates and esteems him, and that she defers to him, praises him, and loves and admires him exceedingly” (Ephesians 5:33 AMPC).

Friend to Friend

I’ve been shut up, shut down, shot down, ridiculed, disregarded, overlooked, over- booked, and overwhelmed…I know I was made for a reason. I know that, in God’s eyes, I count. So, I simply want to find someone who believes in me.

No, these are not the lyrics from the latest country song. They are the lament from one of the men who answered my survey of what they were looking for in the woman of their dreams. It seems Aretha Franklin isn’t the only one who wants a little r-e-s-p-e-c-t these days. One area that rated very high when I surveyed hundreds of men was their longing for RESPECT. Webster’s dictionary defines respect as the special esteem or consideration in which one holds another person or thing, the state or quality of being esteemed, to feel or show consideration to. It’s the one thing a happy husband can’t do without. It’s the one thing that all men long for…married or single.

In the Bible, Paul wrote to both men and women about their various roles in marriage. In the book of Ephesians he wrote, “Each one of you (men) also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband” (Ephesians 5:33 NIV).

Now, that doesn’t mean that husbands don’t have to respect their wives or wives don’t have to love their husbands. I believe Paul was summing up what was paramount for both men and women. We want to be loved and cherished just like men want to be honored and respected.

Another reason I believe that Paul admonishes wives to respect their husbands is because he knew that after years of mistakes, poor choices, wrong decisions, and smelly socks, respect may not come naturally for a wife. It may well take an act of the will empowered by the Holy Spirit.

But how do you respect someone who vegetates watching TV all the time? How do you respect someone who sits around waiting for the right job to come along when you’re working yourself to death trying to keep food on the table? (You may need to stop and quietly put that responsibility back where it belongs.)

How do you respect someone who apparently has no respect for himself? It may seem impossible, but as the angel asked Abraham, “Is anything too hard for the LORD?” (Genesis 18:14). The same God who parted the sea for the Israelites to walk across on dry land, who caused the walls of Jericho to fall with a shout, who kept Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego from even a hint of smoke as they exited the fiery furnace, who caused flesh to reappear on the rotted hands of lepers, who made a man blind from birth see, and who raised Lazarus from the dead—that same God can give you the power to respect your husband. It all begins with prayer and follows with obedience close behind. There is “incomparable great power” available to those who believe (Ephesians 1:19).

In the Bible, power always follows obedience.

• As soon as the high priests crossing the Jordan placed their feet in the water, the river parted (Joshua 3:15-16).
• As soon as the rotting lepers turned toward Jerusalem to tell the priests they were cleansed, their skin began to heal (Luke 17:14).
• As soon as Namaan dipped into the river seven times as the prophet Elijah had commanded, his leprosy began to disappear (2 Kings 5:14).

The miracle didn’t come before they obeyed, but after they obeyed. Do you want to see a miracle unfold before your eyes like an unfurling rose? Obey God. An amazing thing happens when we begin to show respect to our husbands. They begin to act respectable.

Let’s go back to Paul’s letter to the Ephesians. I love how the amplified version expounds on Ephesians 5:33. “Let the wife see that she respects and reverences her husband [that she notices him, regards him, honors him, prefers him, venerates and esteems him, and that she defers to him, praises him, and loves and admires him exceedingly.” What a power-packed verse!

Friend and fellow author, Carol Ladd, said, “Respect is wrapped up in the beautiful paper of kind and gentle words and tied with the enormous ribbons of a loving spirit.” It is one of the most beautiful gifts a wife can give.

Let’s Pray (For Married GiGs)

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for my husband. Help me, in all areas of my life, to be the wife that he needs. Help me to respect, revere, regard, honor, prefer and esteem him greatly. Not only that, but help me to show it in my words and actions so that there is no doubt in his mind just how much I love him.
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen

Let’s Pray (For Single GiGs)

Lord, even though I’m not married, I can show respect to the men in my family. Show me ways I can honor my brother, my son, and my father. And Lord, I pray for my Girlfriends in God who are married. Help them to be the wives that you have called them to be.
In Jesus’ Name,
Amen.

Now It’s Your Turn

During the reign of King David, he brought the once-captured Ark of the Covenant back to Israel. It was one of the grandest moments in his life. Read the account recorded in 2 Samuel 6 and answer the following questions:

How did David’s wife, Michal, react to his outward demonstration of praise to God (6:16-20)?

What was David’s response to her? (6:21)

What was the outcome of her disrespect? (6:23)

What can we learn from her lack of respect?

More from the Girlfriends

February is the month of love and a wonderful time to contemplate marriage. Do you want to become the woman of your husband’s dreams? The woman who makes him sorry to leave in the morning and eager to come home at night? I have several marriage resources to help you do just that, and I’m offering them at a Valentine’s Day Bundle over at my website. The bundle includes my latest book, A 14-Day Romance Challenge!

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

LHM Daily Devotion - "Nothing but Jesus"

 February 6, 2017

For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. I came to you in weakness with great fear and trembling. My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit's power, so that your faith might not rest on human wisdom, but on God's power.  - 1 Corinthians 2:2-5, ESV

Next year, I'll be celebrating my 30th year in ministry in the Lutheran Church -- yes, 30 years! My, how the time has flown by. I feel like it was just yesterday that Yvette and I went to Dallas for our first call, that I'm just starting to hit my stride in mission and ministry, too. But, even more, I realize how privileged I've been to serve and lead young and old, rich and poor -- people from all over the United States and people from many cultures around the world -- as I pastored in New York City, in Los Angeles, in Dallas, and in Brandon, Florida, and now here at The Lutheran Hour . What a joy to have trained over 70 pastors in LCMS church-planting ministry when I was at Concordia University Irvine, in the Cross-Cultural Ministry program there. So, a big shout-out then to all the people I've been privileged to serve: church members, leaders, my CMC pastors.

But here's the devotional point of this fond remembrance, ready? When it comes to all the ups and downs of ministry, church planting, evangelism, and mission, I have come to a basic conclusion about what is essential, what matters, and what empowers our lives of faith and service: nothing but Jesus. Let me say it again, the key to it all is to realize that it is  all about  Jesus, Jesus,  only  Jesus. You see, Jesus is the message of redemption and salvation. Jesus is the Word that saves, that delivers, that serves, and Jesus is the motivation to care for others as He cares for you. Paul summed it up when he said, "While I was with you, I resolved to know nothing except Jesus and Him crucified" (1 Corinthians 2:2).

Now you may be saying, "Wow, Pastor, it took you 30 years to realize that?" Well, I believed it from the start. But I must say, I have grown to know the depth of that simple statement as I have matured. So many of us are always tempted to believe that sure -- we need Jesus -- but we also need other things to really, really be blessed. We miss the point that Jesus is the key to all that we are and do. Paul says in Acts 17, "In Him, we live and move and have our being." This is a fundamental thing. If you miss it, you miss it all. If you receive this good news by faith, it changes everything you think about life -- about love, about relationships, about work, about leisure, about salvation, about eternal life!

When I was training my CMC pastors, I used to say that when you plant a church in the city, there are going to be times when the work challenges you so much that you realize that "all you have is Jesus." And, at that moment, if you realize that Jesus is all you really need, you become an unstoppable force of grace in the city for those you've come to serve. My prayer for you today is that you see that in Christ alone you are that unstoppable force of grace for others because He is all that and more --  for you .

THE PRAYER: Dear Jesus, may we never compartmentalize our faith as if trusting in You was merely part of our life. Let us see the joy, the wisdom, the strength, and the power that You alone bring to all that we are and think! Amen!

Use these devotions in your newsletter and bulletin!  Used by permission; all rights reserved by the Int'l LLL (LHM). The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Permanent Text Edition® (2016). Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

CPTLN Devocional - Amor sufrido

06 de Febrero 2017

"¡Jerusalén, Jerusalén, que matas a los profetas y apedreas a los que son enviados a ti! ¡Cuántas veces quise juntar a tus hijos, como junta la gallina a sus polluelos debajo de sus alas, y no quisiste! ¡Miren cuán desolada se queda la casa de ustedes! Porque yo les digo que no volverán a verme, hasta que digan: 'Bendito el que viene en el nombre del Señor.'" Mateo 23:37-39, RVC

El amor no insiste en salirse con la suya, por lo que sufre el dolor del rechazo.

La gloria del Señor dejó el templo en Jerusalén en el año 587 a.C. (ver Ezequiel 10). Sin embargo, Él regresó con los exiliados para comenzar nuevamente. Cuando Jesús dejó el templo, hizo la promesa de regresar y levantar el velo sobre sus corazones cada vez que se volvieran al Señor.

En ambas ocasiones, cuando Dios dejó el templo, el pueblo ya lo había rechazado. Amar a alguien así como Dios amó a Jerusalén y su gente no significa ser ciego a sus pecados. Por el contrario, hay veces en que el amor requiere una separación. Jesús dejó Jerusalén para que esta pudiera recapacitar. ¿Has sido rechazado por alguien a quien has amado? ¿Cuánto te esforzaste por conquistarle?

Es con esos sentimientos, creo yo, que Jesús dijo: "¡Miren cuán desolada se queda la casa de ustedes! Porque yo les digo que no volverán a verme, hasta que digan: 'Bendito el que viene en el nombre del Señor.'" La palabra que usa el Antiguo Testamento para decir lo que Jesús estaba diciendo es ichabod, que significa: "la gloria se ha ido".

Sin embargo, el amor de Dios no se termina. Por más que peques, Él no deja de amarte. Él te disciplina en amor para que tu vieja naturaleza pecaminosa disminuya y seas revestido con su vida. Él cargó con la culpa de tus pecados sólo porque te ama. Y, a cambio de eso, tú puedes vestir su naturaleza perfecta. ¿Cómo se siente el ser amado con un amor eterno? ¿Cuánto te cambia su amor?

ORACIÓN: Señor Jesús, ayúdanos a experimentar la profundidad de tu amor. Amén.

© Copyright 2017 Cristo Para Todas Las Naciones. Reina Valera Contemporánea (RVC) Copyright © 2009, 2011 by Sociedades Bíblicas Unidas